Alien Missions (Long War) - Revision history

Eudaimonleon: /* Scout */ grammar

2025-07-15T14:51:19Z

Scout: grammar

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	''Not to be confused with the [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Scout\|Scout]], a type of UFO.''		''Not to be confused with the [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Scout\|Scout]], a type of UFO.''

	A UFO will fly '''low''' and around the target country, attempting to confirm the existence of XCOM satellites. Successful scouting missions will be automatically ''followed up'' by a new sortie to [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#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 depending on how tough the UFO is; if the UFO sent to scout is tough (e.g. an early game [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raider]]), you could gamble that the UFO being sent to hunt will be weak (i.e. a [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighter]]). Conversely, you could be punished if a stronger UFO (i.e. a [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyer]]) follows up instead. Fortunately, Hunt missions automatically fail if the UFO has less than 50% of its HP remaining, so ~~it's~~ slightly easier to stop ~~then~~ Scout missions even if you can't shoot it down.		A UFO will fly '''low''' and around the target country, attempting to confirm the existence of XCOM satellites. Successful scouting missions will be automatically ''followed up'' by a new sortie to [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#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 depending on how tough the UFO is; if the UFO sent to scout is tough (e.g. an early game [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raider]]), you could gamble that the UFO being sent to hunt will be weak (i.e. a [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighter]]). Conversely, you could be punished if a stronger UFO (i.e. a [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyer]]) follows up instead. Fortunately, Hunt missions automatically fail if the UFO has less than 50% of its HP remaining, so they are slightly easier to stop than Scout missions even if you can't shoot it down.

	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, 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:		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, 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:

Dsx999: /* Retaliation (XCOM HQ) */ Remove "cancelling Gene Mods" as this cannot be done (at least in regular LW), and added some tips about preparing for the worst - i.e. losing the mission

2024-08-16T13:17:29Z

Retaliation (XCOM HQ): Remove "cancelling Gene Mods" as this cannot be done (at least in regular LW), and added some tips about preparing for the worst - i.e. losing the mission

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:17, 16 August 2024
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	This is a special mission. The aliens will send a Battleship to shoot down the satellite over your headquarters near the beginning of the month, and then at some point an [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Assault_Carrier\|Assault Carrier]] will fly to your main base and immediately start an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] mission.		This is a special mission. The aliens will send a Battleship to shoot down the satellite over your headquarters near the beginning of the month, and then at some point an [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Assault_Carrier\|Assault Carrier]] will fly to your main base and immediately start an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] mission.

	This is an incredibly difficult mission that pits a limited quantity of semi-random soldiers against a rather large enemy force. Fortunately, if you can get your satellite back up you can spot the main assault group coming and prepare, such as cancelling any ~~Gene Mods and~~ Psionic training that soldiers are undergoing. You could also put down a rush job for extra weapons and armor, or the Foundry projects that [[Foundry (Long War)#Base Security Upgrades\|boost blue shirts]] if your satellite goes down suddenly to a Battleship and ~~cancel anything that doesn~~'t ~~make it~~ in time.		This is an incredibly difficult mission that pits a limited quantity of semi-random soldiers against a rather large enemy force. Fortunately, if you can get your satellite back up you can spot the main assault group coming and prepare, such as cancelling any Psionic training that soldiers are undergoing. You could also put down a rush job for extra weapons and armor, or the Foundry projects that [[Foundry (Long War)#Base Security Upgrades\|boost blue shirts]] if your satellite goes down suddenly to a Battleship. You can try to start new projects and builds which if aren't completed in time can be cancelled after the mission - this has the added benefit that if you fail the mission, those projects and builds will carry on with all the resources tied to them.

	The aliens can only field such missions if they have a lot of resources and they consider XCOM a high threat; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at the maximum threat (8+) and at least the second highest resource (150+) tiers, an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn. Additionally, if XCOM has yet to encounter a base defense yet in the campaign, one will always occur exactly one year into the campaign, some time in March of the second year (if this occurs, the counter is reset, so you won't see another until the requisite three months have passed).		The aliens can only field such missions if they have a lot of resources and they consider XCOM a high threat; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at the maximum threat (8+) and at least the second highest resource (150+) tiers, an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn. Additionally, if XCOM has yet to encounter a base defense yet in the campaign, one will always occur exactly one year into the campaign, some time in March of the second year (if this occurs, the counter is reset, so you won't see another until the requisite three months have passed).

