XCOM 2 is my favourite game, but the latest DLC has caused serious performance issues for me. I started a new campaign the other day (so I could try the new mission), but I gave up after a single mission because of frame rate issues. I hope they'll fix it soon--but with the upcoming console port, I am skeptical.

XCOM 2 is more difficult and the Alien Hunters DLC increased the challenge. I love the new ruler aliens, but you really have to think about every single action you take in combat. It's still possible the rulers will get nerfed though.

Yea at first thought it seemed like they really catered to the ironman and long war enthusiasts. It's so much harder.

I hate to hear about your frame rate issues. I saw threads and know you aren't alone in that regard. I also had no idea they were porting to console.

I'm not hardcore masterrace but I don't enjoy the downgrading any more than the next gamer.

Do you like any other franchises? Space Hulk or Wasteland 2 perhaps?
Space Hulk is so slow and methodical, I didn't care for it as much. Satellite Reign looks ok but not the same either.

There are no other franchises, my friend :) lol

I think you're right about the Long War enthusiasts influencing the developers. They also took offense to people beating Impossible on Enemy Unknown. They meant for it to be impossible and it wasn't (although I never completed my Impossible campaign due to the infamous Teleporting Bug), and that's all wonderful for experienced players *only*

XCOM2 Update in the News section if you don't want to click the link. New Mods bring reworkings and add more depth!

http://store.steampowered.com/news/externalpost/rps/257086017111791329

Sorry for the lateness of my reply :) I'm not typically into mods--unless there are bugs to fix and no developer support. I just lost too many savegames due to mods (even a simple extra flag for XCOM 2).

Anyhow, XCOM 2 still has problems, but I got a new graphics card (so I must play) and the poor performance of the game enables me more time to take the screenshot I want. I don't think I'll complain again, unless they make performance worse once more ;)

How's XCOM going? I'm getting behind and Advent is beating me to Africa right now. I can't get enough engineers around to man the Avenger lol.

I love the shots with the new card too, you have lots of interesting characters. I've been rolling with stock squads but plan to add some to the pool soon.

Game On my friend!

Hi :) I haven't been able to play XCOM 2 in several weeks (health stuff; blah) but I've got only the final mission to do in my current campaign. I know I'll start a new campaign as soon as I finish that mission.

Most of my characters are random soldiers the game provided. Aftter I customize them, I save them to my Character Pool. It's really fun to see soldiers you already like appearing in future campaigns.

Engineers can be a challenge early in the game, but it can help to build the Workshop in a central slot and position rooms that require engineers above, to the sides, and below the Workshop so you can staff them with Gremlins. Check the Black Market for Engineers, or purchase an extra one from HQ, but you will probably only need to purchase one as an emergency measure. You'll earn more engineers later in the game and might end up with too many after a while.

I didn't realize I could buy them! That will help out tremendously in the early game. Gremlins are also a plan. From xcom2 i had the idea to stack my power relays for more power, but I'm not sure if that worked or not. I am "upgrading" them so maybe thats how it works in 3.

Either way its all a fun time and I'm sure Advent will win this campaign but there is always the next one! I just love the missions and exploring what the new enemies are like. A couple days ago I spent quite a while trying to pin down a Codex surrounded by Mutons. Fun times!

Stacking the power relays doesn't work like in the previous game, but you can upgrade the power relays and staff them with extra engineers. Advent might not win. You can leave facilities alone until the Avatar Project counter is just about filled, then take out a facility to give yourself more time. Good luck, Commander :)

I started yet another campaign as I am now beginning to learn the proper way to go about setting up the Avenger. When I saw you didn't need to upgrade and I was only 3 points from Advent winning control I thew in the towel. I'd rather see the end game being well prepared and able to enjoy it more. I love the rangers.. im not finding better ways to balance my squads as well. What kind of setup do you usually like to play with?

I just wanted to let you know that when the Avatar Project counter fills up all the way, it will go into a 20 day countdown mode. In those 20 days, you can hit an Advent facility to knock 1 to 3 points off the Avatar Project--taking you out of the countdown mode and allowing you to play on as if nothing ever happened (unless you end up on the countdown again, it'll pick up where you stopped it before).

Starting a new campaing after learning some new Avenger strategies is a great idea though--I did the same thing with my first playthrough. I made the mistake of putting my workshop in the middle of the top row. Now I put the Advanced Warfare Center in that spot and the workshop right below it.

When I have only a 4 member squad, I like to use one of each base class on missions. I always want two well trained soldiers of each class, so I change up the squad accordingly (when no one is stuck in the infirmary).

After getting the squad size upgrade, I start to run with an extra Specialist (one developed for healing and the other for combat), and the sixth member will depend on the type of mission I'm doing. Retaliation missions are best with 2 rangers, 2 specialists, 1 sniper and 1 grenadier.

As soon as I can train a Psi Operative, I get on it immediately. I do take my Psi Ops out on missions before they're fully trained, but I just do my best to not let them get hurt on the field. They are extremely powerful soldiers and they're so fun to play with :) In the beginning, I used to train 2 Psi Ops every game, but now I only make one.

One other tip I can provide is to get experimental ammo and grenades when you can. You can get armour piercing (fantastic for sharpshooters), plus incendiary and acid rounds that do additional damage each turn for a little while, and work in a sharpshooter's pistol as well as the rifle! The experimental grenades are the same idea. When you can make Blue Screen Rounds and EMP Grenades, make one of each for dealing with nasty robotic enemies.

Sorry for the book! Good luck, Commander :)

Thanks for this! I'll read it again tomorrow when I have both eyes open, hah! I appreciate your time spent writing it up. I knew I would get some great information from you! Thanks again Master Commander!

You're very welcome. But I'm definitely not a Master Commander--just in training to become one ;)