Ladies and gentlemen, we are at war. You’ve seen the news reports, probably witnessed the destruction firsthand. Perhaps even lost loved ones. We do not know our enemy, their origin or motive. All we know is they are absolutely hostile and cannot be negotiated with, and they outmatch us in terms of technology, strength and firepower. The armies of several nations have already been overwhelmed. All predictions at this point indicate that Earth will fall in a matter of months.
Earth will not fall.*
I have been authorised to lead an offensive retaliation against the enemy forces. A base of operations will be built, where the finest minds in science and engineering can focus on R&D of novel combat technologies. We will recruit the best soldiers Earth has to offer and lead coordinated attacks against key targets. All while chronically underfunded and being incessently nagged by ominous government figures.
You have all been invited here to participate in an advisory council that will help direct this project. Hard choices will have to be made, and I am going to need to rely on you all to help make those choices.
Should any of you, by some strange chance, be unfamiliar with the threat we are facing, please consult the following materials and acquaint yourself with our enemy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz5ePZTXLOI
* Probably. Maybe.
This will be my first attempt at an LP. Hopefully it won’t suck!
I have never completed this game. I love the start but have always lost motivation or been distracted halfway through, but doing an LP should keep me interested. This means after about halfway this will be a blind LP and I will probably fuck up more and fail. Hooray.
The game shall be as thus:
XCOM Enemy Unknown
DLC: Elite Soldier Pack and Slingshot
Difficulty: Classic
Iron Man: Disabled - I am going to play according to Iron Man principles, but due to potential game breaking bugs I am not turning it on. Will only reload if one of the aforementioned bugs occurs.
Second Wave Options:
Not Created Equal (rookies starting stats are randomised)
Hidden Potential (on promotion, a soldier’s stats increase randomly)
New Economy (funding from individual council members is randomised)
Absolutely Critical (flanking shots are guaranteed critical hits)
The Greater Good (psionics can only be unlocked by interrogating a psionic alien)
E-115 (elerium stores degrade over time)
There is no guarantee that I will win this, but what’s the worst that could happen?
Posts
The Base
Every nation in the funding council is eager to be home to the XCOM base, and the countries of each continent are offering additional resources as incentives.
The countries of North America promise substantial aid with building and maintaining a fighter fleet. (Air and Space – all aircraft cost 50% less to purchase, build and maintain)
The nations of Europe are offering to put cutting edge research and manufacturing facilities at our disposal (Expert Knowledge – labs and workshops cost 50% less to build and maintain)
Scientists in South America assure us they have sophisticated intelligence gathering methods to share (We Have Ways – autopsies and interrogations are completed instantly)
Several African leaders have ‘found’ additional sources of revenue for the project (All In – Monthly funding increased by 30%)
And the nations of Asia promise to assist us with advanced warfare expertise (Future Combat – projects in the foundry and officer training school cost 50% less)
Suggestions as to the best site for the XCOM HQ are welcomed.
The Troops
Our soldiers need to be of the highest standard, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. Even if we should triumph and win this war it is likely not all of our troops will be coming home. Their resolve must be absolute. Also, it would help if they can aim.
If you know of any likely candidates please complete the following form with their details and submit it for consideration:
First name (or initial):
Gender: (state if no preference)
Additional Info: (if you want your soldier to have a specific hairstyle or skin/armour colour say so here)
Anne
Female
Black or red armor
First Initial: Y.
Additional Info: I demand really dumb hair of some description
Floosevelt (or Flow if floosevelt doesn't fit)
T.
yellow armor? I dunno the options
if it is possible to have a mustache then mustache, otherwise whatev!
Fn: M.
G: Male
Pale blue, dark blue, or gray armor, any kind of helmet
First name: G
Gender: Male
The headset+shades hat
e: Asia HQ is the best.
This should be good, I love X-COM LPs
Wii Friend Code: 0072 4984 2399 2126
PSN ID : Theidar
Facebook
Behold the annhilation of the extraterrestrial and the rise of the machines.
