(SOLVED) Second chance

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Tanalbi
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(SOLVED) Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

I'm re-downloading XCOM 2 to play LW2 again, because on various ocassions, i never got through the SECOND mission! That's right, i passed the first one, kept playing around in Geoscape for a while, then got my first infiltration mission and OMG it was hard! Besides the time limit, which was fair (10 turns remaining), the gameplay was adorable, but in THAT mission, i've got like 9 pack of ADVENT Soldiers and Sectoids! Not to mention, those Sectoids were like Commanders, since LW2 incorporates some content of other mods.

My doubt is: Is there any way to edit the DefaultGameCore.ini file in order to make the game a little... easier? Like... my soldiers having 20+ Aim and Will in order to get it through easier? I mean, i barely got at the beginning! In my first LW2 playthroughs never ever had the chance of the additional content! Not to mention, Psionics.
Last edited by Tanalbi on Fri Mar 10, 2017 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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SouthpawHare
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Re: Second chance

Post by SouthpawHare »

Noganeto1 wrote:I'm re-downloading XCOM 2 to play LW2 again, because on various ocassions, i never got through the SECOND mission! That's right, i passed the first one, kept playing around in Geoscape for a while, then got my first infiltration mission and OMG it was hard! Besides the time limit, which was fair (10 turns remaining), the gameplay was adorable, but in THAT mission, i've got like 9 pack of ADVENT Soldiers and Sectoids! Not to mention, those Sectoids were like Commanders, since LW2 incorporates some content of other mods.

My doubt is: Is there any way to edit the DefaultGameCore.ini file in order to make the game a little... easier? Like... my soldiers having 20+ Aim and Will in order to get it through easier? I mean, i barely got at the beginning! In my first LW2 playthroughs never ever had the chance of the additional content! Not to mention, Psionics.
It sounds like you probably just didn't infiltrate enough, and/or didn't have enough time to infiltrate. If you infiltrate to 100%, the early missions should be at "Extremely Light" activity, which means 8 or 9 enemies in about 3 groups. If you got 9+ groups, you caused the mission to be much harder due to lack of infiltration. This is an intended feature that you are expected to work around.
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Tanalbi
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Re: Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

SouthpawHare wrote:
Noganeto1 wrote:I'm re-downloading XCOM 2 to play LW2 again, because on various ocassions, i never got through the SECOND mission! That's right, i passed the first one, kept playing around in Geoscape for a while, then got my first infiltration mission and OMG it was hard! Besides the time limit, which was fair (10 turns remaining), the gameplay was adorable, but in THAT mission, i've got like 9 pack of ADVENT Soldiers and Sectoids! Not to mention, those Sectoids were like Commanders, since LW2 incorporates some content of other mods.

My doubt is: Is there any way to edit the DefaultGameCore.ini file in order to make the game a little... easier? Like... my soldiers having 20+ Aim and Will in order to get it through easier? I mean, i barely got at the beginning! In my first LW2 playthroughs never ever had the chance of the additional content! Not to mention, Psionics.
It sounds like you probably just didn't infiltrate enough, and/or didn't have enough time to infiltrate. If you infiltrate to 100%, the early missions should be at "Extremely Light" activity, which means 8 or 9 enemies in about 3 groups. If you got 9+ groups, you caused the mission to be much harder due to lack of infiltration. This is an intended feature that you are expected to work around.
To be fair, i've managed to complete an infiltration to the 100% by wasting all of my resources in what it looked like... a game i would just quit for a new one. That reduced it to fewer packs, but not fewer enough. Compared to LW1, this is like DOOM's Ultra-Nightmare mode. That doesn't mean it is not good, of course
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LordYanaek
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Re: Second chance

Post by LordYanaek »

Noganeto1 wrote:Not to mention, those Sectoids were like Commanders, since LW2 incorporates some content of other mods.
If you have Sectoid Commanders in your second mission, something is terribly wrong :o Those shouldn't show until much later in the campaign.

