******************************************************************************* NOTICE: THIS FAQ IS DISCONTINUED (29th March 2004) I will not be replying any more emails regarding this game. Sorry. ******************************************************************************* ------------------------------------- Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy Multiplayer & Storyline FAQ Version 1.1 Copyright (c) 2003 Yeo Kian Bung ------------------------------------- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dedicated to all Jedi who, like me, have put all their pride and dignity at stake in Jedi Academy duels. May The Force Be With Y'all, Dudes! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -[ Copyright Information ]- This FAQ is the intellectual property of Yeo Kian Bung. No part of it may be reproduced in any form for any profitable means, unless you have the written consent of the author and even so, this FAQ must be reproduced as a whole, without any part of it removed, no matter how inappropriate or irrelevant it may be for its purpose. This FAQ may only be reproduced without the written consent of the author for non-profitable and non-commercial means, as long as the author is credited for his work and no act of plagarism is commited. If any form of copyright violation upon this FAQ is detected and/or reported, the author shall follow up with a notice demanding the removal of the material. Failure to comply will establish liability for civil action and may give rise to criminal prosecution. All registered trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. -[ Author Info ]- Name: Yeo Kian Bung Net Alias: Grim Shadow Star Wars Multiplay Alter Ego: Master Yeoda (Need skin download, I do) E-Mail Address: kianbung@hotmail.com (also MSN) Webpage Address: http://grimshadow.fateback.com/main.htm -----------------------------------NOTICE-------------------------------------- By the way, for all of you who add me to your MSN list, please tell me that you added me because it is written in the FAQ, because I might assume that you're someone I know and keep asking who are you. (I'm very very presistent) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -[ Author's Notice ]- Wohoo! First update complete. Added the Force section, hopefully it helps you all in your sabering! Now I'm completely addicted to Ragnarok Online, and I'm also having my exams this week, so I guess there won't be any more updates to this FAQ unless something really really cool comes up. But we'll see. Clouded the future is... -[ Document Spacing Check ]- 0101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010 XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX 1010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101 OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO If the four lines above line up perfectly, then you'll have no problem reading the rest of the FAQ (as long as you're not illiterate). If it is all messed up (one line long, one line short) or it ends up being in more than four lines, then you have to change your font to a fixed width font and set your character width to 79. If the text still looks like crap, then I recommend that you go see an eye doctor. :P -[ E-Mail Policy ]- Please put the subject as 'Jedi Academy FAQ'. (without the quotes) Please send me: 1. Corrections 2. New stuff I haven't found 3. Constructive Criticism 4. Interesting Stuff I haven't mentioned 5. Ideas on how to feel The Force :P Please DON'T send me: 1. Spam 2. Unreadable email 3. Viruses 4. Hate Mail 5. Stuff I already know about (thanks anyway) 6. Questions I have already have answers to 7. Chain emails 8. Emails claiming you're Master Yoda (use email he does not) 9. Emails with wierd subjects -[ Contents ]- Section 01 - Intrduction 01.01 - Version History 01.02 - FAQ Usage Guide 01.03 - Game Review Section 02 - Unlearn What You Have Learnt 02.01 - Jedi Name 02.02 - Jedi Code of Honour 02.03 - Residual Self Image 02.04 - Your Weapon? Section 03 - The Jedi Holocron 03.01 - Jedi Battle Meditation 03.02 - Basic Combat Training 03.03 - Use The Force 03.04 - Advanced Combat Techniques 03.05 - Mind Over Matter Section 04 - The Databank 04.01 - Character Bios 04.02 - Locations 04.03 - Technology 04.04 - The Force Section 05 - Closing Words 05.01 - Credits 05.02 - Contributors -[ Section 01 | Introduction ]- Ahh... Star Wars. The epic trilogy decades ago came back to take the world once again. Unfortunately, this time round, even with nice computer animation and much bigger budget, Episode 1 and 2 are still not as entertaining as the good old classics. Fortunately, Lucas Arts got the message. They thought of making a game based on the old Star Wars universe... And so Jedi Outcast came... And it totally dive bombed. The missions were sadistically hard, and worst of all, we did not start the game with a lightsaber, an immediate turn-off for most players including myself. Luckily the multiplayer mode survived the horrible fate, and many players spent countless hours whacking each other with a non-existent laser sword. Lucas Arts could sense the disturbance in The Force, and commited themselves to brining balance to The Force once again. They could feel the players' anger and frustrations scarring The Force, and thus they made Jedi Academy. This time, it was an instant classic. Everything a Star Wars fan wanted and more was there, from character and lightsaber customisation, to a not as sadistically difficult gameplay experience and less stupid jumping puzzles. Best of all, you start with a lightsaber!!! ^_^ So to whoever is reading this and hasn't got the game yet, go get it now! Go go go... Stop reading and come back after you get it! It doesn't matter if you buy it with your money or swipe it off the store shelves... or Jedi Mind Trick the shopkeeper into giving it to you for free. :P -[ 01.01 | Version History ]- 18 October 2003 - Version 1.1 Added Force section. Added to Kyle Katarn's background. 23 September 2003 - Version 1 Started making the FAQ. -[ 01.02 | FAQ Usage Guide ]- This FAQ is specially made for those with the intention of learning, not those with the intention of *copying*. Not in the plagarism sense I might add. What I meant was that this FAQ emphasises gameplay strategy and tactics, and ways to improve your current skill, with a storyline tidbit every now and then. I do not intend to make a walkthrough, nor will I ever feel inspired or compelled to make one. There are so many great walkthroughs out there, just do a search on the web (or go to GameFAQs) and you'll see what I mean. I made this strategy guide to specially help those who are getting their butts kicked by the so called 1337 people, so they could Force-whoop their asses in return. So please. I humbly request that you do not email me about walkthroughs and stuff like that. Write walkthroughs I never will. As for the rest of you who are planning to unlearn what you have learnt... May The Force Be With You... I hope. -[ 01.03 | Game Review ]- GRAPHICS - 8 / 10 The graphics of this game is not going to win any awards for ultra-realism or anything like that, but that doesn't mean it's bad. It's environment graphics are clean and nicely textured, without any blocky or low-resolution chunks on the walls and stuff. The characters are nicely textured and animated, producing beautiful and realistic movements, though there are some really rare cases where some things get messed up, like the wall run, where the character gets caught on the wall and the saber staff sometimes going through the character's body without hurting him/her. The new force push/pull ripple effect is really nice, adding a 'cool' feeling to it. The rest are practically the same as Jedi Outcast, so there isn't really much to hope for. All in all, the graphics team did a really good job, though they could have done much better. SOUND - 7 / 10 Ah, the sound of lightsabers humming and clashing and deflecting blaster bolts. This is more than enough to make any Star Wars fan drool. The sound effects of this game is nicely done, from the humming and zapping of the lightsabers to the beeping and explosion of the thermal detonators, though I must admit, the explosions weren't loud enough for my personal liking. This would have easily netted it an 8, if it wasn't for one very bad thing: Repetition. Sure, the voice acting might be nice and all, but it is just plain annoying to hear the enemies say the same things over and over again. CONTROL - 8 / 10 The controls are fluid and responsive, and the force powers can each be assigned its own hotkey, thus minimising time taken to use force powers in some tight situations. Unfortunately, the default key mapping is plain stupid. Who uses the function keys (F1 to F12) when there are so many keys around the WSAD that are left unmapped? This is just plain annoying since most people have to remap the keys to more accessible places in LAN centres. GAMEPLAY - 9 / 10 Lucas Arts listened to its fans and did a wise thing: They made the lightsaber available in the very first level of the game, which negates the frustrations that players of Jedi Outcast had to endure. The level design is superb, varying from exotic locations like Hoth and Yavin 4 to Coruscant and Tatooine. The game itself is challenging, but not sadistically difficult as in Jedi Outcast. There are still some minor frustrations in some hopping puzzles, but with lightsaber wielding mayhem taking most of the game time, this game is definitely fun to play for novices and veterans alike. STORY - 6 / 10 Nothing spectacular, just the plain old vanilla "bad guy threatens galaxy, stop bad guy and save the galaxy" routine. Still, the storyline is solid and easy to follow, plus it