30 replies to this topic

[Ze_ro]

Important Note: This weeks competition is over and no further scores will be accepted.

You must protect your starbases by destroying all invading enemy starfighters before they destroy you or your starbases. You must accomplish your mission quickly, using the least amount of energy, sustaining the least damage. Succeed, and you will be rewarded. Fail, and you will be destroyed. The destiny of the galaxy is in your hands.

Game Information

Game Name: StarMaster Released By: Atari, 1981 Left Difficulty: N/A Right Difficulty: N/A Game Mode: Game 4 - StarMaster Difficulty Chosen By: vjames Post your scores right here in this thread, and I will add them to the list. Remember to play the game with the recommended game mode and difficulty settings as shown above so that your scores will be consistent with everyone elses. The deadline for posting scores is Wednesday June 17th at 1:00 AM (CST).

Current High Scores 9401 (Thomas Jentzsch) [+11] [+1] 9400 (vjames) [+10] [+1] 9283 (toymailman) [+9] [+1] 9279 (shadow460) [+8] [+1] 9274 (darthkur) [+7] [+1] 9043 (sloth713) [+6] [+1] 8007 (Atardi) [+5] 7141 (LaserHawk) [+4] 3242 (chuckwalla) [+3] 2190 (LarcenTyler) [+2] 2088 (aftermac) [+1] 2038 (Impaler_26) [+1] 1993 (Zoyx) [+1] Best Tips shadow460 [+2] Challenges StarMaster - Score 9000 points or higher and get 1 bonus point! TwinGalaxies Top 3 (Game 1, Difficulty B) 9805 (Thomas Jentzsch, PAL) 9790 (David B Yancey)

Current Standings toymailman [395] Deteacher [319] darthkur [287] aftermac [251] Kurt_Woloch [190] Impaler_26 [165] DarthCalvin [117] Mister VCS [111] SpiceWare [96] jjd [94] shadow460 [81] LarcenTyler [79] Hornpipe2 [55] the 5th ghost [47] Nathan Strum [46] mcge0053 [44] vjames [43] doctorclu [34] Zoyx [34] Atardi [30] SeaGtGruff [30] IHATETHEBEARS [27] sloth713 [26] Jess Ragan [26] theKLT [26] homerwannabee [22] Jred [20] Spector [20] Shannon [19] Omegamatrix [19] roadrunner [18] ClassicGMR [18] chuckwalla [16] iangamer [15] MrBeefy [14] LoneWolfSeth [12] midnight magicman [11] vdub_bobby [11] ed1475 [10] Random Terrain [10] maf [9] TimsterAA [9] ChrisKoopa [9] DtY [8] ballistik [8] godzillajoe [8] missioncontrol [8] LS_Dracon [7] LaserHawk3000 [7] BSA Starfire's girlfriend [7] RJ [6] mightymage [5] Dryerlint [5] lucifershalo [5] phaxda [5] Vectorman0 [4] Wickeycolumbus [4] vintagegamecrazy [4] rasty [3] Trinity [2] joeypsp [2] rheffera [2] ratfink [2] 4Ks [1] Lendorien [1] Crazy Climber [1] Cafeman [1] Yar76 [1] Artlover [1] holgibo [1]

Scoring Points in StarMaster

At the StarMaster difficulty level, your base score is 6900. Your score is determined by how efficiently you complete your mission. You are awarded 100 points for each enemy starfighter you destroy. You are penalized: 500 points for each starbase destroyed by the enemy. 100 points for each time you dock for refueling and repairs. 1 point for each Stardate elapsed.

