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| Given all the ways you can maneuver, shoot, and manage energy in this game, we really appreciate it when Zone Members share their tips and strategies with us. Thanks to all the Zone pilots for their excellent contributions! |
| - --MSN Gaming Zone |
On The Approach
The simplest advice I can give anyone is to win the game on the approach. If you can defeat your adversary from afar, there is no need to be the best close-in pilot. Here is the advanced tactic I use on the approach. First off, no matter what ship you are in, put shields to 0% and lasers to 75%, and set lasers to quad fire (or dual, whatever the highest setting is that you can). Then, begin to roll while keeping your target in the center of the screen. Once you are close to 1.5, let off a laser burst and while rolling, pull/push the joystick in a random position. This will keep you from making any patterns that your opponent can discern. Then, move the joystick in the direction that will put the target back at the center of the screen (keep in mind, you're still rolling at this point...NEVER stop rolling). As you're pulling back towards your opponent, shift to 1/3, and then once your target passes the center of the screen, shift back to full throttle. This change in speed while weaving keeps your enemy from leading you. Just keep repeating this maneuver, and you should be able to kill your enemy before ever getting in close. --
JM_Vapor1
(added 5/13/99)
On Craft Choice
When I play Multiplayer, I find out what type of ships my teammates are going to use. If they are using the B-wings, I use an X-wing since the B-wing can put up a good defense on its own for a while. If they choose the Y-wing, then I go with either the Falcon or the YT-2000, since both have two independent gunnery turrets, which provide better protection, and allow more time to use missiles or lasers. Another great thing about choosing the Falcon or the YT-2000 and YT-1300, is that while you are firing at an enemy and a missile is launched at you, lock onto the missile and have your gunnery turret(s) fire at the missile while you concentrate on the guy in front of you. My favorite trick to use is barrel rolling if an enemy is firing at me. Then, I lock onto him and have my turrets blast him as I dodge. This drives the enemy nuts, because then he has to evade the shots and you can cut to one-third power, flip over, lock on and fire a missile up his tailpipe. --
Maniac_27
(added 5/27/99)
When playing X-Wing Alliance
, make sure you use the right craft. First off, know what kinds of craft are available and choose the one that is most compatible with your fighting style. If you like speed and agility, go for the TIE Interceptor or A-Wing. If you prefer heavy firepower, go for the B-Wing and such. If you like to have a gun turret help you out, YT-1300 is a safe bet. Don't like managing shields? Go for a TIE. Then there are X-Wings, which are very well balanced.
Furthermore, you're gonna want to complement your allies' choices. You might not all want to be B-Wings or TIE fighters. A good teamup is a transport for multiple-direction firing, a heavy assault craft (e.g., B-Wing), and a highly maneuverable craft or two to cover the backs of the transport and assault fighter(s). --
CommodoreSith
When fighting against a starship, it is a good idea to dump anything you can into speed. If you're going fast enough, the turbo lasers have a heck of a time hitting you. Here are the settings I had when I destroyed an ISD2 without getting hit (very difficult to do):
- Tie Defender with Jamming Beam (nothing else!)
- Beam Weapon dumped entirely into engines
- Laser Energy at Maximum
- Shield Energy dumped partially into engines
- Engines at full
This should boost your speed up to 163! Make sure to dump some laser energy into your shields whenever your laser level is full.
Another even simpler method:
- YT-2000 or Millenium Falcon with Jamming Beam (nothing else!)
