Air Combat (Long War) - Revision history

DjinnFor: /* UFO Landings */

2024-06-16T08:54:38Z

UFO Landings

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:54, 16 June 2024
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	===UFO Landings===		===UFO Landings===
	When a UFO lands it is either conducting a Harvest mission (to gain [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]]) or a Research mission (to gain [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]]). Such missions have ~~[[Threat (Long War)#Trap_UFOs\|~~a chance]] of spawning a much larger force of aliens; this is known colloquially as a ''Trap UFO''. See [[UFOs (Long War)\|~~the~~ UFOs ~~page~~]] for ~~approximate~~ troop counts for regular landings vs. traps.		When a UFO lands it is either conducting a Harvest mission (to gain [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]]) or a Research mission (to gain [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]]). Such missions have a chance of spawning a much larger force of aliens; this is known colloquially as a [[Threat (Long War)#Trap_UFOs\|Trap UFO]]. See the article dedicated to [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFOs]] for troop counts for regular landings vs. traps.

	[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Research\|Research missions]] happen only in countries with Satellites -- this is an alien "recon-in-force" that's a direct attempt to engage XCOM and test it's battle capabilities.		[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Research\|Research missions]] happen only in countries with Satellites -- this is an alien "recon-in-force" that's a direct attempt to engage XCOM and test it's battle capabilities.
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	[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Harvest\|Harvest missions]] will sometimes avoid countries with Satellites [[Threat_(Long_War)\|depending on how threatening the Aliens perceive XCOM to be]], though this will reduce the resource reward of the mission.		[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Harvest\|Harvest missions]] will sometimes avoid countries with Satellites [[Threat_(Long_War)\|depending on how threatening the Aliens perceive XCOM to be]], though this will reduce the resource reward of the mission.

	Damage to UFOs, or losses of its infantry on the ground, have no bearing on research points or resources gained from the mission. If the UFO survives, the aliens gets full benefit of the mission. However, a UFO that is shot down or ~~assaulted~~ fails its mission automatically. Furthermore, shooting down, successfully assaulting, and/or damaging a UFO does deduct from the aliens [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] in the form of [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing .2F Replacing UFOs\|repair/replacement costs]].		Damage to UFOs, or losses of its infantry on the ground, have no bearing on research points or resources gained from the mission. If the UFO survives, the aliens gets full benefit of the mission. However, a UFO that is shot down or successfully raided fails its mission automatically. Furthermore, shooting down, successfully assaulting, and/or damaging a UFO does deduct from the aliens [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] in the form of [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing .2F Replacing UFOs\|repair/replacement costs]].

	===Interceptor Weapons and Stances===		===Interceptor Weapons and Stances===

Slothen2: removed fusion cores from list of things less likely to be destroyed by EMP since fusion cores have 100% survival on shoot-down

2023-05-31T20:16:33Z

removed fusion cores from list of things less likely to be destroyed by EMP since fusion cores have 100% survival on shoot-down

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:16, 31 May 2023
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	Speaking of which, '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]''' are the ultimate UFO type, and are fielded in many types of UFO missions we discussed previously ([[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]) whenever enemies have a glut of resources or in the lategame when they've got high resource income per month. These things come armed with a [[UFOs_(Long_War)#UFO_Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] that deals 1300-1950 damage per shot at base (almost half the HP of a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] with [[Armored Fighters]]), and 2600-3900 on a crit (just barely less than a one-shot kill on that same UFO type). Defeating these is incredibly difficult and risky, especially since you're risking an extremely expensive [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] piloted by a top pilot, but if you ''have'' to take one on, I suggest abusing Aim and Dodge modules and bailing immediately if you get hit once (and of course, only try with full upgrades and one of the three lategame weapons).		Speaking of which, '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]''' are the ultimate UFO type, and are fielded in many types of UFO missions we discussed previously ([[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]) whenever enemies have a glut of resources or in the lategame when they've got high resource income per month. These things come armed with a [[UFOs_(Long_War)#UFO_Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] that deals 1300-1950 damage per shot at base (almost half the HP of a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] with [[Armored Fighters]]), and 2600-3900 on a crit (just barely less than a one-shot kill on that same UFO type). Defeating these is incredibly difficult and risky, especially since you're risking an extremely expensive [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] piloted by a top pilot, but if you ''have'' to take one on, I suggest abusing Aim and Dodge modules and bailing immediately if you get hit once (and of course, only try with full upgrades and one of the three lategame weapons).

	''[[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|EMP Weapons]]'' is an earlier alternative to teching heavily into Plasma, and is available after you've researched both [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]] and [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Pulse Lasers]]. Unlike [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]], you don't need a large assortment of captured alien weaponry to research and outfit it, but [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]] also upgrades your ground forces, and is pretty important to tech into before you finish the game, whereas EMP is very much an optional pickup. In any case, the research will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]]''', which has low damage per shot, extremely high armor penetration, and a fast fire rate; the net result is slightly worse performance compared to the other two end-game weapons against virtually all UFOs (except [[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseers]], actually), but they're also the least likely to overkill and destroy the UFO outright, and they also have an innately reduced chance for UFO components like ''UFO Flight Computers~~'', ''Fusion Cores~~'' and ''UFO Power Sources'' to be destroyed on crash; if you want to farm UFO components and resources its... well kind of a luxury item, really, since it comes so late and is so expensive, but it's there, and can be important if you can't tech into Plasma weapons yet because you haven't been keeping up with your alien captures.		''[[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|EMP Weapons]]'' is an earlier alternative to teching heavily into Plasma, and is available after you've researched both [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]] and [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Pulse Lasers]]. Unlike [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]], you don't need a large assortment of captured alien weaponry to research and outfit it, but [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]] also upgrades your ground forces, and is pretty important to tech into before you finish the game, whereas EMP is very much an optional pickup. In any case, the research will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]]''', which has low damage per shot, extremely high armor penetration, and a fast fire rate; the net result is slightly worse performance compared to the other two end-game weapons against virtually all UFOs (except [[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseers]], actually), but they're also the least likely to overkill and destroy the UFO outright, and they also have an innately reduced chance for UFO components like ''UFO Flight Computers'' and ''UFO Power Sources'' to be destroyed on crash; if you want to farm UFO components and resources its... well kind of a luxury item, really, since it comes so late and is so expensive, but it's there, and can be important if you can't tech into Plasma weapons yet because you haven't been keeping up with your alien captures.

