fudgedragon

Heh. I knew there was probably a flaw in my logic somewhere. I haven't been playing xcom nearly as long as any of you guys. I did think there was something about them remembering positions, but I couldn't find anything directly about it on the wiki before I posted. Still, I've used that tactic and it kept me safe. Obviously as long as you don't group your soldiers too much the aliens won't be encouraged to use a blaster bomb (although it is still a possibility). I do hope I'm right about a psionics grace period. I'm currently trying to figure out why my tactic works.

I've defeated early base attacks on veteran. In fact your up on where I was. You have just under twice as many guys as I did and my base was the default one. You tactic seems sound. The only risk I can see is loosing your own guys to proximity mines if they are mind controlled. Also there is a cap at 20 active proxie mines I think the best advice I can give is don't let your guys be spotted. My tactic is this Camp guys (usually in teams of 2) out of sight (behind a door or round a corner that you are certain the aliens cant reach). The aliens will only blaster bomb targets that they know the location of. When your turn begins, pop out of hiding and kill any aliens that have showed themselves making sure to leave enough tus to get back out of sight. From what I can gather psionic attacks will start if they spot any of your men (even the tank) on their turn. You shouldn't need to worry about reaction fire either as most aliens will use up all their tus moving If they don't know the location of any of your guys. Hopefully with a tactic such as this you can whittle them down and still prevent penetration further into the base. Just be weary of cyberdisks. They move very fast, are difficult to destroy, and may blow out doors and walls when the pop. So you may loose some cover, and guys. Of course everything goes to pot when turn 20 comes around as then the psi starts.

Just to let you guys know I haven't forgotten about this. I have had tonnes of problems recording however. I'm currently looking into modifying dosbox to meet my needs.

Not really. All I'll say is that I'm running a steam version that has had a *cough* applied to it, so steam doesn't launch when the game does. I'm quite certain that cheat engine is on its default settings. I'll have a look later just in case but all I did was start interceptor.exe with the create process button on the process list screen. In a way I sorta expected it not to work for everyone. It seemed sort of fluky even though it works for me all the time. I wonder if its anything to do with how our individual hardware handles debugging. Sorry it doens't work. I sorta just threw this out here on the off chance that it works for someone else.

What I've always believed that the heavy laser was meant to replace the Heavy Cannon/AP. Its the heavy plasma that doesn't fit, due to the damage it does and the speed I've always coincided it a Heavy Plasma Rife. Given the many parallels between UFO and Terror from the Deep you would assume this to be true there as well, accept the took the basic plasma weapons, removed their auto-fire, and ramped up the tu usage a bit to create the sonics. Putting the sonics from terror from the deep in a sort of class of their own. This isn't really the fault of sonic or guass but instead of the massive resistances to anything not sonic that most terror from the deep aliens have.

I was mucking around with with no strategy x-com a few nights back. I installed Interceptor off of steam onto XP knowing about the problems I made a couple of efforts to avoid the problem. First I tried using virtual PC, I wasn't that pleased with the results, first I had to de steam my game so I could execute it in 98, then the mouse didn't really work right in game, even with mouse intergeneration off, and I think it lagged slightly (8mb video memory) next I considered actually duel booting but that wasn't an option, my graphics card is an 8 series nvidia. the last card that nvida did 98 drivers for was a 6 series, so that was out. Then I tried using the directx dlls from the older version of direct x by dropping them into the interceptor folder. I have a feeling that would have worked but Microsoft has removed some entry points form Kernel32.dll between now and 98, And I couldn't get it to look at the kernel32.dll from 98 that I dropped into the program directory. I assume it was hard-coded. That failed too. Finally the thing I wasn't expecting to work, worked. I downloaded the program Cheat Engine, with the intention of having a look at the memory at the time of mission generation. I started my de-steamed version (I did a test and I'm afraid to stay you cannot start the game this way if it is steamed) using the create process function of cheat engine. Played through about four months with none of the bugged stuff appearing, and then I got a pirate base, so I headed to attack it, and saved my game before I attacked. Mission loads, and there was a pirate base. I tested this a number of times using that save-game. When stated with the Create Process function of cheat engine, the base was there. When started normally, it wasn't. I then started the game again through cheat engine and went on to conform the same thing with data jamming probes. I don't know weather this is a fluke of my hardware or weather cheat engine does something differently when a game is stated with create process. I know it can alter direct x parameters so it obviously intercepts its calls, it may do the same with calls to the kernel. I have no idea. But it works for me and I'm able to play xcom interceptor on XP service pack 3 with no problems at all, with full 3d acceleration, a joystick if I so choose. The complete game as Microprose intended it. So to summarise. Find a way to de-steam your game. I'll leave this up to you. If you can understand what I was talking about above, you should know what I mean. Download and install Cheat Engine. The version at time of writing is 5.5. The programs site is here. I've used it before. As of my knowledge its clean. Run cheat engine, click the flashing computer icon and press the 'create process' button Select your de-steamed interceptor.exe Play the game as normal I'll be interested to see if this works for anyone else. I also wonder if now that I've found this, someone with slightly more knowledge of how cheat engine works can figure out exactly what's wrong with the game and fix it. Fudge Dragon

