Making the Game Harder - Revision history

Magic9mushroom: I left it up to let other people decide, but honestly the banner's more confusing than helpful at the moment and nobody's edited it in 6 years.

2022-05-04T23:15:20Z

I left it up to let other people decide, but honestly the banner's more confusing than helpful at the moment and nobody's edited it in 6 years.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 4 May 2022
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	~~{{REWRITE NEEDED}}~~

	This page is intended for players who finish the game frequently on the highest difficulty and would like to keep the challenge alive.		This page is intended for players who finish the game frequently on the highest difficulty and would like to keep the challenge alive.

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ fix

2016-04-27T05:44:29Z

Weaponry: fix

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:44, 27 April 2016
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	*'''No alien equipment''' - Do not use any alien weaponry or devices at all (Plasma weapons, [[Small Launcher]], [[Blaster Launcher]], [[Alien Grenade]], [[Mind Probe]]).		*'''No alien equipment''' - Do not use any alien weaponry or devices at all (Plasma weapons, [[Small Launcher]], [[Blaster Launcher]], [[Alien Grenade]], [[Mind Probe]]).

	*'''Conventional equipment only''' - Use only weaponry that is available for purchase at the beginning of the game (no lasers or alien weaponry, no [[Medi-Kit]]s or [[Motion ~~Scanners~~]]).		*'''Conventional equipment only''' - Use only weaponry that is available for purchase at the beginning of the game (no lasers or alien weaponry, no armour, no [[Medi-Kit]]s, [[Psi-Amp]]s or [[Motion Scanner]]s).

	*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:		*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ typo, still :(

2015-05-22T07:45:50Z

Weaponry: typo, still :(

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:45, 22 May 2015
Line 77:		Line 77:
	*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:		*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:
	**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.		**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.
	**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, [[Alien Grenade]]s and all [[Heavy ~~Weapon~~ Platform\|HWP]] weapons can do this; other weapons cannot.		**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, [[Alien Grenade]]s and all [[Heavy Weapons Platform\|HWP]] weapons can do this; other weapons cannot.

	===Squads===		===Squads===

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ typo

2015-05-22T07:45:16Z

Weaponry: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:45, 22 May 2015
Line 77:		Line 77:
	*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:		*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:
	**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.		**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.
	**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, [[Alien Grenade]]s and all [[Heavy Weapon ~~Platforms~~\|HWP]] weapons can do this; other weapons cannot.		**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, [[Alien Grenade]]s and all [[Heavy Weapon Platform\|HWP]] weapons can do this; other weapons cannot.

	===Squads===		===Squads===

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ deeeerp

2015-05-22T07:44:54Z

Weaponry: deeeerp

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 22 May 2015
Line 77:		Line 77:
	*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:		*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:
	**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.		**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.
	**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, ~~and~~ [[Alien Grenade]]s can ~~all~~ do this; other weapons cannot.		**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, [[Alien Grenade]]s and all [[Heavy Weapon Platforms\|HWP]] weapons can do this; other weapons cannot.

	===Squads===		===Squads===

Magic9mushroom: My Procrustean editing is done. I'll leave the decision on removing the "rewrite needed" template, and on whether what I did is actually a good thing, to others.

2015-05-22T07:28:10Z

My Procrustean editing is done. I'll leave the decision on removing the "rewrite needed" template, and on whether what I did is actually a good thing, to others.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:28, 22 May 2015
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	(Note that these handicaps are designed for use with '''No Mind Control''', above; there is no point otherwise, as mind-control is by far the strongest available "weapon".)		(Note that these handicaps are designed for use with '''No Mind Control''', above; there is no point otherwise, as mind-control is by far the strongest available "weapon".)

	*'''No ~~Heavy Alien Weaponry~~''' - Do not use the [[Heavy Plasma]] Gun or [[Blaster Launcher]], the most devastating armaments available.		*'''No heavy alien weaponry''' - Do not use the [[Heavy Plasma]] Gun or [[Blaster Launcher]], the most devastating armaments available.

	*'''No ~~Alien Equipment~~''' - Do not use any alien weaponry or devices at all (Plasma weapons, [[Small Launcher]], [[Blaster Launcher]], [[Alien Grenade]], [[Mind Probe]]).		*'''No alien equipment''' - Do not use any alien weaponry or devices at all (Plasma weapons, [[Small Launcher]], [[Blaster Launcher]], [[Alien Grenade]], [[Mind Probe]]).

	*'''Conventional ~~Equipment Only~~''' - Use only weaponry that is available for purchase at the beginning of the game (no lasers or alien weaponry, no [[Medi-Kit]]s or [[Motion Scanners]]).		*'''Conventional equipment only''' - Use only weaponry that is available for purchase at the beginning of the game (no lasers or alien weaponry, no [[Medi-Kit]]s or [[Motion Scanners]]).

	*'''And ~~Beyond~~...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:		*'''And beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:
	**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.		**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.
	**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, and [[Alien Grenade]]s can all do this; other weapons cannot.		**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, and [[Alien Grenade]]s can all do this; other weapons cannot.

	== ~~Squad Management~~ ==		===Squads===

	~~===Avoid Large Squads===~~		*'''Skyranger capacity only''' - Bring only 14 spaces (14 soldiers, 10 soldiers + 1 [[Heavy Weapons Platform\|HWP]], etc.) worth of troops into battle. This restriction only becomes relevant when you obtain [[Avenger]]s, and has the main effect of making [[Cydonia]] much harder.

	~~Restrict your squad regarding soldiers and tanks. Never use more than 14 plane slots to bring units into a battlefield (~~the ~~capacity~~ of a Skyranger).		*'''Maximum HWPs''' - Bring the maximum number of [[Heavy Weapons Platforms]] on each mission. This means only 2 soldiers on a [[Skyranger]], which makes missions harder due to lack of firepower. This becomes much less of a restriction when [[Lightning]]s and [[Avenger]]s become available, so consider combining it with '''Skyranger Capacity Only'''.
	~~The logic behind this is that you can easily outnumber the aliens~~, ~~especially if you are facing small UFOs thus assuring victory~~.
	~~Also~~, ~~smaller squads allow for quicker play (you don~~'~~t have to move 26 units each turn) and they make your soldiers more memorable, since you~~'~~ll remember more their heroic achievements (or stupid deaths)~~.

	~~===Load up your Skyrangers with maximum HWPs===~~		*'''Commando missions''' - Use very small squads, or even a single soldier, to complete missions.

	~~A variant of the preceding scenario, not quite so hard. Instead of bringing 14 units into a battle you'll get just 5 (3 HWPs + 2 Soldiers) or 8 (2 HWPs + 6 soldiers).~~		==General==

	===~~Commando Missions~~===		===Saves===

	~~Use as few men to complete ground missions as possible~~-~~without HWPs, of course. Stealth, patience, care and caution become~~ the ~~priority~~. ~~Even two or three~~-man teams can be effective if used properly. The logic behind this is that either way, aliens are probably too busy carrying out their mission or repairing the UFO to notice the dropship approaching (as evidenced by the fact that if you go against psionic aliens, you are safe from psionic attacks as long as none of them sees you, adding an extra difficulty: you have to kill every alien from behind and with one shot so they won't turn around and see you). Plus, micromanaging a three-man team is easier than managing a fully loaded Avenger. You have the advantage of surprise, use it! Just make sure you try to get at least most of the aliens before Turn 20 comes around (when they automatically spot you).		*'''No Battlescape saves''' - Do not save while on the [[Battlescape]]. This makes it impossible to save-scum through missions and essentially gain prescience.

	~~===Large Squads===~~		*'''Iron Man''' - Save only when you quit, and overwrite your save every time you quit. This means no reloading from mistakes at all.

	For those that are content with small squads between 4 - 8 soldiers, break the habit and take the opposite approach. Start using large squads. Hire a large quantity of soldiers and fill the all available spaces on the transport. Rotate the entire team regularly so that there are no outstanding individuals or superstars amongst the tea.		===Other===

	~~During the battle, keep the slogan~~ ''~~"There~~'~~s no I in Team"~~'' in ~~mind~~ all the ~~time. Make every effort~~ to ~~send out the whole squad into the battlefield and that everyone gets some piece of the action. No more than 1 rear commanders if at all possible~~.		*'''One-mission X-Com''' - Beat the game with only one mission before Cydonia. This mission must be a [[UFO Ground Assault]] on a [[Battleship]], in order to obtain all the necessary items (including captured aliens) to reach Cydonia.

	~~The difficulties introduced here include longer turns due to~~ the increased coordination of the larger squad. Larger squads make bigger targets and increases the danger of friendly fire. When things do go wrong, the level of severity tends to be great, with the possibility of mass hysteria. Weapon by stat assignment may also be a problem with so many troops to handle and if you are in ~~the regular habit of rotating the team.~~		*'''Speed run''' - Beat the game in as little time as possible (either in-universe clock time, or real-life time; note that the two approaches differ dramatically). The current record for the latter is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wo71zOr5aU 1:02:21].

	~~If you find that this makes it too easy, consider dropping your weapon technology down a few notches.~~

	~~==One Mission X~~-~~COM==~~

	~~A more hardline version of Funding Council Income Only~~, ~~detailed [[User_talk:Arrow_Quivershaft#1_Mission_X~~-~~COM\|here]]. In short, one Battleship mission, properly executed, can provide all the research needed to complete the game. The focus is on intercepting~~ that ~~Battleship and completing~~ the ~~game with only the spoils from that mission~~.

	~~==Speed Run==~~
	~~See how fast you can complete the game! For a very strict challenge, the clock starts when you choose a difficulty, and ends when you shoot the Brain on Cydonia.~~

	The current record ~~seems to be 62:21 minutes, not including save/load time, by tbgox. Yes, that's JUST over an hour of playing. He's got~~ the ~~videos up on youtube showing how he did it too. Good lord.~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wo71zOr5aU

	~~==Limited save/Reload==~~
	Depending on how strict you want to be with yourself, you can ban in-battle saves, save only when you want to quit the game and get on with real life, or for the really hard core, no save/reload at all: ~~finish the game in one sitting, possibly combining this with a [[#Speed Run\|Speed Run~~]~~]. For a smaller challenge, try to keep a tally of how many times you save and reload, and see if you can minimise this number~~.

	[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]		[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

Magic9mushroom: /* Psionics */ typo

2015-05-22T06:52:39Z

Psionics: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:52, 22 May 2015
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	===Psionics===		===Psionics===

	*'''No Mind Control''' - Do not mind-control aliens with [[Psi-~~Amps~~]]. (This ability turns missions into boring cakewalks.)		*'''No Mind Control''' - Do not mind-control aliens with [[Psi-Amp]]s. (This ability turns missions into boring cakewalks.)

	*'''No Psionic Training''' - Do not train soldiers in [[Psionic Laboratory\|Psionic Laboratories]]. (This means you will not learn your soldiers' Psi-Strengths, or be able to use [[Psi-Amp]]s.)		*'''No Psionic Training''' - Do not train soldiers in [[Psionic Laboratory\|Psionic Laboratories]]. (This means you will not learn your soldiers' Psi-Strengths, or be able to use [[Psi-Amp]]s.)

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ typo

2015-05-22T06:50:36Z

Weaponry: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:50, 22 May 2015
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	*'''And Beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:		*'''And Beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:
	**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]], in order to reliably capture the required aliens.		**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]]), in order to reliably capture the required aliens.
	**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, and [[Alien Grenade]]s can all do this; other weapons cannot.		**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, and [[Alien Grenade]]s can all do this; other weapons cannot.

Magic9mushroom: more chainsaw noises

2015-05-22T06:48:31Z

*more chainsaw noises*

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:48, 22 May 2015
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	*'''No advanced base modules''' - Do not build [[Hyper-Wave Decoder]]s, [[Psionic Laboratory\|Psionic Laboratories]], or the researchable defence systems ([[Laser Defences]], [[Plasma Defences]], [[Fusion Ball Defences]], [[Grav Shield]] and [[Mind Shield]]). None of these are actually necessary in order to win the game, although the lack of Hyper-Wave Decoders and Psi-Labs makes the task much more difficult.		*'''No advanced base modules''' - Do not build [[Hyper-Wave Decoder]]s, [[Psionic Laboratory\|Psionic Laboratories]], or the researchable defence systems ([[Laser Defences]], [[Plasma Defences]], [[Fusion Ball Defences]], [[Grav Shield]] and [[Mind Shield]]). None of these are actually necessary in order to win the game, although the lack of Hyper-Wave Decoders and Psi-Labs makes the task much more difficult.

	== ~~Psionics~~ ==		==Battlescape==

	=== ~~No Offensive~~ Psionics ===		===Psionics===

	~~Psionics and [[Psi~~-~~Amp]]s can completely imbalance the game in favor of the human player. Even one Psi-Amp is bad news for aliens, and with training and screening, a squad full of psionic troops can eventually~~ mind-control ~~all the~~ aliens ~~during the first turn (even~~ [[~~Cyberdisc~~]]~~s and [[Sectopod]]s)~~. This turns ~~combat~~ into a cakewalk, which is not nearly as much fun as sweating your way around every single corner. Therefore, one of the most important things you can do to make the game more challenging is to avoid using Psi-Amps.		*'''No Mind Control''' - Do not mind-control aliens with [[Psi-Amps]]. (This ability turns missions into boring cakewalks.)

	~~===~~ No Psionic ~~Screening ===~~		*'''No Psionic Training''' - Do not train soldiers in [[Psionic Laboratory\|Psionic Laboratories]]. (This means you will not learn your soldiers' Psi-Strengths, or be able to use [[Psi-Amp]]s.)

	Significantly less unbalancing is the use of [[Psionic Laboratory\|Psi Labs]] to screen troops (and perhaps also increase their [[Psionics#Psionic_Formulas\|Psionic Defense]]). However, for an even greater challenge, you can avoid using Psi Labs altogether, which forces you to rely on combat trauma to find out which of your troops are psi weaklings.		===Weaponry===

	~~===~~No Mind ~~Probes===~~		(Note that these handicaps are designed for use with '''No Mind Control''', above; there is no point otherwise, as mind-control is by far the strongest available "weapon".)

	~~Much less powerful than Psionics is~~ the ~~advantage from using~~ [[~~Mind Probe~~]]~~s since those devices can be used to screen aliens for their rank (for capture~~ or ~~to identify~~ the ~~threat they pose), or to check if they are able to reaction fire. Mind control can also provide most of this information, so restricting use of Mind Probes is~~ most ~~significant when combined with a ban on Psi-Amps~~.		*'''No Heavy Alien Weaponry''' - Do not use the [[Heavy Plasma]] Gun or [[Blaster Launcher]], the most devastating armaments available.

	~~==Firepower Adjustment==~~		*'''No Alien Equipment''' - Do not use any alien weaponry or devices at all (Plasma weapons, [[Small Launcher]], [[Blaster Launcher]], [[Alien Grenade]], [[Mind Probe]]).

	~~Despites what it feels like in~~ the ~~early~~ game, X-~~COM eventually gets access to extremely powerful weaponry that make both ground and air battles too easy~~.		*'''Conventional Equipment Only''' - Use only weaponry that is available for purchase at the beginning of the game (no lasers or alien weaponry, no [[Medi-Kit]]s or [[Motion Scanners]]).

	~~===Avoid Heavy Plasmas===~~		*'''And Beyond...''' - Theoretically, one can restrict one's equipment even further and still have a chance of victory. The two actual requirements in terms of weaponry are these:
			**You must have a weapon capable of inflicting stun damage ([[Stun Rod]] or [[Small Launcher]], in order to reliably capture the required aliens.
	~~Don~~'~~t equip the majority of your squad with [[Heavy Plasma\|Heavy Plasmas]]. If that sounds too easy, then don~~'~~t use alien weapons at all~~.		**You must have a weapon capable of damaging the Alien Brain in [[Cydonia]] (40 tile armour). [[Heavy Cannon\|HC-AP rounds]], [[Rocket Launcher\|Large Rockets]], [[High Explosive]]s, [[Laser Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Laser]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Heavy Plasma]] Guns, [[Blaster Launcher]]s, and [[Alien Grenade]]s can all do this; other weapons cannot.

	~~Alternatively using UFO Extender the weight of the heavy plasma can be increased to 21 and the clip to 6~~. ~~This naturally restricts the usage without affecting the aliens~~.

	~~===Avoid Blaster Launchers===~~

	To put it simply: the weapons are too powerful and thus the temptation to overuse them too great. Completely destroying a map is fun at start but butchering the aliens gets boring after a while. Either do not use the weapons, ~~only bring 1 on each mission or~~ restrict ~~yourself to a low number of waypoints (e.g. a single course alteration).~~

	~~===Tech levels===~~
	~~Limit yourself to certain "tech levels". Here~~'s ~~an example:~~
	*Level 1: Coverall, genuine Earth equipment
	*Level 2: Personal Armor, Laser weapons
	*Level 3: Power Suit, light alien weaponry
	*Level 4: Flying Suit, heavy alien weaponry
	~~How does it work? Simply limit yourself to stopping at~~ a ~~certain level. Or limit yourself in the speed~~ of ~~advancement, i.e. one level per a half year, etc~~. The ~~latter example would mean you won't get to use the best equipment for~~ two ~~years!!!~~

	~~Alternatively, allow yourself access to only a few high-power research topics, under the grounds that they're so complex that understanding them fully takes years. (Exceptions are made for end-game~~ requirements, of ~~course). Research topics that~~ are high-power (AKA game-breaking) would include anything associated with Psionics, Plasma Rifle, Heavy Plasma, Blaster Bomb, the advanced aircraft (in particular the Avenger), the Plasma Beam/FBL, Hovertanks, and the Power and Flying Suits.

	~~===Use Unfamiliar Weapons===~~

	~~Use weapons that you are not generally fond~~ of ~~using~~ or ~~are not comfortable using. Use them~~ in ~~greater quantities or outfit your entire team with them. This has the potential~~ to ~~not only make~~ the ~~game harder, but it may get you accustomed to how these weapons are best handled. Combine it with restrictions on plasma weapons for best results~~.

	~~One excellent example is~~ the ~~standard~~ [[~~Heavy Laser~~]] ~~- not the XCOMUtil variant~~. ~~It's a weapon that is often branded "useless" because it's not an ammo-less parallel of the Heavy Plasma.~~

	~~Other examples include~~ [[Heavy Cannon]]s ~~and tanks. In particular~~, ~~unmodified tanks.~~

	~~===Extreme Weapon Scenarios===~~

	Test your machismo by going to ridiculous lengths and see how far you can get before combat is no longer viable with a uniform weapon set whereby you limit yourself to only one type or class of weapon. In addition to making the game harder, ~~it you may find yourself appreciating the benefits and understanding the limitations of these weapons.~~

	~~Some ideas to get you started:~~ [[Heavy ~~Cannon~~]], [[~~Autocannon~~]] ~~or a combination of both. Basic~~ [[~~Rifle~~]]~~s only. Pistol sized weapons only.~~ [[~~Rocket~~ Launcher]]s ~~only. Grenade type weapons only (note~~, ~~may need an emergency ranged weapons for flyers). Consider also a pistol~~ and ~~grenade scenario.~~

	~~A Rocket Launcher or~~ Grenade campaign for example will have several effects. While it does make defeating enemies easy, it introduces several management twists to combat that you would not normally subject yourself to in great frequency. Like collateral damage management will be needed for each and every shot taken. Ammunition has to be strictly managed, from the item limit to its actual expenditure and portage. Loot recovery is more difficult. Some blast zone management is required to prevent loot destruction. Mind control and reaction fire become extremely hazardous.

	~~If combined with several~~ other ~~challenges such as no-psi and no alien~~ weapons~~, you may even have to abandon some battle if all ammunition is depleted. Even if it was going entirely in your favour.~~

	~~If you plan to play through to the final mission, allow yourself the use of stun weapons for capture of all the necessary aliens~~.

	== Squad Management ==		== Squad Management ==

Magic9mushroom: /* Geoscape */ rearrangement

2015-05-22T05:41:15Z

Geoscape: rearrangement

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Geoscape==
 ===Funding===
@@ Line 46: / Line 56: @@
 *'''No advanced base modules''' - Do not build [[Hyper-Wave Decoder]]s, [[Psionic Laboratory|Psionic Laboratories]], or the researchable defence systems ([[Laser Defences]], [[Plasma Defences]], [[Fusion Ball Defences]], [[Grav Shield]] and [[Mind Shield]]). None of these are actually necessary in order to win the game, although the lack of Hyper-Wave Decoders and Psi-Labs makes the task much more difficult.
 == Psionics ==

Making the Game Harder - Revision history

Magic9mushroom: I left it up to let other people decide, but honestly the banner's more confusing than helpful at the moment and nobody's edited it in 6 years.

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ fix

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ typo, still :(

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ typo

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ deeeerp

Magic9mushroom: My Procrustean editing is done. I'll leave the decision on removing the "rewrite needed" template, and on whether what I did is actually a good thing, to others.

Magic9mushroom: /* Psionics */ typo

Magic9mushroom: /* Weaponry */ typo

Magic9mushroom: *more chainsaw noises*

Magic9mushroom: /* Geoscape */ rearrangement

Magic9mushroom: more chainsaw noises