Difference between revisions of "Descent: FreeSpace Medals Guide"

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This section covers many things, from the basics to the advanced. Even if you are an expert I strongly suggest you look through this section. You can skip through and see what information might be useful to you.
 
This section covers many things, from the basics to the advanced. Even if you are an expert I strongly suggest you look through this section. You can skip through and see what information might be useful to you.
  
−
--In FreeSpace 2 the medals are essentially the game’s achievements. You get at most one medal per mission.
+
* In FreeSpace 2 the medals are essentially the game’s achievements. You get at most one medal per mission.
−
 
+
* Ace badges are also in the medals box to the right of rank. Ace badges are only earned when you reach a certain number of total fighter and bomber kills. The following ships contribute to this total.
−
--Ace badges are also in the medals box to the right of rank. Ace badges are only earned when you reach a certain number of total fighter and bomber kills. The following ships contribute to this total.
 
  
 
Terran: GTF Valkyrie, GTF Apollo, GTF Ulysses, GTF Loki, GTF Hercules, GTB Athena, GTB Zeus, GTB Ursa, GTB Medusa
 
Terran: GTF Valkyrie, GTF Apollo, GTF Ulysses, GTF Loki, GTF Hercules, GTB Athena, GTB Zeus, GTB Ursa, GTB Medusa
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Shivan: SF Scorpion, SF Manticore, SF Dragon, SF Basilisk, SB Shaitan, SB Nephilim,  SB Seraphim
 
Shivan: SF Scorpion, SF Manticore, SF Dragon, SF Basilisk, SB Shaitan, SB Nephilim,  SB Seraphim
  
−
--Your rank can be found in the medals box below your callsign and to the left of the Ace badges. Much of what I know about rank and scoring began with my observations in and out of the game, but fellow gamers are responsible for the initial information. Rank is your symbolic promotion level in the GTA. Oddly, the orders you can give are not limited by your rank (i.e. your call menu is the same when you're an Admiral as it is when you're an Ensign). To be determined, rank takes into account 2 variables: the “Rank” variable which can be directly added to and subtracted from, and the “Score” value which is contributed to by getting what I’ve always called “points” in missions. Point values are defined by in the code and in FRED. Any objective, event, goal, or directive can be assigned a score value and add or subtract from your score. Calling in support subtracts points from your score. Every ship in the game is assigned a default point value, but this can be changed in FRED by tweaking the score value. The default values can be found here: https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/Ranks_in_FreeSpace. Note that this list refers to the default FreeSpace 2 values. Finally rank can be added and subtracted directly using the grant-promotion variable in FRED. This is used in the Black Omega campaign mission. This means that your Rank is determined by (extra promotions) + (current Rank score determination). The following is a list of all the different positions of rank determined by score in the order that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for each one. If there is a - next to a number, it means one pin has no triangles on it. If there is a + next to a number, it means there is a gold pin on that many regular pins. See The Medal Box in this section for more info.
+
* Your rank can be found in the medals box below your callsign and to the left of the Ace badges. Much of what I know about rank and scoring began with my observations in and out of the game, but fellow gamers are responsible for the initial information. Rank is your symbolic promotion level in the GTA. Oddly, the orders you can give are not limited by your rank (i.e. your call menu is the same when you're an Admiral as it is when you're an Ensign). To be determined, rank takes into account 2 variables: the “Rank” variable which can be directly added to and subtracted from, and the “Score” value which is contributed to by getting what I’ve always called “points” in missions. Point values are defined by in the code and in FRED. Any objective, event, goal, or directive can be assigned a score value and add or subtract from your score. Calling in support subtracts points from your score. Every ship in the game is assigned a default point value, but this can be changed in FRED by tweaking the score value. The default values can be found here: https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/Ranks_in_FreeSpace. Note that this list refers to the default FreeSpace 2 values. Finally rank can be added and subtracted directly using the grant-promotion variable in FRED. This is used in the Black Omega campaign mission. This means that your Rank is determined by (extra promotions) + (current Rank score determination). The following is a list of all the different positions of rank determined by score in the order that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for each one. If there is a - next to a number, it means one pin has no triangles on it. If there is a + next to a number, it means there is a gold pin on that many regular pins. See The Medal Box in this section for more info.
 
{|  
 
{|  
 
|  
 
|  
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+4<br>
 
+4<br>
 
|}
 
|}
−
--You will usually know when you get a medal on the debriefing screen of the mission if there is indeed a debriefing. Missions before Red-Alert missions remove the debrief, but you will still be awarded kills, medals, and rank which you can confirm if you look at your stats in the barracks. Normally there is only the debriefing dialog box along with the usual buttons. When you get a medal, ace badge, or promotion, there will be an additional dialog box connected on the side of the first. This box has what all medals, ace badges, or promotions you received in the mission. Optionally the person who debriefs you will say something, and though the medal screen appears for all Ace Badges and most ranks, it won't appear for ranks after Commodore. (The commentary is funny for these ranks though.) Note that you can get a medal, promotion, or badge without either the screen or the commentary, so the true way to confirm your progress is to check the barracks or your player file.
+
* You will usually know when you get a medal on the debriefing screen of the mission if there is indeed a debriefing. Missions before Red-Alert missions remove the debrief, but you will still be awarded kills, medals, and rank which you can confirm if you look at your stats in the barracks. Normally there is only the debriefing dialog box along with the usual buttons. When you get a medal, ace badge, or promotion, there will be an additional dialog box connected on the side of the first. This box has what all medals, ace badges, or promotions you received in the mission. Optionally the person who debriefs you will say something, and though the medal screen appears for all Ace Badges and most ranks, it won't appear for ranks after Commodore. (The commentary is funny for these ranks though.) Note that you can get a medal, promotion, or badge without either the screen or the commentary, so the true way to confirm your progress is to check the barracks or your player file.
  
−
Q: How come I didn't get a medal on this level?
+
* Q: How come I didn't get a medal on this level?
 
Most likely there is no medal for you to get on that level. If the level is listed on this guide and you didn't get it, then you probably missed a part of the instructions that were needed to acquire the medal. If you were expecting an Ace Badge then you should recalculate your number of fighter/bomber kills. If you were expecting a rank up, note that this can be a complex calculation and the variables tend to be hidden.
 
Most likely there is no medal for you to get on that level. If the level is listed on this guide and you didn't get it, then you probably missed a part of the instructions that were needed to acquire the medal. If you were expecting an Ace Badge then you should recalculate your number of fighter/bomber kills. If you were expecting a rank up, note that this can be a complex calculation and the variables tend to be hidden.
  
−
--The Medal Box--
+
 
 +
=== The Medal Box ===
 +
 
  
 
There are two ways to view the medal box.  The first is to be awarded a medal on the debrief screen, and then click the medal icon that is located on the medal dialog. The second is more complicated, but always available. On the Flight Deck, find the Barracks and click on it. This will take you to a screen with the different players you've made, single and multi player, plus it will show you the all time stats for each player. To get to the medal box, click on the medal icon that is in the lower middle area of the screen.
 
There are two ways to view the medal box.  The first is to be awarded a medal on the debrief screen, and then click the medal icon that is located on the medal dialog. The second is more complicated, but always available. On the Flight Deck, find the Barracks and click on it. This will take you to a screen with the different players you've made, single and multi player, plus it will show you the all time stats for each player. To get to the medal box, click on the medal icon that is in the lower middle area of the screen.
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Rank is set up much differently than both ace badges and medals. You start out as an Ensign, which has 1 pin with triangles on the flat sides. Then you get promoted to Lt. Junior Grade, which has 2 pins, one (furthest out) without triangles. Then you get promoted to Lieutenant, which has 2 pins, both with triangles. Next is Lt. Commander with 3 pins, 1 without triangles. Then you get to Commander and you get 3 pins, all with triangles. When you get to captain you get 4 pins with triangles. After that you go to Commodore and go back to 1 pin, with triangles, and it has a small, round, gold pin on it. You get another pin like this each time you rise in rank after Commodore, for Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral.
 
Rank is set up much differently than both ace badges and medals. You start out as an Ensign, which has 1 pin with triangles on the flat sides. Then you get promoted to Lt. Junior Grade, which has 2 pins, one (furthest out) without triangles. Then you get promoted to Lieutenant, which has 2 pins, both with triangles. Next is Lt. Commander with 3 pins, 1 without triangles. Then you get to Commander and you get 3 pins, all with triangles. When you get to captain you get 4 pins with triangles. After that you go to Commodore and go back to 1 pin, with triangles, and it has a small, round, gold pin on it. You get another pin like this each time you rise in rank after Commodore, for Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral.
  
−
--Other Useful Information--
+
==Other Useful Information==
  
−
--You can restart a campaign without losing any stats or medals. To do this, first go to the Flight Deck, then click Campaigns, then select the campaign you want to restart, then click restart campaign in the lower right corner of the screen.
+
* You can restart a campaign without losing any stats or medals. To do this, first go to the Flight Deck, then click Campaigns, then select the campaign you want to restart, then click restart campaign in the lower right corner of the screen.
  
