UFOpaedia - User contributions [en]

Exploiting Mind Control

2008-09-07T10:07:42Z

James.Denholm: /* Access the Alien Inventory Screen */ Typo

'''THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''

=Mind Control Madness=
==Civilian Traitors==
Whenever you mind control another unit, it automatically returns to the alien side at the end of the aliens' turn. This is true even if you mind control a [[Civilian]]. While saving civilians leads to higher scores, "removing" them from play in this way then killing them off as aliens removes the risk of a score penalty should they be fall into trouble.
==Resurrect Zombified Agents==
also known as: '''Permanent Control of a Chryssalid/Tentaculat'''
 To 'rescue' your zombified agent you must [[mind control]]/[[molecular control]] its [[zombie]] form then shoot it to make it hatch. The chrysallid/tentaculat that just hatched will appear to be hostile, but don't kill it. Next turn, and for the rest of the mission, it will be controlled by you without additional psionic actions. If you lost an agent to make a zombie and you use this trick, you can 'recover' the agent if the chrysallid/tentaculat version of the soldier survives until the end of the mission. The resurrected agent will be back at base.
 If your pet chrysallid/tentaculat happens to get zombified, just repeat the steps to gaining permanent control. This action effectively regenerates your pet's health. However, each time this happens, you lose morale and the counter for the number of X-Com soldiers lost on that mission increases as if it were a different soldier being killed. So you may go in with 10 soldiers, but leave with 10 and -5 casualties.
 This exploit can also be used when civilians get zombified. And, since the terror units have many TU, they make excellent scouts. You could give your pet alien a weapon, but they have terrible throwing and accuracy skills. However, if you give you pet a primed high explosive and send them off to scout, they will drop it when they die.
==My Pet Alien==
Any alien can be your agent's personal escort. Just remember to mind control the alien every turn. When there are large terrorists on a mission, you'll notice that they take up four squares. Each square has its own stats. If you mind control one quadrant, the other three quadrants still stay under alien control. If you move the large alien there is a good chance that it will SHOOT ITSELF (if it can) via reaction fire! If the large alien does not shoot itself you can use up its TU to fire on hostiles, or use it to scout. Once the TU are used up, mind control another quadrant to keep using this alien. You can do this four times. Alternatively, you can target the other alien quadrants and make the terror unit shoot itself. This is worthwhile tactic to use on Cyberdiscs and Sectopods. Cyberdiscs explode on death while the Sectopod has a Laser Auto Shot which can dish out a maximum of 300 points of damage each shot.

The best use of mind control: scout. If you see someone holding a [[Blaster Launcher]], mind control it and fire, then drop the weapon, rendering a bunch of aliens dead and one harmless if you're lucky.

==Access the Alien Inventory Screen==
When an alien is mind controlled, you can't directly see their inventory by clicking the inventory button. However, if you switch to a human soldier, and check their inventory, you can use the arrows in the top corner to cycle through '''all''' units.

 '''WARNING''' There is a critical bug which is connected to this exploit. Read about it here: [[Known_Bugs#Alien_Inventory_Stacking_Bug| Alien Inventory Stacking Bug]]

 Use this exploit to change their inventory. You can give them weapons (eg: for [[Reaction Training]]), live grenades, or anything else. Remember to mind control them each turn if you use them as mules.

==Exponential Mind Control==
Any creature with psionic skill can use a [[Psi-Amp|psionic amplifier]]. Therefore, you can take control of, (eg:) an Ethereal and then toss it a psi-amp, use the [[Exploits#Access_the_Alien_Inventory_Screen|alien inventory exploit]], and have him pick it up. You can then use the Ethereal's psionic talents to take over other aliens. With the right application of psi-amp relay tosses and mind control, this can have an exponential effect of complete control of all the aliens in the very first turn.

It is even easier to use several high-level Psi troops (80+ Psi Strength & Skill), each with their own Psi-Amp, to create chains of aliens extending across the entire map; each new alien discovered and controlled becomes the forwardmost scout while your troops remain safely at the back of the chain (or even in the transport). This is easily the single most imbalancing tactic in the game, short of hacking the game files.

