#xcom long war 2

[sophiebaybey]

Today, I'm excited to announce a NEW LONG-FORM STREAM SERIES!

XCOM MONDAYS

I'm going to be starting an XCOM 2 Long War campaign, which could take over 100 HOURS to complete. We're in it for the long haul, now! TONIGHT!!! 3PM PST!!!

Also introducing: The "Adopt-A-Soldier" Program!

Take in any of our soldiers as your very own! Grow attached, watch them grow, and pray they SURVIVE! Did your favorite guy die? For 10,000 channel points, you can force me to reload my last autosave at ANY POINT! SAVE their life!

[andymakesgames]

Andy’s LWotC Notes & Guide (v 1.2)

This is pretty niche, but I maintain extensive notes while playing XCom 2 Long War of the Chosen (a very expansive/brilliant overhaul mod).

Andy’s LWotC Notes & Guide (v 1.2)

I took some time to clean it up into a very large collection of tips & tricks learned from several successful and many unsuccessful Legend/Ironman campaigns.

It is a hard mod to get into because it is very deep but not tutorialized well so I'm hoping this doc can be helpful to anybody curious about it. I'm particularly pleased with the class guides which are the result of a lot of experimentation.

It recently got pinned to the LWotC subreddit!

[foremanissleepy]

Are you ready to die for humanity's freedom? You, specifically. Not me, I'm the Commander.

[anaveragedisaster]

I've been thinking of how a Nine Sols story set on a modern Earth would play out, as one does.

So far I've had two ideas. One's a follow up to the Shooting Star ending that involves the Solarian ship used by Kuafu and the Apemen getting unearthed that I might post separately about if I can actually get my thoughts in order. The other is basically 'what if New Kunlun showed up in the Solar system in our time.'

The thing is, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the Solarians/Sols and the Ethereals from the Xcom games. Both are technologically advanced civilizations being driven to extinction by a disease and have invaded Earh to harvest humans in their efforts to find a cure, all the while presenting themselves as benevolent gods to those humans.

So now I've spent a considerable amount of time brainstorming how a Nine Sols and Xcom crossover au / total conversion mod would look like lore- and gameplay-wise. Here's the setup:

After realizing that the sapients on the Pale Blue planet are more advanced and numerous than initial images from the Haotian Sphere suggested (though still primitive by Solarian standards), the Tiandao council decides that instead of abducting a few hundred (or however many Apemen there were on Kunlun in canon) and leaving the rest of the species to fend for themselves in an ice age caused by the Fusang blocking sunlight, they'd colonize the planet proper. Not only would this make it easier for them to access their precious livestock. In their minds, it would also only be fair, even noble of them to uplift the remainder of the species with their science (or at least it's how the Sols that aren't Jiequan cope with the abject atrocities their plan involves).

For their invasion, they bring along a larger number of the biomechanical soldiers we see in the game, a fleet of Yuanbao ships (which do kind of look like flying saucers and by extension the xcom UFOs), as well as unseen warmachines from the Turbulent Era.

Right before Kunlun launches, like in canon, Yi discovers the secret behind Tianhuo and is murdered by Eigong.

After warping to the Solar system, the Sols spend maybe a few years preparing for the invasion, during which they abduct some humans to more thoroughly study what they're like. The actual invasion goes the way it does in XCOM 2 canon, with the Sols defeating any resistance and creating their worldwide regime (I haven't thought what it would be called yet, but it wouldn't be something as western as ADVENT). The date New Kunlun makes landfall on Earth is celebrated like Unification Day at the start of XCOM 2. Though I haven't decided whether it should be situated in the middle of the Pacific like the Etherals' facility or somewhere closer to land.

Instead of XCOM 2's Psionic network, there's a Rhizomatic/Fusang network created by the spread of Fusang roots from Kunlun throughout the Earth, generating clean energy and allowing for communication and maybe even teleportation due to their connection with the Limitless Realm.

