X-Chronicles Release, v.0.99.5

[Nord]

I realized that i can endlessly add new things and endlessly postpone the release version. So let me introduce you:
 The X-Chronicles version 0.99
Welcome to the global fantasy-themed overhaul mod.
This time, the aliens did not come, instead - magic came to Earth. And along with it, strange magical creatures, sorcerers, zombies and other fantasy clichés.
Or not really?
Features:
Choose a patron country on which the gameplay will depend.
Learn magic technologies and throw away your guns.
Evolve your operatives from ordinary humans to demigods ... or monsters.
Learn powerful battle spells.
With all these bells and whistles, go down to the abode of Aliens ...
and lose outright to the horrors there.

Available languages: US English and Russian.

Download: mod.io

Changelog:

Spoiler:

V. 0.99.5
- added new unit: phoenix
- added new terrain: fire dimension
- added some lore articles
- added 2 new craft equipment glyphs.
- added new facility, psi barrier
- fixed HMGs for using by normal people;
- added new faction: temple of Death, with their own ships and stuff;
- added submod Cyrillic names for XCHR;
- added 5 new melee weapons;
- minor bugfixing
V. 0.99.4
- Added two new facilities for base defense. Runed missiles and fiery bolts;
- Added ufopedia articles for all Aliens, all Aliens now researcheable;
- Added some other articles for explanation of storyline;
- Added a pair of events for immersion;
- multiple bugs fixed, thanks to wolwerine.

V. 0.99.3
Major update.
- Added choice of side in the confrontation: light or darkness, with facilities, items, spells and events;
- Added Light blessings, working for whole combat;
- Added Light Temple faction with their own units;
- Added more summons;
- New mission arc - espionage;
- Civilians will change through world events;
- Bugfixes;

Warning: not really tested, so expect bugs
V. 0.99.2
- Fixed nasty error with archmage tower;
- New units: wight, herald;
- New terrain: mushroom forest;
- New events with trustee countries;
- Minor fixes.
V. 0.99.1
- Added new armor: crusader;
- Added some mapblocks for Archmage yard;
- Multiple bugfixes in research tree, thanks to ted_die;
- Fixed Archmage tower spawn, thanks to ted_die;
- Cleaned starting base;
V. 0.99
 - initial release.

Installation:
Copy to the mod folder, run the game and chose "Base game" X-Chronicles.
Thanks: to OpenXcom authors for a brilliant game; to Yankes and Meridian for powerful OXCE, to the other modders from whom I borrowed something.

Release status: mod is fully playable, but not really balanced.
Version 0.99 means, that i will work on it further, maybe for years, adding new stuff and redacting existing things.

Future plans:
 - more maps;
 - more undead;
 - more summons;
 - demons;
 - alchemy;
 - dwarves and elves, maybe.
 
If you want to help:
 - This mod desperately needs a spell check of English translation.
 - More map blocks needed for existing terrains. I will do it myself, but slowly.
 - I will be grateful for bug reports. 

Credits:

All X-Com resources belongs to X-Com franchise owners (Take-Two Interactive, i think)

All other is under CC-NC-BY-SA , as mr.Hobbes insisted.

Discord: https://discord.gg/DDYTwjqNzN

[EleriumWard]

Very nice! Looking forward to playing this and seeing how much further it develops.

[Nord]

First patch released.
Changelog:
- Added new armor: crusader;
- Added some mapblocks for Archmage yard;
- Multiple bugfixes in research tree, thanks to ted_die;
- Fixed Archmage tower spawn, thanks to ted_die;
- Cleaned starting base;

[Kissaki]

Well, colour me tickled. I'm trying this out as soon as I have the time.

[Ryln]

Gave this a try tonight and this is such a fun mod! Playing on beginner Ironman, I’m about 5 hours of playtime in. Really looking forward to seeing how everything progresses .

I went with US for both patron and starting location, and just captured my first outcast mage. Now that I understand a bit more how shields work with some trial and error I’m really enjoying just how different this feels from both the base game and XCF.

