Alpha Centauri 2

Other Games => Other Games => Topic started by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2013, 07:33:55 PM

Title: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2013, 07:33:55 PM

Caveat:  I'm playing on a laptop with integrated graphics not officially supported, so things don't look as nice as they should. 

Figured out the screenshots.  Apparantly you have to have the stupid Steam social shtuff turned on to take screens even in single player. 

So, figured I'd start something I'm a bit familiar with for the AAR.  (still no guarantee of victory) Classic Ironman.  Second wave options turned on make my soldiers have random stats both at recruitment and at leveling up.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Mf4fIWD2UMw/UQKC0Hp961I/AAAAAAAAPHw/bxKZPSdrBZY/s800/2013-01-25_00004.jpg)

Placing our base in South America.  It's bonus makes for an extremely aggressive tech push at the cost of being financially handicapped.   ???

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UsnzW3C_tLE/UQKC08L6_tI/AAAAAAAAPH4/f5UuYnWuFNc/s800/2013-01-25_00007.jpg)

Our initial mission is on a map I'm less familiar with than some of the others...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5I4_8t6cdc0/UQKC1pvApzI/AAAAAAAAPIA/Wp0HpNPPS7A/s800/2013-01-25_00008.jpg)

Checking my soldiers (hate you can't select your initial squad), we got a mix of great and awful. 

Kennedy is a mental midget and can't hit the broad sid of a barn. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AuaM2WUJX_U/UQKC2VAuC5I/AAAAAAAAPIM/anw7Oirywh0/s800/2013-01-25_00010.jpg)

Ruiz, however, shows extreme promise.  Little lacking in will, but great 'offense' (aiming/shot percent).
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6h5wbvz4PBk/UQKC3YhWkpI/AAAAAAAAPIU/23dk1KscJlE/s800/2013-01-25_00012.jpg)

The other 2 are average to slightly weak. 

I can hear the aliens in the train.  This being the first mission, I KNOW there are  aliens, 2 groups of 3.  (at this difficulty) Later missions that becomes less certain. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZgMkCIXLmCw/UQKC4HHDnbI/AAAAAAAAPIg/tTQE_YoZC6o/s800/2013-01-25_00015.jpg)

Sure enough, our first group.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SgYOOVobMAA/UQKC5OqUxXI/AAAAAAAAPIo/W03g9HueNuM/s800/2013-01-25_00016.jpg)

Unable to get a good angle for a shot, I put my 2 troops I want to protect back in full cover, and shove Kennedy aka cannon fodder forward hoping they shoot at him, not the ones I care about.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fEwHWJKTEYc/UQKC5LFPRPI/AAAAAAAAPIs/ulzqn0l2LVE/s800/2013-01-25_00017.jpg)

Woods takes a wild reaction shot at a scampering sectoid...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MLo0GP9V1RA/UQKC6NyiZcI/AAAAAAAAPJA/iL83Kl3Pd9g/s800/2013-01-25_00019.jpg)

And thanks that full cover for saving her ass.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HQTMAjGOstE/UQKC6ZNlykI/AAAAAAAAPI8/3v7fZ8eLVGM/s800/2013-01-25_00021.jpg)

Couple grenades later, this group is down to 1.  feeling confident this mission is going to go by the book, group 2 scampers out of the darkness.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JM-L52yH2bE/UQKC9owZhiI/AAAAAAAAPJw/58XxPc8wSL8/s800/2013-01-25_00031.jpg)

The Sectoids love to pull this mind meld thing.  It heals the receiver, and improves various stats. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sDb4kOWOEXg/UQKC-iOcdJI/AAAAAAAAPKE/XTVoyUgtvGg/s800/2013-01-25_00034.jpg)

And those improved stats mortally wound Ruiz.  This playthrough is not starting well.  Luckily her will check kicked in and I have a chance to save her via a med kit (which I don't have) or finishing this mission before she bleeds out in 3 turns. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UNG4KaiyKcw/UQKC_AEuRQI/AAAAAAAAPKI/1kpFUBpOK_U/s800/2013-01-25_00035.jpg)

yeah...Kennedy...that's THE BEST his % can get, unless we get up close and personal...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SIpX-KmuP88/UQKC_nkoIYI/AAAAAAAAPKY/9aLVoyx3ITU/s800/2013-01-25_00037.jpg)

Yeah...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qAAmr_bp1dc/UQKC_659xRI/AAAAAAAAPKU/Los5xsBw_F4/s800/2013-01-25_00038.jpg)

The good thing about the mind meld is that if you kill the sender, it also kills the receiver.  So, next turn, Kennedy gets RIGHT up on them.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s6uFss-JejI/UQKDArHXtcI/AAAAAAAAPKg/lHHHGIbIgy4/s800/2013-01-25_00040.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2013, 07:53:36 PM

I've had better missions...Go in thinking Kennedy is the sacrificial lamb, and he's the only one walking away. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DRcd8UYm5s4/UQKDBZytuyI/AAAAAAAAPKw/4xQeK3QzWdI/s800/2013-01-25_00042.jpg)

So, the rank up puts us into classes... 

My sniper has a lousy (for a sniper) 67 aim. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YerVlrmqAIM/UQKDBb2s2pI/AAAAAAAAPKs/BfWes8m5sZQ/s800/2013-01-25_00043.jpg)

Woods has better as a Heavy.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-54S9K1rwlTw/UQKDB9cgvgI/AAAAAAAAPK0/306tzDljyxA/s800/2013-01-25_00044.jpg)

At least the computer was smart enough to give Kennedy the shotgun class.   

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H6nthmeGvrE/UQKDCcA0CUI/AAAAAAAAPK8/YJzq4TP434Y/s800/2013-01-25_00045.jpg)

In line with my uber aggressive tech strategy, I start researching Xeno Biology right away so I can start capturing aliens and interrogating them instantly. 

This playthrough gets worse looking at my base, however.  Steam is as far away as possible.  I'll need inefficient power generators instead of thermal power. 

So, I start building a generator and excavating a hole to double the base size, then hire more soldiers with the rest of my cash. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LYfVss0A_PY/UQKDDipadPI/AAAAAAAAPLQ/5Ezagddh3qc/s800/2013-01-25_00049.jpg)

The stars of my new recruits being:

Powell.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z0ZEPBU0ZVI/UQKDEeLSlSI/AAAAAAAAPLc/qp_veTNM3ww/s800/2013-01-25_00051.jpg)

Fischer.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xeA5g6fewiE/UQKDEzRTN3I/AAAAAAAAPLg/tDo-XVpTwKI/s800/2013-01-25_00052.jpg)

And Garcia. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k9OZti5Wsws/UQKDFe5R_II/AAAAAAAAPLo/Ha4pAVQQumE/s800/2013-01-25_00053.jpg)

They'll make the core supported by whoever else I can scrounge. 

Time to go to work.  Abductions strike 3 places at once.  My decision is mostly based on the fact I need engineers more than money or scientists (the other two rewards this time).

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UZiukKbKiyI/UQKDGFFutkI/AAAAAAAAPL0/xBIBDdig95Q/s800/2013-01-25_00056.jpg)

We have a whole team of decen shots now, and while there's that alien close I could kill in 1-2 shots, if I can get the mind meld dude far off, I can kill them both...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A8TPOeJvsHQ/UQKDHlGE-1I/AAAAAAAAPMQ/Pkyx0Dxx-9s/s800/2013-01-25_00060.jpg)

Garcia does not disappoint.  2 for 1. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AjtJaD8HZwo/UQKDIkzBjLI/AAAAAAAAPMk/c2teAQNgWno/s800/2013-01-25_00062.jpg)

This mission only ended up having 4 aliens.  No casualties...

Garcia is rewarded as my new sniper.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hN0U26pkQfI/UQKDLkY1WpI/AAAAAAAAPNI/1f4OKVNH-og/s800/2013-01-25_00070.jpg)

And Powell becomes a support. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FOsUnjCGR90/UQKDLpoJOkI/AAAAAAAAPNM/60fKOw5Ue8w/s800/2013-01-25_00071.jpg)

I get my engineers, but Asia and South America are none too pleased I ignored them...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j7J11GmeUws/UQKDL3da2vI/AAAAAAAAPNQ/IjYncGsaBJE/s800/2013-01-25_00072.jpg)

(Australia is part of Asia according to Xcom)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CLQNyauZpJc/UQKDMn7f9uI/AAAAAAAAPNU/rS7cBGOggpA/s800/2013-01-25_00073.jpg)

No time to rest though, this first month plods on...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TtL5dPUokgk/UQKDN5IK4VI/AAAAAAAAPNw/teTSDPv5IeU/s800/2013-01-25_00076.jpg)

Shooting down UFO's is much like the old game...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jRQ7_vp8NVY/UQKDQ0PHpHI/AAAAAAAAPOU/7e41R9F5j88/s800/2013-01-25_00079.jpg)

A lot of by-the-book sneaking up to the UFO later, we find the early game alien leaders. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZUZ34cC2GEU/UQKDVEHvUrI/AAAAAAAAPPY/e66zh3Qq3yA/s800/2013-01-25_00096.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2013, 07:59:41 PM

Garcia becomes a TRUE sniper.  Able to shoot at anything anyone on the squad sees. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-It4q0l6riJk/UQKDWs9kbAI/AAAAAAAAPPk/KSN6G9awjSo/s800/2013-01-25_00099.jpg)

The ufo is a boon to our economy and I sell off most the parts to start building our first satellite and start on an access lift to reach deeper into the base. 

A second abduction wave hits.  Bit unusual for the first month.  Little choice here, have to defend Asia lest India and Australia leave the council.  More money isn't bad either, but Africa was offering a trained soldier and that was mighty tempting. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E2Xyw0d8m6U/UQKDZNFCbLI/AAAAAAAAPQM/7kZg-fschmM/s800/2013-01-25_00104.jpg)

God I hate this map...guess I'll save and look at it with fresher eyes later.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ARY509MrmXE/UQKDalas15I/AAAAAAAAPQY/3LzQjYpqoH4/s800/2013-01-25_00107.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 25, 2013, 09:30:22 PM

 ;popcorn

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 26, 2013, 02:50:58 PM

The reason I hate this map is because of where you start.  Down in a hole, and normally with at least one alien group ready to blow your heads off.  If I manage to climb out of the hole, it usually goes fine. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZRkCc2uzOoI/UQPdTgzIH0I/AAAAAAAAPU4/owR_LujmgSg/s800/2013-01-25_00110.jpg)

Good screen describing the combat system.  Soldier's Aim and any bonuses - enemy defense and bonuses.  I can't see the enemy abilities until an autopsy, though. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ROPJvSyC4pY/UQPdULkhc_I/AAAAAAAAPVE/hY_GeJeknok/s800/2013-01-25_00111.jpg)

Continually on the low ground is a hard climb up to kill these bastards and Fischer takes some plasma burns to the face.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X31HR0kp848/UQPdUdPvsqI/AAAAAAAAPVY/rT8lqTasACY/s800/2013-01-25_00113.jpg)

But, Powell is rewarded after with one of the better abilities available a support.  3 extra tiles of movement is HUGE. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X31HR0kp848/UQPdUdPvsqI/AAAAAAAAPVY/rT8lqTasACY/s800/2013-01-25_00113.jpg)

I sell a bunch of alien bodies piling up in storage and start construction on an alien containment and workshop. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mpSLFGFzDl0/UQPdUggNOBI/AAAAAAAAPVU/K2nuo_fd-p8/s800/2013-01-25_00115.jpg)

And soon after, the arc thrower is researched, so, it's time to start abusing that starting bonus I got for choosing south america. 
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MYWvWffOnUo/UQPdVNUceVI/AAAAAAAAPVc/N_z23JgT3tI/s800/2013-01-25_00116.jpg)


Our first council mission.  Slingshot is the DLC.  It's a tough series of 3 council missions over 2 months that has the potential of rocketing your research well beyond the normal pace.  We'll just be playing the original game for now. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aVAu-Dponmk/UQPdVQDB4uI/AAAAAAAAPVk/QDrPxOU11x0/s800/2013-01-25_00118.jpg)

We draw an escort mission.  With Fischer recovering, Kennedy is back in. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5KjGIfy2T6E/UQPdVoXIJ0I/AAAAAAAAPVo/L-Jc-RDYtYg/s800/2013-01-25_00119.jpg)

I LOATHE Thin Men.  Basically this game's snake men replacement.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LqTDep_7hwk/UQPdVzbJUUI/AAAAAAAAPVw/Josld0RavI0/s800/2013-01-25_00120.jpg)

They carry light plasma rifles, which bear an inherent aim bonus making them most deadly.  And what's worst they spit poison if you get bunched up or are just in heavy enough cover they have a bad % to hit, and they explode into a cloud of poison when you kill them.  They are easily responsible for most of my early game deaths.  To top that off, they have 4 health, so unlike sectoids grenades will not kill them, only wound, and my standard rifle is dicey as well, often requiring 2 shots. 

Oh yeah, council missions love to have them drop from the sky as reinforcements. 

Kennedy getting the drop on one. 
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XRxaAP1BRns/UQPdV153D2I/AAAAAAAAPV4/MAEy4Axln7c/s800/2013-01-25_00121.jpg)

The resultant cloud.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y07WlvPoXBs/UQPdWNJRFnI/AAAAAAAAPV0/BaCQD7ZvFlo/s800/2013-01-25_00122.jpg)

Woods gets a rare 4 kills for one shot opportunity.  Both these sectoids have mind melded others, perfect time for the rocket launcher.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7Tzx6UyqXQY/UQPdWjaHegI/AAAAAAAAPWA/Sxp0UOU9Sv8/s800/2013-01-25_00123.jpg)

But, all the poison flying around took it's toll.  Fortunately we got more promotions and unlocked the officer training school.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S8x48W7vr0E/UQPdWgeuZbI/AAAAAAAAPWI/4tJcDurYi4Y/s800/2013-01-25_00124.jpg)

Heather "Tectonic" Woods (love the game's random nicknames) got a key ability, a second rocket that strips armor.  Most useful later, but for now, just the second shot is huge.   

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q1kTFQ2ELxk/UQPdXfKPlwI/AAAAAAAAPWQ/39T82y3egis/s800/2013-01-25_00127.jpg)

But, the wounded are piling up...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KN6EajEAGJ4/UQPdX1SC10I/AAAAAAAAPWY/vWJ4fVeTmBk/s800/2013-01-25_00129.jpg)

Overall not bad for the first month.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TdDU15WgJXs/UQPdYFJf77I/AAAAAAAAPWc/RD4Nb3vXNN8/s800/2013-01-25_00130.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Green1 on January 26, 2013, 06:51:42 PM

X-COM is one of those type games I think is sorely missing in wargaming: tactical level squad combat.

It is very appealing in a lot of ways, having cut my teeth on early stuff like Final Fantasy Tactics.

There are games that do mix tactics and strategic 4x, but they are even fewer:

Age of Wonders series
Fallen Enchantress

Sad, too.

For a minute I considered pushing for a mod to Fallen Enchatress that was a conversion of Alpha Centauri. Imagine having to take cities on a tactical map with impact troopers and leaders like Miriam armed with her laser in defense of New Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, this generation of FE's Kumquat engine does not support line of site, which I think is a major failing of FE's tactics system. The strategic map would not support terraforming/ terrain raise and level stuff SMAX is famous for. A realistic way of handling air would be a pain, too.

We need more tactic squad based/ character building stuff in 4x. In some of my editorials (3rd part not written), I try to get at this. XCOM has one of those ingrediants we really need for the perfect 4x game, if not only one of the ingrediants.

Anyways. Good read. Carry on :) I read these things. 80 percent of lurkers do too and will never tell you. Yes, continue even though I know doing AARs are slow and a pain and can distract from enjoyment sometimes because you have to stop and explain every little thing.

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 26, 2013, 07:36:37 PM

I have not tried out Fallen Enchantress, having heard some mixed reviews, but have long been a sucker for turn based tactical games. 

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Green1 on January 26, 2013, 07:44:25 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on January 26, 2013, 07:36:37 PM

I have not tried out Fallen Enchantress, having heard some mixed reviews, but have long been a sucker for turn based tactical games. 

It is a solid game.

The 4X community is not without it's "bitter vets" that would find fault with Jesus himself.

It has its areas it needs improvements on, I gave it 7/10. I am also VERY critical of any game I get because having fanboy tendencies is just not me. But.. it is tactics and pretty damn deep for what it is. It is a "one more turn" sort of deal where your time goes into some black hole. My daughter is addicted to it. I do not even see her anymore.

... and my god the AI. You know the issues we have in SMAX with the unit workshop and the AI not building stuff that the players build it can benefit from without altering the .txt? The AI is an adaptive AI that analyzes your workshop builds then uses it against you.

But, anyways.... back to X-Com. We can pray for the marriage of tactics and strategics at some other time :) Do not want to hijack you.

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: sisko on January 27, 2013, 09:21:02 AM

so, you managed to solve the screenshots issue after all..  ;b;
good reading so far, keep it coming!

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2013, 05:15:54 PM

With our funding in, it was time to look to our base. 

The officer training school being the most important early building, and running low on power, so a generator was needed as well.  Then, we gotta dig...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YGw5Pg_FZ_Y/UQPdYiwtvuI/AAAAAAAAPWk/0tjHOgrCtjU/s800/2013-01-25_00132.jpg)

No sooner was that done than we spied a UFO on the ground. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5PFYyxXTIWQ/UQPdYolPuXI/AAAAAAAAPWo/LclDyEAkJAs/s800/2013-01-25_00133.jpg)

With the alien containment done, it's time to start turning the tables and capturing some aliens.   :mad:

I had cleared the forest and the ship, and was rushing in to capture what I believed to be the last alien, when 3 thin men popped out of the darkness...(note the yellow alien head in the corner being the one I was after, the 3 reds being new contacts.)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wtZRRpM4Rco/UQPdZKSnH-I/AAAAAAAAPWw/gxzcX3kPhKw/s800/2013-01-25_00135.jpg)

That being my last move of the turn, I just had pray to the RNG gods.  The entire squad swiftly got poisoned.  3 turns later, we achieved "victory".

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3MPiltrAwc4/UQPdZQXEQaI/AAAAAAAAPXA/lO5v4kPgGMs/s800/2013-01-25_00136.jpg)

Oh, god, I hope nothing happens in the next 2 weeks...

But, we walked away with 2 captives.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4KM4vbniCaU/UQPdZb3Y3NI/AAAAAAAAPW4/_flQw6NLFXo/s800/2013-01-25_00137.jpg)

Would that I were so lucky. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YRxnTuLhbSA/UQPdaGwyOYI/AAAAAAAAPXE/Y3Kp6f_z_Y4/s800/2013-01-25_00139.jpg)

The global situation makes for some tough choices.  Europe can wait, but Africa or Asia are going to drive someone into the red, meaning a very likely possibility they leave the council at the next meeting. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dJjhMtCATiE/UQPdZq97--I/AAAAAAAAPW8/Kb5qFBwabo4/s800/2013-01-25_00138.jpg)

My plan is simple.  I need to keep Africa for the continent bonus to make up for my poor finances.  Asia would take so long to completely cover for the bonus that I would only get about half the use out of it, so Asia is expendable. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dJjhMtCATiE/UQPdZq97--I/AAAAAAAAPW8/Kb5qFBwabo4/s800/2013-01-25_00138.jpg)

However, it's definitely going to be the "B" team. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-loze7O4Y4G0/UQPdac9AGiI/AAAAAAAAPXI/WG4WTrb4VeM/s800/2013-01-25_00140.jpg)

This is exactly why these soldiers didn't make the A team.  2 rookies panic, and swiftly die horrible deaths. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VaYFH1Tj3bU/UQPda7njMjI/AAAAAAAAPXQ/098lH8cEDyM/s800/2013-01-25_00142.jpg)

Kennedy's last heroics...what we thought was the last alien pair...before a third one snuck up and took his head off.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3n2RWwPuBgk/UQPdbKle-NI/AAAAAAAAPXU/O1yOBwHCLb8/s800/2013-01-25_00143.jpg)

Operation Fading Skull.  Fitting. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w8rxWdITqko/UQPdbQ53XmI/AAAAAAAAPXc/Qch_JlyCGqM/s800/2013-01-25_00144.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_iUBG6w0B48/UQPdbkGGlxI/AAAAAAAAPXk/guBepnSrjVY/s800/2013-01-25_00146.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2013, 01:19:58 AM

With the money from selling UFO components, we saw fit to focus on more base building. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JTOCFJEwCfs/UQPdb0Tzc9I/AAAAAAAAPXo/HC2Y6F5CvIY/s800/2013-01-25_00147.jpg)

And, the Officer Training school finishes...things are looking up.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-29Ooa5KQ-64/UQPdcFBV_QI/AAAAAAAAPXs/4tnRq-2fbeg/s800/2013-01-25_00148.jpg)

Time to make a bull rush on the sciences...