−
--Backing up your player info can save you loads of hassle in the long run. I can't get the "Clone" function to copy my player (I think it only copies the settings under "Options" to a new player) so I worked something else out. It's a little more advanced and you'll be messing with the game files, but don't worry, follow along and you'll do fine. Open your FreeSpace directory\players. By default on Windows that's C:\Games\FreeSpace\players, in FS Open it is at %APPDATA% HardLightProductions\FreeSpaceOpen\data\players. In retail FreeSpace \players folder if you are backing up a single player entry, open single, otherwise open multi. FSOpen combines single/multi so these folders don’t exist. Find your pilot's name, there will be some files associated with your player: a .plr or .json file for your player stats, and when you start a campaign a .css or .csg file to mark you have played a campaign which records directives and such that you've accomplished through the campaign, I assume the game sends you to alternate versions of levels this way. These look like this: Player.FreeSpace.csg, Player.FreeSpace.css, Player.plr. Select all of these which have your callsign in front and make a copy. You should make a backup folder to copy these to, such as FreeSpace/Backup. You can also rename pilots this way. Instead of using X.plr, change X to a different name (e.g. Backup.FreeSpace.csg, Backup.FreeSpace.css, Backup.plr). Back-Ups will help ensure you get everything, and help avoid any nasty glitch that wipes out all your player info. Note you can freely edit these files as well.
+
* Backing up your player info can save you loads of hassle in the long run. I can't get the "Clone" function to copy my player (I think it only copies the settings under "Options" to a new player) so I worked something else out. It's a little more advanced and you'll be messing with the game files, but don't worry, follow along and you'll do fine. Open your FreeSpace directory\players. By default on Windows that's C:\Games\FreeSpace\players, in FS Open it is at %APPDATA% HardLightProductions\FreeSpaceOpen\data\players. In retail FreeSpace \players folder if you are backing up a single player entry, open single, otherwise open multi. FSOpen combines single/multi so these folders don’t exist. Find your pilot's name, there will be some files associated with your player: a .plr or .json file for your player stats, and when you start a campaign a .css or .csg file to mark you have played a campaign which records directives and such that you've accomplished through the campaign, I assume the game sends you to alternate versions of levels this way. These look like this: Player.FreeSpace.csg, Player.FreeSpace.css, Player.plr. Select all of these which have your callsign in front and make a copy. You should make a backup folder to copy these to, such as FreeSpace/Backup. You can also rename pilots this way. Instead of using X.plr, change X to a different name (e.g. Backup.FreeSpace.csg, Backup.FreeSpace.css, Backup.plr). Back-Ups will help ensure you get everything, and help avoid any nasty glitch that wipes out all your player info. Note you can freely edit these files as well.
  
−
--The mission log is something useful you can use while in mission to see what kills you've gotten and what objectives you've completed. To access it, press F4. The mission log has 3 parts: The objective screen displays what your objectives are and whether or not you've completed them. It will always display Primary and Secondary objectives, but Bonus objectives only appear on this screen when you've completed them. Hidden Objectives will never appear on this screen. Uncompleted objectives are represented by a white circle, complete by a greened in circle, and failed by a red x-ed out circle. The message log displays all messages received in-mission, and at what time. I don't ever use it, I don't find it helpful. The event log shows when objectives are satisfied, when enemy wings arrive and depart, when ships arrive and depart, when ships are destroyed and by whom, but unfortunately it only tells the name of the ships, not their class.
+
* The mission log is something useful you can use while in mission to see what kills you've gotten and what objectives you've completed. To access it, press F4. The mission log has 3 parts: The objective screen displays what your objectives are and whether or not you've completed them. It will always display Primary and Secondary objectives, but Bonus objectives only appear on this screen when you've completed them. Hidden Objectives will never appear on this screen. Uncompleted objectives are represented by a white circle, complete by a greened in circle, and failed by a red x-ed out circle. The message log displays all messages received in-mission, and at what time. I don't ever use it, I don't find it helpful. The event log shows when objectives are satisfied, when enemy wings arrive and depart, when ships arrive and depart, when ships are destroyed and by whom, but unfortunately it only tells the name of the ships, not their class.
  
−
--The Five Glitches--
+
===The Five Glitches===
  
 
There are five useful glitches I have found in the game, and I will make reference to them throughout the guide so you may want to take note.
 
There are five useful glitches I have found in the game, and I will make reference to them throughout the guide so you may want to take note.
  
−
--The Infinite Weapons Glitch: if, on any level, you enter cheat mode (type www.volition-inc.com in mission) then enable infinite weapons for yourself (hold ~ and press w), your ship will have infinite missiles and weapons energy on any level until you exit FreeSpace or until you disable the code.
+
* The Infinite Weapons Glitch: if, on any level, you enter cheat mode (type www.volition-inc.com in mission) then enable infinite weapons for yourself (hold ~ and press w), your ship will have infinite missiles and weapons energy on any level until you exit FreeSpace or until you disable the code.
  
−
--Reason for Treason Glitch: You can go traitor and pass most levels that do not have a debriefing, and when you do you can destroy any friendly ship without penalty. The exception is Tenderizer because the mission is coded so that the Galatea jumps out after you pass the primary objective, which isn’t possible as a traitor. Turning traitor will make it impossible to get points from objectives or medals. The following are missions where this glitch can occur:
+
* Reason for Treason Glitch: You can go traitor and pass most levels that do not have a debriefing, and when you do you can destroy any friendly ship without penalty. The exception is Tenderizer because the mission is coded so that the Galatea jumps out after you pass the primary objective, which isn’t possible as a traitor. Turning traitor will make it impossible to get points from objectives or medals. The following are missions where this glitch can occur:
 +
{|
 +
|
 +
Evangelist<br>
 +
Reaching the Zenith<br>
 +
The Great Hunt<br>
 +
Good Luck<br>
 +
|}
  
−
Evangelist
+
* The Cheat and Pass Glitch: if a level has no debriefing, then the campaign
−
Reaching the Zenith
 
−
The Great Hunt
 
−
Good Luck
 
−
 
 
−
--The Cheat and Pass Glitch: if a level has no debriefing, then the campaign
 
 
will allow you to pass the level with cheats. Plus, if you used cheats to change
 
will allow you to pass the level with cheats. Plus, if you used cheats to change
 
your weapons (Hold ~ and press 9 or 0, and hold Shift as well to cycle
 
your weapons (Hold ~ and press 9 or 0, and hold Shift as well to cycle
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won't risk losing points by removing teammates. I've listed the levels that have
 
won't risk losing points by removing teammates. I've listed the levels that have
 
no debriefing below.
 
no debriefing below.
 +
{|
 +
|
 +
Tenderizer<br>
 +
Evangelist<br>
 +
Reaching the Zenith<br>
 +
The Great Hunt<br>
 +
Good Luck<br>
 +
|}
  
−
Tenderizer
+
* The Warp-In Glitch: As a large ship is warping in, you can go through its
−
Evangelist
 
−
Reaching the Zenith
 
−
The Great Hunt
 
−
Good Luck
 
−
 
 
−
--The Warp-In Glitch: As a large ship is warping in, you can go through its
 
 
hull until it reaches the point where it's out of the vortex completely (and
 
hull until it reaches the point where it's out of the vortex completely (and
 
it begins to slow its velocity). This feature was added so in the event that
 
it begins to slow its velocity). This feature was added so in the event that
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missions where this glitch can occur:
 
missions where this glitch can occur:
  
−
La Ruota Della Fortuna
+
{|
−
Tenderizer
+
|
−
Playing Judas
+
La Ruota Della Fortuna<br>
−
Last Hope (unlikely you will reach the Hope in time)
+
Tenderizer<br>
−
Running the Gauntlet
+
Playing Judas<br>
−
Clash of the Titans
+
Last Hope (unlikely you will reach the Hope in time)<br>
−
The Great Hunt
+
Running the Gauntlet<br>
−
 
+
Clash of the Titans<br>
 +
The Great Hunt<br>
 +
|}
 
--The NoClip Glitch: This glitch is rather tricky to pull off, and a bit hard to
 
--The NoClip Glitch: This glitch is rather tricky to pull off, and a bit hard to
 
explain, so bear with me. This glitch allows you to get inside the hull of a
 
explain, so bear with me. This glitch allows you to get inside the hull of a
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glitch:
 
glitch:
  
−
-Terran-  -Vasudan-  -Shivan-
+
Terran: GTSC Faustus, GTD Orion, GTI Arcadia
−
Faustus    Typhon      Demon
+
Vasudan: PVD Typhon
−
  Orion                  Lucifer
+
Shivan: SD Demon, SD Lucifer
−
Arcadia
 
−
 
 
  
 
==Ace Badges & Rank==
 
==Ace Badges & Rank==
  
 
The following is a short list of all the medals you should have after completing the main FreeSpace campaign.
 
The following is a short list of all the medals you should have after completing the main FreeSpace campaign.
−
 
+
{|
−
Commendation Medal - 2
+
|
−
Conspicuous Gallantry - 2
+
*Commendation Medal - 2<br>
−
Distinguished Flying Cross - 3
+
*Conspicuous Gallantry - 2<br>
−
Distinguished Service Cross - 1
+
*Distinguished Flying Cross - 3<br>
−
Galactic Service - 1
+
*Distinguished Service Cross - 1<br>
−
Galatea Survivor - 1
+
*Galactic Service - 1<br>
−
Good Conduct - 3
+
*Galatea Survivor - 1<br>
−
Legion of Merit - 1
+
*Good Conduct - 3<br>
−
Medal of Honor - 1
+
*Legion of Merit - 1<br>
−
Meritorious Unit - 2
+
*Medal of Honor - 1<br>
−
Military Defense - 1
+
*Meritorious Unit - 2<br>
−
Pilot Wings - 2
+
*Military Defense - 1<br>
−
Vasudan Alliance Medal - 1
+
*Pilot Wings - 2<br>
 +
*Vasudan Alliance Medal - 1<br>
 +
|}
 
________________________________________________________________________________
 
________________________________________________________________________________
  
−
--Ace Badges--
+
===Ace Badges===
 
Nothing but fighter and bomber kills go towards getting Ace Badges. Other kills are still tracked in your player stats. Thanks to GameFAQs user Dman4835 for initially getting me this info.
 
