From: linet2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Lord Eugster)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
Subject: Nova 9 -- HELP please, SPOILERS
Date: 18 Aug 92 18:29:27 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center

I have been able to get to Matricon (the level after Teflar), and the level
after that (I think) with the big yellow torpedoes, etc.  Has anyone beat the
last guy (the one with the Sardiax?)  I tried missiles and mines, but to no
avail.

SPOILERS FOLLOW (INCLUDING HOW TO BEAT MOST OF THE BOSSES):































Level 1:  Easiest way is to make the bulldozer run into the energy field and
          destroy itself.  I have destroyed the guy using cannon before.  Save
          the "Shield Recharge" module until you have defeated the boss.

Level 2:  Hydros is pretty easy.  I usually beat the boss by aiming my cannon
          at him as he tries to circle me.  He is I think the easiest boss.
          Save the teleporter until after the boss, unless you are badly hurt.

Level 3:  Ah, Sauria.  This level is one of the hardest, esp. the boss.
          Destroy the walking monsters with lasers at long range.  The fliers
          will present a major problem in this level as they weaken your
          shields with their lasers.  The slow "dinosaur" tanks are pretty
          easy to beat.  For the boss, the time to fire is when he stops, just
          before he opens his mouth.  If you fire early, move back and wait for
          your cannon to reload.  Use the mass-driver (black) shots here- 3
          hits into its mouth can destroy it.  Oh, it IS possible to dodge the
          beast's shots, as long as you are moving when his mouth is opening
          and make a hard turn (because the shots track your tank to an extent)

Level 4:  Searon is an interesting level.  The first thing you need to do is
          grab the invis in front of you.  Then, go around and destroy the
          tanks.  It is possible to destroy the big, shielded tanks by getting
          right next to them, at an angle from the shield gap, and firing.
          Destroy the pop-up missile silos by shock wave or a timed exploding
          shot.  Your primary goal is to destroy the relay towers.  Find the
          unshielded one and proceed from tower to tower.  Then, destroy the
          little "base" to remove the shield surrounding the teleporter.  Go
          home and pick up some anti-tank shells.  The boss in this level is
          VERY difficult if he comes up to you when you aren't ready.  He is
          very fast (use turbo if you need to get away) and shoot at him at
          long range.  Use turbo and the ramp to pick up a "Shield Regen"
          powerup flying in the air above the "base" you destroyed.  You have
          to time the jump pretty well to get the powerup.

Level 5:  Pestula.  This level is pretty easy, and the boss is easy.  The boss
          is a giant "centipede", and all you gotta do is fire at it from a
          distance.  It is stupid and will try to come towards you, so keep
          firing at its head and moving back to remain at long range.  You'll
          destroy it segment by segment as the dumb thing tries to get you.

Level 6:  Typhaeus (or something like it).  This is a challenging level.  The
          first thing to do is to find and head towards where you see many
          lightning fields between some posts.  Destroy the base near there.
          Then, go in the fields (taking damage) and find the pressure plate
          beyond the fields in a shielded region.  Drive over the plate.  Then,
          head through the fields again (taking damage) and find a nearby
          pressure plate to the side of the fields.  Drive over it, and it will
          remove the shield surrounding the teleporter.  Enter the teleporter
          to get missiles and repair your shields.  You don't need to use the
          missiles this level.  To kill the lightning boss (I think his name is
          Svitch, or something like that), there are 4 "capacitor" stations
          which are barely visible when the boss isn't here but eminate bluish
          lightning when the boss arrives.  Destory all 4 capacitors to defeat
          the boss.  The capacitors are invincible, but when you hit it enough
          times, you will see an explosion where the lightning was and the
          capacitor will deactivate.  Travel around a loop to get all 4, much
          like getting the relay stations in Searon.  The boss will emit
          powerful lightning strokes at your tank, automatically hitting all
          your shields, so once Svitch comes, destory the capacitors as quickly
          as possible.  This level is very dark, with laser batteries and
          capacitors, tanks, etc, very difficult to see.  It is a world you'll
          enjoy effects from.  You'll also note that lightning sometimes
          destroys some enemies for you.

Level 7:  Teflar!  The level of "ice skidding"!  Your tank will drive over this
          world like a high-speed vehicle over slick ice.  What's worse,
          gravity devices will pull you towards them.  The idea is to go as
          slowly as possible when in combat.  Destory things at long range if
          possible.  The boss in this level is unique- a series of bouncing
          "balls"!  They bounce all around and do massive damage if they bounce
          on the Raven!  To fight them, drive backwards in a zig-zag fashion,
          firing.  Use the exploding shot with a 5-way spreader!  The exploding
          shot will even destory the balls in the air.  Alternatively, if you
          arrive at the level with a eel-shield (electric hull) and Tachyon
          shield (invincible), you can stand there and the balls will bounce
          on top of you, taking damage.  When I arrived, I had tachyon, eel,
          5-spread, and exploding.  All I did was sit there and fire the 5
          exploding shots, letting them explode at very short range (I'm
          invincible, so I don't take damage from my own shots).  The balls
          first appear red, and then yellow.  This boss is HARD if you don't
          have the proper powerups, and you'll soon be surrounded by a mass of
          chaotic, deadly balls.

Level 8:  Matricon- a forcefield wall maze.  You're on your own here, but
          the idea is to figure out the maze of forcefields and teleporters.
          Use a missile to destroy the thing in the middle of many fields
          (it looks like a tower with lightning).  Your missiles can fly over
          the shields.  The real teleporter out of this level is accessible by
          turboing on a ramp, flying over many shields and structures and
          landing on the real teleporter (fun!)

Level 9:  Malefar (or something like that).  You're definitely on your own
          here.  The boss looks like a bull-head on tracks and he uses the
          Sardiax, making your non-guided weapons ineffective.  It also pulls
          your tank towards it like a giant tractor beam, making it impossible
          to evade him.

Well, Good Luck with the game... there are many other strategies to beating the
bosses, but these are the ones I use.  I'm sure someone might have a better
strategy.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games