awesome thanks!!! I think my biggest problem is where to put money at the beginning of the game. I try to build a few satellites, and only buy what i NEED, but somehow my last new games, i ended up facing mutons with pretty much the same gear as when i started (and sometimes with only 4 guys!)
I think i just had some bad luck, since i somehow lost a few counties without losing a battle.
I also think i need to take advantage of the sniper more (maybe early on at least). My ideal unit is 2 assault, 2 heavy, and 2 supports.
Whats a good country to start from? I have been choosing NA since trying ironman/classic, but i might go back to Africa because it seems i never have enough money.
Losing countries without losing a battle is not bad luck, but poor planning. You need to pick which mission you run carefully. Do not just look at the panics of the countries the missions are in. Look at the panic of all the countries on that continent. Know how many satellites you can launch that month, and plan for it. Sometimes I would go for the money mission, even though that hurt more panic wise simply because I knew it would give me the necessary cash to get that last satellite. Likewise if you need more engineers to build that 3rd uplink. Asia, europe and africa is where you will typically do your missions, simply because there are more countries there meaning ignoring a mission there increases panic in 4-5 countries. Whereas ignoring south and north america means only 2-3 countries.
Also, try to consolidate your satellites early on, simply because you cannot afford to supply fighters in every continent that early. You do NOT want to ignore an alien craft. That alone increases panic, but then they send somebody to blow up the satellite, which greatly increases panic.
I usually run with an assault, support, 2 heavy, 2 snipers. I use a scope on both my heavies and snipers, and toward the end of the game when grenades do jack shit, scopes for everybody. Early in the game, the accuracy bonus on your heavy is very beneficial. You want to get heat ammo upgrades on the heavies, while not beneficial early in the game it is damn near necessary later.
Squad sight snipers. They are absolutely deadly. They will get the majority of your kills. You can send the assault or support forward, spawn the baddies, and then without even having to move any other soldiers into firing range of the aliens, the snipers can take shots. The guy you moved up can then even move back, with the heavies providing overwatch for when the aliens move to attack. You can also choose to retreat into two overwatching squad sight snipers, this allows you to take the overwatch shots for free, and then shoot again when it's your turn. The goal with the snipers is that you can take shots without ever being shot at. Greatly increases your survival potential.
I like to start from Africa. You are rarely building a lot of aircraft early in the game, and by the time you can build the firestorm, you will typically ahve full satellite coverage anyway, so you still get the bonus for them. Europe is pointless, as you typically get all the engineers and scientists you need doing missions. I might build one workshop the whole game. South america's instant autopsies and interrogations are nice, but easy to get with satellite coverage quickly. That leaves Asia and Africa. I think in the long run, Africa will net you more cash, but I haven't done a real comparison. Asia however won't really benefit you as much early in the game.