	With both EMP and Plasma, you'll enable research into ''[[Research_(Long_War)#Plasma_Weapons\|Fusion Weapons]]'', which will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]]'''. They are the most powerful Interceptor weapons in the game and can only be mounted on [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]], but consume a rare ''Fusion Core'' to do so; it can be quite difficult to acquire these, but shooting down [[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carriers]] with an [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]] is your best bet (or just save a spare core from the Slingshot DLC mission). Much like EMP, it's a luxury weapon, but a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] mounted with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] can utterly dominate the skies; once acquired, you can solo any UFO type you feel like for quite a while. That said, keep in mind the free bonuses enemy UFOs get over time (+75 HP, +8 damage and +2% aim every 30 days, or faster if enemies accumulate large amounts of [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]) will eventually stack their accuracy all the way to the cap of 95%, so you'll need to make an effort to finish the game before that happens. You don't want a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]] hitting you with 95% accuracy.		With both EMP and Plasma, you'll enable research into ''[[Research_(Long_War)#Plasma_Weapons\|Fusion Weapons]]'', which will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]]'''. They are the most powerful Interceptor weapons in the game and can only be mounted on [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]], but consume a rare ''Fusion Core'' to do so; it can be quite difficult to acquire these, but shooting down [[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carriers]] with an [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]] is your best bet (or just save a spare core from the Slingshot DLC mission). Much like EMP, it's a luxury weapon, but a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] mounted with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] can utterly dominate the skies; once acquired, you can solo any UFO type you feel like for quite a while. That said, keep in mind the free bonuses enemy UFOs get over time (+75 HP, +8 damage and +2% aim every 30 days, or faster if enemies accumulate large amounts of [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]) will eventually stack their accuracy all the way to the cap of 95%, so you'll need to make an effort to finish the game before that happens. You don't want a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]] hitting you with 95% accuracy.

Riw at 21:38, 9 July 2022

2022-07-09T21:38:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 9 July 2022
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	UFOs are tougher, faster, and much deadlier in Long War. Along with that, your crafts and armaments are significantly less potent, at least at first. You will need to cycle your craft regularly like your soldiers. UFO kills will grant experience to your pilots and provide a bonus to accuracy. Your pilots will learn UFO flight patterns and weaknesses, therefore they will become much better at shooting down alien craft: sortie experience provides +3% to hit per kill (up to + 30%) and +1% damage per kill (with no top limit). Also, you will find that both your craft and UFOs may sometimes get 'critical hits', with UFOs being downed in a few hits, or your undamaged Interceptor immediately going into near-full red damage indicator.		UFOs are tougher, faster, and much deadlier in Long War. Along with that, your crafts and armaments are significantly less potent, at least at first. You will need to cycle your craft regularly like your soldiers.

	At the start of the game your fresh pilots are equipped with Avalanche Missiles, which now have an abysmal 40% accuracy. While it is still possible to down the first Scout with one Interceptor, this is an incredibly unlikely event. It's more probable that it would take two, or even three interceptions to bring down even the most basic alien craft.		At the start of the game your fresh pilots are equipped with Avalanche Missiles, which now have an abysmal 40% accuracy. While it is still possible to down the first Scout with one Interceptor, this is an incredibly unlikely event. It's more probable that it would take two, or even three interceptions to bring down even the most basic alien craft.

	Players should exert caution and pick and choose their air battles carefully. You will not be able to bring down every single enemy UFO. Sometimes attempting high risk interceptions against tough targets will be detrimental to your campaign due to the highly unpredictable nature of the engagements at the start of the game. Your early game goal should be to get ~~experience~~ for some of your pilots and advance your air-warfare technology in order to keep aliens at bay on the battleground for the Earth's skies. In case you overreach too early, you might quickly find yourself crippled with long repair times and unable to stop alien operations.		Players should exert caution and pick and choose their air battles carefully. You will not be able to bring down every single enemy UFO. Sometimes attempting high risk interceptions against tough targets will be detrimental to your campaign due to the highly unpredictable nature of the engagements at the start of the game. Your early game goal should be to get kills for some of your pilots and advance your air-warfare technology in order to keep aliens at bay on the battleground for the Earth's skies. In case you overreach too early, you might quickly find yourself crippled with long repair times and unable to stop alien operations.

	There are Research and Engineering projects that will assist in aerial sorties, including multiple ~~foundry~~ projects to improve your ~~interceptors~~. There are also the aircraft boost modules, which return from ~~Vanilla~~.		There are Research and Engineering projects that will assist in aerial sorties, including multiple Foundry projects to improve your Interceptors. There are also the aircraft boost modules, which return from vanilla.

	As the campaign goes on, UFOs will slowly gain tiny but permanent increases to their health, accuracy and damage, which act as a de facto time limit on the campaign: after several in-game years have past, you may find interceptions to become near impossible. Try to finish your campaign within two in game years, and don't expect to ever truly dominate the skies.		As the campaign goes on, UFOs will slowly gain tiny but permanent increases to their health, accuracy and damage, which act as a de facto time limit on the campaign: after several in-game years have past, you may find interceptions to become near impossible. Try to finish your campaign within two in game years, and don't expect to ever truly dominate the skies.

	If the aliens send a UFO and it is damaged, destroyed or lost, the aliens will pay [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] for it, limiting their options in the next month.		If the aliens send a UFO and it is damaged, destroyed or lost, the aliens will pay [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] for it, limiting their options in the next month.

			===Pilot Kills===
			Your pilots will learn UFO flight patterns and weaknesses, therefore they will become much better at shooting down alien craft: pilots gain +3% aim per kill (up to + 30%) and +1% damage per kill (with no top limit). Also, both your craft and UFOs may sometimes get 'critical hits' (200% damage), with UFOs being downed in a few hits, or your undamaged Interceptor immediately going into near-full red damage indicator.

	===Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs===		===Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs===
			Each UFO you encounter is running a [[Alien Missions (Long War)\|particular mission]] that benefits the aliens strategically in some specific way, whether it be generating panic, shooting down your Satellites, or harvesting resources. Shooting them down is a reliable method of preventing whatever they're trying to do from occurring. Plus, UFOs that are damaged or shot down [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing / Replacing_UFOs\|cost the aliens resources]] to repair or replace.
	Each UFO you encounter is running a [[Alien Missions (Long War)\|particular mission]] that benefits the aliens strategically in some specific way, whether it be generating panic, shooting down your ~~satellites~~, or harvesting resources. Shooting them down is a reliable method of preventing whatever they're trying to do from occurring. Plus, UFOs that are damaged or shot down [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing / Replacing_UFOs\|cost the aliens resources]] to repair or replace.

	Some UFOs will simply land, allowing you to assault them directly; these include UFOs on [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Research\|Research]] and [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Harvest\|Harvest]] missions. In terms of the resource costs accrued to replace the destroyed UFO, a successful assault is functionally equivalent to shooting the UFO down.		Some UFOs will simply land, allowing you to assault them directly; these include UFOs on [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Research\|Research]] and [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Harvest\|Harvest]] missions. In terms of the resource costs accrued to replace the destroyed UFO, a successful assault is functionally equivalent to shooting the UFO down.
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	===UFO Landings===		===UFO Landings===
			When a UFO lands it is either conducting a Harvest mission (to gain [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]]) or a Research mission (to gain [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]]). Such missions have [[Threat (Long War)#Trap_UFOs\|a chance]] of spawning a much larger force of aliens; this is known colloquially as a ''Trap UFO''. See [[UFOs (Long War)\|the UFOs page]] for approximate troop counts for regular landings vs. traps.

