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Black ICE Codex

The third installment in Ashlynne's Alternate Aliens Collection! Joining the ADVENT Warlock and the Flame Viper is the Black ICE Codex. This Codex is the aliens latest design in cyber-security. She is equipped with a security protocol designed to protect the ADVENT Network by disrupting XCom's hacking ability. Like a real world anti-virus, the Black ICE Codex seeks to eliminate potential network intruders by destroying them... literally. The Black ICE Codex is a mid to late game enemy that comes in 3 variants, each more powerful than the last.

Black ICE Codex Features:

REACTION ABILITIES
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The Black ICE Codex gains an activation every time she takes damage; kind of like a Ruler, but not as brutal (She doesn't care if you shoot the Muton hiding in the garbage can 20 feet away!). Using her reactive AI, she'll immediately use one or more of the following Reaction Abilities:

-Network Firewall: Instead of cloning, the Black ICE Codex raises an energy shield.
-Counter Shot: A standard shot targeted at a random, visible XCom soldier.
-Teleport: Flee to find better cover!
-Distortion Field: A defensive shield that makes her harder to hit.
-Catastrophic Failure: If she dies, she'll try to take everyone nearby with her!


STANDARD ABILITIES
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In addition to her Reaction Abilities, the Black ICE Codex has a selection of Standard Abilities that she can use during her activation; some that end her turn, some that don't.

-Black ICE Protocol: Her namesake ability! A unit debuff that increases to HIT, to CRIT, and CRIT DAMAGE for all attackers. Additionally, the victim's Hack Stat and Hacking Defense is greatly reduced.
-Standard Shot: Fire her Black ICE Rifle at a visible target.
-Teleport: Why walk when you can just appear anywhere?! This ability can be used Actively as well as Reactively.
-Reboot Sequence: Regenerate at the beginning of every turn.
-Destroy Virus: A powerful beam attack that destroys intervening cover.


STRATEGY ELEMENTS
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-1 New Research Project: Black ICE Protocol Encryption (effectively the autopsy); available after recovering an encryption by destroying a Black ICE Codex in the field.
-2 New Proving Grounds Projects: Black ICE Skulljack and Black ICE Rounds.


CUSTOMIZABLE
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To easy? To difficult? Just about every variable that makes up the Black ICE Codex is exposed and clearly labeled in the following configuration files:

Steam\SteamApps\workshop\content\268500\766768567\Config\XComAshBlackIceCodexConfig.ini
Steam\SteamApps\workshop\content\268500\766768567\Config\XComGameData_CharacterStats.ini

Configure her stats and abilities to meet the expectations of your XCom 2 environment. Don't be anchored to the balancing done in my environment. Balance her however you want! If you do make changes, back up the changed config files or take note of your changes somewhere. If this Mod gets updated, you'll need to restore your changes.


COMPATIBILITY
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The Black ICE Codex Mod adds its own unique templates and config file entries to the game. It DOES NOT alter/override any Base Classes, Templates or config file entries. As such, it "should not" have compatibility issues with other mods, but you never know. The only Base Templates this mod expects to find intact are the "Skulljack", "Bluescreen", and "BluescreenRounds" Templates. Mods that rename, replace, remove, or disintegrate these Base Templates may cause issues with the Strategy Elements.


LONG WAR 2
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Tested and confirmed to be compatible with LW2, but my Alien Pack is explicitly coded to work with LW2.

-Ashlynne's LW2 Alien Pack: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=876294079


NEW GAME
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You should start a new game before enabling the Black ICE Codex mod.


Other Mods by Ashlynne_Lee!
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-Loot Pinatas http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=653656956
-Flame Viper http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=715318608
-ADVENT Warlock http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=692243100


WotC Version
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Black ICE Codex: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2280597326


UPDATES (see change notes for details)
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9/24/2016: Black ICE Codex will no longer teleport if damaged while frozen.
2/10/2017: See Discussion for details