also features some familiar faces like Luke, Chewbacca, Boba Fett and a few others. MULTIPLAYER - 10 / 10 This is where the game really shines. Featuring 6 multiplayer modes and quite a lot of maps to go with them, this game ensures hours and hours of lightsaber wielding fun and gives you a chance to relive the Attack of The Clones Jedi vs. blaster wielding troops scene. The all new Power Duel mode will also probably inspire lots of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon vs. Darth Maul scenarios. Unfortunately, this game lacks the skins and models of some other notable Jedi like Yoda, Obi Wan, Darth Vader, Darth Maul and lots of others. I guess Lucas Arts was a bit lazy and decided to leave this to the modding community. OVERALL - 8 / 10 Jedi Academy is an excellent game that is worth buying for all gamers alike and is a definite must buy for all Star Wars fans. Featuring great graphics and sound, this game is certainly better than its predecessor Jedi Outcast. While the story might be a little unoriginal and boring, the excellent gameplay more than makes up for this insignificant flaw. The game is worth buying for the multiplayer mode itself, considering you have broadband at least. PROS - It's Star Wars - Lightsaber in first mission - Character customisation - Lightsaber customisation CONS - No Yoda skin in multiplayer!!? - Annoying default key map - A little repetitive towards the end - Too short -[ Section 02 | Unlearn What You Have Learnt ]- This is basically the 'Getting Started' section, but as readers of my previous Enter the Matrix FAQ should know, I am fond of making up new names for old boring titles. Thus the name of this section. - Databank Tidbit - "Unlearn what you have learnt" was said by Yoda to Luke Skywalker in Episode 5 to remind him that The Force is boundless and that he should 'unlearn' the ways he saw things work and 'learn' that nothing is impossible. - End of Tidbit - -[ 02.01 | Jedi Name ]- First things first. Before you embark upon your quest for ultimate fragging, you should get yourself a name. When I say name, I don't mean stupid, childish names like: |^@m_G0nn4_K|cK_Ur_@$$ or 1337_J3d1 or stuff like that. Get yourself a proper name that blends into the Star Wars universe or at least something Jedi-ish. Here's a few tips on how: ~ 01 | Based on a Character ~ Find a Star Wars character you really like. Then mold your Jedi name onto his or hers. For example, I have made my name 'Master Yeoda' based on (duh) Yoda himself. Try to find some name that has some similarity to yours and mix them into a unique name, or if you're more fond of humour, try making funny names based on Star Wars characters, like 'Fluke Skywalker' and stuff like that. ~ 02 | Reversal ~ Reverse your name. Sometimes reversed names really sound Jedi-ish if you're really lucky. For example, 'John Connor' should become 'Ronnoc N'hoj'. Not bad, eh? ~ 03 | Semi-Reversal ~ Something like reversal, except you only reverse the letters in the individual words. The words still stay in their original order. For example, 'Elaine Marley' should sound like 'Eniale Yelram'. - Databank Tidbit - Elaine Marley is the wife of Guybrush Threepwood in the Monkey Island series. What has this got to do with Star Wars, you ask? Absolutely nothing. Just thought you might be interested. - End of Tidbit - ~ 04 | From Scratch ~ This is the brain busting one. Think of a *TOTALLY* original name for your character. Go ahead. Knock yourself out. I have no comments on this one. I just use 'Grim Shadow' for my _original_ name. There you have it. I must warn you though, try not to use names of famous Jedi like Luke or Yoda. At least try to deform them a little. Make sure your name has a personalised touch to it, and don't keep changing it every few hours. And most importantly, no 1337. The occasional [A|R] or _{X}_ clan name is okay for most people, but try not to go overboard. -[ 02.02 | Jedi Code of Honour ]- Here's the original code of the Jedi: There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force. A Jedi does not act for personal power or wealth but seeks knowledge and enlightenment. A true Jedi never acts from hatred, anger, fear or aggression but instead acts when calm and at peace with the Force. (Exerpted from 'A Guide to the Star Wars Universe' by Bill Slavicsek) Here's my code of the Jedi to more reflect on our multiplay situation: There is no cowardice; there is stealth. There is no cheating; there is exploitation. There is no luck; there is skill. There is no server restriction; there is the Force. A Jedi does not meddle in others' duels but seeks the opportunity to snipe or bomb them from afar. A Jedi never plays with hatred, anger, fear or aggression but instead remains calm and unfazed throughout the match to frustrate and anger an opponent to blind their judgement. A true Jedi does not pick on one new to the game, but rather, takes advantage of the situation when a more skilled opponent targets the newcomer. Whoa. Such a long and confusing code of honour. Allow me to elaborate: ~ 1. There is no cowardice; there is stealth. ~ Running is not cowardly. Ignore the taunts of those lesser humans as you turn tail and run away when outsabered or outgunned. The game is about survival, not pitting yourself against unfavourable odds. When the tables turn in favour, turn with it. When the odds are against you, retreat to a favorable condition. Similarly, I urge you to resist the temptation of taunting an opponent when he or she runs away. If it really bothers you, then activate Force Speed and give chase. ~ 2. There is no cheating; there is exploitation. ~ Do *NOT* cheat. Never cheat in a game. It just totally spoils it. When I say cheat, I mean hacking tools and stuff like that. Even so, most people call exploiting another's weakness or disadvantage in a situation as cheating. I say it is not so. If it is something you can do in a game without changing anything with a third party program, it is considered fair, no matter how badly it cripples an opponent. Examples are like using Force Lightning and things like that. If you don't like people throwing lightning at you, use Absorb. ~ 3. There is no luck; there is skill. ~ Never taunt an opponent of making a fluke when he frags you, in case he or she makes you eat your words. Similarly, prove that you're not lucky, but rather skillful to other players when they accuse you of making a fluke. Practice any and every opportunity you get, and do not slack off. Learn from your mistakes, and learn to exploit other people's mistakes. ~ 4. There is no server restriction; there is the Force. ~ If you're hosting a game, *NEVER* disable Force powers. Most players claim that using Force powers are cheating, but the truth is, it is not. The Force is an essential gameplay element in Jedi Academy that augments your abilities and creates a more engaging multiplayer experience. ~ 5. Never meddle in others' duels but exploit the situation. ~ When you see two or more people randomly smacking each other with lightsabers, do not charge into the fray. That's suicide. Instead, pull back to a safe distance and chuck bombs and other assortments of goodies at them. Chances are, those people are probably too busy whacking each other with laser swords to notice that idiot throwing that thermal detonator until it is too late. In times like these you have to throw honour into the wind. You're here to frag others, not to be fragged by others. ~ 6. Remain calm and unfazed no matter how badly you're taunted. ~ Chances are when you get fragged, you'll get taunted. (especially when you have rivals) Here's a tip, ignore them. You might not realise it, but you actually annoy them more by not giving them acknowledgement and thus make them angry, blowing their concentration. Likewise, do not taunt when you frag someone. You will just lose concentration and the game. ~ 7. Bully not the newcomers, but use them to your advantage. ~ The newcomers are there for a reason: to be fragged. There's no changing that. But why not gain an extra frag or two while in the process of slaying the poor sap? Follow the newcomer around and take advantage when a situation as in code number five pops up. Chances are, the whole server is probably hunting for the poor guy. Remember, take out the more skilled players, then take out our poor little newcomer. Remember this code and commit it to heart. But remember, rules are there to be broken, thus you should not hesitate to break the code when the situation calls for it. No rule can justify the instinct for survival. -[ 02.03 | Residual Self Image ]- Now that you've gotten yourself a proper name and read the Jedi Multiplayer Code of Honour, it's time to decide on what you'll look like in the virtual realm. As always, find something that matches your name and style of play. You could either use one of the preconstructed models or customise it. Just try not to use the more famous skins like Luke and Kyle and Desann. I'm sick of seeing Luke fighting Luuke and Luuke 2 all the time. If possible, stick to a certain skin. I'll help you build your identity throughout the gaming world. (Oh no! It's that crazy lighsaber-wielding Wookie again!) - Databank Tidbit - Luuke Skywalker was a clone of the legendary Luke Skywalker, created from the cells taken from the hand Luke lost in his lightsaber duel with Darth Vader. The Jedi Master Joruus C'baoth (which was also a clone) ordered the creation of Luuke from the Emperor's prized souvenir: sample B-2332-54 (Luke's hand). The clone wields Luke's lightsaber which was lost along with his hand. Using that lightsaber, Luuke nearly destroyed the real Skywalker during their duel on Wayland. Luke Skywalker was saved by Mara Jade, which killed