One of the fun things about
XcomUtil is that it gave solider capacity to all five craft. But it had to work with the graphics that already existed. The interceptor's map block was just a stubby skyranger with a secondary engine group under the wings. I've lately been wanting to try hand at making detailed isometric graphics and I'm looking at making an actual map block for the interceptor but I'm going to want some more information before undertaking such a task.
-First of all, I don't know any of the rules I have to follow to make a functional map block.
-I want this map block to reasonably match the graphic used on the
UFOpedia entry.
-I've always wanted to justify soldiers on the interceptor by cramming them into the craft's internal maintenance bay, which is placed between the engines for easy access to internal mechanisms or whatever.
-I've gone ahead and map a rough tile map using the UFOpedia graphic.
It looks like the interceptor is going to have an area of 10x7. And unlike the skyranger, it looks like the Interceptor going to need a unique tile for each and every top piece. Assuming I don't botch the initial silhouette, I think it's going to need 40 of them.
-I have considered giving the interceptor a ramp. However, I've noticed that one of the plates on top of the interceptor looks like a hatch. So instead, I've decided that interceptor so have an elevator tile and that soldiers should egress the interceptor as depicted in the animated intro of the game. (The elevator also connects to the ground so they can come back in.)
-The "maintenance bay" I have in mind is one column of 4 tiles, and therefore can't hold a tank.
Any thoughts on the subject?