Space Spartans Guide Version 1.0
Game Copyrighted by: Mattel Electronics 1981
FAQ by Zhuge Liang
Table of Contents
1. Overview
2. Scoring
3. Game Basics
A. Game Speed
B. Placing Your Starbases
C. Enemy Unit Legend
D. Ship Subsystems
i. Battle Computer
ii. Tracking Computer
iii. Shields
iv. Impulse Drive
v. Hyper Drive
E. Ship Energy Level
F. Damage
G. Starbases
H. Getting Repairs
4. Strategies
A. Determining The Order to Attack Enemy Starbases
B. Keep Watch of the Map
C. Targeting Strategy
D. Which Squadron To Go After First
E. When To Return To the Base
5. Legal Stuff & Contacting Me
>>1. Overview
Space Spartans was one of the Intelivision's three voice-enhanced games that
required the Intelivoice Module. Your mission in the game is to destroy as many
aliens as possible, while protecting your home bases from being attacked or
destroyed. The battle map consists of an 8(H) x 16(W) grid. Randomly placed are
three enemy starbases. These are your primary targets. Each enemy starbase will
produce alien spacecraft, which will move to attack your starbases.
As the enemy spacecraft reserves in each starbase get large enough, a new unit
will break free from the starbase and begin it's motion toward your nearest
starbase to commence attack. Your mission is to destroy all of the enemy
starbases and all enemy units that are at large. Once you have accomplished
this, you will be given a new map, with even more enemies than before,
therefore, more difficult. In other words, each time the map is cleared,
another, more difficult map will be presented to you to clear.
As with many games of this age, there is no defined end to Space Spartans. You
fight until you run out of energy for your vessel, or all of your subsystems are
destroyed, whichever comes first.
>>2. Scoring
You are given a score at the very beginning of each round that is determined in
the following fashion:
1st Round = 20 times the number of starting enemy ships.
2nd Round = 40 times the number of starting enemy ships.
3rd Round = 60 times the number of starting enemy ships.
This +20 times the number of starting enemy ships continues as you go through
the 4th and 5th round, and beyond.
For each enemy you destroy:
100 points times the round number for one enemy destroyed in one shot.
300 points times the round number for two enemies destroyed in one shot.
500 points times the round number for three enemies destroyed in one shot.
1000 points times the round number for four enemies destroyed in one shot.
1500 points times the round number for five enemies destroyed in one shot.
In addition, if you destroy an enemy starbase, you're awarded 1000 points times
the round number for that.
At the end of each round (IE: When you've cleared the map of enemies), you get
an additional 10 points times the total number of shield points left for all of
your starbases added together (Maximum of 765).
If you accumulate a score of 50,000 points, you'll earn 50 points of starbase
shield to distribute among your starbases. This happens every 50,000 points.
You also lose points over time at a decay rate of:
1st Round = 20 points every 6-14 seconds.
2nd Round = 40 points every 6-14 seconds.
3rd Round = 60 points every 6-14 seconds.
4th Round and higher = follow the pattern of +20 points per round.
The time aspect is determined by which speed is currently in effect.
>>3. Game Basics
----------------------------------------
A. Game Speed
Press the disc and you'll be taken to a screen that asks which speed you'd like
to start with. There are five speeds, as follows:
1 = slow speed.
2 = medium speed.
3 = medium fast speed.
4 = fast speed.
5 = fastest speed.
Each time you clear the map, you'll be taken to the next grid and the speed will
increase by 1. After you have cleared enough maps to reach speed 5, there will
be no acceleration in speed as 5 is maximum.
----------------------------------------
B. Placing Your Starbases
After you've put in the speed options you'll be shown the 8x16 grid battlemap.
Enemy starbases are denoted by a black starbase symbol whereas yours are beige.
There are three enemy starbases, 1 squadron for each base, and 1 offensive
squadron for each base that are all placed at random.
Take a moment now to place your three starbases. You are able to place them
wherever you like, so be sure to take time and consider the best location for
them. In general, it's best to place them as far away as possible from any of
the enemy starbases, but not all together, either. Placing all of your starbases
together allow the enemy to really concentrate on that one area - There is only
one of you, so make the enemy have to work to be able to easily reach all of
your bases; spread them out so they can't just focus on one area.
----------------------------------------
C. Enemy Unit Legend
On some squares you'll notice a color present. This means an alien squadron
occupies that square. The color determines the general number of aliens within
that squadron:
Green Squadron = 1 to 4 enemy ships.