the clone during the fray. - End of Tidbit - -[ 02.04 | Your Weapon? ]- What was really meant by the title was 'Your Saber Type'. As you start your game, you should bring along a lightsaber with you. There are three major types of sabers, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses: The classical single Lightsaber, the strong and stable Saber Staff, and the fast and agile Dual Lightsabers. ~ Single Lightsaber ~ All right, lets face it. Probably nobody uses the single lightsaber. Why, you might ask? Well (duh), it's so obvious. Why settle with one lightsaber when you can wield two? True, but at least it has three stances, so you can switch the speed and strength of your stance to exploit your opponent's. This is for the truly brave, suicidal or really classic-minded people. ~ Saber Staff ~ My personal favourite. Backed with Force Speed, the slow wielder suddenly becomes extremely fast and agile. Plus, you get an ability no other sabers get, the kick. Very useful for knocking those people down and stabbing them to death. For the people who like knocking people down and giving them a stab. ^_^ ~ Dual Lightsabers ~ Very cool stance. You get two lightsabers like Anakin in Episode 2, and you're extremely fast and agile. It's not strong enough for my liking though, so I didn't really like it that much. This is for those who emphasise speed and agility in their fights rather than strength. Choose your weapon wisely, for it'll decide the outcome of your duels. As I have said so many times already, try to stick to a particular type of saber that matches your style of play and forge your identity. -[ Section 03 | The Jedi Holocron ]- The Jedi Holocron is a repository of Jedi knowledge and teaching, these legendary artifacts are palm-sized glowing cubes of crystal that combined primitive holographic technology with the Force to provide and interactive learning device that could only be activated by a Jedi. Similarly, this section teaches you of various techniques and strategies to vastly improve your performance when playing in Jedi Academy multiplayer. - Databank Tidbit - As always, the Jedi Holocron has an evil counterpart: The Sith Holocron or more commonly known as the Dark Holocron, which contains the history and teachings of the Sith Dark Lords. Similar to the Jedi Holocron, the Sith Holocron may only be accessed by the appropriate persons: a Dark Lord of the Sith. - End of Tidbit - -[ 03.01 | Jedi Battle Meditation ]- Jedi Battle meditation is a powerful Jedi technique, used to influence the outcome of a battle by visualizing the desired result. To do so, one must only act when calm and at peace with the Force, and expel all forms of anger and hate from his or her heart. It has been proven that a human being can act more efficiently when under calm and unworried circumstances, when he or she is able to think and reason with uncanny speed and precision, rather than when the person is angry or frustrated with his or her judgement blinded and becomes rather hesitant or hasty, making him or her act without analyzing the situation properly. So next time you play, try to choose a time when you feel relaxed. As you sit down and start the game, allow the introduction video to run. Take this time to close your eyes and take long and relaxed deep breaths. Visualize the battle that will soon unfold in front of your eyes and see yourself effortlessly striking down your opponents. This does not mean you worry about the battle to come, you merely think about it and visualise your desired outcome. When you play, you must always stay calm and be at peace with the Force. Do not be influenced by outside sources, especially when you are playing in a LAN centre. If you are struck down or taunted, do not respond with angry words or violent actions, for this will blow your concentration. Instead, congratulate and praise your opponent for a job well done. Such action is more likely to provoke anger and frustration in an opponent than angry words, thereby disrupting his or her concentration in the game. -[ 03.02 | Basic Combat Training ]- Alright, let's go back to the basics. I'm sure you know how the wield a lightsaber, right? (well, duh) Unfortunately, there's much more to Jedi Academy than just a bunch of humming laser swords. There is also the other weapons which form most of the galaxy's arsenal: Guns and Bombs. So to survive a real free for all massacre, you must master all the weapons in the game. But beofore you touch any weapons, young padawan, allow me to teach you various movement techniques. ~ Movement Training ~ Before you even hope to battle, you must learn to enter and exit the combat zone at will. It is useless to be undefeatable in combat if everyone snatches your kills, nor is it useful if you end up in the middle of the crossfire of a heated firefight, with laser bolts coming from all sides. Unlike other FPS matches, bunny hopping is virtually useless in this game. First of all, if you're trying to move faster with bunny hopping, Force Speed is a much better tool. Second and worst thing of all, if you're happily bunny hopping near a dangerous hole or chasm, you're bound to be Force Pushed to your death. But, this is not to say that jumping is useless. Force jumping is probably one of the most useful moves in the entire game. First of all (and duh), this move can be used to reach normally unreachable places. The thing is, most people underestimate the height which one can reach using Force Jump. Then, if you're running away from a powerful foe, and you get blocked by another group of people duelling in a narrow corridor, you can Wall Run. This takes a little practice, of course, but it works exceptionally well in most cases. Plus, it looks really cool when done right. Rolling is useful, but overrated. It can be used to dodge sabers and stuff like that, but the problem is, after you roll, you *SLOW DOWN*. This is a bad thing, especially if you're being chased by multiple assailants. On the other hand, the 'Side-Flip Off Wall' is seriously underrated by most players. Did you know that I use this most of the time in combat? Guess what, you can not only do this move onto walls, but also other players! Plus, in most cases, you also knock them down in the process. (yay) ~ Padawan Combat Techniques ~ If you're getting your arse kicked in Jedi Knight multiplayer, chances are, you haven't fully developed your saber skills yet. The thing is, if you can't use the lightsaber skillfully yet, don't. Never humiliate yourself in front of many people. That's what the bots are for. Instead, stick to the big guns and bombs. Look for people duking it out against each other and blast away. Those poor saps are probably too busy with each other to notice that idiot shooting at them. Throw in a few thermal detonators, and you've got yourself a free kill or two. A word of advice: *DON'T* use this technique too much. It's very annoying and you could get kicked out of a server for that. But what the heck. Those people are probably sore losers anyway, right? ~ Lightsaber Training ~ Load up a solo game, put the game mode to duel. Now, with only your lightsaber and the Force, attempt to defeat your opponent fair and square. That's right, no throwing people to death, no Force Lightning. I found the Yavin arena to fit this purpose. It's just a pit with no pillars, death-holes or escape. Perfect. If you're at home, the aim is to train, not to win. At first, controlling the lightsaber might be awkward at first, but once you get used to it, you'll start to feel the rythm. Here's a tip: keep moving. Dance around your opponent, but try to keep your eye on him or her. As long as you keep moving, they'll have a hard time hitting you , unless he or she is able to anticipate your movements like I have partially mastered. ~ Sniper Training ~ Load up a free for all game. (at home, with bots) With help from Force Sense, if you really need it, attempt to snipe as many enemies as you can with the disruptor rifle. I found the Tatooine map particularly useful, with the sniper nest included. (it's there above the ship outside, Force Jump up) The rule of thumb in sniping is to aim to where your target is going instead of where he or she is at the moment. Try to aim 1 or 2 steps in front of your target. Unfortunately, I cannot give much advice in this field, since I rather specialise in saber and Force use. I have seen though, in more advanced stages of sniping, one could run around with the scope on all the time with the shot charged up, ready to fire. You could attempt it if you want, but this is for really, really advanced people. One last note: always try to charge up all the way before shooting. ~ Automatic Weapon Training ~ This includes the Blaster Rifle and Heavy Repeater. Load up a free for all, preferably in the Taspir map, where the Heavy Repeater is at the middle of the landing pad. (or whatever you call it) Here's one thing you should really know: fire in pulses. Contrary to its classification, automatic weapons are most effective when fired in pulses of three to five shots. Give it half a second to cool down, and repeat. One very important thing, though. *Never* use guns when in a one on one situation with a lightsaber wielder. Most likely, your intended victim will block 99.99% of the shots and turn the tables completely and kill you with your own shots. ~ Heavy Artillery Training ~ Load up a free for all with bots (yet again). Try the Vjun Sentinel map, it has plenty of heavy guns like DEMP2, Merr-Sonn (rocket launcher), and the Heavy Repeater (in alternate fire mode). Rule of thumb: Stay at least 4 to 5 lightsaber lenghts away from your intended target (sorry, this is the best form of measurement I could find). Unless of