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[Spartan 117]

Field Commander "Spartan 117", personal log.

That last mission was just...let me just show a picture.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I almost feel bad for the aliens. I just want to finish the poor bastards off and use the obscene amounts of money I've been getting paid to buy my own fortress. I also had an idea about all those UFO's that fell in the water...

I wonder if those Elerium reactors are waterproof?

[zchris13]

What is the UFO kill count?

[Kagus]

Hahaha, I just realized something...  You know what XCOM needs?

More Warhammer.


I mean, think about it...  New recruits are the Imperial Guard.  They might get armor if they're lucky, but otherwise they're just kicked out into the field with kevlar and a standard-issue laser rifle.  T-shirt and laser pointer.  They love, and rely on, their tanks.

Experienced and valuable troops are the Space Marines.  They're given big guns like the rocket launcher, autocannon or heavy plasma, and are awarded with power armor.

Highliy skilled Psionic troopers are obviously Psykers, spreading panic and dominating the minds of the filthy aliens.

Even assault marines can be replicated by flying suits, possibly with stun rods and pistols/'nades.


Kill the alien.  All hail the God-Emperor of Mankind.

[Spartan 117]

Yeah, and TFTD and Apocalypse have lethal melee weapons.

[Keita]

I approve of this idea.

[sluissa]

Damn it, now I"m gonna have to try a plasma pistol/stun rod wielding flying suit squad. The problem with playing x-com as warhammer though is that with the exception of a couple of the terror units, the aliens generally play a lot like the Tau... that is to shoot you with hurty weapons from a long distance. Tau are generally pretty good against assault heavy armies. And the humans in x-com aren't really very resiliant, even with the good armor. Trying to play the humans as orks, or even as space marines seems like suicide, especially without a quick way to get within assault range, your stuck to dealing with sneaky tactics to get up close and that's not really warhammer at all, unless you count the eldar.

There IS the option of doing it up like the IG. And that tends to be the way a lot of people play. That is, just pack the craft with rookies with cheap guns, laser/pistols or rifles usually, and maybe a tank or two. This is effective for a while, but you do need to upgrade things at some point. Usually it becomes some kinda mix between IG and Tau with your rookies remaining in the IG style and your experienced guys getting the alien weapons are starting to fight more like them.

[Itnetlolor]

Spoiler: Combat Report (click to show/hide)

----<XCOM: UFO DEFENSE INFORMATION CODEX | LOG INPUT DATE: 07-14-99 TIME: 16:00 HOURS>----

SOLDIER REPORTING: [CLASSIFIED] "SIR SNIPESALOT" [CLASSIFIED]

MISSION: STANDARD RECOVERY PROCEDURE / TEST EXPERIMENT PLASMA HOVERTANK
CLASSIFICATION: LARGE SCOUT (SNAKEMAN) / TEST RUN (prj: XC-HT-P B12)
STATUS: SUCCESS / SUCCESS

THESIS:
1-A -- Standard recovery procedure. Extract valuables and supplies.

2-A -- Field test prj: XC-HT-P B12; Test results.

REPORT:
1-A -- More Snakemen were visible than initially planned; however, eradication of any threat has been made successful.

2-A -- The field test of the experimental hovertank (XC-HT-P B12) has been more than successful. Obamarama's reports indicate that the ability for extra height allows a better vantage point for more accurate firing towards indicated targets. The structural rigidity for additional weight and shock absorption can be extended for more intense firepower. Plans for ballistic weaponry have been made, provided adequate firepower can be acquired.  Standard Earth-based weaponry wouldn't seem suitable enough to make full use of this new dimension of firepower.

[END REPORT]

Spoiler: Personal Log (click to show/hide)

Journal entry: 7-14-99, 4:30 PM

The last couple weeks were rather interesting. We got one hell of a radar system finally established. It wasn't doing much for some time, as expected. However a couple days after the hovertank was finally pieced together the rest of the way, and might I say, it looks nice. The pin-up was a nice touch as well. I didn't think 'Bama was much for the classic Betty. One heck of an artistic talent as well, I might say. Anyway, after the Hyper-Wave Decoder was built, we got word of multiple incoming craft. Holy crap, information overload.

Well, it seems those plasma cannons kinda depleted our supply of elerium, as stocks state. However, it's no waste apparently, we got some decent detail from the HWD stating 3 separate incidents of scouts incoming. 2 of them were popped out of the sky in an instant, and the third one was a larger class, a bit more stubborn to take down. I was surprised at just how many Snakemen survived that. Too bad I never got a chance to pop their skulls. However, it was my assignment to make reports on the new tank model. Kaylee made sure to ask permission to sit in the extra seat to help me analyze the field test. As my combat report would show, I only gave a brief detail on the test results. Ask her for the mile-long reports. She knows...

It seems Benito and Obamarama are rivals now. The comms were going nuts with cursing and blasting and score-counting. It sounded fun. Damn shame I was stuck analyzing the reports. Well, not completely. We were getting quite a few glares from the team for our shmoopiness and all; but screw them, we knew what we were getting ourselves into when we took the plunge.

I bet 'Bama didn't appreciate the in-jokes we had between each other while watching the battle happen. I think he knew of our "business" taking place in the ship. I'm surprised he kept quiet. Then again, I guess the pillow being destroyed was supposed to be a warning. I still want to believe it was venting of frustration though.

