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General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Abyss on November 02, 2009, 01:29:54 pm

Title: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Abyss on November 02, 2009, 01:29:54 pm
I'm working on a mission where you fight against the NTF and am wondering what ships the NTF commonly used?
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: QuantumDelta on November 02, 2009, 01:33:25 pm
Mk1s, Lokis, Zeus, Medusa, MK2s later in the campaign, Myrms.

Hmmm...

Orions/Aeolus/Fenris/Leviathan/Deimos.

I've seen some missions with Perseus on their side too, not sure about the rest.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Abyss on November 02, 2009, 01:35:21 pm
Thank you, you helped me a lot.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: The E on November 02, 2009, 01:36:30 pm
Yeah, the NTF does not have a lot (if any) modern fighters.

Oh, and Abyss: Check out the wiki (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/)
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Snail on November 02, 2009, 02:04:02 pm
THE NTF DO NOT USE PERSEUS.


The Perseus first combat op was during Enif Station. Unless the NTF had an advanced batch, I doubt they'd have any large numbers of Perseus that late in the campaign (less than a month before their eventual downfall).
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Blue Lion on November 02, 2009, 02:08:21 pm
Just because they're more commonly used doesn't mean "only" obviously. Feel free to use what ships you feel gives a better mission.

Ships like Erinyes or Pegasus would be super odd, but others could be explained fairly well.

This isn't a crap on everyone else, they're all correct. Just a reminder is all.

Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Blue Lion on November 02, 2009, 02:09:59 pm
THE NTF DO NOT USE PERSEUS.


The Perseus first combat op was during Enif Station. Unless the NTF had an advanced batch, I doubt they'd have any large numbers of Perseus that late in the campaign (less than a month before their eventual downfall).

My FS history is slightly hazy, was it the first use of the Perseus period or simply the first use by Alpha 1? I know it has a first known use, I'm just not sure if that it the first use ever? Again, kinda hazy.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Abyss on November 02, 2009, 02:15:48 pm
Ships like Erinyes or Pegasus would be super odd, but others could be explained fairly well.

Thanks, you just gave me an idea for a later mission.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Asakura on November 02, 2009, 02:19:03 pm
Capitals include Orions, Deimos, Aeolus, Fenris. I do not remember them fielding too many Leviathans, if any at all. It should be noted that Fenrises would likely be a lot more common based on cost and speed as NTF fights guerrilla largely.

Fighters would most commonly be the old Hercs, Ulysses and Lokis. They have fielded more "advanced" ones such as Herc.II and Myrmidon but that is about it.

Bomber-wise Zeus and Medusas.

Other ships I would NOT expect them to field includes Charybdis and Triton, nor would I expect them to have any Mjolnirs to field. Would be a fair guess that they will not have the Zephyrus miner either as it was developed later and the NTF as a whole had little business with the nebulae.

About the Perseus, one or some of those multiplayer allows you to fly it as the NTF. However, by canon I would say they do not have it because it is still largely a new design, and even if The Sixth Wonder was not the first fielding of the ship I would not expect NTF to have the schematics.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Blue Lion on November 02, 2009, 02:21:24 pm
Ships like Erinyes or Pegasus would be super odd, but others could be explained fairly well.

Thanks, you just gave me an idea for a later mission.

I must stress the "super" in my statement
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Snail on November 02, 2009, 02:23:25 pm
THE NTF DO NOT USE PERSEUS.


The Perseus first combat op was during Enif Station. Unless the NTF had an advanced batch, I doubt they'd have any large numbers of Perseus that late in the campaign (less than a month before their eventual downfall).

My FS history is slightly hazy, was it the first use of the Perseus period or simply the first use by Alpha 1? I know it has a first known use, I'm just not sure if that it the first use ever? Again, kinda hazy.
Quote
Allied forces are engaging the rebels throughout the system. As resources become available, they will be deployed to assist you. Until we get these reinforcements, however, holding down the fort is all up to you. This sortie will be the first combat field test of the Perseus intercept fighter, so let's put on a good show.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Blue Lion on November 02, 2009, 02:26:26 pm
Well there you go, it would only be after Enif Station really
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Galemp on November 02, 2009, 02:40:07 pm
The NTF fields mainly FS1-era fighters and bombers, but occasionally Myrmidons and Herc IIs are used. Capital ships are fair game, with the exception of the Hecate.

As far as support craft go, the Charybdis is a no-no. We don't see them using any Zephyrs or Hippocrates, but that doesn't mean they don't have them.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Asakura on November 02, 2009, 02:49:24 pm
The NTF fields mainly FS1-era fighters and bombers, but occasionally Myrmidons and Herc IIs are used. Capital ships are fair game, with the exception of the Hecate.

