Note: The following is a text version of an article that was printed in the September 1982 issue of Byte Magazine. I have not gotten permission from them to do so, therefore, this file could be removed at any time(although it is not too likely). The article was intended for use with the Atari 400/800 version of Star Raiders(which is referred to as Star Raider in the article for some reason). Since the Atari 5200 version of Star Raiders is just a cartridge version of the Atari 400/800 version, this article is perfectly applicable. --- Advanced Star Raider Tactics and Strategies C. Donald Harris Jr. 508 Misty Lane Friendswood, TX 77546 I assume that by now most people who own both an Atari 400 or 800 computer and the Star Raider game cartridge have either reached some level of proficiency or given up the challenge entirely and gone on to other interests. This article is directed toward those of you who have mastered the easier levels of the game, who thoroughly understand Atari's Star Raider Users Manual, and are ready to attempt more hazardous adventures. From my viewpoint, the four levels of difficulty should be considered in two groups: * The beginner group (Novice and Pilot levels) will be entirely satisfying for those of you who enjoy the game but wish to avoid addiction. At the beginner levels, your ship is small, almost indestructible, and will only be attacked from the front. * The expert group (Warrior and Commander levels) requires considerably greater skills. Your ship is larger, more vulnerable, and will be subjected to aft attacks or even simultaneous front and aft attacks. I look at the Warrior level as basic training for the Commander level and suggest that your advanced training begin with that approach. Don't expect much in the way of rank at the Warrior level -- the game-completion bonus is too low. A week or so of practice at the Warrior level will sharpen your skils considerably and, with the tips provided in this article, you should be prepared for mastery of the Commander level. Overall Strategy You should first reach a fair amount of proficiency at the Pilot level. For example, you should be able to fly "on instruments." Without stopping to think, you should know at once where the Enemy, the Zylon, is from the azimuth, elevation, and range instruments on the display and which way to move the joystick to maneuver your craft. You should also know how to conserve energy during hyperwarp and when using the twin ion engines. To properly prepare to wipe out your enemy, your battle plan should be designed around three priorities: survival, defense of starbases, and energy conservation. The main objective of course is survival (no easy task at the Commander level). To begin the attack, switch to the Galactic Chart and press "P" (the Pause command). Now, it's study time: note the locations of your starbases in relation to the enemy's ships. This should help you plan your hyperwarp jumps from sector to sector more efficiently. The early-game strategy for defending starbases will include determining the starbase under attack and eliminating the fastest-moving enemy squadrons first. (Never go after a four-ship enemy squadron first, because you will find a starbase surrounded before you know it.) You won't be able to figure out which starbase is first on the Zylons' hit list right away. It may take 150 to 200 centons (time units) of tracking enemy squadron movements to decide. In this interval, you should have blitzed your second or third two-ship squadron. Pick a nearby two- or three-ship fleet (they are faster!) and attack it. A caution: don't stray too far from the galactic center until you're certain which starbase to defend. You don't want to waste energy crossing the entire galaxy to begin your starbase defense. Don't forget about passing centons. Check the galactic chart during lulls in the fighting to make your hyperwarps short jumps to save energy. Figure 1 shows the energy units used compared to hyperwarp distances out to nine sectors. Notice the large energy increase for five sectors or more, and again over eight sectors. Once you've identified the starbase under attack, mop up the sector you are in, if you feel there is time, and move to defend your starbase. As your attack continues, you should stay near the starbase under attack and let the Zylons come to you; but watch the tricky Devils -- when you least expect it they will switch starbases and begin moving to a new target. Continue to wipe out the two- and three-ship fleets first. Once you've done that, the pressure is off your starbases. Now that I've laid out the overall strategy, let's proceed with the fun part: wiping out the evil vermin. Behind Enemy Lines While in an enemy sector and attempting to destroy Zylons, your objectives are survival and energy conservation. The main energy drains inside the sector result from hits from enemy photons and using the twin ion engines. By far the most important of these is avoiding being hit by enemy photons. Each photon hit costs 100 mergs (energy units) and causes damage. Damage not only reduces your chances of