Dsx999: /* Retaliation (Air Base) */ Added Firestorm to aircrafts that will be damaged, as at least one Firestorm must be stationed in the base for this mission to take place.

2024-08-15T19:55:31Z

Retaliation (Air Base): Added Firestorm to aircrafts that will be damaged, as at least one Firestorm must be stationed in the base for this mission to take place.

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	A long-war original addition. The aliens will send an [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Overseer\|Overseer]] to a random continental interceptor base that has a [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]], spawning an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Air Base Defense\|Air Base defense]] mission on arrival. Being an Overseer, it is invisible until the [[Hyperwave Relay (Long War)\|Hyperwave Relay]] is constructed.		A long-war original addition. The aliens will send an [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Overseer\|Overseer]] to a random continental interceptor base that has a [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]], spawning an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Air Base Defense\|Air Base defense]] mission on arrival. Being an Overseer, it is invisible until the [[Hyperwave Relay (Long War)\|Hyperwave Relay]] is constructed.

	Air Base defenses cannot occur unless XCOM has at least one [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] interceptor, following which one Air Base Defense has a 50% chance to trigger every month that Aliens have 100+ resources and 4+ threat, so long as the Aliens do not also meet the threshold for progression towards an HQ base defense (i.e. has fewer than either 8 threat or 150 resources). The cost of failure of these missions is the destruction and/or severe damage of all stationed ~~interceptors~~.		Air Base defenses cannot occur unless XCOM has at least one [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] interceptor, following which one Air Base Defense has a 50% chance to trigger every month that Aliens have 100+ resources and 4+ threat, so long as the Aliens do not also meet the threshold for progression towards an HQ base defense (i.e. has fewer than either 8 threat or 150 resources). The cost of failure of these missions is the destruction and/or severe damage of all stationed Interceptors and Firestorms.

	===Multiple UFO Sortie===		===Multiple UFO Sortie===

Riw: /* Common Missions */

2024-07-13T17:29:51Z

Common Missions

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	! 0-1 !! 2-3 !! 4-5 !! 6-7 !! 8+		! 0-1 !! 2-3 !! 4-5 !! 6-7 !! 8+
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"
	! 50 or less		! 49 or less
	\| 3-4 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest \|\| 3-4 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 0-1 Hunt \|\| 3 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 1 Hunt \|\| 2-3 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 1-2 Hunt <br/> 1 Bomb \|\| 2 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 2 Hunt <br/> 2 Bomb		\| 3-4 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest \|\| 3-4 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 0-1 Hunt \|\| 3 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 1 Hunt \|\| 2-3 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 1-2 Hunt <br/> 1 Bomb \|\| 2 Abduction <br/> 3 Scout <br/> 3 Harvest <br/> 2 Hunt <br/> 2 Bomb
	\|-align="center"		\|-align="center"

DjinnFor: /* Harvest */

2024-06-16T08:24:16Z

Harvest

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	If you manage to detect the UFO, you can assault it after it lands, preventing the aliens from obtaining the resources and bringing home a large haul of materials, more than you would for a crashed UFO. That said, always be wary of [[Threat (Long War)#Trap UFOs\|trapped UFOs]]: such UFOs can have massive increases in the number of aliens that crew them, proportional to the amount of UFOs XCOM has shot down so far this month. Shooting down the UFO does stop it from being a trap, so it's an option, but you're robbing yourself of lots of resources, corpses, and kill XP by doing so.		If you manage to detect the UFO, you can assault it after it lands, preventing the aliens from obtaining the resources and bringing home a large haul of materials, more than you would for a crashed UFO. That said, always be wary of [[Threat (Long War)#Trap UFOs\|trapped UFOs]]: such UFOs can have massive increases in the number of aliens that crew them, proportional to the amount of UFOs XCOM has shot down so far this month. Shooting down the UFO does stop it from being a trap, so it's an option, but you're robbing yourself of lots of resources, corpses, and kill XP by doing so.

