Cheat
mode: Press Up, Down(2), Up, R2 when the
copyright notice appears on the title screen. A level select screen will
appear. Press R1 or R2 to select a level and view the
corresponding FMV sequences. Press L1 + L2 + Square
during game play to destroy all ships (friendly and otherwise) on the
display.
Strategy
General hints An analog controller will offer the fastest and most accurate response
during the combat sequences. Learn to communicate with your wingmen
effectively. A mission may be completed with less difficulty if you can
direct them to a specific target, or do the job yourself while requesting
for covering fire. Become used to the sound of the missile lock warning.
Use ECMs to shake off enemy missiles. Become proficient at performing
standard dog fight maneuvers such the Immelman and the Split-S turn. If
things get too tough, Origin has kindly made invincibility a regular
option. Just remember to turn it off if you really want to experience the
game as it was intended.
Introduction View the introductory sequences for some important background
information on the relationship between the Border Worlds (BW) and the
Confederation (Confed). Game play actually begins as Blair enters a bar. A
disheveled war veteran will approach him and asks for a handout. Choose
the "Help him out" option to give him some money. He'll reappear
later in the game and repay this act of kindness. A fight will interrupt
the conversation between Blair and Maniac. Choose the "This pisses me
off" option to help the man being threatened. Remember the face of
the hostile man. Maniac will inform Blair that he's been reinstated to
active duty.
Mission: Fly to the
Orlando Depot Maniac will challenge Blair to a virtual duel en route to the depot.
Your fighter's guns and missiles will be non-lethal during this portion of
the flight. Select the "Affirmative" option on the
communications panel to accept his challenge. You won't have long to prove
your skills, as a pair of Razors piloted by space pirates will spoil the
party. Note the message at the top of the display. The term
"Reconfiguring" will appear as your virtual weapons are replaced
with the real variety.
Avoid the Razors until
reconfiguration is complete. The Razor is a light fighter with minimal
attack and defense abilities. A single missile hit and minimal hits with
your guns are sufficient to destroy them. To use your guns effectively in
a dogfight, cycle your gun options to "full". The extra damage
inflicted after a successful hit justifies the extra energy expenditure.
Close to within 1000 clicks of your opponent and aim for the inertial
targeting and tracking system circle. Keep the target within the circle
and keep your guns firing until your target moves out of range.
An unidentifiable enemy
target will appear when Blair and Maniac arrive at Orlando Depot. There is
nothing you can do to prevent the BW Avenger torpedo bomber from
destroying the depot. Maniac will suggest traveling to Blue Point Station.
Request clearance and land at the station.
Aboard Blue Point Station Your only choice is to take the shuttle to Confed HQ.
Aboard Confed HQ Watch the sequence between Blair and Admiral Tolwyn to learn the
current situation between Confed and the BW.
Aboard TCS Lexington Talk to Captain Eisen in Flight Control. The carrier will jump to the
Hellespont System. Talk to Vagabond in the Officer's Lounge. Go to the
Briefing Room to prepare for the next mission.
Mission: Escort supply
transport, patrol radar array Use the auto-pilot to reach the Nav point 1. Destroy the pirate Razors
that are attacking the transport. Don't stray too far from the vessel that
you're escorting. The attacking ships may try to lead you away from time
to time. Use the communications function to taunt the enemy pilots to draw
their attention from your escort. The transport will enter escort pattern
after all the Razors have been eliminated.
Use the auto-pilot to reach
Nav point 2. Destroy the pirate Razors that will intercept your convoy.
You have to wait until the transport makes its jump before using the
auto-pilot to reach Nav point 3.
Destroy the pirate Razors
that are attacking the radar array. Eisen will instruct you not to destroy
the surviving Razors after they begin to flee. Lock on to one of the ships
and use your afterburners to follow them. Stay at least 15,000 clicks away
from their position. The computer will state that the mission has been
completed after the Razors have returned to their point of origin. Turn
180° and afterburn back towards the radar array. Use the auto-pilot after
flying over 60,000 clicks away from the pirates to return to the carrier.
Request clearance and land on the Lexington.
Aboard TCS Lexington Talk to Catscratch in Flight Control. Choose the "I like this
kid" option to improve his performance in battle and to have him on
your side during the defection plot point. Go to the Briefing Room to
prepare for the next mission.
Mission: Destroy pirate
frigate Use the auto-pilot to fly to Nav point 1. Your flight will be
intercepted en route by some Razors. Rely on any escort fighters to help
take the heat off your ship. Use the communication system to direct
covering fire. Fire your missiles and set your forward gun batteries to
full to take on any enemy fighters that come into range. Don't try to
outmaneuver or outrun the fighters. The single particle gun in the rear
turret isn't too effective in battle. Resume your flight to Nav point 1
after all the Razors have been eliminated.
Upon arrival at Nav point 1,
your flight will be attacked by more Razors. Attacking a large target with
a Longbow torpedo bomber involves a change in battle strategy. Torpedoes
must be used to destroy a capital ship. When making your run, keep the
target within view until the torpedo locks on. If it moves off-screen, the
torpedo will have to regain lock. Roll your ship to avoid incoming fire.
Once again, use the communication system to direct the escorting fighters
to provide cover. The mission will be completed after the pirate frigate
explodes. Clean up any remaining Razors before returning to the Lexington.
Upon final approach to the
Lexington, Eisen will ask your flight to investigate an SOS from a nearby
transport. Use the auto-pilot to fly to its location. Listen to the report
from the Confed Shuttle for details on the transport's wreckage. Return to
the Lexington and request landing clearance.
Aboard TCS Lexington Upon landing, the Lexington will jump to the Tyr System. Go to the
Briefing Room to prepare for the next mission.
