X-COM Preorders

[Kushan]

Anyone know if there is a list somewhere of how many scientist and engineers I have on my staff? Doesn't appear under the engineering or research tabs, or under the situation room under fiances. Want to build a satellite up link facility but don't have enough engineers.

Edit: Nevermind, I'm blind....

Edit 2: A sniper with the squad sigh ability is one of the most dangerous weapons on the battlefield lol

[eyebiter]

Running low on power in the base.  With the thermal power plant - where do you build it?  In the square directly above a steam vent, or place it on the steam square?

[Kushan]

Running low on power in the base.  With the thermal power plant - where do you build it?  In the square directly above a steam vent, or place it on the steam square?

I think you have to build it on a steam vent. You might have to tunnel down deeper by building a lift to that level in order to build on one though.

Whats the best tactic for capturing an alien? Can't seem to get close without exposing my soldier to fire.

[eyebiter]

Use pistol to get the alien down to 1-3 health, then use the arc gun to subdue them.  Use rookies since arc troopers have a high casualty rate.

Or if you have a heavy weapons specialist with the suppressive fire ability, use this to prevent the alien from firing at you.  If your lucky your arc trooper will get in close and taze the alien.

[Steelgrave]

Can't...stop...playing...

I especially love the cut scenes, where your troopers are hauling butt from one point to another, or suddenly the aliens see you and whirl around. Adds a lot to the feeling that these are your guys, especially with the customization options which are available. Sweet XCOM goodness!!!

[CptHowdy]

Use pistol to get the alien down to 1-3 health, then use the arc gun to subdue them.  Use rookies since arc troopers have a high casualty rate.

Or if you have a heavy weapons specialist with the suppressive fire ability, use this to prevent the alien from firing at you.  If your lucky your arc trooper will get in close and taze the alien.

high rank sniper can get a disabling shot or you can give the arc to an assault that has run and gun. best that the enemy has taken some damage first though. i just lost my captain sniper. 11 missions 20 kills. got bumrushed by some mutons. lesson learned, i think!  almost lost all of asia from the council, japan is left but is close to leaving. building a shiv now and more satellites.just not strong enough for the difficult missions, only doing easy and moderate now. guess i could take a squad of rookies  for those hard ones and see what happens!

[Kushan]

The higher level difficulty missions seem to be in countries that are close to leaving in my game. Have had a couple of tough fights tonight. Couple veterans KIA and a lot wounded.

My captain sniper is going on 9 missions. 22 kills. I got him seriously wounded, so he just missed out on my last mission. My back up sniper doesn't have squad sight yet. Really could have used it.

[JudgeDredd]

The higher level difficulty missions seem to be in countries that are close to leaving in my game...

That makes sense actually. If you've already refused a mision there, then you'd expect more aliens. I don't know if that's by design - but makes sense

[JudgeDredd]

Pre-ordered. What the hell...I would've bought soon after release anyway after reading about it - but I've read enough here

[PanzersEast]

After a long play session here are a few of my random impressions:

The game has great atmosphere.  I really like the home base and how you interact with each area, has an old school feel to it.  I like the layout and how you go from area to area, I feel that got that very right.  Production value feels high, I really enjoy the look and layout.

You get attached to your soldiers very quickly.  I find myself placing those guys who have been on several missions and who have ranked and upgraded near the middle of the pack and sending the others ahead.  You die more often than you think... you can also be injured which leaves your guys out of action for a number of days, so you really want to mix up your squads and do not go in guns blazing, Redshirts on Point! :-P .

A game of decisions.... this game forces you to make tough decisions and all of them have consequences.  Let's face it, you should have limited resources just like the real word and you are presented with them here.  There are so many different ways to spend your  money and places to put resources that you have to really think about what you want to do, and they all have some fall out to them..... no right or wrong, just a chosen path.  What kind of facilities do you want to build, research, more satellites, plane placements, rearm your planes etc..... a lot going on.

Speaking of decisions I had an outbreak in one city and the panic level was already high, and the mission was rated as very difficult.... a couple of my ranked guys were injured so I was left with a decision to make.... 1) Ignore them and let the panic reach full bars and risk losing funding but save what troops I have and preserve my low bank account.  2) Send them, in some hopes they can pull out the mission but if they fail the panic level could still reach max with my failure, and also face replacing my soldiers and depleting most of my funds and gear.....

The ground combat is more fun than I thought, however there are a limited number of maps.... around 80 I think.  So on the down side you may replay them several times, however the good thing is the aliens placement and composition are always different.  The ai uses their abilities well and will flank you or will hunker down and take up defensive positions that sometimes pose a tricky situation.

I did find that the fighter intercept missions to be somewhat lacking, really almost like an after thought and would like to see that refined to be a little more involved, it feels disconnected at this point.

I have not gone a long way in reseach so I cannot comment too much about that area.  I like a lot of options in the research realm, no matter what game it is.  So far it is a matter of where you want to spend your money after research.

I like how you can resell the items you collect after missions, however some of those items are used in production.  But, if you need some cash you can sell alien equipment, bodies etc..... on the greymarket.  Countries will also ask you for certain items from the alien lot or items you have produced, normally at a slightly better rate.  Good way to raise quick funds.

Replay value seems very high, I like the fact you have the option to play Ironman, no going back to past saves, you live with your decisions.... the way it should be ;-)

Distructable battlefield... can really suck sometimes :-P, especially when you are hiding beind a tree stump.

Cut scenes is something I oddly like.  For example, when you are traveling to a mission it shows inside your jumpcraft with the members of your team and a mission briefing.  The team members are bouncing around setting in the back while the briefing is being shown.... a nice load screen.

I like when you jump through a window or getting that head shot from your sniper etc... it breaks to a cut scene or when you are landing at the DZ and your team runs out out the back of the dropship.  May annoy some, but I like it and it gives it character.

I am wondering how Steam Workshop will come into play as I can see a lot of good mods coming in.... and I hope a map editor for additional maps.

Overall this year I have only purchased Alea Jacta Est and this on launch day and I do not regret either purchase.


I'll post more later....

PE

[Barthheart]

Oh man...  you all are making it increasingly hard not to buy this game or even wait for a sale in a few months..... :P

Must..... resist..... shiney...... new.....

[TheCommandTent]

Oh man...  you all are making it increasingly hard not to buy this game or even wait for a sale in a few months..... :P

Must..... resist..... shiney...... new.....

I am having the same problem.  If I can just make it until the next sale....

[JudgeDredd]

I gave in!  ;D

Just cross to the dark side!

[Barthheart]

I gave in!  ;D

Just cross to the dark side!

Not until I get my cookies!  8)

[Kushan]

I gave in!  ;D

Just cross to the dark side!

Not until I get my cookies!  8)

Cookies were only given to people who preordered