UFOpaedia - User contributions [en]

Research (LWR)

2021-03-07T09:38:08Z

Michael Tingley: /* Offensive Tech */

[[Long_War_Rebalance|Back to Main Page]]

== In General ==

The speed to research each technology is defined by:
<div style="max-width: 1400px;">
Research Time (in hours) = [Tech Time * 72 * (6 + Difficulty Modifier) * (1 - Credit Bonus)] / [(50 + Scientists) * (1 + 0.3 * Number of Labs + 0.1 * Number of Lab Adjacencies)]
</div>

Difficulty Modifier is 0 for Normal up to 3 for Impossible.

Credit Bonus is 50% for any credit (80% with the Ready for War Starting Bonus).

Tech Times can be found under Research Projects below.

== Research Projects ==

[[File:LW Rebalance -Tech Tree v1.31.10.gif|1600px]]

===Offensive Tech===
These research projects study the potential uses of Alien Alloys, Elerium and Weapon Fragments, unlocking more advanced handheld and vehicle weapons.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="13" style="padding:5px;" | Offensive Tech
|-
! rowspan="2" | Research !! rowspan="2" | Credit type !! Prerequisites !! colspan="5" | Cost !! colspan="4" | Unlocks
|-align=center style="font-size:0.9em;"
| {{Research Icon}} || {{AA Icon}} || {{Elerium Icon}} || {{Weapon Fragments Icon}} || '''Other''' || {{Time Icon}} || <b>Research</b> || <b>Foundry</b> || <b>Loadout</b> || <b>Other</b>
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AlienWeaponFragments.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Weaponry''' || Weapons || -
| - || - || 5 || - || 20
| Experimental Warfare<br />Beam Lasers || High-Capacity Pistols<br />SHIV Advancements I
| SCOPE<br />Marksman Scope || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_LaserPistol.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Beam Lasers''' || Laser Weapons<br />Weapons || Alien Weaponry
| 4 || - || 40 || - || 35
| Advanced Beam Lasers || XCOM Security: Guns<br />Enhanced Lasers
| Laser Carbine<br />Laser Rifle<br />Laser Battle Rifle<br />Laser SMG<br />Laser Scattershot<br />Laser Pistol<br />Heater<br />Laser Autocannon (SHIV)|| -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PrecisionLasers.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Advanced Beam Lasers''' || Laser Weapons<br />Weapons || Beam Lasers<br />Drone Autopsy
| 10 || - || 60 || - || 70
| Pulse Lasers || -
| Laser Autorifle<br />Scatter Gatler<br />Laser Strike Rifle<br />Laser Sniper Rifle<br />Laser Lance (MEC) || Laser Cannon<br />(Aerospace)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:Gauss_Weapons.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Gauss Weapons''' || Gauss Weapons<br />Weapons || Alien Materials<br />Experimental Warfare
| 25 || 5 || 100 || - || 80
| Advanced Gauss Weapons || Rail Pistols<br />Phoenix Coilguns
| Gauss Carbine<br />Gauss Rifle<br />Gauss Battle Rifle<br />Gauss Alloy Cannon<br />Gauss SMG<br />Gauss Autopistol<br />Grenade Launcher (MEC)<br />Gauss Sentry Gun (SHIV) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaShotgun.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Advanced Gauss Weapons''' || Gauss Weapons || Gauss Weapons <br /> Floater Interrogation
| 30 || 10 || 60 || - || 90
| EMP Weapons || Quenchguns || Gauss Autorifle<br />Guass Machine Gun<br />Gauss Strike Rifle<br />Gauss Long Rifle<br />Recoilless Rifle<br />Gauss Railgun (MEC)<br />Miniature Nuclear Explosive (MiNE)<br />Launcher (MEC) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_EMPCannon.png|150x75px]]</div>'''EMP Weapons''' || Weapons || Advanced Gauss Weapons
| 30 || 30 || 350 || - || 350
| - || - || Electro Pulse (MEC) || EMP Cannon<br />(Aerospace)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_LaserCannon.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Pulse Lasers''' || Laser Weapons<br />Weapons || Advanced Beam Lasers<br />Alien Power Systems<br />Cyberdisk Autopsy
| 5 || 25 || 50 || - || 80
| Advanced Pulse Lasers || - || Pulse Carbine<br />Pulse Rifle<br />Pulse Battle Rifle<br />Pulse Scattershot<br />Pulse Pistol<br />Pulse SMG<br />Pulse Autocannon (SHIV) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ShipLaserCannon.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Advanced Pulse Lasers''' || Laser Weapons<br />Weapons || Pulse Lasers
| 10 || 30 || 30 || - || 90
| - || Supercapacitors || Pulse Autoblaster<br />Pulse Gatler<br />Pulse Strike Rifle<br />Pulse Sniper Rifle<br />Pulse Lance (MEC) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaPistol.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Compact Plasma Weapons''' || Plasma Weapons<br />Weapons || Light Plasma Weapons
| 8 || 16 || 80 || 1 Alien Pistol || 210
| - || Reflex Pistols || Plasma Pistol<br />Plasma Mauler || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaLightRifle.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Light Plasma Weapons''' || Plasma Weapons<br />Weapons || Muton Elite Interrogation<br />Alien Power Systems<br />Alien Biocybernetics
| 30 || 220 || 450 || 1 Alien Carbine || 500
| Compact Plasma Weapons<br />Standard Plasma Weapons || Condensed Plasma || Plasma SMG<br />Plasma Carbine || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaRifle.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Standard Plasma Weapons''' || Plasma Weapons<br />Weapons || Light Plasma Weapons
| 20 || 30 || 80 || 1 Alien Rifle || 270
| Heavy Plasma Weapons<br />Precision Plasma Weapons<br />Vehicular Plasma Weapons || - || Plasma Rifle<br />Plasma Battle Rifle<br />Plasma Reflex Cannon || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaHeavy.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Heavy Plasma Weapons''' || Plasma Weapons<br />Weapons || Standard Plasma Weapons
| 20 || 35 || 80 || 1 Alien Heavy Weapon || 270
| Fusion Weapons || - || Plasma Novagun<br />Plasma Dragon<br /><br />Plasma Particle Cannon<br />(MEC) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaSniper.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Precision Plasma Weapons''' || Plasma Weapons<br />Weapons || Standard Plasma Weapons
| 20 || 35 || 80 || - || 270
| - || - || Plasma Strike Rifle<br />Plasma Sniper Rifle || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PlasmaCannon.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Vehicular Plasma Weapons''' || Plasma Weapons<br />Weapons || Standard Plasma Weapons
| 20 || 35 || 80 || - || 270
| - || - || Plasma Autocannon<br />(SHIV) || Plasma Cannon<br />(Aerospace)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_FusionLance.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Fusion Weapons''' || Weapons || Heavy Plasma Weapons<br />EMP Weapons<br />1 Fusion Core<br>(not consumed)
| 40 || 240 || 550 || - || 550
| - || - || Blaster Launcher || Fusion Lance<br />(Aerospace)
|}

