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 Pictured: 3 jerks who never stop talking, my god When I finished my XCOM Long War LP, I said to myself, "no more XCOM for a while!" But, y'know...I've finished Yakuza 6, my gaming computer is mothballed so that I have a proper workstation during quarantine, and suddenly the PS4 is really the only thing I've got for gaming. So...to hell with it. Let's kill some more aliens. XCOM2: War of the Chosen is the expansion (but much like XCOM Enemy Within, it integrates with the base game to the point of basically changing the entire thing) to XCOM2. XCOM2 was, in all honesty, not a very good game. Had some interesting ideas, and I enjoyed playing it, but it lacked the tactical flexibility of its predecessor, was too easy, and just not what I'd hoped for in an XCOM sequel. Really, the only thing you need to know about XCOM2 is that it takes place a generation after the events of XCOM1, and also humanity got its rear end beaten pretty quickly in the first invasion. The XCOM project failed, canonically, and Earth is now occupied by a seemingly-benevolent alien government. Then War of the Chosen came out and made XCOM2 into a great game. It's still an XCOM game in the sense of "it's a tactical RPG about shooting aliens as you race to develop alien tech that can stop the invasion once and for all. And also your guys are probably going to die a lot." But it changed a lot of the formula. It added 3 prestige classes as rival factions, each resisting the alien occupiers in their own way. It added a new type of mission, the covert operation, where you can send your dudes out to gain minor bonuses both for themselves as well as the overall mission. It added The Lost, which are zombified (but not the kind that turn into cryssalids like in XCOM1) humans that were victimized by those green gas pods the aliens used in XCOM1 cutscenes. Think basically husks from the Mass Effect series. And it added The Chosen, a series of alien bosses that are comic book villians that fight with alien hanzo steel, comically oversized sniper rifles, and, well...magic. It's all kind of ridiculous and turns XCOM2 into a superhero game rather than the gritty sci-fi "realism" (yeah, yeah, I know) of XCOM1. It's incredibly silly and it works so incredibly well. We will be playing an ironman (though not with the box checked; more on that in a moment) campaign on legendary (the hardest) difficulty. That might mean I lose a campaign or three early on; the early game (particularly the very first mission) in legendary difficulty is just obscenely difficult. But we'll get through it eventually. Some down-sides, though: 1.) I'm playing on a PS4 Pro. XCOM2 is...well...not very stable on console, and on missions with The Lost, it's drat near a guarantee that the hardware chugs. On LONG missions with The Lost, it's drat near a guarantee it'll bluescreen the PS4--or hard lock it entirely if I'm unlucky. That might mean some weird video breaks at times. 2.) Because it's unstable, I can't actually check the ironman box because then I'm in a fight not only against the aliens, but also the poorly-optimized code of this game. I can win the former. I can't win the latter. 3.) I've never really recorded to YouTube from the PS4 before, so there might be some kinks to work out there. I'll get it sorted though, I'm sure. But if you're looking at an XCOM LP, I know what you're thinking: "how can I get a digital version of me in the game?" So... Before we start, I'll want a couple of things from the thread: 1.) Do you want to be in the LP? Cool. Lemme know: Name Gender General appearance (speak like a normal human here; don't be like "wears glasses #6 and shirt #2"; just kinda describe how you want the person to look and I'll do my best), Soldier class (ranger, grenadier, sharpshooter, specialist--that's shotgun samurai, demolitions dude, revolver ocelot, and gadget nerd respectively if you haven't played before) Or if you don't want to be a soldier... (friendly scientist, friendly engineer, alien sympathizing VIP who we will rendition at various points in the game) Or if you don't want to be a human: you can be a robot (though I'm probably not going to have more than like 1-2 robots) 2.) We get a prestige class to start the game with. You can choose which one: a.) Reapers: their leader is voiced by Commander Riker. Reapers are useless in direct combat but can remain concealed basically all the time, serving as scouts. On urban maps they're an absolute wrecking ball because they can explode cars, gas tanks, cats, etc. b.) Templars: the most anime prestige class. These guys eschew guns so that that they can be ridiculous dual-wielding psionic swordsmen. They get some other cool tricks too but mostly their whole thing is MIND SWORDSMAN: BRAIN ELITE. Kinda flimsy early on, but if you can get one even a couple levels up, s/he can carry an entire mission in the early game. c.) Skirmishers: renegade aliens who hate the invaders. They don't do anything particularly well, but they're incredibly mobile, can shoot a lot, get a melee move, and can buff their allies. Probably the worst of the starting prestige classes, though a high-level skirmisher is a LOT of fun. It's just that they tend to come into their own later in the game when having a single strong hero unit makes less of a difference. TABLE OF CONTENTS First Campaign                                                                EPISODE 1-60: THIS WAS YOUR GREAT CHAMPION?          FairGame fucked around with this message at 18:07 on Jan 9, 2021 |
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Apr 11, 2020 23:01
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Start with a Skirmisher. And signing up! Name: Cythereal Gender: Female Appearance: Blonde, professional military look in blue or green. Class: Grenadier
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Apr 11, 2020 23:34
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Yes dude!! Signing up! Name: eating only apples Gender: Male Appearance: chunky East Asian man with a moustache Class: Ranger Let's give my guy a sword  (I am a woman but I fell in love with my Anglo-Chinese pseudo-self hero in the old LP, so he's back!) We should go reapers eating only apples fucked around with this message at 00:13 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 00:01
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Name: Reign Evil Gender: Male Appearance: Doesn't matter what I look like just make sure I have a ton of red on. Class: Sharpshooter Trust me I'll hit that 70% shot I won't even blink on it. Reaper is definitely our best option for starting so I'm gonna be contrarian and suggest we go Templar. reignofevil fucked around with this message at 00:24 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 00:19
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Name: Roth Gender: Female Appearance: Make it as edgy as possible Class: Heavy
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Apr 12, 2020 00:21
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I can't stay away. Name: Tuxedo Ted Gender: Male Appearance: Random is fine, but if that isn't possible make him a clean shaven African with short hair like last game Soldier Class: Specialist; every group needs a nerd. And as for the prestige class... I can't say no to Frakes. Make it a Reaper. Tuxedo Ted fucked around with this message at 00:33 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 00:23
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Tuxedo Ted posted:I can't stay away.  Let's go, sir!
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Apr 12, 2020 00:29
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Voting Reapers because you're already trying to do this on a PS4 on legendary, why the gently caress are you doing this to yourself. Also stick me in and hit the random button a bunch of times or whatever tickles your fancy.
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Apr 12, 2020 00:35
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I vote Skirmishers Name: Xel Kelvos Gender Male Appearance: East Asian with goatee and glasses. Edit2: Maybe something in a tasteful Red and Gold armor Class: Pistolero Edit: Hopefully I don't die on my first mission like last time. Xelkelvos fucked around with this message at 02:37 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 01:06
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Skirmishers Name: Night Gender: Male Appearance: As non-crazy and boring as possible, to contrast with the shotgun and cleaver. Class: Ranger. Rip and tear! RIP AND TEAR!