The Gene therapy clinics are still a thing in this version of the story. We know Solarians in canon did gene modding. The Apemen were modified and the reason Tianhuo even exists is because Eigong tried to make Solarians genetically immortal. Like in XCOM 2, the clinics are also used to disappear an increasing number of humans, to be harvested for their brains, as well as biomass for Jiequan's transmutation factories and after a certain point, for Eigong's experiments with Tianhuo and the Tianhuo mutation.

As for Tianhuo itself, it is obviously kept secret from the humans. The official narrative as to why most Solarians are still in cryosleep is that humanity still needs to be 'raised' some more before they are ready to mingle with such an advanced species. The few non-Sols that have been woken up to help administer the planet are ones Eigong's made sure are loyal to her and even then, still closely monitored so they don't reveal anything.

Again, like in XCOM canon, at a certain point, survivors of the invasion led by Bradford get together to reform XCOM to start a guerrilla war against the Sols, steal an alien ship to use as a mobile base etc, etc. But no matter what they do, they can't seem to find the Commander. It's at this point that Yi wakes up.

Because Yi becomes the Commander in this au.

Instead of getting revived on New Kunlun, the Fusang roots, which stretch across the Earth now, spit him out in rural China. He's found and nursed back to health by Shuanshuan, whose parents left to get gene therapy in a city center some time ago but haven't been heard of since (the local representative insisted that they decided to stay, since the Sols make sure life is so much better there and as soon as there's an available spot, Shuanshuan will be able to join them).

At this point, I'm split on some key details. An idea I have is that initially, the roots revive Yi in a human disguise, specifically as a dead ringer for the missing Commander. This would make it easier for the rest of XCOM to trust him at the start, but would cause interesting conflict later (plus it would be so wonderfully karmic for him to have to be one of the humans he condemned into the role of cattle, and also I like me some TF in my fanfic). However, I'm worried about the effect this would have on Yi's and Shuanshuan's relationship. We know he's older than he looks in Solarian form, but still not that much older, so them as brothers still works. The Commander would have to be an older human, so if he looked like that, it'd start feeling less like a brotherhood and more like a father-son thing, which I'm not sure I want.

Otherwise, he'd claim he's a random defecting Solarian, demonstrating his hatred for the Sols in some way that convinces the humans to let him join them (though his getting the Commander's role is harder to justify in this case).

Either way, Shuanshuan refuses to part from Yi and is begrudgingly let on board the Avenger (which Yi realizes is his former personal transport and research ship, even being partly modelled after his Pavilion back on Kunlun). Either way, Yi gets to witness the devastation caused by the colonization that he masterminded and to work to dismantle it.

I haven't fully thought up how the rest of the story would play out, what the missions would be like and whatnot.

One thing I want there to be is XCOM being the one to discover an actual cure for Tianhuo, preferably through a method that combines science and the supernatural power of the Limitless realm. I like the sci-fi trope where humanity is the key element in figuring out something important, even when more advanced civilisations are involved. And I know that accepting the inevitability of the Solarians' extinction is a main theme in 9s, but it would also be fitting and nice if genuine help from humans (instead of them as cattle) proved to be the salvation not only for Yi, but for all remaining Solarians, giving them some hope.

Though Yi still gets to die heroically at the end and reunite with Heng within the infinite Tao, as a treat.

I''ve got more ideas about this that I want to share, but am too tired to rn. As a final note for now: Advent Burgers (or a differently named equivalent) are also very much a thing in this au and are enjoyed by both humans and awoken Solarians.

[mmeveronica]

WOOOOOO!

I just beat the last Chosen in my first compain of XCOM 2 Long War Of The Chosen on Rookie difficulty! Let me tell ya, going up against the Assassin without any battle scanners or people with the scanning protocol ability was a bad idea, at least my sharpshooter took her down quick, but another soldier got down to 1hp while wearing a war suit.

The other two chosen were wimps though, like the Hunter only got one turn in that's how much of a wimp he was. Turns out the highest tier of weapon is pretty good.

[modeus-the-misanthrope]

Redoing my mod list for Xcom2.

I love Long War & Long War 2....but by god I forgot how much it is not friendly to someone with Adhd. I cannot play with that mod unless I have AT LEAST 30mg of adderall in my system.