	When a UFO lands it is either conducting a harvest mission (to gain [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]]) or a research mission (to gain [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]]). Such missions have [[Threat (Long War)#Trap_UFOs\|a chance]] of spawning a much larger force of aliens; this is known colloquially as a ''Trap UFO''. See [[UFOs (Long War)\|the UFOs page]] for approximate troop counts for regular landings vs. traps.		[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Research\|Research missions]] happen only in countries with Satellites -- this is an alien "recon-in-force" that's a direct attempt to engage XCOM and test it's battle capabilities.

	[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Research\|Research missions]] happen only in countries with ~~satellites~~ -- this is an alien "recon-in-force" that's a direct attempt to engage XCOM and test it's battle capabilities.

	[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Harvest\|Harvest missions]] will sometimes avoid countries with ~~satellites~~ [[Threat_(Long_War)\|depending on how threatening the Aliens perceive XCOM to be]], though this will reduce the resource reward of the mission.		[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Harvest\|Harvest missions]] will sometimes avoid countries with Satellites [[Threat_(Long_War)\|depending on how threatening the Aliens perceive XCOM to be]], though this will reduce the resource reward of the mission.

	Damage to UFOs, or losses of its infantry on the ground, have no bearing on research points or resources gained from the mission. If the UFO survives, the aliens gets full benefit of the mission. However, a UFO that is shot down or assaulted fails its mission automatically. Furthermore, shooting down, successfully assaulting, and/or damaging a UFO does deduct from the aliens [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] in the form of [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing .2F Replacing UFOs\|repair/replacement costs]].		Damage to UFOs, or losses of its infantry on the ground, have no bearing on research points or resources gained from the mission. If the UFO survives, the aliens gets full benefit of the mission. However, a UFO that is shot down or assaulted fails its mission automatically. Furthermore, shooting down, successfully assaulting, and/or damaging a UFO does deduct from the aliens [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] in the form of [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing .2F Replacing UFOs\|repair/replacement costs]].

	===Interceptor Weapons and Stances===		===Interceptor Weapons and Stances===

	Air-to-air weapons now have three main damage statistics - Damage, Rate of Fire, and Armor Penetration; "Range" is no longer a factor as it was in vanilla. Additionally, UFOs have different armor levels, which reduces the damage done by a weapon if its armor penetration isn't high enough. For example, you start with a choice between Avalanche missiles (medium damage, low armor penetration) and Stingray missiles (low damage, medium armor penetration). Avalanches will be better against unarmored and very lightly armored UFOs like Scouts, while Stingrays will be better against more armored UFOs like Fighters.		Air-to-air weapons now have three main damage statistics - Damage, Rate of Fire, and Armor Penetration; "Range" is no longer a factor as it was in vanilla. Additionally, UFOs have different armor levels, which reduces the damage done by a weapon if its armor penetration isn't high enough. For example, you start with a choice between Avalanche missiles (medium damage, low armor penetration) and Stingray missiles (low damage, medium armor penetration). Avalanches will be better against unarmored and very lightly armored UFOs like Scouts, while Stingrays will be better against more armored UFOs like Fighters.

Riw: /* UFO Types */

2022-06-08T09:16:20Z

UFO Types

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:16, 8 June 2022
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	{\| class="wikitable" width="100%"		{\| class="wikitable" width="100%"
	\|-		\|-
	! UFO Type \|\| Health \|\| Armor \|\| Penetration \|\| Firepower \|\| Description		! UFO Size \|\| UFO Type \|\| Health \|\| Armor \|\| Penetration \|\| Firepower \|\| Description
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Scout.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]]'''\|\| 750 \|\| 0% \|\| 15% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The speedy Scout-class UFO is fortunately within Earth's native capabilities to shoot down ... on occasion. It appears to be used for general reconnaissance, resource-gathering and research.		\|rowspan=2\|Small\|\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Scout.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]]'''\|\| 750 \|\| 0% \|\| 15% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The speedy Scout-class UFO is fortunately within Earth's native capabilities to shoot down ... on occasion. It appears to be used for general reconnaissance, resource-gathering and research.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Fighter.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighter]]'''\|\| 850 \|\| 60% \|\| 35% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The alien Fighter, while similar in outward appearance to the Scout, is much better protected. Armor-piercing weapons like our Stingray Missiles will be helpful in bringing these craft down. This class of craft is used primarily for air raids and anti-satellite operations.		\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Fighter.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighter]]'''\|\| 850 \|\| 60% \|\| 35% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The alien Fighter, while similar in outward appearance to the Scout, is much better protected. Armor-piercing weapons like our Stingray Missiles will be helpful in bringing these craft down. This class of craft is used primarily for air raids and anti-satellite operations.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Raider.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raider]]'''\|\| 1500 \|\| 25% \|\| 35% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The Raider class of UFO seems to be a multirole craft that thus suffers in combat power. The aliens appear to use it for reconnaissance, research and resource-gathering operations.		\|rowspan=2\|Medium\|\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Raider.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raider]]'''\|\| 1500 \|\| 25% \|\| 35% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The Raider class of UFO seems to be a multirole craft that thus suffers in combat power. The aliens appear to use it for reconnaissance, research and resource-gathering operations.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Destroyer.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyer]]'''\|\| 1600 \|\| 90% \|\| 75% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The deadly Destroyer present a much greater threat to our aircraft than its sister class of ships. Armor-piercing weapons are required to defeat this craft. It appears to primarily be used for air raids and anti-satellite operations, although we may see it conduct reconnaissance missions as well. Our analysts note the presence of unused hardpoints on some images of this craft, so we should look out for upgraded versions with even more killing power.		\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Destroyer.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyer]]'''\|\| 1600 \|\| 90% \|\| 75% \|\| 1x Single Plasma \|\| The deadly Destroyer present a much greater threat to our aircraft than its sister class of ships. Armor-piercing weapons are required to defeat this craft. It appears to primarily be used for air raids and anti-satellite operations, although we may see it conduct reconnaissance missions as well. Our analysts note the presence of unused hardpoints on some images of this craft, so we should look out for upgraded versions with even more killing power.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Abductor.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Abductor\|Abductor]]'''\|\| 4000 \|\| 160% \|\| 10% \|\| 1x Double Plasma \|\| Abductors appear to be much better protected than other ships of this size. Perhaps the aliens particularly value the abduction and research missions they are used for.		\|rowspan=4\|Large\|\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Abductor.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Abductor\|Abductor]]'''\|\| 4000 \|\| 160% \|\| 10% \|\| 1x Double Plasma \|\| Abductors appear to be much better protected than other ships of this size. Perhaps the aliens particularly value the abduction and research missions they are used for.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Harvester.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvester]]'''\|\| 6000 \|\| 100% \|\| 15% \|\| 1x Double Plasma \|\| The Harvester class of UFO seems to have one role - to recover important biological materials and minerals from Earth in support of other alien operations. We should try to interdict alien harvest operations whenever possible to slow the alien advance. These craft may be vulnerable to a concentrated attack.		\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Harvester.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvester]]'''\|\| 6000 \|\| 100% \|\| 15% \|\| 1x Double Plasma \|\| The Harvester class of UFO seems to have one role - to recover important biological materials and minerals from Earth in support of other alien operations. We should try to interdict alien harvest operations whenever possible to slow the alien advance. These craft may be vulnerable to a concentrated attack.
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	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_TerrorShip.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Terror Ship\|Terror Ship]]'''\|\| 6000 \|\| 125% \|\| 0% \|\| 1x Double Plasma \|\| The rarely encountered Terror Ship appears suited for rapid deployment of alien shock troops. They appear to presage alien terror missions, but they may be used for alien research on XCOM as well.		\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_TerrorShip.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Terror Ship\|Terror Ship]]'''\|\| 6000 \|\| 125% \|\| 0% \|\| 1x Double Plasma \|\| The rarely encountered Terror Ship appears suited for rapid deployment of alien shock troops. They appear to presage alien terror missions, but they may be used for alien research on XCOM as well.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_AssaultCarrier.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carrier]]'''\|\| 8000 \|\| 140% \|\| 90% \|\| 1x Double Plasma, 1x Single Plasma \|\| The Assault Carrier, while built on a battleship hull, lacks some of its sister's firepower and may be easier to shoot down. Nevertheless, we expect to see the aliens use this craft only against high-value targets, so it should be taken seriously whenever it is detected.		\|rowspan=2\|Very Large\|\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_AssaultCarrier.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carrier]]'''\|\| 8000 \|\| 140% \|\| 90% \|\| 1x Double Plasma, 1x Single Plasma \|\| The Assault Carrier, while built on a battleship hull, lacks some of its sister's firepower and may be easier to shoot down. Nevertheless, we expect to see the aliens use this craft only against high-value targets, so it should be taken seriously whenever it is detected.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Battleship.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]]'''\|\| 9000 \|\| 180% \|\| 125% \|\| 1x Fusion Lance \|\| An unbelievably dangerous piece of hardware, these UFOs never appear to land but are used in bombing, anti-satellite and air superiority roles.		\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Battleship.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]]'''\|\| 9000 \|\| 180% \|\| 125% \|\| 1x Fusion Lance \|\| An unbelievably dangerous piece of hardware, these UFOs never appear to land but are used in bombing, anti-satellite and air superiority roles.
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Overseer.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseer]]'''\|\| 2500 \|\| 200% \|\| 125% \|\| 1x Double Plasma, 1x Single Plasma \|\| This class of ship appears to be used as a airborne command center for the Ethereal race of alien. Only our strongest weapons will be able to penetrate its armor.		\|rowspan=1\|Medium\|\|<div style="background:#333333">[[Image: UFO-Analysis_Overseer.png\|center\|128x64px]]</div> '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseer]]'''\|\| 2500 \|\| 200% \|\| 125% \|\| 1x Double Plasma, 1x Single Plasma \|\| This class of ship appears to be used as a airborne command center for the Ethereal race of alien. Only our strongest weapons will be able to penetrate its armor.
	\|}		\|}