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Apr 12, 2020 01:14
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Sign me up! But who knows how long I'll keep my arms and legs this time? (or my head, vital organs, blood, etc for that matter) As last time, I'm happy to see what the game rolls me on appearance/accent/class and so forth, unless there's a particular thing you want to pick to round out the roster. The aesthetic is maybe a touch too punky for my tastes at the start, but it definitely makes it stand out from the generic soldier look that way too many games have. Let's go skirmishers, for no particular reason other than "just because". Crazy Achmed fucked around with this message at 02:26 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 01:24
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sincx fucked around with this message at 06:02 on Mar 23, 2021 |
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Apr 12, 2020 01:24
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Won't be signing up, but I vote for Templars
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Apr 12, 2020 01:36
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I would like to sign up Name: Kagemane Gender: Male Appearance: Any really, but if possible Russian voice Class: Heavy
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Apr 12, 2020 01:38
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Once more into the breach  Name: megane Gender: female Appearance: anything with big hair and mirrored shades Class: sharpshooter, or whatever you need And we should always go maximum anime, so Templars. e: I'd gladly be a Templar if we get one megane fucked around with this message at 04:09 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 01:42
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Cythereal posted:Start with a Skirmisher. WE'RE BACK BABY Name: Grapplejack Gender: Female Appearance: grey hair, asian, same as last game. Give me the exalt bandanna tho, I love that thing. tiger camo on my armor, keep it olive like in the last game. maybe some nice arm tats to go with my new gun. Class: Grenadier e: this entire xpac is basically swarming with star trek alum, frakes and john de lancie are in here as well as denise crosby. Grapplejack fucked around with this message at 01:55 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 01:51
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Aw yeah get me killed chief. losername: silentsnack class: murderbot appearance: as absurdly bright/garish/mismatched as possible (edit: also could go with "snack machine" or whatever you find appropriate) silentsnack fucked around with this message at 01:43 on Apr 14, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 02:01
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Start with a Templar because Templars are bae. Name: Neo Gender: Male General appearance: Brunette, sunglasses, russian voice if possible Soldier class: OP's CHOICE! I look forward to dying in glorious battle
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Apr 12, 2020 02:08
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Signing up, please. Name: Bindu Gender: Female Appearance: as close to Imperator Furiosa as you can feasibly get  Class: Specialist Voting for Reapers
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Apr 12, 2020 02:09
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I loved your first LP, and cant wait for this one  Signing up! Name: Otter Madness Gender: Male Appearance: something with a beard lol? Class Grenadier or whatever you need! Voting for Templars
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Apr 12, 2020 02:28
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This LP is a welcome sight! Sign me up! Name: Bob Deadford Gender: Male Appearance: As much bare skin as possible Class: Ranger, emphasis on the whole swords thing Voting for Reapers as they're just broken good from the start.
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Apr 12, 2020 02:32
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Name: Vaughn St. Martin Gender: Male Appearance: Casual outfit. Class: Specialist (medical tree)
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Apr 12, 2020 02:39
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Oh, hell yes. Start with Reapers. Name: Kaishai Gender: Female Appearance: Thin and pale, with long hair. Class: Sharpshooter I will by God make a shot this time around.
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Apr 12, 2020 03:03
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Starting Prestige Class: Reaper Name: TravelLog Gender: Male Appearance: As scarred and viking looking as possible. Class: Reaper if we are allowed to be one at the beginning. Otherwise Sharpshooter or Ranger.
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Apr 12, 2020 03:54
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Aw yeah, in on the ground floor. Lets go Templars Name: Least Action Gender: Female Appearance: Nerdy Scandinavian Class: Specialist or sharpshooter
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Apr 12, 2020 04:11
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I vote for Reapers Sign me up as well: Name: Munin Gender: Male Appearance: As much random kit on the model as possible. Be prepared! Class: Ranger for minimum survival
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Apr 12, 2020 04:26
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1) Name: bpACH Gender: Male General appearance: Office worker thrown onto the front line Soldier class: Grenadier. 2) I've never been able to use them properly, so: Skirmishers bpACH fucked around with this message at 04:49 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 04:45
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 I LIVE! I DIE! I LIVE AGAIN! WITNESS ME! Name: Cambrian Obelus Gender: Male General Appearance: blonde russian with the most outrageous mustache. Soldier Class: Sharpshooter Presitge Class: Templars. John De Lancie chews the scenery the best among the faction leaders. cambrian obelus fucked around with this message at 05:41 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 05:37
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gently caress it, I'm not even sure I'll get in at this point, but Name: Dr. Snark Gender: Male Appearance: Maximum movie nerd look Class: Specialist Starting Hero: Templar If it doesn't look like there'll be room for me at any point, feel free to recast me as a scientist
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Apr 12, 2020 06:16
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Name: Ricky-San Gender: Male Class: Ranger Appearance: White guy but maximum anime. So a weeb. Templars! Maximum Anime!
