X-Com Interceptor - Superhuman 101

Channel:

Nijuni Kuro

Subscribers:

932

Published on July 11, 2009 12:37:23 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO7iS95MvL4

Game:

X-COM: Interceptor (1998)

Duration: 5:36

1,416 views

4

I HATE making low-quality videos, but I also HATE being called cheater and a liar, which I WAS by a certain guy when I said I've finished "X-com: Interceptor" on Superhuman difficulty.
I can't run the game on my computer and it crashes when I try using Fraps on my laptop, so I had to record this with a web-cammera duck-taped to a chair. Since I've got a LIFE, I won't be making a "Let's play" and stuff like that, but I WILL record few fights on Superhuman difficulty.
Also, the game is a bit buggy on my laptop, so it sometimes automatically launches a missile at the beginning of most battles and ALWAYS shoots the beam weapon once. Also, I'm playing with a TOUCH-PAD :(

There are few videos on the 'net and, truthfully, they all seem to be made by amateurs. To survive the Superhuman difficulty, you CAN'T just rush the enemy and hope they'll blow up before you do. You need STRATEGY. You need TACTICS.
Now, here are few things that would help you survive dog-fights on Superhuman:
--I've noticed that NOONE on 'net is transfering their power from weapons to shields and vice-versa. You HAVE to do this if you want to survive ("," and "." are default keys for this).
--I ALWAYS set weapons and shield to 100% power supply, which leaves me somewhat slower. When I need a speed boost, I usually drop the Shield recharge to 0% for a second or 2, which makes my ship go a LOT faster, so there's no need to use weapon power for afterburners (I keep them in case I need to transfer them to my shields).
--Use "S" key to balance your shields if neccessary (set them forward, back or evenly on both sides)
--Your wingmen are IDIOTS. Alien pilots are GENIUSES. For example, my wingmen NEVER use cloaking, ECMs nor vector control thrusters. Alien Shades pop up from cloaking, let all hell loose on me or my wingmen, then cloak again in second or 2 (and they ALWAYS attack from behind).
--Your ship can fly BACKWARDS. Use this to attack your enemy while retreating. You can also shoot down the incoming missiles they launch at you this way.
--When deciding on a weapon, try to remember their range of attack, not only their firepower. For example, Heavy Lasers can shoot only at 2 km, while Plasma Pulse Cannon can attack from 5 km.

There are a LOT of tactics I used to beat the game on Superhuman difficulty. Here are some tips:
--Research new shields as soon as possible. That little extra rechargable protection can mean difference between life and death.
--Unless you've researched Electroplasmatic Shield and Plasma Pulse Cannon by the time Spectres appear, you're most likely screwed.
--Unless you get Photon Cannon before Phantasms show up, you're screwed.
--It is advised to research the Permeator Missile soon after the new shields and Photon Cannons. Not only are they more powerful than every other missile except "Base-Buster" Fusion Missile, but they also IGNORE THE ENEMY SHIELDS.
--Use your Outposts and bases to assist you. Be warned, tho', Outposts can hold only Wraith squadrons, while Spectres are most likely to blow them up soon (not to mention Phantasms), but a well-equiped base can destroy a HUGE alien squadron (contains 10 alien ships, appear only on Superhuman) on it's own (without you needing to defend it).
--You probably won't survive on contract funding alone. Try manufacturing goods, then selling them at higher price. Most profitable are Photon Cannons, then Tachyon Pulsers.
--I NEVER pay for escorts, I defend my freighters myself. You can save a LOT of money this way.
--Always use 5 Interceptors (build more Hangars as soon as possible). Trust me, you'll need all the firepower you can get. It might be a good idea keeping "spare" Interceptors at the base later on (when you get money for it), just in case.
--Pirates are NOT a threat, only a nuisance, even on Superhuman. They'll only send 1 or 2 ships to raid, so you can take them out easily. Pirates can be a threat only if they manage to hi-jack a freighter and assemble a LARGE squadron.

That's MOST of my tactics (But not all, mind you). Now that I've done the thinking instead of you, TRY these. They are a BIG help in surviving the alien onslaught, you'll see.

This battle didn't fare too good. I didn't manage to salvage Plasma Pulse Cannon nor Electroplasmatic Shield. Also, I think the description is much more informative/useful than the video itself XD

Other Statistics