Due to popular demand, here's a repost of the XCOM Strategy Guide, which
also applies to UFO.
X-COM : UFO Defense
Frequently Asked Questions and Strategy Guide (updated 08/29/94)
maintained by Kuo-Sheng (Kasey) Chang
(kschang@mercury.sfsu.edu / ksc1@aol.com)
WARNING * WARNING * WARNING * WARNING * WARNING * WARNING
This FAQ and strategy article conatins info that you may prefer to find out
by exploring and researching yourself. If you want to play the game in the
dark then read on with care or not at all!!
This FAQ was prepared using a wide range of material, including two
existing UFO/XCOM FAQ's, Computer Gaming World's Strategy article, Computer
Game Review's Strategy article (both are September 94), and the collective
wisdom of fellow XCOM players of which there are too many to mention. In
future updates all attempts will be made to credit each author with their
specific hint.
If you have any comments or other strategies, please submit them to the
author via e-mail at the addresses above.
Thanks to the following:
Julian Gallop, XCOM High Commander (XCOM Creator)
Jeff James, XCOM Strategist (CGW Strategy Writer)
Kevin Perry, XCOM Strategist (CGR Strategy Writer)
William Kang, commander, X-COM Strike Team 1 (FAQ Writer)
Tim Chaun, commander, X-COM Strike Team 2 (FAQ Writer)
Now, let's go save Earth!
Table of Contents
1.0 General Information about XCOM .....................................2
1.1 What is X-COM : UFO Defense?.....................................2
1.2 What's the difference between X-COM and UFO:Enemy Unknown?.......3
1.3 What type of PC do I need to run it?.............................3
1.4 Sounds cool, but I'd like to try it first........................3
1.5 How about any known bugs?........................................4
1.6 Are there any patches available for those bugs?..................4
1.7 I need some help! Any saved game editors?.......................4
1.8 Any plans on sequels or expansion disks? Other versions?........4
2.0 Game Specific Information ..........................................5
2.1 Base Facilities..................................................5
2.2 X-COM Crafts and their Weapons...................................5
2.3 UFO Types........................................................6
2.4 Ground Combat Weapons............................................7
2.5 Alien Information................................................7
2.6 Costs............................................................9
2.7 TU Usage by Activity............................................10
3.0 Strategy on Bases .................................................11
3.1 Where should I build bases?.....................................11
3.2 Base Types and evolution........................................11
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 2
3.3 Base Construction...............................................12
3.4 Defending a base................................................13
4.0 Air Combat and Intercept Strategies ...............................14
4.1 Weapons vs. target..............................................14
4.2 Feet dry! Feet dry!............................................14
4.3 The yo-yo attack................................................15
4.4 Get Plasma Cannon quickly.......................................15
4.5 Get rid of Stingray Missiles and cannons........................15
4.6 Finding the alien base..........................................15
4.7 Keep soldiers in bases [IMPORTANT]..............................15
4.8 Go home early...................................................15
5.0 Ground Combat Strategies ..........................................16
5.1 What should I take on ground missions?..........................16
5.2 General Tactics.................................................17
5.3 Weapon Tactics.................................................19
5.4 Assault tactics.................................................20
5.5 Capturing aliens................................................22
5.6 Psi / Anti-Psi Tactics..........................................23
5.7 Auto-shot, snap shot, and aimmed shot...........................24
5.9 Misc. Ground Combat Questions and Answers.......................24
6.0 Research and Manufacture Strategies ...............................26
6.1 What should I research?.........................................26
6.2 Suggested Research Priorities...................................27
6.3 Research Strategies.............................................27
6.4 Research Cheat [?]..............................................27
6.5 Manufacture Strategies..........................................28
7.0 Logistics and Material Management ................................28
7.1 Why is Elerium important?.......................................28
7.2 I keep running out of funds! What do I do?.....................28
7.3 Dealing with Equipment Shortages................................29
7.4 When to sack / retire things....................................30
7.5 Equipping Landing Crafts........................................30
9.0 Misc. questions and answers .......................................30
1.0 General Information about XCOM
1.1 What is X-COM : UFO Defense?
[Excerpt from X-COM manual, page 6]
It is the year 1999. Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have
started appearing with disturbing regularity in the night skies.
Reports of violent human abductions and horrific experimentation
has struck terror into the hearts of millions. Mass public
hysteria has only served to expose Earth's impotence against a
vastly superior technology.
[...]
On December 11, 1998, representatives from the world's most
economically powerful countries gathered secretly in Geneva.
After much debate, the decision was made to establish a covert
independent body to combat, investigate, and defeat the alien
threat. The organization would be equipped with the world's
finest pilots, soldiers, scientists, and engineers, working
together as one multi-national force.
This organization was named the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 3
[End Excerpt]
You are in overall command of X-COM. You will launch
interceptors to attack UFOs, send soldiers out to attack
(crashed) UFOs, raid alien bases on Earth (if you can find them),
keep the sponsor nations happy (by shooting down the UFOs and
prevent terror attacks), buy the ammo and weapons you need in the
war, research for better weapons as your troops brings in alien
artifacts for analysis, manufacture the new weapons, pay for
everything by sponsor countries' contributions and by selling
excess stuff, and eventually figure out where the alien threat is
coming from and end the threat once and for all.
The strategic level is centered on a screen with a rotateable
/zoomable 3D globe (GeoScape), with buttons to manipulate your
bases, check UFO activity, check your funding levels from the 15
sponsoring nations, and to look up data in your on-line UFOpedia.
At the tactical level (BattleScape) you control troops/tanks in
3D combat which is quite similar to Syndicate and Populous.
1.2 What's the difference between X-COM and UFO:Enemy Unknown?
Nothing. UFO:EU is the European version of X-COM, where the game
came from. The game is developed by Mythos Games, based in
England, which is headed by Julian (Laser Squad) Gallop. The
game was picked up by Microprose U.K. and imported to the US.
MicroProse US changed the name because subLOGIC (the original
Flight Simulator people, now R.I.P.) had a game called UFO. That
one uses actual physics for its flight model (huh?!), and include
this dumb little game where you gather fuel so your mother ship
can leave Earth. It can use any scenery disks that you got for
FS, and was never very popular any way.
1.3 What type of PC do I need to run it?
Requirements listed on the US. Version is as follows: 386 or 486
(or higher?), 4 MB RAM, VGA, Mouse, MS-DOS 5.0 or higher
It comes on 3 3.5" HD disks, and needs about 12Mb of hard disk to
install. (24 MB if using Stacker or DoubleSpace) There is a CD
version which requires much less hard drive space. You have 10
savegame slots.
The game requires 560K conventional memory and at least 1 meg of
XMS. The technical supplement does *not* guarantee that the game
will work with Windows, DR DOS, Novell DOS7 or OS/2.
The copy protection is a code at the bottom of each odd-numbered
page of the quite well written 128-page manual.
1.4 Sounds cool, but I'd like to try it first...
No problem. There's a playable demo available at most FTP sites
(wuarchive.wustl.edu should have it), as well as America On-line
and other on-line services. (Also try ftp.std.com if you can't
get into wuarchive) Remember to unzip it with the -d (restore
directories) option or the game will not run.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 4
1.5 How about any known bugs?
Here are some of the bugs that the author has experience or heard
of. If you have encountered a bug that is not listed here, send
a short description to me. MicroProse is aware of most of these
problems. See 1.6.
1.5.1 The Green Text Bug
When running in BattleScape, the game start to display some 40-
column Green Text (DOS extender error). Usually happens just
after battle in GeoScape. Sometimes it takes you back into the
BattleScape, and sometimes it hangs the computer. No work
arounds. The saved game is probably corrupt. Try to restore an
earlier saved game. See 1.5.4.
1.5.2 The 16-bit Sounds Bug
When playing on a 16-bit sound card such as SB-16 or PAS-16, the
music and sounds often is played with a bunch of static instead,
or no sound effect at all (soldiers walking inside the craft
should have "walk on deck" sounds). No work around at the moment
except play with sound off. Also note that the program during
setup asks for the DMA, NOT the Interrupt.
1.5.3 The One-Shot Blaster Bug
The blaster launcher, when fired with only one way point, cannot
be reloaded. It will show there's no round in the weapon, but
when you drop a round in the weapon it will say "Weapon is
already loaded". For now, the work around is ALWAYS PROGRAM
BLASTER LAUNCHER WITH MORE THAN TWO WAYPOINTS.
1.5.4 Intercept Save Bug
If you save a game while an intercept in progress (i.e. craft is
in the air) the saved game is corrupt and cannot be reloaded (it
will crash the computer). This probably causes the 1.5.1 Green
Text Bug. Work around is DO NOT SAVE DURING INTERCEPTS.
