From: mperry@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
Subject: Re: Wing Commader I | WCII
Date: 18 Nov 92 10:51:46 +1300
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

>> I know this is a FAQ, but is there a way to save the Ralari? I've tried
>> standard dogfight tactics, dogfighting and taunting, staying at a distance
>> and taunting, and closing on burners and using all my missiles in a
>> display of suicidal aggressiveness. No matter what, each time the Ralari
>> blows up in 30 seconds.
[sig deleted]
> 
> I had the same problem when playing on my 8 Mhz 286 computer.  Strangely
>  enough it is much easier on a faster machine, like a 33 Mhz 386.
>  Hang in there though, you can eventually do it, but sometimes I think
>  I won only because the program gets confused (like when it puts the little
>  triangles in the cockpit).  My friend never could get passed that level no
>  matter how hard he tried, however.  Same for the Secret Missions I, it is
>  essentially impossible on a slow machine, but is playable on a fast one.
> 
> The obvious solution is to use the Origin cheat, but I completed Wing Commander
> I on the slow machine without any cheat at all.
> 
> My new problem- the Secret Missions I when you run into a squadron of Rapiers!
> The missiles are everywhere, neither me or my wingman survived that without the
> cheat, and even with it the wingman dies!  (I didn't use the Cntrl-Delete...).
> So I broke down and used the cheat.. the end was dissapointing, not many
> animations and I never saw the super weapon (but I did cntrl-delete the 
> cruiser).  Did anyone win this one without cheating?  If so, how did you
> avoid all the missiles?  Run away until they run out?  Sometimes you can
> fly straight at them and dodge then right before they hit if you can see them
> coming... is there another way?  I think it got too hard, is the secret 
> missions II the same way?  How about Wing Commander II, is it more playable?
> One ship agenst the universe isn't very "realistic" or fair IMHO.
> (I can't believe I'm complaining about a simulator being too hard...)

Wing Commander II is okay on a 20Mhz 386 (but almost to slow when you are up
against too many ships) and I completed it without any cheat. There are several
missions that the movement gets so jerky. If your computer is slower than a 
20Mhz 386 - forget WCII. In WCII you get to fly several ships

Thier brief descriptions: (from memory, so they are *very* aproximate)
          Speed                                     Armour
            max burners Manouver Accel shield  fore/aft sides weopons missiles 
Ferret     500  1500    8        good  6.0     6.5      4     2       0
Epee       480  1400    10       great 6.0     3.5      3     2       4
Rapier     450  1300    10       great 8.0     6.5      5     4       6
Sabre      400  1200    10       great 14.0    12.0     10    4       8
Broadsword 320  N/A     6        poor  22.0    18.0     16.   3       10

Sabre has a rear gunner (who always seams to be sleeping)
Broadsword has 3 gunners (always asleep) and jump capability.

Of the ships I like the sabre the most (great fire power), the ferret for
really good dogfighting (epee's not bad but that armour is paper thin!)
and I hate broadswords - would prefer a sabre any day. One ship that could be
interesting to fly would be a stealth ship or the princes own personal ship.