===========
Combat Lynx
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Document created by [email protected] on 14th August 2000 for
World of Spectrum: http://www.void.jump.org


Combat Lynx Air to Ground Battle Simulation
-------------------------------------------
Pure machine code
Technical support from Westland Helicopters
Durell Software, Castle Lodge, Castle Green, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AB.
DURELL software Ltd 1985
This computer game is sold subject to the condition that is is for home
use only. All other rights reserved.
Illustration & Design by Tim Hayward

Combat Lynx
-----------
Compatible with KEMPSTON, INTERFACE 2, PROTEK and DOWNSWAY joystick
interfaces. May not run on some Spectrums with the Interface 1 attached.

Generally
---------
This is probably the most comprehensive 'real-time' battle simulation program
ever written for a home computer. It can be played on a simple level as a
'shoot-them-up' game, or a more stealthy player can make use of the
intelligence map to locate and destroy selected targets. The most skilled
players will be able to protect their bases with mines, support forward bases
under attack with air cover and fresh troops, and also intercept and destroy
enemy vehicles (land and air) while in flight between bases. A game could
last five seconds or five hours depending on the dexterity and tactical skill
of the player.

The Controls
------------
In these instructions words or numbers in angle brackets, such as <LOAD> or
<6>, are keys on your Spectrum. The function of these keys is shown in
capitals, for example the <6> or DOWN key. Here is a list of the standard
key settings:

IN FLIGHT
<3>....................................................................SLOWER
<4>....................................................................FASTER
<5>......................................................................LEFT
<6>......................................................................DOWN
<7>........................................................................UP
<8>.....................................................................RIGHT

INTELLIGENCE MAP
<M>.......................................................ENABLE MAP (ON/OFF)
<5>......................................................................WEST
<6>.....................................................................SOUTH
<7>.....................................................................NORTH
<8>......................................................................EAST
<0> + < >............................................MOVE IN DIRECTION FASTER

ARMING WEAPONS SYSTEMS
<6>..........when you land at a base.....................ENTER ARMING SCREENS
<SPACE>...................................................EXIT ARMING SCREENS
<+>........................................................INCREASE ARMS LOAD
<->........................................................DECREASE ARMS LOAD
<ENTER>............................................MOVE TO NEXT ARMING SCREEN

FIRING WEAPONS SYSTEMS
<2>..........SELECT WEAPON...........................................ARM LEFT
<9>..........SELECT WEAPON..........................................ARM RIGHT
<ENTER>................................................WEAPON SIGHTS (ON/OFF)
<0>...............................................................FIRE WEAPON
<5>, <6>, <7>, <8>........................WEAPON SIGHTS LEFT, DOWN, UP, RIGHT

MICRO-SCREEN MESSAGES
<1>..........when micro-screen screen flashes...................START MESSAGE
<1>..........held down during message...................MESSAGE COMES QUICKLY
<CAPS SHIFT> + <Q>, <W>, <E>........................POSITION OF BASES 1, 2, 3
<CAPS SHIFT> + <R>, <T> or <P>......................POSITION OF BASES 4, 5, 0
<SYMBOL SHIFT> + <Q>, <W>, <E>.....................PERSONNEL AT BASES 1, 2, 3
<SYMBOL SHIFT> + <R>, <T> or <P>...................PERSONNEL AT BASES 4, 5, 0

GENERAL GAME CONTROLS
<S> during play................................................SOUND (ON/OFF)
<H> during play............................................HALT PLAY (ON/OFF)
<K> before selecting skill...................KEYS TO OWN CHOICE or JOYSTICK/S
<D> before selecting skill........................SAVE KEY DEFINITION ON TAPE
<S> before selecting skill...........................SAVE SCORE TABLE ON TAPE
<L> before selecting skill.......................LOAD SCORE OR KEYS FROM TAPE
<1> to <4>....at start of game.....................SKILL LEVEL (4 is hardest)

Loading
-------
If you wish to use a joystick (or two joysticks) make sure the joystick
interface is connected to your Spectrum before switching on. Place the
cassette in the tape recorder, and rewind it to the beginning of the tape.
Set the cassette recorder to maximum treble if it has a tone control, and
half volume. Check that the ends of the same wire of the Spectrum's cassette
cable are connected to the EAR sockets on the Spectrum and the tape recorder.
Press the keyword <LOAD> on the Spectrum, followed by two pairs of inverted
commas <"> (press <SYMBOL SHIFT> and <P> at the same time to get one pair
of inverted commas) and then press the <ENTER> key. Next press the <PLAY>
key on the tape recorder, and then wait for about five minutes while the game
loads.