Hail Satan!
WISHLIST
Confirmation of game settings:
Asia was chosen as the HQ site after winning an overwhelming victory of one vote. I have never played Asia before so curious to see what it's like.
I didn't record the first mission because you have to play with random soldiers. I played really carefully to make sure they all survived so no random names messed up my memorial wall, congratulated them on a job well done, then fired the three that got promotions because I want all my proper guys starting out equal as rookies.
And here they are
This is everyone who's signed up so far plus Bogey and Rank because they asked to be in. I had one female soldier leftover so made her Smof, let's see how quickly I can get myself killed. Apparently if I let Rank die he's going to ban me, so guess who will be MVP in every mission. Hope the rest of you are ready to take one for the team repeatedly! (The team is Rank)
It was only after customizing everyone that I realised Mr Bogey and Mrs Rankenphile are both from Nigeria, and instantly decided they are a married couple who signed up together. Maybe their son got abducted and they have a personal stake in getting revenge. THIS IS CANON NOW.
Here's what everyone looks like. Hope you like your designs because if you don't you are SOL cos I spent way too long doing this. (Yaya I'm sorry. I did the stupid hair like you asked and the rest just kind of followed)
A quick look at starting stats tells me Bogey is probably going to be the resident teamkiller with an impressive Will of 28, and Floosevelt is a potential marksman with Aim of 70. Let's hope he gets given a sniper rifle. The rest of you are all decidedly average.
With that all out the way... I set to researching weapon fragments cos I want those sweet, sweet lasers, bought a medkit and started building a satellite. Then it's off on our first mission.
Operation Blind Law in Cairo, Rookies Label, Aya, Floosevelt and Madder reporting for duty. As the bravest man on the squad Label gets the medkit, everyone else has grenades, let's do this!
Let me know if pictures are too big/too small.
First name (or initial): J
Gender: Male
Additional Info: Green armour with Beret
Ever
Surname: Lobo
First name (or initial): Karl
Gender: Male
Additional Info: Black/grey armor/full helmet
First name: Mr
Gender: Male
Additional info: Awesome
XENO SCUM AIN'T GOT NOTHIN ON THE BEST! THE BEST! THE BEST!
GODDAMN WE LOOK FUUUUCKIIIIN GOOD!
LET'S DO THIS!
Surname: Pugilation
First name (or initial): Comprehension Through
Gender: Male
Additional Info: Pink armour, beret
Destiny Profile : http://www.bungie.net/en/Profile/254/7028016
Surname: Galore
First Name: Donny
Gender: All Man
Additional Info: Beret/glasses & muttonstache
March 3rd 23:19 Cairo
Rk Aya, Rk Madder, Rk Label, Rk Floosevelt
Rk. Aya: Okay guys, we have no idea what we're dealing with here, and we've got our asses hanging out here in the open. Suggest we move up to that building for some cover.
Rk. Label: Agreed. You go first. You'll be easy to follow.
Rk. Aya: All right. Doesn't look like there's anything waiting for us inside.
Rk. Floosevelt: Gonna head up around the back of the building, see if anyone's waiting on the other side.
Rk. Label: I'm with you. Aya, Madder, hang back and cover the front of the building.
{unidentified sound}
Rk. Floosevelt: Hold up. D'you hear that?
Rk. Label: I do. Sounds like... some kind of animal?
Rk. Floosevelt: All right, alleyway's clear.
Rk. Label: Let's check if there's anything further in the building. You ready?
Rk. Floosevelt: Ready. Open 'er up.
Rk. Label: Okay, seems empty.
Rk. Aya: Roger that. Moving up inside to regroup with you guys.
Rk. Madder: Moving down to cover that alley.
Rk. Label: All right, heading insi... movement!
{door slamming}
Rk. Floosevelt: What the shit is that??
Rk. Aya: Fall back, Label. Floosevelt, get your ass inside!