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Apr 12, 2020 06:18
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So glad you're back on the XCom train. How long is this going to be compared to the LW LP? Name: Chuu Gender: Male Appearance: Random / Your Choice Class: Random / Your Choice. Selfish Request: Can you leave in more of the cut-scenes, for those of us who haven't played? Chuu fucked around with this message at 08:32 on Apr 12, 2020 |
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Apr 12, 2020 07:51
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I’m slowly making everyone now. Keep em coming; even if someone doesn’t get into the rotation, I want a lot of people so that the recruitment menu is ONLY y’all. Also, I neglected to realize that I can’t actually control soldier class until later. So some of you who are in the early missions might end up as something else. Once I get the base upgrade that allows me to promote into each class, I’ll route soldiers per specification. Can someone tally the prestige vote for me? I think reapers are either ahead by 1 or tied with templars, with skirmishers a little behind both.
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Apr 12, 2020 12:24
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Sign me up! Name: Red Snappere Gender: Yes Looks: Handlebar moustache/mohawk Class: Big Gun and/or Big Booms (not that familiar with X2 classes)
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Apr 12, 2020 12:50
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Let's go! Name: Max Caliber Gender: All Appearance: Extreme Class: Gunslinging Sniper
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Apr 12, 2020 13:12
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My count: Skirmisher: 6 Reaper: 10 Templar: 10 I'll break the tie with a Templar vote.
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Apr 12, 2020 13:17
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Oh hell yes! this is gonna be great. Name: "Hellfire" Dremel Gender: Male Appearance: Not his first rodeo Class: Demolitions dude / VIP fairgame posted:their leader is voiced by Commander Riker There's a few more TNG actors voicing NPC's in Xcom2. I think about 5 or 6 of them have done voice acting for this game.
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Apr 12, 2020 13:53
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I'll play whatever y'all vote on, but if I get my own vote, I'm now voting for SKIRMISHER. I thought the bonus you got from each faction was randomized, but it turns out it's hard-locked. And skirmishers, while the hero class is the weakest (imo) early on, get a bonus that lets you excavate and build base facilities faster. And that seems just exceptionally good. And yeah there are a LOT of TNG voices in this. Frakes/Riker (Reaper leader), Sirtis/Draganova (Reaper soldier), Dorn/Worf (Skirmisher soldier), DeLancie/Q (Templar leader).
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Apr 12, 2020 14:30
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Why does no one want GUNS GUNS GUNS? Tacticool stealh is boring and melee seems OP (iirc, the speedrun does something like this). But shooting stuff? Yeah 
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Apr 12, 2020 16:15
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Skirmisher abilities aren't that useful in the early game, and the hookshot is not very impressive when you get to the later armor abilities. He's in the B-team, while Reaper is just designed to break the stealth game. A unit that can rush full speed forward and provide vision with very slim chance of getting caught? Yes please. Oh and also deploy a hell bomb from hell that can just win missions. I think the Templar is the most interesting piece on the battlefield. Unlike any other piece you'll want them out there to take a couple of shots. Positioning is everything in this game, and having a Templar in just the right square is some of the most satisfying tactics I've done in this game.
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Apr 12, 2020 17:25
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| # ? May 2, 2024 10:40 |
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I'll be interested to see what becomes of this because I never bought War of the Chosen - all the stuff it adds that sounds interesting to me is heavily outweighed by everything it adds that makes me scream gently caress no. I thought X-COM 2 in general was a huge disappointment, so maybe this LP will change my mind.
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Apr 12, 2020 17:30
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