WOTC Compatible versions of my A Better' MODS have been released!!!

A lot of additions were made by WOTC that made upgrading a few of these a bit more tedius.. I'm looking at You, A Better Arsenal!

Thank you all for your patience. In the interest of getting these out ASAP I didn't get to do the full amount of play testing that I would like. Please send me your feedback. (please refrain from commenting that these mods are too OP as that is their intent. That said, if I didn't dile back the LITE versions enough then pass those notes along.)

--- A special thanks to reCLUsive7 for sponsoring this work.

Links to new mods:

+ A Better Start for WOTC | A Better Start for WOTC(LITE)

+ A Better Rookie for WOTC | A Better Rookie for WOTC(LITE)

+ A Better Arsenal for WOTC | A Better Arsenal for WOTC(LITE)

Just had awesome subscriber gift me the DLC so that I can get these mods updated. You can thank, reCLUsive7 for his sponsorship of the update of these mods. What a crazy cool XCOM gamers community we have!

An additional shout out goes to Spartan A291 and Force2reckon for their generous offers to pick up the DLC for the cause as well.

I expect to get WOTC compatible version of this mod within the next 2 weeks.

Love the mod. Thank you very much! I'm currently using it with better arsenal and it's fantastic!

With saved games it can be tricky for soldiers that have already been created and saved. The game is using the stats from the save and not looking at the mod ini's. Now this isn't always the case but I've seen it happen. I don't have it off the top of my head but look in the folder where your XCOM is running from. Dont' confuse this with the original default directory where it was installed. In the run time directory you can tweak the ini files for your specific save.

To Rocket Man, my mods will work for new mods and DLC that do not overwrite the same ini files I mess with. It's a loading order thing and if the new DLC messes with the character config then it is likely my mod wil get trumped. That said the other DLC content had their own files so my mods would work in harmony with them.

P.S. Is it going to work with "War of the Chosen" DLC?

Hot Mod! My squads are high performance pro's with your fine mod! Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us!!!

Hey Thanks Wise! Awesome props and much appreciated.

I don't think this is a cheat. It makes no fckn sense how they could break THE COMMANDER the guy that literally sees over EVERY Tactical and Strategic engagement if we didn't have some hard hitters to begin with. Love the idea behind this, and your other mods.

While people are saying this mod is too OP I'm going to play on commander and let you know how I feel.

The fact you've added multiple versions and a light version AS WELL as instructions on edditing the ini files ourselves, already 10/10

Can't wait to play dis bad boi, finally I'm not working with LEGIT recruits on my first mission :)

Definitely try the LITE version of these mods for a lesser OP feel.

It makes rookies so powerful that is not interesting to play :P

hmmm...added this mod today and now I can go pretty much anywhere on the map in one turn. Think somethiing is wrong with that

Enjoying your mod, don't change a thing lol. I think maybe players don't understand that they can make their own edits to the .ini files in the mod to tweak things however they like.

One of my issues is on the mission setup screen I only see a list of 6 soldiers, and can't pick the last two.

Awesome mods, thanks! I'm also a more "casual" player (and I've made some "cheat mods" of my own) that's more interested in the roleplay/story aspect, so I really appreciate this.

Do you think this would work with the "Second Wave Remastered" mods? The main thing I'm suspecting would be incompatible is the "Not Created Equally" part, since that's going to affect rookie stats as well.

Thanks!

Yep it is very OP... try "A Better Rookie (LITE)" for a less OP version.

This Mod is OP

should really be labeled a CHEAT mod

it's possible to add HP edit for VIP and Enginers and scientist
Enginers and scientist in my opinion more important in every retalliation their appear they have one HP nad die with first damage they become really problem in those missions
thanks

@bpblewett the only way you can do this after the first mission find the config file edit them
1: put this mark ; in front of every change you dont want
or
2: simply change them to what you wanted

@bpblewett I did just that by subscribing the regular Rookie mod when I started my LW2 campaign, and immediately unsubscribing (and subscribing to the Rookie Lite version in my case) after completing the Gatecrasher misson. I don't know about the long-term effects though, as I have only gained 4 soldiers beyond the starting ones...

That would be cool but beyond my ability. There is just one soldier template that is used for all recruits whether they are there at the start or come later in the game. I'm certain someone more savvy with the code could revert the template back to the baseline after the first rookiers were loaded but it would be tricky and it would also make the mod battle other mods that "enhanced" the soldier template.

Is there any way to apply this to just the recruits I start with and have recruits with regular stats from then on? It would make sense for the starting recruits to be experienced soldiers.

and don't forget the speed of missions.. Most missions can be finished in five to six turns with a super high mobility.

I would argue that the biggest advantage that this mod actually gives is the insane amount of mobility which allows good placement of troops and great flanking. Then when coupled with all the other benefits it bestows it just seems too strong. I never realized before how much good mobility can really effect a combat I am not even talking about health/damage etc.. just mobility plays such a significant role in tactics in this game.

Completely understandable Mordaloch. Thanks for the feedback. I've always felt that if a player wanted the game to be difficult they wouldn't be using any of my mods. I love this game and even more so with LW2 but I am the kind of casual player who wants the extra advantage mods like these give. It's not for everyone though and agree with your comments if someone is more than just a casual player then my mods may rob some of the fun from the game for them (LITE versions included).

