Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Shadowclaw777]

Main problem I’m seeing is that like our Small Scout last round, that Xcom can just over-specialize in a mission and destroy our UFO and get free tokens. If we have a Medium Scout (which also has a mortar for ground usage), and a Medium Fighter, + some support from the Small Scout. We can destroy any Xcom interference and they don’t get any tokens

[sprinkled chariot]

We had enough of gifting xcom free shit already

[10ebbor10]

Craft: 1 Medium Scout, 1 Small Scout, 1 Medium Fighter ((6 Unit Storage))
Units: 1 ( Free) Infiltrated Skin Crawlers, 1 (Free) Sectoid, 2 Skin Crawlers, 1 Sectoid, 1 UP Scout Drone
Equipment: 1 AAA Missile on Medium Fighter, 1 AAA Missile on Medium Scout
Destination: Australia
Mission Type: “Rescue Contact’s Relative”

Missions launched. Commence revision phase. Don't forget the challenge.

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

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  | 1 Free

Light fighter : Roughly half the size of a Small Scout, the Light fighter is a small craft that can be slaved to a nearby UFO to defend it. It's armed with 3 forward firing plasma guns, giving it a decent amount of firepower. Like the small scout, it is powered by a single Elerium core that gives it decent speed. Cost : 1 VP

Medium fighter Roughly 3 quarters the size of a small scout, the medium fighter is a small automated craft capable of independent operation. It's armed with 3 forward firing plasma guns, giving it a decent amount of firepower. Powered by an enlarged Elerium reactor, it's small size gives it greatly superior speed and maneuverability. Cost : 2 VP

Medium Scout : Roughly twice the size of it's smaller cousin, the medium scout is medium sized craft powered by a single large elerium reactor. It's armed with 3 plasma turrets around of the rim of the hull, and a mortar for ground use. It's armor is no stronger than that on the light scout, but an extra layer around the core provides extra protection to critical systems/ It's powerful engines give it's decent speed while carrying 4 units.
Cost: 3 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 threatens, the container will perform an auto-sterilization cycle.  Cost : 1 EP

ECM equipped flight computer : A modified flight computer that can mimic a larger ship or deceive missiles.
Cost: 0 EP

Defensive Plasma Wave : A modification of our current generation plasma weaponry, that allows our vessels to engulf themselves in a bath of plasma to stop missiles at close range.
Cost :0EP

AAA missile battery : A missile launcher that replaces a normal plasma cannon. Launches advanced, intelligent and high yield Alien anti air missiles. Each launcher contains 2 missiles. (Cost 1 EP).

Elder's Scorn : A modified Elerium power core that destroy a ship when it sustains damage, or it's crew is killed/incapacitated.
Cost: 0.25  EP

Aliens
Sectoid : A formerly 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. Integration of human DNA has brought their strength up to par with human baseline.
    - Reversable Mind Merge: Merge minds with an organic, intelligent friendly or enemy, giving or drawing upon them for strength
Cost 1 UP   ( 1 Free available)

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

Skin Crawler : An infiltrator unit capable of mimicking human form (more or less). Has 8 claw equipped tentacles and is capable of using most handheld technologies.
Cost 2 UP (+1 UP if infiltrated [Infiltrated units require no transportation, but can not use equipment]) [3 UP worth free] 

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.

Recruit Collaborators : A more complex mission profile that relies on the insertion of infiltrating units to make contact and recruit potential collaborators.

Alien Resources

4+1 VP
6 UP
2 EP

2 DNA token

Dark side of the Moon base [Hidden, Industrious]

Spoiler: PANIC METER (click to show/hide)

Africa
---> Egypt
---> South Africa
---> Nigeria

Asia
--->Australia  Light infiltration
--->China
--->India
--->Japan

Europe
--->France
--->Germany
--->Russia
--->United Kingdom

North America
--->Canada
--->Mexico
--->United States

South America
--->Argentina
--->Brazil   X

Revision

Turn 7

Challenges : The Ethereals have decided to catalogue our enemies equipment. The side which manages to make the best description/analysis of a piece of enemy equipment may win a price.

AABBCCDD

[SamSpeeds]

Synthesization Chambers

An additional wing of production chambers on Base Luna, utilizing advanced and powerful nanomachine chambers and large multipurpose machine arms to quickly and easily create anything that might be needed, from pieces of equipment to parts of ships.