Sectoid interrogation gives us 1/2 time for laser weapons.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UR7-Exrtjqc/UQPdcC6TsJI/AAAAAAAAPXw/s7rwHg1uy58/s800/2013-01-25_00149.jpg)

Thin Men do the same for UFO components.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-axK5OucGCN8/UQPdcrFbt9I/AAAAAAAAPX4/tE2ZB4zVWTQ/s800/2013-01-25_00150.jpg)

Autopsies to let us view abilities and have better HUD info...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cKTIEh4Zmu0/UQPdcn255ZI/AAAAAAAAPX8/gyzNkflmiyg/s800/2013-01-25_00151.jpg)

With our bonuses, weapon fragment research completes in a day.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DraqbokufPo/UQPddCVNQYI/AAAAAAAAPYI/Mx7NbEQuP9g/s800/2013-01-25_00154.jpg)

And, we set in to bypass lasers all together, and go straight for plasma.  43 days is atrocious, but hopefully I can get some scientists or capture a Muton before then. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eeImvg6qfHI/UQPddchRTsI/AAAAAAAAPYM/iCSp3b-bguw/s800/2013-01-25_00155.jpg)

Aw crap....

Terror mission. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c2sdAnUJA4o/UQPddpGmEgI/AAAAAAAAPYU/M6OKN9wAy7w/s800/2013-01-25_00156.jpg)

And I was SOOO close to getting the A team back...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W6RqpI9qPVQ/UQPddwKuxCI/AAAAAAAAPYY/XMfYguE70zw/s800/2013-01-25_00157.jpg)

In preparation, I purchase the squad size upgrade, and "wet work", which increases xp so lets rookies rank up quicker.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rb3qojs6ENo/UQPdePKPoWI/AAAAAAAAPYg/PjJV2eIjKrg/s800/2013-01-25_00158.jpg)

If there is any experienced Xcom players watching, a collective moan goes up on seeing this map. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sKG6niatSeo/UQPdeNq58KI/AAAAAAAAPYk/BSeJsRoIRyU/s800/2013-01-25_00159.jpg)

So, time for another break.  Attack it fresh. 

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2013, 07:57:26 PM

The trouble with "the base" map is all those tanks make for destructible cover, and very hap-hazard line of sight at the front of the base. 

There's 2 means of approaching this map, one being to rush forward to save as many civilians as possible, the other is to hole up and let the aliens come to you.  Terror missions can be failed if you fail to save any civilians, and give increasing panic reductions in the country/continent they happen in depending on how many you save. 

Finding no aliens at the entrance, and a couple civilians, we poise to enter the base proper. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XXVrCPjdj5M/UQPdeeLezsI/AAAAAAAAPYo/Ldj7IQgJiag/s800/2013-01-25_00160.jpg)

Zombie...that means there are Crsyssalids.  Zombies work differently than the old game.  Instead of a Cryssalid popping out when they die, they pop out if you don't kill the zombie quick enough.  Zombies also have more health, but are slower than Cryssalids. 

Note the counter above.  11 civilians alive, 3 saved, 4 killed. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7EQxJOJ-Ohc/UQPdet7DGgI/AAAAAAAAPYs/tYSdABSuaSs/s800/2013-01-25_00161.jpg)

We found the warehouse at the back of the base crawling with nasties, so I just set up a firing line well back, and picked them off as they emerged.  Not heroic, but stable for these rookies.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fi-0nfHKr7Q/UQPde9AZnFI/AAAAAAAAPYw/tn5hON5ramY/s800/2013-01-25_00162.jpg)

Remember Chazan, the sniper I ridiculed for having a low aim.  She is making me eat my words this level, the RNG delivering headshot after headshot, turning what would be 3 shot kills into 2 shot kills. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--oJ7FHIdMBU/UQPdfY5sz2I/AAAAAAAAPZA/CNTE87vKdf8/s800/2013-01-25_00163.jpg)

(yeah, 6/18 civilians saved is...not good.)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PWyPoqyhggQ/UQPdfes4XsI/AAAAAAAAPY4/F6HwPNQ2Lec/s800/2013-01-25_00164.jpg)

In the end, EVERYONE ranks up.  Chazan jumps from a 67 aim to 77 with a single level.  Still not great, but approaching respectable. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c3L7gucc578/UQPdfx1DWGI/AAAAAAAAPZE/pdTw-44C3lw/s800/2013-01-25_00166.jpg)

Satellite uplink finished, time to build more satellites.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dLkfZrscWuo/UQPdgFKVnNI/AAAAAAAAPZM/vb5v7_W9U2g/s800/2013-01-25_00167.jpg)

Random request.  Most often these get ignored if I don't have the items on hand. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZUEItJkPfm4/UQPdgTSP9RI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/8B2hSkb3B5M/s800/2013-01-25_00169.jpg)

Another round of abductions.  US, Africa and Asia targetted.  US can wait and I've prioritized Africa > Asia.  Naturally that means I'm heading to India, theory being I can launch a satellite over Nigeria before the council meeting, so it wouldn't harm my Africa standing any. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LXixbYdP5kI/UQPdg9hkY8I/AAAAAAAAPZY/I4jHnII6r6E/s800/2013-01-25_00170.jpg)

Apparantly India has burger joints and floaters like them. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tcwsvTxN7xo/UQPdhafQJDI/AAAAAAAAPZg/DfFo-WTL_GU/s800/2013-01-25_00172.jpg)

Well placed rocket taking out 2 damn thin men.  Note that third...[progeny of unmarried parents] disappears on me after this. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rXzLgwXH9d4/UQPdhaAgzvI/AAAAAAAAPZk/g0buKJ4FJBA/s800/2013-01-25_00173.jpg)

Fischer finds him too late.  Clear on the other side of the map. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-woGj2Pn-go4/UQPdhgFeAOI/AAAAAAAAPZo/Yft4Oy66hVQ/s800/2013-01-25_00174.jpg)

As per plan, launching to appease Nigeria just before Month 2 report.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bPwh2HwsqRo/UQPdhwUheiI/AAAAAAAAPZs/YpgORQBbHlc/s800/2013-01-25_00175.jpg)

With a Satellite on it's way, we also need planes. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VU3N6uAe6o4/UQPdiD2mhpI/AAAAAAAAPZw/9maGynIRwdE/s800/2013-01-25_00176.jpg)

Asia gave us an experienced assault trooper "Socks" for the last mission as well.  Good will, adequate aim.  Not bad. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6lV4QlMf2ps/UQPdiaJ7LvI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/lcnBSyLg_Io/s800/2013-01-25_00178.jpg)

No rest. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jjuQdVDShhE/UQPdiTRTQ4I/AAAAAAAAPZ0/C0Ydc8oGXA4/s800/2013-01-25_00177.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2013, 11:28:04 PM

Plan for this UFO was just bring both snipers along, scout with the others, and pick stuff off as it pop's it's head. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ntrSkQ_IRYE/UQc8NgpAmkI/AAAAAAAAPe8/m9DWMLu1Tx0/s800/2013-01-27_00004.jpg)

Socks showing off her fancy footwork.  Lightning Reflexes makes the first reaction shot on you miss. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cQ_3dr-h98I/UQc8PegnTmI/AAAAAAAAPfg/GBsG6cllEq0/s800/2013-01-27_00012.jpg)

Attempting to soften him up for capture, she gets a rare 4 damage critical with a pistol. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gRKb89Cp93g/UQc8PgyNrYI/AAAAAAAAPfo/vOH7yJW8BOg/s800/2013-01-27_00014.jpg)

We need to capture one of these outsiders...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UUBH8L3GU1M/UQc8P5k8FEI/AAAAAAAAPfs/dUo9-Td4C20/s800/2013-01-27_00015.jpg)

It is that attempt that costs 'Echo', our more senior sniper...the one with the good stats.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MJtakTNEruY/UQc8QN8WuPI/AAAAAAAAPfw/Stp06o01oLY/s800/2013-01-27_00016.jpg)

Socks moves in for capture, hunkering down, everyone else was out of sight, which normally means they're ignored...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dfBydFd9pAY/UQc8QqTSaLI/AAAAAAAAPf8/l0Ou4Cr41bs/s800/2013-01-27_00018.jpg)

Cooke is not so lucky. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zgzLI0z8LlY/UQc8Qmpwe8I/AAAAAAAAPgE/282bnVgr-E8/s800/2013-01-27_00019.jpg)

Captured, the Outsider collapses into a crystal.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QLKZN20DKrE/UQc8Ra5_UNI/AAAAAAAAPgM/XIpy_7VEkkw/s800/2013-01-27_00022.jpg)

Chazan is promoted and dubbed "Ice".

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E9AKrfonlrs/UQc8RqjeFVI/AAAAAAAAPgQ/kHEyD7NnYMc/s800/2013-01-27_00023.jpg)

Now running a little thin of acceptable soldiers, we scrounge what money we can and hire more.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5qL8QI4rHLM/UQc8SCsNRvI/AAAAAAAAPgg/AqqJJWT_aQo/s800/2013-01-27_00024.jpg)

The laundry list of activity. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_wxC4ipjdx4/UQc8SHsSh8I/AAAAAAAAPgY/TAKvQNplqUA/s800/2013-01-27_00025.jpg)

Mostly to help 'Ice' with her aim, I fabricate a S.C.O.P.E.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lpRJ4IYMI0g/UQc8SjoiocI/AAAAAAAAPgc/l876Rl-jvvI/s800/2013-01-27_00026.jpg)

As expected, Australia withdraws from the council.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kmV_dEvAOW0/UQc8TIRVVfI/AAAAAAAAPgo/YWI5U6AJRGU/s800/2013-01-27_00028.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2013, 11:52:57 PM

Immediately we get a large UFO.  I have about a 50-50 shot at shooting this down with my 2 interceptors.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lVAYccpJB0E/UQc8T9J_CMI/AAAAAAAAPg8/ogAqvYp9wAg/s800/2013-01-27_00030.jpg)

They both fail.  This is TERRIBLE news, economically speaking.  A large UFO would have been a great boon, and failure raises panic in Nigeria....and allows for abductions to happen.

In Africa, US, and Asia. 

I've already dedicated to Africa and cannot allow Nigeria to go panic or I will lose them and the satellite.  Asia is already written off, but the US is going to hurt. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOBxt5Az9sg/UQc8T3wAmoI/AAAAAAAAPg4/CKH5weJWGsM/s800/2013-01-27_00032.jpg)

"Ice" donning the SCOPE.  90 aim is not terrible...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F8wrYLU-I6c/UQc8UX7JUnI/AAAAAAAAPhA/kGgh17pt9So/s800/2013-01-27_00033.jpg)

The gameplan for this map is to sneak over to the side of the building without drawing attention. 

(https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Xcom?authkey=Gv1sRgCPupuqvPna6tkAE#5838701766611961954)

I make it in and start sweeping the office, wondering where everyone is when the floaters burst in on me. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k9mCW0WvlNk/UQc8VhupR8I/AAAAAAAAPhc/ardMqM24CRA/s800/2013-01-27_00037.jpg)

I swiftly kill 1 and capture 2 more.  I don't need to interrogate them, but the light plasma rifles will come in handy in the relatively near future.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bnpzkH7L6-E/UQc8Vy37V8I/AAAAAAAAPhY/OniH4rAjTgE/s800/2013-01-27_00038.jpg)

Setting up to explore further into the office building, we spy some floaters outside had flanked us.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6o4KO49bews/UQc8WRRpDBI/AAAAAAAAPhg/1mDhGFFApFI/s800/2013-01-27_00039.jpg)

Too few moves left and too far away, I hide in this office hoping to draw them in. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FlPkXLPrjdw/UQc8WpORUOI/AAAAAAAAPhk/S-hqmK1aEaM/s800/2013-01-27_00040.jpg)

Works like a charm.  Grenade and a few bullets later, 2 more dead floaters.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAUoJFPrL_o/UQc8W0pcxkI/AAAAAAAAPho/X1MxLfYv2_0/s800/2013-01-27_00041.jpg)

Setting up to explore deeper in. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LEA9ynf25bA/UQc8XdcqlPI/AAAAAAAAPhw/as5sBMYBuwc/s800/2013-01-27_00042.jpg)

Oh...

Mutons!  Too bad they only have light plasma...still, I want to capture one of them.  Unfortunately they all disappeared, so I had to hope for the best.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0q1AihT257I/UQc8Xv-tbUI/AAAAAAAAPh0/ihwAtlam9g0/s800/2013-01-27_00044.jpg)

Socks has some kind of guardian angel. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wxyulTs9V_A/UQc8YZUlmDI/AAAAAAAAPiQ/6Ktl9UKxkBc/s800/2013-01-27_00046.jpg)

The plan: Rocket damage 2 mutons, capture one. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IIRjczn__5E/UQc8YpIqpMI/AAAAAAAAPiE/OEV0KF6FG48/s800/2013-01-27_00047.jpg)

Shot wide, catching Tectonic in the blast, she panics...but otherwise according to plan.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YJSmNL5qQGA/UQc8YwNIrYI/AAAAAAAAPiI/_AWPBbqV2Jk/s800/2013-01-27_00048.jpg)

About that 3rd Muton...

Holmes dances around his wild shot.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Tx1dpfhyg_I/UQc8ZXJrvtI/AAAAAAAAPiU/_iual91fzTw/s800/2013-01-27_00049.jpg)

And gives him the big grenade welcome. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gx_AXXL30V4/UQc8Zn_46oI/AAAAAAAAPiY/vrHaIUx7oDA/s800/2013-01-27_00050.jpg)

Setting up Ice to take the shot. 
(the "low cover" here is a misnomer as my character will sidestep around her cover when she takes her shot, thus flanking the Muton, so it's an 80% shot, not 60)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ntDTmTswCmQ/UQc8axLOKRI/AAAAAAAAPis/1ANv2ndeXRg/s800/2013-01-27_00051.jpg)

This is how we like missions done.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6npTO9n9HdM/UQc8bYXZ16I/AAAAAAAAPiw/R3QjpTNBw18/s800/2013-01-27_00052.jpg)

Socks gets rapid fire, allowing her 2 shots on a target.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ls9JiJNfJW0/UQc8fse9cFI/AAAAAAAAPj0/Y8rmO-72ER0/s800/2013-01-27_00055.jpg)

Collins promoted to Heavy.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5pYECa54OA4/UQc8gWKPSYI/AAAAAAAAPj4/p03MtsIPyAc/s800/2013-01-27_00056.jpg)

I interrupt our light plasma research to interrogate a few aliens piling up.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z6TxB3J8HtU/UQc8hZx2B0I/AAAAAAAAPkM/TqWsIjtBnkM/s800/2013-01-27_00059.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7mtoz7nb4zc/UQc8ic2iR4I/AAAAAAAAPkw/5SIaXOky-Hk/s800/2013-01-27_00060.jpg)

That bumps our light plasma down from 14 days to complete to 1...

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: testdummy653 on January 30, 2013, 03:58:42 AM

Love this  ;b;

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2013, 02:14:58 PM

Taking the money from the mission, we do some more base building.  The second workshop is for more engineers so I can build more satellite uplinks.  There is an increasing requirement the more you build, and I'm getting scientists monthly, not engineers due to how I have my satellite coverage presently.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-19myXT8UkqY/UQc8jiMgHiI/AAAAAAAAPlE/HNWedWzhXis/s800/2013-01-27_00065.jpg)

Light plasma done.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uN-4aMc-kzM/UQc8kV-VN4I/AAAAAAAAPlQ/SUIPC69d2J4/s800/2013-01-27_00067.jpg)

More catching up.

(this would actually unlock research in the foundry, but I haven't unlocked the foundry yet.)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WjZeCinyTbA/UQc8idh0sCI/AAAAAAAAPkc/dODJOFVsmx8/s800/2013-01-27_00061.jpg)

I've never been too fond of the item slot bonus armors, but cryssalid plating unlocked.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AKk_SQpuR8Y/UQc8im5gyPI/AAAAAAAAPko/zUbiXUuCtyU/s800/2013-01-27_00062.jpg)

So, our present situation.  America and Japan panicked, Australia gone.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jmkGd9VDpKM/UQc8jmPmHoI/AAAAAAAAPlI/FzU7rVjv15c/s800/2013-01-27_00066.jpg)

Continuing to scream up the tech tree with our bonuses, the next couple days.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G_5Q5ysImsQ/UQc8k2O6fpI/AAAAAAAAPlU/4OFhFa8GKhk/s800/2013-01-27_00069.jpg)

Mexico immediately wants some of those vests...I need the engineers, so sell off some crap to fund them.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tLbnQhKbrwE/UQc8lb1_hxI/AAAAAAAAPlw/1cyZFNGLiPw/s800/2013-01-27_00071.jpg)
New armor researched.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XnisAdvTe1E/UQc8ls6jFbI/AAAAAAAAPl0/2t8BSmb9KdI/s800/2013-01-27_00072.jpg)

Damn, it's just a small...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rV7c_CuZ3n0/UQc8l-kUoPI/AAAAAAAAPls/7ClSBm56dJQ/s800/2013-01-27_00073.jpg)

In preperation I sell off every ounce of unneeded items and create some armor.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qR47tY-xy6o/UQc8mQ0keUI/AAAAAAAAPl4/ft3AKWA9y-g/s800/2013-01-27_00074.jpg)

We're also packing HEAT this time, thanks to the superfluos captures. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G_uBj0-iLUo/UQc8mitHANI/AAAAAAAAPl8/9uv7AfcBdTk/s800/2013-01-27_00075.jpg)

Only enough for 4 armors, so I leave the sniper unarmored, and take a little time to customize some colors so it's easier for me to distinguish who's who.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Vyh8dOUdAxA/UQc8mv2OAqI/AAAAAAAAPmQ/Kw35zOxF7VM/s800/2013-01-27_00076.jpg)

Immediately run into Mutons.  Unfortunately, they disappear so I have to take a defensive stance. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QUmYhKcZ1Gc/UQc8nDcz7yI/AAAAAAAAPmI/aQCL_L00aGU/s800/2013-01-27_00077.jpg)

Great, floaters too.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IFOPjpdZt6I/UQc8nB_VsyI/AAAAAAAAPmU/O_FKPDvRVBo/s800/2013-01-27_00078.jpg/[img]Powell gets a shot at a muton as he advances.[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hFS9G-miPiM/UQc8oVgPkII/AAAAAAAAPms/52ffZnXs0Fs/s800/2013-01-27_00079.jpg)

But, that muton just does his blood call.
(which shows me where the other one was hiding)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YBK0Ot83vy8/UQc8osLFqNI/AAAAAAAAPmo/Yc21yikm_DE/s800/2013-01-27_00080.jpg)

Ice misses a reaction shot on the second Muton, and the Muton returns the favor by failing to hit Socks, who again has some kind of guardian angel.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N2JDQYAhGu8/UQc8pk692SI/AAAAAAAAPnA/aLcuZ6tCSTU/s800/2013-01-27_00082.jpg)

My plasma rifles do up to 6 damage, Mutons have 10 health.  Socks has the solution.  No captures needed, but I DO need weapon fragments.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0kbAjhdUIN8/UQc8pjIJHQI/AAAAAAAAPm8/nR-Ysds6ZAI/s800/2013-01-27_00083.jpg)

Routine scouring of the forest/UFO follows. 