Yellow Squadron = 5 to 8 enemy ships
Orange Squadron = 9 to 16 enemy ships.
Red Squadron = 17 to 32 enemy ships.
Purple Squadron = 33 or more enemy ships.
----------------------------------------
D. Ship Subsystems
Your ship is equipped with a total of five subsystems, which allow you to combat
the enemy. They are the battle computer, tracking computer, shields, impulse
drive, and hyper drive. Each system can be damaged upon the impact of enemy fire
by increments of 1/3. Here is an explanation of what each system does:
i. Battle Computer
The battle computer is an automatic fire feature that operates in cooperation
with the tracking computer. Essentially the battle computer allows your fire to
be fired directly at the crosshairs and automatically fires at any enemy that
moves within range of the crosshair. When this system is damaged, its accuracy
is lessened.
ii. Tracking Computer
The tracking computer determines the size of the crosshair and helps steer the
ship to follow any enemy that files over the crosshair. Working with the battle
computer, it works as an auto-lock mechanism that helps gun down enemy ships.
When this system is damaged, the crosshair shrinks in size, making it more
difficult to fire at enemy ships.
iii. Shields
The most important system. The shields protect your other subsystems from being
severely damaged. When your shields are active, your subsystems can only be
damaged 1/3 by an enemy hit. When they are damaged, your protection against
enemy fire will be reduced and your other subsystems can be more severely
damaged in one attack than when they are at full strength.
iv. Impulse Drive
This is the steering mechanism. Your ship can be moved by the disc in the combat
screen. This is the work of the impulse drive. When the impulse drive is at full
power, maneuvering to destroy enemy ships is more responsive. As your impulse
drive is damaged, the controls become more sluggish, making it more difficult to
land a hit on any enemy ships.
v. Hyper Drive
This is your warp drive. The hyper drive allows you to change positions on the
map. To move from one sector of the map to the next, move your cursor to the
desired sector (square), press hyper drive on the keypad, and "on". This will
enable hyper drive and warp you to the desired location. If your hyper drive is
damaged, it increases energy loss per space moved on the map when you warp.
Also, if the hyper drive is destroyed and you attempt to warp, there is a 50%
chance your ship will be destroyed. So exercise caution.
----------------------------------------
E. Ship Energy Level
Your ships energy level is very important; as it is the life force of all
functions your ship can perform. At the beginning of the game your ships has an
energy level of 10,000. That is the maximum value. To restore energy, you must
return to a starbase of your own, and let it charge. The speed at which your re-
charge is depends on the base's shield rating (See 2-F). Each subsystem
operation of your ship depletes this level after you leave the starbase, so it
will be necessary to return to your starbases periodically to restore your
energy level.
Here is how each system depletes energy:
-Impulse drive depletes energy each second it is used. This drain doubles when
the tracking computer moves your ship to track an enemy ship.
-Each shot fired depletes 1 energy unit.
-Each second that passes with shields active costs energy.
-Each time you use the hyper drive energy is expended at a rate of 8 units per
square traversed. Additionally, if your hyper drive is damaged this amount
increases. Double costs for 1/3 down, 4x costs for 2/3 down, and 8x costs for a
destroyed hyper drive.
-Manual Repairs cost energy as well. Any repair conducted at one of your
starbases, however, costs no energy.
----------------------------------------
F. Damage
Damage to your ship depends chiefly on the power of your shield. If your shield
is full and an enemy fireball (an orange or brown spiral on the battle screen)
strikes your crosshair, then you will suffer 1/3 damage to a random ship
subsystem. The penalty for lesser shielding get incrementally worse:
Full Shield = 1 damage unit to a random system
1/3 Shield = 2 damage units to any random system(s)*
2/3 Shield = 3 damage units to any random system(s)*
No Shield (Either destroyed or off) = 1 system totally destroyed + 3 additional
damage units to any random remaining system(s)*
1 unit = 1/3 damage to a system.
* = The damage can be spread out, or fixed on 1 specific system.
----------------------------------------
G. Starbases
Your starbases are essential because the are the only place that your ship can
recover energy. When your ship is in the same square that one of your starbases
is you will regain energy. Repairs will also occur much faster at your own bases
as opposed to out in the fray. Each starbase has a shield rating, which
determines how long it can survive attack, and also determines how quickly they
can restore your energy level and conduct repairs.