course, you intend to get caught in the blast zone. These weapons are best used when people are too caught up with fighting each other to notice you blasting their arses off. ~ Explosive Training ~ All explosives, save the Thermal Detonator requires some degree of patience and cunning to use. The thermal detonator can be used in basically the same way as the heavy artillery weapons. The other explosives are more likely to be used as traps rather than in the heat of combat, though with sufficient training and skill, it is highly possible and very probable. Once again, a free for all is the best way to train with this. The Tatooine map is probably best for this exercise, with narrow corridors and rather sneaky 'trap spots'. Here's one thing to try with the trip mine: try to plant it about head height with the laser beam trigger (primary fire). Lure an opponent near the trap, and then roll under the laser beams. The poor guy is probably too focused on catching you and slicing your head off to notice those blue beams of death that just cut through his neck. (ow) You could also try chucking these bombs around the dance floor when people are busy 'dancing' with their opponents to notice little packets of death scattered all over the floor. Note: Try not to step on the bombs yourself. It's very unhealthy and extremely embarrasing. -[ 03.03 | Use The Force ]- "The Force is my greatest ally, and a powerful ally it is." - Master Yoda How true. The Force, when used in the right situations, are devestating to an opponent (or opponents). Imagine the situation: You see a powerful guy bunny hopping towards you, and a great big chasm of death is right behind him. Hmm. What do you do? Well duh. Give him a light push and he'll be sent flying to his grisly demise. Best of all, you get credit for it. What about this: You're fighting a guy with skills about equal to yours, and you're both down to your last bits of health. What happens next? Well, it depends on wether you or your opponent has faster reactions and taps the Force Lightning key. The poor sap (hopefully it wasn't you) gets fried. As I have described above, when the Force is used at key moments like these, it is utterly devestating and seemingly omnipotent. But don't go too far, though. If you're standing near a ledge of a cliff, and you Force Grip someone, you're obviously asking for a little push. Similarly, don't bother using Jedi Mind Trick on people who are not aware of your position anyway. - Databank Tidbit - To watch the power of the Force in action, watch Episode 5 (Empire Strikes Back ). There, Yoda demonstrates the power of the Force by lifting an X-Wing out of a swamp marsh in Dagobah. - End of Tidbit - -[ 03.04 | Advanced Combat Techniques ]- Located herein are really advanced techniques for those who feel they have the skill to pull off. Some of these techniques are so difficult, even I haven't mastered them yet, but I have witten them down for your viewing pleasure. Once you get the hang of the game, you would soon 'feel' the game and its players when you play. It will be little at first, with rather awkward moves and not so reflexive moves. Then as you start to feel it more and more, your senses will be more 'in-tune' with the Force, and you start acting instictively without any hesitation. ~ Death Pit Offering ~ Best used in Vjun, though I belive it can be used in any 'death pits'. I recommended the Vjun FFA (free for all) map because of its little hole in the middle. What you do is simple. Face the small hole with the big hole on your left or right. To do this you have to stand near the edge of the pit. Run up to the little hole and let your character drop to his/her apparent death. *BUT*, as your character touches the interior walls of the small hole, hold Jump. This will execute the wall grab move and propel your character upwards back to safety. This move is quite challenging, and even I make a fluke with this move every now and then, making my character's apparent death real. ~ Anticipation ~ As you mature in skill, you will start to be able to anticipate your opponent's movements and position. What you do is, when you start getting the hang of the game, you no longer have to face your opponent as you duel. In fact, I usually face *away* from my opponents 60% of the time. As you probably know, your character will swing the lightsaber in the direction you make him move if you hold the Primary Fire button, regardless of where you're facing. Use this fact to your advantage. I usually start off by charging my opponent's side, instead of the usual direct charge. As I close in on my opponent, I make my character swing to the other side where I'm apparently charging, making a clean cut across my opponent. Then since I've swung past my opponent and is probably standing somewhere behind him/her, I'll just swing back toward's his/her direction. Guess what? Sabers can't block backs. :P ~ Know Thy Enemy ~ If you play in a LAN centre, chances are you're playing against more or less the same people. Learn their techniques, their style and most important of all, their weaknesses. Know some guy who just can't help fumbling when looking for the Force Push button? Take note of that and reserve the Force Grip + Force Push technique on him/her. How about this guy who swears by his lightsaber and vows never to use another weapon? He's obviously unskilled in other forms of combat (like gunplay). Run away and take him out from afar. Make him fumble for his blaster while you fry him with your disruptor. Easy as that. These are a very few to start you off (coz I ain't got time to add more for the moment). -[ 03.05 | Mind Over Matter ]- As with most other multiplayer games, Jedi Academy is more of a battle of wits than a battle of brawn. You have to lie, cheat and decieve your opponents in every lowdown way to mislead them and gain the upper hand. You also play with your opponents' minds, provoking fear and anger into their hearts, leading them to the dark side and disrupting their concentration. Most of all, you have to visualise your opponents movements and position. As I have emphasised in many previous chapters, you must remain calm and must never be provoked to anger, lest you lose your concentration and your ability to win. The logic is, the angrier you are, the more frustrated you'll be. As your frustration grows, so does your haste and clumsiness, making you lose more and more. This leads to more anger and frustration. The cycle never ends. Thus, you have to learn to break free from these mortal chains of emotion and clear your heart of all feelings. Visualisation is also a very important skill, or rather talent. Some people are better than others in their 'third eye', being able to see even when most other people are clouded. No, I'm not talking about Force Sense here. Sure, it is useful. But when you're ready, you won't need it. I have partly been able to 'see' people even after they use Jedi Mind Trick on me. The trick is, you learn to know people's thoughts after a while of playing, and can quite accurately anticipate and counter their actions. The thing is, some people are without brains, thus it is more difficult to read their minds. (Like this stupid ugly guy I know that keeps bothering me to play Counterstrike with him) Look out for boastful and naive individuals when in the playing field. These weak minds are the most easily corrupted. Most of them are just plain lousy and unskilled and have just played the single player for half and hour or so, and gets the impression that human players are like those dumb reborn and cultists. Endlessly pick on them and defeat them (assuming that they really are lousy), shattering their confidence and bruising their ego. Once the deed is done, they will have no self respect for themselves and their performance will drop from near nothing to totally nothing, leaving them as hollow vessels of their former selves, and free kills for the veterans. Most important of all, *NEVER* show off. Most people will ward off show offs as unskilled fools. Instead, claim to be weaker than you really are, then amaze them with your skill as you effortlessly strike them down. This will, instead of making them look at you with hatred and annoyance, make them look at you with admiration of your skill and 'humility'. :P -[ Section 04 | The Databank ]- This section focuses on the explaination of the background story of Star Wars and anything related to it. After the mind wrecking session writing the section above (section 3), this will be what Kyle calls a 'Blue Milk Run'. Heh. -[ 04.01 | Character Bios ]- The character biographies located herein are those of the legendary characters, like Luke and Kyle, located in the game itself. I do not intend to include the biographies of Jaden Korr or Rosh Penin, mainly because there is nothing out of the ordinary about them, and they are just nobodies. :P ~ Luke Skywalker ~ Seen at: Most of the time during Academy briefings. Ah, the legend himself. Luke started off in a moisture farm, where Obi-Wan Kenobi had hidden Luke from Vader after birth. He was raised by Owen and Beru Lars and became a T-16 skyhopper pilot with his good friends such as Biggs Darklighter. He wanted to enter the Imperial Academy with Biggs, but Owen kept asking him to stay "for just one more season". When he was eighteen, his whole life made a flip when two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO arrived bearing a message from Princess Leia for Obi-Wan Kenobi. As Luke brought the droids to Old Ben (Obi-Wan), he learned about the Force from Ben. This was too much for Luke, and he was ready to abandon the old man and the princess, until he returned home to find his aunt and uncle slaughtered by Imperial stormtroopers. He