=============================================================================== = = = STARLANCER = = -------------- = = FAQ = = ~ = = Written by Scottie_theNerd ([email protected]) = = Copyright (c) 2001-2004 Scott Lee = = = =============================================================================== **************** LEGAL DISCLAIMER **************** This guide is written by Scott Lee, who also goes under the names of David Nguyen and Scottie_theNerd. Should this FAQ be hosted on any site other than GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com), permission is required from me before hosting. Distributing this guide without prior permission is a direct violation of copyright laws. The following sites have permission to host this guide: -GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com) -NeoSeeker (www.neoseeker.com) -GameNotOver (www.gamenotover.com) -SuperCheats (www.supercheats.com) The following site DOES NOT have my permission to host this guide: -Cheat Code Central (www.cheatcc.com) Feel free to shoot those people on sight. To gain permission, ask nicely via an email to [email protected]. This email should also be used if there are any specific questions related to this guide. To ensure a response, please specify this guide in your email subject. Anything resembling spam will be promptly removed. ================ Version History ================ -v1.1 (Jan 27 2004): Just doing a serious overhaul of the FAQ, including re-editing and reformatting. Also added more information on everything in general, and added new sections for Torpedoes and the Ion Cannon. No additional updates are planned. -v1.0 (Mar 17 2001): Original FAQ completed. --------- CONTENTS --------- 1.0 - Introduction 2.0 - Controls 2.1 - Basic Controls 2.2 - Advanced Controls 2.21 - Ejecting 2.3 - Target Menu 2.4 - Systems Menu 3.0 - Heads-Up Display 4.0 - Weapons 5.0 - Equipment 6.0 - Fighters 7.0 - Capitol Ships 8.0 - Torpedoes 9.0 - The Ion Cannon *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 1.0 - INTRODUCTION *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The war between the Coalition and the Alliance has worsened and it seems that the Coalition is getting the upper hand. However, the Coalition declares a truce and decide to sign a peace treaty at Fort Kennedy, on Titan. The Alliance is overjoyed and the majority of their forces join in the ceremony of the treaty. However, Admiral Kulov of the Coalition has a trick up his sleeve. Later, Fort Kennedy is exterminated. The Coalition's plans of peace were merely a cover to launch their attack. Behind the Alliance escorts, the cloaked Coalition fighters followed closely. They moved in to attack at the order of Kulov and made mincemeat of the unprepared Alliance fort. One of Kulov's assistants requests more ships for the prisoners. Kulov mutters "Kill them. We have no time for prisoners...". With this surprise attack, the Alliance forces are driven back to the outer planets. However, the leaders of the Alliance make a plan. They hope to regroup at Neptune and defend their position there. However, most of the forces are either scattered or lost. Many fighter squadrons were wiped out, so the Alliance makes a desperate call. They call upon the civilians for aid. Anyone with flight experience is asked to sign up and enter the supposedly hopeless battle. The Alliance needs you. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 2.0 - CONTROLS *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The controls of StarLancer are a tad complicated, and involves button combinations and menus. However, after a few missions, you will get used to them and wield them effectively. ===================== 2.1 - Basic Controls ===================== A Button: Fire Primary Weapon (eg. Lasers) B Button: Fire Secondary Weapon (eg. Missiles) X Button: Target Menu Y Button: Systems Menu. R Trigger: Accelerate L Trigger: Deccelerate D-pad Left/Right: Switch Secondary Weapon. D-pad Up: Toggle Radar On/Off. Dpad Down: Launch Flares *Use these to shake off missiles that are tailing you. ======================== 2.2 - Advanced Controls ======================== L Trigger x2: Afterburner R Trigger x2: Reverse Thrust *Only some fighters have this ability. L Trigger + R Trigger: Escort Speed *Maintains constant speed with target L + R + A + B + X + Y: Eject ---------------- 2.21 - Ejecting ---------------- A flight sim would never be complete without