|
|
|
|
Author |
Topic: X-COM Monday Nights Campaign (Read 4486 times) |
|
Smart Alec
Forum God
Last On: 02/07/12
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 1204
|
((Indeed. You might not think it, but my own PC was also built very much around physical skills. I had a feeling they wouldn't be used, but I took them because it seemed a good idea for at least one person on the team to have them, just in case. The mission at the Russian base was a very unusual one, in many ways - the climbing, the demolitions, the traps were all things we had simply not encountered before in the 18 sessions before it. Of course, we've learned our lesson, but that doesn't mean these things'll crop up all the time from now on. And they haven't! Although he has a very broad skill set, Vasily's most useful attribute in this campaign by far has been his resilience. Thus, using the Powered Armour was a no-brainer for me.
As for the lack of pre-strike planning, again, that is part of the classic game. X-Com being very much a rapid response force, and with alien landings and terror strikes only appearing on the world-map for a short amount of time, you had to scramble teams to deal with them almost immediately, often without knowing what you'd be facing. Building hyperwave decoders (as we have done, in the campaign) gives us a rough idea of what aliens there are, but usually you'd just have to hope that you could handle it.
That need to respond to whatever's out there without knowing what we're getting into is why they put together these teams instead of just using the regular army, I guess. 
EDIT: Just to make it clear, I think it was said that upgrading the Powered Armour with stealth ability simply wasn't possible due to the bulk and the noise from the motors.))
|
| « Last Edit: on: Sep 12, 2008, 1:23PM » |
 I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Lazybones
Forum God
Last On: 12/31/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4695
|
RE Stealth: There are bugs in d20 Modern that allowed aliens to see through stealth in the early part of the campaign, at least in outdoor areas. I have been dealing with that by manually overriding the alien AI in certain circumstances. Going up and moving right amongst the bad guys without being seen as one sees in fantasy-based campaigns generally won't be possible in X-COM, especially on a street in daylight.
RE Tactical Knowledge: I haven't had the opportunity to prepare the sort of tactical briefings that were asked for last time. I don't have any convenient image hosting available, so I can't save maps and post them. In 90% of the missions, you are reacting to an immediate alien threat and this hasn't been an issue. And the destruction of all orbital satellites, combined with the alien air superiority means that aerial reconnaissance options are very limited. If we get another mission that allows for extended prep time I'll see what I can do.
RE Military Conventions: When I ran through Mulu's X-COM campaign we used military ranks, hierarchy of authority, etc. I deliberately chose not to do that this time because we did that in our last campaign, Guns, Goblins, and Steel.
RE Powered Armor: SA's right, stealth upgrades for the heavier suits are not possible. The armor penalty for the Powered Armors is -2, or equal to a Chain Shirt in NWN.
RE Russian Mission: This mission might have seemed a little different than the rest, as it was something I added to Mulu's base module.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Jenniza
Forum God
Last On: 07/18/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2304
|
ooc from years of experience of playing Janice vs low and high wisdom characters and conversely low and high Spot (and maybe even Listen) skill characters, I've noticed that it only takes a few points in those to overcome Stealth quite too often. Janice could disappear from nearly anyone and anything except certain PC's and certain "guard" type monsters/NPC's/dragons. The PC's tended to be Rogues, Bards, Barbarians, Rangers, Druids, and Clerics... see a pattern of High Wisdom and Spot and Listen? Hehehe, No wonder it felt like half the party saw Janice... considering multi-classing and stuff.
Anyway, the point is, it doesn't take a lot to defeat stealth in NWN using Spot and Listen. A few points will do you. It's a sad fact that I've long since learned to accept. Hence, when I want to go for stealth, I go for every point I can get if I want to defeat "guards" or just go for decent stealth if I want to sneak by "average" people.
At level 8, Jane has 15 Hide and 15 Move Silently, so, she'd get even higher with the Stealth PA, it might help in a few situations on the border... she's done quite well in some scouting situations remaining unseen for a number of rounds before being seen by the best of guards. It's why I've been pushing for the Stealth PA armor... the added few rounds of stealth (excersing Jane's caution, not my more curious characters like Janice etc) could get us some vaulable intel with motion sensors now that I know you want her to deploy hers rather than how it as a spare for Catalina.
Edit: 15's are probably comparable to others on the team.... FYI
Note: the reason that Jane can get such high stealth is that she took the Stealth feat +3 to stealth skills at character creation.
