# Star Fighter 3000 Pilot's Manual

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## - Tactics -

### Defensive Tactics :

General principles (1) - "Do not spread your attack force too thinly. If there is something to attack, it is safe to assume that it may attack you. It is more important to finish a mission at a steady pace than to waste licence payers fees on scrap metal."
(Advanced pilots manual Pg 56, Vol II)

Most of the missions will require you to re-dock with the mothership when finished. If this is so, and the mothership is under enemy attack, you must defend it to the death to avoid being stranded on an enemy planet.

### Friendly Formations :

#### a) Getting a formation together.

On some missions, you may have to locate members of your attack force and request they join from a patrol. A close fly-by the leader of the friendly formation will signal a request to join the attack force, and all following will join. It is good defensive practice (and good manners) to allow the formation to settle behind you before moving into dangerous areas.

#### b) Attacking with a formation.

Pressing 'A' will send your formation in to battle with the nearest airborne targets. They will always attack on a one to one basis (ie. 2 enemy craft nearby, 2 will break formation), the rest stay with you for defence.

If you wish to raise the stakes, pressing 'A' again, will send in more of your formation, increasing your chances of victory, but also your potential losses.

#### c) Knowing when to retreat.

Keep a careful eye on your attack force - Fednet military advocate the use of C&C (Care and control) at all times.

General principles (2) - "Care and Control - Every pilot lost to the enemy increases their strategic advantage. Do not abandon your fellow pilots unless it looks dodgy, in which case, leg it back to the mothership and let them fight it out."
(Advanced pilots manual Pg 5, Vol I)

You will receive radio updates from time to time from your attack force. If things get too rough, 'R' will re-group your formation. However, be careful not to force your wingmen into retreat if it puts them in a vulnerable position as they leave the battle scene. If consistently fired upon while trying to re-group, they will return to combat.

#### d) Re-allocation of targets.

When an enemy target is destroyed by a friendly craft, the nearest enemy targets to the player will always be selected for attack. If none are found, the friendly ship will attempt to rejoin your formation. This serves 2 main purposes:

1. It is good defensive practice to defend the formation leader.
2. Formation pilots are fully aware that it is common for flight leaders to swan about enjoying themselves while they get pounded to bits.

#### e) Friendly fire & losses.

Friendly pilots will tolerate a certain amount of friendly fire before switching sides and trying to kill you. This can however lead to some quite exciting battles as the formation you have left will leap to your defence. You will also receive points for attacking your own team, it is a game show after all ...

In the sad event of a friendly pilot dying in combat (while he / she is still on your side), it should be remembered that it is extremely bad manners to pick up the bonus coins left behind.

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