survival, but certain kinds of damage will mean an unplanned trip to the nearest starbase for repairs. The extra trip could cost 300 to 800 mergs or more. Eight hundred mergs is equivalent to about eight final-score points, or the difference between ranks of Star Commander 1 and Star Commander 2. The ion engines should seldom be needed in the enemy sector. As your ship comes out of hyperwarp and coasts to a stop, three different types of enemy movements will be found: ships with no movement, fast-moving ships that will seem to approach you but then retreat, and ships coming on at full-speed attack. Notice that ships within 120 metrons (distance units) will always attack, become visible, and be within photon range. Don't trust your tracking computer to lock on to the nearest enemy vessel. If you are not immediately under attack when entering a sector, press M (the manual-tracking key) to avoid nasty surprises. If a ship is coming on at full speed, just wait for it. When a ship seems to be coming in for an attack, but then takes off in some other direction, don't chase it because that's the sucker move. Scan the sector for another ship to attack. If you have the time and patience and are willing to wait, the enemy will eventually come to you. (But don't forget that your starbase is under attack while you are waiting.) Early in the game at the Commander Level, you cannot afford to wait. Contrary to what the user's manual tells you, speed 6 is not the most efficient way to use your ion engines. Energy requirements for shields, computers, and life-support systems must be accounted for during the journey. According to the manual, the energy drain for these systems is 2.75 mergs/centron (energy units per time unit). Although my tests show a lower energy consumption, the most efficient speed is actually 8 not 6. Figure 2 shows calculated and measured energy consumed for distances of 500 and 900 metrons. The calculated values are based on information taken from the user's manual. In either case, there is little difference in energy used for speeds above 7. Engaging the Enemy As you come out of hyperwarp and coast to a stop, you will often find yourself overunning an enemy ship and being fired on before you are ready to defend yourself. Try this! As the ship comes within about 150 to 200 metrons, throw your ship into a hard turn in either direction. Hold the turn until the enemy has passed all the way behind you and is coming around the front again. Watch your instruments. By this time the screen will have stopped flashing, and you will be ready to fight with no distractions. As the enemy approcaches from the front, maneuver your joystick to keep him off to the side and low. The idea is, of course, to avoid photon hits and damage as he approaches. When the enemy is about 20 metrons away, swing him into your sights and blow him away. Conserve your photons -- they cost energy too. Don't let the Zylon get much closer than 20 metrons before using this maneuver, because he just might zip around behind you. If two ships are attacking from the front at once, concentrate on the one closer to the center of the screen. A word about attacks from the rear: for several weeks I tried to handle aft attacks without much success. If you can handle a frontal attack one second and an aft barrage the next (with all your joystick movements reversed), that's great; but I've found that you can still reach Star Commander 1 without mastering the aft attack. To bring an aft-attacking enemy to the front, just throw your ship into a hard spin and he will wind up in front of you. You will notice that you are almost never hit while in a spin. The toughest situation is simultaneous front and aft attacks. You can quickly turn off autotracking (press T) to concentrate only on the front. I've suggested how to handle frontal attacks, but in this situation throw in a small amount of back and forth joystick movement. This hurts the aim of the aft attacker. Necessary Capabilities How do you know when to cut and run? For some kinds of damage, there is no doubt. Some systems, however, are more important than others. Table 1 is presented for your use as a guide only. Many other damage combinations are possible and are left to your judgment, skill level, and the game situation. To help explain the chart, here are some examples. * In a case where your photons are damaged, finish the sector if only one enemy ship remains and then go to the nearest starbase for repairs. If you are outnumbered, leave the sector immediately. * In a case where your computer and the sector-scan systems are damaged and your ion engines are destroyed, finish the sector if you are faced with only one Zylon, then go for repairs. A final hint: your subspace radio is much more important early in the game than it is later when enemy ship movements are not as threatening. What I've just described here is just about all I know about Star Raider. I hope these suggestions will be helpful to your pursuit of new and better ranking and many more hours of enjoyment.*
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