This
section should provide an answer to all your basic questions about Escape
Velocity and how to play it. You can tune up your tactics, discover some
of the built-in cheats, and more...
-- Appendix of tables --
Combat Rating
Your combat rating is based on the number of kills you have made, which
is the sum of the crew complements of all the ships you have destroyed.
The higher your combat rating, the more chance you have of being offered
better missions. (Just don't make too many enemies in the process!)
0 :
Harmless
1 : Mostly Harmless
100 : Fair
200 : Average
400 : Above Average
800 : Competent
1,600 : Noteworthy
3,200 : Excellent
6,400 : Dangerous
12,800 : Deadly
25,600 : Ultimate |
Combat Values
Here are the combat values (i.e. crew complements) for each ship, from
smallest to largest:
| 1: Confed
Gunboat, Confed Patrol Ship, Defender, Hawk, Lightning, Shuttlecraft, Rebel
Manta |
| 2: Executive Transport, Rapier, Scoutship |
6: Clipper
8: Alien Fighter
10: Courier
19: Light Freighter
28: Argosy
32: Bulk Freighter
37: Corvette
65: Luxury Liner
95: Rebel Escort Carrier
115: Rebel Destroyer
196: Kestrel
217: Confed Frigate
527: Rebel Cruiser
650: Alien Battlecruiser
1,029: Confed Heavy Cruiser |
Legal Status
Your legal status in a system is based on the crime tolerance of that system's
government (if the system is independent, it is based on the governent's
crime tolerance). On this scale, enough "good" or "evil"
points to equal the government's crime tolerance is given a value of 1.
-4,096:
Galactic Scourge
-1,024: Prime Evil
-256: Public Enemy
-64: Fugitive
-16: Felon
-4: Criminal
-1: Offender
0: Clean
4: Decent Individual
16: Good Egg
64: Upstanding Citizen
256: Role Model
1,024: Pillar of Society
4,096: Honored Leader |
-- Cheats --
Although some of the things listed here are not really cheats (often
they are in fact errors/bugs), they do offer a quick way to earn cash,
so let's not be too precise!
Cheat Keys
There are no cheat keys implemented in Escape Velocity.
Free Lightnings
If you own a Kestrel, a great way to either rake in the dough or expand
your fighter capacity is to demand tribute from planets that utilize Lightnings
for planetary defense. Any Lightnings that are disabled can easily be boarded
and taken as tribute for your own use or resale.
Free Fighters
Purchase 2 or more bays. Launch all of your fighters and then recall
them. After one has docked, order them to stop. When you launch again,
you will receive an additional number of fighters proportional to the number
of launch bays on your ship.
Neutron Blaster
If you sell a secondary weapon while it is selected as your weapon of choice,
you will still be able to use this weapon until you change secondary weapons.
Apparently, there is a special bonus when this is applied to the neutron
blaster. This is more of an undocumented bug than a cheat, so enjoy it
while it lasts...
Scamming Sol
Buying and selling certain items (i.e. armor) in the Sol system is more
lucrative than meets the eye: you will receive more credits when selling
a particular item than what you originally paid for it.
Gambling
Holding down the space bar when gambling substantially improves your luck
for the first three rolls.
Easter Eggs
1) When the EV title screen loads, press and hold "x".
2) Click on the EV title picture while holding down option, command and
shift.
3) Click on the EV title picture while holding down shift, "m"
and "b", then while holding down option, "m" and "b".
-- Obtaining special weapons/ships --
How do I obtain the...?
Forklift
Option-click the title screen so you get the EV/MST3K theme. Wait until
"-MCB 4:35 A.M." shows up, then hold down control-command-option-shift-F.
You'll hear the Forklift theme song "They'll try to kill 'im with
a forklift!". The loaded pilot file receives the forklift.
Cloaking Device
Flying for the Rebels. The cloaking device is received prior to the mission
where the objective is to insert a Rebel covert ops team onto Luna. You'll
need the cloaking device for this mission.
Particle Beam
Flying for the Confederates. The particle beam is obtained during the mission
where the objective is to disable a bulk freighter and retrieve a stolen
Confederate weapon prototype (the particle beam). Be sure to destroy the
freighter after obtaining the weapon.
Tractor Beam
Flying for the Rebels. The tractor beam is received after successfully
completing the AstroDyne V mission where you are required to ambush a Confederate
weapons convoy and return the stolen munitions back to Palshife.
Sattelite of Love
Hold down "S", "O" and "L" at the title
screen. Eventually you'll come across it in a shipyard.
-- Tactics --
The best trading routes in the galaxy along with tips from experts on
how to survive long enough to find them...
Buyer Beware
When upgrading your vessel or purchasing a new one, be sure to carefully
evaluate any new weapons, upgrades or expansions. Sometimes they will not
be well-suited to either the vessel or tactics you have in mind. Fast and
maneuverable ships are best paired with light and quick-firing weapons
while heavier, less maneuverable warships can afford to take on slower,
more powerful batteries.
Swallow Your Pride
You can't go around shooting ships and expect them to sit idly by and not
return fire. Also remember that an unprovoked attack doesn't require a
response on your part. Most smaller vessels aren't designed to withstand
prolonged combat, so if you get caught up in a firefight, withdraw and
live to fight another day.