Riw: /* Late Game */

2022-06-06T19:46:48Z

Late Game

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:46, 6 June 2022
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	''[[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|EMP Weapons]]'' is an earlier alternative to teching heavily into Plasma, and is available after you've researched both [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]] and [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Pulse Lasers]]. Unlike [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]], you don't need a large assortment of captured alien weaponry to research and outfit it, but [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]] also upgrades your ground forces, and is pretty important to tech into before you finish the game, whereas EMP is very much an optional pickup. In any case, the research will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]]''', which has low damage per shot, extremely high armor penetration, and a fast fire rate; the net result is slightly worse performance compared to the other two end-game weapons against virtually all UFOs (except [[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseers]], actually), but they're also the least likely to overkill and destroy the UFO outright, and they also have an innately reduced chance for UFO components like ''UFO Flight Computers'', ''Fusion Cores'' and ''UFO Power Sources'' to be destroyed on crash; if you want to farm UFO components and resources its... well kind of a luxury item, really, since it comes so late and is so expensive, but it's there, and can be important if you can't tech into Plasma weapons yet because you haven't been keeping up with your alien captures.		''[[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|EMP Weapons]]'' is an earlier alternative to teching heavily into Plasma, and is available after you've researched both [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]] and [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Pulse Lasers]]. Unlike [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]], you don't need a large assortment of captured alien weaponry to research and outfit it, but [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]] also upgrades your ground forces, and is pretty important to tech into before you finish the game, whereas EMP is very much an optional pickup. In any case, the research will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]]''', which has low damage per shot, extremely high armor penetration, and a fast fire rate; the net result is slightly worse performance compared to the other two end-game weapons against virtually all UFOs (except [[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseers]], actually), but they're also the least likely to overkill and destroy the UFO outright, and they also have an innately reduced chance for UFO components like ''UFO Flight Computers'', ''Fusion Cores'' and ''UFO Power Sources'' to be destroyed on crash; if you want to farm UFO components and resources its... well kind of a luxury item, really, since it comes so late and is so expensive, but it's there, and can be important if you can't tech into Plasma weapons yet because you haven't been keeping up with your alien captures.

	With both EMP and Plasma, you'll enable research into ''Research_(Long_War)#Plasma_Weapons\|Fusion Weapons]]'', which will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]]'''. They are the most powerful Interceptor weapons in the game and can only be mounted on [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]], but consume a rare ''Fusion Core'' to do so; it can be quite difficult to acquire these, but shooting down [[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carriers]] with an [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]] is your best bet (or just save a spare core from the Slingshot DLC mission). Much like EMP, it's a luxury weapon, but a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] mounted with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] can utterly dominate the skies; once acquired, you can solo any UFO type you feel like for quite a while. That said, keep in mind the free bonuses enemy UFOs get over time (+75 HP, +8 damage and +2% aim every 30 days, or faster if enemies accumulate large amounts of [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]) will eventually stack their accuracy all the way to the cap of 95%, so you'll need to make an effort to finish the game before that happens. You don't want a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]] hitting you with 95% accuracy.		With both EMP and Plasma, you'll enable research into ''[[Research_(Long_War)#Plasma_Weapons\|Fusion Weapons]]'', which will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]]'''. They are the most powerful Interceptor weapons in the game and can only be mounted on [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]], but consume a rare ''Fusion Core'' to do so; it can be quite difficult to acquire these, but shooting down [[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carriers]] with an [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]] is your best bet (or just save a spare core from the Slingshot DLC mission). Much like EMP, it's a luxury weapon, but a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] mounted with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] can utterly dominate the skies; once acquired, you can solo any UFO type you feel like for quite a while. That said, keep in mind the free bonuses enemy UFOs get over time (+75 HP, +8 damage and +2% aim every 30 days, or faster if enemies accumulate large amounts of [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]) will eventually stack their accuracy all the way to the cap of 95%, so you'll need to make an effort to finish the game before that happens. You don't want a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]] hitting you with 95% accuracy.

