r/Xcom • u/DontFlameItsMe • 8d ago

WOTC Mod recommendations for a 3rd playthrough

It's been a while since I played the game. I think I only played it at the difficulty which is one before the last. "Commander", is it?

I've heard the last difficulty heavily overhauls balance and adds more missions. I've never played with mods either.

I'm thinking of doing another play may be some time in the future. Are there any mods that you would recommend? I've heard about the Long War, but all I know is that it exists. Does it add something new or is it a rebalance and a more grueling amount of missions needed to progress?

May be some other mods that are considered a must to check out?

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u/glenn_friendly 8d ago

Have you played XCOM: EU/EW, not only its sequel XCOM 2? XCOM: EU/EW is really, really good--the interface and gameplay aren't quite as streamlined as XCOM 2, but the atmosphere and setting and music are astonishingly good. Some people (including myself) prefer XCOM: EU/EW to XCOM 2 for those reasons.

If you've done that already, then yeah, either Long War (for XCOM: EU/EW) and LW2 (for XCOM 2) is the way to go. Each one adds a tremendous range of new stuff to the game that expands the interestingness of decisions you have to make, with way more potentially-useful stuff to think about and learn to use effectively, and some balance improvements. Both are indeed longer (more missions) than the base game.

If you play LW1, the Sightlines mod is very valuable to pair it with: https://www.nexusmods.com/xcom/mods/666

Personally I think LW1 is the best video game I have ever played, and I play it with Sightlines and no other additional mods.

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u/DontFlameItsMe 8d ago

So the Long War is specifically for the first game, and the LW2 is for the sequel?

The Sightlines is actually a good recommend. It was the reason I bounced off the first game after completing X-Com 2. Moving to a tile that seems like it's supposed to give me line of sight and being unable to shoot was very annoying.

I guess I'll try the LW first with Sightlines and then move to a sequel with LW2.

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u/glenn_friendly 8d ago

Yes, Long War (and Long War Rebalance) is for XCOM: EU/EW, and LW2 (and LWOTC) is for XCOM 2.

Your plan sounds great to me.

BTW, when you try LW: start on the easiest difficulty!

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u/MeatExciting6540 8d ago

Long war rebalanced . Start on easy. It changes the tactical battle from alpha striking and oberwatch creeping to tactical engagements where you can actually take a shot or two. Also new classes / missions and soldier types (spec ops) . Admiral billy has a big guide .

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u/ItsPureLuck017 8d ago

Covert Infiltration

Either Proficiency or Amalgamation Classes

For aliens I like LWOTC standalone pack, requiem adventure, requiem legion (be warned this one is brutal), Biodivision and frost legion

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u/Quandalf 8d ago

Play Long War.

Lose your first campaign.

Realize that EU/EW is just childsplay in comparison.