===Defensive Tech===
These research projects study the potential uses of Alien Alloys and Elerium, unlocking more advanced Body Armor, MEC Suits and SHIVs.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="13" style="padding:5px;" | Defensive Tech
|-
! rowspan="2" | Research !! rowspan="2" | Credit type !! Prerequisites !! colspan="5" | Cost !! colspan="4" | Unlocks
|-align=center
| {{Research Icon}} || {{AA Icon}} || {{Elerium Icon}} || {{Weapon Fragments Icon}} || {{Meld Icon}} || {{Time Icon}} || <b>Research</b> || <b>Foundry</b> || <b>Loadout</b> || <b>Other</b>
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AlienMaterials.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Materials''' || - || -
| 4 || 4 || 10 || 1 || 20
| Elerium<br />Advanced Aerospace Concepts<br />All UFO Analyses<br />Alien Biocybernetics<br />Improved Body Armor<br />Gauss Weapons
| Alien Nucleonics<br />Alien Metallurgy<br />Improved Salvage<br />Enhanced Ballistics<br />Aircraft Boosters
| Alloy Plating<br />Ammo - Shredder<br />Ammo - Breaching<br />Ammo Module<br />Alloy Bipod<br />Phoenix Cannon<br />
|
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorImprovedBody.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Improved Body Armor''' || Armor || Alien Materials
| 8 || - || - || - || 40
| Advanced Body Armor || XCOM Security: Armor || Phalanx Armor<br />Aurora Armor</font><br /></i>Reinforced Plating<br />Ammo - Piercing || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorAdvancedBody.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Advanced Body Armor''' || Armor || Improved Body Armor<br />Chryssalid Autopsy
| 6 || - || - || - || 50
| Mobile Power Armor || Mechanized Defenses || Kestrel Armor<br />Carapace Armor || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorMobilePower.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Mobile Power Armor''' || Armor || Advanced Body Armor<br />Elerium
| 20 || 10 || - || - || 80
| MEC Mark 2<br />Advanced Power Armor || - || Banshee Armor<br />Aegis Armor || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorAdvancedPower.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Advanced Power Armor''' || Armor || Mobile Power Armor<br />Berserker Interrogation<br />Alien Power Systems
| 20 || 80 || - || - || 180
| MEC Mark 3: Light<br />MEC Mark 3: Heavy<br />Antigrav Systems<br />Stealth Systems || - || Corsair Armor<br />Titan Armor<br />Walker Servos<br />Core Armoring || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:TI Improved Combat ExoSkeletons.png|150x75px]]</div>'''MEC Mark 2''' || Armor || Alien Biocybernetics<br />Mobile Power Armor
| 10 || 40 || 70 || 10 || 75
| MEC Mark 3: Light<br />MEC Mark 3: Heavy || - || LMEC2 (Valiant)<br />HMEC2 (Defender)<br /> || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:TI Heavy Combat ExoSkeletons.png|150x75px]]</div>'''MEC Mark 3: Heavy''' || Armor || Advanced Power Armor<br />Improved Combat Exoskeletons
| 120 || 10 || 180 || 5 || 90
| - || - || HMEC3 (Dauntless)<br />UHMEC3 (Devastator)<br /> || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:TI Mobile Combat ExoSkeletons.png|150x75px]]</div>'''MEC Mark 3: Light''' || Armor || Advanced Power Armor<br />Improved Combat Exoskeletons
| 20 || 80 || 180 || 5 || 90
| - || - || LMEC3 (Vindicator)<br />ULMEC3 (Vanguard)<br /> || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorArchangel.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Antigrav Systems''' || Aerospace || Advanced Power Armor<br />Heavy Floater Interrogation<br />Alien Propulsion
| 5 || 20 || - || - || 100
| - || Advanced Flight || Seraph Armor<br />Archangel Armor<br />The Thumper (MEC) || Hover SHIV
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorGhost.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Stealth Systems''' || - || Advanced Power Armor<br />Alien Communications
| - || 20 || - || - || 100
| - || Stealth Satellites || Shadow Armor || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArmorPsi.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Mind and Machine''' || Psionics || Alien Biocybernetics<br />Alien Command and Control
| 10 || 15 || - || 2 || 30
| - || - || Vortex Armor || -
|}

===Alien Autopsies===
Alien corpses that have been returned from successful missions can be autopsied for further analysis, once the required research projects have been completed. Note that autopsies require and consume multiple corpses, as listed below.

