Homeworld Campaign Walk Through Guide NOT MADE by ME

8/2/2019 Homeworld Campaign Walk Through Guide NOT MADE by ME

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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=HOMEWORLD=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

agameplayguidebyThe_Assimilatorversion1.0.5FINAL12February2004

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========================================->LEGALNOTICE/COPYRIGHTINFORMATION========================================

Thisguideisthesolepropertyofitsauthor,Ian"The_Assimilator"Kemp.ItmaybeusedONLYforyourpersonalenjoyment,itisILLEGALtosellthisdocumentwithouttheauthor'spermission.ItisalsoILLEGALtoclaimallorpartofthisguideasyourown.Youmaynotselland/ordistributethisguidewithouttheauthor'spriorconsent.

Thisguidemay(currently)onlybefeaturedonMYwebsite(ifitevergetsput

up...),andthebelowwebsite(s):

Cheatbookhttp://www.cheatbook.de/CheatChannelhttp://www.cheatchannel.com/Cheats.dehttp://www.cheats.de/DLH.nethttp://dlh.net/GameFAQshttp://www.gamefaqs.com/IGNFAQshttp://faqs.ign.com/

Ifyouwouldliketohostthisguideonyourwebsite,oruseportionsofitforyourownguide,pleaseaskmefirst(seethe"Contactingtheauthor"section).

Ifyoudonotabidebytheaboveconditions,expecttohavelegalactiontaken

againstyou!

IanKempisnotaffiliatedwithRelicEntertainment,SierraStudios,norVivendiUniversalinanyway.Alltrademarksusedherearethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.

Usethisdocumentatyourownrisk.TheauthorcannotbeheldresponsibleforANYdamagesyoumightsustainfromusingthisguide!

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TABLEOFCONTENTS==================

->LEGALNOTICE/COPYRIGHTINFORMATION


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H.Abbreviations/ShorthandsI.ShipsandCivilisations1.Kushan2.Taiidan3.TuranicRaiders4.Bentusi5.Kadeshi6.MiscellaneousJ.TacticsK.FormationsL.DamageRatiosM.Single-playerwalkthrough1.KharakSystem2.OutskirtsofKharakSystem3.ReturntoKharak4.GreatWastelands(Part1)5.GreatWastelands(Part2)6.DiamondShoals7.TheGardensofKadesh8.TheCathedralofKadesh9.DeepSpace-SeaofLostSouls10.SuperNovaResearchStation11.TenhauserGate12.GalacticCore

13.TheKarosGraveyard-TheShiningHinterlands14.BridgeofSighs15.ChapelPerilous16.HiigaraN.Multi-playerguide1.GeneralStrategy2.Resources3.UsefulTacticsO.CreditsandLinksP.TheEnd

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=================A.Introduction=================

Homeworldwasreleasedin1999andcompletelyrevolutionisedtheRTS(Real-TimeStrategy)gamegenre.Homeworld(orHW,asitisknownamongstitsfans)wasthefirstRTStocombinestunning3Dgraphicswithgreatgameplay.(Don'tknowwhataRTSis?ThinkCommand&Conquer.Don'tknowwhat*that*is?Thenyou'realittleyoungtobereadingthisguide.)Homeworldsubsequentlywentontowinatleast5GameoftheYearawardsfromvariousgamingwebsites(GameSpot,IGN,...).Thispromptedalaterreleaseofthespecial"GameoftheYear"(GOTY)editionofthegame,whichfeatureddifferentboxartandmanualdesignfromtheoriginal.

ButitwasnotjustHomeworld'saestheticsthatgaineditsuchpraise.Thegame'sstorylinewas(andstillis)oneofthebestever.I'mnotgunnatellithere-becauseifyou'rearealHomeworldfanatic,you'llalreadyknowit-andbesides,it'sinthemanualthatcamewiththegame.(You*did*buyitfromareputablesource,hmmm?)

WheredoIcomeintothis?Well,IwasgivenHomeworldforChristmas2000(OK,soI'mslow),andIwasimmediatelyaddicted.ForamonthIplayednothingelsebutthegame.LaterIgotmyhandsonthe"sequel"toHomeworld,Homeworld:


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Cataclysm,whichisalsoanexcellentgame(butnot*quite*asgoodastheoriginal).

IhadbeenmeaningtowritethisguideeversincethedayIgotHomeworld,butforvariousreasonsInevergotaroundtoit.ButnowHomeworld2ishere!So,IdecidedtofinallygetmyHomeworldwalkthroughdone.

Hereistheresult;Ihopeyouenjoyit.

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=====================B.Abouttheauthor=====================

I'man18-year-oldlivinginSouthAfrica.InRealLife(tm)I'mastudentgettingreadyformyfirstyearofuniversity,studyingComputerScience.

IfanyonereadingthisneedsaJavaorPHP/MySQLprogrammerwith2+yearsexperience,orawebdesigner(HTML/JavaScript/DHTML/CSS)with4+yearsexperience,pleaseseethe"Contactingtheauthor"sectionbelowformyemailaddress.Ineedajob!

-----------------

Myhobbies/likes-----------------

-writinggameguides(thatnevergetreleased)-writingprograms(thatnevergetfinished)-designingwebsites(thatnevergetpublished)-reading-reading-DragonballZ(ohowamusingmindlessviolencecanbe)-cats-sleep(whichIdon'tgetenoughof)-caffeine(whichIgettoomuchof)-playinggames!

---------Mygames---------

IplayGameboy,Nintendo64,PlayStationandPCgames,somyinterestsarevaried.

GenresIlike:

-platformers(CrashBandicootandSpyrogames,ApeEscape,Klonoa,Mario64)-arcaderacinggames(MarioKart64,CrashTeamRacing,wipEoutseries)-RPGs(AzureDreams,Pokemon,FinalFantasyseries,Zeldaseries,NeverWinter)

-RTSs(Homeworld/AgeofEmpiresseries)-FPSs(Quakeseries,Unrealseries)-anygenrethat'saTLA

GenresIhate:

-super-realistic-handling-is-so-sensitiveracinggames(tooirritatingtoplay,goanddrivearealcar!)-"superrealistic"fightinggames(whydoes*everyone*buythem?)-gamesthatarejustCRAP(toomanytolist)


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==========================C.Contactingtheauthor==========================

Ifyouwanttosendmee-mail,myaddressiscurrently

[email protected]

Usethesubjectheader"HomeworldWalkthrough",oryourmessagemaybeignored!

Pleasenote,thatanyspam,flamesorhatemailwillbedeletedwithoutbeingread.Thesameappliesforanymailscontainingstupidquestions,orquestionsthatareansweredinthisguide.

Inaddition,Ican(probably)befoundontheRelicForums(http://forums.relicnews.com)fromMondaytoFridayeveryweek.SendmeaPrivateMessage,ifyouwish,andIwillrespondjustasIwouldrespondtoemails.

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====================D.Versionhistory====================

1.0.5FINAL+Astheversionwouldimply,thisisthelasttime12February2004Iwillbeupdatingthisguide.Iconsiderit100%finished.+Completedoverhaulofsingle-playerwalkthrough.+Moretyposfixed.+AddedentriesforCloakedFighter,DefenceFighterandDefenceFieldFrigate.+AddedpermissionsforCheatbookandCheatChannelto

hostthisguide.

1.0.4+AddedmoreinformationforAssaultFrigates.23January2004+ChangedsomeinfoforHeavyCruisersandCarriers.+ReplayedHomeworldsingle-playeragainandcorrectedthewalkthroughinmanyplaces.+Fixedafewtypos(hopefullythelast...).+FixedHomeworldShipyardslink.

1.0.3+NotedthatMissileDestroyerscanonlyusethe01December2003MissileVolleyspecialactioniftheyhave1ormoremissilesinstock(again,thankstoKokiforpointingthatout).

+Minorformatting/layoutchanges.

1.0.2+AllowedCheats.de(http://www.cheats.de/)27October2003andDLH.net(http://dlh.net/)tohostthisguide.+Someminorchangesto"Abbreviations/Shorthands"section.

1.0.1+AddedpermissiontoallowIGNFAQs20October2003(http://faqs.ign.com/)tohostthisguide.


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+Mademanychangesafterreceivingsomefeedback(*BIG*thankstoKokifromtheRelicForums!).+Added"Abbreviations/Shorthands"section.+Minoradjustmentsandcorrections.

1.0.0+***Firstreleasetothepublic!12October2003+Rewrotesomeofthesingle-playerguidestoclearupsomepoints.+Changedtheformatofthemulti-playersection.+Reorganisedlayoutofthefile,aswellastheTableofContents.+Finished"ShipsandCivilisations"section.+Added"***ForWindowsXPUsers"section.+Added"Cheats/Command-LineSwitches"section.+Added"UpdatingHomeworld(Patches)"section.

0.9.9+Miscellaneouscorrections.09October2003+Addedmoremulti-playerstrategies.

0.9.8+Single-playerwalkthroughcompleted.01September2003+ShipslistforKushan/Taiidancompleted.

0.9.7+Addedmission10and11.24August2003

0.9.6+Theveryfirstrelease.Missions1-9ofthe16August2003single-playergamecovered,aswellasintrosandcreditsofthisguide.+Beganshipslist.

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============================E.***ForWindowsXPusers============================

Bydefault,Homeworld*WILLNOTRUN*inOpenGLhardwareaccelerationon

MicrosoftWindowsXP.Ifyouhavebeenwonderinghowtogetaroundthisproblem,hereisthesolution:

1.Right-clicktheshortcutyouusetoplayHomeworldandchoose"Properties".2.Clickthe"Compatibility"tab.3.Checkthe"Runthisprogramincompatibilitymodefor"box,thenfromthelistbelow,select"WindowsNT4.0(ServicePack5)".4.ClickOK.

HomeworldwillnowallowyoutouseOpenGLtorunthegame.

Thishintmayapplytoothergamesaswell,sofeelfreetotryit.

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=================================F.UpdatingHomeworld(Patches)=================================

Nogameiseverreleasedperfect,andHomeworldisnotanexception.Relichavereleased3updatestothegame,or"patches",thataltersomeaspectsofthegame(mostlytofixbugs).


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ThedefaultHomeworldversion(andtheonlyonethatyoucanbuy)is1.00.The3patcheswillupdateyourgametoversion1.03,1.04or1.05,respectively.Eachlaterpatchalsoincludesalltheenhancementsofthepreviousone(s),soforexample,the1.05patchalsoincludesthe1.03and1.04updates.

(Sidenote:No-oneknowswhathappenedtothe1.01and1.02patches,andasusual,Relicwon'tsay...)

YoucantellwhatversionofHomeworldyouhavebystartingthegame,andlookingatthetop-leftcornerofthescreen.Insmallwritingyoushouldseetextsaying"VersionHomeworldV1.n0x",wherexisthepatchyouhaveinstalled(0ifnopatchinghasbeendone),andnistheletterBifapatchispresent.

***VERYIMPORTANT!IfyouareintendingtoplayHomeworldovertheInternet,i.e.viaWON.net,youMUSThavethelatestpatch(1.05atthistime)installed.Otherwise,youwillbeaskedtodownloadandinstallitwhenyoutryandconnecttoagame.YouCANNOTplayHomeworldwithotherpeople,ifyourversionofthegameisdifferenttotheirs!

Togetthepatches,gotoRelicNews(http://www.relicnews.com)andclickthe"Downloads"linkundertheHomeworldsectionoftheleftmenu.Downloadthepatchofyourchoice(itwillcomeasanexecutable)andrunittoupdateyour

Homeworldinstallation.Thenexttimeyourunthegame,youshouldseethattheversionhasbeenchangedtoreflectthepatchyouinstalled.

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=====================================G.CheatsandCommand-lineswitches=====================================

Firstofall-THEREARENOCHEATSINTHISGAME.Homeworldwasdesignedforpeoplewhoareactuallyableto*play*aRTSgame,notpatheticnewbieswhogetagame,dieonthefirstmissionthengetontotheInternetanddownloadeverycheattheycanfind.Ifyou'rethatkindofperson,pleasestopreadingthis

guideRIGHTNOW.Idon'thavetimeforlamerslikeyou,andneitherdoesRelicnortheHomeworldcommunity.There*are*trainers(akahacks)forthegamethatgiveyouextraRUs,moreshipsetc.,butthesamecommentsapplytothem.

Homeworlddoes,however,featureacomprehensivelistofcommand-lineswitchesorparameters,thatcanbeusedtotweakyourgametoperformatitsbest.It'saprettylonglist,butIliketobethorough.