	==See also==		==See also==

DjinnFor: /* Mid Game */

2021-11-23T21:24:18Z

Mid Game

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:24, 23 November 2021
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	When you research ''[[Research (Long War)#Laser and Gauss Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]]'', the '''[[Foundry (Long War)#Aerospace Improvements\|Phoenix Coilguns]]''' Foundry project becomes available, which significantly boosts the damage (+64%) and armor penetration (+65%) of your [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Cannons]] (assuming you built any). While the accuracy boost that [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]] provide makes them incredibly useful for the small UFO types, [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] can be used for the larger, heavily armed UFO contacts. You won't spot them often and you could probably eat the loss associated with just not having the military capacity to handle them, but the option is there.		When you research ''[[Research (Long War)#Laser and Gauss Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]]'', the '''[[Foundry (Long War)#Aerospace Improvements\|Phoenix Coilguns]]''' Foundry project becomes available, which significantly boosts the damage (+64%) and armor penetration (+65%) of your [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Cannons]] (assuming you built any). While the accuracy boost that [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]] provide makes them incredibly useful for the small UFO types, [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] can be used for the larger, heavily armed UFO contacts. You won't spot them often and you could probably eat the loss associated with just not having the military capacity to handle them, but the option is there.

	In this case, with just the [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] upgrade and nothing else, your mid-tier pilots should be able to take on [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvesters]]. There isn't much reason to down a '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvester]]''', as they always fly '''NoE''' and land, allowing you to assault them directly. '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]]''', on the other hand, are high priority targets. These Medium-sized ships may appear in place of [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raiders]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] ~~around July~~ if the aliens have [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|high enough resources]], to either [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] your UFOs or [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] cities, spreading panic. They're heavily armored, but one or two decent (3+ kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] should be able to down them, as can two or three elite (~10 kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]]. Aim and Dodge [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Modules\|Modules]] are a really good investment here to keep your Satellites from being shot down and earn you a juicy medium UFO crash site to raid for supplies, but keep in mind you need to be on ''Balanced'' stance if you want to use both.		In this case, with just the [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] upgrade and nothing else, your mid-tier pilots should be able to take on [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvesters]]. There isn't much reason to down a '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvester]]''', as they always fly '''NoE''' and land, allowing you to assault them directly. '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]]''', on the other hand, are high priority targets. These Medium-sized ships may appear in place of [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raiders]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] as early as June if the aliens have [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|high enough resources]], to either [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] your UFOs or [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] cities, spreading panic. They're heavily armored, but one or two decent (3+ kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] should be able to down them, as can two or three elite (~10 kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]]. Aim and Dodge [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Modules\|Modules]] are a really good investment here to keep your Satellites from being shot down and earn you a juicy medium UFO crash site to raid for supplies, but keep in mind you need to be on ''Balanced'' stance if you want to use both.

	'''[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]''' missions spike panic in the country by +8, plus an additional +2 if the UFO is completely ignored. Unlike [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]] and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], which target XCOM operations directly and show up regularly from the beginning of the game, [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bombing]] missions show up later and tend to target countries with high panic as well as those near their [[Alien Base (Long War)\|established holdings]]. As you expand out of your starting continent to new locations with much higher accrued panic, you'll most likely start to spot [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] (and eventually, [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]) showing up to [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] high panic countries. You can identify a bombing run if you spot any of those three ships flying '''NoE''' as these ships ''never'' land and will flash purple on the radar (similarly to UFOs on [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] missions).		'''[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]''' missions spike panic in the country by +8, plus an additional +2 if the UFO is completely ignored. Unlike [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]] and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], which target XCOM operations directly and show up regularly from the beginning of the game, [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bombing]] missions show up later and tend to target countries with high panic as well as those near their [[Alien Base (Long War)\|established holdings]]. As you expand out of your starting continent to new locations with much higher accrued panic, you'll most likely start to spot [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] (and eventually, [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]) showing up to [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] high panic countries. You can identify a bombing run if you spot any of those three ships flying '''NoE''' as these ships ''never'' land and will flash purple on the radar (similarly to UFOs on [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] missions).

DjinnFor: /* Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs */

2021-11-23T18:36:33Z

Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, 23 November 2021
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	Some UFOs will fly about a country's airspace before zooming off (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] mission entries). Generally speaking, you'll have a window of opportunity to engage such UFOs 2-3 times before they fly off - and you should, not only to deny the enemy and cost them resources, but also to harvest materials from the crash site. But if most of your Interceptors are being repaired, or you're facing down a powerful UFO that you're not sure you can destroy, simply dealing enough damage to the UFO can disrupt the mission even if it isn't shot out of the sky.		Some UFOs will fly about a country's airspace before zooming off (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] mission entries). Generally speaking, you'll have a window of opportunity to engage such UFOs 2-3 times before they fly off - and you should, not only to deny the enemy and cost them resources, but also to harvest materials from the crash site. But if most of your Interceptors are being repaired, or you're facing down a powerful UFO that you're not sure you can destroy, simply dealing enough damage to the UFO can disrupt the mission even if it isn't shot out of the sky.

	For Hunt missions, when a player does more than 50% of its health in damage to a UFO, the mission will be successfully scuttled. You can visually identify when you've reached this threshold during an interception: yellow explosions will flash around the UFO, as if it is continually being hit by your attacks. Note however that you still have a chance to prevent the UFO's mission while doing less than 50% damage, which is simply linear (i.e., in general UFO failure chance is equal to (100-2x)% where x is their health percentage). Bombing missions are different, in that the total amount of panic generated scales directly with the amount of damage dealt to the UFO, and only shooting it down is sufficient to completely negate the panic. The UFO will inflict 8 x (100-x)% panic to a target country (and an additional +2 if it has 100% health). Scout missions have a chance to fail based on a number of factors (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout mission]] page for details, but they do nothing except spawn a followup Hunt mission, so you have multiple chances to stop it.		For Hunt missions, when a player does more than 50% of its health in damage to a UFO, the mission will be successfully scuttled. You can visually identify when you've reached this threshold during an interception: yellow explosions will flash around the UFO, as if it is continually being hit by your attacks. Note however that you still have a chance to prevent the UFO's mission while doing less than 50% damage, which is simply linear (i.e., in general UFO failure chance is equal to (100-2x)% where x is their health percentage). Bombing missions are different, in that the total amount of panic generated scales directly with the amount of damage dealt to the UFO, and only shooting it down is sufficient to completely negate the panic. The UFO will inflict 8 x (100-x)% panic to a target country (and an additional +2 if it has 100% health). Scout missions have a chance to fail based on a number of factors including dealing damage to the UFO (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout mission]] page for details), but they do nothing except spawn a followup Hunt mission, so you have multiple chances to stop it.

	Finally, in some cases you will have only a narrow window of opportunity to intercept UFOs: they will simply fly directly to a target location, spawning a mission and then completely disappearing from the geoscape. This includes [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Abduction\|Abductions]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Terrorize Populace\|Terror Missions]]. No amount of damage you deal to the UFO short of shooting it down will have any effect on the resulting mission it spawns (though it will incur them repair costs), and for the most part you won't have an air force capable of doing this anyways. Most likely, you'll just have to play the resulting mission.		Finally, in some cases you will have only a narrow window of opportunity to intercept UFOs: they will simply fly directly to a target location, spawning a mission and then completely disappearing from the geoscape. This includes [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Abduction\|Abductions]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Terrorize Populace\|Terror Missions]]. No amount of damage you deal to the UFO short of shooting it down will have any effect on the resulting mission it spawns (though it will incur them repair costs), and for the most part you won't have an air force capable of doing this anyways. Most likely, you'll just have to play the resulting mission.

