Can You Beat XCOM : ENEMY WITHIN With Only Explosives?

"Commander! You may want to instruct your men to exercise restraint when using explosiv-"
"I HEARD YOU THE LAST 47 TIMES, VAHLEN."
You know how in XCOM the entire survival of the human race is dependant on your scientists reverse-engineering alien technology in a desperate arms race against the alien invaders? What if you just blew up that technology every time you found it?
Or, put a bit more clearly, can you beat XCOM Enemy Within while only using explosives? If Dr. Vahlen ever shuts up about it, I guess we'll find out.
|| MUSIC ||
Lobby - Quiplash XL (Jackbox)
Background B - Bomb Corp (Jackbox)
Lobby - Fibbage 2 (Jackbox)
Meat Grinder - Katana Zero
Background A - Bomb Corp (Jackbox)
Ancient Forest Chase - Monster Hunter World
Plock Beach - Bowser's Inside Story
Data Analysis Minigame - Role Models (Jackbox)
Breath of a Serpent - Katana Zero
Mario Circuit - Super Mario Kart
Doppelganger - Maximum Carnage
All for Now - Katana Zero
Tip of the Spear - Halo Reach
Doppelganger - Maximum Carnage
Ceastus Metalican - Warhammer 40k Mechanicus
|| Lemon's Socials ||
Twitter | / thebacklogs
Discord | / discord
2nd Channel | / thebacklogsshortcutunl...
|| Support the Channel ||
Patreon | / thebacklogs
KZbin Members | Click "JOIN" below the video!
|| Business Inquiries ||
Email | [e-mail]
#thebacklogs #xcom #challengerun #enemywithin

[@Drave_Jr.]

I love how when you unlock Gas Grenades "Why do I need this?" and then you realize poison kills enemies and gives weapon frags "I need it"

[@jinn8465]

Scientist: "You need fragments right? Use these." Lemon: "Does it explode?" Scientist: "No bu-" Lemon: "NOT INTERESTED!" _A few days later._ "So uh... that grenade you mentioned..."

[@ZKP314]

I LEARN THIS NOW?!

[@sirbill_greebi3811]

"Sir! There are civilians!" "Then use your gun, lieutenant." *Checks pockets "Ah hell." "Yeah that's right, we forgot them at home."

[@red_ruby4881]

This whole run can be described as: Council: "You call throwing explosives at aliens a strategy?" Lemon, a madman: "Hey, as long as M A S T E R P L A N works"

[@spartanonxy]

I think its more like this. Council: "Um commander wha what are you doing?" Lemon: *insane giggling while loading napalm rockets into launchers while sitting on a crate of tac nukes and chewing on a hand grenade* "Nothing why do you ask?"

[@Never_heart]

You forgot the gothic choir singing their hymns to Firebomb Goddess in the background

[@ArgentWolf95]

Dr Vahlen's worst nightmare come true! The Commander's solution to all problems: EXPLOSIVES!

[@Greendawn-di3dl]

They say they are still tallying the property damage and loss of life; they havent even begun to rebuild.

[@frozenheartedgiant8330]

"commander, you may want to instruct your men to exercise restraint when using explosives" "Woman, you may want to shut the hell up"

[@JohnSmith-ox3gy]

@@frozenheartedgiant8330 Hahaha, 20mm autocanon goes BRRRRRRT!

[@darkcat6793]

Council: Commander our scientists have not yet researched this item if we research this item it might me more valuable meaning we can earn more credits Commander : SHUT UP

[@ChRiAn0815]

I can't wait for this run in X-Com 2.

[@jegger2143]

Listening to you explain the 'MASTER PLAN' has the exact same energy of someone screaming about how everybody though he was crazy and how he'll show them all. Respect

[@Burning_Marshmallow]

I mean, they are a crazy person, it’s just about wether or not it actually works.

[@aclaymushroomwithaberet7084]

They'll see. THEY WILL ALL SEE

[@ChargeQM]

That's like the third or fourth tenet of the Firebomb Goddess

[@sosogo4real]

Ok Jegger.

[@iansysoev9462]

AMOGUS BACKLOGS THAT'S BRILLIANT

[@jackofminds8338]

The line "WHY CAN'T YOU BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER!?" absolutely cracked me.

[@kalogheros72]

I didn't get it, is it a quote or just random?

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

@@kalogheros72 There's a brand if margarine called "I can't believe it's not butter," and it's something that gets joked about a lot.