[goncharov-propaganda-factory]

okay dude we get it you don't have to be on five screens at once

[mulberriesandtea]

Hey y'all! I'll be playing an Archipelago Randomizer all month long for Absolute Pride Resonance this year. All proceeds will go to Outright International. The included games and their participants are~

lebkuchens with Ender Lilies!

Kaskozhuk with Library of Ruina!

ArcAngela with Pokemon Emerald!

Me, Mulberry, with Stardew Valley!

Alyssciel with XCOM 2: War of the Chosen!

Saphera with Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky!

We will all be streaming at 6pm EST, hope to see you there! (Here's my POV)

DONATION LINK: https://tilt.fyi/ffv2cY3moV

[rollforrandom]

I know the "Canon" is that XCOM failed in the first 1-2 months of the invasion, but does anyone else feel that's not -quite- the case? Hear me out:

The ADVENT mechs look very similar in design to the MEC trooper from EW, minus the actual person in it. This could just be standard mech design/reused assets, but it makes sense if the Elders found that humans had made something useful with MELD, they would take it for their own purposes.

The ADVENT troopers use magnetic weapons, which while not fully Canon to EU/EW (the main one was the railgun for MEC troopers), are rather prominent in Long war, a mod that helped inspire aspects of XCOM 2 and whose development worked with/for the actual game studio when XCOM2 was developed. But why would ADVENT use a weapon like that if they have plasma? Cause XCOM already designed it. It was cheaper, designed for humans, by humans, and coopted by aliens

Bradford's forces are too well organized at the start of XCOM 2. They have a WHOL ALIEN SHIP, with a launchable drops hip? That's not something that just "goes missing" without repercussions. Especially if we get stomped into the dirt with no resistance in 2 months. This feels like an opportunity was taken while the world was still in turmoil, fighting was going on, and XCOM grabbed what it could while the aliens were suppressing major dissonance across the globe. Something that according to the elder, didn't happen. And we all know we can trust them /s

This is all just theory and hypothetical. But I am really into that rn, especially other theories like "The commander/player is actually the Ethereal from the Bureau" level of theory. Tell me if you agree/disagree/want to hear more rambling.

[cerastes]

Does GDL2 scratch that XCOM itch? Still waiting for XCOM 3 wondering if it's a good enough substitute instead of playing another modded long war playthrough.

Shit, explicitly? Not unless you're willing to let it cook for like 2-3 weeks of playtime before you actually get to unlock and become capable of statistically meeting the minimum requirements to actually tackle the Actual XCOM stages because a lot of it is for the average gacha player, which I say without an ounce of contempt or arrogance but is statistically likely to be of well below average reading comprehension and skill -- or willingness to engage with the systems -- if my experiences with the playerbases of every other gacha are anything to go by.

If you do stick by though you fight some pretty fucking evil (affectionate) maps, yeah.

[sophiebaybey]

The last few XCOM Mondays have DECIMATED our forces... Many of our brave soldiers have been KIDNAPPED by the enemy. We MUST rescue them. Will you fight?

🟣 LIVE NOW!!!

[etherealvoidechoes]

I'm feeling a bit evil.

👎for Thaddeuas.

"👎 Is there someone your OC can’t stand, despite them being on the same side or sharing basic values?"

Bradford because the damn man won't give him any peace because that darn Avatar project tracker increased again and he needs someone to look over some reports for the 15th time. Someone's just asking to get their nose broken again.

Kidding! Man, I have to think for this one. I don't think Thaddeus would have had too many issues with the canon XCOM 1 & 2 staff. I would have to think of my OCs he would clash with since I know there would probably be a few. Will just say if you're an alcoholic and not getting that treated, are a sexist, and some other things, he will dislike you strongly even if you're putting in the work for the Resistance.

Overall, he's on good terms to friendly with my other Commanders.

Of course, there would be several soldiers that were pains in the neck he could barely stand, but for most, nothing they did reached the point of him discharging them.