Hints and Tips

The Manual

As always, you really should read the manual. In case you don't have the manual, AtariAge has a typed copy and a scanned copy available online. The manual doesn't seem to provide any specific hints, but it's worth reading anyways so you know what's going on.

shadow460

When you're fighting enemies off the first two bases, don't destroy the entire squadron. Leave only one enemy. If you kill them all, this lets other squads move in with three ships. One ship does less damage to the starbase than three do. This will let your first starbase survive longer, and it may mean the difference between losing and not losing any others. If you lose your shields, I recommend you keep fighting until you're done in the current sector. If you have only a couple of enemies left around that base, then you might go knock off the others as well. If you lose your warp engines, don't even worry about it. If you lose your radar, simply warp to a sector near the next starbase in line and you'll probably get into a battle. The starbases get killed in a set order. The lower right is first, followed by the upper left, lower left, then upper right. When crippling squadrons, you might cripple the ones further away from the next starbase first, that way should you lose the current base, you'll be working on the enemies closer to the next one and you won't have to warp as far to find the next battle. Oh, don't be afraid of the lasers. Use them indiscriminately. If you hesitate, the energy you save on lasers will be lost when you're shot. I'm getting 12 to 15 kills for every docking at a base. Once you're down to only two bases, start wiping out entire squadrons. You should have enough of them crippled that no squadron with more than one ship will be able to attack your remaining bases. There seems to be a timing to the enemy shots and also to when they appear. If you don't see an enemy for several seconds, be prepared to take evasive action. They will probably drop in right on top of you. If you don't have shields and they don't appear, make an emergency warp outta there. Just like Phaser Patrol, when you're under heavy fire, it does not matter what sector you warp to as long as you leave. If your target is on any part of the crosshair as the crosshair reappears, the target will be destroyed. Learn to shoot down enemy fire. Many times the ship that fired it will be right behind it and be destroyed as well.

Thomas Jentzsch

The key tip for this game is: Save energy :!: Warp to nearby groups, evade meteors during warp. When fighting an enemy ship, you should be able to kill it with no more than 2 or 3 shots on average. The first shot will often be necessary to defend against enemy fire, the 2nd or 3rd shot should kill the enemy itself. Do not fire like mad, since you will not be able to aim precisely. Try to evade enemy shots, especially when the enemy is close to the screen border. To hit an enemy, it has to be at the cross hair when the lasers met, not when you fire them. So correct your aiming after you press the fire button. By following these advices, you should able to finish this game with only one refueling. You will be rewarded with a score around 9400 then.

vjames

The enemy fires at predictable intervals once each one is observed. You could dodge the fire and time it just right so that when they get close you can get them with one shot. Actually if you could get them all with an average of two shots it would take 6200 energy units which would leave plenty for warping... Here's a tip. Want to get (mostly) rid of the asteroids but for maybe 1 or 2? Move the stick (seems to be in any direction) as you warp and change directions periodically.

--Zero

[vjames]

Just so everyone knows the score is listed as the top line of the computer on the map screen and it isn't listed until the game is over. You get 100 points for every enemy destroyed and get deducted for lost starbases (-500), for docking (-100) and -1 point for each second elapsed. The manual states 10,000 is the max score but I don't see how this could be since you can't destroy the enemies instantly. You can use the difficulty switches or the b&w switch to toggle from the starship screen and the map screen.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

vjames, on Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:09 PM, said:

The manual states 10,000 is the max score but I don't see how this could be since you can't destroy the enemies instantly.

If you save all four bases you can get e.g 9805 points displayed. But since there is a calculation bug on roll over, the score is actually above 10k.

Here I describe how to do it.

[shadow460]

8209

When you're fighting enemies off the first two bases, don't destroy the entire squadron. Leave only one enemy. If you kill them all, this lets other squads move in with three ships. One ship does less damage to the starbase than three do. This will let your first starbase survive longer, and it may mean the difference between losing and not losing any others.

If you lose your shields, I recommend you keep fighting until you're done in the current sector. If you have only a couple of enemies left around that base, then you might go knock off the others as well. If you lose your warp engines, don't even worry about it. If you lose your radar, simply warp to a sector near the next starbase in line and you'll probably get into a battle.

The starbases get killed in a set order. The lower right is first, followed by the upper left, lower left, then upper right. When crippling squadrons, you might cripple the ones further away from the next starbase first, that way should you lose the current base, you'll be working on the enemies closer to the next one and you won't have to warp as far to find the next battle.

Oh, don't be afraid of the lasers. Use them indiscriminately. If you hesitate, the energy you save on lasers will be lost when you're shot. I'm getting 12 to 15 kills for every docking at a base.

Once you're down to only two bases, start wiping out entire squadrons. You should have enough of them crippled that no squadron with more than one ship will be able to attack your remaining bases.

