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The X-Com Files / Re: The X-Com Files - 3.0: Beyond Human

« on: July 20, 2023, 07:57:58 pm »

That doesn't really narrow it down much, depending on what kind of kinetics you had. I guess it wasn't Mutons. Gazers? Armoured Reptoids Hybrids?

Ah yeah Gazers. It was definitely doable - but I had bad luck as my main squad had just finished a tough mission and were all wounded/dead.

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The X-Com Files / Re: The X-Com Files - 3.0: Beyond Human

« on: July 20, 2023, 07:38:53 pm »

For the Alien Retaliation:

It was about 10 aliens that completely resisted kinetics. I sped up time afterward and my 2nd base got destroyed a few weeks later.

I did interrogate a Sectoid navigator, was that it? I also shot down a small scout UFO w/ a Mig. I guess that would make sense as well.

On difficulty:
I wasn't really complaining, didn't mean for it to come across that way. I just found some strange difficulty spikes. I've beaten Xenonauts (and the original Xcom) on the highest difficulty, (though it is relatively easier than this mod!), so I definitely don't mind the difficulty.  I agree on the church thing - I was just surprised there were scout cars when I didn't even have access to AT weapons yet, so I thought there was a set order you're supposed to take them out. And yeah I did get access to the HQ through the durathread mission. So I probably jumped the gun too early anyway.

On MIB interrogation: Ah yeah, I guess you're right in the sense that interrogation doesn't unlock anything when you can do it, so I probably did it too early. Maybe it could be locked behind the advanced intelligence center?

On handholding:

The information on promotions is already there, you just have to dig through the tech tree viewer. I thought a little more guidance would be nice and thematic, but obviously up to you, was just reflecting. I already know the info now - it wouldn't be for me.

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The X-Com Files / Re: The X-Com Files - 3.0: Beyond Human

« on: July 19, 2023, 10:36:07 pm »

Hi, I'm relatively new to Xcom modding (though not new to Xcom in general), and I've really enjoyed your mod. I've probably have put over 100 hours at this point (and got wiped by a base assault in my last run), so I thought I'd give some feedback. I've been playing Vet 3 Ironman.

I think some more guidance would be nice in the early game. Acquiring a intel/bio lab is absolutely essential, but I had no clue these were important or even how to get them. I spent a lot of time stuck on 5 researchers researching random junk in my first run. Either more direct guidance on this for the Xcom General Strategy report, or lock the random equipment research behind the intel lab research, for example. Same thing with the bio lab - no corpse research until you have it. It would be also nice if the general report more specifically say what is required for promotion. ("ex)autopsy and capture a strange creature").

I think David Vincent's Secret Shelter comes too early or is just plain too hard. I've been wiped basically every time I try it (3 runs), even with a 16 man crew once.  Its not like I can prepare either - the enemies use new weapons (and now you're surprised by reinforcements!), so you're likely to be wiped your first try. No escape missions should be easier than average or at least be clearly labeled as difficult.

Haunted House/Farm, it took me a long time to realize the Farm is the easier mission type. I see now it does say "fortified", but maybe something like "significant  paranormal activity in the area" to better emphasize it.  Or even better would be to have the House mission spawn later. It seems like House missions always spawn first.

A warning of some kind (Xcom General strategy 3?) that aliens can assault your base before their invasion. I never reached the invasion date.

Prevent spawning of settlement killing swarms in the early months, trying to kill 30 beetles with 2 guys is incredibly boring (but doable). Tbh I find this variant of the mission type boring anyway, killing 30 of anything that doesn't approach you like zombies is dull.

Industrial Undercover missions seem generally not worth it, high degree of risk with a firearm present and no useful/interesting reward. (More money sellables perhaps?).

UAC cannon research unlocks way too early. Generally confused me about how to arm the Hum-vee. Also wouldn't hurt to more clearly state that you arm Hum-vee's/Little Birds with LMGs, I had some confusion there.

One of my more painful wipes was at the Red Dawn HQ, while with a weaker squad I was able to take out the Church of Dragon with relative ease. I do think its interesting that the cults vary in difficulty, but maybe a suggestion in Xcom General Strategy 2 to focus on the Church would help (We think infiltrating the Church of Dragon first would be the most feasible).

I had a facepalm moment when I discovered after dissolving the Church of Dagon I needed a live deep one for an entire arc of the tech tree. Maybe allow Gillmen interrogation to also unlock those techs? Or maybe an explicit warning on the Church of Dagon dissolve tech.

I believe it was on the graveyard mission, I couldn't bring a skyranger but could bring a Dragonfly? I found that a bit weird.

Was able to manufacture the Dr. Hardrox gun but not any other ghost equipment, which I was thankful for but didn't really make sense. I haven't done the reclaim the lab mission yet (I assume that unlocks manufactoring?)

Exalt grenade launchers with flame grenades seems too strong, I basically just avoid Exalt after a certain point.

Is there anyway to remove flames besides fire extinguisher? Could the TU cost be reduced on firing it? I found flames to be annoyingly punishing. The TU cost basically forces you to have a FE on your belt instead of backpack, in addition to the other problems (DoT, moral loss, stunning your own soldier with the FE...).

Oh also once again thanks for making this mod. I really enjoyed the mod (despite the wall of text). The first time I saw the aliens (when the military splashed the UFO) was a great moment, finally I got to fight the aliens, and it was suitably terrifying.