XCOM - How To Play (Part 1) - Timed Phase

[@RullyisJRM]

I just got the game and am so confused by the app's "tutorial." This is far better.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I'm very glad that the video was such a big help to you!

[@MattPula]

Me and my friends tried playing my copy once and gave up because the included tutorial made it too confusing

[@gabrielgrohmann5035]

Great explanation! Tried to do the app tutorial yesterday and it took 2 hours for the first round with many questions still open. Really got tired through that, but now can't wait to play it again. Thanks

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you found it helpful! Have fun playing :)

[@TheBroz]

Thanks for putting the effort in a d posting this. I'm not a board game veteran at all but picked up XCOM as I've been a fan of the franchise since the start. There's lots of learning to do but you've done an amazing job of keeping things clear.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very glad you found it helpful Broz.

[@MarkYale]

Great vid, Rodney! I really liked how you synced up/integrated the application screen. Top notch, sir.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks Curtis. Anytime I have to add in app integration, it kicks up the challenge of the video significantly, nice to know it's helpful!

[@srs-bznss]

Another helpful video from Watch It Played. My friends and I tried playing the game but found the tutorial difficult to follow. I wish we had watched this video beforehand.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Thomas Mittenfelner Glad you found us - hopefully your next play will go smoother :)

[@artemisflow6658]

I have to thank you for both of these videos, helped me set up a few games with friends, truly a brutal blast.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Artemis Flow Very pleased to hear you found it helpful Artemis!

[@Brioshie]

After watching the video I want to play this so much! But i'm seriusly afraid how am i going to explain this to 3 friends without scaring them away

[@WatchItPlayed]

That could happen :) The nice thing is, you can play the tutorial, which will step you through the first few rounds very slowly.

[@AnthonyRossJr1701]

I had the same issue. My buddy and I are both big fans of xcom and after the setup, we played the first 10 minutes, he had a couple bad rolls trying to shoot down some ufos and he gave up. The hardest thing about getting others into it for me, is explaining to people that this is very hard and designed to make you lose. Especially when the expansion set adds another human enemy working alongside the aliens to make you fail. In the PC version, I call bad dice rolls, the "butterfly effect" (not what you're thinking). It's when you're taking a shot 1 tile away from the alien and still miss... like the soldier was distracted by "butterflies" and shot at them instead. I had played a number of run-throughs as single player which isn't as fun in my opinion as co-op, but I like the challenge regardless. This game isn't for everyone. 😞 Another one that the same buddy and I actually did play through was Dead of Winter. Talk about difficult... but co-op games are pretty cool but very underrated

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

There a lots of haters of this game, but I love how it perfectly simulates a panicked situation. Analysis paralysis will not be a problem with this game, either. I'll pick up a copy when my tax refund comes in!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Mr. Horseshoe Hope you enjoy it!

[@ionas82]

I am one of those that dislikes the obligatory app and won't play it. That being said I have to say: yes - that's one way to counter the stupid AP and even alpha player issues if you have a limited time constraint. But then... I didn't even like Space Alert despite being an okay game.

[@jukka-pekkatuominen4540]

ionas82 I wanted to try the app just to see the rules in more detail. But apparently it's not available for Windows Phone. So it's highly unlikely that anyone from my family would play this.

[@ionas82]

Jukka-Pekka Tuominen I am no fan in "video games" in disguise of board games. It opens the box of worms... eh pandora where you have license keys and so on. No resell. No used buys. DLCs etc. Hello video game industry (and its decline). So in this regard if you look at this joke of an application, it could be done in any browser, and thus it could be done on FFGs web page, it is simply not as easy to "hype" - you could do it as a full screen web application on ffg which would run on your windows phone, android, black berry, firefox os, ubuntu mobile and ios. But no. You are EXCLUDED.