Tousetheseswitches----------------------

1.Right-clicktheshortcutyouusetoplayHomeworldandchoose"Properties".2.Clickthe"Shortcut"tab,andclicktoplacethecursorinsidethe"Target:"

box(whichwillpointtohomeworld.exe).3.Toaddoneoftheseswitches,putaspaceattheendofthetext,thentypeintheslashcharacter(/),andthentheswitch.Forexample(usingthedsoundswitch),ifyourTargetfieldreads"C:\games\homeworld\homeworld.exe",youwoulddothis:"C:\games\homeworld\homeworld.exe"/dsoundToaddmoreswitches,youjustaddanotherspace,aslash,andthenextswitch.E.g.:"C:\games\homeworld\homeworld.exe"/dsound/enableSSE/pilotviewYoucanhaveaninfiniteamountofswitchespresent.Notehowever,that


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someswitchesaremutuallyexclusive.Ifyoutypeinaninvalidswitch,Homeworldwillwarnyouofthisonstartupandrefusetostartuntilyoureplaceorchangetheinvalidswitch(es).

***CURRENTCOMMAND-LINESWITCHES***

Systemoptions---------------

heap[n] -setstheamountofmemoryavailabletoHomeworldto[n]megabytesprepath[path] -setsthelocationforthegametolookforitsfiles

(where[path]isthislocation)CDpath[drive] -where[drive]isthedriveletteroftheCD-ROM

containingtheHomeworldgameCD

Processoroptions------------------

enableSSE -enabletheuseofStreamingSIMDExtensions(SSE)forimprovedgameperformance(PentiumIIIandup,AMDAthlonandup)

forceSSE -forcethegametouseSSE,eveniffoundtobeunavailable.Notrecommended,assevereslowdownmay

occuronnon-SSEcapableprocessorsenable3dNow -enabletheuseofAMD's3DNow!instructionsettoimproveperformance

Videooptions--------------

safeGL -donotuseoptimized,butpossiblybuggy,specialfeaturesoftheselectedOpenGLrenderer(yourvideocard).IfyouareexperiencingstrangegraphicalglitchesinOpenGL,usingthisoptioncanhelp,butitmayalsodecreaseperformancesomewhat

triple -ifthegame'smenusareflickeringmadly,thiswill

triple-bufferthemtopreventthis.Doesnotaffectin-gameperformancenodrawpixels -usewhenbackgroundimagesarenotshownwhenstarting

and/orloadinggamesnoswddraw -donotuseDirectDrawforthesoftwarerenderer.

Makessoftwaremodealotslower,andisonlyrecommendedifyourvideocardhasareallybadDirectDrawimplementation

noglddraw -donotuseDirectDrawtosetuptheOpenGLrenderer.Canbeslowerorfaster,dependingonyourvideocard,sotrythisandsee

sw -usethesoftwarerendererONLYfordrawingthegame'sgraphics;withthisswitchpresent,youcan'tchange

therenderingsystemfromwithinthegame(itislockedintosoftwaremode).Thisisnotrecommendedunlessyouhaveareallycrappyvideocard(e.g.SiSorS3chip),whichisunabletohandleDirect3DandOpenGLhardwareaccelerationwell.Inthiscase,softwaremodewillprobablybefaster(dependingonyourPCasawhole)thaneitherDirect3DorOpenGL

noFastFE -disablesfastfront-endmenurendering.Usethisifmenusareslowtoappear,orarerenderedincorrectly(e.g.strangecolours).Thishasalsobeenknownto


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fixproblemswherethegamestartsup,theninstantlycrashes

fullscreen -runsthegameinsoftwaremode,inafull-screenwindow,andat640x480resolution(defaultmode)

window -displaysthegameinawindownoBorder -if/windowispresent,thisdisablestheborderonthe

window640 -runsin640x480resolution(default)800 -800x600resolution1024 -1024x768resolution1280 -1280x1024resolution1600 -1600x1200resolutiondevice[dev] -selectstherenderingmodetouse,where[dev]isthat

mode.Validvaluesfor[dev]aresw(software),d3d(Direct3D),gl(OpenGL),fx(3dfxmode-VoodoocardsONLY).Ifusingthisoption,youwillbeunabletochangetherendererfromwithinthegame

nohint -disableusageofOpenGLperspectivecorrectionhints.No-oneexceptRelicseemstoknowwhatthisoptionactuallydoes,andRelicain'ttelling...

nopal -disablepalettisedtexturesupport.Usuallymakesthegameslower,sincetheaimofpalettisingistospeeduptexturegeneration.Ifyouhaveanoldercardthathasadodgypalettisedtextureengine,usingthis

switchmighthelptofixgraphicalglitches

Soundoptions--------------

dsound -forcesgametousetheMicrosoftDirectSoundmixer,evenifthesounddriverisnotcertified

dsoundCoop -ifDirectSoundmixersupportsco-operativemode,thiswillallowotherapplicationstouseDirectSoundevenwhileHomeworldisusingit

waveout -forcesgametouseWaveoutmixer(slower,lowerquality)evenifDirectSoundisavailable

reverseStereo -swapleft/rightaudiochannels

Detailoptions---------------

rasterSkip -enableinterlacingwithsoftwarerenderer.Thisallowsformuch-improvedperformanceinsoftwaremode,butcreatesa"motionblur"effectthatmaybetoovisuallydistractingtouse(faster)

noBG -disabledisplayofgalaxybackgrounds(soyouwillseeonlyblackbackgroundswithstars)(faster)

noFilter -disablesbilineartexturefiltering(decreasesgraphicqualitybutincreasesperformance).Allmodernvideocardscanfilterwithnoperformancepenalty,soyou

shouldneverneedtousethisoptionnoSmooth -donotusepolygonsmoothing.SameasnoFilter,you

shouldnotneedtousethisoptionstipple -enablesstipplealphabelendingtoemulatetransparencyeffects.Veryuglyandcanonlybeusedinsoftwaremode;makesgamerunfasternoShowDamage -donotshowshipdamageeffects(driveplasmaleaking,

fires).Candrasticallyimproveperformance,BUTyouwon'tbeabletoeasilyseeifyourshipsaredamaged,soit'snotrecommendedtousethis


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Otheroptions--------------

diableavi -skipsopeningSierraandRelicmoviespilotview -allowsyoutoseethegamefromthe"pilot'seyeview"

ofyourships.Thisoptionisonlyavailablefromthev1.04patchandup.Ifenabled,selectashipandhittheQkeytoswitchtopilotview;pressQgaintoreturntoexternalview.(NOTE:someshipshaveverystrangepilotviews...)

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=============================H.Abbreviations/Shorthands=============================

Manyoftheshipandtacticsnamesareverylongtotype,soonHomeworldmessageboards(e.g.RelicForums-http://forums.relicnews.com),youwilloftenfindanabbreviatedformbeingusedtodescribethings.

Ifyouaren'taveteranboardie,thenit'squitepossiblethatyouwon'tknowWTFisbeingtalkedabout-sohere'sausefullistof(some)oftheshorthands

usedbytheHomeworldcommunity.

AdvSwarmerAdvancedSwarmer(Kadeshi)AS

AssassinIonArrayFrigate(TuranicRaiders)

AutoAutogun(fromKarosGraveyard)

BananaKushanMothershipBananaMothershipBananaMS

BBBattleBall(attackingtechniqueusingSphereformation)BBall

BentusiStationBentusiExchange(Bentusi)TradeStationTraders

BoardieInternetbulletinboard/discussionforumuser

BrigandMissileCorvette(TuranicRaiders)

CapCapitalShipCapShip

CapShip

CaterpillarFuelPod(Kadeshi)GrubWorm

CorvCorvette

CorvWallCorvetteWall(CorvettesinWallformationtodealmaximumdamage)


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CSCrazyScouts(strategywhereScoutsquicklyswitchbetweenWallandSphereformationtododgegunfire)***NOTconsideredalegitimatestrategy!

DawgJunkyardDawgJD

DFGDefenseFieldFrigateDFGFrigDFGFrigate

DSDancingScouts(strategywhereScoutsjumparoundanddodgegunfire)Onlyavailableinv1.00ofHomeworld.***NOTconsideredalegitimatestrategy!

ESEvilScouts(usageofkey-bashingtoallowyourScoutstoavoidalmostallgunfire)***NOTconsideredalegitimatestrategy!

FrigFrigate

FurballMassivebattlebetweenmanyships(usuallyStrikeCraft)

Hairball

HeaviesHeavyCorvettes

HVCHeavyCruiser

HWHomeworld

IAFIonArrayFrigate(TuranicRaiders)

ICFIonCannonFrigate

IntInterceptor

Intie

KamiKamikaze(ramyourshipintoanothershipandself-destructyourship-causesmassivedamagetotheenemy)

LordBattleCarrier(TuranicRaiders)

LtCorvLightCorvette

MBFMulti-BeamFrigate(Kadeshi)

MDMissileDestroyer

MGCMulti-GunCorvetteMultiCorvMultigunMultigunner

MMMicro-management("managing"agroupofshipswith"microscopic"precision-givingneworders,formationsetc.veryoftenduringabattle)


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MPMulti-playermode

MSMothership

NeedleNeedleMothership(Kadeshi)Needleship

ProxDetectorProximitySensorProxSensorProxyDetectorProxySensor

ResearcherResearchShip

ResourcerResourceCollector

RUsResourceUnits

SalCapSalvageCorvetteSalCapCorvSalvagerSalvetteSCSVC

SctScout

SPSingle-playermode

SSSuperScouts(strategywhereScoutsareabletodealtonsofdamagebychangingformationsastheycompletetheirattackrun)Todoit:setyourScoutstoAggressiveandtellthemtoattackenemyships.AssoonasyourScoutshavemadetheirattackpassattheenemies,setthemtoEvasiveandtheywillturnaroundagain,muchfasterthannormal.SetthembacktoAggressiveandtheywillattacktheenemiesagain;

repeattodealthemostdamageintheleasttime.

SuperCapSuper-CapitalShipSuperCap

SwarmMassivemeleeattackofStrikeCraft(whereKadeshiSwarmersgottheirnamesfrom-hundredsofthemattackenmass)

ThiefStandardCorvette(TuranicRaiders)

UglyTaiidanMothershipUglyMothershipUglyMS

WingGroupofships(usuallyStrikeCraft)

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============================I.ShipsandCivilisations============================

***PLEASENOTE:unlessotherwisestated,allstatsherearetakenfrom***


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***version1.05ofHomeworld.***

Thissectionwilltellyouallabouttheshipsinthegame,aswellasthecivilisationsthattheybelongto.

AgreatresourceistheHomeworldShipyards(http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/).ThissiteismaintainedbyArioch,andcontainsalistofalltheshipsinalltheHomeworldgames(includingHomeworld2),withstatistics,pictures,andnotes.Visitit,it'sagreatresource!

-----------1.Kushan-----------

TheKushanarethe"bigtech/lowtech"civilisation.Theirshipsareclunkyandnotexactlypleasingtolookat,buttheygetthejobdone.Choosearedcolourschemeandyoucanpretendthattheirshipswerecarvedfrombricks;).

AccordingtoRelic(developersofHomeworld),theKushanwereoriginallydesignedtobethe"trueexiles".Itwasonlylaterinthegame'sdevelopmentthattheoptionwasaddedtoallowyoutoplayaseithertheKushanortheTaiidaninsingle-player.

Ionbeamcolor:red-white

------------2.Taiidan------------

TheTaiidaniaresupposedtobea4000-year-oldempire,sonaturallytheirshipswouldlookmorerefinedthantheKushanones.Forexample,theTaiidaniHeavyCruiserlooksgracefulanddeadlyatthesametime,unliketheboxyKushanone.

TaiidanishipsalsotendtohavebetterturretplacementthanKushanships(HeavyCorvette,AssaultFrigate),sotheyareprobablythebetterraceto

playas,inmulti-player.

Ionbeamcolor:blue-white

***STRIKECRAFT***

i.Fighters^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Scout------

Cost:35RUs

Mass:10tonsArmour:110Firepower:12Coverage:8%Weapons:2xmassdriver(nose-mounted)SpecialAction:Afterburners(increasesspeeddrasticallyfor3seconds)Velocity:1000m/s(standard);1500m/s(withAfterburners)Maneuverability:veryhighBuildTime:12secondsAvailability:Mission1


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Thefastestandcheapestcombat-capablevesselsinthegame.Theydoverylittledamagealone,butgettheminpacksof40andthat'sadangerouspunch,nottomentionthattheirspeedallowsthemtoavoidalmostallweaponsfire.

Youwon'tbebuildingthesetoomuchinsingle-player,butinmulti-playermodeyouwillsoonlearnthatScoutsareyourbestfriends.Ifyouareplayinganyonehalfdecent,theywillbuildScoutslikethereisnotomorrow;youmustdothesameoryourMothership/Carrierwilldiethe"deathofathousandpinpricks"-notniceatall.