Nothing but fighter and bomber kills go towards getting Ace Badges. Other kills are still tracked in your player stats. Thanks to GameFAQs user Dman4835 for initially getting me this info.
  
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Triple Ace - Have at least 350 fighter/bomber kills.
 
Triple Ace - Have at least 350 fighter/bomber kills.
  
−
--Rank--
+
===Rank===
 
The following is a list of all the different positions of rank, in the order
 
The following is a list of all the different positions of rank, in the order
 
that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for
 
that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for
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This section lists each level in chronological order, and lays out the medals, points, and kills for each. Also listed are details of possible kills on the level and all mission objectives, including hidden ones. Any enemies that aren't listed but are in the level are important ships that you can’t kill for one reason or another. Note that all details here refer only to the Descent: FreeSpace campaign, unless otherwise specified.
 
This section lists each level in chronological order, and lays out the medals, points, and kills for each. Also listed are details of possible kills on the level and all mission objectives, including hidden ones. Any enemies that aren't listed but are in the level are important ships that you can’t kill for one reason or another. Note that all details here refer only to the Descent: FreeSpace campaign, unless otherwise specified.
  
−
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+
===TRAINING MISSION 1===
−
 
 
−
                              :TRAINING MISSION 1:
 
  
 
Strategy: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.
 
Strategy: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.
  
−
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+
===TRAINING MISSION 2===
−
 
 
−
                              :TRAINING MISSION 2:
 
  
 
Strategy: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.
 
Strategy: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.

Revision as of 22:15, 25 September 2025

      DESCENT:
     ______  _____   _____  _____ ______  ______   _       _____  _____
     \  __/ |  _  | |  __/ |  __/ \  __/ |  _  /  / \     |  __/ |  __/
     | |_   | | / / | |_   | |_    \ \   | |/ /  / A \    | |    | |_
     |  _|  | |/ /  |  _|  |  _|    \ \  |  _/  /  _  \   | |    |  _|
     | |    | |\ \  | |__  | |__   __\ \ | |   /  / \  \  | |__  | |__
     |_|    |_| \_\ |____\ |____\ /_____\|_|  /__/   \__\ |____\ |____\
                              THE GREAT WAR



             __      __   ____   ____    _____   _      ____
            |  \    /  | |  __| |  _ \  |  _  | | |    |  __|
            | \ \  / / | | |__  | | \ \ | |_| | | |    | |__
            | |\ \/ /| | |  __| | | | | |  _  | | |    |__  |
            | | \__/ | | | |__  | |_/ / | | | | | |__   __| |
            |_|      |_| |____| |____/  |_| |_| |____| |____|
                              ____________
                             /            \
                            /      **      \
                            \              /
                             \            /
                              \          /
                               \   =    /
                               ***  =  **
                              **    ==  **
                               ****===***
                                    ==
                                  ===


Legal Info.

This document is protected under Copyright law, (C) 2002 by David Wood. The only sites it can be found legally are listed below. 

http://www.cheatbook.de
https://wiki.hard-light.net/

If it is found anywhere else including another FAQ/Guide, or if it is altered in any way, it is a violation of copyright law. Please report it if you find it anywhere besides the sites listed above. Any wiki author on https://wiki.hard-light.net may make edits to improve the guide and should use their signature for their work. Links to this page are allowed as is any fair-use extrapolation and distribution of data. You may print or copy down any information needed as long as you do not distribute any part of the document to, or as part of, an organization, free or otherwise, without permission from the copyright holder or in the case of the hard-light wiki without permission of an editor/author of that website. This document is for private use only.


Intro.

Hello and welcome to the first and only, by the date of December 2002, Descent: FreeSpace medal guide on the internet. If you have any information, suggestions, or updates for the info presented here feel free to make changes to the version listed on https://wiki.hard-light.net/. Note that other versions are out of date. Questions can go in the discussion section. Note that this guide applies to the retail version of Descent: FreeSpace, so if you are using FreeSpace Open or a similar mod, I don't guarantee my information will be applicable in all cases. There are some slight differences in default score values for ships between Descent: FreeSpace retail and FSOpen and I have used both in the making of this guide, so expect some small deviations in score here and there (mostly in regard to fighters and bombers). Thank you for reading this section, enjoy the guide!

Before you start

This section covers many things, from the basics to the advanced. Even if you are an expert I strongly suggest you look through this section. You can skip through and see what information might be useful to you.

  • In FreeSpace 2 the medals are essentially the game’s achievements. You get at most one medal per mission.
  • Ace badges are also in the medals box to the right of rank. Ace badges are only earned when you reach a certain number of total fighter and bomber kills. The following ships contribute to this total.

Terran: GTF Valkyrie, GTF Apollo, GTF Ulysses, GTF Loki, GTF Hercules, GTB Athena, GTB Zeus, GTB Ursa, GTB Medusa

Vasudan: PVF Anubis, PVF Seth, PVF Horus, PVF Thoth, PVB Amun, PVB Osiris

Shivan: SF Scorpion, SF Manticore, SF Dragon, SF Basilisk, SB Shaitan, SB Nephilim, SB Seraphim

  • Your rank can be found in the medals box below your callsign and to the left of the Ace badges. Much of what I know about rank and scoring began with my observations in and out of the game, but fellow gamers are responsible for the initial information. Rank is your symbolic promotion level in the GTA. Oddly, the orders you can give are not limited by your rank (i.e. your call menu is the same when you're an Admiral as it is when you're an Ensign). To be determined, rank takes into account 2 variables: the “Rank” variable which can be directly added to and subtracted from, and the “Score” value which is contributed to by getting what I’ve always called “points” in missions. Point values are defined by in the code and in FRED. Any objective, event, goal, or directive can be assigned a score value and add or subtract from your score. Calling in support subtracts points from your score. Every ship in the game is assigned a default point value, but this can be changed in FRED by tweaking the score value. The default values can be found here: https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/Ranks_in_FreeSpace. Note that this list refers to the default FreeSpace 2 values. Finally rank can be added and subtracted directly using the grant-promotion variable in FRED. This is used in the Black Omega campaign mission. This means that your Rank is determined by (extra promotions) + (current Rank score determination). The following is a list of all the different positions of rank determined by score in the order that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for each one. If there is a - next to a number, it means one pin has no triangles on it. If there is a + next to a number, it means there is a gold pin on that many regular pins. See The Medal Box in this section for more info.

RANK
Ensign
Lt. Junior Grade
Lieutenant
Lt. Commander
Commander
Captain
Commodore
Rear Admiral
Vice Admiral
Admiral

POINTS
0-4000
4001-10000
10001-22000
22001-50000
50001-150000
150001-400000
400001-2000000
2000001-5000000
5000001-9000000
9000001<

PINS
1
-2
2
-3
3
4
+1
+2
+3
+4

  • You will usually know when you get a medal on the debriefing screen of the mission if there is indeed a debriefing. Missions before Red-Alert missions remove the debrief, but you will still be awarded kills, medals, and rank which you can confirm if you look at your stats in the barracks. Normally there is only the debriefing dialog box along with the usual buttons. When you get a medal, ace badge, or promotion, there will be an additional dialog box connected on the side of the first. This box has what all medals, ace badges, or promotions you received in the mission. Optionally the person who debriefs you will say something, and though the medal screen appears for all Ace Badges and most ranks, it won't appear for ranks after Commodore. (The commentary is funny for these ranks though.) Note that you can get a medal, promotion, or badge without either the screen or the commentary, so the true way to confirm your progress is to check the barracks or your player file.
  • Q: How come I didn't get a medal on this level?

Most likely there is no medal for you to get on that level. If the level is listed on this guide and you didn't get it, then you probably missed a part of the instructions that were needed to acquire the medal. If you were expecting an Ace Badge then you should recalculate your number of fighter/bomber kills. If you were expecting a rank up, note that this can be a complex calculation and the variables tend to be hidden.