Mission: Take ten recon
photos of each space station This is a challenging mission. Use the auto-pilot to travel to the Nav
point 1. A flight of BW Banshees will intercept you en route. The Banshees
are agile and well armed. Their leech guns can bring your power level down
to dangerous levels, and cannot outrun them. Use your guns to soften their
shields, then fire a locked missile at close range to finish them off.
Destroy all the fighters before continuing to Nav point 1. Switch your
guns to the camera laser option. Cycle through the targets until the space
lab is locked. Fire the camera laser and watch the indicator in the top
right corner of the screen. Make high speed runs at the space lab while
avoiding the defending fighters. When the indicator reaches C10, the
computer will mark this objective as completed. Destroy the defending
fighters. Try to keep the space station between your ship and the
Banshees. Try making close high speed passes next to the space lab as they
tail you to try to create a collision.
Use the auto-pilot to reach
Nav point 2 after all Banshees have been eliminated. Quickly snap the
recon photos and eliminate the defenders at this space lab.
Use the auto-pilot to reach
Nav point 3. Repeat the recon procedure and return to the Lexington. Note:
The game will still continue without any adverse outcomes if this mission
is not totally completed.
Aboard TCS Lexington Talk to Eisen in his cabin. Go to the Briefing Room to prepare for the
next mission.
Mission: Escort extraction
transport to rescue hostage Use the auto-pilot to fly to Nav point 1. Quickly destroy the Banshees
that will intercept your flight en-route and continue your flight to the
space lab.
Keep the defending Banshees
from hitting the transport. The transport will not extract the hostage
until the Banshees have been eliminated. Return to the Lexington.
Aboard TCS Lexington Watch Captain Paulson's arrival on the Lexington. The Lexington will
jump to the Masa System. Go to the Briefing Room to learn that Paulson has
replaced Eisen as the Lexington's commander. Receive your mission orders
from Paulson.
Mission: Destroy space lab
defenses and escort assault transport. Use the auto-pilot to reach the space lab at Nav point 1. Destroy the
Avengers that are defending the lab. They are noticeably easier opponents
than the Banshees. Their relatively slow speed allows them to be gunned
down without too much trouble.
A message from the assault
transport will alert you to the start of its run. Defend it against more
attacking Avengers.
Upon arrival at the space
lab, more Avengers will appear. The assault transport will announce its
success after this final group of defenders have been eliminated. Return
to the Lexington.
Aboard TCS Lexington Watch the scene in the Officer's Lounge to learn about the volatile
situation between Confed and the BW. Talk to Vagabond and Maniac in the
Officer's Lounge. Choose the "Confed's abusing their authority"
option. Although this response doesn't effect the plotline, it will be
appropriate at a later point. Go to the Briefing Room to prepare for the
next mission.
Mission: Intercept and
present escort edict to BW convoy This is another mission that utilizes the Longbow. Use the auto-pilot
to intercept the BW convoy at Nav point 1. The BW ships will refuse to be
escorted and open fire. Ignore the attacking Banshees. Order Maniac to
break and attack to take some heat off your Longbow. Arm your torpedoes
and afterburn towards the BW cruiser. Slow to normal speed as the torpedo
begins to lock. If needed, repeat another torpedo run until the cruiser
explodes. Target the other cruiser and destroy it in a similar manner.
Return to the Lexington.
Aboard TCS Lexington Talk to Maniac in Flight Control. Select the ""I need to see
what's going on" option to view the arriving shuttle on the flight
deck. The Confed officer departing the transport should look familiar -
it's Seether, the hostile man from the bar before Blair left for Orlando
Depot. Go to the Briefing Room to learn that Eisen and Maniac have
defected in a stolen shuttle.
Mission: Stop Eisen from
leaving this system Use the auto-pilot to reach Eisen's shuttle. Vagabond will decide to
defect with Eisen and ask if you will join him. The plotline makes its
first split at this point. Quickly use the communication function and
respond. Catscratch will remain on your side in either case.
Although defection is
inevitable in the game, you may elect to remain with Confed for the next
few missions. If you choose not to respond, Vagabond will assume that you
have remained with Confed and begin firing upon your fighter. You will end
up fighting a flight of BW fighters, and Vagabond will be killed after he
ejects. This strategy session will explore the plotline that this action
initiates in a separate feature.
For now, this guide will
assume you have chosen the recommended action, which is to defect with
Eisen, Vagabond, and Maniac. Once you state your intentions, Miner, in the
remaining loyal Hellcat, will attack. Fire a missile and take him out. He
will eject before his fighter explodes. Your group will automatically
travel to the next Nav point, where a group of Hellcats is waiting.
Protect Eisen's shuttle as
the Hellcats are taken down. Once everything is clear, use the auto-pilot
to reach the BWS Intrepid, a former Confed capital ship that is under the
service of the BW. The Intrepid will be under attack by another wave of
Hellcats. Keep the Hellcats from destroying the Intrepid and Eisen's
shuttle. After all targets have been eliminated, your flight will land on
the Intrepid just as it jumps out of the system.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Watch the scene on the Intrepid's flight deck. Blair will meet Panther
and Hawk and learn that Eisen suspects that certain members in Confed are
provoking a fight with the BW. Your introduction to the Intrepid will be
brief. All fighters will be scrambled to head off an attack by ships from
the Lexington, which has tailed the Intrepid through the jump point.
Mission: Scramble to
protect Intrepid from incoming fighters A straight-forward protection mission. The Hellcats in the first wave
will try to damage your ship the best they can. Use your missiles wisely
to take down targets that have been softened with your guns. Prepare to
use a lot of ECMs to avoid multiple enemy missiles. Taunt the Confed
pilots to draw them away from the Intrepid.
