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Topic: X-COM Monday Nights Campaign (Read 4486 times) |
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Jenniza
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The reasons for the recommendations are that we need to locate the alien base quickly. It takes higher precedent that vibroblades, etc.
The requests for Stealth suits have been made several times by Jane and Hadrian.
60 engineers were needed to make the Research Lab 3 happen. We put 36 in last week. 25 should be enough to complete it this week. If we can please verify that with Grace and/or Dr. Wagner, that would be appreciated. (pass buck to LB, please *smiles* )
Repairing the Laser Tank might be useful if we want to have it available again, although technically we have 4 engineers up in the air (24+8 = 32, leaving 4, but, 3 to repair, leaves 1, so I tossed that one to Research Lab 3, so they wouldn't get bored setting up Ikea furniture or playing with a yo-yo. *grins* )
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karvon
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ooc:
Hadrian used up the one HWP repair kit he had last session maintaining our tank.
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vanya mia
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Catalina is a little thoughtful the day after the mission, and often heads into the research labs. Sometimes she peers over the shoulder of those delving into the data they acquired, sometimes she's seen checking the research on the motion sensor and the helmets they all wear. Generally the look on her face is thoughtful, if somewhat undecided.
The expression deepens, if anything, after reading Dr Wagner's email. After the time taken to read it once or twice, and listening quietly, but with the same thoughtful expression to Jane's words, Catalina pipes up. "I don't know Team, one thing I think we may have ignored a little is the use of the motion sensor. We've had them a while and just don't use them as we should."
"We know some of the aliens have sharp senses, as Jane has said, they know we are there at least half of the time. Plus we were a lot more successful last mission as we stuck together, and there's also the fact that they are using security more from the look of it which is risky for those who don't recognise the signs. I'm thinking the motion sensors could well mean we don't need to risk anyone going forward most of the time."
"Used properly and in an organised manner we can learn where they are, and plan an approach from there." Looking at Hadrian and Soheil, Catalina went on. "Some of you may not know of their capabilities, but some of us have been using them for a while. I can tell a fair amount from the size of the signals, but if we had the technology in our helmets added to the things that would help. Plus there may be some way to extend their range."
"I really think the motion sensors could make a greater contribution than the individual support the armour gives." Catalina looked at them earnestly. "The first priority has to be making sure Grace has enough people to leave no doubt about the new lab being completed this week. After that I really think we should make more of them and test out the use of them strategically in the field."
Her body posture and hand gestures affirmed her strength of feeling on this. "I think we need to give Grace the full 30 engineers just in case, get the tank repaired, and make another motion sensor like the ones we have. If and when we can get better ones then we make sure we have enough of a supply and that we use them."
FROM: cat.leaveyourhaton
TO: DR KIMBERLY WAGNER, X-COM RESEARCH LEAD GRACE THELON BELUCA
CC: MEMBERS, ALPHA TEAM;
RE: Motion Sensors
Hey girls
I've a couple of questions about the motion sensors, if you can answer them.
First, do you think there's any chance of the range on them being extended, and second, do you think the technology we have in the helmets to identify aliens more effectively can be put into them?
I've been using the things on and off for a while, so I'm quite happy to come down and assist in any way I can in getting it to work.
Let me know.
Luv
Cat |
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Jenniza
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Jane had to disagree on this, "Finding the base was more important than technology. We must remember to set priorities. AFTER we interview the leader and navigator, and research the cannon, we'll discuss other technologies. Your ideas are fantastic and need to be pursued, Catalina; but, in time. As for the Research Lab, simply asking them what they needed last time is sufficient this time. They needed 60 engineers, we gave them 36, so 25 should do the job. Besides, if you want a motion scanner, you can either have mine, or can a new one by requesting a team of 10 engineers to make one. So we either make a third motion sensor, or you can have mine, or we make the two Stealth upgrades with the tank repair. Can't do the motion sensor and tank repair together and finish the Lab, not enough engineers. I think Hadrian, Vasily, Dr. Allen, Soheil you and I need to balance out the pro's and cons to these decisions then. It's a good case of Motion Sensors vs Stealth, but the repairs are needed too. so you might lose out, since we do have a second motion sensor."
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 10, 2008, 2:57PM » |
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vanya mia
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"I'm not suggesting that we devote any research staff to it, but that Grace examines it in theory, and I help out with a proto type, perhaps," Catalina insisted. "Despite my training in the field I am beginning to doubt the effectivess of individuals scouting a long distance ahead of the group, and think we need to look at an alternative immediately."
"Plus I thought there was some ambiguity in Grace's reply, that 60 was an estimate and that she couldn't guarantee completing with that number." She shrugged. "I could be wrong of course but if there is any chance of a delay because we fail to give her a few extra then that would be ... unfortunate."
