html by evan vetere <vetere@avara.com>
Welcome to Captain Canuck's Avara Newbie Guide. This document is designed to help newbies get off the ground (no pun intended).

• The Game
  • Switches
  • Doors
  • UFO's
  • Guards
  • Parasites
• Multiplayer Games Strategy

There's not much to say about doors (unless I've missed something). Basically they open on a signal (such as a shot or a switch) and close on a signal (such as when you reach a certain spot or after a certain amount of time). I've even heard of a door that is opened only by UFOs.

These are the most-hated things in Avara (at least by me). They have no apparent shape except being in a circle. Because of this it is very easy for them to turn, and therefore very able to hit you. They also seem to get rather itchy easy and start flying all over the place trying to blast you. "Goodness", you may be saying, "what did I do?"

Anyway, the trick to finish these buggers is to keep moving. Never, and I mean NEVER stay still when you suddenly hear what sounds like a hurricane wind coming up (that's the sound of their shots). Mostly you can dodge their shots. One strategy I've noticed by certain pilots is jumping right as their "gunk" they spit out at you is a few metres in front of you, and it'll land harmlessly on the ground under you. I find it easiest to play levels with lots of these psycho's in a light hull as it's much easier to dodge them when they seem to blow their noses at you, except that you can't carry that many missiles and grenades...I guess a medium would be about right.

Actually killing these UFO's isn't all that easy, especially for a newbie. The first thing you can do is learn to use control the HECTOR on the keyboard with one hand, and use the other hand on the mouse. The best weapon to use on UFO's is the missile. Notice that once a missile is loaded, if you drag it over the UFO, you will see an "X" on the UFO. That means that you have locked on it. Now even if you drag the missile aimer-thingy off the UFO, the X will stay there. This is where it gets good: shoot, and the missile will curve and hit the UFO. Do that a few times and, unless the UFO has extra armor or something, it will kill it. Play the level "UFO zone" again and again until you get the hang of killing them.

I guess you could say that guards are miniature UFOs that are implanted in a wall, meaning they can't move. Basically they guard a territory preset by the mapmaker. When you go into it's range, they blast you.

There are two main strategies I've learned for killing guards. The first is simply by smashing it with a missile. Sure, you'll take a few shots, but one missile almost always kills a guard. The second strategy takes advantage of the fact that guards can't move, and won't shoot unless they know they will hit you, if you don't move before their shots get to you. With that in mind, try this: Find a wall near where the guard is. Align yourself behind it, like the picture (fig1)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Aim your hector east (to the right), but face south (down). Now zoom in with the "z" key where you know the guard will soon be visible (fig2).

Next go forward slowly, so that you get it so that only a little bit of the guard is visible. It should look like this:

Now you get to experience the joy of pegging it off - Note that the same can be done for guards in a tower, like this:

Parasites are very annoying little creatures. They like to cling on to you and drain all your energy. Try to shoot them before they get to you, if possible. If they do happen to stick on you, try and shoot them off. If your guns can't reach, use a booster, and they'll fall off dead.

You've decided to play against some real people, I see. Here some tips to get you started.

1. Never stay still for more than 1 or 2 seconds. You'll be nailed real quick.

2. Remember that it's pointless just to shoot the guy with one missile and then walk away, simply becuase his shields will eventually recharge, and everything will be as it was, with you minus one missile. Once you've attacked him, try and stay on him and kill him with more missiles or grenades, and then with cannon shots if necessary.

3. Grenades are lethal if used right, because they hurt enough that a few fired in rapid succession will easily kill someone. Learn their distance by walking around with one loaded, then once you know their range, edit the keys and set your load grenade to fire weapon also. Then right when you hit it, it will fire, and make multiple throws possible.

4. Make sure not to waste boosters. On the contrary, however, make sure that you've used all or most of them before you die (no point in being wasteful).

5. Use stereo speakers or earphones. It's easier to tell where a shot comes from with directional sound.

6. If you hear a missile coming for you, duck, and then when it is close enough, jump, and it will smash harmlessly into the ground. Remember, you'll get better at this with practice.

Well, that's about all. Good luck out on the battlefield!