This is.... TERRA!!

[hamds28]

It's the start of May, the Resistance in four ADVENT zones are working for XCOM. There are thirteen ADVENT legions in these four regions, distributed 5, 5, 2, 1. Naturally, the Resistance network in the sparser ADVENT regions are also the weakest. XCOM is out of supplies, the inventory has been stripped, and the black market refuses to trade anything for Bradford's clean underwear. ADVENT patrols over the globe have just been stepped up, making it virtually impossible to scavenge supplies to deliver to XCOM. A third of the active roster is in the infirmary and morale is at an all time low after word got around the barracks that an Alien Ruler is wreaking havoc in Troop Ambushes and that Resistance Havens are facing a barrage of purges. Designs for a prototype armor are nearing completion but Lily Shen insists that papier-mâché, which is all XCOM has left, just won't have the same protective effect.

On the other hand, before supplies ran out, a handful of the new Mag weapons were built and tested to spectacular success. The locations of regional HQs are known in the two heavily patrolled regions. There won't be a second chance to keep XCOM afloat. All the new weapons are in the hands of six elite troopers and a lone squaddie.

This is..... TERRA!!

[Psieye]

I could ask strategic questions, but you're in storytelling mode so do come back to tell how the HQ went.

[hamds28]

I could ask strategic questions, but you're in storytelling mode so do come back to tell how the HQ went.

Oh, this campaign went badly from the start, unforced errors. I didn't find enough scientists, gambled on skipping Lasers anyway, and left too many stunlancers alive on GOps. Playing after hitting the bar with colleagues leads to some rather questionable strategic and tactical decisions.

[hamds28]

HQ was a disaster. Didn't have Predator Armor, so I brought two Snipers, intending to take high ground and cheese the hell out of Squadsight. Two Staff Sergeant rangers for overwatch, a sapper grenadier to blow up easy cover, a really high hack specialist with combat protocol, trojan, and airdrop to feed the grenadier. And the obligatory shinobi. Decision: Combat Protocol on Rocketeer, or on Stunlancer, both which my OW rangers missed. I picked the rocketeer, ranger got stabbed, and Viper King showed up with my snipers trapped on low ground. Then muton pod with snakes run in while I'm trying not to die outright to the giant snake waltzing through my soldiers and clean house. Welp, that's a campaign restart.

[Psieye]

Sounds like my 8-man GOp squad vs Lib3 last night. I'm convinced that high ground is a trap for large engagements. DfA is a nice-to-have bonus, not a must-have.

[hamds28]

I thought that the command pod was going to be the hardest part, because I can't afford to take any solid hits without predator. Hence the double sniper comp while rangers shoot/hunker/smoke/pray.

My experience with Snapshot snipers has been mixed, but I think you're much better at creating flanking opportunities. My 5man GOp squads with snapshotter ocassionally runs into the two Sentries holed up in high cover, and hard to reach without an LR assault. Then I wish I'd brought that DFA who doesn't care about cover. Or I need to start investing in Demolition gunners. Trading 35% rifle shots that may or may not graze while a timer is ticking down... ugh.

I also experimented with making my very highest aim NCE rookies be Infantry Rangers regardless of mobility, and the mid-highish aim ones with low mobility be snipers instead. It seems promising, even though it's a bit rougher in the first couple of ranks when weapon mods aren't common enough.

[Psieye]

2 Sentries in high cover is a happy situation for me. They get impatient if they have nothing to shoot (they won't take 0% shots). They don't realise smoke will expire so they'll blue-move and OW, vaguely thinking they can flank in the future - provided they never see anyone with reasonable (<80) Def. This means they walk out of high cover into dumb positions if the sole-visible tank hunkers with smoke and/or aid protocol.

Naja holed up in high cover (with sidewinder sneks spotting) is when I pray 60% (+20 graze) shots from my snipers can hit (my holo guy had been wounded for many missions).