Lets Play: X-com Enemy Unknown - Chapter 1 - Enemy Unknown

[vidius]

With Strike one back at base, X-com HQ resume watching the globe.


construction is finished on the Alien Containment facility.


Also, construction of our new workshop is finished too.




Finally we finish researching Weapon Fragments, we can now produce Scopes.

A new research project must be assigned.

*this is a compulsory research project for completing our current objective*








Also, A new recruit has joint the X-com first strike personal. (Welcome Croverus, just so you know, you cannot select nationality.)

Alright, you've got 48 hours to vote on research. In addition if you'd like any scopes constructed, that can be done too. Scopes cost $13. X com has $192.

[CroverusRaven]

My vote for research is on the Alien Materials.

[Dusk9]

My vote is on Beam Weapons. Lasers are awesome!

Also, Dexter puts forward a request for one of the new Scopes.

[madmartin26]

I agree with Dusk, beam weapons.

Also, how long until Hanuel is healed?

[Donnigan]

I prefer Alien Materials for now. If it ends up a Tie, Beam Weapons though.

[GathersIngredients]

I prefer Alien Materials for now. If it ends up a Tie, Beam Weapons though.

Seconded. 24 days are just so very long to wait, AND we still need to research the stuff for the objective of capturing an alien alive...

Also, are the scopes assigned to any one soldier permanently, or do they work like the med kits, and can be re-distributed as needed with every new mission?
In any case I'd vote we build at least 4 of them for now (more to come if they get assigned permanently).

[Dusk9]

The Scopes work like medkits and grenades, yes.

Also, I just want to say that in my opinion, we should put off the alien capture stuff until we've researched as much of the other stuff as possible. IIRC, the game won't progress until a do those missions, so by delaying them we have a chance to outfit our guys with better equipment and level up some more.
Whereas, if we rushed ahead, we would find ourselves up against tougher aliens without the weapons/armour we'd need to survive them.

[Ziprath]

We can fail the entire game if we don't complete our main objectives fast enough and the tougher guys spawn after a certain number of mission regardless of were we are in the story

[Dusk9]

The only time limit is the Council - as long as we keep Panic levels down and don't lose too many countries, we could go on indefinitely.
Of course, that said, Panic will rise as time passes, no matter how good we are at missions. However, even then we'll have time to delay the storyline missions for at least a short while without facing heavy consequences. Especially early on, before Panic levels have risen too much.

As for enemies, I'm pretty sure that at least some of the more difficult ones don't appear in game until after a certain point in the story missions. The Ethereal's are certainly like that, and they're the worst of the lot, so delaying when we have to face them is a definite bonus.

[Nerre]

That was much easier in the old game. You could play far longer and you were not as railroaded, the missions where more random and distinct, each one was different. More kinds of enemies, and their strength somehow did only rise when the strength of the x-com rose over a specific level, often activated by inventing or analyzing a special key-component. I think I played some of the games for 3-4 years (ingame time), had all base-slots full and took down 10 or more alien bases, let alone all the ships and terror mission.

I vote for Alien materials, hope I will not miss again the signup for the next mission, since I won't be on much on saturday and sunday.

[GathersIngredients]

The Scopes work like medkits and grenades, yes.

Also, I just want to say that in my opinion, we should put off the alien capture stuff until we've researched as much of the other stuff as possible. IIRC, the game won't progress until a do those missions, so by delaying them we have a chance to outfit our guys with better equipment and level up some more.
Whereas, if we rushed ahead, we would find ourselves up against tougher aliens without the weapons/armour we'd need to survive them.

Oh. I thought it would be the other way around, namely, that we'd get into trouble if we don't fulfill the objectives 'quick enough'.

Also, if scopes work like medkits and grenades, does that mean you can't have a grenade (OR medit) AND a scope at the same time, or are they combinable?

[Dusk9]

► Show Spoiler

Oh. I thought it would be the other way around, namely, that we'd get into trouble if we don't fulfill the objectives 'quick enough'.

Eh, sort of. Like I said in my other post, overall Panic levels will rise no matter how good we are - so if we delay too much, then yes, we'll be in trouble. We can slow it down by sending up satellites, and there's a mid-game story mission that lowers Panic everywhere by two, however if we lose enough countries (eight, I think), then it's auto-game-over.

However, that said, rushing straight forward is just going to leave us under-leveled and under-powered, so we do have to sacrifice some story mission time to get our guys as tough as possible. Otherwise we'll end up in a position where all we have are recruits with ballistic weapons up against Elite Mutons and Heavy Floaters, which is pretty much suicide.

Also, if scopes work like medkits and grenades, does that mean you can't have a grenade (OR medit) AND a scope at the same time, or are they combinable?