[darthkur]

9,274

[Zoyx]

1283

Need to learn to stall the ships.

[shadow460]

9,279. I got a pic, if it turns out to be the high, I'll post that pic.

I ignored my own advice and wiped out entire squadrons at once this time around. I was trigger happy, too. I lost one starbase, lost my shields once, and docked three times. And yes, I fought on without the shields then made an emergency warp hop outta there.

Oh, yeah, I broke a stick on it, too, but I got that repaired.

Edited by shadow460, Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:16 PM.

[LarcenTyler]

2,190

I should have retreated to a starbase to get my shields repaired. Instead, I became space dust.

[Zoyx]

Any combat tips?

[shadow460]

Yeah, don't get dead.

There seems to be a timing to the enemy shots and also to when they appear. If you don't see an enemy for several seconds, be prepared to take evasive action. They will probably drop in right on top of you. If you don't have shields and they don't appear, make an emergency warp outta there. Just like Phaser Patrol, when you're under heavy fire, it does not matter what sector you warp to as long as you leave.

If your target is on any part of the crosshair as the crosshair reappears, the target will be destroyed.

Learn to shoot down enemy fire. Many times the ship that fired it will be right behind it and be destroyed as well.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

9286 for now.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

9393

Now I have to remember how exactly to save the 4th base.

[vjames]

As to getting over 10,000... the base score is 6900, and 100 points per enemy x 31 enemies makes a total of 10,000. How would you get more than this?

Edited by vjames, Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:00 AM.

[vjames]

9389

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Edited by vjames, Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:00 AM.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

vjames, on Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:58 PM, said:

As to getting over 10,000... the base score is 6900, and 100 points per enemy x 31 enemies makes a total of 10,000. How would you get more than this?

You can't.

But while the score is calculated there is a roll over to 10000 (before deducting the stardate and the dockings). That causes the displayed score to be below 1000.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

9401

Still training to eventually be able to save all 4 bases.

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[toymailman]

Had some time to dedicate to this week's HSC. Never beat game 4 before.

9,175

[Thomas Jentzsch]

The key tip for this game is: Save energy

• Warp to nearby groups, evade meteors during warp.
  
• When fighting an enemy ship, you should be able to kill it with no more than 2 or 3 shots on average. The first shot will often be necessary to defend against enemy fire, the 2nd or 3rd shot should kill the enemy itself. Do not fire like mad, since you will not be able to aim precisely.
  
• Try to evade enemy shots, especially when the enemy is close to the screen border.
  
• To hit an enemy, it has to be at the cross hair when the lasers met, not when you fire them. So correct your aiming after you press the fire button.

By following these advices, you should able to finish this game with only one refueling. You will be rewarded with a score around 9400 then.

[Ze_ro]

At the end of the manual, it says:

"The Manual" said:

A special training manual accompanies these instructions. It contains invaluable information, insight and guidance to help you understand the special features of StarMaster by Activision, and the skills and techniques which can help you achieve the "Order of Supreme StarMaster." Read it thoroughly, and practice its principles. With proper dedication and training, you, too, can have "The Power of StarMaster."

So, the game came with two manuals then? Anyone have a scan of this?

--Zero

[shadow460]

I've got the second manual, but I have not scanned it.

Those who own Activision Classics for the PS1 can find most of the info from both manuals in the back of the CD booklet. It's not word for word, but there's plenty there to get you through the game.

[Atardi]

my score : 8 007

[toymailman]

Some improvement for me.

9,283

[chuckwalla]

Once again foiled before beating this on Level 4 (ran out of energy while warping to a starbase because I got greedy and wanted to clear a sector of enemy ships)...

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Edited by chuckwalla, Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:40 AM.

[Impaler_26]

2,038

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[vjames]

9399

I was trying to make it all the way without docking. The enemy fires at predictable intervals once each one is observed. You could dodge the fire and time it just right so that when they get close you can get them with one shot. Actually if you could get them all with an average of two shots it would take 6200 energy units which would leave plenty for warping...

Here's a tip. Want to get (mostly) rid of the asteroids but for maybe 1 or 2? Move the stick (seems to be in any direction) as you warp and change directions periodically.

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