	Harvest missions are one of the few UFO missions in the game (alongside Bombing missions) that can be fully completed without XCOMs knowledge or awareness, and thus XCOM may not have an opportunity to prevent them from succeeding. In addition to picking the country entirely at random, they also tend to avoid locations in which XCOM has satellite coverage. Specifically, if the targeted country has a satellite, there is a 10% chance for every 2 full points of [[Threat_(Long_War)\|of threat]], max 40% (i.e. 0% at 0-1, 10% at 2-3, 20% at 4-5, 30% at 6-7, and 40% at 8+), that the aliens will re-roll the target country to one without satellite coverage, paying a flat 5 [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] 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, and more opportunities for you to target these craft and turn the aliens' attempts at resource-gathering into one of your own.		Harvest missions are one of the few UFO missions in the game (alongside Bombing missions) that can be fully completed without XCOMs knowledge or awareness, and thus XCOM may not have an opportunity to prevent them from succeeding. In addition to picking the country entirely at random, they also tend to avoid locations in which XCOM has satellite coverage. Specifically, if the targeted country has a satellite, there is a 10% chance for every 2 full points of [[Threat_(Long_War)\|of threat]], max 40% (i.e. 0% at 0-1, 10% at 2-3, 20% at 4-5, 30% at 6-7, and 40% at 8+), that the aliens will re-roll the target country to one without satellite coverage (assuming one is available, if not they just stick with it), paying a flat 5 [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]] 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, and more opportunities for you to target these craft and turn the aliens' attempts at resource-gathering into one of your own.

	Note also that the UFO pool for harvest missions becomes ''less'' threatening the more resources the aliens, and isn't affected by higher [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]]; this is the opposite of all other missions with random UFO pools. As a result, it's entirely possible (albeit unlikely) to see a [[UFOs (Long War)#Transport\|Transport]] carrying 30+ aliens in the first few months; it's also entirely possible to defeat this mission, even in March, but attempting this isn't recommended for newer players - it will be very long, extremely difficult and potentially require some degree of luck and/or cheese tactics. You could also encounter some Harvest missions in the midgame, but again it is less likely as you will likely be threatening enough for the aliens to try and reroll, though completing landed Transports and Harvesters is entirely possible and recommended if you want to snowball. Only when you've got the majority of the globe covered should you expect to be able to routinely disrupt alien Harvest missions, but at that point the aliens will have [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Alien Bases\|alien bases]] and a [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Minimum_Monthly_Resources\|monthly free minimum amount]] of resources to sustain them.		Note also 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]]; this is the opposite of all other missions with random UFO pools. As a result, it's entirely possible (albeit unlikely) to see a [[UFOs (Long War)#Transport\|Transport]] carrying 30+ aliens in the first few months; it's also entirely possible to defeat this mission, even in March, but attempting this isn't recommended for newer players - it will be very long, extremely difficult and potentially require some degree of luck and/or cheese tactics. You could also encounter some Harvest missions in the midgame, but again it is less likely as you will likely be threatening enough for the aliens to try and reroll, though completing landed Transports and Harvesters is entirely possible and recommended if you want to snowball. Only when you've got the majority of the globe covered should you expect to be able to routinely disrupt alien Harvest missions, but at that point the aliens will have [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Alien Bases\|alien bases]] and a [[Alien Resources (Long War)#Minimum_Monthly_Resources\|monthly free minimum amount]] of resources to sustain them.

	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 (<50 resources), then a maximum amount of harvest mission is attempted (three per month); if they have too many resources (200+), then no harvest will occur. Additionally, the aliens also prefer doing harvests when they are not threatened; in the presence of a strong XCOM they prefer more aggressive missions instead.		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 (<50 resources), then a maximum amount of harvest mission is attempted (three per month); if they have too many resources (200+), then no harvest will occur. Additionally, the aliens also prefer doing harvests when they are not threatened; in the presence of a strong XCOM they prefer more aggressive missions instead.

DjinnFor: /* Hunt */

2024-06-16T08:21:40Z

Hunt

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:21, 16 June 2024
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	A UFO will fly at '''high''' altitude over a satellite-covered country, seeking to destroy the satellite. A Scout mission, if successful, is always ''immediately'' followed up by a Hunt mission, with a potentially different UFO. Thus, if a Scout mission presents you with a tougher UFO than you can handle, you can gamble on the followup Hunt mission being easier. Likewise, fail to shoot down an easy Scout mission and you could get a much tougher Hunt mission.		A UFO will fly at '''high''' altitude over a satellite-covered country, seeking to destroy the satellite. A Scout mission, if successful, is always ''immediately'' followed up by a Hunt mission, with a potentially different UFO. Thus, if a Scout mission presents you with a tougher UFO than you can handle, you can gamble on the followup Hunt mission being easier. Likewise, fail to shoot down an easy Scout mission and you could get a much tougher Hunt mission.