Rk. Floosevelt: You know I just had the same idea.
Rk. Aya: That's a feisty space monkey, looks like it's moving up on us. Can't get a good shot on it.
Rk. Madder: I think I can solve that problem. Frag out!
{explosion}
Rk. Floosevelt {pistol shots}
Rk. Floosevelt: It's down. Thanks for the assist, Madder.
Rk. Madder: Happy to help.
Rk. Floosevelt: Aaand there's space monkey number two.
Rk. Aya: I got this one.
{explosion}
Rk. Aya: Boom! Ha, those things are fun.
Rk. Floosevelt: Aw, I didn't get to shoot that one.
Rk. Label: Okay everyone regroup, and we can sweep through this building.
{window smashing}
Rk. Aya: Another one. He's got good cover, can't get a decent shot. Anyone got any grenades left?
Rk. Floosevelt: Right here.
{explosion}
Rk. Floosevelt: Hey, they are fun. I can't believe Dr. Vahlen didn't want us bringing these.
Rk. Label: Man, I hope this place has insurance.
Rk. Aya: I'm gonna see if I can get a bit closer to this guy.
{plasma shots}
and then someone else, please report in to verify whatever Rk. Aya reports
Rk. Madder: Aya! You okay?
Rk. Aya: Yeah, I'm okay. Damn but that stings.
Rk. Aya: Let's see how you like it monkey boy.
Rk. Aya {pistol shots}
Rk. Madder: He... doesn't really look like he minds it much, actually.
Rk. Aya: Well forgive me for being a little woozy right now.
Rk. Madder: Taking the shot.
Rk. Madder {rifle fire}
Rk. Aya: I got shot in the face with an alien gun. What's your excuse?
Rk. Madder: Uh, he dodged?
Rk. Aya: Let's try this again.
Rk. Aya {pistol shots}
Rk. Aya: There it is!
Rk. Label: Hold tight, Aya. Bringing you the medkit.
Rk. Floosevelt: All right, I'm moving up some more.
Rk. Floosevelt: Uh... on second thoughts, moving back down.
Rk. Madder: You found us some more friends? Oh, goody.
Rk. Aya: We got another on this side too!
{plasma shots}
Rk. Aya: Closer than I'd like! Hey aliens, you could shoot at someone else you know.
Rk. Label: Maybe they think you're an easy target. You know, on account of your massive pink hair. Now hold still.
Rk. Aya: What even is that?
Rk. Label: What am I, a doctor? I don't know. Here, you want some chewable morphine?
Rk. Madder: Space monkeys are forming up to engage.
Rk. Floosevelt: Right. I'm gonna see if I can sneak up on 'em.
{window smashing}
Rk. Aya: One of them's backed right up. The other two aren't doing much. But again with the purple stuff, what is going on there?
Rk. Label: Who cares? We kill them, the purple stuff goes away. I'm gonna see if I can flank around the outside of the building.
{plasma shots}
Rk. Label: Aaagh! Shit, I'm okay! I'm okay!
{plasma shots}
Rk. Aya: Label?
Rk. Label: Damn, that really does sting.
Rk. Aya: What'd I tell you?
Rk. Label: Jeez. Sure would be nice to have a medkit right now.
Rk. Aya: Sucks to be you.
Rk. Floosevelt: If it's any consolation, Label, that was a mighty fine distraction.
Rk. Floosevelt {rifle fire}
Rk. Floosevelt: One down. Two to go.
Rk. Madder: Second's right out in the open. His friend blew away his cover when he shot at Label.
Rk. Label: Yay, I helped.
Rk. Madder: Taking the shot.
Rk. Madder {rifle fire}
Rk. Madder: Dammit, shots wide.
Rk. Floosevelt {rifle fire}
Rk. Floosevelt: Is that what you meant to do?
Rk. Madder: Ah, shut up.
Rk. Floosevelt: One left.
Rk. Madder: Moving forward.
Rk. Aya: He's coming back into the building. Guess seeing all his friends get wiped hasn't discouraged him yet.
