A few suggestions

[DeepSix]

Firstly i have a few questions;

When does the AI decide when to use large ships ?

Im not to far into the first year and Iv detected Massive size craft with Large escorts. I have a fleet of interceptors that are still no match for these vessels.

Would you consider making the whole base defense process a little more interesting ?

I noticed theres a panel on the Personnel/Training screen "#####", once soldiers are placed in training for 10 days there unable to be reassigned. Is this intended ?

At the moment is there any benefit to using burst vs single ?

I dont expect an answer to this last question because its of low relevance, I just thought id ask incase you wanted to comment.;

I see the F 17 Condor(based off the F 16) was chosen, Wouldnt the F 14(Tomcat) be better suited for air to air combat ? If im not mistaken I think its capable of longer range and has a wider weapon payload.

A few suggestions:

-One of the first things i noticed, some buttons dont have tooltip overlays. This could be very helpful by providing useful information for new players.

-Alot of dialogs seem to display cut short and are difficult to read.

-The Ballistic Rifle info show a 30rd mag but only gives 20 ingame, the same with the Precision Rifle, info shows a 15rd clip but only 10 are of use.

-The CH 48, Xenopedia states it can accompany 10 soldiers but you can actually only assign 8.

-Regrading the Xenopedia info on facility's are absent.

-There seems to be room for two vehicles in the CH 48 instead of only having one.

-I like the idea of of having two square hangers instead of the initial 4 square like in the legendary X-Com but if there are going to be 2 square Living Quarters, Labs, and Workshops why not be able to select between horizontal & vertical during placement giving the player the option to utilize space.

[Sathra]

When the aliens start to use larger ships depends slightly on how well you do in-game. Shoot down and capture more of their stuff and they get new stuff slower.

Base defens: More interesting how, exactly?

The #### training button is getting removed next build I think.

Bursts are more inaccurate, but fire more rounds for less TU's. Good at close range. Also, aliens can't shoot you during a burst like they can if you fire multiple single shots.

Its all just planes to me so I dunno.

And for the suggestions:

1. Still have to be written, and the UI is being changed next build or so.

2. UI change should fix this.

3. Mis-set geoscape ammo. It'll be fixed later.

4. Xenopedia article has to be re-written, but its filled out now so it'll be fixed soon.

5. Not sure about this one, maybe new UI will fix?

6. I don't use vehicles so I dunno about this. I think its due to the vehicles taking up so much room.

7. You can rotate buildings with the mousewheel. They look kind of messed up though, but again, UI change.

[Grazgul]

I dont expect an answer to this last question because its of low relevance, I just thought id ask incase you wanted to comment.;

I see the F 17 Condor(based off the F 16) was chosen, Wouldnt the F 14(Tomcat) be better suited for air to air combat ? If im not mistaken I think its capable of longer range and has a wider weapon payload.

I actually liked the question and I wondered about it myself.

The hard-points is very easy to explain.

Interception missions called for two major variables: Speed & Range

Carrying more missiles increases your weight and also your drag. A fully loaded fighter won't be as quick or be able to travel as far as one that only has a minimal air-air load-out. Interceptors usually attacked their target then went back to base, it was pretty rare to get into extended dog fights as fuel was such a massive consideration and their payload was usually pretty light.

As for the aircraft selection.

The Mi-31 definitely was one of the quickest interceptors of that era and would be more capable than most of the US equivalents, as for the F-16 though:

My Opinion:

The F-16 was a multi-role and not particularly stellar in air to air. It was, however 4x cheaper then an F-14.

I doubt using a modified Tomcat would be particular realistic, as the F-14 is a navy plane, it would be more common to see F-15 Eagles operating from ground bases.