	Successful hunts will destroy the [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|satellite]] in question, setting XCOM back about §200 in replacement costs and removing the associated [[The_Council_(Long_War)#Country_satellite_bonuses\|country satellite bonus]] (and [[The_Council_(Long_War)#Continent-wide_bonuses\|continent bonus]], if applicable). The base chance of success is 60%, or 90% on the second pass (30%/50% respectively if [[Foundry (Long War)#Aerospace Improvements\|Stealth Satellites]] is researched). Damage sustained by the UFO will reduce this chance further proportional to twice the damage dealt to the UFO, and thus dealing 50% or more of its HP in damage leading to an automatic failure. Pertinent to this, 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 if need be, preventing further risks while stopping the hunt mission. That said, a downed UFO provides a hefty quantity of resources, so try to down it if at all possible, as you get nothing but lengthy repair times when you only damage it.		Successful hunts will destroy the [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|satellite]] in question, setting XCOM back about §200 in replacement costs and removing the associated [[The_Council_(Long_War)#Country_satellite_bonuses\|country satellite bonus]] (and [[The_Council_(Long_War)#Continent-wide_bonuses\|continent bonus]], if applicable) until a new satellite is brought back online. The base chance of success is 60%, or 90% on the second pass (30%/50% respectively if [[Foundry (Long War)#Aerospace Improvements\|Stealth Satellites]] is researched). Damage sustained by the UFO will reduce this chance further proportional to twice the damage dealt to the UFO, and thus dealing 50% or more of its HP in damage leading to an automatic failure. Pertinent to this, 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 if need be, preventing further risks while stopping the hunt mission. That said, a downed [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFO]] provides a hefty quantity of resources, so try to down it if at all possible, as you get nothing but lengthy repair times when you only damage it.

	In addition to the replacement costs, the loss of a satellite imposes a hidden but potentially far more important cost as well: while the satellite coverage is down, all ''Research'', ''Harvest'', and ''Bomb'' missions that were otherwise scheduled for that target country automatically succeed, and any ''Scout'' or ''Hunt'' missions that were scheduled to target that country will be skipped, and XCOM is robbed of the opportunity to recover materials from them. Research, Scout, and Hunt missions account for a very large portion of your monthly income in a campaign, as they normally always target satellite-controlled countries (regardless of how many satellites you have or where they are located). Particularly in the early months, when you don't have much satellite coverage and the vast majority of such missions are concentrated on 1-3 countries, the loss of a single such countries satellite can set you back a ton of resources and XP for your soldiers.		In addition to the replacement costs, the loss of a satellite imposes a hidden but potentially far more important cost as well: while the satellite coverage is down, all ''Research'', ''Harvest'', and ''Bomb'' missions that were otherwise scheduled for that target country automatically succeed, and any ''Scout'' or ''Hunt'' missions that were scheduled to target that country will be skipped, and XCOM is robbed of the opportunity to recover materials from them. Research, Scout, and Hunt missions account for a very large portion of your monthly income in a campaign, as they normally always target satellite-controlled countries (regardless of how many satellites you have or where they are located). Particularly in the early months, when you don't have much satellite coverage and the vast majority of such missions are concentrated on 1-3 countries, the loss of a single such countries satellite can set you back a ton of resources and XP for your soldiers.

DjinnFor: /* Scout */

2024-06-16T08:19:27Z

Scout

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:19, 16 June 2024
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	''Not to be confused with the [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Scout\|Scout]], a type of UFO.''		''Not to be confused with the [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Scout\|Scout]], a type of UFO.''

