Night Missions - Revision history

Hobbes: categorizing

2013-07-23T02:38:55Z

categorizing

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:38, 23 July 2013
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	[[Category:Missions]]		[[Category:Missions]]
	[[Category: Tactics]]		[[Category: Tactics]]
			[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

Ethereal Cereal: /* Alien Nightvision */ add info, slight rewrite

2011-01-30T21:32:46Z

Alien Nightvision: add info, slight rewrite

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:32, 30 January 2011
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	== Alien Nightvision ==		== Alien Nightvision ==
	In full daylight, every unit in the game can see up to 20 tiles away (counting from zero where the unit is standing), not counting obstructions to [[~~Line~~ of sight]].		In full daylight, every unit in the game can see up to 20 tiles away (counting from zero where the unit is standing), not counting obstructions to [[line of sight]].

	At night, your agents and tanks cannot see enemies that stand in dark places. Personal light carried by soldiers illuminates enemies up to 9 tiles away, ''but aliens can still see 20''. '''Aliens always see the full 20''' (and night missions can end in disaster!) Anything you do to improve lighting only affects ''you''. Your flares do not make you more obvious to aliens, etc. - aliens can always see just fine. Aliens under X-com mind control can see 20 tiles away.		At night, your agents and tanks cannot see enemies that stand in dark places. Personal light carried by soldiers illuminates enemies up to 9 tiles away, ''but aliens can still see 20''. '''Aliens always see the full 20''' (and night missions can end in disaster!) Anything you do to improve lighting only affects ''you''. Your flares do not make you more obvious to aliens, etc. - aliens can always see just fine. Aliens under X-com mind control can see 20 tiles away.

	Although dusk or dawn battlescapes ~~clearly have light levels intermediate between day and night~~, there is no visual range in-between~~. It~~ is either 9 or 20. ''(Needs testing: Can the amount of sunlight on the Geoscape somehow be used to accurately determine if you'll wind up with full night or not? Oceans seem to have the clearest delineation... can they be accurately used as "longitudinal indicators"? - [[~~User:MikeTheRed\|MTR~~]])		Although dusk or dawn battlescapes use a darker palette than full daylight, there is no visual range in between day and night: it is either 9 or 20. The [[geoscape]] displays a band of dusk/dawn between day and night areas; when entering combat, you will get daytime visibility in the lighter half of this band and night in the darker half.

	~~''I tried some time ago to create~~ a ~~check~~ between ~~GEOSCAPE.EXE~~ and ~~TACTICAL.EXE (for automatic~~ night~~/day uniform camouflage change). Unfortunately~~, ~~MISSDAT directory doesn't have BGLOB.DAT file (which stores ambient light value), and I went out~~ of ~~ideas. Probably it is calculated from battle time~~ and ~~coordinates~~. ~~--Quantifier~~

	Note that visual range and lighting rules ignore elevation levels. If you can see 9 (or 20) when both you and your visual target are on the ground, you will also be able to see them when you're flying 4 stories high and they're on the ground 9 (or 20) tiles away, ignoring vertical distance. Elevation differences do not add to distance for vision and lighting.		Note that visual range and lighting rules ignore elevation levels. If you can see 9 (or 20) when both you and your visual target are on the ground, you will also be able to see them when you're flying 4 stories high and they're on the ground 9 (or 20) tiles away, ignoring vertical distance. Elevation differences do not add to distance for vision and lighting.

Bomb Bloke: MCD/TERRAIN link corrections in progress...

2010-06-27T08:01:11Z

MCD/TERRAIN link corrections in progress...

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:01, 27 June 2010
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	Ones that were checked (street lamp and liquid containers) were found to also illuminate aliens within 9 tiles of them, even though these two object types cast very different light. (The street lamp casts a lot of light; the containers only cast a little.) Thus it is presumed that '''all''' light sources give the ability to visualize aliens up to 9 tiles away, regardless of how much light they appear to cast.		Ones that were checked (street lamp and liquid containers) were found to also illuminate aliens within 9 tiles of them, even though these two object types cast very different light. (The street lamp casts a lot of light; the containers only cast a little.) Thus it is presumed that '''all''' light sources give the ability to visualize aliens up to 9 tiles away, regardless of how much light they appear to cast.

	See byte 58 of the [[~~TERRAIN\|~~MCD]] file structure for more info on lighting data.		See byte 58 of the [[MCD]] file structure for more info on lighting data.
	<br clear="all">		<br clear="all">

Zombie: /* Flares */ Removing signature.

2009-09-23T02:29:29Z

Flares: Removing signature.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:29, 23 September 2009
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	Key advantages to flares are that they never "burn out", and they can be picked up and re-thrown, including as part of a [[grenade relay]]. Leapfrogging flares reduces this important count against your [[Known_Bugs#80-item_Limit\|80 item limit]]. Usually one throws them to the places they want to walk to, or which will reveal the most "around corners", but read onward for the most efficient throwing patterns. A key disadvantage of flares is that they are always destroyed by any explosion they're caught within; indeed, they have the weakest [[Explosions#Object_Destruction\|explosion resistance]] of any item in the game. So you might think twice before fragging an alien revealed by a flare - or you might very well not!		Key advantages to flares are that they never "burn out", and they can be picked up and re-thrown, including as part of a [[grenade relay]]. Leapfrogging flares reduces this important count against your [[Known_Bugs#80-item_Limit\|80 item limit]]. Usually one throws them to the places they want to walk to, or which will reveal the most "around corners", but read onward for the most efficient throwing patterns. A key disadvantage of flares is that they are always destroyed by any explosion they're caught within; indeed, they have the weakest [[Explosions#Object_Destruction\|explosion resistance]] of any item in the game. So you might think twice before fragging an alien revealed by a flare - or you might very well not!

	Flares cause a circle of light of effective radius 9 (not counting ground-zero tile), diameter 19 (including GZ). Graphically radius is 15, but at the edge there is not enough light to reveal enemies. They cast the exact same amount/pattern of light as Personal Lighting (below). In real life, something seen in very dim light would probably only be visible to the closest person, but this is not the case in X-COM. If anyone can see an alien, everyone can (as long as they have [[Line of sight]]). (In fact, even if NO ONE can currently see an alien, but someone spotted him during the turn, everyone can see him. Very important for sniping purposes ~~[[User:Jasonred\|Jasonred]] 05:54, 28 February 2009 (CST))~~ I guess everyone's in radio contact.		Flares cause a circle of light of effective radius 9 (not counting ground-zero tile), diameter 19 (including GZ). Graphically radius is 15, but at the edge there is not enough light to reveal enemies. They cast the exact same amount/pattern of light as Personal Lighting (below). In real life, something seen in very dim light would probably only be visible to the closest person, but this is not the case in X-COM. If anyone can see an alien, everyone can (as long as they have [[Line of sight]]). (In fact, even if NO ONE can currently see an alien, but someone spotted him during the turn, everyone can see him. Very important for sniping purposes. I guess everyone's in radio contact.

	Due to the fact that both soldiers and flares have radius 9 light patterns, flares should be thrown approx. 18 tiles away (laterally; less for diagonally) for complete coverage. Of course, this doesn't take into account that you will be moving, etc. Likewise, flares should be about 18 tiles away from each other. A hexagon of flares around a soldier will cause almost complete coverage out to approximately 27 tiles -- further than your visual range.		Due to the fact that both soldiers and flares have radius 9 light patterns, flares should be thrown approx. 18 tiles away (laterally; less for diagonally) for complete coverage. Of course, this doesn't take into account that you will be moving, etc. Likewise, flares should be about 18 tiles away from each other. A hexagon of flares around a soldier will cause almost complete coverage out to approximately 27 tiles -- further than your visual range.

Hajo: /* Flares */

2009-08-10T12:54:41Z

Flares

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 10 August 2009
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	It is possible to see the outline of an alien against a light backdrop if you get lucky, even though no one can "officially" see him (and get the glowing red number). This can happen if, e.g., the alien is elevated. The edge of a lit area (9 tiles from a flare or soldier) is extremely dim, making it impossible to see an alien just in front of an edge. But an elevated alien is in profile against farther, less-dim parts of the illuminated area. It can also happen in situations where an alien is just off to the side of a well-lit area, due to light being blocked from hitting his tile by, e.g., the corner of a building.		It is possible to see the outline of an alien against a light backdrop if you get lucky, even though no one can "officially" see him (and get the glowing red number). This can happen if, e.g., the alien is elevated. The edge of a lit area (9 tiles from a flare or soldier) is extremely dim, making it impossible to see an alien just in front of an edge. But an elevated alien is in profile against farther, less-dim parts of the illuminated area. It can also happen in situations where an alien is just off to the side of a well-lit area, due to light being blocked from hitting his tile by, e.g., the corner of a building.

	Using the [[Throwing_Accuracy#Throwing_Distance\|throwing formula]] vs. flare [[Item_Weight\|weight]] of 3, the weakest soldier ([[Strength\|STR]] 20) can throw a flare approx. 17 tiles, and the strongest soldier (STR 70) can throw it approx. 58 tiles - all the way across even the largest map (except diagonally). BUT, as pointed out by NKF, there is an unfortunate limit on how high an object can go before its arc intercepts the fourth-level "ceiling", which causes the confusing/annoying "Unable to throw here!" message even when the route is obviously clear. Ceiling interception appears to make the actual maximum throwing distance approx. 35 tiles. ''(More testing needed, pls.)'' Unfortunately, the stronger you are, a greater percentage of your possible distance gets clipped, but even fairly weak soldiers may see some clipping. ''(THAT'S why we often get this frustrating message when trying to throw flares as far as we can!)		Using the [[Throwing_Accuracy#Throwing_Distance\|throwing formula]] vs. flare [[Item_Weight\|weight]] of 3, the weakest soldier ([[Strength\|STR]] 20) can throw a flare approx. 17 tiles, and the strongest soldier (STR 70) can throw it approx. 58 tiles - all the way across even the largest map (except diagonally). BUT, as pointed out by NKF, there is an unfortunate limit on how high an object can go before its arc intercepts the fourth-level "ceiling", which causes the confusing/annoying "Unable to throw here!" message even when the route is obviously clear. Ceiling interception appears to make the actual maximum throwing distance approx. 35 tiles. ''(More testing needed, pls.)''
			<br>
			Unfortunately, the stronger you are, a greater percentage of your possible distance gets clipped, but even fairly weak soldiers may see some clipping. ''(THAT'S why we often get this frustrating message when trying to throw flares as far as we can!)

	As a parlor game: Flares illuminate 269 tiles (see inset).		As a parlor game: Flares illuminate 269 tiles (see inset).

Hajo: /* Flares */

2009-08-10T12:53:24Z

Flares

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:53, 10 August 2009
Line 27:		Line 27:
	It is possible to see the outline of an alien against a light backdrop if you get lucky, even though no one can "officially" see him (and get the glowing red number). This can happen if, e.g., the alien is elevated. The edge of a lit area (9 tiles from a flare or soldier) is extremely dim, making it impossible to see an alien just in front of an edge. But an elevated alien is in profile against farther, less-dim parts of the illuminated area. It can also happen in situations where an alien is just off to the side of a well-lit area, due to light being blocked from hitting his tile by, e.g., the corner of a building.		It is possible to see the outline of an alien against a light backdrop if you get lucky, even though no one can "officially" see him (and get the glowing red number). This can happen if, e.g., the alien is elevated. The edge of a lit area (9 tiles from a flare or soldier) is extremely dim, making it impossible to see an alien just in front of an edge. But an elevated alien is in profile against farther, less-dim parts of the illuminated area. It can also happen in situations where an alien is just off to the side of a well-lit area, due to light being blocked from hitting his tile by, e.g., the corner of a building.

	Using the [[Throwing_Accuracy#Throwing_Distance\|throwing formula]] vs. flare [[Item_Weight\|weight]] of 3, the weakest soldier ([[Strength\|STR]] 20) can throw a flare approx. 17 tiles, and the strongest soldier (STR 70) can throw it approx. 58 tiles - all the way across even the largest map (except diagonally). BUT, as pointed out by NKF, there is an unfortunate limit on how high an object can go before its arc intercepts the fourth-level "ceiling", which causes the confusing/annoying "Unable to throw here!" message even when the route is obviously clear. Ceiling interception appears to make the actual maximum throwing distance approx. 35 tiles. ''(More testing needed, pls.)'' Unfortunately, the stronger you are, ~~the more~~ a ~~percent~~ of your possible distance gets clipped, but even fairly weak soldiers may see some clipping. ''(THAT'S why we often get this frustrating message when trying to throw flares as far as we can!)		Using the [[Throwing_Accuracy#Throwing_Distance\|throwing formula]] vs. flare [[Item_Weight\|weight]] of 3, the weakest soldier ([[Strength\|STR]] 20) can throw a flare approx. 17 tiles, and the strongest soldier (STR 70) can throw it approx. 58 tiles - all the way across even the largest map (except diagonally). BUT, as pointed out by NKF, there is an unfortunate limit on how high an object can go before its arc intercepts the fourth-level "ceiling", which causes the confusing/annoying "Unable to throw here!" message even when the route is obviously clear. Ceiling interception appears to make the actual maximum throwing distance approx. 35 tiles. ''(More testing needed, pls.)'' Unfortunately, the stronger you are, a greater percentage of your possible distance gets clipped, but even fairly weak soldiers may see some clipping. ''(THAT'S why we often get this frustrating message when trying to throw flares as far as we can!)

	As a parlor game: Flares illuminate 269 tiles (see inset). Small maps (4x4 [[Module\|tilesets]] for small and medium scouts) have 1,600 tiles and would need 5.9 flares to totally cover them, using the extremely simple (and unrealistic) math of 1600/269. Large maps (5x5) have 2,500 tiles and would need 9.3 flares to totally cover them. This does not take into account any issues of properly joining/overlapping the patterns, etc., nor that your soldiers or other sources produce light. Anyway, there it is.		As a parlor game: Flares illuminate 269 tiles (see inset).
			Small maps (4x4 [[Module\|tilesets]] for small and medium scouts) have 1,600 tiles and would need 5.9 flares to totally cover them, using the extremely simple (and unrealistic) math of 1600/269.
			Large maps (5x5) have 2,500 tiles and would need 9.3 flares to totally cover them.
			This does not take into account any issues of properly joining/overlapping the patterns, etc., nor that your soldiers or other sources produce light.
			Anyway, there it is.
	(Using the information from [http://www.stetson.edu/~efriedma/circovsqu/ here] we can show that a small map would require 9-10 flares for full coverage, a large map 15-16. So now you know.)		(Using the information from [http://www.stetson.edu/~efriedma/circovsqu/ here] we can show that a small map would require 9-10 flares for full coverage, a large map 15-16. So now you know.)

	For what it's worth, flares that are dropped or picked up do not change their light status until the start of the next turn. To wit: If you drop a flare and walk away, it does not give illumination until the next turn. (Not that it matters, since your soldier had the same range-9 lighting as the flare when he was standing there.) And if you pick up a flare and walk away, its lighting remains behind until next turn. Conversely, if flares are [[Throwing Accuracy\|thrown]], they do immediately light up their area.		For what it's worth, flares that are dropped or picked up do not change their light status until the start of the next turn.
			To wit: If you drop a flare and walk away, it does not give illumination until the next turn. (Not that it matters, since your soldier had the same range-9 lighting as the flare when he was standing there.)
			And if you pick up a flare and walk away, its lighting remains behind until next turn.
			Conversely, if flares are [[Throwing Accuracy\|thrown]], they do immediately light up their area.

	== Personal lighting ==		== Personal lighting ==

Jasonred: Someone said so, I shall double check once I get psi in my current game.

2009-03-15T12:39:43Z

Someone said so, I shall double check once I get psi in my current game.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 15 March 2009
Line 8:		Line 8:
	In full daylight, every unit in the game can see up to 20 tiles away (counting from zero where the unit is standing), not counting obstructions to [[Line of sight]].		In full daylight, every unit in the game can see up to 20 tiles away (counting from zero where the unit is standing), not counting obstructions to [[Line of sight]].

	At night, your ~~units~~ cannot see enemies that stand in dark places. Personal light carried by soldiers illuminates enemies up to 9 tiles away, ''but aliens can still see 20''. '''Aliens always see the full 20''' (and night missions can end in disaster!) Anything you do to improve lighting only affects ''you''. Your flares do not make you more obvious to aliens, etc. - aliens can always see just fine.		At night, your agents and tanks cannot see enemies that stand in dark places. Personal light carried by soldiers illuminates enemies up to 9 tiles away, ''but aliens can still see 20''. '''Aliens always see the full 20''' (and night missions can end in disaster!) Anything you do to improve lighting only affects ''you''. Your flares do not make you more obvious to aliens, etc. - aliens can always see just fine. Aliens under X-com mind control can see 20 tiles away.

	Although dusk or dawn battlescapes clearly have light levels intermediate between day and night, there is no visual range in-between. It is either 9 or 20. ''(Needs testing: Can the amount of sunlight on the Geoscape somehow be used to accurately determine if you'll wind up with full night or not? Oceans seem to have the clearest delineation... can they be accurately used as "longitudinal indicators"? - [[User:MikeTheRed\|MTR]])		Although dusk or dawn battlescapes clearly have light levels intermediate between day and night, there is no visual range in-between. It is either 9 or 20. ''(Needs testing: Can the amount of sunlight on the Geoscape somehow be used to accurately determine if you'll wind up with full night or not? Oceans seem to have the clearest delineation... can they be accurately used as "longitudinal indicators"? - [[User:MikeTheRed\|MTR]])

Jasonred: /* Flares */

2009-02-28T11:54:02Z

Flares

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 28 February 2009
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	Key advantages to flares are that they never "burn out", and they can be picked up and re-thrown, including as part of a [[grenade relay]]. Leapfrogging flares reduces this important count against your [[Known_Bugs#80-item_Limit\|80 item limit]]. Usually one throws them to the places they want to walk to, or which will reveal the most "around corners", but read onward for the most efficient throwing patterns. A key disadvantage of flares is that they are always destroyed by any explosion they're caught within; indeed, they have the weakest [[Explosions#Object_Destruction\|explosion resistance]] of any item in the game. So you might think twice before fragging an alien revealed by a flare - or you might very well not!		Key advantages to flares are that they never "burn out", and they can be picked up and re-thrown, including as part of a [[grenade relay]]. Leapfrogging flares reduces this important count against your [[Known_Bugs#80-item_Limit\|80 item limit]]. Usually one throws them to the places they want to walk to, or which will reveal the most "around corners", but read onward for the most efficient throwing patterns. A key disadvantage of flares is that they are always destroyed by any explosion they're caught within; indeed, they have the weakest [[Explosions#Object_Destruction\|explosion resistance]] of any item in the game. So you might think twice before fragging an alien revealed by a flare - or you might very well not!

	Flares cause a circle of light of effective radius 9 (not counting ground-zero tile), diameter 19 (including GZ). Graphically radius is 15, but at the edge there is not enough light to reveal enemies. They cast the exact same amount/pattern of light as Personal Lighting (below). In real life, something seen in very dim light would probably only be visible to the closest person, but this is not the case in X-COM. If anyone can see an alien, everyone can (as long as they have [[Line of sight]]). I guess everyone's in radio contact.		Flares cause a circle of light of effective radius 9 (not counting ground-zero tile), diameter 19 (including GZ). Graphically radius is 15, but at the edge there is not enough light to reveal enemies. They cast the exact same amount/pattern of light as Personal Lighting (below). In real life, something seen in very dim light would probably only be visible to the closest person, but this is not the case in X-COM. If anyone can see an alien, everyone can (as long as they have [[Line of sight]]). (In fact, even if NO ONE can currently see an alien, but someone spotted him during the turn, everyone can see him. Very important for sniping purposes [[User:Jasonred\|Jasonred]] 05:54, 28 February 2009 (CST)) I guess everyone's in radio contact.

	Due to the fact that both soldiers and flares have radius 9 light patterns, flares should be thrown approx. 18 tiles away (laterally; less for diagonally) for complete coverage. Of course, this doesn't take into account that you will be moving, etc. Likewise, flares should be about 18 tiles away from each other. A hexagon of flares around a soldier will cause almost complete coverage out to approximately 27 tiles -- further than your visual range.		Due to the fact that both soldiers and flares have radius 9 light patterns, flares should be thrown approx. 18 tiles away (laterally; less for diagonally) for complete coverage. Of course, this doesn't take into account that you will be moving, etc. Likewise, flares should be about 18 tiles away from each other. A hexagon of flares around a soldier will cause almost complete coverage out to approximately 27 tiles -- further than your visual range.

Zombie: /* Incendiaries */ Relinking.

2008-12-18T00:12:22Z

Incendiaries: Relinking.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:12, 18 December 2008
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	Pattern around map tile on fire is identical to those of flares and personal light.		Pattern around map tile on fire is identical to those of flares and personal light.

	Load up the [[Auto Cannon]] with Incendiary before starting the mission. Use on snap-shot to light up the depths of the map, further than flares can be thrown. Give the soldier a back-up pistol. Incendiary ammo is also available for the [[Heavy Cannon]] and [[Rocket Launcher]], but the Auto Cannon's fast shot makes it best for the mission - a soldier can still use his pistol the same turn. Incendiary rounds detonated into the canopy of a forest will still cast light on the ground but without the troublesome fires which hinder movement.		Load up the [[Auto-Cannon]] with Incendiary before starting the mission. Use on snap-shot to light up the depths of the map, further than flares can be thrown. Give the soldier a back-up pistol. Incendiary ammo is also available for the [[Heavy Cannon]] and [[Rocket Launcher]], but the Auto Cannon's fast shot makes it best for the mission - a soldier can still use his pistol the same turn. Incendiary rounds detonated into the canopy of a forest will still cast light on the ground but without the troublesome fires which hinder movement.

	Enemy units on fire do not provide any light.		Enemy units on fire do not provide any light.

Patashu: /* Flares */

2008-11-09T04:43:34Z

Flares

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:43, 9 November 2008
Line 30:		Line 30:

	As a parlor game: Flares illuminate 269 tiles (see inset). Small maps (4x4 [[Module\|tilesets]] for small and medium scouts) have 1,600 tiles and would need 5.9 flares to totally cover them, using the extremely simple (and unrealistic) math of 1600/269. Large maps (5x5) have 2,500 tiles and would need 9.3 flares to totally cover them. This does not take into account any issues of properly joining/overlapping the patterns, etc., nor that your soldiers or other sources produce light. Anyway, there it is.		As a parlor game: Flares illuminate 269 tiles (see inset). Small maps (4x4 [[Module\|tilesets]] for small and medium scouts) have 1,600 tiles and would need 5.9 flares to totally cover them, using the extremely simple (and unrealistic) math of 1600/269. Large maps (5x5) have 2,500 tiles and would need 9.3 flares to totally cover them. This does not take into account any issues of properly joining/overlapping the patterns, etc., nor that your soldiers or other sources produce light. Anyway, there it is.
			(Using the information from [http://www.stetson.edu/~efriedma/circovsqu/ here] we can show that a small map would require 9-10 flares for full coverage, a large map 15-16. So now you know.)

	For what it's worth, flares that are dropped or picked up do not change their light status until the start of the next turn. To wit: If you drop a flare and walk away, it does not give illumination until the next turn. (Not that it matters, since your soldier had the same range-9 lighting as the flare when he was standing there.) And if you pick up a flare and walk away, its lighting remains behind until next turn. Conversely, if flares are [[Throwing Accuracy\|thrown]], they do immediately light up their area.		For what it's worth, flares that are dropped or picked up do not change their light status until the start of the next turn. To wit: If you drop a flare and walk away, it does not give illumination until the next turn. (Not that it matters, since your soldier had the same range-9 lighting as the flare when he was standing there.) And if you pick up a flare and walk away, its lighting remains behind until next turn. Conversely, if flares are [[Throwing Accuracy\|thrown]], they do immediately light up their area.