Ice is promoted, and gains the ability to disable an enemy's weapon.  This will make captures a lot less dicey. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qhnMda-qB7U/UQc8qXrtd3I/AAAAAAAAPnE/lOT4Dg6Wr48/s800/2013-01-27_00085.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2013, 02:28:23 PM

With the workshop done, we need more satellites, so another uplink is started.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kYCE7-U7l1s/UQc8qanxe7I/AAAAAAAAPnI/g6xbzi8MB10/s800/2013-01-27_00086.jpg)

With that, we get notified we're in the red.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-thdTBfr_7XI/UQc8qyHeX2I/AAAAAAAAPnY/kh2F--ayYc0/s800/2013-01-27_00087.jpg)

Like the old game, things have a maintenance fee.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EARedFN-gCE/UQc8q-u-ohI/AAAAAAAAPnQ/IQbnuripXjw/s800/2013-01-27_00088.jpg)

Fortunately, I have a couple satellites.  The US, for the killer money, and to stop it's panic.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RGH9Grd8exQ/UQc8rRn9eVI/AAAAAAAAPnU/GFK4_7-95Pg/s800/2013-01-27_00089.jpg)

And, South Africa to reduce panic and get the second African country. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2l9hklPxgqE/UQc8rxqpyqI/AAAAAAAAPnc/kHJmtbGDfNA/s800/2013-01-27_00090.jpg)

The new situation:

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QbyVm3UvVDI/UQc8sM5xRYI/AAAAAAAAPng/F8Xr8XY2Yaw/s800/2013-01-27_00091.jpg)

Probably the worst possible trio of abductions for my situation of COURSE pops up. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JQnEFbOsijU/UQc8sb3s9vI/AAAAAAAAPnk/MlvtoDEHY6I/s800/2013-01-27_00092.jpg)

I have no choice but to go for Africa having invested so much there, and losing that large satellite making it still dicey instead of stable. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JQnEFbOsijU/UQc8sb3s9vI/AAAAAAAAPnk/MlvtoDEHY6I/s800/2013-01-27_00092.jpg)

Ice up rooftop covering the squad at ground level.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dg4YbZqVO_Y/UQc8teTpaKI/AAAAAAAAPoA/upU0mBZI4Fs/s800/2013-01-27_00094.jpg)

Trying to sneak up on me...HAH!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4qGh0FuVFe0/UQc8tv62SRI/AAAAAAAAPn8/hBD6XU8q410/s800/2013-01-27_00097.jpg)

Ice just dominates the alley.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wwlP4ysJ8Uc/UQc8udigjaI/AAAAAAAAPoI/sIoGWpIL3vk/s800/2013-01-27_00099.jpg)

But eventually we have to go in...(just before Holmes get's one shot by the Muton he's hearing.)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7gLqyUkM6i8/UQc8uMg1QcI/AAAAAAAAPoE/WdwDQ5H1lmg/s800/2013-01-27_00098.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hlOy1xdi8cE/UQc8vSRqqQI/AAAAAAAAPok/Ma_fD7xzMRo/s800/2013-01-27_00103.jpg)

UK, Germany, China and Japan are all panicked now.  And, I've lost enough of these games to know this is looking BAD. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VJBB6l32p3A/UQc8vU9Vy0I/AAAAAAAAPoc/8UxxfeJihUg/s800/2013-01-27_00104.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2013, 02:51:10 PM

I'm not letting another large UFO by again, it's caused half the trouble here. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nU5vrulCVxY/UQc8voQnebI/AAAAAAAAPog/4Kc0pw-OMdM/s800/2013-01-27_00105.jpg)

With that, I start research toward a bold plan to hopefully delay the global panic.  But more on that later.

Council mission pops up, a bomb.  Great...bombs go off, they tend to immediately remove the nation from the council, no waiting till month end.  No choice. 

Bomb missions are a pain.  You're forced to constantly and aggressively advance to stay ahead of the time limit, turning off little nodes as you go. 

OF COURSE I draw the bridge map as well...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9nht35O9vwI/UQc8wFlOPuI/AAAAAAAAPo0/0KKTBMYuAjE/s800/2013-01-27_00106.jpg)

Covering my ass with smoke causes the thin men to miss.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i1cP5lGgHAA/UQc8w7W-eMI/AAAAAAAAPo8/mug9a-AQ8Ew/s800/2013-01-27_00109.jpg)

Explosive cover...hate cars.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qC-1K9x4tDw/UQc8xNDV26I/AAAAAAAAPpA/lBGogDQWv00/s800/2013-01-27_00110.jpg)

Damn $%^& thin men. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9yF1sQ_7GKg/UQc8xNGdXVI/AAAAAAAAPpE/U83xcrN3Qn0/s800/2013-01-27_00111.jpg)

Tectonic gets NAILED.  Thank god for armor.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cZOA1-Llayc/UQc8xnI7gaI/AAAAAAAAPpI/GZSuDwk_6nQ/s800/2013-01-27_00112.jpg)

[progeny of unmarried parents]...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tKUxO3MyoSQ/UQc8xzmWgEI/AAAAAAAAPpc/3FkBBBayJ_s/s800/2013-01-27_00113.jpg)

Rookie I brought panics and does about the best possible thing when panicked.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nv0wyQuWDSI/UQc8x_fpDFI/AAAAAAAAPpU/XaJ4_Ep332E/s800/2013-01-27_00114.jpg)

Reaching the bomb, oh, we're not done, NO!  More on the way, prepare yourselves.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZTTT71PWGng/UQc8yWlD5WI/AAAAAAAAPpY/l10wPGdhJIQ/s800/2013-01-27_00115.jpg)

They start dropping, my guys start shooting, chaos everywhere.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Xvs8eIuwEfU/UQc8zfo3fQI/AAAAAAAAPpw/_x0gq2Z01d0/s800/2013-01-27_00117.jpg)

Thin Men abilities just because.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h6vpnSXpkkg/UQc8zSgrgOI/AAAAAAAAPps/glEJ2gfYOnU/s800/2013-01-27_00118.jpg)

I HATE THEM.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-meV5cZDCdwM/UQc8zvIo1PI/AAAAAAAAPp0/v4n0xNHqlBs/s800/2013-01-27_00119.jpg)

In a strange bug, one landed ON TOP OF ICE.  If I move Ice, however, he will surely reaction shot her.  So, moving socks to use up his reaction shot so I can move her to safety then kill him.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vCHAzMeiovA/UQc8zzsV-YI/AAAAAAAAPp8/B9MSFwRyAJ0/s800/2013-01-27_00120.jpg)

Yeah. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WLdcHANegZM/UQc8z0qrdKI/AAAAAAAAPqI/SHjqmkqUeGQ/s800/2013-01-27_00121.jpg)

Socks now gets Automatic reaction shots against anything and everything that gets close to her.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q2zbfzHSXes/UQc80d49Q9I/AAAAAAAAPqA/Zg2L4Fdc2-Y/s800/2013-01-27_00122.jpg)

Panicky rookie Patil gets promoted to Heavy.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EmWWV5jc1NY/UQc80outBhI/AAAAAAAAPqM/TWejJrB_pGw/s800/2013-01-27_00123.jpg)

Medic "Smokes" improves his smoke. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uMyXSaBaWx4/UQc81H4e-mI/AAAAAAAAPqY/-BdgjKmCaow/s800/2013-01-27_00124.jpg)

Tectonic becomes a tough broad, could have used this BEFORE the mission...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--Mko9ldLhmc/UQc81FB0ObI/AAAAAAAAPqU/FxQ5CmvXKtw/s800/2013-01-27_00125.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2013, 03:10:36 PM

Ah yes, my plan...

I've been wondering if the progress bar here is supposed to be a joke or not.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B-0Rz9F6ZK8/UQc81z0LdwI/AAAAAAAAPqs/phDfDtRzUFU/s800/2013-01-27_00127.jpg)

Selling EVERYTHING I have, this is an all out sink or swim maneuver.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p2GFVD_5vrw/UQc82M2-OtI/AAAAAAAAPqo/tpW-UywNqAY/s800/2013-01-27_00128.jpg)

More prep, squad size 6. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNiOtjiom0Q/UQc82on1BzI/AAAAAAAAPq8/siQvv6e8y6I/s800/2013-01-27_00129.jpg)

I normally wait another month and prepare further, but given the panic levels...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nzJdnT4iOLY/UQc83GMtBZI/AAAAAAAAPrA/oPL8CyEkKqQ/s800/2013-01-27_00131.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fE29iGQFdPo/UQc85LtB3zI/AAAAAAAAPr4/4zZkrdp5-zw/s800/2013-01-27_00136.jpg)

I just need to take it NICE and SLOW. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wMMi3dKm-DA/UQc85uNfDiI/AAAAAAAAPr0/jl1OMIhY1a8/s800/2013-01-27_00137.jpg)

Damn Thin men, Panicky Patil plasters them.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1VZAURLpOP0/UQc85oxvvtI/AAAAAAAAPr8/duNMoSgxSj4/s800/2013-01-27_00138.jpg)

Cryssalids!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mOxIPbn-L40/UQc88vmCe1I/AAAAAAAAPsc/Eh_sqpLSOUk/s800/2013-01-27_00139.jpg)

Socks gives them a face full o plasma as they approach.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2HOAD-5QdSs/UQc8-IvAazI/AAAAAAAAPtA/cb0T1gwYY1Y/s800/2013-01-27_00140.jpg)

Ice covering at range.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TcDCOVwdzSI/UQc8-Zi6H3I/AAAAAAAAPtM/fMf0JBezX5c/s800/2013-01-27_00141.jpg)

Rest of the firing Squad.  Patil gets a promotion.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5rkS49qjLRg/UQc8-2xnd-I/AAAAAAAAPtE/V11pqHIisNA/s800/2013-01-27_00142.jpg)

After a break (this base took me 3 play sessions), Creeping deeper.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8wI-ZYVirc4/UQc8_p3AtNI/AAAAAAAAPtU/5fsQXQ4Rh3M/s800/2013-01-28_00001.jpg)

Squadie Isra is a killer aim assault class. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FpoaVGy3E_w/UQc9ANwwDxI/AAAAAAAAPtc/9pwQsczVe58/s800/2013-01-28_00003.jpg)

Reloading and devising our strategy to head deeper.  More aliens crawling around.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7QPvQ5ZLYdw/UQc9ASr4EmI/AAAAAAAAPtg/89z19rdFGNQ/s800/2013-01-28_00004.jpg)

The blue mist reminds me of Alien.  The canisters of Prometheus.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OdbvXA8sXKM/UQc9AvuNAyI/AAAAAAAAPt0/VXkFlErlkZ4/s800/2013-01-28_00005.jpg)

Floater DESTROYED by Ice as soon as it popped it's head.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_NWAc3xsz4/UQc9A1UcwTI/AAAAAAAAPtw/p-haSccqsD0/s800/2013-01-28_00006.jpg)

Drones.  Unusual to see them alone...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O2nJ1V5q7jo/UQc9BiLrNbI/AAAAAAAAPuE/qwxovvC1Uk4/s800/2013-01-28_00008.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--8uAeSI-Cqc/UQc9B6-4-nI/AAAAAAAAPuA/mt3iYmbtRBQ/s800/2013-01-28_00009.jpg)

Isra continues to impress.

81% at full range for a unit behind cover.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QbEarkcm6iM/UQc9Cfv1eYI/AAAAAAAAPuM/HJPreDEVHtk/s800/2013-01-28_00007.jpg)

More damn floaters. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lGv7lwYASE0/UQc9Cw5nYkI/AAAAAAAAPuY/H6AySUO-YWo/s800/2013-01-28_00012.jpg)

Isra leaves no doubt when she flanks!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KCyEqfVgQKE/UQc9DT-L5II/AAAAAAAAPuc/IlBqFOmrPE0/s800/2013-01-28_00013.jpg)

Reloading and waiting for the sniper, and taking a break before breaching the next room. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uytPYfzxOTs/UQc9D6rFmUI/AAAAAAAAPus/yBVPa-kSYKg/s800/2013-01-28_00014.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2013, 03:40:57 PM

Breaching the final room...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I_Nh4RHgSc0/UQc9ErFj08I/AAAAAAAAPu8/j4gX1zQtKv0/s800/2013-01-28_00016.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhSU5EUvnMk/UQc9FnyNkOI/AAAAAAAAPvI/STJjpXYetrg/s800/2013-01-28_00019.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9pqDOhlCOhE/UQc9FyjQckI/AAAAAAAAPvs/FBBjOU0p64E/s800/2013-01-28_00020.jpg)

Smokes catching another drone...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UM_ZMW_ebeo/UQc9GYL-mrI/AAAAAAAAPvo/hSvuHIeCzqw/s800/2013-01-28_00021.jpg)

Not the engineer joke.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JlbJHfFF95M/UQc9GUeoZvI/AAAAAAAAPvk/KY1Pb1bI93w/s800/2013-01-28_00022.jpg)

It was at this point, preparing for the final assault, knowing I want to CAPTURE that I realize, I woefully prepared for capturing.  Socks is the only one with a stun gun. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KgVKg5H1qtQ/UQc9HgRtYpI/AAAAAAAAPv0/mnhZIxmteBU/s800/2013-01-28_00023.jpg)

Sectoid leader. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2GpHFYUb_7k/UQc9HqwkSrI/AAAAAAAAPv8/eTctUPePyDc/s800/2013-01-28_00024.jpg)

whittling him down for capture.  Socks can't get there, I just have to hope he shoots, not mind controls, or we'll have to kill him instead of capture.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7gS8GWEgh0k/UQc9I-VJADI/AAAAAAAAPwI/yu8rzMpSxF8/s800/2013-01-28_00027.jpg)

Fortunately, he does.  (Socks hiding out of his sight just behind him.)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-84TsMJmKjng/UQc9JPKd6vI/AAAAAAAAPwQ/FWfilZ4xbrI/s800/2013-01-28_00029.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Lj1Wo1ZBYIM/UQc9JJbknLI/AAAAAAAAPwU/iIOUjij_kjE/s800/2013-01-28_00030.jpg)

Woot!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nEm6q5cKhvY/UQc9KOWrCII/AAAAAAAAPwk/cXeHY0i5dMc/s800/2013-01-28_00034.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oTXVYuwuXHI/UQc9NCp4_QI/AAAAAAAAPxY/WXXBpSrv_Tg/s800/2013-01-28_00044.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fcaSyi3kzRs/UQc9KnGrbrI/AAAAAAAAPww/bbPoUG8lzvA/s800/2013-01-28_00036.jpg)

No Idea how Smokes did not get promoted...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Fu_xhM3nqPU/UQc9K8aSs-I/AAAAAAAAPw0/PExMgFm92Bo/s800/2013-01-28_00037.jpg)

Socks gets more health.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X3WpGCxOZTs/UQc9LuOZ-4I/AAAAAAAAPw8/TkALZhEsXFo/s800/2013-01-28_00038.jpg)

Ice no longer has a reaction shot penalty.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ij8ntWrMJM/UQc9Llrd9tI/AAAAAAAAPxA/ehVQz6hgi2Q/s800/2013-01-28_00039.jpg)

Panicky Patil can now shoot twice per turn (provided she doesn't move)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VvROTkCyZWk/UQc9L24bQYI/AAAAAAAAPxE/UhhdJcjcWGo/s800/2013-01-28_00040.jpg)

Majid.  +3 move is just massive, I'm not even sure what the other side of the tree offers. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n6tCR5_6KXE/UQc9Mlg8JEI/AAAAAAAAPxM/RIRBgetUuOc/s800/2013-01-28_00041.jpg)

Isra, I normally take the extra defense (to get the guardian angel effect like Socks), but with her aim, the bonus to criticals and working from more of a range is appealing.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ett3KtC1kfs/UQc9Muk7d7I/AAAAAAAAPxQ/aiMyTdOIl7o/s800/2013-01-28_00042.jpg)

With all the crap from the base, I'm making sure we can shoot down those large UFOs.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eyp2psjyYyY/UQc9NS7QjDI/AAAAAAAAPxk/4evvs17keyY/s800/2013-01-28_00045.jpg)

The laundry list. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a47IxZcKcxI/UQc9NukBX6I/AAAAAAAAPxg/c-D3jslAAR4/s800/2013-01-28_00046.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 31, 2013, 02:35:55 PM

Selling off base crap, we get going on yet another Satellite uplink.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-11EvpmfXCHQ/UQpqQ7b4FyI/AAAAAAAAP1Y/DXbWWHlxdfM/s800/2013-01-30_00001.jpg)

Rearming the fighters.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FHe98zhCgmI/UQpqQ235ZaI/AAAAAAAAP1U/5FHtVOP-5uU/s800/2013-01-30_00003.jpg)

Experimental Warfare unlocks the Foundry... 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NJqn4Wm2VrE/UQpqRH0oLXI/AAAAAAAAP1k/AsrsDr23Ac8/s800/2013-01-30_00004.jpg)

So, get that going...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qdJPH9dpnRo/UQpqRSbQhUI/AAAAAAAAP1o/7uHCRbNuvGc/s800/2013-01-30_00006.jpg)

May's report.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wRNo4cp_dmE/UQpqRrJNa5I/AAAAAAAAP1w/oy8Q7VL2Mmk/s800/2013-01-30_00005.jpg)

More research...The Skeleton suit offers 1 point less 'armor' (XCOM's version of armor is bonus HP) than the carapace, but you get a native 10% defense (chance to dodge), a grappling hook, and +1 movement range.  I don't think there's even a competition. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vSsY5sO4Qsw/UQpqSOMx8PI/AAAAAAAAP2E/ovg0QR3hD38/s800/2013-01-30_00007.jpg)

Foundry completes, and we begin research on a SHIV.  (note 3 satellites started construction as well)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WgorGfENU5c/UQpqSKKmk0I/AAAAAAAAP2A/HQzKnT_8LbE/s800/2013-01-30_00010.jpg)

Ah, Medium UFO...good, I need some elerium and alloys.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvStqUz0XPE/UQpqSbUG8yI/AAAAAAAAP2I/Tj2VDZol_54/s800/2013-01-30_00011.jpg)

With only enough alloy for 1 skeleton suit, Socks is the natural choice. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P4m5zHDOWpU/UQpqSRVmClI/AAAAAAAAP2Q/hV-IBLUhhz8/s800/2013-01-30_00012.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OxkCXKypktE/UQpqSqnJMiI/AAAAAAAAP2g/rBKMYl8kS1o/s800/2013-01-30_00013.jpg)

Immediately spy a pair of Mutons.  But, what's this?  That's a regular plasma rifle.  MUST steal/capture. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g29hfuom4fU/UQpqSkkP7VI/AAAAAAAAP2Y/V9KrEorOmd0/s800/2013-01-30_00014.jpg)

Takin up defense since the Mutons will be getting the first shot.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f7P41MfdRnI/UQpqS9kPT-I/AAAAAAAAP2c/DRBSNKdtl4M/s800/2013-01-30_00015.jpg)

Muton 1 bloodcalls.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1f5CPSJJPRg/UQpqTOpW09I/AAAAAAAAP2w/fef7E7VConQ/s800/2013-01-30_00016.jpg)

Muton 2 misses.  My turn.   ;excite;

Panicky Patil wounds them and removes their cover.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TZQNnp51NzA/UQpqTXDGLSI/AAAAAAAAP2s/HeITS_mh0oE/s800/2013-01-30_00018.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 31, 2013, 02:53:21 PM

Ice takes aim to disable one so we can safely leave it to move in and stun next turn.  Muton abilities shown for fun.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gr9SPeeEPGI/UQpqT9LRwgI/AAAAAAAAP24/rW1L5KoCiBo/s800/2013-01-30_00019.jpg)

Bag one plasma rifle...er I mean Muton.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ABIUmDKbXp8/UQpqUDcMHFI/AAAAAAAAP3E/SnmujpWgIRY/s800/2013-01-30_00022.jpg)

And then the mission goes all to hell....