[@jukka-pekkatuominen4540]

I haven't been able to look at the application. All I have been able to do is download the app from the ffg website, which is a .zip file that my phone has hard time figuring out. But I will look into it from my computer when I get home. All in all I know now that unless I can use my phone to play this game, I will never buy it. For sure I won't be bringing my laptop around (with the gameboard itself) if I'd go to play this somewhere. And I sure do feel excluded.

[@NoiseMarines]

This game's got a really steep learning curve, but these videos really help out. I'm really glad you specified whether or not units placed on assets cost credits -- I couldn't find that in the game's instructions!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+NoiseMarines Very glad you found this helpful - thanks!

[@DimlerTheDark]

I wasn't aware this existed. I'm excited to get my hands on it.

[@WatchItPlayed]

End up giving it a try?

[@Ottuln]

My all-time favorite video game, played with the Long War mod on Ironman/Impossible. What can I say, I love punishing myself.

[@Tydorstus]

Me too.

[@leckyman2010]

ive been a subscriber for a littlw while now, i really benefit from your tutorials Rodney. Also, as a family man myself, I love being able to watch the show with my five year old and wife without having to explain to my son why there all these beeps going on in mid conversation, like I have had to with a couple of other shows. I'd like to think this is something that you are able to do full time, doing something that you can enjoy.A dream of so many. keep up the good work Rodney.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Joseph Limbrick I have been doing it full time now for a couple of years, thanks to the yearly support given by viewers during our fundraisers. Thanks for the encouraging words, so glad to hear you've found the videos helpful.

[@BeautifulNativeGirl]

Thank you so much for this video. The instructions that come with the game are more confusing than helpful but this makes the game so much more straightforward.

[@WatchItPlayed]

So glad to hear this was helpful!

[@anthonymedves6736]

A lot of people aren't digging it, and I can understand why, mainly because of the app, but people need to remember, if we didn't have that technology you wouldn't be watching this review! ANALOG AND DIGITAL CAN COEXIST! That being said, I will be picking up my copy on Saturday at my local game store. Great review Rodney!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for checking out the video Anthony - have a great time with the game!

[@SunnyNeuroshima]

This video is phenomenally useful. Its helpfulness cannot be overstated. It's perfect. Thanks so much.

[@WatchItPlayed]

So nice of you to say Sunny!

[@vectordream121]

Throughly impressed with the video Rodney! I picked up this board game and this helped immensely. I love the XCOM enemy unknown video game for Xbox/PC so much. If you have never played it I highly recommend it. The expansion XCOM Enemy Within has both the base game and the new stuff.

[@WatchItPlayed]

vectordream I did play the app version :) Have not tried the expansion yet. Too many games, so little time :)

[@vectordream121]

***** I know the feeling! :D

[@CodMillo]

Rodney you're the best to explain boardgame!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very kind of you to say - glad you enjoy the videos!

[@pd8250]

So late to add this comment, but this game is brilliant, maybe it the lockdown, but this is a fantastic solo game. Was a big Enemy Unknown fan, this has a great feelin to that. Really wish more had liked this game, could’ve had more expansions, like a Alien Base 😃. Often watch your vids, always great 👍 Any other fans of this game in UK, would love to meet up an play for expert, feel I’ve nearly fully understood how to win...but always the dice will thwart us...a friend introduced me to this an said it impossible, he also only tried missions that gained, not keep his continent’s out the red..., spend all on soldiers an interceptors...forgot his important research...Virgin Xcom player!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks P D! Glad you enjoyed the video, but especially glad to hear you've been enjoying the game!

[@jimmyjim2]

Hi Rodney. It's at 24 mins in. Although I think I've answered my own question after looking at it again. Because the card doesn't say exhaust then you can place as many as you want, even though it says place 1. Just off to play my first game now! Wish me luck!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+James Nicholls Best of luck!

[@Discalle112]

Great work, thank you shining star off the boardgame community.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Too kind Carl - thanks for checking out the episode!

[@manschristenssons6116]

I really liked this video. Very well produced and you answer alot of the questions that I had even after doing the tutorial. Good stuff, liked and subscribed!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for joining in :)

[@stopdavidlane]

God damn.... this is a great video, thank you.

