XCOM 2
Mod Jam for Long War of the Chosen
Kiruka  [developer] 16 Dec, 2021 @ 12:44pm
Changes to Spark Arsenal
- I've introduced a new variant of the Kinetic Strike Module, called the Prototype Strike Module (PSM for short). This is available from the start of the campaign in infinite quantities. It does not modify any SPARK or MEC Trooper melee skills at all, nor does it increase melee damage, but it does offer the Kinetic Strike skill which still hurts a lot and can easily destroy cover or make openings in walls.

- The Kinetic Strike Module itself is now gated behind the Andromedon Autopsy and WAR Suit research rather than the Advent MEC Breakdown and costs a bit more, but its melee damage buff has been increased (80% from 60%).

- The Kinetic Strike skill, whether used with the PSM or KSM, is no longer turn-ending if used with a unit that has any of these skills: Assault Servos (Mechatronic Warfare), Shock Absorbers (MEC Troopers) or Marauder.

- Restorative Mist is now available from the start of the campaign in infinite quantities, and has buffed AoE to match LW1's. Hopefully this will allow it to compete with that ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Shredder Gun.

- The Heavy Strike Module is now available from the start of the campaign in infinite quantities, but has had its damage nerfed. It's still a good choice for busting through walls or just generally long missions.

- The Powered Strike Module does double the damage of the Heavy Strike Module, but is now gated behind the Andromedon Autopsy and WAR Suit research just like the KSM.

- The Kiruka Autogun has been buffed in terms of damage, since it's competing with the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Shredder Gun and isn't infinite. It is gated behind Magnetic Weapons research, but the build cost is pretty low, much like a Mag Pistol. It also has a new range table, the same as the bullpup in LWOTC.

- The Kiruka Autopulser has also been buffed in damage, and is gated behind Plasma Rifle research but is also pretty cheap. It also does a point of Rupture like other beam guns in LWOTC. Also has the above mentioned range table change.

- BITs have been added as secondary weapon options for LWOTC's Specialists and Shadow Ops' Dragoons (LWOTC edition).

- The Electro Pulse is very different. It can damage everything now, but still does more damage to robots. Its radius is also the same size it was in LW1, and has a 3-turn cooldown instead of charges just like LW1. However, it no longer reduces hack defense or disables enemy weapons. You'll need Bluescreen research to build them. They're a little more expensive in terms of Supplies, and also need some Alloys, Elerium Dust and an Elerium Core.

- Incinerators have been buffed in damage across the board, as they are massive and should absolutely out-damage a Gauntlet flamethrower.

- Ordnance Launcher upgrades are now gated behind EXO Suit and WAR Suit research rather than basic armor research. Higher tiers increase range, and the Beam tier also grants Blaster Launcher targeting for grenades. Costs are comparable to that of the Gauntlet.

- Sabot Rounds are now built from Advent Sniper Corpses. If you don't have Advent Sniper, there's a bonus config line to use Advent Turret Wrecks instead. You'll also need to complete the Sabot Rounds project in the Proving Grounds before you can build them in Engineering.

- Mechanized Arm Transformation Gears tech has the same requirements as before (Mechanized Warfare OR Lost Towers mission), but its cost has been lowered to 30 Supplies, 2 Alien Alloys and 2 Elerium Dust.

- Experimental Shells tech is cheaper and gated behind Modular Weapons and Hybrid Materials. It still grants infinite copies of all special shells and the Munitions Mount.

- Advanced Munitions mount and the second tier of the special shells are built one at a time in Engineering after researching Advanced Grenades. Improved Shells tech is gone.

- Artillery Cannons have been buffed in damage across the board to keep them competitive with LWOTC's buffed Autocannons.

- Protocol Suite no longer grants a bonus to Hacking, as LWOTC's SPARKs start with a Hacking stat of 35 already. (For those of you using MEC Troopers: my LWOTC edition of them will also feature a starting Hacking stat of 35.)

- As Mechatronic Warfare is no longer a roster mod, the melee damage adjustment once housed there is now housed in Spark Arsenal's folder instead. SPARKs' Strike damage has been buffed to keep melee competitive with LWOTC's buffed SPARK firearms. SPARKs now do 8/10/12 damage with the Strike attack based on equipped chassis, and their crit damage increases a little bit with the higher tiers as well.