Descent - Freespace DESCENT: ______ _____ _____ _____ ______ ______ _ _____ _____ __/ | _ | | __/ | __/ __/ | _ / / | __/ | __/ | |_ | | / / | |_ | |_ | |/ / / A | | | |_ | _| | |/ / | _| | _| | _/ / _ | | | _| | | | | | |__ | |__ __ | | / / | |__ | |__ |_| |_| _ |____ |____ /_____|_| /__/ __ |____ |____ THE GREAT WAR __ __ ____ ____ _____ _ ____ | / | | __| | _ | _ | | | | __| | / / | | |__ | | | |_| | | | | |__ | | / /| | | __| | | | | | _ | | | |__ | | | __/ | | | |__ | |_/ / | | | | | |__ __| | |_| |_| |____| |____/ |_| |_| |____| |____| ____________ / / ** / / / = / *** = ** ** == ** ****===*** == === -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Game: "Descent: FreeSpace" Platform: PC Version: 2.56 By: David "CuBes" Wood Contact: davidleeclintonwood@gmail.com Updated: 08-03-07 _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ :: Questions? Comments? Info.? E-mail me! :: ____ /////////////////////////// ____ | * Table of Contents * | | * * | | * 1yz........................Update History * | | * 2yz.....................Legal Information * | | * 3yz..........................Introduction * | | * 4yz......................Before You Start * | | * 5yz.............Single Player Medal Guide * | | * 5az..................Basic Training 3 * | | * 5bz...................Field of Battle * | | * 5cz...................Avenging Angels * | | * 5dz....Out of the Dark/Paving the Way * | | * 5ez..........The Hammer and the Anvil * | | * 5fz...............Advanced Training 2 * | | * 5gz......................First Strike * | | * 5hz......................The Big Bang * | | * L 5iz............La Ruota Della Fortuna * | | * E 5jz........................Shell Game * | | * V 5kz..................Enter the Dragon * | | * E 5lz.....................Playing Judas * | | * L 5mz..........................Doomsday * | ------| * 5nz............................Exodus * |------ | * N 5oz.........................Last Hope * | | * A 5pz..........A Failure to Communicate * | | * M 5qz...............Reaching the Zenith * | | * E 5rz..............Running the Gauntlet * | | * S 5sz.......................Black Omega * | | * 5tz...............Clash of the Titans * | | * 5uz.........................Good Luck * | | * 6yz....................Multiplayer Medals * | | * 6az..........A Failure to Communicate * | | * 6bz.......................Black Omega * | | * 6cz....................Convoy Assault * | | * 6dz....................Cruiser Rescue * | | * 6ez............................Exodus * | | * 6fz.........................Last Hope * | | * 6gz....................Orion Recovery * | | * 6hz...............Reaching the Zenith * | | * 6iz..............Running the Gauntlet * | | * 6jz.......................Unstoppable * | | * 6kz...................Vasudan Assault * | | * 7yz.....................Ace Badges & Rank * | | * 7az......................Point System * | | * 7bz....Single Player Points and Kills * | | * 8yz............Frequently Asked Questions * | | * 9yz.................................Links * | | * 0yz........................Special Thanks * | |____* *____| /////////////////////////// _______________________________________________________________________________ |1yz Update and Version History / |______________________________/ ____________________________________11-18-02____________________________________ Started and completed the guide. ____________________________________11-28-02____________________________________ Decided to make guide into FAQ. Recovered it from message boards and saved it on computer. ____________________________________12-05-02____________________________________ Made the Guide more detailed, added Rank and Ace Badges, changed some of the information, added example. ____________________________________12-28-02____________________________________ Started the ASCII art and changed the setup to accommodate GameFAQs. ____________________________________12-29-02____________________________________ Finished the ASCII art, added FAQ info, Table of Contents, Legal Info., Update and Version History, FAQ, and Thanks To and Credits. Polished up the guide and started to put in difficulty levels needed to get medals. Did lots of work today... thinking of putting 4(variable) next to medal names for simpler usage of the find tool. ____________________________________12-30-02____________________________________ Going through the game and checking difficulty levels which are not complete yet. Touching up guide some more, changed the way it looks. Completed V. 1.00 ____________________________________12-31-02____________________________________ Still getting the difficulty levels. Fixing some errors in document. ____________________________________01-01-03____________________________________ Happy New Years!! Today I finished the difficulty levels, brushed up on the guide, and started the level ratings for Rank. ____________________________________01-02-03____________________________________ Went through and checked FAQ for errors and read it over to see if everything is good. Working on level ratings for Rank (MUCH more work than I thought it would be). Completed V. 1.01 ____________________________________01-03-03____________________________________ Still working on the ratings for rank. It may take a while. Fixed an error thanks to Tahna Los. ____________________________________01-04-03____________________________________ Same thing. ____________________________________01-06-03____________________________________ Same thing. Fixed more errors. Completed V. 1.02 ____________________________________01-07-03____________________________________ Changed the guide tremendously to make it easier to use. ____________________________________01-10-03____________________________________ Completed the ratings for both Rank and Ace Badges. This might be my last update for a while. Completed V. 1.03 ____________________________________02-08-03____________________________________ Changed many errors and legal junk. Got my computer up and running again. V. 1.04 ____________________________________04-24-03____________________________________ Fixed errors here and there, read a few e-mails for the guide, added a site to the list of sites that can post this guide. V. 1.5 ____________________________________05-11-03____________________________________ Changed parts of guide that are barely noticeable, changed the rank section completely. ____________________________________05-16-03____________________________________ Put in Multiplayer Medals. Other than that, made changes that were barely noticeable. V.1.6 ____________________________________06-30-03____________________________________ Well, I'm back. I've started doing the multiplayer medals section, redoing the Ace Badges section (DMan pointed out a mistake I had made), and maybe even making the last big change to this guide. But maybe not. I knew when I started that I was delving into an area almost unknown to man... ____________________________________09-21-03____________________________________ Well, I'm not going to really do much this time since I don't have the time. But I do feel like I need to make an Emergency Update, partly because I feel that I haven't done much on the guide in a while and partly because people are telling me to. So instead of waiting until I have it all finished, I may just do it bit by bit. Sorry this is sooo belated, I know I promised it in the summer, but I had my room to remodel and I just got my computer set up a few days ago. Now that I've found time to get on my computer, I am getting back to it. So, bear with me and I'll eventually get it done, one way or another. Sooo, with that we have emergency update 1.61. ____________________________________02-05-04____________________________________ Another update. I've taken out unneeded info, put in a lot of useful info. I've added a new section, combined rank and ace badges, and made many small changes. Long time users may have trouble adjusting to the new setup, but it also conserves space and time on my part. I haven't had much luck with the multiplayer section, so it will have to remain the way it is until the winds change in my favor. The point system is under construction, I'm trying to figure it all out, but I have made it less confusing so everyone knows exactly what I do. And so, this is huge change V. 2.00. ____________________________________11-16-04____________________________________ I fixed an error I found (2 levels were switched order), I added a part to the 'before you start' section about backing up your player info, put in a few small things, and added the line :: Questions? Comments? Info.? E-mail me! ::. I'm desperate for info people! Any you have that isn't here would be appreciated. ____________________________________08-14-05____________________________________ I recently have found a program that lets me view many aspects of the game, including sounds, models, movies, and mission info (thanks to bobotheking). It's called VPView, if anyone cares. Anyway, one