The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall
The smallest vessel can defeat a much larger opponent if one takes the
time to carefully study his foe's strengths and weaknesses. Shield recharge
rate, rate of fire, and ammunition capacity are only a few of the things
a good pilot will know beforehand. A few simple minutes spent evaluating
an opponent can mean the difference between success and failure.
Assuming Makes...
When in doubt, always expect your opponent to be stronger than you. Not
only will it prevent you from engaging in foolhardy combats but it will
hone your skills by requiring you to be more cautious and reserved. Don't
forget that many AI ships have had their factory specs enhanced beyond
what is listed.
Know Your Surroundings
Always factor in the area in which combat takes place. Scanner interference
can result in an unexpected, and sometimes fatal, surprise attack while
dense asteroid fields can provide a solid defense against a sudden barrage
of missiles or torpedoes. In the event a hasty retreat is required, ensure
that either a friendly system is nearby or you have adequate fuel to reach
one.
Beggars Can't Be Choosers
Accept any mission that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time
and with a minimum of risk to your person. Passenger missions are the best
because not only do they not take up any cargo space, but there is no time
limit on completion. Once you establish yourself, though, forge out a trading
route and begin accepting missions to worlds that coincide with your visits.
Misery Loves Company
The quickest way to rack up credits is by capturing enemy vessels or hiring
escorts to boost your available cargo capacity. More cargo = more profit.
Pirates are always on the lookout for unprotected convoys, so be sure to
hire escorts that can fend for themselves, fighters to fly cover or have
enough $$ onhand to bankroll the loss of a transport or two (in addition
to their cargo).
The Meek Will Inherit The Earth
But in the interim, the strong are going to have a field day! Don't be
afraid to strike out in new directions and accept dangerous and challenging
missions. No one ever accomplished anything by riding the fence! If you
aren't being offered these exciting crusades or adventures, chances are
you're being too cautious by playing it safe.
If At First You Don't Succeed...
Most importantly, don't give up - there is a way to accomplish everything
in Escape Velocity! When you run headlong into a brick wall, step back,
take a deep breath, and try looking at the situation from a different perspective.
In many instances you'll find that the solution was within your grasp all
the time!
I Wanna Be A Cowboy...
At some point in the game, whether you like it or not, you'll be forced
to choose sides. Each side has its pros and cons, which may not be readily
apparent at the outset. For example, you can obtain the cloaking device
flying for the Rebels while the Confederates offer the particle beam.
Once you have chosen a side, however, start attacking the opposing side.
It's the best way to improve your rating with your allies while at the
same time pillaging the galaxy. With a bit of luck, you can even pick up
a few escorts by disabling enemy vessels...
Unlike the tiger, though, you can change your stripes and fly for another
alliance. This is not an easy undertaking, as you will have a long road
ahead towards regaining their confidence and trust. Killing pirates in
systems goes a long way towards improving your standing in that system
as does volunteering for specific missions on behalf of the worlds in that
area.
Killing The Aliens - Method #1
The toughest mission in EV is destroying the Alien Cruiser. The way to
do it is to use a very maneuverable and fast ship. Some players have reported
success with Kestrels using heavy rockets and the like, but the problem
is that if the Alien can turn on you it will fry you with its beam weapon
or blow you away with its torpedos if you hold still.
If there are other ships engaging the Alien cruiser (preferably capital
ships such as Frigates, Destroyers, or Crusiers) - engage. Otherwise, beat
feet and get out of there. If you engage, target the Alien Fighters with
your fighters or escorts - this will tie them up and keep them off your
back.
You want to circle the Alien Cruiser at a range out of its beam weapon.
You should not be able to see it on your main screen. This will slow it
down and allow the other ships to catch up to it and begin the pounding
process.
Here's the real secret: prior to the engagement, offload EVERYTHING
except a couple of torpedo launchers and all the torps you can carry. Convert
all available cargo mass to ship's mass and stock up on torpedos. The only
exception to the rule is to keep your fighters for the reasons noted above.
As you circle keep locked on the Alien Cruiser and keep launching torpedos.
They are better than missiles in that their warhead is heavier. If you
stay away from the Cruiser there is less likelihood your torps will hit
asteroids as they approach the beast.
The Tractor beam is a HUGE benefit in taking on the Alien cruiser. By
tractoring the cruiser it is unable to turn and thus unable to bring its
fusion beam to bear on you while you just blast away at it. With this tactic
you might be able to pull it off with only a Corvette
Killing The Aliens - Method #2
Go in close to the alien cruiser and concentrate fire on the back of the
ship while rotating around in the same direction. Be careful to avoid getting
pinned along the invisible border of the map. The Alien cruiser will be
unable to target you and will continue to turn in an attempt to hit you
with the fusion beam.
Make 'Em Pay
Before demanding tribute from a planet, hire a LOT of escorts and deploy
all your fighters. This limits the amount of fighters they can send at
a time! (If you can get about 36, they can't send any and automatically
give up!)
Trade Routes
Need some quick $$? Be sure to bring along (or hire) as many escorts as
you can and then check out these dynamite trading routes. Systems with
"*"s denote natural disasters.