[@kalogheros72]

@@peculiarpangolin4638 ah thanks I actually saw it in a meme once but didn't remember

[@bradleymoore2797]

I cracked up at the 'The aliens have learned how to use explosives.' part. 23:25

[@NirielWinx]

Honestly it's not that hard to believe. Most things aren't butter. 🤔

[@hmsquared8603]

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you are turning into a master storyteller, Lemon.

[@BirnieMac1]

I love how fast the channel is growing, Lemon deserves the love

[@limitbreak2966]

too true, his videos almost always help me if I start having a panic attack cause he’s great at storytelling and gets me super invested to the point I eventually end up forgetting that I was even anxious in the first place, the videos being long helps just the same too!!

[@Kundasonismyname]

When did you say this before

[@hmsquared8603]

@@Kundasonismyname I believe it was a comment on one of his Bloodborne videos? But I’m not actually sure.

[@Kundasonismyname]

@@hmsquared8603 then you LIED

[@beesforbreakfast]

I'm intrigued to see how Support MECs work out for this! The enemy AI still recognises them as troopers, so actually taking advantage of the distortion field means putting multiple guys quiiiite close together; this is how you tell XCOM "thank you for the good times, but I am now ready for all the AoE horror you can spare"

[@Huuluon]

⁰0

[@Malkontent1003]

To be fair, "AoE horror" is the definition of this run.

[@winglessdraco4865]

28:21 "He has reached his final form. A firebomb made flesh." THAT IS SUCH A BADASS SENTENCE!!!

[@shadowrosegaming3566]

And yet also terrifying

[@SinHurr]

Drop the pretense of flesh

[@MZZE-my7hz]

The "ANSWER ME" is still one of my favourite jokes. I forget it's coming every time and it always gets a laugh out of me lol

[@Project_Tristan]

“Honey stop everything you’re doing a new Backlogs video is out!” Also big congratulations on 200k Lemon, keep up the great work!

[@MagWasMinimal]

Can't wait for the return of PaPa bear after he turned the planet into a firebomb. That's some devotion to his goddess right there.

[@Project_Tristan]

Love the callback to the SHIV only run at 23:36

[@MatthewHolevinski]

That line slayed

[@Integer_Overload]

There's just something about Saturday morning Lemon content that just hits right. Thanks for your work bro

[@neophyteredglare961]

I found your channel recently and i can say that surprised how much quality content you managed to put even in the early stages of your channel, you have a lot of talent, also congrats for the 200k subs

[@Zorgdub]

What a great XCOM run. And the narrative really took this to the next level.

[@jacobdavis7582]

I appreciate the Maximum Carnage music in the double sectopod fight, considering how much that game loved to throw double bosses at you

[@1stDarknight]

I greatly enjoyed the Mechanicus soundtrack to wrap up the video and challenge. That beat is always amazing.

[@Will-mk5pj]

Ah, the “say goodbye to weapon fragments” run. Oh the pain…

[@amygdala4109]

After a few stressful and emotionally draining few weeks its nice to see some more of the funny lemon play some videa games.

[@QuintBlitz]

Ah, explosives. Man's answer to the non-question of "If violence didn't solve the problem, you didn't use enough violence.".

[@MiseryLovesCompany263]

So so thrilled to see someone doing challenge runs on my favorite game franchise!! Can't wait for you to dig into War of the Chosen, you're going to LOVE it 😄

[@purplehaze2358]

Ah, proof that explosions are truly the answer to all of life's greatest problems.

[@PlebNC]

Nature's lockpick and bomb disposal tool.

[@blakebroacher9509]

I LOVE SENSELESS FLAME AND EXPLOSIONS WOOO All in all, I mostly love seeing you take the most chaotic form of attack and make it the most focused style of your channel. Also, I never knew there was a bad ending. Was that from letting the world burn for a month straight?

[@supernova2459]

that was the firebomb ending, only attainable by Lemon's editing skills

[@peterdavis7695]

Aside from the wonky free-aiming on the grenades, the 10% miss chance on the rockets, and the mildly glitchy behavior of the proximity mines, I'd say explosives are the LEAST chaotic form of attack in this game. Other than the Mec-Trooper's punch, which also does fixed damage and is easier to aim...hm...