==Zombie's Permanent Control of Aliens via Stunning==
<ol>
<li> Mind Control any 1x1 alien. Zombies are exempt from this as well as 2x2 terror units (as these can't be stunned), but all the other aliens are fair game.</li>
<li> Stun that alien. Stun Bombs from the Small Launcher are the preferred method because the stun rod depends on alien status to function. (On Windows Version, you can´t use the Stun Rod on friendly units).</li>
<li> Revive the alien. You can either wait until the alien recovers on it's own, or use stimulant shots from a Medi-Kit to speed things along.</li>
<li> Wait until the start of your next round. After the alien wakes up it will appear as alien, but this just lasts for your present turn. (Aparently, it doesn´t work on Windows version).</li>
</ol>

That's it, the alien should now be under permanent X-COM control. You can do anything with an X-COM alien as you can with a normal soldier: Directly access the aliens inventory screen without scrolling through all your guys first. Arm it and send it in as a advance scout into UFOs. In all practicality, they are yours to do with as you please.

TRTBAG

2008-09-07T02:57:30Z

James.Denholm: /* Obligatory Disclaimer Claptrap */ Added comment about X-Com availablity.

__NOTOC__
= The TFTD Research Tree Bug Avoidance Guide =
<div align = "right" style = "font-size:80%;">A needlessly wordy article by [[User:NKF|NKF]]</div>

__TOC__

 

==Foreword==

The designers of X-Com Terror From The Deep seem to have attempted to make the research process in TFTD much more complicated than its very straightforward predecessor's research tree. They have succeeded in doing this, but have also introduced many glaringly unacceptable errors in the process that can prevent you from completing the game.

Some players may have had the luck of not bumping into any of these errors by picking all the right research at the right time, or have a game that doesn't seem to have these problems. Unfortunately, as the research order in TFTD is non-linear, that is to say you can research anything you've got in any order you want, a lot of us are less fortunate. This guide is to assist point out some of the stickier bits.



Also note that ''this is not a reproduction of the research tree''.
There are many documents in a variety of formats describing the complete research tree on the Internet that you can peruse. This document is merely a supplement.

===Definitions===
The word 'prerequisite' is used quite frequently
throughout this document. As prerequisite is not
an everyday word, here is its definition.

:;Pre-Requisite: Pre- means 'before', Requisite means something that is required in order to achieve something. In Layman terms and in context with the game: to get this thingy, you need to research orhave these other thingies first.
 
=== Spoiler Warning ===
While this may spoil the game if you are new to
it, it is better to be informed than to make a
mistake that is irreversible. The game IS hard,
even for X-Com UFO veterans.

With the exception of MC technology, this
document discusses a branch of the research tree
that will take you from the very start of the
game all the way to the final chamber in T'Leth. (Well, not exactly, but it'll give you everything you need!)

== Glitches in the System ==

There are two major occasions where research can grind to a halt:

* An alien is required to further research AFTER certain projects are completed
* An object is needed in storage before research is completed

== Interrogations ==

A large portion of the research can be cut off by researching an alien in the incorrect sequence.

for example, in order to open a new research branch, you have to have researched project A and B and then interrogate alien C in order to get new technology D. If you were to interrogate alien C before completing research on A and B, technology D will not appear for research once you've completed research on A and B. In order to get D to appear, you must capture another alien and interrogate it again.

So, as a rule of thumb, if an alien is a prerequisite
for any particular tech item, it's highly
recommended that hold off the completion of the interrogation until
all the prerequisites have been researched.

== The Deep One Dilemma==

The primary research path at an abstract level looks roughly like so:
  
<center>
{| cellspacing="3"
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Armour
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Subs
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | T'Leth
|}
</center>
 
The path for Armour looks roughly like:
  
<center>
{| cellspacing="3"
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Deep One Corpse
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Aqua Plastics
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Plastic Aqua Armour
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Ion Beam Accelerators
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Live Deep One Terrorist
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Ion Armour
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Magnetic Navigation
|| →
| style="text-align: center; background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid; width: 80px;" | Mag. Ion Armour
|}
</center>
 
Not all of the technologies need to be reseached in the exact order - with the exception of the live [[Deep One]], which should only be reseached after you have met the other prerequisites for Ion Armour.

Without Armours you won't get to research advanced subs; without advanced subs you can't reach T'leth and defeat the aliens once and for all.

You will need a living specimen and a
corpse. In older versions of the game, where you
need a lobsterman navigator to get magnetic
navigation, getting a live Deep One Terrorist is
not that important. However, in TFTD versions
with the v2 update, success hinges on getting a
living Deep One terrorist.

Deep One Terrorists can be found in most Gill-man
land missions. They do not appear underwater (1),
and are replaced with Xarquids if you shoot down
Gill-Men terror ships.

:(1) ''you may find some Deep One Terrorists in the second level of T'Leth; however, you may only get there after when you already have the tech they provide.''


Don't worry if you missed them, Gill-Man terror
sites do still appear when it's late in the game,
although they are abundant early in game.