In addition to the listed unlocked items, autopsies also unlock the ability to inspect aliens on the battlefield and see their perks by targeting them and pressing F1.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="9" style="padding:5px;" | Alien Autopsies
|-
! rowspan="2" | Research !! Prerequisites !! colspan="2" | Cost !! colspan="4" | Unlocks
|-align=center
| {{Research Icon}} || <b>Corpses</b> || {{Time Icon}} || <b>Research</b> || <b>Foundry</b> || <b>Loadout</b> || <b>Other</b>
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsySectoid.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Sectoid Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Sectoid || 5
| Sectoid Interrogation || - || - || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyThinman.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Thin Man Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Thin Man || 20
| Thin Man Interrogation || Improved Medikit || Restorative Mist<br />(MEC) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyFloater.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Floater Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Floater || 15
| Floater Interrogation || Shaped Armor || Kinetic Strike Module<br />(MEC) || Aim Booster (Aerospace)<br />Ammo - Flak
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyMuton.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Muton Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Muton || 25
| Muton Interrogation || Ammo Conservation<br />Alien Grenades || - || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyBerserker.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Berserker Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Berserker || 30
| Berserker Interrogation || || Combat Stims || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsySectoidCommander.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Sectoid Commander Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Sectoid Commander || 45
| Sectoid Commander Interrogation || - || Psi Frayer || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyElite.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Muton Elite Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Muton Elite || 40
| Muton Elite Interrogation || - || - || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyFloaterHeavy.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Heavy Floater Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Heavy Floater || 40
| Heavy Floater Interrogation || Advanced Repair || - || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyElder.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Ethereal Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Ethereal || 50
| Ethereal Interrogation || - || - || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyDrone.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Drone Autopsy''' || Alien Computers
| 1 Drone || 5
| Advanced Beam Lasers|| - || Holo Charger<br />(SHIV) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsySeeker.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Seeker Autopsy''' || Alien Computers
| 1 Seeker || 15
| - || UFO Countermeasures || Respirator Implant<br />Extrasensory Vest<br />Elerium Emitter || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyCryssalid.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Chryssalid Autopsy''' || Xenobiology
| 1 Chryssalid || 30
| Advanced Body Armor|| - || Chitin Plating || Muscle Fiber Density<br />Adaptive Bone Marrow<br />(Gene Mods)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyCyberdisc.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Cyberdisc Autopsy''' || Alien Computers
| 1 Cyberdisc || 15
| Pulse Lasers || SHIV Advancements II || Autosentry Turret<br />(SHIV) || Dodge Booster<br />(Aerospace)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsyMechtoid.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Mechtoid Autopsy''' || Alien Computers
| 1 Mechtoid Core || 30
| - || Advanced Servomotors || Psi Retaliator<br />Alloy SHIV || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_AutopsySectopod.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Sectopod Autopsy''' || Alien Computers
| 1 Sectopod || 45
| - || - || ''<font color=gray>Battle Computer<br />(MEC/SHIV)''</font><br />Weapon Supercooler<br />(SHIV) || -
|}

===Alien Interrogations===
Alien captives that have been captured with an Stun Rifle and housed in the Alien Containment can be interrogated once the autopsy project for that species has been completed.

