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Any XCOM Fans Here?
Posted on 3/7/25 at 11:48 am
Posted on 3/7/25 at 11:48 am
Recently bought the full XCOM 2 Collection (WOTC + all DLCs) despite never having played an XCOM game or really any turn-based strategy game. I was warned there are A LOT of mechanics and it can be difficult for beginners to start with WOTC (especially with all DLCs integrated), and even though I'm only a couple of missions in, I can tell they were right! 
So. Many. Game. Mechanics.
I've probably already screwed up some decisions in regard to the Avenger, so we'll see how it goes.
Any XCOM pros w/ any tips for a beginner?
So. Many. Game. Mechanics.
I've probably already screwed up some decisions in regard to the Avenger, so we'll see how it goes.
Any XCOM pros w/ any tips for a beginner?
14
Posted on 3/7/25 at 12:14 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
I've played a couple and have fun with it. I heard it is much deeper now
Posted on 3/7/25 at 12:28 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
Have about 500 hours in the first one, and it’s one of my all time favorites. I’ve played less of 2, but mostly because it was a poorly optimized mess at launch. It’s much better now, and with mods (like Long War), there’s not much that can rival the level of strategic and tactical depth the game gives you.
The game is punishing by design and will make you pay for your mistakes, so just roll with the punches and treat setbacks as fun story beats for your play through.
Best advice is to rotate your squad members early and focus on building a deep roster of soldiers. It’s easy to just regularly roll out with your A-team of Super Chads, but if they happen to get whacked by an encounter that didn’t break your way, it’s very difficult to come back from without depth in your barracks.
The game is punishing by design and will make you pay for your mistakes, so just roll with the punches and treat setbacks as fun story beats for your play through.
Best advice is to rotate your squad members early and focus on building a deep roster of soldiers. It’s easy to just regularly roll out with your A-team of Super Chads, but if they happen to get whacked by an encounter that didn’t break your way, it’s very difficult to come back from without depth in your barracks.
Posted on 3/7/25 at 12:38 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
I played the original back in the day. I remember being in the basement with most of the lights off and almost jumping out of my 11? year old skin when an alien came into the light. On a screen. On my computer. In 16 bit color.
Posted on 3/7/25 at 12:48 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
been an xcom fan since the very first game. love em.
best tip is just to keep playing and get feel for it.
Dont feel too bad about save scumming
best tip is just to keep playing and get feel for it.
Dont feel too bad about save scumming
Posted on 3/7/25 at 2:41 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
XCOM fan all the way back to the beginning (1994).
What you have with 2 is a very advanced turn-based game.
There is a reasonably optimal layout that requires some good RNG going in your favor at generation. Probably can't help your current save, but there is a mod that guarantees you get optimal power coil placement. (Counterintuitive, but it is better for the end-game to place certain high power buildings on the coils than to use the coils for power generation.)
I only did a full WOTC playthrough 1 time. You have to be pretty focused on the particular chosen and begin all preparations to defeat it once it hits the map. Those problems don't get better with time. You'll have to get the feel of that as you go. The MEC troopers from the Shen's Gift DLC are probably overpowered, but a big investment. Generally worth it if you can.
Same thing with the Reapers, Templars and Skirmishers - they all have a lot of value, but only in specific situations. Your own experience will lead you when to use them - Reapers are probably the most generally useful for most missions. Templars and Skirmishers require more finesse and commitment, but have some "high risk/high reward" moments of their own. You will still use base game classes throughout the game (although they will get supplanted increasingly by the WOTC, MECs and psi troopers as you develop those).
Good hunting.
What you have with 2 is a very advanced turn-based game.
quote:
I've probably already screwed up some decisions in regard to the Avenger, so we'll see how it goes.
There is a reasonably optimal layout that requires some good RNG going in your favor at generation. Probably can't help your current save, but there is a mod that guarantees you get optimal power coil placement. (Counterintuitive, but it is better for the end-game to place certain high power buildings on the coils than to use the coils for power generation.)
quote:
Any XCOM pros w/ any tips for a beginner?
I only did a full WOTC playthrough 1 time. You have to be pretty focused on the particular chosen and begin all preparations to defeat it once it hits the map. Those problems don't get better with time. You'll have to get the feel of that as you go. The MEC troopers from the Shen's Gift DLC are probably overpowered, but a big investment. Generally worth it if you can.
Same thing with the Reapers, Templars and Skirmishers - they all have a lot of value, but only in specific situations. Your own experience will lead you when to use them - Reapers are probably the most generally useful for most missions. Templars and Skirmishers require more finesse and commitment, but have some "high risk/high reward" moments of their own. You will still use base game classes throughout the game (although they will get supplanted increasingly by the WOTC, MECs and psi troopers as you develop those).
Good hunting.
This post was edited on 3/7/25 at 3:35 pm
Posted on 3/7/25 at 3:30 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
Appreciate all the feedback guys!
Looking forward to trying out these tips tonight
Looking forward to trying out these tips tonight
Posted on 3/7/25 at 4:02 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
According to Steam I have 1,283 hours on XCOM 2. It is on my Mt. Rushmore of games. The base game + WotC is fantastic, but, even better, the game has an extensive modding community. There are some fantastic mods for XCOM 2 to play around with.
As for tips for a first playthrough, I would just say supplies, engineers, and scientists are much more important early game than intel, alloys, etc. You can delay working on communications for a bit, but when the avatar meter starts getting high you need to prioritize progressing the story. Also, Lost missions are freebies. Use them to upgrade some low level characters.