Interceptor------------

Cost:55RUsMass:60tonsArmour:160Firepower:16Coverage:8%Weapons:2xmassdriver(Kushan:nose-mountedTaiidan:1nose-mounted,1externallymounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:875m/sManeuverability:veryhigh

BuildTime:18secondsAvailability:Mission2

ThesuccessortotheScout-not.InterceptorsdieagainstalmostanyStrikeCrafttheygoupagainst-includingScouts,whichonEvasivearetoofastfortheInterceptorstohit,andalsotoofasttorunawayfrom.Don'tevenbotherbuildingthese.

Defender---------

Cost:65RUsMass:60tons

Armour:325Firepower:5Coverage:11%Weapons:3xrapid-firemassdriver(externallymounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:385m/sManeuverability:mediumBuildTime:9secondsAvailability:Mission4

Thequickestshipinthegametobuild;astheirnamesuggests,theyarebestusedforescortduty.Inversion1.00ofthegameDefendershadfirepower/armourratingsof30/160respectively,thustheywerealotweakerbutthey

packeda*HELL*ofapunch.Awallof30v1.00DefenderscouldannihilateaCarrierinaminute,nowtheywillonlytapatitshullandgetkilled.

Theyarestillgoodescortsforresourceoperations,nomatterwhatversionofthegameyou'replaying.Theirmainproblemistheirlooowspeed,whichmeansthatevenSupportFrigatescanoutrunthem(andthat*hurts*).Bestusedintheearlystagesofamulti-playergametoprotectyourvaluableResourcers,thenastheDefendersgetkilled,youcanreplacethemwithCorvettes.

Kokinoted:"[Defenders]areprettygoodatdodging,iftheyarenotmoving.


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Theymoveup/down/left/rightprettyfast."Inotherwords,theirmaneuverabilityisquiteabitbetterthantheirspeed-DefenderscanactuallydodgeCorvettebullets,ifthey'relucky.

BTW:whileKushanDefendersneedabout1-2secondstomeetathreat(becausetheyretract/extendtheirguns),TaiidaniDefendersarealwaysreadytorock.

AttackBomber--------------

Cost:85RUsMass:90tonsArmour:110Firepower:42Coverage:5%Weapons:2xplasmabomblauncher(Kushan:nose-mountedTaiidan:mountedeithersideofbody)SpecialAction:-Velocity:750m/sManeuverability:highBuildTime:20secondsAvailability:Mission5

Slow,heavy,buttheultimateanti-CapitalShipfighter.It*kills*anything

frigate-sizeandupwithinseconds,awingof20candestroyafrigatein2volleys.ThesesuckagainstotherStrikeCraft,buthey,that'snotwhatthey'redesignedfor.Ifyouneedafast,mobile,CapitalShip-killingforce,theseareforyou.Butmakesureyouguardthemwithsomethinganti-StrikeCraft,forgoodness'sakes.

NotethatAttackBombers*can*killStrikeCraft,althoughnotwithoutdifficulty.It'sjustthattheirbombsaresoooslooowww...

CloakedFighter----------------***KushanONLY!

Cost:85RUsMass:40tonsArmour:150Firepower:39Coverage:10%Weapons:2xmassdriver,forward-facing,mountedinbodySpecialAction:activatecloakingfieldVelocity:775m/sManeuverability:highBuildTime:45secondsAvailability:Mission12

BetterthanaScoutforscoutingduetothecloakingability,butprettyuseless

otherwise.Themainproblemisthatthecloakfieldusesupfuel;theCloakedFighterhasasmall-ishgastankanyhow,socloakthemduringcombatandyouwillprobablyendupwithout-of-fuelsittingducks.

Theyarealsoveryslowtoconstructandseemtodieveryeasilytoenemyships.KillingMissileDestroyersisagoodjobforthisFighter,sincethemissilesloselock-onwhenthetargetcloaks,buttheywouldprobablyrunoutoffuelbeforetheMDdies...Allinallnotthebestshipinthegame,nottheworsteitherbutveryclose-spendtheRUsonsomethingbetter.


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DefenceFighter----------------*TaiidanONLY!

Cost:85RUsMass:75tonsArmour:300Firepower:-Coverage:80%Weapons:-SpecialAction:defencelasers(automaticallydeflectincomingmassdriverfire)-alwaysonVelocity:875m/sManeuverability:highBuildTime:20secondsAvailability:Mission12

AsmallerversionoftheDFGFrigate,bestusedasescortsforfightersorcorvettes.Theirdefencelasersshootdown80%ofincomingmassdriverfire,butcan'tdoanythingaboutmines,missiles,ionbeamsorplasmabombs.BestusedtogetherwithDFGs,orinSphereformationtoguardCorvetteattackwaves.ButtheydietoHeavyCorvettesusingBurstFire,soallinall,asuselessastheCloakedFighter.

ii.Corvettes^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

LightCorvette---------------

Cost:135RUsMass:400tonsArmour:900Firepower:100Coverage:40%Weapons:(Kushan)1xturret(mountedbelowcockpit)(Taiidan)2xturret(mountedinfrontofcockpit)

SpecialAction:-Velocity:575m/sManeuverability:mediumBuildTime:22secondsAvailability:Mission2

LikeInterceptors;prettyuselessunlessyou'reupagainstFighters,thentheydookay.Bestusedearlyinmulti-playertothwartScoutrushesonyourResourcers,thatsingleturretedgunreallymakesupfortheLightCorvette'sslowspeed.Astheydieoff,replacewithbetterHeavyorMulti-GunCorvettes.

HeavyCorvette---------------

Cost:250RUsMass:750tonsArmour:1700Firepower:200Coverage:50%Weapons:(Kushan)2xturret(mountedbelowcockpit)(Taiidan)4xturret(mountedinfrontofcockpit)SpecialAction:BurstFire(5kmrange/2.5kmareaofeffect)Velocity:500m/s


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Maneuverability:mediumBuildTime:30secondsAvailability:Mission2

Twowords:KICKASS.Itseemslikeeveryonelovestheseships,andwhythehellnot?They'rethebestStrikeCraftinthegame,simplybecausetheycantakepainlikenothingelsecan.Theseshipscaneventakeadirectionbeamandlive(seriously!).

Theirtwinturretedgunswillmakemincemeatof*anything*thatcomestooclose.Put16or25HeavyCorvettesinaWall,set2SupportFrigatestorepairthem,andyou'vegotavirtuallyimpenetrablescreenofCorvettegunfire.NoFighterswillbeabletotakethemonandlive(exceptmaybeEvasiveScouts),andFrigateswillalsodieprettydamnfast.Heck,HeaviescanevenknockoutaDestroyer,givenenoughtime.

Theirweaknessistheirslowspeed,whichallowsevenionbeam-equippedshipstohitthem.EventheinaccurateAttackBombercanbeamenacetoHeavies,butthat'swhereBurstFiremodecomesin.Selectanareaofspace,clickZandyourHeavyCorvettesbeginoffloadinghigh-explosive,highlydeadlyshellsintothatarea.FighterwingssimplypopwhentheygethitwithBurst-tryit.

ThereareafewtrickstousingBurstFireeffectively;first,youhavetorememberthatanyofyourownshipsthatwanderintotheBurstradiuswilltake

damagetoo.Secondly,ittakesafewsecondsforHeaviestoloadandfiretheirexplosiveshells,soitpaystogetasclosetoyourtargetaspossible.

Multi-GunCorvette-------------------

Cost:220RUsMass:750tonsArmour:1400Firepower:180Coverage:78%Weapons:6xturret(Kushan:4mountedbelow,2mountedaboveTaiidan:2mountedinfrontofcockpit,4mountedonsides)

SpecialAction:-Velocity:695m/sManeuverability:medium(seemstobehigh)BuildTime:22secondsAvailability:Mission7

Alower-specversionoftheHeavyCorvette,fasterandtheonlyshipabletohitalltypesofStrikeCraft,butthat'saboutallintheirfavour.PuttheseupagainstFightersandtheydogreat,butagainstanythingelse,notsowell.Theproblemisthatthemulti-targetinggunsdon'tprovideadirectrainofbullets,tellthemtoattacksomethingandnormallyonlyoneortwoofthegunswillrespond.GoodagainstFighter-happyopposition,butforanythingelse,useHeavyCorvettes.Youknowitmakessense.

InmanyrespectsthisshipismorelikeaFighterthanaCorvette;itisfasterandhasbettermanueverabilitythananyotherCorvette,butofcourseithastheturrettedgunsandlargerfueltanksthatFightersdon't.

MinelayerCorvette-------------------

Cost:275RUsMass:750tons


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Armour:1800Firepower:~700permineCoverage:-Weapons:2xminelauncher(rear-mounted)SpecialAction:ForceDrop(dump6minesatonce)Velocity:425m/sManeuverability:mediumBuildTime:40secondsAvailability:Mission10

Veryusefulorveryuseless,dependingonyourviewpoint.TheminesdumpedbytheseCorvettesareslow-ish(meaningtheycan'thitFighters),butthenagain,theydon'tneedtobetoofasttohitlumberingCapitalShips.Theproblemwithminefieldsisthattheminesdisappearafteratimeandhavetoberelaid,andofcourse,Minelayersaren'tthefastestcorvettesaround.Yourownfleetalsotendsto*cough*runintotheminestheydispense.

BUT:ifyoucanput,say,20MinelayersinaCarrier,thenjumpoverbytheenemy'sMothershipandstartdumpingmines,thenyouwillbesmiling.Andofcourse,layingminesinaresourcepatchwillruinanyone'sday.It'syourchoicetousethemornot.

RepairCorvette----------------

Cost:150RUsMass:750tonsArmour:800Firepower:60Coverage:10%Weapons:1xmassdriverturret(belowcockpit)SpecialAction:repair/refuelStrikeCraftVelocity:350m/sManeuverability:mediumBuildTime:20secondsAvailability:Mission1

Goodearlyoninsingle-player,uselesseverywhereelse.YoucangetSupportFrigatesfromonly1technology,andtheyarefaster(yes!),alottougherandjustawholelotbetterthantheseCorvettes.Iusedthemonce,afterthat,neveragain.Possiblythegame'sleast-usedshiptype.

SalvageCorvette-----------------

Cost:150RUsMass:120tonsArmour:1400Firepower:-Coverage:-

Weapons:-SpecialAction:salvage(duh)Velocity:425m/sManeuverability:medium("bad")BuildTime:30secondsAvailability:Mission1

TheHomeworldmanualstatesthatSalvageCorvettes"cancaptureheavilydamagedships".Wellfolks,ifyou'vealreadyplayedsingle-playeryou'llknowthat'snottrue.WhathappenedwasthattheHomeworldmanualwascompletedbeforethe


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actualgameitself,andthenduetotimeconstraints,Relicdecidedtoletyousalvageanyship,ofanyhealth.Buttheyforgottoupdatethemanual:|.

Salvagersaresomeofthemostvaluableinthegame,theycangrabalmostanything.Obviouslyinmulti-playertheirusefulnessdropsbecausehumanswillbeonthelookoutforthem,butinsingle-player,Salvagersallowyoutoamassahugefleet,withoutspendingmanyRUs.

Hereisatableshowingexactly*which*shipscanbecaptured,andthenumberofSalvageCorvettesneededtograb'em:

+---------------------+-------------------+|Shiptype|SalvageCorvettes|||tocapture||---------------------+-------------------||StrikeCraft|1|||||Frigate|2|||||Destroyer|3|||||HeavyCruiser|5|||||Carrier|5|

|---------------------+-------------------||ResourceCollector|2|||||ResourceController|3|||||CloakGenerator|2|||||GravWellGenerator|2|+---------------------+-------------------+

NotethatStrikeCraft(FightersandCorvettes)canonlybecapturediftheyareoutoffueland/ortrappedinaGravWell.

Salvagingisfun.

***CAPITALSHIPS***

AssaultFrigate----------------

Cost:575RUsMass:45000tonsArmour:16000Firepower:82Coverage:75%Weapons:4xmassdriverturret(aroundnose),2xplasmabomblauncher(around

nose)SpecialAction:-Velocity:325m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:60secondsAvailability:Mission3

GoodagainstCorvettesandotherCapitalShips,badagainstanythingelse.Ifonlyitsturrets/bulletswerefaster...grrr.Seriouslythough,ifusedcorrectly,theseshipscanbeamenacetootherCapitalShips,notablyIon


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CannonFrigates,becausetheyaremoremaneuverablethanthem.Inotherwords,ifyoutellanAssaultFrigatetoattackanotherCapitalShip,andthenstartmovingyourFrigatearound,itwillmostlikelycomeoutasthewinnerofthebattle.

