R&D Additional Options for SHIV Customization

[johnnylump]

@ Kara,

 

My answer to the problem you raise was to give an item the "Close Combat Specialist" perk (which I don't think will require any hex changes to the perk, but I haven't tested yet).

[Amineri]

Here's an updated list of which perks do and don't work with SHIVs

 

Verified:

• Double Tap
• Flush (VERY handy for SHIVs)
• Bullet Swarm (works as expected -- as usual only for regular shot, so Flush + Bullet Swarm don't synergize)
• Sprinter
• Lock N Load (new perk supplies +2 shots)
• Close Combat Specialist (I had to use Flush to force my alien to move while next to the CCS SHIV, but it worked)
• HEAT Ammo (previously verified)
• Holo Targeting (both visual effects and bonus to hit work)
• Extra Conditioning (I had it grant +3 HP to an Alloy SHIV --requires a hex edit to get working, to add SHIV armor to conditioning list)
• Resilience (difficult to prove that it was working -- I granted sectoid plasma pistols 100% crit chance, then swapped two SHIVs to the alien team and two sectoids to the XCOM team. Had a 90% chance to crit the regular SHIV, but 0% displayed for the one with Resilience -- the previous turn a mind-merged sectoid failed to crit the Resilient SHIV).
• Lightning Reflexes

Could possibly work, but not yet tested (some of these seem potentially unbalancing):

• Run & Gun
• Killer Instinct (only with Run & Gun)
• Tactical Sense
• Aggression
• Close and Personal
• Rapid Fire
• Bring Em On
• Rapid Reaction
• Danger Zone (only when Suppression is unlocked)
• Mayhem (only when Suppression is unlocked)
• Squadsight (would need weapon range changes in DGC.ini)
• Damn Good Ground
• Executioner
• Opportunist
• In The Zone
• Covering Fire
• Sentinel

Questionable as to whether it will work due to class restrictions or animation issues

• Headshot (likely requires sniper)
• Battlescanner (animation issues)
• Smoke Grenade (animation issues)
• Smoke and Mirrors
• Dense Smoke
• Combat Drugs

 

Verified does not work:

• Disabling Shot (seems to require Sniper in some way I haven't found)
• Stealth Perk (the stealth ability is required on the armor)

Perks that are meaningless for SHIVs

• Fire Rocket (SHIV doesn't have Rocket Launcher so it can't work)
• Shredder Rocket
• Rocketeer
• Suppression (automatically granted via Foundry project)
• Rifle Suppression
• Will To Survive (can't take cover)
• Gunslinger (can't equip pistols)
• Low Profile (can't take cover)
• Field Medic (can't equip Medikit)
• Savior (can't equip Medikit)
• Revive (can't equip Medikit)
• Deep Pockets (perks are granted via items)
• Snapshot (already can move and fire weapon)

[Beagcom]

This looks really good. I'm excited by how many great prospects you've got going for customizing XCOM's gameplay in the works. I'm happy to see the SHIV getting some love.