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Apparently that triggers an event that causes the higher tier aliens to arrive with the next level of weaponry.

How?  I've researched the whole tree but anything that is plasma based is greyed out. Says must research plasma tech first but thats not in the list of projects??? I'm about to stop playing for a while cause I'm pretty much dominating them ole aliens. they come, I shoot them down, thats about it

You need to capture a live Vipon Commander to start Plasma Tech tree.
 
Oh, researching Plasma Tech doesn't trigger the next tech/alien era, researching Heavy Plasma does.
 
Once you meet the next era, you're going to die so badly. The difficulty really spikes up.
 
HATE Destroyers.

ORIGINAL: Village Idiot

You need to capture a live Vipon Commander to start Plasma Tech tree.

Oh, researching Plasma Tech doesn't trigger the next tech/alien era, researching Heavy Plasma does.

Once you meet the next era, you're going to die so badly. The difficulty really spikes up.

HATE Destroyers.

The trigger of the 'second era' is the research of Plasma Cannons. Heavy Plasma, in and of itself, is not the trigger. There is also a time trigger in place, regardless of your level of research into plasma, from what I have gathered from the Dev boards. <-- Edit: I am not sure about this point about the time trigger. Only that battle cruisers show up at a pre-determined time in the game.

Point being, do not put off your research into plasma for too long, or you might be steamrolled.

You will need heavy plasma guns to handle Destroyers, in any event.

Yup , just saw my first battle cruiser and I haven't studied any plasma yet. tough ship , it finally landed and I saved right there. must sleep now, tommorow I will take it  [:D] Oh almost forgot Thanks Idiot[:)]

ORIGINAL: Village Idiot

You need to capture a live Vipon Commander to start Plasma Tech tree.

Oh, researching Plasma Tech doesn't trigger the next tech/alien era, researching Heavy Plasma does.

Once you meet the next era, you're going to die so badly. The difficulty really spikes up.

HATE Destroyers.

What ship carries this Commander and does he look diffrent?

ORIGINAL: Kid

ORIGINAL: Village Idiot

You need to capture a live Vipon Commander to start Plasma Tech tree.

Oh, researching Plasma Tech doesn't trigger the next tech/alien era, researching Heavy Plasma does.

Once you meet the next era, you're going to die so badly. The difficulty really spikes up.

HATE Destroyers.

What ship carries this Commander and does he look diffrent?

Ships of cruiser size and up can carry one. So can Vipon bases.

It'll be green instead of tan, so it should stand out assuming you bump into one on your turn and not when one runs into reaction fire during the alien turn.

re Commanders
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They sometimes appear near the end of a mission, so watch closely. And, they do not always appear where you expect them ...

ORIGINAL: GalacticOrigins

re Commanders

They sometimes appear near the end of a mission, so watch closely. And, they do not always appear where you expect them ...

Play copious quantities of errie music, right now! Snakes, it had to be snakes.....

You can get a Vipon commander in a terror mission too.

well, as anybody who has read my whinnings, I went along time with out seeing any of them, mid 2109 for me to get my 2nd Commander
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but overall, if you need them, you may find them in almost any mission
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(which from the other fourm, it says you need 12, I got 15 now, so I should be good to go)
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Sometimes I get Two in the same mission

Actually, after looking at the game files, I believe that the eras are Triggered by the fighter Cannons for each stage (Laser, Plasma, AKEW).
 
I could be wrong but am pretty certain!

edit: er, don't forget that time is also a factor.