 
 
PPPPPPPPPP                                         
PPP     PPP                                    TTT  
PPP      PPP                                   TTT   
PPP       PPP        o                         TTT      
PPP      PPP        oOo                   TTTTTTTTTTTT     
PPP     PPP          o                         TTT    
PPP    PPP                                     TTT      
PPP PPPP  RR RRrrr  III VV         VV AAA      TTT EEEEEEE  EEEEEEE  RR RRrrr  
PPP       RRR   Rrr III  VV       VV AA AA     TTT EEE      EEE      RRR   Rrr 
PPP       RRR       III   VV     VV AA   AA    TTT EEEeee   EEEeee   RRR     
PPP       RRR       III    VV   VV AAAAAAAAA   TTT EEE      EEE      RRR    
PPP       RRR       III     VV VV AA       AA  TTT EEE      EEE      RRR   
PPP       RRR       III      VVV AA         AA TTT EEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE RRR  
 
 
"YOUR ABOUT TO SUCK VOID ... BUDDY"   "KEEP YOU VITCOM OPEN, FLYING IN SHARED 
				       SPACE"   
 
"DIE BY THE VERY WEAPONS YOU ADORE"   "YOUR CLEAR FOR CLICKS"  
 
"TASTE RIGHTEOUS FIRE"                "NICE TO SEE A FRIENDLY SHIP"   
 
  (just some of the famous quotes from the game PRIVATEER) 
 
********************UPDATED 02/10/95....VERSION (1.99999)******************** 
 
      The "un-official" FAQ for Privateer......from Origin systems @  
 
                       Created by....Rob "STINGER" Lordier 
 
		       (only one mans opinion....of course) 
 
This Faq is being done to help with the game from Origin Systems that is part 
of the Wing Commanders series.  It is a stand-alone game that is very similar 
to other flight-sim type games with it own unique characteristics. 
 
Immediate disclaimer:  I do not work for Origin Systems...I just like their 
games.  Any copywrite infringements (real or imagined) are purely coincidental 
and if anyone would like to contact me about any legalities....please, feel  
free to contact me and I'll "make it right". 
 
These words are my own....no one elses (if I use someone elses ideas or words 
and do not already acknowledge that fact..... see above.^ 
 
****I would like to thank Hank Leukart for his guideance with this FAQ.***** 
    ____________________________________________________________________  
   
Ok, with all that out of the way, lets get to the point. :-) :-) 
 
 
SEC. I 
   The most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the game Privateer 
 
SEC. II 
   Hints, strategies, and cheats. 
 
SEC. III 
   Game analysis. 
 
SEC. IV 
   News, updates....and general discussions 
 
 
 
 
 
************ WARNING! ******* MANY SPOILERS DO FOLLOW ************************* 
                             !=======================! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEC. I 
=============================================================================== 
 
Q.  What is an FAQ? 
    A:  It is a summary of questions that are mostly unanswered by either the 
	plot of the game or the manual.  
 
Q.  What is the purpose of an FAQ? 
    A:  The whole idea behind an FAQ is to provide a single place where most of 
	the questions about a game, or whatever, can be restated and answered 
	in Laymen's terms, to destroy any confusion the can and does results 
	from playing a game, or whatever. 
 
Q.  What is Privateer? 
    A:  It is a stand-alone game that is part of the Wing Commander series of 
	games created by Origin Systems.  It is a type of flight-simulation 
	computer game with a few wrinkles.  The basic idea behind the game is 
	simple, you are a "Privateer" flying in and around the Gemini system 
	(futuristic space) with many possible objectives in mine, depending 
	entirely on the "type" of Privateer YOU choose to be.  There is a set 
	plot to follow, but you are in no way ordered to to make this your one 
	and only objective. 
 
Q.  How do you get Privateer? 
    A:  This game has been out for some time, most "reputable" software distri- 
	butors either have the game in stock or can order it for you. 
 