[@WatchItPlayed]

David Lane Glad you liked it David!

[@kham31]

Great tutorial. I've the in app tutorial but seing it clarify some things. Can't wait to try it

[@WatchItPlayed]

kham31 Very pleased you found it helpful!

[@425suzanne]

I found it helpful to shout "CRISIS" at the top of my lungs when playing the Commander. It really helped Central know I was on top of my job.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Fan-tas-tic. I will be adopting this!

[@jasonsinger4637]

​@@icevariable9600 I play it with my wife quite regularly, we kinda suck but have gotten a few wins now - abuse using satelites to 'suck' UFOs into orbit because if satelites die you don't pay to get them back, you just lose them for a turn, great early on when you don't have other things to use em for. Scientist should focus on squad leader weapons early on as the squad leader seems to be what makes or breaks the game. The sooner you get salvage to the scientist, the smoother your run will go - Also don't push your luck too much - if you're not playing the evolution expansion, taking a few hits to the base isn't as bad as losing 2-3 guys to a bad roll at a high threat level. (as long as you wont trigger the red square in the base defense track).

[@DenisRyan]

Great video! I'm picking up my copy on Wednesday, and can't wait to give this a go! These videos are going to be very helpful. I'm surprised that there's no instruction book in the box. I know the App does it all, but it's nice to have extra reference material.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Denis Ryan I hope these videos will help those who would like some help outside the app.

[@DenisRyan]

I'm going to bring XCOM to the second annual Terminal City Tabletop Convention in mid-March, and teach it to anyone who's interested, along with a bunch of other great games, both old and new. Looking forward to it! Also: Go to bed, Rodney!!! It's 11pm in Vancouver, meaning it's crazy-o'clock on your side of the continent!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Denis Ryan It WAS crazy o'clock by the time I cashed in :)

[@niallcampbell]

First time playing the game last night. Didn’t realise I could place multiple satellites on the Satellite Nexus card!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad the video could help!

[@alaskankare]

Great video. I hope you get some play time in. The instructions seem complicated but I am sure it goes smoothly when playing.

[@WatchItPlayed]

alaskankare When teaching the game, I find by the third round, everyone is usually pretty confident in their roles.

[@SpartanWolf222]

Very much appreciate the clarity of this video. A couple friends of mine wanted me to try this out in Tabletop Simulator and this was a helpful (and full!) video for how to play this game. I'm not too familiar with Fantasy Flight Games, but I imagine from the art-assets, descriptions for everything, and even the app itself that Firaxis helped make this board game. Do you think a board game of the sequel will be something on the way?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Brian Colfxire It would have been something they collaborated on, I'm sure. I haven't heard any news of a sequel to the board game, but you never know :) Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@NostraDunwhich]

Nice work on the video, Rodney. Clear as usual :) However, XCom is not a game I am interested in after you have explained a bit about the app. I am sure it will be the perfect fit for others, but not for me.

[@DenisRyan]

Do you mind if I ask why? I love board games that innovate and surprise, like the first time I played a real-time board game when my friend showed me Escape the Curse of the Temple. I'm delighted that we're starting to see ones that integrate modern technology. I don't want them all to go like this, mind you, but a few clever examples can happily live on my shelves.

[@NostraDunwhich]

I am personally not interested in a real-time element on my board games. I prefer a more relaxed and social interaction Again, I am sure there are other folks for whom such a game is a perfect fit, but not for me. Rodney's video let me know about elements of the game play that do not appeal to me personally, and I appreciate that preview very much.

[@WatchItPlayed]

NostraDunwhich Indeed! I'm just as happy when someone can decide a game is NOT a good fit for them, when they watch these videos.

[@NostraDunwhich]

I appreciate that, and value your work very much. Thank you for all the time you put in making these excellent videos.