Setting up to breach the UFO, Mutons come barrelling out.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r34XWnitCjA/UQpqUdGL3FI/AAAAAAAAP3M/Tdo7nZe_e0M/s800/2013-01-30_00023.jpg)

And bring floaters.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ijaPGrHZY1E/UQpqUikrBnI/AAAAAAAAP3U/kS3yalmpOvs/s800/2013-01-30_00024.jpg)

5 aliens...that's a tall order for 6 soldiers to take down without any chance of getting wounded.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ijaPGrHZY1E/UQpqUikrBnI/AAAAAAAAP3U/kS3yalmpOvs/s800/2013-01-30_00024.jpg)

But Tectonic can take out 3 with a well placed rocket, right?  That'll make this an easy capture situation.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PEf5TnXJe8Y/UQpqUw7su_I/AAAAAAAAP3Y/CZqaxXYmeyM/s800/2013-01-30_00026.jpg)

Oh, $&!*.  The blown wall reveals a cyberdisk.  ;panic;

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hggvqWtl1QA/UQpqUzCI8UI/AAAAAAAAP3o/hEmbCVG64Tk/s800/2013-01-30_00027.jpg)

AND, 2 sectoid leaders...I'm in trouble.  I quickly waste the 2 mutons, and do what I can to slow the leaders. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MXNlKjQoesM/UQpqVgFfLrI/AAAAAAAAP3s/Sv3OdY2yP0E/s800/2013-01-30_00029.jpg)

But there was no way I was going to prevent the cyberdisk from greeting Tectonic. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-62kPbCL0uTM/UQpqWNw6HUI/AAAAAAAAP34/Ew3ZcRcRqtk/s800/2013-01-30_00032.jpg)

I hide and back off, hoping to draw them  out.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ojvHLBFmwMM/UQpqXBbHknI/AAAAAAAAP4c/glt4oU2Xmsg/s800/2013-01-30_00039.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oYbjRyejwkQ/UQpqXX4BCXI/AAAAAAAAP4Y/XCBJqVhg-iU/s800/2013-01-30_00040.jpg)

Aw hell. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-trQ4uxpt44Y/UQpqXic6t6I/AAAAAAAAP4k/Du-8cW-Gm5Y/s800/2013-01-30_00041.jpg)

Socks goes all Sigourney on that sectoid to free Isra.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oLfd4-2Qbhc/UQpqXhdB6rI/AAAAAAAAP4o/hfweZ9yRvas/s800/2013-01-30_00042.jpg)
 
Then catches the other as it scurries too close. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nk1fd2auFtI/UQpqYBXAzvI/AAAAAAAAP4w/8rr2SpDGmGg/s800/2013-01-30_00044.jpg)

Isra gets named "Desperado".  Patil "Road Block".

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XswjYOZCPQY/UQpqYtjgqzI/AAAAAAAAP48/2oxIv2QH2mY/s800/2013-01-30_00046.jpg)

The memorial wall is filling up...


(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UTZJSJL3MZI/UQpqYlgDvdI/AAAAAAAAP5E/AcSFVcxV_sI/s800/2013-01-30_00048.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 31, 2013, 03:22:33 PM

With the ship's alloys, I build enough skeleton suits to outfit the entire squad and begin production on an Alloy SHIV.  It allows me to use it as cover, which is handy for some maps.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MaW8NbFCwmw/UQpqZW2xfzI/AAAAAAAAP5c/y2deNZ4BaUM/s800/2013-01-30_00052.jpg)

Also build a dodge matrix just in case we do get a large this month.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0U5plJXeZ4M/UQpqZkht7MI/AAAAAAAAP5k/Wz9mE9QzRKE/s800/2013-01-30_00053.jpg)


Research complete on the plasma rifle.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MVC4I6zR6oU/UQpqaCa9DBI/AAAAAAAAP5w/0vBNKyACj1c/s800/2013-01-30_00054.jpg)

Interrogating the damn sectoid leader.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OPhOIfVRkwM/UQpqaI5qvFI/AAAAAAAAP54/yWist2-7vh4/s800/2013-01-30_00056.jpg)

Unfortunately, I don't have enough to start psi labs/training yet.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NDyDukW4rx4/UQpqadKuYhI/AAAAAAAAP50/GICU0FXfemQ/s800/2013-01-30_00057.jpg)

Autopsy pile up.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LO9bLLEr2xQ/UQpqal3v9oI/AAAAAAAAP58/-mzhEeFDqwE/s800/2013-01-30_00058.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zYR0u-Z1PhE/UQpqanSsxoI/AAAAAAAAP6A/5z04opH_fEg/s800/2013-01-30_00059.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-41UBule7pDc/UQpqa_aB30I/AAAAAAAAP6I/yOHyHDzbqrY/s800/2013-01-30_00060.jpg)

Alloy SHIV completes before new missions.  Excellent. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1PQN82xldOk/UQpqbCeel9I/AAAAAAAAP6M/WG1WGOWWpuM/s800/2013-01-30_00062.jpg)

Another medium UFO. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ty96JIDt2aA/UQpqbWqQwyI/AAAAAAAAP6Y/vYOKiTFvQMo/s800/2013-01-30_00063.jpg)

Note, Ice was wounded last mission.  So, bringing a rookie...Desperado was given our sole Plasma rifle. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1PjbItnCj2k/UQpqbVmV7eI/AAAAAAAAP6g/aOX3FQ6l7BQ/s800/2013-01-30_00064.jpg)

Thin men pop out of the UFO to the right.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jrpOCsZT930/UQpqcGkXOfI/AAAAAAAAP6w/41UkbMDl8hw/s800/2013-01-30_00067.jpg)

Mutons to the left....We're surrounded!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wLgabXgOtRQ/UQpqcFAVIKI/AAAAAAAAP6s/bV3oCeWKahw/s800/2013-01-30_00068.jpg)

MORE Mutons!?!?! 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hItQkpw6qaY/UQpqcZSugbI/AAAAAAAAP64/qQBGdBm6gxw/s800/2013-01-30_00069.jpg)

This is a retreat and regroup situation, but I have nowhere to retreat TO.  It's either abandon mission or try to work it out.  It would have been nice if Tectonic was around, 2 rockets would finish off a TON of Mutons...I only have 1. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uzu3RepPjNg/UQpqc3pRPeI/AAAAAAAAP7M/8p5RaMMzoAA/s800/2013-01-30_00070.jpg)

Isra flanks a Muton, trying to get all enemies to one flank. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rZxnRDmqlrA/UQpqc6rghTI/AAAAAAAAP7E/0c1JWmYEBDw/s800/2013-01-30_00072.jpg)

Sacrificial SHIV blasts a Muton. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DzwQdO4x1_g/UQpqdMpqWuI/AAAAAAAAP7I/WCnsBkkql0g/s800/2013-01-30_00073.jpg)

Rookie manages to get a kill as well.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yDGLpA-uqTM/UQpqdbgycwI/AAAAAAAAP7Q/DnX9Ac-eFkk/s800/2013-01-30_00074.jpg)

All said, I killed 4 mutons and wounded 2, while hopefully being out of range of the Thin Men.   

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-unTb6NlL1U4/UQpqdXgUlnI/AAAAAAAAP7Y/KKgOhHWJW2M/s800/2013-01-30_00076.jpg)

OF COURSE!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aAZd0Hxl6bA/UQpqdnyE9CI/AAAAAAAAP7g/N3V2gtJs3Uo/s800/2013-01-30_00077.jpg)

Muton gets a lucky critical on sacrificial SHIV. 
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H9J-0sQyuEw/UQpqeAOKZoI/AAAAAAAAP70/Q7NdHakRtcM/s800/2013-01-30_00079.jpg)

Patil does what she does best...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NukP3JeWpF4/UQpqeHrjrRI/AAAAAAAAP7s/gVHoigH-1Qc/s800/2013-01-30_00080.jpg)

Uh Oh...Muton grenade incoming!

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lc7mziLVahc/UQpqeuKF9wI/AAAAAAAAP78/5w1njtsZREQ/s800/2013-01-30_00083.jpg)

Isra panics...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XM815e6OjwM/UQpqelCpIHI/AAAAAAAAP8A/u9jH6kB8IgA/s800/2013-01-30_00084.jpg)

And blows the Muton's head off.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K4ZEAze8J0k/UQpqe6wWLII/AAAAAAAAP8E/6GsonRZ57B8/s800/2013-01-30_00085.jpg)

Socks gets pinned down, and critically wounded.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vqlgr8L3QyQ/UQpqfA5X08I/AAAAAAAAP8Q/c8pZmcnElx0/s800/2013-01-30_00088.jpg)

Smokes heads over to revive Socks while Desperado and rookie handle the others.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mORds1SjuT4/UQpqfvbqIaI/AAAAAAAAP8c/QXzj1UEJ290/s800/2013-01-30_00090.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 31, 2013, 03:45:39 PM

That's 2 bad luck missions in a row. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tQodgGOiBbU/UQpqfwsrtVI/AAAAAAAAP8k/lmijnUrKNtA/s800/2013-01-30_00092.jpg)

Just 6 days to council meeting, 4 days to a plasma sniper.  Things are turning around, right?

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i3WX2FK5N1U/UQpqhv_T69I/AAAAAAAAP9U/0c05jidWEUc/s800/2013-01-30_00099.jpg)

let's launch some sats! 

Canada and Mexico, getting me the NA bonus.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DgfZ0i5ZjW8/UQpqiCtUvWI/AAAAAAAAP9g/c8_uolBzKHs/s800/2013-01-30_00102.jpg)

Egypt rounds out the Africa bonus. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2dVa-smedEE/UQpqiXWeSXI/AAAAAAAAP9o/-Ob1HEAbtc8/s800/2013-01-30_00104.jpg)

Solid finances are within sight, and those sats will limit where abductions can happen.  Things are looking very positive. 
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vdD2kW0y73Y/UQpqim-c1ZI/AAAAAAAAP9w/H4zWXVLXtAI/s800/2013-01-30_00105.jpg)

Just 6 days, what could go wrong?

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mBgjUkMTaZE/UQpqi5IJp9I/AAAAAAAAP-I/THk7d8U7MqU/s800/2013-01-30_00106.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2013, 02:31:40 PM

So, with what is cobbled together as what would normally be washouts, I head over to the terror mission.  Anyone with an aim over 60 come along.  Smokes gets our plasma rifle, everyone else needs the aim assists of the light plasma. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Anf_UaHEMBU/UQpqkOYH6YI/AAAAAAAAP-k/cUiAfDeel_I/s800/2013-01-30_00109.jpg)

Oh goodie....another bridge.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nrKTfiN4T2w/UQpqkOw4XjI/AAAAAAAAP-c/bvW2vpz-zJw/s800/2013-01-30_00110.jpg)

These guys would be fun to build for Halloween, I think.  Cryssalids.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ed0WFy06AyQ/UQpqkP8lMjI/AAAAAAAAP-g/vPw_1Nxy0iE/s800/2013-01-30_00111.jpg)

Damn worthless wastes of barracks space...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lu3WVDyMJoY/UQpqlWOvPWI/AAAAAAAAP_A/X1KF2SkG9cU/s800/2013-01-30_00113.jpg)

This is what happens when you can't shoot straight morons.  At least it was a civilian.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FsH34i4O3fo/UQpqmczr-bI/AAAAAAAAP_I/BKWl1_Gyxyg/s800/2013-01-30_00117.jpg)

 :hunter:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rN9Tlb4Ri6c/UQpqmo55bfI/AAAAAAAAP_Q/1kU12T6_FQ8/s800/2013-01-30_00118.jpg)

Zombies.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tWC-ccAVIPw/UQpqmsVbGJI/AAAAAAAAP_U/7Lv3K8jE2g4/s800/2013-01-30_00119.jpg)

Running out of civilian shields...time  to fall back.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lI18HnCfuNY/UQpqnaYBwHI/AAAAAAAAP_w/AQCs1oIoufg/s800/2013-01-31_00004.jpg)

Can't miss from this range!

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-79GLLzpn8wM/UQpqnq2JugI/AAAAAAAAP_s/8gAc03av1gI/s800/2013-01-31_00005.jpg)

You only need to get close with rockets and grenades ;nuke;

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Lx1lH_vQPg/UQpqoNU5K7I/AAAAAAAAQAA/jJbdQn0FTSI/s800/2013-01-31_00006.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jkO5Hfdmyr4/UQpqoHjFjBI/AAAAAAAAQAI/6s8CS85YSmo/s800/2013-01-31_00007.jpg)

Majid, Wells, and Smokes are the only ones able to really hit anything.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mlyXgbAZ6J8/UQpqoDxb4cI/AAAAAAAAQAE/EdIBz0S6S4Y/s800/2013-01-31_00008.jpg)

But they are making new ones about as fast as I can kill em.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A7saGkica1s/UQpqorsB3zI/AAAAAAAAQAY/EV_ZMg1h3W0/s800/2013-01-31_00010.jpg)

As if I didn't have ENOUGH of a problem. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-auK2Jwd_5pQ/UQpqpt8AviI/AAAAAAAAQAo/7a__c271raw/s800/2013-01-31_00011.jpg)

yeah, this is going well.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yZyI8hB_GFo/UQpqp6RoGfI/AAAAAAAAQAs/nrqlgpftWXA/s800/2013-01-31_00013.jpg)

Lucky car explosion wounds 2 Cryssalids for me.  Guess someone missing and damaging the car actually worked in my favor.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QK28SuHf7OY/UQpqqA_duYI/AAAAAAAAQA0/MwPNDpn2pz4/s800/2013-01-31_00015.jpg)

Cyberdisk throws grenade, forcing me to move from cover about to explode. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IbIGDztZ2EY/UQpqqxeyEHI/AAAAAAAAQBM/WDboueEO58U/s800/2013-01-31_00018.jpg)

*sigh* Their own fault for not knowing how to shoot.  Majid earns the name "shield".  Smokes must have pissed someone off somewhere that is refusing to promote him.  Johansen.  Another sniper with lousy aim...well, Ice has turned out half decent...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zhspSmHjXWk/UQpqraSahGI/AAAAAAAAQBU/7LEDqkbgGX0/s800/2013-01-31_00021.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2013, 02:38:34 PM

The good thing about terror missions is they can work well for you in the panic department.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_0nhQn2fsCs/UQpqr-WWJ8I/AAAAAAAAQCA/NeZXgXLTS7Y/s800/2013-01-31_00025.jpg)

I CLEARLY need some help. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vT4uJTs1XP8/UQpqseucXdI/AAAAAAAAQB4/1krlHl8C-Y0/s800/2013-01-31_00026.jpg)

New soldiers on the way, we need to get them BETTER too.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zRmmWrmvOTQ/UQpqtYokW3I/AAAAAAAAQCY/8b4gggLav2U/s800/2013-01-31_00028.jpg)

Just 3 days to soldiers, 5 left to month end, 7 till a new SHIV, we got this right?  Oh the game is just TROLLING me now. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HxB2SUNgFeQ/UQpqtYOfIMI/AAAAAAAAQCQ/MMg7UwFyiw0/s800/2013-01-31_00029.jpg)

US, Europe, and Asia targetted. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--LtRCmZe3Oo/UQpqtvFpVWI/AAAAAAAAQCU/AbDAIjWZ_4s/s800/2013-01-31_00030.jpg)

It is REALLY, REALLY tempting to get the experienced heavy Russia is offering, but the smart thing to do here is go to Asia. 

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: testdummy653 on February 04, 2013, 08:07:44 PM

 ;popcorn

Unorthodox, have you played XCOM or see XCOM played on a Xbox?

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 04, 2013, 09:52:53 PM

We don't own an Xbox.  It looks better on the PS3 than it does on my laptop (most notably the soldiers), and I would assume comparable performance/looks to the PS3 version on an Xbox.  It's a really slick interface too, once you get used to it.  There's some 'quirks' to the PC interface in places, it was pretty clearly designed with a controller in mind. 

One thing I have noticed is the AI is a little different between the 2, there's a little more variety to the PC version as well.  Things spawn a bit more randomly, or move in between turns more on the PC.  I also see Aliens retreat more often on the PC, where they just tend to attempt to take as many of you with them as possible in the PS3.  Not neccessarily "smarter" one way or the other (depends on a particular situation which is easier to cope with), just different. 

(I've done a mission or two more, but haven't had time to upload pics, busy weekend)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 03:23:13 AM

I was in the middle of a mission when I stopped.  First time able to even try this week.  Well, Steam is giving me errors, and I'm trying to repair, but the save may be lost.  There's no backup since this was hardcore mode.

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: testdummy653 on February 08, 2013, 03:28:05 AM

Quote from: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 03:23:13 AM

I was in the middle of a mission when I stopped.  First time able to even try this week.  Well, Steam is giving me errors, and I'm trying to repair, but the save may be lost.  There's no backup since this was hardcore mode.

Nooooooooo  :wall:

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 04:14:16 AM

So, the game's working again and the steam cloud had a copy of the save, sorta.  I lost several turns, but nothing major.  Uploading pics now. 

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 08, 2013, 04:42:54 AM

 :danc: ;excite; :clap: ;woohoo :salute: :wave: :danc:

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: testdummy653 on February 08, 2013, 12:24:15 PM

 :)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 01:59:51 PM

THIS is what happens when you're scraping the bottom of the barrel.  Below average on health, TERRIBLE will. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hpw0zk51fqo/URRyhsaN-bI/AAAAAAAAQII/r2pcb8TtnYU/s800/2013-02-01_00001.jpg)

Happy days.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KkKFmy8eYEc/URRyiMGjDwI/AAAAAAAAQIM/195iRp-jLjo/s800/2013-02-01_00004.jpg)

Oh, and floaters to surround me.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-otIahzXYF_Y/URRyiYSNMyI/AAAAAAAAQIU/wAjjTlDJbPM/s800/2013-02-01_00006.jpg)

With no one on the team able to shoot, I decided to pack the few alien grenades we had captured.  One takes care of the floaters here.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VDlfusgz-Cs/URRyi52qPzI/AAAAAAAAQIg/jJyjZAYxxqI/s800/2013-02-01_00007.jpg)

Sure, why not?

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7yXynyJPTiA/URRyjh-aZdI/AAAAAAAAQIo/x-fxSxDF6C0/s800/2013-02-01_00010.jpg)

The entire team unloads on that cyberdisk...too many misses. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CAh64VQq4Oo/URRykr7SwjI/AAAAAAAAQJA/zUmIG86JkH4/s800/2013-02-01_00014.jpg)

Yeah, we're screwed. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7ZsrLs5Ft9w/URRykx8RKQI/AAAAAAAAQJE/G9_A6Tjm5kY/s800/2013-02-01_00016.jpg)

Of COURSE it targets the last experienced soldier I have around.  Smokes goes down...but can be stabalized...and...everybody panic. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2RW23ySEHSc/URRylawqF5I/AAAAAAAAQJM/h5hRO9h7ExQ/s800/2013-02-01_00017.jpg)

By some miracle, Smokes does not die in this as the cyberdisk explodes taking cars with it.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uYjU-vaYlZA/URRyl_YXRtI/AAAAAAAAQJg/i6AynZasIps/s800/2013-02-01_00020.jpg)

Moving up to the back of the map (which I've honestly never even seen before, most often everyone is up front) to find the last of the aliens.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Byp2re2pSQc/URRync6KoXI/AAAAAAAAQJ4/YtAYBK17vro/s800/2013-02-01_00026.jpg)
Game apparantly felt bad for trolling me.  8 aliens is not that many for this stage of the game. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zJLtT84ivW0/URRynXIFjtI/AAAAAAAAQJ8/43u-nZWc1NQ/s800/2013-02-01_00027.jpg)

Whats with all the crappy snipers being made?  "Shield" and "Disco" promoted. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tlJkex0HGaM/URRynrei-zI/AAAAAAAAQKA/JNhOovzZ6e8/s800/2013-02-01_00028.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 02:13:57 PM

With that mission gone, selling off some stuff gave me some cash to do some ugrades in the foundry.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CisVoOBy5lk/URRynmyRxJI/AAAAAAAAQKE/PWlB5HO9zDM/s800/2013-02-01_00029.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UYKFWfTlhB8/URRyoKyiQnI/AAAAAAAAQKM/GcOVLJwPgL0/s800/2013-02-01_00030.jpg)

Can we make it now?

