0
Tips & Strategies
for Battlezone II PC game by Activision
by Orlando C. Fernando
Version 2.0
Updated: January 15, 2000
This guide shows some tips, strategies from my war adventures in Battlezone 2,
an exciting sequel to the original PC game. This FAQ will grow as I gain more
experience
and receive any corrections. This guide also will try to explain how to do some
fundamentals not explained or explained badly (in my opinion) in the manual. :)
Cheat tactics, mapmaking techniques, and advanced software/hardware
troubleshooting are
beyond the scope of this guide. This guide assumes you are already familiar with
Battlezone 2 enough to play the first 2 Pluto missions. It also assumes you have
played
in multiplayer deathmatch a few times and are familiar with "ping" and "lag".
The first
section assumes you are moderately familiar with Battlezone I. The guide is
based on
playing the game with the 1.01b beta patch in Windows 95 with a 3dfx Voodoo 3
2000 PCI
card.
Web version of this guide is at http://www.orlandofernando.com/g_bztips2.html,
look
also for screenshots at http://orlandofernando.com/g_bz2screen.html.
VERSION 2.0: THIS VERSION. MULTIPLAYER STRATEGY GENERAL & TEAM STRATEGY SECTIONS
ADDED.
MORE SINGLE PLAYER MISSION TIPS. VARIOUS CORRECTIONS.
VERSION 1.0: ORIGINAL VERSION. FIRST 2 SECTIONS CREATED.
Table of Contents
1. Changes Overview from Battlezone I
1. Who is fighting whom now?
2. How do the planets and scenery look?
3. Is there still scrap and pilot management?
4. Are all the building units back?
5. Do the vehicle classes operate the same?
6. Do you operate the command interface the same way?
7. As a pilot, do I still have the plasma and sniper guns?
8. Has computer AI improved?
9. What other classics have improved in Battlezone 2?
2. Single Player Activity
1. How can I skip the cinematic videos during the missions?
2. Why don't I get all the vehicles as in the multiplayer with each mission?
3. Can I save the game during a mission?
4. What is Instant Action?
5. Will these single player games improve me for multiplayer?
6. Any tips on the single player missions?
3. Multiplayer Activity in General
1. What are the multiplayer games in Battlezone 2?
2. Why don't I get all the single player units in multiplayer?
3. What bizarre things happen in Battlezone with bad ping or lag?
4. How do I talk on the text screens?
5. How do I talk during a live game?
6. In the game preparation screen, can I chat with players already launched?
7. If I leave a live game, can I come back?
8. I am ready to enter the live game. Why can't I launch from the preparation
screen?
9. Can I change my name in multiplayer?
10. How can I get new multiplayer maps?
4. Multiplayer Team Strategy Activity
1. Why is it called "team strategy"?
2. How can I command or give up command of my team?
3. What is my role as commander?
4. Can I switch teams during the game?
5. How do I use the number/F keys on my top command line?
6. How can I group vehicles to command them as one F-key?
7. How can I order single vehicles in a F-key group?
8. Why can't I make any more vehicles?
9. How do scavengers and extractors work?
10. My scavenger is not scavenging anymore. Why?
11. How does the constructor work?
12. Why can't I make "" weapon with the armory?
13. Why can't I build health/ammo supplies with the armory?
14. I keep forgetting what unit builds what! Help!
15. How does a tug work?
16. How can I build a gun tower?
17. What buildings can I enter as a pilot for further functionality?
18. On foot, do enemy turrets and gun towers detect me?
19. Do computer offensive or defensive units ever use all their weapon
hardpoints?
20. A player/I left the game mid-battle. What happens to all their units?
21. Any tips for A Bridge Too Far?
22. Any tips for Ground Zero?
23. Is there any general etiquette when playing strategy?
Section 1: Changes Overview from Battlezone I
1.1: Who is fighting whom now?
In the story of this great December 1999 sequel, the setting is somewhere in the
near
future. The intergalactic biometal Cold War between the Americans and Russians
are now
over. Both have combined into the International Space Defense Force (ISDF). They
now fight
an indescribable alien race, the Scions, on planets Pluto and beyond. As the
book
poetically describes, these two major forces have radically different building
technologies. Really. Some alien units bear different names to the human
equivalents and
operate with different weapons and uses of power. Their "kind" looks graphically
different
from human power - much more diversity than in BZ1.
1.2: How do the planets and scenery look?
Much better! Many more blue hues were used this version around to create some
fascinating
night scenes and crystal structures. The green forest planet gets rainy weather
(play the
demo version to see this, enabling the graphic weather option). Rocks, ruins,
and even
animals populate the scene. Animals love wandering pilots. There's even shallow
and deep
water which affect travel and tolerance of certain vehicles. Travel underground
through
tunnels to other sections on the planet. Bridges can be crossed or destroyed,
complicating
enemy invasions. Pilots can even enter certain buildings and enclosed
structures.
On a Pentium II 266 MHZ with 128 MB RAM on a Voodoo 3, you will need to reduce
some
graphics capabilities off for better framerate in heavy fighting situations. On
a Celeron
dual-400 MHz with 112 MB RAM on a Diamond Viper 32-bit, however, you can put
everything
to the max. With different processors and generation 3d accelerator cards, your
mileage
may vary. :)
1.3: Is there still scrap and pilot management?
This major question brewed on the alt.games.battlezone Usenet newsgroup for
quite some
time last year during production. Scrap management is in BZ2 with additional
methods.
Pilot management is drastically reduced. It is only a consideration when you
want one
to occupy a captured vehicle or you want to send out an APC.
1.4: Are all the building units back?
The recycler, constructor, factory, armory, and gun towers are back and have
mostly the
same functions. However the constructor, which is now robotic in appearance,
bears full
responsibility for making all the building units, including the factory and
armory
themselves. Barracks are now Training Centers. Communication towers are now
Relay Bunkers.
All the unit voices respond the same ("Building complete! Recycler here!")
1.5: Do the vehicle classes operate the same?
Turrets, scouts, and tugs are basically the same. Rocket tanks are slower now
but pack
better firepower. The other tank classes are very slow high firepower machines
which
can rotate the gun independently from the body (hope you have a good joystick!).
Walkers
also can gun twist independently. APCs and bombers are now aerial uncontrollable
vehicles. APCs will land to drop their pilots to attack a target (about 3 of
them).
If successful, the APC will pick up any surviving men. Bombers launch from a
bomber
bay and will actually bomb their targets from the air. Eagle landers and
minelayers,
however, are gone. Fast mortar bikes are now introduced which pack dozens of
mortars-
perfect for taking out a turret long distance.
1.6: Do you operate the command interface the same way?
The command interface has some significant changes which will require some time
to
relearn some key commands. Like in BZ1, you still select one or many units,
choose
what to do with them, and point to a location if applicable. However you now
call the
units with the function keys as well as a few number keys.
1.7: As a pilot, do I still have the plasma and sniper guns?
Yes, but there is much more other hand weapons that you can have. You also come
standard equipped with a jetpack and can carry an assortment of other rather
powerful
guns. Hmm, the Quake evolution is slowly happening...
1.8: Has computer AI improved?
Yes, the enemy artificial intelligence in the single player missions and instant
action:
(1) enemies strafe fire, (2) if you fire at an incoming enemy scavenger, it will
sometimes turn back, (3) gun towers always sense enemy pilots presence now, (4)
enemies
will not fire at their own if you are close to or under them as a pilot, (5)
enemies that
kill your vehicle will continue to assault you while you are ejecting, (6) if
you take
out a key scavenger or defense, the enemy will work as quickly as possible to
reconstruct it or even have a spare handy!