The Medal Box

There are two ways to view the medal box. The first is to be awarded a medal on the debrief screen, and then click the medal icon that is located on the medal dialog. The second is more complicated, but always available. On the Flight Deck, find the Barracks and click on it. This will take you to a screen with the different players you've made, single and multi player, plus it will show you the all time stats for each player. To get to the medal box, click on the medal icon that is in the lower middle area of the screen.

````insert pics here


The way the medals are set up is like so: each time you get a new medal, it appears in the medal box. When you get two of the same, a small bronze patch will appear on the cloth part of the medal. When you get 3 of a medal, the patch turns silver, and when you have 4 or more it turns gold. 

                         ___     ___
                        /*^*\   /*^*\
                       |*<0>*| |*<#>*|<--- Double Ace
                        \___/   \___/


The ace badges are circular, with a star in the center and ridges on the edge. The ace badges are set up a little differently than the medals. There are only 3 badges and each have a minimum fighter/bomber kill limit that must be hit to earn the badge. When you get the second ace badge, instead of sitting on top of the first or replacing it, it will just show up next to it, and so will the third. 

                           _    _
                          /_\ </_\> <---- Lt. Junior Grade
                                V

Rank is set up much differently than both ace badges and medals. You start out as an Ensign, which has 1 pin with triangles on the flat sides. Then you get promoted to Lt. Junior Grade, which has 2 pins, one (furthest out) without triangles. Then you get promoted to Lieutenant, which has 2 pins, both with triangles. Next is Lt. Commander with 3 pins, 1 without triangles. Then you get to Commander and you get 3 pins, all with triangles. When you get to captain you get 4 pins with triangles. After that you go to Commodore and go back to 1 pin, with triangles, and it has a small, round, gold pin on it. You get another pin like this each time you rise in rank after Commodore, for Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral.

Other Useful Information

  • You can restart a campaign without losing any stats or medals. To do this, first go to the Flight Deck, then click Campaigns, then select the campaign you want to restart, then click restart campaign in the lower right corner of the screen.
  • Backing up your player info can save you loads of hassle in the long run. I can't get the "Clone" function to copy my player (I think it only copies the settings under "Options" to a new player) so I worked something else out. It's a little more advanced and you'll be messing with the game files, but don't worry, follow along and you'll do fine. Open your FreeSpace directory\players. By default on Windows that's C:\Games\FreeSpace\players, in FS Open it is at %APPDATA% HardLightProductions\FreeSpaceOpen\data\players. In retail FreeSpace \players folder if you are backing up a single player entry, open single, otherwise open multi. FSOpen combines single/multi so these folders don’t exist. Find your pilot's name, there will be some files associated with your player: a .plr or .json file for your player stats, and when you start a campaign a .css or .csg file to mark you have played a campaign which records directives and such that you've accomplished through the campaign, I assume the game sends you to alternate versions of levels this way. These look like this: Player.FreeSpace.csg, Player.FreeSpace.css, Player.plr. Select all of these which have your callsign in front and make a copy. You should make a backup folder to copy these to, such as FreeSpace/Backup. You can also rename pilots this way. Instead of using X.plr, change X to a different name (e.g. Backup.FreeSpace.csg, Backup.FreeSpace.css, Backup.plr). Back-Ups will help ensure you get everything, and help avoid any nasty glitch that wipes out all your player info. Note you can freely edit these files as well.
  • The mission log is something useful you can use while in mission to see what kills you've gotten and what objectives you've completed. To access it, press F4. The mission log has 3 parts: The objective screen displays what your objectives are and whether or not you've completed them. It will always display Primary and Secondary objectives, but Bonus objectives only appear on this screen when you've completed them. Hidden Objectives will never appear on this screen. Uncompleted objectives are represented by a white circle, complete by a greened in circle, and failed by a red x-ed out circle. The message log displays all messages received in-mission, and at what time. I don't ever use it, I don't find it helpful. The event log shows when objectives are satisfied, when enemy wings arrive and depart, when ships arrive and depart, when ships are destroyed and by whom, but unfortunately it only tells the name of the ships, not their class.

The Five Glitches

There are five useful glitches I have found in the game, and I will make reference to them throughout the guide so you may want to take note.

  • The Infinite Weapons Glitch: if, on any level, you enter cheat mode (type www.volition-inc.com in mission) then enable infinite weapons for yourself (hold ~ and press w), your ship will have infinite missiles and weapons energy on any level until you exit FreeSpace or until you disable the code.
  • Reason for Treason Glitch: You can go traitor and pass most levels that do not have a debriefing, and when you do you can destroy any friendly ship without penalty. The exception is Tenderizer because the mission is coded so that the Galatea jumps out after you pass the primary objective, which isn’t possible as a traitor. Turning traitor will make it impossible to get points from objectives or medals. The following are missions where this glitch can occur:

Evangelist
Reaching the Zenith
The Great Hunt
Good Luck

  • The Cheat and Pass Glitch: if a level has no debriefing, then the campaign

will allow you to pass the level with cheats. Plus, if you used cheats to change your weapons (Hold ~ and press 9 or 0, and hold Shift as well to cycle backwards) to things such as Shivan Super Lasers or Cluster Babies, you get to keep those when you go to the next level. When customizing your loadout on these levels, I recommend using a fast ship. I also recommend giving your teammates virtually harmless weapons (i.e. Disruptor Cannon, D-Advanced, Disruptor Missile or no missile); this will ensure you get most if not all kills, and you won't risk losing points by removing teammates. I've listed the levels that have no debriefing below.

Tenderizer
Evangelist
Reaching the Zenith
The Great Hunt
Good Luck

  • The Warp-In Glitch: As a large ship is warping in, you can go through its

hull until it reaches the point where it's out of the vortex completely (and it begins to slow its velocity). This feature was added so in the event that you were in the path of a ship warping in, you wouldn't have the misfortune of being smashed at warp speed (you know what that's like if you've been in the path of a ship warping out). However, if you are still within the ship's hull when the vortex closes, you will remain unharmed, and will be able to fly around freely throughout the ship's hull, as long as you can keep up with the ship as it is slowing down from warp speed. When you are inside the ship, you can do many things, such as enter the fighter bays, destroy turrets, destroy the ship, or destroy fighters (they can't fight back). The following are missions where this glitch can occur:

La Ruota Della Fortuna
Tenderizer
Playing Judas
Last Hope (unlikely you will reach the Hope in time)
Running the Gauntlet
Clash of the Titans
The Great Hunt

--The NoClip Glitch: This glitch is rather tricky to pull off, and a bit hard to explain, so bear with me. This glitch allows you to get inside the hull of a ship just like the Warp-In Glitch does, but it does not require a ship to warp in. There are some requirements in regard to the target ship however. First, you will need to find a place where two parts of the ship meet at a 90 degree angle or less (the smaller the better). Turrets, dishes, and other auxiliary devices can also accomplish the goal, but you will probably be killed by the amount of collisions using those. When you find a suitable angle, align your ship so that the line where the two parts meet (the center of the angle) is vertical on your hud. Align your targeting reticle with that spot as well, and when you are ready, fly into the angle (you will be colliding into it, don't worry too much); afterburners aren't necessary, just use the increase speed button (bound to A on the keyboard by default). You can also shoot yourself backwards into the crack by detonating a missile near you, but this is risky and it doesn't seem to work better. Anyway, after a breif moment of ramming, turn your engine off. Unless your target ship is moving, keep your speed at zero. Now look around; you are looking for a point of entry into the ship. It isn't hard to see these; one minute the hull of the ship is visible, the next it isn't. If this phenomenon happens, maneuver your ship into the area where the hull disappeared; otherwise, try again. The following are ships susceptible to this glitch:

Terran: GTSC Faustus, GTD Orion, GTI Arcadia Vasudan: PVD Typhon Shivan: SD Demon, SD Lucifer

Ace Badges & Rank

The following is a short list of all the medals you should have after completing the main FreeSpace campaign.

  • Commendation Medal - 2
  • Conspicuous Gallantry - 2
  • Distinguished Flying Cross - 3
  • Distinguished Service Cross - 1
  • Galactic Service - 1
  • Galatea Survivor - 1
  • Good Conduct - 3
  • Legion of Merit - 1
  • Medal of Honor - 1
  • Meritorious Unit - 2
  • Military Defense - 1
  • Pilot Wings - 2
  • Vasudan Alliance Medal - 1

________________________________________________________________________________

Ace Badges

Nothing but fighter and bomber kills go towards getting Ace Badges. Other kills are still tracked in your player stats. Thanks to GameFAQs user Dman4835 for initially getting me this info.

Ace - Have at least 60 fighter/bomber kills.

Double Ace - Have at least 150 fighter/bomber kills.

Triple Ace - Have at least 350 fighter/bomber kills.

Rank

The following is a list of all the different positions of rank, in the order that you get them, plus the point range for each, and how many pins you have for each one. If there is a - next to a number, it means one pin has no triangles on it. If there is a + next to a number, it means there is a gold pin on that many regular pins. Thanks to GameFAQs user Basilisk for the points for each rank.

RANK
Ensign
