Beggining is way too hard?

[Friends with Benedicts]

I'm not being able to advance. Just rescued the scientist, the mission that give you 1000 cash, and can't do any of the other. I cleared half or more of the plant before it became impossible to engage the remaining without dying.

I only have enough money to hire a medic, and I'm a soldier. Should I be doing this stealthly, or what?

I didn't have that much problem with the S2, but I guess it was because there was no cash limit, like this one.

[stcaFylnO]

Except for the exception, stealth always helps. Try using: Snipers, Scouts, Throwing, Stealth. Medics, Engineers, Soldiers, and Grenadiers are interesting to play, but they make the game much more challenging. The best thrower isn't even a Grenadier, it is Shade (Ninja).

Skim through my guide about Snipers, there are a lot of tips and insights.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1373653088

Also, the higher the difficulty and enemy levels, the easier the game is. This allows leveling up 3 times, just in the first mission alone. You'll not only get more XP, but better loot too.

[Friends with Benedicts]

I'll have a look. I actually started a third game, with a soldier, same setup, farmed the entire first stage, hired another soldier, went to rescue mission again, but this time, killed everybody. Lots of cash, hired a medic, now I'm trying the mines again with 3 characters instead of 2. But it's still a little harsh. This game requires lots of tries, and I'm kinda regreting playing it on hard.

[stcaFylnO]

Nice, gj.

Much like Jagged Alliance 2, this game will punish mistakes severely. Once you figure it out though, it won't be so hard. The trick is not to make all the mistakes that you don't even know are mistakes yet. The goal? Try to never let an enemy even shoot: Less risky and since they don't use supplies or damage weapons, more cash is acquired, while also avoiding medical costs.

[frobisher]

Originally posted by stcaFylnO:

Except for the exception, stealth always helps. Try using: Snipers, Scouts, Throwing, Stealth. Medics, Engineers, Soldiers, and Grenadiers are interesting to play, but they make the game much more challenging. The best thrower isn't even a Grenadier, it is Shade (Ninja).

Skim through my guide about Snipers, there are a lot of tips and insights.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1373653088

Also, the higher the difficulty and enemy levels, the easier the game is. This allows leveling up 3 times, just in the first mission alone. You'll not only get more XP, but better loot too.

You mention that the best thrower is Shade. I have tried using him and was never impressed. His beginning stats are not very good and even after a few missions he hasn't improved much. What is worse-- you can't get rid of him. Can't fire him and can't even kill him. If you kill him he still occupies a spot on your squad so you are down to 5.

[stcaFylnO]

A couple levels isn't enough for Shade; at that point, his role is for spotting and one-shot KO's with clubs. Although he becomes valuable earlier, it requires level 11 to have all throwing abilities with Ambush. Swap from melee-throwers, to throwing knives, then to shuriken when available. During early game, characters are not reliable, always buddy up (redundancies and backup plans rule the day).

Eventually, shuriken only cost him 2 AP per throw, have good chances for instant kills, and cause status effects reliably (Ambush). He can solo maps, like the fenced compound with the largest enemy spawn (motorcyles at gate). The only down side is continually gathering the shuiken, so he doesn't run out. His stealth and throwng are so amazing, he just toys with enemies. He can easily have half the total kills for entire party, per campaign. Other characters will be 3-4 levels higher, but it doesn't matter; he is innefectually nerfed as a slow leveler.


PS: Images on Steam are functioning today, see new posts and new thread; images are better than what I originally had here

[stcaFylnO]

@frobisher
Here is that image series for you.

Shade: Ninja-ing a solo run
https://steamcommunity.com/app/254980/discussions/0/3596571824770734463/

[stcaFylnO]

Thanks for your feeback frobisher, I added more details to guide. You also inspired me to research, re-evaluate, and learn more about the game.

Originally posted by frobisher:

What is worse-- you can't get rid of him. Can't fire him and can't even kill him. If you kill him he still occupies a spot on your squad so you are down to 5.

@frobisher
Shade can be removed from squad. It may depend upon game settings or difficulty? I assume you are on Normal, and not required to carry unconscious mercs off map? The following image was on Impossible, but I don't remember all the settings I chose. 7 squaddies is achieved by acquiring Shade after having a full 6 on team.

You are correct, we can only have 6 or 7 (exploit) squaddies. Shade must be eliminated in some cases to change and/or replenish forces.

Image: I had 7 squaddies, killed off Shade, then left the map. Only 6 members remaining. Now it is possible to chagne roster with fire/hire. It is possible to create others with console, but I havn't tested it fully... not sure what issues may arise.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1442454724

Originally posted by frobisher:

Originally posted by stcaFylnO:

...The best thrower isn't even a Grenadier, it is Shade (Ninja).

You mention that the best thrower is Shade. I have tried using him and was never impressed. His beginning stats are not very good and even after a few missions he hasn't improved much.

Point taken, he is one of the best ;)
For reference: Comparing a level 14 Toki with level 14 Shade ($40,000 cost difference); really, with such fantastic characters, the true break points are cost and how to fully exploit their advantages.

Toki: 8/12 STR/DEX, 132/103 Melee/Throwing, 129 Hide, 105 Interrupt, 105 Spot; so, he is not a better thrower, but he is a much better shooter with more VP points.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1442548692
Shade: 11 STR/DEX, 183 Melee/Throwing, 177 Hide, 172 Interrupt, 135 Spot; he is almost level 15 though, but this was the only image I had for reference.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1442557344

If the only concern is throwing, sure a low level Grenadier that starts with 10 STR is attractive, but without the Hide, Ambush, etc., they just cause more difficulties than benefits. For instance, Rowdy is level 13 but only has a Throwing of 115 and 9 STR for $28,000, and most importantly may be the lack of critical bonus. So, other Scouts may be a better alernative.