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Sorry for the huge delay, but I was called in on deck to give a helping hand to cook a big meal. Filipino families are like that sometimes! Gonna try to run longer than usual to compensate for tonight!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BurningGray
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=XCOM%20Trooper%20Quest
Squad Info: https://pastebin.com/4KJN5HKK

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>>2907746
>>Send them both out to investigate again.

Hey Pixel, how's it going? Nice to see the quest running.

>>2907751
I'm going to stink of garlic for the rest of eternity but otherwise it's been good!

>>2907756
Good to hear, garlic bread? Because if so that's understandable, garlic bread is divine. Actually garlic with most food is good.

>>2907746
>Send them both out to investigate again.
Have them take extra precautions listening for the Lids. Those will be the worst threat if they got caught.

>>2907746
>>Send them both out to investigate again.

>>2907746
>Send them both out to investigate again.

>>2907746
>Send Burnout to do what his class’s namesake.

>>2907746
>Send them both out to investigate again.

>>2907746
>Send them both out to investigate again.

>>2907746
>Send Burnout to do what his class’s namesake.

>>2907746
Calling the vote here, writing!

“Zhang raises a good point.” You say. “Harita, Burnout. Move up ahead again and see what the aliens have been up too. Be prepared to pull back if you encounter any bugs.”

“Very well.” Burnout says, Harita tapping on her mic in confirmation. Harita always prefers to remain concealed for as long as possible, especially with the new possibility of stealth units. The Muton’s memories didn’t say there would be any Seekers or Faceless, but you wouldn’t be surprised.

The pair make their way back into the woods. Naru provides as much visual as she can given she’s still up on top of a tree. She’s made sure to move about to an extra sturdy branch to not have any issues again. There’s not much else for you to do on your part besides continuing to keep your vigil.

There’s not much for almost ten minutes as you and the others wait for Harita and Burnout to move out, the pair adding the sparse and curt message to each other to keep tabs. Specifics on position, possible alien activity, that sort’ve stuff. As the clock starts to hit the nine minute thirty mark, you start to hear the distant roars of Chrysalids. You grit your teeth at the noise and you hear Naru mutter a curse under her breath in the comms.

“Movement.” Burnout says, a sound of wariness tinged in his voice. “Motion scanner is detective a lot of quick movement around the perimeter of the landing site. Chrysalids.”

A mic click from Harita in confirmation.

“One of us could move closer to confirm alien movements, the movement patterns of the Chrysalids are not too erratic.” Burnout explains carefully over the comms. “We can pull back at your word however.”

>Try and move closer. Extra Intel is paramount.
>Fall back. It’s not worth the risk.
>Other

>>2907929
>Fall back. It’s not worth the risk.

>>2907929
>Fall back. It’s not worth the risk.
>Tag the Lid's last known location. Just knowing a general direction to avoid is good for now.

>>2907929
>Fall back. It’s not worth the risk.

>>2907929
>>Fall back. It’s not worth the risk.
>>Tag the Lid's last known location. Just knowing a general direction to avoid is good for no

Chrysalids, it's always the chrysalids.

>>2907929
>>Try and move closer. Extra Intel is paramount.

Calling the vote her, writing!

“Fall back.” You reply. “I’m not going to risk either of you to bugs, it’s not worth the risk. Burnout, do you think you can tag and keep an eye on them?”

“They’re mostly scattered but remain in general ‘packs’ of a sort.” Burnout notes. “It is difficult to get an exact number, but I can expend resources to get as much approximate information as I can. And it will take some time to do so.”

While you won’t know what most of the aliens are up to, being able to keep a general tab on the bugs is better than nothing. Burnout has a decent assortment of Battlescanners and his Motion Tracker to help with isolating and ‘tagging’ the various roaming packs of Chrysalids. However, those are Battlescanners that could be used keeping tab of the Sectoid MEC and the main force. The question of what’s worse to worry about is brought up.

Should you keep eyes on the bugs or the rest of the aliens?

>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.
>Save most of Burnout’s scouting resources for the real fight. Just get the gist.
>Other

>>2908061
>>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.
the bugs. they scare me.

>>2908061
>>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.

>>2908061
>>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.

Since they can multiply and poison, bugs are always the biggest threat.

>>2908061
>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.

>>2908061
>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.

>>2908061
>Save most of Burnout’s scouting resources for the real fight. Just get the gist.

>>2908061
>>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.

>>2908061
>Focus on getting intel on bug movement. You don’t want to get caught blindsided with bugs bearing down on you.

Calling the vote here, writing!

File: If only....png (445 KB, 711x746)

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“Use what kit you can to get us movement patterns and numbers on those Chrysalids. I don’t want a swarm of them dropping on us without warning.” You say.

“Affirmative.” Burnout concurs.

Your Scout gets to work, tossing his Battlescanners around in conjunction with his motion scanner to get a camera network of sorts set up to keep tabs on the bugs. Your Squad Leader’s kit does allow you to get a very general overview on the squad’s bodycams and what you can see of what’s Burnout been up to is hard to keep up. His tablet’s screen is filled with various battlescanner feeds and you can catch the faint purple movements of bugs on the screen.

That’s… a lot of bugs it looks like.

Burnout after some time sets his tablet away and begins to retreat back towards the line.

“What did you see, Burnout? Lay it on us, how many bugs are we going to have to deal with.”

“...I have counted at least a dozen Chrysalids, split into two main packs with stragglers.” Burnout says grimly.

You feel a knot in your gut. That is a lot of Chrysalids.

“How the fuck did they cram so many of those shits inside of a UFO!?” Naru exclaims, slightly rattled.

“They probably didn’t. Most of them were likely created from the animals that were once alive in the forest…” Loki says, darkly.

You recall the remnants of some poor animal and the puddle of blood. That explains why the aliens were hunting animals to feed the bugs. The waiting around has only given the things more time to propogate. Was waiting around the entire time really the best choice?

“We need to fucking get rid of those things!” Naru hisses, clearly not wanting to leave the Chrysalids alone.

“We should focus on waiting for reinforcements.” Zhang counters.

“Fuck that, we’ll be bug food by then!” Naru says, getting anxious. Her concern of bugs can’t help but not be noted.

“I have visual on their pack movements, we can move to effectively engage one of the packs to thin their numbers and mostly avoid the other Chrysalid movements. We will of course go loud. ” Burnout points out.

You consider this. The reinforcements are somewhere flying in the Atlantic right now. Maybe now is a time to be proactive and get on the offense...

>Move to engage the bugs.
>Hold just a bit longer…
>Other

>>2908218
>>Move to engage the bugs.
unlike the static amount of regular aliens, we can't let the bugs live and keep multiplying. if we only keep waiting even reinforcements won't make a difference if their numbers become overwhelming. Thus we have to kill the bugs starting now before they infect and reproduce anymore.

>>2908218
>Other
Do they look like they're hunting for more victims? If yes, engage. If no, hold.

>>2908226
They're both holding a general perimeter and indeed looking for more Bambis to chomp on.

>>2908218
>Move to engage the bugs.
Time to ambush the ambushers. Let's try and hit them hard and fast and then retreat back into the trees before the Mutons show up.

Easier said than done though.

>>2908218
>>2908218
>>Move to engage the bugs.

>>2908218
>Move to engage the bugs.
I wouldn't be surprised if our reinforcements arrived while we're still shooting the bugs. Moving quietly to set up an ambush will take some time.

>>2908218
>>Move to engage the bugs.

>>2908218
>>Move to engage the bugs.
>>Other

Best to let Central know about our decision, and also figure out possible LZs for our incoming reinforcements.