Lt. Junior Grade
Lieutenant
Lt. Commander
Commander
Captain
Commodore
Rear Admiral
Vice Admiral
Admiral

POINTS
0-4000
4001-10000
10001-22000
22001-50000
50001-150000
150001-400000
400001-2000000
2000001-5000000
5000001-9000000
9000001<

PINS
1
-2
2
-3
3
4
+1
+2
+3
+4

Points and Score System

I used DMTOOLS to extract the missions to a file, and used Notepad++ to view the mission files and find score values.

The score system is a feature that determines your rank. It adds up a hidden value, points, to calculate your rank-up score. Rank-up score determination is applied to the rank range listed above to give a score rank, which is then added to your current rank which can be modified by the game and either added to or subtracted to. Specifically the grant-promotion variable encountered in Black Omega will give you (rank-up score)+1 Rank. You acquire points by doing certain things in the game, which I have labeled further down. Points awarded multiply or divide depending on your skill level. The skill-to-points ratio is as follows:


Very Easy :
Easy  :
Medium  :
Hard  :
Insane  :

0.2
0.4
0.7
1.0
1.2

This means when you play on Hard difficulty the points are face value, otherwise multiply by the number listed to see the points you earn. Points are awarded when completing objectives/events/goals/directives or when ships are destroyed. Points are subtracted when calling in a resupply ship (by 50 points). An objective gives points when the objective is completed. Ships give or penalize points based on 1) their alignment when they die and 2) whether they count as your kill. A ship killed by you will penalize you its point value if friendly or award you its point value if hostile. Whether you "killed" the ship is determined by a calculation that begins when the ship is assigned a new alignment, overwriting any prior data before the alignment changed. The calculation is just (Current remaining HP) * 30%. This means if 10 ships do 8% damage to a target and you do the entire remaining 20% damage you can't get the points for this kill because you didn't do 30% of the damage. If you and another ship both do 30% of the damage, the points go to whoever did more damage or are otherwise random. Some examples, if you do 30 damage to an enemy ship with 100 HP worth 100 points you'll be awarded 100 points at the end of the mission. If that same enemy has 100 HP and you damage it down to 3 HP before it changes alignment and then someone else finishes it off, they are awarded the points because they did 100% of the damage to it after it changed. If you teamkill and every ship turns against you and you kill every ship and still successfully complete the mission, every enemy ship you killed including your former allies will count as points gained and every friendly ship you killed before turning traitor will count as points penalized. Worth noting is that some missions are modded to give points based on the exact percentage of damage you deal instead of whether you're confirmed as the killer but this is not default behavior.

Points & Kills List for Single Player Levels

This section lists each level in chronological order, and lays out the medals, points, and kills for each. Also listed are details of possible kills on the level and all mission objectives, including hidden ones. Any enemies that aren't listed but are in the level are important ships that you can’t kill for one reason or another. Note that all details here refer only to the Descent: FreeSpace campaign, unless otherwise specified.

TRAINING MISSION 1

Strategy: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.

TRAINING MISSION 2

Strategy: No stats kept! To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                             :TRAINING MISSION 3:

Medal: Pilot Wings - Complete Basic Training 3.

Strategy: On this one you get a medal for beating the level so don't skip this mission. Press "Shift+." and "Shift+," to speed up and slow down time, because other than the medal, you don't retain any stats.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                             :THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1078 Total Potential Score Penalty: 30

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Protect the GTC Orff) - 700 points 

                   1 Hidden (Eliminate Hostiles) - 300 points

Hostiles: 13 kills, 13 f/b. 13 PVF Anubis worth 6 points each.

Friendlies: Alpha 2, Delta 1,2 worth 10 points each.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                             :THE FIELD OF BATTLE:

Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross [Medium+] - The Vasudan Ace must be destroyed. In order for the Ace to appear you must be above 50% health. After you destroy three Vasudan wings the Vasudan Ace will warp in. Total Potential Score Reward: 1172 Total Potential Score Penalty: 30

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Destroy all Vasudan Wings) - 700 Points 

                   1 Bonus (Destroy Vasudan Ace) - 300 points

Hostiles: 13 kills, 13 f/b. 12 PVF Anubis worth 6 points each, 1 Vasudan PVF Seth interceptor worth 100 points.

Friendlies: Alpha 2-4 worth 10 points each.

Strategy: The PVF Seth, or Vasudan Ace, only jumps in if you are above 50% health.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                             :BASIC TRAINING STAGE 4:

Strategy: No stats kept! This mission is fun because you can kill a Terran cruiser, but it doesn't count. To skip this mission, click the 'Skip Training' button at the top right corner of the screen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                  :SMALL DEADLY SPACE:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1416 Total Potential Score Penalty: 180

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Secure area until Orff arrives) - 700 points 

                   2 Secondary (Protect the cargo containers) - 100 points
                               (Eliminate all Vasudan freighters) - 300 points
                   1 Bonus (Find Weapon Prototype) - 100 points
                   1 Hidden Objective (Destroy Second Wave) - 100 points

Hostiles: 25 kills, 13 f/b. 7 VC 3, 3 VAC 4, 1 PVFr Ma'at worth 0 points. 15 PVF Anubis worth 6 points each. 2 Vac 4 worth 3 points. 1 PVFr Bast Vasudan freighter worth 20 points.

Friendlies: Alpha 2-4, Delta 1,2, Epsilon 1,2, Omega worth 10 points. Orff worth 100 points.

Strategy: Do not depart before the Orff arrives or you will miss out on the mission in the next level. Ignore the first secondary objective; it fulfills itself if you pass the mission. The only way to get the cargo container kills is to destroy them before you destroy all the ships in the area. Before you destroy all the cargo, find the Weapons Prototype cargo container (it's dark grey with blue spots) and make sure not to destroy it. If you let 1 or more freighters escape, 2 PVF Anubis class fighters will jump in (all included in the kills). This is the only level with a Bast class freighter kill. Omega must not die.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                 :AVENGING ANGELS:

Medal: Commendation Medal - Disable and capture the Rasputin, ensure the GTT Intelligence 1 survives. Not possible if you depart before the Orff arrives in Small Deadly Space. Total Potential Score Reward: 1437 Total Potential Score Penalty: 185


Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Disable and capture the Omega) - 1000 Points 

                   1 Secondary (Destroy all enemy fighters) - 200 Points
                   1 Bonus (Disable and capture the Rasputin) - 100 Points.

Hostiles 13 kills, 13 f/b. 6 PVF Anubis, 4 GTF Apollo, 2 PVF Horus worth 10 points each. 1 PVB Osiris worth 17 points.

Friendlies: All 17 worth 10 each, except Rasputin (worth 15).

Strategy: If you decide to kill the Rasputin you’ll get 15 points and lose out on 100 points from the bonus objective so I didn’t count it here. If the GTT Comet or the Omega is destroyed, you lose. This is the only level with enemy GTF Apollo class fighters.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                           :OUT OF THE DARK, INTO THE NIGHT:

Medal (Part 1): Distinguished Flying Cross - These two levels are separate, but their cumulative results will determine if you get the medal, collected on Paving the Way. On the Out of the Dark, Into the Night, destroy an Unknown fighter. They are black and red, and very powerful. You can't target these. Easiest is the SB SB Shaitan (the one that looks like a flat computer chip thing), but one SF SF Scorpion (the bigger and faster type) will stay in the area longer; though this type has less armor, it is much harder to hit. Part 2 is in the next level. Total Potential Score Reward: 1421 Total Potential Score Penalty: 110

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort the crew of the Plato to the Jump Node) - 700 points. 

                   1 Bonus (Destroy the Unknown Fighter) - 200 points
                   1 Hidden (Identify Unknowns) - 200 points

Hostiles: 10 kills, 9 f/b. 7 PVF Anubis worth 6 points each. Unknown 1,2,3,5,7 worth 10 points each. Unknown 4,6,8 worth 15 points. 2 PVB Osiris worth 17 points each. 1 PVC Aten worth 150 points.

Friendlies: Friendly fighters and Escape pod (6 total) worth 10 points each. Plato is worth 50 points and will always die so don’t attack it.

Strategy: Unknown ships jump in which don't count as kills when you destroy them but do count for points & the bonus objective. The hidden objective does itself. Most likely you will only get 1 wing of Vasudans, which consists of 3 PVF Anubis fighters and 1 PVB Osiris bomber. The other ships are very far away, and are set up to be destroyed like so: when the Unknowns appear, they go after the Vasudan fighters. When the first fighter is destroyed, a timer is started so that X seconds after that, the Taurus dies on its own. Don't let Plato Escape die or you fail the mission.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                   :PAVING THE WAY:

Medal (Part 2): Distinguished Flying Cross - These two levels are separate, but their cumulative results will determine if you get the medal, collected on Paving the Way. After finishing Out of the Dark, Into the Night as stated above, keep the Galatea's hull above 50% on the level after it, Paving the Way. Total Potential Score Reward: 1030 Total Potential Score Penalty: 20

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort the Galatea to the Jump Node) - 700 points 

                   1 Secondary (Ensure Galatea hull remain above 50%) - 300 points

Hostiles: 0 kills counted. Unknowns (2) are worth 15 points each.

Friendlies: Alpha 2 worth 10 points.

Strategy: Just like in the previous level, the mere 2 enemies in this one don't count as kills, but you do get points for them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                 :PANDORA'S BOX:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1606 Total Potential Score Penalty: 30

