XCOM : Enemy Unknown - by Firaxis Games - Thread

Anyone got any strategy tips for starting out? Where's the best country to start? Most countries give you a % cost reduction in one area, whereas Africa gives you 30% total income increase. IS this the best option as effectively it makes all areas cheaper ...

Also, my initial thoughts on research was for armour so I could survive attacks. But then I got to thinking that a better weapon might put the aliens down before they get the chance to attack. Decisions decisions :D
 
I think I'm going restart tonight, wasted a ton of cash making like 5x medkits, 5x nanovests then realising my guys could only use one at a time. I think you also have to focus a bit on a single tech tree, i spread myself out too much.

Awesome game though, I think they've really captured the feel of the old ones and it's super addictive!
 
Jed Shields said:
Anyone got any strategy tips for starting out? Where's the best country to start? Most countries give you a % cost reduction in one area, whereas Africa gives you 30% total income increase. IS this the best option as effectively it makes all areas cheaper ...

Also, my initial thoughts on research was for armour so I could survive attacks. But then I got to thinking that a better weapon might put the aliens down before they get the chance to attack. Decisions decisions :D
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Starting out doesn't really matter, first thing you need to research is weapon fragments then the laser weapons. So this before amour.
Then you also need to get Satellites up and over the countries immediately around you.

Foundry massively helps improve weapons, especially side arm, which I find I'm using a lot as several weapons can't be used when you move, or can only be used once per mission.


Just got plasma pistol :) need plasma rifle now. Can only afford one pistol.



Anyone found a way to significantly increase the rate at which you detect Ufos to shoot down? These. Are essential for the alloys And other minerals.

The fact I keep quitting to do other stuff and within 10mins I'm back on, means this is an awesome game.
 
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My best piece of advice for the early game, when the enemies have fewer hitpoints (especially Sectoids) is stun and capture as many as you can!

Not for the creature itself, but you will build up a stockpile of plasma weaponry, this will most likely be pistols and light rifles, but once you have researched them you are laughing.

They are extremely expensive to manufacture by yourself which I am finding out now, so the more of them you can nick the better. Mid game much tougher enemies will start appearing which are quite problematic to say the least! :D

I wish I had done that now, but not to worry. Now, back to the pesky Ethereals...
 
MadMossy said:
This game is literally like digital crack..

I woke up this morning think whooooot its xcom time baby! Another highly productive day off.
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Just like the original then... Sounds like they have done it proud.

Can't wait to get started, I would VPN it but just don't have the time to actually play it atm :(
 
Do your units go up in promotions as fast though if you are not shooting and killing the enemies though?
 
Well I just had the most satisfying battle yet! I chose a difficult level abduction mission as Canada was on 4 levels, any more and I'd probably lose it. So my 5 man squad started off by spotting 2 thin men trying to flank me. One was dispatched by a rookie with a 30% chance. Nice start soldier! The other was sniped long range.

After dispatching another 2 thin men in a supermarket (accompanied by some banjo musak - awesome!) I then got a bit cocky and ended up seeing 4 greys ahead of my squad and flanked by 3 of the floating guys. Oops. With just a hint of persperation I placed a well aimed rocket into the middle of the 4 greys, who were well protected by walls and cars and took them all out. Jackpot! My sniper then took out one of the floaters, followed by my run and gunning shotgun wielding Captain who took down another. The remaining floater knocked him for 4, before he took down another shotgun blast to the head. End of mission, 4 promotions :)

I am sooooo loving this game! Run and gun with a shotgun is just awesome, especially if you can get to a grey who's controlling another one. Two for the price of one :D
 
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Still going on classic ironman, although my early game failure to capture enough weapons has resulted in a difficult strategic game, but I'm getting there.

On the tactical map, I'm having real problems with Ethereals mind controlling my troops, I don't know how to break the mind control without killing the alien unit controlling them. This is a very difficult task to say the least...
 
I'm rerolling on classic Iron man to see how that differs (have been playing on normal).

One tip I heard from a friend which is so obvious it's brilliant. He coloured his guys dependant on the role, medics red, assault blue etc so in a firefight it's easy to differentiate between the different people. Definitely going to go that way
 
Good god that is so simple, It's brilliant.

Also it took me about 10 games. To discover the officer training stuff, so essential to get the half time heal thing.

Could really do with restarting yet again. But CBA this time.
I ahte how the first few. Missions are pretty much identical every time you start.
 
An update after trying it out, have medics as red and that makes a huge difference. Out of interest if a medic is down is there a way of using their med pack?
 
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