All interrogations unlock certain research credits, which increases the research speed of all future research projects and Foundry projects that match the credit type by 25%.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="9" style="padding:5px;" | Alien Interrogations
|-
! rowspan="2" | Research !! Prerequisites !! colspan="2" | Cost !! colspan="3" | Unlocks !! colspan="1" | Research Credits
|-align=center
| {{Research Icon}} || <b>Captives</b> || {{Time Icon}} || <b>Research</b> || <b>Other</b> || <b>Research</b> || <b>Foundry</b>
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateSectoid.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Sectoid Interrogation''' || Sectoid Autopsy
| 1 Sectoid || 15
| <font color=gray>''Xenopsionics''</font><br /><font color=gray>''Elerium''</font> || Tactical Rigging<br />(Foundry Project)
| <b>Cybernetics:</b><br />Xenogenetics<br />Alien Biocybernetics
| <b>Cybernetics:</b><br />Advanced Repair<br />Advanced Servomotors<br />Advanced Surgery<br />Improved Medikit<br />Jellied Elerium<br />MEC Warfare Systems
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateThinman.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Thin Man Interrogation''' || Thin Man Autopsy
| 1 Thin Man || 70
| <font color=gray>''Experimental Warfare''</font> || -
| <b>Laser Weapons:</b><br />Beam Lasers<br />Advanced Beam Lasers<br />Pulse Lasers<br />Advanced Pulse Lasers
| <b>Laser Weapons:</b><br />Aircraft Boosters<br />Enhanced Lasers<br />Supercapacitators
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateFloater.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Floater Interrogation''' || Floater Autopsy
| 1 Floater || 70
| <font color=gray>''Advanced Gauss Weapons''</font> || -
| <b>Aerospace:</b><br />UFO Analysis: (all)<br />Advanced Aerospace Concepts<br />Alien Propulsion<br />Antigrav Systems
| <b>Aerospace:</b><br />Advanced Flight<br />Aircraft Boosters<br />Armored Fighters<br />Elerium Afterburners<br />Improved Avionics<br />Penetrator Weapons<br />Super Skyranger<br />UFO Countermeasures<br />UFO Tracking<br />Wingtip Sparrowhawks
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateMuton.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Muton Interrogation''' || Muton Autopsy
| 1 Muton || 95
| - || Secondary Heart<br />Adrenal Neurosympathy<br />(Gene Mods)<br /><br /><font color=gray>''Shielding Pod<br />(SHIV)''</font>
| <b>Gauss Weapons:</b><br />Gauss Weapons<br />Advanced Gauss Weapons
| <b>Gauss Weapons:</b><br />Mag Pistols<br />Phoenix Coilguns<br />Quenchguns<br />Rail Pistols<br />Wingtip Sparrowhawks
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateBerserker.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Berserker Interrogation''' || Berserker Autopsy
| 1 Berserker || 120
| <font color=gray>''Advanced Power Armor''</font> || Neural Damping<br />Smart Macrophages<br />(Gene Mods)
| <b>Armor:</b><br />Improved Body Armor<br />Advanced Body Armor<br />Mobile Power Armor<br />Advanced Power Armor<br />Improved Combat Exoskeletons<br />Heavy Combat Exoskeletons<br />Mobile Combat Exoskeletons
| <b>Armor:</b><br />Armored Fighters<br />Shaped Armor<br />Mechanized Unit Defenses<br />Tactical Rigging
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateSectoidCommander.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Sectoid Commander Interrogation''' || Sectoid Commander Autopsy
| 1 Sectoid Commander || 135
| <font color=gray>''Alien Command and Control''</font> || Inner Fire<br />Telekinetic Field<br />Psychokinetic Strike<br />(Psi Powers)
| <b>Psionics:</b><br />Xenopsionics<br />Alien Operations<br />Alien Communications<br />Alien Command and Control<br />Mind and Machine
| <b>Psionics:</b><br />Psi Warfare Systems
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateMutonElite.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Muton Elite Interrogation''' || Muton Elite Autopsy
| 1 Muton Elite || 140
| <font color=gray>''Light Plasma Weapons''</font> || Adrenaline Surge<br />Iron Skin<br />(Gene Mods)
| <b>Weapons:</b><br />All Laser Weapon Research<br />All Gauss Weapon Research<br />All Plasma Weapon Research<br />Alien Weaponry<br />EMP Weapons<br />Fusion Weapons
| <b>Weapons:</b><br />All Laser Weapon Projects<br />All Gauss Weapon Projects<br />All Plasma Weapon Projects<br />Ammo Conservation<br />Enhanced Ballistics<br />SCOPE Upgrade<br />SHIV Suppression
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateFloaterHeavy.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Heavy Floater Interrogation''' || Heavy Floater Autopsy
| 1 Heavy Floater || 130
| <font color=gray>''Antigrav Systems''</font> || -
| <b>Plasma Weapons:</b><br />Plasma Weapons<br />Advanced Plasma Weapons<br />Compact Plasma Weapons<br />Heavy Plasma Weapons<br />Precision Plasma Weapons<br />Vehicular Plasma Weapons
| <b>Plasma Weapons:</b><br />Enhanced Plasma<br />Reflex Pistols
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_InterrogateElder.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Ethereal Interrogation''' || Ethereal Autopsy
| 1 Ethereal || 170
| <font color=gray>''Alien Command and Control''</font> || Psi Mastery<br />(Psi Power) || <b>All Research</b> || <b>All Projects</b>
|}