I have to say I have been trying to find out what is causing my Long War 2 game to be way too easy and this may be the Mod that just made it feel like i am playing on Rookie level while I am actually playing on Commander I think i will probably uninstall this, the game really loses the challenge for me when it is just too easy. Sorry man just letting other hardcore gamers know that even the LITE version of this might be too much buff making regular rookies just too strong.

I am not really sure about the mechanics of the squad selection for Haven missions. In the LW2 settings files they create a new character template for RebelSoldier. I have noticed that (what they call the Proxy) soldier that gets added as your haven lead if you don't have one assigned is built from the standard rookie template. Then they add a rebel soldier (like a 2nd in charge) and the rest of the haven members are civies with guns it appears. So this bump to the Haven rebel soldier may only boost that one guy and not all of them. I tested the rebel soldier class in the SDK but I haven't taken the time to start a new game and play it through until I got my first haven mission to see if the boosts applied to all of the haven mission squad. @JiMMy if you or anyone else tests this on a new start up let us know.

@scuba steve,

thanks mate i will try it now.

Updated this mod today to include boosts to LW2 Rebel soldiers to give you an advantage on Haven missions. Testing shows this mostly works with a new game and that the haven members you have in your saved games will continue with vanila lame'ness.

Ok thank you ! :)

Yes and No. Disabling the mod will return the game to looking LW2 settings however some values get backed into your saved games.

Hi ! If I test it the mod change values of ini ? If I disable the mod values return like original ? Thanks for you answers

Thanks for the great feedback, Eric_Kei. I appreciate your time in commenting. Hope the LITE version meets your needs. In the description of the LITE version I give you a guide on how to modify the files to get it dialed into your liking.

Aye, but even with this version, I thought you were going for "a few more points in HP" and mobility, maybe half again as much dodge/will, etc -- I'm talking about fresh recruits that make full-rank soldiers look bad. 11hp, 32 mobility, 35 dodge/100+ will (those make sense to me, somewhat ;) ), and 90-105 or so aim, as rookies, not counting gear/PCS? Was is the intention on the "standard" version that they be THAT much more powerful? I'm honestly just curious. These guys would make a joke even of an I/I game >_>

I'll give Lite a shot. Thanks!

If you are interested in a lesser OP version of this mod please try (steam://openurl/http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=862320796) or click the link in the table above.

Also LW2 does add Psi_Offense at a low level to all characters and I adjust that too. In the lite version I adjust it even less.

*slightly overpowered, that is.

Just so ya know...Using this with Not Created Equal set to the maximum level of variation can result in some *sightly* overpowered new recruits O_O. Take a look at the last four in the list.

http://i.imgur.com/rWSCayg.jpg

Also, not sure if this is LW2 doing it or your mod, but those Psi strengths showed up as soon as I researched Psionics -- BEFORE building the Psi Lab.

As I understand that feature of LW2 I believe that will still work. I have not personally tested that though. Let the community know here if you find that it does or does not work. I'll look into how to make it work if it doesn't.

Do I still need to have "not created equal" enabled to get wieghted distributions, and if so, does this mod work with that feature?

I have released the promised LITE version of this mod here: http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=862320796

I would suggest a flat +5 to all variable stats, while removing any case of negitive dodge and +2 Movement.

My plan is to seriously gut the changes to Soldierskills.ini and only leave the cooldown reductions where I can. I'll go with -1 to -2 turns to cooldown values. I'll drop the buff adjustments and charge counts. In the characterstats.ini I'll play with mobility and hp stats to be more in line with HansHalfHand's suggestions.. although I really hate to drop the WILL down below a 100... i'll do it but I have white hot hatred for panicking soldiers.

On another note, how many of you are using my other mod A Better Arsenal for LW2? This mod when combined with the other can double up the OP'ness you have voiced. I'm creating a lite version of that as well, however be warned some of the mobility, offense, deffense reductions may be counteracted when using both LITE versions of these mods together.

can you add option to have 2 skill per rank?

only stat improvement can be ok like ppp2888 saying. there is no need to increase grenade, missile, unique skills etc.

I agree with pp2888, something to give a small boost to all stats would be nice. Enough mobility to offset the utility item deductions (+2 or +3), +2/3 health (so I don't need to pack my rookies with vests because I'm afraid of them being randomly 1 shot killed), +10 offense seems moderate, maybe +5 dodge/defense. Willpower I would care for 35-50 rookies. I feel like these would give rookies a little more reliability and survivability heading into the fray.

I appreciate the suggestions, truly that helps ppp2888.

I welcome any more suggestions anyone else might have on what a lesser version of this mod should look like.

That's good idea. I think something like +2 HP, +2 mobility, +10 offense, defense, -1 cool-downs and charges, etc., would be nice. This would be helpfull but not OP :)

Very cool Steve, I was actually messing around with some of the numbers in the mod ini file, figured out how to alter the hack, hp, will but was having trouble with mobility and some other stats. Seriously great idea on the mod work

I'll be working on a A BETTA' LITE version of this mod and my others this coming weekend. As I have folks who enjoy the OP'ness of this mod I don't want to rob them of that option I'll build a new mod and leave this one in place. I'll post here when the LITE version is released.

I really like the idea of this mod, but stats are just too high. Any possibility of releasing a version that is not so overpowered? All soldiers with stats around 35 mobility, 130 will, 85 hacking makes it feel a bit like cheating.