so can someone explain what the ethereal are exactly?

[skyace65]

I'm planning to get into XCOM soon, probobly going to buy the game and all DLC during the winter sale as a giant bundle after enemy within has released.

anyway, I'm completely confused by what the Ethereal are exactly. I've watched the cutscenes from the Bureau on youtube and it shows them as a race without a body and as mostly peacefull. but i checked the wiki for more information and the way they are in enemy unknown is physical instead and they seem extremely violent(since they took over all those other races)

so can somebody explain to me exactly what the hell they are exactly and why they turned hostile or whatever? or will it probobly be explained in enemy within?

[thedUWUmslayer]

Escrito originalmente por skyace65:

I'm planning to get into XCOM soon, probobly going to buy the game and all DLC during the winter sale as a giant bundle after enemy within has released.

anyway, I'm completely confused by what the Ethereal are exactly. I've watched the cutscenes from the Bureau on youtube and it shows them as a race without a body and as mostly peacefull. but i checked the wiki for more information and the way they are in enemy unknown is physical instead and they seem extremely violent(since they took over all those other races)

so can somebody explain to me exactly what the hell they are exactly and why they turned hostile or whatever? or will it probobly be explained in enemy within?

The Bureau and this game are only loosely related, they don't really go together all that much. For example, the Outsiders in the Bureau are solid and look more like large Sectoids, while they are made of energy in this game. The Ethereal are just another alien race in this game, the real mystery is exactly why they invaded.

[skyace65]

Escrito originalmente por pandoradog22:

Escrito originalmente por skyace65:

I'm planning to get into XCOM soon, probobly going to buy the game and all DLC during the winter sale as a giant bundle after enemy within has released.

anyway, I'm completely confused by what the Ethereal are exactly. I've watched the cutscenes from the Bureau on youtube and it shows them as a race without a body and as mostly peacefull. but i checked the wiki for more information and the way they are in enemy unknown is physical instead and they seem extremely violent(since they took over all those other races)

so can somebody explain to me exactly what the hell they are exactly and why they turned hostile or whatever? or will it probobly be explained in enemy within?

The Bureau and this game are only loosely related, they don't really go together all that much. For example, the Outsiders in the Bureau are solid and look more like large Sectoids, while they are made of energy in this game. The Ethereal are just another alien race in this game, the real mystery is exactly why they invaded.

so basically we need to wait and see if it's explained in enemy within?

[Mrmedusa]

In the final mission of the game you will get some very crytic answers. My two cents is that the ethereals were created by an even more advanced super-race but were rejected by them for some reason. Since then they have been trying to regain favor with this mysterious super-race for whatever reason.
P.S. Sorry if that was too much of a spoiler.

[skyace65]

Escrito originalmente por MrMedusa:

In the final mission of the game you will get some very crytic answers. My two cents is that the ethereals were created by an even more advanced super-race but were rejected by them for some reason. Since then they have been trying to regain favor with this mysterious super-race for whatever reason.
P.S. Sorry if that was too much of a spoiler.

no it's fine

[thedUWUmslayer]

Escrito originalmente por skyace65:

Escrito originalmente por pandoradog22:

The Bureau and this game are only loosely related, they don't really go together all that much. For example, the Outsiders in the Bureau are solid and look more like large Sectoids, while they are made of energy in this game. The Ethereal are just another alien race in this game, the real mystery is exactly why they invaded.

so basically we need to wait and see if it's explained in enemy within?

Well, they haven't really said whats going on with the story of Enemy Within, so I'm not gonna make a call on that either way. But from what I've seen, it sounds to me like there might be some human defectors joining with the aliens (I'm getting this feeling from the trailer they've released, go watch it if you haven't its awsome). But thats just my take on it, we don't know for sure yet.

[skyace65]

Escrito originalmente por pandoradog22:

Escrito originalmente por skyace65:

so basically we need to wait and see if it's explained in enemy within?