vowed to become a Jedi Knight then. With the help of Han Solo and Chewbacca the Wookiee, Luke, Obi-Wan, and the two droids escaped from Tatooine and rescued Princess Leia from the Death Star. Luke also ended the Battle of Yavin when he used the Force to guide his proton torpedo, which struck a critical point of the Death Star and destroyed it. Over the next three years, Luke became a prominent member of the Rebel Alliance as the achieved the rank of commander and took charge of the X-Wing Rogue Squadron. He also helped stave off and Imperial attack on Hoth long enough for the base personnel to escape, using his ingenious plan of using the Snowspeeder harpoons against the AT-AT's legs. He then followed a vision of the late Obi-Wan Kenobi to the swamp planet Dagobah, where he found the great old Master Yoda, who taught him much about the Force. But his training was cut short as he sped off to help Leia and Han at the Cloud City of Bespin. There, he lost his hand, his lightsaber and his innocence, when Vader revealed that he was Luke's father. Luke barely survived this ordeal, saved by Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian. After that, he was fitted with a prosthetic hand, like his father in Episode 2. He went to Tatooine to rescue Han Solo, who was frozen in carbonite and sold to Jabba the Hutt by the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett. Luke was forced to destroy Jabba and his entire crime operation. He then returned to Dagobah to complete his training, only to find a dying Yoda, who told him that Vader's words are true. He was also told that Leia was his twin sister by Obi-Wan's spirit form. Luke survived the Battle of Endor, at the same time freeing his father from the corruption of the Dark Side, who sacrificed his own life to save Luke's. Both Vader and the Emperor died aboard the second Death Star. Luke Skywalker played a major role in forging the New Republic and the Rebel Alliance. Luke also convinced Mara Jade to join the New Republic and allow him to help her learn to use her Force abilities. Luke delved into the deepest and darkest secrets of the Dark Side as the reborn Emperor's protégé. In the end, Luke was forced to duel the cloned Emperor, filled with the undying evil of the ancient Palpatine. With the help of Leia, Luke destroyed the clone. Luke then founded the Jedi academy in the Great Temple of the Massassi on Yavin 4 to train those he found strong in the Force. This led to a confrontation with the spirit of an ancient Dark Lord of the Sith, Exar Kun, who killed one trainee and corrupted another before he was defeated by the combined powers of Luke's students. Luke had dedicated himself toe the ideals of the New Republic and the rebirth of the Jedi Knights. After Luke married Mara Jade, they planned to slowly turn the Jedi academy into a pre-Jedi school, from which students would graduate to train in personal one on one relationships with more experienced Jedi. Six years later, Luke considered reestablishin the Jedi Council to help him collect the scattering Jedi Knights and coordinate their activities. He is one of the few Jedi with two apprentices - he has continued instructing Jacen and Anakin Solo in the ways of the Force. ~ Kyle Katarn ~ Seen at: Jedi Academy and some missions Kyle Katarn was the character players controlled in the previous instalments of Jedi Knight. As far as I know, he used to be a Rebel Alliance agent who infiltrated the top secret Imperial installation on Danuta and acquired the technical plans for the Empire's first Death Star battle station, which were beamed to Princess Leia Organa's consular ship, the Tantive IV. In the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin, Katarn discovered that the Empire was arming new Dark Troopers, and he destroyed the mining facility supplying the phrik alloy. Some time after that, he joined the ranks of the Jedi Knights. Then, for some reason, he left them after some 'Valley of the Jedi' incident. (help needed! thanks all) Later he rejoined the ranks of the Jedi Knights and emerged as a Jedi Master, and assisted Luke in training Jedi in the Jedi Academy at Yavin 4. He is also the Jedi master of Jaden Korr (your character) and Rosh Penin (an extremely annoying guy). ^ Unedited Contribution by Dougie Something ^ I'n Kyle's first game Star Wars Dark Forces Kyle is unsure about being a Rebel because he was a officer in the Empire. When he was in the Imperial Academy the Empire told Kyle that his father was killed in a Rebel raid. Kyle filled with hate joind the Imperial ranks. When a Rebel agent named Jan Ores was captured by the Empire Jan told Kyle that his father was really killed by the Empire on a raid. Kyle did the first mission of Dark Forces and then joind the Rebels. He found out about the Dark Troopers in about the middle of the game but you see their power in level two. Near the end of Dark Forces Jan Kyle's new pilot left Kyle becuse Kyle told her to Kyle took a pod from the second last level to get to the Arc Hammer. Kyle killed the maker of the Dark Troopers and then the Empire diched the idea. In Dark Forces 2 Jedi Knight Kyle meets with Jan again. In level 4 Kyle gets his light saber and starts his path of the was of the jedi or Sith. Jan some how gets captured and after you beat a sith named Maw your side is final. If you took the side of the Jedi you don't kill Jan but Jerec ( the last boss) Force Pushes you on to a ship and uses Force Destruction and makes the ship you were pushed on fall. If you went to the Dark Side Kyle kills Jan refuses to join Jerec because Kyle wants the power of the Vally of the Jedi for him self and same as on the Light Side he pushes you and makes the ship fall. At the end if you went to the Light Side Kyle makes a statue of his father and Jan is with Kyle looking at the work. If you went to the Dark Side Kyle becomes a Dark Emperor. Kyle leves his Forces because he has seen both sides of the Force. ^ End of Contribution ^ ~ Chewbacca ~ Seen at: Mos Eisley cantina level Chewbacca was a loyal, powerful, two-meter-tall Wookiee which served as first mate and copilot of the Millennium Falcon. He was born more that two hundred years before the Galactic Cilvil War on the tree-covered planet Kashyyyk, and had become a slave, smuggler, pilot and a top-knotch mechanic over the course of his life. Chewbacca, like all Wookiees, was covered in shaggy fur and communicated in a series of grunts, growls and terrifying roars. He was extremely strong, even for a Wookiee, thus his weapons of choice were his bare fists and his bowcaster, which required massive strength to operate. Though he was fomidable when angered, his terrifying roars sometimes masked his own fear of the unknown. Chewie, as his friends referrend to him, left Kashyyyk when he was about fifty standard years. About 140 years later, he was captured by slavers and sold to the Empire. The hard-laor camp where Chewbacca was enslaved would have been the death of him, if not the actions of the then-young Han Solo. Solo, an Imperial officer at that time, sacrificed his millitary career to free the Wookiee, and Chewbacca immediately decided he owed the Corellian a life debt. Chewbacca followed Solo areound for a long time before the Corellian decided to accept his Wookiee shadow, which became his protector and best friend. Solo taught Chewbacca how to fly a ship and use gunner weapons. Together, the pair embarked on a smuggling career that became extremely profitable after Solo won the Millennium Falcon in a game of sabacc. Chewbacca and Solo had helped rescue a princess (Leia), blown up an Imperial battle station and were declared heroes by the Rebal Alliance. Chewbacca had added Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia to his honor family, and after Han married Leia, Chewbacca helped raise and protect their three children. Twenty years after their first meeting, Chewbacca brought a new student to Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy - his nineteen year old nephew, Lowbacca. Chewbacca met his demise twenty one years after the Battle of Endor, where he died saving Anakin Solo. As a moon spiraled down toward the planet Sernpidal, caught in the inexorable pull of a Yuuzhan Vong living weapon, Chewbacca tossed Anakin Solo into the hovering Millennium Falcon. The ship, packed full of refugees from the doomed planet, was forced to blast away as the moon crashed into the surface of the world - before Han Solo could find a way to get his friend onto the ship. ~ Wedge Antilles ~ Wedge is one of the true aces of the Rebellion and the New Republic. Born and raised in Gus Treta, a Corellian spaceport, he was orphaned as a teenager when his parents were killed by pirates. He bought a stock light freighter when he was sixteen in the hope of starting a legitimate shipping business. But it was not long before he was smuggling weapons for the Rebellion, and when the call went out for pilots, he took the controls of an Alliance X-Wing. Antillies met Luke Skywalker at the Rebel base on Yavin 4 just before the arrival of the Death Star battle station. They were both assigned to Red Squadron, but during the fight Wedge's ship was damaged and he had to withdraw. He soon became an integral member of the renamed Rogue Squadron and flew a snowspeeder in the Battle of Hoth, where they fended off an attack by the Imperials long enough for the Rebels to evacuate their base. Wedge eventually became commander of the squadron, and worked closely with Lando Calrissian and Admiral Ackbar to plan the attack on the second Death Star. During the Battle of Endor, Wedge's X-Wing followed Calrissian who was at the controls of the Millennium Falcon into the superstructure of the Death