Goal: To get more EP and some VP for when we finally get armor lol

AAA 2

Our first AAA attempt was good, but failed in some aspects. We'll try again, and make sure to get the ammo capacity and cost right this time.

Lesser Mutons, Once More

Try em again!

We tried Lesser Mutons the first time, right? Or was it the other proposal?

[Shadowclaw777]

Extended AAA:
The previous generation of AAA missiles lack accuracy, ammo Capacity, range, and destructive potency in their usage. We have realized that the ammo Capacity and potency are the things that need to be altered
The new revised AAA missiles now comes in pods of four missile arrays with a new anti-armor blast to them, if Xcom thinks they can field either missiles or of aerial interceptor jets with armor of either terrestrial or alien kind, they will be in a horrible surprise of realization when they notice that our AAA missiles can penetrate armor quite handily and horribly destroying their ships, with plasma glue all over their wings and cockpits.

[Kashyyk]

Decoy Drones
Utilising our high skill in automation (evidenced with our fighters, AAA and scout drones) these are space-capable drones approximately 2m³ and equipped with large ECM arrays, intended to make the drone appear much larger and more threatening on X-Com scanners. The drone is also fitted with a self-destruct mechanism, designed to make the vessel completely worthless to X-Com if somehow recovered. These drones should be buildable en-mass, and allow us to flood X-Com with false positives and provide our actual missions with defence in numbers. When deployed, the drone will follow a pre-plotted course across areas of Earth, intended to mimic an actual Alien operation.

[NUKE9.13]

I think Decoy Drones are a good idea, but would work better as a design.

AAA v2: The aim of this revision is simple: to increase the ammo capacity of our missile turrets, without significantly increasing bulk or cost. To achieve this, we have made the missiles more compact, by combining elements where possible. Most notably, using experience from Elder's Scorn (not replicating it entirely, but building on the experience), we have modified the Elerium power source to double as the warhead- this does make it less effective as a power source, but it is unlikely that a missile will require more than a few minutes of flight time at the very most. The full AI core has been pared down, removing unnecessary capabilities, and miniaturising the rest. The gravity drive is no longer capable of completely arbitrary movement- should it for some reason need to make a 180° turn, it will need to actually turn, rather than simply accelerate in the opposite direction- which cuts down on the required size considerably.
Ideally, we exchange a minor drop in performance for a substantially increased ammo capacity.

[Kashyyk]

[] Extended AAA :
[1] AAA v2 : Kashyyk

I've gone for Nuke's because theirs more heavily indicates that we want more ammo, whereas Shadowclaws reads as if we're trying to improve their power.

[NUKE9.13]

[] Extended AAA :
[2] AAA v2 : Kashyyk, NUKE9.13

[TopHat]

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that running more than one mission equals giving X-Com free stuff, but it's a bit late to argue that point this turn.

Regarding the revision, I would much rather focus on reducing the cost of our missiles rather than increasing the magazine size - we're short of EP as it is and cheaper launchers are far more flexible. I am however wary of reducing their effectiveness too much, especially as X-Com will doubtless develop countermeasures quickly. Something like this might be doable, though the savings won't nearly be as considerable as we'd get from making the missiles less effective.

Our new missiles are technological marvels but too resource intensive to deploy in large numbers given that we are only really equipped to support plasma-armed craft. By expanding local manufacturing, overhauling our supply chain, and making numerous other small efficency savings, we should be able to reduce their deployment cost by a small, though still significant, amount.

Alternatively, we could finally get round to giving our infantry weapons with a long enough range that they can fight back on the ground. I consider this more important at the moment - two effectively guaranteed air kills per launcher should be enough for the next couple of turns.

Our plasma pistol is an effective sidearm but hindered at long ranges. Fortunately the improved strength of our sectoids enables the use of heavier weaponry. This model has been extended into a full-blown rifle, making it both more accurate and more powerful. As a result its effectiveness at longer ranges should be increased significantly. Slots have been included above and below the barrel for any additions such as sights or grenade launchers we may later develop.

On another note, here's my attempt at a submission for the challenge, though it got a bit long and off topic.