1.5.5 The Flying Frozen Bug
Sometimes a soldier flying (with a flying suit, of course) is
stuck at the edge of the map. Technically s/he is OFF the map,
and can only go up or down, but not back onto the map. S/he will
recover when mission is successfully completed. No workarounds.
1.6 Are there any patches available for those bugs?
As of 8-24/94, MPS Rep on America On-Line indicated that they
will have a patch in about 2 weeks that will solve the 16-bit
sound card problem and perhaps others. There are two patches
available for the European version (UFO), which does not apply to
the US Version, which already has them.
1.7 I need some help! Any saved game editors?
There are currently three editors available: SOLDIER, BASE, and
MONEY. All three are available on America On-line (PC Games
Forum, Library Search, XCOM), and should be available elsewhere
in the Internet. There's also analysis of the saved game files
done by Michael Chan available on Internet.
1.8 Any plans on sequels or expansion disks? Other versions?
MicroProse Rep on America On-Line has revealed at least one
(possibly two) scenario disks is being developed. According to
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 5
CGW's report, UFO2 is in the works, with better sounds and
graphics, but NO CHANGE to the combat system. (Hurray!)
There was some talk about a Macintosh version, but no decision
has been made. Mac users who want a Mac version should contact
MicroProse and voice your opinion. Try MicroProse@aol.com.
2.0 Game Specific Information
Following are series of tables for XCOM. All information are in your
UFOpedia. The ? items have unknown values at this revision. If you
see them, please notify the author so an update could be made.
2.1 Base Facilities
You can have up to 8 bases around the world. There are 36 (6x6)
locations in each. Only hanger takes up more than one location.
Name Days Build Cost Cost/month Usage
Access Lift 1 300k 4k (Entrance to underground base)
Living Quarters 16 400k 10k (Sleeps 50)
Laboratory 26 750k 30k (Allows 50 research)
Workshop 32 800k 35k (Allows 50 manufacture)
Small Radar 12 500k 10k (300nm range, 5% detect/10mins)
Large Radar 25 800k 15k (450nm range, 5% detect/10mins)
General Stores 10 150k 5k (Holds 50 units of equipment)
Alien Containment 18 500k 15k (Holds 10[!?] live aliens)
Hanger 25 200k 25k (Maintains 1 craft)
Missile Defence 24? ? ? (Def value 500, Accuracy 50%)
Laser Defence 24 900k 10k (Def value 600, Accuracy 60%)
Plasma Defence 36 1200k 12k (Def value 900, Accuracy 70%)
Fusion Defense 36 1800k 14k (Def value 1200, Accuracy 80%)
Grav Shield 38 2300k 15k (Gives defences an extra shot)
Mind Shield 33 1300k 5k (Stop aliens finding base)
Psi Lab 24 750k 16k (For troop psionics training)
Hyperwave Decoder 26 2000k 30k (To evaluate alien missions)
You can dismantle a facility, even when it is under construction.
Simply click on the facility, and the program will ask you do you wish
to dismantle it, select OK or Cancel.
To dismantle a base, you must remove all facilities (transferring all
people and equipment elsewhere if needed) then finally remove the
access lift itself.
2.2 X-COM Crafts and their Weapons
Speed Acceln Fuel Weapon Hull Cargo HWPs
[Start with]
Skyranger 760 2 2000 0 150 14 3
Interceptor 2100 3 1000 2 100 0 0
[Must be researched]
Firestorm 4200 9 20(E) 2 500 0 0 (1)
Lightning 3100 8 30(E) 1 800 12 0 (2)
Avenger 5400 10 60(E) 2 1200 26 4 (3)
(E) Uses elerium-115 for fuel (1) new fighter
(2) new fighter/transport (3) ultimate craft
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 6
Damage Range Accuracy Reload Shots
[Start with]
Cannon 10 10 10% 2s 200?
Stingray 70 30 70% 15s 6
Avalanche 100 60 100% 20s 3
[Must Research]
Laser Cannon 70 21 70% 4s 99?
Plasma Beam 140 52 140% 6s 99
Fusion Launcher 230 65 230% 25s 2
Shots are the amount of ammo that weapon pod can carry. Laser Cannon and
Plasma beam can fire almost indefinitely (rarely you'll need 99 shots).
NOTE 1: Match the weapon to the target. You want to force the alien to
land so you can board it and recover artifacts and prisoners, not blow it
into smithreens (though it might make you feel good)
NOTE 2: The long range weapons, like Avalanche, Plasma Beam, and Fusion
Ball Launcher, gives you advantage since UFO usually do not fire back until
you are quite close. See 2.3 for UFO weapon ranges.
NOTE 3: It is possible to miss with weapons that have accuracy of over 100
percent, usually when target zooms out of range.
2.3 UFO Types
Max Hull Weapon Max Ship
Speed Damage Power Range Crew Width comment
Small Scout 2200 50 0 0 1 3 Like an Apollo capsule
Medium Scout 2400 200 20 120 6 9 1 level, small square
Large Scout 2700 250 20 272 ? 12? 1 level, like a cross
Harvester 4000 500 40 176 ? 16 3 levels, top hatch
Terror Ship 4800 1200 120 336 ? 30 2 levels, narrow top
Supply Ship 3200 2200 60 288 ? 30 3 levels
Battleship 5000 3000 140 520 ? 30 3 levels, 5 legs
Abductor 4300 500 40 160 ? 12? 2 levels, large square
Following floor plans are approximately 1x1. Any one want to do more?
Legend : G = Gravlift, D = Doors, P = UFO Power
Medium Scout
/-------\
| |
| P |
| |
\---D---/
Large Scout
/---------\
| D |
| | |
/-----+ | +-----\
| +-------+ |
| | | |
| D P | D
| | | |
| +-------+ |
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 7
\-----+ | +-----/
|--D-| |
| D |
\---------/
Typically UFO's will not fire until you are at 1/6th of the weapon's
maximum range, sometimes even less. For example, battleship usually open
fire at 60 km, and terror ships at 45 km.
2.4 Ground Combat Weapons
(Accuracy / TU%)
Aimed Snap Auto Dam Type Ammo (Capacity)
Pistol 78/30 60/18 26 AP Pistol Clip (15)
Rifle 110/80 60/25 35/35 30 AP Rifle Clip (20)
Heavy Cannon 90/80 60/33 56 AP HC-AP (6)
52 HE HC-HE (6)
60 I HC-I (6)
Auto Cannon 82/80 56/33 32/40 42 AP AC-AP (14)
44 HE AC-HE (14)
48 I AC-I (14)
Rocket Launcher 115/75 55/45 75 HE Small Rocket
100 HE Large Rocket
90 I Incendiary Rocket
Laser Pistol 68/55 40/20 28/25 46 Las
Laser Rifle 100/50 65/25 46/34 60 Las
Heavy Laser 84/75 50/33 85 Las
Grenade 50 HE
Smoke Grenade 60 HE!
Proximity Grenade 70 HE
High Explosive 110 HE
Plasma Pistol 85/60 65/30 50/30 52 Plas PP clip (25)
Plasma Rifle 100/60 86/30 55/63 80 Plas PR clip (30)
Heavy Plasma 110/60 75/30 50/35 115 Plas HP clip (35)
Blaster Launcher 120/80 200 HE Blaster Bomb
Small Launcher 110/75 65/40 90 Stun Stun Bomb
Alien Grenade 90 HE
(AP = Armor piercing HE = High Explosive I = Incendiary)
Note 1 : TU cost is always a percentage of the soldier's total TUs, not a
fixed amount.
Note 2 : Accuracy for two-handed weapons is decrease 20% if other hand is
not empty (i.e. holding something like grenades, psi amp, etc.)
Note 3 : Accuracy is increased 10% if the soldier is kneeling, which takes
only 4 TUs, so kneel whenever you can before you fire.
2.5 Alien Information
Attack Types, strengths, and weaknesses:
Type Attacks with Resists Weakness Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sectoid Weapons Leader has psi attack
Cyberdisc Weapons explosives Explodes when dead
Floater Weapons Flies (=flying suit)
Reaper HTH incend Two brains and hearts
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 8
Snakemen Weapons fire/heat Carries up to 50 eggs
Cryssalid HTH HE Turns humans to zombies
Zombie HTH Dies -> Cryssalid
Ethereal Weapons & Psi All have psi attack
Sectopod Weapons plasma laser Power armored robot
Muton Weapons AP Strong, work for Eths
Silacoid HTH fire/incend Works with mutons
Celatoid Venom
Average Alien Stats
----- Armor ------
TUs Ene Hea Bra Mor Rea Fir Thr Str PSt PSk Fro Lft Rgt Rer Und
Sectoid 55 90 30 80 100 65 30 60 30 ? ? 2 1 1 1 1
Reaper ??