Starting Play
-------------
After loading you can start play by pressing <1> to <4> to set the skill
level (4 is the most difficult), or if you wish to reset the controls to
the keys (or joystick/s) of your own choice proceed as follows:

To reset the keys to your own choice:
Press <K> before selecting the skill level. A list of controls will then
appear on the screen one at a time (eg: UP) under headings (eg: LYNX
CONTROL). After each one tap the key that you wish to use for that control.
Note that some keys should be used for the same control (eg: <5>=LEFT and
WEST and SIGHT LEFT). The last three prompts that you will be given are BASE
MANNING. BASE POSITION, and BASE NUMBER. For BASE MANNING the normal key is
<SYMBOL SHIFT>, for BASE POSITION the normal key is <CAPS SHIFT> and for
BASE NUMBER the normal setting is ANY of the keys in the row starting
QWERTY. For example if instead of this row you choose to press any key in
the row starting ASDFG in response to the BASE NUMBER prompt, then <CAPS
SHIFT> + <A> will give the position of base 1, and <SYMBOL SHIFT> + <ENTER>
will give you the manning at BASE 0. If you make a mistake while redefining
the keys you can press <K> at the end of it all and start again. You can
save your new keyboard definition onto a blank tape by pressing <D> while
the high score table is on your screen, and reload it at a later date by
pressing <L>. You can save the high score table onto a blank tape by
pressing <S>.

For PROTEK, INTERFACE 2, DOWNSWAY joystick interfaces:
If you are only using a single joystick this will automatically be set to
read the direction keys and the FIRE key (ie: keys 5, 6, 7, 8 and 0) so there
is no need to redefine the keys. If you are using two joysticks then follow
the procedure for reading the keyboard (above) except that you should tap
the joystick instead of the keyboard for those controls you wish to use a
joystick. We recommend you set your first joystick to UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT
and FIRE, and the second joystick to FASTER, SLOWER, ARM LEFT, MAP on/off,
and SIGHTS on/off.

For KEMPSTON joystick interfaces:
Stop the tape IMMEDIATELY the game had loaded (ie: when the lynx's rotor
blades start moving). Then when you will see the high score table before
selecting the skill level you should press <L> to load in the joystick
controls from the tape recorder. As soon as this is loaded you should again
stop the tape IMMEDIATELY you see the high score table reappear. The
keyboard controls will be as normal except that you can now use your joystick
in place of:

LYNX..............................................LEFT, RIGHT, FASTER, SLOWER
MAP..................................................WEST, EAST, NORTH, SOUTH
WEAPONS.................................................LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN
FIRE BUTTON..................................FIRE WEAPON and FAST SCAN ON MAP

If you don't like this definition press <L> again to load the next definition
from your tape recorder, which differs from the first definition in so
much as FASTER and SLOWER become LYNX UP and LYNX DOWN.

Your Mission
------------
Depending on the skill level that you have selected you will have from three
to six bases which you must support with troops and air cover. Base 0 has
an endless supply of fuel and weapons, and the ability to instantly
revitalise injured troops brought back from other bases. All the bases start
with 30 able bodied soldiers. Allied land vehicles move around the
battlefield independently of your control. You provide the only allied air
support. Enemy land vehicles will slowly converge on your bases unless
stopped by the allied land vehicles (these independent battles can
ocasionally be seen on the intelligence map or flight screen), by mines that
you have dropped, or by the other weapons of your COMBAT LYNX helicopter.
You may attack any aircraft that you see, and all land vehicles that do not
appear with circles around them on the intelligence map (the circles show
that they are allied). Your bases may get instantly wiped out in direct
attacks by enemy tanks, or just suffer a number of casualties as the result
of passing or minor attacks. If not stopped, eventually the enemy forces will
all move to attack base 0, after which you will almost certainly lose the
battle. You are allowed three 'lives' before the game is reset with a
completely new battlefield.

Arming The Helicopter
---------------------
Each time you land at a base you will immediately be presented with a set
of screens that will allow you to select weapons and troops to be carried on
your next sortie. At the start of the game the helicopter is hovering just
above Base 0, so to move into the arming screens you must lightly tap the <6>
or DOWN key to make your first 'landing'. When landing watch your height
gauge carefully and land very gently.