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Destroy the Sentry Guns) - 300 Points 

                   1 Secondary (Use your sensors to scan the Shivan cargo
                               containers) - 100 points
                   1 Hidden (Investigate Remaining Cargo) - 1000 points

Hostiles: 35 kills, 0 f/b. 21 SC 5, 8 SAC 2 worth 0 points. 6 SSG Trident worth 5 points each. Arjuna 2,3,4 worth 10 points. Arjuna 5,6 worth 25 points so kill these if any. Rama 1-4, Krishna 1-4, worth 12 points each.

Friendlies: Alpha 2-4 worth 10 points each.

Strategy: The Shivan fighters in this level are all worth points but not worth kills and are next to impossible to kill even with cheats on. A cruiser will warp in but it’s invulnerable and untargetable so even with cheats you should just avoid it. Your secondary objective in this level is set up to fail (there is no way for you to pass it unless you fail the mission). The only way to get the 29 cargo container kills is to approach them slowly, attack from afar, and when they start exploding on you, destroy as many as you can, but do not destroy cargo containers 35, 34, 37, or 32.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                           :THE HAMMER AND THE ANVIL:

Medal: Vasudan Alliance - Make sure all 3 shield prototypes survive. You can call Rho 1, a damaged Vasudan fighter who warps in with the Andromeda, to assist you. If some Vasudans warp in near the end of the mission and claim they will escort the cargo, watch the PVF Anubis class fighters, they turn enemy and attack cargo 3. Total Potential Score Reward: 1638 Total Potential Score Penalty: 1193

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort Shield Prototypes) - 700 points 

                   1 Bonus (Escort all prototypes to Jump Node) - 500 points

Hostiles: 43 kills, 43 f/b. 7 PVF Anubis fighters worth 6 points each. 6 PVF Seth interceptors worth 8 points each. 6 SF Scorpion interceptors worth 10 points each. 24 Shivan SF Basilisk fighters worth 12 points each.

Friendlies: Rho 1 is worth 6 points. Friendly Terran fighters (5) worth 10 points each. Omicron 1 is worth 12 points. Omega 1,2,3 worth 15 points each. Andromeda, Theta 1-3 worth 20 points each. The Arcadia is worth 1000. The traitor ships included in the section above count against you if you kill them while they are friendly, but I won’t count them here because they end up as enemies if you do well on the mission.

Strategy: It is unlikely that you will get the first 2 Vasudan wings (4 PVF Anubis, 4 PVF Seth) that jump in, as they will jump out as soon as the Andromeda is destroyed. Also, the last Vasudan wing will only turn hostile if you dispatch of the Shivan enemies quickly enough so that when the Vasudans jump in there is enough time for them to go traitor without the cargo jumping out.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                :ADVANCED TRAINING 2:

Medal: Pilot Wings - Complete Advanced Training 2

Strategy: On this one you get a medal for beating the level so don't skip this mission, but no stats are kept.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                           :THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1885 Total Potential Score Penalty: 30

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Capture the Ramses) - 500 points 

                   1 Secondary (Destroy Cargo Depot) - 700 points
                   1 Bonus (Destroy Any Freighters) - 300 points

Hostiles: 36 kills, 15 f/b. 11 VC 3 worth 0 points. 5 VAC 4 worth 3 points each. 4 PVF Anubis fighters worth 6 points each. 2 SF Scorpion fighters worth 10 points each. 3 PVF Seth fighters worth 12 points each. 4 SB Shaitan bombers worth 15 each. 4 PVFr Satis worth 20 points each. 1 PVC Aten worth 150 points.

Friendlies: Alpha 2,3,4 worth 10 each.

Strategy: Your primary objective is set up to fail because a few minutes into the mission a Shivan strike force will warp in and destroy the Ramses. If you knock its health below 70% you will get the Ramses's kill. The rest of the SF Scorpion fighters appear if you stay in the mission after everything has happened. There are two things on this mission that make you automatically fail: if you destroy the Shivan cruiser that warps in (called the Taranis), or if you destroy the Ramses before you destroy all other Vasudan ships, unless they have departed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                :FIRST STRIKE:

Medal: Good Conduct - Disarm, disable, and capture the Taranis. Total Potential Score Reward: 2061 Total Potential Score Penalty: 195

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Capture the Taranis) - 700 points 

                   2 Secondary (Disable The Taranis) - 350 points
                               (Disarm The Taranis) - 350 points

Hostiles: 59 Kills, 59 f/b. 28 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 28 SF Basilisk worth 12 points each. 3 SB Shaitan worth 15 points each.

Friendlies: Gamma 1-4, Beta 1-4, Delta 1-3 worth 10 points each. Omega 1,2 worth 10 each. Alpha 2-4 worth 15. Halkins worth 20 points.

Strategy: Ensure Omega 1, Omega 2, the Halkins, and the Taranis survive.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                :THE AFTERMATH:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1479 Total Potential Score Penalty: 2269

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort Iota to meet with the Pinnacle) - 800 points 

                   1 Secondary (Destroy All Remaining Fighters) - 200 points

Hostiles: 41 kills, 41 f/b. 8 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 24 SF Basilisk, 3 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 6 SB Shaitan worth 15 each.

Friendlies: Epsilon 1,2, Kappa 1-3, Kho 1-4 worth 6 points each. Alpha 2,3, Beta 1,2, Iota 1-3, Sigma 1,3 worth 10 points each. Omega 1,2, Sigma 2 worth 15 points each. GTFr Nelson, Pi 1-3 worth 20 points each. PVD Pinnacle worth 2000 points.

Strategy: If any transports/freighters die in this mission you'll hear about it in the debriefing but you aren’t otherwise penalized.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                                :THE BIG BANG:

Medal: Conspicuous Gallantry - Ensure the GTC Ravage survives. Total Potential Score Reward: 1680 Total Potential Score Penalty: 230

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Protect GTS Asimov) - 800 points 

                   1 Secondary (Protect GTC Ravage) - 500 points
                   2 Hidden (Guard GTT Spomer) - 200 points
                            (Guard GTT Stull) - 0 points

Hostiles: 15 kills, 15 f/b. 9 SF Scorpion worth 10 each. 6 SB Shaitan worth 15 each.

Friendlies: Alpha 2,3, Beta 1,2, Delta 1,2, GTT Spomer, GTT Stull worth 10 points each. GTSC Asimov worth 50 points. GTC Ravage worth 100 points.

Strategy: Go after the bombers first. Keep the Asimov's HP above 8%, and don't let the GTT Spomer and Stull die or you fail the mission.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

                            :LA RUOTA DELLA FORTUNA:

Medal: Distinguished Service Cross - Keep the Galatea's Hull above 50%.

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Destroy All Shivans in Area) - 1000 

                             (Destroy the HOL Outpost) - 10
                   1 Secondary (Ensure Galatea Hull >50) - 300

Hostiles: 25 kills, 23 f/b. 17 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 2 SF Basilisk worth 12 each. 2 SB Shaitan worth 15 each. 2 SB Nephilim bombers worth 20 points each. 1 SC Cain worth 150 points. 1 SC Lilith worth 450 points.

Friendlies: Fighters (7) worth 10, Bombers Gamma 1,2 and Delta 1,2 each worth 17 points. Galatea is worth 1750.

Strategy: Make sure you go after the cruisers, because they are a less common kill and are worth some points. Don't let the Galatea get destroyed or you fail.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :WHERE EAGLES DARE:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1226 Total Potential Score Penalty: 145

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Clear the area of all Hostile ships) - 400 points 

                             (Patrol until the freighters have finished) - 300 
                                                                           points
                   1 Secondary (Destroy Gemini Transports) - 300 points

Hostiles: 27 kills, 13 f/b. 2 VC 3 worth 0 points. 2 VAC 4 worth 3 points each. 3 PVSG Ankh worth 4 points each. 6 PVF Anubis worth 6 points each. 3 PVFr Ma'at worth 10 points each. 6 PVF Seth worth 12 points each. 2 PVT Isis worth 15 points each. 2 PVFr Satis worth 20 points each.

Friendlies: Alpha 2-4, Iota 1 worth 10 points each. Beta 1-3 worth 15 points each. Kappa wing (3) worth 20 each.

Strategy: Don't worry about that 2nd primary objective; when the Terran freighters arrive command will say something afterward and you can then depart. You can destroy all the cargo on the level without penalty (your team may do it instead). This is the only level with PVSG Ankh class sentry gun kills.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :TENDERIZER:

Total Potential Score Reward: 1618 Total Potential Score Penalty: 50

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Protect the Galatea until it Jumps) - 1000 points 

                   1 Secondary (Inspect the Sentry Guns) - 10 points

Hostiles: 45 kills, 38 f/b. 6 GTSG Cerberus worth 3 points each. 16 PVF Anubis worth 6 points each. 9 PVF Seth worth 12 points each. 8 PVB Osiris worth 17 points each. 5 PVB Amun bombers worth 20 points each. 1 PVC Aten worth 150 points.

Friendlies: All 5 fighters worth 10 points.

Strategy: This is probably the third hardest level. To get all 10 kills in the beginning destroy the sentries after destroying all enemy wings. PVB Amun class bombers and enemy GTSG Cerberus sentries only appear on this level. I suggest using the Cheat and Pass Glitch to make this easier. If you turn traitor in this level it will not automatically proceed to the next level.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :SHELL GAME:

Medal: Good Conduct - Destroy both Shivan transports. Total Potential Score Reward: 1270 Total Potential Score Penalty: 142

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Destroy the Shivan Transports) - 400 points 

                             (Protect the Shivan Cargo) - 300 points
                   1 Secondary (Destroy the Shivan freighters) - 300 points

Hostiles: 18 kills, 12 f/b. 12 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 2 ST Azrael worth 15 points each. 2 SFr Mephisto, 2 SFr Asmodeus worth 30 points each.

Friendlies: Epsilon 1-3, Beta 1-3, GTT Stern, GTT Harmon, GTT Dobbs, GTT Marcos worth 10 points each. Alpha 2,3 worth 12 points each. 2 Deltas worth 15 each.

