After Action Reports

[John DiCamillo]

I thought we could use a thread to share some memorable moments spent with the game. I'll start by posting a few favorites from the old message board. Feel free to pop in here with own experience.

[John DiCamillo]

Originally posted by icevic
The demo was an exciting roller coaster ride with many memorable moments. Upon completing it, some questions remain to be answered gameplay wise. Also I have some suggestions that might possibly improve the game.

I received the rank of Captain by flying lots of training and single missions (especially the ground assualt missions and later fleet action missions). In the end, I really do feel I am alot better at this game by accumulating flying hours and practice. Therefor I started Operation Highland by commanding the 60th Destroyer Group.

The most intense battle was on Trellis orbit against the Kitt Destroyer group. Back then I wasn't very familiar with nav point plotting and had to resort to manual "Homeworld" move orders. DD Radix and my DD Gerrond with FF Tanner moved toward the destroyer group as FF Rainier lagged behind due to the escort command (it tried to get behind Radix 30km away then start following). Upon contacting the enemy fleet, Tanner charged into the crossfire and was eliminated 1 minute after initial contact, but during that time Radix and Gerrond took down one destroyer and damaged a frigate. Only then FF Rainier had arrived and we took down the remaining DD, but the last frigate turned and ran. I severely damaged it by firing all the remaining torpedos while the FF was attacked at the mine blockade, and a friendly fighter downed it with a missile. That left me with 3 ships, 2 DD and 1 FF with one of the two DDs only at 21% hull strength.

Then the mission became much easier but still offer some twists and turns. One mission involved freighter escorting. Gerrond followed the freighter to the Meridan sector, which appeared to be clear and eyeballing the horizon didn't reveal engine corona or metal reflections. Just as I was about to leave I saw the frieghter raised its shields to full, then 3 fighters appeared on radar (razor class). I thought they were going after the freighter, but instead they were just patrolling the area unaware of both of us (the starship's radars seem to be more powerful than theirs). Gerrond approached and PDB eliminated all of them. As I was about to leave the sector again, radar displayed another red blip behind DD Gerrond, a Wolf class DD just jumped in. Based on my terrible experience with them, I tried to run and hoped it didn't see me. It was too late as it raised its shield to full. I then decided the only option left is to deal with the DD. Raising Gerrond's shield to full, I targeted Wolf's laser array and took them down in three vollies, while Wolf disabled one of my torpedo launchers and damaged two of my lasers. I then focused all fire on Wolf's forward PDB and disabled it as Gerrond moved within 10km and started the torpedo volley. With all of its weapon systems down, Wolf was destroyed soon after with Gerrond only suffered less than 5% hull damage.

[John DiCamillo]

Originally posted by Incendiary Lemon on GoneGold

Right now I'm attached to the 3rd Fleet Archon, my outfit the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron flies from its flagship the CV-71 Archon. Its our first day in the Solus system, the local goverment has fallen into civil war and we have been asked to intervene by the "loyalist" faction. Intelligence reports the enemy consist of one carrier group but then four destroyer squadrons to our one - this lowly pilot would consider us heavily outnumbered.
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I had my first combat mission this morning at 0100 hours, the Dentari seperatists had deployed an extensive minefield to our north which I was to clear. Premission intel reported the possibilty of enemy fighters, a quick review of the sector map gave me the layout and proper heading towards my target. I took the suggested dumbfire rocket loadout on my fighter, tracking ability wouldn't be necessary against the stationary mines.

Launch was uneventful, getting tracked into the catapult and thrown free. A gentle bank towards the right and I matched my heading to the first nav point. From my map it appeared my wingman was trimming up behind me. I clicked the auto button and a snap of time compression placed me at my first waypoint, correcting course I pointed towards the second nav and let auto run again. It returned control when the mines hit sensor range, three sections of six set around a jump gate. Ares wing was patrolling off to my left and I could see Zeta forming up to sweep the right side of the field.

No hostiles though, i flared my engines slowing down to a gentle advance and waited for gunnery range.

The rockets shot off in groups of four, each battery capable of taking out a turret. It was rather simple engaging them at 35 clicks, far beyond their reach. I moved slowly at only 10% of throttle, spending time to pick my targets.

However nasty things do occur, halfway through my list the HUD blared warning of incoming missiles. I'd been dull to my surroundings, the mines being rather helpless I hadn't thought of checking the radar. Now looking down I had a newly arrived Frigate setting course, for me, and that really was bad news. Frigates are built to wipe out fighter wings, it would be only a moment to take out a straggler. Zeta was too far off and Ares heading in wrong direction - clearly this was a time to volunteer my wingman.

He performed exceptionally, while I ditched my remaining missiles, and hit afterburners he turned towards the Lovo. It was a desperate charge to make laser range having spent all other weaponry. On the frigate they were clearly not lacking in ranged weaponry, I could see a genuine flurry munition launches comming from the Lovo.

It was really remarkble he managed to last more than the few seconds I needed to break out of targeting range.

But I'm greatful, unloaded I was making great time back towards the Archon. Command was scrambling fighters towards this new threat, and I would be alive for tomorrow.

[David Heath]

Hi Guys

If you have some screenshots feel feel to post them.

David