Floater 50 90 35 80 100 50 25 60 40 - - 4 3 3 2 6
Cyberdisc 60 90 120 110 100 65 30 0 90 - - 17 17 17 17 17
Snakeman 40 80 45 80 100 45 30 65 50 - - 10 9 9 8 6
Cryssalid 110 140 95 100 100 70 0 0 110 - - 17 17 17 17 17
Zombie 40 110 85 110 100 40 0 0 85 - - 4 4 4 4 4
Ethereal 70 100 60 80 100 75 40 80 50 50 40 17 17 17 17 16
Sectopod 60 90 95 110 100 65 30 0 90 - - 70 65 65 50 45
Muton 58 90 90 80 100 60 30 60 70 - - 10 10 10 10 5
Celatoid ??
Silacoid 40 80 115 100 100 40 0 0 70 - - 25 25 25 25 5
NOTE 1: you can get info on particular alien stats by using a mind probe on
them. Leaders and commanders are 10 to 20% higher, and there appears to be
random modifiers. Sectoid Leader and Commander have Psi capabilities.
NOTE 2: The high TUs on cryssalids allows them to move a long way and often
surprise troops from behind, turning them to zombies before you can react.
When killed, zombies shed their skins to become new cryssalids.
NOTE 3: There does not appear to be a commander in the Muton base.
Therefore Commander in a Muton base could be an Ethereal!
Specialties and information possible from them:
Alien Soldier ----- Alien activity
Alien Medic ----- Species information *
Alien Navigator ----- Hyper-Wave Decoder
Alien Engineer ----- UFO stats
Alien Leader ----- The Martian Solution
Ethereal/ Sectoid Leader ----- Psi Lab -> Mind Shield/Psi-Amp
Alien Commander ----- Cydonia or Bust **
* alien medics can give information on species other than their own
** commander can be found in bases, or UFOs on Base missions, but players
have reported that only commander captured from a base can help you
research "Cydonia or Bust".
Alien Missions
Research Generally small vehicles, least threat
Harvest Great concern to governments, usually cattle abduction
Abduction Abducts humans, causes great alarm
Infiltration Infiltrates countries and try to make pact with government,
big threat as countries that sign pact cease to fund XCOM
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 9
Base Survey and establish alien base, may contain alien commander
Terror Creates terror sites when lands at city
Retaliation Scout / attack XCOM base, greatest threat
Supply Supply alien base, trail them and patrol nearby to find
alien base
2.6 Costs
All things are listed there. Those that can be purchased or cannot be
manufactured have NO Engineer-hours. Those that must be manufactured have
Engineer-hours listed. Those things that cannot be purchased nor
manufactured have only sale price listed.
Engineer Workshop Alien Sale
Hours Cost Space Elerium Alloys Price
[Equipment]
Stun Rod - ? - - - ?
ElectroFlare - 40 - - - 30?
Motion scanner 220 34k 4 - - 45600
Medikit 420 28k 4 - - 46500
Mind probe 1200 262k 4 1 - 334000
Psi amp 500 160k 4 1 - 194700
[Armor]
Personal armor 800 22k 12 - 4 140000
Power suit 1000 42k 16 5 5 310000
Flying suit 1400 58k 16 16 5 420000
[HWP]
Tank/cannon
Tank/rocket
Tank/laser 1200 500k 25 - - ?
Hovertank/plasma 1200 850k 30 30 5 980000
Hovertank/fusion 1400 900k 30 25 8 1043000
HWP fusion bomb 400 15k 25 5 8 31500
[weapons]
Pistol
Rifle
Grenade
Proximity Grenade
Smoke Grenade
High Explosive
Laser pistol 300 8k 2 - - 20000
Laser rifle 400 20k 3 - - 36900
Heavy laser 700 32k 4 - - 61000
Plasma pistol 600 56k 3 - 1 84000
Plasma pistol clip 60 2k 4 1 - 4440
Plasma rifle 820 88k 4 - 1 126500
Plasma rifle clip 80 3k 4 2 - 6290
Heavy plasma 1000 122k 4 - 1 171600
Heavy plasma clip 80 6k 4 3 - 9590
Blaster launcher 1200 90k 5 - 1 144000
Blaster bomb 220 8k 3 3 - 17028
Small launcher 900 78k 3 - 1 120000
Stun bomb 200 7k 2 1 - 15200
Alien grenade 200 6.7k 2 2 - 14850
[Crafts]
Interceptor
Skyranger
FIRESTORM 14000 400k 30 - 65 -*
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 10
LIGHTNING 18000 600k 34 - 85 -*
AVENGER 34000 900k 36 - 170 -**
[Craft Weapons]
Cannon
Stingray
Stingray Launcher
Avalanche
Avalanche Launcher
Laser cannon 300 182k 6 - - ?
Plasma beam 500 226k 8 15 - 267300
Fusion launcher 400 242k 6 - - 281100
Fusion ball 600 28k 6 4 - 53300
[Misc]
Alien alloys 100 3k 10 - - 6500
Elerium-115 - - - - - 5000
UFO power source 1400 130k 22 16 5 250000
UFO navigation 1600 150k 18 - 3 80000
Alien Surgery 20000
Alien Examination 20000
Alien Entertainment 20000
Alien Food 20000
Alien bodies 20000
* needs 1 UFO power source + 1 UFO navigation
** needs 2 UFO power sources + 1 UFO navigation
Misc. Equipment Descriptions
[Available at start]
Stun rod has a chance to render an alien unconscious with
hand-to-hand attack (i.e. go up next to it)
Electro flare Lights up area at night, thrown, can be picked up
[Must be researched]
Motion scanner detects movement in the near vicinity, even
behind doors and walls, useful when storming UFOs
or buildings
Medikit heals fatal wounds (heal), revives unconscious
(stimulate) and boosts morale (painkiller)
Elerium 115 only found on alien UFOs/bases, and needed for
many important weapons and power units
Mind probe when used on an alien tells you its stats and
rank, useful to find an alien commander or leader
Psi amp allow soldier to use psionic attacks on aliens
(attempting to cause panic or get mind control),
requires Psi training (see later)
2.7 TU Usage by Activity
Weapon Usage are listed in Section 2.4 above.
Equipment Usage:
Medi-Kit 10 / dose
Mind Probe 25%
Motion Sensor 25%
Movement Usage:
Kneel/Stand 4
Go up
Go down
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 11
Turn 1 per 45 degrees
Go forward
Material Transfer Usage:
Thanks to reiben@vt.edu for the Material Transfer TU Chart included below:
From \ To! Hand ! Belt ! Shoulder ! Leg ! Pack ! Ground
--------------------------------------------------------
Hand ! - 8 10 8 14 2
Belt ! 4 - 12 10 16 6
Shoulder ! 3 10 - 12 16 4
Leg ! 6 10 10 - 18 6
Pack ! 6 12 14 16 - 10
Ground ! 8 12 12 10 20 -
3.0 Strategy on Bases
3.1 Where should I build bases?
Usually you start in either Europe or North America, as those contain
most of your sponsoring countries. Your second base would be in the
other area. As for others, check UFO activity and see below.
3.1.1 Suggested Placement
Central Europe (western USSR and all of Europe, India)
North America / Rockies (USA and Canada)
Japan (eastern USSR, Japan, and China)
Eastern South America (Brazil)
Australia (Australia and Pacific)
Central Africa (South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria)
3.1.1 Ideal Placement
North Pole
South Pole / Antarctica
Southern United States
Persian Gulf
North-eastern Australia
Brazil, South America
Central Europe
Japan / USSR border
3.2 Base Types and evolution
You will probably have four to six types of bases. As you play
you will start upgrading them to the next level to create a more
effective detection and interception network.
3.2.1 Radar/Picket base
Just an access lift and some radars, plus maybe some storage for
HWP defense team and/or living quarters for defending soldiers.
Detect UFOs. Add more radars and defenses whenever possible.
The long range radars have 450 nm range, 5% detection / 10
minutes, and short range radar have 300 nm range, 10% detection /
10 minutes. Adding more radars would improve chances of
detection. A hyperwave decoder would also help.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 12
3.2.2 Airbase
Base with a hangar or two housing an Interceptor or Firestorm,
used to intercept and shoot down UFOs, as well as to patrol for
enemy bases. HINT: Use an empty Skyranger to tail UFOs can be
very effective as Skyranger has the longest range.
Can be improved from radar base by adding hangar. You would need
storage space for the craft weapons.