HavingalltheturretsclusteredaroundthenoseareameansthatthisFrigategetsinmorehitsthanothers.Unfortunately,thisisalsoitsgreatestweakness,sincetheAssaultFrigateistotallyunabletocoveritsvulnerableenginearea.GetasquadronofHeavyCorvettesbehindanAssaultFrigate,anditwilldieveryfast.

ThisFrigate'sbulletsseemtobeheavierthanotherships';getawingof6AssaultFrigatesandstartshootinganenemyship,itwillgetblownbackwardsandwillneverbeabletogetinrangetofireonyourFrigates.Cheap,butitcanhelp.

Addendum:AfterdoingafewtestswithAssaultFrigates,Ihavecometotheconclusionthattheireffectivenessincreases*dramatically*whenusedinlargergroups.Asetof8AssaultFrigatesareanexcellentdeterrenttoStrikeCraftgroups(evenFighters),becausethey'refiringsomanybulletsthatit'svirtuallyimpossibleforoneslug*not*tohitatarget.

IonCannonFrigate

-------------------

Cost:650RUsMass:57000tonsArmour:15000Firepower:138Coverage:3%Weapons:1xioncannonbeam(fixed,forward-mounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:300m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:60secondsAvailability:Mission4

Themainstayofeveryrespectablefleet,theIonCannonFrigatepacksasingleionbeamwiththebiggestpunchinthegame.Gettinginfrontofoneoftheseisverybadnews,nomatterwhattypeofshipyouare.GroupICFswithAssaultFrigateandsomeHeavyCorvettes,andyouhaveahighlydangerousescortorattackfleet.Butdon'teventhinkaboutsendingthemoutunguarded,sincetheydieveryquicklytoanyshipclass.Whenengaginganenemyfleet,*always*takeouttheICFsfirst.

DroneFrigate--------------***KushanONLY!

Cost:800RUsMass:60000tonsArmour:16000Firepower:192Coverage:100%Weapons:24xdrones(mobilemassdriverturrets)SpecialAction:launch/retractdronesVelocity:300m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:75seconds


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Availability:Mission6

Thisistheonlyshipcapableofhitting*any*othership,nomatterhowfasttheenemymaybe.Eachdronehasasinglemassdriverthatisequalinpower/firingspeedtothegunsofaScout,thus24x8=192damagepervolley.TheseFrigatesaregreatforguardingagainstStrikeCraftattack,butdon'tdonearlysowellagainstbiggerships.

Thedronesdogetrebuiltifdestroyed,althoughthistakesawhile-50seconds(fasterifalldronesareretracted,only20-25seconds).Andthedronesaren'trepairedifdamaged,onlyreplacediftheyaredestroyed.

DefenceFieldFrigate----------------------***TaiidanONLY!

Cost:800RUsMass:40000tonsArmour:17600Firepower:-Coverage:85-90%Weapons:-SpecialAction:defencefield(alwaysactive)Velocity:325m/s

Maneuverability:lowBuildTime:75secondsAvailability:Mission6

The"DFG"Frigate(no-oneseemstoknowwheretheabbreviationcomesfrom)isashipwithoutoffensiveweapons;rather,ithastheabilitytodeflectenemyattacks.However,thedeflectorfieldcanonlystopbullets;ionbeams,mines,missilesandplasmabombsstillpassthrough.NotethatthefieldwillstopshotsfiredbybothenemyshipsANDyourown!

Inaddition,thedefencefieldonlyhasapuny2kmradius,andit'snot100%effective;5-10%ofenemybulletswillmanagetopenetratethefieldanyway.YoucanescorttheDFGwith2DefenceFighters,whichwillcoverthe"hole"in

thedeflectorfieldandincreaseitsstoppingpowerto100%.

Thisfrigatebecomesmoreusefulinmulti-player,especiallyagainstpeoplewhoenjoycreatingenormouswingsofStrikeCraft.TheDFGdoesn'tblocktheeffectofGravWells,soit'spossibletocreatetheUltimateStrikeCraftTrapwhichwillrenderenemyfightersandcorvettescompletelyhelpless.

Personally,Iwouldn'tusethisship-it'sslowandweakandreallynotthatgreat.Although,itcancomeinusefulonsalvageraidsforobviousreasons:imagineyouropponent'sfacewhenhesendsoffsomeStrikeCrafttokillyourSalvagersthataregrabbinghisCruiser,onlytofindthathecan'tactuallydoanything.

SupportFrigate----------------

Cost:425RUsMass:45000tonsArmour:12000Firepower:28Coverage:21%Weapons:(Kushan)1xmassdriverturret(belownose)(Taiidan)2xmassdriverturret(eithersideofbody)


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SpecialAction:refuelStrikeCraft,repairallshipsVelocity:450m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:65secondsAvailability:Mission3

ThesuccessortotheRepairCorvette,andamuchbettershipallaround.TheSupportFrigatecanrepairandrefuel10Fightersand4Corvettesatonce,anditsgreenbeamcanhealanyothershipsthataredamaged.SetaSupportFrigateor2toassistaCorvWall,andyouhaveadeadlyteam.TheseversatileFrigatesarebestusedongroupsof2andupwards;youshouldalwayshaveatleast1supportingyourMothership.

AusefultrickistheStrikeCraftHyperspaceJump:tellsomeStrikeCrafttodockwithaSupportFrigate,thenHyperspacethatFrigate-theStrikeCraftwillgoalongfortheride,anditdoesn'tcostyouanyextraRUs.Greatforlaunchingsurpriseattacksonresourceoperations.

KushanSupportFrigateshaveonly1gun,butcanrepairthemselves(holdZandclickontheFrigateafewtimes).TaiidanSupportFrigateshave2guns,butlacktheself-repaircapability.

SupportFrigategunsaremorelikeCorvetteweaponsthanCapitalShiparmaments;theyfireveryfastandaccurately,anddolessdamage(sotheFrigatecan

protectitselffromStrikeCraftassault,ifneeded).Butitsarmourpointsaresolow,thatitdiestoalmostanythinganyway...

***SUPER-CAPITALSHIPS***

Destroyer----------

Cost:1350RUsMass:1850000tonsArmour:44000Firepower:341Coverage:88%(morelike40%)

Weapons:(Kushan)2xside-mountedioncannonturrets,2xtop-mountedmassdriverturrets(Taiidan)2xforward-mountedfixedioncannons,2x(dual)top-mountedmassdriverturrets(4gunbarrels)SpecialAction:-Velocity:315m/sManeuverability:verylow(seemstobelow)BuildTime:150secondsAvailability:Mission6

Slightlymoreexpensivethan2IonCannonFrigatesbutabetterdeal,theseshipshavedeadlytwinionbeams,backedupby2big-assmassdriverturrets.Theyarehighlymaneuverablefortheirsizeand(relatively)speedy,too.The

onlyproblemistheircoverage;aDestroyer'sgunsaremeanttohitthingsinfrontofit,consequentlytheyhavetroubleshootingatattackersbeloworbehindthem.Thelarge,undefended"blindspot"belowaDestroyeralsomakesthemeasytoapproachwithSalvagers;soifyou'refieldingafewoftheseheavyweights,givethemadecentStrikeCraftescort.

MissileDestroyer------------------

Cost:1500RUs


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Mass:2000000tonsArmour:42000Firepower:450Coverage:100%Weapons:2xguidedmissilelaunchersSpecialAction:MissileVolley(32xmissiles)Velocity:295m/sManeuverability:verylowBuildTime:175secondsAvailability:Mission9

DeathtoStrikeCraft,theonlythingthatcanoutrunthemissilesareEvasiveScoutsonAfterburners(cloakingalsospoilsmissilelock-on).Theonlyproblemisthe32-missileinitialcapacity,onceanMDisempty,itsfiringratedropsoffsubstantially(asittakes0.5secondstomanufacturenewmissiles).ThisisaDestroyer,butit's*not*meantfortakingonotherCapitalandSuper-Capitalships-leavethatjobtoyourionbeam-equippedships.

DifferenttacticsalsoaltermissileaccuracyversusStrikeCraft:

Evasive50%Neutral70%Aggressive90%

SoonEvasiveforexample,halfofthemissilesfiredatenemiesaregoingtomiss.OnAggressive,only10%willmisstheirtarget.

RegardingMissileVolley:Ifused,yourMDwillfireoffhowevermanymissilesitcurrentlyhasinstock(thankstoKokifornotingthis).ThepenaltytopayisthatyourMDcan'tfire/manufacturenewmissilesfor10secondsaftertheVolleyattackhasbeenused,soobviously,itpaystouseMissileVolleyonlywhenyourshipshaveafull(oralmostfull)stockof32missiles.BTW,thisattackseemstomakethemissiles"dumb"-theirhomingcapabilityisdowngradedquitesubstantially.

Carrier--------

Cost:2000RUsMass:6000000tonsArmour:70000Firepower:109Coverage:100%(notreally)Weapons:4xfixedmassdrivers,ateachcorneroftheCarrierSpecialAction:build/dock/refuel/repairStrikeCraft,buildFrigatesVelocity:315m/sManeuverability:verylowBuildTime:280secondsAvailability:Mission9

Vitaltoyourfleet,theseshipsareabletomovea*LOT*fasterthanaMothership.Theyarebestusedasmobileconstructionyardsaroundresourceoperations,sinceyoucankeepchurningoutStrikeCraftandFrigatestothwartenemyattacks.Theirgunsareprettybadthough,andsendingaCarrieroutunescortedisjustaskingforittobesalvagedorblownup.Inmulti-player,yourCarrierstakeovertheroleofFleetCommandifyouloseyourMothership,thusit'sagoodideatobuildatleast1.Anyship(s)beingbuiltbyaCarrierwillalsodieiftheCarrierisdestroyed,thesameappliestoallStrikeCraftdockedinsidethedestroyedCarrier.


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ACarriercandock50Fightersand25Corvettesatatime(alittlesmalltofitallthoseshipsinside,Iwouldhavethought?).

HeavyCruiser--------------

Cost:3700RUsMass:8000000tonsArmour:90000Firepower:921Coverage:100%Weapons:(Kushan)2xdual-ion"wide"turrets,mountedabove/belownose;6xmassdriverturrets,ontop/bottom/sides(Taiidan)2xdual-ion"narrow"turrets,mountedabove/belownose;6xmass-driverturrets,mountedover-under-alongonsidesSpecialAction:-Velocity:250m/sManeuverability:verylowBuildTime:420secondsAvailability:Mission13

EventhebestHomeworldplayersknowthatanenemyHeavyCruiserisbadnews.Asthemanualstates,"WhenaHeavyCruisershowsuponthescene,thingsgetrealquietrealfast".Andit'strue-nothingcanmatchaHeavyCruiserin

termsofsheer,rawfirepower.TheirhugeamountofarmourallowsthemtoshrugoffanyStrikeCraftattack(exceptmaybeAttackBombers),andFrigatesdon'tdotoowellagainstthemeither(unlessyou'reabletobringabout10ICFstobearontheenemyCruiser).

Theonlythingthatcangohead-to-headwithaHeavyCruiserisanotherCruiserorfailingthat,atleast3Destroyers.Ifyou'reaskilledplayer,youcanexploitthisship'spoor(OK,*bad*)maneuverability:whileattackinganenemyCruiserwithDestroyersorFrigates,moveyourshipsaroundandifyou'relucky,you'llbeabletoavoidtheCruiser'sionbeams.(Youprobablywon'tbeabletododgetheturretfire,butbulletsare*nothing*comparedtoioncannons...)

Forallitspower,though,theHeavyCruiserisoneslowship.Theonlyships

thatcan'toutrunitareMotherships(ouch),soifyouneedtomoveaCruiseracrossthemap,Hyperspaceisprobablythebestoption.

***MOTHERSHIPCLASS***

Mothership-----------

Cost:-Mass:5000000tonsArmour:160000Firepower:7500Coverage:60%

Weapons:6xfixedmassdrivermounts(variouslocationsonhull)SpecialAction:buildallshipclasses,repairStrikeCraftandResourcersVelocity:50m/sManeuverability:very,verylow(notmoveableinsingle-player)BuildTime:-Availability:Mission1(duh)

Theheartofyourfleet,abletobuildandcaptureeveryship.Insingle-playeryouloseifyourMothershipisdestroyed,inmulti-playeryouloseonlyifyoudon'thaveaCarrier(FleetCommandtransferstotheCarrierinthatsituation).


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AMothershipcandock150Fightersand50Corvettes,whichisstupidwhenyouconsiderthatinsingle-player,youcanonlybuild80Fightersmaximum.

LikemanyKushanandTaiidanships,thedifferencesarenotonlycosmetic.TheKushanMothershiphasthe"door"ontheside,whichhastobeopenedandclosedeverytimeaSuper-CapitalShipgoesinorout-andthattakesprecioustime.TheTaiidanMothershipjusthasthelargebayinitsbelly,solargeshipsaremovedinandoutmuchquicker.