Star. The two ships both fired missiles and torpedoes at the reactor core, starting the series of explosions that destroyed the battle station. As the New Republic began to establish itself, Wedge and his Rogue Squadron played an integral part. Wedge soon assumed the rank of general, though he also retained command of the Rogue Squadron. He demonstrated brilliant millitary tactics at the second Battle of Coruscant, and he continues to display heroic service to the Alliance and the Republic. His life hasn't been without tragedy, however. He has lost members of the Rogue Squadron, family, friends, and even his true love, the scientist Qwi Xux, who lost nearly all of the memories due to the actions of a dark Jedi. ~ Boba Fett ~ The exploits of this infamous bounty hunter are known throughout the galaxy. He is actually a clone of Jango Fett, who was also a bounty hunter at his time. Jango Fett allowed himself to become the source of the clone army in Attack of The Clones in one condition, that he would have a clone which grew at a normal human rate, which is the now adult Boba Fett. Boba Fett's past is shrouded in mystery, though some reports indicate that he was born Jaster Mereel, who became a young journeyman protector, or law enforcement officer, on the planet Concord Dawn. When he supposedly killed a corrupt protector, he was tried, stripped of his possessions, and exiled. Later, after the Clone Wars, the man who came to be known as Boba Fett worked as a mercenary, a soldier, a personal guard, an assassin, and a bounty hunter - the best role he was known for. Fett wears Mandalorian battle armor, the same used by his 'father', Jango Fett, and a group of fearsome warriors whose exploits date back to ancient times. Some claim these warriors battled the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars, but many of the records from that period are incomplete at best. Fett's armor is a weapon-covered space suit with armaments that include wrist lasers, a jet pack, rocket darts, a fiber-cord grappling device, and a miniature flame projector. (As seen in the game itself if you get too close to him) His helmet features a macrobinocular viewplate, motion and sound sensors, infrared targeting, an internal comlink to his ship, and a broadband antenna for intercepting and decoding transmissions. All in all, his armor is so packed with gadgets that it would put Inspector Gadget himself to shame. He wears braided Wookiee scalps over his right shoulder. The bounty hunter works for whoever can pay his exorbitant rates, including Jabba the Hutt and the Empire. He was on retainer to Jabba for a good portion of his career, as well as to the other Hutts, and he often claimed some of the largest bounties ever offered in the galaxy. During the height of the Galactic Civil War, Fett accepted the same commission from both Jabba the Hutt and Darth Vader, agreeing to hunt down and capture Han Solo after the smuggler escaped from the Hoth system. He succeeded in tracking the smuggler to Bespin's Cloud City. There, Solo was encased in carbonite by Vader, and then Fett transported the frozen smuggler to Jabba's headquarters on Tatooine. During the resulting rescue carried out by Luke, Fett was lost in the Great Pit of Carkoon. Boba Fett ecaped from the pit and was discovered by another bounty hunter who had come searching for Jabba the Hutt's remains. Six years later, Fett emerged on Nar Shaddaa, and was once again on Han Solo's trail. Fett claimed that he survived the Sarlacc because it found him to be 'somewhat indigestible'. :P - Notice - These were the few characters I could think of for the moment. If you see any character you deem relevant to this section, do not hesitate to send them in. I'll be waiting... - End of Notice - -[ 04.02 - Locations ]- Here are a few of the more famous locations where you get to visit throughout the course of the game. If you notice any location you deem relevant to this section, please do not hesitate to contact me. ~ Jedi Academy, Yavin 4 ~ Yavin 4 is actually a moon orbiting the gas giant Yavin, and is the site of an ancient temples and ruins of the Massassi species. A jungle moon teeming with animal and plant life, it once served as the primary base for the Rebel Alliance. Underground tunnels connect almost all of the ruined complexes and lead to the Lost City of the Jedi. More than 4000 years before the Galactic Civil War and the Sith magician Naga Sadow fled to Yavin 4 with his followers. He created the Massassi warrior species, who were later enslaved by the dark Jedi Exar Kun and force to construct many of the temples. Seven years after the Battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker turned the Great Temple into his Jedi Academy. ~ Tatooine ~ Tatooine is a harsh planet in the Outer Rim, and the childhood home of Luke Skywalker. The planet is extremely dry and hot, scorched by the twin suns of the Tatooine system, Tatoo 1 and Tatoo 2. The surface of Tatooine is littered with ancient starship wrecks, most half-buried by the fierce sandstorms that rage across the planet. Jawas and Tusken Raiders are native to Tatooine, and many life-forms live in the deserts, including bathas, dewbacks, womp rats, krayt dragons, rantos and the terrible Sarlacc. Moisture farm colonists have settled parts of the planets, though they struggle with both the Tusken Raiders and the elements to survive. Points of interest include the Dune Sea, the Jundland Wastes, Anchorhead, Motesta, Tosche Station, Bestine, Beggar's Canyon and the Mos Eisley spaceport. The spaceport attracts all sorts of scum and villany, from smugglers to pirates to underworld types of all descriptions. Crimelord Jabba the Hutt controlled this vast criminal empire from the Tatooine deserts until Princess Leia Organa killed him. ~ Mos Eisley Cantina, Tatooine ~ A popular spot in the spaceport city Mos Eisley, located on the desert planet Tatooine. It is sometimes called Chalmun's cantina after its Wookiee owner. Everyone and everything is welcome in the cantina except for droids. For many years, a grouchy man named Wuher served drinks at the cantina, and Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes entertained patrons with their famous brand of jizz-wailing music. ~ Corellia ~ Located in the Corellian sector and the system, this planet and four other habitable worlds orbit the star Corell. All were among the first members of the Old Republic. The system is known for its fast ships, skilled traders, and pirates who regularly raid the local space lanes. Corellia is referred to as the Elder Brother of the Five Brothers, the inhabited worlds of the system. It is a beautiful planet, covered in farms and small towns situated between the rolling hills and fields. The capital city, Coronet, boasts plenty of open space due to its small buildings and trading stalls that are separated by parks and plazas. The three native species are humans, Selonians and Drall. The Selonians live beneath the planet's surface, in a vast network of tunnels that date back to before the Republic. A planetary repulsor was discovered in this acient complex. It apparently moved the world into its current orbit from an unknown location. ~ Bast Castle, Vjun ~ Bast Castle was Darth Vader's stronghold and private retreat. This remote and heavily defended structurewas later used by Dark-side executor Sedriss and the Emperor's elite force of the Dark Jedi as a headquarters. ~ Hoth ~ Hoth is the sixth planet in a star system of the same name. This frozen world of wind, snow and ice was the location of the primary Rebel Alliance base three years after the Battle of Yavin. While the daytime temperatures across the planet are tolerable for humans wearing proper clothing, the night bring such cold that to travel or even leave protected shelters is tantamount to suicide. Hoth's native life forms include the tauntaun and the wampa ice creature. The Empire discovered the secret Echo Base, and the planet became the battlefield of a terrible engagement known as the Battle of Hoth. After Darth Vader's forces defeated the Rebels here, an Imperial garrison and detention centre were placed on the planet. Eight years after the Battle of Hoth, Luke Skywalker and Callista attempted to rescue an expedition of wampa hunters. The ice creatures destroyed everyone in the expedition, and Skywalker and Callista barely escaped. ~ Korriban ~ Korriban was the long-hidden repository for the mummified remains of Sith Lords. The remains were stored within great temples in the Valley of the Dark Lords. The temples were designed to focus and amplify the abundant dark-side energy of the area and were guarded by human skeletons activated through a combination of machinery and Sith magic. -[ 04.03 | Technology ]- This section is different from the others. It will start off by highlighting the various weapons in the game, then move on to other significant and notable technology seen in the game. ~ Lightsaber ~ The lightsaber is a powerful yet elegant weapon of the Jedi Knights for thousands of years. These laser swords project blades of pure energy capable of cutting through most materials, except for the blade of another lightsaber. By tradition, most lightsabers are built by their users as a part of their training, to test their sensitivity in the Force. The crystals inside the lightsaber must be perfectly aligned, or the lightsaber might explode when activated, thus superhuman sense acquired through tapping into the Force is essential for the construction of a lightsaber. The lightsaber is seemingly simple in design, and has a handle of about twenty- four to thirty centimeters long. Inside, power cells and multifaceted Adegan crystals (jewels) produce a narrow beam of meter-long