Appendix

Laser Squad Weapon Chart

* Explosive impact

Note: Distance of throw = strength of unit divided by objects weight.

Weapon Notes

M4000 auto-gun: High rate of fire for close to medium distances.

Marsec auto-gun: High powered auto-gun. A bit more accurate than M4000.

L50 las-gun: Low powered with large ammo pack.

Heavy laser: Medium power - high rate of fire - very large ammo pack.

MK-1: Best all round auto weapon.

MS auto cannon: Most powerful auto weapon with explosive impact. Warning - Use only in wide open spaces.

M50 auto pistol: Light and cheap auto weapon for close range.

Sniper rifle: Inexpensive, accurate weapon for any range.

L80 las-gun: The most accurate weapon for any range.

Pump Shot Gun: Powerful weapon for close encounters.

Marsec Pistol: Light and cheap close up weapon.

Rocket Launcher: Very powerful explosive impact weapon. Use only in wide open spaces. May even destroy walls!

Explosive: Good for getting friends out of prison.

AP50 grenade: Moderately powerful grenade that can be thrown long distances.

AP75 grenade: Powerful grenade for up to medium distances.

Dagger: Cheap close combat weapon. Most effective when used on enemy unit from behind.

Light Sabre: Powerful close combat weapon.

Laser Squad Tips

1. Select the equipment that best suits the mission. For example: You'll need at least 3 explosives to get the prisoners out of prison in the "Rescue from the mines" scenario, and you might want to have a couple of light sabres in "Paradise valley" to save on ammo when hacking through the undergrowth.
2. Don't go through a door if your movement points are almost used up. Wait for the next turn when you have full movement points.
3. If possible - ambush the enemy by waiting for them to come to you. You will have full movement points to use during opportunity fire.
4. Use your units as a team. One unit might open a door while another moves inside, while still another stands ready to fire.
5. Never use up more than half of your movement points unless you really need to. Your unit will not have opportunity fire and be at the mercy of any enemy unit that moves into line-of-sight.
6. Explosive weapons are usefull for taking out multiple targets but they are also good to use against enemy units that are around a corner or just behind a door.
7. Sometimes it's good to use one of your less effective units as a scout by keeping them outside a building and looking thorough the windows to spot enemy units for the rest of the squad inside. "Moonbase Assault" comes to mind as the windows are bullet-proof.
8. Generally - Use aim shot for long distances, snap shot for medium and auto for close range. These are not hard and fast rules and can and should be broken depending on the situation, unit's shooting skill, etc.
9. If you notice that the computer controled units are not moving very much, be cautious when going through doors and around corners - they could be waiting to ambush you. Here's where the grenades come in handy.
10. Some objects such as chairs and plants can provide limited cover.
11. Don't bunch up your units when you know the enemy has an auto-cannon i.e.- "Cyber Hordes".

See also Another Laser Squad Tips from www.the-tipshop.co.uk.

So, You're A Laser Squad Elite Player…

Try these ideas against the computer:

1. Limited Weapons. Play the hardest level of any game but don't spend all your credits. See how little you can spend and still win. Keep track of how much you have left over and see if you can spend even less the next time.
2. Take from the dead. Play a scenario where you can take weapons from the dead enemies (Moonbase, Rescue). Give each man ONLY a dagger to start. NO armour. Good luck! (If this is too tough, go ahead, put on some armour).
3. A hunting we will go. Play the scenario "Paradise Valley", but don't bother to complete your mission, instead, see how many aliens you can eliminate, and see if you can better your previous number.
4. Less is more. Play any scenario with less men. Outfit the men you are going to use any way you like. The ones you aren't going to use will not need any armour and give them each a grenade. Place the men you are not going to use together and away from the rest. Prime their grenades and next turn you will have less men ;) See how few men you need and still complete your mission.
5. Rambo. Similar to above, but you will only use one of your best men. Outfit him with the best armour and weapons. Give him at least a couple of grenades to give him a fighting chance. "Moonbase Assault" is a good scenario for this idea.

Game History

Title: Laser Squad

Release date: 1988

Publisher: Target Games/Blade Software

Designed and programmed by: Julian Gollop (Mythos Games)

Additional artwork and scenario design: Ian Terry

Additional programming: Ian Tory, Nick Gollop

Conversions: Krisalis

Format: Sinclair Spectrum, Amtrad CPC, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga; IBM PC (1992)

Sequels/Prequels: Laser Squad is one in a long line of similar, and all excellent, strategy games by Julian Gollop. These include Rebelstar Raiders (1984), Rebelstar (1986), and Rebelstar II: Alien Encounter (1988). On the Amiga and PC, there is also X-Com and it's sequel, Terror of the Deep, which are again very similar games.

Go here for more free games (you'll need a Sinclair Spectrum emulator to play them on a PC): http://www.mythosgames.com