The second wave consists of
Longbows. They are slow targets, but must be prevented from getting too
close to the Intrepid. A concentrated barrage from all guns using a side
approach is an effective strategy. The single particle gun in the
Longbow's rear turret can be an annoyance. Save your missiles during this
wave.
The third wave of attackers
is made up of Thunderbolts. Use your missiles sparingly to eliminate this
threat.
The fourth wave is a second
group of Hellcats. As during the first wave, use of several ECMs may be
required to keep your fighter in one piece. Try to engage them one on one
to minimize damage to your ship.
The fifth wave consists of
more Longbows. Use the previously outlined strategy to eliminate their
threat.
The final wave is made up of
Thunderbolts. Use all of your remaining missiles to destroy them.
Clearance to land back on the Intrepid will be granted after this has been
accomplished.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Talk to Pliers in the Hangar Bay. Select the "Bet this old coot
knows what he's doing" option. This will ensure that he's happy with
your attitude and that you'll be happy with the work that he'll do to your
ship. Talk to Sosa in the Galley to learn that she is decrypting the
information that with which Eisen defected. Go to the Control Bay to
witness the conversation between Panther, Hawk, and Eisen. Eisen will
assume command of the vessel upon Blair's suggestion. Return to the Galley
and witness the damage done to the Intrepid with Maniac. Go to the CIC and
Chart Room to prepare for the next mission. At this point, you will be
able to choose your wingman and ship. Choose a wingman that complements
your fighting style. Note their aggressiveness, courage, gunnery, and
overall experience. Their strengths should overcome any holes in your own
fighting style. Choice of a ship depends on the mission parameters. Use
common sense, and remember the primary function of each type of space
craft (i.e., don't use a Longbow for escort missions). Of course, you can
always take the default load out, which is usually assessed accurately.
Mission: Scout the Silenos
nebula for hostile ships Select either the Banshee or Vindicator for this mission. Use the
auto-pilot to travel to Nav point 1 to encounter a flight of Thunderbolts.
After they have been eliminated, travel to Nav point 2 to engage a group
of Arrows. The Arrow is fast and maneuverable, but lightly armored. Save
your missiles during this battle. Use the auto-pilot to get to Nav point
3. Take out the Excaliburs using a combination of missiles and gunfire.
Return to the Intrepid after
all enemy ships have been destroyed. As landing clearance is requested,
Sosa will inform you that a backdoor jump point has been located.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the Storage Hold and talk to Vagabond and Catscratch. Blair will
ease their feelings about their defections. Go to the CIC and Chart Room
to prepare for the next mission. Eisen will suggest that Blair lead a
group of Avengers to ensure the Intrepid's escape from this region of
space.
Mission: Escort the
Intrepid to the back door jump point After reaching Nav point 1, Eisen will inform you that the Lexington
must not reach the jump point before the Intrepid. Afterburn towards the
Lexington and allow your wingman to take care of the defending Hellcats.
Arm your torpedoes and launch when they lock. Two torpedo hits on the same
approach path should be sufficient to destroy the ship.
Clean up any remaining
Hellcats and return to the Intrepid. As the Intrepid makes her jump out of
the system, a shuttle will escape the burning Lexington. Watch the scene
as Seether ensures Paulson will not make any more mistakes.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the CIC and Chart Room and talk to Eisen and Sosa to learn that
some communications data is missing from the information that Eisen stole.
Sosa suggests that the missing data be recovered from a Confed comm
station in the current system (Orestes). Attend the mission briefing to
learn that a new objective must be completed before the comm station may
be raided.
Mission: Defend BW convoy
from Confed capital ships and missiles The convoy is under attack at Nav point 1. Afterburn towards the
frigates. Note the "CAP-MISS DETECTED" text that will flash at
the top of the display when a Confed missile is launched. Use the
Stormfire gun to destroy these missiles in flight, then immediately return
towards the frigates. Take both frigates out with your torpedoes. Save
your missiles for use against the Hellcats.
This mission may only be
completed successfully if your priorities are balanced. Concentrate on the
frigates, and break off only when intercepting the missiles. Fire on the
Hellcats only if they cross your path. Once the threat from the capital
ships has been eliminated, destroy the Hellcats to complete the mission.
Use the auto-pilot to return to the Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Talk to Pliers in the Hangar Bay to learn about the MIPS (Manned
Insertion Pods), and his homemade cloaking device. Select the "This
thing could be very useful" response to have the cloaking device
available for use.
Witness the card game between
Maniac and Vagabond in the Galley. Go to the CIC and Chart Room and attend
the mission briefing.
Mission: Destroy radar
buoy, insert covert ops, return with comm data Arm full guns and the MIPS after launch. Engage the cloak immediately
before the auto-pilot to arrive at Nav point 1 undetected.
Cycle through the available
targets to locate the radar buoy. Afterburn towards the buoy. Decloak
within gun range and quickly destroy the buoy. The cloaking device will
fail at about this time. Target the comm station and fire both MIPS when
they lock. The auto-pilot indicator will be lit while you are at the comm
station. Do not engage the auto-pilot at this time. Doing so will result
in the destruction of the Intrepid. You must remain at the comm station
until the comm data is retrieved.
Stay near the station while
dogfighting the Hellcats. Take potshots at the turret mines whenever
possible. After the enemy fighters have been eliminated, destroy the
remaining turret mines. The view will shift inside the comm station when
the last mine explodes. Watch as Vagabond ensures that Sosa escapes with
the information at the cost of his own life.