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 10, 2008, 7:02PM » |
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Jenniza
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From: Jane Swift
To: Chief Engineer Grace Thelon Beluca
CC: Alpha Team, Dr. Kimberly Wagner, Michael Garret
Re: ETA's of Projects
Greetings, Grace. Thank you for all your help these past months. Once again it's time we figre out mission priorities, so we need figures for various projects to set priorities.
Is it a fair estimate that since last week we provided you with 36 engineers of the 60 needed needed to finish Research Lab 3 that if we provided you with another 25 engineers this week that that should be sufficient to complete the job this week? We are running on a tight budget is why I ask.
Is Project LIGHTNING still on schedule for two weeks roughly? Send our best wishes to the Project team and espectially Buzz when you see him.
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 10, 2008, 3:17PM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane nodded to Catalina, "Understood. If she wants 30 or even all 36, she'll get them, I guess."
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 10, 2008, 3:18PM » |
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Jenniza
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ooc: I guess we are familiar with 7/7 and 9/11 basically falling into the catergory of National or International Memorial Days...
For some of those that serve to aid those in need, I offer this video we saw in the movie theater...
http://www.nationalguardwarrior.com/
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Lazybones
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Rather than responding to the various e-mails, Grace stops by the lounge to deliver her response in person.
"About the lab, I think we can get it done with the two and a half teams you propose. There's always the unexpected problem that can pop up, so no guarantees, but I don't see any issues on the near horizon that would block it."
She turns to Catalina. "Hmm... interesting ideas on the motion sensor. I suppose we could work on extending the range and integrating the unit into the next generation of VDUs for the Personal and Powered Armor helmets. I'll work on some schematics and give it to Doc Wagner to put into the next research summary."
"On the Lightning, we're actually at an interesting stage in the design testing. The craft's Elerium-powered engine has roughly 3x the power of the Skyranger, and the alien alloys make it much tougher. We're debating whether to use that extra power to mount the first of our new Plasma Cannons on the ship. The other option would be to leave off the extra weight and make the ship sleeker and faster, with a greater overall range. Run it by your team, you're going to be using the prototype, so you should have a say."
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 11, 2008, 1:25AM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane thought for a bit, "Thanks, Grace. From what I've heard combat pilots say, they'd always prefer to have a gun for dog-fighting to none at all in any hotzone. I'd confirm this with Ken of course."
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vanya mia
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"Hmmm, not quite what I had in mind, Grace. I was thinking of building the sensors from the helmets into the motion detector," Catalina looked up at Grace then added a little ruefully. "There's no way I'm going to be able to handle those power suits, not until after an extended programme of weight training at least."
"But," she shrugged, "if a hand-held model is not an option, and it needs the power from the suit, then I'd sooner we have the better technology than not. It could be a life saver, so thanks for anything you can do. In fact," Catalina grinned merrily, "if you promise to let me work at the bench nearest the door to the new lab, so I can see all the bending and stretching, I'll come down and throw what I know about how the old ones work in the field into the pot."
"As for the Lightning, I suppose it's a matter of manouverability against weaponry in terms of defense. Weapons might be useful against the aliens, if they can do enough damage, but there's always the option of running away to fight another day." Catalina gave an uncertain shrugged, "I'm no expert there, but if the bulk of the weapons would slow us down, as well as decrease range, then I'd think carefully about it. It might be better to be able to deploy us faster to a hot zone, too." She shrugged again and shook her head a little. "I'm not sure, just think it needs consideration."
((OOC - Catalina will throw a Knowledge: Technology of 9 against the potential development of improved motion sensor technology, whatever the improvement might be LB. If any, of course. *waits for that 1*
Just to clarify, I checked out the powered armour and the ONLY reason I don't want it is I need two feats for it, as light armour is from Catalina's occupation. Otherwise I'd be in there. I really, really, really, think the rest of you should have it so you can revive her when she gets blown away!  ))
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 11, 2008, 7:51AM » |
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Smart Alec
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Vasily's brow has been furrowed for some time. Eventually, though, the kraken stirs, and he pronounces his opinion upon the rest of the team.
"I like plasma cannon on Lightning. Can intercept alien UFOs and land on site immediately, have briefing in-flight. Can give us fire support if need be. Can stop landed UFOs from take off. No more running from... enemy air force. Anyway."
That brow furrows again, as the Russian gets serious. "Motion sensor never much use before. Because we all wearing same level of protection, it make sense for you to go on ahead, report what there, then rest of us follow up and support. Sometime, you get shot. Sometime you not. Either way, usually same."