[@Wendy-zhou]

i gotta say, those funny little one linear gots me every single freaking time. like central saying "answer me" as if he is a skeletor. ahhhhh just hilarious, i might have accidentally listened to that line (and the previous one in s.h.i.v only) for a couple of hundred times. and heres another interesting idea, i believe lemon is actively characterize papa bear into his very own embodiment in the game. i mean just look at him, taking care of rookies (youngsters), communicating with the fire bomb goodness, and just generally dropping ominous dialogue at the end of the episode, you know, just "another at the office", a nice little add-on for the dad joke for this channel (oh BTW Mr lemon if you can see this, the "master plan" audio can have a tad bit more excitement or mysterious sense in it, now it feels just little bit too plain)

[@danielsurvivor1372]

Only thing left is something silly like "Using only Snipers specialising in maximizing pistol dmg, aka gunslinger build" fun fact the squadsight works with pistols so it can be useful, and it means most of the skills Sniper has can improve the gunslinger playstyle.

[@goreobsessed2308]

I have a feeling that final mission is near impossible they make you go through so many enemies before you can even enter that final chamber

[@the_senate8050]

I would highly recommend trying some of these challenges (or just regular runs) with the Long War mod. It has a second wave option called dynamic war that lets you change the pace of the game (default Long War is about twice as long as the vanilla game IIRC), as well as just being (in my opinion) the definitive XCOM experience, with more classes, more alien classes, more weapon tiers, more items etc.

[@Shaggygottasneeze]

I really wanted to like LW but the fact they gimped chance to hit even more than it was already turned me off of it

[@Jimmyvdpost]

Base game is better

[@the_senate8050]

I'm genuinly curious to know why you think that.

[@sebastienwall5853]

LW is a great time

[@KainYusanagi]

@@Shaggygottasneeze They didn't gimp chance to hit though? They made dodge more useful, for everyone involved. Example scenario: A 75% hit chance is displayed. The game rolls for hit chance, and the result is a graze. The target has 0 dodge, but the shooter has 20 crit. The game rolls, and confirms the crit. The final status of the shot is upgraded from 'graze' to 'hit'. The alien takes normal damage from the shot. Scenario 2: The target has 25 dodge, the shooter has 0 crit, and a 95% chance to hit. The game rolls a hit at base. The game rolls to see if the shot is a dodge or crit, and it comes up a dodge. The hit is downgraded to a graze, and the alien takes reduced damage from the shot. And of course, graze + failure to crit + successful dodge = miss.

[@inominat5940]

I found this channel via the XCOM videos. Glad to see you still aren't done with it.

[@Gremlin23]

I honestly can't get enough of your vids, loved it! Extra kudos for the mechanicus song there at the end.

[@solar_dark3718]

Thanks lemon For uploading XCOM again ! Im so bad at the game i can't even complete a normal run on easy difficulty, so its trurly enjoyable to see people like you do challenge runs !

[@zachdrake8564]

Was just watching your other XCOM runs last night cause XCOM is comfy. Nice to see another one!

[@flammingblitz7076]

Nothing makes me happier than seeing another xcom challenge video, thanks for another to the series!

[@Deltaguy447]

By the flame does papa lemon deliver us another feast! Thank you very much, Lemon. Really love how the editting and effort has grown since I subbed way back, keep it up as always!

[@michaelm6172]

Just so you know, If you had the weapon fragments, teching plasma would have given you the beastly plasma rocket launcher, which is more powerful and let’s you curve shots around walls

[@istvanpais]

Your video editing and narration skills are getting you to the top of the challenge run scene, good job Lemon!

[@Orcawarrior2]

Surprised the Blaster Launcher didn’t make an appearance but I guess Valhen had issues researching it since Lemon turned off her voice

[@limitbreak2966]

i posted this as a reply to another comment, but your videos almost always help me if I start having a panic attack cause your great at storytelling and it gets me super invested to the point I eventually end up forgetting that I was even anxious in the first place, the videos being long helps just the same too!!

[@sanguinius6815]

Great video, I'd love an x-com melee only run!

[@MrThewooter]

Ye! Xcom two swords only would Rock!

[@Nomanzo]

We had the Drifter coming to Bloodborne, and Lemon returning to XCOM. I love it. When he mentioned having to get close to the enemies at 1:08, I half expected the Drifter's "close range?!" meme to show up.

[@DEDManGamingWins]

Love the XCOM runs, keep it up Lemon!

[@Sousless]

Mechanicus OST in the end was amazing! Cool run!

[@magolor3219]

19:49 “Power Rangers, assemble!” “Umm, where’s Stick?” *Stick drops in* “Oh there he is.” What is it with this? Why does it put a smile on my face?