Butthen,ofcourse,theKushanMothershipisabletoproduceandsalvageFrigatesalotquicker,becausealmostassoonastheshipleavesthebay,itisreadytoroll.TheTaiidanMothershipproducesFrigatesfromvariousbays,andthereisashortdelaybeforetheyareunderyourcontrol.So,it'sallsubjectivewhenyou'rechoosingyourrace.

TheMothership'sgunsaresmallandweak,buttheyfireveryfastandareveryaccurate.LiketheAssaultFrigate,thebulletsseemtomassmorethanotherships'bullets,soanythingthatgetshitbythemwill"bounce"backeversoslightly(notsoslightlyforScouts,hehe).

AswiththeCarrier,anyshipsbeingbuiltwhentheMohershipdies,diewithit.Youdon'tgettheRUsback,either:(.AdyingMothershipalsocausesamassiveamountofscuttledamage,wingsofStrikeCraftcanbewipedoutinstantly,andevenFrigatesonoccasion-soit'swisetokeepasfarawayaspossiblewhen

assaultinganenemy'sMothership.

TheKushanMothershiphassomebugs,too:itcanhappenthatwhenaSuper-CapitalShipisbeingcapturedorisleavingtheconstructionbay,the"door"oftheMothershipgets"stuck",andthentheshipthat'stherewillbetrappedinthatposition-unusable*FOREVER*.Also,sometimestheKushanMothershipseemstolosetrackofsalvagegroups,whichcanresultinSalvagerssittingthere,holdingaship,adinfinitum.ThesolutionistotellthewaitingSalvagerstostopsalvagingthatship(pressthetildekey~),thenquicklyre-issuethesalvagecommand.Theshipshouldnowbesalvagedproperly.

***NON-COMBATSHIPS***

ResourceCollector-------------------

Cost:650RUsMass:40000tonsArmour:10800Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:refuelStrikeCraftVelocity:300m/sManeuverability:mediumBuildTime:60seconds


Youcan'tdoanythingwithoutRUs,whichiswhyyouneedResourceCollectors.TheyuseaPhasedDisassemblyArray(aka"harvesterbeam")toextractmaterialsfromasteroids,dustcloudsandnebulae;thesematerialsbecometheResourceUnits(RUs)usedtobuildandHyperspaceyourships.Whenfull,aResourcercancarry650RUsworthofmaterial(not600,asKokipointedout).

Assuch,theseshipsarevitaltoanyfleet,insingle-playerandmulti-player.Sincetheyareunarmedandslow,they*NEED*tobeprotectedeverysinglesecond


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ofthegame,oryourRUsupplywilldryupastheydie,andsoonyou'redeadtoo.

TheSpecialActionisslightlyuseless:StrikeCraftareNOTrepaired,onlyrefueled.Inaddition,theResourcerhasonly1dockingpad,soit'sVERYslowtotellanentirestrikewingtodockwithit.Personally,Ineverhavefoundtheneedtousethisability;SupportFrigatesaredesignedforthisrole,justkeepyourResourcersharvesting.

ResourceController--------------------

Cost:680RUsMass:79000tonsArmour:13600Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:refuelStrikeCraftVelocity:300m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:65secondsAvailability:Mission4

AmobiledockingpadforResourceCollectors,allowstheResourcerstodeposittheirharvestedRUsalotquickerthanreturningtoaMothershiporCarrierwhenevertheyhaveafullload.ThebestwaytousetheseistotellthemtoguardthemtoguardaCollector.LiketheCollectoritcanrefuel(NOTrepair)StrikeCraft,butaControllercanassist4Fightersand2Corvettesatatime.

ThereisamajordifferencebetweentheKushanandTaiidanControllers:theKushanonerequirestheResourcerstorolloverby180todock,whiletheTaiidanonedoesnotneedthis.Andinaddition,whenResourcersdockwithaController,theydon'tgetrepaired(theydowhentheydockwithaMothershiporCarrier).

Probe

------

Cost:30RUsMass:40tonsArmour:800Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:-Velocity:4000m/s(one-timeuse)Maneuverability:mediumBuildTime:6secondsAvailability:Mission1

AProbeis,asitsnamesuggest,usedtocheckuponenemypositions.Theycanonlybeusedonce:yougivetheProbeitsmoveorder,itwillgotothatlocation,andthenitcanneverbeusedagain.IfyouseeProbesbeingmovedmorethanonce,theplayercontrollingthatProbeischeating!

Computerplayerslovethesebutgenerally,they'renotveryuseful.Scoutsmaynotbeasfast,buttheycanatleastdodgegunfire,andshootbackatattackers.Thebestusefortheseis"Probegolf",asdiscussedinthemulti-playersection:build100Probes,setthemalltomovethroughanenemyship,


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andtheywillramit,causinglotsofdamage.ScuttlingaProbewillkillScoutsanddamageotherStrikeCraftnearby.

GravityWellGenerator-----------------------

Cost:800RUsMass:65000tonsArmour:8000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:activategravityfield(areaofeffect:5.5kmradiuscanusefor:210secondsrechargetime:none,single-use)Velocity:325m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:60secondsAvailability:Mission9

The"GravWell"GeneratorcantrapallStrikeCraftinitsfield(exceptforSalvageCorvettes);inmulti-playermode,shipsthatHyperspaceintoaGravWell'sareaofeffectwillbestuckinthismode,unabletomoveor

attack-perfectforsalvaging.

Thegravityfieldcyclesinasinewave,i.e.itisnotconstantbutweakensandstrengthensina6-secondcycle;thismeansthatsometrappedStrikeCraftmayoccasionallybeabletomoveorstartshootingagain.

Thenatureofthegravityfieldalsomeansthatitisnotinfinitelyusable;thebarundertheGravWell'shealthbarsignifieshowmuchlongeritcancreatethefield.Whenthebargetstoempty,theGravWellwillself-destructunderthestrain,soit'swisetoretirethesebeforeit'stoolate.

KushanGravWellsareeasytodetectwhentheyare"on",astheyhavethosemassivewhite"sails"thatextend.TaiidanGravWellsarestealthier,asthey

givenoclearvisualindicationoftheiron/offstate.

CloakGenerator----------------

Cost:500RUsMass:22000tonsArmour:6000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:activatecloakfield(areaofeffect:2.5kmradius

canusefor:300secondsrechargetime:600seconds)Velocity:325m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:60secondsAvailability:Mission9

Asyoumightexpect,theCloakGeneratorproducesacloakingfieldwhichhidesanyshipsinsidethatfieldfromvisualdetectionandpassivesensors.However,ProximitySensorscanseethroughcloakfields,soifyouareplanningacloaked


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attack,makesuretherearenoSensorsaround.

Shipsinsidethefieldwilldecloaktemporarilywhenfiring,assoonastheyhavefiredashottheywillbere-cloaked.Thus,it'sbesttocloakonlyion-beamequippedships,astheywillbehiddenforlongerperiodsoftimethanStrikeCraft.CarriersandMothershipscannotbecloaked,thisistopreventpeoplefromhidingawayforeverinmulti-player.

Thesearebestusedingroupsof3:startoneoftheCloaks,thenwhenitisalmostemptystartanotherandletthefirstonerecharge.Whenthesecondoneisusedup,startthethirdone.Bythetimethefirstoneisusedagain,itwillbefullycharged.

Notethatyoucanrunacloakfielddowntozero,BUTyoucanonlyrestartthefieldifitisrechargedtoover50%(i.e.>=301seconds).

ProximitySensor-----------------

Cost:50RUsMass:40tonsArmour:800Firepower:-Coverage:-

Weapons:-SpecialAction:-Velocity:1000m/sManeuverability:veryhighBuildTime:6secondsAvailability:Mission10

BetterthanScoutsforscouting,sincetheyarecheaper,justasfast,canspotcloakedships,anddon'tneedfuel.Theabilitytoseethroughcloakfields,though,isthemainreasontobuild'em-inmulti-player,yourenemieswilltryanythingtokillyou,andcloakedshipsareverypopular.Nothavingatleastahandfuloftheseisabigno-no.

SensorsArray--------------

Cost:800RUsMass:2900tonsArmour:6000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:-Velocity:280m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:80seconds


Thisunitallowsyoutoseeeverysingleshiponthemap,exceptforcloakedships.Ofcourse,unlessyouhaveyourownshipsnearby,youcan'tactuallyseewhatthoseenemyshipsare-allyouseearereddots.So,enemiescouldfakeupafleet(usingStrikeCraftasopposedtoFrigates,say)andmoveittowardsyou;thispsychesyouout,maybeyouwillmoveshipstothe"threat"inpanic,allowingtheenemytotakeadvantageofhisdiversionandlaunchatrueattacksomewhereelse.


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ResearchShip--------------

Cost:700RUsMass:11000tonsArmour:4500(27000with6ResearchShips)Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:-Velocity:280m/sManeuverability:lowBuildTime:60secondsAvailability:Mission1

Withoutnewtechnologies,youcan'tbuildnewships.Withoutnewships,youcan'tsurvive.Whichiswhyit'susefultohaveasmanyResearchShipsaround,asfleetresourcesallow.

Youcanbuilduptoamaximumof6oftheseships;onmostmulti-playermapsyoustartoffwith1.Separateresearchshipswilllinktogethertoformalarger,compositeship,withbetterarmour.So,6linkedResearchShipsbecome1shipwith6timesthearmourofasingleship.4linkedResearchershave4xthearmour.Yougettheidea...

Morethan1ResearchShipcanresearchaspecifictechnologyatonce.IntheResearchManager,usetheCTRLorSHIFTkeystoselectmultipleResearchers,thendouble-clickthetechnologytoresearch.Notethatthemoreshipsyouhaveresearchingasingletechnologytogether,thefasterthattechnologyisresearched.

Here'satableofthetechnologiesavailable,plusthetimetheytaketoresearch.*NOTE*,thistableisthetimeittakefor1ResearchShiptocompletethelistedtechnology:

+--------------------------+------------------+|Technology |Timetoresearch|

||(seconds)|+--------------------------+------------------+| |||FighterDrive |75||FighterChassis |125||DefenderSubsystems |300||PlasmaBombLauncher |300||CloakedFighter |400||DefenceFighter |400|| | ||CorvetteDrive |75||CorvetteChassis |200||HeavyCorvetteUpgrade|250|

|Fast-TrackingTurrets |300||MinelayingTech |300|| | ||CapitalShipDrive |100||CapitalShipChassis |320||IonCannons |450||DroneTechnology |400||DefenceFieldTechnology|400||GuidedMissiles |300||Super-CapitalShipDrive|450|


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|Super-HeavyChassis |250||HeavyGuns |650|| | ||ProximitySensor |100||SensorsArray |400||GravityWellGenerator|520||CloakGenerator |520|| | |+--------------------------+------------------+

Theresearchtimepercentagesaresomethinglikethis:

1ResearchShip 100%ofresearchtime2ResearchShips 64%3ResearchShips 44%4ResearchShips 37%5ResearchShips 30%6ResearchShips 28%

Solet'stakeProximitySensor,whichtakes100secondstoresearchwith1ship.Usingthetablesabove,itwouldtake(100*64%)=64secondstoresearchwith2Researchers.With3,itbecomes(100*44%)=44seconds.Yougettheidea.

--------------------

3.TuranicRaiders--------------------

TheRaiderswereoriginallyaprimitiveracelivingonasmall,harshplanet,untiltheywerediscoveredbytheTaiidani,roughly2000yearsago.Seeingthe"potential"ofthecruel,barbaricRaiders,theTaiidangavethemtechnologywhichcatapultedthemathousandyearsintothefuture,andintothestarstoharassothergalacticraces.Inreturn,theRaiderswereexpectedtoservetheTaiidanEmpire-apromisewhichtheyhavefaithfully,andfanatically,kept.WhentheyarenotservingtheEmpire,theRaiderpracticeoneoftheoldest,andleastrespectable,professions:piracy.Noshipissafefromthisscourge.

Whenthereisanunpleasantjobtobedone,oramissionthatitispolitically

impossibletocarryout,theTaiidanEmperorwillcallintheRaiders.Onlythehighest-rankingarmyofficials-andtheEmperorhimself-knowoftheconnectionbetweentheRaidersandtheEmpire,soitiseasytousethepiratesinthisway.


NOTE:manyofthestatshereareguestimated.

Fighter--------

Mass:70tons

Armour:225Firepower:20Coverage:5%Weapons:1xmassdriver(nose-mounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:780m/sManeuverability:highFirstEncountered:Mission2

AcrossbetweenaScoutandanInterceptor,thisistheRaiders'mainstayship,


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whichtheytendtouseinmassedgroupsagainsttargets.Goodarmourandfirepower,butagainstCorvettestheysufferthesamefateasallFighter-classships-aquickdeath.

