[morrybyte]

Somehow through the years I managed to not play Freespace. I had "the last dynasty" (anybody else remember it?), wingman, starlancer, x-wing vs tie + alliance, tachyon, freelancer (spent many hours on that one), X3 (talk about a steep learning curve).
But never freespace.

So I downloaded the installer, and 3.5Gb (!!!) later I was up and running. What the hell was I thinking all these years?! This is GREAT!

I've had a crash or ten mind, but I just restart the game and it works fine the second time round.

Just a couple of questions: in that mission where you destroy the Sathana's beam turrets, is it actually possible to destroy all four? If so HOW?!! I must have retried that mission 20 times (I wasn't content with just two) but eventually I gave up. There's not enough torps! And even if there were I still doubt it would be easy.  It's just annoying to be called "adequate" in the de-brief and not hailed as a hero as per.

Oh, and the other thing was: how do I follow nav beacons? I'm trying to find that spy dude but every time i target them EMP interference means my targetting sensors mess up and move on to a wingman or something.

Thanks in advance!

[Jeff Vader]

Just a couple of questions: in that mission where you destroy the Sathana's beam turrets, is it actually possible to destroy all four? If so HOW?!! I must have retried that mission 20 times (I wasn't content with just two) but eventually I gave up. There's not enough torps! And even if there were I still doubt it would be easy.  It's just annoying to be called "adequate" in the de-brief and not hailed as a hero as per.

Yes. It requires some planning. And possibly luck. And the support ship. But it is possible. AS well as getting the flak turrets at the same time.

Oh, and the other thing was: how do I follow nav beacons? I'm trying to find that spy dude but every time i target them EMP interference means my targetting sensors mess up and move on to a wingman or something.

Use the (original 2D) radar to pick up the beacons. Start by flying directly ahead, pass the first buoy. The next one will appear somewhere ahead, as a blinking grey blip. Go there, while shooting down the Shivans that you come across. Repeat about 7 times and voila: Snipes.

[morrybyte]

Excellent

Thanks very much. Will try out the Sathana turrets again. Should I use the wings for something useful as well? Anything specific?

One thing I've noticed is that on most missions lots of them die. Is this normal?

[colecampbell666]

Just a couple of questions: in that mission where you destroy the Sathana's beam turrets, is it actually possible to destroy all four? If so HOW?!! I must have retried that mission 20 times (I wasn't content with just two) but eventually I gave up. There's not enough torps! And even if there were I still doubt it would be easy.  It's just annoying to be called "adequate" in the de-brief and not hailed as a hero as per.

You can get more torpedoes by rearming. Tell your wingmen to guard you (C-3-8), and then go for the first turret. Lock on, and fire dual Helioses from 300 metres, and then target the next turret. Rinse and repeat, and then rearm. Tell your wingmen to destroy the rear beam turret, and yourself destroy the main flak guns. (leave that step out if it's too hard) rearm, and destroy the last 2 turrets. Destroy the Beleth, and then make sure to wait a few minutes, because Gemini has a slow respawn time, and you'll fail if you don't kill them all.

Oh, and the other thing was: how do I follow nav beacons? I'm trying to find that spy dude but every time i target them EMP interference means my targetting sensors mess up and move on to a wingman or something.

Thanks in advance!
[/quote]

Oh, and the other thing was: how do I follow nav beacons? I'm trying to find that spy dude but every time i target them EMP interference means my targetting sensors mess up and move on to a wingman or something.

Make sure that even if you get to one and can't see the next, just fly in the opposite direction from the line of previous beacons, and you'll find the next one.

[Jeff Vader]

Should I use the wings for something useful as well? Anything specific?

I suppose you could order some of them to attack the flak turrets, and try to get the others to shoot down the fighters. And the trick for the beam cannons is to make attack runs at them, firing torpedoes in dual-fire mode from maximum velocity, and from a very short distance. You have four torpedoes so you can take out two cannons before you have to resupply, but do call in the support ship early enough, even at the beginning of the mission.

One thing I've noticed is that on most missions lots of them die. Is this normal?

Oh, they die often. Don't worry about it. Except if they all die and you get a dozen angry Shivans on your tail.

[Galemp]

Believe us, it's worth it. Follow the fuzzy blips on radar, and forget about manual targeting. When you run across a nav buoy your sensors will pick it up, so you won't get lost again.

When you're done, catch up on your history with the Freespace Port.

[Colonol Dekker]

Dual firing is a definite must. Call support as soon as your targeting starts to lock on. Just order your wingmen to all take out the same turret (if you're after turret 1, they should go for turret 2.) If you need to drop the difficulty a notch. And as said welcome to the "mothership of FreeSpaces salvation" Hard-light.net

[morrybyte]

Haha, I now finally understand the DIVE DIVE DIVE that my friend told me when I told him I was playing freespace.