As the view shifts back to
space, Sosa will warn you that she is launching. Cycle through the gun
options until the Tractor beam is selected. Cycle through the target
selector until Sosa's MIP appears. Carefully approach to within 2000
clicks, then hold the gun trigger to retrieve Sosa. Return to the
Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Watch Vagabond's funeral scene. The view will shift back to Confed HQ,
as Paladin and Tolwyn watch the christening of Confed's newest capital
ship, the Vesuvius. Tolywn informs Paladin that Blair has defected to the
BW and learns that the Assembly may be declaring war in seven days.
Go to the Galley to learn
that Maniac is blaming his winning poker game as the cause of Vagabond's
death. Talk to Eisen and Sosa in the Control Bay to learn that Confed has
hidden encrypted messages within normal comm traffic. Go to the CIC and
Chart Room and attend the mission briefing.
Mission: Assist an
unidentified convoy and escort it back to the Intrepid Proceed to the Nav Point 1 to encounter a group of Kilrathi ship being
attacked by pirate fighters. Melek, the Kilrathi group leader, will ask
for assistance. The pirates are flying their own version of the Confed
Arrow. As such, the same tactics used to fight the Arrow may be used to
defeat them. Return to the Intrepid after all enemy fighters have been
destroyed.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the CIC and Chart Room and to meet Melek. Watch the Kilrathi
ship's log to learn that the weapon used to destroy the Confed medical
ship at Hellespont was also used against the convoy. The signature move of
one of the attackers reveals his identity as Seether. Hawk comments that
he once served with a pilot that made that move, and mentions a secret
"GE" program. Blair realizes that was the same pilot that was
responsible for the destruction of Orlando Depot.
Talk to Hawk in the Storage
Hold. He voices some doubt about aiding the Kilrathi. Select the
"He's missing the point" option to convince him that helping the
Kilrathi ultimately helps the BW.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room
to learn that Eisen is leaving with the information that has been
recovered to prevent the imminent war with Confed. Eisen will inform Vice
Admiral Wolford that Blair will be assuming control of the Intrepid in his
absence. Blair is also told that the promised detachment of BW marines
will be arriving soon.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room
and brief the staff on the mission assignment.
Mission: Destroy the
impostor BW ships before they reach the Kilrathi planet. Proceed to each Nav point and destroy the Avengers and Banshees. Like
the Longbow, the Avenger is a slow, sluggish target. They can be destroyed
easily with a full gun salvo. Although quicker and better armed, the enemy
Banshees are also easy targets. Return to the Intrepid after all enemy
ships have been destroyed.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the Storage Hold and meet Lt. Colonel Dekker and his marine
detachment. Go to the CIC and Chart Room and brief the staff on the
mission assignment.
Mission: Escort Marines to
secure the Kilrathi starbase for Melek Proceed to Nav point 1 and eliminate all of the pirate Razors.
Proceed to Nav point 2. Your
wingman will indicate that the Starbase seems secure. Use the
communication function to request that the marines proceed towards the
base. When the marines confirm their order, a flight of Arrows will
suddenly appear. Unlike the Arrows previously encountered, these ships can
cloak. Fortunately, they must decloak to attack, which allows a small
window where they are vulnerable to missile lock and gun fire. The
Stormfire gun may be used to "mark" cloaked ships. Although this
gun does very little damage, it has the unique ability to cause sparks to
emit from targets that it hits. Quickly clear the area of hostiles before
the arrival of Dekker and Melek.
Dekker will indicate that the
Starbase has been secured to complete the mission. Return to the Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Wolford will inform Blair that BW ships have been mysteriously
disappearing from the Palleus system. Upon arrival in the system, all the
Intrepid's equipment will malfunction. Go to the CIC and Chart Room and
brief the staff on the mission assignment. After the briefing, Pliers will
inform you of the added changes to the ship's armor and makes
recommendations for energy redistribution. There is no manual
configuration in the PlayStation version of the game; you must fly with
the default settings.
Mission: Seek the source
of the Dead Zone jamming Proceed to Nav point 1. Contact with the Intrepid will quickly be lost
as your ship enters the Dead Zone. A group of Excaliburs will appear.
Since your instrumentation is now unreliable, it is essential that you
follow your opponents moves to keep him on-screen at all time. The dumb
fire missiles are non-tracking - don't shoot them unless you're almost on
top of your target. You may want to attack the same target as your wingman
to quickly bring the odds in your favor. Proceed to the next Nav point
with enemy ships.
A previously unseen Confed
fighter, the Bearcat will attack your flight. They are more maneuverable
than the Excaliburs, which makes this part of the mission more
challenging. Once again, use close combat techniques and fire your
missiles only when a hit is guaranteed. Proceed to the next Nav point with
enemy ships.
Destroy the Bearcats at this
location. Proceed to the next Nav point. Sosa will inform you that hostile
forces are emerging from the Dead Zone and give you new coordinates.
Proceed to the next Nav point.
This portion is somewhat
easier due to the fact that combat is occurring outside the Dead Zone.
Although, your instruments are back, the enemy has tracking missiles while
you are still dependent on the dumb fires. Nevertheless, the Excaliburs
here may still be defeated without difficulty. Immediately cease fire when
the last Excalibur spins out of control. Dekker will suggest tractoring
the Ejectpod to recover the pilot for questioning. Cycle through the gun
options and activate the Tractor beam when you are within 2000 clicks of
the pod. Return to the Intrepid after retrieving the pod.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Blair will realize the captured pilot is the war veteran to whom he
gave a handout. The vet will offer information about the cloaked capital
ship that is causing the jamming in this system. Go to the CIC and Chart
Room and brief the staff on the mission assignment.
Mission: Seek and destroy
the capital ship that is causing the jamming Proceed to each Nav point in the Dead Zone and eliminate the Bearcats.
