v0.3 - Snap shot removed from Rockets
Aimed Shot cheaper, slightly less accurate.
Hey all! I mentioned to Warboy and SupSuper in IRC how I had dreamed of doing this when I was a teenager 20 years ago
Well now they've given me the opportunity, so I'm going to rip into the weapons of XCOM and help them align better with both UFOPedia lore, in addition to doing a balance pass. The main thrust of this balance pass is assigning "roles" to specific weapon types. The other part is from making sure weapons continue to improve with each new tier (ballistic, laser, plasma) in a consistent fashion (lasers less accurate than ballistics? what?). This was primarily accomplished by normalizing both Accuracy and TU usage, leaving tiered progression to damage for the most part.
Note that these "roles" are
only being enforced for XCOM and the Xenos are going to continue to use their old Plasma arsenal, with each archetype of weapon still capable of all 3 firing modes.
WARNINGThis mod assumes players are using the
UFOExtender Ranged Accuracy mod, but
ARE NOT using the Heavy Laser or Pistol Auto Fire built in mods. I can't stop you from using them as well, but they are not accounted for in the balance changes and role assignments of the weapons below.
As of right now the download has merged with another mod called
TerranPlasmaWeapons which includes some sprite work to distinguish between Terran vs. Xeno Plasma weapons. This was to make sure I split XCOM's weapons from the Xenos properly without overlooking anything important. Remember, the point of my mod is only to change XCOM's play style, not the aliens! If you see any graphical errors as a result please report them in this thread.
FULL CREDIT TO WHOEVER MADE TERRANPLASMAWEAPONS FOR ALL SPRITE WORK AND UFOPEDIA ENTRIESWhat This Mod DoesShort version is available in table form a little lower down, but in addition to changing weapon values, the Plasma line has been split away from sharing with the aliens. They get their original Plasma line, and XCOM has their own heavily modified versions of Plasma weapons when you are using my mod. You have to manufacture all of your Plasma weapons as of right now (though down the line I could see adding a "retrofit" option as suggested by posters in this thread), and can only sell (not use) alien plasma (once you finish your research).
Pistols have been given a role - Their Snap shots are superior to all other weapon archetypes' Snap shots in terms of Accuracy and TU cost, allowing for them to be your go to weapon for running and gunning. They are capable of up to 4 fairly accurate Snap shots per TU bar (typically) and will allow agents to explore while remaining capable of defending themselves in close quarters. They also allow for a larger number of Reaction shots compared to Rifles. No more Auto fire, though.
Rifles have been given a role - The UFOPedia suggests that Rifles are sniper weapons, however the reality misses the mark substantially
From here out, Rifles have the undisputed best Aimed shots in the game in terms of Accuracy, and their TU costs have been lowered to the point where all Rifles are allowed 2 Aimed Shots per round with a little wiggle room for turning, crouching, etc... Oh and you can't Auto fire with them any more
In exchange though, they now get the highest per shot damage in their tiers.
Heavy weapons have had their role reinforced - They are the masters of Auto fire now, largely by merit of the first two weapon types losing access to Auto, but also by having their Accuracy improved substantially. This is to ensure that if someone is STRONG enough to use a truly HEAVY weapon they do not also need to a natural born sharpshooter to actually be effective with it. Note that Auto fire loses Accuracy quickly over distance while using UFOExtender Accuracy mod, so these are still situational weapons that work best in close combat. That being said, these weapons are too bulky to be relied upon for Reaction fire, and have all lost their Snap shot capabilities ;_; Cover them with the rest of your squad!
Weapon Family Quick Look Chart| | Pistols | Rifles | Heavies |
| Snap | 75% Acc / 20% TU
| 65% Acc / 36% TU
| None
|
| Aimed | 80% Acc / 50% TU
Laser and Plasma Only | 100% Acc / 45% TU | 80% Acc / 65% TU
Plasma Only |
| Auto | None | None | 75% Acc / 36% TU |
Detailed ChangesPistols were essentially just worse Rifles in most respects, but weighed such that they were unwieldy to equip as a backup weapon. The Accuracy changes to Pistol Snap shots and the removal of Rifle Auto shots actually position the Pistol as a superior close range weapon, while the low TU cost also serves to allow for more of a "run and gun" style of play. Their Aimed shots have been disabled entirely because you're not allowed to snipe aliens from across the map with a handgun!
Weight reduced from 5 to 3
Clip weight reduced from 3 to 2
Snap shot acc up from 60 to 75
Aimed Shot disabled
TU Snap up from 18 to 20
Power up from 26 to 30
Rifles are described as sniper weapons in the UFOPedia, but the reality misses that mark by a bit with prohibitively expensive Aimed shots and the availability of opening up with a full Auto barrage. Well, I removed that firing mode and made taking Aimed shots the real calling of the Rifle. Since Auto isn't an option, base damage was raised to make the weapon feel more like an actual high calibre sniper rifle. Base Aimed Accuracy lowered SLIGHTLY to compensate for being able to fire twice in one round now, which is a HUGE buff. It also brings Aimed Accuracy in line with all the other Rifle weapons.
Weight reduced from 8 to 7
Snap shot acc up to 65 from 60
Aimed shot acc reduced to 100 from 110
Auto shot removed
tu Snap up from 25 to 36
tu Aimed down from 80 to 45
Power up from 30 to 40
Heavy Cannons were kind of "meh" due to TU and Accuracy limitations, and the pre-existing Auto fire ban, severely limiting their utility. I used this opportunity to make them into a "medium heavy" weight weapon, reserving the Auto Cannon for the heaviest of the non-Rocket class weapons. Snap shots are more accurate, but more expensive, and Aimed shots are cheaper to use, allowing low TU troopers a little more breathing room for positioning. The Power of AP shots were bumped substantially to make them more appealing in general compared to the much loved HE ammo.