===Main Tech===

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="14" style="padding:5px;" | Main Tech
|-
! rowspan="2" | Research !! rowspan="2" | Credit type !! colspan="2" | Prerequisites !! colspan="6" | Cost !! colspan="4" | Unlocks
|-align=center
| {{Research Icon}} || <b>Items</b> || {{AA Icon}} || {{Elerium Icon}} || {{Weapon Fragments Icon}} || {{Meld Icon}} || <b>Other</b> || {{Time Icon}} || <b>Research</b> || <b>Facility</b> || <b>Loadout</b> || <b>Other</b>
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_UFONavigation.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Computers''' || - || - || -
| - || - || - || - || 2 UFO<br />Flight<br />Computers || 30
| Alien Power Systems<br />Alien Biocybernetics<br />All Robotic Autopsies || -
| Arc Rifle<br /><br />Satellite Nexus<br />(Facility) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_Xenobiology.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Xenobiology''' || - || - || -
| - || - || - || - || 5 Sectoid Corpses || 15
| Xenoneurology<br />Xenogenetics<br />All Biologic Autopsies || Alien Containment || Targeting Module || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_MeldTech.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Xenogenetics''' || Cybernetics || Xenobiology || -
| - || - || - || 10 || - || 35
| Alien Biocybernetics
| Genetics Lab || - || Predictive Tracking<br />Advanced Perception<br />(Gene Mods)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ArcThrower.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Xenoneurology''' || - || Xenobiology || -
| - || - || 10 || - || 5 Sectoid Corpses || 25
| Xenopsionics<br />Alien Communications|| - || Stun Rifle || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_HyperwaveCommunication.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Communications''' || - || Xenoneurology || Hyperwave Beacon<br />(from Alien base assault)
| - || 10 || - || - || - || 30
| Stealth Systems || Hyperwave Relay || Mimic Beacon || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_MindShield.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Xenopsionics''' || Psionics || Xenoneurology<br />Sectoid Interrogation || -
| - || - || - || 5 || - || 25
| Alien Operations || Psionic Labs || - || Mindfray<br />Neural Feedback<br />Psi Panic<br />Psi Inspire<br />Mind Merge<br />(Psi Powers)<br /><br />Psi Warfare Systems<br />(Foundry Project)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_OutsiderShard.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Operations''' || Psionics || Xenopsionics || Outsider Shard
| - || - || - || - || - || 20
| - || - || - || Skeleton Key
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:Alien_BioCybernetics.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Biocybernetics''' || Cybernetics || Xenogenetics<br />Alien Materials<br />Alien Computers || -
| 5 || 30 || 50 || 20 || - || 60
| Mind and Machine<br />Light Plasma Weapons <br />MEC Mark 2
| - || MEC-1 <br />Minigun<br />Incinerator Module<br />Neural Gunlink<br /> || Advanced Surgery<br />MEC Warfare Systems<br />(Foundry Projects)
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_ExperimentalWarfare.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Experimental Warfare''' || - || Alien Weaponry<br />Thin Man Interrogation || -
| - || - || 20 || - || - || 50
| Advanced Aerospace Concepts<br />Gauss Weapons || Beam Strengthening<br />New Combat Systems
| Smartshell Pod<br />Adaptive Tracking Pod<br />(SHIV) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_Elerium.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Elerium''' || - || Alien Materials<br />Sectoid Interrogation || Hyperwave Beacon<br />(from Alien base assault)
| - || 10 || - || - || - || 10
| Alien Power Systems<br />Mobile Power Armor || Jellied Elerium || Elerium Turbos<br />(SHIV) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_UFOPower.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Power Systems''' || - || Alien Computers<br />Elerium || -
| - || 20 || - || - || 6 UFO<br />Power<br />Sources || 100
| Alien Propulsion<br />Advanced Power Armor<br />Pulse Lasers<br />Light Plasma Weapons
| Elerium Batteries<br />UFO Tracking || Elerium Generator<br />(Facility) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_SatelliteAssistedTargeting.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Advanced Aerospace Concepts''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials<br />Experimental Warfare || -
| 10 || - || 50 || - || - || 65
| Alien Propulsion || Armored Fighters<br />Improved Avionics<br />Penetrator Weapons || - || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_Firestorm.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Propulsion''' || Aerospace || Alien Power Systems<br />Advanced Aerospace Concepts || -
| 10 || 20 || 20 || - || 6 UFO<br />Power<br />Sources || 60
| Antigrav Systems || Elerium Afterburners || Firestorm<br />(Aerospace) || -
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:IC_PsiLink.png|150x75px]]</div>'''Alien Command and Control''' || Psionics || Ethereal Interrogation || Ethereal Device
| 10 || 15 || - || - || - || 30
| Mind and Machine || Gollop Chamber || - || -
|}

===UFO Analysis===
Once a UFO has crashed or landed and then is successfully assaulted, it can be analyzed as a research project. Once the research project has completed, ships gain 30% damage bonus against all UFOs of the same type.
Also, once ''UFO Scanners'' Foundry project is completed, analyzed UFO's display damage during Air Combat.

All UFO Analysis have the Aerospace credit type. Once a Floater has been interrogated, the speed at which UFOs are analyzed increases by 25%.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="8" style="padding:5px;" | UFO Analysis
|-
! rowspan="2" | Research !! rowspan="2" | Credit type !! colspan="2" | Prerequisites !! colspan="3" | Cost !! Unlocks
|-align=center
| {{Research Icon}} || <b>Other</b> || {{AA Icon}} || {{Elerium Icon}} || {{Time Icon}} || <b>Other</b>
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Scout.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Scout''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Scout Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Scout Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 20 || 2 || 400 || 30% Bonus Damage to Scouts<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Scouts
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Fighter.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Fighter''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Fighter Crash Site]]<br /> mission completed || 20 || 2 || 300 || 30% Bonus Damage to Fighters<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Fighters
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Raider.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Raider''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Raider Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Raider Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 40 || 4 || 600 || 30% Bonus Damage to Raiders<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Raiders
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Destroyer.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Destroyer''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Destroyer Crash Site]]<br />mission completed || 40 || 4 || 600 || 30% Bonus Damage to Destroyers<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Destroyers
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Abductor.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Abductor''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Abductor Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Abductor Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 160 || 8 || 800 || 30% Bonus Damage to Abductors<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Abductors
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Harvester.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Harvester''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Harvester Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Harvester Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 160 || 8 || 800 || 30% Bonus Damage to Harvesters<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Harvesters
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Transport.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Transport''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Transport Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Transport Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 240 || 8 || 900 || 30% Bonus Damage to Transports<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Transports
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_TerrorShip.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Terror Ship''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Terror Ship Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Terror Ship Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 240 || 8 || 900 || 30% Bonus Damage to Terror Ships<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Terror Ships
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_AssaultCarrier.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Assault Carrier''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Assault Carrier Crash Site]] or<br />[[Missions (LWR)#UFO Landing Site|Assault Carrier Landing Site]]<br />mission completed || 480 || 12 || 1000 || 30% Bonus Damage to Assault Carriers<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Assault Carriers
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Battleship.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Battleship''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Battleship Crash Site]]<br />mission completed || 480 || 12 || 1000 || 30% Bonus Damage to Battleships<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Battleships
|-align=center
|<div style="background:#000000">[[Image:UFO-Analysis_Overseer.png|150x75px]]</div>'''UFO Analysis: Overseer''' || Aerospace || Alien Materials
| [[Missions (LWR)#UFO Crash Site|Overseer Crash Site]]<br />mission completed || 40 || 12 || 700 || 30% Bonus Damage to Overseers<br />Salvage 30% more alloys and elerium from Overseers
|}

== Research Archives ==

Here you can view a list of and summaries of all completed research projects.