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p2w-bp1FDiI/URRyoFv70yI/AAAAAAAAQKU/aEuMxMUtkQg/s800/2013-02-01_00031.jpg)

This is a game changer.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xI8VxzVW_EM/URRyoQiOoHI/AAAAAAAAQKQ/-tNUNoXU0qA/s800/2013-02-01_00032.jpg)

The standouts of our recruitment efforts. 

O'Sullivan

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Otce6o68seI/URRypOsmMvI/AAAAAAAAQKc/JB2d5FR5syk/s800/2013-02-01_00034.jpg)

Mensah

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nqyYHOjf5Qg/URRypVFLtHI/AAAAAAAAQKs/Vfy4Kfy_9Ss/s800/2013-02-01_00035.jpg)

Chavan

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gBtVjgL8Jzo/URRypUYM-8I/AAAAAAAAQKw/bXIZTltdphE/s800/2013-02-01_00036.jpg)

We have MONEY!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HpWVeTzMpG8/URRyppDKHyI/AAAAAAAAQKo/Z7jJgFmJn-Q/s800/2013-02-01_00037.jpg)

Just enough Elerium for ONE.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8-EcCS1ZkyE/URRyqVHbvlI/AAAAAAAAQK4/s7rgWSM-wZg/s800/2013-02-01_00038.jpg)

Soldier traning.  Iron Will will give us more will per promotion, New Guy gives auto squaddie level, and rapid recovery cut down on infirmary time.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pxkHSeiRFns/URRyqyybIOI/AAAAAAAAQLI/TZjkbW0HRaY/s800/2013-02-01_00040.jpg)

So, checking in on our stars. 

O'Sullivan is promoted to support.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VycR4F6gKJk/URRyq-M0QXI/AAAAAAAAQLE/-SdgLA9E5IA/s800/2013-02-01_00041.jpg)

Mensah to Heavy. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TIY6OidDSe4/URRyrWk6J0I/AAAAAAAAQLM/W3s-VzIpzlY/s800/2013-02-01_00042.jpg)

Chavan to a sniper.  (Already 78 aim is good, but not exceptional)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-djyqwHbjfMs/URRysRqQPiI/AAAAAAAAQLg/afzKg5k9ZQ0/s800/2013-02-01_00046.jpg)

Ice (who only has 9 more aim than the squaddie Chavan) gets our sniper rifle.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qvzrZxTEqfU/URRytLP5ihI/AAAAAAAAQLs/vjKYGscWNf0/s800/2013-02-01_00048.jpg)

Plasma sniper details.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8t8cvTaEPQw/URRytdQkUbI/AAAAAAAAQLw/OsgwWBLxxjM/s800/2013-02-01_00049.jpg)

Oh, lord, that is SOOO tempting.  PLEASE, PLEASE let me get a mission and capture one more light plasma...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z4DWJb2liS0/URRyu5TSMNI/AAAAAAAAQMI/XAucxM4uIbg/s800/2013-02-02_00004.jpg)

Remember that big UFO that I couldn't shoot down?  Yeah, we catch it on the ground.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b-Q4lRZGMb4/URRyvHm-nYI/AAAAAAAAQMM/GxLfIctkLR4/s800/2013-02-02_00005.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 02:37:25 PM

Chavan and O'Sullivan brought along for training. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5m6nA2nQEfs/URRyvsRt95I/AAAAAAAAQMc/rkP8wbBuLYQ/s800/2013-02-02_00007.jpg)

Oh YEAH.  Thin men = light plasma.  Capture...could be tricky. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5m6nA2nQEfs/URRyvsRt95I/AAAAAAAAQMc/rkP8wbBuLYQ/s800/2013-02-02_00007.jpg)

Moving in, of course we run into a cyberdisk.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WVE7b7PrGw/URRywoNkDgI/AAAAAAAAQM0/kI3irYjSLYg/s800/2013-02-02_00011.jpg)

Making sure Chavan gets the killing shot.  Squaddie snipers are difficult to train. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iE-dgUsddB4/URRywXI31OI/AAAAAAAAQMs/EsfGQIL8Ces/s800/2013-02-02_00012.jpg)

Next, Mutons get in the way...thin men have fled.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F8z3weSzE8A/URRyxIj8zsI/AAAAAAAAQM4/OTlD_Q-2KNw/s800/2013-02-02_00014.jpg)

Disco taking out their cover so the rest of the team can pick them off. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kCGImx3Nfbc/URRyxB7BonI/AAAAAAAAQNE/WlsLdBvbLCI/s800/2013-02-02_00015.jpg)

More Mutons...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f_GS7Se8uKc/URRyyQp2znI/AAAAAAAAQNU/IgUU-OuIWRM/s800/2013-02-02_00018.jpg)

Including the Berserker, a Muton melee unit with massive health and several things that can make them tough to take down. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JeozQNCcnew/URRyyfjSB9I/AAAAAAAAQNo/c3X4YWX9mbs/s800/2013-02-02_00019.jpg)

Our best sniper rifle just pisses him off.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DDDblbWJgro/URRyy8H-75I/AAAAAAAAQNg/NarqL4d0tJo/s144/2013-02-02_00020.jpg)

So does O'Sullivan.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--uwPCHsWCEA/URRy0KLGTeI/AAAAAAAAQOE/vmvaksa1W8c/s800/2013-02-02_00023.jpg)

And Desperado.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4cW5NasAjLI/URRyz_qWLOI/AAAAAAAAQN8/B4cDLq1mAHM/s800/2013-02-02_00024.jpg)

Desperado and Disco both panic.  Disco decides to blow it's head off while panicking.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1M4GzwDykOQ/URRy0z5nZVI/AAAAAAAAQOY/nT-OWQ0qcEI/s800/2013-02-02_00027.jpg)

Chavan removing a Muton from the equation.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cmM7a1RH0DM/URRy1uZiRpI/AAAAAAAAQPA/SGx3lZeIyvU/s800/2013-02-02_00028.jpg)

Ice about to headshot another.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zl6n9o3_YE/URRy1r3YYLI/AAAAAAAAQOk/wA9vVElUDNs/s800/2013-02-02_00029.jpg)

After this round of Mutons, everyone's gun is dry.  After reloading, we press forward. 

Desperado finds a thin man.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2lx0LUYbT7k/URRy4b9_heI/AAAAAAAAQP4/jKshYKl40H0/s800/2013-02-02_00036.jpg)

Chavan taking out one of the sectoid leaders.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a-QtvdfppbI/URRy5URMU3I/AAAAAAAAQQQ/fIffX2gDZ-c/s800/2013-02-02_00039.jpg)

O'Sullivan, I can understand.  How in the sam hell did Chavan not earn a promotion?

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7apeSVt1TsU/URRy5mL2aiI/AAAAAAAAQQU/iFDZoVyM8Kg/s800/2013-02-02_00041.jpg)

Oh, we're in the MONEY now.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NjEuwG3Bcm8/URRy65ulENI/AAAAAAAAQQs/zPSNRFQcDnc/s800/2013-02-02_00045.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2013, 03:36:52 PM

With the cash in hand, it was time to do some major upgrades.  Get that psi lab up and running to start testing soldiers.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uLoPRcNohZ8/URRy7A8qcFI/AAAAAAAAQQ4/QRcY7ia064I/s800/2013-02-02_00046.jpg)

Tons of foundry upgrades.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rTJVSMRR_b8/URRy7SMNYkI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/1xtpUr7ZMOc/s800/2013-02-02_00047.jpg)

And, time to build a real team. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3YNIfv7pH1U/URRy7nPTdcI/AAAAAAAAQRA/xh6LlVzOEUg/s800/2013-02-02_00048.jpg)

I can dig through all these soldiers to find a solid squad.

We're right on the corner now, about to make the turn.  Base is coming up to potential, soldiers about to begin screening, and research swiftly flying forward.  What I NEED is some more elerium. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZyKpr-wG3sI/URRy8OTIdpI/AAAAAAAAQRM/hA09KKQIg_g/s800/2013-02-02_00051.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bh7JT4tLVak/URRy75JQ2_I/AAAAAAAAQRE/gMnaOPWIaT8/s800/2013-02-02_00049.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yx7osTR5tFY/URRy8CbC9qI/AAAAAAAAQRc/kxa4qggHQBY/s800/2013-02-02_00050.jpg)

Abductions in Europe, Argentina and Asia.  Little choice but to defend Europe.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aslb7odETws/URRy8cw8OII/AAAAAAAAQRQ/2raxsQcyvWE/s800/2013-02-02_00052.jpg)

This is the mission that got all screwed up with the steam error, so there's a bunch of pics that don't make sense. 

Shredder rocket, does little damage but makes everyone else's shots do more damage.  Very key to taking down big targets.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HE_WSQH97H8/URRzAymTa0I/AAAAAAAAQTE/vJbM4T1oEpk/s800/2013-02-07_00001.jpg)

A lot of Mutons in the mausoleum.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f7-6v4INwq8/URRzB7w-ePI/AAAAAAAAQTo/baVjY3DWAxk/s800/2013-02-07_00004.jpg)

Ice picking them off.  Headshot ability allows her to one-shot Mutons. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kvDpabPZ1ms/URRzDoVinPI/AAAAAAAAQUI/lNQ76nZvaY4/s800/2013-02-07_00010.jpg)

Some baffoon forgot to equip a real gun on this soldier...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-haldPXPNbaE/URRzCz15cUI/AAAAAAAAQT8/x29EV-sXRxs/s800/2013-02-07_00008.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2013, 08:45:09 PM

So, walking away from the bugged mission.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-prjXHq_lbck/URzhL7ceEEI/AAAAAAAAQXw/_lbRl-RJ0zs/s800/2013-02-07_00014.jpg)

New Heavy. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Sz7rujHF8I/URzhL7_fD3I/AAAAAAAAQXs/A5rICY0tD38/s800/2013-02-07_00016.jpg)

Research.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kuiuQprVe3Q/URzhMwa6abI/AAAAAAAAQX8/lr6JZnaLfjM/s800/2013-02-07_00019.jpg)

Our new heavy "Brick" is going the suppression route.  This can be key in the upcoming battles. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cpHXXRBKfDk/URzhNX4DaXI/AAAAAAAAQYE/4pAW5D1gvCY/s800/2013-02-07_00021.jpg)

AOE suppression...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2YyBAxkWld0/URzhNlu28OI/AAAAAAAAQYI/Qeg099JIBWI/s800/2013-02-07_00022.jpg)

More research.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nfcusRFU_Qc/URzhOGRENXI/AAAAAAAAQYY/VNU_hknYilc/s800/2013-02-07_00024.jpg)

Ammo Conservation.  Makes larger firefights go more smoothly.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XbU0Nrn4ogo/URzhONrarZI/AAAAAAAAQYg/mxM9nw38Ja4/s800/2013-02-07_00025.jpg)

Alien grenades are free and unlimited now.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2FBfCTpY3Mk/URzhOjvU_-I/AAAAAAAAQYc/ZTMjZHHp1bo/s800/2013-02-07_00026.jpg)

Capturing drones makes for disposable sniper scouts.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPSdauAuT4Y/URzhPfHRGhI/AAAAAAAAQYs/8n-A9S6MKP4/s800/2013-02-07_00028.jpg)

Europe and Asia get targetted AGAIN.  (since it's the only places UFOs can land without me shooting them down)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tN6UYfD2oCw/URzhP6yYwwI/AAAAAAAAQY4/0jlNPCAPrsQ/s800/2013-02-07_00031.jpg)

I think you know the strategy by now.  Protect Europe, abuse snipers and squad sight.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lKwK5NX1HJs/URzhQOr1mRI/AAAAAAAAQY8/l0e0FN33P7o/s800/2013-02-09_00001.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l26jyuu7zZ0/URzhQlSFIuI/AAAAAAAAQZE/B5vDZHGx6JQ/s800/2013-02-09_00003.jpg)

(https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Xcom2?authkey=Gv1sRgCMyxreP7psnR5QE#5844794102857517394)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2013, 09:05:21 PM

Was not expecting the second Cyberdisk.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ThbTFzk91cA/URzhRPHvbnI/AAAAAAAAQZU/sEuSOBZbdtA/s800/2013-02-09_00006.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BZoSE1xo1XI/URzhRVJeegI/AAAAAAAAQZc/Ac6W74iT-Rw/s800/2013-02-09_00007.jpg)

Showing off the drone hack, just to give you guys the idea...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1ZVpH2NKwEY/URzhRv_d0PI/AAAAAAAAQZk/pCGa4nJ3G1k/s800/2013-02-09_00008.jpg)

may not have been the brightest idea.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KQldMH2CiWQ/URzhRrG_lZI/AAAAAAAAQZg/W8ibyWxQiDQ/s800/2013-02-09_00009.jpg)

That Berserker just clobberstomps on Desperado.  But, the snipers teach him to mess with us.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5EsmIit8eMM/URzhSB0rQZI/AAAAAAAAQZo/FEr8OtqATIc/s800/2013-02-09_00010.jpg)

With no med kits handy (idiot), I need to finish the mission in a hurry.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zpncsYHpNkk/URzhSl63zpI/AAAAAAAAQZ0/V0AxoJ_d3cU/s800/2013-02-13_00002.jpg)

Desperado spending some time in the ICU.  (Note Nemo, only soldier I've custom named.  Long history of using the name...)  Chavan gets nicknamed "godfather".  O'Sullivan starting to creep up the ladder.  Have to be careful training up these new soldiers. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Nmeu7XiBnRo/URzhS_Wq9KI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/vjAY2YIZEDA/s800/2013-02-13_00004.jpg)

Ah, The psi lab is completed *evil laugh*

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hm5RiKRwA_Y/URzhT_qjBtI/AAAAAAAAQaQ/jVIvz9Riv-A/s800/2013-02-13_00008.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6V3564zt0V4/URzhUQhNZ4I/AAAAAAAAQaU/Y7-Kkx-nlfA/s800/2013-02-13_00009.jpg)

*groan* 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dVFo1DgTKfg/URzhUZaAfPI/AAAAAAAAQaY/WNbyBOFfEAk/s800/2013-02-13_00010.jpg)

*double groan*  Another bridge.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6t4r_i2PCAQ/URzhUtndzfI/AAAAAAAAQak/E8If3jE090Q/s800/2013-02-13_00011.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-et-GjcI5-Kk/URzhUp8jgjI/AAAAAAAAQag/Gdx0KPf48XY/s800/2013-02-13_00012.jpg)

Nemo gets a golden 3 in 1 shot.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pGTYPvzPnqQ/URzhVXvULEI/AAAAAAAAQa0/49v78JR1aAQ/s800/2013-02-13_00013.jpg)

Then a SECOND.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N3wMvBI6ZWg/URzhVbAg7NI/AAAAAAAAQas/I99my_Ia4Vo/s800/2013-02-13_00014.jpg)

Deadly sniper crossfire.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v5VSqMDYaD8/URzhVmb9DSI/AAAAAAAAQaw/gCF03beMW7I/s800/2013-02-13_00015.jpg)

$%^& thin men.  Nemo poisoned.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GlKGh6S7zOQ/URzhV9D8AiI/AAAAAAAAQa4/-H0rhouBenI/s800/2013-02-13_00016.jpg)

Followed by O'Sullivan. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d6YUOkVp1Lc/URzhWP_GpgI/AAAAAAAAQa8/WO2auj1dy2Y/s800/2013-02-13_00017.jpg)

Then more teleport in behind to surround us.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CmCncVQac-M/URzhWNX9uyI/AAAAAAAAQbA/4XnRXgOYItw/s800/2013-02-13_00018.jpg)

Snipe.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nRMckwMgG6w/URzhWVK4YTI/AAAAAAAAQbE/_kop-nLAWFo/s800/2013-02-13_00019.jpg)

Scoot.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zpLg2K5NFzg/URzhWh0ba0I/AAAAAAAAQbI/4D4FBSPSSeU/s800/2013-02-14_00001.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a6tvWabrzhs/URzhWuxdM1I/AAAAAAAAQbM/m-aUTC85e94/s800/2013-02-14_00002.jpg)

O'Sullivan succumbed to poison...damn it.  Some idiot forgot to pack a med kit AGAIN. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-aGLMNp-7k/URzhXc_lCXI/AAAAAAAAQbg/df116o5uPKc/s800/2013-02-14_00004.jpg)

Ice obtains one of the ultimate sniper powers...2 shots per turn. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2dGFlKxrh0U/URzhXcmwaVI/AAAAAAAAQbY/ESg5yJX8UBQ/s800/2013-02-14_00005.jpg)

New soldier "Wolverine".  I need some yellow tights for him...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PZts6Al8QF8/URzhXqtzPzI/AAAAAAAAQbc/6I8QtzV5hlI/s800/2013-02-14_00006.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2013, 09:11:45 PM

Of COURSE not...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2Lo17I10cm0/URzhYCejLpI/AAAAAAAAQbk/HIKJf-uxE_U/s800/2013-02-14_00007.jpg)

Inevitable. 
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sxSEtr0J8Qk/URzhYrc-JhI/AAAAAAAAQbs/-0VIv8f1kqY/s800/2013-02-14_00008.jpg)

Base construction updates.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AtWSEMWH214/URzhYxePEZI/AAAAAAAAQbw/yak875hjm7M/s800/2013-02-14_00010.jpg)

Large UFO...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zWmG2y7VFm8/URzhZTNnEhI/AAAAAAAAQcA/T9N_L_hejGw/s800/2013-02-14_00011.jpg)

upgraded fighter does it's job.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1YfAw8mX4JU/URzhZSniCWI/AAAAAAAAQb8/Ha-KkjaWDIk/s800/2013-02-14_00012.jpg)

BIG UFO.  Seen right from landing zone, takes most the map.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--wkNnpfpPoU/URzhZzKpD4I/AAAAAAAAQcI/nQZ5_fl5Sgc/s800/2013-02-14_00013.jpg)

The Heavy floater...now with armor, bigger guns and grenades...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P3uPSMmRU78/URzhZ6HcrNI/AAAAAAAAQcQ/xY0QDMdHUrM/s800/2013-02-14_00014.jpg)

Of course... Floaters in front, Mind control from behind...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LKImLRw9I64/URzhZ-Dpa5I/AAAAAAAAQcM/ZrDnLp7Etd4/s800/2013-02-14_00015.jpg)

Time to break and come at this one fresh. 