amazing aspect of this program is it allows me to see not only specific mission data, but the points of each event and object (I assume, as many things have a 'score' variable attached). If this is really what it is (I checked and it matches all my findings), I can make the points section much clearer, and even expound on the multiplayer medals section. I am currently trying to decipher the aspects of this program, as it is complex, displaying 50% of info in code... I'm integrating results with the guide. I have found many new things, such as the existence of hidden objectives. This is very anticipated update V. 2.50. ____________________________________12-12-05____________________________________ Nothing except added one site to my allowed list: Wikipedia! ____________________________________08-16-06____________________________________ I'm doing some touch ups (possibly the last) before I go to college. I improved the ASCII art and I'm fixing some grammar mistakes and stuff. I plan to do some touch ups on the rank/points stuff, as it seems to contain some old info that is wrong, and I have learned quite a few new things. Added the "links" section, I think it should be there. ____________________________________06-01-07____________________________________ I have done some touch-ups. Not much except in the points section, I did a complete overhaul of the old jumbled look. I think it looks better now, though I still think it could use some improvement. If anyone thinks of something, contact me please. Other than this, I have fixed grammer and whatnot. ____________________________________06-06-07____________________________________ Finally adding my webspace to help the guide out. It hasn't existed, of course, but I have wanted to create one to aid aspects of the guide. This will be one of the last things I do on the guide (but not the last). V.2.55 ____________________________________08-03-07____________________________________ Added the NoClip Glitch in the glitches section. Found it during the making of my Silent Threat guide. V.2.56 _______________________________________________________________________________ |2yz Legal Info. / |_______________/ This document is protected under Copyright law, (C) 2002 by David Wood. The only sites it can be found legally are listed below. http://www.gamefaqs.com http://www.dlh.net http://www.cheatchannel.com http://www.cheatbook.de http://www.wikipedia.com If it is found anywhere else including another FAQ/Guide, or if it is altered in any way, it is a violation of copyright law. Please tell me if you find it anywhere besides the sites listed above! Feel free to make a link to this page and to print or copy down any information needed, as long as you do not distribute any part of the document to, or as part of, an organization, free or otherwise, without my permission. This document is for private use only. _______________________________________________________________________________ |3yz Intro./ |_________/ Hello and welcome to the first and only, by the date of December 29, 2002, Descent: FreeSpace medal guide on the internet, though it may not be anymore. My name is David Wood, but on the internet I go by my handle, CuBes. I live in the suburbs of a small village, Cloudcroft, in the state of New Mexico in the U.S.A. I made this guide because when I was younger, I frequently looked for help to collect all the medals in Descent: FreeSpace, however I had no success. Now I am a veteran to the game and have gotten all the medals multiple times, so I decided to make this guide to help all the people out there who still play this great game. If you have any information, suggestions, or questions regarding this FAQ or an aspect of the game, my E-mail is at the top just below the ASCII art. Unlike many FAQ/guide writers, I will accept any feedback about the guide, including mistakes. However, please do not ask a question that is already answered in this FAQ nor send me prank mail, ads, or junk mail of any kind; the previous 3 types of mail will be ignored and blocked if continued. My E-mail isn't available because I want junk mail. Finally, please don't send me E-mail asking why I haven't replied. I will reply if I feel there is a need (which is usually the case) though sometimes I forget to check my e-mail (I'm only human, but I can go up to a month without checking my mail so bear with me!!). Thank you for reading this section, enjoy the guide! _______________________________________________________________________________ |4yz Before you start/ |___________________/ So you're going to collect medals in Descent: FreeSpace? Well first you need to know a thing or two! This section covers many things, from the basics to the advanced. Even if you are an expert I strongly suggest you look through this section. You can skip through and see what information might be useful to you. The URL within sections leads to my own webspace. Hope it helps! --What are medals? In FreeSpace, you get medals for doing certain things. Each medal is supposed to symbolize something. If you get the Distinguished Service Cross, this means you perform your assigned duties well. Really though, medals are just to show other people how good you are at the game, and collecting medals is very catchy! You get at most one medal per mission. --What are Ace Badges? Ace badges are, obviously, badges and not medals (though they are also in the medals box). There is only one contributing factor towards earning ace badges: obtaining kills. Ace badges are only earned when you reach a certain number of fighter and bomber kills. That is, the combination of fighter and bomber kills ONLY. (For more information see Ace Badges section.) The following list shows the ships you can destroy which will count towards obtaining ace badges. The list is in order of how heavily equipped the spacecraft is. -Terran- -Vasudan- -Shivan- Valkyrie Anubis Scorpion Apollo Seth Manticore Ulysses Horus Dragon Hercules Thoth Basilisk Athena Amun Shaitan Ursa Osiris Nephilim Medusa --What is rank? Much of what I know about rank has been my observations in and out of the game, but fellow gamers are responsible for the initial information. Rank is your status in the GTA. Oddly, the orders you can give are not limited by your rank (i.e. your call menu is the same when you're an Admiral as it is when you're an Ensign). To be determined, rank takes into account many variables from medals and ace badges, and many hidden factors as well. One factor that contributes to your rank is the number of kills you have, though in rank (unlike ace badges) the specific ship destroyed is an important factor as well. Since there are all sorts of different factors being thrown in, the programmers couldn't use the same system they did in getting medals- completing certain objectives or events, or ace badges- getting to a certain number of kills. Instead all the information that applies is converted into one unit during a mission, and then the game adds all those units up afterward. Combined, those units determine your rank. These units are called points; they are defined by the game as such (in the code and in FRED). Everything in the game has a default point value, but this can be changed in FRED by tweaking the score value. (See Rank & Point sections for more info.) The following is a list of all the different positions of rank, in the order that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for each one. If there is a - next to a number, it means one pin has no triangles on it. If there is a + next to a number, it means there is a gold pin on that many regular pins. See The Medal Box in this section for more info. RANK POINTS PINS Ensign 0-4000 1 Lt. Junior Grade 4001-10000 -2 Lieutenant 10001-22000 2 Lt. Commander 22001-50000 -3 Commander 50001-150000 3 Captain 150001-400000 4 Commodore 400001-2000000 +1 Rear Admiral 2000001-5000000 +2 Vice Admiral 5000001-9000000 +3 Admiral 9000001< +4 --How do I know when I get a medal? You will know when you get a medal on the debriefing screen of the mission. Normally there is only the debriefing screen, along with the usual buttons. When you get a medal, ace badge, or promotion, there will be an additional screen connected on the side of the first. This screen has what all medals, ace badges, or promotions you received in the mission. Also, the person who debriefs you (Admiral Wolf if you're on the Galatea, Admiral Shima on the Bastion) will say something, and though the medal screen appears for all Ace Badges and most ranks, it won't appear for ranks after Commodore. (The commentary is funny for these ranks though.) Note that you can get a medal without either the screen or the commentary. --How come I didn't get a medal on this level? Most likely there is no medal for you to get on that level. If the level is listed on this guide and you didn't get it, then you probably missed a part of the instructions that were needed to acquire the medal. If you were expecting an Ace Badge or a new