If we know where our backup's going to arrive from, we'll know whether to draw any stragglers their way (or away, depending on how the situation develops).

>>2908218
>Move to engage the bugs.
>Alert command that we are going to start engaging them to get their numbers down before our reinforcements arrive.

Calling the vote here, writing!

File: Naru v3 Fatigues.png (108 KB, 611x1058)

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Less than twenty minutes or so before help arrives. Time like that can pass in the blink of an eye in any other situation. But in combat? It that could feel like hours. The aliens only complicate things. However, you can’t just sit around like this any longer. XCOM needs to start doing something instead of just letting the aliens bide their time any longer.

Squashing some bugs is sounding like the perfect opening play from XCOM.

“Burnout, isolate one of the packs and we’ll move into engage. Loki, you’re on point for the moment while I get Command on the line of the situation.”

Your squad sends their OKs. They’re all very eager to start thinning the bug horde. Nobody wants to turn into a zombie after all. Before you can call Command in however, Naru speaks up.

“Hey, uh, what about me boss?” Naru asks, and you can hear a bit of… conflict in her voice. “I know I’m good and all up on top of this tree to spot and if need be blow stuff up buuuut…. My flamethrower could really help to corral those bugs in place. It’s a life saver.”

Naru is much more flexible with her flamethrower in bug hunting yet her Gene Modded eyes would give you warning for if Mutons or even worse that MEC Sectoid start to enter into play. Not only that, you can sense Naru is conflicted in general with how she feels about the Chrysalids. You really hope she doesn’t have some deep seated fear of the things after Vegas and that might be another thing to consider…

>Have Naru stay up in the tree to provide overwatch and rocket support.
>Get Naru onto the ground to help keep the Chrysalids in check with her flamethrower.
>Other

>>2908367
>>Have Naru stay up in the tree to provide overwatch and rocket support.

>>2908367
>>Have Naru stay up in the tree to provide overwatch and rocket support.

>>2908367
>>Get Naru onto the ground to help keep the Chrysalids in check with her flamethrower.
It's time Naru, to fight your fears directly, with fire! Burn and Purge your nightmares!

We can also cast Solace to keep people from panicking right? if we prematurely cast it, does it give benefits in battle like keeping people focused and not as affected by fear?

>>2908377
You can cast it prior as a passive however it will steadily drain your Focus and make you less effective at combat as a cost. It would help much like you said with giving everyone else buffs and minimizing fear. You have not reached a level in Solace where it outright cancels fear and panic however!

>>2908381
Dayum... Hmm... Then instead of prematurely casting it, I think we should save it until someone is actually afflicted with fear first.

>>2908367
>Have Naru stay up in the tree to provide overwatch and rocket support.

>>2908367
>Get Naru onto the ground to help keep the Chrysalids in check with her flamethrower.

>>2908367
>Have Naru stay up in the tree to provide overwatch and rocket support.

>>2908367
>Have Naru stay up in the tree to provide overwatch and rocket support.

If these Chryssalid can climb trees... well, they better not!

Calling the vote here, writing!

>>2908428
More likely that they attempt to ram the tree or even ram it down.

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You look up to the tree and just barely make out the form of the short Rocketeer and wave. “Stay put up there and keep an eye out for us, Naru.”

“...Gotcha.” She affirms.

“It kinda suits your nickname being up there.” You smirk. “Like a proper tanuki.”


“Heh.” Burnout adds.

“Screw both of you.” Naru huffs.

Your snarky comment does help her relax a bit, and she’s rather glad to not have to worry of being upclose to a bug. Unless they can climb trees. You really hope for Naru’s sake they can’t climb trees. Actually you can extend that concern to everyone. Chrysalids jumping down from trees to strike would be utterly terrifying.

Burnout takes lead once again to steadily direct your squad to ambush one of the Chrysalid packs with Naru keeping lookout for any extra aliens. As Loki takes lead momentarily, you call in your upcoming engagement to Command so they can let the reinforcements know the LZ might be hot. Anna, your comms operator for the mission, seems to be chomping at the bit to assist where she can. It’s nice to have one of Mission Control on your side.

Your advance is stealthy and surprisingly safe thanks to Burnout’s pre-scouting minimizing surprises. As you move closer, chatter cuts to a silence as the chittering of Chrysalids becomes louder. The monstrous alien’s movement is distinct and intimidating. Their razor sharp limbs digging deep into the ground like a staccato of pickaxes striking earth. You also hear another noise, the desperate but determined sounding deer.

You and the rest of Strike-1 come to a small clearing where a single stag drags it’s feet on the ground and bares it’s horns as five Chrysalids encircle it. Some of the bugs instead of having their usual purple carapace instead of a sickly pale white color with ichor oozing off it. Are those freshly spawned? To the deer’s credit it clearly knows it needs to fight it’s way out and can’t outrun the things.

The bugs seem to be considering how to attack it. At first you are wondering if they’re wary of getting gored by the stag’s horns but instead you think they’re trying to figure out the best angle of attack to easily… ‘impregnate’ a potential new host. It sickens you. The deer probably isn’t going to make it when the shooting starts but a Magnetically enhanced slug round is likely more merciful than a Chrysalid’s claws.

The squad awaits your signal.

>Unleash a hail of gauss slugs. Hose the entire area with projectiles. (TN 40)
>Have Naru Shredder rocket the pack. That will weaken them before your squad strikes. (TN 25)
>Fully encircle the clearing before attacking. It will take longer but make for an easier killzone. (TN 25)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2908488
>>Have Naru Shredder rocket the pack. That will weaken them before your squad strikes. (TN 25)

>>2908488
>>Unleash a hail of gauss slugs. Hose the entire area with projectiles. (TN 40)
I assume that higher difficulty means a more powerful attack if successful ?

>>2908488
>>Unleash a hail of gauss slugs. Hose the entire area with projectiles. (TN 40)
With TN this low there's no need to wait. Just shoot ASAP so we can kill them faster before more bugs pop out

>>2908488
>>Unleash a hail of gauss slugs. Hose the entire area with projectiles. (TN 40)
We can hit 40 no problem right?

>>2908488
>Have Naru Shredder rocket the pack. That will weaken them before your squad strikes. (TN 25)

>>2908488
>Unleash a hail of gauss slugs. Hose the entire area with projectiles. (TN 40)

>>2908506
Statistically, the chance that we will fail is 78.4%.

A little close for comfort when chryssalids are involved IMO. I voted for shredding because that's how I would play it in LW. Having a soldier buff all other hits is worth it if you have 5+ other people to pile on the damage and they won't all die in one hit without the shredding.

>>2908519
DERP, the chance that we will _succeed_ is 78.4%.

21.6% chance to fail. Sorry.

Calling the vote here, writing!

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A few quick hand gestures to your squad inform them of the plan. Volume of fire right at the pack of Chrysalids on your signal. The deer will be collateral damage, but you’ll take the loss. You have the drop on the bastards, but they’re fast and the easiest shot is right point blank. Targets are lined up by the squad and you level your own weapon at the closest bug.

It’s time to really see how MAG weapons fare against aliens.

“Engage!” You bark, your body kicking in with a boost of adrenaline as you pull the trigger of your shard gun.

Like a snap of your fingers the uneasy silence of the forest is drowned out by the powerful barrage of your squad’s gauss weapons. The Chrysalids react almost immediately as the forest explodes into wooden shrapnel around them, but they’re not faster than your gauss slugs. You’ve placed yourself just a bit out of your comfort zone with the shard gun, which is entering the weapons medium range. Aim will be worse off but fuck getting near a bug if you can get away with it.

Just have to stop them dead in their tracks with weapon fire before they reach you!