Q.  Where can I get the FAQ for Privateer? 
    A:  for now, this is it.  The creator does not have access to upload to an 
	ftp site.  If you have the ability, feel free....I only ask that the 
	contents be kept cohesive and the entire file become as one. :-) 
 
Q.  I am having trouble getting anywhere in this game, what am I doing wrong? 
    A:  The game itself is designed to be difficult in the beginning.  The one 
	thing this does accomplish is get you used to the controls. :-)  This 
	may sound trival but what you learn early in the game sets you up for 
	the type of Privateer you are.  Patience is a virtue.  In the beginning 
	it is a good idea to check the mission computer for missions that 
	involve either going to or staying in the same area.  For instance, 
	if the are two "patrol" missions in the Troy system, take them both, 
	that way you get two for the price of one.  I highly suggest upgrading 
	your ship before you begin to jump around the systems.  The Taurus is 
	not a great ship to run with/defend with/fight with.  It does give you 
	a great feel for what lies ahead.  Spend your money wisely, wait until 
	you can buy the entire Gemini map (not one at a time), join the two 
	Guilds (mercenary and merchant), upgrade sheilds and engines, get 
	better guns (lasers are weak), ...it's a jungle out there, prepare your 
	ship before you venture into the great wide open and don't forget, save 
	your game often!!! 
 
Q.  Is there a cheat for this game? 
    A:  Yes, there are a few, see below under hints/cheats/strategies 
 
Q.  I have flown a mission and failed, now I can't seem to get back on the plot 
    do I have to start over? 
    A:  Maybe.  If you have a game saved before your mishap, just go back to 
	that saved game and press on.  If you do not have a saved game you're 
	going to have to start over.  Lesson to be learned here is ALWAYS have 
	a saved game as a back-up.  (i.e. save often!)  If you fail on the plot 
	missions you need to do it until you succeed.  If you are flying a 
	"cargo" mission you must not land at any other base than where the 
	cargo is destined.  You will lose the cargo.  If you are flying a 
	bounty mission, you can make as many "detours" as you like until you 
	get the opportunity to go for it. 
 
Q.  Are some missions harder than others? 
    A:  Oh yea, most definately.  The missions at Oxford are extrememly tough. 
	The Exploratory missions are hard and killing the green drone is a real 
	hum-dinger as well.  Some missions you can make harder on yourself if 
	you don't use the "right" strategy. 
******* NEW  The missions at Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Delta Prime are made 
	considerable easy due to a new and improved strategy involving 
	a technique of flying through astroids that is incredible and  
	relatively easy to accomplish (author has done it and is extremely 
	excited about it.....see below in "hints/cheats/strategies) 
 
Q.  I keep getting pummeled by the confeds, What did I do to deserve this? 
    A:  You get the "good guys" mad at you by killing one of there own or one 
	of the groups they are allied with.  It is called "aligning yourself". 
	The basic premise here is if you go out and kill, say, a merchant.  The 
	Confeds/Merchants/Miltia, now become your enemies because they're are 
	allies with each other.  You can "re-align" yourself by going out and 
	killing a number of their enemies as a show of good faith.  The 
	Privateer Playtester's Guide says the ratio is something like 5 to 1. 
	In other words, kill a Merchant/Militia/Confed (even a Hunter I 
	believe) and you'll have to kill 5 or six Kilrathi/Pirates/Retro's to 
	make amends.  The Kilrathi Capital ship alone is worth 10 to 15 regular 
	enemies. 
 
Q.  How do I upgrade my ship? 
    A:  RTM!  The ship dealer is the place to go, but keep in mind, not all 
	bases have ship dealers (Pirate bases never have any)  
 
Q.  Can I play this game without following the plot? 
    A:  Absolutely.  That is what makes this game unique.  Although flying the 
	plot/story is the basic premise...you can venture out on your own and 
	do whatever you like.  You can even take a break from the "grind" of 
	the plot missions and do your own thing.  Just be sure you finish a 
	plot mission objective (the on-board computer will show dull red when 
	checking missions while flying) before branching off. 
 