[@gwenndvr6636]

I'm so happy to see you playing this game! Love your videos man

[@tomu.3285]

"WHY CANT YOU BELIEVE ITS NOT BUTTER!?!?" god damn lemon that broke me, i sat here laughing my ass off for a full 30 seconds

[@22chiwi]

this makes me wonder if it’s possible to beat Xcom with only modern day weaponry. No lasers, No plasma, and no ways to increase your damage other than reaper rounds and shredder rockets.

[@lordhellstrande2763]

I know people run that and Earth-tech only challenges on the original XCOM so I imagine someone has tried it with Enemy Within...

[@22chiwi]

@@lordhellstrande2763I actually just completed a run like that. I couldn't avoid making the firestorm, though. I don't think it's possible to beat the overseer ufo without one (I allowed EMP on the normal jets because that's something we could reasonably produce, but even then I don't think it's possible)

[@theghoulmaster9566]

I expected the ending to be about how papa bear stays behind to do the biggest explosion yet and destroy the ship but this, this is better

[@mckinleyclqmp8718]

I love you content man it is just unparalleled you help make my days better

[@jesterfield]

Great video once again, i have watched the base defence cutscene over twenty times and laughed so hard my family is starting to give me weird looks.

[@darianclark3980]

Oh yeah! A Classic Challenge from Lemon that involves Firebombs and/or Explosions!

[@marctaco2624]

Even the Elders shall know and fear the Firebomb Goddess.

[@conveant0]

Finishing with Children of the Omnissiah was a great touch. Well done on the run, glad to have found your channel.

[@emberthecatgirl8796]

"Dr. Vahlen?" "Yes, commander?" "Fuck you"

[@aclaymushroomwithaberet7084]

I'm so glad to see the miracle of the firebomb touch another world, may it spread to many more!

[@ikej1200]

I was recently watching some of your older videos recently, and I've noticed that your editing skills have gotten much better over time. Nice work

[@zanderjo]

I've never played Xcom and usually the games aren't my style but I really liked this video. The reason is the way you make the videos. if I played the game I'd get bored in 10 minutes

[@MrTiemos]

The Firebomb Academy is appeased for the winter Edit: also, between you and Settled, I have now keyed the phrase ‘Master Plan’ on the ceiling of my bedroom

[@darkrider4247]

I look forward to these videos every weekend, thank you Lemon!

[@thedarkassasin8316]

Ah yes explosives the weapon that you can rely on that definitely always has a 100% chance to hit Meanwhile in Xcom 2 : WAT!!!!!

[@paragonrobbie9270]

Vahlen is just giving a vacant thousand yard stare as the squad's video feed is entirely taken up by alien weapons and corpses being atomized by advanced explosives.

[@Watz_Gaming]

Yay! FREE EARLY CHRISTMAS!

[@MrRasta3600]

It's hard to watch your XCOM content just because of how much it makes me wanna play through XCOM again for the millionth time. 😂

[@valkyrie16]

The firebomb goddess has granted the earth the final gift...a glorious end in holy flames.

[@emperorkraglint9792]

Nice work on this challenge, perhaps not a difficult one, but one require extreme prejudice in resource control and planning.

[@JayHog1992]

Maybe next time, you should try "Pistols only". Having 6 snipers would make it ideal due to gunslinger, plus you have the ability to never run out of ammo, not to mention the 3 foundry upgrades as well, plus they're still useful during covert missions.

[@sorinsilverheart3200]

That Sectopod reaction is how i imagine every first tine XCOM player reaction. Its just too good

[@KR1EGL3R]

I'm amazed how you've completed the challenge without plasma launcher! Nicely done and congrats!

[@TheDMJoel]

Everytime I see one of your xcom videos I have to replay it. I don't do the challenge cause I am a coward but I always learn how important mecs or explosives are and it makes me way better at the game. Love you my guy

[@jonathanclarkson7379]

Hey Lemon. Its always impossible until it is done has become a favorite phrase of mine. It got me through my black belt test. You deserve way more love than you get. Happy holidays!

[@beebobelferb4164]

Your content is so polished dude. You're one of my favorite content creators in years. Such a great voice too! Thanks for being rad

[@stenanderson1695]

Good use of the Mechanicus music for the ending. Really added to the drama I think.

[@alexg.1764]

ughhhh the Mechanicus music at the end was so good! Thank you!

[@TheReaver1234]

“ROT POTS BABY” I laughed a little to hard there. It’s all the enthusiasm, it’s just to fun.

[@illogicalbear6200]

The use of The Mechanicus OST is much approved!

[@umbaupause]

So wait... in the end... ...All this was just so the weird firebomb cult could get their hands on the ultimate grenade? Worth it.

