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FireStrike
Quick Guide
(Beta Version
1.4) DOS version only
Developed by
Dean A.E. Beedell
This is the help file
for the DOS version of the software only - the Windows version has not yet been
released.
(This document is part 1 of 3 large documents and may
take a while to load)
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements:
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The following software has been used in the
production of FireStrike, so I'd like to give credit to those who software has been used
adapted or incorporated.
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Microsoft Quick Basic 4.5 by Bill Gates... (this
product gave me nightmares)
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MicroSoft Visual Basic for DOS also by Bill.
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MSWindow routines by Eric Harms.
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Mouse routines by... forgotten - but I'll find
out.
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Installation:
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Download all the ZIP files and the PKUNZIP
executable
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Put them in the same directory
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Unzip INSTALL.ZIP
(PKUNZIP install.zip)
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Type INSTALL
General Requirements:
You will need at least 15 mb to install, 7.5mb to store the pre-installation ZIP files,
and another 7.5 mb after the installation. Keep another 1mb free for saved data files
&c.
A DOS mouse driver must be enabled for the mouse to work.
CONFIG.SYS should include the following line,
FILES = 15
Runtime:
Minimum memory requirement is 512K
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Quick Guide
to the Top Menu
1.0 Top Menu
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Type FIRE at the DOS prompt to start
FireStrike.
This will present you with the following screen. From here you enter Firestrike
at the top level menu.
Example: The top level menu
consists of two options: QuarterMaster
or Scenario Editor.
Example: The first step is to design your armies using the
QuarterMaster.
Choose option 1.
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Quick Guide
to the Quartermaster
1.0 QuarterMaster
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QuarterMaster is the Module that enables
you to create your armies and save them for later battle.
Example: This is the QuarterMaster sign-on screen.
From here you will enter the QuarterMaster menu.
Example: At the QuarterMaster main menu
choose option [1].
(This will give you the QuarterMaster "Creation of Armies" screen.)
Example: "Creation of Armies" screen.
You can create up to 50 units in each army. Each unit
can contain up to 21 vehicles, and three different types of vehicle. Remember
to create HQ units (+) or your army will be be uncommanded. Do not
create more than 20 HQ units.
General commands:
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[i] |
Initialise and clear
the army from the grid |
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+ |
to make the currently
selected unit into an HQ unit.
Rule: Create no more than 20 HQ units. |
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[h] |
[h]elp for the
"Creation of Armies" screen. |
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[s] |
[s]elects the
inventory menu for browsing only. |
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[x] |
To e[x]it to
the previous screen. |
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[q]
|
Allows you to
[q]uit altogether (you will lose current edits). |
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[a] |
Allows selection of
[a]ny unit in this army from numbers 1 to 50. |
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[n] |
Selects [n]ext
unit to view. |
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[b] |
Moves [b]ack
one unit selecting last unit to view |
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[t] |
Gives you [t]otal
points value of this army |
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[d] |
[d]uplicate
the previous unit charcteristics |
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[c] |
[c]lear
this unit altogether |
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[e] |
[e]rase
a unit characteristic (1-8) |
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[u] |
To [u]se or
recall a previously save army file. |
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[w] |
To [w]rite the
current army to a saved file. |
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[m] |
[m]erge
an army file together starting from a specified unit number |
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[r] |
[r]emove
an army file from the file list |
Example: [u]sing a previously saved army file.
Modification commands:
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[1] |
Modify the unit name. |
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[2] |
Change the unit type,
ie. armoured, softskin etc. |
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[3]
|
Nationality of the
unit - this affects the inventory you are able to select from. Choose US in order to equip
your unit with US materiel |
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[4] |
Affect the unit's
morale. |
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[5] |
Increase or decrease
the unit's experience level. |
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[6]
|
Increase or decrease
the unit's efficiency |
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[$] |
will randomly select
levels for morale and for experience |
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[7] |
Select first category
of vehicle or unit from the particular inventory |
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[8]
|
Ditto for second unit. |
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[9] |
Ditto for third unit. |
Note: The dialogue box gives you prompts and
advice on how to respond to questions. The right and left cursor keys will perform the
function of the [b] and [n] commands.
TIP: On the
FireStrike battlefield you must be able to differentiate between one unit and another.
This is only necessary on a crowded battlefield when you have 30-50 units with
up to 21 vehicles in each unit. If you think you can identify your units in
the heat of battle then ignore this advice, but I have found it useful to do
the following.
To
aid you in identification it is wise to mark your units according to standard military practice and
give your tabletop miniatures markings such as those listed below.
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A Troop
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B
Troop |
C
Troop |
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A Coy/ Squadron |
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B Coy/ Squadron |
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C Coy/ Squadron |
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D Coy/ Squadron |
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Coy / Squadron HQ |
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Alternatively,
use a dymo-tape machine to create unit labels and stick them to blocks. Place
these alongside the unit to denote the identity of each unit.
1.1 The
Inventory
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The inventory module allows you to browse
through the inventory of hardware available, according to the nationality of the army you
select. It is available from the QuarterMaster main menu as option [2].
General Commands:
|
[h] |
[h]elp for the
"Inventory" screen |
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[x] |
To e[x]it to
the previous screen. |
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[q] |
Allows you to [q]uit
altogether (you will lose current edits). |
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[t] |
Select [t]anks
or armoured vehicles |
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[i] |
Select the [i]nfantry
inventory |
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[g] |
Select anti-tank and
artillery pieces ([g]uns) |
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[s] |
Select [s]oftskin
inventory |
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[p] |
Select aircraft
inventory ([p]lanes) |
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[a] |
Select the [a]ck
ack inventory |
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[1] |
Selects British units
for viewing |
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[2] |
Selects German units
for viewing |
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[3] |
Selects American units
for viewing |
The inventory is available either from the
QuarterMaster main menu, or as a sub-option from the "Creation of Armies"
screen. If selected here it takes you directly into the inventory.
Example: Use the up and down cursor keys to move the
pointers
to chosen vehicle/ unit/ weapon.
Inventory Commands:
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[a] |
[a]ccept the
chosen vehicle at the cursor position |
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[n]
|
To choose the [n]ext
page of data |
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[b] |
Move [b]ack a
page to view previous pages. |
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[e] |
[e]xpand the
data available on the chosen vehicle, pages 1-3 |
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[r] |
[r]educe the
screen to the normal inventory display. |
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[p] |
[p]rint
the current list displayed 1 page at a time. |
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[i] |
Show the GIF [i]mage
for the selected vehicle |
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[h] |
[h]elp for the
Inventory screen |
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[x] |
To e[x]it to
the previous screen |
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[q] |
Allows you to [q]uit
altogether (you will lose current edits) |
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[a] |
[a]ccept
the unit at the cursor (only available from creation of armies) |
Example: Pressing the
[e]xpand key gives the first
expand screen as shown above,
giving a general description and armour thicknesses.
Example: Pressing the [e]xpand key again gives the
second expand screen as shown above,
giving ammo stowage and other information.
Example: Pressing the [e]xpand key gives the third
expand screen as shown above,
giving weapon and ammunition characteristics.
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