"Now, though. We got typical military situation. Light recon group. Heavy front-line group. And Recon not supposed to put itself in firing line. It make no sense for you in the personal armour to go through door first, lead charge and all now. This armour protect us, much better. Trust me as only one with long experience with personal armour who have tried new powered."
"But we not able to cover you if you elsewhere. And if can read situation with motion sensor without expose to fire, then is good. We done ok so far, you know? We been lucky. Had to push forward in risky conditons but no-one really die, yet. Some come close. Think maybe we not try to push luck here."
"Sure, I think you get stealth armour soon. Next week maybe, when lab done. That is," Vasily adds ascerbically, "if spraypainting armour black actually do anything. For now, though, maybe we try gadget. We have new technology. Maybe time to try new tactics."
With a few fingerpoints, Vasily agrees with the idea of working on the plasma cannon, and the alien leader and navigator. However, he seems to think that keeping 30 - three full teams - on the lab is best (he mutters something about 'complications' ) and in having a new motion sensor unit built.
"Next week we repair tank, make new tank repair kit, get armour upgraded with stealth, and all odd jobs. Yes? We still have little time until we need have plasma defence built, so."
***
OOC: I admit, a small bonus to Hide might have been good back when we were all level 4 or 5, but now it's only a 10% increase or so on our skills. 
I get the feeling that Catalina's not the only character who'd have to spend more than one feat to get Powered Armour. Cat can't upgrade at this point, I may be right in thinking that Hadrian is in the same boat - Jen, did you change your mind about having Powered Armour?
As an aside, I must say that having a team in powered armour and using motion sensors to track alien locations is a lot closer to how the original game usually played. You could use far-ranging scouts in the game, but as one hit tends to kill in X-Com, and the aliens' sighting was very good (they'd know automatically where all of your team were, even if they couldn't see them, after 12 turns or so) then those scouts tended to get shot and die. 
Also, I don't think it's a good idea to take any engineer time-estimate as gospel? Putting the minimum necessary on a project is gambling, I thought. One tries to assign full teams where possible.
EDIT: One last thing - I gave the resuscitation unit to Dr. Allen, so Vasily no longer has it. But then, Vasily tried to use it and failed already, so I'm not sure if it still is usable any more.
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 11, 2008, 1:00PM » |
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vanya mia
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"Well the black looks a little more natty than that shocking blue, Vas," grinned Catalina, "but as you say, an evening with a can of spray paint and Bob's your uncle there."
"Truth told though, given the advantage you get from it, while there's other useful stuff to manufacture I'd leave them on the back burner."
((OOC - Ha! I've never played the game, and just suggested it as we've faired best on the two occasions we've stayed as a group. Perhaps the fact that the original game required the tactics is a sign?))
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Lazybones
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So what I'm hearing is to follow Jane's recommendations on research (finish the Plasma Cannon, and work on the Snakeman Leader and Navigator). "Improved Motion Detector" will appear as a research option next week.
On manufacturing, there's a lot of debate, but let's put 3 full teams on the lab (30 engineers), with the direction that they're to report to the armor lab to apply stealth treatments if/when they finish their work. For the remaining 6 engineers, maybe 3 on HWP repair and 3 on a new motion sensor? Or if you want to wait for the new model, you could have those 3 work on another HWP field repair kit.
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Jenniza
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ooc Cat can use Jane's motion sensor and we could make 2 HWP repair kits. sound fair?
as far as thoughts on armor goes, I'm still debating... I'd have to do some rearranging of things to make it work. I realized I hadn't planned things out right in the first place.
Give me some time to figure this out. I should have it straightened out by the next few weeks. Mean time, I'm pretty sure Jane's gonna need that Stealth PA armor. I'll keep you posted. It has something to do with Jane's low strength.
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Smart Alec
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"We not need repair kit until we start using robot tank again," Vasily points out. "Just having one person with motion sensor is also maybe not good idea I think. Is not idea that we get lot of coverage?"
***
OOC: Out of curiosity, to what extent do people see this as a tactical battle game? I realise that our missions would probably tend to be more effective if we stick to a formation and a system, but does that damage people's enjoyment of the whole thing when they can't do their own thing?
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 11, 2008, 8:03PM » |
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vanya mia
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Nodding slowly Catalina replied, "That was much what I was thinking. Two of us at least, spaced to either side of the party, gives us twice the scanning angle. It could help." She looked at Jane and Hadrian. "If you feel you really have to have black armour, then fair enough, ask Grace to sort it as soon as there's spare engineers. Don't expect it to provide miracles, though, I don't think it's worth the investment now, and I helped design it." She shrugged. "For what it's worth my advice is to take the powered stuff and stay alive."
