Edgetormcrow

Not sure if this is the right thread to post bugs but this is a fairly bad one. Ive noticed that the 4 corners of the extraction zone count as 'outside' the zone despite the square tile graphic including the edges. I believe some mission code recognises the edges but the "lost soldier" code doesn't. For example I just finished the crysallid Fishing Village "Operation Cursed Heart" mission which goes to a cutscence after successful extraction. The red mission box "you have 2 soldiers outside the zone" appeared just as the mission accepted i had everyone in the extraction zone and proceded to the cutscene. In the post-mission briefing the red mission box for 'extraction or abort mission' still popped up on top of the mission debriefing , but the kill count showed as 42 alien kills to 0 xcom deaths! Couldn't close the mission screen as the red box covered the mission end screen and couldnt click any of the mission tabs and the game had confused itself. Beware the 4 edges of extraction zone if you're in a hot retreat! - Edge

U love it.

Managing risk and percentages is the name of the game. Sometimes you'll miss six 55% shots in a row, but if most of your guys are in full cover, you can shoot all day in relative peace. Otherwise you'll have to use a frag to blow their cover off or use another avenue. You can always retreat your squad from sight and overwatch spam camp.

Its a really good question, every choice is big in LW especially since the latest patches make things harder. I have recently found the same thing as you; going for xenoneurology takes too long, and after its done, you are getting too far behind in the combat stakes. Ive recently gone for scopes and beam weapons first as saben787 stated. Even so, it can take 2 months or so to get them, and a week or two to build them, so you have to suck it up and get good with the starting items plus scopes for a long time. Battle Rifles even out the damage contest if you are a camping type player (lower accuracy for the move n shoot). Scopes are expensive but with increased cash for all the abductions that keep coming and coming,, and coming. you can afford to recycle 3 to 5 of them between your squads.