the option to get the hell outta there. Depending on the situation, there may or may not be consequences. On a not-so-important mission, your squadron leader will call in the Nanny ship to pick you up and the mission will still succeed, but you g no credit. On a vital mission, ejecting will get you transferred, and Game Over. Ejecting when you don't even need to will also get you transferred. After all, why would you eject right after you launch? ================== 2.3 - TARGET MENU ================== By holding the X Button, you will bring up a list of possible targets. It also displays what commands you can execute by displaying it on screen. To use a command, hold X and press one of the following buttons: X + A: Target nearest enemy. X + Y: Target nearest ally. X + B: Target nearest Torpedo Bomber X + D-pad Up/Down: Cycle through list =================== 2.4 - SYSTEMS MENU =================== Like the Target Menu, the commands are displayed on the screen. They are: Y + A: Toggle Blindfire On/Off Otherwise known as "laser-lock", it is represented by an icon on the top left hand corner of the screen resemblind a crosshair. When the icon is displayed, your lasers will lock onto the target. Only works with two or one guns. Y + X: Display Gun Modes Various fighters have more than two lasers. Therefore, you can switch between modes and pick out which guns you want to use, including individual weapons and Full-Guns. Y + B: Activate Special Equipment. Depending on your fighter, this may or may not appear. Special Equipment include Electronic Counter-Measures, Spectral Shields and Cloaking Devices. Y + D-pad Up: Order Attack Orders your wingmen to attack your target. Despite its potential, it's actual usefulness is severely limited. Y + D-pad Down: Request Help Sends out a request to your wingmen for aid. Y + Dpad Left/Right: Change camera view This changes the camera view. "Chase View" is incredibly useful, especially later on. Y + L Trigger + Analog left/right: Roll Y + R Trigger + Analog left/right: Yaw *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 3.0 - HEADS-UP DISPLAY *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* On the top of the screen there are a few icons. From left to right: -Blindfire (crosshairs) Indicates whether blindfire is on or off. -Escort speed (two parallel ships) Indicates if escort speed is active. -Enemy threat (flashing red fighter/missile) This represents enemies approaching your rear. A fighter icon represents a fighter tailing you, while a missile icon represents a missile tracking you. Obviously, the latter is more dangerous, so take evasion action. -Afterburner fuel (yellow fighter + number) Indicates amount of afterburner fuel remaining. -Kills (skull + crossbones) Tallied amount of kills you have scored. -Flares (spring-type thing) Indicates remaining number of flares. In the middle of the screen, there is a crosshair and two bars. The bar on the left indicates your speed. Pressing R or L accelerates or decelerates. The bar on the right represents the lasers. When firing rapidly, the bar will deplete. When it reaches zero, your lasers overheat and fire more slowly. To cool down, cease firing for a few seconds. The best way to avoid this is to do what everyone else does: fire in short bursts. Don't be tempted to waste your bogey by blasting his backside away. Take your time. On the bottom right of the screen, there is a diagram of your fighter surrounded by two dotted circles. The orange circle represents your shields and how much damage they have taken. Shields can regenerate slowly. The red circle represents the hull. Taking damage in this area is serious and you can die. Taking heavy front damage means your lasers fire less efficiently, or won't even fire at all. Taking back damage slows your ship down to the speed of a snail. Next to that is the radar. This indicates the positions of enemies and friendlies in relation to yourself. In the bottom right is your target's shields/hull damage. Same as yours. Coalition ships are red, allied ships are green. Remember though, not all allied ships are your friends, and not all enemy ships are hostile. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 4.0 - WEAPONS *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Each fighter can be outfitted with a variety of weapons, more of which become available as you progress through the game. Most missiles need to be locked onto a target for maximum effectiveness. To lock on, select a missile and aim at your target. A red circle will appear. When it turns white, the target has been locked-on. Firing the missile at this point means that the missile will home in on its target. --------- Screamer --------- Damage: Low Speed: Very high Range: Short Lock-on time: N/A Basic, dumbfire missile. Very fast, but poor range and damage. It comes in a pod of 20 though, so you can rip your foes apart with a barrage of Screamers. ------ Havok ------ Damage: N/A Speed: Average Range: Average Lock-on time: 3 seconds Explodes near target and causes shockwave. Enemies caught in blast will lose control of their ship and will be vulnerable to attack for a few seconds. Reasonably useful early on, but lack of damage and difficulty of hitting an out-of-control fighter reduces its worth. ------- Bandit ------- Damage: Average Speed: Average Range: Average Lock-on time: 5 seconds Penetrates through the hull of the target and explodes. Standard damaging lock-on missile, no frills. --------- Fuel Pod --------- Damage: N/A Speed: N/A Range: N/A Lock-on time: N/A Extra fuel pods to increase afterburner time. Mildly useful. ----------- Jackhammer ----------- Damage: Very high Speed: Low Range: High Lock-on time: 6 seconds The hard-hitting missile. By far the strongest missile in the game, it has an extremely slow speed and painfully slow lock-on time. These disadvantages make the Jackhammer only useful for destroying slow-moving or stationary targets. --------- Vagabond --------- Damage: Average Speed: Very high Range: Very high Lock-on time: 4 seconds An effective weapon due to its exceptional speed and range, the Vagabond can also track cloaked enemies. ----------- Raptor Pod ----------- Damage: Average Speed: High Range: Average Lock-on time: 3 seconds Effective against enemy fighters. Damage and range aren't exceptional, but these are compensated by the 3-rocket pod. --------- Hawk Pod --------- Damage: Average Speed: High Range: High Lock-on time: 4 seconds Similar to the Raptor pod, but more suited for long-range targets. Comes in a pod of 4 rockets. ---- Imp ---- Damage: Disabled shields Speed: High Range: Average Lock-on time: 2 seconds A useful missile with high speed and fast lock-on time. The Imp knocks out the shields of any fighter caught in the blast. Definitely more useful than the Havok. ------------ Solomon Pod ------------ Damage: Average Speed: High Range: Average Lock-on time: N/A Dumbfire rockets. Solomon rockets home in on the nearest target, causing moderate damage on impact. Comes in a pod of 4 rockets. ------------ Nova Cannon ------------ Damage: Very high Speed: Instantenous Range: High Lock-on time: N/A A laser-type weapon instead of a missile. Only available on the Phoenix, this weapon can be selected via the weapons menu. Charge the weapon up by holding the A button until the laser bar becomes full, then let go. Although it is the most damaging weapon in the game, it is near-impossible to hit something. Not worth using. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 5.0 - EQUIPMENT *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Unlike Weapons, Equipment cannot be selected prior to missions, but instead come with each type of fighter. Equipment varies between fighters. --------------- Reverse Thrust --------------- Most of the later fighters come with this ability. Similar to the Afterburner, but accelerates backwards. Tap R twice to activate. --------------------------------- Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) --------------------------------- A device that jams tracking systems in missiles and throws them off your trail. Incredibly useful, activate it to shake off a missile. ----------------- Spectral Shields ----------------- Makes you immune to lasers when turned on. ---------------- Cloaking Device ---------------- Only the Shroud has this option. Turning it on will cloak the Shroud, making it invulnerable to attack, but is unable to attack in return. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 6.0 - FIGHTERS *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The fighters vary in various stats, including the number of hardpoints, which determines the amount of weapons carried. Only several fighters are available at the start. As the game progresses, you can increase your access clearance by being promoted through exceptional performances in missions. The following is an overview of each fighter. --------- Predator --------- Class: Light Access: Bronze Speed: ***** Accel: ***** Agility: ****** Shield: ** Armor: ***** Afterburner Fuel: 100 seconds Crew: 2 Guns: 2 An all-around fighter, the Predator is one of the first fighters you start off with. Not excelling in any particular area, it is an easy-to-use fighter and ideal for new players. --------- Naginata --------- Class: Light Access: Bronze Speed: ****** Accel: ** Agility: ****** Shield: **** Armor: ** Afterburner Fuel: 130 seconds Crew:2 Guns: 2 More specialised than the Predator, the Naginata is faster and has slightly better control, but suffers from weaker defense. -------- Grendel -------- Class: Medium Access: Bronze Speed: ** Accel: ********* Agility: ** Shield: ******** Armor: ****** Afterburner Fuel: 80 seconds Crew:3 Guns:4 The first Medium fighter you have access to, the Grendel is a heavier gunship- type fighter than its predecessors. Additional guns give the Grendel more firepower. --------- Crusader --------- Class: Light Access: Bronze Speed: *** Accel: ***** Agility: ***** Shield: **** Armor: ***** Afterburner Fuel: 110secs Crew:2 Guns:2 Special Equipment: Spectral Shields Another average fighter, the Crusader stands out by having Spectral Shields. Other than that, nothing too special about this fighter. ------- Coyote ------- Class: Light Access: Silver Speed: **** Accel: ********* Agility: ***** Shield: ***** Armor: ***** Afterburner Fuel: 100secs Crew:2 Guns:2 The first Silver-access fighter, the Coyote is quicker than previous all-around fighters. The strongest point of the Coyote is its large number of hardpoints, allowing more weapons to be carried. ------- Mirage ------- Class: Medium Access: Silver Speed: **** Accel: *** Agility: **** Shield: **** Armor: *** Afterburner Fuel: 130secs Crew:2 Guns:4 Special Equipment: ECM Although not impressive in stats, the Mirage comes with ECMs, which make dodging missiles a lot easier, which in turn extends the Mirage's usefulness. -------- Tempest -------- Class: Heavy Access: Silver Speed: **** Accel: ********* Agility: *** Shield: ***** Armor: ***** Afterburner Fuel: 100secs Crew:2 Guns:4 Special Equipment: Reverse Thrust The first Heavy-class fighter, the Tempest has stronger defense with excellent offense without suffering too much from a loss in speed. -------- Patriot -------- Class: Medium Access: Gold Speed: ****** Accel: ******** Agility: *** Shield: ******* Armor: ***** Afterburner Fuel: 110secs Crew:2 Guns:4 Special Equipment: Spectral Shields The first Gold-access fighter, the Patriot is substantially superior to previous fighters, but does not specialise in any particular area. Its Spectral Shields are mildly useful. ---------- Wolverine ---------- Class: Advanced Heavy Access: Gold Speed: *** Accel: ******** Agility: *** Shield: ******* Armor: ******** Afterburner Fuel: 120secs Crew:3 Guns:5 Special Equipment: ECM, Reverse Thrust One of the best fighters in the game, the Wolverine is a pure powerhouse. With an exceptional amount of guns and the highest defense ratings, the Wolverine can pour out an amazing amount of firepower while being able to take a lot in return. Although it suffers in speed, the ECMs can shake off persistant missiles. ------- Reaper ------- Class: Heavy Access: Gold Speed: **** Accel: **** Agility: *** Shield: ****** Armor: ***** Afterburner Fuel: 120secs Crew:3 Guns:4 Special Equipment: Reverse Thrust, Spectral Shields Another run-of-the-mill fighter, the Reaper is a solid fighter, but there are better fighters out there. ------- Shroud ------- Class: Prototype Light Access: Platinum Speed: ********* Accel: *** Agility: ********* Shield: ********* Armor: *** Afterburner Fuel: 150secs Crew:2 Guns:2 Special Equipment: Cloaking Device The first Platinum-class fighter, the Shroud is the most specialised fighter available. The Shroud is the fastest fighter and also has the most shields. What makes the Shroud unique, though, is its ability to Cloak. An invaluable tool, the Shroud is necessary in several missions. Its offensive power is mediocre at best, so utilise its strengths effectively. -------- Phoenix -------- Class: Prototype Medium Access: Platinum Speed: ******** Accel: ********* Agility: ******* Shield: ******* Armor: **** Afterburner Fuel: 140secs Crew:2 Guns:4 Special Equipment: Reverse Thrust, ECM, Nova Cannon The best fighter in the game in terms of stats, the Phoenix is the last fighter you can obtain. Clearly superior to any all-around fighter, the Phoenix also has the Nova Cannon weapon. However, the Phoenix does not specialise in any area, and tends to leave a lot to be desired when compared to the Shroud or the Wolverine. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 6.0 - CAPITOL SHIPS *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Capships for short, these are the big guys: the Carriers and Battleships we know and love. Capships have individual sub-targets. These include: ----------------- Shield Generator ----------------- Unlike fighters, you cannot take out shields by firing on them. To take out the shields, you must target the shield generator and destroy it. A Jackhammer is the best weapon to use. ------------ Gun Turrets ------------ These little buggers shoot you. However, there are a few big guns that can tear apart your ship in one hit, so be careful. Take them out with lasers or rockets. -------- Engines -------- These propel the ship. Destroying these will immobilise the capship. The sub-targets are colored red when selected, allowing you to pick out specific targets on the capship. Since capships are either stationary or slow-moving, Jackhammers are ideal weapons to take out sub-targets. However, they are heavily defended by fighter squadrons as well as their own guns. Also note that your own capships are just as vulnerable, if not more. Defend them well, especially against... *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 8.0 - TORPEDOES *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The scourge of StarLancer, only matched in annoyance by the Ion Cannon. Torpedoes are incredibly powerful and are the bane of capships. Torpedoes are either launched by capships or torpedo bombers, who tend to jump in and out a few times each battle. Although you can take out torpedo bombers, you cannot stop them before they fire their barrage of torpedoes. This is where anti- torpedo warfare comes in. It doesn't take many hits to knock out your own capships, which usually means game over. The key is to put yourself in a position where you can take out as many torpedoes in go as possible. Pay attention to what's happening, and locate torpedoes by cycling through the target menu. Once you find them, intercept them far away from your capship. Enemy fighters are unimportant, and even harmless. Torpedoes are your number one concern. The most effective approach is to swing around and fire on torpedoes from the rear. Firing from the side is difficult and often ineffective, while a head-on approach is quite dangerous, but still reasonably effective. Make sure blindfire is on. You don't need heavy artillery to take out bombers, just a burst of laser. You will most often have to take out several torpedoes at a time, so be quick and do not spend a long time taking out each torpedo. If you find that you are falling behind, let the torpedo go and move on to the next. At least you give yourself the chance to take out other torpedoes while sacrificing one or two hits. Of course, when your own capships fire torpedoes, it is a good idea not to get in the way. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 9.0 - The Ion Cannon *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The second-most annoying enemy in the game, you won't come across these too often. When you do, you'll be up for a frustration-fest. The only way to avoid the tracking beam of the Ion Cannon is to use the Shroud and cloak when it locks onto you. Extremely agile evasive actions might work, but you do not have the time to do that too often. This is where the Chase Cam is most effective. Although your co-pilot does scream at you when it locks on, there is a glitch in the game where only one communication event happens at a time. Because of this, your co-pilot will alert you either too early or too late. Chase Cam allows your to see the tracking beam yourself and take appropriate action before it is too late. Destroying the actual Ion Cannon varies with the mission. A few well-placed Jackhammers can blow out critical areas. If you can't destroy the Ion Cannon, you have no choice but to avoid it. The Ion Cannon his a limited (although fairly large) targeting range, so fly out of it's sweeping zone as soon as possible. ===============================================================================
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