[@boardgamecloset]

Thanks for the Tutorial! I can't wait to try this one out.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@boardgamecloset]

as always!

[@Yuki-Seele]

New way to handle that player that takes a little long on his turn? Hmmmm... Kidding aside, excited to see the game and might be picking it up soon, thanks Rodney!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Charlie Besalke Yes, hard to have analysis paralysis in this game :)

[@Encounterpart]

Hello Mr. Rodney! Ecxellent review! I have a few questions if I may: 1) Can a scientist choose not to play a tech card on a given lab (lets say I) but at a later time place tech on another (lets say III)? I would guess no but since it doesn't actually cost money to place tech, only scientists, it might be obligatory. 2) What happens it he wants to play a card but time runs out? 3) How about the Commander and Crisis cards (time also runs out without him choosing and placing a crisis)? 4) In what ways does the app generate and subsequently change the course of the game? -> I've figured the scrambling of communications if and when at least one UFO remains undefeated in orbit ([4b] does it gradually worsen if 2, 3 or more UFOs remain?) and the shortening of time limit for next action after time limit for previous action has expired. But what about final missions, enemies and difficulty? 4c) In what way does the difficulty choose a final mission and subsequent enemies encountered in the game if they are not predetermined for any given mission/difficulty? 4d) And even if the enemies are predetermined by the mission, do they spawn more frequently on harder difficulties? Sorry for bothering you with myriad questions and thanks for your time!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Encounterpart Lets see if I can help. 1) If you choose not place tech at one point in the round, you can still place tech later, in a different section, when directed to. 2) Then you can't play a card. The scientist needs to be spending his/her time planning out what to play, when it isn't there turn to take an action. 3) When the timer is reduced to zero during an XCOM action, a new action will appear on the screen and the current player must IMMEDIATELY stop performing the previous action. 4) These are all questions for the app developers.

[@Encounterpart]

***** Thank you for the prompt reply! I've figured some things out (to the best of my ability) and will mention them in case you are interested: Enemies are not predetermined by the final mission. Same mission can have any number and configuration of enemies. Next, final missions are not tied to the difficulty - they are chosen random by the app and can be changed no problem. Headquarters can also spawn in any continent for any given mission and difficulty. One UFO in the orbit has less chance to scramble the communications than more UFOs. Didn't figure what happens when a continent reaches the red part of the panic counter but I remember something about lowering the funds? It must do something since the app asks dor the information about continent panic. Maybe you know something about this?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Encounterpart If I did at one point, I may have forgotten :)

[@Kristaliorn]

Fantastic, many thanks!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Kristofer Castanie Glad you liked it!

[@ZhangJao]

I know the video is old but if I use a card like Mission Control from the Central Officer, does the unit I move from the reserve cost budget anyway?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yeah, because I shot this long enough ago, I don't recall the answer to this specific question, and I don't have my copy to check for you. Sorry!

[@ZhangJao]

@@WatchItPlayed its okay, thank you anyway for the attention, amazing work

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@ZhangJao Thanks for understanding!

[@dexterdenmark5988]

Very nice video. Thank you gyus!!!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you liked it :)

[@kerstinbergqvist1485]

Good video...

[@lucainvernizzi9715]

Amazing. Thanks!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for checking it out Luca!

[@canisin]

Hey Rodney, great video as usual! I understand that during the timed phase, the players are forbidden from interacting with the board, unless it is their turn (except for their own assets). Is that correct?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yep, you can interact with the board through your Timed Phase assets and tech, but otherwise, unless it's your turn and your fulfilling the action presented by the app, you can't take actions on the board.

[@steveg7000]

Rodney, what motivated you to pick XCOM for Watch It Played? I know sometimes you're sponsored by the publisher, but FFG does their own video promotionals.

[@WatchItPlayed]

It's a game I wanted to feature.