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2013, 09:58:42 PM

Fortunately the floaters all bunched up nice and tight for Nemo to damage all of them in one go.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uHKTrbyNo-M/URzhbDFKOiI/AAAAAAAAQcc/eycGVSGtJ8c/s800/2013-02-14_00016.jpg)

The sectoid leaders also disappeared down the hall.  So, after some cleanup with the floaters, I prepared to breach deeper into the UFO.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PfmpuDHESeQ/USIoGU0QaNI/AAAAAAAAQgM/8wsOnXyp73w/s800/2013-02-16_00001.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6ISckZrQgk/USIoGW4fCkI/AAAAAAAAQgE/sDJyZe5V8xE/s800/2013-02-16_00002.jpg)

Desperado getting up close and personal.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bqOfz5LT8e4/USIoGlDUkII/AAAAAAAAQgQ/nde1CcgF09s/s800/2013-02-16_00004.jpg)

More floaters showing up, Godfather about to take a LOOOONG shot.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IUw83SmC5ho/USIoHKUdxrI/AAAAAAAAQgY/z_20NiHjz1c/s800/2013-02-16_00006.jpg)

Smokes cleaning up.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T7RwDx1lwCw/USIoIamDrtI/AAAAAAAAQgs/mlzxhlCv_Vc/s800/2013-02-16_00011.jpg)

Berserkers in front and to the side, backed by Mutons.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T7RwDx1lwCw/USIoIamDrtI/AAAAAAAAQgs/mlzxhlCv_Vc/s800/2013-02-16_00011.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ee40AUQU_M0/USIoJ4gH_fI/AAAAAAAAQhM/LyI1s5noLVY/s800/2013-02-16_00017.jpg)

Wolverine lighting up a berserker.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MLK9UOgSN2A/USIoKZqpwBI/AAAAAAAAQhU/hO9mtyUb8dk/s800/2013-02-16_00019.jpg)

Popping smoke as one Muton is left that I can't kill on my turn. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZ5rAYLhSgo/USIoKskuCuI/AAAAAAAAQhc/u1Qhd3nsUMg/s800/2013-02-16_00021.jpg)

Smoke causes Muton to miss, Godfather making him pay.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q-SgzLieE9E/USIoLIAZjcI/AAAAAAAAQhk/zu5Vb8WPoFQ/s800/2013-02-16_00023.jpg)

Scouting forward, ANOTHER berserker/Muton group.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XQwD5rCOhaw/USIoLdSlE-I/AAAAAAAAQhs/ZHy_bp45SrM/s800/2013-02-16_00025.jpg)

Ice takes a shot.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0l5117C40t0/USIoLiOWQAI/AAAAAAAAQhw/qfVXWEzi8Dk/s800/2013-02-16_00026.jpg)

And a second.  Berserker down to 1 HP.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VjtLPkr7oH0/USIoLxDMuHI/AAAAAAAAQh0/BqF-ifT9TbI/s800/2013-02-16_00027.jpg)

Smokes taking a shot at the other Muton. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITZkACKUAdI/USIoMM5YhBI/AAAAAAAAQh8/ZFqNwb9NiQM/s800/2013-02-16_00029.jpg)

Wolverine cleaning up.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XDdRdKfhcW0/USIoMjtQKoI/AAAAAAAAQiI/s8vU_MFN3rw/s800/2013-02-16_00031.jpg)

Desperado desides to bring home the Berserker.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ubkUIv9JTgw/USIoNci_BrI/AAAAAAAAQiU/xiFDi70g3IY/s800/2013-02-16_00028.jpg)

Nemo promoted.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_JJyL3VpFhU/USIoNYtYEvI/AAAAAAAAQiY/X1RslvUvbNc/s800/2013-02-16_00033.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2013, 10:09:33 PM

With the Elerium, time to upgrade the last class of primary guns on the squad.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gUXsIH4UVd8/USIoOABqRxI/AAAAAAAAQig/0XC3Lgr__lY/s800/2013-02-16_00035.jpg)

Take some time to do some alien research.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WJYoTjuywoY/USIoPVDFw3I/AAAAAAAAQi4/SNVmFU_bMyM/s800/2013-02-16_00040.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v-qHMZkilqQ/USIoPp3iyfI/AAAAAAAAQjA/yRGt7sbj57c/s800/2013-02-16_00042.jpg)

Which gives me credit to finish titan armor.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-75BO3olbdsA/USIoQPVqOYI/AAAAAAAAQjM/iwsAti__upw/s800/2013-02-16_00045.jpg)

Upgrading scopes to give us more critical %

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Tzlz4guxU44/USIoQZYBYxI/AAAAAAAAQjQ/FUAa_oEvLNk/s800/2013-02-16_00046.jpg)

Plasma pistols will allow our snipers to be usefull if they ever have to move and shoot.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IspirMY44lk/USIoQvFoqVI/AAAAAAAAQjc/7xCCzBxseVU/s800/2013-02-16_00047.jpg)

Out of elerium, only research path left is laser weapons, for completeness sake.  No real reason to go down this path. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4-mwvzxS77g/USIoQiWjmwI/AAAAAAAAQjY/W7t4eXQ1N4Q/s800/2013-02-16_00048.jpg)

We have psionics.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-33wK7UtQ5Ac/USIoRU-gVdI/AAAAAAAAQjk/WG6156xKlvI/s800/2013-02-16_00050.jpg)

Hyperwave relay built.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T9QwtniMQuM/USIoSBvdCNI/AAAAAAAAQj0/mBseI-L38cE/s800/2013-02-16_00053.jpg)

Terror time.  Real tempting to ignore this.  It's in asia, who cares?  there's little to benefit for going. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KWdMXV9KKKQ/USIoSRM3V0I/AAAAAAAAQj4/LtoAZ5pfPi4/s800/2013-02-16_00054.jpg)

Decide may as well begin Kelly's training there.  Chuckle that the game made one of my less spectacular willpower soldiers a psionic. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Hzefagt6LU/USIoS1fif0I/AAAAAAAAQkE/eNCxXscmdpc/s800/2013-02-16_00055.jpg)

Cyberdisk right in the landing zone.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0EItINOD-IE/USIoSwBow7I/AAAAAAAAQkA/x_FRqqLUcL8/s800/2013-02-16_00056.jpg)

Nemo enjoying the new heavy plasma.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3Ba8fcgSGrs/USIoT3qS8xI/AAAAAAAAQkQ/BiZ721DgEDM/s800/2013-02-16_00058.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2013, 01:00:54 PM

Kelly Cook showing off her mental power. 

Mindfray is not effected by cover, and ALWAYS does 5 damage (where weapons often have a random range), making it great for certain situations.  Plus I need to use it to unlock further abilities.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-meLLl5fbX2w/USIoUKVOsBI/AAAAAAAAQkU/0opmH-S1BZw/s800/2013-02-16_00060.jpg)

Ice cleaning up what's left after the mindfray.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lLsMnCsTK8/USIoUSnDrhI/AAAAAAAAQkc/XwwqjVLttn8/s800/2013-02-16_00061.jpg)

Berserker doing some casual shopping.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vU_9kVTaRhI/USIoU4KHSBI/AAAAAAAAQkg/rJIJFyYGkL4/s800/2013-02-16_00062.jpg)

Godfather welcomes him outside.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qzJKZFgFhlM/USIoU5aD2OI/AAAAAAAAQkk/kkZdb-97vTo/s800/2013-02-16_00063.jpg)

Floaters drop in on us.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8pihSdiD0ls/USIoVA6MBJI/AAAAAAAAQko/YXGMP2tl6Ug/s800/2013-02-16_00064.jpg)

And immediately get reaction shot to death.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uAV6aHIosOU/USIoVcO6iLI/AAAAAAAAQks/1__QYQmRZ0A/s800/2013-02-16_00065.jpg)

Zombies...that means cryssalids.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5AHnnW10nX4/USIoVqHGCXI/AAAAAAAAQk0/7OAyBRwGZhc/s800/2013-02-16_00067.jpg)

Showing off Godfather's battle scanner, allowing me to see the mutons outside here.
Decide to hole up and let them come to me instead of pressing the attack since we have cryssalids running around somewhere. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qtmCaMXX_hM/USIoVxFg0bI/AAAAAAAAQk4/K1_h1TYhf6s/s800/2013-02-16_00068.jpg)

Speak of the devil. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g_VXRFsPKgw/USIoWBKd30I/AAAAAAAAQlA/5fkMEw1WDSI/s800/2013-02-16_00070.jpg)

ZOMBIES!!!!
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lt_jsok5Sbw/USIoW1iPppI/AAAAAAAAQlQ/z8m2QxJL9m4/s800/2013-02-16_00072.jpg)

Knowing where the Mutons were holed up, it was just a matter of positioning the kill team.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IFj6-FfogkM/USIoXlp48KI/AAAAAAAAQlk/W2KxVzYwdV8/s800/2013-02-16_00076.jpg)


(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C3R517Hab4Q/USIoYAnZInI/AAAAAAAAQls/nANcc97XRnA/s800/2013-02-16_00078.jpg)

Ice has done admirably, but Godfather shows off what a REAL sniper is capable of.  105 native aim, and rising. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_rRX9rZKBCc/USIoYd-jWKI/AAAAAAAAQlw/tGWutNJc6W4/s800/2013-02-16_00079.jpg)

Ooo, another psychic!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dV3eV02zoDg/USIoY8UnLSI/AAAAAAAAQl8/1VHUSSy820M/s800/2013-02-16_00082.jpg)

Small scout.  At this stage?  Game is trolling me.  Hardly worth the risk/reward. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xoh-HTtH9uY/USIoZY62g7I/AAAAAAAAQmo/qko8MRXUNws/s800/2013-02-16_00083.jpg)

Damn alien scum.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f4unk7NoI4M/USIoZbgbKdI/AAAAAAAAQmM/XwntvzBW-GQ/s800/2013-02-17_00001.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2013, 01:11:49 PM

Mutons right on landing.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qP5mrVVY9Lg/USIoZdUijyI/AAAAAAAAQmQ/2_VyruqGwxk/s800/2013-02-17_00002.jpg)

Hell yeah. 
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tnPu3I0rVHI/USIoaDcAWMI/AAAAAAAAQmg/hVnUbnpxiIs/s800/2013-02-17_00003.jpg)

Wolverine finishing him off.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MRUb_i8wNXY/USIobf9avTI/AAAAAAAAQnA/Gqbr2MpfsnU/s800/2013-02-17_00005.jpg)

Kelly rips apart a Muton with her mind.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QUaUWr9LrhE/USIobbiVywI/AAAAAAAAQm4/Ro13onCu8FQ/s800/2013-02-17_00006.jpg)


Floaters.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j6bBprxi488/USIocSp_CvI/AAAAAAAAQnU/R9YVO-A-F7o/s800/2013-02-17_00008.jpg)

They actually get a grenade off when Ice misses and fails to plant them all on my turn.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hh9sxdxUW64/USIod5m70YI/AAAAAAAAQnw/fCyVRkek8Nk/s800/2013-02-17_00011.jpg)

Healing up before heading in further.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YdPiFD_9Bf4/USIoeTDaPII/AAAAAAAAQoE/n2JK7WhOvfM/s800/2013-02-18_00002.jpg)

Mutons rush our position.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YdPiFD_9Bf4/USIoeTDaPII/AAAAAAAAQoE/n2JK7WhOvfM/s800/2013-02-18_00002.jpg)

Godfather says no.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9S14sNRR4Pw/USIofsP5qSI/AAAAAAAAQoQ/ObuZ0U0xTII/s800/2013-02-18_00006.jpg)

[progeny of unmarried parents]!  Kelly's mental powers are no match for the sectoid leaders.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8isfiDU-x9U/USIojRyHNjI/AAAAAAAAQps/aEzMdfXVa6Q/s800/2013-02-18_00018.jpg)

Can't maintain that link if he's unconscious though.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-27lCCYpk4Oc/USIojq95vZI/AAAAAAAAQpo/lzPc8UT6Mxw/s800/2013-02-18_00019.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y_S7LRwYLA0/USIokNVVNjI/AAAAAAAAQp4/AYx3YHBbxLk/s800/2013-02-18_00021.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2013, 02:24:55 PM

Wolverine.  Fully offensive specced assault with good aim, makes him one of the more deadly members of my squad.  Practically near 100% critical chance all the time.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XdSw3VTpWqw/USIokZAZFWI/AAAAAAAAQp8/_ceXoZN7ykI/s800/2013-02-18_00022.jpg)

Nemo's difficult choice.  More grenades or bigger booms?  Both are worth contemplating, but going for bigger booms.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xKd2AlH-7Mk/USIokyiP5BI/AAAAAAAAQqE/GeqBKTmpi8A/s800/2013-02-18_00023.jpg)

"Angel" unlocks more psychic powa. 

The panic evolution seems tempting at first.  Ability to lock down an alien.  However, when units panic, they get a free move, which they can hunker down, run away, or randomly fire on someone, friend of foe.  My overall strategy is maintaining the initiative and giving aliens free shots can really hamper that, so I go for the buff. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-46bO9Ep5bmc/USIok-lzhdI/AAAAAAAAQqI/P1CRQlZcz_0/s800/2013-02-18_00024.jpg)

Hyperwave starts working.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EIKzVITJ4OY/USIolVRRr5I/AAAAAAAAQqk/s_8-OxrvO5Q/s800/2013-02-18_00026.jpg)

And, we discover a cloaked alien ship.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-590CFY1LiL0/USIomFh1KAI/AAAAAAAAQq4/j4m9nWy9csY/s800/2013-02-18_00028.jpg)

Well, damn.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3bCGMJTNSJM/USIomaUhnvI/AAAAAAAAQq0/N3Uc_rMDzX8/s800/2013-02-18_00029.jpg)

We obviously are going to need upgrades...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGhjx9qWGKQ/USIomdtj5II/AAAAAAAAQq8/qpNxJz22WHk/s800/2013-02-18_00030.jpg)

Europe getting abductions.  This is the perfect scenario since we'll complete a mission in Europe, so no one raises panic levels. 

(https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2jILkZwCVid8UOOaneHr7kt1uo5LTemZ8rqyMeSvwvo?feat=directlink)

With the Elerium garnered from the scout UFO, I was also able to build some Titan Armor.  Most armor (read HP) available in the game, and immunity to fire and poison.  Cost of some mobility compared to other armors. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V5owmYEPVzs/USIonCgB1XI/AAAAAAAAQrU/WnbFdWX6Vwg/s800/2013-02-18_00032.jpg)

Double heavy, Double sniper team.  Bringing along Edwards to train her brain. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OudQ-WFUNVg/USIon_gonyI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/4TRFOjNYyqo/s800/2013-02-18_00034.jpg)

Edwards unable to mentally challenge the berserker resorts to more orthodox means to get the job done.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xpA-bN9R8_Y/USN6zoG1fSI/AAAAAAAAQwI/H_DPkVSGSl0/s800/2013-02-19_00002.jpg)

Unable to get 3 kills this turn, Brick pins one of the mutons down.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0PR8AJ9JUqo/USN6z6LhgNI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/_USulnqWCBQ/s800/2013-02-19_00004.jpg)

This frees Edwards to tear him apart the following turn.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Fg1I3xYR6ek/USN61BFFq5I/AAAAAAAAQww/SlDt6_VaY5w/s800/2013-02-19_00008.jpg)

Nemo doing what she does best, mass destruction.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e8EdMjSUc8Q/USN61ZmA2sI/AAAAAAAAQw0/ZCq3kENRCZ4/s800/2013-02-19_00010.jpg)

Leaving edwards to clean up the mess. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l-hfPDa2_uI/USN61h0fkkI/AAAAAAAAQw8/VLWt3DHCwa0/s800/2013-02-19_00012.jpg)

Muton and berserker step out, and I'm tossing a grenade when shooting is probably be the better solution at this stage just because I'm finding amusement in burning the whole map down at this point.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--n-fimD6baQ/USN62oJ9hII/AAAAAAAAQxk/TUMtpWM-9Ns/s800/2013-02-19_00015.jpg)

Wolverine finishes the job.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6qSIikhl20w/USN6204LnRI/AAAAAAAAQxg/uaWDmhNmbts/s800/2013-02-19_00016.jpg)

Leaving the other muton to Edwards.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8NPGoTsYHfQ/USN62zIFmLI/AAAAAAAAQyE/JLMGU9rck6g/s800/2013-02-19_00017.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WOZLEC-INhA/USN63oTDPVI/AAAAAAAAQx0/c5OYx7lmJ0k/s800/2013-02-19_00019.jpg)

Damn that cloaked ship, gone again!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oK6nffdIi7c/USN63xWpmII/AAAAAAAAQyI/5yAiVeNOjWg/s800/2013-02-19_00021.jpg)

Gah!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ySR9KFGJ8oY/USN64pz2FkI/AAAAAAAAQyQ/2vFhBwu6_5Q/s800/2013-02-19_00022.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2CD1BBEclPM/USN64qnSuRI/AAAAAAAAQyU/_jydrM3IaWg/s800/2013-02-19_00024.jpg)

Time for upgrades...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wkxd9e03-BM/USN65AV2vmI/AAAAAAAAQyg/unnL27qNc4Y/s800/2013-02-19_00023.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2013, 02:50:01 PM

Seriously, you're telling me even THOR don't have abilities?   :'(
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QXReFKqdFGc/USN65OWykkI/AAAAAAAAQyc/SVz0SfzQfeY/s800/2013-02-19_00025.jpg)

So, with the hyperwave we get lots of info on UFO's now.  18 crew size, comprised of what, etc.  So, I know we'll meet...the Sectopod...;aaa

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IXGqfm8G0WY/USN65YKMtdI/AAAAAAAAQyk/M6UEp2YGFXE/s800/2013-02-19_00026.jpg)

I can't even get out of the damn ship and we're in a firefight.  NO cover, nothing.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uO8Hh0TCZz4/USN65hKrwlI/AAAAAAAAQys/THqZHPBRQSM/s800/2013-02-19_00027.jpg)

Edwards, you no good mental midget of a psychic!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FHQU7NolUbw/USN65y1EGwI/AAAAAAAAQzE/UFXxfwJBWiA/s800/2013-02-19_00029.jpg)

This forces me to run Wolverine up to silence that damn sectoid leader and free Kelly.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-06cWtEUuNW0/USN66EfS12I/AAAAAAAAQzA/MWdqGGcZ6iM/s800/2013-02-19_00030.jpg)

This activates a bunch of Muton elites... Nemo fires.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KXux9P0xE3w/USN66BVSxeI/AAAAAAAAQy8/5Z2Z8igdhD0/s800/2013-02-19_00031.jpg)

Then Brick fires. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b3Cv3-P8dTc/USN66sDzWDI/AAAAAAAAQzM/HUoe4Y6qrmY/s800/2013-02-19_00032.jpg)

Ice finishes off 2, leaving Edwards to mentally massacre the final one.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5cdhKMkqjao/USN67A19kDI/AAAAAAAAQzc/bUOXWBfoIQo/s800/2013-02-19_00035.jpg)

Fortunately, the remaining sectoid leader only uses his pistol.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BjzR3YfzoYc/USN67JXc2HI/AAAAAAAAQzk/cQUb8_Z_6AY/s800/2013-02-19_00036.jpg)

Cyberdisk.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q4S-PW1KewA/USN67V-MofI/AAAAAAAAQzs/WLRK0qo1TIA/s800/2013-02-19_00037.jpg)

Cyberdisk.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AZs-m9spKbM/USN67vJe1lI/AAAAAAAAQzw/lAhHx0JkhAo/s800/2013-02-19_00038.jpg)

Edwards!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4-UtGZGt3h8/USN67iIDQoI/AAAAAAAAQz0/tDmPHjeCrcU/s800/2013-02-19_00039.jpg)

Ice taking out the far cyberdisk.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fX67lWsehpE/USN68WRakLI/AAAAAAAAQ0A/fFnK0LfSUTA/s800/2013-02-19_00042.jpg)

Nemo was built to dominate robotic enemies.  16 damage, booya!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aj4DDsvIxXs/USN68mz--oI/AAAAAAAAQ0M/UKZN24BQ46Y/s800/2013-02-19_00041.jpg)

Cool, we've got the cyberdisks down, muton elites, sectoid leaders, some low threat drones left, just need to go find that sectopod now.  WTF!  2 more cyberdisks!!!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uMwm0xIFMk8/USN69cP4jII/AAAAAAAAQ0Y/6yimn8yAA6E/s800/2013-02-19_00044.jpg)

WOLVERINE!!!!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FdxEc2NCBoA/USN69pCuqkI/AAAAAAAAQ0k/16GOed6FQDA/s800/2013-02-19_00045.jpg)

Ah, [poop], more mutons!.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7zFrFuBn_6E/USN69kHH6gI/AAAAAAAAQ0g/6Fw-VNKCoQY/s800/2013-02-19_00046.jpg)

The Sectopod also shows up in the left corner there, but didn't get a shot of it.  I SERIOUSLY consider pulling the hell out at this point.  The Cyberdisk to the right has position on me enough to make it TOUGH to take out quick, and a sectopod can mop the floor with me in a hurry if I don't take it quick. 

But I REALLY need the elerium. 

So, i prioritize the enemies...

