Revision ResolutionMind ClutchMind Merge allows a sectoid to provide one of there allies with an extra viewpoint to aim with, and targeting information to use, but has the cost of lethal feedback if the initiator dies.
The simple idea of Mind Clutch is literally just to allow a sectoid to force mind merge with an enemy. The effect of this is threefold, they are disoriented by a second viewpoint, confused by incorrect targeting information, and if the initiator is killed while clutching then the victim dies as well. All this, and the only change is who the power is used on.
Easy : 4+ 4 +1 = 9
Major Unexpected boonReversed Mind Merge : Mind merge is a simple yet dangerous technique, fit only for disposable creatures such as the sectoid. The union of minds may grant extra focus and knowledge, but it also shares weakness. Should the initiator of the link die, then the reciever dies as well. It's an intriguing idea then, to share this poisoned gift with our enemies. But more intriguing than that, is to simply take it from them. The reversed mind merge allows a sectoid to merge with an enemies mind, and draw upon it for focus. The enemy is left dazzled and confused while the Sectoid can see through it's senses.
Battle ResolutionMission Type: Harvest
Craft(s): 1 Small Scout (1VP)
Unit loadout: 1 Sectoid (Plasma Pistols, Meld container) (1UP, 1EP)
1 Scout Drone (1UP)
Destination: Egypt
The small UFO tears through the thin atmosphere above Egypt at hypersonic velocity, descending steadily towards it's destination. It's sleek, dark hull blends with the darkness of space above, it's flickering shields making it shimmer as if it were a gemstone set into the sky. It's a serenely beautiful sight, which is shattered suddenly when UFO's plasma turret opens fire.
A burst of veridiscent plasma bursts through the sky, only narrowly missing the small interceptor that suddenly intrudes upon the scene. It's design clearly reflects that of technology base still shackled by air breathing engines and aerodynamics. Unlike the round UFO, which can fly equally well in any direction, the interceptor has a clearly visible front and back, and wings loaded with ordinance.
Closing quickly, the interceptor launches a missile from beneath each wings. The deadly projectiles sweep towards the UFO, which enters a tight turn to avoid them. One missile looses course and overshoots, the other hits dead on. The warhead detonates, and a supersonic jet of liquid metal pierces through the strong hull alloy. For a moment, the aft shield flickers, then fails. Instantly, the contents of the compartment are sucked out, the scout drones and meld containers falling out of the sky. Wounded, but far from defeated, the Ufo continues on.
Another missile volley erupts from the wings of the interceptor, sweeping towards their target. A veridiscent plasma burst speeds the other way, hitting the cockpit head on. The superheated plasma washes over the plane, scouring away the paint, melting the fuselage, until the entire thing desintegrated, half melted parts dropping down towards the Earth.
But even from death the interceptor still strikes true. The two missiles strike true, piercing the armor and damaging the anti-grav. The UFO tumbles from the sky, and it's only through great effort, and despite serious injuries, that a successful landing in the desert is made. Luckily, the damage turns out to be repairable and after several vulnerable hours the UFO limps home.
Result : Mission Intercepted, UFO got away.
Mission 2
Mission Type: Harvest
Craft(s): 1 Small Scout (1VP)
Unit loadout: 1 Sectoid (Plasma Pistols, Meld container) (1UP, 1EP)
1 Scout Drone (1UP)
Destination: South Africa
Fire engulfs the UFO as it descends towards the Earth from space. It's shields and armor keep it safe from the heat of the flame, but not from it's effect. Blinded by the heat of re-entry, the UFO can not see what occurs beneath it. It doesn't see the interceptor carefully lining up until it is too late, and 4 missiles streak towards. One misses entirely, while two others tear large rents in the hull, but don't damage anything vital. The fourth hits dead center, tearing through the elerium power source. An explosion engulfs the craft, leaving behind nothing but falling debris.
Result : UFO Destroyed
Mission Type: Harvest
Craft(s): 1 Small Scout (1VP)
Unit loadout: 1 Sectoid (Plasma Pistols) (1UP)
1 Scout Drone (1UP)
Destination: Nigeria
Contrary to the two other missions, the Nigerian team has a leisurely flight down to the surface, settling down near a small village in the lightly population Nigerian interior. The scout drones prove their effectiveness here, rapidly disabling a few local militia men, and then being a great aid in herding up humans. The greatest issue now is the time it takes for the frail sectoids to gather these disabled humans in their ship. With struggle, one can carry a child, but several are needed to move the adult specimens.
The operation is nearly finished when the UFO turret suddenly starts firing wildly into the sky. A small metal construction, obviously a human reconnaissance droid, drops out of the sky not much later. Hurried now, the sectoids starts clearing the ramps and preparing the ship, but they don't quite manage it before another plane arrives. Larger, but more importantly more cautious, this one doesn't fall prey to our ships plasma turret. Instead it drops off several soldiers, then moves off again.
The battle that follows is brutal, but brief. The enemy soldiers show serious tenacity, fighting on even while distracted by the Mind Meld, even with skin burned by plasma shots. But they're outnumbered, and we know their locations. Scout drones flit up from unexpected areas, shocking or injecting, these soldiers. They do not survive these attacks, but each one takes another enemy. The enemy fights as well as they can, holding on even as our sectoids simply start shooting plasma through the walls of the building they're in. Not one of them is killed without taking at least one of us with them, but they die all the same.
With the town left burning behind us, the remaining sectoids take off with the UFO and have uneventful flight back to base.
Result : Operation Succesful
You have gained 1 UP Token. A UP token can be spend on any UP costing design, and counts as if you 1 UP worth of that design permanently. For example, spend it on sectoids to get 1 free sectoid.
Vehicles
Small scout : One of the tiniest vessels at your disposal, the Small scout is both cheap and reliable. Powered by a single Elerium core, the vessel makes decent speed, while carrying up to 2 units to their destination. It's equipped with a plasma turret for self defense . Cost : 1 VP
Equipment
Plasma Pistols : A basic simple sidearm that has been used in many pacification operations. The plasma pistol is a dependable bit of equipment that is light but not particularly powerful.
Elerium Grenade : The elerium grenade is powerful handheld explosive. Cost : 1 EP
Meld Container : A container filled with the precious Meld, a substance that consists out of billions of cybernetic nanomachines that automatically capture, catalogue and analyse any foreign DNA they find. Greatly increases the effectiveness of recovery operations. If capture threathens, the container will perform an auto-sterilization cycle. Cost : 1 EP
Aliens
Sectoid : A weak species with a limited capability for the gift. Nonetheless, their simple biology allows to easily clone these creatures and deploy them in great numbers.
- Reversable Mind Merge: Merge minds with an organic, intelligent friendly or enemy, giving or drawing upon them for strength
Cost 1 UP
Scout drone : A small but fast scout drone armed with powerfull short range non-lethal weaponry and powerfull sensors. Effective at hunting down humans as well as spotting threats, but lightly armored.
Cost 1 UP or 1 EP
Mission Profiles
Harvest: A simple mission profile that involves a UFO landed in a secluded area to capture humans other lifeforms for analysis in the main base.
Alien Resources
3+1 VP
6 UP
2 EP
Dark side of the Moon base [Hidden, Industrious]
Author
Topic: Ethereals : XCOM Arms Race (Read 65915 times)