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GhostStalker posted:Please, it's gwailo. Zhang is from Hong Kong, and therefore speaking Cantonese. In my experience, they just call you "cocksucker".
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Sep 15, 2014 16:00
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Flesnolk posted:What about covert operatives? Zhang is always a heavy and heavies can't be covert operatives.
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Sep 15, 2014 16:06
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Stephen9001 posted:Zhang is always a heavy and heavies can't be covert operatives. They should be, how are they supposed to stop the walking
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Sep 15, 2014 17:13
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Flesnolk posted:What about covert operatives?
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Sep 15, 2014 17:17
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JT Jag posted:Good covert operatives are always snipers with gunslinger anyway. I always preferred Assaults for my covert ops... for when you absolutely, positively, have to run through someone's overwatch.
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Sep 15, 2014 17:42
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You also don't need to do any special skill stuff, the skills that you already want on an Assault are all great for that.
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Sep 15, 2014 17:43
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My policy has always been to keep the operative completely out of harm's way so it never really matters what class they are!
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Sep 15, 2014 17:50
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Usually the best policy. But there's an achievement I had to get so I went with the gunslinger option, then kept him hiding behind a wall the rest of the time. also, there are some gene mods which make it hilariously simple.
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Sep 15, 2014 17:55
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Psion posted:Usually the best policy. But there's an achievement I had to get so I went with the gunslinger option, then kept him hiding behind a wall the rest of the time. Not going to mention the gene mod by name until it comes up in game. But you know the one.
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Sep 15, 2014 17:57
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Operatives Rapid Firing their Plasma Pistols will always be the best way to handle covert operatives.
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Sep 15, 2014 18:25
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Next update is going to contain a LOT of screens of research all being completed at once and a few narrative blocks of text...I hope nobody has too much of a problem with that. Another case of "we'll get back to killing aliens episode after next."
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Sep 15, 2014 19:19
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Narrative? In a Speedball LP? I think we'll be able to manage. 
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Sep 15, 2014 19:38
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Speedball posted:Next update is going to contain a LOT of screens of research all being completed at once and a few narrative blocks of text...I hope nobody has too much of a problem with that. Another case of "we'll get back to killing aliens episode after next." Got the south america bonus did you?
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Sep 15, 2014 19:51
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Speedball posted:Next update is going to contain a LOT of screens of research all being completed at once and a few narrative blocks of text...I hope nobody has too much of a problem with that. Another case of "we'll get back to killing aliens episode after next." We Have Ways > Muton Interrogation is probably the single biggest "gently caress you" XCOM can spit back at the aliens. Such bounty...
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Sep 15, 2014 20:24
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I want you to keep Zheng normal, and use him as the straight man to the rest of the nutball crew.
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Sep 15, 2014 20:31
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Reading this and the Definitive Guide LP make me want to get back into X-Com in a big way, but there's a problem: I suck absolute rear end at tactics and strategy--in this case, both base management AND the actual game.  Speedball posted:Next update is going to contain a LOT of screens of research all being completed at once and a few narrative blocks of text...I hope nobody has too much of a problem with that. Another case of "we'll get back to killing aliens episode after next." Narrative in a Speedball Narrative LP? Blasphemy!
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Sep 15, 2014 20:42
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Hobo Siege posted:We Have Ways > Muton Interrogation is probably the single biggest "gently caress you" XCOM can spit back at the aliens. Such bounty... Mutons give research credits (1/2 research time) for what exactly? Assorted plasma weaponry?
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Sep 15, 2014 20:49
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I'd guess alien steroids and grenades.
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Sep 15, 2014 20:52
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Considering "We Have Ways" exists is there any reason not to start in South America?
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Sep 15, 2014 20:52
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Flesnolk posted:Considering "We Have Ways" exists is there any reason not to start in South America? The only reason to not start there is that it's a really small continent you can capture early on (and the countries don't give a lot of money); conversely, some of the benefits of starting in a three or four-country continent is that you get the benefit very quickly on and don't have to wait a month or two to lock it down. That said I freaking LOVE We Have Ways.
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Sep 15, 2014 20:55
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Flesnolk posted:Considering "We Have Ways" exists is there any reason not to start in South America? North America, Africa and South America are kind of the "smart money" places people consider starting bases. I don't hear many arguments in favor of Europe or Asia, besides maybe "they have a lot of nations, so getting that bonus first means I can neglect it"
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Sep 15, 2014 20:58
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Speedball posted:The only reason to not start there is that it's a really small continent you can capture early on (and the countries don't give a lot of money); conversely, some of the benefits of starting in a three or four-country continent is that you get the benefit very quickly on and don't have to wait a month or two to lock it down. There's also a definite advantage to starting in Africa and throwing the first satellite up over America.
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Sep 15, 2014 20:58
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Flesnolk posted:Considering "We Have Ways" exists is there any reason not to start in South America? It's the easiest continent bonus to get, as it only takes 2 sats instead of 3 or 4. N.America and Africa get you benefits sooner, as you have to have Arc Throwers and the containment facility before you can benefit from S.America. I usually go Africa, as there's just so much stuff you want to build asap, and more money makes it easier.
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Sep 15, 2014 20:58
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JT Jag posted:It's a really powerful boost, no doubt. But there are definitely other options: if you start in North America you get a satellite over the United States immediately, and the US gives the most money per month of any nation (when payouts aren't randomized). Africa's bonus is +30% cash per month, which is huge as well and really adds up fast. Asia I think gets you hardware discounts which is pretty helpful when you want some of the more expensive foundry projects. Never had a problem with maintenance for labs or workshops so Europe isn't that useful.