Switch to the leech gun when reaching the Nav point that corresponds the
capital ship's location. Instruct your wingman to engage the Bearcats.
Target the transport, approach within 5000 clicks on a straight, and fire
a salvo of dumb fires. Fire the leech gun when you get within 3000 clicks
of the ship. The mission will be completed when the transport is
destroyed.
The view will shift back to
the Intrepid. A space station and shuttle will appear from the jamming.
Dekker will use his marine assault ship to capture the shuttle's occupant.
The view will return to
space. Return to the Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the Control Bay and talk to the visibly shaken Maniac. He'll
inform Blair of Dekker's prisoner. Go to the Storage Hold to learn that
Tolywn is the prisoner. Listen to Tolwyn's story about secret Confed
operations. Tolwyn will attempt to get Blair to return to Confed. Select
the "I owe him nothing" option when Tolwyn asks if he is a
prisoner of war. Although no adverse effect will occur with the other
response, keeping Tolwyn a prisoner does follow the plotline more
accurately.
Go to the Control Bay to
learn that Maniac has stupidly helped Tolwyn to escape.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room.
Wolford will inform Blair that intercession is required in two BW systems.
Blair will choose to aid the Spirodon system.
Go to the Control Bay after
the jump and speak with Pliers. He'll offer Blair the use of an improved
cloaking device. Select the "Who needs wingmen?" option to
accept the device.
Go to the Galley and witness
the antagonism between Dekker and Maniac. When words lead to blows, Blair
must decide who to support. Neither choice is desirable, but choosing the
"This I gotta see…" option to support Dekker is ultimately the
better of the two. Although this will result in an uncooperative Maniac -
and when was Maniac ever cooperative? -- he does not have to be selected
as your wingman. On the other hand, there's no substitute for Dekker.
Getting on his bad side will result in longer insertion missions, which
leaves you facing more enemies.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room.
Wolford will indicate that there are three missions that may be
accomplished in this system. They are: "attack manufacturing
plant", "attack carrier", and "steal fighters".
You will only have an opportunity to complete two of the three Spirodon
missions. The carrier and fighter missions offer the most beneficial
results. The mission details of each of the three missions follows.
Spirodon Mission: Steal
fighters A single cloaked fighter equipped with leech missiles must be used for
this mission. Engage the cloak before using the auto-pilot to travel to
Nav point 1. Cycle through the targets until the radar buoy is displayed.
Approach within firing range, disengage the cloak and disable the buoy
with your lasers. Engage and destroy the Hellcats. Remember, you can cloak
to shake off incoming fire and missiles, but there is a limit on how long
the cloak will last. After the enemy fighters are gone, shoot the turret
mines. Proceed to Nav point 2 after all enemy presence has been
eliminated.
Use the leech gun and leech
missiles to put the Bearcats out of commission. The targeting square and
radar blip will turn green when an enemy is at zero power. You may need to
pull your throttle back to prevent running into, and inadvertently
destroying, a leeched Bearcat. The BWS Tango will arrive to collect the
ships they have all been leeched.
Use the auto-pilot to return
to the Intrepid. You'll run into a flight of Hellcats. Fortunately, they
seem to be rookie pilots and are easy kills. You will be able to fly the
Bearcat after successful completion of this mission.
Spirodon Mission: Attack
manufacturing plant Proceed to Nav point 1 and take out the defending Hellcats. Dekker
will begin the assault on the weapons depot when all enemies have been
eliminated. Unfortunately, another flight of Hellcats will arrive at the
depot when the marines are inserted. The marines will complete their
mission shortly after this second group is defeated. Escort Dekker's
assault ship back to the Intrepid. You will be able to arm your ships with
Starburst missiles after successful completion of this mission.
Spirodon Mission: Attack
carrier A Banshee equipped with leech missiles is required to complete this
mission. Proceed to Nav point 1 and destroy the patrol of Arrows en route.
Remember to save your leech missiles for the capital ship.
Once at the carrier's
location, take out the defending Hellcats. Then, fire your leech missiles
at the carrier. Note the L% figure next to your weapons status in the top
right corner of the screen. It corresponds to the amount of leech damage
done to the target. When this number reaches 100%, the target is
considered fully disabled. The BWS Hopkins will arrive to assume control
of the carrier. Return to the Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid After completing two out of the three missions you'll be able to
witness a scene in the Galley between Maniac and Catscratch. Note the
influence Maniac is having on the rookie.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room
to receive the mission briefing from Wolford.
Mission: Attack Confed
convoy with marine insertion, retrieve satellite This mission takes an unexpected turn after reaching Nav point 1. Sosa
will inform Blair that Catscratch is in trouble. His fighter has been
leeched and he is open to attack. Dekker will ask if the mission has been
aborted. A decision to follow another break in the plot line must be made
at this point. If you choose to abort the mission in order to rescue
Catscratch (recommended), use the communication function to answer
"Affirmative" to Dekker. If you choose to continue with the
current mission, select the "Negative" answer.
Assuming you chose to
rescue Catscratch, Sosa will inform you that his coordinates have been
sent to your ship. Proceed to the next Nav point. Catscratch will inform
you that he will be able to eject after all enemy ships have been
destroyed. Your wingman will note that this will allow his fighter to be
destroyed to prevent the satellite from returning to the enemy. Quickly
take out the Longbows before they can do any harm. Wait until Catscratch
ejects, then cycle through the targets to find his leeched fighter.
Destroy it with a gun barrage, then switch over to the tractor beam.
Approach Catscratch's ejection pod and tractor it in to complete the
mission. Return to the Intrepid and watch as Blair chews out Maniac for
giving Catscratch questionable advice.