3.2.3 Strike base
Base with at least one transport (Skyranger, Lightning, or
Avenger), as well as living quarters and storage. Houses soldiers
and equipment. Used to board UFOs and/or attack alien bases.
Can be created from both radar base or airbase by adding another
hangar for the transport. Remember to add more storage space for
the increased need for weapons. Also add alien containment if
you manage to take prisoners.
3.2.4 Command Center
The EVERYTHING base, includes research and manufacturing. Your
first base is your first (and probably only) command center,
where all the research and manufacturing is done. Most people
have this configuration instead of 3.2.5 and 3.2.6.
3.2.5 Research Lab
Some players suggested that you should separate the research
facility from airbase or attack base as to minimize loss of
research against alien retaliation raids.
Transfer samples to be researched to it is CHEAP, and you only
need ONE of the objects to research.
3.2.6 Manufacturing / Engineering Facility
You just need living quarters and workshops for the engineers,
and general stores for storing the results, and maybe a hangar if
you are manufacturing crafts. Transfer between bases are cheap.
A nice place to put this is Antarctica.
3.3 Base Construction
Bases are the guts of X-COM defense. You must build them carefully to
minimize risks while maximize possible benefits.
3.3.1 Plan for defense!
Try to isolate hangars and access lifts from the rest of the base
to create a choke point. For example:
HHHHHH
HHHHHH
A
X XXXX
X XXXX
XXXXXX H=Hangars A=Access Lift X=anything else
Notice that ALL vulnerable areas are concentrated to ONE part of
the base, limiting possible attacks along that ONE long corridor.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 13
3.3.2 Watch each base carefully
Plan ahead for expansion. Use the BASE INFORMATION button
frequently (once every 10 game days?) and start construction of
things BEFORE you actually run out.
3.3.3 Initial modifications
First things you need to add to your main base are: alien
containment, general stores, and long range radar. Later, add
living quarters, labs, workshops, and defenses when needed.
3.3.4 Keep a hangar available!
You should always keep a hangar SOMEWHERE available for
construction purposes. Transfer a craft between bases is free.
See base types for details.
3.4 Defending a base
Aliens do try to raid your base. The loss of the base means the
loss of everything based on it. So what can you do to prevent
the destruction of your base? Several things besides 3.3.1.
3.4.1 Build defenses
You can build four types of base defenses:
days cost upkeep def accuracy
Missile Defense 24? 600k? 8k? 500? 50%?
Laser Defense 24 900k 10k 600 60%
Plasma Defense 36 1200k 12k 900 70%
Fusion Defense 36 1800k 14k 1200 80%
In addition, there's two more facilities that helps in Defence
Grav Shield 38 2300k 15k Gives another chance of hitting
Mind Shield 33 1300k 5k "Cloaks" base from alien scout
[CGW] Your base defense rating should be over 2500 to
successfully and consistently repel alien attacks. [KSC] Against
alien battleships, try over 3500, PLUS grav shields. Three
fusion defense should be enough to repel even battleships.
3.4.2 Attack the incoming UFOs
[FAQ] Usually you can detect the UFOs as they come in for the
attack. Shoot them down first. If you got Hyperwave Decoders,
watch for UFOs with "retaliation" missions. Those are coming
after your bases. If a battleship is coming, attack at all
costs!
[KSC]If you managed to intercept the attacking UFO, stay in
standoff mode, and it won't attack the base unless it outrun you.
3.4.3 Watch the "80-item limit"
If the aliens made their way down, you will have to defend
yourself. Only the first 80 items in storage can be used for
your Defence, so this is another reason to sell off those excess
inventory. Besides, you need the cash.
3.4.4 Keep some HWPs just in case
[CGR] HWP's only take up storage space, are the first things on
the storage item list (therefore always in those 80 items), and
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 14
needs no personnel to control, which makes them the ideal base
defenders. [KSC] Fusion Ball Launcher Hover tanks are absolutely
great in base defense, being able to shoot around corners.
3.4.5 Booby trap the rooms!
Booby trap all rooms that you must abandon, usually by throwing
proximity grenades at the doors. Any alien steps in, BOOM! You
can clear them by dropping a regular grenade on top of them.
3.4.6 Leave some soldiers!
When a base is under alien attack, ALL crafts are evacuated ALONG
WITH all soldiers and equipment onboard! To have soldiers
defending the base, you need to unload them from crafts BEFORE
the attack reaches your base, and make sure the base have enough
ammo and guns to let them defend.
4.0 Air Combat and Intercept Strategies
4.1 Weapons vs. target
Before attacking click on the VIEW UFO button to take a look at
your target before deciding whether to attack or not. Attacking
with the wrong weapons means either the loss of the interceptor
or the UFO totally destroyed so that nothing can be recovered.
4.1.1 Very Small / Small UFOs
Interceptors with Stingray missiles and cannons can only handle
very small or small sized UFOs.
4.1.2 Medium UFOs
Interceptors with Avalanche missiles can handle medium UFOs. One
Avalanche will blow a very small UFO into pieces though.
4.1.3 Large UFOs
Interceptors with Plasma beam and/or Avalanche missiles can
handle large UFOs, but not VERY large UFOs. Plasma beam may blow
small UFO into pieces.
4.1.4 Very Large UFOs
Multiple Interceptors with plasma beam and/or Avalanche are
needed to attack very large UFOs, and you'll probably lose a few,
since one shot from battleship and the interceptor is destroyed
or crippled.
Interceptors with fusion ball launchers can attack very large
UFOs if it does so at maximum distance, but will probably run out
of ammo first since they are two shots each.
The only way to "safely" attack alien battleships is to use
Firestorms and Avengers, and even then you will probably be
heavily damaged (as in 20% to 60% damage), even with Fusion Balls
and Plasma beams.
4.2 Feet dry! Feet dry!
Try to attack an UFO over land, because if you shoot it down at
sea no one can get to it. If you intercepted it over water,
press minimize and click over to 1 minute time step until you ran
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 15
out of fuel, it lands, it outruns you, or you got back over land.
If over land, change back to 5 seconds, then commence attack!
4.3 The yo-yo attack
Here's a technique you can try to minimize losses in attacks
against large UFOs with inferior weaponry. Have multiple
Interceptors ready to attack. Order AGGRESSIVE ATTACK on one.
As soon as interceptor fires off the missiles, hit STANDOFF, and
see if it hits. Repeat as necessary.
4.4 Get Plasma Cannon quickly
Plasma Cannon is THE best craft weapon in the game, with 99 shots
and 60 km range. Interceptors armed with twin plasma cannons can
even tackle large (though not VERY large) UFOs safely.
4.5 Get rid of Stingray Missiles and cannons
Stingrays are only good for hitting VERY SMALL and maybe SMALL
UFOs due to the short range (3 for Stingray, even less for the
cannon). Replace all of them with Avalanches as soon as
possible. Also dump the cannons, which has even shorter range.
You can also forget about the laser cannon but at least it does
not use ammo.
4.6 Finding the alien base
Alien Bases can be found by two ways: X-COM agents can find an
enemy base for you, or you have to send out crafts and patrol
certain parts of the world. If you see a lot of UFO activity but
can't get any interceptions, there's probably a base in the area.
Hyperwave decoders, which can tell you what a UFO is up to, can
allow you to spot the UFOs on their SUPPLY runs. Use something
slow like Skyranger (empty one will do) and follow it. If it
disappears, go to last known coordinates and start patrolling.
With a couple hours (game time) in the air you should see it.
4.7 Keep soldiers in bases [IMPORTANT]
Equip NO soldiers for the crafts until you are ready to launch
the intercept. You will lose no more than a few seconds of game
time (and real-time) when you equip the craft again with the team
members, and this prevents you from getting surprised when an
enemy UFO attack your base and your crafts took off with all your
soldiers. The same would go for the equipment as well. Unless
your base has lots of spares, unequip from the craft.
4.8 Go home early
When you send multiple crafts after one UFO and the UFO gets shot
down, the shooter will go home, but the others that were not in
the intercept, will continue on to the crash site and THEN
return. Instead, click on them and turn them back early (Return
to base). The interceptor will return earlier, thus be refuled
and rearmed faster for the next mission.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 16
5.0 Ground Combat Strategies
5.1 What should I take on ground missions?
Practically everything. However, since you only get 80 items per
craft (that's a stupid limit), you have to plan carefully. Also
see section 7.5 for further material management strategies.
Lasers are useful since they do not need ammo, saving you a lot
of items. They also cause a nice amount of damage (though not as
much as plasma, thus the trade-off).
Don't bother with pistols since it eats into your item limit.
They don't pack enough punch. Their only saving grace is they
take less TUs than rifles, so you may be able to get off one more
shot. On the other hand, they are also less accurate. Another
thing is they may alert the enemy, who will then take opportunity
fire at you.