Of course Brick misses. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lVmqKvOcOkM/USN693c9bUI/AAAAAAAAQ0o/e-AZ3BJkJIk/s800/2013-02-19_00047.jpg)

Ice damages the sectopod.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ixQn6tJKzQ0/USN6-VlUXgI/AAAAAAAAQ00/j0wL8u8emlY/s800/2013-02-19_00048.jpg)

Double tap and one lucky as hell shot lets her take it down.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GAwSVrNgsRo/USN6-ePnvzI/AAAAAAAAQ04/hqlkJFrAC5s/s800/2013-02-19_00049.jpg)

Hiding most of my squad from the cyberdisks, edwards fails to finish a muton.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O6zhRhmM4Jc/USN6_YVThTI/AAAAAAAAQ1M/Nm9e9Er7Vjc/s800/2013-02-19_00051.jpg)

Nemo totally wrecks that cyberdisk in one shot. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zfU9Cv6bZ4Q/USN6_vZJIMI/AAAAAAAAQ1Y/aOKG8zC9LM8/s800/2013-02-19_00053.jpg)

however, it's explosion kills wolverine.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2c2u8qtZX4s/USN6_uL7vtI/AAAAAAAAQ1U/_m5ZbGrCxmA/s800/2013-02-19_00054.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XqSDhIhLwkU/USN7AOSQLfI/AAAAAAAAQ1o/qH8M-acNCY0/s800/2013-02-19_00056.jpg)

Damn. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qU4Sv3EYKMo/USN7ALxOhEI/AAAAAAAAQ1k/yOEMtg99dCc/s800/2013-02-19_00057.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 02:26:00 PM

Autopsies on the elite Muton and Sectopod really don't give us much at this stage.  (Bonus to plasma research and ability to build things twice as fast for twice the price)

Time to dial up the foundry with some new fighters, and some upgrades all round. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T8o6zaM9LWM/USN7Al6OO-I/AAAAAAAAQ18/YP9DSghTgsc/s800/2013-02-19_00060.jpg)

Launching my remaining satelites, covering most of europe. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4HCZIoyfsHg/USN7A927VfI/AAAAAAAAQ2I/MKV7tJTwLwI/s800/2013-02-19_00061.jpg)

Another psychic.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-znf_BSRvh0Y/USdtXpE4pBI/AAAAAAAAQ5U/xW87-YCEWcM/s800/2013-02-19_00064.jpg)

Key upgrade, arming our SHIVs with plasma weaponry.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3AGXbFFiEY/USdtXyXIN8I/AAAAAAAAQ5Y/lD4LmDvFvXY/s800/2013-02-19_00063.jpg)

Nemo getting upgraded.  Noting that she is quite probably the highest willpower soldier I've ever obtained. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JW1XxdX34Y/USdtX60RenI/AAAAAAAAQ5c/RYKhjnWJew4/s800/2013-02-19_00065.jpg)

Ghost armor researched.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pdiyJDhdmIE/USdtYCtVtTI/AAAAAAAAQ5o/M0KN0OqAtaw/s800/2013-02-19_00066.jpg)

I don't even try this time.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QTAJMEKfx5U/USdtYBc6mVI/AAAAAAAAQ5k/IEsyaSOoUvg/s800/2013-02-19_00067.jpg)

Which leads to abductions.  Figure I could use another experienced soldier with wolverine dead. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2-YsfMxUFZs/USdtYU9z1EI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/tEHzxW8ZSUg/s800/2013-02-19_00068.jpg)

With some of my regulars now in for psy testing, a motley crew is assembled.  3 psychics needing experience (Angel and Pox are just starting to come around to actually useful), Ice, Disco, and a SHIV. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--_FWpcO1qkk/USdtYmAFPFI/AAAAAAAAQ5w/gNL-0t2YkIk/s800/2013-02-19_00069.jpg)

Ice destroys the Muton elite before it even sees what's up. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bX41DUAmrv4/USdtYznHzOI/AAAAAAAAQ6I/tJWwYZJO-UE/s800/2013-02-19_00072.jpg)

SHIV doing it's job and eating enemy fire.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZRH_0_HpiDM/USdtZaVU6XI/AAAAAAAAQ6U/Uz4hRFiliIQ/s800/2013-02-19_00073.jpg)

But, we're mostly here to train the brains, so Angel gets to work.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8sd_CzhaWBc/USdtZjEikvI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/v8pHFUg61Bg/s800/2013-02-19_00075.jpg)

heavy floaters flanking us. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8ux8YqU7vKc/USdtaa5zujI/AAAAAAAAQ6o/T9HCXaUl-BU/s800/2013-02-19_00077.jpg)

Pox going all mental on one.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Pvkf_UDUCYk/USdta2He5wI/AAAAAAAAQ7A/x7LRugIHgew/s800/2013-02-19_00079.jpg)

SHIV tanking a berserker. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wqizeyzjIBI/USdtbUIM4jI/AAAAAAAAQ7U/n3sj6eAKvaA/s800/2013-02-19_00084.jpg)

McIntyre's failed Mindfray still weakens the Berserker's mind.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VoIAgT19T2Y/USdtbogD4TI/AAAAAAAAQ7Y/q5jDuEnPFtQ/s800/2013-02-19_00085.jpg)

Which allows Angel to connect with hers.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2MaGQF05vWc/USdtbxcg7mI/AAAAAAAAQ7c/L9bGL2HTo4E/s800/2013-02-19_00086.jpg)

Both Pox and Angel achieve the highest psychic rank.  McIntyer has problems...there's a hidden stat on soldiers you cant see in the barracks screen...he is slow as hell, can't keep up with the rest of the squad. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ejEBueep3wI/USdtcAO3ATI/AAAAAAAAQ7k/fDsR23GsIN8/s800/2013-02-19_00088.jpg)

So, the psychic tree.  The final evolution is either Mind control or telekinetic field.  Since the game has given me 2 lovely mental midgets for my psychics, they have practically no chance at mind control (and there are quirks which mean I rarely use it anyway) so Telekinetic field is the natural choice, as it adds what is essentially full cover to everyone in a HUGE radius.  In fact, it makes it possible to have 100 defense, making it VERY difficult to hit my soldiers. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wsBYfwc2eVw/USdtcSSjQ2I/AAAAAAAAQ7w/bwucoZDRWPs/s800/2013-02-19_00089.jpg)

Our experienced "soldier".  I have squaddies better.  :(

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R88dPcrrndU/USdtcoWPJlI/AAAAAAAAQ78/iQe-3fqlMMs/s800/2013-02-19_00090.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 02:42:47 PM

*groan*

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6RzrV-Zv2Z0/USdtcjK423I/AAAAAAAAQ74/HrRLurpdzp0/s800/2013-02-19_00091.jpg)

If I wasn't in training mode I would ignore that. 

Angel showing off her purple bubble of you can't hit us. (Telekinetic field)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2BynyM1aRlI/USdtdJ4TCCI/AAAAAAAAQ8I/80chbYJq4hw/s800/2013-02-20_00001.jpg)

Pox is down there surrounded, flanked, in half cover, pinned down, and shot at half a dozen times...Purple shield laughs it all off.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UylozU55MfM/USdtdRpCbeI/AAAAAAAAQ8Q/D7wPNXtmyb4/s800/2013-02-20_00002.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XtnCYmr3DO4/USdtdSKKAcI/AAAAAAAAQ8U/FRg4M1l8O9c/s800/2013-02-20_00003.jpg)

Allow me to respond.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1PaOuOY305c/USdtdh_4y0I/AAAAAAAAQ8Y/dDG7mH01y_8/s800/2013-02-20_00004.jpg)

Thin men are perfect Midfray targets.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R7r4Cbc1IVM/USdtd-76pOI/AAAAAAAAQ8o/zzjrsnmMeDs/s800/2013-02-20_00005.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HFxvukpiEIk/USdtdzlj8cI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/4g-gjFU-m7I/s800/2013-02-20_00006.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cv9BEW769uM/USdtf-kym9I/AAAAAAAAQ9c/qqY1NMPhflo/s800/2013-02-20_00016.jpg)

Thank you.  I NEED that UFO.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qPVkgAdEfkI/USdtgEM3_4I/AAAAAAAAQ9g/-Ho0gJW2l6E/s800/2013-02-20_00017.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 02:59:35 PM

Floaters. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V97v2c7mZPE/USdtgZvMDtI/AAAAAAAAQ9o/k8fWa1_-NCE/s800/2013-02-20_00018.jpg)

Meh.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-axGJkldYqpQ/USdtgdQr4VI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/K3Ojw3Oued8/s800/2013-02-20_00019.jpg)


Oh, crap. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qBW9x7AQMHE/USdthT8awxI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/RLDgHz8G4IQ/s800/2013-02-20_00024.jpg)

I don't have Nemo...Disco's not trained up yet, and he's too far away for most my guys to get good shots on. 

The purple bubble deflects the sectopod carpet bombing of doom to well behind our group. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0b38f_qBWNI/USdtif7uP8I/AAAAAAAAQ-k/fltLNVq3dyY/s800/2013-02-20_00028.jpg)

But...sectopods get 2 turns...and their main gun is AOE.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-doJO2NyBkM4/USdtiXhpJUI/AAAAAAAAQ-g/jEiGoBItN7U/s800/2013-02-20_00029.jpg)

Note that Ice only has a 2/3 shot of hitting a sectopod.  It is becoming evident she will soon be more liability than asset. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cN64176Zcng/USdti_FgoII/AAAAAAAAQ-4/IBd4iBQXyIU/s800/2013-02-20_00031.jpg)

Fortunately, she hits both shots.  (and yes, it's still standing)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jhJSj6u5y3k/USdtix9V7AI/AAAAAAAAQ-0/pw8JkdmCRsU/s800/2013-02-20_00032.jpg)

The rest of the team does manage to finish it off. 

After healing up, we run in to finish off the rest of the UFO. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dbUU6-fSjVM/USdtkSomV-I/AAAAAAAAQ_o/UZ9EFjMxao0/s800/2013-02-20_00040.jpg)

This team is becoming rather experienced now. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zIU6pdYkD1w/USdtka7VHuI/AAAAAAAAQ_s/_la7FV8PaTE/s800/2013-02-20_00041.jpg)

Archangel armor.  (Flying suit analog from old game)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n8MgtFepbQs/USdtk843oXI/AAAAAAAAQ_0/Kvf3YlycSQ4/s800/2013-02-21_00001.jpg)

Nemo has the best willpower I've seen....and she's not a psychic.  :lol:  Godfather is though. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hCxv66DTz9U/USdtlGXcmsI/AAAAAAAARAA/NIrD51Wr-8g/s800/2013-02-21_00003.jpg)

Oh yeah....3 fresh Firestorms...let's see that cloaked ship pop it's head NOW!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZJBtyRyvKUw/USdtlbiHLkI/AAAAAAAARAM/3sVfr-J0kuo/s800/2013-02-21_00002.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EoXwVtL70zM/USdtlcN4mJI/AAAAAAAARAQ/_m6335dEC_4/s800/2013-02-21_00004.jpg)

Battleship appears in Russia.  The only continent I don't have a firstorm on. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HnIpXzxuaps/USdtmN23FBI/AAAAAAAARAY/O7suXEdXIqQ/s800/2013-02-21_00005.jpg)

I would normally ignore, but for your viewing pleasure, the battleship one shots my fighter.  Even with a firestorm it can get dicey.  Too bad, too, as there's a few things I could REALLY use off a battleship. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wcl21dv2maw/USdtmLIHJLI/AAAAAAAARAc/KNybApfEBCI/s800/2013-02-21_00006.jpg)

researching the best shotgun. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IXr59uyjGGY/USdtmnWmIXI/AAAAAAAARAs/hSBUpKsxBtI/s800/2013-02-21_00008.jpg)

Oh yeah.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cY4atgjlXms/USdtmn8DJYI/AAAAAAAARAo/JKZBc5h5FZs/s800/2013-02-21_00009.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1USfpZwvaOY/USdtm09MUEI/AAAAAAAARA4/DtA9j0mCA5k/s800/2013-02-21_00010.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zufoNdW0hyc/USdtnBGGbCI/AAAAAAAARBA/rjzYFzOsn1c/s800/2013-02-21_00011.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 03:41:43 PM

Only had elerium for one archangel, so gave it to Godfather. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5abPUgshFsA/USdtnR96mOI/AAAAAAAARBI/DlW9aKXIK08/s800/2013-02-21_00013.jpg)

Muton Elite, swiftly gunned down as he exits the UFO.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TVkEcnl8Tvk/USdtocQevqI/AAAAAAAARBg/Y2EKaLURqTA/s800/2013-02-21_00017.jpg)

Battle scanner can be tossed through UFO doors to peak inside.  Know nothing is in this one, so move on.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U3XLTKJCeSs/USdtovtUe9I/AAAAAAAARBo/nZgFhqZUCf8/s800/2013-02-21_00019.jpg)

Sectopod!  In tight quarters. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-09JEwnZOwTQ/USdto_qTefI/AAAAAAAARB0/IkweNwbsraU/s800/2013-02-21_00020.jpg)

Thankfully Nemo is around who starts things off solid, but it takes the rest of the team to take it down. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XMuflLRLlsU/USdtp3QUupI/AAAAAAAARCI/aTFgrzOmqEk/s800/2013-02-21_00023.jpg)

However, as the Sectopod explodes, it tears down a wall revealing Muton Elites. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NfFAJd9YyD0/USdtp6u14sI/AAAAAAAARCM/1hU4D_EYiWI/s800/2013-02-21_00025.jpg)

May as well make that hole in the wall bigger.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b81x-GQrxUE/USdtqXODsHI/AAAAAAAARCY/yUU0aiCqls0/s800/2013-02-21_00026.jpg)

However, Ice fails to connect, and that leaves Pox to pay the price.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkIKU1bxQF4/USdtqjzlWrI/AAAAAAAARCw/e7rCGqo5TQ0/s800/2013-02-21_00027.jpg)

Spending a few turns healing and out of nowhere, a Sectopod lays waste to the UFO's walls.  Note the gaping hole suddenly. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_ECVYG3Ukgk/USdtqt6h7JI/AAAAAAAARCo/9EC1N46uAgY/s800/2013-02-21_00028.jpg)

I can't get position so just throw up the purple bubble and pray.  Fortunately the bubble works.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wzhPE0iFABY/USdtrYG4zDI/AAAAAAAARC4/wbF2XrhDVkk/s800/2013-02-21_00030.jpg)

Nemo starts off things by shredding it's armor. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7eFmaGrPMcI/USdtr2-gDjI/AAAAAAAARDY/q48q5xCBxE8/s800/2013-02-21_00032.jpg)

DAMN you Ice.  Missing TWICE! 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qwVvHYNAh-I/USdtrul4wdI/AAAAAAAARDE/5NlA9MvEolI/s800/2013-02-21_00033.jpg)

Another Sectopod ability, shoot anything that moves...Good thing Socks is nimble.  Armed with a shotgun, a double shot up close is sure to even this out...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u-ST4mQFRVs/USdtr9qmExI/AAAAAAAARDg/Q8G8MMRc82g/s800/2013-02-21_00034.jpg)

She however, manages to miss TWICE as well...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MLlICxrGFlk/USdtr8OAFnI/AAAAAAAARDc/LYsPvT4ql1M/s800/2013-02-21_00035.jpg)

Oh, we're dead. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GpTeg7FEaFQ/USdtsqiP9HI/AAAAAAAARD4/-bH5MIr7W5I/s800/2013-02-21_00036.jpg)

Godfather demonstrates what a real sniper looks like.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cdg2JghC9TA/USdtsghlouI/AAAAAAAARDs/aNIoYyG_ua4/s800/2013-02-21_00037.jpg)

Out of med kits, we limp towards the control room.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-re51YlMx3wE/USdtsvW-7xI/AAAAAAAARDw/K9eJXJGi610/s800/2013-02-21_00038.jpg)

Ethereal.   

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VvlKtj6_myw/USdttP901fI/AAAAAAAARD8/FXZZiLdqS9M/s800/2013-02-21_00039.jpg)

Socks takes out a bodyguard, hoping for a capture of the Ethereal. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DB-znFTeRXA/USdtuGgMtXI/AAAAAAAAREQ/sAYJRlD8610/s800/2013-02-21_00042.jpg)

He has other ideas. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXcbQWQuwZU/USdtuIZbHCI/AAAAAAAAREU/N_NYmLlDq20/s800/2013-02-21_00043.jpg)

Nemo says hi. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TgLzBR3UTag/USdtugGuvVI/AAAAAAAAREY/tMRUuRiplwM/s800/2013-02-21_00044.jpg)

Ooooo.  Freaky ball. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jjEqvrheas4/USdtvPRsuJI/AAAAAAAAREs/Tn-E3BZScyw/s800/2013-02-21_00046.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Fbs8b3T2lc/USdtvu4JhhI/AAAAAAAARE8/2dIN5FbBAR0/s800/2013-02-21_00048.jpg)

Oh, yeah, that's a problem.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FOp-44o0Yds/USdtwCjpEgI/AAAAAAAARFM/AgmefhbWUYs/s800/2013-02-21_00051.jpg)

I am shamed.  Gravely wounded is just potentially going to lower their will even more.  Ice....your mission days are best left behind you at this point...backup only.   

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wVySlMq-IHA/USdtxKNPqFI/AAAAAAAARFw/OmaZ4FsYgMk/s800/2013-02-21_00056.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1WnVDEsTVlg/USdtxpqVeAI/AAAAAAAARF0/PNz-uCMksI8/s800/2013-02-21_00058.jpg)

Of course.   

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--BHl-J909J4/USdtx62f46I/AAAAAAAARGE/CTSE1pLLKS0/s800/2013-02-21_00059.jpg)

Terror mission, manage to make a single ghost armor off the elerium from the ship.  Give it to a rookie assault, time to train some real replacement for Wolverine. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-295Z9MB4s/USdtyQL6_ZI/AAAAAAAARGQ/E-ZTB4nuqA0/s800/2013-02-21_00062.jpg)

+Stealth ability (limit 4 uses)
+Grappling Hook
+20 defense
+2 movement
+6 armor (hp)
Not as strong as the titan armor, but IMO the best in the game. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QQgwOEGwx-w/USdtysn3jpI/AAAAAAAARGY/rLFVUrhHoUA/s800/2013-02-21_00063.jpg)

Sectopod decides to step out, and Nemo THRASHES it. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-utGJjaSZhrU/USdtyyRW1tI/AAAAAAAARGo/QxAjSSONYkw/s800/2013-02-21_00065.jpg)

Rookie fails to drop the cryssalid. (laser shotgun's fault, I was out of plasma rifles)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FqQV6ckLVkg/USdtzaACgHI/AAAAAAAARGw/BLNhzmkkui8/s800/2013-02-21_00068.jpg)

Heading into the warehouse, Pox takes one. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KH0KcZMxRWs/USdt0KM4A7I/AAAAAAAARHI/-AWyjSmhHjw/s800/2013-02-21_00071.jpg)

Battle scanner shows floaters in the next room.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RmNXWbzNdmQ/USdt0mZbs0I/AAAAAAAARHc/1AAyvnXjP_Y/s800/2013-02-21_00073.jpg)

They disappear, and one flanks us. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TkSPq_QHTZA/USdt1BV69DI/AAAAAAAARHs/zlieVLJHk8Q/s800/2013-02-22_00001.jpg)

The PLAN was to wound the two of them with mind fray and toss a grenade to finish. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hp1I_1ZdGX0/USdt2HHx4jI/AAAAAAAARIM/WITOHOxve58/s800/2013-02-22_00005.jpg)

I failed to estimate the range of my grenade properly.  Fortunately they shot at civilians instead of my troops. 

However, a berserker got the drop on Angel. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e608MOOMNWg/USdt2tXgZJI/AAAAAAAARIc/Fqlj_aF8tFU/s800/2013-02-22_00007.jpg)

The plan was to retreat angel, and have Disco take out the floater and wound the berserker with a rocket...it misfired, wounding Godfather, Disco, and Nemo. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TQY-XNJNzKM/USdt2x-8lLI/AAAAAAAARIs/HeMobIvuiUs/s800/2013-02-22_00008.jpg)

Godfather, now with no wall in the way, pulls a headshot. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cTI4M-tqkBU/USdt3HFDBII/AAAAAAAARIw/iSOWf-giR9A/s800/2013-02-22_00009.jpg)

This moves the berserker forward, allowing Nemo to rocket it and the floater.