	A UFO will fly '''low''' and around the target country, attempting to confirm the existence of XCOM satellites. Successful scouting missions will be automatically ''followed up'' by a new sortie to [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#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 depending on how tough the UFO is; if the UFO sent to scout is tough (e.g. an early game Raider), you could gamble that the UFO being sent to hunt will be weak (i.e. a Fighter). Conversely, you could be punished if a stronger UFO (i.e. a Destroyer) follows up instead. Fortunately, Hunt missions automatically fail if the UFO has less than 50% of its HP remaining, so it's slightly easier to stop then Scout missions even if you can't shoot it down.		A UFO will fly '''low''' and around the target country, attempting to confirm the existence of XCOM satellites. Successful scouting missions will be automatically ''followed up'' by a new sortie to [[Alien_Missions_(Long_War)#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 depending on how tough the UFO is; if the UFO sent to scout is tough (e.g. an early game [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raider]]), you could gamble that the UFO being sent to hunt will be weak (i.e. a [[UFOs (Long War)#Fighter\|Fighter]]). Conversely, you could be punished if a stronger UFO (i.e. a [[UFOs (Long War)#Destroyer\|Destroyer]]) follows up instead. Fortunately, Hunt missions automatically fail if the UFO has less than 50% of its HP remaining, so it's slightly easier to stop then Scout missions even if you can't shoot it down.

	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, 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:		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, 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:
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	* Damaged: ''UFO Damage Taken %'' - this means XCOM can commit less and gamble on merely damaging the UFO, though you can only guarantee failure by downing the UFO.		* Damaged: ''UFO Damage Taken %'' - this means XCOM can commit less and gamble on merely damaging the UFO, though you can only guarantee failure by downing the UFO.
	* Defended: ''([[The_Council_(Long_War)#Requests\|Country Defense]] / 2)%'' - the shield representing a country's defense is shown in the Situation Room and is improved by fulfilling their requests; the maximum is a 50% failure chance with 100% Country Defense.		* Defended: ''([[The_Council_(Long_War)#Requests\|Country Defense]] / 2)%'' - the shield representing a country's defense is shown in the Situation Room and is improved by fulfilling their requests; the maximum is a 50% failure chance with 100% Country Defense.
	* Damned: ''(60 - [[Alien Research (Long War)\|Alien Research]] / 15)%'' - this means ~~when~~ the ~~aliens have 900 research points, an unfettered~~ scouting mission ~~will always succeed~~.		* Damned: ''(60 - [[Alien Research (Long War)\|Alien Research]] / 15)%'' - this means that the failure chance for a scouting mission starts at 60% at the beginning of the game, which decreases by roughly 2% per month thereafter.

	The aliens will '''always''' send at least ''three'' scouting sorties per month, and more if they have resources to spare and perceive XCOM to be a credible threat, up to a maximum of ''six'' sorties per month. So long as the aliens don't have enough resources to regularly field a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|battleship]], Scout missions will comprise a sizeable proportion of your monthly income.		The aliens will '''always''' send at least ''three'' scouting sorties per month, and more if they have resources to spare and perceive XCOM to be a credible threat, up to a maximum of ''six'' sorties per month. So long as the aliens don't have enough resources to regularly field a [[UFOs (Long War)#Battleship\|battleship]], Scout missions will comprise a sizeable proportion of your monthly income.

DjinnFor: /* Overview */

2024-06-16T08:14:53Z

Overview

Riw: /* Retaliation Mission */

2022-07-09T21:52:42Z

Retaliation Mission

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:52, 9 July 2022
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	===Retaliation Mission===		===Retaliation Mission===
	Once three (3) months have passed (not necessarily in a row) in which the aliens have both 150+ resources and 8+ threat, a [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Retaliation (HQ)\|Retaliation]] mission [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|targeting XCOM headquarters]] will be generated in the month. Furthermore, if no XCOM Base Defense mission has occurred yet in the campaign so far, one will automatically happen in March of the 2nd year.		Once three (3) months have passed (not necessarily in a row) in which the aliens have both 150+ resources and 8+ threat, a [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Retaliation (XCOM HQ)\|Retaliation]] mission [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|targeting XCOM headquarters]] will be generated in the month. Furthermore, if no XCOM Base Defense mission has occurred yet in the campaign so far, one will automatically happen in March of the 2nd year.