I know any of the Council members that were just highly unreasonable in the beginning and got worse as the war continued he come to despise.

Read more because semi-long.

Hm, back in XCOM 1, I can see him having a lower tolerance for some of Geist's psionic shenanigans(testing and other things) and (somewhat) change in personality which also made him get highly annoyed with Vahlen and the Psionics division for some time as they feed off of each other despite the good results. He's trying to run a military operation not a clown house. That lower tolerance for Geist may continue once he recalls him when they meet again.

Hm, just thinking about it, Asaru would be on his shit list for a little bit once he learns who and why he lost his pilot wings. Part of him understands and knows Asaru didn't mean too much harm from it, but the man will forever be miffed and will ignore him from time to time because of that besides also questioning if that alien was controlling him the whole time back then (though deep within himself he knows Asaru didn't.)

Oh heck, thinking about it, this would be more or so his Chosen version, but Maker would be on the barely stand. But it's very complicated since his current state of being and having that constant devil on his shoulder has him highly volatile around any Elder, including Maker though the two are working together to undermine things. His brain just keeps ticking to the "shut up before I strangle/drain you" whenever Maker is getting philosophical or talking about the hypocrisy of his brethren.

I won't really continue on with his Chosen self since for his story he doesn't get the "proper" conversion like Jynn(and maybe the other two) as he will be a double-agent since his "conversion." But him and Hunter are besties.

[windfaemaiden]

Some more Xcom 2 Long War of the Chosen <3

[mmeveronica]

I've been playing XCOM 2 Long War of the Chosen and holy cow is the combo of a hacking focused specialist bonded with a stealth focused shinobi officer so good!

Like, so many missions can just be solved with that combo, and since it's a squad of two people it infiltrates quickly, and since it has an officer it infiltrates quickly, and since it has bondmates it infiltrates quickly, and since you want to equip submachine guns anyways for the stealth and mobility bonuses it infilrates quickly. The point is it infiltrated fast so you can get 'em through missions fast and on short notice.

And on those missions! Just shinobi scouts ahead with reduced detection radii from ghostwalker and covert, if there is a scouting drone the specialist hacks it with haywire protocol and the trojan virus ability takes it out without breaking stealth. Advent tower in the way, then the specialist can hack it on a success it gets shutdown.

The objective is in sight? If it involves hacking the specialist can do that at range, and though it will reveal the specialist the shinobi stays hidden. The shinobi can use advanced teamwork and command to give the specialist extra actions to get out of dodge and onto the evac, which shouldn't take long to arrive if a flare was used since the shinobi is an officer.

It is just such an amazing combo!

[foxgirlmoth]

Xcom 2, a game very much so about fighting aliens occupying the entirety of Earth, is not realistic. You see, especially in the overhaul mod Long War of the Chosen, you have a pretty expansive team. Sending out half a dozen or so troops per mission to take on around a dozen or so enemies, more or less. I think its neat that you do make resistance camps across the world, and every person has a flag for their nationality!! Now, the most unrealistic thing isn't the aliens or the tech that's used or anything, its the fact that you can recruit iof people for the cause to. Fight against an occupation. Don't think that'd be happening actually.

[eri-blogs-life]

Today officially marks my 5-year anniversary of starting gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy! It's been a real good five years, overall. A mixed bag at times, for sure, with my old shitty job and then me losing my job and getting into extreme debt, but on the bright side I'm in a great relationship, I've got some fantastic friends, and I feel like I am my own person now and all that good stuff's got a lot to do with my transition.

Anyway, to celebrate I decided to take a whole day off work and play a bunch of video games! Quick impressions on like the half-dozen games I played at least an hour or so of today, in no particular order other than the order I played them in today:

Lego: Lord of the Rings

I'll be real, I was not the biggest fan from my first impression. I grew up with Lego Star Wars, and still love that game to this day, but a new Lego game for me...? The gameplay is pretty simple, which is fine but not necessarily the most engaging.