Rank, perhaps you miscalculated your kills or you played on a low skill level. If you did everything word for word, e-mail me and I'll get back to you. --The Medal Box-- --How do I find the medal box? There are two ways to get to it. The first is to come across the situation described in "How do I know when I get a medal?", and then click the medal icon that is located on the medal screen. The second is more complicated, but always available. On the Flight Deck, find the Barracks and click on it. This will take you to a screen with the different players you've made, single and multi player, plus it will show you the all time stats for each player. To get to the medal box, click on the medal icon that is in the lower middle area of the screen. --Where does each medal belong? Going left to right and top to bottom, first is the Conspicuous Gallantry medal, and next is your current rank, then next are the Ace Badges, and then the Vasudan Alliance medal. The first one on the next row is the Distinguished Flying medal, then the Commendation Medal, then the Pilot Wings, then the Galatea Survivor medal, and finally the Legion of Merit medal. On the next row, the first thing is the Meritorious Unit, then next is the Medal of Honor, next is the Galactic Service medal, followed by the Military Defense medal, and then the Good Conduct medal, and finally the Distinguished Service Cross. I suggest using the following link; it should help clear some things up. http://infohost.nmt.edu/~dwood/freespace/FSMedals/medals.htm --I need an explanation of the medal box! No problem. I even have a pre-made ASCII art medal. ____________ / / ** / / /_ = /| *** = ** ** == ** League of Defense (2) ****===*** == === The way the medals are set up is like so: each time you get a new medal, it appears in the medal box. When you get two of the same, a small bronze patch will appear on the cloth part of the medal (this is what the two stars near the top line in the ASCII picture represent). When you get 3 of a medal, the patch turns silver, and when you have 4 or more it turns gold. The arrow in the picture above represents the cursor in FreeSpace. "League of Defense (2)" is the name and number acquired of this medal, which only appears when you move the cursor over the medal. For more help follow this link: http://infohost.nmt.edu/~dwood/freespace/FSMedals/Good%20Conduct/conduct.htm ___ ___ /*^* /*^* |*<0>*| |*<#>*|<--- Double Ace ___/ ___/ The ace badges are circular, with a star in the center and ridges on the edge. The ace badges are set up a little differently than the medals. There are only 3 badges and each have a minimum fighter/bomber kill limit that must be hit to earn the badge. When you get the second ace badge, instead of sitting on top of the first or replacing it, it will just show up next to it, and so will the third. Again, you can use the following link for more explaination: http://infohost.nmt.edu/~dwood/freespace/FSMedals/Ace/ace.htm _ _ /_ <---- Lt. Junior Grade V Rank is set up much differently than both ace badges and medals. You start out as an Ensign, which has 1 pin with triangles on the flat sides. Then you get promoted to Lt. Junior Grade, which has 2 pins, one (furthest out) without triangles. Then you get promoted to Lieutenant, which has 2 pins, both with triangles. Next is Lt. Commander with 3 pins, 1 without triangles. Then you get to Commander and you get 3 pins, all with triangles. When you get to captain you get 4 pins with triangles. After that you go to Commodore and go back to 1 pin, with triangles, and it has a small, round, gold pin on it. You get another pin like this each time you rise in rank after Commodore, for Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral. I advise checking this link: http://infohost.nmt.edu/~dwood/freespace/FSMedals/Rank/rank.htm --Other Useful Information-- --A note to Windows users: If you run Windows NT or later, you can press Alt+Tab during game play to minimize FreeSpace. However, this can be dangerous because the game may crash if you try to bring it back up. In order to avoid this, first minimize all programs, press Control+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager, go to the applications tab, highlight Descent: FreeSpace, and click the button that says 'Switch To'. Recently I have run into a strange glitch of some sort where the game sort of freezes. It may have to do with the fact I am running the game in hardware mode. This seems to be overcome only by pressing pause in mission and minimizing then. I had not been having luck with this at all for a while, but I found the source of this problem which happened to be a program working in the background (Spyware Guard), so I am just going to say: use Alt+Tab at your own risk. --You can restart a campaign without losing any stats or medals. To do this, first go to the Flight Deck, then click Campaigns, then select the campaign you want to restart, then click restart campaign in the lower right corner of the screen. --Backing up your player info! I just figured this out (11/16/04) and it can save you loads of hassle in the long run. I can't get the "Clone" function to copy my player (I think it only copies the settings under "Options" to a new player) so I worked something else out. It's a little more advanced and you'll be messing with the game files, but don't worry, follow along and you'll do fine. Open your FreeSpace directory (by default on Windows that's C:GamesFreeSpace). Now find the players folder and open it, then if you are backing up a single player entry, open single, otherwise open multi. Find your pilot's name (Mine's cubes, so that's what I'd look for). There will be some files associated with your player: a .plr file for your player stats, and when you start a campaign a .css file to mark you have played a campaign, and sometimes a .csg file which records directives and such that you've accomplished through the campaign, I assume the game sends you to alternate versions of levels this way. These look like this: CuBes.FreeSpace.csg, CuBes.FreeSpace.css, CuBes.plr. Select all of these which have your callsign in front and make a copy. You should make a backup folder to copy these to, such as FreeSpace/Backup. You can also rename pilots this way. Instead of using X.plr, change X to a different name (e.g. Backup.FreeSpace.csg, Backup.FreeSpace.css, Backup.plr). Back-Ups will help ensure you get everything, and help avoid the nasty glitch that wipes out all your player info. --The mission log is something useful you can use while in mission to see what kills you've gotten and what objectives you've completed. To access it, press F4. The mission log has 3 parts: The objective screen displays what your objectives are and whether or not you've completed them. It will always display Primary and Secondary objectives, but Bonus objectives only appear on this screen when you've completed them. Hidden Objectives will never appear on this screen. Uncompleted objectives are represented by a white circle, complete by a greened in circle, and failed by a red x-ed out circle. The message log displays all messages received in-mission, and at what time. I don't ever use it, I don't find it helpful. The event log shows when objectives are satisfied, when enemy wings arrive and depart, when ships arrive and depart, when ships are destroyed and by whom, but unfortunately it only tells the name of the ships, not their class. --The Four Glitches-- There are four useful glitches I have found in the game, and I will make reference to them throughout the guide so you may want to take note. --The Infinite Weapons Glitch: if, on any level, you enter cheat mode (type www.volition-inc.com in mission) then enable infinite weapons for yourself (hold ~ and press w), your ship will have infinite missiles and weapons energy on any level until you exit FreeSpace or until you disable the code. --The Cheat and Pass Glitch: if a level has no debriefing, then the campaign will allow you to pass the level with cheats. Plus, if you used cheats to change your weapons (Hold ~ and press 9 or 0, and hold Shift as well to cycle backwards) to things such as Shivan Super Lasers or Cluster Babies, you get to keep those when you go to the next level. When customizing your loadout on these levels, I recommend using a fast ship. I also recommend giving your teammates virtually harmless weapons (i.e. Disruptor Cannon, D-Advanced, Disruptor Missile or no missile); this will ensure you get most if not all kills, and you won't risk losing points by removing teammates. I've listed the levels that have no debriefing below. Tenderizer Evangelist Reaching the Zenith The Great Hunt Good Luck --The Warp-In Glitch: As a capital ship is warping in, you can go through its hull until it reaches the point where it's out of the vortex completely (and it begins to slow its velocity). This feature was added so in the event that you were in the path of a ship warping in, you wouldn't have the misfortune of being smashed at warp speed (you know what that's like if you've been in the path of a ship warping out). However, if you are still within the ship's hull when the vortex closes, you will remain unharmed, and will be able to fly around freely throughout the ship's hull, as long as you can keep up with the ship as it is slowing down from warp speed. When you are inside the ship, you can do many things, such as enter the fighter bays, destroy turrets, destroy the ship, or destroy fighters (they can't fight back). The following are missions where this glitch can occur: La Ruota Della Fortuna Tenderizer Playing Judas Last Hope (unlikely you will reach the Hope in time) Running the Gauntlet Clash of the Titans The Great Hunt --The NoClip Glitch: This glitch is rather tricky to pull off, and a bit hard to explain, so bear with me. This glitch allows you to get inside the hull of a ship just like the Warp-In Glitch does, but it does not require a ship to warp in. There are some requirements in regard to the target ship however. First, you will need to find a place where two parts of the ship meet at a 90 degree angle or less (the smaller the better). Turrets, dishes, and other auxiliary devices can also accomplish the goal, but you will probably be killed by the amount of collisions using those. When you find a suitable angle, align your ship so that the line where the two parts meet (the center of the angle) is vertical on your hud. Align your targeting reticle with that spot as well, and when you are ready, fly into the angle (you will be colliding into it, don't worry too much); afterburners aren't necessary, just use the increase speed button (bound to A on the keyboard by default). You can also shoot yourself backwards into the crack by detonating a missile near you, but this is risky and it doesn't seem to work better. Anyway, after a breif moment of ramming, turn your engine off. Unless your target ship is moving, keep your speed at zero. Now look around; you are looking for a point of entry into the ship. It isn't hard to see these; one minute the hull of the ship is visible, the next it isn't. If this phenominon happens, maneuver your ship into the area where the hull disappeared; otherwise, try again. The following are ships suceptible to this glitch: -Terran- -Vasudan- -Shivan- Faustus Typhon Demon Orion Lucifer Arcadia _______________________________________________________________________________ |5yz Medal Guide and List / |________________________/ Please Note: This guide does indeed contain minor spoilers, though I try to keep them to a minimum. I suggest using both the points/kills section and the medals section, but I also suggest (if you haven't played through the storyline) not to look ahead, just in case there are spoilers. And finally what you've all been waiting for: the medal guide! The following is a short list, in alphabetical order, of all the medals you should have after completing the main FreeSpace campaign. The medal guide is in chronological order, and covers the medals you get in The Main FreeSpace Campaign ONLY. Commendation Medal - 2 Conspicuous Gallantry - 2 Distinguished Flying Cross - 3 Distinguished Service Cross - 1 Galactic Service - 1 Galatea Survivor - 1 Good Conduct - 3 Legion of Merit - 1 Medal of Honor - 1 Meritorious Unit - 2 Military Defense - 1 Pilot Wings - 2 Vasudan Alliance Medal - 1 ________________________________________________________________________________ The following outlines the requirements in order to obtain medals, besides your normal objectives (assuming they aren't the only requirements). You always need to pass the mission to get a medal. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION, LOOK UNDER THE "SINGLE PLAYER POINTS AND KILLS" SECTION. -5az- Basic Training 3 [Any Difficulty]: Complete Basic Training 3. --Medal: Pilot Wings -5bz- Field of Battle [Medium+]: The Vasudan Ace must be destroyed. In order for the Ace to appear you must be above 50% health. After you destroy three Vasudan wings the Vasudan Ace will warp in. --Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross -5cz- Avenging Angels [Any Difficulty]: Disable and capture the Rasputin, ensure the GTT Intelligence 1 survives. --Medal: Commendation Medal -5dz- Out of the Dark, Into the Night _AND_ Paving the Way [Any Difficulty]: These two levels are separate, but their cumulative results will determine if you get the medal, collected on Paving the Way. On the first level, destroy an Unknown fighter. They are black and red, and very powerful. You can't target these. Easiest is the SB Shaitan (the one that looks like a flat computer chip thing), but one SF Scorpion (the bigger and faster type) will stay in the area longer; though this type has less armor, it is much harder to hit. After finishing Out of the Dark, Into the Night as stated above, keep the Galatea's hull above 50% on the level after it, Paving the Way. --Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross -5ez- The Hammer and the Anvil [Any Difficulty]: Make sure all 3 shield prototypes survive. You can call Rho 1, a damaged Vasudan fighter who warps in with the Andromeda, to assist you. If some Vasudans warp in near the end of the mission and claim they will escort the cargo, watch the Anubis class fighters, they turn enemy and attack cargo 3. --Medal: Vasudan Alliance -5fz- Advanced Training 2 [Any Difficulty]: Complete Advanced Training 2 --Medal: Pilot Wings -5gz- First Strike [Any Difficulty]: Disarm, disable, and capture the Taranis. --Medal: Good Conduct -5hz- The Big Bang [Any Difficulty]: Ensure the GTC Ravage survives. --Medal: Conspicuous Gallantry -5iz- La Ruota Della Fortuna [Any Difficulty]: Keep the Galatea's Hull above 50%. --Medal: Distinguished Service Cross -5jz- Shell Game [Any Difficulty]: Destroy both Shivan transports. --Medal: Good Conduct -5kz- Enter the Dragon [Medium+]: Complete all mission objectives without Delta wing jumping in. --Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross -5lz- Playing Judas [Any Difficulty]: Scan all ships and cargo except for the fighters and sentry guns; they will detect you if you get closer than 800 meters. Do not fire until the enemy detects you. This is easier if you assign the sentries and Dragons to an F key by using F3. --Medal: Meritorious Unit -5mz- Doomsday [Medium+]: Ensure all of the escape pods survive. --Medal: Galatea Survivor -5nz- Exodus [Any Difficulty]: Make sure all non-fighter ships that warp in survive. --Medal: Meritorious Unit -5oz- Last Hope [Any Difficulty]: Make sure the Hope and Isis Repair survive, destroy all enemies, and stay in area until Vasudan reinforcements arrive. --Medal: Conspicuous Gallantry -5pz- A Failure to Communicate [Any Difficulty]: Save at least 2 of the escape pods. --Medal: Good Conduct -5qz- Reaching the Zenith [Medium+]: Destroy the Zenith and the Benedict. --Medal: Legion of Merit -5rz- Running the Gauntlet [Any Difficulty]: Make sure the Rosetta survives. --Medal: Commendation Medal -5sz- Black Omega [Medium+]: Make sure both Omega transports survive. --Medal: Medal of Honor -5tz- Clash of the Titans [Medium+]: Keep the Bastion's hull above 35%, destroy the SD Tantalus. --Medal: Military Defense -5uz- Good Luck [Any Difficulty]: Destroy the Lucifer or its reactors. --Medal: Galactic Service _______________________________________________________________________________ |6yz Multiplayer Medals/ |_____________________/ Since they are in no particular order, I organized the Multiplayer Medals in alphabetical order by mission. Thanks to Basilisk for the backbone of this. This part of the guide will only cover the multiplayer missions that come with the game. Commendation Medal - 1 Conspicuous Gallantry - 1 Distinguished Flying Cross - 1 Distinguished Service Cross - 1 Galactic Service - 1 Galatea Survivor - 0 Good Conduct - 1 Legion of Merit - 1 Medal of Honor - 1 Meritorious Unit - 1 Military Defense - 1 Pilot Wings - 0 Vasudan Alliance Medal - 1 ________________________________________________________________________________ This is what to do in order to obtain medals, besides your normal objectives, unless that is what you must complete. -6az- A Failure to Communicate [Any Difficulty]: Ensure the Comm. Terminal survives. Medal: Good Conduct -6bz- Black Omega [Hard+]: Make sure both Omega transports survive. Medal: Medal of Honor -6cz- Convoy Assault [Hard+]: Complete the Primary Objective (Destroy the Convoy). Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross -6dz- Cruiser Rescue [Hard+]: Complete the primary objective (Rescue the Cruiser). Medal: Military Defense -6ez- Exodus [Any Difficulty]: Ensure all ships including the Mecross survive without Delta. Medal: Meritorious Unit -6fz- Last Hope [Hard+]: Complete Primary Objective (Protect the Hope), Alpha 1 needs to play (as Human, not AI). Medal: Conspicuous Gallantry -6gz- Orion Recovery [Hard+]: Complete the Primary Objective (Recover the Storm). Medal: Vasudan Alliance -6hz- Reaching the Zenith [Medium+]: Destroy the Zenith and the Benedict without the help of Delta. Medal: Legion of Merit -6iz- Running the Gauntlet [Any Difficulty]: Make sure the Rosetta survives. Medal: Commendation Medal -6jz- Unstoppable [Insane]: Destroy the Hellfire, the Omen and the Hoyle must survive. Medal: Galactic Service -6kz- Vasudan Assault [Hard+]: Destroy both the PVD Ptolmey and PVC Gateway and all escape pods. Medal: Legion of Merit _______________________________________________________________________________ |7yz Ace Badges & Rank/ |____________________/ --Ace Badges-- Nothing but fighter and bomber kills go towards getting Ace Badges. Thanks to Dman4835 for getting me this info. Ace - Have at least 60 fighter/bomber kills. Double Ace - Have at least 150 fighter/bomber kills. Triple Ace - Have at least 350 fighter/bomber kills. --Rank-- The following is a list of all the different positions of rank, in the order that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for each one. If there is a - next to a number, it means one pin has no triangles on it. If there is a + next to a number, it means there is a gold pin on that many regular pins. Thanks to Basilisk for the points for each rank. RANK POINTS PINS Ensign 0-4000 1 Lt. Junior Grade 4001-10000 -2 Lieutenant 10001-22000 2 Lt. Commander 22001-50000 -3 Commander 50001-150000 3 Captain 150001-400000 4 Commodore 400001-2000000 +1 Rear Admiral 2000001-5000000 +2 Vice Admiral 5000001-9000000 +3 Admiral 9000001< +4 -7az-----------------------------[Point System]--------------------------------- -UPDATE- I have finally found point values for the game. Now what remains is the confusing question of how to get them. The point system is a feature that determines your rank. It adds up a hidden value, points, to come up with your rank. You acquire points by doing certain things in the game, which I have labeled further down. Points awarded multiply or divide depending on your skill level. According to the wiki at hard-light, the skill-to-points ratio is as follows: Very Easy : 0.2 Easy : 0.4 Medium : 0.7 Hard : 1.0 Insane : 1.2 This means when you play on Hard difficulty, the points are face value, otherwise multiply by the number listed to see the points you earn. When an objective is worth points, the points are awarded when the objective is complete. When an enemy ship is worth points, I assume you get them if you destroy the ship, though you may get the points regardless. Another possibility is that you earn points for the percent that you damage a ship, meaning if a ship is worth 6 points and you do 50% of the damage, 3 points will be awarded to you. I don't know how the points are awarded for your allies and your own ship, I assume the percent of remaining hull strength is taken and multiplied by the assigned point value, meaning if your ship is worth 10 points and you have 10% hull integrity when you jump out, you'll receive 1 point for it. -7bz-------------[Points & Kills List for Single Player Levels]----------------- This section lists each level in chronological order, and lays out the points and kills for each. Also listed are details of possible kills on the level and all mission objectives, including hidden ones. Apply everything from the medals section here as well. Any enemies that aren't listed but are in the level are important ships that YOU CAN'T KILL! I like to complete all mission objectives on each level, and get the more uncommon kills before I get the common ones, but you can do it however you like. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION, LOOK UNDER THE 'SINGLE PLAYER MEDALS' SECTION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TRAINING MISSION 1: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen. TRAINING MISSION 2: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TRAINING MISSION 3: On this one you get a medal for beating the level so don't skip this mission. Press "Shift+." and "Shift+," to speed up and slow down time, because other than the medal, you don't retain any stats. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION: --2 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Protect the GTC Orff) (Eliminate Hostiles) --13 kills, 13 f/b: 13 Vasudan Anubis fighters. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Protect the GTC Orff) - 700 points Hidden (Eliminate Hostiles) - 300 points Hostiles: Destroy Leo 1-3, worth 6 points each. Friends: Delta 1&2 - 10 points each. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE FIELD OF BATTLE: --2 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Destroy all Vasudan Wings) 1 Bonus (Destroy Vasudan Ace) --13 kills, 13 f/b: 12 Anubis, 1 Vasudan Seth interceptor. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy all Vasudan Wings) - 700 Points Bonus (Destroy Vasudan Ace) - 300 points Hostiles: 12 Anubis worth 6 points each. Ace worth 100. Friends: Allies (3) worth 10 points each, Self worth 12. The Seth, or Vasudan Ace, only jumps in if you are above 50% health. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BASIC TRAINING STAGE 4: No stats kept! This mission is fun because you can kill a Terran cruiser, but it doesn't count. To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :SMALL DEADLY SPACE: --5 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Secure area until Orff arrives) 2 Secondary (Protect the cargo containers) (Eliminate all Vasudan freighters) 1 Bonus (Find Weapon Prototype) 1 Hidden Objective (Destroy Second Wave) --25 kills, 13 f/b: 15 Anubis, 7 VC 3 Vasudan cargo containers, 1 Bast Vasudan freighter, 1 Ma'at Vasudan freighter, 1 VAC 4 Vasudan cargo container. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Secure area until Orff arrives) - 700 points Secondary (Protect the cargo containers) - 100 points Secondary(Eliminate all Vasudan freighters)-300 points Bonus (Find Weapon Prototype) - 100 points Hidden (Destroy Second Wave) - 100 points Hostiles: Scorpio 1-3, each worth 6 points. Friends: Omega worth 10 points, Orff worth 100 points. Ignore the first secondary objective; it fulfills itself if you pass the mission. The only way to get the cargo container kills is to destroy them before you destroy all the ships in the area. Before you destroy all the cargo, find the Weapons Prototype cargo container (it's dark grey with blue spots) and make sure not to destroy it. If you let 1 or more freighters escape, 2 Anubis class fighters will jump in (all included in the kills). This is the only level with a Bast class freighter kill. Omega must not die. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :AVENGING ANGELS: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Disable and capture the Omega) 1 Secondary (Destroy all enemy fighters) 1 Bonus (Disable and capture the Rasputin) --14 kills, 13 f/b: 6 Anubis, 4 Terran Apollo fighters, 2 Vasudan Horus interceptors, 1 Vasudan Osiris bomber, 1 Isis Vasudan freighter. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Disable and capture the Omega) - 1000 Points Secondary (Destroy all enemy fighters) - 200 Points Bonus (Disable and capture the Rasputin) - 100 Points. Hostiles: The 4 traitors, 2 freighters, and Aries (3) are each Worth 10 points. Virgo(3) and Cancer(3) wings are worth 6 points each ship. Friends: All 17 worth 10 each, except Rasputin (worth 15) and you, worth 12. The Isis class freighter is the Rasputin, and if you destroy it, you are giving up a medal, a bonus objective, and 85 points. If the GTT Comet or the Omega is destroyed, you lose. This is the only level with enemy Apollo class fighters. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :OUT OF THE DARK, INTO THE NIGHT: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort the crew of the Plato to the Jump Node) 1 Bonus (Destroy the Unknown Fighter), 1 Hidden (Identify Unknowns) --10 kills, 9 f/b: 7 Anubis, 2 Osiris, 1 Aten Vasudan cruiser. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Escort the crew of the Plato to the Jump Node) - 700 points. Bonus (Destroy the Unknown Fighter) - 200 points Hidden (Identify Unknowns) - 200 points Hostiles: 9 Vasudans worth 6 points, 7 Shivans worth 10. Unknown 4 is worth 15, one of the Shaitan bombers. Taurus is worth 80 points. Friends: Friendly wings and Escape pods (6 total) worth 10 points each. Plato is worth 50 points. Your ship is worth 12. Unlisted (unknown) ships jump in, which don't count as kills when you destroy them, but count for points & the bonus objective. Most likely you will only get 1 wing of Vasudans, which consists of 3 Anubis fighters and 1 Osiris bomber. The other ships are very far away, and are set up to be destroyed like so: when the unknowns appear, they go after the Vasudan fighters. When the first fighter is destroyed, a timer is started so that X seconds after that, the Taurus dies on its own. Don't let Plato Escape die or you fail the mission. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :PAVING THE WAY: --2 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort the Galatea to the Jump Node) 1 Secondary (Ensure Galatea hull remain above 50%) --0 kills. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Escort the Galatea to the Jump Node) - worth 700 points Secondary (Ensure Galatea hull remain above 50%) - 300 Hostiles: The unknowns (2) are worth 15 points each. Friends: Friendly fighters are both 12 points each, the Galatea is worth 1000. Just like in the previous level, the mere 2 enemies in this one don't count as kills, but you do get points for them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :PANDORA'S BOX: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Destroy the Sentry Guns) 1 Secondary (Use your sensors to scan the Shivan cargo containers), 1 Hidden (Investigate Remaining Cargo) --35 kills, 0 f/b: 21 SC 5 Shivan cargo containers, 8 SAC 2 Shivan cargo containers, 6 Trident Shivan sentry guns. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy the Sentry Guns) - 300 Points Secondary (Use your sensors to scan the Shivan cargo containers) - 100 points. Hidden (Investigate Remaining Cargo) - 1000 points Hostiles: Most enemies are worth some points, but seem impossible to get. Tridents 5 and 6 are worth 5 each. Friends: 0 points. Just like in the last two levels, any Shivan fighter kills you get do not count toward your stats. Your secondary objective in this level is set up to fail (there is no way for you to pass it unless you fail the mission). The only way to get the 29 cargo container kills is to approach them slowly, attack from afar, and when they start exploding on you, destroy as many as you can, but do not destroy cargo containers 35, 34, 37, or 32, unless you have scanned them already. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE HAMMER AND THE ANVIL: --2 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort Shield Prototypes) 1 Bonus (Escort all prototypes to Jump Node) --39 kills, 39 f/b: 20 Shivan Basilisk fighters, 7 Anubis, 6 Seth, 6 Shivan Scorpion interceptors. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Escort Shield Prototypes) - 700 points Bonus (Escort all prototypes to Jump Node) -500 points Hostiles: All Shivans (12) are worth 12 points each. Vasudans(9) worth 6, except Cancer 4 and Aries 3&4, each worth 8. Friends: Friendly Terran fighters (5) worth 10 points, you 12. The Arcadia is worth 1000. Theta (3) wing is 20 each. All 5 Vasudan fighters are 6 points each, except 2 are 8. Andromeda is worth 20. It is unlikely that you will get the first Vasudan wing (2 Anubis, 2 Seth) that jumps in, as they will jump out as soon as the Andromeda is destroyed. Also, the last Vasudan wing will only turn hostile if you dispatch of the Shivan enemies quickly enough, so that when the Vasudans jump in, there is enough time for them to go traitor without the cargo jumping out. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ADVANCED TRAINING 2: On this one you get a medal for beating the level so don't skip this mission, but no stats are kept. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Capture the Ramses) 1 Secondary (Destroy Cargo Depot) 1 Bonus (Destroy Any Freighters) --36 kills, 15 f/b: 11 VC 3, 8 Scorpion, 5 VAC 4, 4 Satis Vasudan freighters, 4 Anubis, 3 Seth, 1 Aten. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Capture the Ramses) - 500 points Secondary (Destroy Cargo Depot) - 700 points Bonus (Destroy Any Freighters) - 300 points Hostiles: Cargo (16) worth 3 points each. Ramses worth 80. Freighters(4) worth 20. Vasudan Fighters worth 8 each. Rama (2) worth 10, Indra (4) worth 15 each. Taranis worth 150. Friends: Alpha 1&2 worth 12 each and Alpha 3&4 worth 10 each. Your primary objective is set up to fail, because a few minutes into the mission a Shivan strike force will warp in and destroy the Ramses. If you knock its health below 50%, you will get the Ramses's kill. The rest of the Scorpion fighters appear if you stay in the mission after everything has happened. There are two things on this mission that make you automatically fail: if you destroy the Shivan cruiser that warps in (called the Taranis), or if you destroy the Ramses before you destroy all other Vasudan ships, unless they have departed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :FIRST STRIKE: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Capture the Taranis) 2 Secondary (Disable The Taranis) (Disarm The Taranis) --59 Kills, 59 f/b: 28 Basilisk, 28 Scorpion, 3 Shivan Shaitan bombers. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Capture the Taranis) - 700 points Secondary (Disable The Taranis) - 350 points Secondary (Disarm The Taranis) - 350 points Hostiles: Krishna (4) and Vinshu (2) are worth 10, Rama (4) is worth 12 each. Friends: Omegas are worth 10 each, Halkins worth 20, and 3 Deltas worth 10 each. Ensure Omega 1, Omega 2, the Halkins, and the Taranis survive. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE AFTERMATH: --2 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort Iota to meet with the Pinnacle) 1 Secondary (Destroy All Remaining Fighters) --41 kills, 41 f/b: 24 Basilisk, 8 Scorpion, 6 Shaitan, 3 Shivan Manticore interceptors. --Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Escort Iota to meet with the Pinnacle) - worth 800 points Secondary (Destroy All Remaining Fighters)- 200 points Hostiles: Rama 4, Bheema (4) and Asura (4) wings each worth 12 points. Friends: Kho 4 is worth 6 points. Don't let any transports/freighters die in this mission or you'll hear about it in the debriefing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE BIG BANG: --4 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Protect GTS Asimov) 1 Secondary (Protect GTC Ravage) 2 Hidden (Guard GTT Spomer) (Guard GTT Stull) --15 kills, 15 f/b: 9 Scorpion, 6 Basilisk. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Protect GTS Asimov) - 800 Secondary (Protect GTC Ravage) - 500 Hidden (Guard GTT Spomer) - 200 Hostiles: Krishna wing (3) worth 10 points, Bheema wing (2) 15. Friends: GTT Spomer and GTT Stull, 10 points each. There are Shaitan bombers on this mission, but I guess they don't count in your kills. Regardless, go after the bombers first. Keep the Asimov's HP above 8%, and don't let the GTT Spomer and Stull die or you fail the mission. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :LA RUOTA DELLA FORTUNA: --3 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Destroy All Shivans in Area) (Destroy the HOL Outpost) 1 Secondary (Ensure Galatea Hull >50) --27 kills, 25 f/b: 17 Scorpion, 4 Shivan Nephilim bombers, 2 Shaitan, 2 Basilisk, 1 Lilith Shivan cruiser, 1 Cain Shivan cruiser. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy All Shivans in Area) - 1000 Primary (Destroy the HOL Outpost) - 10 Secondary (Ensure Galatea Hull >50) - 300 Hostiles: Durga (4), Rama (4), Vishnu (2), Arjuna 3, Krishna 3 are all worth 10 points. Both Hellions worth 150. Indras (2) worth 12. Asuras 1 and 2 worth 15, 3 and 4 worth 18. Arjuna 1&2 and Krishna1&2 worth 25. Destroyed HOL base total (before you arrive) = 112. Friends: Fighters (9) worth 10, Gamma 2 and Delta 1&2 each worth 17 points. Own ship is 12 points. Galatea is 1000. Make sure you go after the cruisers, because they are a less common kill and are worth some points. Don't let the Galatea get destroyed or you fail. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :WHERE EAGLES DARE: --3 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Clear the area of all Hostile ships) (Patrol until the freighters have finished) 1 Secondary (Destroy Gemini Transports) --27 kills, 13 f/b: 7 Seth, 6 Anubis, 3 Ma'at, 3 Ankh Vasudan sentry guns, 2 Isis, 2 VC 3, 2 VAC 4, 2 Satis. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Clear the area of all Hostile ships) - worth 400 points Primary(Patrol until the freighters have finished)-300 points Secondary (Destroy Gemini Transports) - 300 points Hostiles: Virgo 4 worth 8 points, Aries (6) worth 6 points. Taurus 1&3 worth 20, Taurus 2 is worth 10. Friends: Kappa wing (3) worth 20, Iota 1 is 10. Don't worry about that 2nd primary objective; when the Terran freighters arrive, command will say something afterward. You can then depart. You can destroy all the cargo on the level without penalty (your team may do it instead). This is the only level with Ankh class sentry gun kills. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :TENDERIZER: --2 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Protect the Galatea until it Jumps) 1 Secondary (Inspect the Sentry Guns) --45 kills, 38 f/b: 16 Anubis, 9 Seth, 8 Osiris, 6 Cerberus, 5 Vasudan Amun bombers, 1 Aten. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Protect the Galatea until it Jumps) - 1000 points Secondary (Inspect the Sentry Guns) - 10 points Hostiles: 6 sentries worth 3 points, Aries, Libra, Gemini, Leo, have 2 fighters each worth 6 points. Mauler worth 80. Scorpio 1 = 10, 2=15, 3&4=14. Virgo (2), Cancer (2), and Taurus (3) are 6 each. Friends: All 5 fighters worth 10 points, you worth 12, Galatea Is worth 1000 This is probably the third hardest level. To get all 10 kills in the beginning, destroy the sentries after destroying all enemy wings. Amun class bombers and Cerberus sentries only appear as enemies on this level. I suggest using the Cheat and Pass Glitch to make this easier. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :SHELL GAME: --3 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Destroy the Shivan Transports) (Protect the Shivan Cargo) 1 Secondary (Destroy the Shivan freighters) --18 kills, 12 f/b: 12 Scorpion, 2 Shivan Azrael transports, 2 Shivan Mephisto freighters, 2 Asmodeus class freighters. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy the Shivan Transports) - 400 points Primary (Protect the Shivan Cargo) - 300 points Secondary (Destroy the Shivan freighters) - 300 points Hostiles: 12 enemy fighters 10 points each. 2 Transports worth 10 each. 2 Mephistos worth 30. 2 Asmodeus worth 30. Eva worth 5000 points. Friends: 12, worth 10 points each. 2 Deltas worth 15. To get all the freighters, go after the Mephistos, then the 2 Asmodeus freighters, then the transports. If any cargo is destroyed, you will fail the mission. Ensure all friendly transports survive until they dock with the cargo. Mephistos can only be destroyed on this level. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :ENTER THE DRAGON: --3 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Destroy the Cain cruiser Shakti) (Disable and Capture the Arjuna 1 Fighter) 1 Bonus (Disable Arjuna without Delta's help) --19 kills, 5 f/b: 6 Trident, 5 SAC 2, 2 Basilisk, 2 Shaitan, 1 Scorpion, 1 Azrael, 1 Asmodeus, 1 Cain. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy the Cain cruiser Shakti) - 500 Primary (Disable and Capture the Arjuna 1 Fighter)-400 Bonus (Disable Arjuna without Delta's help) - 300 Hostiles: Shakti = 150, both Rama = 12, 1 Vishnu = 10, 2 Indra = 15, Morkali= 10, Lorkonius = 30. Friends: 3 Alpha = 12 each, 3 beta = 17 each, 4 delta= 12 each. Charon is worth 50. Ensure the Charon survives or you will fail the mission. If you destroy the Lorkonius, there will be fewer enemies on the next level. The last SAC 2 is the one the Lorkonius brings in. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :PLAYING JUDAS: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Scan all Destroyers and Cruisers) 1 Secondary (Scan All Freighters and Transports) 1 Bonus (Scan all Cargo) --10 kills, 6 f/b: 6 Manticore, 4 Trident Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Scan all Destroyers and Cruisers)- 700 points Secondary (Scan All Freighters and Transports) - 200 points Bonus (Scan all Cargo) - 200 points Hostiles: 6 Ramas are worth 25 points each. 4 sentries worth 5. Friends: Self worth 12. In order to get the small amount of kills on this level, you will need to wait until the Lucifer jumps in (after the Eva departs) and use the Warp-In Glitch. You will be told to "enter the docking bays". I think this means fighter bays, but whatever. You don't really have to enter them, just get very close. You fail this mission if you fire before you are detected, or if you are detected by a Dragon class fighter or Trident sentry gun. Detection happens when you are within 800 m of the enemy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :EVANGELIST: --1 Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Destroy the Eva) --13 kills, 12 f/b: 10 Manticore, 2 Shivan Dragon fighters, 1 Demon Shivan destroyer. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy the Eva) - 1000 points Hostiles: Eva = 5000, 3 Krishna = 12, 2 Arjuna = 25 Friends: Self and 2 Beta = 12 each, Alpha 2&3 = 17. The 2 Gamma are worth 10. Wait until the Eva stops launching ships before you destroy it to get max kills. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :DOOMSDAY: --2 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Protect The GTD Galatea) 1 Secondary (Protect the Escaping Escape Pods) --20 kills, 20 f/b: 10 Manticore, 10 Nephilim. Points Given: Objectives: Secondary(Protect the Escaping Escape Pods)-1000points Hostiles: 2 Krishna = 25, 2 Bheema = 18, 3 Rama = 12, 1 Asura is worth 18 points. Friends: 6 Escapes = 10, 2 Deltas and 2 Gammas = 10 each. The primary objective is set up to fail, but you should still try to go after the fighters and bombers, mainly because you pass this mission only if the Galatea is destroyed after the Lucifer arrives. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :EXODUS: --4 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Protect Allied Ships) (Secure Area Until Relief Arrives) 1 Secondary (Safely Escort All Ships) 1 Hidden (Protect Mecross) --38 kills, 36 f/b: 16 Basilisk, 9 Scorpion, 6 Shaitan, 2 Cain Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Protect Allied Ships) - 500 points Primary (Secure Area Until Relief Arrives)- 500 points Secondary (Safely Escort All Ships) - 200 points Hidden (Protect Mecross) - 300 Hostiles: 2 Indra = 15, 2 Kali = 15, 2 Asura = 18, 4 Arjuna = 12 3 Krishna = 10, Cain&Abel = 150 each, 1 Vishnu = 25 3 Bheema = 12, Rama 1,2 = 12, Rama 3,4,5 = 18, Asura 3 is worth 18 Friends: Self = 12, 3 Alphas = 17, Kappa 1,4,6,9-11 = 20 each, Kappas 2,3,5 = 10, 4 Pi and 3 Mu = 10, 2 Omicron = 10, Mecross = 80, 2 Iota = 14 Epsilons 1-4 = 10, 2 Rho are 6 each, 2 Delta = 12, Phi 1&2 = 6, Phi 3&7 = 8, Phi 4-6 are 10, Theta 1-3 = 17, Zeta 1-4 = 10, 3 Vac cargo are 3 points each. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :LAST HOPE: --1 Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Protect the Hope) 35 kills, 33 f/b: 18 Nephilim, 4 Dragon, 4 Manticore, 4 Scorpion, 3 Shaitan, 2 Cain. Points Given: Objectives: 0 Points. Hostiles: Indra 1-3=18, 2 Asura = 18, 1 Arjuna = 25, Bheema 1-3=15, 2 Krishna = 12, Lightning and Thunder = 150 each 2 Vinshu=12, Durga 1-4=25, Kali 1-4=18, 2 Rama=10 Friends: Self=12, Alpha 2-4=10, Hope = 1000, Isis Repair = 15, 2 Pi= 10, Beta 1-4=12, Epsilon 1-4=10, Mu 1-4= 14, Rho 1-4 =14, Mecross = 80 Don't let Isis repair die or you will fail. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE: --4 Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Defend Communications Station) (Protect Aquilae Installation) 1 Secondary (Protect Escape Pods) 1 Bonus (Protect all four escape pods) --42 kills, 42 f/b: 15 Nephilim, 10 Manticore, 8 Basilisk, 4 Shaitan, 3 Scorpion, 2 Dragon. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Defend Communications Station) - 1000 points Secondary (Protect Escape Pods) - 300 points Bonus (Protect all four escape pods) - 200 points Hostiles: 2 Deva = 25, Karna 1-4=12, Asura 1-4=12, Rama 1-3=10, Krishna 1-4= 12, Bheema 1-3=18, 2 Arjuna = 12 Friends: Self = 12, Aquilae= 1000, Escape 1-4=10, Alpha 2-4=10, Comm. Station = 50, Cancer 1-4=10, Sentries 1-4=3, Pinnacle=1000 Your second primary objective listed is set up to fail. This is an extremely hard mission; I'd say the second hardest in the campaign. If you can get the Bonus objective then pat yourself on the back, otherwise don't bother trying. You can let 2 pods die to pass the mission (and in my opinion, it isn't worth it to try saving all the escape pods, unless you seriously want a challenge). If you leave one Krishna fighter alive, the rest won't warp in, but you still need to destroy that fighter (and 1 wing afterwards) to finish the level. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :REACHING THE ZENITH: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Disarm the Cruiser Zenith) 1 Secondary (Destroy the cruiser Zenith) 1 Bonus (Destroy the Benedict) --25 kills, 23 f/b: 9 Scorpion, 9 Manticore, 3 Vasudan Thoth fighters, 2 Dragon, 1 Lilith, 1 Aten. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Disarm the Cruiser Zenith) - 500 points Secondary (Destroy the cruiser Zenith) - 500 points Bonus (Destroy the Benedict) - 300 points Hostiles: 0 Points. Friends: Deltas 1-4 = 10 points The Scorpion interceptors only show up if you don't destroy the Zenith's Comm. Subsystem. If you take out the Zenith's engines, you will have infinite time for this level. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :RUNNING THE GAUNTLET: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Get at least one Omega to the Jump Node) 1 Secondary (Get both Omegas to the Jump Node) 1 Bonus (Protect the Rosetta until it departs). --117 kills, 116 f/b: 80 Basilisk, 20 Shaitan, 16 Scorpion, 1 Lilith. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Get at least one Omega to the Jump Node)- 500 points Secondary(Get both Omegas to the Jump Node)-500 points Bonus(Protect the Rosetta until it departs)-200 points Hostiles: 0 Points. Friends: Beta 3&4 = 17, Epsilon 1&4 = 12 The only way you can get a Lilith kill on this level is if you didn't manage to kill the Zenith in the previous level in time (but it always shows up in the mission sim). The way you get so many kills is to first use the Cheat and Pass glitch on the previous level, then stay in the area until the Lucifer stops launching ships (20 wings of Basilisk). Make sure 1 Omega transport survives. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :BLACK OMEGA: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort Omega to Jump Node) 2 Secondary (Escort Both Omegas to the Jump Node) (Destroy the Anvil) --21 kills, 20 f/b: 9 Horus, 9 Thoth, 2 Osiris, 1 Typhon Vasudan destroyer. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Escort Omega to Jump Node) - 500 points Secondary (Escort Both Omegas to the Jump Node) - 500 points Secondary (Destroy the Anvil) - 200 points Hostiles: 0 Points. Friends: 0 Points. Ensure 1 Omega survives to proceed to the next mission. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :CLASH OF THE TITANS: --3 Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort GTD Bastion to the Lucifer) 1 Secondary (Keep the GTD Bastion's hull above 35) 1 Bonus (Destroy the SD Tantalus) --33 kills, 32 f/b: 18 Basilisk, 8 Nephilim, 4 Manticore, 2 Shaitan, 1 Demon. Points Given: Objectives: Primary(Escort GTD Bastion to the Lucifer)-1000 points Secondary (Keep the GTD Bastion's hull above 35)- 1000 points Hostiles: Arjuna 1-3=12, Tantalus = 150, Indra 1-3=18, 2 Krishna worth 12, 2 Bheema=18, 2 Rama=12, Vishnu 1-5=12, 2 Asura worth 15 Friends: 3 Alpha = 12, Bastion = 1000, Beta 1-3=12, Gamma 1-3 worth 20. Out of all the single player missions, I have the most trouble with this one. It's unlikely that you will get the Demon class destroyer kill, as you will be occupied with fighting the Bastion's attackers. Instead have Beta wing take it out, and tell them to disarm it, but don't give them stilettos. Have Beta wing protect the Bastion until the second wing of Nephilims is gone. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :THE GREAT HUNT: --1 Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Reach the Subspace Node) --57 kills, 55 f/b: 29 Basilisk, 9 Dragon, 6 Manticore, 7 Thoth, 4 Scorpion, 1 Lucifer Shivan Destroyer, 1 Typhon. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Reach the Subspace Node) - 1000 points Hostiles: Rama 1-3=10, Krishna1-3=10, Bheema 1-4=12, Virgo 1-3 are worth 14, Asura 1-3=12, Indra 1-4=10, Aries 1-4 are worth 14, Durga 1-4=10, Genma 1-4=12, Kali 1-3=25, Deva 1-5=12, Karna 1-4=12, Arjuna 1-5 = 12, Lucifer is worth 5000, Prophecy = 1000 Friends: Alpha 1-4 =12, Beta 1-4 =10, Delta 1-4=20, Bastion is worth 1000, Epsilon 1-4 = 12. You may be wondering "How is it possible to get those kills?" Well, this is one of the levels you can use the Cheat and Pass glitch on. If you decide you are going to cheat, you'll want a fast ship (I suggest Valkyrie), and since there are a large number of kills and a nice variety, you will want to do this one solo (so don't let any teammates kill enemies; read the glitch description). Also, switch out your primary weapons for ML-16's (you'll see why in-mission). As soon as you enter the mission, enter cheat mode as fast as you can. Make yourself invulnerable, then switch both of your primary weapons to Shivan Super Lasers (select a gun mount, hold ~ and shift, press 0 only once). Select the Lucifer with the escort button (e by default), then hold ~ and press k a 7 times or until its health reaches 12%. Aim for the Lucifer and shoot however many times you think it will take you to finish off the Lucifer (it only takes 2-3 hits to kill it, but the Lucifer is extremely hard to hit from 20 kilometers away). If you hit it enough times, you will get a Lucifer kill (if it jumps out you can restart and try again). After you kill the first wing of fighters that jumps in, Command will talk to you. At this point, you can select the Bastion and use the kill cheat you used on the Lucifer (if you do it earlier you fail), though you may lose points by doing so. I do suggest using this cheat on the Ursas and Thoths it spits out; by doing so you can collect all the kills on this level (and the following one). Another thing: when my time hit 12:41, command told me Earth was doomed, but I jumped out anyway and seemed to complete the mission successfully. But this was in the mission simulator, so you may not want to chance it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :GOOD LUCK: --1 Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Destroy the Lucifer) --304 kills, 303 f/b: 294 Manticore, 9 Dragon, 1 Lucifer. Points Given: Objectives: Primary (Destroy the Lucifer) - 3000 points Hostiles: Lucifer = 5000, Deva 1-3 = 25, Arjuna 1-3 = 25 Friends: Self = 12, Alpha 2-4 = 10, Delta 1-4 = 20, Beta 1-4 worth 12 each, Epsilon 1-4 = 12 Use the Cheat and Pass glitch on this level. To get 304 kills, first disable the Lucifer (it has 2 engines). After you do this, the Lucifer won't jump out, but it will keep spitting out ships (you can leave the game running while the mouse is on trigger, but use Synaptics). When fighters are no longer appearing, destroy the Lucifer like you normally would destroy a ship. Make sure you DON'T destroy all 5 reactors; otherwise you won't get the Lucifer's kill. _______________________________________________________________________________ |8yz FAQ / |_______/ All questions so far have been on the point system & rank. All that I know is covered in this guide. To people with questions about this: Please help me out and start asking around. You can ask on FreeSpace Boards (GameFAQs, Gamespot, or any place that has FreeSpace as a Message Board), FreeSpace Websites (Interplay (they seem reluctant), Volition-Inc, Parallax), or any webpage owner that knows anything about FreeSpace (Use a search engine and type Descent: FreeSpace. You'll have to use exact phrasing). So I can give recognition, make sure and tell me your handle (and the person you got the info from, I don't want legal issues). _______________________________________________________________________________ |9yz Links / |_________/ I hope this section grows, and I may incorporate some of these pages into one I create, though they won't be the same. You may want to check Wikipedia as well. http://www.volition-inc.com - The developer's website, it has basic game info and downloads. http://www.interplay.com - The publishing company's website; It has guides, screens, and other stuff. http://www.pxo.net/ - The place for multiplayer things, including servers, accounts, etc. http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/ - A pretty reliable source for basic FreeSpace stuff. http://www.pxo.net/files/106readme.txt - A pretty good readme for the game. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/karajorma/FAQ/intro.html - The FreeSpace Oracle. Has tons of stuff in it, some is not there anymore. http://www.3dactionplanet.com/hlp/hosted/stealth/ - A pretty awesome page. Includes pictures, downloads, etc. http://infohost.nmt.edu/~dwood/ - This one is my personal webspace. It's in development. Check it out! _______________________________________________________________________________ |0yz Special Thanks & Conclusion/ |______________________________/ I hope this guide was satisfactory in every way possible. If not please E-mail me and tell me why and I will fix the problem. Any feedback will be appreciated. I want to bring people the best guide possible. First, I want to thank myself for making this guide. Second, I want to thank my parents for bringing me into existence. Third, I would like to thank my ancestors, for if they were any different I may not exist. Fourth, I would like to thank the celestial process which took place before humans were on this planet whatever that may be, for if it had not happened I would not exist. ;) Fifth, I would like to thank the developers, coders, artists, musicians, and all the other people who put time away from their life to make this game. Sixth, I would like to thank CJayC for starting GameFAQs, for if he hadn't, this guide and many others would not exist. Seventh, I would like to thank GameFAQs and all the other great sites for accepting this FAQ/Guide. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And lastly, I would like to thank the reader for using my guide. And this especially goes to anyone who gives me feedback. Here is a list of helpful people: redalert19243: For requesting a medal list on the message boards, for if he hadn't, this guide would not exist. Tahna Los: Pointed out a few errors in my FAQ. Razoriel: Made me have an innovation about making a basis for the point system. Basilisk: Giving me many fixes and tips on the guide, as well as the idea of a multiplayer guide and an e-mail. Also has given me the points for the ranks. Dman4835: For pinpointing the Ace Badges kills and helping me identify an error in my Ace Badge ranking system. Valkyerie: Gave me missing info in the rank section. Bobotheking: Pointed me to a program that helps get the point values and makes the missions easier to dissect. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you give me help of any kind or give me any information chances are good your name will be on this list too! 'Twas an honor to make this FAQ and a privilege to present it!!!111!11!1111one! I hope it was very useful to you!