Rookie training.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GS3pXpXEN0U/USdt3uNnNFI/AAAAAAAARJE/TRkXxHYTJz0/s800/2013-02-22_00011.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-geSCPnCA9iw/USdt3img_rI/AAAAAAAARJA/ENAuUsJu37c/s800/2013-02-22_00012.jpg)

Nemo gets another rocket.  122 will and no psychic...what a waste. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uaca2-7sVFo/USdt34qtC9I/AAAAAAAARJM/4pDWGF-CAj8/s800/2013-02-22_00013.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: testdummy653 on March 01, 2013, 06:30:02 PM

You must be near the end! How well does this game rank compare to others you played?  Are you doing better or worse?

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2013, 08:33:58 PM

Economically, this is by far the best game I've played. 

I'm having horrible soldier stat luck, though (having to make due with Ice for so long, for instance, pathetic psychics, etc), and casualties are slightly higher than normal as a result. 

We are approaching the end, but I'm in a schedule where I can only play weekends now. 

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: testdummy653 on March 01, 2013, 08:51:23 PM

No Rush! Seeing this AAR makes me want to try this game!

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2013, 02:07:34 PM

Abductor mission. 
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gEMjK6YVRZQ/USdt4SIatmI/AAAAAAAARJY/MP6ZhR1uySU/s800/2013-02-22_00014.jpg)

Quite possibly the most powerful gun in Xcom.  Yeah, same base damage as any plasma weapon, but that 20% inherent critical coupled with an assault's natural critical boosts makes it near 100% critical hit chance.  Equipping some of the rookie assaults, may as well get some training in. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--dVSV12sKbs/USdt4dwacdI/AAAAAAAARJU/8HKmPEeIdIM/s800/2013-02-22_00015.jpg)

Surrounded right off the bat.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eNrCe2NAolA/US9W8sQEDmI/AAAAAAAARPM/zv62H6Z8F4M/s800/2013-02-22_00017.jpg)

That new shotgun destroying a Muton in one shot.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ekcHryDe5CY/US9W8l3h9_I/AAAAAAAARPU/IE0TdDRWx4s/s800/2013-02-22_00018.jpg)

Pox doing her mind thing.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--S0cbMRBLug/US9W83HBspI/AAAAAAAARPY/F_AiIP5fHeo/s800/2013-02-22_00019.jpg)

Godfather showing off his flying suit.  Note the 100% chance to hit behind full cover. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-raSY8yCWrbs/US9W9FmnGiI/AAAAAAAARPc/0SeTeiwdn3s/s800/2013-02-22_00020.jpg)

Showing off the new ghost armor's cloak with a scout.   

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LROwHFRTm-A/US9W9jb5iyI/AAAAAAAARQA/u9dZ0ClT61o/s800/2013-02-22_00022.jpg)

Godfather welcomes these elite mutons before they even know we're around, and I'm setting up everyone else to overwatch and hope to catch those mutons when they poke out in search of us next turn. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qMtuDKDJBXA/US9W9otFmmI/AAAAAAAARP4/AlcXm89evKA/s800/2013-02-23_00001.jpg)

Oh,  Ok...a cyberdisk comes out next turn.  those overwatches, unfortunately destroy the drones instead of the cyberdisk. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8GY-32Idek0/US9W-Bt9_aI/AAAAAAAARQY/7gD9E8mgEaA/s800/2013-02-23_00003.jpg)

Nemo the robot slayer
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3bP3WOXlUFg/US9W-LFTLwI/AAAAAAAARQQ/LVuvW02c1uw/s800/2013-02-23_00004.jpg])

The Mutons refuse to exit, and have holed up.  So, I'm forced to advance.  Run into some floaters.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QTqWMWfPq3Q/US9W-AvVcjI/AAAAAAAARQg/u6oA36xMijE/s800/2013-02-23_00005.jpg)

How the ghost scout didn't see them, who knows.  But, we have the purple bubble shield. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wEUeULHLY7I/US9W-u98wKI/AAAAAAAARQo/ViWP6cuPtLo/s800/2013-02-23_00006.jpg)

Bubble shield doesn't stop grenades...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eijruZ99CoM/US9W-_bvHcI/AAAAAAAARQk/MfaeyvzAN3g/s800/2013-02-23_00007.jpg)

Bastards want to toss explosives, fine.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2b_AME_NOc4/US9W_SUDjZI/AAAAAAAARRA/LWiQyGt-Qa8/s800/2013-02-23_00011.jpg)

Unable to get anyone else with a decent shot, a very wounded Medina is sent to deal with that final Muton. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XMXg-lZkYAY/US9W_cNhsYI/AAAAAAAARRE/deADSH9aCGk/s800/2013-02-23_00012.jpg)

Godfather showing off "in the zone" (essentially unlimited shots if the conditions are met), cleaning up the leftovers. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kIs00m8jUoU/US9W_DUXD1I/AAAAAAAARQw/IA9vcQwS1ms/s800/2013-02-23_00009.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2013, 02:29:57 PM

Assaulting the final room, tossing in the battle scanner shows me nothing...but that just tells me they are all right inside the door. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Z9YLa-PC9c/US9W_2SMi2I/AAAAAAAARRU/xccTtemAXaw/s800/2013-02-23_00014.jpg)

Knowing we face an ethereal, Pox does her little pep talk.  (Psi inspiration provides a willpower boost to everyone around.)  Since ethereal damage is based on the difference between their willpower and yours, couldn't hurt. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sLf1w83DQOM/US9W_7AztnI/AAAAAAAARRY/JjuNjpLqNNM/s800/2013-02-23_00015.jpg)

Brick grenades the room.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Teji5Jkonf4/US9XACUfifI/AAAAAAAARRg/F1bcnb6h2Wg/s800/2013-02-23_00016.jpg)

Couldn't pass the opportunity for Godfather to use is mind.  He's rarely close enough. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GLjqm6fMBUM/US9XAc6bdWI/AAAAAAAARRs/6Pxvi4iGgGw/s800/2013-02-23_00017.jpg)

Unfortunately, everyone else misses the damn ethereal...and he one-shots a rookie

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9Hi_DcZ-TCs/US9XAQbwLzI/AAAAAAAARRo/jHi1eUrQwFs/s800/2013-02-23_00018.jpg)

Nemo says "dodge this". 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ufRW4e7tqLM/US9XA-HniJI/AAAAAAAARR4/eDs5PekEjSE/s800/2013-02-23_00019.jpg)

With one strip of life left, it's natural to bring him back.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5Jiw5JE-MOw/US9XA3lm9YI/AAAAAAAARR0/fBxw3lEt81E/s800/2013-02-23_00020.jpg)

Damn. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvb0VXdNPd8/US9XA5fzt8I/AAAAAAAARR8/Nk5ezgqoVhw/s800/2013-02-23_00021.jpg[/mig][img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1TGblzsVbTQ/US9XBH7WPPI/AAAAAAAARSE/TFt6hxwpDqw/s800/2013-02-23_00023.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ew3ffbYR0wA/US9XBrGpKkI/AAAAAAAARSQ/LzcMIsaxSfc/s800/2013-02-23_00024.jpg)

Just about tapped on power, we've slowly dug to the thermal vents (finally). 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s17yott2GHs/US9XBhG0eEI/AAAAAAAARSU/gj2FTxgKA0E/s800/2013-02-23_00025.jpg)

Oh, a nice little scout ship....why is this game tossing me the small stuff?

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lg7CXCRxRrM/US9XBvHs_rI/AAAAAAAARSY/ksp34Cn-xQ8/s800/2013-02-23_00026.jpg)

I HATE the design of small ships, and now I have extra ammo, Disco just makes our own damn door, old school style. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XUz6zDCuEy4/US9XB7NZlHI/AAAAAAAARSk/AEg6LfTSbfk/s800/2013-02-23_00027.jpg)

The ensuing chaos is epic.  EVERYTHING was behind that wall. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nt054Z9mVhQ/US9XB2K110I/AAAAAAAARSo/2oqY_i3rxfg/s800/2013-02-23_00028.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X22YvukCWjg/US9XCo4fCiI/AAAAAAAARSw/XG33s-srlME/s800/2013-02-23_00030.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rL-WiOTBBVA/US9XC9bFFJI/AAAAAAAARS4/i7K9s_YsOvw/s800/2013-02-23_00031.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H5p0FbzWjOA/US9XDsX0s6I/AAAAAAAARTc/vnGzee1-CFE/s800/2013-02-23_00036.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wWeev7zNX1g/US9XDsq5w2I/AAAAAAAARTg/bCYpqj1FX4o/s800/2013-02-23_00037.jpg)

Unfortunately, Medina panicked and used his grenade as a suicide bomb.  So much for those rookie assaults I was wanting to train...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--ssrvxHSMb8/US9XECwWwJI/AAAAAAAARTo/MS87HlOerJE/s800/2013-02-23_00038.jpg)

So, hiring a bunch more, leaves us with these guys.

Great soldier style candidate.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KgjnZuUXZ7Y/US9XEcBGGHI/AAAAAAAARTw/DGVT_fjqhwE/s800/2013-02-23_00039.jpg)

Great psy potential. 
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g73WsAYompQ/US9XEqcFGpI/AAAAAAAART4/3OyUiOf7wr0/s800/2013-02-23_00040.jpg)

Geothermal powa!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gKCuGuoqzfY/US9XEy9tSMI/AAAAAAAARUE/sL8HcmAYDGI/s800/2013-02-23_00041.jpg)

Re-arranging the base, going for full sat coverage. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d76Ss7aI89E/US9XE5BW9rI/AAAAAAAARUM/nUGADBPWysk/s800/2013-02-23_00042.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2013, 02:44:38 PM

Of course.  Why should my luck change now?

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8feJs0HFYJg/US9XFVIu1rI/AAAAAAAARUc/wgNYMjcZWH0/s800/2013-02-23_00043.jpg)

Oh lord...NOT the military base again. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DzwXPYvFXuc/US9XF1B6lDI/AAAAAAAARU4/KYD1TxjA8NQ/s800/2013-02-24_00001.jpg)

Abusing the holy hell out of "In the zone" 101. 

Get your sniper up HIGH (flying suit helps) 
Reveal enemies with ghost armor scout.
Kill the first uncovered enemy you can (thus not costing a turn) with your In the Zone sniper.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dxLoPslHXaA/US9XGEKQFSI/AAAAAAAARU8/Fd8ZE6sPZOU/s800/2013-02-24_00002.jpg)

Reveal more enemies while cloaked. 

Kill everything you can one shot (thus still not costing a turn)


(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CVmRH5boxiE/US9XGje-rGI/AAAAAAAARVE/mULgfQzF0cs/s800/2013-02-24_00003.jpg)

Have your other soldiers weaken the remaining enemies too strong to one shot with your sniper.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YwARYGtyZyY/US9XGsyI5tI/AAAAAAAARVU/Orudhv5TIv8/s800/2013-02-24_00004.jpg)

Clean up the remains. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6MRT1uZj4hI/US9XG9ijgAI/AAAAAAAARVc/3qjJVoBzBeY/s800/2013-02-24_00006.jpg)

Since you still haven't used your turn, reload for next turn. 

Some crysalids come scurring out to these trucks here.  Brick laughed all the way home after this carnage.  There may have been a few civilian casualties, but it was worth it. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PKw_hmVWnj0/US9XHfDEYLI/AAAAAAAARVo/3Y8oRb2j99s/s800/2013-02-24_00009.jpg)


Godfather sniping a sectopod from the other side of the map.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bX_e158YOKU/US9XHyxPeOI/AAAAAAAARV8/nFLCl3gIkEI/s800/2013-02-24_00011.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gi7X-UXJ4k0/US9XIUdo-CI/AAAAAAAARWg/v8RB2Tje3Lg/s800/2013-02-24_00016.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 19, 2013, 02:52:51 PM

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gi7X-UXJ4k0/US9XIUdo-CI/AAAAAAAARWg/v8RB2Tje3Lg/s800/2013-02-24_00016.jpg)

Thinking, hey, a new sniper would be nice...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MZmpF2-ajIc/US9XI_SK0EI/AAAAAAAARWw/OtezIla4Oyo/s800/2013-02-24_00017.jpg)

Whoa, floaters on landing.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6EzGtK3WzGM/US9XJM3aKNI/AAAAAAAARXE/ijf7ZBA_5ts/s800/2013-02-28_00001.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qx5p3sWLdFM/US9XJS1SB8I/AAAAAAAARXU/xny749P1PsE/s800/2013-02-28_00003.jpg)

Big pack of muton elites

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EE9id1WvsOU/US9XJiMInhI/AAAAAAAARXg/IA-AY-83Rfc/s800/2013-02-28_00004.jpg)

Nemo gets things started.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k7J-fCtAXV4/US9XJ8Z6FkI/AAAAAAAARXo/PFAwNBguRW4/s800/2013-02-28_00005.jpg)

Angel mindfray attack.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6gDCYuiIrnk/US9XKYlsklI/AAAAAAAARX8/Dp0YD-8UQTo/s800/2013-02-28_00007.jpg)

A slew of misses later, we have problems. 

But our sniper on overwatch is at least on target.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6PWSb34v_ZQ/US9XKQsFkHI/AAAAAAAARX0/HFFN5QDN4dE/s800/2013-02-28_00009.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RNeFfX0Lf8c/US9XLeUfFvI/AAAAAAAARYs/M-uFPeN4NWg/s800/2013-02-28_00014.jpg)

Oh YEAH!  Xeno will fit in nicely. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M4CRiS0BUXA/US9XLpors0I/AAAAAAAARY0/m3k9_p73260/s800/2013-02-28_00016.jpg)

Council mission....

72$, scientists I don't need...council mission = thin men = low xp to train folks...yeah...forget it. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Le9ebz60-L0/UTXsgUaqHUI/AAAAAAAARh8/kW0aXaxEmBc/s800/2013-03-03_00002.jpg)

At least my psi luck is holding...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sfAWO5asBnY/UTXsgZQ9DiI/AAAAAAAARbw/HSkL6Wvb7QY/s800/2013-03-03_00003.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jE51ALmNUuQ/UTXsgook2uI/AAAAAAAARiA/cKUFBTv9yLU/s800/2013-03-03_00004.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 19, 2013, 03:25:42 PM

I really debated just letting this one go.  "Medium" ship, bad risk/reward ratio for me at this point of the game. 

Smaller ships mean more forest, means less predictible combat and less elerium/items.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pDDjHDTEEgY/UTXsgz_Gz6I/AAAAAAAARcE/Hdg0guVmcCc/s800/2013-03-03_00005.jpg)

As I feared, surrounded and swiftly wounded.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-78aJZBvA2oY/UTXsg_UwssI/AAAAAAAARcI/jiNBCxQkfYE/s800/2013-03-03_00007.jpg)

Time to open the whoop-ass. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w8OC3-0AidU/UTXshGHk3RI/AAAAAAAARcc/tBS3Qamb3wA/s800/2013-03-03_00008.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O0iylV7lHfA/UTXshd-hUrI/AAAAAAAARiM/hoVnxPrCG3k/s800/2013-03-03_00009.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LzYKwusI1yc/UTXsh5W43LI/AAAAAAAARck/L-DXWwIprFk/s800/2013-03-03_00011.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7PF6ImKRqFI/UTXsiAriK0I/AAAAAAAARiI/Tw0ooOriiGU/s800/2013-03-03_00012.jpg)

After healing up, run into elites and floaters. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A0XIDbBYK-Q/UTXsiTGB9mI/AAAAAAAARc0/-aOf5yjVW9Y/s800/2013-03-03_00014.jpg)

Well, guess I won't be getting that elerium generator after all...or the elerium in it.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_JhdL3icmug/UTXsi63TFJI/AAAAAAAARdM/ZhA5WL5MJZk/s800/2013-03-03_00016.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-boRvnQAldPY/UTXsjRlX3bI/AAAAAAAARig/1shwZy77gG8/s800/2013-03-03_00018.jpg)

Godfather using mindfray for close combat.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xq7NQT-lrdQ/UTXsjwWZmBI/AAAAAAAARiY/YmrAxGCYsVw/s800/2013-03-03_00019.jpg)

Pox finishing off the last of this group.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8Cv4zW0GkUw/UTXskDEr0uI/AAAAAAAARdk/e9R_xo7m7ug/s800/2013-03-03_00021.jpg)

The control room. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5haGguSPIuQ/UTXskDajZII/AAAAAAAARic/8iJemCeMwmg/s800/2013-03-03_00022.jpg)

Leroy takes out the ethereal body guard.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GNCcAcy1h-o/UTXskSEeYZI/AAAAAAAARdw/yjeblCg8-34/s800/2013-03-03_00023.jpg)

Damn Angel...demonstrating that ethereal's reflect your shot back at you if you miss...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IBhHLaqNdIk/UTXsknDUGpI/AAAAAAAARd8/mvze918D5d8/s800/2013-03-03_00025.jpg)

Which means Nemo gets to feel the brunt of an ethereal attack.  Fortunately her high will allows her to tank it.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RKGr9fnlMHk/UTXskwKlvFI/AAAAAAAAReM/AsWOo9rhSbw/s800/2013-03-03_00027.jpg)

Brick fishing for a promotion.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xrDSpJ_U_gE/UTXsk5NxvJI/AAAAAAAAReQ/9bd1bhY0RbY/s800/2013-03-03_00028.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DpWWWEt8AAU/UTXslFvRW8I/AAAAAAAAReg/7esuwurJHr8/s800/2013-03-03_00029.jpg)

My continued psi luck. 
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qUnuwLIfxjQ/UTXsleAw8tI/AAAAAAAAReY/qX_32VlvTaY/s800/2013-03-03_00030.jpg)

Shield, legacy of those bottom of the barrel days our only new candidate.    Below average will and aim....nice. 

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zu8VGBKCqD4/UTXslTQVvUI/AAAAAAAAReo/xZBVmhnXCzw/s800/2013-03-03_00031.jpg)

Ug.  Small scout, are you serious?  Just shoot it down and let it rot. 

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mnlN3k31PRo/UTXsl0AwnzI/AAAAAAAARe8/si3zIfwE9RM/s800/2013-03-03_00032.jpg)

Terror mission India. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wTOZbXzG4Lk/UTXsl4u9KKI/AAAAAAAARes/Dda6YRKGyPY/s800/2013-03-03_00033.jpg)

Risk/reward is bad for this stage of the game, and it will become easier if...


(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ywyzF30ufHI/UTXsmI10s8I/AAAAAAAARfM/koMOCHUM2T4/s800/2013-03-03_00034.jpg)

Oh you trolling [progeny of unmarried parents] of an RNG.  Small scout landed so can't just shoot down and leave alone. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d_2nKN_GV68/UTXsmEcNcxI/AAAAAAAARfA/ib_2Rd6v6dA/s800/2013-03-03_00035.jpg)

Screw it.  I'm all green across the board, a little panic can't hurt. 

The stream of crap missions continue, and you can't ignore a bomb. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K04QkvQAoio/UTXsnIL4SGI/AAAAAAAARfQ/kLx3lpV8-Z0/s800/2013-03-03_00037.jpg)

Title: Re: Sepulchral: The Unorthodox XCOM AAR.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 19, 2013, 03:32:03 PM

Ghost armor makes these council missions a joke. 

Run cloaked heavies forward and nuke the thin men before they even know you're there.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-66S0Jt1qT9I/UTXsoPZdbNI/AAAAAAAARio/XcgzL5vobds/s144/2013-03-05_00002.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dTuf6YmMoHg/UTXso7ObxEI/AAAAAAAARis/i45tlD0Td4Q/s800/2013-03-05_00005.jpg)

A single mindfray is death to a thin man as well.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-17X47oGMyjc/UTXsptwuJ0I/AAAAAAAARgk/rIsSl23dGnQ/s800/2013-03-05_00008.jpg)

Yawn.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4oc8-fnxLEo/UTXsrDxZDRI/AAAAAAAARhI/LOacvAhpQso/s800/2013-03-05_00015.jpg)

FINALLY. 

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WdCuiZn2lUE/UTXsrg-OKdI/AAAAAAAARho/-R7fppty5gc/s800/2013-03-05_00016.jpg)