First thing i would suggest is turn off any mod that adds new enemies and/or new missions as those might not be well balanced for LW2 (or maybe cause bugs if you get late game enemies at the beginning).
Second advice would be to try at a lower difficulty (unless you were already at Rookie where you already have an aim boost).
3rd advice is to learn how infiltration works because the first missions infiltrated to 100% aren't really that hard.

But honestly, from what you describe i can only guess something went south with your combination of mods and the game turned crazy giving you totally insane opposition.
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Tanalbi
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Re: Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

LordYanaek wrote:
Noganeto1 wrote:Not to mention, those Sectoids were like Commanders, since LW2 incorporates some content of other mods.
If you have Sectoid Commanders in your second mission, something is terribly wrong :o Those shouldn't show until much later in the campaign.

First thing i would suggest is turn off any mod that adds new enemies and/or new missions as those might not be well balanced for LW2 (or maybe cause bugs if you get late game enemies at the beginning).
Second advice would be to try at a lower difficulty (unless you were already at Rookie where you already have an aim boost).
3rd advice is to learn how infiltration works because the first missions infiltrated to 100% aren't really that hard.

But honestly, from what you describe i can only guess something went south with your combination of mods and the game turned crazy giving you totally insane opposition.
I... am uncertain about wether it is a Commander or not, but on various ocassions, some Sectoids mind-controlled my units, that's all i can remember.

As for the another mods part, all i do recall i have installed is:

-Heal Grenates
-BatMod (Baseball bats as melee weapons)
-Axes (Same as BatMod)
-Broken bottle (Again, same)
-Why not both? (Instead of having to choose, you can have both perks at the same time upon leveling up). I consider this one a little unfair because i might be screwing up with Long War, but give me some credit! I already passed LW1 once when it still was in it's beta! I want it easier this time.
-Free Reload
-LOOT Piñata (Occassionally, aliens would drop a bunch of boxes that, when grabbed, gives some alloys, credits, and useful stuff for your guns)
-Overwatch All
-Evac All
-Perfect Information (Through i am gonna delete it, cuz it's not the same as the Second Wave option in LW1)
-Smoke grenades now give Stealth
-Stealth Grenades
-TIE Fighter (Non gameplay-modificator, gives your GREMLIN a TIE Fighter skin)

You may know already, by reading how many mods i have, that i am a cheap bastard, because besides that, i want more xD
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Tanalbi
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Re: Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

But that doesn't answers my question. Is it possible to edit some stuff on DGC.ini so i can have better soldiers?
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Jacke
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Re: Second chance

Post by Jacke »

That sounded like a regular Sectoid. They will use a psi attack that can disorient, panic, or mind-control a soldier, depending on how strong the Sectoid's Psi Offense is versus how strong the soldier's Willpower is (with some RNG thrown in too).
Noganeto1 wrote:-Heal Grenates
-Why not both?
-LOOT Piñata
-Smoke grenades now give Stealth
-Stealth Grenades
I have some suggestions for you.

First, if you're not using the Alternative Mod Launcher, I'd highly suggest you do so. It solves many of the trivial mod clashes and detects and warns about the more serious ones. As well, best to get the mods via Steam Workshop if you've not been doing that.

Second, I'd really suggest removing the mods that you're referring to, which are Both Perks While Leveling Up, Loot Piñata, Smoke Grants Concealment, Stealth Grenade, and Heal Grenade.

Both Perks While Leveling Up doesn't work with LW2. Loot Piñata is a bit too rich; as well, it's tough to grab loot in LW2 so you're just going to see a lot of those piles go poof. The mods that change concealment change a major part of LW2; you should at least get to know it as it is in the game.

And the Heal Grenade is a bit too much. You should follow the First Rule of XCOM Club: Don't Get Hit; and they'll take up space for other more vital items. I usually carry medkits on Specialist Medics, those with Field Medic from the AWC, Assaults and Shinobis eventually, and when the Damn Bugs show up, everyone.

To ease the resource restrictions in a slightly better way, I suggest these mods: Gremlins Grab Loot and Extract Corpses. GGL means you bring a Specialist and the Gremlin grabs the high-risk loot. With Extract Corpses I suggest adjusting it so your troops can't carry heavy enemy like MECs, Mutons etc., and Andromedons.