Assuming that Catscratch
was not rescued, proceed to the next Nav point and fire your leech
missiles at the cruiser, while avoiding the Hellcats. Clean up any
surviving defenders after the cap ship is disabled. Finally, fire the
MIPS at the disabled cruiser to insert Dekker and his team. Destroy any
Hellcats that appear while Dekker explores the ship. Dekker will inform
Blair when he has completed the mission. Target the returning MIPS and
tractor them back aboard. Return to the Intrepid to learn that
Catscratch died without Blair's assistance and watch his funeral scene.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the CIC and Chart Room and speak with Hawk and Panther about
Eisen's chances of success. Select the "There's always hope…"
response to maintain a good morale. Stay in this area to conduct a mission
briefing. If Catscratch was rescued, Wolford will give the Intrepid a
choice of two missions: "collect fighters" or "collect
weapons". The "collect fighters" choice will result in the
Bearcat being added to the selectable fighters on the Intrepid. If
Catscratch died, the next mission will be "collect weapons".
Post-rescue Mission:
Collect fighters Once again, leech weapons are effective in this mission. Remember that
the enemy and friendly forces both will be flying Bearcats. It may be a
good idea not to select an aggressive wingman for this mission. Proceed to
the shipyard at Nav point 1. Note the color of the current target on your
radar. The defecting (friendly) Bearcats will appear as blue, while the
hostile Bearcats will be red. It is essential that some leech missiles be
saved for the last part of this mission. Destroy all enemy ships, then
escort the defecting Bearcats back to the Intrepid. On the way back,
Wolford will order Blair to disable a Confed transport with a critical
top-secret cargo. Proceed to the top-secret cargo mission.
Post-rescue Mission:
Collect weapons This is essentially the same mission that was in progress when
Catscratch ran into trouble. Leech the capital ship, take out the
defenders, insert Dekker's team, and tractor the MIPS back in after they
complete their mission. On the way back to the Intrepid, Wolford will
order Blair to disable a Confed transport with a critical top-secret
cargo. Proceed to the top-secret cargo.
Post-rescue Mission:
Top-secret cargo Wolford has ordered Blair to disable a Confed transport before
returning to the Intrepid. Proceed to the next Nav point and fire your
remaining leech missiles at the transport. Take out any remaining
defenders. Wait for Dekker's assault craft to insert his marines on the
transport. Destroy the Dragon fighters that appear. The Dragon is very
fast and has a very effective cloak. Use leech weapons to make things a
little more equal. Dekker will conclude the extraction after the Dragons
have been eliminated. Escort Dekker back to the Intrepid. The Dragon may
now be selected as a fighter after successful completion of this mission.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Watch as Pliers discovers a Flash-Pak on one of the captured ships.
Talk to Pliers about the Flash-Pak and the captured Dragons. Select the
"Let me at these babies" options to make the Dragon a selectable
fighter.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room
and speak with Sosa to learn about planet FT-597. The Intrepid will jump
to the Telamon system. Remain in the CIC and Chart Room and conduct the
mission briefing.
Mission: Investigate
planet FT857 Configure your Dragon fighter with leech missiles. Leeching enemy
Dragon fighters is a very good strategy. You have to be very accurate when
firing the Dragon's full gun battery. Although this dishes out a heavy
punch, the drain on your power is substantial. Make sure you are going to
hit the target before pulling the trigger. Remember that the Dragon can
cloak. Although effective against some vessels, enemy Dragons still will
be able to detect your fighter.
Proceed to the Nav point 1,
followed by Nav point 2. Eliminate the Banshees. Two of the accompanying
Dragons from the Intrepid will leave at this point.
Proceed to the next Nav
point. Remember your orders and ignore the Dragon ace that's circling the
planet. Engage the auto-pilot to travel to the next Nav point. Your flight
will be ambushed by a group of Banshees and Vindicators. The leech
missiles are very effective against these fighters. A single successful
hit will take them out of the battle. This will even the odds quickly and
ensure that Dekker's assault craft remains in one piece. Engage the
auto-pilot to land on planet FT857.
Watch as Blair learns about
the biotech weapons that were used to selectively kill the inhabitants of
the planet before returning to the Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Go to the CIC and Chart Room and talk to Maniac. A message from
Wolford will explain that the Axius system may be being used as the
staging ground for a secret strike force. Blair will order the Intrepid
into the Callimachus System, which is adjacent to Axius.
Remain in the CIC and Chart
Room and conduct the briefing.
Mission: Explore Axius
system It is essential that you load your Dragon with leech missiles for this
mission. Proceed to Nav point 1 and destroy the Dragons. Save some of your
leech missiles for the next part of the mission. Panther and Hawk should
be able to handle the majority of the threat. After the enemy fighters
have been destroyed, set your throttle to full and arm your leech missiles
before engaging the auto-pilot.
Immediately go to
afterburners after arriving at Nav point 2. Hawk will indicate that a pair
of Dragons are making a run for the jump point. These fighters must be
destroyed before they can alert the presence of the Intrepid to their
reinforcements. Taunt the enemy pilots to get at least one ship to engage
in combat. Use your leech missiles to bring both ships to a halt before
they can jump out of the system. Then, destroy them at your leisure.
Remember, you must engage your afterburners to keep them within missile
range.
As Hawk tells you to make the
jump, Sosa will interrupt with some new details. Blair must attempt to
land on a Starbase that was just detected on the other side of the jump
point.
Engage the cloaking device
after making the jump. Ignore the Dragon ace and use the auto-pilot to
reach the Starbase. When asked, use the communications function to
transmit either authorization code to the base. Your Dragon will be
cleared for landing.