The main difference I think is the cityscape. UFOs come in big rushes rather than one at a time (most of the time) in the original x-com. they are a lot harder to shoot down, due to your number of interceptors compared to the number of UFOs. I also swear most UFOs focus fire when they get together. I don't do this but most people recommend buying a swarm of hoverbikes, or a mix of hoverbikes and hovercars and equip them with ether bolter lasers or janitor missiles. Sell all your road vehicles their sort of useless, as the UFOs don't move straight along roads. Another thing is damage to the city is not appreciated, so if you want to keep key corporations (that might I add you are buying weapons, ammo and vehicles from) happy, don't blow up their buildings, instead fly your craft lower than the ufo's so that if anyone does damage to the city its them. It'll still detract from your overall score slightly but corporations will actually like you more, as you are opposed to the force that put a hole in their wall. remember to keep an eye on where the UFOs go. when you see them making a drop note it. And when the air battle is over send your men in to investigate the building. Which brings us on to tactical. The tactical is also different. You need to make your own choice between turn-based and real-time. Some people say turn-based suffered because of real-time. some people say the opposite. The main difference is that some enemies are more or less deadly in turn-based depending on weather you spot them in your turn or not. The main difference in real-time is that your men are slightly more autonomous, depending on their stance setting. Oh and you can duel wield for full benefit (It's pointless in turn-based as even with a weapon in both hands, it still takes the same number of TUs to fire one, and you get the accuracy penalties). On the hole tactical is less deadly than previous games, although their are some weapons that can kill you outright, but most of them are later on. even after you've cleared up the drop, keep an eye on the alien infiltration graphs for a day or so after the UFO drop. If an organisations starts to rise, check the buildings owned by that organisation near the previous drop sites. In fact in light of this I've started writing down drop sights. Oh and psionics. Its less useful than in UFO and TFTD. Humans cant do it to save their lives and hybrids, which you will learn to recognise by the eyes, who can do it are worse soldiers on the whole. The main thing is it requires line of sight, and functions slightly differently in real-time (drains energy constantly for all attacks, takes a while for panic and stun to take effect. Can only maintain attacks for as log as one has strength. If either participant breaks line of sight the attack ends.) and turn based (Needs line of sight to start with a one time energy drain for each attack that takes effect immediately. Control is maintained until it is your turn again, even if Line of Sight is broken in this time.). That's about it for my knowledge. I'm not the best and I don't play on superhuman. Maybe Jordos or someone else with a bit more knowledge will appear and shed some more in depth light.

No Entries this week. Sat down to record this afternoon and found I just wasn't in the mood for a strategy game.

The video problem should be fixed now. Let me know if there are any more problems. It was another case of my naming not being unique on the videos. I'll leave you to speculate on the bodies, but you'll probably be disappointed with the route I take. The problem with cyberdisks is their insane reactions. I don't think I could have got N out of the vessel, fired a rocket, and made it back inside (as there were other targets about) in one turn. During the alien turn he would have been shot and died. The other problem was of course the cyberdisks were effectively in 3 groups. 2 ground floor behind the skyranger. 2 ground floor beside the shops and 1 second floor behind the skyranger. Explosions only hit one floor.