It's just something to consider if you want to partially forward deploy Jane with a motion sensor to do sensor sweeps... on the downside... her listen and spot skills are low, unlike Catalina, I bet. Jane was not built as a scout. If you need me to spend points on those... let me know. If the motion sensor does the work for me, the point is moot. I don't think I ever activated it more than once, if that much.
|
| « Last Edit: on: Sep 12, 2008, 3:42PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Jenniza
Forum God
Last On: 07/18/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2304
|
Jane asked Catalina, "Could you teach me how to use this motion sensor I've been carrying all this time, please? I've been carrying it with the impression that most likely I'd never have to use it except in case of emergencies. I guess I should learn to use it," she admitted, "I've always kind of fumbled with it and just kind of gotten partial results from it. It's time to make the most of it."
|
| « Last Edit: on: Sep 12, 2008, 3:50PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Lazybones
Forum God
Last On: 12/31/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4695
|
The big thing with the motion sensors is to wait for the DM Tell with the results. So it isn't useful in a shooting situation, but good when you can remain unseen for a few moments.
And I'm taking your skill ranks into account when manually controlling the AI of the creatures. Once the shooting starts, though, all bets are off.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Jenniza
Forum God
Last On: 07/18/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2304
|
ooc: understood... will begin to seriously look into powered armor weight issues then, as well as feat selection, will consider alternatives to skills, feats and class selections at 9-11 to make this all happen.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Jenniza
Forum God
Last On: 07/18/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2304
|
After Catalina's helpful tips on the motion-sensor device, Jane smiled and said, "Thank you, Catalina. You gave me some good advice. I really do appreciate it." Jane was genuinely sincere. Jane offered, "If you ever need help with that research project on motion sensor technologies when you get it to development stages, please let me know. I'd be happy to help out. It sounds just like what we really need," she added encouragingly.
After they finished talking, Jane headed to the Research Lab Three construction area and went back to work like she had been all week. The work had been hard and long; but, they had a difficult deadline to meet. Some didn't know if the project would be on schedule; but, many kept that opinion in check as this would sow dissension. They NEEDED to be on schedule. It seemed like a small thing... a research lab... but, occassionally some of the researchers popped by to check on things and babbled excitedly about all the things that they'd be doing with the new lab. The excitement in the air grew and it spirred the engineered with a new vigor to complete the lab on schedule hopefully. Jane worked as hard as she could to do her part in completing her portion of the work on Research Lab Three.
ooc:
Craft Mechanical 14
Demolitions 6
Balance 5 (re: Catalina's beam work)
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Lazybones
Forum God
Last On: 12/31/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4695
|
The briefing room is crowded. Not only are Drake, Garret, Grace, and Docs Wagner and White present, but several of your pilots are standing along the back wall, along with several Betas and a few engineers that you recognize as veteran members of the ship salvage unit, or "clean up crew" as you've been calling them.
There is a small din of conversation that Garret quiets with a raised hand.
"All right. You know this has been coming. The info we've extracted from the Floater navigator that Alpha captured has given us a lead on one of the alien supply routes, including times and trajectories. We're going to stage a little intercept. We know that the aliens are pretty protective of their supply ships, so this is going to be a snatch-and-grab."
At a nod from Garret, Doctor Wagner brings up a map of South America. A bright hashed trail comes down from the Pacific Ocean and clips the southern tip of the continent before moving further south. As Wagner hits keys on the console three more tracks pop up, coming from HQX on an intercept course.
"We're going to catch the supply ship here," she says, indicating a spot on the map. "Karver in Firestorm 1 is going to take out the ship's main engines, force it to land. Then Alpha team in Skyranger 1 will hit the ground running, neutralize any surviving aliens, secure the Elerium and the ship's data core. Beta team along with our recovery crew will be on their heels, and will transfer the Elerium supplies to our storage units in Skyranger 2 before the aliens can mount a defense. Firestorm 1 will fly CAP during the extraction, but we'll have to be fast, as we can expect a response quickly."
"Why not just follow the ship to the base, and take it out at the same time?" Perez asks.
"Good question," Garret acknowledges. "And the simple answer is, that we're not ready yet to take on an alien base. There's too much we don't know, but thanks to Alpha's work in bringing us high-ranking aliens to interrogate, we hope to have a plan of attack soon. And we have a few other surprises we're working on as well."