[@steveg7000]

***** Fair enough. Well done. Thanks.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Steve Gale You bet :)

[@ChrisKershaw]

***** If I may, one of the reasons I watch this channel is because I like of his explanations better then I do the publisher videos. He answers alot of questions I feel they don't. I can usually play a game 100% of the time directly after watching one of his videos.Not that the publisher videos aren't good I just like his step-by-step better.

[@leckyman2010]

Chris Kershaw well said . ditto here.

[@michalhycko4560]

Hi I dont know if i get answer for this but I would like to ask you about Asset cards. In video you placed 2 satelites on Asset card and moved 2 UFOs but from card description i thought you can only place 1 satelite to move 1 UFO per turn. Im asking this because some cards has in description to place X number for X action. Do I got that card wrong or maybe baecause there is no limit you can use it as many times you want? In overall its really a great tutorial it really helped me to understand the game before my first play with friends. Thank you for your answer.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Michal Hyčko It's tricky to answer this without knowing which card you are referring to (I don't remember which part in the video you are talking about).

[@michalhycko4560]

+Watch It Played in video its starts 24:12 and ends 24:35. The card says "Place 1 satellite here -> Move 1 UFO on the board to orbit or continent that has not fallen into panic". From my translation of the game(its czech) i thought that you can only put 1 satellite to move 1 UFO per timed phase. But in video you put 2 satellites there and then move 2 UFOs. Now im confused if its works like i thought or if it works like in video cause there is actually no limitation (only by how many free satellites i have). I hope it clarify my question.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Michal Hyčko Yes, you can put several on there. Each one moves a UFO.

[@michalhycko4560]

Ok so i only got it wrong thank you for your answer :)

[@NariAKGMari]

When you use assets does sattelites or researchers get exchausted after the round? Else can't you just use that ability all the time because you have so many satelites?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+NariAKGMari You have a lot of Satelites, but you run out of them quicker than you might think :)

[@NariAKGMari]

Yeah...Think i just got really lucky when i ran through the tutorial not losing a single fight at orbit. But just so im 100% procent clear: If i use satelites/researchers i take them from the "bank" and i can use the ability and after the round i just take them back in the bank again without turning them over? And i dont even have to pay for them? Sound like a good deal to me :D!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+NariAKGMari Satellites also exhaust when used. It's a little tricky to answer some of the specifics for this game, as the game doesn't come with a rule book for me to refer to, and it was over a year since I shot this video. My memory is a little fuzzy :)

[@NariAKGMari]

Its okay thanks for the time, think i will look that tutorial through one more time to make sure i got it all right! :) Keep making theese awesome videoes, always the first place i check when i buy new games! :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

+NariAKGMari All the best (and thank you!)

[@zilbra1]

Can you please make a tutorial on Doom The Board game?

[@WatchItPlayed]

I haven't played that one, so no plans to currently, but thanks for the interest!

[@Jacobstx]

What's the headquarter token used for?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+The Harbo It acts as a reminder of where your HQ location is, and if that location goes out of the yellow panic area, you lose the location ability found on your HQ card.

[@Jacobstx]

Right, so you really don't need that token for anything. It's not like 'If headquarter continent goes into orange panic you instantly lose' or 'UFO's still in this area will damage your base'?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+The Harbo Right - it's just a visual reminder. No specific game mechanic purpose.

[@Jacobstx]

Thank you kindly!

[@darrenmurphy480]

Do you have to use the app.... That would put me off to be honest

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yes, the app is necessary to play this game.

[@darrenmurphy480]

Ah man .... Thanks

[@davidsimpson4046]

Extremely clear and consise! Very professional! Please keep making these... Maybe show a full turn in action?

[@WatchItPlayed]

No plans of stopping :) I do plan to show some game play as well.

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@icevariable9600Unfortunately I didn’t. I don’t remember now what made that difficult to get onto the schedule at the time.

[@ferbyallo]

This guy did again, finally NOW, after 3 years! I can play XCOM hahahahaha, thanks a lot!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Have a great time playing!

[@Borengar629]

Thanks a lot for this video. My wife and I actually just bought the game last week and it is really a bit overwhealming at first. But this video makes it seem pretty simple. Can't thank you enough for it :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

That's so nice to hear. I hope you have a great time playing!

[@gabrielesimionato1210]

Landing tomorrow

[@WatchItPlayed]

Have fun playing!

[@paulthorbjorn]

XCOM is really like one of the best PC games ever, honestly. I'm a bit of an XCOM geek. Think the board game is a great idea.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for checking this out!

[@paulthorbjorn]

***** Got a question that I'm not too sure on. After a scientist researchers his cards, does he have to discard the remaining cards in his hand. Can he for example, research 3 cards, but then keep the remaining 3 cards left over in his hand so that he can research them for round two?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Paul Thorbjorn Yes. During the next round you draw until you have 6 in hand (when the app tells the scientist to draw). So if you already had 3 in hand, you would only draw 3 more.

[@freemanedwards5663]

Awesome

[@CCartman69]

Is there a way to change the difficulty of the game mid-game? Could you go into options and increase the difficulty?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Nope. Once the game has started, you can't adjust the difficulty.

[@CCartman69]

Alright, thanks for the information. I'm definitely tempted try and rope some friends into playing this at the local boardgame cage, and watch the mayhem ensue.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Core Brute Best of luck :)

[@ivellos]

Just bought the game! Thanks for the instructive videos Rodney! You are brilliant!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very kind of you to say - hope you have a great time playing.

[@MarkGiemza]

Great video! Seriously mate, board game makers should pay you to write all their tutorials. I'll save my questions until after I have watched part 2.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Mark Giemza Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@miniblaze4634]

Nice job. You covered a lot and some of the stuff I still had questions about after seeing some other videos that were well done. I still think the game should have come with a complete set of the rules, but the demos you guys do here help a great deal. Blaze

[@WatchItPlayed]

Ronda Gilmore Very pleased we could assist Ronda.

[@Anomaly92]

At 24:08 is it actually possible to move 2 UFOs with this card? For me it looks like you can place one satellite to move 1 UFO and the card is exhausted

[@WatchItPlayed]

My understanding is that Asset cards like this can be used multiple times (unless they indicate a limit in their effect like: Up to a maximum of 2 uses).

[@vmi02raven]

Excellent video, my friend. Your computer graphics skills are increasing with each game. On a side note, I think that's the first time I've ever heard it pronounced as "Sew-th" America. :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you Raven. Or should I say Rewven!

[@vmi02raven]

Touché, my friend...touché. :)

[@jaredsnyder1784]

Thanks Rodney!!! Excellent as always!!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you very much Jared.

[@GShock112]

Rodney? You will review the Expansion won't you?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hey - not likely. I rarely cover expansions. Sometimes I do, but no plans to for this one currently.

[@GShock112]

***** I understand... well you know we've got 100.000+ downloads for the app, many user-made variants and FFG is working round the clock to release it in Xmas time. I think it's pointless to review an expansion if it doesn't change much. Your reviews are "mechanical" and the new cards, miniatures and missions expand the options, risk and longevity but do not change the mechanics. It would be nice to see a gameplay video though (not a review) :-)

[@WatchItPlayed]

I wanted to do a full play through of this, actually - but the real-time element of it, and wanting to have 4 people playing, would have made it a logistical nightmare to record. I just don't have the set up for it currently.

[@mathsteck]

Looks stressful and tense.

[@Ottuln]

Have you played the video game?

[@mathsteck]

Of course I did! I was impressed that they manage emulate the feeling in the board game too.

[@Ottuln]

Matheus Steck Cardoso I was as well. It really gives you that knifes-edge of disaster feel to every decision.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Get a chance to try it?

[@mathsteck]

@@WatchItPlayed Yeah! It is awesome! One of my favourite games to introduce new players to the hobby. It's immersive, stressful but when you manage to beat it... Oh boy, what a feeling.

[@hbguedes]

Thanks, helped me a lot!

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome!