2. SPACECRAFT, INSTALLATIONS, AND SIGNIFICANT OBJECTS:
***Table of size, speed, arms, etc.
2.0 Imperial Starfighters:
2.1 Hostile/Neutral Starfighters:
2.2 Other Small Craft:
2.3 Large and Capital Starships:
2.4 Stationary Objects/Installations:
3. TACTICS.
3.0 Starfighter-Starfighter Combat:
3.00 Positioning before the fight.
3.01 The initial meet.
3.02 In the melee.
3.03 Breakaway/Temporary Avoidance.
3.04 Missile Avoidance.
3.05 Escort Duties.
3.1 Starfighter-Ship Combat:
3.10 Closing the Gap.
3.11 Gunnery Pass(es).
3.2 Starfighter-Capital Ship Combat:
3.20 Closing the Gap, Warhead Use, and the First Pass.
3.21 Missile Avoidance for Attackers of Capital Ships.
3.22 Gunnery passes/blind spots.
3.23 Upon shield failure.
3.3 Starfighter-Mine Combat.
4. MISSIONS - GOALS AND METHODS.
***************************************************************
* END OF TABLE OF CONTENTS - BEGINNING OF TEXT OF GUIDE *
***************************************************************
(i) Legal banter and Acknowledgements to Contributors.
In general:
Share and copy as much as you like, just don't edit,
shorten, add to, or change it, and don't charge for it except for
email or online-time charges. You can print your own copy, but
please do not distribute printed copies to anyone else.
If you want to use part of the guide, or update it, or add to it,
mail the authors at the address(es) above; if there is a problem,
error, or fault in the guide, let us know and we will attempt
to update the guide as soon as possible.
THIS GUIDE AND THE INFORMATION IN IT IS COPYRIGHT OWNED BY THE AUTHOR
(care of s933464@minyos.xx.rmit.edu.au) EXCEPT THOSE PARTS ACKNOWLEDGED
AS SUCH WHICH ARE COPYRIGHT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE AUTHORS OR AGENCIES;
AND NEITHER THE WHOLE NOR ANY PART OF IT MAY BE COPIED, CHANGED,
TRANSFERRED, REPRODUCED, OR STORED IN ANY FASHION
OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BOTH
PRINTED AND/OR ELECTRONIC FORM, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION
OF THE AUTHOR(s) _unless written permission is obtained from the author(s)_.
LUCASARTS, TIE FIGHTER, AND ANY OTHER TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED
TRADE NAMES OR ETCETERA ARE COPYRIGHT, REGISTERED, OR ETCETERA
OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS AND ARE USED HERE FOR DESCRIPTIVE
PURPOSES ONLY. LUCASARTS HAS NOT SUPPORTED OR AUTHORISED THIS
PUBLICATION IN ANY WAY OR MEANS AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
CORRESPONDENCE OR DAMAGES.
THE AUTHORS WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES
ETCETERA ARISING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR INABILITY TO USE
THIS PRODUCT. LIABILITY IN THE CASE OF FAULT IS LIMITED TO
REPLACEMENT OF THE DOCUMENT PROVIDED IF OBTAINED DIRECTLY
FROM THE AUTHORS. AT NO TIME WILL THE AUTHORS BE HELD RESPONSIBLE
FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE ETC. ARISING FROM USE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
(ii) Description of the TIE Guide.
Welcome to what was designed as the ultimate TIE Fighter Guide or
Frequently Asked Questions answerer (FAQ) for the die-hard pilot or
user of LucasArts' TIE Fighter simulation, described
below. It should give you the knowledge to be victorious in almost
any situation in TIE Fighter, given practice and a small amount of
luck. Should you have the basic skills in piloting and gunnery to
make use of this information, you will find flying a TIE Fighter
and its associate starfighters easier and more enjoyable. If you
don't have these skills, practice in the Training Simulator is
in order. Much of this information is available scattered throughout
the game, or the manual, and much more of it is in the hint book.
However, here it is collected in a logical (we hope) fashion
and is cheaper than the hint book. So There.
(iii) Review/description of TIE Fighter CD vs Floppy Version.
At this stage (prior to Oct. '95 release of CD) it is believed that the
Enhanced CD has: Enhanced Sound & Graphics, extra cut scenes,
and a full new group of battles as well as the Defender of the Empire
extensions.