Worst of all though is adding voice acting. One of the best aspects of the Lego Star Wars games was that they had to get creative with how they told the story, focus only on the really important details, and come up with unique ways for characters to express themselves. By ripping the dialogue straight out of the Lord of the Rings movies instead, it cuts a lot of the Lego charm that I loved so much in those games growing up.

Probably not going to play much more of this one

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

RIP AND TEAR

Holy shit, this game slaps. Like, I'd heard lots of good things, but now that I've played it I can really feel just how good it is. The pixel art intro is amazing (though a little long-winded for my taste I feel), the graphics of the core gameplay are absolutely beautiful, the music and sound feels so good to the ears, the shooting feels so clunky and satisfying... All around, an absolutely awesome experience.

I am definitely going to be beating this one at LEAST once through.

Lethal Company

Far from my first time playing Lethal Company, but yeah, this is a real fun game. The mix of horror and goofing off with friends just makes for a real fun experience. Once you start learning the creatures' behaviors and they stop being so scary, it really does become just a fun, goofy, silly time with friends in which you ocassionally get extremely freaked out by something suddenly killing you when you don't expect it.

Absolutely playing more, of course.

Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin Edition

I've written about this game before on my blog, it is one of my favorite games of all time and I absolutely adore it. I didn't play for a whole lot today, mostly just booted it up and played until I died, but that made for a satisfying little taste of the game again. Without the social aspect of me playing this game with my friend Jon back in college, though, it definitely doesn't have quite the same appeal.

I don't know if I'm going to play more DS2 anytime soon. I played so, so many hours of this game and explored nearly all its secrets, I don't know how much more playtime I've got in me.

XCOM 2

I've been playing this game for the past few weeks, actually, and fucking loving it. I adored the original reboot XCOM and played it tons, and I picked up XCOM 2 shortly after its release, but I didn't actually give it a real good playing until recently. It's fantastic, but man is it rough to play. You lose a couple of good soldiers on one mision and it feels like everything starts chain-reacting til you've lost the whole run.

Definitely going to be playing more. I want to see this game's ending at least once.

Slay the Spire

Quite possibly my favorite game of all time, I love Slay the Spire's everything. Its game loop, its art, its music, the whole package is absolutely fantastic.

Absolutely I'm playing this game more. I also cannot wait for StS 2.

Cube Escape Collection

Alright, so my first exposure to this series was my neice playing a Cube Escape game on her ipad in, like, 2014, and then I didn't think about it again for a really long time. It was just some weird little puzzle game for mobile apps for kids or whatever. But then I saw this game on steam one time on sale, thought the name sounded familiar, and decided to pick it up. So far in first little experience, it's chill. I do enjoy me a good little escape room puzzle, for sure.

Probably going to play more, but it might be a while before I pick it up again

Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp

I loved Monster Prom - its fun characters and silly setting make for a really entertaining time. I finally got around to trying out the sequel. It's good, though mechanically it felt like largely the same core loop. It's not a bad loop by any means, and of course the real appeal is in the new romanceable characters, but I didn't find myself really falling too hard for any of them on an initial runthrough like I did with Polly in Monster Prom.

I might play more. Might try at least one run to date Aaravi cause they seemed fun.

Highschool Romance

Holy shit this made me feel things. The premise of a boy has to crossdress to fit in at an all-girls school feels kinda silly at first blush, but it really feels like the game takes it seriously. I dunno, when the game put me in a situation where I had to make a decision between revealing my identity to the girl I was interested in or keeping it a secret, I had to just pause the game and step away for a few minutes. The game really got me in to feeling like I was there in the character's shoes, caught in the headlights of a near impossible decision between trying to keep my secret a little longer or coming out when I didn't know how she'd take it. I tried keeping it a secret, but it didn't exactly end up working out, and she found out. But she was cool about it. And she even wanted to kiss me, which was pretty hot.

I'm absolutely about to play the fuck out of this game.

Ocean's Heart

Didn't play this game for long, but I got just enough of a taste to say it seems really promising. Got a lot of the 2D Zelda genes in it and from my short time with it, it feels pretty fun to play.

Definitely going to play more of it, but I think it's going to go back onto the backlog for now while I focus on other games.