((OOC- Actually I rather like tactical RP in a game from time to time, even when my PC is a disenter, and actually enjoy tactical success too. It's not always appropriate, but I think this campaign lends itself to that as we are, in theory, a partially military group. Even Cat technically went to Sandhurst. On the whole I am never really for "doing my own thing" as it were. If I'm going to do that I may as well play SP. For me the best RP is in team interaction and I would normally check most actions before doing them with the team just for that. It could slow the game down too much for others taste though, so maybe it's just me!)).
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Jenniza
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ooc: as far as team vs individual goes, I go by roleplay... that is, in this campaign it seems proper to me to roleplay many aspects of cooperating as a team member; but, Jane still has elements of individuality when it comes to scouting and thinking and other elements left over from her previous profession.
so, I'd say the same thing when it applies to tactical vs roleplay... that I judge the amount of tactics that need to be incorporated and how much it makes sense for my character to roleplay that way. Obviously the campaign was advertised a certain way, so I picked a character that would be compatible with handling a certain amount of tactics within a group... ie I didn't pick a pacifist loonatic quadrapalegic.  The point is, I picked a character that could easily adapt to whatever level of tactics that we decide finally is ideally suited for the group. She might take time to adapt; but, she will adapt. That will be reflected in me as a learning curve of learning the same tactics as well. I'm not a perfect tactical wargamer. I suck at Medal of Honor, trust me. I'm probably one of the worst players there are at Medal of Honor even though I have fun at it. Same with Battlefield Vietname... both are realtime multi-player FPS tactical wargames. My friends from TMO only play them with me because we are friends and they consider me a good sport about it. (I'm actually a good sniper in them, I just get shot a lot by the better players even though I still get a few good shots off).
short answer, I make mistakes because I have an insatiable curiosity that continually peeks through (what is that? what's over there? what's behind that? etc.) it's the scientific nature of exploration in me. It takes a LOT for me to curb that curiosity with Jane or ANY character. Jane is probably the most restrained character I've played. THAT is saying a lot... considering I've played characters like Janice Lightfingers (let's just say if you handed her Pandora's Box, she'd probably open it.
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karvon
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[ooc]
Armor: Hadrian can use medium or light armor; I prefer the lighter armor thus far as the wt and penalties to dex based skills were rather significant with the heavier armors I've looked at. I'm willing to wait for stealth augmentations if there are more important priorities, but don't want this postponed indefinitely.
OTOH, if the consensus is armor affected skills such as climbing, jumping, balance, swimming and stealth are not all that critical, then I suppose turning into a human rock is wiser - but I'll have wasted most of the skill points which I took as part of my spec op build.
Tactics: I've no prob with a lot of tactical considerations in the session. Personally, I feel not much time has been devoted to pre-strike recon & planning, so missions have sort of just run off-the-cuff. However, as the low man on the totem pole, Hadrian's not going to make a lot of waves over this IC and will adjust to whatever the team's approach will be.
Stealth: If most enemies and facilities have uber spot/listening skills due to alien powers, heat/motions sensors, whatever, then it effectively cripples those PCs built with stealth focuses and will considerably reduce tactical options - especially given the way the game engine handles LOS with some tilesets/placeables. While I'm not sure this is actually the case, the comments made by several players seems to indicate that's at least the perception, based on experience thus far.
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 12, 2008, 10:08AM » |
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vanya mia
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((OOC - The powered armour is medium, +4 max dex and the standard hit to skills, etc. Unless you did some major mini-maxing then I doubt Hadrian would take a dex hit, and that to skills is only one more than the personal armour. The extra AC/DR is well worth the loss from personal armour; my opinion but I'm not lacking tactical experience in scout rolls. If I didn't have to wait four levels to get at it I would have the armour. It's your PC and choice though obviously.
Catalina was set up as a scout and well ... infiltrator, high dex, stealthy and reliant on reflexes in combat. I've points in all the related skills too, which haven't been used, but that's the way it goes sometimes. As for stealth being limited, I misjudged it too, but I see no problem with the aliens simply being able to see us if we go too close. In a modern setting if a person crept up quietly you would be able to see them no matter how camouflaged they are.
There've been occasions, and probably still will be, when scouting a short way ahead is the thing to do. Moving just through an AT as we were doing last session, perhaps. However, trying to sneak amongst them is deadly and probably rightly so. Myself, though it's usually my style of scouting, I no longer see that as the best means of scouting in this campaign and something we should avoid. Again, possibly not everyone's opinion, just something I think we should consider.))
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| « Last Edit: on: Sep 12, 2008, 1:01PM » |
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