1. WEAPONS AND COMBAT EQUIPMENT:
1.0 Offensive weaponry:
This is the most essential element of any mission. Without
effective weapons and their proper use, escorts are powerless,
rescues are ineffective, and attacks are pointless.
1.00 Table of Warhead Attributes.
Warhead Power (BLS) Speed (MGLT) Guidance
===========|==============|===============|===================
Conc. Mis. 30 240 Homes for 30 sec.
Adv. Conc.
Prot. Torp. 100 120 Homes for 60 sec.
Adv. Prot.
Space Bomb 650 10 Minor steering only.
Hvy. Rocket 350 80 Clumsy slow homing.
1.01 Laser Cannons.
The most common weapon used, it can pack a punch powerful
enough to down a starfighter or small ship in seconds, and
can be recharged infinitely to repeatedly take small chunks
out of the biggest capital ships, until they flee or die.
A boosted (fully charged) laser will knock out 5 SBD of
shields.
1.02 Ion Cannons.
Also infinitely rechargeable, Ion cannons can provide an
alternative weapon when laser charge drops. They pack an
effective punch against shields, but their real use is when
the shields drop - the ion discharge will quickly disperse
throughout the target's vital systems, disabling the ship
without damaging it at all. Ion cannons can be used to stop
a capital ship firing back at the player or escaping into
hyperspace by disabling it quickly, allowing the player to
kill it at his or her leisure with lasers.
1.03 Concussion/Advanced Concussion Missiles.
Fast, manouverable self-guided weapons ideal for destroying
enemy starfighters. Not a very large warhead, which means
that many can be carried, but also they do very little
against larger ships. Advanced version features better target
tracking and larger warhead, and is ideal for dogfights.
1.04 Proton/Advanced Proton Torpedoes.
Fairly fast weapons, barely manouverable enough for a rear
attack on slow Y-wings, however they are significantly more
powerful than missiles. Ideal for attacking smaller starships
between shuttle and corvette size (anything larger is not
likely to lose all its shields, even after a full load of
torps). Advanced version features better target tracking
and larger warhead, making a good multipurpose weapon.
1.05 Heavy Rockets.
Great for smaller capital ships (Corvette or bigger),
and the surprise rear attack on a largish ship such as an
SPC or ATR. These carry a slow motor to propel them to a
target and a very large warhead, along with basic steering.
1.06 Inertial Space Bombs.
Ideal for the largest slowest ships and for platform attack.
These weapons are slung out from your starfighter with no
self propulsion, and barely enough guidance to get by.
Their one advantage is a huge warhead that will take
noticeable chunks out of the toughest shields in existence.
For best effect launch just out of laser range from the
target while flying at speed, as this will minimize flight time.
1.1 Other Combat Equipment:
1.10 Shields.
If you don't have them, you have to be very careful. These
absorb/dissipate laser, ion, and warhead attacks, allowing
a pilot to concentrate on his or her target for that extra
vital second. However, a pilot in straight and level travel
will recieve a barrage of lasers that will possibly reduce
shields to nothing, so do not trust them for too long.
Also good for ramming ships with little or no shields if the
player's are significantly stronger. Should be recharged as
often as possible, and kept balanced fore/aft except in
special situations.
1.11 Hull Armour/Heatsinks.
Hull armour will let you survive that stray laser you almost
avoided, or that portion of missile warhead that penetrated
your shields, but is very limited. Also, you are likely to
have vital systems or displays damaged rather than your
heatsinks boiling safely into space, and armour cannot be
recharged like shields.
1.12 Tractor Beam.
Only available after a sufficiently experienced pilot
survives to see its invention and production, the weak
directional tractor beam is used to reduce the manoueverability
of an enemy when in your sights. When the beam is active
it gives off a low warbling sound, and a starfighter which
is unlucky enough to be flying straight away from the player
in his sights is likely to be captured. A hard jink by the
trapped is sometimes able to free him/her, and he/she is
unlikely to be trapped if travelling across the sights
quickly in the first place.
1.13 Cockpit Equipment:
1.130 Hull/Shield Strength Indicator.
Two thicknesses of shields can be built up, and as each
layer is powered down its display darkens and goes from
green to yellow to red to black (no strength). A hit on
shields or hull is indicated by a white flash on the
affected part.