Once you got Blaster Bombs, carry those. They start out as
unloaded, unlike other weapons, so load them during BEFORE the
battle starts. Use them to flatten buildings and fences.
5.1.1 Basic Loadouts
Skyranger: 2 HWPs and 6 soldiers. Divide them up to 1 HWP / 3
person fire teams, with HWP as scouts. If necessary you can
split each team up further into pairs.
Lightning: only one choice since this thing does not carry HWP's
Avenger: 4 HWPs and 10 soldiers are good. Use 2 teams of 1 HWP
and 2 soldiers, and 2 teams of 1 HWP and 3 soldiers, or you can
make them all 1 HWP and 2 soldiers, with two soldier as the
special weapons team with blaster bombs and/or psi attacks.
5.1.2 Rookie Training
Try to always take a couple of rookies along to give them
experience to boost their stats. In XCOM, you learn by doing.
You want more strength? Carry heavy stuff. More accuracy? Take
more shots. Soldiers with kills gain more than those without.
5.1.3 Avoid night missions
[Concensus] Avoid night missions whenever you can. The UFO can
wait until next morning (or even a couple days later). Just set
the craft to patrol nearby. If you ABSOLUTELY MUST, carry LOTS
of electroflares and incendiary weapons.
5.1.4 Mix up the weapons
Try to take along a mixed set of weaponry, like lasers, auto
cannons, AND plasma guns. This way you'll be ready for all sorts
of threats, as some aliens are more vulnerable to certain types
of weapons than to others.
5.1.5 Use Stun on Terror [Important]
[CGW] When tackling terror sites, take along lots of stun
weaponry and stun any civilians that you find. Alien terrorists
don't attack unconscious civilians, and therefore the civilians
count as "saved" at the end. Just don't drop grenades on them.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 17
5.1.6 Misc. Equipment
* Medikits are important. In addition to healing fatal wounds
they can raise morale if used on panicking troops as well as
revive unconscious soldiers (hit by a stun bomb?)
* Motion detectors are useful for looking behind doors and
walls, but only helps if aliens moved
* Mind Probe is useful in identifying alien leaders and
commanders, or any specific type of alien you want to capture.
Make sure you have an arsenal of stun weapons.
* Proximity grenades are great for blockading large UFO doors.
Just drop one next to the door and wait for them to come out
5.2 General Tactics
5.2.1 Assign specialties to soldiers
[CGW/CGR/KSC] BEFORE you go on missions, examine each solider and
assign them a specialty, according to the weapons you have and
the soldier's abilities. The person(s) with the most strength
would carry Heavy Cannon, Auto-Cannon, or Rocket Launcher. The
person(s) with the most time units would be scout, and so on.
After you've decided, add a suffix to their name by clicking on
the name in the solider stat display and type. For example, if
"Bill Donovan" has lots of strength, make him "Bill Donovan/HW"
(HW for Heavy Weapons). That way, when you arrived at the
battle, you can equip the right people with the right stuff.
[KSC] Here's some suggested specialties and related equipment
Scout (SC) -- carry motion sensor
Medic (MD) -- carry Medi-Kit
Intelligence (IT) -- carry mind probe
Heavy Weapons (HW) -- carry "heavy" stuff
PsiCorp (PSI) -- carry psi amp for psi attacks
5.2.2 Deploying from craft
[NET] Keep a grenade in hand as you deploy since sometimes there
are enemies right next to your landing craft. Grenades should
also be used to reduce any cover close to your craft that can
hide an alien.
[NET] Some have suggested throwing a smoke grenade first to cover
the craft exit doors. After several attempts I cannot find any
reason to support NOR invalidate this tactic.
[KSC] Only deploy two soldiers at a time. Next to the landing
gears is good. If you deploy all of them at once you invite
grenades and blaster bombs. Move the two away before deploying
the next two.
5.2.3 Spread out and cover each other
Bunch up invites enemy attack you with grenades, or worse,
blasterbombs. However, don't spread so far that if one spots an
enemy others can't open fire. In general, about five or six
squares is far enough.
Aliens DO attack from behind sometimes, so try to have two
troopers who can watch each other's back. This is ESPECIALLY
important when going up against Chryssalids, who moves extremely
fast [120 TUs!] and can turn one into a Zombie before you can
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 18
said "wow". Then you would have two MORE enemies to kill (the
Zombie, AND the new Chryssalid).
5.2.4 Use Leapfrog advance
The way to spread out AND be able to watch each other is to use
leap frog advance. Here's a simple demonstration with a four
person fire team:
X X
X X
===>>
X X
X X
The two in front did not move, while the two in the back moved up
beyond them for about that much distance. The recommended
separate between team members is between four to six squares, and
the normal leap frog distance is about that much as well. That
way, when one person spots a target, most likely every one will
be able to see and fire at the target. The two who stayed in
place should turn around and face out and/or back to prevent rear
attacks. They would also have lots of TUs for opportunity fire.
5.2.5 Get under cover!
Hiding behind something can be the difference between a dead
soldier versus a critically wounded solider who could be saved by
a medikit. NEVER leave soldiers out in the open. Either use up
all their TUs and get under cover or don't move at all. This
also means do NOT stay in midair if you have flying suits.
Try to leave 4 TUs so you can kneel down. It makes you a smaller
target as well as improve your shooting accuracy.
5.2.6 Leave opportunity for shots
To make opportunity shots in the enemy movement phase, you need
TU's left unused, as well as a high reactions rating (over 50
preferred). So leave enough for an auto-shot while moving and
still get in cover, or don't move at all.
HINT: have soldiers sitting close to UFO doors is a good way to
get better reactions, as they have plenty of TUs left to shoot
any aliens who comes out. This is great against Muton UFOs, as
Mutons tends to come out and go back in near the doors.
5.2.7 Use HWP as scouts
HWP's, especially the Hover tanks, are great scouts. They have
70 to 100 TU's, nice firepower, plenty of health, and are immune
to alien psi attacks. On the other hand, they ARE expensive,
they do NOT gain experience, and they are four space units.
Don't make kills with HWP's. Their job is to SEE the enemy so
the human members can then fire at them, even when it's beyond
THEIR visual range.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 19
5.2.8 Deny cover to the enemy
The rocket tank and perhaps the Fusion Ball Hovertank are great
for taking down buildings, denying aliens places to hide. You
can also use grenades and rocket launchers, or auto-cannon with
explosive / incendiary ammo. There's no penalty for destroying
civilian property, so blast all houses into pieces if you have
to, just to get that last alien on the map. Of course, don't
kill any civilians in the process.
5.2.9 Listen to the sounds in alien movement phase
The sounds in alien movement phase can reveal important clues to
alien locations. Normal door clicking means the aliens are near
a regular building (farm house, etc.) Hydraulic door sounds
means the automatic doors were used. Two sounds close together
means someone just went in and immediately came back out (or vice
versa). Just remember that main UFO doors automatically close at
the end of turn, so discount those sounds.
5.3 Weapon Tactics
Different weapons should be used differently and in different
circumstances. Here are some suggestions on how to best employ
the different weapons:
5.3.1 Pistols and Rifles
Use them only when you have to, sniper style. Dump them for
lasers as fast as possible. They use clips and doesn't do much
damage. They may be enough to use against Sectoids, who has
little armor, but not against tougher enemies.
5.3.2 Heavy Cannon
More accurate than the auto-cannon and slightly more damage, but
a lot less effective with only six shots and no auto-fire mode.
I'd rather use the auto-cannon.
5.3.3 Auto-Cannon
Probably the most effective weapon in the early game, with auto
mode, three types of ammo, and 14 shot magazine. Still, 14 shots
is not much in auto-mode, and three magazines can run out on you
pretty quick. It is also HEAVY. Of course, auto-fired HE rounds
can clear a forest REAL quick.
5.3.4 Rocket Launcher
Rocket Launcher packs your biggest punch in the early game, and
being an area weapon makes it invaluable in dealing with nasty
Reavers and other loathsome creatures. On the other hand,
Cyberdiscs are designed to withstand HE damage, so tackle
Cyberdiscs with laser or plasma weapons.
5.3.5 Laser Pistol, Laser Rifle, and Heavy Laser
Forget the heavy laser. The 35% more damage that it does is
offset by having no auto mode and decreased accuracy. You can
probably forget the pistol also, but you need to research it to
get laser rifle. Laser rifle is arguable the best squad weapon
in the game, needing no ammo, with decent accuracy and damage.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 20
5.3.6 Grenades and High Explosive
Get alien grenades when you can, but regular grenades would do in
most cases. Use them to flatten small buildings and open up
closed orchards so aliens have nowhere to hide.