Weight reduced from 18 to 15
Clip weight(s) reduced from 6 to 5
Snap shot acc up from 60 to 70
Aimed shot acc unchanged from 90
TU Snap up from 33 to 40
TU Aimed down from 80 to 60
AP Power up from 56 to 70
HE Power down from 52 to 50
Here we go... The
Auto Cannon, the biggest big gun in your beginner arsenal. There are no Aimed or Snap shots when you need to spin up a heavy barrel each time you fire and as such those modes were removed. What you are left with is one mean lead spitting machine. As the ONLY Auto fire capable weapon left in the default XCOM Terran armory, it makes sense that the Auto Cannon has been enhanced, making troopers strong enough for this weapon into death incarnate. TU cost reduced to the bare minimum necessary in order to allow a maximum of 2 bursts, in turn enabling more soldier movement per turn even while firing twice.
Weight from 19 to 18
Clip weight from 5 to 6 (heavier clips because...)
Clip size from 14 to 18
Auto shot acc up from 40 to 75 (nearly twice as many shots will hit their target, meaning base Auto dmg nearly 2x now)
TU Auto down from 40 to 36 (AND more wiggle room for aim / duck / move)
AP Power down from 42 to 40 (3x2x40 = 240 max dmg / turn)
HE Power down from 44 to 30 (3x2x30 = 180 max dmg / turn x 4 tiles = dead Terror unit)
Rocket Launchers, like all heavy style weapons, are losing their Snap shot
As hilarious as this can be, it is really just not a great idea to let people take Reaction shots with Rockets
To compensate, the Aimed shot TU cost was reduced to allow more wiggle room when setting up your shot. Also, Rockets are no longer more accurate than Rifles (100 is matching).
Snap shot removed. FOREVER.
Aimed acc down from 115 to 100
tuAimed reduced to 60 from 75
Laser Pistols are being changed to be in line with the basic Pistol theory of being great at Snap shots as their primary (and largest) source of pain. They're losing Auto fire, which flips this weapon entirely upside down, but their small frame was determined to be incapable of dissipating the heat fast enough to prevent the device from exploding in your operatives' hands
No longer relying on ballistic ammo has a positive though, as Laser Pistols regain the ability to make Aimed shots.
Weight unchanged at 7 (that battery!)
Snap shot acc up from 40 to 75 (!!!)
Aimed shot acc up from 68 to 80
Auto shot removed (aww)
TU Snap unchanged at 20
TU Aimed down from 55 to 50
Power down from 46 to 45
Like with regular rifles,
Laser Rifles are more aligned towards being sniper weapons and are no longer allowed Auto fire mode. The same compensation in the form of cheaper aimed shots and more damage are applied here. Weight is increased to account for that huge dang battery giving you unlimited ammo!
Weight increased from 8 to 14 (even bigger battery!)
Snap shot acc unchanged at 65
Aimed shot acc unchanged at 100
Auto shot removed
TU Snap up from 25 to 36
TU Aimed down from 50 to 4
Power up from 60 to 70
Heavy Lasers are now the Auto Laser of the family, finally large enough to support the cooling necessary for automatic fire. They're huge, heavy, and can rip apart the largest xenos terror units. Don't leave home without one
Due to their bulk and spin up requirements, they are incapable of Snap or Aimed fire like the Auto Cannon, but make up for this with an even more devastating swath of Auto destruction.
Heavy LasersWeight from 18 to 35 (BIGGEST BATTERY)
Snap shot disabled
Aimed shot disabled
Auto shot enabled
Auto shot accuracy 75
Auto shot TU 36
Power down from 85 to 60 (3x60x2 = 360 dmg / turn, compared to old max 255 from 3x Snap Shots for 99% of your TU)
Plasma Pistols are brought in line with the others in the role, favoring Snap shots and becoming a true terror during Reaction firing.
Clip size from 26 to 16
Clip weight reduced from 3 to 2
Snap shot acc up from 65 to 75
Aimed shot acc down from 85 to 80
TU Snap down from 30 to 20
TU Aimed down from 60 to 50
Power up from 52 to 60
Plasma Rifles keep with the theme of rifles as sniper weapons, the Aimed mode of fire is given preferential treatment. Plasma Rifles are now the most dangerous long range weapon in the game without exception.
Weight from 5 to 8
Clip size from 28 to 20
Snap shot acc down from 86 to 65
Aimed shot unchanged at 100
TU Snap up from 30 to 36
TU Aimed down from 60 to 45
Power up from 80 to 90
At last, the
Heavy Plasma BFG itself... Same story as the rest, though, this beast is being refocused on Auto firing mode and losing some versatility. Weight is also increased to bring it a little more in line with the other heavy weapons in play, but it is still barely what you could call "heavy" compared to them
Power is reduced in order to compensate for a massive increase in Auto shot accuracy, and to further discourage using the weapon in single shot mode to snipe. Snap shooting with this weapon has been banned, it is still too bulky for that, despite being alien tech. This weapon is undeniably nerfed compared to all the others, and that is completely on purpose. The Auto fire mode is more reliable than it used to be, though, because 25% is a huge Accuracy buff that translates into more damage per round simply by missing less shots.
Weight increased from 8 to 15
Clip weight increased from 3 to 5
Clip size from 35 to 24
Snap shot removed
Aimed shot acc down from 110 to 80
Auto shot acc up from 50 to 75
TU Aimed up to 65 from 60
TU Auto up from 35 to 36 (to avoid edge cases where some soldiers can shoot 3 times, others only 2)
Power down from 115 to 80 (80x3x2 = 480 dmg / turn, vs. old 690 / turn, but with the Accuracy buff it is more like 480 vs. 517)