>Roll 1d100 (TN 40)

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>2908573

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>2908573

>>2908573
dice+1d100

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>2908573

I think they're dead after that.

Rip and tear!

I think the deer lived.

>>2908598
Xcom: Animal Rescue

>>2907746
forgot to take your pills?

What

>>2908608
hey go fuck yourself

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There’s something so satisfying at feeling proper recoil of your weapon again. Not that there was anything wrong with laser weapons, you quite loved using them, but feeling that kinetic energy is something else. Firing the MAG Shard Gun is… exquisite. Especially when the shards tear into Chrysalid flesh.

Like a big game hunter, you level the shotgun at the charging Chrysalid making a beeline for you and hit it center mass. It falls back, as it’s torso crumples from the magnetized slugs.. The rest of your squad’s weapon fire joins in to create a magical symphony of high impact gauss violence. The shrieks and death cries of the bugs mark a very successful and clean sweep of the pack to a bug.

Surprisingly, either through sheer luck or your squad’s innate accuracy, the stag had somehow managed to run away in the commotion and dodge the wall of weapons fire. Darting to and fro with speed and grace to get the fuck of dodge. The thing speeds off into the distance just as you and the rest of Strike-1 finish your Chrysalid shooting gallery. Your weapon is shaking slightly from the weapons fire. Literally shaking, the gaussian tech still active. It’s a pleasant sensation.

“Heads up gang! More ‘lids closing in from your position from the east! You guys pissed off the bugs real good!” Naru alerts you all. “They’re also chasing away a-- wait what the fuck?”

“What is it?” Loki says, already snapping her aim to face east

“They’re chasing a bear! How the hell did that bear live so long!?” Naru exclaims, utterly confused. “Things hauling ass to get away from the bugs, it’s on a direct course right for you guys!”

>Tell the squad to spread out a bit, you don’t want anyone to get trampled by a terrified bear.
>Start laying more gauss slugs in the direction of the approaching targets, bear be damned! (TN 60)
>Have Naru Shredder Rocket the treeline. (TN 35)
>Get Loki to start flashbanging ahead to slow the advance. It will cost her resources. (TN 25)
>Other. (TN ???)

>>2908623
>>>Tell the squad to spread out a bit, you don’t want anyone to get trampled by a terrified bear.

>>2908623
>Tell the squad to spread out a bit, you don’t want anyone to get trampled by a terrified bear.
>Have Naru use a Shredder Rocket on the lids when they get close enough for a clear shot

>>2908623

supporting this: >>2908627

>>2908623
>Tell the squad to spread out a bit, you don’t want anyone to get trampled by a terrified bear.
We're armed for ayys, not bear.

>>2908623
>>Other. (TN ???)
>Have Naru Shredder Rocket the treeline. (TN 35) AND see if you can get poaionically through to the bear and somehow impress on it that it sjouldnt hinder or harm you.

Calling the vote here, this will be the last post for the evening. Writing!

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Alien plasma and Chrysalid claws are an issue, but so is a several hundred pound stampeding bear. Your armor probably won’t get through it’s claws, but getting crushed underneath it is still likely possible. The bear could probably throw you around without issue, armor and all. Hell, it might be smart enough to throw someone AT the Chrysalids to slow them down. Not gonna happen on your watch.

“Spread out and give that bear some distance! Naru prep a Shredder to hit the bugs when they get within range!” You yell out your orders.

Your squad begins to move out of the way as your night vision picks up numerous signs of movement fast approaching your position through the brush. The biggest eyecatcher is the large form of the bear. The thing is charging right through, knocking over small trees and bushes that were unfortunate enough to be in it it’s way. Chrysalids hot on it’s heels. You and rest of the squad aren’t going to be able to set up overwatch but hopefully Naru’s Shredder will slow the pack of bugs long enough to start opening fire.

The bear bursts through the treeline and you realize you made a big mistake.

The bear is just… wrong. It was difficult to see with how fast it was going and all the trees and underbrush, and your night vision didn’t help. But up close? The thing is very much not a normal bear anymore. It’s fear has nearly been shed or molted off, and it’s skin pulses and gesticulates disgustingly. A giant gash is on it’s side an a sickly dark yellow clot forming over the gash as you can see it’s stomach and body churning slightly. Wriggling as if… something was inside it.

It’s a fucking Chrysalid impregnated Zombie Bear.

“Oh shit! Look out!” Someone shouts.

It’s lows out a guttural and gurgly roar as it prepares to charge the nearest target, behind it, the rest of the Chrysalids roar in unison. The pack moving in for the hunt, eager to help their soon to be newborn kin waiting to hatch within the mutated beast.

You are very much regretting leaving the aliens alone right now.

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>...And with that I'm going to call it here! Things are about to get grizzly and I hope you guys were able to bear with my delay. I'll be sure to get my bearings next time on my schedule so I can be better. So until next time...

Thanks for playing!

I regret nothing.

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>>2908658
>Zombie Bear

>>2908659
Well shit, how long until reinforcements? I would like to see Rachel punch the bear in the face, but i don't think they can get here fast enough for that to happen, shame.

Why does somebody get hurt every time we have to deal with chryssalids.
I hope Naru creates a miracle with her rocket.

Ill be sure to take Rachel on every mission from now on, when possible.

So... I've been thinking. We have that Muton at the base. It seems to respect Dozer. Let's say he manages to disconnect it from the network and it defects to X-Com. Let's say they manage to get a few Muton defectors, Vahlen uses Meld to unfuck some of their genetic tampering, and the resultant loyal Mutons develop a mobile combat strategy based upon bullpups and grappling hooks. See where I'm going with this?

>>2909445
No, cuz it's a waste of time and effort when we could be training our own psionics, unlocking our squad's psionics, and researching with Vahlen on how to make psionic awakening on a mass scale artificially without needing someone else to do it, so that X-COM globally can create their own psi-soldiers to fight the aliens with.

The muton is a scientific curiosity, but other than what intel can be learned from it there's nothing else useful about it.

>>2909445
Mutons won't defect to our side. They'll just fight everyone instead.

>>2909490
You don't know that

>>2909524
It's more likely than assuming a violent race that has only fought and killed each other before the Etherals 'recruited' them will just play ball with XCOM and humans.

>>2909445
Best we can do is see if Mutons are susceptible to Stockholm syndrome after a certain period of captivity.

>>2908488
Is she called that because of her massive balls?

>>2909594
We can't stop them from being dumb violent assholes, but maybe we can direct that dumb violent assholery towards the bad aliens.

>>2910685
True, maybe if we learn more about their original culture before being enslaved (social hierarchies, honour systems, beliefs, etc.), we can persuade them in a way they can understand.

>>2910707
Aren't they supposed to be clones? When did they have time to have a culture?

>>2911658
The current mutons probably don't have any but their species had its own planet before the ayys invaded them.

>>2911679
Then the current clones know nothing of their original culture, and it won't help us.

>>2911658
They should be clones. Regardless of what planet they originated from and the culture it may had, the current living Mutons should all be vat-grown soldiers with minimal knowledge other than what's needed for combat, such as how to fight, and maintenance of weapons and armor.

>>2908658
>>2908660
Well fuck. Good thing Naru brought that regular rocket. If we can nuke the cryssalids instead of shredding them we might have a chance here.

>>2911849
And that's why I'd always try and have either two rocketeers or a rocketeer and a grenadier so that I could hit swarms with a shredder followed by conventional explosives.

>>2912190
A marauder MEC would also work nicely with one Rocketeer.

>>2912191
Archer mec best mec

>>2912214
I was always partial to Jaegers. In the zone plus Mec weapons were a fantastic combo.

