Cascading Darkness

I didn't have any problem with this mission, infact it was one of the easiest I have played. I only have to load once, because a rocket rect saw one of my guys and not everyone could target him. I'm sure most of you will think I'm a fool, but I did the entire mission with 5 snipers. They all had Accuracy International rifles, and I didn't have to even reload (45 rounds per clip is nice ) First off I want to say if you didn't focus on marksmanship this tactic IS foolish, and that you will be splattered by rocket fire. As I started the mission I just had them kneel and open fire. I dropped the 5 rects outside the wall without them even getting a shot off. Then I had my squad just sit in front of the gate and the rects slowly came out (1 or 2 at a time). They were dropped the instant they showed up (even at max range my snipers have 80% to hit, and to the gate it was 90-95%). The only time I was even injured was when one of the rects beat my draw and got one of my guys with a laser pistol before he fell dead. Inside it was more risky to use snipers, but it ended up fine. I moved as group, and whenever I would spot and alien I would select all and target. Then all I had to do was listen to the 5 "alien down" messages and continue on. I do think the Rects are weak to HARD ammo, atleast in sun and sky suits. I have never seen one of them live thru 5 rifle rounds no matter what they are wearing. Although I have not seen one in BIO armor yet, so things may change. I would suggest that if you are going to send a runner to grab the case that his inventory is mostly empty it is 20-25 kg. Even with just a rifle and the case my man's speed was slowed (even with very excellent capacity) I'm sure this won't work for everyone but I hope it helps! Now go out there and Gut Those Greys!

Well as I said I love snipers. My tactics with them work effectively. I just beat the dreaded russian mission with a squad of 5 guys in sun armor. Only weapon I used for every member was Acc. International sniper rifle. It was one of the easiest missions I have played yet. I had to load once because a rocket guy spotted 1 team member as I was moving. Other than that one guy got injured when an alien beat my draw and got 1 shot of laser pistol off before dying instantly. I realize this tactic isn't going to work for everyone, especially if you didn't focus your guys training on marksmanship. It just made sense to me. The second an alien is spotted I have my whole squad (of 5 usually) fire. It's rare that they don't drop in the first volley, and usually I'm the one that caught them by suprise so they get a second shot in before the alien anyway. This tactic works even better for trans baddies, since they usually have lower resistances and hp. Hopes this might help someone stuck on that russian mission. Good luck, and make those Greys Pay!

Snipers own, in certain situations. They are decent on urban missions, godlike on open outdoor missions. Indoors they have less use. In human bases they are good for long corridors and open rooms. They are however almost useless in alien bases and ships. I have used snipers soley so far (Almost to russian mission), and they have made missions extremely easy up to this point. The Acuracy Int. L115AE rifle will drop anything in 2-4 hits, except maybe car crabs, and bigger trans guys. I usually move as one group and cover all directions. Most of the time once spotted the enemy will be dropped before it even gets a shot off. I feel that assult rifles are worthless, you have to be in their attack range to use them, and they do the same or less damage as a rifle, plus burst fire sucks (unless you are point blank, but I would want a shotty then anyway). I use sniper rifles, shotguns, and plasma rifles solely. During alien base or ship missions I have 2 shotgun guys, and 3 plasma to cover the halls. You just have a shotgun guy crouch next to a door and burst fire any rect that walks by. They will drop dead instantly. Plasma has perfect range to cover the medium range alien hallways too. Like is said tho I haven't gotten to the Russia mission yet, so I may have to change these tactics, but sniping is very important in my opinion. I get through 95% of outdoor missions without even being injured, and that 5% is more like a simple flesh wound. I would suggest a back up shotgun or plasma rifle for indoors. Plus it is just funny to spot an alien and down him before he even knew you were there.