1.131 Sights/Threat Lights.
Laser targeting of small objects can be made easier if the
player remembers that the cannons are mounted off-center
and fire as such, so that, for example a tug can be hit
more easily at close range if the starfighter is turned to
move the target 'closer to the cannon', otherwise the beams
may pass harmlessly around the target.
If the warning lights go on in a craft not fitted with
shields, the only chance for survival is to dodge fast and
hard. The left warning light is for starfighter/fixed
cannons trained on the player, the center one is for
cannons on a large ship or turrets trained at the player,
and the right hand light is for missile tracking.
1.132 Targeting Computer CMD.
Shows useful information including sensor scan's reports
of cargo, and a real-time camera image of the target.
1.133 Situational Awareness Hemispheres (View Circles).
One of the most important tools in a dogfight, these
show the relative positions of all ships, objects etc.,
allowing the pilot turn directly towards the target
while avoiding collisions and enemies.
1.134 Energy Management Systems.
The starfighters are powered by individual reactor cores,
one to a ship. How the player uses the energy provided
is up to him or her. A fixed amount goes to power the
basic ship's systems, but the main part is spent on
'variable power sinks', and the leftover goes to the
engine to increase speed. That is, the energy supplied to
items like the shields, lasers, and perhaps a tractor
beam, can be changed to change the rate of charging
of the storage cells that power these items. With
no recharging, the power is slowly leaked out of the
cells, and soon the lasers/shields/etc have no power.
This is zero percent recharge, or power diverted to
engines at maximum rate.
Alternatively, the recharge rate can be kept at maximum,
allowing the shield or laser cells to be fully charged
constantly (100%). Or, a middle ground can be chosen
to allow charging to only replace the natural leakage
(50% recharge). The energy management system allows
5 different settings of recharge rates (0%, 25%, 50%,
75%, and 100%) for each system. Since the engine gets
all the energy surplus left over from these systems,
a lower shield or laser recharge rate means a faster
ship.
Also, once some power is stored in the cells for one
system, (e.g. the lasers) set quantities can be moved
to another system (e.g. shields) allowing for a quick
boost of shield or cannon power in an emergency.
1.135 Clock and Tricorder Camera.
The mission clock records the amount of time passed
since the launch of your ship. This is measured in real
time except during time acceleration, when the clock is
accelerated x2 or x4 as appropriate.
The camera display contains an 'on' light and a film
remaining indicator (in percent).
1.14 Auxiliary Display Screens:
As the pilot looks down into his/her cockpit, a number of
screens displaying vital information can be seen. By
pressing the appropriate key to get into one of these
screens, the whole lot can be accessed with the left and
right arrow keys. To exit, just press the appropriate key
for the screen. E.g. press k to go to keyboard reference
screen, arrows to get to the map, and m to exit the map
and go into combat. Combat is paused while the pilot
is in these screens.
1.140 Map.
The beautiful thing about the map in TIE Fighter compared
to X-Wing is the ability to simulate a 3-d situation,
and view it from any angle, instead of a 2-D 'flat' map.
Craft that are not involved in a fight can be selectively
blocked out to reduce clutter.
1.141 Message Log.
Another improvement over X-wing, the Log records and stores
all radio messages and the time recieved, and displays as
text on a screen. Useful when too many messages come
at once.
1.142 Damage Assessment.
Same as X-Wing. When a portion of your hull containing
vital systems is damaged, the systems can usually be
temporarily repaired in a few seconds to a few minutes.
This screen displays systems, their status, and time to
repair (if damaged).
1.143 Wingman Commands.
A list of wingman commands can be accessed.
1.144 Keyboard Reference.
Press 'k' during flight to see this. Lists almost every key
used anywhere during TIE Fighter flight. Press 'k' again
to leave. Useful if you don't want to ruin your game docs
by constantly referring to them.
1.145 InFlight Options.
Change detail, sound etc for a smoother or more realistic
flight.
1.146 Mission Goals Dislay.
A key element in mission planning, along with the map. This
display shows all 'must complete for a sucessful mission'
events as Primary Goals, and lists them as completed when
they are. Similarly, Secondary Goals are shown. Bonus Goals
are bonuses not planned on by your commander(s), and as such
are listed as completed but not shown when not yet completed.