Proximity grenades should be used to block off doors and stuff so
nothing can sneak up behind you.
I haven't found smoke grenades to be that useful.
I've yet to use any high-explosive in any of the games I played.
It may be useful for demolition purposes, but grenades are fine.
5.3.7 Plasma Pistol, Plasma Rifle, and Heavy Plasma
Forget the plasma pistols. Plasma Rifle and Heavy Plasma are
good weapons, and the heavy-plasma is the only heavy weapon in
the game with auto mode. On the other hand, Heavy Plasma is
"heavy" and normal soldier can't carry it very well.
Heavy Plasma should only carried by a few select members, due to
possible shortages in clips. Also, with only 80 items per craft,
having so many clips around can be a problem.
Heavy Plasma can punch through inner walls of UFOs when auto-
fired a couple times.
5.3.8 Blaster Launcher
Blaster launcher is probably one of the greatest weapons in the
game. It is expensive, its ammo is expensive, but it is VERY
useful. You can blow up things in ANY direction, turn around
corners, go up and down stairs, flatten entire barns, even punch
a hole in UFO's outer hull! With a bit of management one solider
can carry up to 5 reloads (2 on belt and 3 in backpack).
[NET] One trick is to leave the soldier and the launcher inside
the craft kneeling on top of the ammo on the floor. That way
there's more than 5 rounds available.
[NET] When attacking battleships, you may consider using a
blaster bomb to blow open one of the engine "legs" and go up
through that instead of through that large central elevator.
5.3.9 Small Launcher
This is the only weapon that gives you standoff stun capability.
Get this when you need to stun aliens. Try to back this up with
a regular weapon. Stun damage counts against alien's health, and
a hit can drop its health low enough so it gets stunned.
5.4 Assault tactics
* Your first priority is to make sure no aliens can ambush you
as you deploy. This makes HWP invaluable as they are often
the first ones to exit the craft, saving your soldiers from
getting shot. They also take several hits, even from heavy
plasma, before being destroyed.
* Your second priority is to scout and clear out the map of any
stray aliens, while locating your primary objective. When
boarding UFOs, the objective is the UFO itself. When
attacking alien base, the objective is the alien command
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 21
center. Spread out into fire teams of two soldiers or one
soldier and one HWP and search. One team should guard the
entrances to the objective when found
* Your third priority is to secure the objective.
5.4.1 Use a "scout" to open the door
There should be one person whose specialty is open doors so that
other people can shoot through the open door. He or she should
carry a stun rod and a maybe a pistol. The team will cluster
next to the door, and he or she will go just beyond the door.
Come back out, and another team member will go through and start
firing at any other targets. If there are none, get the rest of
the team in, while still observing proper separation.
5.4.2 Look "over the top" if the top's open
Some of the small or medium UFO that has been shot down have
their tops blown open. If you have flying suits, you may want to
go up to the upper level and see if you can see any one while
standing on the edges. This may save you a bit of running
around.
On larger UFOs you may want to OPEN a hole from the top with a
blaster launcher. Also see 5.3.8
5.4.3 Aliens have no manners
Unpowered doors do not close by themselves. Therefore, if you
spot an open door and you know you didn't open it, there must be
an alien nearby! See also 5.2.9.
5.4.4 Look up!
On multi-level UFO and bases, you can sometimes see enemies at
the upper level near grav-lifts. Multi-level UFO's with floor
pieces destroyed will also allow you to look up into second
level. If you see someone, ATTACK FIRST! Very rarely would an
alien shoot up/down a lift
5.4.5 Use your blaster bombs!
Blaster bombs shoot around corners and up/down grav-lifts as well
as opening up walls and stuff, so use them! Blasting doors are
great. Just remember not to bunch up so the aliens can do the
same thing to you. You can do the same thing with Fusion Hover
tanks. See also 5.3.8.
5.4.6 Use your windows in the craft!
[CGR/CGW] Your craft have windows, so turn your rearmost soldiers
or HWPs around and take a look. This will let you know the
general terrain layout before you even get out of the transport.
5.4.7 In base, find Central Command!
Usually the base commander does not move from their two level
command center, with a corridor all around, windows on the
corridor, and a VERY large gravlift in the middle. It is very
distinctive. If you can find it, and watch your back while doing
so, you can probably setup ambushes all around as other aliens
converge on you and head into the trap. Just don't bunch up and
be blasterbomb bait.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 22
5.5 Capturing aliens
Capturing aliens will yield a lot of information, especially the
medics, engineers, and leaders. Alien commanders (who are only
in bases or base-establishing UFOs) are the only ones that can
give you clues on how to WIN the game once and for all, so
capturing aliens are very important.
5.5.1 Build Alien Containment first!
Without "Alien Containment", any aliens you capture DIE upon your
arrival at the base. So build alien containment as your FIRST
improvement. Add alien containment to all strike bases, since
prisoners are ONLY brought back to that strike team's home base.
5.5.2 How do I capture aliens?
There are three ways you can capture aliens : you can shoot them
and hope you only knocked them unconscious (i.e. they did NOT
scream as they collapsed); you can use stun rods on them; or you
can use stun bombs on them. Sometimes you will need combination
of all three.
5.5.3 WHO do I capture?
You want specialists like leaders, medics, and engineers over
common soldiers or terrorists. Specialists can give you more
information like UFO stats and specie information. Leaders and
Commanders can give you special information that will eventually
lead to the final battle, and only Ethereal and Sectoid leaders /
commanders can give you Psi Power. HINT: You can use a mind
probe on aliens to identify their position while they are still
standing, or you can stun them then try to pick them up, which
will also identify their position.
5.5.4 Double-team them!
Capturing, as in all fighting, requires a backup. If one fails
you get another chance. This is especially important with stun
rods since you must go up right next to the alien. Failing that,
save enough TUs to get back to cover.
5.5.5 Using Stun Rods
You should sneak up from behind to use Stun Rods. Have one guy
in front to keep its attention, while another sneak up behind it
and ZAP! This works best in the large scout UFOs (the one that
looks like a + plus sign) when there are TWO doors leading to the
"bridge". You can also use this on panicked aliens or aliens
that just shook off your mind control. HINT: Use a Mind Probe on
the alien to see if it has enough TU's to fire back at you.
5.5.6 Using Stun Bombs
Stun bombs frequently requires several shots in order to
incapacitate one, but they are effective over an area. So if you
have several aliens close to each other, one bomb can stun
multiple aliens. Try to fire between them.
If an alien got hit by a stun bomb and does not drop, have
someone take a snap shot at it. If the shot hits and does not
kill it, it'll probably drop unconscious.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 23
5.5.7 Do NOT stun Mind-Controlled Aliens [?]
[Not Verified] Aliens under your mind control do NOT count as
captured when you stun them. You MUST wait until they are no
longer under mind control before stunning them for the program to
count them as "captured".
5.5.8 It won't fit, lame double-brain!
When under attack by Reavers, hide in a house with a single-space
door. The Reaver, being a 4-space creature, cannot go through
the door, and being a HTH attacker, cannot attack you. You can
then jab it with stun rods or any weapon you feel like using.
(Just don't destroy the wall and let it in...)
5.6 Psi / Anti-Psi Tactics
Ethereal and Sectoid leaders can conduct psi attacks on your
soldiers. To get psi powers yourself, see 6.0 Research. You
will need to train your own soldiers in order to identify those
with most psi potential and then further training to bring them
up to speed. You will also need psi amp to conduct your own psi
attacks. Once mastered, psi attacks are very powerful. Here are
some suggestions in using and countering psi attacks.
5.6.1 Cause Panic
Aliens who panic usually drop their weapons, and since they never
pick them back up, this makes them a lot less dangerous (except
for the enemy that use HTH attacks). Cause panic is also more
likely to succeed than mind control.
5.6.2 Access Mind-Controlled Enemy Inventory [Cheat / Bug]
If you mind-controlled an alien, you may have noticed that you
cannot access their inventory by clicking on the person icon.
However, there is still a way: go through YOUR soldiers'
inventory, THEN use the scroll button to scroll over! The alien
will show up as a squad member with no armor, but with name of
Race and Rank, like "Ethereal Soldier". You can drop their
inventory like this instead of throwing, or if they have a
greande, you can have them prime it for 2 turns and see them blow
themselves up.
5.6.3 Use mind-controlled aliens as scouts
Mind controlled aliens should be used to go where you do NOT want
to go personally. If you want it to shoot, keep the weapons.
Otherwise, drop them. Use them to open doors is much safer than
using one of your own.
5.6.4 Stay invisible [??]
An Ethereal or Sectoid can only mind-control you only if they
know where you are (i.e. they see you). If you stay hidden or
invisible, they can't get at you. This is one more reason to use
HWP's as scouts, as you can stay out of range and invisible while
still attack them.
