UFO Interception

You have your crafts equipped and ready to go! But how do you use them?

When you have played a few in game hours you will spot your first UFO. A worthy note is that UFOs can only be sighted if they are within your bases sensor range (see Chapter 2-5: Crafts (Fighters/Transports etc)).

In order to dispatch a craft you click on the Select craft icon on the top center of the GeoScape screen. Alternative you can also click on the location where you have your craft that you want to send out (e.g. a base or city). A "Select object" window appears where you choose the your specific craft. Now your pointer has a ship assigned to it.

Now you find the red little circle that is the sighted UFO. If you can not see it you can click on the Select UFO/Mission icon to the left of the Select craft icon on the center top of the GeoScape. You can also use your mouse to by clicking and holding down your right mouse button and moving your mouse around, this will change your camera view of the globe. If you want to send a ship to a particular spot, simply select the ship and right click in the globe.

One thing you should keep an eye on is the fuel of your craft. Attached to the craft (when selected) is a little data box with information on Name, Place, Damage, Fuel and Mission orders. In your bases your crafts will always be repaired and filled up, but this costs valuable credits. In the Countries menu you can see the different countries confident in you. If you land in a country with a Very High standing they will offer re-fueling and repairs.

In order to give your craft an order you right click on the target and a calculated route (the shortest/quickest) with estimated fuel consumtion is displayed. The crafts can not do any continous flying if the amount of fuel needed to do a return flight is not met. During the flight the craft can change the route. If the goal is set on a moving object (IE: a UFO), the spaceship will pursue the object.

If you caught up with the UFO you will see a screen which shows the weapon power, hit points, engine, estimated crew and more.