X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

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Mirgalen
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Mirgalen » Sat Jul 13, 2019 4:59 pm

//

crashed twice to desktop in the area outside the shuttle. Will try again. Not sure if LB can send me to another area???

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Mirgalen
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Mirgalen » Sat Jul 13, 2019 5:00 pm

// the area called "Mountain Road"

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Lazybones
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Lazybones » Sat Jul 13, 2019 5:36 pm

I've been trying to keep the story moving, but let me know if you want more time to RP between missions. I have a bunch of small mini-missions that can fit into down time between plot events, but there's no reason we have to do two missions each session if you'd rather spend more time on character interaction and development.

* * *

Planning Committee update (post-game), 7/13/19

Another message from Central appears in your email inboxes the afternoon after your latest mission.
We’ve successfully installed the Elerium Injection Matrix recovered from the alien supply ship. We can now begin work on clearing the lower decks of the Avenger to allow further upgrades to our productive capacity. It will take a lot of time and effort to get those new systems up and running, however. And in the meantime, we still need to prosecute our campaign against ADVENT and the alien leadership.

We still have two sets of data to decrypt from your transmitter raid: Psionic Pacification and Purification Operations. Per your decision we will focus on the former this week. Our recent experience in data decryption will make this work easier, but it is possible that the data has become dated since we recovered it. Doctor Tygan will also begin examining the data you downloaded from the alien supply vessel.

Doctor Ranma has reported that despite keeping the specimen in cryostorage, the molecular integrity of the Creeper creature that you killed in the Avenger’s lower decks has collapsed, making it useless as a research subject. We have no idea if our other specimens will react in a similar manner.

Research Projects

Base production is 2d10+2 (Singh)

Decryption of the ADVENT Psionic Pacification Data will use up 3 points of our Research Capacity.
  • Magnetic Rifle. We can expand upon our success with the mag pistol and create a full-sized rifle that can project mag rounds with devastating speed and accuracy. One prototype will be produced when this technology is researched. [RC10, MC8]
  • Shard Gun. The Shard Gun takes standard shotgun shells and superheats them in a magnetic ignition chamber. The result is a molten spray of burning death. One prototype will be produced when this technology is researched. [RC10, MC8]
  • Gauss Weapons. With our mastery of ADVENT's core weapon technology, we can now develop specialized weapon systems using the alien technology to improve on power storage and consumption, projectile path fidelity, and penetrative force over greater distances. We may be able to develop a sniper rifle and cannon variant based on our newly learned Magnetic Weapons technology. [RC10]
  • Motion Scanner. This is an interesting idea from the Science Department, using particle displacement technology to develop a scanner that can detect enemy motion, even through solid objects. Doctor Tygen says that the scanner should work to about a hundred meters out. One prototype will be provided when the project is completed. [RC10, 3 points completed]
  • Improved Medikit. Doctor Ranma tells us that we can improve our basic medical kits to provide more effective battlefield triage. All current medikit production will be upgraded once this technology is researched. [RC10]
  • Skulljack. Access to the alien communications network is highly restricted, requiring several complex biomedical augments before admittance can be granted. The Skulljack allows us to "hack" into the network by temporarily wresting control of a being's augments, though any access gained is sure to be short-lived. This project will produce one prototype unit when completed.[RC15, MC10, 1 point completed]
  • Hybrid Materials. The ADVENT bodies we've recovered so far are shielded by a fascinating combination of materials, some more common than others. By studying the underlying alien technology, our research could lead to vast improvements to our own equipment.[RC15, 13 points completed]
  • ADVENT Stun Lancer Autopsy. The ADVENT Stun Lancer is commonly seen maintaining order and quelling disturbances throughout the world. Their unique stun lance could be adapted into a weapon our Rangers are already training to use. [RC5]
  • ADVENT MEC Breakdown. These mechanized units have a familiar humanoid form, but we haven't found any indication of a pilot or biological control system. I'm hoping that once we've pulled it apart, I'll be able to mirror some of their advancements in our own weapons and robotic systems. [RC5]
  • ADVENT Shieldbearer Autopsy. The ADVENT Shieldbearers are among the most heavily armored of the conventional alien forces, and their shield technology is fascinating. Once we've pulled the suit apart, I'm sure the engineering team will find some means of integrating these improvements into our own armor designs.[RC5]
Manufacturing Projects