Your friendly units have also gained a boost in IQ: (1) units are VERY careful
now not
to fire at you by accident if you are in the way of an enemy, (2) pilots ejected
from their
vehicles will try to fire at enemy vehicles before returning to base, (3) if you
give
vehicles an order then jump out of your vehicle and come back, the vehicles will
still
remember your last order, (4) if you order vehicles to follow you, they will
defend you
against oncoming enemies then continue to follow you, (5) they seem much less
prone to
getting stuck and will not go through lethal environments (scavengers will avoid
the water).
1.9: What other classics have improved in Battlezone 2?
Bear in mind that this is an overview and not a complete features list:
- use of the satellite view for commanding units
- game list descriptions for multiplayer (including the required map file to
play
a hosted game)
- ammo usage. Over time, your ammo in any vehicle/pilot will eventually
replenish.
- Phantom VIR activation. You can now leave it on as you choose and fire another
weapon. No grouping required.
- mortars. Cool smoke trails illuminate the path which it's traveling.
- turrets deploy quicker and are VERY effective defense units now.
- recycler can now produce for you an ammo powerup with health combined.
- recycler has tougher armor now but slower self-repair.
- name changing while in multiplayer.
- instant action now included in the game
Section 2: Single Player Activity
2.1: How can I skip the cinematic videos during the missions?
During the animations at the beginning of a mission (when the narrator speaks),
you
can skip it by hitting the SPACE key once it starts. It will not skip, however,
until
all the game mission map and dll files are fully loaded.
2.2: Why don't I get all the vehicles as in the multiplayer with each mission?
It's the game creator's intention. The commanders generally run the show while
you
drive and shoot in the early missions. However, as they introduce to you more
building
units, you will soon gain full access to your recycler, the command interface
and
building units. Likewise for building certain units (for example, you won't be
able to
operate bombers and APCs until the commanders see a compelling need for one.)
2.3: Can I save the game during a mission?
Yes. The entire mission does not have to be complete in order for you to save
it. In
fact, you could save the game just after the first few seconds of the mission if
you
wanted to (including during a battle). Just hit ESC to go to the OPTION screen.
Select
FILE and pick a name to save or overwrite an older one. This is where you can
also load
an existing game if you feel you can't go on with the current one. Bear in mind
that
when you reload a previous game, the exact same situation does not always
happen. For
example, on one reload, an enemy can suddenly attack from their base, while
another
time, an enemy may not attack for a few minutes. So be wary at what point in the
game
you want to save. I do not advise saving in the middle of a battle.
2.4: What is Instant Action?
Instant Action is another type of single player strategy which consist of only
one
mission: destroy the enemy's recycler (or matriarch if the enemy is the Scion
force).
It is basically like playing a multiplayer strategy game, but versus a computer
player.
2.5: Will these single player games improve me for multiplayer?
Definitely. During the missions, you will slowly get the gist of using the
different
mobile units and attacking the enemy as well as getting used to your
joystick/keyboard/mouse controls. You run no threat of enemies sniping you when
you
destroy their vehicle. You usually concentrate on one to three vehicles to
attack at once.
I highly advise to listen to all the dialogues and read all the objectives as
they
will go a long way in explaining the purpose of many of the units.
I also strongly advise to play some instant action games. Practice with the ISDF
unit
on the Bridge map or work on being the Scion unit on the Alien Dunes map. In
both cases,
the enemy is far enough away to give you plenty of time to build your units with
trial and error.
2.6: Any tips on the single player missions?
This is Not a Drill (Pluto) - If you have problems on this first mission, it's
highly
likely your controller. Set up your joystick/keyboard/mouse appropriately so
that you
can comfortably jump hills and strafe fire enemies. You should eventually get
comfortable taking out two Scion sentries by yourself.
A Simple S and R (Pluto)- Hard time protecting Shabayev's constructor from the
constant
Scion sentries? Be sure to always fire at the one attacking her first, so that
you divert
its attention and cause it to retreat for a while and return. Do the same for
the second
Scion.
We Have Hostiles (Pluto) - In the beginning, after exiting the tunnel and
killing the
first hardware-stealing Scion hauler, head back toward the tunnel. Inside the
tunnel
entranceway just before the down ramp, pick up the purple pummel weapon on the
left.
Each pummel shot does about 20% damage on the enemy. Helps significantly!
WARNING: The
1.01b beta patch makes the pummel weapon slow down gameplay for Force Feedback
controllers.
Dark Planet (Dark Planet) - When you encounter a circle of guardian turrets,
Shabayev
will warn you to pull back and retreat. From a reasonable distance, you can hop
out and
safely snipe every guardian out there. Bring a scout in case any stray Scion
sentry tries
to follow you. The commander will commend you if successful.
Through the Looking Glass (Mire) - Deploy your recycler and set up your units
right where
you are at the beginning. You have a scrap pool immediately behind you and the
enemy
generally approaches from the north direction. Be sure to set up 2 turrets
around your
recycler to help secure your position as you build the other units the commander
orders.
Rumble in the Jungle (Mire) - Even after you save Shabayev and says "we got to
stop meeting like this, people will talk," your mission is not over if you
didn't
clear the rest of the enemies on the map. You may have done the objectives in
reverse
order (unconfirmed), so the objective to use the APC won't change.
Snow Blind (Bane) - (1) Don't build much more than an upgraded extractor, two
turrets
and maybe a scout. Get to the convoy as quickly as possible thereafter. (2)When
caved
in and must return to the dust off site as last objective, travel the high hills
west
of the path to help you safely get there. Avoid the path of enemies and you'll
save
much time and anguish.
On Thin Ice (Bane) - (1) To guide the recycler through the ice, tell it to
follow you
and do this cursor trick. Tell it to deploy and just keep your cursor aimed to
the
ground. The red and green spots are safe to cross. Switch to a far-out view and
guide
it slowly. If enemies threaten, deploy it in a legal spot directly in front of
you.
Knock out enemies and repeat. (2) Having trouble getting your transport to the
dust off site as last objective? I did it with gun towers protecting the base,
two upgraded extractors (closest to base), gun towers protecting it, and a relay
bunker.
Put the transport east of your base because enemies always come from the west on
the
dust off site path. Go into the bunker. Now build a turret "chain" lining up the
path
from the recycler to the drop ship. This means constantly making turrets
and deploying them one after the other along the path to freedom. You must be
fast
with the group keys because you'll constantly need to make more F-key space for
new ones.
Several will get destroyed, but the chain will eventually overwhelm them. Once
you get
it close to the dropship. Logout and order the transport to go to the dust off
nav beacon.
Defend it along the way.
Section 3: Multiplayer Activity in General
3.1: What are the multiplayer games in Battlezone 2?
Team Strategy - A battle between two teams to conquer the opposing enemy
recycler. One
or many people can be on each team.
Strategy - A battle between one-person teams to conquer the other enemy
recyclers.
River4 and Ground4 maps allow normal strategy with 4 players maximum.
Deathmatch - A free for all battle.
Team Deathmatch - A free for all battle organized into two teams. One or many
people
can be on each team.
Capture the Flag - Teams fight to capture the opposing team's flag.
Loot - A free for all in downtown Pleasantville. Enter various banks in the map
as a
pilot to steal cash bags for 100 points. Cash bags regenerate over time.
