Download issue cgw_37 - Computer Gaming World Museum

STRATEGICALLY SPEAKING
Strategically Speaking covers strategy game tips, including tips
on wargames, sports games, economic and other simulations, as
well as classic style games.
DISCLAIMER: The tips printed in SS are those of the authors.
We try to avoid printing tips that don't work, but we cannot
playtest all, or even most of them. So, let the player beware.
We pay $5.00 for each SS tip printed. Tips can be mailed to
Strategically Speaking c/o CGW, PO Box 4566, Anaheim, CA
92803-4566.
Try to keep under 250 words if possible.
STAR FLEET I
(Interstel Corporation)
Do not hesitate to place a tractor beam on a Krellan ship, even
if a Zaldron ship is in the same quadrant. The "Officer's Manual"
(p. 9) is wrong when it states that the enemy will fire whenever
you use your tractor beam or transporter. This only occurs about
5% of the time. At level 8 and above, mines are more effective
than torpedoes against single, Krellan ships. To use mines most efficiently,
enter the edge of the quadrant in the fifth or sixth sector
in that row or column. On your next turn, move in a straight line
for nine sectors across the quadrant and lay eight mines while you
move (laying nine mines may block a torpedo shot). If the enemy
does not collide with a mine, firing a torpedo may prompt him to
move into the mines or destroy him if he doesn't move. If you are
low on torpedoes, firing your phasers at a very low power setting
(around 5 units) may get the enemy to move into the mines.
At the higher levels, avoid speeds above C factor of 3 because
it increases the risk of ion storms which can severely damage your
ship. If you are low on power and far from the nearest starbase,
use two moves to get home. First, choose an unoccupied quadrant
about halfway to the nearest starbase. Ideally, this quadrant
should have few stars (to minimize the risk of collision). Plan to
stop on the edge of this quadrant which is nearest your starbase.
Then, if a Zaldron ship does appear, you will be able to flee the
quadrant and head home without the risk of colliding with the
Zaldron.
John Clarke
Minneapolis, MN
MECH BRIGADE
(Strategic Simulations, Inc.)
When offered the opportunity to purchase Attack Helicopters,
you should turn it down. Your opponent will have no way of
knowing your decision and will be forced to buy an Air Force Defense
Unit, which is ineffectual against almost anything besides
helicopters. You can then use your extra purchasing power to buy
more tanks, which you can never have enough of.
Speaking of tanks, when on defense or in a meeting engagement,
get the fastest tanks you can. Try to leave a reserve company
deployed well to the north or south of your main body. Once
the bulk of your troops are fully engaged and the enemy's main
force has been located, slip this reserve force at full speed behind
the enemy, preferably placing them in covered terrain. They can
then blast away at the enemy's weak back armor with virtual impunity.
During meeting engagements, the computer is slow to get off of
the mark. Thus, you can usually occupy the objective first. You
should take advantage of this, since the objective squares are usually
covered and you can often catch the enemy in open terrain.
Whenever possible, use your tanks to support infantry. Speed
can be critical in the game and in this way, you can also take best
advantage of combined arms concepts. Use your MICV's primarily
as anti-tank weapons.
Finally, the old cliche is true. The best anti-tank weapon is
another tank!
Kenneth B. Strumpf
Milwaukee, WI