- Beam Weapon dumped entirely into engines
- Laser Energy dumped entirely into engines
- Shield Energy at Maintenance Level
- Engines at full
Set your lasers to autotarget and fly circles around the craft. Try and keep a distance of about 1km or more. If the starship you're attacking has shield generator towers, I would suggest taking them out first with manual fire, unless you don't mind the extra time it takes to eliminate the shields normally. A faster and more dangerous method is to set your Shield Energy partially into engines and your Laser Energy to Maximum. Then simply make passes at the ship until your shields start to give way, then back off and power them up before finishing off the starship. --
KainTFM
(added 9/22/99)
On Evasive Tactics
When approaching a firing target in an unshielded craft, weave in a square. Make sure the target stays in your forward sensor, in the corners. If you are in a more maneuverable craft like a TIE Interceptor, get around and behind him/her after they go past. Also, hit the E key periodically to see if anyone is targeting you. --
Incubus reX
(added 4/29/99)
On the Expanded Ship List
As we all know, there are literally hundreds of different craft in this game. But there are only about fifty that were included for you to actually FLY in multiplayer games. So, the first step for most gamers seems to be that of downloading an "expanded" shiplist (or to edit the one that they have) so that they can fly ANY ship in the game. (It seems that nothing is more entertaining after a long day, than a 2v2 melee using "escape pods"..heheh). BUT when everyone starts modifying the game, then the "promo points" they start to accumulate begin to lose meaning. (It has become easy for people to attain high ranks in XWA
, given a "hacked" version of the ship list.) There is a growing concern that, if gamers tend to get all of their online kills by using ships that exist outside of the REAL multiplayer game (by using a modified shiplist), then their rank can't be compared to that of other pilots. So, my tip for online success is this: keep a separate pilot for use with expanded versions of the shiplist (for your "modified" gameplay). But, make sure you only fly ships that exist within the actual game if you plan to measure your rank against that of other pilots. --
Executor
(added 4/29/99)
On Family Transports and Dogfighting
If targeted by a missile hit the 'T' key immediately -- you can then see where the danger is and how far away the missile is. If it's far away (say 1.0 click or more) spin into it and try for a forward shot. When close (0.5 clicks or closer) slow your speed and spin away. You can then out-turn the missile and shoot it down. Also, don't forget your counter-measures. If on-board, hit the C key when the inbound missile is within 1.0 click -- I find that both chaff and flare work equally well. The manual suggests using the flare within 0.5 clicks, but against some missiles that's too close.
In the family transports, only use the turrets on automatic targeting if the target is within 1.0 click or less. The closer you get to the target, the more accurate they become, and flying level and alongside means both top and bottom laser turrets can be brought to bear. Outside of 1.0 click, you will be lucky to get one or two hits on the target at best. The turrets do mean that you can now take on two targets at once. Hit the R key to find the nearest enemy and head for him. Use your front lasers on him, and hit the E key to see if you are being targeted. If so, set the turrets on target 2 while you concentrate on the nearer target. The turrets are also useful against armed transports (e.g. Storm units). Taking these on using your front lasers is suicidal -- their turrets never miss! Instead, set the transport as a target for your automatic turrets and just bob around him -- gasp as you reduce him to space dust with not a scratch on your lovely spaceship! --
PhilB
(added 4/22/99)
On Imperial/Super Star Destroyers
When attacking Imperial/Super Star Destroyers, don't get stingy on the shields and cannons. When the shields start to get low, speed up by draining the cannons and have them recharge. Also go straight down the top-middle of the ISD towards the bridge -- you'll get the least fire that way and you can take out some lasers pretty easily. --
MJHonja
When attacking Star Destroyers, target the spheres on the bridge, this will knock out the shields allowing you to save the warheads for the hull. Also, target the engine to stop the Star Destroyer in its tracks. This strategy might work on the Super Star Destroyer but the shield generators are tough on that beast. One thing to remember is to keep the shields and laser at maximum recharge. You can take out a Star Destroyer with a X-Wing. --
Andy A
. (added 5/13/99)
On Independent Roll Control
Independent roll control is a godsend! A set of rudder pedals will prove invaluable while maneuvering, particularly in the Salvage Yard proving ground and Death Star Run. Being able to rudder and roll at the same time opens up a wider variety of evasive maneuvers like snap-rolls (barrel roll with full roll, yaw, and pitch). Being able to roll without having to hold the roll button can also help you get through narrow areas and cut through corners when flying through tunnels. --
The_Saxman
On Missiles
When someone shoots a missile at you, go into a turn at full throttle. As soon as the missile is within .5 of you, tighten your turn by decreasing throttle. As it gets closer, continue to decrease until you're at 1/3 throttle. Then simply out-turn the missile. When you see it in front of you, open fire and you should be able to destroy it with your lasers (for all you veterans, missiles in XWA
are MUCH harder to hit than the ones in XWvT
). --
Forever_Wolf
On Piloting
Here are a few piloting tips I'd like to share, if you haven't heard them a
thousand times already:
- When approaching another fighter, I like to get within laser range and then use my presets to dump all energy into engine power. This way, you can get a burst of speed; quickly zip over the top or bottom of your opponent while they're trying to target you and then fire a flare, which, if it strikes them, will send them tumbling into confusion for a moment. This will allow you enough time to make a sharp turn at 1/3 throttle, power up lasers and catch them with their pants down.
- NEVER take on a Y-wing or any fighter with ion cannons head-to-head. Get around their flanks and open fire where they can't hit you with those ions.
- Against human pilots, remember the concept of suppression fire. The natural instinct is for your opponent to take cover. Single fire mode works best for this. Linked fire isn't scary enough.