Classic gaming moment, I can see what the fuss is about

I rather enjoyed flying around in a shivan ship actually, good fun. Those "devices" were a pain when they blew though, I had 1% hull integrity at the end of the mission. I was sitting around for 5 minutes at the jump node though 

[Jeff Vader]

Those "devices" were a pain when they blew though, I had 1% hull integrity at the end of the mission.

A good tactic is to equip yourself with Trebuchet missiles and use them at the crystals of the devices from a distance. Or get close enough but immediately retreat with best possible speed once the bugger blows up.

I was sitting around for 5 minutes at the jump node though 

You are temporarily serving with the SOC. So don't just sit there twiddling your thumbs. Go 'n shoot down more Shivans while waiting for the departure moment.

[Droid803]

Sitting in the node isn't such a good idea.
SD Nebiros has a rear-facing SAAA that can cut you up bad, especially if you're at 1% hull.

[Stormkeeper]

Haha, I now finally understand the DIVE DIVE DIVE that my friend told me when I told him I was playing freespace.

Classic gaming moment, I can see what the fuss is about

Yes. Eternally classic! As classic as the blooper version of it. Does anyone still have that one, by the way ?

Should I use the wings for something useful as well? Anything specific?

Meat shields. No seriously, use them to target another turret on the Sathy.

One thing I've noticed is that on most missions lots of them die. Is this normal?

Pretty much. You can try to keep them alive by ordering them to jump when they hit 15%. But its okay if they die. I remember I watched my wing brilliantly vaporize itself by flying into Actium's beam.

[Droid803]

"As Lightning Fall is one of the most annoying missions in the game, yet, it is also the most satisfying. Finding the NTT Grall at the end is very lberating. Plus, I got over 30 kills and didn't take any damabe because the Aeshmas and Basalisks act totally retarded, Cannon Fodder.

The next mission is also epic. And, I think you unlock the GTF Ares through playing the second SOC loop, which makes several missions a lot easier.

[haloboy100]

"As Lightning Fall is one of the most annoying missions in the game, yet, it is also the most satisfying. Finding the NTT Grall at the end is very lberating. Plus, I got over 30 kills and didn't take any damabe because the Aeshmas and Basalisks act totally retarded, Cannon Fodder.

For some reason the part of the nebula in that mission really scared me. Just something to do with the darkness of it...and the fact that my lack of working electronics made me feel exposed.

[Jeff Vader]

Haha, I now finally understand the DIVE DIVE DIVE that my friend told me when I told him I was playing freespace.

Classic gaming moment, I can see what the fuss is about

Yes. Eternally classic! As classic as the blooper version of it. Does anyone still have that one, by the way ?

Actually it was a comment after that "diving" part. And it's in stu_fs2. Look for Lp2-2_SN_03_OUTTAKE.wav. And check out the other outtakes as well.

"As Lightning Fall is one of the most annoying missions in the game, yet, it is also the most satisfying. Finding the NTT Grall at the end is very lberating. Plus, I got over 30 kills and didn't take any damabe because the Aeshmas and Basalisks act totally retarded, Cannon Fodder.

For some reason the part of the nebula in that mission really scared me. Just something to do with the darkness of it...and the fact that my lack of working electronics made me feel exposed.

Yeah. Or I don't know about the darkness but the first playthrough made me a bit nervous, what with flying around in a nebula with sensors and the radar malfunctioning. And the comm system. I was like "omg help me! I can't read you! Mayday! Mayday!". Srsly.

[Fenrir]

Actually it was a comment after that "diving" part. And it's in stu_fs2. Look for Lp2-2_SN_03_OUTTAKE.wav. And check out the other outtakes as well.

Wow, I`d never seen those before. What was weird was the one where he says EVADE EVADE EVADE instead of DIVE DIVE DIVE!

I still say that the scariest soundclips are the ones where you fail one of the Suicide Kings missions. Cordova is insane.

[Stormkeeper]

Wow, I`d never seen those before. What was weird was the one where he says EVADE EVADE EVADE instead of DIVE DIVE DIVE!

I still say that the scariest soundclips are the ones where you fail one of the Suicide Kings missions. Cordova is insane.

Oh ? What does he say? cause I never really failed those missions.

[Jeff Vader]

Well, listen to him yourself. All the files are in stu. Cordova merely gives honest feedback on how the GTVA Command, the High council, the gas company and all other factions failed, when they deemed Alpha 1 to be suitable for a leadership position.

[Fenrir]

It`s just his emphatic voice that makes it good.

[terran_emperor]

Cordova sounds like  Mark Lenard...or is that just me?

[Fenrir]

I don`t remember who Mark Lenard is, so I don`t know about that one. I still crack up when I think of Cordova because some HLPer pointed out a few years back that he seems REALLY excited to be in EPSILON PEGASAI!!!1!

Yeah, I`m easily amused.