3.2: Why don't I get all the single player units in multiplayer?
The host for your current game has only allowed certain vehicles to launch with.
If he
only allowed ISDF vehicles, it won't be possible to form a Scion team in
strategy or
team deathmatch. You can ask the host to enable your favorite vehicle if the
host has
not launched yet. Remember in strategy that you will have the opportunity to
build
your favorite vehicle from the recycler or factory.
3.3: What bizarre things happen in Battlezone with bad ping or lag?
Frequently on the game server, it will enter "gamestate" in which the server
will try
to correct poor signals. At that point, all (or most) players in the game will
be frozen
for a limited period of time. Another server behavior is to have you be
temporary frozen
until the lag corrects itself. Unfortunately, it leaves you very vulnerable to
enemies
unstuck. Be careful giving commands at this point because there is a keyboard
delay as
well. When you become unfrozen, prepare to have been possibly killed. :( Too
much lag
might cause the player to be kicked off the server. When in gamestate status,
you can
still chat with others via the ENTER key or the ESC key. (The ESC menu shows
ping count
of each player in the game as well as the amount of lag that person is
experiencing. To
get your ping, ask someone else to check your name on their ESC menu. To help
counter
high ping as a host, you can prevent high ping players from joining the game.
Lower the
MAXPING setting on the game preparation screen.
3.4: How do I talk on the text screens?
Select CHAT W/ ALL, TEAM, or ONE at the bottom. Then type in your text in the
lower
left bar of the screen and hit ENTER. You will stay chatting with them until you
choose
another chat button, even when you launch into the live game.
3.5: How do I talk during a live game?
Either (1) hit the ENTER key, type your chat and hit ENTER again or (2) hit ESC
to bring
up a full chat screen, complete with history of conversations. You can change
who you
chat to by selecting CHAT W/ ALL, TEAM, or ONE. Enter your chat in the space
provided
and hit ENTER.
3.6: In the game preparation screen, can I chat with players already
launched?
Yes. You can chat with players already engaged in the live game and vice versa.
3.7: If I leave a live game, can I come back?
For the most part, yes (assuming everyone hadn't left the game by the time you
returned).
You might find the game full while you were away. Or the game server can simply
be too
full to handle any more user joins. If you do make it back into the preparation
screen,
you will need to select your appropriate vehicle and/or team then ENTER GAME
again.
3.8: I am ready to enter the live game. Why can't I launch from the preparation
screen?
If the host is still preparing the game options and has not entered the game
herself,
you will not have the ENTER GAME button enabled yet. Be patient, perhaps
chatting that
you are ready to launch.
3.9: Can I change my name in multiplayer?
Yes. Either at the preparation screen or live game, enter in a chat line /NICK
[NEWNAME]
where [NEWNAME] is what you want to call yourself. It should remember your new
name for
future games until you change it again.
3.10: How can I get new multiplayer maps?
There are no new maps publicized yet on the web nor by Activision, but that may
change
soon. However, Pandemic Studios has released separate documentation on how to
create
your own BZ2 instant action maps. Check their site.
http://www.pandemicstudios.com/
Section 4: Multiplayer Team Strategy Activity
4.1: Why is it called "team strategy"?
This game mode closely resembles the instant action missions involving the
recycler
and/or matriarch.
The goal of the game is to destroy the enemy recycler and factories (if any). As
a
commander, you will have full access to your recycler to build offenses,
defenses,
utilities, etc. to build a force for your team to attack or defend from the
enemy.
Unlike BZ1, several people will join one of two teams, so resources are shared
among
the team. On the preparation screen, you will pick what team side you want to be
on by
selecting JOIN TEAM 1 or JOIN TEAM 2. The Red Team (whether or not its
squad name is renamed) will have all their units, vehicles, pilots, and chat
text in red;
Blue Team in blue. The player list during the live game (accessed by hitting
CTRL-ENTER)
displays the people participating, team squad names (defaults are Red Team and
Blue Team),
their deaths, kills, and scores. Deaths are the number of times that player's
units,
including themselves, are destroyed (not sure for APC pilots killed though).
Kills are
the number of times that player has destroyed a unit or other player. A typical
strategy
game doesn't run as quickly as you may think. It can range from 30 minutes to
even 4 hours
depending on the map size, player skills, and number of latecomers joining. In
the course
of the game, you may change commander role or responsibilities of certain
vehicles to get
the job done. No two strategy games ever run the same.
4.2: How can I command or give up command of my team?
Your team must have a commander which will command the recycler, factory,
armory, and
constructor units. On the game preparation screen, hit the TAKE CMD button to
become
commander. To give up command, select one of your teammates on the team list
then hit
GIVE CMD. The one in command will have a "C:" next to their name on the team
list.
While on the battlefield, you can switch roles also. Hit ESC to bring up the
full chat
menu. The TAKE CMD / GIVE CMD button and team list works the same as in the
preparation
screen. If someone else is commanding your team, their icon on their F-key at
the top
of the screen will have a "C" next to it.
4.3: What is my role as commander?
As a commander, you need to build the units necessary to set up your base and
prepare
your armies for you and your teammates to use. There is much that can be done as
commander, but the first is a must:
1) Deploy your recycler somewhere. Somewhere in your starting area is usually
good.
2) Make scavengers and give them control to your teammates to set them up as
extractors.
3) Be mainly a base guard and work on building a strong base.
4) Give your teammates ships when they are killed.
5) Give your teammates an army for an offensive attack.
6) Give them special orders to attack a particular target, follow you, defend a
unit, etc.
4.4: Can I switch teams during the game?
No. You must leave the live game and reenter, picking the opposite team before
re-launching.
4.5: How do I use the number/F keys on my top command line?
You operate the recycler with the 1 key, the armory with 2 key (unconfirmed),
and the
factory with the 3 key. Any new vehicles you build will be assigned to F1 - F9
keys
(F1 - F10 in instant action). You command these vehicles by pressing their
function key.
Once you hit the first key, numbered commands will appear on the left. Hit the
right
number to do the appropriate command. If a command is not solid and a little
ghosted,
you cannot access it at the moment because you need more scrap to do it. If a
command
is very light colored, you are also missing another responsibility to make it
happen
(building a power, splitting a group, etc.). Some commands require a final step
to pick
the spot on the field where you want to do it. Use your mouse to aim your
reticle at
the spot and (if a legal spot) press the SPACE bar.
4.6: How can I group vehicles to command them as one F-key?
I encourage to group vehicles as much as possible, reason will be explained
soon.
To group one vehicle with another, hold CTRL and hit the function key of the
vehicle
you will group then let go. Hit 1 key to highlight that vehicle, the only
vehicle in
that F-key's group list. Now hit the function key of the vehicle you want to
group it
to. Done. If you want to group an F-key of several vehicles with another F-key
group,
instead of hitting just the 1 key, you will want to hit all the number keys to
highlight
all the vehicles in the group list. That's the only difference. For e.g., to
group F1's
2 turrets with F2's 3 turrets. You do CTRL-F1, 1, 2, F2.
NOTE: You can only group together vehicles of the same class. You can't join
turrets
with scavengers. You can't join regular tanks with assault tanks. You can't join
ISDF
turrets with Scion guardian turrets (unconfirmed).
Now why bother grouping vehicles? Two major advantages: (1) to make it easier to
command
an army to do one task, such as to attack a matriarch; (2) to free up room on
the F-keys
to put newer classes of vehicles. You cannot make more vehicles if all your
function keys
are assigned.