I am assuming you are not playing on Ironman? Ironman is an entirely different game. Once you beat the game, I would encourage you to try Ironman mode. It's truly how the game is meant to be played.
As for tips for a first playthrough, I would just say supplies, engineers, and scientists are much more important early game than intel, alloys, etc. You can delay working on communications for a bit, but when the avatar meter starts getting high you need to prioritize progressing the story. Also, Lost missions are freebies. Use them to upgrade some low level characters.
I am assuming you are not playing on Ironman? Ironman is an entirely different game. Once you beat the game, I would encourage you to try Ironman mode. It's truly how the game is meant to be played.
This post was edited on 3/7/25 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 3/7/25 at 7:08 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
Played a ton of the original game plus the reboot games.
You may want to consider getting the first reboot game and playing through it because having a base and running defensive missions against the aliens is far different from being in the Avenger and constantly being on offense.
2 is a ton of fun but it is a lot more unforgiving than the first one from what I remember, especially if certain side elements are active, like the king snakeman.
You may want to consider getting the first reboot game and playing through it because having a base and running defensive missions against the aliens is far different from being in the Avenger and constantly being on offense.
2 is a ton of fun but it is a lot more unforgiving than the first one from what I remember, especially if certain side elements are active, like the king snakeman.
Posted on 3/7/25 at 9:46 pm to teke184
Ive played a lot, but it's been a while and I can't really remember what the base game is like anymore. If and when you get bored with it, take a look at the mod "Long War of the Chosen" . It's a big strategic change that changes up a lot and adds tons of new options, enemies, and even a few classes.
Posted on 3/8/25 at 9:46 am to Sl0thstronautEsq
quote:
Any XCOM pros w/ any tips for a beginner?
don't be like me and save scum every time a party member dies. it becomes unsustainable
Posted on 3/8/25 at 6:06 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
Depending on your gameplay difficulty - prioritize research towards weapons first, armor second, and certain items last.
As enemies get more health and better weapons you need to have corresponding increases in your damage output and health.
As for the avenger layout, think primarily in terms of adjacency bonuses. You want a workshop in the dead center spot because it can be upgraded to provide an engineer to the 4 adjacent buildings.
Additionally you want to prioritize missions that provide engineers/scientists as rewards.
As enemies get more health and better weapons you need to have corresponding increases in your damage output and health.
As for the avenger layout, think primarily in terms of adjacency bonuses. You want a workshop in the dead center spot because it can be upgraded to provide an engineer to the 4 adjacent buildings.
Additionally you want to prioritize missions that provide engineers/scientists as rewards.
Posted on 3/10/25 at 9:24 am to AgCoug
quote:
As for tips for a first playthrough, I would just say supplies, engineers, and scientists are much more important early game than intel, alloys, etc. You can delay working on communications for a bit, but when the avatar meter starts getting high you need to prioritize progressing the story. Also, Lost missions are freebies. Use them to upgrade some low level characters.
Thank you, appreciate the tips!
quote:
I am assuming you are not playing on Ironman?
Definitely not for my first playthrough, but it looks like a fun challenge once I have a better grasp on the mechanics!This post was edited on 3/10/25 at 9:26 am
Posted on 3/10/25 at 9:26 am to sbr2
quote:
sbr2
Super helpful tips, thank you!
Posted on 3/10/25 at 2:17 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
No problem, XCOM: EU and XCOM:2/WOTC are the highpoints in the genre for me.
Also another tip I thought of later is that half cover is a lie, always always always go for full cover (unless you have the ability to mount half cover as full on a character). Too many times ironman runs were ruined because I foolishly trusted that half cover would be good enough.
Also another tip I thought of later is that half cover is a lie, always always always go for full cover (unless you have the ability to mount half cover as full on a character). Too many times ironman runs were ruined because I foolishly trusted that half cover would be good enough.
Posted on 3/10/25 at 3:32 pm to sbr2
quote:
half cover is a lie
Agree and disagree. Half cover is an exaggeration. Half cover should be "better than no cover whatsoever". But it is in no universe half as good as full cover.
quote:
I foolishly trusted that half cover would be good enough.
I want full cover, defensive buffs/perks AND debuff the baddie.
Posted on 3/10/25 at 3:37 pm to Ace Midnight
quote:
Half cover is an exaggeration. Half cover should be "better than no cover whatsoever". But it is in no universe half as good as full cover.
And now i remember some of the moet frustrating moments I had playing this game. Half cover is definitely some bullshite that the AI uses to wipe your veteran party members at the opportune moment
Posted on 3/10/25 at 4:16 pm to sbr2
So, what does half cover even mean? I know it's the half-shield icon, but in terms of gameplay, what does it mean?
Is it that you take 50% of the damage when hit, the enemy has a 50% chance of hitting you, or something else?
Is it that you take 50% of the damage when hit, the enemy has a 50% chance of hitting you, or something else?
Posted on 3/10/25 at 4:31 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
quote:
Is it that you take 50% of the damage when hit, the enemy has a 50% chance of hitting you, or something else?
I think its supposed to half the chances of being hit compared to 0 cover, but it doesnt seem to work that way. Pretty sure damage on hit is unaffected
This post was edited on 3/10/25 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 3/10/25 at 6:05 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
Played the hell out of the original, so much fun. Two as well. No experience with any others.
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