StandardCorvette------------------

Mass:150tonsArmour:1100Firepower:14Coverage:1%Weapons:2xmassdriver("turreted")SpecialAction:salvageVelocity:500m/sManeuverability:mediumFirstEncountered:Mission2

TakeaKushanSalvageCorvette,remodelit,add2massdriverturrets,andyou'vegotaStandardCorvette.However,theconceptdoesnottranslateintopracticeverywell,andinrealitytheStandardCorvetteistheleastthreateningshipthattheRaiderswillthrowatyou.The"turrets"areincrediblyslowtoturnandveryinaccurate,soallinall,thisisquiteaweaklingofaship,whichpopseasilywhenconfrontedbyHeavyCorvettes.

Notethatitcansalvageyourships(it'scodenamedthe"Thief"forthisreason),buttheRaidersneverattempttodosointhesingle-playergame.

MissileCorvette-----------------

Mass:775tonsArmour:1400Firepower:12(permissile)Coverage:100%Weapons:2xmissilelaunchers(miniaturemissiles)SpecialAction:MissileBurst(60xmissiles-50%damagetoaDestroyer!)Velocity:500m/s

Maneuverability:mediumFirstEncountered:Mission2

Nowthisisa*lot*better,theMissileCorvettehasdualmissile-launchingbaysmountedoneithersideofthecockpit.Themissilesarefiredinpairs,doapoundofdamage,areveryquicktolaunchandrebuild,ANDamissilebursthasDOUBLEthemissilesofaMissileDestroyer!ThemissilesarealsomoremaneuverablethanthoseofaMD,andtheytravelaLONGwayafterenemyships.

Theonlyproblemisthatit'saCorvette,soitssurvivabilityisbadbecauseenemieswillalwaysgunforit.MissileCorvettesalsohaveslowspeedandbadmaneuverability,sotheyaren'tverygoodatrunningaway.

IonArrayFrigate------------------

Mass:55000tonsArmour:12400Firepower:150(estimated)Coverage:3%Weapons:1xioncannon(fixed,forward-firing)SpecialAction:-Velocity:245m/s


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Maneuverability:lowFirstEncountered:Mission3

Alow-gradeIonCannonFrigate,theyareveryslow(evenaHeavyCruiserisfaster!!!),can'tturnfastenoughtolockontoaSalvager,andtheirarmouris,quitefrankly,pathetic.Noself-repairabilityeither,howeverthoselarge"wings"(magneticaccelerators)oneithersideoftheFrigatemakeitsbeamstrongerthanthatofastandardIonCannonFrigate's;theionbeamfiresmoreoftenaswell,soitcausesmoredamage.Apartfromthat,nothingspecial.

BattleCarrier---------------

Mass:1000000tonsArmour:96000Firepower:476Coverage:3%Weapons:2xioncannon(fixed,forward-firing)10xmassdrivers(fixed,body-mountedinvariousdefensivepositions)SpecialAction:build/repair/refuelStrikeCraft,buildFrigatesVelocity:235m/sManeuverability:low(seemstobeverylow)FirstEncountered:Mission2

ThecrossbreedofaDestroyerandaCarrier,thisisadangerousshipthatshouldnotbetakenlightly.Ittakesalotofpoundingtodie,anditcanputsomeserioushurtonanythingattackingit.

However,it'snotveryusefulasaCarrier,sinceitsdockingratesareveryslow(itisabletobuildIonArrayFrigates,butitneveractuallydoes).ItsmassdriversfirefasterandmoreaccuratelythanaCarrier's,sousingStrikeCraftontheseisnotagoodidea-breakouttheioncannonsinstead.

------------4.Bentusi------------

TheBentusiareamysticraceofpeacefultraders,whoplayalargepartinhelpingtheexiledKharakiansregaintheirHomeworld.Theyarealsoknownas"theUnbound",why,youask?

Wellyousee,everyBentusishipisactuallycrewedbyonly1Bentusiperson,BUTthatpersonis...integrated...withthatship.So,likeKaranS'jet,theBentusi'sshipsaretheirbodies:iftheirshipgetsattacked,theyphysicallyfeelpain.Theyare"unbound"becausetheyarenotconfinedbytheirshipsliketheKharakians,butrather,theirshipsareanextensionoftheirbeings.

Ionbeamcolor:gold-white


BentusiExchange-----------------

Mass:4000000tonsArmour:400000Firepower:900persecondCoverage:50%Weapons:3xioncannon(fixed,rapid-firing)SpecialAction:-


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Velocity:200m/sManeuverability:lowFirstEncountered:Mission4

ThemainBentusishipthatyouwillencounter,eachExchangeisaMothershipalone,butwhataship!TriplerepeatingioncannonsallowanExchangetotrackanddestroyANYshiptype,andsincetheydosomuchdamage,it'srareforevenTuranicRaiderstoattacktheBentusi.ThankgoodnesstheTradersareonyourside...

CargoBarge------------

Mass:40000tonsArmour:20000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:-Velocity:350m/sManeuverability:lowFirstEncountered:Mission11

Thislookslikeit'ssupposedtobeanescapepod;inMission11,it'sfleeing

theBentusiExchangewhichisunderattackfromtheTaiidan.Butthatdoesn'tmakemuchsense,consideringtheUnboundnatureoftheBentusi...Anyhow,it'saweakandunarmedship,andyouonlyeverseeitonceinthegame.Shame.

------------5.Kadeshi------------

TheKadeshi(alsospeltKhadeshi)aredescendantsoftheExilesfromHiigara;butunlikethemainfleetofprisonshipswhichcontinuedontoKharak,theKadeshigroupbrokeawayanddecidedtotaketheirchanceswithlivingintheGreatNebula.

AsthevariousKiithfamilygroupingsshow,theKharakiansareahighlyreligiouspeople,andsoitiswiththeKadeshi.AstheygrewandprosperedintheGreatNebula,theycametoidentifywithit,until"itbecamethecenteroftheirexistence,andultimately,theirreligion"(inthewordsofFleetIntelligence)-itbecomessomethingakintotheGardenofEdenforthem(thisiswhytheKadeshareknownasthe"ProtectorsoftheGardens").Thus,whenthereturningExilesharvesttheNebula,theKadeshiattackbecausetheyseethisasdefilingthesacrednatureoftheirhome.

AndbecausetheProtectorswillnotlistentoreason,theKharakiansareforcedtodestroytheirlong-lostbrothers,inordertomakeitoutoftheNebulaaliveandcontinuethejourneytotheirHomeworld.



Swarmer--------

Mass:8tonsArmour:400Firepower:43


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Coverage:4%Weapons:2xrapid-firemassdrivers(fixed,belly-mounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:1500m/sManeuverability:veryhigh(seemstobeveryveryVERYhigh!)FirstEncountered:Mission7

ThemostdangerousStrikeCrafteverbuilt,thesethingsareincrediblyfastandmaneuverable,andtheypackaseriouspunchtoo.Theonlysure-firedefenceagainstthemareMulti-GunCorvettes,DroneFrigates,and/orDefenders-evenHeavyCorvettesstruggletoblastthem,andofcourse,with400armourpointstheytakefartoolongtodie...youmayevenfindtheyrunoutoffuelbeforeyoucankillthemall.

AdvancedSwarmer-----------------

Mass:10tonsArmour:550Firepower:24Coverage:8%Weapons:4xrapid-firemassdrivers(fixed,belly-mounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:1000m/s

Maneuverability:highFirstEncountered:Mission8

LowerstatsthantheSwarmer,BUTthegunsfirefastersothatFirepowerratingismisleading.Theyarestilldifficulttokilloff,butnotsodifficultasSwarmers,andsincetherearefeweroftheminthegame,youmaynotevennoticethedifference.TheyhaveslightlybiggergastanksthanSwarmers,butnotenoughtocount,andsoarealsodeadinspacewithoutFuelPods.

FuelPod---------

Mass:10tons

Armour:550Firepower:65Coverage:10%Weapons:1xrapid-firemassdriver(fixed,nose-mounted)SpecialAction:repair/refuelStrikeCraftVelocity:250m/sManeuverability:lowFirstEncountered:Mission7

TheKadeshiversionoftheSupportFrigate;uglyships,buttheydotheirjoboftoppinguptheSwarmers'punyfueltanks.TheirsinglegunisbetterthantheweaponofastandardSupportFrigate,asitismuchmoreaccurate.Killtheseoff(orsalvage'em)toleavetheSwarmersstrandedhighanddry.

Multi-BeamFrigate-------------------

Mass:50000tonsArmour:15200Firepower:600Coverage:20%Weapons:4xheavyioncannons(fixed,body-mounted)SpecialAction:-


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Velocity:280m/sManeuverability:lowFirstEncountered:Mission8

ScaryashellwhentheyappearandbeginrakingtheMothershipwiththeirquad-ionbeams,thesearelike4IonCannonFrigatescombinedinto1seriouslydeadlyship.Salvageasmanyasyoucan,andyouwon'tbelackinginfirepowerfortherestofthegame.

The"raking"abilityisuseful,becauseitallowsthisFrigatetokillStrikeCraft;sincethebeamsstay"on"forquiteawhile,theMBFcanjustsweepthemaroundandsliceintoanything.ThepowerofthesebeamsisNOTtobeunder-estimated;14MBFscankillaHeavyCruiserinunder8seconds.TheymayhavealittletroubletrackingFrigates,butwhenthesebeamshit...itreallyhurts.

NeedleMothership------------------

Mass:2000000tonsArmour:112000Firepower:600Coverage:20%Weapons:1xheavyioncannon(fixed,forward-mounted)13xmassdrivers(fixed,body-mountedindefensivepositions)

SpecialAction:repair/refuel/buildStrikeCraftandFrigates,preventHyperspacing,ramVelocity:150m/sManeuverability:verylowFirstEncountered:Mission7

Thisisaverycool-lookingcraft,theneedledesignlooksfragilebutbeliesthisship'struepower.StrikeCraftgeteatenalivebythemassdrivers,andCapitalShipstakeheavydamagefromthesingle,butmassivelypowerful,ioncannonmountedinthe"head"oftheship.Ofcourse,ifyourshipsgettooclose,theNeedleMothershipwillalsoramthem,which*instantly*killsaDestroyeruponimpact.Andadditionally,thebuilt-inHyperspaceInhibitorpreventsyoufromleavingtheGreatNebula.Allinall,anawe-inspiringfoe

andanastypieceofworktogotoe-to-toewith.IfonlyyourMothershiphaditscapabilities...

------------------6.Miscellaneous------------------

Thissectionisfortheshipsthatdon'tbelonganywhereelse(e.g.KarosGraveyard).

Armour,SpecialAction,WeaponsandVelocityareallknown(true)values;everythingelseisguestimated,sincethereisnorealwaytofindoutthosestats.

GhostShip-----------

Mass:40000tonsArmour:800000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:controlfield


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Velocity:-Maneuverability:-FirstEncountered:Mission9

ThisisthestrangealienvesselyouencounteronMission9(SeaofLostSouls)inthesingle-playergame.With800000armourpoints(5xthearmourofaMothership),it'snowonderthethingiswell-nighimpossibletokill.YouhavetouseyourStrikeCrafttodamageitenoughanddisablethecontrolfielditemits,whichcancaptureCapitalShipsandplacethemunderthisstrangecraft'scontrol.

ResearchStation-----------------

Mass:1000000tonsArmour:200000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:-Velocity:-Maneuverability:-FirstEncountered:Mission10

FoundinMission10,thisistheResearchStationthatyoumustdestroy.Itiscompletelydefencelesswithoutitsescort,soonceyou'vekilledthem,thisStationdiesprettyfast.

JunkyardDawg--------------

Mass:50000tonsArmour:110600Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:salvagealmostANYTHING

Velocity:750m/sManeuverability:mediumFirstEncountered:Mission13

TheultimateSalvageCorvette,capableofgrabbinganyshipuptoSuper-Capitalclass.FoundintheKarosGraveyard,it'sbloodyfasttoo,andthathugearmourratingmeansit'sverydifficulttokill...butnotifyouhaveaGravWellGeneratorwithyou.

Autogun(small)----------------

Mass:100tons

Armour:600Firepower:50Coverage:100%Weapons:1xrapid-firemassdriver(fixed,forward-mounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:-Maneuverability:-FirstEncountered:Mission13

Autogun(large)


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----------------

Mass:80tonsArmour:900Firepower:55Coverage:100%Weapons:1xmedium-firemassdriver(fixed,forward-mounted)SpecialAction:-Velocity:-Maneuverability:-FirstEncountered:Mission13

NastylittleturretsfoundintheKarosGraveyard,theyfireextremelyfastandpackquiteapunchtoo,whichiswhyyoucan'tjustrunStrikeCraftpastthem.KillthesewithyourSuper-CapitalShips-ioncannonsworkbest,sincetheAutogunscanrotatetotracktargets,butareincapableofanysortofmovement.