4.7: How can I order single vehicles in a F-key group?
You can select a particular vehicle on your visual sights with the SPACE bar.
Another
way is to split groups up back to singles so you can command them individually
with
the F-keys again..
4.8: Why can't I make any more vehicles?
Your F-key assignments may be full. Group like vehicles to free up space. There
may
also be a unit limit set on the game (unconfirmed).
4.9: How do scavengers and extractors work?
Scavengers pick up little bits of scrap around the area to fill its biometal
supply.
Biometal supply builds your various units and buildings. The recycler already
comes
with 40 scrap. Each scavenger holds a maximum of 20 scrap, but they can be made
much
more resourceful. Send them to a biometal pool (silver square pools scattered
throughout
the map) and they will constantly mine scrap from these everlasting pools. At
this point,
they become extractors which you needn't command anymore. Constructors can then
upgrade
the extractors so they mine the scrap much quicker. Your current scrap count is
at the
bottom of your scrap indicator. The indicator bar is divided into segments for
the
number of scavengers and extractors that you have. Green bars indicate scavenger
power;
yellow bar for normal extractor; red bar for upgraded extractor. Upgraded
extractors will
always pump up your new scrap first, making your reserves rich in a short time.
Then the
others follow. Because of their high value to your base, many battle for control
of
biometal pools near the enemy lines.
4.10: My scavenger is not scavenging anymore. Why?
Unless it finds new scrap or a biometal pool (unconfirmed), it will hold until
further
orders. At this point, you should order it to an available biometal pool if
possible.
4.11: How does the constructor work?
Created by the recycler, the constructor makes all the other building units in
the
game. In addition, it upgrades extractors to their full potential power. You
always
order the constructor to build a new unit on a green square usually somewhere
around
your base. Some units require a power building or a relay bunker to be built
first.
Then a unit could be built adjacent to it on a green square.
4.12: Why can't I make "" weapon with the armory?
- To make a laser, pummel, pulse stab, or plasma, you need a service bay built
first.
- To make pilot weapons or a MAG cannon, you need a technical center built
first.
- To make blast, you need both a service bay and technical center.
4.13: Why can't I build health/ammo supplies with the armory?
Although possible in the single player mission, it may not be available in
multiplayer
(unconfirmed). As a substitute you can have the recycler make supplies to
replenish
your health and ammo together. You can also produce a service bay or service
truck
to repair vehicles. Note that the truck can also repair gun towers.
4.14: I keep forgetting what unit builds what! Help!
1) The manual has wonderful build tree tables on pages 50-51.
2) Even if a building option on the command interface is not solid colored, hit
that
number key anyway. A message will tell you what you need to make that unit.
4.15: How does a tug work?
A tug can help you transport an empty vehicle to a training center so that one
of
your pilots can man it. Order a tug to pick up an empty friendly or enemy
vehicle.
Order it to bring it to the training center then drop it off. A pilot will
automatically come out and occupy it.
4.16: How can I build a gun tower?
Build a power first. You will then get a lightning icon on your top right
display
with a number indicating the number of powered buildings you can currently
build. Add
more powers to increase capacity. You can then build a power somewhere along the
base,
not necessarily near a power. In fact, if you build a relay bunker in a distant
area,
you may even be able to build a gun tower there. There seem to be some
exceptions.
For e.g., on the A Bridge Too Far map, you can build gun towers on either end of
the
far bridges, even without a nearby relay bunker!
4.17: What buildings can I enter as a pilot for further functionality?
Recycler - Change standard weapons for recycler-made vehicles. More weapons are
available if you build an armory, service bay, and/or technical center. It
doesn't
change the weapons on vehicles already made. Some weapon changes will cost the
recycler
more scrap to produce such an equipped vehicle.
Factory - Change standard weapons for factory-made vehicles. More weapons are
available if you build an armory, service bay, and/or technical center. It
doesn't
change the weapons on vehicles already made. Some weapon changes will cost the
factory
more scrap to produce such an equipped vehicle
Gun Tower - Lets you operate it manually. Hit H to hop back out.
Relay Bunker - Lets you operate the satellite (overhead view) for controlling
your
buildings and vehicles. Excellent for placing new buildings quickly and
efficiently.
You can also name nav points before you set them. When setting a nav, click
inside the
nav name at the bottom, change it, and press ENTER. Then place the nav where you
want
it as usual. You will not see enemy objects on this display.
Bear in mind that human enemy pilots can also enter these buildings. And you are
NOT
invincible to enemy fire while in it. If you die in a relay bunker, you may see
your
satellite display appear temporarily frozen for some seconds.
4.18: On foot, do enemy turrets and gun towers detect me?
Within their firing range, yes; even if you are in the air.
4.19: Do computer offensive or defensive units ever use all their weapon
hardpoints?
They usually use their top weapon (typically a cannon, rocket, or mortar) and
sometimes their special weapon (such as mines or solar flares).
4.20: A player/I left the game mid-battle. What happens to all their units?
Their units remain in the game on the team they were on. If the commander
leaves,
command gets passed to another teammate (unconfirmed). Don't be surprise to join
a game
in progress and suddenly gain control of a bunch of units and vehicles. It is
perfectly
possible for one player to remain and destroy the rest of the abandoned enemy
units.
4.21: Any tips for A Bridge Too Far?
For the southwest-based team, establish 2 extractors on the nearest sides to you
as
soon as possible. Then try to be the first to occupy the biometal pool on the
island
between bridges. Consider blowing up part of the bridge to cut off the enemy at
the
other side (that is, until they make aerial vehicles). The northeast, in my
opinion,
is better protected since there is only one pathways leading out to open water
(restricting certain enemy vehicles to travel).
4.22: Any tips for Ground Zero?
As a commander, get your teammates to establish extractors on the near corners
to
your base as quickly as possible. Most of the biometal pools on this map are far
from
your starting point, especially for the contructor to try to upgrade them. Give
your
teammates turrets to help defend extractors once planted. Avoid the middle -
that is
usually where the enemy starts their base.
4.23: Is there any general etiquette when playing strategy?
Here are general ones which most players will agree on.
1) If a player calls for taking a few minutes to build their units before
attacking them,
respect them. It's usually because either everyone want to build early in the
game first
or this player had just joined in very late without much to start out with.
Violating
that will guarantee a quick exit by that player. These sort of requests do not
tend
to happen too often anyway.
2) If you kill a player's life yourself, then suddenly see him reappear as a
pilot,
consider if that is that player's respawn point (the spot that a player will
reappear
after he/she dies). If you realize that is the case, back off of him or at least
attack
some of his/her other units so the player can have at least a fighting chance to
do some
moving or ordering. Mowing over a respawned player 2 or more times may be
considered
cheap by some people. Use your strict discretion, especially if they chat to you
themselves to stop attacking their respawn point.
3) Do not be a traitor to your team. This can cause great heat and anger. If you
made a
general mistake attacking one of your allies (such as their pilots since they
can be
difficult to identify by flag and without radar), apologize immediately.
Remember that
you can quickly identify all your enemy targets by their team color. Use your
targeting
reticle to identify your teammates if necessary. If you forget who's on which
team,
hit ESC quickly to see who's on the Red Team and on the Blue Team.
4) If you are tired of your role as commander or feel too inexperienced to try
to learn,
give command up to someone else. Let them know first.