light that emerges from a concave disk atop the handle. When activated, the lightsaber hums with power. Considered archaic when compared to blasters and other modern weapons, lightsabers are notheless impressive and powerful personal weapons that require extensive training to use effectively. A saber with a single jewel has a fixed amplitude and blade length. Those with multiple jewels - usually no more that three - allow the user to alter the amplitude and change the length of the light blade or blades. This is accomplished by rotating an exterior control that varies the distance between the jewels. The emitted beam is arced back from its positively charged continuous energy lens to a negatively charged high-energy flux aperture set in the disk atop the handle. The power amplitude determines the point at which the beam arcs back, thus setting the blade's length. ~ Blasters ~ Both the DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol and the E-11 Blaster Rifle are common weapons that fire coherent packets of intense light energy called bolts. A blaster's level of intensity can be adjusted to fire stun or killing bolts. When a blaster discharges an energy bolt, a smell similar to ozone fills the air. The DL-44 can fire either a single weak shot, or charge up the intensity of the bolt. The E-11 has both single shot or rapid fire mode. ~ DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle ~ The DXR-6 disruptor rifle fires a visible blast of energy power enough to disintergrate matter to a molacular level. The blast can shatter objects in a painful, inhumane manner. Thus, it is illegal in most sectors of the galaxy. It is usually used in scattered Imperial Remnant factions and bounty hunters. ~ Bowcaster ~ The bowcaster in tradition is a handcrafted Wookiee weapon that fires energy quarrels, and requires tremendous physical strength to fire. Most manufactured bowcasters are self-cocking to enable weaker humanoids to use them. ~ Thermal Detonator ~ The thermal detonator is a powerful explosive in the form of a small, metal ball, and is activaed when pressure is removed from the trigger. Princess Leia Organa, disguised as the bounty hunter Boushh, threatened Jabba the Hutt's court with a thermal detonator to demonstrate Boushh's nerve and impress the crimelord. ~ Bacta ~ Bacta is a chemical compound that will treat and heal all but the most serious wounds. Bacta is applied in a solution of clear synthetic fluid that mimics the body's own vital liquids. The gelatinous, translucent red bacta is added to the clear fluid, where it interacts to form a bacterial medium. This bacterial medium adheres to traumatized flesh, and promotes regeneration and tissue growth to rapidly heal wounds without causing scarring. Emperor Palpatine saw bacta as a source of power and control. He limited bacta production to two corporations, Zaltin and Xucphra. The healing medium then fell under the control of a cartel on Thyferra. Later, a war was fought to control the healing substance. ~ Z-95 Headhunter ~ The Z-95 is a compact, twin-engine atmospheric fighter craft that can be modified for space travel. A single pilot controls the fighter. These outdated ships were still in service on backwater worlds during the time of the Galactic Civil War, which is a testament to their durability and construction. The Incom Corporation used the Z-95 as the basis for the X-Wing starfighter. Jaden Korr used the Z-95 Headhunter in most of his solo missions, not to be mistaken for an X-Wing. (thanks to PeiHong for pointing this out) ~ X-Wing Starfighter ~ This starfighter played a significant role in the first major Alliance victory, of the Galactic Civil War, the Battle of Yavin, and is the starfighter that stole the limelight in the first three Star Wars movies. The X-Wing was developed and manufactured by Incom Corporation, which was nationalized by the Empire. An Alliance commando team helped Incom's senior design staff defect with plans and prototypes of the X-Wing. Named for its double-layered wings that split open for atmospheric flight and during attack runs, this small, single pilot starfighter measures 12.5 meters from nose to engine block. With powerful sublight ion engines, a targeting computer, defensive shields, four wingtip laser cannons, and a pair of proton torpedo launchers, the X-Wing is fast, highly maneuverable, and extremely well armed. These starfighters are also equipped with hyperdrives for lightspeed travel. A recessed socket, situated on the outer hull behind the cockpit, was designed as an interfact for an R2 astromech droid. An R2 unit assists the pilot by monitoring onboard systems, performing routine and emergency maintenance, and even flies the craft when circumstances warrant. Astromechs also augments the craft's computer capabilities, aiding with astrogation and holding preset hyperspace jump coordinates. -[ 04.04 | The Force ]- The Force is a natural yet mystical presence throughout the galaxy. It is an energy field generated by all living things, sometimes attributed to microscopic organisms known as midi-chlorians. It surrounds and penetrates everything, binding the galaxy together. Like most forms of energy, the Force can be manipulated. Knowledge of these manipulation techniques gives the Jedi Knights their powers. The Force has two sides - light and dark. The light side bestows great knowledge, peace and serenity, while the dark side is filled with anger, fear, and aggression. BOth sides of the Force are part of the natural order; one side life affirming, the other life destroying. Through the Force, a Jedi Knight might see far-off places, perform amazing feats, and accomplish what would otherwise be considered impossible. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force, but a true Jedi uses it for knowledge and defense, never to attack. Or in our case, it is used to a Jedi's advantage to acquire more frags. It is a powerful ally, regardless of how it is used. Only Force-sensitive living beings can master Jedi skills, whom only can be 'seen' by other Force-sensitive beings. There are three major Force skills: control, sense and alter. The control skill allows a Jedi to control his or her own inner Force. With this skill a Jedi learns to master the functions of his or her own body. The sense skill helps a Jedi sense the Force in things beyond and outside himself or herself. With it, a Jedi learns to feel the bonds that connect all things. The alter skill allows a Jedi to change the distribution and nature of the Force in order to create illusions, move objects and change perceptions. Since this is a multiplayer FAQ, I will only focus on stating the multiplayer force abilities, since the multiplayer and single player force abilities are somewhat different. = NEUTRAL ABILITIES = ~ Force Jump ~ Tapping the powers of the Force, its user can leap over an amazing distance with a single bound. Force Jump can be seen in action when Luke jumps out of the carbonite chamber in Empire Strikes Back or when Obi-Wan leaps up to the platform where Qui-Gon and Darth Maul are duelling in Episode 1. Level 1: The user can jump twice his/her normal jump height. Level 2: The user can jump up to four times his/her normal jump height. Level 3: The user can jump up to eight times his/her normal jump height. This is absolutely an essential skill in my opinion. Force Jump is extremely useful for weaving in and out of combat effectively, and it also looks cool if used in the right situation. You definitely must max this out. ~ Force Speed ~ With the aid of the Force, its user can push his/her body metabolism to its limit, achieving superhuman speed and reflexes. This is seen in Episode 1, where Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon speeds away from the 'droid-with-round-forcefield- thing'. (help please? thanks) Level 1: The user moves 25% faster than normal for 10 seconds. Level 2: The user moves 50% faster than normal for 15 seconds. Level 3: The user moves 75% faster than normal for 20 seconds. Yet another must-have skill in my personal opinion. Though not as fast as the single player mode Force Speed, (hmph. Imagine moving 400% faster than normal) this skill is still extremely useful, both for attacking and retreating. This ability really shines in the Capture the Flag mode, where the flag-hunter can just literally speed all the way in and out of the enemy base, with a little luck and of course, lots of skill. Each use takes up 50 Force points, so use it wisely. You only get two shots in CTF: one to get in, one to bust out. :) ~ Force Push ~ With concentration, the user emenate ripples in the Force to push away hostile objects, and counter the dreaded Force Grip. Force Push can be seen in Episode 1 when Darth Maul pushes Obi-Wan down during the final battle. Level 1: The user can only push a single focused target. Level 2: The user may push multiple enemies in a limited forward arc. Level 3: The user can push multiple enemies into solid objects and damage them. Not a bad skill to have, if there's nothing else better to use. Try to at least put one point in Force Push so that you can counter those nasty dark siders (like me) who constantly use Force Grip and stuff like that. Personally, I just max this out, since there are no other skills I like that much. A must-have if you're playing on a rocket-crazy map. ~ Force Pull ~ Manipulating the Force, the user gains the ability to pull things towards him/ herself. Force Pull can be seen in The Empire Strikes back, where Luke is hung upside down in a wampa ice cave. He pulled his saber and struck the wampa in the nick of time to save himself. Level 1: The user can only pull a single focused target. Level 2: The user may pull multiple enemies in a limited forward arc. Level 3: The user can knock down multiple enemies with a single pull. Or so the description says. Force Pull is not all that useful if you compare it with other skills. There are virtually no uses for it except for pulling people towards you, and chances are, they probably have Force Push, which negates pull almost completely. If you have something better to take, drop this skill. ~ Force Seeing (Force Sense) ~ Channeling the Force through him/her, the user can see visions beyond time and space. This skill can be seen used by Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back, or a lot of other scenes where people sense 'a disturbance in the Force'. Level 1: The user can see auras of nearby enemies for a short duration. Level 2: The user can see auras of enemies through walls for a longer duration. Level 3: The user can see auras of all enemies and dodge sniper shots over a long period of time. Personally, I just put one point in this skill to negate those annoying Mind Trickers. It isn't really necessary to see enemies through walls since you can't really do anything else to them anyway. Cool as dodging sniper shots may be, it just isn't necessary. I've yet to see a person accurately hit a Jedi using Force Speed. Final verdict: put only one point in here. 