Rk. Madder: Brave little guy. Brave, but stupid.
Rk. Madder {rifle fire}
Rk. Madder: Thank you, and goodnight.
Rk. Floosevelt: All right, I'm not hearing any more movement, I think that might be it. Let's grab all the bits we didn't explode and head on home.
Rk. Aya: I'm gonna nab me a space monkey head. I'll keep pens in it!
Rk. Floosevelt: Hey Label, how're you feeling?
Rk. Label: Oh I'm fine. Hey, do you guys smell barbecue?
Never mind, I see it's covered.
Kill Count
Rk. Floosevelt 3
Rk. Aya 2
Rk. Madder 1
Rk. Label 0
Promotions
Rk. Aya promoted to Squaddie. Assigned class: Support. The labs are as we speak working to develop a smoke grenade that will successfully obscure Aya's hair.
Rk. Madder promoted to Squaddie. Assigned class: Sniper. Really capitalising on that one kill.
Rk. Floosevelt promoted to Squaddie. Assigned class: Assault. Pretty appropriate, I think. Sq. Floosevelt may now choose whether he is equipped with an assault rifle or a shotgun, @Theodore Floosevelt. (If it were up to me I'd pick AR because you have good aim, but if you want to be a boomstick-toting mofo I am happy to defer to your wishes)
Okay that went pretty well. I got lucky, I could have easily lost Aya and Label. Woops!
Is the format okay? I am going to screenshot-spam the hell out of this LP so if I need to reduce image size or something because of load times let me know.
also the squad banter is great, smof
and AR please!
MRS?!?
THAT'S NOT PART OF THE DEAL SMOF
UNLESS IT IS, LIKE, I AM SO MIGHTY THAT I CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS TWO OR MORE MISTERS AND SO MUST ALWAYS BE DESCRIBED IN THE PURAL TENSE
BUT STILL I DO NOT RECALL THAT BEING PART OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT
HEY MAYBE NEXT TIME YOU ALL COULD SAVE A SPACE MONKEY FOR ME, EH? HA HA!
BUT GOOD SHIT THOUGH TEAM! WE'VE GOT THIS PLANET!
(i think the format's pretty good. the dialog's kinda neat, but it might get tough to keep up over a whole playthrough, i dunno.)
suck my glorious mane, xenos!
Surname: Fisk
First Name: Gregoire
Gender: hopefully male, with a name like Gregoire
Additional Info: Full faced helmet, bright red armour.
Thanks!
The dialog is really just to help convey what's going on. The alternative is showing a pic of literally every mouse click, or just narrating it. This way is more fun for me. Hopefully it's not annoying.
@Rankenphile, oops. If you really care I will remake you as a dude. But I think you look pretty badass with your beret and shades!
I only got screwed over by this once when a Floater teleported over my head, into the geometry, and one-shotted my support class.
I got screwed over time when a Floater got stuck in geometry but I didn't realize it. I had to use had crashes to figure out the exact spot that it was OK to shoot it in (because it could shoot me from anywhere?).
So other than that, just use Ironman dude!
Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooomed.
Intermission Base Report
Sq. Aya and Rk. Label will be spending 6 and 17 days in the sickbay respectively. As I want to have at least two full squads plus some reserves, this means we need to recruit some new soldiers.
I now also take a look at the base schematic. I only need to excavate one cell in order to have a fully open top row, which should save on some money early on. Though the second row is going to be expensive, eesh. I set the engineers on excavating that cell.
March 08 - Excavation is complete. I can't build anything yet though.
Also the new hires arrive. Welcome to the project Rookies Gatz, Lobo and Fuzzbutt
March 09 - Dr. Vahlen completes her research on the alien weapon fragments, and begins research into Experimental Warfare.
March 13 - a small UFO is detected in the skies over Japan. Raven-1 is dispatched and successfully intercepts and takes down the target. A fresh squad of rookies is sent to engage.