Q.  What is the best ship to fly and how should I arm it? 
    A:  This really is entirely up to you.  A good thing to keep in mind.. you 
        get what you pay for.  Some guns have a better kill potential than 
        others but they take much more energy to fire.  Different types of 
	missiles are used for different fight tactics.  If you like to keep on 
	the enemies back then heat-seekers are for you.  I you like to run 
	right at them then either friend or foes (FF) or Photon torpedoes would 
	fit the bill.  If you like to dogfight and fly around a lot in tight 
	corners, then maybe the Image Recognition (IR) is for you.  Whatever 
	you choose to do is entirely up to you.  Some ships carry more cargo 
	space than others while some much faster than others.  My personal 
	favorite is the CENTURION with all IR's and Tacheyons in front and 
	back.  The Repair Driod is a must for any well equipped ship. 
 
Q.  Are there any add-on games for Privateer? 
    A.  Yes.  The only add-on (currently) is called Righteous Fire.  You fly 
	in the same Gemini Sector with better up-grade capabilities and a 
	different plot line.  Author's opinion...you liked Privateer?? get 
	Righteous Fire and get the feeling of immortality!! 
--->    (if you have the CD-ROM version, you already have the add-on....thanks 
	 for the info...Chae Hon An) 
****    See special note below ***** 
 
Q.  I have the green gun..... now what? 
    A:  The most asked question by a big margin.  You obtain the green gun 
	from the Derelic base in the Delta Prime System from another ship. 
	when you get the gun, a strange new ship appears (the green drone) as 
	is quite a formidable adversary.  The game does not show you what the 
	next move is.  Once you get the green gun, go back to Rygannon to get 
	your money.  Then proceed to any other mining base outside the Rygannon 
	system and at the bar you'll met an atache to Admiral Terrel named 
	Sandra Goodin.  She will get you back on the plot. 
 
Q.  I'm having problems with my controls, the joystick seems jumpy, can this 
    be fixed? 
    A.  Well, maybe.  If you are running the game on a 386 computer you will 
	experience jumpyness with a joystick.  On a 486 it is much smoother. 
	Apparently this is due to the requirement/recommendments situation 
	that is on the box.  I have flown the game on both and the difference 
	is dramatic.  I learned to fly on a 386, but when I flew the game on 
	a 486 it seemed almost unfair to me.  I found it extremely easy to 
	control the ship on the 486 since I learn on the lesser model.  The 
	game is really meant to be run on a 486.  If you choose you can 
	contact the support people at Origin Systems directly and discuss the 
	control problem with them.  They are very patient and friendly.  See 
	below for the phone number and e-mail address. 
 
Q.  I've killed the Green Drone.....now what?  Is that it? 
    a.  Not really, you can go on playing the game and exploring systems you've 
	not seen yet.  You can go off and hunt down some Kilrathi.  As far as 
	the plot goes.......yes you are done (unless you go buy the add-on 
	Righteous Fire).  You can start the game over using diferent ships to 
	see how they "feel".  You can accumulate more money by running more 
	missions (real good thing to consider if you're thinking about getting 
	the add-on game mentioned earlier).  The game is never "over"...there's 
	always another mission to be run.  I'm still trying to find that 
	elusive hollow astroid that the Kilrathi used for their surplus guns... 
	no luck yet though. 
 
******************************HINTS/CHEATS/STRATEGIES************************** 
SEC II 
 
Q.  Are there any cheats in this game? 
    A:  Hitting Alt-O will open a screen that allows you to test out the ships 
	capabilties without much fear of destruction.  Unlimited ammo, joystick 
	calibration, invulnerabilty (GOD MODE) are a few of the options that 
	are available.  Be careful when using this "cheat" though, if you are 
	either flying a mission (cargo or plot) and you go into this option 
	screen to save yourself, the mission is considered a failure and if you 
	are on a plot mission, you are basically screwed.  You'll need to go 
	back to a saved game (hopefully you remembered to save!) and start from 
	there.  Bounty missions are different, apparently they are unaffected 
	by this option (sometimes getting rid of a mission is good, you can  
	only "hold" three missions...not including plot missions).  You can 
	get into this mode at any time, even while flying! 
 