>>2912242
What kind if strategy do you go for to give your Jaeger the flanks it needs? I can see it clean a group if chryssalids, but not much else

>>2912453
Two main strategies. High speed charge behind enemy pods. Hitting the area with explosives to destroy cover and then having the Jaeger clean up.
Also in the zone works against flyers so it's damn useful when you're swarmed with floaters and or drones.

>>2912480
Really? Floaters are a pain for me with their elevation bonus.. Does the Jaeger have the aim to compensate? If so im getting one

>>2912923
Jaeger tend to have good aim plus I usually SCOPE them.

>>2908659
we just need to remember to do a full power shotgun blast into the bear.

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So no shit there you are. A zombified and gesticulating mass of what was once a bear about to run rampage throughout you and your disorganized squad. A decision to just get out of it’s way foiled by the fact the thing was long since taken by the hellish monstrosities that are Chrysalids. Your squad is scattered and nobody has overwatch up. To make matters worse, there’s still the rest of the normal Chrysalids very quickly closing the distance as well.

Seriously, fuck Chrysalids.

The bear drools putrid dark purple bile from its mouth and oozes that same bile in other openings in it’s flesh as it lets out a feral roar. It’s about ready to charge somebody in the squad. The unfortunate person to be in the way of the beast just happens to be Zhang. His heavy MAG Autorifle has slowed him down enough to not have made enough distance.

That bear needs to be stopped before it mauls Zhang!

“Shredder ready!” Naru shouts over the comms. Her small stature not stopping her from having a booming voice when the need arises.

Naru’s Shredder rocket, which should be a easy shot from her position even with scatter taken into consideration would stop the beast long enough for Zhang to get away. However, there was still always a chance that it wouldn’t be enough or worse veer off course to hit Zhang in the crossfire. There’s still the rest of the Chrysalid pack to contend with as well and that Shredder could be useful in weakening the pack instead. Reloading will obviously take time also.

Another option would just be to order your team to just unload onto the former bear. Blasting away at it with magnetic gauss slugs. Enough bullets can stop anything and the concentrated fire might just get the aggro away from Zhang. Yet it might not be fast enough to put it down before it mauls him. Even on the best occasions it takes a lot of ammo to take down a normal bear… and this very much isn’t a normal bear anymore.

There’s also your own Psionic abilities. From Swap to switch him out of danger or going Juggernaut and charging the bear and the bugs yourself. You have enough Focus to use either ability but it will likely drain you enough that any future usage of Psionics will exhaust you.

Whatever you decide, you need to decide fast for Zhang's sake!

>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)
>Shoot it and keep shooting it! Enough slugs will slow the thing down! (TN 50)
>Use a Psionic ability. Future abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2915663
>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)
I trust Naru's new eyes.

>>2915663
>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)
Blast it to paste.

>>2915663
>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)

>>2915663
>>Shoot it and keep shooting it! Enough slugs will slow the thing down! (TN 50)
in the end it's just one target, and enough concentrated fire can still kill it. The Shredder should be saved for the entire group of Chrysalids instead, since they are the greater threat than one infected bear. It's less about ammo and more about how she wouldn't be able to reload a second shot fast enough to hit two targets.

>>2915663
Does she have more than one shredder?
Either im voting
>Shredder AND the rest shoot and keep shooting

>>2915663
>>Shoot it and keep shooting it! Enough slugs will slow the thing down! (TN 50)
>>2915663

I dont recall if this was already brought up, but in case someone doesn't know:
The shredder rocket doesn't do all the impressive dmg by itself (it does a decent amount, but rarely kills a healthy ayy) however it increases any subsequent dmg to the target

>>2915781
She has a total of two Shredder rockets and one normal rocket in her loadout.

>>2915663
>>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)
(and hopefully whats inside)

>>2915788
>(it does a decent amount, but rarely kills a healthy ayy)
A armored human has the same chances of survival, I assume ?

>>2915801
Do you wanna try your luck?
>>2915663
>Shredder and Dakka the fucker

>>2915838
>Do you wanna try your luck?
Absolutely not. We don't even know if there is a medic with the reinforcements.

>>2915801
Unless it's a high lvl rocketeer, the shredder wouldnt kill an armored human (in game, that is). Then again, what skills ypu pick can add a pretty difference to that result, also rngesus

>>2915663
>>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)
Followed by magdump.exe to make sure it stays put.

>>2915663
>>2915867
Shit, changed my mind. Go with
>>Shoot it and keep shooting it! Enough slugs will slow the thing down! (TN 50)

>>2915663
>>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)

>>2915796
Changing my vote to
>Other: Shredder the bear, mag it where you saw its passenger, to make sure Zhang doesn't have to deal with a newlyborn Chrys at close range.

>>2915663
>Have Naru shred the bear! (TN 25)
Now is definitely the time for a high power shotgun blast to it's face. Or the lumpy spot, where the eggs are. That's probably implied though.

>>2915663
Supporting >>2915922

Calling the vote here!

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You make the call rather quickly after assessing the situation. The bear needs to go now. The rest of the Chrysalids can wait. Bridge will be crossed when you get there.

“Shred that bear! Zhang get down!” You shout, giving both an OK for Naru to do her thing and Zhang a heads up.

“Rocket out!” Naru alerts, as you hear the shredder being launched.

Your gunner doesn’t hesitate to hit the deck as the rocket flies through the air. The distinct whistling sound echoing that signifies it’s a Shredder rocket instead of a mere standard high explosive rocket. An easy to identify conceit when designing the explosive. It slams in the area of the beast, bursting out hundreds of smaller 'smart' flechettes that dig deep into flesh, metal, and any substance really. The flechettes promptly shatter inside, ripping and tearing the interior and exposing flesh and armor for extra damage while not seriously destroying cover.

The flechettes is one of the few pieces of XCOM's kit that has some amount of penetration to alien alloys and apparently part of the main design of Interceptor 'Phoenix Cannon' weapon system for the pilots. Kinda makes you wish there was some sorta flechette for the troops to use.

Once again Shen knows how to make some terrifying kit.

The question is however how on point Naru’s rocket was, as the lack of cover destruction means it might’ve hit in front of a tree and soaked up most of the damage or worse, Shredded Zhang as well. There’s no time to verify however as you move in with your Shard Gun at the ready to blast a hopefully weakened zombie bear!

>Roll 1d100 (TN 25)

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>>2918679
Oh darn, I meant specifically a flechette gun. How the hell is it that you reread through a post twice and still miss it until the moment you post. Curses!

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>2918679
nat 1 baby

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>2918679
How many gunners are we going to go through before the end of the war?

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>2918679

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>2918679
Dice dice dice.

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say Pixel do you think we encounter friendly non/canon alien refuges crash landing on earth trying to escape the Elders faction?
If so can xcom recruit volunteers from them?

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Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>2918679
Rollan
>>2918708

>>2918872
Anything is possible!

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You hustle to close the distance as the smoke clears and the last of the flechettes detonate. You dive right into the shredded blast radius, numerous pockmarks scar the ground, trees, and any material within the explosive. The cover still stands, despite being deformed as intended.

The first important thing you spot much to your relief is an unharmed Zhang, who had managed to dive behind a log to avoid getting stray flechettes catching him. His ears might be ringing and he might be somewhat winded from landing behind the log on his equipment but he’s alive.

It’s then you spot the bear, or what’s left of it. The thing stumbles and oozes ichor, barely standing and more dragging itself as it moves around. The way it’s body has been carved up by the flechettes all around it is a clear sign that Naru get a direct hit on it. It attempts to attack you but only manages to stumble forward at a sluggish gait.

“Hell yeah! Get fucked fucker!” Naru whoops.