- If you're targeted with a missile, hit "I" and then watch your target box. As with a tornado, as long as you're at a 90-degree angle to the warhead, you're OK.
- Sometimes, when your warhead launcher is armed, it's good to target multiple fighters, one right after the other, to keep them busy while you sneak up and clean house.
-- T. Hoover (added 9/22/99)
On Retreat
If you're getting your butt kicked in a dogfight, and you are close to running out of shields, you have but one thing to do: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! However, there's more to it than simply heading in the opposite direction from your adversary. Most inexperienced players would reach right for that F10 key to recharge their shields, when in fact they should be dumping them, along with the lasers. This way, all of your power is concentrated toward your engines and you can leave your attacker in the dust.
Don't think you can just fly straight off, though. The extra engine power gets you going so fast that it allows you reach higher speeds even while bobbing and weaving to avoid your opponents' lasers. They're most likely flying in a straight line in an effort to gain on you. If you're playing in a large game, they will usually lose interest as you draw them out and will go back to that "ball of fighters" that usually tends to form in the middle of the hyper-points in efforts to pick someone else off. Another good technique (if you can dodge enough lasers) is to try to brush them off onto another pilot.
Now, if you're playing a one-on-one match or the guy has decided to stay after you, this is where some real skills are required. After you get a good distance away from the guy, you have two options:
- Crank up your lasers and shields to full charge and try to take him head on from long distance (you need to be good at getting those first shots in right when he comes in range). This technique works best when your opponent is in a non-shielded craft, as they can be eliminated with only a few well-placed shots. If this doesn't work, then #2 is all you have to depend on.
- Dodge and weave back at him, lasers linked, and firing at the precise moment he crosses your targeting sight. This technique takes a lot of practice. It's all in the timing. If you choose to do this, it's best to have your lasers at increased charge and not full. The full charge is not necessary, because if done right, there is no need for a continuous stream of fire. Charging at an increased rate also leaves you with a little more engine power. This could save you from being waxed. As for shields, it's your call. I usually leave 'em off until I pass the other guy and then pull a quick 180° at 1/3 throttle and get him from behind. However, if you're gonna recharge your shields, be sure to do it AFTER you pull the 180°. If you don't, you may not turn fast enough, as the charge drains power from your engines. It works every time!
-=RBS_Munky
=-
On Shield Recharge
Under the General Options menu are two presets for shield recharge: laser recharge and beam recharge. You'll also find engine velocity there. It can be helpful to set one up for a non-combat situation while on your way to your next objective or target. This could mean setting your lasers and shields to full and setting beam to zero and engine throttle to 100%. In this case, you are moving to the next target quickly but are also switching your recharge rates so you can maximize the time spent moving from target A to target B.
The other can be used for combat situations like setting shields to normal, lasers to increased charge, throttle to 33%, and beam to normal or full. Switching from one to the other with presets can save you valuable time between battles. This way you will not miss a chance to hit someone hard with all you have or to back down and recoup while moving on. To use these presets in flight, use the F11 and F12 keys. --
JJ_Rebar
On Tactics
The following tip is for both XvT
and XWA
. It's the best tactic to win a game (in my opinion of course :-). First, fly in a straight line to your "enemy.” Your shield setting should be 0% so you're faster and laser should be up to 100% to get enough energy to your lasers. When the "enemy" gets in weapon range, fire and move hard left, right, up or down. Then target, fire, move left, right, up. Keep doing so till you get really close to him. Then set speed to 33%, laser to 0% and shields to 0% so you can roll much faster. Try to get the "enemy" in front of your lasers and shoot him out of the galaxy. --
WLP_AN_Hamos
WLP_AN_Hamos makes some good points in his tactics discussion, but what he describes will not be very effective against experienced players who really know how to juke around. If you're new, this will be an ok tactic on the easy game settings and against inexperienced opponents, but you may want to change a few things. Try setting your lasers to two or three bars instead of four, you will actually get an increase in speed that way. While in the thick of a dogfight, setting your shields and lasers to zero is usually not a good idea. It serves to speed you up and tighten your corners, but some well-controlled piloting is always preferable to speed. The only time I like to drop all power down to zero is when attempting to escape. But remember, some of these tips work for some people but not others. It depends on your game play style, and there is no greater advantage than experience. --
Philos_Thanetu
(added 5/6/99)
Note: We'll publish more detailed tips and hints on this game in the future, so keep checking these pages. And if you have your own strategies and tips for X-Wing Alliance
, send them in! Be sure to include your Zone ID so we can give you credit!
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