== Gene Labs ==

Modify the genes of up to 2 soldiers with Meld to install Gene Mods.

More information on Gene Mods can be found here: '''[[Gene_Mods_(LWR)|Gene Mods]]'''

== Research Credits ==

Various technologies will offer research credits that will speed up research and foundry projects in broad categories.

Each research credit reduces the time to complete research and foundry projects in it's category by 50% (80% if the "Ready For War" start bonus is active).

Foundry (LWR)

2021-02-24T21:46:12Z

Michael Tingley: Redirected page to Engineering (LWR)#The Foundry

#REDIRECT [[Engineering_(LWR)#The_Foundry]]

Alien Missions (LWR)

2021-02-06T05:10:27Z

Michael Tingley: Simplify math

[[Long_War_Rebalance|Back To Main Page]]

==In General==

During the long war against the alien threat, the skies are also part of the battlespace. Aliens will dispatch sorties of UFOs to further their goals during the war, and XCOM may respond in kind by sending out interceptors and the Skyranger to foil their missions in the air or on the ground. In other words, an '''alien mission''' always starts with an UFO sortie.

There are eight types of regular alien missions scheduled on the fly. The type of each mission is determined by the [[Alien_Resources_(LWR)|resources the aliens have]], and how [[Alien_Aggression_(LWR)|threatening XCOM is perceived to be]]. There are also two special mission types that occur irregularly. All ten mission types are listed and discussed below.

The aliens' choice of UFOs is limited by their level and resources, with the actual ship sent on a mission being chosen randomly - with equal probability for each - from the available pool. For example, if the aliens are weak then they will randomly send either a Scout or Raider for research; if they are strong however, then the large Abductor and Terror Ship will be added to the pool for the same mission.

Conversely, any damage and casualties sustained by the UFOs will [[Alien_Resources_(LWR)#Cost_of_Repairing_.2F_Replacing_UFOs|cut into the aliens’ resources]], likely limiting their options.

The aliens have a strategy in Long War, and tend to focus on geographic locations. Expect to fight them the most in the continent where they build their first base.

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Resource Costs==

Missions themselves do not require [[Alien_Resources_(LWR)|Alien Resources]] to run if left unchallenged, but shooting down or damaging the UFOs conducting them ''does'' cost the aliens resources. Crucially, though, which UFOs are deployed depend indirectly on the [[Alien_Resources_(LWR)|alien resources]] as well as the [[Alien_Level_(LWR)|Alien Level]] at the time the mission is scheduled. Specifically, Aliens add stronger UFOs to a pool if they have sufficient resources, choosing randomly from the pool when the mission is scheduled (with equal probability for each UFO type); Alien Level reduces the amount of resources the Aliens must have for the stronger UFOs to be added to the pool.

* If Alien Level 1-7, new types require <span style="color:green">100%</span> of their base required resources.
* If Alien Level 8-14, new types are possible at <span style="color:orange">72%</span> of required resources.
* If Alien Level 15+, new types are possible at <span style="color:red">40%</span> of required resources.

==Mission Types==

===Scout===

A UFO will fly '''low''' and around the target country, attempting to confirm the existence of XCOM satellites there. Successful scouting missions will be '''followed up''' by a new sortie to [[Alien_Missions_(LWR)#Hunt|hunt]] the compromised satellite. It is possible that the hunting UFO will be stronger or weaker than the scouting one, so the priority to intercept this mission can vary.

A scout mission can fail in four ways: 1) the UFO is shot down, 2) the UFO could botch the mission due to sustained damaged > 50%, 3) the target country could fend off the mission by itself, or, if all else fails, 4) the UFO could simply get unlucky. The odds of these failures happening are as follows:

* Downed: ''100% chance of failure'' - if it's shot down they will always get nothing.
* Damaged: ''(2 × (100 - RemainingUFOHP%))% chance of failure'' - this means XCOM can commit less and gamble on merely damaging the UFO.
* Defended: ''(CountryDefense/2)% chance of failure'' - the shield representing a country's defense is shown in the Situation Room and is improved by fulfilling their requests; maximum chance is 50% with 100% CountryDefense.
* Damned: ''(60 - AlienResearch/15)% chance of failure'' - this means when the aliens have 900 research points, an unfettered scouting mission will always succeed.

The aliens will generally send 3-6 six sorties per month. As the game progresses the number of sorties sent decreases. As Alien Resources increase the number of sorties sent increases.

UFO Pool:

* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Scout|Scout]]: Always in pool
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Raider|Raider]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">17%</span> / <span style="color:orange">12%</span> / <span style="color:red">7%</span> resources & Alien Level > 1
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Destroyer|Destroyer]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">75%</span> / <span style="color:orange">54%</span> / <span style="color:red">30%</span> resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Battleship|Battleship]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">100%</span> / <span style="color:orange">72%</span> / <span style="color:red">40%</span> resources

===Hunt===

A UFO will fly at '''high''' altitude over a previously scouted satellite-covered country, seeking to destroy the satellite.