As far as support craft go, the Charybdis is a no-no. We don't see them using any Zephyrs or Hippocrates, but that doesn't mean they don't have them.

The GTM is pre-NTF insurgency, but I am doubtful about the Zephyrus. In the briefing Zephyrus was only deployed alongside the Charybdis when the Nebula campaign started after SOC loop1. NTF also has no known nebula operations, except for all things ETAK-related, so I doubt they were mining the gas clouds either.

EDIT: It should also be key to remember that NTF was crushed soon after the Nebula campaign began. Bosch got where he wanted and the NTF is of no use to him anymore. GTVA has also overwhelmed and recaptured all the systems that NTF once controlled. The NTF is unliekly to field any new technology introduced during the campaign.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: deathfun on November 02, 2009, 03:12:23 pm
I think an idea for a campaign is the NTF somehow getting their hands on the Collie

Hijacking it or whatnot, then using it against

Unless this has already been done... but see I can't use FS_open so I don't know what's been done or has not
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Colonol Dekker on November 02, 2009, 03:17:08 pm
An NTF collie.... That makes me smile.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Asakura on November 02, 2009, 03:25:03 pm
I think an idea for a campaign is the NTF somehow getting their hands on the Collie

Hijacking it or whatnot, then using it against

Unless this has already been done... but see I can't use FS_open so I don't know what's been done or has not

Realistically impossible. Collie is manned by tens of thousands of Terran and Vasudan crew. NTF managed to slip in saboteurs to down the Collie's FCS while the Iceni slipped through, but I doubt they would have the resources to do any more.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Colonol Dekker on November 02, 2009, 03:27:35 pm
Bosch beer anaesthetic?
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Blue Lion on November 02, 2009, 03:30:03 pm
An attempt to steal the Big C?
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Kie99 on November 02, 2009, 04:36:07 pm
It'd be an extremely massive operation requiring numerous NTF-sympathisers on the Colossus, massive firepower and enormous numbers of marines.  Not impossible, just extraordinarily risky.  I suppose you could do it by holding the Captain's family hostage and sabotaging the Colossus's communication systems.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Colonol Dekker on November 02, 2009, 04:37:12 pm
Or they could do it like in Under siege and use a band.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Blue Lion on November 02, 2009, 04:40:50 pm
Erika Eleniak in a GTVA uniform?

Hold on... I have to go do something
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Scotty on November 02, 2009, 04:43:19 pm
Related to points about the Perseus earlier this thread: 

Do we have a hard timeframe for how long it took to wipe the floor with the NTF after the deployment of the Perseus?  It might be plausible if the time difference was something like six months instead of one.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Colonol Dekker on November 02, 2009, 04:45:15 pm
Erika Eleniak in a GTVA uniform?

Hold on... I have to go do something

No, an NTF one. like Bosches, but with more unbutton.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: deathfun on November 02, 2009, 07:45:04 pm
Quote
Realistically impossible. Collie is manned by tens of thousands of Terran and Vasudan crew. NTF managed to slip in saboteurs to down the Collie's FCS while the Iceni slipped through, but I doubt they would have the resources to do any more.

Actually, I put a little more thought into this

What about a separate timeline? This one would have more NTF sympathizers, most of which were working on the Collie during the time it was being built. Maybe they implemented certain measures that when activated, a gas would be put through the air and kill everyone on board.

It could also be taken before it's official crew boarded it. Though it would be well protected, there would have been no crew aboard the collie at the time of seizing it
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Galemp on November 02, 2009, 08:06:26 pm
What about a separate timeline? This one would have more NTF sympathizers, most of which were working on the Collie during the time it was being built. Maybe they implemented certain measures that when activated, a gas would be put through the air and kill everyone on board.

It could also be taken before it's official crew boarded it. Though it would be well protected, there would have been no crew aboard the collie at the time of seizing it

That does sound interesting. (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?board=57.0)
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Asakura on November 03, 2009, 01:24:00 am
Related to points about the Perseus earlier this thread: 

Do we have a hard timeframe for how long it took to wipe the floor with the NTF after the deployment of the Perseus?  It might be plausible if the time difference was something like six months instead of one.

About 12 missions between The Sixth Wonder and Endgame including SOC1. I would not expect that to cover a huge span of time.