Yep, it's Scope OR Medikit OR Grenade. Same applies to all add-ons we unlock later, including mind-shields and other stuff.

Soldiers can only carry two weapons and one add-on - no more, no less (unless they've got a skill allowing multiples, like Supports can get for medkits).

[vidius]

Research is started on Alien Materials. It will be completed in 8 days.
In addition 2 scopes are ordered to help outfit x-com personal.

X-com resumes watching the globe.


We get another Alien Abduction plea only a few days later. A response destination must be decided, and a strike team assembled ASAP. Unfortunately Curtis Damnerman and Haneul Cheong will not be fit for active duty for another 6 days.

► Show Spoiler

[Dusk9]

Vote: Australia. We could use some more Scientists to speed things up, so we can get Beam Weapons ASAP.

Also, Dexter signs up for the mission.

Equipment Preference
1) Scope
2) Grenade

[vidius]

Also guys, if signing up, can you please put in your 2 equipment options in order of preferences
e.g.
1.Medkit
2.Grenade

Soldiers only get to take 1 piece of equipment into a mission. I will try to give everyone their first preference, but put in 2 just in case.

Presently we have 2 medkits, and 2 scopes available to X-com strike personal. Grenade stock is unlimited. (But grenades are still limited to a single use per mission per solider.)

[CroverusRaven]

Vote: Australia

Harano signs up for the mission.

Equipment: 1. Grenade, 2. Medkit

[madmartin26]

Hanuel wheels himself out to the preparation area. Wishing he could go on the mission, but knowing he's too wounded, he instead talks to the people going on the mission.

"Good luck, you're going to need it."

[Donnigan]

Vote: United States

Engineers!

Equipment: Medkit.

Atsuka signs up for the mission as soon as she can, hopefully being useful to the mission.

[Ziprath]

Vote: United States

Hilda volenteers for the mission

[staron13]

Australia as well.

Dalton Benson, volunteers for the mission as well.

1) Grenade
2) Scope

[vidius]

looking to close sign ups in the next 48 hours guys so that we can get on with everyone's favorite part of this game - killing Aliens.

[Nerre]

Max Kohler also signs up. He would prefer Australia.
He will equip his heavy gun with a scope.

Max waits for the next mission (OOC: I will be in holidays soon, doesn't make sense to sign up now).

[GathersIngredients]

Australia and John Coffey volunteers for the mission as well.

1) Medkit
2) Scope

► Show Spoiler

What a bunch of CRAP about only ONE piece of equipment being able to get equipped at the same time. Who ever came up with that? I liked the XCOM-Terror from the deep version, where you had some slots for weapons and some slots for equip and you could have your soldiers carry whatever you could fit in there.
Sorry about this. But having to chose between a grenade (that would most likely be on the belt or something) and a scope (that would go directly onto the gun, DUH!) is just plain silly. At least IMHO. Again. Sorry.

[Dusk9]

► Show Spoiler

What a bunch of CRAP about only ONE piece of equipment being able to get equipped at the same time. Who ever came up with that? I liked the XCOM-Terror from the deep version, where you had some slots for weapons and some slots for equip and you could have your soldiers carry whatever you could fit in there.
Sorry about this. But having to chose between a grenade (that would most likely be on the belt or something) and a scope (that would go directly onto the gun, DUH!) is just plain silly. At least IMHO. Again. Sorry.

Heh, don't worry. You aren't the first person to dislike that limitation, and you definitely won't be the last, either

From what I know, it's mainly there to simplify the game, even though it makes very little sense at all. Same as the limitation of only having one dropship for getting to missions, but a dozen interceptors. Or only being able to take 6 max on missions (speaking of which, we need to unlock this bit ASAP).

And while it is a little annoying, I understand why they did it - if they wanted to appeal to a wider audience, they pretty much had to simplify some stuff. I've only seen a couple of videos of the original XCOM, but the base management alone looks insanely complex at first glance - at least compared to modern best-selling titles. And that would probably put off a significant number of players.

[vidius]

Operation Lone Hawk

Pre Combat Sequence

► Show Spoiler

For the next mission Dalton, Atsuka, Dexter, and the rookie Harano are selected. Atsuka is given the command.


The mission sees Strike One deploying to Australia, with the mission of sweeping and clearing a nearby suburban district.



Strike One hit the ground just before 7:00 am.





All looks quite. The floor is yours team, sweep and clear.

Sequence 1

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Atsuka immediately heads towards the building.



She spots some Bugs hiding inside it. The immediately scatter to cover over the far side of the building.


Atsuka adopts an overwatch position, even as Dalton moves up beside her and overwatches.