Spoiler: Challenge submission (click to show/hide)

When we first came to Earth the locals' primative aircraft were equipped with equally primative, chemically-propelled homing missiles. These missiles, fired in pairs, were inaccurate, with initial engagements showing only a 75% hit rate against our simplest of craft, the small scout, and underpowered - only one in three hits successfully downing a scout. Rapid improvements were necessary in the face of our own superior technology, and were deployed with surprising speed.

It is possible that the first improvements came after our second wave of attacks. Whereas before only four missiles had been deployed at once, now the enemy fighters were equipped with twelve, which they were capable of firing in a single salvo. However, these missiles - designated 'Avalanche' - were no more powerful than those previously used, and initially proved greatly limited by the reaction time of their human pilots [see: Wave 3 Combat Report: Sea of Brazil]. Whether they were new missiles altogether, or merely an increased load of the same, is unknown at this time.

This failure, spurred on by our development of ECM systems, led to the development of a second-generation missile [see: Primative Weapon Data Document 12]. As well as being immune to our electronic countermeasures, this missile's performance has proved far superior to that of its predecessors. In all subsequent air combats prior to the introduction of the defensive plasma wave system (DPW), our craft were destroyed with no chance to respond - possibly indicating an increased effective range. Ground-to-air varients of this missile have also been encountered, either operated by X-com or a local military with X-Com support. [see: Preliminary Report on Native Politics: Europe]
As a aside, it is possible that these latest improvements were caused by improved fire control and sensor technology rather than through significant changes to the missile itself. In any case, the mechanism by which they are able to bypass our ECM is unknown. Such speculation is outside the scope of this article, however.

Future developments are difficult to predict, with the DPW having rendered their current missiles obsolete (only one hit out of eighteen fired missiles on its only deployment so far). Although in the immediate future it is likely that X-Com will stop using missiles as their primary air-to-air armament, placing even greater emphasis on their new railguns, it is plausible that the deployment of our own missiles will encourage them to design a new missile capable of beating the DPW at a comparable range. These would most likely be substantially larger than their current ones, with a stronger warhead and ablative armour to ensure they reach and destroy their target despite the plasma bath they will receive.

[] Extended AAA :
[2] AAA v2 : Kashyyk, NUKE9.13
[1]Plasma Rifle: TopHat

[NUKE9.13]

Regarding the revision, I would much rather focus on reducing the cost of our missiles rather than increasing the magazine size - we're short of EP as it is and cheaper launchers are far more flexible. I am however wary of reducing their effectiveness too much, especially as X-Com will doubtless develop countermeasures quickly. Something like this might be doable, though the savings won't nearly be as considerable as we'd get from making the missiles less effective.

So, there are several reasons I prefer expanded magazines to reduced cost:
-Reducing the cost won't do anything for us this turn, as we have already deployed. But thanks to schrodinger's revisions, increased magazine capacity can.
-I'd rather increase our available EP than constantly try to cram everything into a 2EP budget.
-Whilst it is true that cheaper missiles would be more flexible, they would also take up more turret slots. Halving the cost and doubling ammo results in the same amount of missiles, but the former results in reduced plasma weaponry.
-I think reducing the cost would be harder than reducing the size.

Alternatively, we could finally get round to giving our infantry weapons with a long enough range that they can fight back on the ground. I consider this more important at the moment - two effectively guaranteed air kills per launcher should be enough for the next couple of turns.

Actually, you're probably right that we should do something for the ground. I had this idea that we could shoot down Skyrangers if we brought enough missiles, but I'm not sure whether that's plausible. I mean, so far, there hasn't been any mention of a Skyranger ever being in the slightest danger, even when we completely controlled the airspace. It may just be that the game is set up such that the aliens have to win both fights whilst XCOM need only win one.

And a plasma rifle shouldn't cost any EP (since presumably XCOM's standard rifles don't either (not sure about their railguns)), and we will want them for future heavy units. Yeah, alright.

[] Extended AAA :
[1] AAA v2 : Kashyyk
[2]Plasma Rifle: TopHat, NUKE9.13

[10ebbor10]

It may just be that the game is set up such that the aliens have to win both fights whilst XCOM need only win one.

If you roll well on the spot rolls, you sometimes get to evade the ground battle.

[Failbird105]

[] Extended AAA :
[1] AAA v2 : Kashyyk
[3]Plasma Rifle: TopHat, NUKE9.13, Failbird105

Yep, I'm all for making a quality gun, surprised we put this off so long.

