I wonder if it would be possible to create a "weapon" that
can only be used on civilians?
while this may sound sadistic and cruel at first glance, it is actually meant to be the opposite
I would like to create a pseudo-PsiAmp that can only be used on civilians at close range (1-3 tiles or something).
story-wise this would be either a megaphone (shouting at them) or a nice shiny badge (flashing it at them), which you can use to ascertain your authority and tell the civilians to run in a certain direction...
game-wise it would be a limited-range, civilian-only mind control device.
this would even fit nicely if civilians get weapons (or we include armed cops or even military personnel): if you manage to get close to one, you can get them out of shock and tell them to fire at an alien.