Base production is 2d10+1 (Mendoza)
  • Mag Pistol. The workshop can now manufacture additional copies of the magnetic pistol. [MC5]
  • Magnetic Ammunition. This ammunition can be used in all of our magnetic weaponry. [MC1/2 (one unit of capacity produces two boxes)].
  • Additional Medikit Production. We all know that medical supplies are at a premium. We can dedicate a portion of our manufacturing output to augment what Doctor Ranma can put together in Medical each week, but that means a cut in other areas. [Manufacturing Cost: 2/kit]
  • Advanced Surgical Kit. Our medikits are pretty fantastic, but even they can only do so much. This kit, designed for field use, can keep a critically injured team member alive long enough for more substantial medical intervention back on the Avenger. [Game Note: this is a one-use Raise Dead device.] [MC5/kit]
  • Advanced Medical Center. The upgrade to the Avenger’s power system will allow us to further upgrade our facilities. The project outline includes debris clearance on the lower decks. [MC20, requires Improved Medical Capacity, adds unlocks, +1d6 medikit production.]
  • Advanced Research Center. The upgrade to the Avenger’s power system will allow us to further upgrade our facilities. The project outline includes debris clearance on the lower decks. [MC20, requires Improved Research Capacity, adds unlocks, +1d10 research output.]
  • Advanced Manufacturing Center. The upgrade to the Avenger’s power system will allow us to further upgrade our facilities. The project outline includes debris clearance on the lower decks. [MC20, requires Improved Manufacturing Capacity, adds +1d10 manufacturing output.]
  • Power Relay. While we’re good for now on our power needs, Chief Shen says we’ll need additional work once we get going on our lower decks expansion. This could also potentially benefit our research program, as Doctor Tygan believes that we can use this upgrade to begin integrating Elerium into our field technology. [MC20, requires Ignition Matrix, unlocks Elerium, needed for second Advanced Center upgrade].
  • Defensive Turrets. Our raid on the alien supply ship highlights our own vulnerability to attack. This upgrade would add a pair of automatic turrets to the exterior of the ship, flanking the exit ramp. [MC15]
  • Mundane Toolkits. Chief Shen can produce just about any kind of ordinary toolkit in the workshop. Just let her know what you need and we'll see that it's added to the queue. [MC varies depending on the tool.]
As always, be sure to submit your recommendations by Friday so we can maximize our production decisions.

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Ayram
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Ayram » Sun Jul 14, 2019 4:27 pm

(( Daud votes for:

Research
1- Finish Hybrid Materials
2- Shieldbearer autopsy
3- should there be leftover points, to put them into scanner or skulljack.

Manufacturing
1- Power Relay
2- Daud will do mag ammo production this time, with +8 craft mech, and ask John to join him. Now that they have more pistols, they'll be eating through ammo faster, and the manufacturing projects are getting higher DCs, decreasing the chance for either of them to make a difference there. ))

Things continued to go smoothly, which was strangely unsettling to Daud. He still couldn't get used to it. Before, success had gotten them squashed like bugs, but now ADVENT still had yet to pin them down. It made Daud nervous. Made him feel like a reckoning was coming.

Thanks to XCOM though, this time he at least had the tools and the training to fight back. He'd even used that ridiculous sword last time. The thing is, after he used it, it didn't seem that ridiculous at all. In fact, ADVENT was clearly thrown off that someone would attack them in such a way, and couldn't seem to find a way to deal with him effectively while he was in their space. Now he might have to apologize to whoever it was that had the idea to use these things int he field. Daud was even suddenly interested in having XCOM take a good look at those ADVENT stunlancers for more ideas.

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Karvon
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Karvon » Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:59 am

//

Stanley will work on the following:

Research - ADVENT Mech breakdown
Manufacturing - Power Relay

Repair 16 is my highest skill.

//

Another day, another mission... Stanley continued to provide tech support to the team. Though he had a grenade launcher, he seldom saw reasonable targets of opportunity to engage with it. He tended to mostly use it to destroy ADVENT vehicles as part of the clean-up stage after the enemy forces were neutralized.

Back at base, he lent a hand on the Power Relay project and tinkered a bit with the ADVENT mech remains, trying to get a better grasp of what made them tick.