2. SPACECRAFT, INSTALLATIONS, AND SIGNIFICANT OBJECTS:
***Table of size, speed, arms, etc.
Note: Job B means the ship is capable of boarding others, R means
capable of repair/rearming, and M means moves others.
SAT 5 - - - 5
MINE/A 15 1L - - 5
B 15 1I - - 5
C 15 1L 1C - 5
PROBE/A,B 5 - - - 5
PLT/(all) 250 MANY 1C 200 100
3. TACTICS.
3.0 Starfighter-Starfighter Combat:
3.00 Positioning before the fight.
Avoid engaging within the range of enemy starships or mines.
If possible, try to draw the enemy into the range of your
installation/mothership/etc.'s guns.
3.01 The initial meet.
If the enemy is attacking another target, try to attack
from behind.
If the enemy is attacking you, approach head-on until your
threat indicator tells you the enemy is firing. Then swing
and dodge to avoid fire.
If you use missiles, lock as soon as possible, and fire
as soon as you get lock. Then dodge to one side temporarily
so the enemy's laser fire at you will not destroy your missiles.
3.02 In the melee.
Never fly in a straight line for more than a few seconds.
Attempt to attack from behind whenever possible.
Use your throttle to avoid flying past the enemy in front
of its guns. Sitting close behind an enemy flying the same
speed and repeatedly firing can destroy a shielded starfighter
in a few seconds. However, be careful you do not fly too slow.
In a non-shielded craft, friendly fire here is deadly - don't
get very close to your target (Also watch out when it explodes).
3.03 Breakaway/Temporary Avoidance.
When you are in danger (i.e. hit on shields, or aimed at
in a non-shielded craft), go to full throttle and make at
least a 90-degree turn in any direction. Then continuously
change the direction of your turn by small amounts. Do not
stop turning or reverse the turn unless you are sure you
are well out of the firing line.
3.04 Missile Avoidance.
Make an instant 90-degree turn, note where the missile is,
and keep it at right angles to your flight path by flying
such that the missile is shown at the very edge of your
front or rear sensor display circles. Increase speed to
at least 80. Once it passes you, you may choose to turn
to follow it and shoot it with lasers.
If launched at you head-on, firing lasers at it will usually
be effective, as well as hitting its launcher.
3.05 Escort Duties.
Use your mission displays and map to note which enemy are
attacking your target and destroy them first. If possible,
engage enemy before they are within missile range of your
escorted ship.
3.1 Starfighter-Ship Combat:
3.10 Closing the Gap.
Try to approach from a 'blind spot' where there are no laser
turrets that can hit you; e.g. directly behind a corvette.
Fire warheads outside about 2km range, then dodge aside so
no lasers hit your warheads.
3.11 Gunnery Pass(es).
When attempting to take out a turret or laser, concentrate
boosted laser fire so every shot hits. Be very conscious of
your shield status.
Otherwise, dodge while firing so your shots spray across the
full length of the ship, making you more difficult to hit.
Should you destroy enough guns to make a 'blind spot' (e.g.
upper-fore, upper-mid and upper-rear laser guns on a FRG
creates a blind spot directly above the hull near the
docking point) make all passes from that angle, or if no
other enemy are near, sit in the spot continuously firing.
3.2 Starfighter-Capital Ship Combat:
3.20 Closing the Gap, Warhead Use, and the First Pass.
As above, except that warheads should be effectively used
against warhead launchers, especially on CRS and CRL.
Be aware that self-defence fighters may be launched.
3.21 Missile Avoidance for Attackers of Capital Ships.
As above. A fun game to shoot the missiles once you are
practiced enough, but don't let the enemy escape while
you do it.
3.22 Gunnery passes/blind spots.
As above.
3.23 Upon shield failure.
Use ion cannons to disable almost instantly. You may then
leave the enemy for later if you wish, though it may still
launch starfighters.
3.3 Starfighter-Mine Combat.
Keep shields strong (back off to recharge if necessary).
Use twin or quad weak lasers for better hit chance but
stronger shields.
Try to attack the 'edge' of a minefield first, rather than
getting yourself surrounded by mines.
4. MISSIONS - GOALS AND METHODS.
Please: send me your tips and I will put them in
the latest version of this guide with full credit to you.