HyperspaceInhibitor---------------------

Mass:100000tons(eachsegment)Armour:70000Firepower:-Coverage:-

Weapons:-SpecialAction:preventHyperspacingVelocity:-Maneuverability:-FirstEncountered:Mission14

ThisistheInhibitorthatyouhavetodestroyinMission14(BridgeofSighs),toenabletheExilestoreturntotheirHomeworld.Notethatthestatsaboveareforeach*segment*oftheInhibitor,thereare8segmentsintotalwhichyouhavetodestroy.However,thesesegmentshaverelativelylowhealth,anddestroying1cansetoffachainreactionwhichdestroysothers.TheInhibitorisdangerousonlybecauseofthefactthatitrotates;anyshipsthatgetsmackedbyoneofthesegmentswillbeinstantlydestroyedoratleast,very

badlydamaged.Soit'swisetokeepyourdistancewhenattacking.

HeadshotAsteroid------------------

Mass:2000000tonsArmour:450000Firepower:-Coverage:-Weapons:-SpecialAction:RAM!Velocity:1000m/sManeuverability:extremelylow

FirstEncountered:Mission15

Thisisamassiveasteroidwithanevenbiggerenginestrappedontoit,thearmourpointsarethemainreasonittakessolongtodie.FoundatChapelPerilous,thisrepresentsalast-ditchattemptbytheTaiidanitoendtheExiles'return-theasteroidismeanttoraminto,anddestroy,theMothershipandalltheKharakiancolonistsaboard.Itneedstobeblastedveryhardandverylongtodie,butyoushouldjustaboutmakeit.

________________________________________________________________________________


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============J.Tactics============

Thereare3differentshipstacticslevelsinHomeworld,theyarecoveredinthemanualbutIwillgivemyowninformationaboutthemaswell.

Evasive :Thismakesshipsunwillingtoentercombat,i.e.evenif(F2)enemiesentertheirlineofsightorattack,Evasiveshipswilldonothingtodefendthemselves.Engine/weaponssplitisroughly120/80forStrikeCraft,sotheydolessdamagebutmovefasterandthussurvivelonger;morefuelisburntoff;andEvasiveStrikeCraftalsosplitupintopairswhenattacking.RegardingCapitalShips,thistactichasnoeffectonspeedorweaponspowerBUTmakesthemattackonlyonyourcommand(usefulinbigmelees).ItalsoforcesSupportFrigatestoignoreenemyfireandonlyrepairselectedships.EvasiveResourcerswilldockwiththenearestcapableship(Mothership,Carrier,ResourceController)whenshotat.EvasiveScoutsareusefultoannoytheenemy,orstallfortimeifnecessary.

Neutral :Thedefaultsettingforallnewly-builtships.Shipsonthis

(F3) settingwillattackenemyshipsthatcomewithinrange,butwillnotmovefromtheirpositions/orderstodoso.Engine/weaponspercentagesare100/100forStrikeCraft.Goodtouseforshipsguardingotherships.

Aggressive :Shipsonthissettingattackuntiltheyortheenemyare/is(F4) dead.Nofancyflightmaneuversareperformedandshipsare

slower,soyouwilllosemoreshipswhentheyareonAggressive.Engine/weaponstranslateto80/120forStrikeCraft.Aggressiveshipswillattackandpursueanyenemiesthatentertheirsights;AggressiveResourcerswillignoreattackersandcontinueharvesting.Onsomeoccasions,idleResourcersonAggressivewillactuallyattackanddestroy

enemyships(Frigate-classandlarger);theydothisbyusingtheirPDAbeamtosuckthearmourofftheenemyship'shull,soyouactuallygetRUsfromthis:).

Generally,Evasiveisbestwhenmovingshipsaround,ortryingtorunfromenemies(CapitalShips*donot*receiveaspeedboostfromEvasive).SwitchtoAggressivewhenclosingwithenemyfleets,orwhenyouneedthatvitalkillandlosingshipsisnotanissue.Neutralisbestusedforshipsthatareguardingotherships,astheguardswillattackanythingfightingthemortheshipthey'reguarding,butwillnotpursuetheattackers(andthusleavetheguardedshipvulnerabletootherattacks).

________________________________________________________________________________

===============K.Formations===============

TheseformationsapplytoallshipsinHomeworld,BUTforreasonsexplainedbelow(***seeNOTE1),CapitalShipsshould*never*beplacedinformations.

Delta :Prettyuselessasaformation,shipsinthisformationare(F5) easytospotandeasiertokill;killingtheforemostshipin


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theformationbreaksitup.BestusedforAttackBombersandnotmuchelse.

Broad :*The*mostuselessformation,onlygoodwhenyouhavemany(F6) ships(example:SalvageCorvettes)thatyouneedtoselect

insmallgroups.Onlytheinsanewouldusethisformationtoattack,asenemieswillbeabletopickshipsoffeasily.

X :BestusedforStrikeCraft;thisformationallowsthemto(F7) dodgemuchincominggunfirewhileatthesametime,blasting

awayattheenemy.Theslow-ishturnaroundtimeofthisformationisitsonlynegativeaspect.Agoodformationforguardingotherships,andforattackingmultipletargets.

Claw :Onlytobeusedwhenattackingasingletarget;thisformation(F8) concentratesanearly-continuousstreamofgunfireatthe

target.However,thisformationpacksshipsveryclosetogether,makingiteasytohitthem.Andthiscomplexformationalsotakesalooongtimetoturnaround.BestusedwithgroupsofStrikeCraftlessthan30strong.

Wall :Asmentionedelsewhere,16Lightand/orHeavyCorvettesina(F9) Wall,withdecentsupport,candoalotofdamage.But

generally,theWallisbestusedforslow-movingCapitalShips

becauseofitsslowturntime.Also,shipsinthisformationarepackedverycloselytogetherandthus,arevulnerabletomineandmissileattacks,aswellastheHeavyCorvette'sBurstFiremode(whichcanpopFighterwallsverywell).

Sphere :Asitsnameimplies,attackingshipswillformaspherearound(F10) theenemy,andbeginpouringgunfireintothefoe'shull.

Becausetheshipsinthisformationdonotmove,theirweaponsaremuchmoreaccuratethaninanyotherformationBUTconversely,theydiemucheasierastheymakenoattempttoavoidincominggunfire.BestusedforStrikeCraft-killingunprotectedResourcers,orquicklyfinishingoffadangerousship.

Custom :Almostneverused,shipssettothisformationwillstayin(F11) thepositionsthey'recurrentlyin.Prettyuseless,really.

Insummary:Delta,BroadandCustomarevirtuallyuseless.Xisthebestgeneral-purposeformation,andexcellentforStrikeCraft.ClawisbestforFightersthatareattackingsingleCapitalShips.WallisexcellentforCorvettes,badforanyotherStrikeCraft(exceptmaybeDefendersandBombers),andgoodforCapitalShips(butthen,youshouldn'thaveyourCapitalShipsinaformationanyway).Sphereisausefulguardingformation,andperfectforhittingenemyshipsashardaspossibleinashorttime.

***NOTE1:*Never,ever*putyourCapitalShipsinformation.Trythis:get2

groupsofCapitalShips.Put1groupinaformationandleavetheotherdisorganised.Nowtellbothgroupstoturnaround.Whatyouwillnotice,isthattheformation'dshipswillperformallsortsoftime-wastingstuntstorespondtoyourorder,whiletheothergroup'sshipswillsimplyrotate180ontheiraxesandbeginmovingdirectlytothelocationyouchose.It'ssimple:information,shipsmustmoveas1group;withoutaformation,shipscanmoveindividually,whichisprobablyabout10timesfastertoturnandattack.ForslowCapitalShips,thefastertheybringgunstobearontheenemy,thebetter.So,don'tuse


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formationsforyourheaviesthitters.

***NOTE2:Theoneproblemwithhavingnoformations,isthatshipsaremuchmorelikelytoshooteachotherinamelee.(VerylikelyforStrikeCraft,notsomuchforCapitalShips-exceptMissileDestroyers).Ifyouseeyourships"clumping"toocloselytogether,justgivethemmoveordersandtheyshouldgetsortedout.

________________________________________________________________________________

==================L.DamageRatios==================

InHomeworld,shipshavedifferentlevelsofarmourondifferentpartsoftheirbodies.Ifyouhaveplayedthesingle-playercampaign,youmayrecallthatinMission4,FleetCommandnotesthat"...CapitalShipshavelighterarmouronthetop,bottomandrearsides".Thisistrue,butthat'snottheentiretruth;here'satableofthedamageratiosforshiparmourareas.

Front 90%ofweaponsdamageRear(engines) 170%Sides 100%Top 130%

Bottom 130%

So,sayyouhaveaweaponthatdoes10damage.Ifithitsthefrontofanenemyship,thatshipwilltake(10*90%)=9damage.If,however,youshootthatenemyshipintheengines,itwilltake(10*170%)=17damage.

Obviouslyit'sbesttogetbehindenemiesandattack,butinrealityyouwillrarelyhavetheopportunitytokillashipbyfiringionbeamsintoitsengines.It'smorelikelythatyou'llbeabletoget130%damage,andinmostcasesyouwillbeattackingenemiesfromthefront(sincethat'swherealltheweaponsaretofireatyou...),sousuallyonly90%damageresults.

NOTE:theseratiosdon'tapplytoMotherships,whichtake100%ofweaponsdamage

regardlessofwherethey'reshot.

________________________________________________________________________________

==============================M.Single-playerwalkthrough==============================

Homeworldcanbeadifficultgameinplaces,tosaytheleast;).Well,thiswalkthroughis(hopefully)goingtohelpyouthroughtheroughspots.Somepartsmayspoilthegameforyou,butdon'tblameme!

IplayedthegameasKushan,soifyou'replayingitasTaiidan,somebitsmay

notmakesense.Solution:playasKushan.

NOTE:ThebeautyofHomeworldisthatthereisno"right"or"wrong"waytocompletethegame!Thiswalkthroughishow*I*didit.Ifyouknowabetterwayofcompletingamission,pleaseletmeknow,and(ifIuseyourtip)I'llcredityou.

*Remember*-ifyou'renothavingfun,thenyou'renotplayingthegameright!

------------------


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1.KharakSystem------------------

Ifyouwerestupidanddidnotcompletethetrainingmissionasadvised(RTFM,k?),thenthislevelwillmakesurethatyouatleastknowwhatthehellisgoingon.

I'mquitesure(OK,I*hope*)thatyouwon'tneedanin-depthguidehere,justfollowtheinstructionsandyou'llbefine.

SetyourScoutstoGroup1(CTRL+1),yourResourceCollectortoGroup2,andyourSalvageCorvettetoGroup3.

Notethatwhenyou'resalvagingtheTargetDrone,youmustn'tgiveyourSalvageCorvetteanyotherorders(includingmovement),orit'llletgooftheDrone.

Onceyouhavefulfilledallorders,Hyperspaceout...andgetreadyfortherealgametobegin.

-------------------------------2.OutskirtsofKharakSystem-------------------------------

Asthemovieexplains,youaresupposedtomeettheKhar-Selim,yoursupport

ship,inthislocation.Butsheain'trespondingtotheMothership'sradiocall...andifyou'reanykindofgamesplayer,youknowthatmeanssomething'sup!

*DONOT*send*anything*totheKhar-Selim-atleast,notyet.You'llneedsomethingalotbetterthanwhinyScoutstoprotecttheMothership,sogetresearchingCorvettes.Setyour7ScoutstoguardyourResourceCollector(holdGandclicktheCollector)onAggressivetactics/Sphereformation,thensenditofftoharvest.

Withyouradditionalresources,build4HeavyCorvettesandsetthemtoAggressive/Xformation;setthemtoGroup4,tellthemtoguardtheMothership,andmoveyourResearchShipasfarbehindtheMothershipasitcango.Build

another4HeavyCorvettes(group5),andtellthemtoguardyourSalvageCorvette(Aggressive/sphere).

Afteryou'veharvestedenough,you'llmeettheTuranicRaiders.They'rearaceofbadguyswhoenjoyblowingshitupforkicks.Enjoytheneat-omovie,thengetreadytoatomisethem.TellyourResourceCollectortodock(pressD),whileit'sdoingsoyourScoutswillprotectitfromRaiderattack.