Shadani
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Shadani » Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:34 pm

((If I'm reading things right, the power relay is only a prerequisite for the *second* advanced capacity upgrade we do, right? In which case, my votes go to:

Research: Hybrid Materials, Skulljack
Manufacturing: Advanced Manufacturing. Jesse will add her +17 repair to this if I'm reading this right, to Power Relay if not.))

Jesse was perhaps the second-most excited person aboard the Avenger when engineering finished processing all the new supplies. There was so much they could finally get done with all this stuff. She was eager to get started, but not half as eager as Shen, who was a true force of nature. Jess wasn't likely to say so, but she admired the woman's drive and aptitude, and struggled to keep up.

"If this thing falls from the sky, it's all over for us," she told the others, after an afternoon of helping test the new ignition matrix. "Luckily, I think that's now, uh... about 7% less likely to happen in the near future. So, y'know. Yay."

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Vanya Mia
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Vanya Mia » Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:37 pm

"Yeah okay," Bo said as they sat eating a hasty meal in a break in activity, her voice expressing equal fascination with what she was currently undertaking, "that's great but we still aren't quite sure what we're looking at with the communication cybernetics, at least in terms of how it connects into the neural tissue, and we need it. The device is complex and utterly alien." She shoveled up another mouthful and twirled her fork in the air in a gesture somehow designed to indicate a measure of this complexity as she chewed it and swallowed.

"Before Advent we'd never have thought of the like outside of science fiction. Sure we were beginning to make inroads with respect to prosthetics, but that was through sensing muscular impulses and working with those." She forked up another mouthful and shook her head as she chewed it. "But we were decades away from perfecting cybernetics of that nature and interfacing directly with brain activity was a pipe dream." Another forkful and a shrug of the shoulders this time.

"I think we need to autopsy one or maybe more of the others and hopefully pick up a bit more information as we go, which ..." Yet another pause for mastication. "... might also stop Doctor Ranma panicking that they will dissolve before we do anything."




((For research finish Hybrid Materials, move to an autopsy - if the Shieldbearer is favoured that's fine - which Bo will use Treat Injury 14 to work on, then back to the Skulljack as next priority if anything is left.

I'm not sure if I'm reading this right but my vote is for Advanced Manufacturing Center *unless* the Power Relay is needed for it to have enough power, in which case the Power Relay.))

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Ayram
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Ayram » Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:45 pm

// If it is the case that the power relay isn't needed to do this particular set of advanced facility projects, then Daud would vote for advanced manufacturing instead of the power relay.

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Lazybones
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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by Lazybones » Fri Jul 19, 2019 1:06 am

Sorry that wasn't clear; yes, the power relay is only needed for the second advanced facility, the first one can be built without any additional Avenger upgrades.

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Re: X-COM 2 - 2019 Campaign Thread

Post by smartalec » Fri Jul 19, 2019 1:18 am

"It's good that this ship'll fly if it needs to, Jess." Vic says, sipping at the vaguely flavoured water from the spigot, sitting at the table, rewatching camera footage for the dozenth time. "I swear, something's gonna happen..."

It had been something he'd been telling anyone from the Alpha Team who came near, during the installation of the new upgrades. In his spare moments, he'd worked on re-editing the footable he had, trying to splice something more general together. The 'Recruitment Video', he'd caled it. But then, something had caused him to watch, and re-watch, and re-watch.

"You can see it in the footage we got from Sarik's slums, see," he explained. "Just a few ADVENT grunts. Same on the attack at the bay; regular grunts, a leader with one of those red capes. But we're seeing some weird stuff, now," he went on, taking a sip. "Those fast assholes with the swords. That big guy with the... the energy shield thing. They're arming up, they're on to us. We've been fighting the ADVENT bottom rung so far, the peacekeeper troops, but like any dictatorship I've read about, they're going to bring the big guns before long."

He looks grim. "When we were just a bunch of desperate drifters in a bunker eating Munch™ they brought the hammer down hard. Gonna... have to be ready for what they try to do to us this time. We ought to get together when we've got a break, start practicing down at the range, that sort of thing."

***

OOC: Vic is once again lending his +4 craft mechanical to the Adv. Manufacturing

For research? Hybrid Materials and the Shieldbearer Autopsy seems to be the prevailing wind, and I'm good with that.

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