The first arming screen allows you to load up with ABLE BODIED PERSONNEL
(armed soldiers). Each time you press the <+> key (you don't need to press
<SYMBOL SHIFT> with the <+> key) another soldier will be included in your
load. You will see the total weight increase with each soldier until you
reach the maximum load that you can carry. If you wish to reduce your load
press the <-> key. Each press of the <-> key will reduce the load by one
soldier. When you are satisfied with your load press the <ENTER> key and you
will move on to the next arming screen, which will be for INJURED PERSONNEL.
There won't be any injured soldiers at the start of the game (or at Base 0
at any other time) so just press the <ENTER> key again to move on to the
next arming screen, which will for STRAFING ROCKETS. Like the CANNON and
MACHINE GUN PODS these rockets have no guidance systems, and will just fire
in the direction that the helicopter is pointing. Also they will be less
effective against tanks, and should only be selected for use against lorries
and gun emplacements. Note that as you increase your load of weapons you
will (automatically) be able to carry less fuel, and may be unable to reach
the other bases. Of course you can always return to Base 0 to reload and
refuel, but remember to watch your fuel gauge. Base 0 is the only one at
the start of the game with fuel supplies. Provided you have first carried
some weapon loads to the other bases, you will then be able to deposit fuel
at those bases by re-loading with the weapons there to such an extent that
some of your fuel is automatically discarded. Generally though, you should
consider Base 0 as your helicopter support base, and the other bases as
forward troop positions. On the next arming screen the HOT missiles are
wire-guided anti-tank weapons, which can be armed independently of the
direction of the helicopter. After that there are heat-seeking ANTI-AIRCRAFT
missiles, which will hit most aircraft in front of the LYNX without the
need for aiming. Finally there are MINES which are carried in a container
below the helicopter, which may be usefully deployed around your bases to
prevent them being destroyed by enemy tanks. Be careful not to drop mines on
your own bases! To get out of the arming screens press the <SPACE> key.
Please note that in this game you are allowed to carry more weapons than
would be possible in reality.

The Intelligence Map
--------------------
At any time you can inspect the intelligence map by pressing the <M> key.
A second press of the <M> key will return you to the normal flight screen.
The map shows the battlefield in relief, ie: the low ground is in white
squares, high ground is in gren squares, with the rest in yellow. Vehicles
and bases are shown on the map by black symbols. To move around the map
use <5>, <6>, <7> and <8> cursor keys. If you hold down the <0> FIRE WEAPON
key at the same time as the cursor key you will be able to scan the map
more quickly. Allied vehicles are represented by symbols in circles so try
to avoid blowing them up! The following symbols are used:

CAPITAL 'T'..............................................................Tank
CAPITAL 'H'..............................................................Base
CAPITAL 'H' ON ITS SIDE.................................................Lorry
CAPITAL 'Y' UPSIDE DOWN.......................................Gun emplacement
CAPITAL 'X'.........................................................Your LYNX
FLASHING BLACK SQUARE..............................................Mined area
CIRCLES AROUND SYMBOLS........................................Allied vehicles

The co-ordinate position of any point on the intelligence map may be taken
from the North co-ordinates at the side of the map, and the East co-ordinates
above or below the map. As soon as you turn off the map it is reset to your
LYNX'S current position. You will be able to note your own co-ordinate
position and be able to change your direction to make contact with a vehicle
that you have seen on the map. Unfortunately the intelligence map is only as
good as the latest information - you may search in vain for a vehicle that
has recently moved away from its last reported position on the map. Generally
though, the map is very useful, especially for landing, when you will be
able to see your LYNX move into position directly above the base, as you
come in to land very slowly, then hover over the base before descending.
Note that you cannot control the LYNX while looking at the map.

The Message Micro-Screen & Base Reports
---------------------------------------
Just below the height gauge on the normal flight screen there is a green
micro-screen with a capital M on it, which will flash when a message has
been sent to you. To read the message press the <1> key. To make the message
appear more quickly keep on pressing the <1> key. You can also use the
micro-screen to find the co-ordinate positions of the other bases, along with
information about how many troops are injured at those bases. For the
co-ordinate positions press <CAPS SHIFT> plus the letter key that is below
the number key which has the same number as the base, ie: the <Q> key is
below key <1>, so for the co-ordinates of Base 1 press <CAPS SHIFT> and <Q>.
For base 2 press <CAPS SHIFT> and key <W>. To find the number of injured
and uninhured soldiers at the base press the <SYMBOL SHIFT> key instead of
the <CAPS SHIFT>. Note that if you hold down key <1> the reports will speed
up. If you can manage to return injured personnel to base 0 they are
instantly restored to full active service and may then be re-deployed. When
any of your bases are attacked the number ofinjured personnel there
increases. A base that has no able-bodied personnel left which gets even
lightly attacked will be wiped out.

