From: rawdon@colby.cs.wisc.edu (Michael Rawdon)
Newsgroups: rec.games.netrek
Subject: Re: Hints for Beginners
Date: 2 Sep 92 15:33:08 GMT
Reply-To: rawdon@colby.cs.wisc.edu
Organization: University of Wisconsin Computer Sciences Dept., Madison, WI

In <78904@ut-emx.uucp> wolfone@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Patrick Chester) writes:
>Here are a few hints that new players might try:

Speaking as a new player myself (been playing about a month), I'll toss in
my feelings about these suggestions:

>1)Instead of using a battleship like the hints in the game suggest, use a
>  smaller, more manueveable ship. Dodging is easier than shooting accurately.
>  you'll probably get blown away a few times, but if you practice you will
>  eventually be hard to kill. You can always run away.

I wholeheartedly agree.  Dodging is the soul of survival (well, *my* survival
anyway).  I tried playing a BB at first, but just couldn't get the hang of it.
So I moved to a CA and learned dodging, which is most useful.  I also have been
working on my speed changes.  4 in a CA is good (I find) for dodging things
shot from long range, while 5 gives you added speed if you need to cut across
a wave of torps quickly.  6 hampers maneuverability, but is good if you want
to get by in a hurry.  (If you go faster than 6, you may as well give up on
dodging torps. :-)

>2)At first, don't play too aggressively. Most of your shots will probably miss
>  and you'll get blasted at point blank by an experienced player. Take pot 
>  shots from long range until your aim improves.

And expect it to take a while for your aim to improve. :-)  I've found that
playing an AS (faster torps, but every shot counts) is a good way to practice
torps.

>3)NEVER try to take worlds with a scout or destroyer unless you are very good.
>  Neither can carry very many armies and have low damage thresholds. Use an
>  assault ships until you gain enough experience to become a vaunted scout
>  bomber.

I hate playing destroyers anyway (not enough fuel; not NEARLY enough fuel).

>4)Avoid the robot ships until your aim improves or you will be toasted. Avoid
>  playing during borg hours (unless you have a real good borg.)

The key to killing robots (I find) is dodging their blasts, since they are
really STUPID about firing at you (if you pay attention).  However, once you
get in close, they will toast you with their phasers, so get in close.
However, I agree; as a newbie, it's best to let the other people kill the bots.

>5)If you want a lot of dogfighting experience and don't mind getting mobbed
>  by more experienced players, try this:Type a message to on the ALL (or
>  opposing team's) message board that looks like:

>       R2->ALL:Hi guys! I'm new around here so go easy on me..:)

Never tried that; my approach is just to go looking for trouble. :-)

>6)When typing messages always check your tactical screen for closing enemy 
>  vessels. You are helpless when typing messages. It helps to set a course away
>  from a big battle or stopping in an isolated spot before typing.

Look out for cloaked vessels on the galactic map, too.  I've gotten toasted
by them a lot.

Also, if for some reason you play an assault ship, expect players to come
after you whether or not you have armies, and whether or not you have kills.
It's not always a smart move on their part (if you're aware they're there),
but sometimes they cloak and zoom in to ogg you.  If you're alert, then
you might be able to get a free kill.

Any opinions on whether it's more useful to learn to det others' torps first,
or det your own?  I got used to the latter first, and am only now getting the
hang of the former.

[Renaissance]

-- 
Michael Rawdon	    rawdon@colby.cs.wisc.edu  [Note new address!]
University of Wisconsin Computer Sciences Department, Madison, WI

"...Cause living alone is all I've ever done well."
				- Nanci Griffith, "Late Night Grande Hotel"