[Note: many have reported that Ethereal seem to be able to psi
attack you no matter where you are, visible or not. Others have
reported that once an Ethereal has seen ONE of you, it appears to
know ALL of you. Therefore, this strategy is under suspicion.]
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 24
5.6.5 Sack your psi-weaklings and cowards
Sack any rookies with bravery under 40-50. They will panic first
in combat. Once you have psi labs, sack rookies with the lowest
psi strengths and train only those who have the highest psi
strengths. Save the psi-weak veterans for attacks that you know
do not involve psi-active races. This is another reason not to
equip crafts until you know for sure about the mission.
5.6.6 Check for signs of mind control
When an alien attempts to mind control your troop you'll see the
signs (flashing halos). If the control did not succeed, have
that soldier drop his/her weapons immediately and kneel. That
way if s/he was taken over, little harm could be done. If you
got the alien you can always have the soldier pick up the weapon
again. HINT: panicked aliens and mind controlled soldiers NEVER
EVER pick up dropped weapons.
5.7 Auto-shot, snap shot, and aimmed shot
Which shot to take depends a lot on the tactical situation
involved. Here's some general guidelines.
5.7.1 When to use auto-shot
Auto shot fires three rounds, but is the least accurate of the
three shots. On the other hand, when you use the laws of
probability, you actually come out ahead using an auto-shot,
since each shot is calculated independently.
For example, let's say chance of hitting in auto shot is 25%.
The chance of getting at least one hit is 1-(chance of no hits).
Chance of no hit is 0.75*0.75*0.75=0.42. Chance of getting at
least one hit is then 1-0.42 which is 0.56, or 56%, much better
than 25%.
When accuracy improves, you simply increase your chances of
hitting the target multiple times, which ensures a kill.
5.7.2 When to use snap shot or aimmed shot
Personally, I only use snap/aimmed shot when I need only one shot
and I don't need the three shot overkill, or there is something
close or beyond the target I do NOT want hit.
Single shot, no matter it hits or not, can alert the enemy who
may turn around and let loose a three round burst (if alien is
still alive after the shot). So if the enemy has quite a bit of
TUs left, use auto-shot.
5.9 Misc. Ground Combat Questions and Answers
Why do I lose ammo that I never use?
After combat all clips loaded in weapons are lost, whether or not they have
been used (not a great piece of design!). Thus you should unload any
weapons that uses valuable ammo before the battle ends. See "How do I
UNLOAD ammo from a weapon?"
How do I reload weapons?
Make sure one hand is empty, and you have enough time units. Drop ammo
into weapon. You should hear a "reload" click. Click on the weapon in
hand and it will tell you what type of ammo and how many shots are left.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 25
How do I UNLOAD ammo from a weapon?
Keep the other hand empty. Click on the weapon and drop it on the UNLOAD
icon to the right of the screen (just under the OK and the scroll arrows).
The ammo cartridge should be in the other hand.
Some of my soldiers have TU's used before I moved them. Why?
You "overloaded" them. They have low strength yet you gave them too many
things or things too heavy to carry, which decreases their TU. Give them
something lighter to carry and let the STRONG guys carry the heavy stuff.
Why should I need grenades when I have auto cannon?
An auto cannon has very impressive firepower. However it is heavy to carry
(strength > 35 recommended). A soldier equipped with a laser rifle can
carry a couple of grenades and use them to flatten small buildings or other
targets without needing a bulky cannon.
How can I fire on aliens in their movement phase?
You can carry out opportunity fire on aliens as they move. Leave enough
TU's after your move for at least a snap shot, then if your trooper saw an
alien and has good enough reactions s/he will fire at the alien. You can
use the 4 icons near the bottom left of the screen in your movement phase
to reserve the TUs. Rookies typically will not fire unless you leave them
with more than half of their TUs.
What's with troops missing in action (MIA)?
If one of your troopers in under alien control at the end of a battle (s)he
counts as MIA; therefore try to wait until (s)he is no longer in control
before finishing off aliens. (This would be a bug since there's no one to
control him/her any more!) Another way to get people MIA is try to take
off (abort mission) with only an unconscious person in the transport.
You'll lose that person as MIA as well as the transport. HINT: use MediKit
to wake them up (stimulant) then march them in.
How do I wake up unconscious soldiers?
Have a medikit in hand. Stand over the unconscious solider, use Medi-Kit,
apply one shot of stimulant, wait till next turn. The soldier should be
standing next to you then. They may need further treatment, see below.
How do I use Medi-Kit?
Stand next to the soldier you need to heal (except for unconscious, see
above), medikit in hand, select use. If healing, click on part in red to
show number of fatal wounds in that area. Wounds must be HEALed. You can
also add painkiller to raise morale. EACH dose dispensed costs 10 TUs.
See manual and UFOpedia for applications.
How do I open doors?
Target your soldier to move to the "square" behind the door and (s)he will
then automatically open it (using some TUs). HINT: Do not open doors
without plenty of spare TU's. Using a motion scanner will help. HINT:
Create a door! Either shoot a hole in the wall or blow up the entire wall.
How do I use motion scanner?
Put motion scanner in one hand, select hand, select Use Motion Scanner. It
will display every movement for a radius of 9 around you. The more
movement (includes your side also), the larger the blip on the scanner.
The central arrow is your facing, and screen is oriented to North as top.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 26
How do I use Mind Probe?
Keep the alien visible to at least one of your soldiers (does NOT have to
be the one holding the Mind Probe). Put Mind Probe in hand, select use.
Click cursor on the alien (make sure the cursor square is blinking). You
will see the alien's stat graph screen (TU's, armor, etc.)
How do I use the Blaster Launcher/Bomb or Fusion Hovertank?
When you select Launch Missile, you can specify a series of up to 9
"waypoints" which can go around any thing, climb and dive, even fly in
circles. The final waypoint is the explosion point (unless it runs into
something solid first). When you are finished plotting, clock on LAUNCH to
launch, then enjoy the fireworks!
How do my soldiers improve?
By doing things. They improve firing accuracy by shooting at things,
strength by carrying more things, and so on. Those getting kills will
improve more than those who did not. Therefore, try not to let HWP get a
kill since you will lose a chance to let a soldier improve, and leave the
easy shots (against panicked aliens, for example) to the rookies.
6.0 Research and Manufacture Strategies
6.1 What should I research?
Here are the research trees that shows detailed progression.
Laser Weapons Heavy Heavy Plasma Plasma
| Plasma Plasma Clip Rifle Rifle Clip
Laser Pistol |___________| |__________|
| | |
Laser Rifle | |
| |__________OR___________|
Heavy Laser |
| |
Laser Cannon Plasma Cannon
(Laser Tank) (Hovertank/Plasma)*
| |
Laser Defense Plasma Defense
Alien Alloys Blaster Blaster
| Launcher Bomb
Elerium 115 Personal Armor UFO Power Source |___________|
|_____________|_________________| |
| Fusion Ball
| (Hovertank/Launcher)*
Power Suit UFO Navigation |
|_________________| Fusion Defense
|
Flying Suit
Alien Elerium UFO UFO
Alloys 115 Power Source Navigation
|___________|___________|______________|
|
UFO Construction
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 27
|
New Fighter Craft
(Firestorm) * = [Hovertank / Plasma]
|
New Fighter-Transporter
(Lightning)
__________|____________
| |
Grav Ultimate Craft
Shield (Avenger)
* You need "New Fighter Craft" before you can build the hovertanks. You
need fusion ball launcher before you can build the fusion ball hovertank.
6.2 Suggested Research Priorities
* First, get laser weapons ASAP, then go down the list to laser
rifle, No need to go further than that on that tree
* Get alien alloy researched ASAP so you can build personal
armor, which will increase your survival rate substantially.
Research any armor that you come across ASAP.
* Do not research medikits until you get at least personal
armor, and probably power suit, because before then, one hit
will usually kill you, giving you no chance to use medikits
* You need better weapon and armor more than you need anything
else. Ignore all other research and concentrate on weapons.
* While plasma rifle is lighter, skip it and research heavy
plasma since you would need the extra firepower. The "weaker"
members can carry laser rifles instead.
* Research plasma beam immediately after you finish researching
the plasma weapons. Plasma beams make interceptors effective
again except against alien battleships
* Research small launcher/stun bomb and blaster launcher /
blaster bomb when you get them (but not top priority). They
are nice to have, but not essential until need to capture live
aliens for more research
* Motion sensor is great for ground assaults, allowing you to
see behind walls and doors
* Mind Probe is very useful in IDing aliens for possible capture
6.3 Research Strategies
* Don't research the same thing at different bases, there is no
benefit; the research is independent at each base (as is
manufacturing).