Copyright 2000 by Orlando C. Fernando. This page is for personal use only. It
may be
openly distributed for nonprofit in whole or part, but authorship must be
credited.
for Battlezone II PC game by Activision
by Orlando C. Fernando
Version 2.0
Updated: January 15, 2000
This guide shows some tips, strategies from my war adventures in Battlezone 2,
an exciting sequel to the original PC game. This FAQ will grow as I gain more
experience
and receive any corrections. This guide also will try to explain how to do some
fundamentals not explained or explained badly (in my opinion) in the manual. :)
Cheat tactics, mapmaking techniques, and advanced software/hardware
troubleshooting are
beyond the scope of this guide. This guide assumes you are already familiar with
Battlezone 2 enough to play the first 2 Pluto missions. It also assumes you have
played
in multiplayer deathmatch a few times and are familiar with "ping" and "lag".
The first
section assumes you are moderately familiar with Battlezone I. The guide is
based on
playing the game with the 1.01b beta patch in Windows 95 with a 3dfx Voodoo 3
2000 PCI
card.
Web version of this guide is at http://www.orlandofernando.com/g_bztips2.html,
look
also for screenshots at http://orlandofernando.com/g_bz2screen.html.
VERSION 2.0: THIS VERSION. MULTIPLAYER STRATEGY GENERAL & TEAM STRATEGY SECTIONS
ADDED.
MORE SINGLE PLAYER MISSION TIPS. VARIOUS CORRECTIONS.
VERSION 1.0: ORIGINAL VERSION. FIRST 2 SECTIONS CREATED.
Table of Contents
1. Changes Overview from Battlezone I
1. Who is fighting whom now?
2. How do the planets and scenery look?
3. Is there still scrap and pilot management?
4. Are all the building units back?
5. Do the vehicle classes operate the same?
6. Do you operate the command interface the same way?
7. As a pilot, do I still have the plasma and sniper guns?
8. Has computer AI improved?
9. What other classics have improved in Battlezone 2?
2. Single Player Activity
1. How can I skip the cinematic videos during the missions?
2. Why don't I get all the vehicles as in the multiplayer with each mission?
3. Can I save the game during a mission?
4. What is Instant Action?
5. Will these single player games improve me for multiplayer?
6. Any tips on the single player missions?
3. Multiplayer Activity in General
1. What are the multiplayer games in Battlezone 2?
2. Why don't I get all the single player units in multiplayer?
3. What bizarre things happen in Battlezone with bad ping or lag?
4. How do I talk on the text screens?
5. How do I talk during a live game?
6. In the game preparation screen, can I chat with players already launched?
7. If I leave a live game, can I come back?
8. I am ready to enter the live game. Why can't I launch from the preparation
screen?
9. Can I change my name in multiplayer?
10. How can I get new multiplayer maps?
4. Multiplayer Team Strategy Activity
1. Why is it called "team strategy"?
2. How can I command or give up command of my team?
3. What is my role as commander?
4. Can I switch teams during the game?
5. How do I use the number/F keys on my top command line?
6. How can I group vehicles to command them as one F-key?
7. How can I order single vehicles in a F-key group?
8. Why can't I make any more vehicles?
9. How do scavengers and extractors work?
10. My scavenger is not scavenging anymore. Why?
11. How does the constructor work?
12. Why can't I make "" weapon with the armory?
13. Why can't I build health/ammo supplies with the armory?
14. I keep forgetting what unit builds what! Help!
15. How does a tug work?
16. How can I build a gun tower?
17. What buildings can I enter as a pilot for further functionality?
18. On foot, do enemy turrets and gun towers detect me?
19. Do computer offensive or defensive units ever use all their weapon
hardpoints?
20. A player/I left the game mid-battle. What happens to all their units?
21. Any tips for A Bridge Too Far?
22. Any tips for Ground Zero?
23. Is there any general etiquette when playing strategy?
Section 1: Changes Overview from Battlezone I
1.1: Who is fighting whom now?
In the story of this great December 1999 sequel, the setting is somewhere in the
near
future. The intergalactic biometal Cold War between the Americans and Russians
are now
over. Both have combined into the International Space Defense Force (ISDF). They
now fight
an indescribable alien race, the Scions, on planets Pluto and beyond. As the
book
poetically describes, these two major forces have radically different building
technologies. Really. Some alien units bear different names to the human
equivalents and
operate with different weapons and uses of power. Their "kind" looks graphically
different
from human power - much more diversity than in BZ1.
1.2: How do the planets and scenery look?
Much better! Many more blue hues were used this version around to create some
fascinating
night scenes and crystal structures. The green forest planet gets rainy weather
(play the
demo version to see this, enabling the graphic weather option). Rocks, ruins,
and even
animals populate the scene. Animals love wandering pilots. There's even shallow
and deep
water which affect travel and tolerance of certain vehicles. Travel underground
through
tunnels to other sections on the planet. Bridges can be crossed or destroyed,
complicating
enemy invasions. Pilots can even enter certain buildings and enclosed
structures.
On a Pentium II 266 MHZ with 128 MB RAM on a Voodoo 3, you will need to reduce
some
graphics capabilities off for better framerate in heavy fighting situations. On
a Celeron
dual-400 MHz with 112 MB RAM on a Diamond Viper 32-bit, however, you can put
everything
to the max. With different processors and generation 3d accelerator cards, your
mileage
may vary. :)
1.3: Is there still scrap and pilot management?
This major question brewed on the alt.games.battlezone Usenet newsgroup for
quite some
time last year during production. Scrap management is in BZ2 with additional
methods.
Pilot management is drastically reduced. It is only a consideration when you
want one
to occupy a captured vehicle or you want to send out an APC.
1.4: Are all the building units back?
The recycler, constructor, factory, armory, and gun towers are back and have
mostly the
same functions. However the constructor, which is now robotic in appearance,
bears full
responsibility for making all the building units, including the factory and
armory
themselves. Barracks are now Training Centers. Communication towers are now
Relay Bunkers.
All the unit voices respond the same ("Building complete! Recycler here!")
1.5: Do the vehicle classes operate the same?
Turrets, scouts, and tugs are basically the same. Rocket tanks are slower now
but pack
better firepower. The other tank classes are very slow high firepower machines
which
can rotate the gun independently from the body (hope you have a good joystick!).
Walkers
also can gun twist independently. APCs and bombers are now aerial uncontrollable
vehicles. APCs will land to drop their pilots to attack a target (about 3 of
them).
If successful, the APC will pick up any surviving men. Bombers launch from a
bomber
bay and will actually bomb their targets from the air. Eagle landers and
minelayers,
however, are gone. Fast mortar bikes are now introduced which pack dozens of
mortars-
perfect for taking out a turret long distance.
1.6: Do you operate the command interface the same way?
The command interface has some significant changes which will require some time
to
relearn some key commands. Like in BZ1, you still select one or many units,
choose
what to do with them, and point to a location if applicable. However you now
call the
units with the function keys as well as a few number keys.
1.7: As a pilot, do I still have the plasma and sniper guns?
Yes, but there is much more other hand weapons that you can have. You also come
standard equipped with a jetpack and can carry an assortment of other rather
powerful
guns. Hmm, the Quake evolution is slowly happening...
1.8: Has computer AI improved?
Yes, the enemy artificial intelligence in the single player missions and instant
action:
(1) enemies strafe fire, (2) if you fire at an incoming enemy scavenger, it will
sometimes turn back, (3) gun towers always sense enemy pilots presence now, (4)
enemies
will not fire at their own if you are close to or under them as a pilot, (5)
enemies that
kill your vehicle will continue to assault you while you are ejecting, (6) if
you take
out a key scavenger or defense, the enemy will work as quickly as possible to
reconstruct it or even have a spare handy!
