About Xenonauts and X-COM:
Good point. All this game is doing is making me want to play the original all over again too. :o
I was struggling with Xenonauts too. I give you some pointers based on my experiences.
Real military don't use shields, so I don't either. Still players tell they have had success with them. Are shields overpowered or what?
I use 4 riflemen, 2 assault (shotgunners), and 2 snipers/machine gunner. ALWAYS back up when advancing with enough points for reaction fire. When you open a door, have 2 or more soldiers around of it with full action points. One opens the door, others (shotgunners preferred) go in. And more soldiers need to protect the flanks. Loner (rifleman or machine gunner) can cover flank/rear while others advance.
If you plan to ambush an advancing enemy at short range (with a shotgun) and there is a corner, place your soldier along the wall (if possible) some distance away from the corner. Enemy has to round the corner to get LOS, and that makes a reaction shot at his side. Even better if enemy has his attention on your soldier at front of him (and behind a cover or a shield).
Concentrate firepower! Bring as many troops against as few enemies as possible! Beware enemy grenades however. In surprise and strong enemy encounters, throw grenades (smoke), fall back, and regroup.
You can increase strength of your soldiers by equipping them heavily. I equip them at their max capacity (or little over) that don't bring penalties. Soldiers with most of muscle should carry med gear or stun baton and as many grenades as they can.
Develop laser rifle ASAP. Lucky shot can take down even an android (whatever the game calls it) with a single hit.
[edit]
If you play UFO: Enemy Unknown or X-COM: UFO Defense, I recommend you to reinforce it with OpenXcom. Look it up.