[@marteronde]

do i smell engine oil and sacred cogs coming up with the mechanicus reciting litanies of redemption and venges?

[@DarkCT]

21:22 ...frankly im just stunned. I know you do specialized runs, but considering how stringent X-com can be im shocked you managed this far. 27:02 HOT FREAKING DAMN, DUDE! YESSS!!! well done! wait. BEFORE Alien grenade research?! Lemon... how are you so damn impressive. were you made by Cave Johnson or something?

[@carbonbeaker409]

Wait.... Combustible lemons (that will burn life's house down).... hmmmmmmm. The conspiracy is real. GlaDOS is the firebomb goddess confirmed? Caroline transcending to become a deity of the Everflame?

[@DarkCT]

@@carbonbeaker409 I know, right?! it's just kind of funny how Lemon mostly connected to throwing weapons. even before the fire, there was taters to roast on it. Lemon is also patient... what you need to let the flame rise.

[@carbonbeaker409]

@@DarkCT The depth you can go to with this is so fun!

[@DarkCT]

@@carbonbeaker409 Glory to the flame! Glory to Johnson!

[@carbonbeaker409]

@@DarkCT May the Everflame burn brighter yet for your devotion!

[@FearNLoathing0]

These videos never fail to amuse, entertain and educate me on the finer points on games I love, thanks for all the fantastic videos!

[@LillieLeafe]

Thought I had already subscribed. KZbin being sus. Definitely subscribed now. Love the content

[@Fjoergyn1199]

Nice touch with the Warhammer: Mechanicus music at the end :) Can't believe you where able to secure the rights to use it! Amazing!

[@AniGaAG]

Me: _Explodes an alien_ Vahlen: "Commander! You might want to-" Me: _Slowly shoves a grenade down an alien's throat_ "You were saying?" Vahlen: "..."

[@markgallagher1790]

This has to have a bit going with 1812 Overture in it. Its explosives, you must!

[@The_Boykisser]

32:50 Is that.....Children of the Omnissiah in the background.... Lemon You are the best

[@strigon012]

Love how Lemon's Skeletor 'Aaanswer meee' is now a recurring joke.

[@bucktheboss753]

The enemy keeps charging: "They'll run out of explosives eventually!" Lemon: Sure 🤣

[@reaperdomain2756]

200k letssss gooo you deserve it man, love your content

[@augustussantos]

26:55 "Holy shit, we actualy won?!" Inspiring words, commander...

[@Spartan117C24]

I've watched this video about 15 times now and I still love the: "Answer me!" 😂

[@NivMrTheFiremind]

Love the Warhammer 40,000 soundtrack at the end. Good touch.

[@thesrow1056]

I like how you actually stick to the challange and figure it out. There are so many challenge mode channels where they instantly use an exploits and bugs without even trying to win legitimately

[@arikaelseptimo1876]

That "ANSWER ME" breaks me every time

[@MuhammadAli-ul6hn]

When you said mecs I didn't scream but had a very content smile because I knew from the start of the run you'd be using the mec mines and grenades.

[@jasontaemon8598]

Excellent choices in music for this video. It really adds a lot to the video and the final song is a personal favorite.

[@zephyrprime8]

Xcom 2's hardest challenge is try to beat the game without wanting to throw it out the window even once.

[@semajniomet981]

A few of ideas for challenge runs next year: - Nonprimary weapons only. This may be a little too easy, as it means that grenades and rockets are available, as are any other utility items. - Secondary weapons only. Differs from above in that you may only use abilities that use pistols and rocket launchers. - Untargeted harming only. Overwatch, free-aiming, grenades, and Arc Thrower is fine, but anything that directly involves targeting an enemy is not an option. This would probably be a little harder.

[@mirjamheijn5214]

Finally we discover what the x in xcom stands for. Xplosives

[@grafkidkat705]

Amazing video as always! Congrats for the 200k, glad to have watched you all the way from 30k onwards!

[@Toskin]

THE FIREBOMBING ACADEMY OF HEADMASTER LEMON CONTINUES!

[@ruthlesace]

The madman using explosives just said "trust me" I'm now very concerned

[@sluff3609]

Glad to see how it works out. I played without mecs and couldn't do it so now I know how it's done. Great job, Lemon!

[@matthewsmith-rw3pn]

Your Xcom content is what drew me to the channel and I'm so happy to see more ☺️ love all your stuff but strategy is my jam 😁 keep up the excellent content mate.