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Fallen189

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XCOM: A Primer in procedurally generated terror

XCOM is a nerve wracking game. I have had insane scenarios in which I have done nothing but overwatch for 3 turns with 5 of my squad, while I poke my one guy forward to try and find some LOS. Some nights I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, screaming "Argh Chrysalids". After playing for approximately 4 months ingame now...I finally decided to assault the alien base. Allow me to preface this with a brief overview of my current squad:

I am playing on Ironman Classic mode. So far, I have used the same 6 people for almost the entire game. In my barracks, I have 8 people, 6 of which are my first 6 guys, the other 2 are high level rewards from terror missions and such. I have named all my troops after my friends in real life to force myself to be surgically precise and fearful of the alien menace. 

When I left to assault the base, I had all laser weapons, and carapace armor. I was taking no risks in losing a single unit. With everyone at "Major" rank and above (I believe I had 2 Colonels"... I clicked the button, and began my descent into the base.  

No Caption Provided

 Almost IMMEDATELY I was set upon by 2 drones. Using 2 of my support guys, they cut through them with laser rifles with relative ease. No damage sustained thus far. An optimistic outlook for the start of the mission.

With my units in advantageous positions, we pushed forward into the base.

                                        
We were ambushed by 2 more drones. Fortunately, "Hellfire" Roberts made mincemeat out of them.

                                        

With a few small skirmishes here and there behind us, we kept pushing forward. With a combination of 3 overwatchers (Including my clutch sniper on the highground, completely controlling the battlefield with his heavy buddy) we made a massive push through the base, sweeping and clearing rooms with little to no damage.

                                       
With everyone prepped and ready to move, we push forward through the door to the north-east, and begin our assault on the main room. Note "Icepick" McGowan covering everyone from the south-west.

Pressing forward we found little to no resistance. Then...Nixon ran into a few minor issues.

                                       
So...he's pinned in a corner with 3 Chrysallids surrounding every angle. For those of you who have not yet experienced them, allow me to explain why they are so fearful. Chrysalids move insanely fast, and can completely dominate a squadron with incredibly brutal melee attacks. So the fact that he's surrounded by them is less than optimal. I knew I had to take them down before they took us down.

                                         

Moments later, the threat was neutralized.  McGowan featured heavily in this saving moment with double tapped sniper kills. Standard.

                                       

After our tumultuous victory, we pushed forward into the main control room, to be greeted by (Unfortunately not the MCP), but the most fortified room thus far. Regardless, we pushed forward with extreme prejudice. Securing the highest ground location, we were in an exceptionally fortunate and tactically advantageous position.

                                      
After clearing out the vast majority of the room, we were faced with the final alien, the psionic commandery type guy. I was eager to capture him alive, but realized that it was just TOO much of a risk, especially after I had come this far with no casualties, I could not risk the lives of my brave soldiers.

                                       

I had McGowan take the shot. He brought the pain.

                                     

Final tally: Mankind 22, Aliens 0
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Fallen189

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Edited By Fallen189

XCOM is a nerve wracking game. I have had insane scenarios in which I have done nothing but overwatch for 3 turns with 5 of my squad, while I poke my one guy forward to try and find some LOS. Some nights I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, screaming "Argh Chrysalids". After playing for approximately 4 months ingame now...I finally decided to assault the alien base. Allow me to preface this with a brief overview of my current squad:

I am playing on Ironman Classic mode. So far, I have used the same 6 people for almost the entire game. In my barracks, I have 8 people, 6 of which are my first 6 guys, the other 2 are high level rewards from terror missions and such. I have named all my troops after my friends in real life to force myself to be surgically precise and fearful of the alien menace. 

When I left to assault the base, I had all laser weapons, and carapace armor. I was taking no risks in losing a single unit. With everyone at "Major" rank and above (I believe I had 2 Colonels"... I clicked the button, and began my descent into the base.  

No Caption Provided

 Almost IMMEDATELY I was set upon by 2 drones. Using 2 of my support guys, they cut through them with laser rifles with relative ease. No damage sustained thus far. An optimistic outlook for the start of the mission.

With my units in advantageous positions, we pushed forward into the base.

                                        
We were ambushed by 2 more drones. Fortunately, "Hellfire" Roberts made mincemeat out of them.

                                        

With a few small skirmishes here and there behind us, we kept pushing forward. With a combination of 3 overwatchers (Including my clutch sniper on the highground, completely controlling the battlefield with his heavy buddy) we made a massive push through the base, sweeping and clearing rooms with little to no damage.

                                       
With everyone prepped and ready to move, we push forward through the door to the north-east, and begin our assault on the main room. Note "Icepick" McGowan covering everyone from the south-west.

Pressing forward we found little to no resistance. Then...Nixon ran into a few minor issues.

                                       
So...he's pinned in a corner with 3 Chrysallids surrounding every angle. For those of you who have not yet experienced them, allow me to explain why they are so fearful. Chrysalids move insanely fast, and can completely dominate a squadron with incredibly brutal melee attacks. So the fact that he's surrounded by them is less than optimal. I knew I had to take them down before they took us down.

                                         

Moments later, the threat was neutralized.  McGowan featured heavily in this saving moment with double tapped sniper kills. Standard.

                                       

After our tumultuous victory, we pushed forward into the main control room, to be greeted by (Unfortunately not the MCP), but the most fortified room thus far. Regardless, we pushed forward with extreme prejudice. Securing the highest ground location, we were in an exceptionally fortunate and tactically advantageous position.

                                      
After clearing out the vast majority of the room, we were faced with the final alien, the psionic commandery type guy. I was eager to capture him alive, but realized that it was just TOO much of a risk, especially after I had come this far with no casualties, I could not risk the lives of my brave soldiers.

                                       

I had McGowan take the shot. He brought the pain.

                                     

Final tally: Mankind 22, Aliens 0
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ElCapitan

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Edited By ElCapitan

Man, my Ironman Classic game has never had a soldier advance beyond Major. Sniper Doubletap sounds epic...

EDIT: Also wanted to say: Great post!

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Fallen189

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Edited By Fallen189
@ElCapitan said:

Man, my Ironman Classic game has never had a soldier advance beyond Major. Sniper Doubletap sounds epic...

EDIT: Also wanted to say: Great post!

Thanks! It basically comes down to erring on the side of caution to the most ridiculous degree. Just gotta go incredibly slow. Also 2 medics REALLY helps, along with a sniper support.