X-COM: Aliens

[Shadani]

"Is good idea!" the Pale One agreed enthusiastically. "Use tools to make better tools. Then use better tools to make many things. Then use many things to please masters! But also... hmm."

The creature appeared to ponder something for a moment.

"Better weapons take time. Maybe is better to start now; get better weapons for everyone faster. Maybe smart. But more knowing also smart! How decide?"

(I've got Craft Pharma, Physical Sciences and Earth and Life Sciences all at 8. So should have useful skills for all domains.)

[Topato]

// for clarification, are we only allowed to research one thing at a time, or can we have more than one team working at different tasks?

[Lazybones]

You can research one subject at a time at the moment. Though who knows, someday, what might happen?

If there's no consensus by posting-day I'll roll for the program that has the most votes, or flip a coin if there's a tie.

[Vanya Mia]

Nimble #2 was head down in the box unit of a PC, legs half waving in the air when the whole thing fell over with the sectoid inside. It grunted in alarm and wormed out of the box, then looked up at the speakers.

"Better tools make things easier?" Nimble asked, looking from sectoid to sectoid. "Then make tools! Make good tools, make everything better!" it said, enthusiastically and immediately began sorting through the items that by now were scattered around the laboratory. Taking hold of an electric drill it eyed it speculatively, using one long finger to turn the drill bit.

"Though not sure what is weapon and what is tool, we need check." A grin split the small green face. "This fun!"


((Craft Mechanical is 8 and Intelligence 16 throwing it into to Advanced Support to improve the lab. I like the look of some of the others, such as understanding humans, but some had already gone for this. Seems a good idea anyway, as we get a boost for next time and can perhaps hope for better results (assuming no one rolls a 1 :S ), but I guess we have to get into the habit of discussing this properly before deciding.))

[Lazybones]

I figured in future sessions you could include some research planning in-game, but since this is the first week of the program it'll all have to be done in the forum.

Also note that your skill numbers on your character sheets should already include your stat boosts so you don't need to post them as well. I think that I was unnecessarily misleading in my rules system post.

[Mirgalen]

"Build... Make... Lab..." said the fast one who for some unknown reason was still communicating with others using single "word".

They had been three times to the Earthling World. They had lost clones in the process. Destroyed a shuttle. Recovered a device and best of all received knowledge as rewards.

They had been granted permission to visit new places and even try to make things. Make things? Was that not reserved to Elders? Why would simple clones be given this privilege?

Someone with authority probed into Fast's mind "What would you do little one for your research project? You want a bigger lab is that it?"

"LAB!" that single thought was broadcasted to the other clones.

//

Not much Fast can do but help making stuff
CRAFT MECHANICAL: 5, INT Bonus: 2, Total 7

Question: If we have Personal Firearms as a free feat (starting profession) do we need to take it again at lvl up to access other feats (it is listed as a possible choice) or can we just take something else like Far Shot?

[Vanya Mia]

((You can't build on a free feat to take the higher levels of one, no. So yes, I think you need to have Personal Firearms as one to take the Longarm and Heavy options. This goes for armouring, or any other feat that is a prerequisite for others, too. It's why it's advisable to think about this kind of thing when taking a profession that gives them for free! As for Far Shot, I think it's specific to longarm or heavy weapons, and usable only under very particular circumstances, so it's advisable to read the use of the feat carefully before taking it. *far too many "thinks" in this for someone who develops the system now*

[Lazybones]

Question: If we have Personal Firearms as a free feat (starting profession) do we need to take it again at lvl up to access other feats (it is listed as a possible choice) or can we just take something else like Far Shot?

My understanding is that the free feat does not count for meeting a prerequisite to move further up the guns feat chain. So you would have to take it again if you want Advanced Firearms or Heavy Weapons Proficiency.

EDIT: Too slow! And I will point out that Far Shot was incredibly buggy when we last ran X-COM, and led to some issues with the AI.

[RogueZair]

The Quiet One carefully examined each object in the Lab, making notes about each that it left next to the object for the others to examine. It measured the Lab space with a short length of rope it found in one corner, making more notes that it tucked away for later reference. From time to time The Quiet One would stop and stand, usually unnoticed, and simply watch one of the other clones while they worked or played with one of the earth objects.

When the others started discussing a bigger, better, Lab, The Quiet One nodded in agreement. The earth world was clearly large, and they had already seen many objects not represented in the Lab. They would need more space, more tools, more organization.

"Yes. Better Lab."

//OOC: The Quiet One
Craft Mechanical: 6
(Including INT 12 bonus)

Looks like The Pale One and The Nimble Two both have an 8 in relevant skills, with lots of 6 skill assistants. The two project leaders sound like they are in agreement to work on improving the Lab.

[Lazybones]

When we get ties on skill levels, the first poster will be Project Lead (it's the same result anyway, since I'll be making the rolls).

Sounds like we have a project! I'll post the results tomorrow to give the other players a chance to weigh in on supporting the project.