Militia Overhaul

This post will detail the idea, hows and what of my Militia Overhaul mod. More information can be found over here (mod integration, addons and more “dev-like” changes).

Brief History

The mod started in early 2022 as an idea, but was written in April 2023 with the help of Endlesspie49, who helped to shape the mod into what it is now.

It has obviously evolved, but the core ideas are the same, an overhaul that makes the player at the centre of the militia, while making it as diverse as the Xcom roster, while being as modular as possible, to allow for full customisation.

Idea for the mod

What the militia should be

The militia is now a full roster of different units with their own weapons, AI, abilities and role.

They are separated into normal (which can appear in large numbers), hero (which can appear in smaller numbers) and unique, which are unique units that will only appear if Advent digs deep enough.

The factions can also be attacked, they too feature a fully fledged roster of units and abilities (some say you can even find the factions leaders if you search enough).

Mods that form the overhaul

Militia Gear

Note

This mod creates all of the weaponry that the militia can use. By default, it only creates the base weapons (from vanilla & WOTC) with no extras like DLC added weapons, those are added via addons. The stats are adjusted for a vanilla-like setup (although they are a bit higher).

Militia Accesories

Note

This mod creates some extra goodies that Xcom can use (most notably different ways to call the militia for help), as well as use their expertise in survival for some neat tech and tools.

Militia Breakthroughs

Note

This mod creates new breakthroughs that can be used to improve the militia’s stats; they can be expensive in the late game, but are integral to the Resistance’s survival.

Militia Changes (Integrated in the overhaul)

Note

This mod adds 2 units, a medic and a fake militia soldier (aka, a faceless) as well as add 2 new abilities. The mod is integrated into the overhaul as it uses a tier system (like the normal militia) and doesn’t quite fit the full overhaul’s vision as is.

These mods form the framework of the Militia Overhaul I present, but they wouldn’t be complete without a proper militia overhaul mod.

To help the goal of modularity, the overhaul is multiple mods.

Militia Overhaul mods

Yes, mods.

What this overhaul does

As stated earlier, this overhaul aims to fit into any modded playthroughs, and as it stands, the militia is a single unit.

The only logical step is to allow it to become more Xcom-like in terms of units, abilities and tactics. The proper “Militia Overhaul” mods create the units, AI, abilities and encounter list.

Each units are divided in archetypes, each of those gain a “class” specific ability, it then rolls positive and negative abilities.

About the abilities

Each of those class specific abilities have multiple levels, which can increase with tech reserch or at the GTS.

Math of the abilities
  • Roll from 0-2 negative abilities (50% for the first, 20% for the second)
  • Roll from 0-2/3 positive abilities (50% for the first, 20% for the second)

Note : each negative roll can be decreased by 10% with GTS unlocks (from 50% & 20% -> 40% & 10%).

Each positive abilities can increase by 10% the same way, another unlock can increase the ability count from 2 to 3.

Militia Overhaul : Vanilla Balance

This mod creates units that are only from the vanilla game & WOTC, they try to be as vanilla friendly as possible, but some liberties were taken to flesh out these units.

Rifleman

  • Civilian : The most common type of unit, they aren’t very good but they compensate with accuracy by volume

    Loadout : Rifle, Frag grenade, Light militia armour

  • Point shooter : Slightly less common, specialised in straight shooting at enemies, has better stats and abilities

    Loadout : Rifle, Pistol, Medium militia armour

  • Watcher : As common as the point shooter but specialised in overwatches and ambush tactics

    Loadout : Rifle, Flash grenade, Medium militia armour

Each roll a class specific ability (in order : red shirt1, ammo pouch2, overwatcher3)

The Civilian can roll : Empty clip, Mag dump, Lucky.

The Point shooter can roll : Good shot, Prior fighting knowledge, Came prepared.

The Watcher can roll : Eagle Eyed, Vital shot, Target rich environment

Ranger

  • Swordsman : The most common of the ranger units, it specialise in using it’s sword to slice enemies appart and getting back to cover.

    Loadout : Shotgun, Sword, Light militia armour

  • Shotgunner : As common as the swordsman, specialise in flanking maneuvers and dishing out high single target damage.

    Loadout : Shotgun, Pistol, Medium militia armour

  • Bullwark : The rarest ranger unit, specialise in tanking and concentrating enemy fire, keeping allies safe.

    Loadout : Shotgun, Smoke grenade, Heavy militia armour

    Each roll a class specific ability (in order : Sharp edge4, Close and personnal5, Heavy armour6)

Grenadier

  • Support : The most common of the grenadier units, it specialise in using it’s grenade launcher to support it’s allies and make enemies unable to attack

    Loadout : Bullpup, Grenade launcher, Flash grenade, Smoke grenade, Medium militia armour

  • Destroyer : A rare grenadier unit, specialise in destroying cover and making enemies easier to hit

    Loadout : Bullpup, Grenade launcher, Frag grenade, Medium militia armour

    Each roll a class specific ability (in order : Supporter7, Heavy ordonance use8)

Cannoner

  • Suppressor : The most common of the cannoner units, it specialise in suppressing enemy targets, pinning them down with a rain of bullets.

    Loadout : Cannon, Frag grenade, Medium militia armour

  • Cannoner : As common as the Suppressor, specialise in spraying the enemy in bullets.

    Loadout : Cannon, Flash grenade, Medium militia armour

Techie

  • Electrical : The most common of the techie units, specialise attacking units with it’s Gremlin.

    Loadout : Rifle, Gremlin, Medium militia armour

  • Hacker : A rare Techie units, it specialise in hacking enemy robots and disabling, or even taking control of them.

    Loadout : Bullup, Gremlin, Light militia armour

Healer

  • Soldier Medic : The most common healer units, it specialise in shooting enemies and doing some light healing. Loadout : Bullup, Gremlin, Light militia armour

  • First Responder : A rare healer unit, specialise in healing it’s allies and making them stay alive.

    Loadout : Shotgun, Medkit, Light militia armour

  • Mobile Hospital : A rare healer unit, specialise in heavy healing at the cost of attack damage.

    Loadout : Pistol, Medkit, Smokes Heavy armour militia armour

  • Booster : The rarer healer unit, specialise in boosting it’s allies and making them better fighters.

    Loadout : Rifle, Stim gun, Medium militia armour

Sniper

  • Sharpshooter : The most common sniper units, it specialise in targeting priority targets at long range.

    Loadout : Sniper rifle, Smoke grenade, Light militia armour

  • Overseer : A common sniper unit specialising in overwatching and keeping enemies at bay.

    Loadout : Sniper rifle, pistol, Light militia armour

Militia Overhaul : Proficiency Inspired

Militia Overhaul : Long War of The Chosen Inspired

  1. Red shirt : -20 aim, can shoot twice per turn. ↩︎

  2. Ammo pouch : +2 ammo, gain 1 free reload ↩︎

  3. Overwatcher : +10 aim when in overwatch, attacked unit has defense reduced by 20%. ↩︎

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