You decide it’s time to put the thing out of its misery, raising your Shard Gun and blasting it without much difficulty. It lets out one last cry as it topples onto it’s back from the slugs. It’s shredded body all but enhancing your gauss slugs to do maximum damage. It lets out one last gurgle before it hits the ground hard in a loud thump.

“Well done.” Zhang says looking up from the--

The bear’s body explodes.

(Part 1 / 2)

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Flesh and fur splatter outwards, coating the area in sickening gore. You nearly gag at how grisly the sight is but your body senses a more immediate danger than the odor it spews out. Not one but TWO Chrysalids burst out from where the bear once was. Their skin is a sickly pinkish pale, and they both appeared to be drenched in guts and fluids but they are very much fully grown and ready to attack. Really, the only upside to his horrible show is that they seem to be ‘lightly’ Shredded. The bear’s muscle and fat had soaked up most of the shred!

The newborn Chrysalids take a few moments to acclimate to their surroundings and pain, before spotting you and Zhang. They want to vent their frustrations through impaling you and Zhang with their razor sharp claws and howl. The rest of the bug pack in the treeline howl in unison and close. You nearly forgot about them!

“Flashes ready!” You hear Loki shout behind you as you hear an extremely satisfying click of your Engineer’s grenade launcher snapping into place, explosives loaded and ready to fire in rapid pace.

Those flashbangs could slow down the newborn bugs and give you and Zhang ample time to react… but those flashes could be used to slow down the rest of the horde. Loki could fire on both the bugs in your position and the rest of the pack, but saturation flashing might not do that much. You’d very much want the flashes focused down! Whatever the case may be, the flashbangs will be the last advantage Strike-1 will have before the whole horde of the bugs dive right into the fray.

Zhang frantically tries to heft his autorifle to bear on the bugs as they prefer to lunge at the both of you.

You need to order Loki fast before it’s too late!

>Have Loki flash the newborn Chrysalids! You need those things off you and Zhang! (TN 30)
>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)
>Get Loki to saturate flash the area! Have her try and slow down the entire horde! (TN 50)
>Trust Loki’s call and focus on defending yourself and Zhang! (TN 30-65)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2919161
>>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
If a Action this "long" is allowed:
>Other (TN ???)
>Activate Juggernaut, engage, focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack .

>>2919161
>>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
>Trust Loki’s call and focus on defending yourself and Zhang! (TN 30-65)

>>2919161
>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
>>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
>>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)
Oh boy. the chrysalids are evolving. Halfway to XCOM2

>>2919161
>>Trust Loki’s call and focus on defending yourself and Zhang! (TN 30-65)

>>2919161
>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)

>>2919161
>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)
Pump and fire Dozer, pump and fire.

>>2919161
>>Trust Loki’s call and focus on defending yourself and Zhang! (TN 30-65)

I really hope carapace armor can take a hit from Chrysalids. If it doesn't we might need new gunner if this goes wrong

Screw the Lids! You know what two can play same game.Ask our science pals to cook up something like this!
https://youtu.be/ltuKqRCzMNo?t=99

>>2920255
The odds aint good if it's like the game.. But yeah let's hope Zhang doesn't become and untimely father

Calling the vote here!

>>2920321
That's why some Psionics is necessary. Or the other Skyranger descending and our reinforcements firing from the open ramp.

>>2920321
In game the early game lids deal what, 6-10 damage? Carapace armor gives +5 HP, which means any soldier with more than 5 base health should be able to tank ONE hit, although they'll be severely wounded. And multiple hits in a row will kill a soldier. Of course i don't think this quest follows game mechanics quite that closely.

>>2920505
Don't forget the poison. That'll finish most soldiers for sure.

>>2920505
True, it's not just the first armor... But yeah. A chryssalid bite fucks ppl up up.. and it seems there are two of them gaining on him

ded

>>2920579
This is how these threads are every week. A full run on Fridays and a couple of posts over the rest of the week.

>>2919161
>>Focus Loki’s flashes on the rest of the bug pack and defend yourself without it! The rest of the squad will need that! (TN 65)
Rule one of close quarters combat:
>you have to get there first

>>2920686
>Rule one of close quarters combat:>you have to get there first
How...is this related to the flashbangs ? or the greentext options we have ? Is this just some made-up rule ?

>>2920876
We can gun down the chryssalids nearest to us before they come in striking range. The rest of the squad needs those flashbangs more than us, seeing that they are seriously outnumbered.

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“Loki, flash the incoming pack!” You shout over the comms, you have to force yourself not to glance over to confirm if she had heard or not. The last you want to do is look away from a Chrysalid, even for a moment.

You pump your Shard Gun and get ready to defend yourself and Zhang as the newborn bugs reorient themselves move to strike. The Chrysalid’s relatively short new existence out of the inside of the bear is first spent throwing themselves at you and Zhang. Their razor sharp clawed limbs digging and kicking up dirt and bear viscera with each step. One leaps for you while the other goes for the kneeling Zhang.
Loki’s flashbangs go off in the treeline and your ears begin to ring from Zhang’s Autorifle firing so close to you as the bugs pounce. They’re somewhat sluggish due to the shred that manage to reach them, but not enough to completely slow down their inhuman speeds. The Chrysalid that has its sights set on you raises both of it’s front limbs up, raising it down to impale you with a primal glee.

If you can kill this bug fast enough you can switch targets and help kill the one moving in on your Gunner. You raise your Shard Gun to blow your attacking Chrysalid into chunks in retaliation.

Bring it on!

>Roll 1d100+5 (TN 65)

Rolled 71 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2920939
Nat 1 baby

Rolled 48 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2920939

Rolled 45 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2920939

Rolled 89 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2920939

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>>2920942
This is good

Rolled 67 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2920939

Rolled 17 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2920939
Rolling because I don't want to feel left out

Your shotgun manages to hit dead on target. In most circumstances at this range that would be a given, but with a Chrysalid you can never be sure you really hit the damn things. The gauss slugs tear into the beast’s flesh, the damage only increased further by the pre-existing shred. It lets out a pained cry but doesn’t have the common courtesy to outright die just yet. It’s not going to strike you immediately however, as you quickly opt to switch your targets. You’re used to dealing with Close Encounters like this, after all.

Pumping your Shard Gun you snap your aim to blast the other Chrysalid before it can strike Zhang with another burst of slugs. You manage to hit it in the side, causing it to careen off away from Zhang from the impact. He wastes no time capitalizing on the opening and proceeds to dump rounds into the bug with impunity. The Chrysalid crumples from the sustained fire into the ground, but he keeps holding the trigger down, perforating the body until it truly is dead.

You take the opportunity to pump your Shard Gun again and return you attention back to the bug that was attacking you and decide to finish it off for good. One more blast from your Shard Gun is enough to take it down, and for good measure you fire again. Zhang has the right idea of double tapping the things, you don’t want it lashing out from behind you.

As the barrel from your Shard Gun sizzles and shimmers in red and vibrates in your hands you take the moment to reload your weapon and assess the situation. Zhang gets you a nod in thanks and begins to provide suppressing fire to the now retreating Chrysalids. Loki’s flashes were enough to disorientate the bugs to start to pull back, your squad taking advantage to down one or two of them in the process.

Loki gives you a thumbs up to signal an OK on the status of everyone else. It’s a relief but you still see numerous contacts moving about in the trees, and they’re likely going to try and reposition to strike again. You can’t even effectively hunt them down as they’re just as quick to ambush you. You’ll just have to accept bloodying the nose of the pack for now.

Goddamn bugs.

Seeing you still have a moment, you take a knee to call in to Command.

“Strike-1 to Command.” You start.

“Hearing you loud and clear, Strike-1!” Anna chimes in.

