Space: Above and Beyond

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FAQ

This FAQ is stream of consciousness, there is no real planning or order in questions. The questions are answered as they come up. This will be updated if something new comes up so you may want to check back now and again, especially if you are unsure about something check here first.

How do I play?
Well, here is a turn to help you along. Bob thinks that a certain planet will give him an advantage. He decides he needs more support so he contacts Ralph. They agree on the plan and mail me their moves. Their movements move and do battle with their target is an enemy ship is there, otherwise they capture it. A series of example mails can be seen by clicking here.

How long is a turn?
A turn is esentially a day long, each day in real life is a day in the game but turns themselves can last a week, read above to clarify this.

How do I move?
A standard move is: [unit name] : [old location] =} [new location]
(Or other suitable arrow). In one mail several days of movement can be done. By adding another arrow and location it becomes the next days movement. Also all units to be moved by a person shouldbe in the same mail to make it easier to keep track of who moves what.

How many moves can I mail at one time?
You can mail fifty moves for each unit you have at one time but it is not always the best idea. Something may come up and all those moves will be deleted or moved to a later day so it is better to mail only three or four days worth of moves in each mail so as not to make it too long.

How are units placed?
Units are placed in a standard format according to the map online. A standard unit position is: 45X2Y, or 45X02Y.

How far can units move?
Units can move ą5X, ą5Y a day. So a legal move is 0X0Y => 5X5Y but not 0X0Y =>0X10Y. So only five degrees each direction but not totalling ten.

How close is too close to the enemy?
Units of the same species can be in the same place for infinite units. Enemy units three or closer will automatically attack eachother.

How do you figure out who wins?
There is a program online in the download area. Essentially units are rated a number from 0 to 400 (depending on the ship and type, and where they are fighting) which determines how strong the unit is. (0 to 350 for colonies). Each side is rated and whichever side is stronger wins. It seems like more ships is better but having one ship rated 200 is better then 6 ships all rated 50. It's strength, not numbers.

How do I make colonies?
Colonies are simply declared. Colonies are ships which land on planets (yes they have to be on the co-ordinate of a planet). The colony name is taken from what the ship was called.

What are the chances of ships/colonies being destroyed?
Ships/convoys can have upto 20% of their numbers destroyed. All other ships retreat. So having five ships or so has a 20% being less than one ship so none can be destroyed, the chances of winning against a large force is negligible. Colonies who lose a battle are destroyed.

Can I make a colony back into a ship?
No, once a ship becomes a colony they are dismantled and cannot be put back together into a ship.

Can colonies move?
No, they're colonies.

Are there borders?
Well, borders are more felt than declared. Units are not likely to venture so far out of their territory or close to the enmy that borders are an issue. To keep safe keep at least five units away from any locations where there is enemy activity. How many ships do I get?
Five to begin with, maybe more if players drop out/quit. Good players will also from time to time receive an extra ship to command.

Any other bonuses?
A real perk is commanding sub-ordinates. Once new players join the game they are strung on the bottom of the ranks. Occassionaly there will be enough people on one side or another to have sub-ordinates. They begin two ranks lower than the above person. (This means that good players can be promoted in rank but not overshadow someone above them. Anyway, they are given to the control of a superior officer.

What is the role of a superior officer?
Well, mostly forwarding mail. To ease mailing I may only mail the top twenty people (in rank) and then they mail those under them. For certain people they only send one mail but others may have to send five. This slows down information flow and gives a realism to the game. Also if a sub-ordinate has an idea he informs his superior and then they can decide is their idea is worth it. If a low-ranked pirate suggests attacking Earth it is probably not a great idea so the superior can say it's not a good idea and it dies there. Otherwise, read above for the procedure of a good idea.

What if I go away for a week?
(Also applies if you fall of the Earth and need a month to climb back on top). Moves can be mailed several in one mail and they could take place during those days you are not online. You can mail all of their moves in advance or even give command of your units to someone else in the game, they would control those units until your return.

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