Q.  What is the best strategy for fighting in the astroids? 
    A.  Don't fight in the 'roids unless you have to!  It's a wise privateer 
	that tries to fight enemies on the outside of any astroid field.  One  
	technique that works well I call "throw out a rope".  When you first  
	enter an astroid field, and enemies are in the area, hit "n" on the 
	keyboard and give yourself a destination that leads out of the 'roid 
	field....then go back to the battle.  Try to communicate with the 
	enemies to draw them out of the 'roids for the fight.  If you find it 
	neccessary to fight in the 'roids then go ahead and enter the field. 
	Try to concentrate on one enemy at a time and use your missiles/photons 
	to keep others at bay.  If the battle is going bad, then just head for 
	the white crosshair....that's your route out of the field so repairs 
	can be made!  Remember these things, you can fly around 250 clicks 
	through the field maximum and still have time to manuever around the 
	incoming rocks.  Rotating your ship can be helpful too.  firing on the 
	'roids will eliminate them.   
********NEWS FLASH.....ASTROIDS ARE A PIECE OF CAKE! 
 
	This technique was presented to me by another dedicated Privateer 
	"fanatic" (I really wished I'd come up with this).  The technique 
	is simple but complex to explain.....sorta.  The trick is to fly 
	through the astroids as fast as you can while constantly moving 
	the joystick either up and down or side to side.  What the basic 
	idea here is is the astroids move entirely in relation to your 
	ship and constantly manuevering doesn't allow the field to reset 
	fast enough to pose any threat of collision.  It's as if the only 
	thing in the area that has gravitational pull is your ship.  If 
	this object is always moving.....then so are the 'roids!  I could   
	not believe it myself, but it really works.  Just put the finger 
	on the tab key (afterburner) and fly like the wind! 
***************************************************************************** 
**************************SPECIAL THANKS!!!!!******************************** 
       THIS GOES OUT TO MICHAEL W. JANISZEWSKI FOR THIS INFORMATION 
 
Q.  How do I kill the green drone? 
    A:  When you are givin the assignment from Admiral Terrel, if you haven't 
        figured it out yet, you are to be the bait for the green drone.  The 
	Confeds are going to ambush the drone in hopes of destroying it.  Fat 
	chance, their guns are impervious to it.  The only hope is your newly 
	charged up (by the Steltek you encounter on the way).  Once you get to 
	the ambush site, and after a short formal conversation with the Confeds 
	the green drone will appear.  The Privateer Playtesters guide suggests 
	the strategy here is to fire a few shot at the oncoming drone then turn 
	90 degreees to avoid its fire.  It says to stay on its rear and avoid 
	direct encounters.  It also says to avoid getting between the Confeds 
	(Commodore Reissmman and his buddies, a Paradigm and two Broadswords) 
	and the drone because they will shoot you down (friendly fire).  I  
	think the best strategy is to get away from the Confeds and take the  
	drone on by yourself.  It will follow you, always, so use it to your  
	advantage.  A centurion equiped with level 2 shields can take a few     
	hits from the drone.  If you have level three, even better.  Only use 
	the green gun( the other guns are useless and drain valuable energy). 
	Line up with the drone and fire until your finger bleeds.  Once you see 
        the drone's shields begins to drop, unload with missiles/photons and 
	you will destroy him.   
 