DjinnFor: /* UFO Landings */

2021-11-23T18:35:17Z

UFO Landings

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	===UFO Landings===		===UFO Landings===

	When a UFO lands it is either conducting a harvest mission (to gain [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]]) or a research mission (to gain [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]]).		When a UFO lands it is either conducting a harvest mission (to gain [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]]) or a research mission (to gain [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]]). Such missions have [[Threat (Long War)#Trap_UFOs\|a chance]] of spawning a much larger force of aliens; this is known colloquially as a ''Trap UFO''. See [[UFOs (Long War)\|the UFOs page]] for approximate troop counts for regular landings vs. traps.

	[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Research\|Research missions]] happen only in countries with satellites -- this is an alien "recon-in-force" that's a direct attempt to engage XCOM and test it's battle capabilities. Such missions have [[Threat (Long War)#Trap_UFOs\|a chance]] of spawning a much larger force of aliens; this is known colloquially as a ''Trap UFO''. See [[UFOs (Long War)\|the UFOs page]] for approximate troop counts for regular landings vs. traps.		[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Research\|Research missions]] happen only in countries with satellites -- this is an alien "recon-in-force" that's a direct attempt to engage XCOM and test it's battle capabilities.

	[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Harvest\|Harvest missions]] will sometimes avoid countries with satellites [[Threat_(Long_War)\|depending on how threatening the Aliens perceive XCOM to be]], though this will reduce the resource reward of the mission.		[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Harvest\|Harvest missions]] will sometimes avoid countries with satellites [[Threat_(Long_War)\|depending on how threatening the Aliens perceive XCOM to be]], though this will reduce the resource reward of the mission.

	Damage to UFOs, or losses of its infantry on the ground, have no bearing on research points or resources gained from the mission. If the UFO survives, the aliens gets full benefit of the mission. However, shooting down, successfully assaulting, and/or damaging a UFO does deduct from the aliens resources in the form of repair/replacement costs. ~~A UFO that has been shot~~		Damage to UFOs, or losses of its infantry on the ground, have no bearing on research points or resources gained from the mission. If the UFO survives, the aliens gets full benefit of the mission. However, a UFO that is shot down or assaulted fails its mission automatically. Furthermore, shooting down, successfully assaulting, and/or damaging a UFO does deduct from the aliens [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] in the form of [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing .2F Replacing UFOs\|repair/replacement costs]].

	===Interceptor Weapons and Stances===		===Interceptor Weapons and Stances===

DjinnFor: /* Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs */

2021-11-23T18:31:37Z

Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:31, 23 November 2021
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	Some UFOs will fly about a country's airspace before zooming off (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] mission entries). Generally speaking, you'll have a window of opportunity to engage such UFOs 2-3 times before they fly off - and you should, not only to deny the enemy and cost them resources, but also to harvest materials from the crash site. But if most of your Interceptors are being repaired, or you're facing down a powerful UFO that you're not sure you can destroy, simply dealing enough damage to the UFO can disrupt the mission even if it isn't shot out of the sky.		Some UFOs will fly about a country's airspace before zooming off (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] mission entries). Generally speaking, you'll have a window of opportunity to engage such UFOs 2-3 times before they fly off - and you should, not only to deny the enemy and cost them resources, but also to harvest materials from the crash site. But if most of your Interceptors are being repaired, or you're facing down a powerful UFO that you're not sure you can destroy, simply dealing enough damage to the UFO can disrupt the mission even if it isn't shot out of the sky.

	For ~~both Scout and~~ Hunt missions, when a player does more than 50% of its health in damage to a UFO, the mission will be successfully scuttled. You can visually identify when you've reached this threshold during an interception: yellow explosions will flash around the UFO, as if it is continually being hit by your attacks. Note however that you still have a chance to prevent the UFO's mission while doing less than 50% damage, which is simply linear (i.e., in general UFO failure chance is equal to (100-2x)% where x is their health percentage).		For Hunt missions, when a player does more than 50% of its health in damage to a UFO, the mission will be successfully scuttled. You can visually identify when you've reached this threshold during an interception: yellow explosions will flash around the UFO, as if it is continually being hit by your attacks. Note however that you still have a chance to prevent the UFO's mission while doing less than 50% damage, which is simply linear (i.e., in general UFO failure chance is equal to (100-2x)% where x is their health percentage). Bombing missions are different, in that the total amount of panic generated scales directly with the amount of damage dealt to the UFO, and only shooting it down is sufficient to completely negate the panic. The UFO will inflict 8 x (100-x)% panic to a target country (and an additional +2 if it has 100% health). Scout missions have a chance to fail based on a number of factors (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout mission]] page for details, but they do nothing except spawn a followup Hunt mission, so you have multiple chances to stop it.

	Bombing missions are ~~slightly~~ different, in that the total amount of panic generated scales directly with the amount of damage dealt to the UFO, and only shooting it down is sufficient to completely negate the panic. The UFO will inflict 8 x (100-x)% panic to a target country (and an additional +2 if it has 100% health).

	Finally, in some cases you will have only a narrow window of opportunity to intercept UFOs: they will simply fly directly to a target location, spawning a mission and then completely disappearing from the geoscape. This includes [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Abduction\|Abductions]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Terrorize Populace\|Terror Missions]]. No amount of damage you deal to the UFO short of shooting it down will have any effect on the resulting mission it spawns (though it will incur them repair costs), and for the most part you won't have an air force capable of doing this anyways. Most likely, you'll just have to play the resulting mission.		Finally, in some cases you will have only a narrow window of opportunity to intercept UFOs: they will simply fly directly to a target location, spawning a mission and then completely disappearing from the geoscape. This includes [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Abduction\|Abductions]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Terrorize Populace\|Terror Missions]]. No amount of damage you deal to the UFO short of shooting it down will have any effect on the resulting mission it spawns (though it will incur them repair costs), and for the most part you won't have an air force capable of doing this anyways. Most likely, you'll just have to play the resulting mission.

DjinnFor: /* Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs */

2021-11-23T18:26:20Z

Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:26, 23 November 2021
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	===Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs===		===Disrupting, Damaging and Destroying UFOs===

	Each UFO you encounter is running a particular mission that benefits the aliens strategically in some specific way, whether it be generating panic, shooting down your satellites, or harvesting resources. Shooting them down is a reliable method of preventing whatever they're trying to do from occurring. Plus, UFOs that are damaged or shot down [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing / Replacing_UFOs\|cost the aliens resources]] to repair or replace.		Each UFO you encounter is running a [[Alien Missions (Long War)\|particular mission]] that benefits the aliens strategically in some specific way, whether it be generating panic, shooting down your satellites, or harvesting resources. Shooting them down is a reliable method of preventing whatever they're trying to do from occurring. Plus, UFOs that are damaged or shot down [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Cost of Repairing / Replacing_UFOs\|cost the aliens resources]] to repair or replace.