'Nuff said. = LIGHTSIDE ABILITIES = ~ Force Protect ~ Using the Force to create a near-inpenetrable shield around him/her, the user uses his/her Force pool to absorb physical damage. You can see Kyle Katarn use this ability in one level in the single player missions. Other than that, I've no idea whatsoever where to see it in action. Level 1: 50% of the damage blocked, absorbing 100% of the damage from the Force pool. Maximum damage that can be blocked is 100. Level 2: 75% of the damage blocked, absorbing 50% of the damage from the Force pool. Maximum damage that can be blocked is 200. Level 3: 87.5% of the damage blocked, absorbing 25% of the damage from the Force pool. Maximum damage that can be blocked is 400. Not a bad ability to go for if you're a lightsider. Unfortunately, it isn't as powerful as the single player mode protect, and it saps your Force pool, which might leave you without Force energy at the worse moments of battle. Otherwise, it's a great ability. ~ Force Absorb ~ The user saps Force energy from the Force powers directed at him/her and turns it into usable Force energy in his/her Force pool. I have no idea where else you can see it except for multiplayer situations. Level 1: 33% of the blocked Force energy absorbed. Level 2: 66% of the blocked Force energy absorbed. Level 3: 100% of the blocked Force energy absorbed. Not a very useful skill, in my opinion. First of all, not everyone uses Force abilities to damage others. Then there's also the fact that it doesn't really have that much potential for creativity, unlike abilities like Grip. My comment is use it when you're sure your opponents are using really evil things like lightning, then he/she will really be pissed. Otherwise, drop it. ~ Force Heal ~ With the aid of the Force, the user quickens his/her body healing rate at an amazing rate, closing flesh wounds without leaving scars. Each heal uses 50 Force points from the Force pool. Level 1: Instantly heals 5 hit points when used. Level 2: Instantly heals 10 hit points when used. Level 3: Instantly heals 25 hit points when used. The most essential ability in single player mode is the most useless ability in multiplayer. I can find better uses for 50 Force points than to gain a measly 25 hit points. A single lightsaber blow takes up to 50+ hit points, so what the heck. Definitely pass this. ~ Jedi Mind Trick ~ Manipulating his/her victim's mind, the user can influence the victim to act and think beyond his/her free will. This is seen in A New Hope, where Ben uses the Mind Trick on a stormtrooper. Level 1: The user becomes invisible to a single enemy for 5 seconds. Level 2: The user becomes invisible to all enemies in a limited forward arc for 10 seconds. Level 3: The user becomes invisible to all enemies in a moderate distance for 15 seconds. One of the best lightside skills in my opinion. You should definitely pop at least 2 skill points into this. 15 seconds is more than enough to kill 3 to 4 unsuspecting enemies if you're good enough. Try to target those who do not have the habit of using Force Sense once he/she sees you disappear. ~ Team Heal ~ The user can quicken the healing rate of those around him/her, healing 50 hit points to one ally, 33 hit points to 2 allies, and 25 hit points to 3 allies. Level 1: The user can heal allies at a short distance. Level 2: The user can heal allies at a moderate distance. Level 3: The user can heal allies at a long distance. Just get one level. The extra distance is not worth the skill points used. Also don't bother unless you're playing real team games (with real *TEAMWORK*) like Capture the Flag. = DARKSIDE ABILITIES = ~ Force Grip ~ Manipulating the Force, the user can constrict the inner organs of his/her victim, literally choking the victim to death. This can be seen in one of the classic movies where Darth Vader chokes a ship admiral/captain/whatever. Level 1: The user can hold an enemy still for 5 seconds but deals no damage, and must stand in a stationary position. Level 2: The user can lift the enemy and do choke damage while holding him/her, but must remain stationary while using this skill. Level 3: The user can move about freely while holding the enemy, and may smash the enemy into walls to do damage in addition to the choke damage. Do or die. Either you get level 3, or forget it. The other two lower levels are too weak to bother. The skill is still very good in level 3 though, and I recommend using this especially against newbies. (Dump them into pits of death) ~ Force Drain ~ The user drains his/her victim of Force energy to restore his/her own life essence in a cruel and painful (or at least it's supposed to be) manner. Level 1: The user shoots a single bolt that instantly drains 10 Force points from a single target and heals 10 hit points. Level 2: The user shoots and unaimed continuous bolt in front of him/her, draining 15 Force points per second and healing the same amount. Level 3: The user shoots a fan in a large forward arc that drains 20 Force points per second from enemies and healing the same amount. Not bad once you reach level 2. This is far better than Force Heal, since your enemy will also have to pay for your life gain. What's more, it doesn't take up that much Force energy anyway. Recommended if you're a life-gain freak. ~ Force Lightning ~ The most destructive form of Force attack known, Force Lightning is a symbol of pure evil, causing immense pain on its victim and slowly killing him/her. This can be seen when Emperor Palpatine used it on Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi. Level 1: The user shoots a single bolt of lightning at a single target. Level 2: The user can maintain a continuous attack in a small forward arc. Level 3: The user can shoot a fan of lightning in a large forward arc. Muahahaha! This skill is the ultimate in offensive Force attacks. Level 3 is highly recommended as it can drain people of their hit points faster than you can imagine. A must-have for every darksider. ~ Sith Rage ~ Consumed by his/her own anger, the user attacks with an unstoppable rage for a limited amount of time before tiring out. The user can fire 33% faster, move 100% faster (better than Force Speed!!), decrease his/her damage taken by 50% and cannot die should he/she experience lethal damage. Due to the user's uncontrolled behaviour, he/she must recover from the rage for 10 seconds after a while of raging, firing 50% slower and moving at 75% of his/her normal speed. Level 1: The user rages for 10 seconds. Level 2: The user rages for 20 seconds. Level 3: The user rages for 30 seconds. Wow. This ability isn't that bad, as long as you take down your enemy before your rage wears off. The extra movement speed is Force Speed on steroids, so you should consider this if you're a darksider. There is also this life drain on yourself while using rage, so watch it. ~ Team Energize ~ The user can imbue his/her allies with Force Energy, giving 50 Force points to one ally, 33 Force energy to two allies, and 25 Force energy to three or more allies. Level 1: The user can energize allies at a short distance. Level 2: The user can energize allies at a moderate distance. Level 3: The user can energize allies at a long distance. This is almost identical to Team Heal, except this gives Force points instead of health. Useful in team situations, otherwise drop it. Also, you only need level one to do your job, spend your points somewhere else as the extra distance doesn't really do much. -[ Section 05 | Closing Words ]- Yesh. Finally I updated this FAQ. And during exam week too... You should be grateful that I sacrifice a few extra marks in my Commercial Studies for your well-being in saber combat. Heh. -[ 05.01 | Credits ]- A big big thanks to: - Mom & Dad for getting me my competent gaming rig. - George Lucas for starting the Star Wars phenomenon. - Lucas Arts for continuing his legacy. - All you great supporters out there, I love you guys/gals. - All my friends, competent and incompetent alike. - Pei Hong, who lent me the giant book of Star Wars and tipped me on a lot of Star Wars info. - Myself, for making this FAQ. The Force is with you, kianbung. Yeah, I know. - Oh yeah, and you for reading this FAQ. Grateful I am... Heheheh. -[ 05.02 | Contributors ]- Thanks to all contributors: - Dougie Something, for Kyle Katarn's background. Well... Tha's all for now. - End of Document - Copyright (c) 2003 Yeo Kian Bung. All Rights Reserved