Deep One Terrorists also appear in 'mixed' alien
crew land missions. A mixed crew is made up of a
variety of species, and in terror sites and base
attacks, will be supported by a variety of
land-based terror units, which includes the Deep
One Terrorist as well as the odd Xarquid (which
normally replaces the Deep One Terrorist for
underwater missions).


Just promote a terror site by leaving any ships
on terror missions alone, or encourage the
Gill-Men or 'mixed' crews to attack your base by
shooting some of their USOs down near your base.
You might also want to dismantle your M.C
generator to improve the likelihood of an attack.


Before starting research on the Deep One
Terrorist, refer to the Ion Armour section.


Finally, researching an alien medic and getting
information on the Deep One Terrorist or its
corpse is not the same as researching the real
thing. You will not get any research benefits
from the alien medic's report. Keep this in mind.


== The Tasoth Commander Trap==

Note that it is unfortunately difficult to double check the validity of this bug at the present time, so this section has been intentionally left vague for now, but is left for the benefit of the that may experience it.

Most copies of the game do not recognise the Tasoth Commander as a legal alien (Although the alien/rank combination can still exist) and cannot be researched. If for whatever reason one does somehow appear on your research list, do not complete the research on it until after obtaining a Leviathan and the final mission launch button. Researching it will prevent these topics from being researched through normal means.

If you're unsure whether you'll face this bug or otherwise, update your game with the v2 patch if you are using the Dos version. The Collectors edition of TFTD is already updated to v2.

==Required Objects ==
=== The MC Reader and Sub Construction samples===

These two items, the MC Reader and the Sub
Construction store item, are special in that they
will only become available for research if and
only if a sample is available in your general
stores before completing research for their
prerequisite technologies.


If you do not have any when completing research
on the last of their required technologies, they
will NOT appear later even after acquiring a few
samples.


For example: If you've done Zrbite and are about
to finish research on the Transmission Resolver,
make sure that you have the 'sub construction'
item in stores before the research on the
Transmission Resolver hits 100%, or vice-versa.


Between the MC Reader and the Sub Construction
store item, the 'sub construction' store item is
required to win the game. The MC Reader is
optional.


Note: This does not apply to Aqua Plastics. You
can research it even without any samples.


Note: If this happens to you and you don't have a suitable save game to revert, you can still rescue your game using a hex editor. Open the file RESEARCH.DAT that resides in the appropriate save game folder and set the byte at the hexadecimal offset 0x1B4 to 1. This will allow you to research Alien Sub Construction. (It will allow you to research it even if you don't have the prerequisite technologies, in fact, but you wouldn't cheat that way, would you?) 
Modify save games at your own risk. You should always create a backup first.


 

== Version differences==

There are two versions of TFTD. The original
unpatched version of TFTD and the one with the v2
update.


Players with the Collectors Edition of TFTD have
the version with the v2 patch.


The known changes in the research tree are as
follows:


====Unpatched====


A Lobsterman Navigator is needed to research
Magnetic Navigation


Ion Armour is not required for Magnetic Ion
Armour. All the technologies you need for
Magnetic Ion Armour are Plastic Aqua Armour, Ion
Beam Accelerators and Magnetic Navigation.


====v2====


Magnetic Navigation can be researched as soon as
one is in storage. The lobsterman navigator is
NOT required.


Ion Armour is required for Magnetic Ion Armour.
Magnetic Ion Armour now just requires Magnetic
Navigation and Ion Armour.


Yes, in other words, the v2 patch makes it easier
to get Mag. Ion Armour. However, it also means
that winning the game hinges on your ability to
obtain a live Deep One terrorist AND researching
it in the right order.


If you patch your game and reload a campaign
created before the patch, you might face a few
research problems. It's not that common, but you
might find that you'll have some trouble with
researching the more advanced armour via the V2
method. There should be no problems if you
haven't even started on the Ion Armour or Mag Ion
Armour yet. It's mostly for campaigns where
you're already half-way through researching the
armour.


= The Good Bit=
The all important good bit gets down to the brass tacks. It's probably why you're here, so dig in!
 

=== Alien Sub Components ===

{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border: 1px solid gray; text-align: center; background: #F9F9F9"
|- style="background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid"
! width="15%" | Technology !! width="20%" | Prerequisities !! Notes
|-
| Zrbite || None || style="text-align: left" | A clump of Zrbite can be found underneath an Ion Beam Accelerator unit. If any explosive detonations occur near the IBA unit, it will be destroyed as it is very brittle (or rather, the IBA will blow up).

You can pick up these clumps, but finding a clump only occurs in unusual circumstances. For example, throwing an unconscious soldier into an IBA and waiting for him or her to wake up. Falling down onto one or walking into one with the walk-through-walls bug.