Flight Controls
---------------
Your helicopter is seen from behind. You can see it fly straight (forwards
or backwards) and at an angle of up to 45 degrees to the right or left of
the four points of the compass (N, S, E, W). As this angle increases beyond
45 degrees the 'direction of view' will flick from one point of the compass
to the next, eg: from North to West. This may appear confusing at first,
especially as the helicopter will be seen from the right when the North is
the 'direction of view' and then be seen from the left as you flick through
to West as the new 'direction of view'. To keep track of your flight path
watch the compass and your flight co-ordinates next to the compass. At the
bottom left of your normal flight screen you will see three gauges marked
'TEMP' for engine temperature (nb: twin engines), 'SPEED' for speed (nb:
forwards and backwards). and 'FUEL' for fuel. Be careful not to overheat
your engines, or run out of fuel. When landing you must use the intelligence
map to check that you are directly above a base, the speed gauge to check
that you are hovering or moving very very slowly, and the height gauge to
check that you are coming down gently.

Firing Weapons
--------------
This is a two or three stage process. First you must select the weapon system
that you wish to fire by pressing the <2> or the <9> key. As you press these
keys a small WEAPONS SELECT cursor will move right for <9> or left for <2>
across the top of the six 'weapons status' gauges at the bottom centre of
the normal flight screen. These gauges are marked as follows:

R............Rocket, multiple strafing type..........................unguided
G............Gun pods, machine-gun type..............................unguided
C............Cannon, 20mm Oelikeron..................................unguided
T............Tank attack, H, O, T, missiles.......................wire guided
A............Air attack, Sidewinder missiles.....................heat-seeking
M............Mines, underslung for air release........................dropped

You can only fire one weapon system at a time. The active system is the one
with the WEAPONS SELECT cursor just above it. If you select mines or heat-
seeking missiles you can release them simply by pressing the <0> FIRE key.
The heat-seeking missiles will be ineffective at long range, at a wide angle,
or against very fast jets. Dropped mines can be seen on the intelligence map,
and are effective against all enemy land vehicles. You can have a maximum of
sixty mined squares on the intelligence map at any one time. A mined square
will be affective against two enemy vehicles, afterwhich you will be sent a
message that the minefield has been breached and is no longer effective.
The unguided weapons fire in the same direction as the helicopter, and should
first be sighted by pressing the <ENTER> or WEAPONS SIGHT key (this is not
compulsary, but you will be unlikely to hit anything without the sights up).
A small black cross will then appear on the screen, to show where the
weapons are pointing. The sight can be turned off by a second press of the
<ENTER> key. These unguided weapons are less effective than the HOT missiles
against tanks, though they may destroy a tank if you are lucky. Of the
unguided weapon systems the most effective is the STRAFING ROCKETS followed
by the CANNON, and the leat effective is the MACHINE GUN POD. To successfully
target them you will have to change height and the angle of your flight
path. The HOT anti-tank missiles can also be fired without the sights up,
but are likely to be a complete waste of time unless yo have first pressed
the <ENTER> key to get the SIGHTS ON. Once the sight has been switched on it
can be guided by the <5> <6> <7> <8> cursor keys independently of the
LYNX. Remember to press the <ENTER> key after firing to turn the sight off
again, and restore normal flight control. Also remember that the enemy will
be firing back at you, so don't hang around!

Skill Levels
------------
The skill level affects the number of bases that you have to support (from
three bases at level 1 to six bases at level 4), the total number of enemy
vehicles (which are in proportion with the number of bases), the rate at
which your fuel is used up, and the accuracy of the enemy missiles. At level
1 you will be able to fly high at all times without much fear of being hit
by enemy missiles, though unfortunately there will always be a small chance
of being hit. As the skill level increases you will have to fly progressively
lower, as the enemy missiles will prove deadly at high altitude.

Score
-----
Jet Plane.................................................................500
Helicopter................................................................400
Tank......................................................................300
Lorry.....................................................................250
Gun emplacement...........................................................350

You will also recieve an efficiency rating on the score table which takes
account of the number of bases destroyed, troops lost, allied vehicles lost,
ammunition used, and the number of targets hit.

Note
----
In this version of COMBAT LYNX you will find that a limited supply of fuel
and weapons will be available to you at all the bases except base 0 which has
an unlimited supply. This is an additional feature and is not a bug.