Playing Normal Ironman (NI)

I've already played had a few starts. Second mission was all female so I got the Valkyrie achievement. Purposely loaded up a new game to get the tutorial achievement.

Anyhow sat down to maximize the economy. Essentially only buying enough items for a single squad load out until the cash flow is running hot. Prioritizing health and armour upgrades. And keeping my rooster rotation happening in full swing.

First the economy. Satellites, satellites and more shiny orbital things. A typical satellite will pay for itself in a month, the uplink in the second and add pure gravy from there. Despite all the money, I'm trying to minimize panic so I keep a bird in the hand until the end of the month before deploying in the worst area. This would be USA or Russia by end of month two. That means I focus my abduction choice of three missions outside of NA or Europe and then on the cash.

By the end of the first month I had scored 402 credits in mission extras. By the end of the second month I was about to choose US or Russia when a special proposal popped up. USA offered me 200cr for satellite coverage. So I now have 4 birds in the sky, plenty of cash and a double steam vent asking to be tapped.

On the tactical side: I rotate squads and individuals in those squads too. Not only do I bring a rookie on every mission I alternate squads. Alpha and Bravo are my two line squads. Charlie replaces anyone WIA, Delta KIA.

Alpha has the armour plate style. Bravo the classic fatigues look. Charlie alternates.
I always pack two medi-kits, frag on rookie, nano vest on the fourth and fifth. With armour prioritized I managed to create 5 carapace suits and my first combat with them is a terror mission. The high armour has already saved one heavy from a 9 point hit. This mission has one Delta rookie, 2 Charlie squad heavies, one Support and one Sniper (cant remember which squad is on rotation.

To make things easier I rename all my troopers A.Lastname or B. or C. So I know which squad they belong to. By naming the Lastname this way you can see easily in the mission screen who is who.

Colour scheme depends on role and somewhat on squad
Rookies are hot pink
Assault are red
Heavies are yellow
Support are white if a medic, off white if an overwatch specialist (may change this to blue)
Snipers are black