Mail s933464@minyos.xx.rmit.edu.au.
Note: thanks to the unknown person who uploaded a list of secret
goals to wpi.wpi.edu. If you know them please mail me and I will
give them credit.
B1M1 100% E/SHU Tough destroyed. Inspect TRN Dayta, then all
TRN Glich destroyed. FRT. Help shoot down the
FRT's shields when you can.
B1M2 100% CRV Ubote destroyed. Destroy all fighters quickly
SHU Shutz captured. then wait for T/B to kill
CRV before going home.
B1M3 TRN Dawn inspected. Concentrate torps on CARG.
100% B-W Gold, X-W Red destroyed
B1M4 At least 1 of E/S Claf dest. Inspect CONTRN Gopher early.
CONTRN Gopher captured.
B1M5 100% X-W Blue, Red, A-W Kill first wave of fighters
Gold destroyed. quickly, then inspect CON.
Stay out of mine/CRS range.
B1M6 50% SHU Derris captured. Charge up shields out of range
100% mines MX-B, MX-C... of mines etc. until fighters
to MX-F, RQ-A to RQ-G dest. launch. When CRS Lulsa is hull
damaged, do a gun pass to ensure
launch of SHU Derris. Immediately
ID & disable commander's SHU.
B2M2 SHU Toten Inspected, TRN Epsilon **NOTE** Do NOT destroy the
1&2 completed mission, FRG FRG DROMON: there is a bug that
Dromon Destroyed *SEE NOTE* will make B2M4 impossible.
CN/C Lab Module ? captured.
PLT Youst captured.
B2M3 100% E/S Typhon destroyed
100% SHU Nazaar complete mission
B2M4 CRL Falaricae inspected **NOTE** If you destroyed the
FRG Manus Fearae inspected FRG DROMON in B2M2 you will NOT
FRG Shemsher inspected get the two SHU necessary to
M/CRV Runka inspected complete this mission.
CARG Godendag inspected
CARG Glaive inspected
B2M5 SHU Omlaut inspected
100% All Dimok & Ripoblus craft
destroyed, 100% of T/A AA,AB,
AC, AD complete mission.
B3M3 100% of SHU Escape destroyed Wait with wingmen until B-W
launch. Then attack all craft
making attacks on FRG. Kill only
one Y-W so as to avoid replacements
B3M4 SHU Shakker inspected SHU launches from CRV Moive when
one dest. and one hull damaged.
B3M5 100% SHU Gamer, Bliss, Noway
Destroyed.
B3M6 TRN Shark finish docking
SHU Electra inspected
B4M1 CRV Charger 1&2 inspected
B4M2 through to B4M4: no bonus goals
B4M5 TRN Tela destroyed Sneaky tip: load up rockets, then
when in mission fire as soon as
reasonable. Reload via TRN Sigma who
will overload your ship with rockets.
B5M1 T/I Gamma 2&3 Destroyed Kill Gamma 2&3, then all but 1 mine.
100% of T/A H-Alpha & H-delta, inspect then kill CN/D's. Kill last
T/B H-Beta, SHU Lambda dest'd. mine then run for cover of your M/FRG's
100% Mine 1a, 1b, CN/D dest'd. guns. Lasers to 0%. Speed quickly to ID
100% X-W Blue, Y-W Red dest'd. SHU Lambda, then return to M/FRG
(fight).
B5M2 B-W Red 1&2&3, Z-95 Wolf 3&4, One laser or missile hitting the VSD
100% z-95 Wolf, CORT Cimigo, is enough to 'attack' it.
at least 1 T/A H-Alpha, at
least 1 A-W Blue, dest'd.
CN/B Chi 3&4, 100% CN/C Pi,
100% CN/E Xi, 100% CN/D Psi
inspected.
VSD Protector attacked.
B5M3 At least 1 CN/E Phi inspected
VSD Protector attacked.
HLF AAA, A1, A2 dest'd
At least 1 T/A H-Alpha, H-beta,
H-Gamma, H-Delta, dest'd.
100% A-W Blue dest'd.
====================================================================
THE END: if you liked it or hated it, please mail to
s933464@minyos.xx.rmit.edu.au with suggestions/comments etc.
Thank you.
====================================================================