Well, they haven't really said whats going on with the story of Enemy Within, so I'm not gonna make a call on that either way. But from what I've seen, it sounds to me like there might be some human defectors joining with the aliens (I'm getting this feeling from the trailer they've released, go watch it if you haven't its awsome). But thats just my take on it, we don't know for sure yet.

to me it just seems too coincidental that they would officially announce it (what was it a day or 2?) after the bureau release. I think it could also be that ethereals have taken over some of the people at XCOM, so in a way they would be defecting like you think. maybe than they can explain why there are 2 types of them

[[E] Caladus]

The Ethereals are trying to ascend en masse in preparation for the 'Threat' that's looming. The experiments with humanity and other races are their way of figuring out how to do it.

The Outsiders were originally physical beings like us (The Bureau). And in the interim time between The Bureau and Enemy Unknown they have ascended to energy form. Thus explaining why they are energy beings in EU and not The Bureau.

This is all speculation on my part. But it makes sense to me.

[Pheace]

I assumed the Ethereals in EU are the physical leftovers of the Ethereals who couldn't manage to obtain ascension, and they were experimenting on the humans to attain that ascension as well (very Stargate in a way)

[[E] Caladus]

Escrito originalmente por Pheace:

I assumed the Ethereals in EU are the physical leftovers of the Ethereals who couldn't manage to obtain ascension, and they were experimenting on the humans to attain that ascension as well (very Stargate in a way)

Pretty much my assumption as well. They didn't ascend because they weren't awesome enough. And now they're being ♥♥♥♥♥ to everybody else.

[Kalvix]

Escrito originalmente por pandoradog22:

Escrito originalmente por skyace65:

so basically we need to wait and see if it's explained in enemy within?

Well, they haven't really said whats going on with the story of Enemy Within, so I'm not gonna make a call on that either way. But from what I've seen, it sounds to me like there might be some human defectors joining with the aliens (I'm getting this feeling from the trailer they've released, go watch it if you haven't its awsome). But thats just my take on it, we don't know for sure yet.

This could make sense as

SPOILER!!!!

Ever since my guy intereact with the big orb thing (I can't remember its name now, thing you get from the overlord ship) I've had the feeling he is having whisperings in his mind and might betray me, I've not finished the last mission as it crashed midway through which annoyed the hell out of me but the bits iv done he keeps having things whispered to him.

And as for what medusa said aye that sounds like it could be right, its odd though that the ethereals seem to be saying the human guy you have who turns into a mega psychic is what they've been waiting for another other version were defective.. is that the ethereals talking or some other intelligence? is that huge ship actually from the same invasion fleet or is it from a different group who were just watching until the answer to their problem of the cruel vain ethereals came along? Perhaps finishing the mission answers some of that but so far its a bit odd

[Bindal]

Escrito originalmente por Pheace:

I assumed the Ethereals in EU are the physical leftovers of the Ethereals who couldn't manage to obtain ascension, and they were experimenting on the humans to attain that ascension as well (very Stargate in a way)

Or they are not related at all. Most things in those two games seem to contradict each other somewhat.
For example, the Sectoids in EU are notibly smaller than humans and unable to speak. Bureau are maybe a head shorter than humans AND can speak (an Alien language, but at least something)
Mutons are also not looking too similar.
Outsiders in EU are literally antennas, not actual aliens while in EU... well, they are.
Ethereals are also stated to be "incredible rare" in Bureau (there is usually only one per planet - if any) and meeting between them is even rarer. EU? Just another race. Not rare, not energy, nothing.

And then there is the whole "Conquering"-thing. It doesn't seem realistic that after the events of Bureau, the Ethereal manage to gather all the races we see in EU (which is roughly a timespan of 50 years)


Overall, it clashed too often with the two games (most likely because Bureau was originally supposed to be a prequel to the originial game AND had completely own aliens rather the old ones) so it is easier to just ignore the events of Bureau for the story of EU.