No. Most Certainly not. Imageshack has been a bit screwy on that account. My masters are round the right way at any rate. I'll see what I can do about correcting it. EDIT: OK I think I've figured out whats going on. For some reason when I upload the part 2 with commentary it is overriding part 1. I imagine the names must be too similar. I'll fix it later. EDIT2: Changed the naming on my master files and now they seem to upload properly with no problems.

I just don't understand it. The file is fine. But I've uploaded it again and its doing it again. Good to hear you like the commentary though. Its not a particularly easy process. The hardest part is lining the commentary up with the audio and video on the dosbox recording. It was slightly easier with the next recording I've done as I lead in with a starting recoding in 5. The first time round I hadn't considered it and was lining it up based on the audible clicks of my mouse. It was hard work. Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 23.01.1999 7:53PM GMT I've bundled together and sent off the excess corpses and gear for a nice tech bounty from the council http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/9388/geoscape000.th.png The boys in the lab are desperate to get their hands on a live alien, but we currently have no where to contain one. I've ordered the construction of an alien containment. I also used the tech bounty to start the next part of my plan for making the base more defenceable. I've ordered the construction of two new hangers in the north of the base and ordered the old living quarters pulled down, as the men have long since moved into the new ones. http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/153/geoscape001.th.png Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 26.01.1999 0:00AM GMT Our long range radar array finished today. Now we should be able to detect a greater range of alien activity. Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 27.01.1999 0:00AM GMT Our laser rifles have finished. I've ordered the old rifles swapped out for them on the skyranger. I wonder if I can get away with ticking "Unfit for Purpose" on the manufautorer returns form. http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/257/geoscape002p.th.png Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 29.01.1999 4:00AM GMT We've picked up another blip. But its far larger than anything so far encountered. The aliens must be up to something. I'm sending Interceptor Two to take a look. http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/7650/geoscape003a.th.png Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 29.01.1999 5:50AM GMT The alien vessel landed before the Interceptor could reach it, the worrying thing is that it has landed in population center. The Russian city of Novosibirsk and we are already getting reports of civilian deaths. We are heading there now in the hope of preventing further deaths. http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1622/geoscape004.th.png Entry Ends Tactical Log recording begins Elhedel: I can see a UFO on the Ground Sir. Fudge Dragon: OK put us down. Arm up people... LZs gonna be hot http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8015/geoscape005.th.png Tactical Recording (Part 1|Part 2) OR Tactical Recording with Commanders Commentary (Part 1|Part 2) Bucket-san: Are you alright sir. Fudge Dragon: No, there are many ways I am not all right. I said the LZ would be hot but I didn't expect that. We left the bodies of our fallen comrades on the field. Leave me be. I need time alone with my thoughts. Tactical Log recording ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 29.01.1999 12:01PM GMT Mission Summery Aliens Killed 4 Civilians Killed By Aliens 15 XCOM Operatives Killed 4 Mission Rating> TERRIBLE! Casualties in the line of duty Mr Maniac II Elhedel Harkov Zombie We failed, I failed. The aliens have stepped up their plans, we faced weaponry against which there was no apparent defence, an alien tank, shaped in a mockery of our classic view of a flying saucer. Maybe they've used them as scouts in the past. Maybe that's why the image is so iconic throughout the world. Whatever the case I saw those things shrug off the effect of multiple armour piercing hits, even a high explosive. We downed one but were overwhelmed. We were surrounded and gunned down as we left the ship. The image of those devices will haunt me forever. There is no point wallowing in the past however. I've put in an order for the equipment we lost, both from the council and from the lads in engineering. Now I need to figure out how to explain our failure to the council. They are going to be very interested in the attack. Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 30.01.1999 3:00AM GMT The men in the lab have finished analysing the samples of alien metal. Apparently its a super-strong alloy that we can replicate. http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4307/geoscape006.th.png They also had some ideas for a suit of armour, and given our last mission I told them we needed it yesterday. Apparently they already have some ideas so it shouldn't take too long. http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9504/geoscape007.th.png Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 30.01.1999 8:00PM GMT Most of the replacement gear has arrived. The men are however taking their time. Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 31.01.1999 5:00PM GMT The laser pistols are finished. We are now back to weapon capacity. Entry Ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 01.02.1999 0:00AM GMT http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5328/geoscape008.th.png Well. It was going to happen eventually. I was called before the council of funding nations for what they called our monthly project review. They were on the whole happy with our performance so far, rating it as Good. Russia however was not so complementary, calling attention to our blunder in Novosibirsk. They've lowered their funding contribution. I fail to see how that will ever help anyone, but that's how this review works. Entry Ends

Yes.. Yes..... Definitely an alien sleeper agent. I'll be watching you.