	Strikes against [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM_Air_Base_Defense\|XCOM's continental interceptor bases]] occur more frequently. If the above condition for progress towards a strike against XCOM HQ is not met, there is a 50% chance for the aliens to strike a random continents air base with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] in it each month starting at 100+ resources and 4+ threat. XCOM HQ is safe from such attacks, however, so the aliens will not target any [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] located in your home continent, nor can these missions spawn when XCOM has no [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] to target.		Strikes against [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM_Air_Base_Defense\|XCOM's continental interceptor bases]] occur more frequently. If the above condition for progress towards a strike against XCOM HQ is not met, there is a 50% chance for the aliens to strike a random continents air base with a [[Air Combat (Long War)#Aircraft\|Firestorm]] in it each month starting at 100+ resources and 4+ threat. XCOM HQ is safe from such attacks, however, so the aliens will not target any [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] located in your home continent, nor can these missions spawn when XCOM has no [[Air_Combat_(Long_War)#Aircraft\|Firestorms]] to target.

DjinnFor: /* Retaliation (XCOM HQ) */

2021-12-12T05:12:18Z

Retaliation (XCOM HQ)

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:12, 12 December 2021
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	This is an incredibly difficult mission that pits a limited quantity of semi-random soldiers against a rather large enemy force. Fortunately, if you can get your satellite back up you can spot the main assault group coming and prepare, such as cancelling any Gene Mods and Psionic training that soldiers are undergoing. You could also put down a rush job for extra weapons and armor, or the Foundry projects that [[Foundry (Long War)#Base Security Upgrades\|boost blue shirts]] if your satellite goes down suddenly to a Battleship and cancel anything that doesn't make it in time.		This is an incredibly difficult mission that pits a limited quantity of semi-random soldiers against a rather large enemy force. Fortunately, if you can get your satellite back up you can spot the main assault group coming and prepare, such as cancelling any Gene Mods and Psionic training that soldiers are undergoing. You could also put down a rush job for extra weapons and armor, or the Foundry projects that [[Foundry (Long War)#Base Security Upgrades\|boost blue shirts]] if your satellite goes down suddenly to a Battleship and cancel anything that doesn't make it in time.

	The aliens can only field such missions if they have a lot of resources and they consider XCOM a high threat; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at the maximum threat (8+) and at least the second highest resource (150+) tiers, an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn. Additionally, if XCOM has yet to encounter a base defense yet in the campaign, one will always occur exactly one year into the campaign, some time in March of the second year (if this occurs, the counter is reset).		The aliens can only field such missions if they have a lot of resources and they consider XCOM a high threat; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at the maximum threat (8+) and at least the second highest resource (150+) tiers, an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn. Additionally, if XCOM has yet to encounter a base defense yet in the campaign, one will always occur exactly one year into the campaign, some time in March of the second year (if this occurs, the counter is reset, so you won't see another until the requisite three months have passed).

	==Mission Occurrences==		==Mission Occurrences==

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	This is a special mission. The aliens will send a Battleship to shoot down the satellite over your headquarters near the beginning of the month, and then at some point an [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Assault_Carrier\|Assault Carrier]] will fly to your main base and immediately start an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] mission.		This is a special mission. The aliens will send a Battleship to shoot down the satellite over your headquarters near the beginning of the month, and then at some point an [[UFOs_(Long_War)#Assault_Carrier\|Assault Carrier]] will fly to your main base and immediately start an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] mission.

	This is an incredibly difficult mission that pits a limited quantity of semi-random soldiers against a rather large enemy force. Fortunately, if you can get your satellite back up you can spot the main assault group coming and prepare, such as cancelling any ~~Gene Mods and~~ Psionic training that soldiers are undergoing. You could also put down a rush job for extra weapons and armor, or the Foundry projects that [[Foundry (Long War)#Base Security Upgrades\|boost blue shirts]] if your satellite goes down suddenly to a Battleship and ~~cancel anything that doesn~~'t ~~make it~~ in time.		This is an incredibly difficult mission that pits a limited quantity of semi-random soldiers against a rather large enemy force. Fortunately, if you can get your satellite back up you can spot the main assault group coming and prepare, such as cancelling any Psionic training that soldiers are undergoing. You could also put down a rush job for extra weapons and armor, or the Foundry projects that [[Foundry (Long War)#Base Security Upgrades\|boost blue shirts]] if your satellite goes down suddenly to a Battleship. You can try to start new projects and builds which if aren't completed in time can be cancelled after the mission - this has the added benefit that if you fail the mission, those projects and builds will carry on with all the resources tied to them.