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Sep 15, 2014 21:04
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Yeah, Ve Haff Vays is a good choice for targeting satellites on since the bonus will likely come online at right around the time you start capturing aliens, but other continents can give a heavy boost right at the start.
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Sep 15, 2014 21:05
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Dreamsicle posted:Asia I think gets you hardware discounts which is pretty helpful when you want some of the more expensive foundry projects. Never had a problem with maintenance for labs or workshops so Europe isn't that useful. Not so much the maintenance, but the BUILDING of them is expensive early on, if you want to rush satellites one way to go about it is to start in Europe, then spend all your satellites on Asia (Asian countries exclusively give engineers) while you build lots of workshops. Europe has the second-richest country, Russia, as its starting point, too. Two laboratories next to each other give a 50% science boost, which can add up fast.
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Sep 15, 2014 21:07
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The 'mind reading mutants' department is (probably) already covered, and eventually "Macho Machine" who urges everyone to Snap into a Thin Jim will need a brother with whom to fistbump, therefore Zhangbot activate.kaosdrachen posted:Narrative? In a Speedball LP? Comparing the LP (so far) with the narrative of the game itself... The plot of XCOM:EU/EW is 150% nonsense, and most of the dramatic tension (tactical bloopers aside) comes from either the RNG or Bradford/Vahlen/Shen's voiceovers. "You have to disarm that bomb or else it will explode!" Then there are hilarious New favorite bug: use a grappling hook twice in a row (into sight of idle/patrolling aliens) and there is a chance the [aliens notice you, start battle music] cutscene will glitch out and leave your soldier stranded in the sky halfway across the map, unable to move for the rest of the mission.
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Sep 15, 2014 22:08
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Asiastart lets you ramp up your soldiers pretty quickly. And means you don't have to sat a few low income countries. As well as generally being a lot of money (and other resources?) over the length of the game. Europ start has never struck me as particularly useful. Cash and engineers are the usual early game bottlenecks.
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Sep 15, 2014 23:50
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As far as turning the interface itself into a joke I don't think I'll do better than Guavamoment's "How do you know it's a soldier?" "Just pick it up." "Yeah, it does feel soldiery…"
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Sep 16, 2014 01:48
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chiasaur11 posted:Well, it's also because the background material said you were hiring the best of the best. SAS, Spetz, Delta, that kinda thing. Sure, it didn't always work out in play, especially at low levels, but the fiction is your rookies were the world's best of the best badasses. My personal headcanon is that Zhang is former chinese spec ops himself. Not only is he on par with the XCOM soldiers, he also somehow found out about the existence of XCOM and how to contact them. An SF veteran calling up old contacts is a logical explanation for both.
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Sep 16, 2014 05:34
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Magni posted:My personal headcanon is that Zhang is former chinese spec ops himself. Not only is he on par with the XCOM soldiers, he also somehow found out about the existence of XCOM and how to contact them. An SF veteran calling up old contacts is a logical explanation for both. Funny, this is also my interpretation of him, since he arms himself with a machine gun.
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Sep 16, 2014 06:07
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Don't forget that you don't lose your starting continent bonus even if countries on it drop out of XCOM. I like starting on Africa and dumping panic there while I put satellites over richer countries. If I can save the countries, great, but if I can't I'm only out $150 total for two and I still get a bonus from everywhere else. Also keep Zhang how he is, unless something bad happens to him....
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Sep 16, 2014 07:36
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Technical Q for Speedball: Since you're on a Mac and (mostly) can't use mods, does that mean the neato base zoom-ins are an Enemy Within perk? I'm playing along on EU and not getting to go up close and personal with the "ant farm", as it were. Also, throwing my vote behind Keep Zhang as is, but keep Plan B ready.
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Sep 16, 2014 15:22
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Andy Waltfeld posted:Technical Q for Speedball: Since you're on a Mac and (mostly) can't use mods, does that mean the neato base zoom-ins are an Enemy Within perk? I'm playing along on EU and not getting to go up close and personal with the "ant farm", as it were. Mouse 3 scroll wheel.
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Sep 16, 2014 15:34
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I like starting in Asia too. It's a bonus that will save you an appreciable amount if you get it from the start (for the first couple of months it's probably about as good as starting in Africa) but it takes a long time to get and you get less from it the later you get it.
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Sep 16, 2014 15:45
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Zack Ater posted:I'm pretty sure you do. I can't say for certain, because you get XP from just surviving a mission, but I've had troops only stun stuff in a mission and still get promoted afterwards. I've never really payed attention, but I think mission kills and soldier kill count include stunned enemies. Also, according to the wiki, a successful stun counts for In The Zone. Troops get XP for simply participating in a mission, though. With an extra bonus for having the whole squad survive (or maybe that's just LW).
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Sep 16, 2014 16:17
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Ah, the early Muton. What else is in your capture tanks? A Sectoid and the Outsider? More? Less?
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Sep 16, 2014 16:34
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Glazius posted:Ah, the early Muton. What else is in your capture tanks? A Sectoid and the Outsider? More? Less? Sectoid, thin man, floater, outsider, muton.
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Sep 16, 2014 16:46
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It feels really good to research that many xrays all at once after you lock down South America.
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Sep 16, 2014 17:07
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Speedball posted:Sectoid, thin man, floater, outsider, muton. Dr. Valen is going to propose to the Arc Thrower once the commander gives the authorization for interrogations and she learns how many new toys she can research.
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Sep 16, 2014 17:09
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