Strategy: You can’t kill the Eva here even using cheats, the Eva can’t be targeted and is invulnerable. To get all the freighters, go after the SFr Mephistos, then the 2 SFr Asmodeus freighters, then the transports. If any cargo is destroyed, you will fail the mission. Ensure all friendly transports survive until they dock with the cargo. SFr Mephistos can only be destroyed on this level.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :ENTER THE DRAGON:

Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross [Medium+] - Complete all mission objectives without Delta wing jumping in. Total Potential Score Reward: 1549 Total Potential Score Penalty: 123

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Destroy the SC Cain cruiser Shakti) - 500 points 

                             (Disable and Capture the Arjuna 1 Fighter)-400 points
                   1 Bonus (Disable Arjuna without Delta's help) - 300 points

Hostiles: 19 kills, 5 f/b. 6 SSG Trident worth 5 points each. 1 SF Scorpion worth 10 points. 5 SAC 2, 2 SF Basilisk worth 12 points. 2 SB Shaitan, 1 ST Azrael worth 15 points. 1 SFr Asmodeus worth 30 points. 1 SC Cain worth 150 points.

Friendlies: 2 Alpha, 4 Delta worth 12 points each. 3 Beta worth 17 points each.

Strategy: Ensure the Charon survives or you will fail the mission. If you destroy the Lorkonius there will be fewer enemies on the next level. The last SAC 2 is the one the Lorkonius brings in.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :PLAYING JUDAS:

Medal: Meritorious Unit - Scan all ships and cargo except for the fighters and sentry guns; they will detect you if you get closer than 800 meters. Do not fire until the enemy detects you. This is easier if you assign the sentries and Dragons to an F key by using F3. Total Potential Score Reward: 6192 Total Potential Score Penalty: 0

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Scan all Destroyers and Cruisers) - 700 points 

                   1 Secondary (Scan All Freighters and Transports) - 200 points
                   1 Bonus (Scan all Cargo) - 200 points

Hostiles: 11 kills, 6 f/b. 4 SSG Trident worth 5 points each. 6 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 1 SD Lucifer worth 5000 points.

Strategy: In order to get the small amount of kills on this level, you will need to wait until the Lucifer jumps in (after the Eva departs) and use the Warp-In Glitch. You will be told to "enter the docking bays", assumedly meaning fighter bays. You don't really have to enter them (and can’t in any legitimate way in FS1 retail), just get very close. In the FSOpen port you can cheat and remove the Lucifer’s invulnerability and kill it. You fail this mission if you fire before you are detected, or if you are detected by a Dragon class fighter or SSG Trident sentry gun. Detection happens when you are within 400 m of the enemy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :EVANGELIST:

Total Potential Score Reward: 6290 (5372 as traitor) Total Potential Score Penalty: 82

Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Destroy the Eva) - 1000 points

Hostiles: 13 kills, 12 f/b. 10 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 2 SF Dragon fighters worth 25 each. 1 SD Demon worth 5000 points.

Friendlies: Beta 1,2, Gamma 1,2 are worth 12 each. Alpha 2,3 are worth 17.

Strategy: Wait until the Eva stops launching ships before you destroy it to get max kills. You can go traitor and pass this mission as long as you destroy the Eva as well at the cost of the points for the primary objectives. The best mission to do this exploit on is The Great Hunt since you make up for all lost points as a traitor. If you do so empty your allies’ guns and call in a support when you get in to get a GTS Centaur kill (worth 6 points) as well as the unique kills for the ships you put your wing-mates in. Since GTF Apollo class fighters are the only legitimate Terran kill in the campaign I would suggest putting other ships in play to get those kills.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :DOOMSDAY:

Medal: Galatea Survivor [Medium+] - Ensure all of the escape pods survive. Total Potential Score Reward: 6342 Total Potential Score Penalty: 145

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Protect The GTD Galatea) - 0 points 

                   1 Secondary (Protect the Escaping Escape Pods) - 1000 points

Hostiles: 21 kills, 20 f/b. 8 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 2 SB Nephilim (Bheema) worth 18 points each. 8 SB Nephilims worth 20 points each. 2 SF Manticore (Krishna) worth 25 points each. SD Lucifer worth 5000 points.

Friendlies: Alpha 2 worth 17 points. Beta 1,2 worth 12 points. 6 Escapes, Delta 1,2 each worth 10 points. Gamma 1,2 worth 12 points each.

Strategy: The primary objective is set up to fail but you should still try to go after the fighters and bombers, mainly because you pass this mission only if the Galatea is destroyed after the Lucifer arrives. A Lucifer kill is only possible in FSOpen by using cheats to disable its invulnerability.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :EXODUS:

Medal: Meritorious Unit - Make sure all non-fighter ships that warp in survive. Total Potential Score Reward: 2277 Total Potential Score Penalty: 730

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Protect Allied Ships) - 500 points 

                             (Secure Area Until Relief Arrives) - 500 points
                   1 Secondary (Safely Escort All Ships) - 300 points
                   1 Hidden (Protect Mecross) - 200 points

Hostiles: 38 kills, 36 f/b. 9 SF Scorpion fighters worth 10 points. 16 SF Basilisk fighters worth 12 points. 6 SB Shaitan bombers worth 15 points. 4 SB Nephilim bombers worth 20 points. 1 SF Dragon fighters worth 25 points. 2 SC Cain cruisers worth 150 points each.

Friendlies: 3 VAC 4 cargos are 3 points each. Iota 1,2 worth 14 points each. Rho 1,2, Phi 1,2 worth 6 points each. Kappa 3,6, Pi 1-4, Omicron 1,2, Phi 4-6 worth 10 points each. Alpha 2-4, Epsilons 1-4, Delta 1,2, Phi 3,7, Zeta 1-4 worth 12 points each. Mu 1-3 worth 15 points each. Kappa 1,2,4-6,9-11, Theta 1-3 worth 20 points each. Mecross worth 150 points.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :LAST HOPE:

Medal: Conspicuous Gallantry - Make sure the Hope and Isis Repair survive, destroy all enemies, and stay in area until Vasudan reinforcements arrive. Total Potential Score Reward: 839 Total Potential Score Penalty: 408

Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Protect the Hope) - 0 points

Hostiles: 35 kills, 33 f/b. 4 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 4 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 3 SB Shaitan worth 15 points each. 18 SB Nephilim worth 20 points each. 4 SF Dragon worth 25 points each. 2 SC Cain worth 150 points each.

Friends: Alpha 2-4, Pi 1,2 worth 10 points each. Beta 1-4, Epsilon 1-4 worth 12 points each. Mu 1-4, Rho 1-4 worth 14 points each. Mecross worth 150 points.

Strategy: Don't let Isis Repair die or you will fail.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE:

Medal: Good Conduct - Save at least 2 of the escape pods. Total Potential Score Reward: 7156 Total Potential Score Penalty: 5232

Mission Objectives: 2 Primary (Defend Communications Station) - 1000 points 

                             (Protect Aquilae Installation) - 0 points

1 Secondary (Protect Escape Pods) - 300 points 1 Bonus (Protect all four escape pods) - 200 points

Hostiles: 42 kills, 42 f/b. 3 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 10 SF Manticore, 8 SF Basilisk worth 12 points each. 4 SB Shaitan worth 15 points each. 15 SB Nephilim worth 20 points each. 2 SF Dragon worth 25 points each. SD Lucifer worth 5000 points.

Friends: Sentries 1-4 worth 3 points each. Escape 1-4, Alpha 2-4, Cancer 1-4 worth 10 points each. Epsilon 1-4 worth 15 each. Comm. Station worth 50 points. Aquilae is worth 1000 points (don’t accidentally attack it). Pinnacle and Hope worth 2000 points each.

Strategy: Your second primary objective listed is set up to fail. This is an extremely hard mission; I'd say the second hardest in the campaign. If you can get the Bonus objective then pat yourself on the back, otherwise don't bother trying. You can let 2 pods die to pass the mission (and in my opinion, it isn't worth it to try saving all the escape pods, unless you seriously want a challenge). If you leave one Krishna fighter alive, the rest won't warp in, but you still need to destroy that fighter (and 1 wing afterwards) to finish the level. For this to be useful you’d need to disable or distract the fighter as well, otherwise it will kill your escape pods. The Lucifer can be killed using cheats in this mission if you’re playing the FS1 port. Use any of the Shivan Super Laser beams, not the shivan super laser since it doesn’t break through the Lucifer shield.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :REACHING THE ZENITH:

Medal: Legion of Merit [Medium+] - Destroy the Zenith and the Benedict. Total Potential Score Reward: 2100 (1000 as traitor) Total Potential Score Penalty: 200

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Disarm the Cruiser Zenith) - 500 points 

                   1 Secondary (Destroy the cruiser Zenith) - 500 points
                   1 Bonus (Destroy the Benedict) - 300 points

Hostiles: 40 kills, 38 f/b. 9 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 9 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 18 PVF Thoth worth 14 points each (they stop spawning after the Benedict dies). 2 SF Dragon worth 25 points each. 1 SC Lilith, 1 PVC Aten worth 150 points each.

Friendlies: Alpha 2-4, Gamma 1-4, 4 GTF Hercules “Delta 1-4” worth 12 points each. Beta 1-4 worth 17 points each.

Strategy: The SF Scorpion interceptors only show up if you don't destroy the Zenith's Comm. Subsystem. If you take out the Zenith's engines, you will have extra time and infinite time for this level in retail FS1. If you remove wingmates the Benedict will glitch and immediately warp out, so if you are going to have your wingmates go away make sure to order them to leave when you get into the mission. You can betray your team on this level to get their kills as was the case on Evangelist at the cost of losing out on the points for the objectives and the medal. The best mission to do this exploit on is The Great Hunt since you make up for all lost points as a traitor. If you do so empty your allies’ guns and call in a support when you get in to get a GTS Centaur kill (worth 6 points) as well as the unique kills for the ships you put your wing-mates in. Since GTF Apollo class fighters are the only legitimate Terran kill in the campaign I would suggest putting other ships in play to get those kills.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :RUNNING THE GAUNTLET:

Medal: Commendation Medal - Make sure the Rosetta survives. Total Potential Score Reward: 8070 Total Potential Score Penalty: 270

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Get at least one Omega to the Jump Node) -500 points 

                   1 Secondary (Get both Omegas to the Jump Node) - 500 points
                   1 Bonus (Protect the Rosetta until it departs) - 200 points

Hostiles: 117 kills, 116 f/b. 16 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 80 SF Basilisk worth 12 points each. 20 SB Shaitan worth 15 points each. 1 SC Lilith worth 450 points. 1 SD Lucifer worth 5000 points.

Friendlies: Omega 1,2 worth 10 points each. Alpha 2-4, Gamma 1-4, Epsilon 1-4 worth 12 points each. Beta 1-4 worth 17 points each. GTSC Rosetta worth 50 points.

Strategy: The only way you can get a SC Lilith kill on this level is if you didn't manage to kill the Zenith in the previous level in time (but it always shows up in the mission sim). The way you get so many kills is to first use the Cheat and Pass glitch on the previous level, then stay in the area until the Lucifer stops launching ships (20 wings of SF Basilisk). Make sure 1 Omega transport survives.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :BLACK OMEGA:

Medal: Medal of Honor [Medium+] - Make sure both Omega transports survive. Total Potential Score Reward: 3450 + score value of 1 full promotion Total Potential Score Penalty: 176

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort Omega to Jump Node) - 500 points 

                   2 Secondary (Escort Both Omegas to the Jump Node) - 500 points
                               (Destroy the Anvil) - 200 points

Hostiles: 21 kills, 20 f/b. 9 PVF Horus worth 10 points each. 9 PVF Thoth worth 14 points each. 2 PVB Osiris worth 17 points each. 1 PVD Typhon worth 2000 points.

Friends: Omega 1,2 worth 10 points. Beta 1-4, Gamma 1-4 worth 12 points. Alpha 2-4 worth 20 points.

Strategy: Ensure 1 Omega survives to proceed to the next mission. This mission grants you a full promotion regardless of points as long as you destroy the Anvil, making it the highest awarded for points of any retail FreeSpace series mission (the points to get from Vice Admiral to Admiral is 4000000 points which are supplied if you destroy the Anvil). Realistically this is the only way you will ever reach Admiral short of creating/playing a custom campaign.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :CLASH OF THE TITANS:

Medal: Military Defense [Medium+] - Keep the Bastion's hull above 35%, destroy the SD Tantalus. Total Potential Score Reward: 9448 Total Potential Score Penalty: 96

Mission Objectives: 1 Primary (Escort GTD Bastion to the Lucifer) - 1000 points 

                   1 Secondary (Keep the GTD Bastion's hull above 35) -1000 points
                   1 Bonus (Destroy the SD Tantalus) - 0 points

Hostiles: 33 kills, 32 f/b. 18 SF Basilisk, 4 SF Manticore, 2 SB Shaitan each worth 12 points. 8 SB Nephilim each worth 20 points. 1 SD Demon worth 5000 points.

Friendlies: Alpha 2,3, Gamma 1-3, Beta 1-3 each worth 12 points.

Strategy: Out of all the single player missions, I have the most trouble with this one. It's unlikely that you will get the SD Demon class destroyer kill, as you will be occupied with fighting the Bastion's attackers. Instead have Beta wing take it out, and tell them to disarm it, but don't give them stilettos. Have Beta wing protect the Bastion until the second wing of SB Nephilims is gone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :THE GREAT HUNT:

Total Potential Score Reward: 8783 (9745 as traitor) Total Potential Score Penalty: 1962

1 Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Reach the Subspace Node) - 1000 points

Hostiles: 57 kills, 55 f/b. 4 SF Scorpion worth 10 points each. 29 SF Basilisk, 6 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 7 PVF Thoth worth 14 points each. 9 SF Dragon worth 25 points each. 1 PVE Typhon worth 2000 points. 1 SD Lucifer Shivan Destroyer worth 5000 points.

Friends: Alpha 2-4, Beta 1-4, 4 PVF Thoth “Epsilon 1-4” worth 12 points each. 4 GTB Ursa “Delta 1-4” worth 20 points each. 1 GTD Orion “Bastion” worth 1750 points.

Strategy: This is one of the levels you can use the Cheat and Pass glitch on as well as Reason for Treason glitch. If you decide you are going to cheat, you'll want a fast ship (I suggest Valkyrie), and since there are a large number of kills and a nice variety, you will want to do this one solo (so don't let any teammates kill enemies; remove their weapons). Also, switch out your primary weapons for ML-16's (you'll see why in-mission). In FS1 retail- as soon as you enter the mission, enter cheat mode as fast as you can. Make yourself invulnerable, then switch both of your primary weapons to Shivan Super Lasers (select a gun mount, hold ~ and shift, press 0 only once). Select the Lucifer with the escort button (e by default), then hold ~ and press k a 7 times or until its health reaches 12%. Aim for the Lucifer and shoot however many times you think it will take you to finish off the Lucifer (it only takes 2-3 hits to kill it, but the Lucifer is extremely hard to hit from 20 kilometers away). If you hit it enough times, you will get a Lucifer kill (if it jumps out you can restart and try again). In FSOpen this is much easier to do given you can slow down time and use a Shivan Super Laser Beam instead which are hitscan weapons. If you are using the Reason for Treason glitch, call in a GTS Centaur (call in support) to get that kill. After you kill the first wing of fighters that jumps in Command will talk to you. At this point the Bastion can die without penalty, although it will deploy some Thoths later. If you don’t go traitor just select the Bastion and `+k it, otherwise kill all the fighters it deploys before killing it. This missions says its timed, but it isn’t and can be completed after the time runs out. In order to finish it you need to go to the jump node.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  :GOOD LUCK:

Medal: Galactic Service - Destroy the Lucifer or its reactors. Total Potential Score Reward: 11753 (8793 as traitor) Total Potential Score Penalty: 220

Mission Objective: 1 Primary (Destroy the Lucifer) - 3000 points

Hostiles: 304 kills, 303 f/b. 294 SF Manticore worth 12 points each. 9 SF Dragon worth 25 points each. 1 SD Lucifer worth 5000 points.

Friendlies: Alpha 2-4, Beta 1-4 worth 12 each. Epsilon 1-4 worth 14 each. Delta 1-4 worth 20 each.

Strategy: Use the Cheat and Pass glitch on this level. To get 304 kills, first disable the Lucifer (it has 2 engines). After you do this, the Lucifer won't jump out, but it will keep spitting out ships (you can leave the game running while the mouse is on trigger, but use Synaptics). When fighters are no longer appearing, destroy the Lucifer like you normally would destroy a ship. Make sure you DON'T destroy all 5 reactors; otherwise you won't get the Lucifer's kill. If all your allies died in the previous mission they won’t appear in this one. Without any kind of cheating or exploiting, soloing the Lucifer is effectively impossible. You can betray your team on this level to get their kills as was the case on The Great Hunt at the cost of losing out on the points for the objectives (you still get the medal). The best mission to do this exploit on is The Great Hunt since you make up for all lost points as a traitor. If you do so call in a support when you get in to get a GTS Centaur kill (worth 6 points) as well as the unique kills for the ships you put your wing-mates in. Since GTF Apollo class fighters are the only legitimate Terran kill in the campaign I would suggest putting other ships in play to get those kills.

Multiplayer Medals

Since they are in no particular order, I organized the Multiplayer Medals in alphabetical order by mission. Thanks to SF Basilisk for the backbone of this. This part of the guide will only cover the multiplayer missions that come with the game.


Commendation Medal - 1 Conspicuous Gallantry - 1 Distinguished Flying Cross - 1 Distinguished Service Cross - 1 Galactic Service - 1 Galatea Survivor - 0 Good Conduct - 1 Legion of Merit - 1 Medal of Honor - 1 Meritorious Unit - 1 Military Defense - 1 Pilot Wings - 0 Vasudan Alliance Medal - 1 ________________________________________________________________________________ This is what to do in order to obtain medals, besides your normal objectives, unless that is what you must complete.

-6az- A Failure to Communicate [Any Difficulty]: Ensure the Comm. Terminal survives. Medal: Good Conduct

-6bz- Black Omega [Hard+]: Make sure both Omega transports survive. Medal: Medal of Honor

-6cz- Convoy Assault [Hard+]: Complete the Primary Objective (Destroy the Convoy). Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross

-6dz- Cruiser Rescue [Hard+]: Complete the primary objective (Rescue the Cruiser). Medal: Military Defense

-6ez- Exodus [Any Difficulty]: Ensure all ships including the Mecross survive without Delta. Medal: Meritorious Unit

-6fz- Last Hope [Hard+]: Complete Primary Objective (Protect the Hope), Alpha 1 needs to play (as Human, not AI). Medal: Conspicuous Gallantry

-6gz- Orion Recovery [Hard+]: Complete the Primary Objective (Recover the Storm). Medal: Vasudan Alliance

-6hz- Reaching the Zenith [Medium+]: Destroy the Zenith and the Benedict without the help of Delta. Medal: Legion of Merit

-6iz- Running the Gauntlet [Any Difficulty]: Make sure the Rosetta survives. Medal: Commendation Medal

-6jz- Unstoppable [Insane]: Destroy the Hellfire, the Omen and the Hoyle must survive. Medal: Galactic Service

-6kz- Vasudan Assault [Hard+]: Destroy both the PVD Ptolmey and PVC Gateway and all escape pods. Medal: Legion of Merit

Special Thanks & Conclusion

GameFAQs user previously known as redalert19243: For requesting a medal list on the message boards, for if he hadn't, this guide would not exist.

GameFAQs user previously known as Tahna Los: Pointed out a few errors.

GameFAQs user previously known as Razoriel: Made me have an innovation about making a basis for the point system.

GameFAQs user previously known as Basilisk: Giving me many fixes and tips on the guide, as well as the idea of a multiplayer guide and an e-mail. Also has given me the points for the ranks.

GameFAQs user previously known as Dman4835: For pinpointing the Ace Badges kills and helping me identify an error in my Ace Badge ranking system.

GameFAQs user previously known as Valkyerie: Gave me missing info in the rank section.

GameFAQs user previously known as Bobotheking: Pointed me to a program that helps get the point values and makes the missions easier to dissect.

HLP Coder Goober5000: Provided more info within a few days about code, hidden values, how scoring works, and various exploits than I learned in the years I had previously worked on this.

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