Noganeto1 wrote:But that doesn't answers my question. Is it possible to edit some stuff on DGC.ini so i can have better soldiers?
You have to edit a file in the LW2 Config dir. And you'll have to restore your changes after LW2 upgrades.

A better way to do this is install and metamod the mod A Better Rookie for LW2 (LITE). I remove all its non-stat changes and adjust the one file that changes stats.
LordYanaek
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Re: Second chance

Post by LordYanaek »

Noganeto1 wrote: I... am uncertain about wether it is a Commander or not, but on various ocassions, some Sectoids mind-controlled my units, that's all i can remember.
OK. Basic sectoid certainly, their mind-spin ability was able to Mind Control soldiers even on vanilla but with the possibility of lower will in LW2 (if you keep Not Created Equally) you might see it more often on those "weak minded" soldiers.
If your issues came from this mind control, know that throwing a Flashbang grenade on the sectoid will disrupt all of their abilities so no more zombies, no more mind control (if your soldiers panicked he already lost his action so he will only be able to act next turn but you're sure to get him back).

I would really suggest you try again the "legit" way and look in the Strategy and Long War 201 subs for advices (ask more precise questions if you need) because if you have beaten LW1, you can definitely beat LW2. Veteran difficulty is rather fair and if you want a more relaxed game, as i said Rookie already have stat bonuses to help your soldiers (so what you are trying to do is already done for you).

If really you want to dig into ini editing either follow Jacke's advice or edit XComGameData_CharacterStats.ini. Look for this part at the beginning :

Code: Select all

[Soldier_Diff_0 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=30
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Offense]=70

[Soldier_Diff_1 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40

[Soldier_Diff_2 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40

[Soldier_Diff_3 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40
Diff_0 is Rookie, Diff_1 is veteran and so on. Aim is called Offense in the config files, when you don't see it it uses the base value from vanilla (65). Just change the values for the difficulty you want to play.
If you keep Not Created Equally : those stats will change for each soldier as they are randomized and soldiers may get lower aim but higher mobility or will or higher aim and lower HP ... NCE swaps stats around with some stats being worth more "points" than others so soldiers should be balanced but with different stats making them better at one job or another. If you don't want NCE you can disable it in game from the settings menu after you have started a campaign (it's not available on the main menu).
If you want to change NCE so that you don't get soldiers with aim<60 you must search for

Code: Select all

[LW_Toolbox_Integrated.XComGameState_Unit_LWRandomizedStats]
in XComLW_Toolbox.ini and change the values in this section to whatever you like. Note that if a stat can't be reduced, it means another one can't be increased as no stat points are created by NCE, they are just redistributed so don't try to put only positive modifiers in this section, it won't work.

Code: Select all

;These are the max allowed deltas for each stat type
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_Offense, Min=-5, Max=10)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_Defense, Min=-10, Max=10)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_Dodge, Min=-15, Max=15)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_Will, Min=-15, Max=15)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_Hacking, Min=-4, Max=15)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_HP, Min=-1, Max=2)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_Mobility, Min=-2, Max=3)
+STAT_CAPS=(Stat=eStat_PsiOffense, Min=-18, Max=18)
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Tanalbi
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Re: Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

LordYanaek wrote:
Noganeto1 wrote:
If really you want to dig into ini editing either follow Jacke's advice or edit XComGameData_CharacterStats.ini. Look for this part at the beginning :

Code: Select all

[Soldier_Diff_0 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=30
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Offense]=70

[Soldier_Diff_1 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40

[Soldier_Diff_2 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40

[Soldier_Diff_3 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40
Diff_0 is Rookie, Diff_1 is veteran and so on. Aim is called Offense in the config files, when you don't see it it uses the base value from vanilla (65). Just change the values for the difficulty you want to play.
Yeah, i read an article about that in Reddit, and immediately modified that file, but upon starting a game, i didn't saw the diference (I upgraded the Soldier HP part from 4 to 10, and the aim from XX to 100, and got no difference
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Tanalbi
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Re: Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

Jacke wrote:That sounded like a regular Sectoid. They will use a psi attack that can disorient, panic, or mind-control a soldier, depending on how strong the Sectoid's Psi Offense is versus how strong the soldier's Willpower is (with some RNG thrown in too).
Noganeto1 wrote:-Heal Grenates
-Why not both?
-LOOT Piñata
-Smoke grenades now give Stealth
-Stealth Grenades
I have some suggestions for you.