"Any other questions? Then dismissed."
As the group starts to file out, Garret stops you. "Hold up a few minutes, Alpha." He lingers with Drake and Wagner, to answer any other questions that the team might have about the mission.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Jenniza
Forum God
Last On: 07/18/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2304
|
Scene: Dr. Beauvais’s Office
Jane knocked on Dr. Beauvais’s door and Dr. Beauvais answered, “Please come in.”
As they sat down, Jane said with a smile, “Thank you. How are you, Dr. Beauvais?”
The counselor asked, “I’m well, Jane. How are you?”
Jane smiled and said, “Better… well, we did get a bit banged up with those Reapers; but, otherwise, I’m doing okay. The Floaters seem to have some interesting tactics and strategies; but, we are learning to use some of our own and some of the more higher tech equipment to our advantages. These missions certainly do get more interesting as the weeks and months go by.”
The counselor asked, “Does any of this shock you or alarm you or provoke any of those types of reactions?”
Jane laughed, “I’m starting to get to the point where this is beginning to becoming daily routine… sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever have a ‘normal’ life again. When this war is over, am I going to end up like one of those burned out Rambo mercenaries for hire you see in those action movies or those video games. Maybe I’ll just get reabsorbed back into the Agency or something if X-COM dissolves. G-d, I hope I don’t end up like one of those bad clichés.”
The counselor smiled and replied, “I like to think the future has a positive outlook, if only we apply ourselves to it.”
Jane smiled in reply, “Well said. I’ve always appreciated your advice.”
The counselor asked, “So, what do you think you’ll do after the alien invasion is over, assuming we as humans win and life returns to normal, so to speak?”
Jane gave it some thought, “To be honest, hanging around all these smart people… I’m almost considering going back to school for something… not sure what really. Maybe pick up an advanced degree in something. Really though, I have a hard time believing life will return to normal. I believe my place will probably be partially spent in helping people putting their lives back together. I’ll probably return to FOAA, Families of Alien Abductees. They’ll need my help more than ever.”
The counselor replied, “That’s right, you were quite active in that before you came here.”
Jane sighed, “I look forward to this war ending; but, we need to come out on top, I know that much. I will not give up.”
The counselor, “We all do, Jane. We all do, Jane. In time and with luck, it’ll happen."
Jane smiled, “I believe so too.”
The counselor smiled, ‘Well, I think our time is up. See you next week, same time?”
Jane replied, “Sure thing, Doctor Beauvais. Thank you. Take care.”
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
vanya mia
Forum God
Last On: 02/09/12
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 2259
|
Having leant against the wall silently during the briefing, Catalina speaks up. "From what you say time will be of the essence, so will Beta and the recovery crew be following us in straight off? I'd like us to know if we should resist stopping to investigate things we find or just move on and let those following do the work."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression this is a rapid strike action on our part," she waved a hand indicating Alpha team, "and less of the partly recon operations we've had so far. If that's the case I think it negates the tactics we discussed re-motion sensor work. In fact I don't suppose we'll have time for assessing the forces at all."
"They're going to realise something is happening very quickly, and we can't afford to give them any more time than is necessary to prepare. What we don't want, having taken this risk, is for them to destroy our objective before we get to it." Catalina looked around the faces of Alpha team, focusing on Vasily and Soheil in particular. "Would it be more appropriate to stay in a very close unit and move through swiftly clearing areas as fast as possible so the others can come in on our backs?"
"All in, kill, move on," Catalina brushed the dark hair back and grinned a little. "Like on Soheil's first mission, only this time with more emphasis on staying together." She looked at Garrett. "If that's what you have in mind."
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Smart Alec
Forum God
Last On: 02/07/12
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 1204
|
The Russian looked firm, and nodded. "This going to be new alien ship. New layout, new rooms. Best we not wander around. If it Sectoids or Floaters, maybe could move as two teams. If it Snakemen, if it something new, best we move as group."
"After alien ship secure, what Alpha do then?" Vasily turns to Garrett to ask. "We put perimeter around crashed ship? We just bug out?"
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Jenniza
Forum God
Last On: 07/18/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2304
|
Jane gave the plan consideration and began to think in terms of bullets and medikits... tactics and strategies... recon and armor... research and manufacturing priorities for afterwards... Jane watched and listened as all the ideas were tossed about the room, diagrams and displays flickered on monitors for all to see.