“What’s the ETA on our reinforcements? We’ve started to engage with E.T. but we’re clear for now.”

“One moment, I’ll patch you to Skyranger-5 now!”

“Thanks.”

(Part 1 / 2)

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You don’t have to wait long for your squad’s communication’s support to put you through. When you are patched through however, you are only slightly thrown off as you hear loud and pumping southern rock over the radio. The music is intense, rough, and extremely southern with banjos and electric guitar playing together like you’re in the middle of some unwieldy barfight. If it wasn’t so jarring you can’t help but nod your head to it and you don’t even listen to that type of music.

“Rowdy Sky here, what can I do for ya?” The pilot chimes in, with a proper thick southern accent to accompany the tunes.

“H-Hey! You shouldn’t be playing music over the operation frequencies!” Anna adds, annoyed by this sudden foible.

“It helps me focus, missy.” Rowdy Sky chuckles heartily.

“Raven-5 here. He’s just been playing it the entire flight over.” One of the Interceptor pilots escorting the Skyranger interjects… clearly sounding long since accepting of their fate.

“Grr… It doesn’t matter if that music helps you focus! You’re not supposed to do that! If I’m not allowed to listen to J-Pop then you’re not allowed to Dark Country either!” Anna huffs, apparently the woman is quite the audiophile, fitting you suppose.

“You know Dark Country?” Rowdy Sky sounds surprised.

“Of course I do! That’s the Midnight Ri-”

“Er.” You chime in between the pair over the comms. “I hate to interrupt your music discussion, but how long is it going to take for you to arrive with reinforcements, Rowdy Sky?”

“Real soon, now! We’re over Spain proper, just sit nice and tight and we’ll be there in less than five mikes!” Rowdy Sky hollars happily, though it’s not on purpose. He has to talk over the music playing in the background.

“Copy that…” You say as you proceed to ignore the command frequency as Anna continues to scold the Skyranger pilot. You switch back to local squad comms.

You’re really glad the rest of squad doesn’t have to deal with that on a regular basis. “Heads up team, five minutes until help arrives.”

“Can you get them to fly a bit faster? I got eyes on alien activity!” Naru alerts from her tree lookout post. “A Muton pod is moving up to lock you guys down!”

The Mutons are likely trying to pin you all down so the bugs can flank you from the sides. It’s not the pod that has the Muton you had implanted an order to. You can just sense he’s defending the UFO. A few options come to mind. Staying where you are and getting overwatch ready to engage both forces, which would give your squad the best shots at risk of being flanked. Another option is falling back towards the Skyranger for a much more defensible position at the risk of getting the Skyranger in danger. Finally, there’s moving up to counter-attack the advancing force to pierce the enemy position before they can encircle.

Gotta love decisions!

>Hold Position!
>Fall Back!
>Counter Attack!
>Other

>>2921123
>Hold Position!
Ready a buttload of overwatch

>>2921123
>Hold Position!

>>2921123
>>Counter Attack!

>>2921123
>>Counter Attack!
Better to keep the initiative in a battle where we're not forced to hold a location. Unless the defensive position is very good, and the squad is built for overwatch, facing separate groups of enemies on our own terms is better than letting flank us even in a overwatch.

I wonder if we could ask one of the interceptors to drop a missile on the enemies. The trees would probably block the shot though.

>>2921123
>Hold Position!
Even if we get encircled our reinforcements should arrive just in time to flank the mutons

>>2921123
>Fall Back!
We should secure an area for the reinforcements to land.

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

Just keep in mind that if we don't smash the Mutons -really- fast then we'll get surrounded by bugs while having to take cover from plasma.

>>2921123
>Hold Position!
Circle the wagons, weather the storm.

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!
If we can catch them out of position and/or separated we have the upper hand. We have a team setup more for shock&awe than attrition.

>>2921123
>>Counter Attack!

>>2921181
Sounds like we might need a Juggernaut here.

>>2921123
>>Counter Attack!
If things don't go our way, use up Juggernaut. As long as we can still activate the undercover Muton we won't need psionics for the last pods, plus Rachel can serve as a tank once she arrives.

>>2921208
>We have a team setup more for shock&awe than attrition.
Makes sense.

>>2921123
Switching from >>2921167 to >>2921208
>Counter Attack!

>>2921260
With how much it drains, it needs to be saved for the boss fight vs the Ethereal that's in the ship.

>>2921307
I thought it was just an Outsider.

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

>>2921311
Oh right, my bad.

>>2921307
>With how much it drains, it needs to be saved for the boss fight vs the Ethereal that's in the ship.
The other squad could take care of that. Any time a trooper gets wounded we should Juggernaut.

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>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

>That’s the Midnight Ri-”

>>2921123
>>Hold Position!

>>2921550
Yes. I dot know if this is just a reference to our night mission or something else also.

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

>>2921123
>>Hold Position!

>>2921123
I know it won't get passed since I'm the only voter, but I'm just going to throw this in here.
>Fall Back!
I like having defensible positions.

>>2922388
I'm with you, though. >>2921172

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>>2922393
I missed your post! Good to know there is another defense master race commander in here.

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

>>2921123
>Counter Attack!

Calling the vote here!

>>2922396
Yeah, defending is what got us all that Chrysalid mutiplication in the beginning.

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If we are counter attacking we are really going to need to hit the Mutons hard and fast. If we take too long we will get encircled and fucked up.

I recommend the explosive rocket or Juggernaut.

>>2922842
>I recommend the explosive rocket or Juggernaut.
This, enough heavy firepower is coming with the reinforcements that it is counterproductive to hold back now.

“The only way out is through!” You alert your squad. “We’re going to smash through the enemy line before they encircle us!”

Your squad is built to be aggressive, and Strike-1 is going to have to capitalize on it with a full on counter attack. Loki and Zhang will be pulling up the charge from the rear. Harita and Burnout's will have to strike the Muton pod fast enough to compensate. The sooner you get rid of the Mutons, the sooner your squad can brace for the incoming second strike from the Chrysalids.

Burnout and Harita are already moving up as soon as you say the word. They double time it, dashing into the forest to close the gap. Fingers crossed they'll be intercept them just in time for the slower members of the squad to catch up.

“Say the word and I’ll send another Shredder flying at ‘em, boss! My eyes’ll be on until then!”” Naru says with a fire in her voice. She really has missed being out in the frontlines.

"Acknowledged!" You answer.

You wait just until Zhang and Loki are starting to speed up before setting off yourself. You’ll trust Naru to be the heads up they need if the bugs move sooner than you fear. The real question is how you’ll influence the play here. Everyone else knows their role, but your Assault training and your Gift can make you much more flexible than the others.

(Part 1 / 2)

The most obvious choice for you would be taking the attack head on, blunting the Muton’s initial barrage and hoping your fancy Carapace can hold out under the fire coupled with your own endurance. You’ll be able to wreck their lines rather swiftly if you get within close range. There’s no way you won’t get injured, but hopefully your armor will soak up almost all of it and just like bruises. Getting shot so many times has made you pretty used to bruises.

You could focus your attack alongside Harita, being one hell of a hammer to hit the Mutons from the side. One Shard Gun at close range is enough to tear through an enemy squad, but two in unison? It would cause havoc. However, that would mean the rest of your squad will have to weather the initial interception fire while you maneuver with Harita.

Naru had just said she can fire her last shredder on your signal. It would make mince meat of the Mutons and likely disorient them. But maybe saving that for the other aliens in the AO is important. There is always the risk she will become a huge target if the shot goes wide or you don’t them fast enough. Naru really can’t defend herself up there even with the height advantage.