No bugs so far, just straightforward fun!

One small bit of feedback: I’d love for the soldier inventory to show all three accuracy types if it isn’t too hard to do, what with how important melee and throwing accuracy are here.


Edit: Might have found a bug. I just researched Block Bow, and it’s not showing up for purchase, while in the tech tree viewer it indicates it should be now.

Edit 2: Another possible bug; when I researched Chemical Threat, it revealed the Combat Vest Hazmat armor, but it’s not for purchase and I can’t find it in the tech tree viewer.

[Nord]

Edit: Might have found a bug. I just researched Block Bow, and it’s not showing up for purchase, while in the tech tree viewer it indicates it should be now.

Thanks, will check.

Edit 2: Another possible bug; when I researched Chemical Threat, it revealed the Combat Vest Hazmat armor, but it’s not for purchase and I can’t find it in the tech tree viewer.

If you buy full complect then you will be able to equip simple or hazmat.

[Ryln]

I just noticed and came to edit again to correct myself; I apparently hadn’t bothered putting more armor on people since I unlocked it. Looks like it’s working as intended, sorry about that!

I just got the new laboratory, excited to start unlocking some magic!

Edit: A possible research bug; In the Tech Tree Viewer Water Shield says it Depends On: Not Available. It looks like it’s unlocked by lots of things, but I hadn’t seen that before elsewhere and wanted to check.

I managed to shoot down my first small flying ship and even succeed at raiding it, so I’m happily researching Runewood now. I feel like I’m so very close to unlocking some magical stuff beyond runed weapons, which would be a gamechanger. I’m using the combat vest more for the hazmat mask than anything else against invaders, as in general they kill me in one hit anyways.

I did also get chitin armor, but only enough materials for three suits so far so I’m being extra careful with anyone wearing it.

Edit 2: got myself the Runewood vests and they’re incredible! I had two, lost one to a fire wand which felt thematically appropriate.

When it comes to damaged armor and repair, what determines if you get the damaged armor? Is it if the corpse survives to the end of the mission?

Edit 3: I lost due to overextending and getting a negative score several months in a row, so I’ve started a new game in eastern Europe, and Russia is my sponsor this time around. I’m off to a good start! I like how different the loadouts are. One bug: upon researching the “Contract with the Russian Army”, I’m now able to buy the UB-32M Launcher, but there’s no UFOPaedia entry for it. Same with the ammo, the 57mm C-5M rockets.

[Nord]

Version 0.99.2 is up.
Changelog:
- Fixed nasty error with archmage tower;
- New units: wight, herald;
- New terrain: mushroom forest;
- New events with trustee countries;
- Minor fixes.

[Ryln]

Sweet! I’ll give this a go later this week. Really enjoying this mod!

[ted_die]

OK. Let's see.

[Ryln]

The Block Bow works now with the update! I’m able to purchase it now  .

However, one item still isn’t showing up in the UFOpaedia; the UB-32M Launcher and its ammo, the 57mm C-5M rockets. I’m assuming they’re for interceptors?

I’m really looking forward to seeing everything else in this mod, my Russian start continues to be much more successful than my last one. If it goes poorly I’ll probably start again in China to see the PLA gear.

[Nord]

However, one item still isn’t showing up in the UFOpaedia; the UB-32M Launcher and its ammo, the 57mm C-5M rockets. I’m assuming they’re for interceptors?

It should be in vehicles and vehicle armaments. Please, provide savegame.

[Ryln]

So the rockets do show in the UFOpedia, but when I try to inspect them in purchasing it doesn't show up. Here's my save:

[Nord]

Ah, now i understand.
No, not a single craft weapon will work like this. This is because middle-click leads to "item" ufopedia, but craft weapons use "craft equipment" pages instead of launcher-items.

[Ryln]

Ah good to know! Then everything is working well so far with this update. If/when I run into the new enemies I’ll post my thoughts on them