Xcomutil users will often find Zrbite clumps lying about when selecting a USO floor map that is not the same as the type of USO you're actually attacking.
|-
| Aqua Plastics || Deep One corpse || style="text-align: left" | You don't need any aqua plastics to research it. You just need the Deep One corpse.
|-
| Ion Beam Accelerators || None || style="text-align: left" | Ion Beam Accelerator units are found in intact alien USOs. Most smaller enemy subs will lose their IBA units if shot down, although some of the IBA units may survive if they're in larger ships.
|-
| Magnetic Navigation || None (TFTD v2) or Lobsterman Navigator (TFTD pre-v2) || style="text-align: left" | In older versions of the game, a Lobsterman Navigator is required to get Magnetic Navigation. Otherwise, it should appear immediately on the research list once one is in storage.
|-
| Transmission Resolver || Magnetic Navigation || style="text-align: left" |  
|-
| Sub Construction || Sub Construction (item), Zrbite, Transmission Resolver || style="text-align: left" | Keep at least one 'sub construction' component in storage before completing either of the two prerequisites. If you don't have one when both the prerequisites have been met, you will not get the 'sub construction' tech item, which is required for the advanced submarines
|}
 

=== Armour ===
{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border: 1px solid gray; text-align: center; background: #F9F9F9"
|- style="background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid"
! width="15%" | Technology !! width="20%" | Prerequisities !! Notes
|-
| Plastic Aqua Armor || Aqua Plastics || style="text-align: left" | Aqua Plastics are obtained from a Deep One corpse. You need not have any actual aqua-plastics in storage to get the Aqua Plastics research item.
|-
| Ion Armour || Ion Beam Accelerators, Plastic Aqua Armour and a Deep One Terrorist || style="text-align: left" | Research the first two prerequisites in any order you wish. However, you MUST research the live Deep One Terrorist LAST. If you researched this alien earlier, you won't get Ion Armour. Capturing another Deep One Terrorist is possible, but there is a small chance that you will not be able to research any more of them.

This is especially important in versions of TFTD patched with the v2 update, as without Ion Armour, you cannot get Magnetic Ion Armour, which in turn is needed to get the advanced submarines.
|-
| Magnetic Ion Armour (TFTD v2) || Ion Armour, Magnetic Navigation || style="text-align: left" | If you don't know what version of the game you have, the method in which you obtain Mag. Ion Armour will tell you which one it is.

For versions v2 and up, Magnetic Navigation becomes available the moment you have a sample in storage. Also keep in mind that Ion Armour is compulsory.
|-
| Magnetic Ion Armour (TFTD pre-v2) || Magnetic Navigation, Ion Beam Accelerators || style="text-align: left" | In older versions of TFTD, to get Magnetic Navigation, you need a Lobsterman Navigator. Keep in mind, Ion Armour is not compulsory.
|}
 

=== Submarines ===
{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border: 1px solid gray; text-align: center; background: #F9F9F9"
|- style="background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid"
! width="15%" | Technology !! width="20%" | Prerequisities !! Notes
|-
| Manta || Magnetic Ion Armour, Sub Construction || style="text-align: left" | Refer to the sub component section for notes on Sub Construction. This submarine allows construction of the more advanced SWS.
|-
| Hammerhead || Manta ||  
|-
| Leviathan || Hammerhead, Lobsterman Commander || style="text-align: left" | The Lobsterman Commander should be researched after the Hammerhead. Also, for your convenience, don't forget to research 'alien origins' first so that you don't have to capture a third lobsterman commander to win the game.

If you did not research the commander and the hammerhead in the right order, don't worry, just research another Lobsterman Commander.
|}
 

=== Techs to Win the Game ===
{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border: 1px solid gray; text-align: center; background: #F9F9F9"
|- style="background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid"
! width="15%" | Technology !! width="20%" | Prerequisities !! Notes
|-
| Alien Origins || Any live alien ||
|-
| The Ultimate Threat || Alien Origins and a Lobsterman Commander || style="text-align: left" | Research the commander last. If you researched the commander before alien origins, don't worry. Just research another commander.
'''* A lobsterman Navigator can also substitute for the commander'''
|-
| T'Leth, the Alien's City || The Ultimate Threat and a Lobsterman Commander (another one) || style="text-align: left" | You need to research another lobsterman commander.

If you researched the Tasoth commander any time in the past, then there's a possibility that this very
important tech item will not appear, which means your current campaign has been scuttled and has already sunk all the way to the bottom of the ocean floor. Period.

