-Pat
Go to the tank customization screen, press option 1 twice, then press and hold it, and also press the pause button, which will do the reset. (Note that I have occasionally had trouble doing this, and had to try the sequence a couple times. My buttons might just need cleaning.)
>>This is best done right when turning the unit on... if it >>didn't work, turn it off and try again. Starting multi-player >>is NOT easy to achieve in this mode.
While I don't know about multiplayer (but should, soon!), this advice need not be followed quite so strictly. You can play a number of levels in the regular game, and then jump into the 'new' game. You shouldn't need to turn off the machine.
>> terrain type >> tanks to destroy >> fuel canisters >> other canisters >> radiation level ["Z-Rate"]
There is also a multi-colored bar just under the radiation-level. That seems to be a chart of different radiation-amounts for each color, increasing to the right.
>> ZT.Restore - input password of previous game >> ZT.Build - creates standard tank (can adjust after built) >> ZT.New - select parts yourself to create tank
You have the same parts available to you whether you use ZT.Build (which places the parts for you) or ZT.New (where you do it yourself).
Choose your tank carefully! It will affect how you play; quite possibly a good template will improve your game!
Here's a suggestion for how to choose a tank:
My favorite is C-Tundra! Pretty good layout, lots of space for shields, and it can hold all five of the different detectors! Very little fuel space, though. Ah, well, it looks really cool.
Here is a breakdown of things I've observed about the parts, in addition to some helpful hints:
>> Engines >>>> A MOTIVE UNIT MaxPw: 0400 Eff: 0.75 Wader Class 2h >> B MOTIVE UNIT MaxPw: 0400 Eff: 1.0 Ellel Class 4s >> C MOTIVE UNIT MaxPw: 0500 Eff: 0.75 Zorbach Class 4s >> D MOTIVE UNIT MaxPw: 0500 Eff: 1.0 Azra Class 6h
I've tried the first three(a-c). I have noticed no difference between A and B other than space requirements, and I have a sneaking suspicion that C and D are also similar.
>> DriveTrain >>>> A JO-KA DRIVE Accel: 1.0 Flat Terrain 2h >> B STERIUM DRIVE Accel: 2.0 Hilly Terrain 4s >> C EPICYCLIC DRIVE Accel: 4.0 All Terrain 6h
I have obtained the first two(a-b), and the result of upgrading is noticeable. My original strategy, if you can call it that, was high acceleration with low top speed. That way, I can press up all the time, (too used to the standard game, I guess) but I will never go too fast. This let me slow down in decent time. Keep reading to find out why I changed this strategy, in the On Better Control section.
>> Fuel >> A FUEL CELL Standard Core 90J Cpcty Disposable >> 2v val 9 >> (a standard level will need a few of these) >> B FUEL CELL Daru Core 200J Cpcty Slow Charge >> 4s val 20 >> (this one seldom drains completely in one level)
Fuel is moderately interesting. If you have lots of fuel space, and you have a B cell available, you should certainly put it in. But watch out -- you don't often find these, so if you run out of gas, you will have to replenish it with a 9-pack(A). Just try to leave a 2v space open for a replacement, so you don't lose a 20-pack.
>> Missile
>> A BTX MISSILE Cursor Aim 400 Impact 1000 Range
>> 2v qty 9
>> B RADX MISSILE Radar Track 600 Impact 1500 Range
>> 4s qty 30
>> C LZX MISSILE Laser Guided 800 Impact 2000 Range
?? qty ??
>> D CAMX MISSILE Camera Guided 1000 Impact 2500 Range
>> 6h qty 30
I have encountered all of these, and the difference in power really becomes apparent when you get to the last two. I must say that the 30-qty missiles are very nice, because you don't have to change banks often. I haven't seen guidance do anything, so far.
>> Razer
>> A ZAPP RAZER Range: 1000 400 Impact Drain: 100
>> 4s qty: 70
>> B PULSE RAZER Range: 1500 600 Impact Drain: 175
>> 4s qty: 70
>> C ION RAZER Range: 2000 800 Impact Drain: 250
>> 4s qty: 70
>> D GAMMA RAZER Range: 2500 1000 Impact Drain: 300
4s qty: 70
I have used the all of these, as well, and, again, the higher razers just are obviously more destructive. I haven't tested the range thing, though.
>> Shield >> A MIN SHIELD 9k Protect Quart Defense Low Drain >> 2v val 9 >> B WIDE SHIELD 9k Protect Half Defense High Drain >> 2h val 9
The wide shields really do make a difference -- they seem like they take forever to deplete. I really don't think "quart" or "half" refers to a portion of the tank, rather it is amount of damage they absorb.
>> Dials >> A BEARING MONX Relational 360 Reliability.99 Drain: 252 >> 4s >>>> B ABS CO-ORD Acc: +/- 20 ISO Calibrtd Drain: 200 >> 6h >> > useful in multi-player games and for finding passwords> >> C EXPOSURE CNT Optimsd X-Ray Auto De-Flux Drain: 100 >> 4s >> > very useful for high radiation zones>
These are all fairly common, so I have used all three. If I have a Map Detector (below), my favorite of these is A(Bearing Monx). What I really want to know more about is the info listed under B, about multi- player games (is that just if people want to meet at a particular spot?) and passwords. See Questions and Answers, below.
Notes:
>> Detector >> (all of these currently deemed useless) >> A FUEL DETECT One Point RO Display Drain: 150 >> 2v >> B PICKINZ DETECT All Types RO Display Drain: 200 >> 2v >> C TANK DETECT Zone Limited RO Display Drain: 300 >> 2v >> D ZEEK DETECT One Point RO Display Drain: 200 >> 2v >> E MAP DETECT Detect All RO Display Drain: 150 >> 2v
Useless??? What? These are cool, kind of a "Heads Up Display" type thing! Here is what I have found them to do:
Also, note that you can have more than one of these running at a time, and they overlay the same area.