Q.  How do you get through the missions at Oxford? 
    A:  There are four missions to run at Oxford.  The first and the last are 
	the hardest.  The middle two are "relativily" easy.  This will discuss 
	the two hardest.  In the first mission you are to escort Toth to Oxford 
	and protect him from the Retro's.  There will be a total of five God of 
	Man Retro's to fight.  Two in the frist wave and three in the second. 
	Your priority is to kill the Retro(s) that are going after Toth.  In  
	the first wave...the second enemy you target is the one to kill first. 
	The first one you target is coming after you.  Ignore him for now.  A 
	good strategy I found is to RAM them.  Your ship (hopefully a Centurion 
	or even a Galaxy) weighs more than the Retro's Talans so an impact will 
	destroy them.. not you.  In the second wave, there are three Talons to 
	fight.  Once again, don't go after the first ship you can target.  It  
	is coming after you.  You want the other two killed first.  They are 
	going after Toth exclusively.  Ram them, fire missiles/photons, shoot 
	at them, whatever you need to do to keep them of Toth.  Even though he 
	is in a Merchant ship, he cannot take too much of a beating.  Don't be 
	too concerned about the Talon that is dogging you.  You are here to  
	protect Toth only.  One thing to keep in mind.  If you find that you 
	kill the last Talons just as the Merchant ships blows up....go ahead to 
	Oxford.  You'll be surprized.  I think because a Talon blows up faster  
	than a Merchant the mission is actually successful. 
 
	In the forth mission (another escort) you are to protect a Merchant  
	ship carrying a cargo of book to Oxford.  You will encounter five  
	Talons again.  Use missiles/photons to keep the Talons off the Merchant 
	again.  Ram them if you can, if you get close to Oxford and the  
	Merchant blows up...look for the cargo of books and tractor beam them 
	on board.  There again are two waves and the first ship you target on 
	is coming after you.  Get the ones that are going after the Merchant 
	first. 
         
	[I figured I'd better mention the third mission since I rated it pretty 
	high.  You run into lots of demons.  The best strategy is to try and 
	get off a few shots as they're coming at you.  The Playtester's Guide 
	warns about a frontal assualt....and I concure.  Those pesky Demons  
	have some nasty torpedos that can easily knock out even the best of  
	shields.  Try to pick them off from behind (turret) seems to work well 
	here.  Using missilies does a grand job also.  They whole idea is to 
	not try to concentrate too much on one.....go after one until you do 
	some real damage then go to the next one!  Ramming does help but don't 
	rely on it too much (these ships weigh more than Retro's and will do 
	much more damage).]  
 
Q.  Is the any money cheat for this game?                                  
    A:  Yes, it involves using a debug command to get into the program to make 
	changes.  This cheat was originally given to me by Toby Hauzeneder. 
	   Begin a new game and buy some stuff to get a certain amount of 
	   credits (e.g.:  1596 cr) (2000 is too usual) 
	   Now save the game and go into debug and transform the number into 
	   hexidecimal. (e.g.  1596 = 06 3c) 
	   Flip the hex number (e.g.:  06 3c = 3c 06) 
	   Search your savefile for this string (e.g.:  3c 06) and overwrite it 
	   but don't write more than (ff 7f).  Just write (ff 50) and it will 
	   be plenty 
	   The commands to use are: 
				   1.  debug privateer (debug sav.game)  
				   2.  D (to display the hexidecimals) 
				   3.  E (to edit) 
				   4.  W (to overwrite) 
				   5.  Q (to quit)  
=============================================================================== 
 
SEC. III  GAME ANALYSIS 
 
The following is a listing and my opinion of difficulty level of plot missions: 
 
On a scale from 1 to 10.... 1 being the easiest and 10 being the hardest. 
 