If you don't have any saves made before completing research on the Tasoth commander, then your only recourse is to start a new game.
|}
 

=== Disrupter Pulse Launcher (optional) ===

Optional as you do not need the DPL torpedoes to win the game. It's not a serious problem, but is mentioned anyway to ally any concerns about the launchers not appearing for research.

{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border: 1px solid gray; text-align: center; background: #F9F9F9"
|- style="background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid"
! width="15%" | Technology !! width="20%" | Prerequisities !! Notes
|-
| Disrupter Pulse Launcher || Zrbite || style="text-align: left" | As soon as you've researched Zrbite, you can start research on the DPL launcher and its ammo - assuming you had a sample in storage upon completion of the project.

However, unlike Sub Construction and the Mind Probe, the DPL Launcher has a failsafe. If you did not have any samples upon completion of Zrbite, you will be able to make them appear for research the moment the '''next''' research project is completed.
|}
 

=== Molecular Control Technology (optional) ===

Optional because you don't need MC tech to win the game. But as its research branch has a notable bug, is included as well.

{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border: 1px solid gray; text-align: center; background: #F9F9F9"
|- style="background: lavender; border: 1px gray solid"
! width="15%" | Technology !! width="20%" | Prerequisities !! Notes
|-
| M.C.-LAB || Deep One Terrorist or Calcinite Terrorist || style="text-align: left" | Either of the two terrorist units will give you the M.C.-Lab.

Deep One Terrorists generally follow Gill-men and Calcinites associate themselves with Aquatoids. Both aliens can be found in 'mixed' crew land missions.
|-
| MC Reader || MC Reader, M.C.-Lab || style="text-align: left" | The MC Reader research item will only become available if research on the M.C.-Lab is completed while an MC Reader is in storage.

If you miss out on this, you will NOT get the MC Disrupter or the MC Generator for the rest of the campaign.
|-
| MC Disruptor || MC Reader and any live Tasoth || style="text-align: left" | Excluding the Tasoth Commander, of course.

While the Ufopaedia says it only works underwater, this item will work on land. I believe the text was meant to say that only aquanauts with 'MC implants' can use it, the word 'underwater' seems like a typo that was never removed.
|-
| MC Generator || MC Disruptor || style="text-align: left" | This item will protect your base from being found, but it does not work 100% of the time. Aliens can still attack shielded bases if their scouts are lucky. The magnitude of USOs successfully spotting your base is reduced.
|}
 

=== Obligatory Disclaimer Claptrap ===

This document will not always be 100% accurate, as the game tends to behave differently for
different players with different computer systems and game editions.


These notes are derived through many controlled tests and observations with the MS-DOS
edition of Terror From The Deep with the TFTDv2 patch. Any noticeable difference between the
patched game and the older versions are noted. Otherwise, these notes are valid for practically
any version of TFTD available on the PC, with the possible exception of TFTD for the Sony Playstation.


TFTD, Terror From The Deep, X-Com, XCOM, et. al.
originally developed by some very fine people. Originally distributed by Microprose. Now? Who knows.
:::''Not sure if it's my place to say so, however the series is now available via Valve's Steam delivery system, thanks to 2K Games. [[User:James.Denholm|James.Denholm]] 19:57, 6 September 2008 (PDT)


As the purpose of this document is to inform, feel free to distribute any information in this
document as you see fit.


Many thanks for the input and feedback from the
regular posters on the Xcommand and X-Com
Tactical Command forums for assisting in the
preparation of this document. Some indirect
thanks to the fine folks on the alt.games.x-com
Usenet newsgroup as well. Extra bits and pieces here and there picked up from the xcomufo.com forums as well.

Help:Editing

2008-09-07T02:53:59Z

James.Denholm: /* External links */

As of this entry (9 dec 2005), this site uses an editing format very similar to or identical with Wikipedia's wiki markup.
''--[[User:Papa Legba|Papa Legba]] 12:04, 9 Dec 2005 (PST)''

==External links==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_edit_a_page Wikipedia: How To Edit A Page] 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cheatsheet Wikipedia's "Cheatsheet"] 
[http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Formatting MediaWiki: Formatting Help]

Help:Editing

2008-09-07T02:49:43Z

James.Denholm: /* External links */

As of this entry (9 dec 2005), this site uses an editing format very similar to or identical with Wikipedia's wiki markup.
''--[[User:Papa Legba|Papa Legba]] 12:04, 9 Dec 2005 (PST)''

==External links==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_edit_a_page Wikipedia: How To Edit A Page] 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cheatsheet Wikipedia's "Cheatsheet"]
[http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Formatting MediaWiki: Formatting Help]