The mission was unusually quick, oddly enough. It seems as we were taking notes about the new tank; Kaylee wanted to see if she can upscale the tank idea, as well as intermingle the Skyranger's crew containment with the Firestorm idea. It looks like our new ship could possibly be a replica of the medium scouts we've seen in the past. However, we might be able to fight back, and be part of the fight.

The next major design upgrade she plans on doing, I want in on it. I want the next upgrade to look pretty cool. Enough of this flying saucer crap. I want something like I've seen in Cowboy Bebop or something. I'm going to see what I can make. Hell, I'll even try to post a picture on the fridge or something, see if anyone's up for the task.

    ._______.
       /|\
---    |||
     ._\|/_.

As we wait, we might as well go base hunting, and stop the supply lines to gain tons of crap and elerium. Raid the base and get the rest; and then get prepared for a raid of the home base.

And excuse my late update.

[Kagus]

The problem with playing x-com as warhammer though is that with the exception of a couple of the terror units, the aliens generally play a lot like the Tau...

Well, those are obviously the alien mercenaries the Tau like to bring along.

Holy crap, that's it...  This whole invasion, it's a Tau assault!  They've hired on various other alien races and given them access to Tau technology like the plasma rifles before sending them in to soften us up!  I mean, hell, the ruling aliens in the invasion are even called 'Ethereals'!

And look at this picture, taken from an Ethereal autopsy.  Look like anybody you know?

Friends, I believe we have just stumbled upon something very very big...

Usually it becomes some kinda mix between IG and Tau with your rookies remaining in the IG style and your experienced guys getting the alien weapons are starting to fight more like them.

Actually, then it's just time to bring in the Kasrkins and Vindicare.  Let the aliens defile themselves with their heathen tactics and technology, we serve the Emperor!


Note that it's perfectly alright to use plasma weaponry and explosives...  Just say that we're the ones who made 'em.

Even so, laser weapons remain effective throughout the entire game.  Particularly against Ethereal attacks, due to how Sectopods take 150% damage from lasers.

[DI7789]

Sorry, there won't be an update today, it's Guy Fawkes night and I've got to be at an event to stop the host running around with a can of lager in one hand and a lit firework in the other.

[DI7789]

Chapter 13: Aliens on a Plane

Not much happened for the rest of July. McFrederick pretty much took care of all comers by himself.




We made first contact with the Mutons as well.



Obamarama noted that they were almost impervious to most damage.



He also noted they are some of the most spectacularly inaccurate shots he's ever seen. (The plasma shot in this picture was later found to have flown in to space and hit a Fox News Satellite. There was much rejoicing.)

We later intercepted and recovered a pair of Floater UFOs. The aliens appear to be making absolutely no advances in technology. And I can safely deduce we are much better tacticians than them, sine we're pretty much on the same level technology-wise and we are literally kicking their arses with a single tank...although, they haven't really attacked many cities lately.



The first profitable month in a while. I wonder how long these aliens can keep it up.

August, 1st - 31st, entry 1

Well, first interception of the month. Went pretty well, did incur one loss though.



Area 12 informs me they'll have another one up and running by the end of the week. And that pretty much closes today's entry. Since it goes quiet for a bit.

End of Chapter 13

Readers' Choice

No unusual alien activity spikes to speak of. Not a single bit of evidence suggesting there's a base anywhere on Earth. Research hasn't produced any new toys yet since we haven't actually procured any. It's rather boring.

Give me a challenge.

I don't care whether its to take on an entire mission with only one soldier, or...that's the only challenge I can think of at this stage. Any more will be welcome. I'll try to do at least one in the next update.

[Keita]

only equip should be laser pistols and grenades, or just pistols.

[CJ1145]

Create a special "Spec Ops" team of men with no armor and stun rods to attack areas where alien commanders are believed to be.

[Nirur Torir]

Team of rookies with pistols and stun rods. Standard projectile pistols.

[zchris13]

Suit someone up with nothing but stun grenades and armor. Just so he can carry more stun grenades.

[Kagus]

Suit someone up with nothing but stun grenades and armor. Just so he can carry more stun grenades.

Wrong thread.  Man, we really need to sort these X-COM LP's...


Anyways, sure, a one-man mission sounds nifty.  Heck of a lot trickier than in Apocalypse though.

Here's something for you to do...  It's an idea I had a while back, and I want to see if it's good for anything. 

If you've got a fair amount of cash on hand, build another base somewhere.  Put in a hyper-wave decoder, five living quarters, five workshops, as many storage modules as you want and whatever defenses you might care for.

Then hire 244 engineers.


Essentially, you've just created a giant warehouse/production facility.  Any sort of weapons or armor or whatnot that you need can be produced here in a fraction of the time it would take to do it at your main base, and you can store all your extra junk in there as well. 

But more importantly, you can make money off it.  I was looking at a spreadsheet before, and found something kinda nifty...  Apparently, if you have five workshops working on producing laser cannons (244 engineers max, due to the space the lasers themselves take) full-time for one month, they will produce enough goods to net you over $10,000,000.

That's right, net.  Taking into account engineer wages, parts cost, workshop/living quarter maintenance etc.

So, yeah...  Just about double the amount of money coming in.  And you don't have to worry about this source deciding to cut funding, since it's a privately-owned business.  You do have to manage it a little bit more, but it's not that hefty a requirement.