As for NTF getting hold of the Colossus, I would say it is possible if you started from the groundwork of when it was built. However, it is still not an easy task considering that it was a joint project between the two races, meaning there could easily have been large amounts of Vasudan resistance when they try to commandeer the ship. Also I am doubtful of whether NTF has that many personel and agents within the GTVA, and whether they will have enough manpower as a whole to take the whole ship. Working from before the ship was deployed is a good start, but there will be a lot of details that need to be thought out for it not to sound dumb.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: QuantumDelta on November 03, 2009, 02:37:26 am
The NTF Perseus missions are all multi missions so snail is quite right.
As for support ships, I'd stick to mainly FS1 Era ships with some Triton's and maybe some GTMers, they wont have any GTGs indeed.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Scotty on November 03, 2009, 06:13:09 pm
Related to points about the Perseus earlier this thread: 

Do we have a hard timeframe for how long it took to wipe the floor with the NTF after the deployment of the Perseus?  It might be plausible if the time difference was something like six months instead of one.

About 12 missions between The Sixth Wonder and Endgame including SOC1. I would not expect that to cover a huge span of time.

As for NTF getting hold of the Colossus, I would say it is possible if you started from the groundwork of when it was built. However, it is still not an easy task considering that it was a joint project between the two races, meaning there could easily have been large amounts of Vasudan resistance when they try to commandeer the ship. Also I am doubtful of whether NTF has that many personel and agents within the GTVA, and whether they will have enough manpower as a whole to take the whole ship. Working from before the ship was deployed is a good start, but there will be a lot of details that need to be thought out for it not to sound dumb.

SOC 1 is deep undercover.  Deep undercover is something you don't risk for less than a couple months information.  Additionally, a combat mission, on average, every three days will introduce combat fatigue like you wouldn't believe.  I wouldn't put it past Command, but a week or two between missions not explicitly stated to be near back-to-back would be more reasonable.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: NGTM-1R on November 03, 2009, 06:16:59 pm
Two sorties a day would not be considered an unreasonable load for a combat pilot, Scotty.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Scotty on November 03, 2009, 06:20:32 pm
Two sorties a day, maybe.  Two combat missions on the scale of FreeSpace 2?  Decidedly less likely.  Remember that sortie refers to anytime the fighter is launched, not just combat missions.

(Plus, we never have to play any of the "congratulations, you managed to destroy the two enemy patrol craft.  Return to base" missions.)
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: General Battuta on November 03, 2009, 06:52:16 pm
(Plus, we never have to play any of the "congratulations, you managed to destroy the two enemy patrol craft.  Return to base" missions.)

There's one of those in War in Heaven.  :nervous:
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Scotty on November 03, 2009, 07:13:05 pm
Canon? :rolleyes:
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: General Battuta on November 03, 2009, 07:28:11 pm
Sorry.  :(
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: deathfun on November 03, 2009, 07:45:27 pm
Quote
Plus, we never have to play any of the "congratulations, you managed to destroy the two enemy patrol craft.  Return to base" missions.
There was the very first FS1 mission where you defended the Orff but that's another subject entirely.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Droid803 on November 03, 2009, 07:56:41 pm
That's like the first "real" mission anyone flies...EVER.
Assuming that they start with FS1.

Even then, you actually encounter enemies. I'm thinking that some patrol missions you don't even encounter a single thing.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Mongoose on November 03, 2009, 08:05:36 pm
I'd like to see some meta-humor campaign where you fly five or six patrols in a row and don't do a damn thing. :p
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Scotty on November 03, 2009, 08:11:26 pm
heh, make the first mission 90 minutes of flying straight, then jump back to base :P
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: Galemp on November 03, 2009, 08:16:41 pm
That would be Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2335.
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: deathfun on November 03, 2009, 08:42:07 pm
I was thinking something more anticlimatic

Nearing the end... several massive cap ships jump in the ominously look upon your puny insignificant life!
Dozens of squadrons jump in on you!

Then they all jump out and you're left to your solitude
Title: Re: A Question about the NTF
Post by: NGTM-1R on November 03, 2009, 10:37:56 pm
Two combat missions on the scale of FreeSpace 2?

Sure. The average FS mission is relatively small-scale. People can stand a lot of strain. Look at modern "surge" style operations, or mid-late WW2 carrier ops. 9th Tactical's P-47 pilots flew an average of three ground-attack sorties a day for much of the Normandy period. You have to stand them down afterwards for crew recovery and craft maintaince, but you can maintain very high-tempo operations for several weeks.

Thus it's more likely FS consists of a series of short-duration, high-intensity combat sets, likely corresponding to the period just after your transfers between squadrons, with maintaince stand-downs and perhaps light patrol duty between them.