Yet Another Scheme - Revision history

Schnobs: slight rewrite, nothing really new.

2015-03-15T15:04:50Z

slight rewrite, nothing really new.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 15 March 2015
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	* It's loot that pays your bills. So you want to seize as many ships as possible, preferably intact. You will need good troops, and good detection. The latter is a bit difficult to have in the early game, and hence takes up most of this guide.		* It's loot that pays your bills. So you want to seize as many ships as possible, preferably intact. You will need good troops, and good detection. The latter is a bit difficult to have in the early game, and hence takes up most of this guide.

			* You need to take on almost every alien vessel you become aware of. Depending on your personality, dealing with the umpteenth small scout can be a chore, and the overall gameplay experience may become positively boring.


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	At the beginning of the game, do the usual run-of-the-mill stuff: sell gear you don't need, purchase stuff you want. Build a few base facilities. However, you should maybe be a bit more radical than usual about the abilities of the soldiers you hire. You will fight a great many battles, and this will be much less frustrating if you have good troops.		At the beginning of the game, do the usual run-of-the-mill stuff: sell gear you don't need, purchase stuff you want. Build a few base facilities. However, you should maybe be a bit more radical than usual about the abilities of the soldiers you hire. You will fight a great many battles, and this will be much less frustrating if you have good troops.

	Personally, I consider reactions to be far and away the most important stat. Of course, the soldiers should have some firing accuracy as well. ~~However, mediocre~~ marksmanship can be mitigated to a great extent, and will improve soon enough. The same is true for Time Units and Strength. But there's no way to fake reactions, and training is difficult or virtually impossible if your soldiers don't have high values to begin with.		Personally, I consider reactions to be far and away the most important stat. Of course, the soldiers should have some firing accuracy as well. Mediocre marksmanship can be mitigated to a great extent, and will improve soon enough. The same is true for Time Units and Strength. But there's no way to fake reactions, and training is difficult or virtually impossible if your soldiers don't have high values to begin with.

	However, there will be casualties; and loosing one of your precious hand-picked squaddies will be even more frustrating. So it's maybe a good idea to have a few [http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/2007/09/ensign-expendable.html Ensign Expendables] around.		However, there will be casualties; and loosing one of your precious hand-picked squaddies will be even more frustrating. So it's maybe a good idea to have a few [http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/2007/09/ensign-expendable.html Ensign Expendables] around.
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	No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.		No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.

	Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: every month, they will start one or two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a ~~survey ship~~ (~~that maybe~~ doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to eight. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the follow-up mission will be delayed a few days.		Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: every month, they will start one or two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a small scout or two (the first one ussuall doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to eight. If you manage to intercept and/or capture one UFO, the follow-up mission will be delayed a few days, but the aliens will eventually pull through with their mission, even when not a single scout ever returns.


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	* Laser Rifles		* Laser Rifles
	:~~You really need that firepower~~.		:If you don't know why, this guide is not for you.

	* Psi Labs		* Psi Labs
	:~~Usually,~~ PSI-~~capable aliens don~~'t ~~show~~ up ~~until three or four months into the game~~. ~~Researching and building Psi-Labs,~~ then ~~finally assessing your soldiers~~, ~~this all takes time &ndash~~; ~~your squaddies~~ will ~~have numerous missions under their belly with everyone being a super-hero by~~ the ~~time~~ you ~~find out that half of them are duds after all~~. If one of the early terror missions is Sectoid, capturing the leader becomes the primary objective, simply because it will save you several months until you get your first Psi-Lab report. All troopers are expendable, all other research secondary – get those darn labs.		:It stands to reason that you want to have your first Psi-Lab report as soon as possible: After the first round of PSI-screening, it usually turns out that about half your soldiers can't stand up to mind controlling aliens. By then, every trooper who's still with you will be a skilled veteran; sacking them will be painful, and training new recruits to the standard you've come to expect will be quite a chore. If one of the early terror missions is Sectoid, capturing the leader becomes the primary objective, simply because it will save you several months until you get your first Psi-Lab report. All troopers are expendable, all other research secondary – get those darn labs.

	* Hyper-Wave Decoder		* Hyper-Wave Decoder
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	* Armour		* Armour
	:Although armour is ~~vital~~, it's not top of the list: getting it ~~two weeks~~ sooner or later really means only one or two more missions you will need to fight without. So you can relax – a bit. Although Body Armour is still insufficient, you should hand out at least some of these while waiting for Flight Suits. You may safely skip Power Suits, though.		:Although armour is important, it's not top of the list: getting it a little sooner or later really means only one or two more missions you will need to fight without. So you can relax – a bit. Although Body Armour is still insufficient, you should hand out at least some of these while waiting for Flight Suits. You may safely skip Power Suits, though.

	* Mind Probe		* Mind Probe
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	* Laser Cannon		* Laser Cannon
	: The sole use of Laser Cannon is to give your engineers something to do while you have no other assignments; as long as you have only comparatively few technicians, you won't lose much if you busy them with (say) Laser Pistols instead.		: The sole use of Laser Cannon is to give your engineers something to do while you have no other assignments; as long as you have only comparatively few technicians, you won't lose much if you busy them with (say) Laser Pistols instead.


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	===Random Tips===		===Random Tips===
	* ~~You really need that cash from the umpteenth small scout, but playing so~~ many battles can become tedious; you may want to check out [[XcomUtil]], if only for it's "AutoCombat" feature. Although I found Statstrings invaluable, too.		* Playing many battles can become tedious once your soldiers are skilled and well-equipped; you may want to check out [[XcomUtil]], if only for it's "AutoCombat" feature. Although I found Statstrings invaluable, too.

	* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, ~~you shouldn't ask whether you will need~~ it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. ~~Will~~ you ~~really research that power source this week, or the next? If the answer is no~~, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. ~~The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy~~ you ~~another listening post~~, ~~hire more staff~~, ~~or whatnot~~.		* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, the question is not if it might come in handy someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. If you don't, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. There's no point in stockpiling power supplies or even alien alloys, certainly not in January and arguably not even later in the game. By the time you get to build your own craft, you'll seize about one scout per week, and at least two large vessels per month. You may even find yourself holding excess Elerium-115.

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

Hobbes: categorizing

2013-07-23T03:08:48Z

categorizing

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:08, 23 July 2013
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	* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, you shouldn't ask whether you will need it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. Will you really research that power source this week, or the next? If the answer is no, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy you another listening post, hire more staff, or whatnot.		* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, you shouldn't ask whether you will need it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. Will you really research that power source this week, or the next? If the answer is no, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy you another listening post, hire more staff, or whatnot.

			[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

Skorkmaz: /* The way of the Privateer */

2010-01-04T10:36:43Z

The way of the Privateer

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:36, 4 January 2010
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	Many players try to get a steady production of Laser Cannon off the ground as soon as possible, and fund further activities with the revenue stream from their factories. That's nice and fine and works a treat; however, it's cheesy. Besides, X-Com was founded in order to fight the aliens, not as an arms producer.		Many players try to get a steady production of Laser Cannon off the ground as soon as possible, and fund further activities with the revenue stream from their factories. That's nice and fine and works a treat; however, it's cheesy. Besides, X-Com was founded in order to fight the aliens, not as an arms producer.

	Your funding fathers provided you with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque letter of marque] entitling you to intercept, seize, and sell any alien vessel you might encounter. Prizes can generate quite an revenue stream, even a small scout will easily yield over one million. Unfortunately, privateering is not as easy to pull off as just building a number of workshops and (in effect) printing your own money. This guide tries to point out some of the difficulties you may encounter, and how to deal with them.		Your funding fathers provided you with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque letter of marque] entitling you to intercept, seize, and sell any alien vessel you might encounter. Prizes can generate quite a revenue stream, even a small scout will easily yield over one million. Unfortunately, privateering is not as easy to pull off as just building a number of workshops and (in effect) printing your own money. This guide tries to point out some of the difficulties you may encounter, and how to deal with them.

	'''Quick Overview:'''		'''Quick Overview:'''

Schnobs at 16:36, 6 January 2009

2009-01-06T16:36:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 6 January 2009
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	'''Quick Overview:'''		'''Quick Overview:'''
	* You don't produce stuff only for the purpose of selling it. This means you can get along with much fewer workshops; this, in turn, allows you to hire more scientists instead and get ~~you~~ research done faster.		* You don't produce stuff only for the purpose of selling it. This means you can get along with much fewer workshops; this, in turn, allows you to hire more scientists instead and get research done faster.

	* It's loot that pays your bills. So you want to seize as many ships as possible, preferably intact. You will need good troops, and good detection. The latter is ~~the most~~ difficult ~~part~~ in the early game.		* It's loot that pays your bills. So you want to seize as many ships as possible, preferably intact. You will need good troops, and good detection. The latter is a bit difficult to have in the early game, and hence takes up most of this guide.


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	No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.		No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.

	Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will ~~perform~~ one or ~~(at best)~~ two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to eight. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the follow-up mission will be delayed a few days.		Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: every month, they will start one or two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to eight. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the follow-up mission will be delayed a few days.


	===The UFO activity graph===		===The UFO activity graph===

Zombie: Minor spelling changes.

2009-01-04T19:48:19Z

Minor spelling changes.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:48, 4 January 2009
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	===Patrols===		===Patrols===

	Once you know the approximate area where the enemy will ~~cunduct~~ it's missions for the month, send some of your craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be anything from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a pretty decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.		Once you know the approximate area where the enemy will conduct it's missions for the month, send some of your craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be anything from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a pretty decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.

	It's a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger, you may even consider to go without any Interceptor at all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in one piece, and two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas.		It's a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger, you may even consider to go without any Interceptor at all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in one piece, and two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas.
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	===Listening Posts===		===Listening Posts===

	Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. At ~~approximatly~~ 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've got the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service.		Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. At approximately 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've got the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service.

	Patrols work very well, and will go a long way. It's possible to play and win a game without any ground-based detection systems at all. But in the long run, Hyper-Wave Decoders are so much more convenient.		Patrols work very well, and will go a long way. It's possible to play and win a game without any ground-based detection systems at all. But in the long run, Hyper-Wave Decoders are so much more convenient.
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	Research is more important, though. Weapons, armour, Hyper-Wave Decoder, Psi Labs: you want all of these as soon as possible. Any spare penny should go into the construction of more labs and hiring more scientists.		Research is more important, though. Weapons, armour, Hyper-Wave Decoder, Psi Labs: you want all of these as soon as possible. Any spare penny should go into the construction of more labs and hiring more scientists.

	However, that is "any ''spare'' penny": detection is even more important. The best equipment will do you no good if you can't find any aliens to use it on. The decision ~~wether~~ you can afford scientists because the current radar coverage should do for a while is part of what makes privateering fun.		However, that is "any ''spare'' penny": detection is even more important. The best equipment will do you no good if you can't find any aliens to use it on. The decision whether you can afford scientists because the current radar coverage should do for a while is part of what makes privateering fun.

	===High-priority research tasks:===		===High-priority research tasks:===
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	===Development===		===Development===

	Most bases can be mere listening posts, consisting of nothing but the ~~acess~~ lift and a small radar at first. You certainly want to add Hyper-Wave Decoders as soon as possible, but those cost a lot of money and it may take a while. However, you should build a string of general stores at your first listening post: when the time comes you can quickly expand this to a large production plant. Research is best left at your initial base.		Most bases can be mere listening posts, consisting of nothing but the access lift and a small radar at first. You certainly want to add Hyper-Wave Decoders as soon as possible, but those cost a lot of money and it may take a while. However, you should build a string of general stores at your first listening post: when the time comes you can quickly expand this to a large production plant. Research is best left at your initial base.

	Later you may want to station a number of Firestorms at every base, but that's beyond the scope of this document.		Later you may want to station a number of Firestorms at every base, but that's beyond the scope of this document.
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	* You really need that cash from the umpteenth small scout, but playing so many battles can become tedious; you may want to check out [[XcomUtil]], if only for it's "AutoCombat" feature. Although I found Statstrings invaluable, too.		* You really need that cash from the umpteenth small scout, but playing so many battles can become tedious; you may want to check out [[XcomUtil]], if only for it's "AutoCombat" feature. Although I found Statstrings invaluable, too.

	* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, you shouldn't ask ~~wether~~ you will need it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. Will you really ~~reseach~~ that power source this week, or the next? If the answer is no, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy you another listening post, hire more staff, or whatnot.		* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, you shouldn't ask whether you will need it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. Will you really research that power source this week, or the next? If the answer is no, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy you another listening post, hire more staff, or whatnot.

Schnobs at 19:45, 4 January 2009

2009-01-04T19:45:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:45, 4 January 2009
Line 3:		Line 3:
	Many players try to get a steady production of Laser Cannon off the ground as soon as possible, and fund further activities with the revenue stream from their factories. That's nice and fine and works a treat; however, it's cheesy. Besides, X-Com was founded in order to fight the aliens, not as an arms producer.		Many players try to get a steady production of Laser Cannon off the ground as soon as possible, and fund further activities with the revenue stream from their factories. That's nice and fine and works a treat; however, it's cheesy. Besides, X-Com was founded in order to fight the aliens, not as an arms producer.

	Your funding fathers provided you with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque letter of marque] entitling you to intercept, seize, and sell any alien vessel you might encounter. Prizes can generate quite an revenue stream, even a small scout will easily yield over one million. Unfortunately, privateering is not as easy to pull off as just building a number of workshops and (in effect) ~~print~~ your own money. This guide tries to point out some of the difficulties you may encounter, and how to deal with them.		Your funding fathers provided you with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque letter of marque] entitling you to intercept, seize, and sell any alien vessel you might encounter. Prizes can generate quite an revenue stream, even a small scout will easily yield over one million. Unfortunately, privateering is not as easy to pull off as just building a number of workshops and (in effect) printing your own money. This guide tries to point out some of the difficulties you may encounter, and how to deal with them.

			'''Quick Overview:'''
			* You don't produce stuff only for the purpose of selling it. This means you can get along with much fewer workshops; this, in turn, allows you to hire more scientists instead and get you research done faster.

			* It's loot that pays your bills. So you want to seize as many ships as possible, preferably intact. You will need good troops, and good detection. The latter is the most difficult part in the early game.


	==Immediate measures==		==Immediate measures==
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	No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.		No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.

	Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. ~~With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.~~		Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to eight. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the follow-up mission will be delayed a few days.

	Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to ~~two months~~. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the ~~time until the next one shows~~ up will ~~increase~~ a ~~bit~~.

	===The UFO activity graph===		===The UFO activity graph===
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	With the world so large and your funds still limited, perhaps the best you can do ist to pay close attention to the Graphs. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks.		With the world so large and your funds still limited, perhaps the best you can do ist to pay close attention to the Graphs. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks.

	Over the course of the ~~moth~~, the graph will become more difficult to read; the more so if there already is an alien base anywhere on earth. However, the first few UFOs in any given month will stick out.		Over the course of the month, the graph will become more difficult to read; the more so if there already is an alien base anywhere on earth. However, the first few UFOs in any given month will stick out.

	===Patrols===		===Patrols===

	Once you know the approximate area where the enemy is, send some of your craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be anything from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a pretty decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.		Once you know the approximate area where the enemy will cunduct it's missions for the month, send some of your craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be anything from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a pretty decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.

	It's a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger, you may even consider to go without any Interceptor at all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in one piece, and two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas.		It's a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger, you may even consider to go without any Interceptor at all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in one piece, and two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas.
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	==Research and Production==		==Research and Production==

	If you do not want to ~~build~~ Laser Cannon for for money, you will only need a small number of technicians to provide necessary equipment for your troops: a few laser weapons, armour and (maybe) a handful of medikits. The one workshop you begin with will suffice for a long time, up to and including the production of Flying Suits: it will take about a fortnight to make ten of these. You only really need more production capacity once you have found out how to build your own craft.		If you do not want to mass-produce Laser Cannon for for money, you will only need a small number of technicians to provide necessary equipment for your troops: a few laser weapons, armour and (maybe) a handful of medikits. The one workshop you begin with will suffice for a long time, up to and including the production of Flying Suits: it will take about a fortnight to make ten of these. You only really need more production capacity once you have found out how to build your own craft.

	Research is more important, though. Weapons, armour, Hyper-Wave Decoder, Psi Labs: you want all of these as soon as possible. Any spare penny should go into the construction of more labs and hiring more scientists.		Research is more important, though. Weapons, armour, Hyper-Wave Decoder, Psi Labs: you want all of these as soon as possible. Any spare penny should go into the construction of more labs and hiring more scientists.
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	* Mind Probe		* Mind Probe
	:Mind Probes take a long time to research, and are generally rather useless. After all, you can predict with reasonable accuracy that the interesting aliens will be on the bridge of any given UFO. However, there's one scenario where Mind Probes can make all the difference: when you try to pick out the leader on a sectoid terror site. This may never become necessary, though; and even if, it's not guaranteed that it will lead to success (with all those cyberdiscs around, the leader may die in an accidental explosion or whatnot). Research of Mind Probes should hence either be high on the queue or postponed until your scientists ~~haven't anything~~ else to do.		:Mind Probes take a long time to research, and are generally rather useless. After all, you can predict with reasonable accuracy that the interesting aliens will be on the bridge of any given UFO. However, there's one scenario where Mind Probes can make all the difference: when you try to pick out the leader on a sectoid terror site. This may never become necessary, though; and even if, it's not guaranteed that it will lead to success (with all those cyberdiscs around, the leader may die in an accidental explosion or whatnot). Research of Mind Probes should hence either be high on the queue or postponed until your scientists have nothing else to do.

	===What you don't need just now===		===What you don't need just now===

Schnobs at 09:35, 10 April 2008

2008-04-10T09:35:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:35, 10 April 2008
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	===Listening Posts===		===Listening Posts===

	Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. ~~However, at~~ approximatly 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've got the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service.		Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. At approximatly 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've got the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service.

	Patrols work very well, will go a long way. It's possible to play and win a game without any ground-based detection systems at all. But in the long run, ~~they're~~ so much more convenient.		Patrols work very well, and will go a long way. It's possible to play and win a game without any ground-based detection systems at all. But in the long run, Hyper-Wave Decoders are so much more convenient.

	===The February Famine===		===The February Famine===
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	* Psi Labs		* Psi Labs
	:If one of the early terror missions is Sectoid, capturing the leader becomes the primary objective. ~~Then drop~~ all other research ~~and try to~~ get ~~Psi Labs researched and built in time for the next 1st~~.		:Usually, PSI-capable aliens don't show up until three or four months into the game. Researching and building Psi-Labs, then finally assessing your soldiers, this all takes time – your squaddies will have numerous missions under their belly with everyone being a super-hero by the time you find out that half of them are duds after all. If one of the early terror missions is Sectoid, capturing the leader becomes the primary objective, simply because it will save you several months until you get your first Psi-Lab report. All troopers are expendable, all other research secondary – get those darn labs.

	* Hyper-Wave Decoder		* Hyper-Wave Decoder
	:The latest and best in Alien Detection. You want it anyway; getting it early will save lots of cash you don't need to spend on soon obsolete radar systems. It requires you capture a live navigator, but that's usually not that hard to pull off.		:The latest and best in Alien Detection. You want it anyway; getting it early will save lots of cash you don't need to spend on (soon obsolete) radar systems. It requires you capture a live navigator, but that's usually not that hard to pull off.

	* Armour		* Armour
	:Although armour is vital, it's not top of the list: getting it two weeks sooner or later really means only one or two more missions you will need to fight without. So you can relax – a bit. Although Body Armour is still insufficient, you should hand out at least some of these while waiting for Flight Suits. ~~I usually don't manufacture~~ Power Suits, though.		:Although armour is vital, it's not top of the list: getting it two weeks sooner or later really means only one or two more missions you will need to fight without. So you can relax – a bit. Although Body Armour is still insufficient, you should hand out at least some of these while waiting for Flight Suits. You may safely skip Power Suits, though.

	* Mind Probe		* Mind Probe
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	===Placement===		===Placement===

	South Italy, Crete, or east Turkey rank high among the best places for the starting base. For starters, a base there will cover Europe, North Africa and a large part of Central Asia – that's three out of the eleven areas. In addition: provided you detect an UFO early during it's mission, a Europe-based Skyranger can reach any point in ~~Africa,~~ much of the Americas ~~and almost all of Asia~~ before the aliens take off and leave for good. Alaska, Chile and Malaysia mark about the outer fringe ~~where you may still reach at least some UFOs in time~~.		South Italy, Crete, or east Turkey rank high among the best places for the starting base. For starters, a base there will cover Europe, North Africa and a large part of Central Asia – that's three out of the eleven areas. In addition: provided you detect an UFO early during it's mission, a Europe-based Skyranger can reach any point in the old world and much of the Americas in time before the aliens take off and leave for good. Alaska, Chile and Malaysia mark about the outer fringe.

	If you're unlucky the Aliens will schedule a mission in Australasia. Your only chance is to build a base complete with hangar, quarters etc and either relocate your squad or hire a wholly new one. Yes, that's a lot of dough, but ultimately worth it. If you manage to ~~take~~ a single Harvester that way, the bill is paid.		If you're unlucky the Aliens will schedule a mission in Australasia. Your only chance is to build a base complete with hangar, quarters etc and either relocate your squad or hire a wholly new one. Yes, that's a lot of dough, but ultimately worth it. If you manage to seize a single Harvester that way, the bill is paid.

	===Development===		===Development===
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	* You really need that cash from the umpteenth small scout, but playing so many battles can become tedious; you may want to check out [[XcomUtil]], if only for it's "AutoCombat" feature. Although I found Statstrings invaluable, too.		* You really need that cash from the umpteenth small scout, but playing so many battles can become tedious; you may want to check out [[XcomUtil]], if only for it's "AutoCombat" feature. Although I found Statstrings invaluable, too.

	* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, you shouldn't ask wether you will need it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy you another listening post, hire more staff, or whatnot.		* Sell the loot! For every item in storage, you shouldn't ask wether you will need it someday, but if you will need it anytime soon. Will you really reseach that power source this week, or the next? If the answer is no, then by all means sell it: you'll recover another one soon enough. The habit of keeping "one of everything" ties up a lot of cash; money that could buy you another listening post, hire more staff, or whatnot.

Schnobs: /* Find the Enemy */

2007-11-11T11:13:29Z

Find the Enemy

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 11 November 2007
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	Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.		Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.

	Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then ~~small~~ and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to two months. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the time until the next one ~~arrives~~ will increase a bit.		Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then medium and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to two months. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the time until the next one shows up will increase a bit.

	===The UFO activity graph===		===The UFO activity graph===
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	With the world so large and your funds still limited, perhaps the best you can do ist to pay close attention to the Graphs. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks.		With the world so large and your funds still limited, perhaps the best you can do ist to pay close attention to the Graphs. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks.

			Over the course of the moth, the graph will become more difficult to read; the more so if there already is an alien base anywhere on earth. However, the first few UFOs in any given month will stick out.

	===Patrols===		===Patrols===
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	===Listening Posts===		===Listening Posts===

	Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. However, at approximatly 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've go the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service. ~~There~~'s ~~no point~~ in ~~rushing~~ the ~~development of a Radar network~~, ~~however, you should still try to somehow build at least one new listening post every month~~.		Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. However, at approximatly 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've got the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service.

			Patrols work very well, will go a long way. It's possible to play and win a game without any ground-based detection systems at all. But in the long run, they're so much more convenient.

	===The February Famine===		===The February Famine===

	For some reason or other, there often appears to be a distinct lack of alien activity in February. Your mileage will vary, of course, depending on what the random number generator spills out. But it's not at all uncommon that there will be a grand total of two or three scouts (plus one terror mission) in the entire month. In short: don't rely on having a high income.		For some reason or other, there often appears to be a distinct lack of alien activity in February. Your mileage will vary, of course, depending on what the random number generator spills out. But it's not at all uncommon that there will be a grand total of only two or three scouts (plus one terror mission) in the entire month. In short: don't rely on having a high income.

	==Research and Production==		==Research and Production==

Schnobs: /* Find the Enemy */

2007-11-01T10:52:26Z

Find the Enemy

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:52, 1 November 2007
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	Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.		Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.

	Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land) then small and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to two months. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the time until the next one arrives will increase a bit.		Alien missions always follow the same basic pattern: first there will be a survey ship (that maybe doesn't even land), then small and large scouts (usually more than one each) until eventually larger craft show up, performing the actual mission. This can all take place within less than three weeks, but usually it takes at least five, sometimes up to two months. If you manage to intercept one UFO, the time until the next one arrives will increase a bit.

	===~~Listening Posts~~===		===The UFO activity graph===

			With the world so large and your funds still limited, perhaps the best you can do ist to pay close attention to the Graphs. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks.

	With that in mind, perhaps the best thing you can do in the early game is to keep some money in the bank and pay close attention to the [[UFO activity graph]]. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks. About time to build a listening post there. Don't forget about [[Small Radar System]]s which will be finished within a mere twelve days – large radars may or may not be finished before the aliens complete the mission (or call it off), so you may chose to skip them entirely.

	===Patrols===		===Patrols===

	~~You should also~~ send some of your ~~own~~ craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be ~~everything~~ from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.		Once you know the approximate area where the enemy is, send some of your craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be anything from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a pretty decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.

			It's a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger, you may even consider to go without any Interceptor at all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in one piece, and two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas.

			===Listening Posts===

	It's a ~~good~~ idea ~~to decomission one Interceptor~~ in ~~favor~~ of a ~~second Skyranger~~, ~~and may consider~~ to ~~go without any Interceptor~~ at ~~all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in~~ one ~~piece, while two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas~~.		Eventually you want listening posts all over the world. However, at approximatly 2 million apiece, it will be quite some time until you've go the world covered. What's worse, they take a long time to build: you may have an idea where the center of alien activity is right now, but there's no telling where it will be by the time your detection systems finally go into service. There's no point in rushing the development of a Radar network, however, you should still try to somehow build at least one new listening post every month.

	===The February Famine===		===The February Famine===

Schnobs: more refinement

2007-10-28T23:18:37Z

more refinement

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 28 October 2007
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	Many players try to get a steady production of Laser Cannon off the ground as soon as possible, and fund further activities with the revenue stream from their factories. That's nice and fine and works a treat; however, it's cheesy. Besides, X-Com was founded in order to fight the aliens, not as an arms producer.		Many players try to get a steady production of Laser Cannon off the ground as soon as possible, and fund further activities with the revenue stream from their factories. That's nice and fine and works a treat; however, it's cheesy. Besides, X-Com was founded in order to fight the aliens, not as an arms producer.

	Your funding fathers provided you with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque letter of marque] entitling you to intercept, ~~loot~~, and sell any alien vessel you might encounter. Prizes can generate quite an revenue stream, even a small scout will easily yield over one million. Unfortunately, privateering is not as easy to pull of as just building a number of workshops and (in effect) print your own money. This guide tries to point out some of the difficulties you may encounter, and how to deal with them.		Your funding fathers provided you with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque letter of marque] entitling you to intercept, seize, and sell any alien vessel you might encounter. Prizes can generate quite an revenue stream, even a small scout will easily yield over one million. Unfortunately, privateering is not as easy to pull off as just building a number of workshops and (in effect) print your own money. This guide tries to point out some of the difficulties you may encounter, and how to deal with them.

	==Immediate measures==		==Immediate measures==
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	==Find the Enemy==		==Find the Enemy==

	No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five ~~millions~~ worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.		No matter where you build your initial base, you are guaranteed to have the first aliens show up right on your doorstep. Strangely enough, they will only send small craft, and by the end of January they will cease. Even if you leave the early UFOs alone, there will be no follow-up missions with larger craft. So, after the first windfall (recovering every landed UFO through January will easily provide four or five million worth of loot), you're on your own. Getting your hands on more UFOs (=more revenue) after the initial batch is crucial.

	Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.		Aliens may show up anywhere on the globe. However, anywhere is not everywhere: they will perform one or (at best) two missions like "Alien Research in Australasia" or "Alien Harvest in North America". There really is no way to tell where they will go. With the world so large and your funds still limited, you cannot afford to build bases just any old how.
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	===Listening Posts===		===Listening Posts===

	With that in mind, perhaps the best thing you can do in the early game is to keep some money in the bank and pay close attention to the [[UFO activity graph]]. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks. About time to build a listening post there. ~~Depending on luck, the mission may~~ be ~~almost over by the time~~ a large ~~radar is~~ finished; you~~'ll probably miss at least two more scouts until even a small radar goes into service. But spotting at least some of the later alien vessels is better than nothing~~.		With that in mind, perhaps the best thing you can do in the early game is to keep some money in the bank and pay close attention to the [[UFO activity graph]]. Much could be said about how to read it, but you will soon be able to see the difference between a simple flyby and an actual UFO landing. When you notice a landing in a given area, it's a clear indication that more can be expected to happen in that region in the next few weeks. About time to build a listening post there. Don't forget about [[Small Radar System]]s which will be finished within a mere twelve days – large radars may or may not be finished before the aliens complete the mission (or call it off), so you may chose to skip them entirely.

	===Patrols===		===Patrols===

	~~Depending on distance, you can~~ send some of your own craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. ~~Sounds~~ weird~~? It isn~~'t. If ~~(say)~~ you expect UFO activity in North America, have a Skyranger patrol over the central US. North America can be everything from Alaska to Cuba, ~~but given~~ the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a decent chance that it will at some time ~~enter the radar~~ range of your ~~transporter. It appears that in the case of craft radar, UFOs will be picked up always and immediately~~.		You should also send some of your own craft to patrol the area for immediate radar coverage. If you think that sounds weird, you haven't tried. Example: If you expect UFO activity in North America, have a [[Skyranger]] patrol over the central US. Alright, so "North America" can be everything from Alaska to Cuba, and craft radar range is nothing to write home about. BUT: within it's limited range, craft radar is frightfully efficient. Given the tendency of UFOs to zigzag over the region before landing, you've got a decent chance that it will at some time come into range of your vessel.

	It ~~can be~~ a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance ~~to capture~~ them ~~whole~~.		It's a good idea to decomission one Interceptor in favor of a second Skyranger, and may consider to go without any Interceptor at all. Generally you don't want to shoot down alien craft as long as there is any chance of capturing them in one piece, while two Skyrangers taking turns can provide 24/7 coverage of all but the most remote areas.

	===The February Famine===		===The February Famine===
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	===Development===		===Development===

	Most bases can be mere listening posts, consisting of nothing but the acess lift and a Hyper-Wave ~~decoder (or one~~ of ~~each radar system if you haven't discovered hyperwaves yet)~~. However, you should build a string of general stores at ~~one base~~: when the time comes you can quickly expand this to a large production plant. Research is best left at your initial base.		Most bases can be mere listening posts, consisting of nothing but the acess lift and a small radar at first. You certainly want to add Hyper-Wave Decoders as soon as possible, but those cost a lot of money and it may take a while. However, you should build a string of general stores at your first listening post: when the time comes you can quickly expand this to a large production plant. Research is best left at your initial base.

	Later you may want to station a number of Firestorms at every base, but that's beyond the scope of this document.		Later you may want to station a number of Firestorms at every base, but that's beyond the scope of this document.