	The aliens can only field such missions if they have a lot of resources and they consider XCOM a high threat; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at the maximum threat (8+) and at least the second highest resource (150+) tiers, an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn. Additionally, if XCOM has yet to encounter a base defense yet in the campaign, one will always occur exactly one year into the campaign, some time in March of the second year (if this occurs, the counter is reset, so you won't see another until the requisite three months have passed).		The aliens can only field such missions if they have a lot of resources and they consider XCOM a high threat; specifically, for every 3 months (not necessarily in a row) that the aliens are at the maximum threat (8+) and at least the second highest resource (150+) tiers, an [[Missions (Long War)#XCOM Base Defense\|XCOM Base Defense]] will spawn. Additionally, if XCOM has yet to encounter a base defense yet in the campaign, one will always occur exactly one year into the campaign, some time in March of the second year (if this occurs, the counter is reset, so you won't see another until the requisite three months have passed).

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	==Overview==		==Overview==

	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.		During the long war against the alien threat, the skies are also part of the battlespace. Aliens will dispatch sorties of [[UFOs (Long War)\|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 a monthly basis. The type of each mission is determined by the [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources the aliens have]], and how [[Threat_(Long_War)\|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, followed by a table detailing the scheduling of the regular missions.		There are eight types of regular alien missions scheduled on a monthly basis. The type of each mission is determined by the [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources the aliens have]], and how [[Threat_(Long_War)\|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, followed by a table detailing the scheduling of the regular missions.

	The aliens' choice of UFOs is limited by their research 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 have little resources, then they will randomly send either a Scout or Raider for research; if they have plentiful resources, however, then the large Abductor and Terror Ship will be added to the pool for the same mission. Any damage and casualties sustained by the UFOs will [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)#Cost_of_Repairing_.2F_Replacing_UFOs\|cut into the aliens’ resources]], likely limiting their options in the following month.		The aliens' choice of [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFOs]] is limited by their [[Alien Research (Long War)\|research]] and [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|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 have little [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resources]], then they will randomly send either a [[UFOs (Long War)#Scout\|Scout]] or [[UFOs (Long War)#Raider\|Raider]] for research; if they have plentiful resources, however, then the large Abductor and Terror Ship will be added to the pool for the same mission. Any damage and casualties sustained by the UFOs will [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)#Cost_of_Repairing_.2F_Replacing_UFOs\|cut into the aliens’ resources]], likely limiting their options in the following month.

	The aliens like to [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Strategic Target\|focus on]] generating panic in countries and continents near their [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Alien Bases\|established bases]]. They prioritize any such countries with the highest panic, in order to push them over the edge and induce them to withdraw from the council.		The aliens like to [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Strategic Target\|focus on]] generating panic in countries and continents near their [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Alien Bases\|established bases]]. They prioritize any such countries with the highest panic, in order to push them over the edge and induce them to withdraw from the council.
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	===Mission Scheduling===		===Mission Scheduling===

	All missions are computed and scheduled at the beginning of each calendar month. They determine what missions to do, which countries to do them in, what day and time to do them in, and which UFOs to use. ''Dynamic War'': changes mission scheduling from vanilla to occur more or less frequently than once per month in order to produce more or less missions, depending on the INI scaling value used.		All missions are computed and scheduled at the beginning of each calendar month. They determine what missions to do, which countries to do them in, what day and time to do them in, and which [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFOs]] to use. ''Dynamic War'': changes mission scheduling from vanilla to occur more or less frequently than once per month in order to produce more or less missions, depending on the INI scaling value used.

	* ''Type and Quantity'': Which missions to do are largely determined according to a table, based on [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resource levels]] and [[Threat (Long War)\|perceived XCOM threat]] (see [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Mission Occurrences\|Mission Occurrences]], below).		* ''Type and Quantity'': Which missions to do are largely determined according to a table, based on [[Alien Resources (Long War)\|resource levels]] and [[Threat (Long War)\|perceived XCOM threat]] (see [[Alien Missions (Long War)#Mission Occurrences\|Mission Occurrences]], below).
	* ''Target'': Which countries to do them in are determined semi-randomly, with each mission type having its own logic. In general, all missions except '''Bomb''' and '''Harvest''' will either target countries with satellite coverage and allow you to shoot them down, or generate a mission that gives you an opportunity to deploy a ground force against them. As a result, additional satellite coverage doesn't usually meaningfully change your monthly missions, so don't avoid expanding to additional continents ~~if you have an air force that can handle it~~ out of fear that your ground ~~force~~ will be overburdened. And as discussed before, missions that focus on increasing panic tend to target specific countries each month, hereafter referred to as [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Strategic Target\|Strategic Target]].		* ''Target'': Which countries to do them in are determined semi-randomly, with each mission type having its own logic. In general, all missions except '''Bomb''' and '''Harvest''' will either target countries with satellite coverage and allow you to shoot them down, or generate a mission that gives you an opportunity to deploy a ground force against them. As a result, additional satellite coverage doesn't usually meaningfully change your monthly missions, so don't avoid expanding to additional continents out of fear that your air or ground forces will be overburdened. And as discussed before, missions that focus on increasing [[Panic_(Long_War)\|panic]] tend to target specific countries each month, hereafter referred to as [[Alien Deployment (Long War)#Strategic Target\|Strategic Target]].
	* ''Date'': What day to do them in each month is largely random and based on mission type, though most mission types tend not to occur in the last few days of each month. If a date range is given, each day in that range is equally likely, and then a random time in that day is selected from among discrete half hour increments. As a result of random chance, missions can be scheduled back-to-back or they can be spread out along the length of a month. Always keep a healthy barracks and interceptor bay ready for consecutive ground or air sorties.		* ''Date'': What day to do them in each month is largely random and based on mission type, though most mission types tend not to occur in the last few days of each month. If a date range is given, each day in that range is equally likely, and then a random time in that day is selected from among discrete half hour increments. As a result of random chance, missions can be scheduled back-to-back or they can be spread out along the length of a month. Always keep a healthy barracks and interceptor bay ready for consecutive ground or air sorties.

	===UFOs Used===		===UFOs Used===

	While some missions have a predetermined UFO or set of UFOs that can appear, many missions select one randomly. Which UFOs are deployed may depend on up to four factors: the mission type in question, the [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)\|level of resources]] the aliens have, and the [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|level of research]] the aliens have, and randomness. All of this is evaluated at the time the mission is scheduled (beginning of the month for standard campaigns).		While some missions have a predetermined [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFO]] (or set of UFOs) that can appear, many missions select one randomly. Which [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFOs]] are deployed may depend on up to four factors: the mission type in question, the [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)\|level of resources]] the aliens have, and the [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|level of research]] the aliens have, and randomness. All of this is evaluated at the time the mission is scheduled (beginning of the month for standard campaigns).

	Specifically, many mission types have its own pool of UFOs that it can field, with each UFO in the pool equally likely to be randomly selected. As the aliens gain more resources, additional UFOs can be added to the pool (again, depending on the mission type). And as the aliens gain more research, the resource thresholds required to add these additional UFOs to the pool are decreased. Specifically:		Specifically, many mission types have its own pool of [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFOs]] that it can field, with each [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFO]] in the pool equally likely to be randomly selected. As the aliens gain more [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)\|resources]], additional [[UFOs (Long War)\|UFOs]] can be added to the pool (again, depending on the mission type). And as the aliens gain more [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|research]], the [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)\|resource]] thresholds required to add these additional UFOs to the pool are decreased. Specifically:

	:If Alien Research > 0, new types require <span style="color:green">100%</span> of their base required resources.		:If [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]] > 0, new types require <span style="color:green">100%</span> of their base required resources.
	:If Alien Research > 360, new types are possible at <span style="color:orange">72%</span> of required resources.		:If [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]] > 360, new types are possible at <span style="color:orange">72%</span> of required resources.
	:If Alien Research > 720, new types are possible at <span style="color:red">40%</span> of required resources.		:If [[Alien_Research_(Long_War)\|Alien Research]] > 720, new types are possible at <span style="color:red">40%</span> of required resources.

	Missions themselves do not require the aliens to spend [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)\|resources]] to run if left unchallenged, but shooting down or damaging the UFOs conducting them ''does'' cost the aliens resources [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)#Cost_of_Repairing_.2F_Replacing_UFOs\|to repair or replace the UFOs]].		Missions themselves do not require the aliens to spend [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)\|resources]] to run if left unchallenged, but shooting down or damaging the UFOs conducting them ''does'' cost the aliens resources [[Alien_Resources_(Long_War)#Cost_of_Repairing_.2F_Replacing_UFOs\|to repair or replace the UFOs]].