Last but never not least there’s always your psionics. Juggernaut would make extremely quick work of the pod and you might have enough juice in the tank to storm the Chrysalids before even they can react. Swapping right in the middle of the Mutons would give them one hell of a last surprise before you take them out. Both will nearly drain you. You’d hate to run empty at a bad moment afterwards. Hopefully the reinforcements will make up for your slack if that’s the case.

There’s probably some wild idea you haven’t thought yet either. Shame there’s no scientists to turn into bomb makers in the forest. That was pretty satisfying stuff even when it went against literally everything you had been taught in the FBI. You ignore the short tangent and focus on moving quickly and deciding your action. No the matter the choice bullrushing the brutish Mutons will likely cost the squad in some way, hopefully the trade will be heavily in your favor!

>Take point! You’ll likely take a beating while doing so but nobody else will! (TN 50)
>Flank with Harita! Your squad will take initial plasma fire while you flank! (TN 65)
>Have Naru shred them! She’ll only have her normal rocket left and there’s the chance she’ll be in huge danger if it fails! (TN 25)
>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)
>Other

>>2923071
>Take point! You’ll likely take a beating while doing so but nobody else will! (TN 50)

>>2923071
>>Take point! You’ll likely take a beating while doing so but nobody else will! (TN 50)

Did "Swap" use more focus the larger the objects swapped or is it a set cost?
If it's the first then we could bundle up some grenades and swap them with a rock or something near the Muton squad.
Who needs PGMs when you can just telefrag someone.

>>2923071
>Swap the Mutons' guns with random trash

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>>2923086
The larger the object the more Focus it will use. If it's a living being being Swapped it's a Focus increase as well. Swapping multiple things at once increases costs significantly. Not having LOS increases Focus cost too.

Basically the more complex the Swap the more it will cost you but otherwise you can go wild with it! So yes, telefragging can be a thing!

Swap was designed to combine the Templar abilities of Invert and Exchange into one power and actually have creative uses and utility for you guys to play with besides just swapping units.

All powers can have some sort specialization down the line too with further practice for cooler stunts and stuff. I have a whole suite of powers in mind but that's spoilers! Suffice to say psionics has been given more thought on my end since I don't have to worry about game balance instead have to deal with bad RNG and the whole quest running part!

>>2923071
>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)

Juggernaut now. I'd rather make sure our engagement is as smooth as possible, as this is likely the last pod we have to face before the cavalry comes. We are about to double our numbers as long as we survive five more minutes. Also, we still have that sleeper Muton up our sleeve.

>>2923095
Nice. In that case

>Other: Tie two grenades together and Swap them with something near the Mutons. Proceed with "Take point!"
(Swaping them with a plasma rifle would be pretty hilarious)

>>2923096
The only risk of option 1 (TN 50) would be us, while using up Juggernaut means not being able to save people when we need it. This isn't the main fight and we shouldn't waste what limited Focus we have left on it just to keep ourselves safe when our armor would do fine.

>>2923071
>>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! TN 45 for Swap.)
What does A.O. stand for, by the way ? Alien Object ?

>>2923110
>What does A.O. stand for, by the way ?
Area of Operation.

>>2923102
We could get wounded too badly by the plasma to use Juggernaut safely later or even get knocked unconscious in the worst case (i doubt we'd die because we're MC). I was thinking more about making sure we punch through Muton lines as decisively as possible, since we are about to get more firepower via reinforcements like >>2923002 said.

I'm fine either way, but the incoming backup makes me lean more towards using our tools now.

At this point I see us more as the forward team. We're there to secure the landing zone and it's immediate surroundings for the other team, so that they can complete the mission.

>>2923071
Supporting >>2923101
>Other:
>Tie two grenades together and Swap them with something near the Mutons.
>Proceed with "Take point!"
Makes me wonder if swapping the rifle would prevent it from exploding into fragments when the muton dies.

>>2923157
>>2923101

Do we have two grenades in our kit though, or would we have to ask Loki to give us those grenades?

>>2923160
We only have flashes so we'd need the grenades from someone else.

>>2923071
>>Take point! You’ll likely take a beating while doing so but nobody else will! (TN 50)

>>2923071
>>Flank with Harita! Your squad will take initial plasma fire while you flank! (TN 65)

>>2923071
>Take point

>>2923071
>>Take point! You’ll likely take a beating while doing so but nobody else will! (TN 50)

>>2923071
>Shoot the trees near them and make them fall on them, then mop up.


Trees fall mutons die!

>>2923071
>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)
Juggernaut

Remember the only enemies left after these two pod's is the Turncoat Muton Pod, a Mectoid which is the target of said Turncoat, and an outsider.

We also have reinforcements that'll back us during those fights. This really is the bigger fight right now.

>>2923102
Using expendables in this situation is absolutely not a waste. This is currently the most dire circumstances and saving stuff for what ifs right now is irresponsible.

>>2923071
>>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)
Juggernaut

>>2923071
>>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)
Juggernaut

I know you guys like your self sacrifice options but putting ourselves in a position to get injured when we have other options as a squad leader is very dumb. We don't want to become a liability.

Also and I'm obnoxiously going to put this in all caps so people will see it:

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE CAN USE PSIONICS BEFORE THE OTHER SQUAD ARRIVES.

So no need to save the elixirs so to speak.

>>2923283
>THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE CAN USE PSIONICS BEFORE THE OTHER SQUAD ARRIVES.

Obviously we would use it anyways in a life or death situation but overall its a good point. Changing my vote >>2923201 to juggernaut.

>>2923283
>but putting ourselves in a position to get injured when we have other options as a squad leader is very dumb
We have all medkits unused and more coming+maybe a medic. A medium injury can be fixed fast. Please consider all things before disqualifying other's votes.

>>2923307
A medkit doesn't stop Medbay time and a pod's worth of plasma shots is more than a medium injury even on Carapace.

Also I forgot to mention that Juggernaut will last long enough to take care of the Lids too.

So we have: Using Psionics while it can still be a secret where it can potentially take out two separate pod's without injury

Vs

Taking down one pod where injury is all but confirmed outside of super high rolls, dealing with said injury while Lids are bearing down on us, and Medbay later.

>>2923071
>Psionic
Juggernaut

>>2923319
We never had medbay time so long that we missed the next mission. And apparently the nurses are appealing.Still, I support the Psionics option.

>>2923071
>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (Specify. TN 35 for Juggernaut. TN 45 for Swap.)
Juggernaut.

>>2923101
Supporting, let's show em we don't play fair.

>>2923071
>>Use a Psionic ability. Future use of abilities will exhaust you afterwards! (TN 35 for Juggernaut.)

Calling the vote here!

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Right, it’s time to be decisive in eradicating these Mutons. With reinforcements just about to arrive, this will be your last opportunity to use psionics while still keeping it under wraps. And what better opportunity is there in using Juggernaut? If you have enough Focus and can cast it efficiently you’ll likely have Intimidating Aura kick in as well. Then you can really go into overkill.

You charge ahead, catching up and closing the distance to the Muton pod. At the same time, you begin to channel your Focus in your off hand, a glowing orb of psionic energy quickly coming into form. You can quickly feel your mental faculties start to take a hit as a fresh wave of fatigue washes over you and makes sluggish for a moment as you complete the orb in your hand.

Just as you start to see the large forms of the Mutons through the trees you take the orb of crackling psionic energy press it into your chest, absorbing it. Your body begins to course with the power, and you begin to naturally glow purple. Channeling it. Bending it to your will.

You want power, ferocity, speed, and most of all fury.

It’s time to get angry!

>Roll 1d100 (TN 35)

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>2925066

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>2925066

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>2925066

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>>2925071

>>2925071
Jeez, Dozer really can't stop when he gets mad. Next post will be the last one for the thread!