[Puppyguard]

[] Extended AAA :
[1] AAA v2 : Kashyyk
[4]Plasma Rifle: TopHat, NUKE9.13, Failbird105, Puppyguard.

[TopHat]

As far as I can tell there have only been two challenge submissions form our side so far:

Spoiler: Primative Weapon Data Document 12 - piratejoe (click to show/hide)

The current missile weapons utilized by the primitives on the planet they call earth are an interesting and surprisingly advanced design. The weapon is designed in such a way that its sensors are able to strike at our ships despite our ECM, it is also possible that the technology in this missile could, theoretically, use our ECM against us due to the fact our ECM utilizes the main method of tracking via producing a stronger radar signal, although this is unable to be proven at this time. The warhead of this missile presumably has the same level of explosive power as their last missile and has been proven to not do as much damage against our craft compared to their rail gun which is described in Primitive Weapon Data Document 10. It should be possible to outrun or outmaneuver these weapons with proper AI and mobility for our craft, as although current countermeasures have proven effective against their missiles, recent combat has proven that at least one of them are was to slip through the new countermeasures and strike the craft. There are only a few of these on all primitive aircraft, limiting the amount they are able to use before they are forced to switch weapons, however they presumably are fired at a longer range then their secondary armament due to always firing the missiles first. It should be noted it is highly effective against our light scouts and all efforts to move to larger more armored craft should be taken.

Spoiler: Analysis of Native Air-to-Air Ordnance - TopHat (click to show/hide)

When we first came to Earth the locals' primative aircraft were equipped with equally primative, chemically-propelled homing missiles. These missiles, fired in pairs, were inaccurate, with initial engagements showing only a 75% hit rate against our simplest of craft, the small scout, and underpowered - only one in three hits successfully downing a scout. Rapid improvements were necessary in the face of our own superior technology, and were deployed with surprising speed.

It is possible that the first improvements came after our second wave of attacks. Whereas before only four missiles had been deployed at once, now the enemy fighters were equipped with twelve, which they were capable of firing in a single salvo. However, these missiles - designated 'Avalanche' - were no more powerful than those previously used, and initially proved greatly limited by the reaction time of their human pilots [see: Wave 3 Combat Report: Sea of Brazil]. Whether they were new missiles altogether, or merely an increased load of the same, is unknown at this time.

This failure, spurred on by our development of ECM systems, led to the development of a second-generation missile [see: Primative Weapon Data Document 12]. As well as being immune to our electronic countermeasures, this missile's performance has proved far superior to that of its predecessors. In all subsequent air combats prior to the introduction of the defensive plasma wave system (DPW), our craft were destroyed with no chance to respond - possibly indicating an increased effective range. Ground-to-air varients of this missile have also been encountered, either operated by X-com or a local military with X-Com support. [see: Preliminary Report on Native Politics: Europe]
As a aside, it is possible that these latest improvements were caused by improved fire control and sensor technology rather than through significant changes to the missile itself. In any case, the mechanism by which they are able to bypass our ECM is unknown. Such speculation is outside the scope of this article, however.

Future developments are difficult to predict, with the DPW having rendered their current missiles obsolete (only one hit out of eighteen fired missiles so far). Although in the immediate future it is considered likely that X-Com will stop using missiles as their primary air-to-air armament, placing even greater emphasis on their new railguns, it is plausible that the deployment of our own missiles and the corresponding range advantage they will give us will encourage them to design a new missile capable of beating the DPW at a comparable range. These would most likely be substantially larger than their current ones, with a stronger warhead and ablative armour to ensure they reach and destroy their target despite the plasma bath they will receive.

On another note:
r.e. AAA cost vs magazine capacity:
- Increasing Point reserves and decreasing costs are by no means mutually exclusive; indeed the one complements the other.
- The importance of flexibility vs turret slots will depend on our mission planning approach. If we continue to run a single large mission a turn, magazine size is better for the reasons you outlined. If we run more, smaller missions (which I think is our best course of action) then reduced costs will be more useful due to the ability to split the launchers among multiple missions.
- I hadn't thought about the relative difficulty of the two options; that may well be the case. I doubt the effect will be that major, though, given the significant overlap between the two goals.