[url=#user_comment_198629]@Aradraugfea[/url]: SHIV's don't benefit from cover, but they have innate +20 Defense that's the same as being in cover, not to mention they're resistant to critical hits.

And this is why Jo doesn't play Sniper often.
All failed attempts at humour aside, why would ANYONE have
a; The sniper at the front
b; No supports
c; Everyone right next to each other?
Engie has a lot to learn about X-com.

[url=#user_comment_198854]@Iki[/url] You can, if you don't mind massive casualties and progressively higher wipe rates.

Hardcore Classic?

So where's the mind control?

[url=#user_comment_198744]@Dome[/url]: Someone DID mod that out. The whole 'kill team-mates' is apparently rather simple to mod - I don't remember how, but the mod-maker gave instructions to un-mod what they did if you're a masochist. It also does stuff like make the game longer (optional), unlock more options, etcetera.

[url=#user_comment_198854]@Iki[/url]: Yeah no, you can't do that here. You can only target aliens with your weapons. Specifically targeting cover is left only to grenades and rocket launchers, and you only get to use one of each per soldier that has them equipped.

I haven't played the new one yet... Can you not go for the good old tactic of simply moving in a wave across the map blasting every object in your way to pieces with lasers? :/

As to skills, there are very few "must take" abilities. Mostly they depend on playstyle. I personally love squadsight compared to Snap Shot, but having a variety available is never "doin it wrong". Lightning Reflexes on the other hand...OMG that ability's awesome.

[url=#user_comment_198793]@Keradi01[/url]: No, but especially on Ironman the times a squaddie panics and moves, or panics and kills the alien (had it happen), aren't as memorable/annoying as when the squaddie turns around and shotguns the escort, or the times they just all shoot each other starting from when one guy took poison.

[url=#user_comment_198771]@Tridus[/url] no you're not. Snapshot is far superior to squadsight. 1 Heavy - titan armor 3 support - Titan armor medics 2 snipers - upgraded arcangel armor disks, etherials, anything dies fast. i can swap one support for an extra heavy but i prefer 3 support. Squadsight is crap on ships

This comic reminded me we are just 5 days from NS2 official release, yay!!

Seriously, always do recon with your rookies. Nobody cares when they die.

Before panic: Flat top dude with shotgun
After panic: Flat top dude suddenly got assault rifle.

That's XCOM!

That is so true..
Those panic attacks are the worst!!
xD

[url=#user_comment_198766]@Adahn[/url]: No kidding. One of my favorite ways to scout is to use the battle scanner that snipers get since you can chuck them without alerting the aliens. But sometimes I see the aliens teleporting as a result. Like the game decided they wanted them someplace else.

[url=#user_comment_198749]@Lobster[/url] I'll have to give a try, thanks. Does it work if the sniper's obstructed, or can they just shoot on anything anybody can see even if there's a wall in the way?

[url=#user_comment_198743]@Anonymous[/url] Same here.

Scouting is pretty much luck based anyway with the Schrodinger spawning system the game uses.

Essentially, the number of aliens is set at the beginning of the map but their starting positions are not. They may even spawn in areas opposite to the "noise indicator" or in areas you already cleared.

[url=#user_comment_198740]@Tridus[/url]: I have two that use team vision (the second is in case the first gets injured) and spec all my other snipers as squad marksmen, with snap-shot and all the other high-mobility skills.

I wouldn't play classic without heavily modding the game. First I would mod out the fact Aliens are given cheats aka they get +aim and +crit for no reason but to punish someone for wanting to play against the unshackled AI. Then you have the idiot who made panic=sometimes murder own team.

[url=#user_comment_198740]@Tridus[/url] Squadsight is GOD. Snap Shot is a fairly meh ability in the first place, it's useful, but not that great. Compared to squadsight it might as well not exist. Seriously, if you're not using squadsight on every single one of your snipers you're "doing it wrong".

I feel like I'm having ridiculous luck when it comes to panicking soldiers, since 90% my panicked soldiers elect to shoot at the aliens. Who are behind full cover. AND ACTUALLY KILLING THEM. It's like panicking are making my soldiers BETTER somehow.

Am I the only one using snap shot instead of team vision on snipers?

hue hue hue hue

Am I the only one that actually has panicking soldiers NOT kill everyone else on the team? I mean sure they usually move to a new spot just a few feet away (usually in worse cover than they originally had) or bunkered down even though like five aliens have them in their sights, and are flanking them

Well, as aliens can go on "overwatch" only after you've "activated" them first, you truly deserve to be wiped out for sending sniper scout ahead while knowing there are aliens on overwatch ahead.
Also, new XCOM is like some arcade. I want 3 hours of my time wasted on it back!

[url=#user_comment_198680]@Maze1125[/url]: Maybe the surviver is actually a second_from_the_right guy, he just moved deeper into cover as part of his panic action...

@XCOM Commander: You don't want your snipers moving much anyway. Before entering any area your instinct tells you is dangerous, set up your snipers so they are in range of it.

Once you get the team shared vision upgrade for them you are laughing. Two shots from a sniper can take out anything

Important fact: The alien of the left is called Bob.

Funny, it never happened with me. My whole team is usually wiped before even moving XD I never saw them shooting in reaction to anything.

Either play the original or wait for the mod that turns it into the original.

During the panic the survivor switched from using a shotgun to a using a rifle. That's unpossible!

Classic X-Com momment!!

I'm playing on Hardcore Impossible, and it works a lot like that. If you have a team wipe in the first two months you have to start the game over.

I give JP bonus points for having the sniper overwatch with his pistol, because that's the only thing you can do after moving.

So, it's a Dwarf Fortress with guns?

[url=#user_comment_198595]@Exomedia[/url]: The shiv doesn't benefit from cover, and thus gets dropped faster. I'd much rather run an experienced, well equipped Heavy than a shiv. That said, I'd say this properly represents the classic X-com experience. If anyone survived a mission in the original game, it was a success.

If you scouted with your sniper, you deserved to die.

also hurray for X-COM!

[url=#user_comment_198592]@RoflCat[/url]: wouldn't you smile all the time if you were some baddass alien ripping everything apart and creating zombies? they are just having fun!

Who moves their sniper ahead of the group. They should be kept far back. Not that it would've helped with recruits anyway.

I like the hair.

In the comic, is it 3 supports, 2 assaults 1 snipah?
I typically roll 1 heavy, 1 snipah, 1 assault, 2 support and a shiv. Feels very balanced and flexible for me!

Why aren't those chrysalid smilings, I swear they're always smiling.

The smile...

Also, sniper scouting, wut.