Watch as Blair lands and
infiltrates the base. As he explores the landing bay, he discovers stores
of Flash-Paks and Biotech bombs. Looking out of the hanger, he realizes
that Confed supercarrier Vesuvius is also involved with the mysterious
attacks. Walking farther into the base, Blair stumbles into a rally of the
Black Lance forces that control this installation. He learns that Tolwyn
and Seether are among the group's leaders. Furthermore, Blair learns about
the genetic engineering program and Tolwyn's desire for war with the BW.
Blair is forced to flee the rally after being recognized by Seether. As
Blair is hunted, he runs into the scientist from FT857. She is killed
during her attempt to help Blair escape, but gives him a disk with proof
of Tolwyn's involvement with the Black Lance. Blair is able to fly a
Dragon out of the Starbase.
Mission: Return to the
Intrepid with the Axius data Cloak immediately after launching from the Starbase. Afterburn past
the Dragon patrolling in this vicinity and engage the auto-pilot as soon
as possible.
A group of Dragons is waiting
at Nav point 1. Unfortunately, you cloak no longer affords you protection
from them. To make things worse, when your Dragon was re-supplied on the
base, any remaining leech missiles were replaced with heat-seekers and
IFFs. Immediately decloak so you can fire and bring your ship to full
throttle. Quickly defeat the Dragons using everything at your disposal.
Don't hold back on the missiles. Try to afterburn away from the group to
take them on one by one. Your Dragon will automatically make it through
the jump point after the last Dragon is eliminated.
Upon arrival, quickly engage
your cloak. There is a transport near this location that will scramble
more Dragons if you're detected. Use the auto-pilot when it becomes
available to return to the Intrepid. After landing, watch the sequence
between Tolwyn and Seether. Tolwyn is aboard the Vesuvius, and is heading
to Earth to address the Assembly. Seether will be landing on the Vesuvius
in anticipation of meeting Blair en-route to Earth.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Talk to Dekker in the Control Bay. Blair reveals that Tolwyn is behind
the BW conflict. They examine the disk from Axius and learn that it proves
that Tolwyn was involved with the Black Lance's advanced weaponry.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room
and talk to Panther and Hawk. The decision will be made to travel through
the Ella system in order to catch up with the Vesuvius before it can reach
Earth. Unfortunately, the jump point in Ella is next to a Confed
Superbase. Hawk recommends that the single captured Flash-Pak be used to
eliminate the base and avoid the large scale battle ahead. Panther
disagrees due to the resulting loss of civilian lives. The plotline splits
at this point. Select the "Panther's right. We can't kill
civilians" option (recommended) to fight your way through the system.
Select the "Hawk's right. This is war." option to use the
Flash-Pak now and avoid a major confrontation.
The Intrepid will jump to the
Ella system. Remain in the CIC and Chart Room and conduct the mission
briefing.
Ella mission: Defend
Intrepid as it flies past the Superbase Use a Dragon equipped with leech missiles for this mission. Proceed to
Nav point 1 and quickly eliminate the Hellcats as they make their runs
toward the Intrepid. Save your leech missiles until you have to use them
to even the odds. Keep an eye on the frigate and don't allow it to get
within firing range of the Intrepid. Use a torpedo and some concentrated
firepower to bring it down. Remember, taunting can be used to draw fire
upon yourself and away from the Intrepid.
Proceed to the next two Nav
points repeat the tactics used during the previous battle to defeat the
Hellcats and frigate. After all torpedoes have been fired, you must bring
the frigates down with just a full gun barrage. Watch the damage indicator
in the lower right corner of the display and attack the ship from the most
damaged side. Afterburn back into attack position and repeat your strafing
run until it explodes.
Proceed to the next Nav point
and return to the Intrepid. Watch as the Intrepid flies by the Superbase
and jumps right behind the Vesuvius. Tolwyn orders his ship to turn away
from the Sol jump point so it can engage the Intrepid. Continue the
plotline at the emergency scramble mission.
Ella mission: Destroy the
Superbase with a Flash-Pak Launch from the Intrepid and arm the Flash-Pak. Proceed to Nav point 1
and allow the Flash-pack to lock onto the Superbase. Fire the weapon when
you're within 10,000 clicks. Peel away from the structure and destroy the
defending Hellcats. Your mission will be flagged as complete when the
Superbase turns dark. Return to the Intrepid. The Intrepid will jump right
behind the Vesuvius.
Mission: Emergency
scramble to defend Intrepid against fighters from the Vesuvius Luckily your loadout from the previous mission (which should have
included leech missiles) was kept for the scramble. Use the same tactics
to keep the Hellcats away from the Intrepid. Don't dogfight near the
Vesuvius; damage from its laser batteries can add up. Additionally, don't
try attacking the Vesuvius. It can't be destroyed at this time. Instead,
destroy all enemy fighters, including disabled ships, until Sosa asks that
you return to the Intrepid.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Watch as another Confed supercarrier emerges from the Sol jump point
just as the Vesuvius is about to finish off the Intrepid. The ship turns
out to be the St. Helen's, the Vesuvius' sister ship, with Eisen in
command. After transferring information on how to defeat the Vesuvius,
Eisen recommends destroying certain weak spots on the structure.
Mission: Destroy the
Vesuvius' fighters Proceed to Nav point 1 and engage the multiple waves of Hellcats.
Return to the Intrepid when informed by Sosa that the Intrepid and St.
Helen's will be moving through the jump point by Eisen's orders.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Watch as the St. Helen's continues to fire upon the Vesuvius as both
ships emerge from the jump point. If the Ella Superbase was spared, Pliers
will suggest arming Blair's ship with the Flash-Pak. He'll also explain
that the weapon must be detonated after flying into the hangar. Select the
"It's now or never" option to proceed with this plan.
