X-COM Base Spawn Points

Description

Lists all the possible locations in each base module where aliens/X-COM soldiers and tanks can potentially show up on the first round. This is only for the default routes in a fresh install - if you apply any of my routes patches these nodes may differ slightly. Please note that I used the index numbers in the RMP file for each module to make it easier for modders to follow. These points should hold for the DOS and Windows versions, but I know for a fact that the Playstation has slightly different locations for a few modules.

I started constructing this Excel workbook way back in 2005 as a way to visualize where the spawn points are located and how units are placed on a map in a base defense mission. It really wasn't finished up until a year ago when my understanding of the subject cleared up all the question marks. After some minor cleanup and renumbering of the points it was ready. To make it somewhat clear, aqua tiles are the spawn point locations, white tiles are usually the lighting source for the module (where appropriate they are included otherwise look in the pics below) and the rest of them should be pretty self-explanatory.

The spawn order in a base is sometimes a little confusing so I'll try to clear some of it up here. Tanks always spawn first (up to 10 - any more than this and you'll lose them) in a location with "Any" type and the "X-COM" rank. Next come your soldiers (up to 40) who occupy any location with the "Small" type and the X-COM rank. If you have a lot of soldiers they will start to occupy the "Any" or "Small" "Civ-Scout" tiles. These are what I call "shared" or "overflow" locations because there are no civilians present on this map. Finally, if your base is small and you have enough troops they will start to occupy the aliens spots in the Access Lift or Hangars indicated by a "Soldier" rank. Even more soldiers will consume every available spot in your base thus preventing the aliens from showing up (called an "auto-win mission"). Conversely, if you have few troops and a small base design the aliens will occupy their nodes first, then the "Civ-Scout" ones. However, aliens can never occupy X-COM locations which guarantees that you'll always be able to get some troops into the mission to defend. To boil it down: "X-COM" points are reserved for only your units, "Civ-Scout" are shared and "Soldier" are up for grabs depending on the number of units on a map.

As a general warning, usage of this file may make the game too easy or spoil things, so use at your own risk.