Finally, the room was cleared and Alpha team was asked to stay behind for questions.
Jane avoided making any of her offbeat comments or jokes due to the seriousness of the situation.
Jane finally asked, "How much warning will we get from the Hyperwave sensors of what type of aliens will we be facing before we land and are in the thick of it?"
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
vanya mia
Forum God
Last On: 02/09/12
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 2259
|
With a half smile Catalina listened to the big Russian, then nodded when he asked the question. "Good point, Vas." Then nodded again at Jane's suggestion. "You're right there, girl, that will be the only recon information we'll get."
"No forward scouting. In fast and hard. Close assault formation moving together. Kill and clear." She made cutting motions with her hand as she spoke. "It makes me think those who can take punishment should go first and we follow their lead. Perhaps you take point, Vas?"
Catalina chuckled ruefully. "In fact, is it too late to get those folk building the motion sensor and repair kit to start on a suit of powered armour? Maybe if they get on it, Jane helps out and any Grace ends up not needing chip in, then we could have Hadrian in one, at least for now." She grinned widely. "Get a nice walking wall for the rest of us to hide behind and shoot. If he doesn't want it later then Beta can have it."
|
| « Last Edit: on: Sep 15, 2008, 5:01PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
karvon
Forum God
Last On: Today
View Profile
Message Player
Japan
Posts: 2847
|
Hadrian listened and nodded before interjecting, Close assault formation is fine with me, just don't get too bunched up or we'll be more vulnerable to grenades and automatic weapons fire. As I've not much experience with these aliens yet, I'll defer to what the rest of you feel is the best approach to tackling them.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Smart Alec
Forum God
Last On: 02/07/12
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 1204
|
Vasily nodded. "We know now alien rifles not automatic. And armour, even personal armour to little extent, protect us from the worst of their grenades. Most dangerous things are large numbers of aliens, alien stun guns, alien psychic powers... and anything new. Long as we remember the basics - keep our heads, work the corners, duck behind cover when we under pressure... we ok."
|
| « Last Edit: on: Sep 15, 2008, 9:28PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Lazybones
Forum God
Last On: 12/31/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4695
|
Garret answers each of your questions tersely.
| "From what you say time will be of the essence, so will Beta and the recovery crew be following us in straight off? I'd like us to know if we should resist stopping to investigate things we find or just move on and let those following do the work." |
|
"They'll be about twenty minutes behind you. Priority should be a) securing the Elerium supplies, and b) recovering the navigation data from the ship's computer."
| "After alien ship secure, what Alpha do then?" Vasily turns to Garrett to ask. "We put perimeter around crashed ship? We just bug out?" |
|
"Once the ship is secure and all aliens are reduced, return to the Skyranger and prepare to dust off. Skyranger 1 does not have any provision for storage of Elerium in any case, so leave that to the recovery team. Beta will provide security for them."
| Jane finally asked, "How much warning will we get from the Hyperwave sensors of what type of aliens will we be facing before we land and are in the thick of it?" |
|
Garret looks at Kim Wagner for this one. "About five minutes," she replies.
| Catalina chuckled ruefully. "In fact, is it too late to get those folk building the motion sensor and repair kit to start on a suit of powered armour?" |
|
"Given that you take off in slightly more than two hours, yes."
Unfortunately, the mission does not begin auspiciously. As Alpha is gearing up in the barracks, the often-battered right arm actuator on Soheil's Powered Armor suddenly engages at full strength, hyper-extending her arm. She screams as she falls, and all of you hear the sick snap of the bone. You get her to the medical bay where the injury is treated, but both her and her armor look to be out for this mission.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
chiz
Forum God
Last On: 04/27/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 828
|
Jim grimaces as he tried to set Soheil's arm. Getting it out of the powered armor suit without doing more damage had been tricky - he'd had to cut the arm's main hydraulics line, and hadn't wanted to damage the suit more than absolutely necessary - they didn't have that many to go around. He'd given her some pain killers right away, but even the new heal kits would take a bit of time to cause the arm to heal - so much for this mission.
Once the arm was set and Soheil was packed off to sick bay, Jim looked sourly at the rest of the alpha team. "Looks like we all need to stick together for this one. We'll just need to be extra careful - we can't afford to go down one more given the opposition it looks like we'll face."
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
))