OK noted. That is one extensive background. I'm a little confused about how a man from the middle ages or earlier was able to fly a UFO, considering how little about the navigation systems we currently know. Unfortunately my character will see this as the possibility of you being an alien sleeper agent, so unfortunately you're gonna be bunking with our resident xenophobe Bucket-san until further notice. Expect headaches from a through interrogation... every night before bed. At least until you prove yourself. If he remembers anything that might help pin down time period or culture let me know.

Yea OK, I'll see what I can do. What I use tends to depend on TU's and range. You fired the final shots of the mission on autoshot. That's gotta count for something. Right, I've recorded the next part, I'm now writing it up and editing it for the commentary. It was a right disaster. I don't want to ruin it but by a combination of tactical errors and the worst deployment in the universe we lost 4 men. One of you has died before. I'll leave it at that. Upload in the morning.

well mosses there aren't any openings par-say but I'm sure the aliens will create one at some point. I'm also going to rotate squad and equipment assignments at the start of each month. Give everyone a chance not to get shot. If I could however direct you to the same thread as Akritedes did as people who don't fill out a council of funding nations form tend not to get heavy weapons insurance. (Read. end up as scouts.) Now the tactical mission. When you get to the files I've left a surprise. Tactical Log recording beginsBucket-san: We've been circling Siberia all day sir. Whatever caused those reports are long gone now. Fudge Dragon: I hate to admit that we let some get away but I'm inclined to agree. Turn round and head for home. Bucket-san: Yes Sir. Mr Maniac: Sir, I've got radar on the radio. They've got a small blip on Iceland. Fudge Dragon: Bucket-san fuel status. Bucket-san: Half a tank sir. We could possibly make it. Fudge Dragon: Maniac, tell HQ to send Interceptor One to keep an eye on our guests, Bucket-san, take us to Iceland. Maniac and Bucket-san: Yes Sir. Fudge Dragon: It's going to be a long night. Tactical Recording (Part 1|Part 2) OR Tactical Recording with Commanders Commentary (Part 1|Part 2) SmaSh rounded the corner and came face to face with one of the Gray aliens. He quickly lifted his pistol but before he could fire, there were three quick bursts of laser fire and the alien fell to the ground a hole through its back reaching its heart. Elhedel stood calmly on the other side of the room, pistol held levelly at the now dead alien. SmaSh: Thanks. Elhedel: No problem. Shall I check out the engine room too. SmaSh: No I'll go. Your a kill up on me and I can't have that. SmaSh: SmaSh to Dragon. The UFO is clear. We've won Sir. Fudge Dragon: Good. Get to work on breaking this thing up. Then we can all go to bed. Tactical Log recording ends Log of XCOM High Commander Fudge Dragon, 21.01.1999 2:18AM GMT Mission Summery Aliens Killed 9 Alien Corpses Recovered 8 Alien Artefacts Recovered 30 UFO Power Source 1 UFO Navigation 2 Alien Alloys 35 Elerium-115 50 Mission Rating> GOOD! Field Promotions Scrogdog Sergeant > Captain Elhedel Rookie > Sergeant SmaSh Rookie > Sergeant Mr Maniac II Rookie > Squaddie That went well, very well indeed. There were a few hairy moments out there but we pulled through with no casualties. For excellent orders and timely commands I am promoting Scrogdog to Field Captain. His field rank now surpasses mine, but I don't see that as a problem, we both command in different places, and different ways. I have also promoted Elhedel and SmaSh to Sergeants, for valor in the line of duty. Hopefully their example will encourage others to act the same way. If it doesn't they can always yell at them. Finally I have promoted Maniac to Squaddie for proving himself at least as capable as he was before he died. I think we can say he has avenged himself. Ugh now we sleep. We've been up all day. Don't wake me unless the aliens decide to destroy a major city. Entry Ends Well that will probaly be it for this week. I'll edit the videos in as they finish uploading. Tell me what you think of my commantry. It was hard work as I am working with free software and rubbish recording equipment, but it was kind of fun, so I may do it again.