Your friendly units have also gained a boost in IQ: (1) units are VERY careful
now not
to fire at you by accident if you are in the way of an enemy, (2) pilots ejected
from their
vehicles will try to fire at enemy vehicles before returning to base, (3) if you
give
vehicles an order then jump out of your vehicle and come back, the vehicles will
still
remember your last order, (4) if you order vehicles to follow you, they will
defend you
against oncoming enemies then continue to follow you, (5) they seem much less
prone to
getting stuck and will not go through lethal environments (scavengers will avoid
the water).
1.9: What other classics have improved in Battlezone 2?
Bear in mind that this is an overview and not a complete features list:
- use of the satellite view for commanding units
- game list descriptions for multiplayer (including the required map file to
play
a hosted game)
- ammo usage. Over time, your ammo in any vehicle/pilot will eventually
replenish.
- Phantom VIR activation. You can now leave it on as you choose and fire another
weapon. No grouping required.
- mortars. Cool smoke trails illuminate the path which it's traveling.
- turrets deploy quicker and are VERY effective defense units now.
- recycler can now produce for you an ammo powerup with health combined.
- recycler has tougher armor now but slower self-repair.
- name changing while in multiplayer.
- instant action now included in the game
Section 2: Single Player Activity
2.1: How can I skip the cinematic videos during the missions?
During the animations at the beginning of a mission (when the narrator speaks),
you
can skip it by hitting the SPACE key once it starts. It will not skip, however,
until
all the game mission map and dll files are fully loaded.
2.2: Why don't I get all the vehicles as in the multiplayer with each mission?
It's the game creator's intention. The commanders generally run the show while
you
drive and shoot in the early missions. However, as they introduce to you more
building
units, you will soon gain full access to your recycler, the command interface
and
building units. Likewise for building certain units (for example, you won't be
able to
operate bombers and APCs until the commanders see a compelling need for one.)
2.3: Can I save the game during a mission?
Yes. The entire mission does not have to be complete in order for you to save
it. In
fact, you could save the game just after the first few seconds of the mission if
you
wanted to (including during a battle). Just hit ESC to go to the OPTION screen.
Select
FILE and pick a name to save or overwrite an older one. This is where you can
also load
an existing game if you feel you can't go on with the current one. Bear in mind
that
when you reload a previous game, the exact same situation does not always
happen. For
example, on one reload, an enemy can suddenly attack from their base, while
another
time, an enemy may not attack for a few minutes. So be wary at what point in the
game
you want to save. I do not advise saving in the middle of a battle.
2.4: What is Instant Action?
Instant Action is another type of single player strategy which consist of only
one
mission: destroy the enemy's recycler (or matriarch if the enemy is the Scion
force).
It is basically like playing a multiplayer strategy game, but versus a computer
player.
2.5: Will these single player games improve me for multiplayer?
Definitely. During the missions, you will slowly get the gist of using the
different
mobile units and attacking the enemy as well as getting used to your
joystick/keyboard/mouse controls. You run no threat of enemies sniping you when
you
destroy their vehicle. You usually concentrate on one to three vehicles to
attack at once.
I highly advise to listen to all the dialogues and read all the objectives as
they
will go a long way in explaining the purpose of many of the units.
I also strongly advise to play some instant action games. Practice with the ISDF
unit
on the Bridge map or work on being the Scion unit on the Alien Dunes map. In
both cases,
the enemy is far enough away to give you plenty of time to build your units with
trial and error.
2.6: Any tips on the single player missions?
This is Not a Drill (Pluto) - If you have problems on this first mission, it's
highly
likely your controller. Set up your joystick/keyboard/mouse appropriately so
that you
can comfortably jump hills and strafe fire enemies. You should eventually get
comfortable taking out two Scion sentries by yourself.
A Simple S and R (Pluto)- Hard time protecting Shabayev's constructor from the
constant
Scion sentries? Be sure to always fire at the one attacking her first, so that
you divert
its attention and cause it to retreat for a while and return. Do the same for
the second
Scion.
We Have Hostiles (Pluto) - In the beginning, after exiting the tunnel and
killing the
first hardware-stealing Scion hauler, head back toward the tunnel. Inside the
tunnel
entranceway just before the down ramp, pick up the purple pummel weapon on the
left.
Each pummel shot does about 20% damage on the enemy. Helps significantly!
WARNING: The
1.01b beta patch makes the pummel weapon slow down gameplay for Force Feedback
controllers.
Dark Planet (Dark Planet) - When you encounter a circle of guardian turrets,
Shabayev
will warn you to pull back and retreat. From a reasonable distance, you can hop
out and
safely snipe every guardian out there. Bring a scout in case any stray Scion
sentry tries
to follow you. The commander will commend you if successful.
Through the Looking Glass (Mire) - Deploy your recycler and set up your units
right where
you are at the beginning. You have a scrap pool immediately behind you and the
enemy
generally approaches from the north direction. Be sure to set up 2 turrets
around your
recycler to help secure your position as you build the other units the commander
orders.
Rumble in the Jungle (Mire) - Even after you save Shabayev and says "we got to
stop meeting like this, people will talk," your mission is not over if you
didn't
clear the rest of the enemies on the map. You may have done the objectives in
reverse
order (unconfirmed), so the objective to use the APC won't change.
Snow Blind (Bane) - (1) Don't build much more than an upgraded extractor, two
turrets
and maybe a scout. Get to the convoy as quickly as possible thereafter. (2)When
caved
in and must return to the dust off site as last objective, travel the high hills
west
of the path to help you safely get there. Avoid the path of enemies and you'll
save
much time and anguish.
On Thin Ice (Bane) - (1) To guide the recycler through the ice, tell it to
follow you
and do this cursor trick. Tell it to deploy and just keep your cursor aimed to
the
ground. The red and green spots are safe to cross. Switch to a far-out view and
guide
it slowly. If enemies threaten, deploy it in a legal spot directly in front of
you.
Knock out enemies and repeat. (2) Having trouble getting your transport to the
dust off site as last objective? I did it with gun towers protecting the base,
two upgraded extractors (closest to base), gun towers protecting it, and a relay
bunker.
Put the transport east of your base because enemies always come from the west on
the
dust off site path. Go into the bunker. Now build a turret "chain" lining up the
path
from the recycler to the drop ship. This means constantly making turrets
and deploying them one after the other along the path to freedom. You must be
fast
with the group keys because you'll constantly need to make more F-key space for
new ones.
Several will get destroyed, but the chain will eventually overwhelm them. Once
you get
it close to the dropship. Logout and order the transport to go to the dust off
nav beacon.
Defend it along the way.
Section 3: Multiplayer Activity in General
3.1: What are the multiplayer games in Battlezone 2?
Team Strategy - A battle between two teams to conquer the opposing enemy
recycler. One
or many people can be on each team.
Strategy - A battle between one-person teams to conquer the other enemy
recyclers.
River4 and Ground4 maps allow normal strategy with 4 players maximum.
Deathmatch - A free for all battle.
Team Deathmatch - A free for all battle organized into two teams. One or many
people
can be on each team.
Capture the Flag - Teams fight to capture the opposing team's flag.
Loot - A free for all in downtown Pleasantville. Enter various banks in the map
as a
pilot to steal cash bags for 100 points. Cash bags regenerate over time.