Go to the CIC and Chart Room
and begin the mission briefing. Eisen will inform the crew that the St.
Helen's is too heavily damaged to continue the fight. Blair will inform
Eisen that he plans to deploy the Flash-pack.
Mission: Destroy the
Vesuvius Arm the Flash-Pak and proceed to Nav point 1. If the Flash-Pak was
used at Ella, use dumb fire missiles. Order your wingman to break and
attack. Afterburn towards the Vesuvius and shoot into her hanger. Release
the Flash-Pak to complete the mission. If you have to use dumb fires,
launch them rapidly inside the hangar. Then, make another pass and destroy
the ship with the Dragon's full gun battery.
After flying out of the
hanger, kill any remaining Hellcats. Return to the Intrepid when Sosa
indicates that a drop ship has escaped from the Vesuvius.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Conduct the mission briefing in the CIC and Chart Room. Eisen will
indicate that Blair must convince the Assembly of Tolwyn's intentions in
person.
Mission: Defeat Seether
and fly to Earth Arm your Dragon with leech missiles. Proceed to Nav point 1 and watch
as Seether announces his presence. He isn't that difficult of an opponent.
Fire your leeches at his Dragon at every opportunity, and use ECMs to
avoid incoming fire. Proceed to the next Nav point after dispatching
Seether.
Take on the Arrows that are
defending the Starbase at this location. They are equipped with a cloaking
device and can avoid weapons lock. Use any remaining leeches on the Arrows
before destroying the Starbase with your torpedoes and gun fire. Engage
the auto-pilot to land on Earth.
Watch as Blair arrives at the
Assembly. Select the "Seize the moment" option to have Blair
interrupt the proceedings. As Tolwyn and Blair begin arguing, select the
"You're not sucking me in" option. Select the "Confront
him" option to reveal Tolwyn's actions to the Assembly. After Tolwyn
responds, select the "He's mad with power" option. Select the
"Like bioweapons?" option to expose Tolwyn's use of unapproved
weapons. Select the "Tell them more" option to finish the debate
against Tolwyn. The Assembly will vote against the BW war.
Epilogue Watch Tolwyn's trial and his suicide prior to his execution. The game
will end with Blair accepting a position as a flight instructor aboard the
Intrepid.
Confed plotline There are several other missions that can be played in the game. In
Part 1 of this guide, Blair is given the task of stopping Eisen from
defecting. During this mission, Blair is given the opportunity to join
Vagabond as he defects to Eisen's side. If Blair chooses to remain loyal
to Confed, the following missions may be played. Note that defection
eventually must be chosen in order to complete the game.
Confed mission: Stop Eisen
from leaving this system Use the auto-pilot to reach Eisen's shuttle. Vagabond will decide to
defect with Eisen and ask if you will join him. You may use the
communication function and select the "Negatory" response or
don't make any response. Vagabond will attack when you make your
intentions clear. You must engage and defeat Vagabond. He is a skilled
pilot, and but may be taken out with a missile barrage.
Paulson will order Blair to
return to the Lexington after Vagabond ejects. Catscratch will remain on
your side.
Aboard TCS Lexington The Lexington will jump to the Selnos System. Paulson and Seether will
meet Blair and Catscratch in the hangar bay. Paulson will commend the
pilots on following their duty to Confed rather than their personal
loyalties. Attend the mission briefing. Note the animosity that is
building between Blair and Seether.
Confed mission: Sweep area
for hostiles Proceed to the first Nav point and destroy all pirate Razors and
Arrows. Continue to the next Nav point and eliminate the Banshees. Proceed
to the next Nav point and take out the Avengers. Blair will be ordered
back to the Lexington after this area is cleared.
Aboard TCS Lexington Attend the mission briefing to learn that the Intrepid has been
located. Seether will fly as wingman to manage the situation.
Confed mission: Search for
the Intrepid and destroy all hostiles Proceed to the first Nav point and destroy the Banshees. Continue to
the next Nav point and engage the Avengers. More Banshees must be
eliminated at the next Nav point. Return to the Lexington.
Aboard TCS Lexington Watch as Seether brutally murders a captured BW pilot during
questioning. Attend the mission briefing.
Confed mission: Intercept
and destroy the Intrepid Proceed to Nav point 1. Eisen will extend an offer for Blair to
defect. You must accept his offer to continue game play. Remaining with
Confed will result in a battle in which an endless amount of ships
destroys both carriers.
Catscratch will announce his
intention to defect with Blair. Order him to break formation, while you
concentrate fire on the Lexington. After exhausting all your missiles, use
your guns to bring the ship down. Help Maniac and Catscratch finish off
any surviving Hellcats before landing on the Intrepid. As the Intrepid
makes her jump out of the system, a shuttle will escape the burning
Lexington. Watch the scene as Seether ensures Paulson will not make any
more mistakes.
Aboard BWS Intrepid Panther and Hawk will welcome Catscratch and Blair aboard the
Intrepid. The view will shift back to Confed HQ, as Paladin and Tolwyn
watch the christening of Confed's newest capital ship, the Vesuvius.
Tolwyn informs Paladin that Blair has defected to the BW and learns that
the Assembly may be declaring war in seven days.
Go to the Control Bay and
talk to Eisen and Maniac. Blair will learn that Vagabond was killed. Talk
to the remaining personnel aboard the Intrepid. At this point, the
plotline will resume with the unidentified convoy mission outlined in Part
2.
Please
select the first letter of the game's title below. If the word
"The" appears at the start of a title, ignore it and search for
the second word in the title:
