XCOM Long War Strategy - Episode 2: Early Research, Part Two

[@MoJoPlaysTUX]

Thanks Faleg. The research tree is an absolute maze. it's nice to see the strats to get to the main possible rushes. MJ

[@Faleg]

MoJo PlaysTUX That's true, I took a look at the tech tree diagram while making this video (to make sure I remember correctly) and it really is a maze!

[@massstigma]

Hey Faleg, Great guide! I have two questions for you please. 1-Since so many interrogations give you research credits, other benefits and unlocks. Is it not more efficient to focus first and then the actual research. 2-How important do you think researching the different UFO's are? Bonus question : ) Are different aircraft loadouts more effective against different UFOs? Like having a a couple lasers mixed in with phoenix cannons? Thanks in advance.

[@Faleg]

massstigma Thanks, I'm glad you like it! Questions: 1. It depends on the research - For Lasers, you need Thin Mint, for example, and it doesn't pay off (other than giving you chem grenades and adv. medkits), since Laser Research is fast. For Guass however, it is absolutely worth it to get capture tech, and interrogate a Muton. My rule of thumb is - if the research is long, get bonus first. If it's short, don't bother. 2. Very important. Not only your interceptors deal more damage to researched UFO's, also any UFO you recover (landed, or shot down) will give you more resources if you researched it first - so research UFOs as soon as possible, even if they are way out of range to effectively kill by your interceptors. 3. Yes, they are - Avalanche and Stingrays are of course effective against scouts and fighters, laser cannons are good against everything, but not great, phoenix cannons (improved with Gauss) absolutely slaughters raiders (easy to hit, slow shooting bullet sponge UFO, phoenix makes Swiss cheese out of them in no time), and is a weapon to send out you interceptor on defensive formation and perform well with experienced pilot thanks to good rate of fire.

[@nathanmitchell5550]

Did you mention the trades that you can do with Alien Materials? If I remember correctly (I probably don't remember them all correctly) you can trade Meld, Alloys and/or Elerium for cash, Scientists and/or Engineers. Might come in handy for rushing Gauss or MECs but never trade Meld if your rushing MECs and never trade Alloys when rushing either. Prioritise Engineers then Scientists.

[@MarkZeroGaming]

Did not realize that Alien Biocybernetics was barred behind Alien Computers. Guess I'm gonna have to slightly re-think my planned MEC transition.

[@Faleg]

Mark Zero Gaming Yep, it's quite surprising, but does make sense.

[@MarkZeroGaming]

Faleg Oh yeah, I get it. I guess as a nice side-effect of going for MECs I'll get my Satellite Nexuses (Nexi?) up and running more quickly.

[@Faleg]

Mark Zero Gaming Yup!

[@lucafrix66]

Im going to go ahead and say I am the most unlucky Xcom player I have ever seen.... With friendly skies on my interceptors fail to take down small UFO's consistently, After taking a count of shots taken between 50-75% chance to hit my hit percentage is about 10%..... I have lost 6 guys to aliens hitting shots with less then 10% chance to hit and they crit almost every time. I think i have given up on the war. Just going to live threw all of my awesome youtube Xcom players.

[@Faleg]

lucafrix66 Ouch, that is a though start. But it gets better once you get lasers, and then it just gets easier - of course a streak of bad luck can end even the most successful games - such is war.

[@lucafrix66]

This has been a ongoing streak that ended my 2 yearish game. And now it's just turned into my luck being god awful. It's a running joke with my friends that play with me. Looks at a 90% shot. Well this is gonna miss. Every time lol. Guess im just frustrated with my poor luck as of late.

[@Faleg]

lucafrix66 Have you tried having contingency plans? It helps to have a plan B (C,D,E,F,G...) when shit hits the fan.

[@lucafrix66]

When you blow up cover and miss 4 90% shots in a row that tends to be most of my plans. Only reason i loved mechs.... power fists don't miss lol.

[@Faleg]

lucafrix66 Hah, I do hate when that happens!