First, if you're not using the Alternative Mod Launcher, I'd highly suggest you do so. It solves many of the trivial mod clashes and detects and warns about the more serious ones. As well, best to get the mods via Steam Workshop if you've not been doing that.

Second, I'd really suggest removing the mods that you're referring to, which are Both Perks While Leveling Up, Loot Piñata, Smoke Grants Concealment, Stealth Grenade, and Heal Grenade.

Both Perks While Leveling Up doesn't work with LW2. Loot Piñata is a bit too rich; as well, it's tough to grab loot in LW2 so you're just going to see a lot of those piles go poof. The mods that change concealment change a major part of LW2; you should at least get to know it as it is in the game.

And the Heal Grenade is a bit too much. You should follow the First Rule of XCOM Club: Don't Get Hit; and they'll take up space for other more vital items. I usually carry medkits on Specialist Medics, those with Field Medic from the AWC, Assaults and Shinobis eventually, and when the Damn Bugs show up, everyone.
So you're saying i should take everything off and only leave Long War 2?

Sounds fair, now that you mention it
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Tanalbi
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Re: Second chance

Post by Tanalbi »

Noganeto1 wrote:
LordYanaek wrote:
Noganeto1 wrote:
If really you want to dig into ini editing either follow Jacke's advice or edit XComGameData_CharacterStats.ini. Look for this part at the beginning :

Code: Select all

[Soldier_Diff_0 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=30
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Offense]=70

[Soldier_Diff_1 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40

[Soldier_Diff_2 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40

[Soldier_Diff_3 X2CharacterTemplate]
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_HP]=4
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Will]=25
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Dodge]=5
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_UtilityItems]=3
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_Mobility]=15
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_PsiOffense]=20
CharacterBaseStats[eStat_FlankingCritChance]=40
Diff_0 is Rookie, Diff_1 is veteran and so on. Aim is called Offense in the config files, when you don't see it it uses the base value from vanilla (65). Just change the values for the difficulty you want to play.
Yeah, i read an article about that in Reddit, and immediately modified that file, but upon starting a game, i didn't saw the diference (I upgraded the Soldier HP part from 4 to 10, and the aim from XX to 100, and got no difference
Wait, nevermind. I did realize that i had to modify the .ini that was n steamapps/content/workshop/(Numbers)/(LW2 mod/Config/

I am gonna try right now, but thanks for the info!
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nmkaplan
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Re: Second chance

Post by nmkaplan »

Noganeto1 wrote:
Noganeto1 wrote:
LordYanaek wrote:
Yeah, i read an article about that in Reddit, and immediately modified that file, but upon starting a game, i didn't saw the diference (I upgraded the Soldier HP part from 4 to 10, and the aim from XX to 100, and got no difference
Wait, nevermind. I did realize that i had to modify the .ini that was n steamapps/content/workshop/(Numbers)/(LW2 mod/Config/

I am gonna try right now, but thanks for the info!
Also, I found that using "Free Reload" (ie. the mod that turns your reload icons green when you have a free reload available) turned some of my icons (grenade icons and some others) black and made it difficult to figure out what was what. On top of that, it turns out that LW2 already incorporates colored icons to make the UI easier (green = free, white = 1 action, non-turn-ending, blue = 1 action, ends turn, yellow = both actions), so the Free Reload is totally unnecessary.
Jacke
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Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2017 1:10 am

Re: Second chance

Post by Jacke »

Noganeto1 wrote:So you're saying i should take everything off and only leave Long War 2?

Sounds fair, now that you mention it
All the non-gameplay mods you mentioned that I didn't refer to are fine to keep. And glad you're going to give my suggestions a shot.
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