The aliens will prioritize getting rid of satellites over withdrawn '''ex-council-members''', as they have bases in such countries and without a satellite over them XCOM cannot assault it. Next, the aliens prefer satellites that protect '''panicking nations''', and in doing so potentially forcing said nations to withdraw XCOM support, and to be controlled by them.

Successful hunts will destroy the satellite in question. The base chance of success is 60%, or 90% on the second pass (30%/50% respectively if Stealth Satellites is researched. Damage sustained by the UFO will reduce this chance further, with 50% or less HP leading to an automatic failure.

Pertinent to this specific mission type, a 50% HP UFO will start '''flaring up''' in the aerial combat screen, as if it was being hit by multiple missiles continuously. When this happens, XCOM can order their interceptor to disengage, preventing further risks while stopping the hunt mission.

Note that the aliens can dispatch hunt missions directly, without needing to scout first; although this will only occur if alien aggression is high. The more aggression and resources the aliens have, the more direct hunt missions are sent.

UFO Pool:

* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Fighter|Fighter]]: Always in pool
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Destroyer|Destroyer]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">33%</span> / <span style="color:orange">24%</span> / <span style="color:red">13%</span> resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Battleship|Battleship]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">75%</span> / <span style="color:orange">54%</span> / <span style="color:red">30%</span> resources

===Research===

A UFO will fly '''NOE''', '''land''' for a while, and then fly off. This mission will grant the aliens [[Alien_Level_(LWR)|research]] if successful, increasing their level. This will slowly but '''permanently''' increase the capabilities of their ground troops and UFOs.

If the aliens have no resource (0% resources), the aliens will never undertake research missions; conversely, if they have many resources (100% resources), then the maximum amount of research missions will be performed. Otherwise, the aliens will adjust the amount of research mission attempts depending Alien Aggression and the amount their resources. If the aliens are not being very aggressive towards XCOM, they will be content with the tech they are currently fielding, thus will not carry out research missions; but as alien aggression increases, the aliens will try to keep up via research as much as they can afford it.

UFO Pool:

* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Scout|Scout]]: Always in pool
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Raider|Raider]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">25%</span> / <span style="color:orange">18%</span> / <span style="color:red">10%</span> resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Abductor|Abductor]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">42%</span> / <span style="color:orange">30%</span> / <span style="color:red">17%</span> resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Terror_Ship|Terror Ship]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">83%</span> / <span style="color:orange">60%</span> / <span style="color:red">33%</span> resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Assault_Carrier|Assault Carrier]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">100%</span> / <span style="color:orange">72%</span> / <span style="color:red">40%</span> resources

===Harvest===

A UFO will fly '''NOE and land''' in a randomly selected country. An unimpeded harvest grants the aliens [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)|resources]], which will allow the aliens to field UFOs in ''greater quantity and quality''.

If the targeted country has a satellite, there is a Alien Aggression / 2 chance that the aliens will re-roll its target once and will pay a price in the process. This represents the power projected by a strong XCOM forcing the aliens to settle for sub-optimal harvests. As the aliens' first choice for harvest is randomized, more satellite coverage means a higher chance that the aliens need to waste resource to even start a harvest mission.

The aliens' tendency to perform harvest missions is the exact reverse to their tendencies to send out research missions. If the aliens have minimal resources (0%), then a maximum amount of harvest mission is attempted (three per month); if they have too many resources (100%), then no harvest will occur. Otherwise, the aliens will harvest more when they are shorter on resource.
Additionally, the aliens also prefer doing harvests when they are not being aggressive; in the presence of a strong XCOM they prefer more aggressive missions instead.

UFO Pool:

* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Transport|Transport]]: always in pool
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Harvester|Harvester]]: Aliens must have > 25% resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Raider|Raider]]: Aliens must have > 42% resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Scout|Scout]]: Aliens must have > 75% resources

Note that the UFO pool for harvest missions becomes ''less'' threatening the more resources the aliens have, and isn't affected by higher [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)|Alien Research]] as others do.

===Bomb===

A UFO will fly '''NOE''' and around the target area bombing civilians. This mission will cause a lot of panic if successful. This is one of the few NOE mission types that never lands, and the '''only''' way to completely foil its panic increase is to damage the bombing UFO by at least 50%. However, damaging the UFO at all will still reduce the amount of panic created at the end of its mission. A successful bombing mission generates 9 panic in the country raided (reduced proportionally by amount of damage received down to 0 panic at 50% health) plus an additional 1 panic if the UFO has received no damage.

The aliens will send out more bombing missions if they have spare resources and a higher aggression level. With maximum resource and aggression level they will conduct multiple bombing missions per month.

UFO Pool:

* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Fighter|Fighter]]: Always in pool
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Destroyer|Destroyer]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">25%</span> / <span style="color:orange">18%</span> / <span style="color:red">10%</span> resources
* [[UFOs_(LWR)#Battleship|Battleship]]: Aliens must have > <span style="color:green">58%</span> / <span style="color:orange">42%</span> / <span style="color:red">23%</span> resources

===Abduction===

Multiple [[UFOs_(LWR)#Abductor|Abductors]] (2-3) will fly '''NOE''' to the multiple target areas and generate [[Missions (LWR)#Alien Abductions|Abduction sites]]. A successful abduction will increase panic in the country and across the continent. Thwarting the abduction will decrease panic in the country and continent, but by a lesser degree.