TheRaiderswilattackin3distinctwaves.ThefirstoneconsistsmainlyofInterceptors,with2Standardand1MissileCorvettethrownin.SitbackandwatchwhileyourHeavyCorvetteshappilyblowtheenemiestohell.Onceit'squietagain,dockanydamagedScoutsand/orCorvettes,thensendyourSalvageCorvetteofftovisittheremainsoftheKhar-Selim.Don'tforgettoguardit

withallyourHeavies(Aggressive/Wall);yourScoutsshouldguardtheMothershipinXformation.

WhenyoureachtheKhar-Selim,theRaiderswillmakeanattempttoconsignyourSalvageCorvettetothescrapyard.Sadly,theirInterceptorswilldiehorribly.LaughandgetyourSalvageCorvettebacktotheMothership;dockitandmakesurethatitstaysthere(checkthe"RemainDocked"buttonintheLaunchManager).Nowyouwitness(morelikehear)thedemiseoftheKhar-Selim.

Oncethecutsceneisover,theRaidersreturnyetagain(gettingannoying,isn't


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it?).Thistime,they'reusingmoreStandardandMissileCorvettesalongwiththeirInterceptors;useyourHeaviesonthem.Themissile-equippedshipsshouldbeyourfirsttargets,butdon'tignoretheotherenemies.

Eventually,yourHeavyCorvettesshouldsighttheenemyCarrier;whenthathappens,theRaiderswillfinallybuggeroff.Build3moreSalvageCorvettes(settoGroup3withthefirstone),then2RepairCorvettes(nogroup).IfyoulostanyStrikeCraft,rebuildthem.OntoMission3.

---------------------3.ReturntoKharak---------------------

"Everything'sgone...There'snothingleft!...Kharakisburning!..."ThosearesomeofthesaddestwordsIhaveeverheardinavideogame.ThereisnothingleftoftheplanetthatwashometotheKushanpeopleforathousandyears.TheheatoftheexplosionhasturnedtheentireGreatDeserttoglass.

Buttheevilthatcommittedthisgenocidehasnotyetfinisheditsdestruction.TheCryotrays-therackscontaininghundredsofthousandsofKushanincryogenicsleep-arebeingattacked.IftheCryotraysaredestroyed,itwillbeimpossiblefortheKushanpeopletore-establishthemselvesasarace.YoumustsavetheCryotraysatallcost!

Funtime,NOT.SetyourScoutstoEvasive/Clawandtellthemtogetaftertheships(AssaultFrigates)attackingtheCryotrays.Dependingonthesizeofyourfleet,theremaybebetween2and5Frigatestocontendwith.

WhiletheFrigatesare(trying)toplayshoot-the-Scout,splityourSalvageCorvettesupinto2groupsof2,thentell1RepairCorvettetosupporteachSalvagergroup(selectaRepairCorvette,Z-bandbox2Salvagers).NowsendyourSalvagersoff(onAggressive!)tograbFrigates.Ittakes2SalvagerstograbaFrigate;Z-clickthefrigatetocaptureit.(Tryandgetthehealthiestones.)Hint:*never*approachenemyshipsdirectlyfromthefront,it'snotveryclever.

TheAssaultFrigateswillnowgoafteryourSalvagers,howeveryourRepair

Corvettesshouldkeepthemalivelongenoughtodotheirjob.MakesurethatyourScoutsaresettoattack*only*theFrigatesthatare*not*beingcaptured.OnceyourSalvagershaveholdof2Frigates,bringinyourHeavyCorvettesandkillanythatarestillgoingfortheCryotrays.

GrabasmanyFrigatesasyoucan.Oncetheyareallgrabbed/destroyed,yourSalvagerscanbeginbringinginthesurvivingCryotrays(selectaSalvager,Z-bandboxaTray).IfallCryotraysgetdestroyed,it'sGameOver.

Harvestthemeagreresourceshere,thenensurethatyouhave16HeavyCorvettesinyourfleet.SetyourcapturedAssaultFrigate(s)toGroup6.RetireyourRepairCorvettes(selectthemandpressI).Researchwhatever'savailableandleave-"there'snothingleftforushere".

------------------------------4.GreatWastelands(Part1)------------------------------

Anice,quietareaofspace.Now,whatdogamesteachusaboutnice,quiteareas?ThinkQuakeIIhere,people.(What?Neverplayedit?SHAME!)

Hokay.BuildaResourceControllerandsetittoguardyourCollector.SendtheCollectorofftogatherresources,alsoguardedbyyourHeavyCorvettes.


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WhenyourCollectorhasdroppedoffitsfirstloadofresources,yougetascare.Onebig-assHyperspacesignaturepopsuponyoursensors,butit'sOK.That'saBentusiTradeShip,andluckilyforyou,theywanttobefriends.However,don'taccepttheirofferofIonCannontechnologyjustyet.

BuildaSupportFrigatewhenyougettheresources,andadd4moreSalvageCorvettestoyourother4;alsoensureyouhaveatleast6Scouts.MoveyourSalvagerstothefrontoftheMothership.Keepharvesting,butwhentheBentusibegintalkingabouttheRaiders,tellyourCollectortodock.ThenquicklybuyIonCannonsandwaveyournewfriendsgoodbye.You'llbeseeingmoreoftheminlatermissions.

UseyourHeavyCorvettestotakeouttheincomingRaiderforces;withtheendoftheassault,putyourScoutsonEvasive.6RaiderIonArrayFrigateswillHyperspaceinandbeginhammeringontheMothership.Immediatelysalvagethe2IonArraystotheleftandrightoftheMothership,thenuseyourScoutstoattackandconfusethe4IonArraysbehindyourfleet(aswiththeAssaultFrigatesinthepreviousmission),thensendinyourSalvagerstograb'em.WhenapairofSalvagersbecomesavailable,tellittograbanotherIonArray.Youshouldeasilybeabletograball6.

NowtheRaiderCarrierwillappear.UseyourSalvagerstograbthe2stupidIonArraysescortingit,anduseallofyournewly-capturedshipstoblastthat

Carrier(ifitgetsaway,it'sGameOver!).WiththeCarriergone,themissioniscomplete.

Finishharvesting.Next!

------------------------------5.GreatWastelands(Part2)------------------------------

Build3moreSupportFrigates(4total),6moreSalvageCorvettes(14total),andensureyouhaveatleast20HeavyCorvettes;alsobuildaProbe.Ifyouneedresources,buildanotherProbeandsendit49kmfromtheMothership,intotheopenendofthe"resourceV".Thearea*between*thatProbeandthe

Mothershipiswhereit'ssafetoharvestresources.Onceyou'vecompletedharvesting,scuttlethe"marker"Probe(selectitandpressS,wait1second,thenpressSagain).

PutyourHeavyCorvettesinAggressive/Wall,thenselectthemand4SalvageCorvettes.GointoSensorsManager.TakingtheMothershipas*facing*12o'clock,moveyourselectedgrouptothedustcloudsatroughly2o'clock(about45kmfromtheMothership).EnsurethatyourHeavyCorvettesareabout8kmbehindyourSalvagers.

Onceyou'reready,sendyoursecondProbetothepinginyourSensorsManager.It'sgonnadie,butnotinvainasyou'llseelater...

So,thisisthescumthatdestroyedKharak!Timetogetrevenge-andhowsweetitwillbe.TheTaiidaniwillpayforwhatthey'vedone.

Afterthecutscenehasplayedout,yourProbewillbedestroyed(ifyou'dusedaScoutthatreturnedtotheMothership,theenemieswouldfollowithome-badidea).WatchyourSensorsManagerandnoticethereddots(Taiidaniships)fanningoutonpatrols.Afast-movingdotshouldappearnearyourHeavyCorvettes,revealingitselfasasquadronofInterceptors;useyourHeaviestomakeshortworkofthem.Waitawhilelongerandyou'llnoticeanotherspeedyreddot,patrollingfromsidetosideinfrontoftheMothership.Moveyour


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HeaviesoutandkillthiswingofInterceptorstoo,thentellthemtoguardtheMothership.

NowyouareorderedtokillsomeenemyResourcers.InHomeworld,however,thekeyistothinklikeapirate.The4SalvagersyoupositionedearlierareinprimepositiontograbthoseResourcers;butwaitforthemtocometoyou,oryouriskalertingagroupofAssaultFrigatestoyourSalvagers'presence-andyoudon'twantthat,nowdoyou?

WiththeenemyResourcersbeingrefitted,it'stimetodosomemorecapturing.Get8SalvageCorvettes(your"salvagegroup"),aidedby4SupportFrigates,andaddanotherSalvager(the"decoy")separatefromthisgroup;putthedecoyCorvetteonEvasive,andtellittoguardoneofyourSupportFrigates.TellyourHeavyCorvettestoguardthesameSupportFrigate,thenmoveyoursalvagegroupouttowardsthepatrollingreddot/enemyshipsonthefront/right-handsideoftheMothership.Whenyou'reabout50kmfromtheenemyships,stopyourshipsandwaitawhile.AnotherwaveofInterceptorsshouldappear;useyourHeavyCorvettestokillthem,thengetthembacktobase.Nowsendyourdecoytowardsthereddotofenemies,whichrevealsitselftobe4AssaultFrigates.

AssoonastheenemyFrigatesstartmovingtowardsthedecoySalvager,turnitaroundandsenditbacktowardsyoursalvagegroup;plotitscoursesothatitwillpassoveryoursalvagegroup,andstopabout50kmbehindit.Asthedecoyflees,setittoNeutraltacticssothatitalwaysremainsinsightofthe

pursuingAssaultFrigates.Ifitseemstobegettingtoofaraway,stopittolettheenemyshipscatchup-it's*vitally*importantthattheykeepthedecoyintheirsights.

Whenthedecoycomeswithinsightofyoursalvagegroup,tellyourSalvagersinthatgrouptograbtheenemyships.TheAssaultFrigateswillstartshootingatthesalvagegroup,butyourSupportFrigateswilleasilyhealanydamagecaused.Voila,4extraAssaultFrigates.

OncethenewAssaultFrigatesareaddedtoyourfleet,createthesameformationasdescribedabove(salvagegroup/SupportFrigates/decoy/HeavyCorvettes).Thistime,movetowardstheenemydotonthefront/left-handsideoftheMothership.Whenyou'reabout50kmaway,stopyourships;tellaSupportFrigatetorepair

yourHeavyCorvettes,thensendthemonaheadtomeettheenemies.Whenyougetthereyou'llfindanother4AssaultFrigates,guardedbyanewshiptype-theDefender-whichyoucannowresearch.UseyourHeavyCorvettestokilloffthepunyDefenders,thenretreatyourHeaviesbacktotheMothership.Repeatthedecoy-flee-capturetrickonthenow-undefendedAssaultFrigates,andgrabthemall.

Withthenewarrivalsaddedtoyourfleet,take6Salvagers(aidedbyallyourSupportFrigates)andyourScouts(onEvasive)towardsthereddotatthebottomofthemap;again,stopthegroup50kmaway.MovetheScoutsinandattacktheIonCannonFrigatesthere;whentheybegin(trying)toretaliate,bringinyourSalvagers.

WiththecaptureofallenemyFrigatesonthemap,thefinaleventofthemissionwillbetriggered.TheenemyCarrier,with2Destroyersescorting,willcomefortheMothership(asindicatedbythepinginSensorsManager).SplityourSalvageCorvettesinto2groupsof3andagroupof8,andgetaSupportFrigatetorepaireachgroup.YourremainingSupportFrigatemustassistyourHeavyCorvettes;movethemandyourScoutstowardstheapproachingenemyforces.KilltheremainingfightercoverwithyourHeavies,thenretreatthemtotheMothershipandbringinyourScouts.Attacktheenemyshipstoconfusethem,thensneakinyourSalvageCorvettes.


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Useagroupof3SalvagersforeachDestroyer,andtheremaindertograbtheCarrier(***seeNOTE1).IfyouhaveanyspareSalvagerssittingaround,nabtheSupportFrigate,otherwisekillit.It'snotlikeyouneeditanyway...

Let'srecap:from4Assaultand8IonArrayFrigates,yourfleethasprobablyswelledtosomethinglike12Assault,6IonArrayand3IonCannonFrigates,aswellas2DestroyersandaCarrier.(Andthere'sthe2extraResourcersaswell!)And(apartfromafewdeadStrikeCraft?)ithasn'tcostyouacent.AllcourtesyoftheTaiidanEmpire!

Harvesteverythingthat'sleft,thenprepareyourforces.Researchandbuild20AttackBombersandthesameamountofDefenders,andboostyourHeavyCorvettewingto20ships.Assigneachgroupof20auniqueGroupNumber,thenretireall(yes,*all*)yourAssaultFrigates,youwillbebuildingsomethingbetterinthenextmission.OpenuptheLaunchManagerandensurethat"RemainDocked"ischeckedforboththeMothershipandyo

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Homeworld Campaign Walk Through Guide NOT MADE by ME

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