Contents:
I. Basic Facts about Non-Melee Wars:
- You will not lose access to any missions you already have. These files simply add to what you have. Nothing will be subsitiuted or taken away.
- You are 100% compatible with copies of XvT that do not have the NMW missions (I've been flying in WoWs since May with NMW on my computer).
- This is not a "points war". It is based on ratios, not size (although size is important in wars, the size of XvT clubs tends to be rather fixed).
- "Missions Lag" is just as false as "Zone Lag". The only way that a mission would be "laggier" than a melee would be if you are playing on a computer that is barely able to run XvT. In this case, the "lag" would really be the computer's inability to keep up, not the connection to the internet.
- Just like any game of XvT, if you play a host that you have either a Red, Yellow, or unstable connection to; the game will probably be laggy or drop someone (just like a WoW match).
- Play in games where you have a 3-bar or 4-bar "Green" connection to the HOST. As long as everyone has this, you will have good games (in a NMW or WoW match). It will even work if you have one person on a "yellow" connection. (BTW: the vast majority of the testing, about 20 hours of it, was done with four people playing on Blindfire's 33.6 host).
- Be sure to play with Locate Players OFF and Timelimit set to DEFAULT, with Difficulty set to HARD, Waves to DEFAULT, and Randomize OFF.
- When you REPORT War matches, you will need to know the following:
- Who Played (and their squad tag)
- What mission NUMBER was played
- Who played as Rebels and Who played as Imperials
- Who won the MISSION GOALS. N-O-T Points!!!!!!!
- Stay in the game until it Resolves (victory or loss)
- Up to eight people can play in a match.
- Make sure to turn LOCATE PLAYERS OFF!!!!!!!!! Otherwise it becomes "kill the players then beat up the AI".
II. Installation:
Unzip the contents of the nmw3.zip file into your ...\lucasarts\xwingtie\combat\ directory. Be sure that the files go INTO the Combat folder. You will be asked to overwrite the Rebel.lst, Imperial.lst, and Mission.lst files. Do so, unless you have previously altered these files (in which case you can backup your old files, or add the NMW III .lst entries to them, be sure to use my .lst numbers or it won't work in mulitplayer). Note that these .lst files DO include the .lst slots for NMW I, so you will be able to access them. However, if you do not have the NMW I .tie files, you will not be able to play the missions (even though you will see them on the list).
These files are 100% compatible with your old missions. You will still be able to play the old missions, and you WILL be able to play with other people online who do not have the NMW missions. They are Additions to what the retail game gives you, they DO NOT substitute anything.
Download the Non-Melee War III Mission Files (nmw3.zip 19Kb)
You MAY distribute these files to others, and post them on your website (and I encourage you to do so). However, you must not alter the .zip or any of the archived files in any way, including the filenames.
III. Tips and Hints:
Go into the game, and look under 'Combat Engagements' to find the NMW III missions, they will be at the bottom of the list.
Over the course of about 25 in-game hours of playtesting, we have come up with quite a few strategies for the NMW missions. I won't spoil them, the real joy is trying out something completely new and figuring out how to win it :) Here are some general things that you should know/think of when playing:
- READ THE BRIEFINGS! If you just go in and start shooting, chances are, you'll lose!
- Ship selection is important to the strategy you'll use. Especially in 1v1 games.
- Being able to intercept warheads will make your life MUCH easier :) Use the "i" key to target the nearest warhead. Note: Lag is never a factor in shooting down warheads since they move at a constant speed in a constant direction. We've never had any complaints about "ghosty warheads".
- The 'j' key is important. This will let you jump into your wingman's ship.
- When you die, you will be put in your wingman's ship if he is still alive, so be ready :)
- You don't have unlimited waves. "TIEs don't grow on trees" :)
- In certain missions, you will be able to use reloading craft (shift-b while targeting the craft). Keep in mind, they are much slower than you are, so it will help to fly towards them.
- In game communication with the other people on your team can mean the difference between Victory and Defeat.
- Remember to work towards the mission goals!
- Watch where enemy fighters come from. If they come from a capital ship, and you blow up that ship... no more fighters :)
- In most cases, you can give orders to the rest of the starfighters on your side, even after you die! I've won games even after I've run out of waves in this way!
- General AI commands: Shift-a will make them attack your target. Shift-i will make them ignore your target. There are others, check your XvT documentation under Wingman Commands.
- Keep an eye on the mission goals ("g" key brings them up in-game) and on the Message log ("L" key brings it up in-game).
- Make a strategy! The team with a strategy will beat a team without a strategy 90% of the time.
- Have Fun!
For NMW III, I included a coop mission that simulates a large fleet battle. This mission is a port of the BoP version that I origionally made. This mission is for two Imperial players only (no Rebs). If there is interest in the *better* BoP versions of this mission (which also includes the Rebel perspective), drop me a line at herr_lew@battlestats.com If there is enough interest, I will include the BoP missions in a future release.
IV. Disclaimer:
Although, technically, there's nothing that these files (most of which are just text files) can "do" to mess up your computer (unless you rename one windows.ini or something), the following Disclaimer applies (we have to have our protection):
Dark Jedi Organization (DJO), the DJO Missions Department, Battlestats.com (BSC), and all of their volunteers are not liable for any damage, loss of data, data corruption, system failure, hardward damage or any other undesirable results from the use of these files. This is "use at your own risk" software. Use of any or all of these files implies consent to the above terms.
These files may be freely distributed as long as:
A. This Readme.txt file is included.
B. No file has been altered in any way.
End Disclaimer.
I know that sounds scary, but keep in mind, it's just standard stuff. Remember, these files can't mess your system up unless you make a serious effort to do so. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine. Make sure you have them in the Combat directory!
Have fun with these, we had a lot of fun making them for you!
CDo Herr Lew (herr_lew@battlestats.com)