	Some UFOs will simply land, allowing you to assault them directly; these include UFOs on [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Research\|Research]] and [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Harvest\|Harvest]] missions. In terms of the resource costs accrued to replace the destroyed UFO, a successful assault is functionally equivalent to shooting the UFO down.		Some UFOs will simply land, allowing you to assault them directly; these include UFOs on [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Research\|Research]] and [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#Harvest\|Harvest]] missions. In terms of the resource costs accrued to replace the destroyed UFO, a successful assault is functionally equivalent to shooting the UFO down.

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	Speaking of which, '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]''' are the ultimate UFO type, and are fielded in many types of UFO missions we discussed previously ([[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]) whenever enemies have a glut of resources or in the lategame when they've got high resource income per month. These things come armed with a [[UFOs_(Long_War)#UFO_Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] that deals 1300-1950 damage per shot at base (almost half the HP of a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] with [[Armored Fighters]]), and 2600-3900 on a crit (just barely less than a one-shot kill on that same UFO type). Defeating these is incredibly difficult and risky, especially since you're risking an extremely expensive [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] piloted by a top pilot, but if you ''have'' to take one on, I suggest abusing Aim and Dodge modules and bailing immediately if you get hit once (and of course, only try with full upgrades and one of the three lategame weapons).		Speaking of which, '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]''' are the ultimate UFO type, and are fielded in many types of UFO missions we discussed previously ([[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]) whenever enemies have a glut of resources or in the lategame when they've got high resource income per month. These things come armed with a [[UFOs_(Long_War)#UFO_Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] that deals 1300-1950 damage per shot at base (almost half the HP of a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] with [[Armored Fighters]]), and 2600-3900 on a crit (just barely less than a one-shot kill on that same UFO type). Defeating these is incredibly difficult and risky, especially since you're risking an extremely expensive [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] piloted by a top pilot, but if you ''have'' to take one on, I suggest abusing Aim and Dodge modules and bailing immediately if you get hit once (and of course, only try with full upgrades and one of the three lategame weapons).

	''[[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|EMP Weapons]]'' is an earlier alternative to teching heavily into Plasma, and is available after you've researched both [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]] and [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Pulse Lasers]]. Unlike [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]], you don't need a large assortment of captured alien weaponry to research and outfit it, but [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]] also upgrades your ground forces, and is pretty important to tech into before you finish the game, whereas EMP is very much an optional pickup. In any case, the research will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]]''', which has low damage per shot, extremely high armor penetration, and a fast fire rate; the net result is slightly worse performance compared to the other two end-game weapons against virtually all UFOs (except [[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseers]], actually), but they're also the least likely to overkill and destroy the UFO outright, and they also have an innately reduced chance for UFO components like ''UFO Flight Computers~~'', ''Fusion Cores~~'' and ''UFO Power Sources'' to be destroyed on crash; if you want to farm UFO components and resources its... well kind of a luxury item, really, since it comes so late and is so expensive, but it's there, and can be important if you can't tech into Plasma weapons yet because you haven't been keeping up with your alien captures.		''[[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|EMP Weapons]]'' is an earlier alternative to teching heavily into Plasma, and is available after you've researched both [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]] and [[Research_(Long_War)#Laser_and_Gauss_Weapons\|Advanced Pulse Lasers]]. Unlike [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]], you don't need a large assortment of captured alien weaponry to research and outfit it, but [[Research (Long War)#Plasma Weapons\|Plasma]] also upgrades your ground forces, and is pretty important to tech into before you finish the game, whereas EMP is very much an optional pickup. In any case, the research will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]]''', which has low damage per shot, extremely high armor penetration, and a fast fire rate; the net result is slightly worse performance compared to the other two end-game weapons against virtually all UFOs (except [[UFOs (Long War)#Overseer\|Overseers]], actually), but they're also the least likely to overkill and destroy the UFO outright, and they also have an innately reduced chance for UFO components like ''UFO Flight Computers'' and ''UFO Power Sources'' to be destroyed on crash; if you want to farm UFO components and resources its... well kind of a luxury item, really, since it comes so late and is so expensive, but it's there, and can be important if you can't tech into Plasma weapons yet because you haven't been keeping up with your alien captures.

	With both EMP and Plasma, you'll enable research into ''[[Research_(Long_War)#Plasma_Weapons\|Fusion Weapons]]'', which will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]]'''. They are the most powerful Interceptor weapons in the game and can only be mounted on [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]], but consume a rare ''Fusion Core'' to do so; it can be quite difficult to acquire these, but shooting down [[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carriers]] with an [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]] is your best bet (or just save a spare core from the Slingshot DLC mission). Much like EMP, it's a luxury weapon, but a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] mounted with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] can utterly dominate the skies; once acquired, you can solo any UFO type you feel like for quite a while. That said, keep in mind the free bonuses enemy UFOs get over time (+75 HP, +8 damage and +2% aim every 30 days, or faster if enemies accumulate large amounts of [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]) will eventually stack their accuracy all the way to the cap of 95%, so you'll need to make an effort to finish the game before that happens. You don't want a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]] hitting you with 95% accuracy.		With both EMP and Plasma, you'll enable research into ''[[Research_(Long_War)#Plasma_Weapons\|Fusion Weapons]]'', which will unlock the '''[[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]]'''. They are the most powerful Interceptor weapons in the game and can only be mounted on [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]], but consume a rare ''Fusion Core'' to do so; it can be quite difficult to acquire these, but shooting down [[UFOs (Long War)#Assault Carrier\|Assault Carriers]] with an [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|EMP Cannon]] is your best bet (or just save a spare core from the Slingshot DLC mission). Much like EMP, it's a luxury weapon, but a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] mounted with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Fusion Lance]] can utterly dominate the skies; once acquired, you can solo any UFO type you feel like for quite a while. That said, keep in mind the free bonuses enemy UFOs get over time (+75 HP, +8 damage and +2% aim every 30 days, or faster if enemies accumulate large amounts of [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]) will eventually stack their accuracy all the way to the cap of 95%, so you'll need to make an effort to finish the game before that happens. You don't want a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleship]] hitting you with 95% accuracy.

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	When you research ''[[Research (Long War)#Laser and Gauss Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]]'', the '''[[Foundry (Long War)#Aerospace Improvements\|Phoenix Coilguns]]''' Foundry project becomes available, which significantly boosts the damage (+64%) and armor penetration (+65%) of your [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Cannons]] (assuming you built any). While the accuracy boost that [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]] provide makes them incredibly useful for the small UFO types, [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] can be used for the larger, heavily armed UFO contacts. You won't spot them often and you could probably eat the loss associated with just not having the military capacity to handle them, but the option is there.		When you research ''[[Research (Long War)#Laser and Gauss Weapons\|Advanced Gauss Weapons]]'', the '''[[Foundry (Long War)#Aerospace Improvements\|Phoenix Coilguns]]''' Foundry project becomes available, which significantly boosts the damage (+64%) and armor penetration (+65%) of your [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Cannons]] (assuming you built any). While the accuracy boost that [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]] provide makes them incredibly useful for the small UFO types, [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] can be used for the larger, heavily armed UFO contacts. You won't spot them often and you could probably eat the loss associated with just not having the military capacity to handle them, but the option is there.