As does Dexter, swapping to his pistol.

Harano also advances and overwatches.



The sectoids mind merge, then the nearer Sectoid opens fire on the rookie, blowing a hole clean through the wall.

Sequence 2

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Dexter levels his rifle at the nearest Sectoid. Blowing it away.



Encouraged by his team mates fire, Harano advances, but misses his own shot.




Atsuka the vaults through the window into the building, flanking the Sectoid, but also misses.



Dalton advances to the doorway, draws a bead, unloads lead, and misses.



The lone Sectoid, unsurprisingly, freaks the fuck out and bails from the building. Escaping into the alley behind it.





*interestingly enough, as all shot % chances of success are predetermined by the computer, had Atsuka taken the first action she would have killed the mind merging Sectoid and taken the both out.

I tend to decide turn action on the order you guys post in, unless some one specifically specifies they want to wait, or condition their action around another players. Save for assaults. Assaults can go first when ever they want, because you know.. assault.*

*also, does anyone else find it funny that the Rookie is wearing a Red Shirt?*

Sequence 3

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Dexter redeploys to the car, pistol in hand. He can't see anything so he overwatches.


neither can the rookie, so he too adopts an overwatch position.


Atsuka moves up to the double doors, waits a few tense breaths, then opens them. She can't see anything on the other side.


Benson moves over the the counter and reloads.

Sequence 4

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Dexter climbs to the roof. Upon seeing no hostiles he covers up near the air vent.


Harano heads inside, reporting that they lost the lone Sectoid in the alleyway.



Dalton moves up, hits open the right hand door, and overwatches.



Atsuka enters the building, covers up, and overwatches.


Nothing else happens, but Atsuka is pretty sure she can hear something from the North, beyond the building.

Sequence 5

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Benson moves in behind the crates and covers Atsuka.




Atsuka moves to the door, then opens it. She is startled to find the Sectoid that ran earlier standing on the opposite side of the door. Quickly she fires of a volley of rounds, however they go wide.



Hanaro moves into the room behind the others, adopting an overwatch position in case the Sectoid tries any shenanigans.


On the roof Dexter draws his pistol and advances.





The lone sectoid freaks out again, But on the roof over the road two more Sectoids appear. Dexter calls out a warning to his squad mates as he takes a snap shot at the first of the Sectoids, lightly wounding the creature before it disappears into the inside of the warehouse across the road.

Sequence 6

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Harano takes point, advancing to fresh cover. He then levels his rifle at the lucky Sectoid, and ends it.


Atsuka moves up beside him, overwatching.


Benson moves up behind them, and also overwatches.


On the roof Dexter redeploys, pistol in hand, overwatch in sight.



Seconds later the wounded Sectoid bursts out of the nearby building, right into the muzzle of Atsuka's rifle.

Sequence 7

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Atsuka advances towards the ladder, overwatching.


Harano leap frogs to the door, overwatching too.


Dalton advances into the truck, overwatching.


On the roof Dexter adopts a firing position by the bannister.



As Dexter advances he spots two more sectoids inside the building. They scarper.

With 3 sectoids now on the lose, a counter attack is expected, but nothing happens.

Sequence 8

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Dexter pulls out his rifle and adopts an overwatch position.


Atsuka moves to the base of the ladder and reloads.


Dalton makes a break for the hard cover by the right hand side of the building, drawing a snap shot from one of the THREE sectoids inside the building. The shot goes wide.


Hinaro, wanting better cover, ducks back into the truck and overwatches.



In retaliation, two of the Sectoids mind merge, the then merged Sectoid advances to the door - careful not to break cover and draw any overwatch retaliation. It then unloads on Dalton. Wounding him.

Sequence 9

► Show Spoiler

Dexter takes aim at the Sectoid in the roof top. The x-rays head is as big as a stadium. He can't miss.



Atsuka redeploys to the roller door, opens it, and snaps a shot off at the closest Sectoid. She misses.



Harano advances beside her. He does not.


With no targets left, Dalton pulls back to better cover.


The last Sectoid advances to a better firing position and attacks the rookie, missing, but making a mess of the wall he's hiding behind in the process.




Interestingly enough, this wall was covering it from Dexter. The angel of death makes his third kill in as many shots.


The mission is over. Strike One is coming home.

Post Combat Sequence

► Show Spoiler

The operation is a success. Panic decreases in Australia. In addition X-com are rewarded with additional science personal.


We recovered some weapons fragments, and a lot of Sectoid corpses from the operation.



Dalton will be out for a few days, nursing that wound. The rookie however has been promoted to a heavy. He now has access to a rocket launcher, and the LMG


A new facility is available for construction.