3.2: Why don't I get all the single player units in multiplayer?
The host for your current game has only allowed certain vehicles to launch with.
If he
only allowed ISDF vehicles, it won't be possible to form a Scion team in
strategy or
team deathmatch. You can ask the host to enable your favorite vehicle if the
host has
not launched yet. Remember in strategy that you will have the opportunity to
build
your favorite vehicle from the recycler or factory.
3.3: What bizarre things happen in Battlezone with bad ping or lag?
Frequently on the game server, it will enter "gamestate" in which the server
will try
to correct poor signals. At that point, all (or most) players in the game will
be frozen
for a limited period of time. Another server behavior is to have you be
temporary frozen
until the lag corrects itself. Unfortunately, it leaves you very vulnerable to
enemies
unstuck. Be careful giving commands at this point because there is a keyboard
delay as
well. When you become unfrozen, prepare to have been possibly killed. :( Too
much lag
might cause the player to be kicked off the server. When in gamestate status,
you can
still chat with others via the ENTER key or the ESC key. (The ESC menu shows
ping count
of each player in the game as well as the amount of lag that person is
experiencing. To
get your ping, ask someone else to check your name on their ESC menu. To help
counter
high ping as a host, you can prevent high ping players from joining the game.
Lower the
MAXPING setting on the game preparation screen.
3.4: How do I talk on the text screens?
Select CHAT W/ ALL, TEAM, or ONE at the bottom. Then type in your text in the
lower
left bar of the screen and hit ENTER. You will stay chatting with them until you
choose
another chat button, even when you launch into the live game.
3.5: How do I talk during a live game?
Either (1) hit the ENTER key, type your chat and hit ENTER again or (2) hit ESC
to bring
up a full chat screen, complete with history of conversations. You can change
who you
chat to by selecting CHAT W/ ALL, TEAM, or ONE. Enter your chat in the space
provided
and hit ENTER.
3.6: In the game preparation screen, can I chat with players already
launched?
Yes. You can chat with players already engaged in the live game and vice versa.
3.7: If I leave a live game, can I come back?
For the most part, yes (assuming everyone hadn't left the game by the time you
returned).
You might find the game full while you were away. Or the game server can simply
be too
full to handle any more user joins. If you do make it back into the preparation
screen,
you will need to select your appropriate vehicle and/or team then ENTER GAME
again.
3.8: I am ready to enter the live game. Why can't I launch from the preparation
screen?
If the host is still preparing the game options and has not entered the game
herself,
you will not have the ENTER GAME button enabled yet. Be patient, perhaps
chatting that
you are ready to launch.
3.9: Can I change my name in multiplayer?
Yes. Either at the preparation screen or live game, enter in a chat line /NICK
[NEWNAME]
where [NEWNAME] is what you want to call yourself. It should remember your new
name for
future games until you change it again.
3.10: How can I get new multiplayer maps?
There are no new maps publicized yet on the web nor by Activision, but that may
change
soon. However, Pandemic Studios has released separate documentation on how to
create
your own BZ2 instant action maps. Check their site.
http://www.pandemicstudios.com/
Section 4: Multiplayer Team Strategy Activity
4.1: Why is it called "team strategy"?
This game mode closely resembles the instant action missions involving the
recycler
and/or matriarch.
The goal of the game is to destroy the enemy recycler and factories (if any). As
a
commander, you will have full access to your recycler to build offenses,
defenses,
utilities, etc. to build a force for your team to attack or defend from the
enemy.
Unlike BZ1, several people will join one of two teams, so resources are shared
among
the team. On the preparation screen, you will pick what team side you want to be
on by
selecting JOIN TEAM 1 or JOIN TEAM 2. The Red Team (whether or not its
squad name is renamed) will have all their units, vehicles, pilots, and chat
text in red;
Blue Team in blue. The player list during the live game (accessed by hitting
CTRL-ENTER)
displays the people participating, team squad names (defaults are Red Team and
Blue Team),
their deaths, kills, and scores. Deaths are the number of times that player's
units,
including themselves, are destroyed (not sure for APC pilots killed though).
Kills are
the number of times that player has destroyed a unit or other player. A typical
strategy
game doesn't run as quickly as you may think. It can range from 30 minutes to
even 4 hours
depending on the map size, player skills, and number of latecomers joining. In
the course
of the game, you may change commander role or responsibilities of certain
vehicles to get
the job done. No two strategy games ever run the same.
4.2: How can I command or give up command of my team?
Your team must have a commander which will command the recycler, factory,
armory, and
constructor units. On the game preparation screen, hit the TAKE CMD button to
become
commander. To give up command, select one of your teammates on the team list
then hit
GIVE CMD. The one in command will have a "C:" next to their name on the team
list.
While on the battlefield, you can switch roles also. Hit ESC to bring up the
full chat
menu. The TAKE CMD / GIVE CMD button and team list works the same as in the
preparation
screen. If someone else is commanding your team, their icon on their F-key at
the top
of the screen will have a "C" next to it.
4.3: What is my role as commander?
As a commander, you need to build the units necessary to set up your base and
prepare
your armies for you and your teammates to use. There is much that can be done as
commander, but the first is a must:
1) Deploy your recycler somewhere. Somewhere in your starting area is usually
good.
2) Make scavengers and give them control to your teammates to set them up as
extractors.
3) Be mainly a base guard and work on building a strong base.
4) Give your teammates ships when they are killed.
5) Give your teammates an army for an offensive attack.
6) Give them special orders to attack a particular target, follow you, defend a
unit, etc.
4.4: Can I switch teams during the game?
No. You must leave the live game and reenter, picking the opposite team before
re-launching.
4.5: How do I use the number/F keys on my top command line?
You operate the recycler with the 1 key, the armory with 2 key (unconfirmed),
and the
factory with the 3 key. Any new vehicles you build will be assigned to F1 - F9
keys
(F1 - F10 in instant action). You command these vehicles by pressing their
function key.
Once you hit the first key, numbered commands will appear on the left. Hit the
right
number to do the appropriate command. If a command is not solid and a little
ghosted,
you cannot access it at the moment because you need more scrap to do it. If a
command
is very light colored, you are also missing another responsibility to make it
happen
(building a power, splitting a group, etc.). Some commands require a final step
to pick
the spot on the field where you want to do it. Use your mouse to aim your
reticle at
the spot and (if a legal spot) press the SPACE bar.
4.6: How can I group vehicles to command them as one F-key?
I encourage to group vehicles as much as possible, reason will be explained
soon.
To group one vehicle with another, hold CTRL and hit the function key of the
vehicle
you will group then let go. Hit 1 key to highlight that vehicle, the only
vehicle in
that F-key's group list. Now hit the function key of the vehicle you want to
group it
to. Done. If you want to group an F-key of several vehicles with another F-key
group,
instead of hitting just the 1 key, you will want to hit all the number keys to
highlight
all the vehicles in the group list. That's the only difference. For e.g., to
group F1's
2 turrets with F2's 3 turrets. You do CTRL-F1, 1, 2, F2.
NOTE: You can only group together vehicles of the same class. You can't join
turrets
with scavengers. You can't join regular tanks with assault tanks. You can't join
ISDF
turrets with Scion guardian turrets (unconfirmed).
Now why bother grouping vehicles? Two major advantages: (1) to make it easier to
command
an army to do one task, such as to attack a matriarch; (2) to free up room on
the F-keys
to put newer classes of vehicles. You cannot make more vehicles if all your
function keys
are assigned.