I would love to see the F-15 as the standard fighter perhaps the designation of F-15X would be appropriate

I've grabbed most of the common fighters of the cold war and thrown up their principal stats, so you can form your own opinion. I've only really included the stats that have the biggest impact on intercepting high flying craft

F-14D Tomcat

Tangible Stats:

Combat radius: 500 nmi (575 mi, 926 km)

Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph, 2,485 km/h) at high altitude

Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,200 m)

Armament

Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, with 675 rounds

Hardpoints: 10 total: [6× under-fuselage, 2× under nacelles and 2× on wing gloves]

F-15 Eagle

Tangible Stats:

Combat radius: 1,061 nmi (1,222 mi, 1,967 km) for interdiction mission

Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)

Maximum speed: Mach 2.5+ (1,650+ mph, 2,665+ km/h)

Armament

Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 940 rounds

Hardpoints: Total 11

F-18 Hornet

Tangible Stats:

Combat radius: 400 nmi (460 mi, 740 km) on air-air mission

Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,000+ m)

Maximum speed: Mach 1.8+[13] (1,370 mph, 1,915 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)

Armament

Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan nose mounted gatling gun, 578 rounds

Hardpoints: 9 total [2× wingtips missile launch rail, 4× under-wing, and 3× under-fuselage]

F-16 Fighting Falcon

Tangible Stats:

Combat radius: 700 km (unconfirmed)

Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft[1] (15,240+ m)

Maximum speed Mach 2 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h)

Armament

Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 511 rounds

Hardpoints: 11 [2× wing-tip Air-to-air missile launch rails, 6× under-wing & 3× under-fuselage]

As you can see the F-15 was faster, flew higher and had more range then the other aircraft. It's such an iconic aircraft aswell that I'm sure it's a popular choice. I wouldn't mind seeing it added as an additional aircraft, similar to Mi-31s and how they are unlocked.

Obviously the Mig 31 (Mi-32 in Xenonauts) was the better interceptor out of any of the above:

Mig 31 'Foxhound'

Tangible Stats:

Combat radius: 1,450 km (900 mi)

Service ceiling: 20,600 m (67,600 ft)

Maximum speed: Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/h, 1,860 mph)

Armament

1× GSh-6-23 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds.

I think 8 or so hardpoints (my memory is blanking >_<)

Edited June 5, 2013 by Grazgul
Added Mig and some grammar

[StellarRat]

Well, the F-16 and F-18 are far more maneuverable than the other planes you listed. In a gun fight, I'd want those, but long range ATA the F-14 wins hands down over all of them with the era. Better electronics, larger load out, and of course the Phoenix missile could only be carried by an F-14. I do believe it is possible to mod different AC into the game, so you can probably have anything you want within limits if you're willing to load a mod or make one.

[StellarRat]

Just as an historical note there was in fact an YF-17. It was the competing prototype that lost to the F-16 during the development phase.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_YF-17

[green slime]

I actually liked the question and I wondered about it myself.

The hard-points is very easy to explain.

Interception missions called for two major variables: Speed & Range

Carrying more missiles increases your weight and also your drag. A fully loaded fighter won't be as quick or be able to travel as far as one that only has a minimal air-air load-out. Interceptors usually attacked their target then went back to base, it was pretty rare to get into extended dog fights as fuel was such a massive consideration and their payload was usually pretty light.

As for the aircraft selection.

The Mi-31 definitely was one of the quickest interceptors of that era and would be more capable than most of the US equivalents, as for the F-16 though:

My Opinion:

The F-16 was a multi-role and not particularly stellar in air to air. It was, however 4x cheaper then an F-14.

I doubt using a modified Tomcat would be particular realistic, as the F-14 is a navy plane, it would be more common to see F-15 Eagles operating from ground bases.

I would love to see the F-15 as the standard fighter perhaps the designation of F-15X would be appropriate

I've grabbed most of the common fighters of the cold war and thrown up their principal stats, so you can form your own opinion. I've only really included the stats that have the biggest impact on intercepting high flying craft

F-14D Tomcat

Tangible Stats:

Combat radius: 500 nmi (575 mi, 926 km)

Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph, 2,485 km/h) at high altitude

Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,200 m)

Armament

Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, with 675 rounds

Hardpoints: 10 total: [6× under-fuselage, 2× under nacelles and 2× on wing gloves]

F14A was the variant available in 1979. It was sold to Iran as well. The F-14D variant was first delivered in 1991 (Not that the paper statistics would alter too much)

IIRC, The F18 was not operational until 1983. The F16 was operational in 1980. Both designs could of course been ready earlier, in different circumstances.

[green slime]

Well, the F-16 and F-18 are far more maneuverable than the other planes you listed. In a gun fight, I'd want those, but long range ATA the F-14 wins hands down over all of them with the era. Better electronics, larger load out, and of course the Phoenix missile could only be carried by an F-14. I do believe it is possible to mod different AC into the game, so you can probably have anything you want within limits if you're willing to load a mod or make one.

The F14A supplied to Iran so dominated the airwar between Iraq and Iran in 1980-1989, that mere presence of an Iranian F14A in the area caused the Iraqi pilots to abort their mission. Inspite of being supplied with then current airframes from both France and Russia (Mig 21's and 23's, Mirage F1). In a mission to shoot down a UFO, I'd want an F14.

[StellarRat]

The F14A supplied to Iran so dominated the airwar between Iraq and Iran in 1980-1989, that mere presence of an Iranian F14A in the area caused the Iraqi pilots to abort their mission. Inspite of being supplied with then current airframes from both France and Russia (Mig 21's and 23's, Mirage F1). In a mission to shoot down a UFO, I'd want an F14.

I would agree with you if nothing was known about the UFOs. However, it is quite possible that they could have abilities that would lead to more close in fighting where the F-16 would be more advantageous. Obviously, most combat in Xenonauts is done with missiles so the F-14 would be a better choice. As practical matter, F-14s were expensive to purchase, expensive to maintain, difficult to maintain, and required two man crews. So, they would be much more expensive for the Xenonauts to keep around if that were a consideration. Also, the AIM-54 proved to be not such a good missile. It's very limited combat record was dismal, but then again, it was never really used for it's intended targets (Soviet bombers.) Edited June 5, 2013 by StellarRat

[Grazgul]

Just as an historical note there was in fact an YF-17. It was the competing prototype that lost to the F-16 during the development phase.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_YF-17

I did forget about that and I wouldn't be surprised if it had been picked up by an high-flying-UFO-killing organization, had one existed Thanks for putting that in!

As for F-15 vs F-14, it's hard to pick a clear winner. The only real accepted argument is that both were exceptional aircraft.

Most of what I've gathered leaves me with:

The F-15 has a much better combat range and is more maneuverable.

The F-14 has a much better payload and the electronics were better.

Realistically, both were better then the F-16 in my humble opinion.

[Crowst]

If we're going with a rag-tag band of misfits motif, no aircraft in the U.S. arsenal would be particularly apt. A better choice would be something like the Saab Gripen due to its very low maintence requirements, ease of service, and low acquisition costs.

If we're going with badass military organization with unlimited funds, an F-15 or even F-22 clone would be the obvious choice. These two aircraft represent the premier air superiority fighters of the Cold War and modern day respectively.

[green slime]

If we're going with a rag-tag band of misfits motif, no aircraft in the U.S. arsenal would be particularly apt. A better choice would be something like the Saab Gripen due to its very low maintence requirements, ease of service, and low acquisition costs.

If we're going with badass military organization with unlimited funds, an F-15 or even F-22 clone would be the obvious choice. These two aircraft represent the premier air superiority fighters of the Cold War and modern day respectively.

In 1979?!? No Gripen, I'm afraid. For low maintenance, the choice would then be JA-37 Viggen, which I believe is actually one of the few aircraft which has achieved a missile lock on a SR-71, and was field maintained by conscripts. But it was never that cheap, as it was never successfully sold to another operator than the Swedish Air Force. For "cheap" we'd have to look at Northrop's F-5.

[Crowst]

In 1979?!? No Gripen, I'm afraid. For low maintenance, the choice would then be JA-37 Viggen, which I believe is actually one of the few aircraft which has achieved a missile lock on a SR-71, and was field maintained by conscripts. But it was never that cheap, as it was never successfully sold to another operator than the Swedish Air Force. For "cheap" we'd have to look at Northrop's F-5.

Is it 1979? I honestly never looked at the year in game, only the month and day!

Hmm...In that case I would DEFINITELY go with the F-5. I love the shit outta the F-5. The Viggen is a pretty shit hot fighter too for 1970.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Crowst

[green slime]

Strange how time does that to you! ;o)

The JA-37 version was just rolling off the manufacturer's floor in 1979. Not sure how quickly it got operational.