>> Scanner >> A DATA SCAN 5 Terrabyte Auto Translat Range: 30 >> 4s Drain: 1000 >>>> B PICKINZ SCAN Icon Gen Mount Advice Range: 30 >> 4s Drain: 1000 >> >> C TANK SCAN Multi id 90% Accurate Range: 50 >> 4s Drain: 200 >>
These are fairly self-explanatory, minus the A-Data Scan, which is a little more difficult to understand.
Note that to use any of the scanners requires you to be in Select mode.
>> Control >> A CONTROL Activate by A Cursor Pod >> 8h L/R=Direction U/D=Gear >>
This is simple and straightforward; it tells you if the tank is going in reverse, forward, or turbo (see below, On Better Control).
On the right side of the Lynx display is your button assignments. By default, opt.1 switches between Select mode and Move mode, and 'a' and 'b' are assigned to weapons systems that you have installed. Opt.2 is the pick-up/put-down/place button. All but opt.2 can be reconfigured (see below, On Better Control).
Scattered across the edges of the rest of the display are all the items you placed earlier, with the current quantity loaded, if applicable.
Watch out that you don't back into an enemy, particularly a zeek. From what I have experienced, that's the end for your armor!
It also seems that you can blow up oncoming missiles, when you use the razer. I am not sure if missiles will do this.
Even though passwords can reach over 15 sets, it could be much worse. Putting the code in, the order of characters is "A...Za...z0...9A..."
Yes, there are a lot of characters! However, there are some things in the coder's favor:
GJfy-hBCA-r8dE-IAJB-GQ74-lis2-u9d6- dyjS-DgPQ-KZnc-T1MS-elwR-hVzu
I think that's it. If it doesn't work with 'u', try a 'v'. It's hard to tell, sometimes... Anyway, lots of good stuff, like ALL the detector, scanner, and armor types. Also, one or two razers, and a total of 69 missiles! I think that's what is on this code, anyway.
Here is another code, with lotsa goodies:
Lc0n-5sx5-fpoW-G8LI-m9rV-mvIK-i2bP- 2RFa-lrCB-psFw-fiwM-NY0m-jsol-4FdU
(Hey, if you've tried these, and they don't work, please, write me! I'll be grateful!)
There are two modes of operation during the game: Select mode and Move mode. To switch between the two modes, use the key currently assigned to 'control' (opt.1 is default). 'Pause' is the only way to stop the action in either mode, regardless of what is activated, like a scanner or even the map detector.
You start out in select mode, the more complicated of the two, so I'll cover that first.
Select mode controls:
If the cursor is over a Pickinz or a Fuel, it will activate that item (ie, it will bring up that HUD or use that fuel tank), leaving button assignment the same. (Does this go for shields, too?)
If one of these buttons is pressed while the cursor is over the viewscreen, it will activate its associated function.
If the cursor is over a canister on the viewscreen, this button will pick up the item inside, giving you an icon for it, as well as a highlight area where it is allowed to be placed.
Have no fear of reassigning everything, if you want. You won't ever get "stuck" in a mode, since you can only switch modes if you have a button linked to Control. Personally, I have 'a' as control, 'b' as razers, and opt.1 as missiles.
If one of your banks of missiles or razers runs out, you will need to reassign you keys to non-empty ones, as it will not be done for you. Fuel and shields do this automatically.
Move mode controls:
>Do the controls seem a bit sluggish? Double-press any direction on the >joypad, and see the results. Your tank really starts to fly around!
- "double"-joypad -- speedy control.
Best setup for this a Tank with a low Z-tolerance, and a terrain with the following: high Z-rate, low # of tanks, and a bunch of fuel and other canisters.
A different way to build yourself up in the beginning is to would be to start on one of the more difficult levels, (where difficulty seems to be based on number of tanks and Z-rate), because more and better equipment is assigned initially. (Thanks to Steve Well for noticing this)
Always pick up the tank "droppings" -- left by dead tanks. It's usually at least a used missile bank, but sometimes it's better, like a new drive-train and stuff.
Hey, have you seen the rotating triangle thing in the middle of some levels? What is that? I tried scanning it, to no avail. Shooting it, too, of course! And, after 10 or so missiles, it blew up, leaving a canister! But, no matter how hard I try, I can't pick it up!!
When you input a code, you still get the choice of equip that you would have had you chosen ZT.Build or ZT.New. That means you have all your stuff, plus MORE that is allocated. Bug? Maybe, but it makes for powerful tanks!!
Hmmm... Run away? Just don't stay in one place too long.
(See next question)
From Harry Dodgson:
> Yes, efficiency... meaning how much fuel it uses... that's > why a 'b' is better than an 'a' drive.
From Harry Dodgson:
> I presume the same thing here [as for the engines], all these > boxes take power to run.
From Harry Dodgson:
> When you find one, you'll know! :)
From Harry Dodgson:
> Of course, I know all the others :)(I say, get 'em, guys!!!) ;-)
(See next question)
It gives this information in terms of Zone coordinates, which you of course access through the Map screen. It further defines the location of the next triangle as "Index" location (I think they use index). See above, Dials, for details on how the index coordinates work.
At any rate, the strange thing I have experienced is that the instructions have always been to go diagonally in the same direction. I have gone like this for about five in a row without dying, and still no changes, no hints at passwords. Maybe we should find a triangle that points to a locked zone, and will then give its password. I just don't know.
If you have questions, comments, or new codes for cool tanks, please, write me at pforhan@cs.truman.edu!
Bye!
Patrick Forhan, 1996