>>2925083
I have to wonder if our physique and size changes so we look like a 80's shounen manga character whenever we do a really good Juggernaut with rippling muscles, broad shoulders, and outrageous poses.

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>>2925116
They are already dead.

>>2925116
Pretty sure we just glow purple.

>>2925071
We seem to get high roll whenever we use Juggernaut. I think RNG is telling us Dozer is most natural with self buffs that allow him to Rip and Tear. If anyone else in our squad is psionic we could specialize them in something else like mental manipulation while we spec fully on buffs.

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You feel it, like a shot of raw and furious energy injected right within your very being. A welcome feeling once again as you reach into that well within you to unleash out on your enemies. What else is there to say really? You’re about to fuck some shit up.

Your legs begin to move faster and you feel yourself tense up, compressing all of that incoming rage at the Mutons you are very quickly closing in on. You make a beeline straight for the knuckleheaded brutes, and nothing is going to stop you. In moments you catch up and overtake Harita and Burnout who were initially in the lead. Their night vision would likely see a streak of bright light pass through. A fallen over tree that was unfortunate enough to get into your way you merely crash through, sending chunks of wood flying about wildly in a loud crash. This does not slow your momentum at all.

The Mutons snap their attention to you, you’re not exactly difficult to miss and are caught off guard by your sudden appearance. But more importantly you can ‘feel’ their emotions radiating from their bodies. At first it is a feeling of preparation for battle only to be very quickly replaced with that of… shock. You can’t help but grin like a madman and then let out a primal roar as you charge into their frontline like the goddamn wrecking ball that you are.

You shoulder tackle the closest Muton, knocking him back from the impact. You see a distinct dent right in it’s center chest piece. You managed to cave in the armor upon impact as if you had hit the Muton as if you were a truck crashing into it at full speed. Perfect. You jam your Shard Gun into that weakened part of it’s arm and pull the trigger. With your weapon literally touching the thing’s green armor, it all but disintegrates it and tears through into the flesh, destroying the various redundant organs the thing has within at once. It lets out a cry and crumples to the ground as you pump your gauss shotgun with one hand.

The Mutons, while clearly spiked with a sudden burst of fear let out a battle cry, no, literally Blood Call and attempt to retaliate. You almost have to respect the things for not turning tail and fleeing immediately. You’ll just have to work a bit harder to get the message across! You’re completely fine with this.

(Part 1 / 3)

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One of them attempts grab you, but you respond with striking it across the face with your Shard Gun. The weapon, much like the rest of XCOM’s gear and equipment, is made to take a beating and you feel a sickening crunch as you shatter bone. You send stumbling back, wheezing and spewing yellow gas it attempts to spray plasma in your direction. Dodging it is rather easy as the plasma goes wide and even tags one of the other Mutons in the shoulder. You let out another battle cry and sweep the gasping Muton’s legs and send it toppling onto the ground. In an instant you loom above it and begin to stomp on it’s chest. Crumpling the seemingly cardboard green armor with ease. It howls and and sputters fumes. Finally, you point your Shard Gun at it’s head, and put it out of its misery.

That finally gets the message across through to the remain two Muton’s feeble minds. Flight overtakes their instincts to fight and fear grips them as your Intimidating Aura really sets into their minds. They begin to make a hasty retreat just as the rest of your squad arrives to begin gunning them down as the run. One of them is killed from the barrage of interception fire leaving just one last Muton in the span of less than 15 seconds, give or take.

As much as you’d like to run the thing down yourself, you can hear the Chrysalids nearby. However, your mere presence while still under the effects of Juggernaut keeps them away, like one hell of a deterrent. Which is more than enough time to get your squad safely in position to retaliate. You’ll begrudgingly accept letting one of the poor Muton bastards run away like a scared child just this once for your squad’s sake. He’ll be dealt with real soon.

(Part 2 / 3)

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“Excellent work, Dozer.” Loki says upon arrival, looking at you up and down as you continue to glow from Juggernaut. “Well done indeed…”

“I hate into interrupt you eyeing up Dozer for being a glowing badass Loki, but I got eyes on aliens on the move. ” Naru alerts. You ignore the slightly flustered Loki for a moment and listen in as Naru continues. “That, uh, Mectoid thing is on the move and it’s got the other pod of Mutons escorting it.”

“Are they trying to move around to flank us?” Zhang frowns, swiveling his weapon towards

“It’s... not coming for you guys!” Naru interrupts, a realization coming to her. “They’re swinging wide east, real wide and... Son of a bitch, I think they’re heading straight for the Skyranger!”

...Skyranger?

You look towards that direction, hearing the sounds of trees being knocked aside, as if something is bulldozing through it. And then it hits you. Of course the aliens would know where the goddamn Skyranger is with their fancy UFO sensor tech! They weren’t looking for the Skyranger this entire time… they were looking for your squad specifically to react!

The attack to lock you in place was specifically so the Mectoid (a fitting name) could move unchecked. Worse yet you’ve overextended pushing those Mutons and won’t be able to immediately intercept without some effort. And you got bugs close-by as well to help in locking you down still! They’re going to try and ground the Skyranger for good while they think you’re stuck here without even realizing.

It’s a good thing you have several things in play that can even things out. From your embedded Muton who is waiting for your signal to enact revenge, Naru’s incredible spotting ability and rockets, your still active Juggernaut, and finally reinforcements about to arrive any moment. Suffice to say, you have options.

The aliens think they’ve pulled a perfect bait and switch on your ass and that pisses you off more than anything else.

The squad looks to you for orders, clearly thinking they’ve had the the rug pulled out from under you. You merely crack your neck and steel yourself, prepared to out maneuver and out think the aliens.

This mission ain’t fucked yet if you can help it!

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>...And with that I'm going to call it here. You guys may be in a bit of a tight spot, but I trust you all can solve this tactical puzzle before you. So until next time...

Thanks for playing!

>>2925385
Thanks for QMing, good run.
I'm thinking we shredder them, activate the plant, then dozer through the bugs. That should slow them down at least.

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>>2925385
Thanks for running!

I hope Rachel does pic related to that Mechtoid. One of the best things about EW.

>>2925385
Thanks for the run! As for what to do, I think it's the best time to use the Muton to backstab the Mectoid to slow them down while we push through the bugs to intercept them.

>>2925379
What's the max range of Swap currently ? If Dozer were still at full Focus, could he have spent more of it to increase the range ?

>>2925427
I forget, did she choose the Dakka dakka mech or the punchy mech?

>>2926685
Punchie I think

>>2925883
Dozer doesn't actually know yet for maximum range, but generally speaking the closer the easier. And yes, putting in more Focus would make Swapping longer distances easier. More Focus in general will make most abilities perform better!

>>2926685
Rachel's current MEC suit is the Goliath, which has the KSM aka the robopunch attachment.

Next thread soon!

>>2926806
What is preventing the Skyranger from lifting off and picking us later when the AO is cleared like in XCOM 2?

>>2926826
The UFO could easily blast it out of the sky if the Skyranger tried to take off. Which raises the question why they haven't just blew it up in the first place if they knew where it was, the best guess Dozer has so far is that the aliens think they still have the advantage with the whole trap UFO and want to focus on fieldtesting the Mectoid or perhaps something else.

Once the refueled Interceptors arrive with the rest of the reinforcements that is a possibility for helping to get the Skyranger out!

>>2921591
https://youtu.be/-ApJ5NsM6CI

The mechtoid is just a sectoid in a mobility scooter. All we need to do is turn its head into chunky salsa.

>>2927303

New thread is now up!