4.7: How can I order single vehicles in a F-key group?
You can select a particular vehicle on your visual sights with the SPACE bar.
Another
way is to split groups up back to singles so you can command them individually
with
the F-keys again..
4.8: Why can't I make any more vehicles?
Your F-key assignments may be full. Group like vehicles to free up space. There
may
also be a unit limit set on the game (unconfirmed).
4.9: How do scavengers and extractors work?
Scavengers pick up little bits of scrap around the area to fill its biometal
supply.
Biometal supply builds your various units and buildings. The recycler already
comes
with 40 scrap. Each scavenger holds a maximum of 20 scrap, but they can be made
much
more resourceful. Send them to a biometal pool (silver square pools scattered
throughout
the map) and they will constantly mine scrap from these everlasting pools. At
this point,
they become extractors which you needn't command anymore. Constructors can then
upgrade
the extractors so they mine the scrap much quicker. Your current scrap count is
at the
bottom of your scrap indicator. The indicator bar is divided into segments for
the
number of scavengers and extractors that you have. Green bars indicate scavenger
power;
yellow bar for normal extractor; red bar for upgraded extractor. Upgraded
extractors will
always pump up your new scrap first, making your reserves rich in a short time.
Then the
others follow. Because of their high value to your base, many battle for control
of
biometal pools near the enemy lines.
4.10: My scavenger is not scavenging anymore. Why?
Unless it finds new scrap or a biometal pool (unconfirmed), it will hold until
further
orders. At this point, you should order it to an available biometal pool if
possible.
4.11: How does the constructor work?
Created by the recycler, the constructor makes all the other building units in
the
game. In addition, it upgrades extractors to their full potential power. You
always
order the constructor to build a new unit on a green square usually somewhere
around
your base. Some units require a power building or a relay bunker to be built
first.
Then a unit could be built adjacent to it on a green square.
4.12: Why can't I make "" weapon with the armory?
- To make a laser, pummel, pulse stab, or plasma, you need a service bay built
first.
- To make pilot weapons or a MAG cannon, you need a technical center built
first.
- To make blast, you need both a service bay and technical center.
4.13: Why can't I build health/ammo supplies with the armory?
Although possible in the single player mission, it may not be available in
multiplayer
(unconfirmed). As a substitute you can have the recycler make supplies to
replenish
your health and ammo together. You can also produce a service bay or service
truck
to repair vehicles. Note that the truck can also repair gun towers.
4.14: I keep forgetting what unit builds what! Help!
1) The manual has wonderful build tree tables on pages 50-51.
2) Even if a building option on the command interface is not solid colored, hit
that
number key anyway. A message will tell you what you need to make that unit.
4.15: How does a tug work?
A tug can help you transport an empty vehicle to a training center so that one
of
your pilots can man it. Order a tug to pick up an empty friendly or enemy
vehicle.
Order it to bring it to the training center then drop it off. A pilot will
automatically come out and occupy it.
4.16: How can I build a gun tower?
Build a power first. You will then get a lightning icon on your top right
display
with a number indicating the number of powered buildings you can currently
build. Add
more powers to increase capacity. You can then build a power somewhere along the
base,
not necessarily near a power. In fact, if you build a relay bunker in a distant
area,
you may even be able to build a gun tower there. There seem to be some
exceptions.
For e.g., on the A Bridge Too Far map, you can build gun towers on either end of
the
far bridges, even without a nearby relay bunker!
4.17: What buildings can I enter as a pilot for further functionality?
Recycler - Change standard weapons for recycler-made vehicles. More weapons are
available if you build an armory, service bay, and/or technical center. It
doesn't
change the weapons on vehicles already made. Some weapon changes will cost the
recycler
more scrap to produce such an equipped vehicle.
Factory - Change standard weapons for factory-made vehicles. More weapons are
available if you build an armory, service bay, and/or technical center. It
doesn't
change the weapons on vehicles already made. Some weapon changes will cost the
factory
more scrap to produce such an equipped vehicle
Gun Tower - Lets you operate it manually. Hit H to hop back out.
Relay Bunker - Lets you operate the satellite (overhead view) for controlling
your
buildings and vehicles. Excellent for placing new buildings quickly and
efficiently.
You can also name nav points before you set them. When setting a nav, click
inside the
nav name at the bottom, change it, and press ENTER. Then place the nav where you
want
it as usual. You will not see enemy objects on this display.
Bear in mind that human enemy pilots can also enter these buildings. And you are
NOT
invincible to enemy fire while in it. If you die in a relay bunker, you may see
your
satellite display appear temporarily frozen for some seconds.
4.18: On foot, do enemy turrets and gun towers detect me?
Within their firing range, yes; even if you are in the air.
4.19: Do computer offensive or defensive units ever use all their weapon
hardpoints?
They usually use their top weapon (typically a cannon, rocket, or mortar) and
sometimes their special weapon (such as mines or solar flares).
4.20: A player/I left the game mid-battle. What happens to all their units?
Their units remain in the game on the team they were on. If the commander
leaves,
command gets passed to another teammate (unconfirmed). Don't be surprise to join
a game
in progress and suddenly gain control of a bunch of units and vehicles. It is
perfectly
possible for one player to remain and destroy the rest of the abandoned enemy
units.
4.21: Any tips for A Bridge Too Far?
For the southwest-based team, establish 2 extractors on the nearest sides to you
as
soon as possible. Then try to be the first to occupy the biometal pool on the
island
between bridges. Consider blowing up part of the bridge to cut off the enemy at
the
other side (that is, until they make aerial vehicles). The northeast, in my
opinion,
is better protected since there is only one pathways leading out to open water
(restricting certain enemy vehicles to travel).
4.22: Any tips for Ground Zero?
As a commander, get your teammates to establish extractors on the near corners
to
your base as quickly as possible. Most of the biometal pools on this map are far
from
your starting point, especially for the contructor to try to upgrade them. Give
your
teammates turrets to help defend extractors once planted. Avoid the middle -
that is
usually where the enemy starts their base.
4.23: Is there any general etiquette when playing strategy?
Here are general ones which most players will agree on.
1) If a player calls for taking a few minutes to build their units before
attacking them,
respect them. It's usually because either everyone want to build early in the
game first
or this player had just joined in very late without much to start out with.
Violating
that will guarantee a quick exit by that player. These sort of requests do not
tend
to happen too often anyway.
2) If you kill a player's life yourself, then suddenly see him reappear as a
pilot,
consider if that is that player's respawn point (the spot that a player will
reappear
after he/she dies). If you realize that is the case, back off of him or at least
attack
some of his/her other units so the player can have at least a fighting chance to
do some
moving or ordering. Mowing over a respawned player 2 or more times may be
considered
cheap by some people. Use your strict discretion, especially if they chat to you
themselves to stop attacking their respawn point.
3) Do not be a traitor to your team. This can cause great heat and anger. If you
made a
general mistake attacking one of your allies (such as their pilots since they
can be
difficult to identify by flag and without radar), apologize immediately.
Remember that
you can quickly identify all your enemy targets by their team color. Use your
targeting
reticle to identify your teammates if necessary. If you forget who's on which
team,
hit ESC quickly to see who's on the Red Team and on the Blue Team.
4) If you are tired of your role as commander or feel too inexperienced to try
to learn,
give command up to someone else. Let them know first.
Copyright 2000 by Orlando C. Fernando. This page is for personal use only. It
may be
openly distributed for nonprofit in whole or part, but authorship must be
credited.