[[E] Caladus]

Escrito originalmente por Bindal:

Escrito originalmente por Pheace:

I assumed the Ethereals in EU are the physical leftovers of the Ethereals who couldn't manage to obtain ascension, and they were experimenting on the humans to attain that ascension as well (very Stargate in a way)

Or they are not related at all. Most things in those two games seem to contradict each other somewhat.
For example, the Sectoids in EU are notibly smaller than humans and unable to speak. Bureau are maybe a head shorter than humans AND can speak (an Alien language, but at least something)
Mutons are also not looking too similar.
Outsiders in EU are literally antennas, not actual aliens while in EU... well, they are.
Ethereals are also stated to be "incredible rare" in Bureau (there is usually only one per planet - if any) and meeting between them is even rarer. EU? Just another race. Not rare, not energy, nothing.

And then there is the whole "Conquering"-thing. It doesn't seem realistic that after the events of Bureau, the Ethereal manage to gather all the races we see in EU (which is roughly a timespan of 50 years)


Overall, it clashed too often with the two games (most likely because Bureau was originally supposed to be a prequel to the originial game AND had completely own aliens rather the old ones) so it is easier to just ignore the events of Bureau for the story of EU.

Going to have to disagree on a few points. Spoiler tags follow just in case.

The sectoids do speak to each other in EU. Even though it may sound like chittering to you or I Carter can understand their spoken language because he's being ridden by a young Ethereal.

Mutons do look similar (not exactly alike but genetic modifications and all that). It's mostly their physical bodies that seem different. But again, we're viewing The Bureau from a third person perspective. Mutons are supposed to be taller than us and way bigger. Their armor is also similar to EU muton armor. Especially the Elites.

Being an energy being means you can also be an antenna if that's your assigned role.

50 years is plenty of time for an angry/scared powerfully psionic race to take over several races. The Bureau Outsiders probably found the Ethereal homeworld (lost to space and time) in their search for a new home and became enslaved. And eventually partially ascended as part of the Ethereal's experiments. This also explains the other races being taken over because they are all on that Mosaic ship.

Ascended Ethereals are extremely rare. The physical Ethereals were never talked about in The Bureau. So it stands to reason that they quite possibly are plentiful and flying around being ♥♥♥♥♥.

These are my rationalizations for EU and The Bureau being in the same continuity. They don't negate your opinions or thoughts. They are merely mine and I'm sharing them.

[Bindal]

Quite a few asspulls you did there, to be honest. Asaru is stated to be a YOUNG ethereal (relatively) and basically 'new born' (even he was hiding on earth for ages).
Also, there are multiple endings for Bureau - including TWO, where the Outsiders get wiped out.

And when they already managed to ascend in Bureau - then why does THEIR ENTIRE RACE consider themselves a failure because they are physically unable to ascend in the first place in EU?

And no, the Sectoids in EU don't talk. They make sounds, which might be their language. But in Bureau, they use PROPER works. Alien words, but still words you can understand and even give subtitles. (Same for Origin, who also takes a lot in an alien language they still subtitle)...

[Obsidian]

I'm fairly sure the game plots don't have any real connection. All the XCOMs are loosely associated, but not directly.

Even the old schools, XCOM 1, Terror from the Deep, and Apocalypse, were only loosely associated. Xcom 1 and 2, were the most directly connected, but Apoc was supposedly set decades or more after the resolution of the first 2.

Besides the Outsiders, being a EU and Bureau exclusive, and Ethereals being a recuring theme, if in different guises, the situations/races/portrayals and motivations are entriely different.

Bureau's plot was... scattershot at best, but at least somewhat internally consistant, and really wouldn't coincide with EU. Though there's the same element of compulsion, genetic/cybernetic modifications and enhancements in all the XCOM games, it's always different.

EU's over-arching plot and the alien's origins and motivations are vague at best, not so in the other games, so it's easier to just consider Bureau a standalone like EU stands alone from the older school XCOM games.

[[E] Caladus]

Also in the end sequence the Councilman is talking and the music in the background is from XCOM: EU.

That may be the only *solid* connection between the games at this point. But it's not unreasonable to make that leap.

EDIT: The councilman in EU's trailer states the activation of the Initiative. Which reasons that they were expecting an eventual second contact and had prepared for it.

Although that never explains why in each game you lose the tech you gained in the previous one. And TFTD's explaination of Elerium based materials 'melt' in water is silly at best.