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Shadow Ops LW

If you're using Long War 2, get the LW2 version! Requires starting a new campaign.

Shadow Ops LW is a gameplay overhaul that replaces the Long War Perk Pack classes with four new classes and rebalances early-game items for more strategic choices. Requires Long War Perk Pack to play.

Note: If you are using Long War 2, I recommend installing the individual class mods linked below, rather than this pack. The crit chance change and item changes are unnecessary and unbalanced with LW2.

Shadow Ops LW is balanced to be more difficult than the Long War Perk Pack, and requires different strategy and tactics. It is intended for experienced players who enjoy a challenge.

This pack includes all of the following mods, as well as some other balance changes. Note that the pack is not compatible with the individual mods. Use one or the other.

LW Combat Engineer
LW Dragoon
LW Hunter
LW Infantry
Item Pack
Crit Chance Change

Each class in Shadow Ops LW has two main paths with distinctly defined battlefield roles and strong synergies between perks. That doesn't mean that you can only build soldiers along those paths, though - every ability is useful in the right situation.

Combat Engineer
The Combat Engineer carries a shotgun and a grenade launcher for maximum destructive potential. Go down the Pioneer path to blow away cover with Breach and deal devastating criticals with Fracture and Aggression, or take the Sapper path and launch grenades rapid-fire with Fastball and demolish enemy mechanical units with HEAT Ammo.

Dragoon
The primary defensive class, the Dragoon's signature GREMLIN ability Shield Protocol grants allies damage-absorbing energy shields. Build a Paladin to stand in the front lines absorbing damage with Tank and blowing away cover with a cannon Barrage, or create a Ghost to infiltrate stealthily with Lightfoot and cloak allies with Stealth Protocol.

Hunter
The Hunter's unorthodox combination of sniper rifle and sword makes them deadly at any range. The Marksman path can execute devastating ambushes with First Strike and then vanish with Fade, while the Tracker can fight on the run with Snap Shot and Sprint while detecting enemies beyond line of sight with Tracking.

Infantry
The Infantry's job is simple: shoot enemies. Bring a Rifleman to rain bullets with Light 'Em Up and take precision pistol shots with Magnum and Flush, or take a Support to provide constant overwatch with Ready for Anything and extra healing with First Aid.

Every class in Shadow Ops LW has two GTS abilities. The first, unlocked at Captain, grants a powerful bonus to all soldiers of that class. The second is unlocked by getting a soldier to Brigadier and grants a bonus to all your soldiers. Try to get the GTS unlocks quickly - they can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Shadow Ops LW includes four new ammo types and one new vest type that give your soldiers additional equipment choices in the early game. It also makes several existing items free, because you're going to need that money.

DerBK, for design review of the LW version.
robojumper, for help with animation.
Varyar1g, for playtesting the LW version.
MantLemon, for the simplified Chinese translation.
Everyone who played the Shadow Ops Class Pack for great feedback.

Q. Is Shadow Ops LW compatible with my existing mods?
A. Yes, Shadow Ops LW is compatible with almost all mods. It is not compatible with the non-LW Shadow Ops Class Pack. There is a known incompatibility with the Reliable Smoke mod. I recommend not using the Ammo and Vest Slots mod for balance reasons.

Q. Can I switch my existing campaign from the Shadow Ops Class Pack to this mod?
A. No, sorry. You'll have to start a new campaign to use this mod if you're currently using the Shadow Ops Class Pack.

Q. Help! I'm getting overwhelmed by too many enemies!
A. The Shadow Ops LW classes are meant to be more defensive and less offensive than the Long War Perk Pack classes. Use your defensive abilities to protect your soldiers rather than just trying to kill every enemy before they act.

Q. What's this "Hit Chance" modifier to Crit?
A. Shots with a hit chance below 85% get a penalty to critical hit chance equal to half the difference. This fixes the problem of low-percentage shots always being crits if they hit without reducing the power of crit-boosting abilities such as Aggression.

Q. Can I make a remix of this, or reuse your code and art in my own mod?
A. Yes! I love seeing what other people can make from my stuff. All I ask is for appropriate credit.