Since abductions only provide a 12 hour response time, if a Commander is not careful, he could fail some of the abductions because of taking too long to fly to the other abduction sites.

Each successful abduction (a failed abduction for XCOM) grants alien research which leads to an increase in Alien Level. The council will offer rewards to XCOM for successfully completing an abduction which include: credits, scientists, engineers, and new soldiers. The difficulty of the abduction will increase the quantity or quality of the reward.

In many ways abduction is the least aggressive mission type; perhaps due to this, the aliens will scale back on abduction attempts if they are being aggressive. But the aliens still dispatch more abduction missions if they have more resources when they are not being aggressive with max resources. Conversely, if the aliens are short on resources, and are being highly aggressive (high aggression level), fewer abductions per month is attempted.

As the months progress, the number of abductions decreases by 20% per month, but there will always be at least 1.

===Terrorize Populace===

This is a double sortie mission: At first, a [[UFOs_(LWR)#Terror_Ship|Terror Ship]] will fly '''NOE''' and hover over the target nation scouting and planning for the actual mission. After a week or two an [[UFOs_(LWR)#Assault_Carrier|Assault Carrier]] will fly '''NOE''' to the target area and finally generate a [[Missions (LWR)#Terror Site|Terror site]]. This means anyone with satellite coverage and interested in stopping the mission will have plenty of time to set up, though actually executing that is a different matter entirely.

The aliens will terrorize the most panicked nation adjacent to an alien base roughly 85% of the time, seeking to push them over the edge. Terror missions increase panic in the targeted country and continent per civilian killed.
<div style="max-width: 1600px;">
Saving the vast majority of the civilians can actually lead to a decrease in panic.
Losing or ignoring the mission will cause immediate country defection and an increase in panic continent-wide.
Each civilian saved in a country that has not left the council will grant XCOM a 20 credit reward from the affected country (Modified by ''Campaign Length'') (Increases by 10% per month).
</div>
There are only two ways to completely foil this kind of terrorism: by saving the vast majority of civilians during the engagement, or by shooting down the [[UFOs_(LWR)#Assault_Carrier|Assault Carrier]] before it could even deploy. Neither of these scenarios are predictable, and will probably be cost prohibitive to even try the latter. Only an exceptionally advanced and exceedingly experienced XCOM can pull either option off consistently. Otherwise the best a commander can do is to minimize the damage and make up for it elsewhere.

Nonetheless, terror missions are quite costly for the aliens as well. In fact, they cannot even afford it when they have the minimal level of resources. When Alien Aggression is higher, the aliens will try to launch more terror missions each month. One can prevent such an onslaught by depriving the aliens of resources which they desperately need for this kind of strategy.

Shooting down the forward scouting [[UFOs_(LWR)#Terror_Ship|Terror Ship]] doesn't actually hinder the scheduled mission in any way. However, it's a lot easier to achieve, and it forces the aliens to pay dearly in resource cost for each such Terror attack they perform. In addition, it will grant XCOM a lot of looted resource and battlefield experience if the downed terror ship is successfully raided. It may not stop the looming terror attack, but it may very well help in the future.

As the months progress, the number of terror missions decreases by 20% per month and there will sometimes be none.

===Infiltrate===

A [[UFOs_(LWR)#Battleship|Battleship]] or [[UFOs_(LWR)#Transport|Transport]] will fly around the target area, followed by an [[UFOs_(LWR)#Overseer|Overseer]] inserting in to the target city. This mission will cause the target country to leave XCOM immediately if successful. Note that the final Overseer can only be detected if XCOM has the Hyperwave Decoder, so without one the country will appear to leave for no reason.

This is a very expensive option for the aliens, and as such they can only afford it with maximal resource available. And even then, the aliens won't yet try if they are being very aggressive, being too focused on hunting down XCOM satellites instead.

===Retaliate===

This is a special mission. A UFO will fly to your main base or to one of your interceptor bases and immediately start an [[Missions (LWR)#XCOM Base Defense|XCOM Base Defense]] mission or an [[Missions (LWR)#XCOM Air Base Defense|Air Base Defense]] mission.

Aliens usually send an [[UFOs_(LWR)#Assault_Carrier|Assault Carrier]] to main base assaults. The aliens can only field [[Missions (LWR)#XCOM Base Defense|XCOM Base Defenses]] if they have a lot of resources and high aggression; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at maximum aggression level (100%) and a high resource level (>66%), an [[Missions (LWR)#XCOM Base Defense|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn.

If the aliens win a base defense it will damage resources and kill personnel - but it is not the end of the game, and can be recovered from.

For Air Base assaults, aliens will send an [[UFOs_(LWR)#Overseer|Overseer]]. The cost of failure of these missions is the destruction and/or severe damage of all stationed interceptors. [[Missions (LWR)#XCOM Air Base Defense|Air Base Defenses]] are much cheaper, and have a chance to trigger every month that Aliens have an aggression level of >75% and resource level >50%. Air Defenses missions only begin spawning after XCOM constructs its first [[Air_Combat_(LWR)#Aircraft|Firestorm]] interceptor.

===Command Overwatch===

This is a special mission. An [[UFOs_(LWR)#Overseer|Overseer]] will fly '''low''' around the target area. This mission is how the aliens communicate and co-ordinate their activities and is normally hidden to XCOM.

The aliens have many Overseers and shooting 1 down has no special strategic value.

==See also==
{{Aliens (LWR) Navbar}}
[[Category: Aliens (LWR)]]
[[Category: Long War Rebalance]]