* Gang-research each topic. If you have 50 scientists, do NOT
spread them into 5 topics of 10 each. Assign all 50 to one
topic. Assign ALL scientists you have to ONE task. You'll
finish each faster overall.
* Add scientists whenever you can. You will probably be limited
to about 50 scientists only, but add more if you can afford
it. Add to maximum your living quarters can permit.
6.4 Research Cheat [?]
[Not Verified] If you have more than one research site, arrange
transfer of scientists and/or engineers JUST before the end of
the month so that they will arrive next month (check transfer
times). Since salaries are deducted at the end of month for
scientists/engineers at each base, no salary is paid...
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 28
6.5 Manufacture Strategies
* Remember that item(s) being built uses up some workshop space,
so do not hire 50 engineers just because you have 50 workshop
space. You may end up with a couple engineers sitting on
their hands doing nothing.
* Always keep your engineers busy building something. Never let
them sit idle. You need to keep them around in case of new
manufacturing needs, but in the meanwhile they should earn
their money's worth. Build things and sell them of get even.
7.0 Logistics and Material Management
7.1 Why is Elerium important?
You need it to build most alien things such as UFO power source,
stun bombs, plasma clips, and more. In addition, the UFO-style
crafts you get use Elerium for fuel. Since you cannot make it
yourself, it is a very scarce and valuable commodity.
7.1.1 Where can I get Elerium then?
Small or medium UFOs, with engines intact, can yield 50 or so
units of Elerium. Larger UFOs can yield hundreds of units when
captured on the ground. Capturing alien bases can yield over
1000 units of Elerium.
7.1.2 How can I save Elerium?
* In the air, use Interceptors only (they have longer range any
way) with missiles and lasers. Do not use the modern crafts,
which needs Elerium for fuel.
* Plasma beam seems to need little or no Elerium. (Can someone
verify this?)
* On the ground, use captured equipment and laser weapons only.
Unload the clip before the battle ends so you keep the clip
for a free refill.
* Never sell any Elerium-based stuff that you MAY need or
Elerium itself. Build stuff that requires elerium only
grudgingly.
7.2 I keep running out of funds! What do I do?
There are three ways to make money:
1) The sponsoring countries pay you each month if you keep them
smiling. They may even increase payments if you make them REAL
happy (i.e. get a good score) See 7.2.1
2) You can sell off excess alien artifacts for money. One raid
on a large UFO can net a million bucks or more. See 7.2.2 on
what to sell and what not to sell.
3) You can sell off stuff that you manufacture. This is one way
to make the engineers earn their salary when they are idle. Of
course, the profit margin is very slim, if any.
7.2.1 How do I keep sponsors happy?
* Intercept UFOs over their country
* Shoot those UFOs down
* Board UFOs and capture artifacts, live aliens, and dead bodies
with little or no casualties
* Attack terror sites and minimize civilian / XCOM casualties
* Destroy alien bases and prevent destruction of your own bases
* Successfully research and apply alien technology
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 29
You can see your score in the graphs screen. You can see your
current funding levels in the Funding screen.
7.2.2 What alien artifacts should I sell?
For non-weapon items, keeping one should be enough, since you
only need one artifact for your scientists to research, so sell
off the rest. Alien Entertainment, Food, and others are of no
use to you except for research value. Don't bother researching
those until you have nothing else to do, just sell them.
Sell off all the alien bodies unless you need one for research,
which probably won't happen till near the end. It's interesting
to know, but not essential to the win. So just sell those bodies
and research live aliens only.
7.2.3 What alien artifacts should I NOT sell?
Never sell any Elerium. Practically every "useful" alien
artifact that can be manufactured requires Elerium. Besides, it
doesn't sell for much. If you REALLY have lots of Elerium, you
should build and sell Power Suits, which are worth a lot.
Never sell any ammo that you may use unless you have plenty more.
Blaster bombs and stun bombs are hard to find and usually have to
be manufactured, so save those while you can.
7.2.4 What manufactured objects should I sell?
Laser rifles and personal armor are pretty good money makers, but
when you count all the costs to manufacture and salary for the
scientists, you are not really making much profit. Still, laser
rifles are easy to make and sells well. Personal armor is also
nice if you have lots of leftover alien alloys (which is usually
true).
7.3 Dealing with Equipment Shortages
No equipment? Running out of equipment? Here's some hints and
tips on how to deal with that.
7.3.1 What is "Not Enough Equipment to Re-Equip Squad"?
Your base does not have enough inventory to keep the same amount
of the equipment the team had previously onboard the craft before
the mission. For example, you had 16 grenades onboard the
Skyranger. You used up 4 on the mission, but the base only has 3
left, so base cannot reprovision you to the original stock of 16.
SOLUTION: Stock up a bit more at the base.
7.3.2 I bought HWP's but I can't use them!
Did you get them full load of ammo? You cannot put HWP's onboard
crafts unless you have enough ammo for each (automatically
loaded). HWPs except Laser Tanks and Plasma Hover tanks require
ammo. Cannon Tank needs 30 shells, Rocket Tank needs 8 rockets,
and Fusion Hovertank needs 8 HWP Fusion Balls. Always keep twice
that in stock.
7.3.3 I keep running out of missiles for crafts!
If you ran out of money also, use weapons that doesn't use ammo,
like plasma beam and laser cannons. On the other hand, Avalanche
is cheap at 9000 each, so stock up on those, keep 4 times
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 30
capacity around. For example, Avalanche launchers holds 3 each,
so Avalanche stock should be 12 per Avalanche launcher.
7.4 When to sack / retire things
Crafts that were too heavily damaged (i.e. over 50%) should be
sacked and a new one hired, unless it must be manufactured and
you are short on money, time, or materials. Repair time may be
too long. One more reason to keep your engineers busy...
Rookies and squaddies who have not improved much yet were wounded
heavily should be sacked / discharged and money spent on a new
recruit. Remember that you still pay for each soldier even when
they are in the hospital recuperating.
7.5 Equipping Landing Crafts
There's an 80-item limit on what you can take with you per craft,
no matter it's a Skyranger or Avenger. Here's a couple tips on
getting the most out of those 80 items:
7.5.1 Use Laser Weapons
Laser Weapons require no ammo, eliminating a large number of
items. Assuming two clips per weapons, 8 plasma rifles vs. 8
laser rifles means 16 less items. Of course laser rifles are
about 33% less powerful, but 16 more items means you can take
along more grenades and other things.
7.5.2 Bring uniform weapons
Don't bring both pistols and rifles, since they cannot use the
same ammo and adds one more item into the equation. Bringing one
more clip for the rifle is better.
7.5.3 Bring less misc. equipment
You do not need a Medi-Kit on each person, just one or two on
designated medics. You also don't need mind probes, motion
detectors, and psi amps on every one, just the specialists.
7.5.4 Bring HWP's
HWP's is just one item, yet it has lots of firepower, and ammo is
included, so bring one would mean allowing you more items.
7.5.5 Don't fight at night
Fighting at night means electro-flares, and those take up a lot
of the 80 items. So don't fight at night.
9.0 Misc. questions and answers
How do I win the game?
The ultimate aim of XCOM is to research (interrogate) live aliens to find
out where they are coming from and why. Grab an alien commander in an
alien base. Once you interrogate a commander you should get a big clue!
Why do I never see any large UFOs?
On missions like retaliation, base and terror, small ships scout before the
large ship comes in. If you destroy the scouts no larger ships will appear.
XCOM:UFO Defense Frequently Asked Questions Page 31
Why do my soldiers rarely get promoted?
To have promotions after battle you need to have a certain number of troops
around all your bases for the promotion to be possible. This little chart
from the manual sums it up:
Rank Sergeant Captain Colonel Commander
Troops needed 5 11 23 30
There can be only one commander in all XCOM. HINT: Try to spread the
officers out into different teams. Troops led by officers have higher
morale and is less susceptible to panic, unless the officer is killed.
In the Soldier's stats, what's with the 2 colors on the bars?
The dark color was the soldier's ORIGINAL stats, when s/he first arrived at
XCOM. The lighter colors are the stats s/he gained since then. HEALTH bar
is a little different. The health bar have red indicating current health.
The WHITE bar that overlays the red bar some times is the "STUN" bar. When
the white bar reaches over the red bar, the person drops unconscious. The
white bar can go up from smoke inhalation or getting hit by stun weapons.
The red bar drops from taking damage.
--
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|| Kasey Chang Internet >> kschang@mercury.sfsu.edu or ksc1@aol.com ||
|| (the rest of this .sig is under construction...) ||
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