	In this case, with just the [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] upgrade and nothing else, your mid-tier pilots should be able to take on [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvesters]]. There isn't much reason to down a '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvester]]''', as they always fly '''NoE''' and land, allowing you to assault them directly. '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]]''', on the other hand, are high priority targets. These Medium-sized ships may appear in place of [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raiders]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] ~~around July~~ if the aliens have [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|high enough resources]], to either [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] your UFOs or [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] cities, spreading panic. They're heavily armored, but one or two decent (3+ kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] should be able to down them, as can two or three elite (~10 kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]]. Aim and Dodge [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Modules\|Modules]] are a really good investment here to keep your Satellites from being shot down and earn you a juicy medium UFO crash site to raid for supplies, but keep in mind you need to be on ''Balanced'' stance if you want to use both.		In this case, with just the [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] upgrade and nothing else, your mid-tier pilots should be able to take on [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvesters]]. There isn't much reason to down a '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Harvester\|Harvester]]''', as they always fly '''NoE''' and land, allowing you to assault them directly. '''[[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]]''', on the other hand, are high priority targets. These Medium-sized ships may appear in place of [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raiders]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] as early as June if the aliens have [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|high enough resources]], to either [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] your UFOs or [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] cities, spreading panic. They're heavily armored, but one or two decent (3+ kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Phoenix Coilguns]] should be able to down them, as can two or three elite (~10 kill) pilots with [[Air Combat (Long War)#Interceptor Weapons\|Laser Cannons]]. Aim and Dodge [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Modules\|Modules]] are a really good investment here to keep your Satellites from being shot down and earn you a juicy medium UFO crash site to raid for supplies, but keep in mind you need to be on ''Balanced'' stance if you want to use both.

	'''[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]''' missions spike panic in the country by +8, plus an additional +2 if the UFO is completely ignored. Unlike [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]] and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], which target XCOM operations directly and show up regularly from the beginning of the game, [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bombing]] missions show up later and tend to target countries with high panic as well as those near their [[Alien Base (Long War)\|established holdings]]. As you expand out of your starting continent to new locations with much higher accrued panic, you'll most likely start to spot [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] (and eventually, [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]) showing up to [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] high panic countries. You can identify a bombing run if you spot any of those three ships flying '''NoE''' as these ships ''never'' land and will flash purple on the radar (similarly to UFOs on [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] missions).		'''[[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]]''' missions spike panic in the country by +8, plus an additional +2 if the UFO is completely ignored. Unlike [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]] and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], which target XCOM operations directly and show up regularly from the beginning of the game, [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bombing]] missions show up later and tend to target countries with high panic as well as those near their [[Alien Base (Long War)\|established holdings]]. As you expand out of your starting continent to new locations with much higher accrued panic, you'll most likely start to spot [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighters]] and [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyers]] (and eventually, [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|Battleships]]) showing up to [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] high panic countries. You can identify a bombing run if you spot any of those three ships flying '''NoE''' as these ships ''never'' land and will flash purple on the radar (similarly to UFOs on [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]] missions).

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	Some UFOs will fly about a country's airspace before zooming off (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] mission entries). Generally speaking, you'll have a window of opportunity to engage such UFOs 2-3 times before they fly off - and you should, not only to deny the enemy and cost them resources, but also to harvest materials from the crash site. But if most of your Interceptors are being repaired, or you're facing down a powerful UFO that you're not sure you can destroy, simply dealing enough damage to the UFO can disrupt the mission even if it isn't shot out of the sky.		Some UFOs will fly about a country's airspace before zooming off (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Hunt\|Hunt]], and [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Bomb\|Bomb]] mission entries). Generally speaking, you'll have a window of opportunity to engage such UFOs 2-3 times before they fly off - and you should, not only to deny the enemy and cost them resources, but also to harvest materials from the crash site. But if most of your Interceptors are being repaired, or you're facing down a powerful UFO that you're not sure you can destroy, simply dealing enough damage to the UFO can disrupt the mission even if it isn't shot out of the sky.

	For Hunt missions, when a player does more than 50% of its health in damage to a UFO, the mission will be successfully scuttled. You can visually identify when you've reached this threshold during an interception: yellow explosions will flash around the UFO, as if it is continually being hit by your attacks. Note however that you still have a chance to prevent the UFO's mission while doing less than 50% damage, which is simply linear (i.e., in general UFO failure chance is equal to (100-2x)% where x is their health percentage). Bombing missions are different, in that the total amount of panic generated scales directly with the amount of damage dealt to the UFO, and only shooting it down is sufficient to completely negate the panic. The UFO will inflict 8 x (100-x)% panic to a target country (and an additional +2 if it has 100% health). Scout missions have a chance to fail based on a number of factors (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout mission]] page for details, but they do nothing except spawn a followup Hunt mission, so you have multiple chances to stop it.		For Hunt missions, when a player does more than 50% of its health in damage to a UFO, the mission will be successfully scuttled. You can visually identify when you've reached this threshold during an interception: yellow explosions will flash around the UFO, as if it is continually being hit by your attacks. Note however that you still have a chance to prevent the UFO's mission while doing less than 50% damage, which is simply linear (i.e., in general UFO failure chance is equal to (100-2x)% where x is their health percentage). Bombing missions are different, in that the total amount of panic generated scales directly with the amount of damage dealt to the UFO, and only shooting it down is sufficient to completely negate the panic. The UFO will inflict 8 x (100-x)% panic to a target country (and an additional +2 if it has 100% health). Scout missions have a chance to fail based on a number of factors including dealing damage to the UFO (see the [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Scout\|Scout mission]] page for details), but they do nothing except spawn a followup Hunt mission, so you have multiple chances to stop it.

	Finally, in some cases you will have only a narrow window of opportunity to intercept UFOs: they will simply fly directly to a target location, spawning a mission and then completely disappearing from the geoscape. This includes [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Abduction\|Abductions]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Terrorize Populace\|Terror Missions]]. No amount of damage you deal to the UFO short of shooting it down will have any effect on the resulting mission it spawns (though it will incur them repair costs), and for the most part you won't have an air force capable of doing this anyways. Most likely, you'll just have to play the resulting mission.		Finally, in some cases you will have only a narrow window of opportunity to intercept UFOs: they will simply fly directly to a target location, spawning a mission and then completely disappearing from the geoscape. This includes [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Abduction\|Abductions]], [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Terrorize Populace\|Terror Missions]]. No amount of damage you deal to the UFO short of shooting it down will have any effect on the resulting mission it spawns (though it will incur them repair costs), and for the most part you won't have an air force capable of doing this anyways. Most likely, you'll just have to play the resulting mission.