ERNESTO SANDOVAL  (1)  Get artifact as collateral 
TAYLA A           (2)  Cargo mission 
TAYLA B           (2 or 3)  Militia can be fiesty 
TAYLA C           (2 or 3)  Same as before 
TAYLA D           (3 or 4)  William Riordion can be thorn in the side. 
			    But you get secret compartment. :-) 
ROMAN LYNCH A     (2)  Seelig is by himself....puppy chow! 
ROMAN LYNCH B     (3)  Tougher primarily because of astroids.  Salman Kroiz 
                       and his goons can be pests. 
ROMAN LYNCH C     (2)  Afterburners...afterburners I say! 
ROMAN LYNCH D     (2 or 3)  Don't be a sitting duck... move around. 
E. MASTERSON A    (8 or 9)  Real tough mission.  Dogfighting skills really 
			    tested.  Shoot quick....live hard. 
E. MASTERSON B    (4 or 5)  Kill Black Rhombus fast.  Ram the talons 
E. MASTERSON C    (8)  Tough mission because of the Demons 
E. MASTERSON D *  (10+) Escort mission.  Talons all over the place. 
LYNN MURPHY A     (5 or 6)  TEN Demons? 
LYNN MURPHY B     (7)  3 Demons and 4 Centurions...geez!   
LYNN MURPHY C     (1)  Land...not neccessary to fight. 
MONKHOUSE A       (3)  Avoid astroids and mission is easy. 
TARYN CROSS A     (4)  12 Talons in all.   
TARYN CROSS B     (1)  Garrovick is easy to kill. 
TARYN CROSS C   * (7)  A silver tongue is essential. 
TARYN CROSS D     (4)  See previous.  Invulnerability can be used to get back   
		       to base... remember to get out of it before you land. 
SANDRA GOODIN A   (1)  Land at mining base outside Rygannon and you're on your 
		       way.  Use invuln. to get where you're going. 
ADMIRAL TERREL    (9 or 10)  Kill the green drone.  Use all your dogfighting  
			     skills here and you'll be successful. 
 
* had a change of heart, due to popular demand, this mission is ranked higher 
  than orginally posted.  The silver tongue refered to getting to the system 
  without much damage, you'll need all your power to fight the cats! 
 
* After careful consideration and deliberation.....I am convinced that the 
  4th mission at Oxford is by far the toughest mission in the game.  (this 
  is entirely a selfish opinion, due to the most recent run through the plot 
  that took 14 1/2 hours to finish....2 1/2 hours spent entirely on this 
  one bastard of a mission).....If you make it through this mission, call 
  the family, take a picture, let someone know....you have "graduated" to 
  become a lean, mean, fighting Privateer! 
 
=============================================================================== 
 
Any additional questions/comments are welcomed and encouraged. 
 
Origin Systems = e-mail:  76004.2612@compuserve.com 
			  OSI@aol.com 
			  Origin_CS@aol.com 
			  origin@world.std.com 
                 PHONE #  (512) 335-0440 
                 FAX   #  (512) 335-8559  (24 hrs a day)  
		 BBS   #  (512) 331-4446  (24 hrs a day) 
 
 
One last additional note:  If you like this game, please consider voting for 
it in the internet top 100....send e-mail to jojo@hacktic.nl with the word 
"vote" in your subject line.  This game has been hanging in the top 20 for 
quite some time. 
 
** SPECIAL NOTE:  I'm currently working on expanding this FAQ to include the 
add-on game RIGHTEOUS FIRE.  I don't get as much time to play that game as  
I'd like so any input is greatly appreciated!  I'll give full credit to any 
informative input.  A chance to see your name in lights, how can you pass that 
up?   
***.........................UPDATE!.....................****** 
 
Yes.....I am still working on the FAQ for Righteous Fire....I plan to, if 
not promise to have it done right after the Presidents day weekend....I have 
run through the game 6 times and just want to be sure I leave nothing out. 
If only you could all see the notes I have stacked up on the terminal about 
this game. :-).  Oh and BTW, there is a rumor Origin is working on a new 
game......PRIVATEER ][ (yes, that means two).  I am not about to jam the 
foot deep into the mouth, or dangle a carrot out there and give any kind of 
estimated release date.....I will say one thing, I have spoken with numerous 
people at Origin and the game will be a reality soon.  They are working on  
it.  I for one can not wait!!!!! 
 
Life is a journey, not a destination..Aerosmith|   "Taste Righteous Fire!!" 
Definition of enough money? Just a little more!| ddm1196@dcsc.dla.mil   Rob 
  Eagerly awaiting the new game coming out     | aka = "The Stinger"  OWNER of 
  (drum roll please) Privateer II (YYEEEESSSS!)| PRIVATEER FAQ stardate 0210.95  
 
 
 
