RimWorld's Combat Evolved: A XenGamer Review of Combat Extended RimWorld.

RimWorld. A game of survival, base-building, and emergent storytelling. But let's be honest, the vanilla combat can feel...lacking. Enter Combat Extended (CE), a mod that rips out the simplistic combat mechanics and replaces them with a system that demands respect, planning, and a healthy dose of realism. As a seasoned gamer who's spent countless hours building (and watching my colonies burn), I'm here to give you the straight dope on whether Combat Extended is worth the hassle.

What Combat Extended Actually Does

This isn't just a stat tweak. Combat Extended is a full-scale combat overhaul aimed squarely at realism. Forget bullet-sponge enemies; this mod makes every shot count.

• Realistic Ballistics: We're talking actual projectile simulation here. Bullets have speed, weight, and penetration values. No more magically dodging everything. This means understanding range, bullet drop, and cover become paramount. A sniper rifle isn't just a point-and-click adventure anymore.

• Armor Penetration: Finally, armor actually matters. Vanilla RimWorld treats armor as a simple damage reduction, but CE models how bullets interact with different armor types. A well-placed shot from a sniper rifle with AP rounds will punch through plate armor like it's butter, while an SMG firing FMJ rounds might as well be throwing pebbles. Speaking of armor, don't expect that flak vest to stop a .50 cal round. It might deflect a pistol shot, though.

• Weapon Characteristics: Forget abstract damage numbers. CE introduces realistic weapon stats like recoil, rate of fire, reload times, and weight. That minigun might seem tempting, but try lugging that thing around in a firefight – your pawn will be gassed in seconds. An M16A1 is a solid all-rounder, while a pump-action shotgun is devastating at close range but slow to reload. Weapon selection is no longer about DPS alone; it's about matching the right tool to the job.

• Ammunition Types: This is a game-changer. You're not just crafting "bullets" anymore. You're choosing between Armor Piercing (AP), Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), High Explosive (HE), and incendiary rounds. AP rounds are for taking down heavily armored targets, FMJ is a good general-purpose round, HE is for blowing holes in walls (and enemies), and incendiary rounds…well, they set things on fire. Understanding ammo types is crucial for maximizing your firepower.

Gameplay Impact: RimWorld Transformed

Combat Extended doesn't just tweak numbers; it fundamentally alters the entire RimWorld experience.

• Tactical Planning is King: No more rushing into combat with a mob of melee pawns. You have to consider cover, weapon ranges, line of sight, and ammunition types. Setting up killboxes becomes a science, and flanking maneuvers are essential. Battles become tense, strategic affairs where a single mistake can cost you dearly.

• Suppression: A truly revolutionary addition. Laying down accurate fire will force enemies to take cover, reducing their accuracy and making them vulnerable to flanking. This adds a whole new layer to combat, allowing you to control the battlefield and dictate the pace of the fight. Just remember, they can suppress you too.

• Stamina System: Your pawns aren't tireless killing machines. Running, shooting, and even carrying heavy gear drains stamina. An exhausted pawn is a dead pawn. This forces you to use cover, plan your movements, and avoid overexertion. That heavily armored soldier might be tough, but they'll be moving at a snail's pace and gasping for air.

• Realism and Immersion: The combination of these features creates a vastly more immersive and believable combat experience. Every firefight is a tense, nail-biting struggle for survival. Hearing the crack of a sniper rifle in the distance, seeing bullets tear through cover, and watching enemies scramble for safety – it's a far cry from the cartoonish violence of vanilla RimWorld.

• Example Scenario: Imagine a raid in vanilla RimWorld. You might just select all your pawns and charge at the enemy, relying on superior numbers and armor to win. With CE, that's suicide. Raiders with AKs will shred your unarmored pawns, and even armored pawns will be suppressed and pinned down. Instead, you need to set up a defensive line, use cover effectively, and prioritize targets. Maybe you use a sniper to take out the enemy grenadier, then suppress the remaining raiders with sustained fire while your melee pawns flank them under the cover of smoke grenades.

Technical Considerations: Installation, Stability, and Compatibility

• Installation: Installing Combat Extended is straightforward via the Steam Workshop. Just subscribe to the mod, and it will be automatically downloaded and enabled. Manual installation is also possible, but the Workshop is generally the easier route.

• Stability: CE is a complex mod, and while it's generally stable, crashes can happen, especially with older versions. Make sure you're running the latest version of both RimWorld and CE.

• Compatibility: This is where things get tricky. Combat Extended fundamentally alters the game's mechanics, so it's highly incompatible with other mods that alter combat, add new factions with unique weapons, or modify the AI. Read the mod descriptions carefully and be prepared to experiment. Mod load order is crucial, use a mod manager like RimPy to sort your mods. Due to frequent updates to RimWorld and Combat Extended, compatibility can be an ongoing issue. Always check the Combat Extended thread on the Ludeon forums for compatibility reports.

• Performance: CE's realistic ballistics calculations can impact performance, especially in large-scale raids. If you're running a potato PC, you might experience some slowdown. Optimizing your graphics settings and reducing the number of pawns on screen can help.

Community Buzz: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

• Overall Popularity: Combat Extended is one of the most popular mods for RimWorld, with a dedicated following of players who swear by its realism and tactical depth.

• Criticisms: The biggest criticism is the steeper learning curve. CE is not for the faint of heart. It requires a deep understanding of combat mechanics, weapon stats, and ammunition types. It also punishes mistakes severely. Some players also find the realism to be overly punishing, particularly in the early game. The "swarm tactic" is useless with this mod, as individual colonists are far more vulnerable.

• Praise: Players praise CE for its improved immersion, tactical depth, and the sense of satisfaction that comes from outsmarting your enemies. Successfully defending your colony against a superior force using cunning tactics and careful planning is an incredibly rewarding experience.

The Verdict: Worth the Plunge?

So, is Combat Extended worth installing? It depends on what you're looking for.

• Worth Trying?: Absolutely, if you're ready for a challenge and a significant shift in gameplay. It's not a mod you can just jump into and expect to master immediately.

• Target Audience: Combat Extended is ideal for players who enjoy tactical challenges, those seeking a more realistic combat experience, and those who are tired of the simplistic combat of vanilla RimWorld. If you enjoy games like XCOM or Jagged Alliance, you'll probably love CE.

The increased difficulty is worth the tradeoff, but only if you already have a good grasp of vanilla RimWorld's mechanics. It's not a mod for beginners. Be prepared to die, learn from your mistakes, and adapt your strategies. If you're up for the challenge, Combat Extended will transform RimWorld into a whole new game. Just be ready to reload. A lot.