If your starbase comes under attack, you will be notified by a message "Starbase
"x" under attack." If you hear that, you need to get back there immediately and
destroy the unit that has attacked your starbase. Note that just because you're
present at your own starbase while it's under attack does not mean that less
damage is being done. The amount of damage, however does depend on how many
enemy ships are present attacking it.
The formula is something like this:
Starbase Shield Rating (255 at start) - Number of Units Attacking (x) = New
Shield Rating
This happens every 6 to 14 seconds, depending on current game speed.
----------------------------------------
H. Getting Repairs
Your ship can be repaired either in outer space or at one of your starbases.
While naturally it's more effective to conduct repairs at a starbase, sometimes
the need will arise to conduct repairs in the midst of battle or away from one.
To conduct repairs, in either case, you'll need to press the repair button, and
then press the on button. You'll hear the computer give verbal verification that
repairs are now on. While engaged, you will lose energy as repairs are made. As
stated earlier, if you are at a starbase of your own, there is no loss of energy
and repairs are made quicker.
As time passes, the ship's computer will let you know the status of repairs, and
when repairs are complete. When one system is repaired completely and another
system is still damaged, repairs will begin on that system automatically.
>>4. Strategies
----------------------------------------
A. Determining The Order to Attack Enemy Starbases
Its best to target enemy starbases when the majority of their squadron has
departed and is en-route to attack one of yours. As a general rule, if an enemy
starbase has a yellow or green unit present, it's a good time to attack. Bear in
mind, however, that sometimes the nearest squadron will start back to their base
to defend against you. So you'll have to move quickly in order to destroy the
base. If you wipe out the squadron present at an enemy starbase then you
automatically destroy the starbase, and can move on.
----------------------------------------
B. Keep Watch of the Map
Don't allow yourself to be too distracted by the squadron you're currently
facing. It's important to keep an eye on all of the other squadrons. If you
spend too much time facing one squadron, others could advance without your
knowledge and take you by surprise.
----------------------------------------
C. Targeting Strategy
When in battle, try to avoid making sudden movements with the impulse drive
(disc movement). The faster you get moving, the longer it takes for your motion
to stop, and it makes targeting units more difficult. Try making slow and steady
movements to track your target. If they slip past your fire, then focus on
another target. There are always a total of 3 enemy ships present at once unless
there are less than three remaining in the squadron, so make use of that and try
to target ones that are moving slower. If you miss one, it's not the end of the
world; it will come back again.
Many ships start out visible far from your ship. Then they approach and begin to
move faster moving diagonally sometimes. Try to target them when they're farther
away (smaller). If you do, then you avoid the chance of being fired upon. If an
enemy fires at you, and it's shot moves in your path then abort the tracking and
avoid the shot.
An easy way to know how many ships are left in the squadron you're facing is to
just press the # of aliens button on the keypad.
In addition, sometimes squadrons will merge, to form large battle groups. This
can happen while you are present in the sector fighting a squadron; particularly
when you are attacking an enemy starbase.
----------------------------------------
D. Which Squadron To Go After First
If, at the beginning of a round, there are enemy squadrons present that pose a
potential threat to any of your placed starbases, you should take them out first
to avoid your starbases from being attacked. Try to target the larger ones
first. It's okay to let your starbases be attacked for a short while as you wipe
out a larger squadron. The larger the squadron, the more damage your starbases
suffer when attacked. So get rid of the large squadrons first, and then take out
the smaller ones. Smaller squadrons do far less damage to your starbases.
----------------------------------------
E. When To Return To the Base
If you're battling a squadron and suffer shield damage, it's best to return to
one of your starbases and get it fixed. Battling with a damaged shield can lead
to serious crippling of other ship systems very quickly if you're not careful.
You should also monitor your energy level. If it drops low you need to return to
a starbase and allow it time to re-charge. Another good thing to do is to do
this is when you've destroyed all but one squadron and you're about to clear a
round. It allows you to recharge to 10,000 without fear of being attacked by
lots of other units.
>>5. Legal Stuff & Contacting Me
This FAQ is Copyright (c) 2003 by Zhuge Liang. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No other
sources, other than myself, and the game were used to compile the information
contained herein. Furthermore, no reproduction or distribution, in part, or
full, of this FAQ is permitted without explicit written permission from myself.
If you have a question about this FAQ, or would like to suggest something for me
to add to it, you may contact me at darkdragon[at]trouble-breathing.net. I'm
open to comments, questions, and suggestions.
I do sometimes grant permissions to use this FAQ if you just ask, so please ASK
before you post this FAQ on your website or message board. I thank you in
advance for your honesty and respect for my work.
