Codename Eagle Multiplayer FAQ/Guide v1.2 (for CE v1.41)

By Foxy/SuperSheep (Note – One person) supersheepies@hotmail.com

30 August 2001

Introduction

 

" We know for sure, that there is such a thing as Time-warp.

We also know that time-warps create alternative timelines, or if you wish, eh... parallel worlds.

The latest in time-warp happened about the year 1900...

 

When the old Tsar died, his son Pietre inherited the whole mighty empire.

The young Tsar, ambitious and power-hungry, confiscated the steel industry, turning it into an incredibly effective war machine. The empire's scientists developed weapons of power and destructive force never seen before. So the war began. The Tsar led his forces himself, first invading his neighbours, and then in furious blitzkriegs his forces campaigned all over the world, creating mass destruction.

 

Even though hope was hard to find in this new age of ruthless tyranny, an alliance was formed by the free countries of the world.

 

But there was a long way to go, many battles to be fought, and great losses to face.

 

This was a time for heroes..."

 

Contents

 

1 Game Description and Features

2 Latest Information

3 E-mail Policy

4 Version History

5 Upgrading CE to the Right Version

6 Changes From v1.33 to v1.41

7 Bugs

8 Weapon, Object and Pickup Descriptions and Tactics

8.1 Weapons

8.1.1 Knife

8.1.2 Hand Gun (or Revolver)

8.1.3 Shotgun

8.1.4 Sniper Rifle

8.1.5 Machine-Gun

8.1.6 Grenades

8.1.7 Bomb and Detonator

8.1.8 Bazooka

8.1.9 Gas Gun

8.1.10 Flame-Thrower

8.2 Objects

8.2.1 Parachute

8.2.2 Tool Kit

8.2.2 Fuel Can

8.2.3 Vodka Bottle

8.2.4 Skis

8.2.5 Identification Card

8.3 Pick-ups

8.3.1 Ammo Clip

8.3.2 Ammo Box

8.3.3 Explosives Pack

8.3.4 Explosives Box

8.3.5 Grenade

8.3.6 Small Gas Tube

8.3.7 Large Gas Tube

8.3.8 Bandage (or Small Health)

8.3.9 Medical Kit (or Large Health)

8.3.10 Gas Mask

8.3.11 Flak Jacket (or Light Armour)

8.3.12 Breast Plating (or Heavy Armour)

10 Map Descriptions and Tactics

10.1 No Mans Land

10.2 Breakpoint

10.3 Fever Valley

10.4 Carrier War

10.5 The Airbase

10.6 The Palace

10.7 Fortress

11 Credits

 

1 Game Description and Features
It is 1917 and the powerful Tsar of Russia has been assassinated in his

palace. His son, Pietre, steps forth to take the helm of the vast

Russian Empire. Power-hungry and eager to display his might, the young

prince turns his nation into the ultimate war machine. With overwhelming

speed, Russia's forces storm through her neighbours and stand poised to

conquer the world.

 

After years of bloodshed and desperate to forestall total annihilation,

the remaining free nations of the world form an alliance aimed at

stopping the new Russian superpower...with you as its best hope for

success.

 

Welcome to the world of Codename Eagle(tm), a light-hearted romp through a

parallel universe where Russia is the reigning nation of the world. You

are Red, a member of the "Shadow Command", an elite commando unit

assigned to halt Pietre's treachery. Succeed and you will be the world's

saviour; fail, and the planet will plunge into the chaos of world war.

 

From high-flying dogfights in bi-planes to fighting packs of vicious

feral wolves, Codename Eagle(tm) is a fun-filled journey through an

alternate 1920's Russia. Take out corrupt Russian officials, slip your

getaway ship between the Tsar's battle cruisers, or crash your truck

through electrified fences to make your escape. And don't forget the

locals who are always ready to offer a helping hand...or a spare bottle

of vodka! Who says history has to be boring?

 

Special Features:

 

Stunning graphics and sound - dazzling 3D environment captures the

beauty of the Russian landscape.

 

Take command of a huge variety of trucks, motorcycles, and bi-planes.

 

Dominate your friends on LAN or the Internet in an amazing,

unparalleled multiplayer experience, with Deathmatch, Teamplay or

Capture The Flag game modes.

 

Play in either 1st or 3rd person view, or switch between them as needed.

 

Powerful 3D engine incorporates real-world physics including realistic

gravity, air resistance, friction, vehicle suspension, and weapon

recoil.

 

Select from a wide array of tools and weapons like bolt cutters and

mini-guns.

 

Light-hearted "Alternate History" that will keep you playing for hours.

 

2 Latest Information

This version is a little rushed, as I wanted to get it out quickly. I hope you enjoy the new maps section, and I hope the pictures didn’t take too long to download. I compressed the pics as much as I could without visual quality suffering too much. The priority for the next version is full vehicle documentation, which is a massive task that I need your help to complete (Check the post ‘ The Fox needs YOU!’ in the main Codename Eagle section of the CE Community forum http://pub30.ezboard.com/bceandbfcommunity).

Until you next read my text, (hahaha)

 

G’bye!

 

--Sneak sneak sneak—Foxy/SuperSheep

 

Proud member of Shmas HMA (Heavy Metal Army) Clan.

 

3 E-mail Policy

If you want to, you can E-mail me with extra info or corrections for this guide, which would be much appreciated. You would be credited in the credits section. Questions about CE (Codename Eagle) are also welcome. Before asking me questions, please read this guide in full and check out www.cenation.net and www.ce-bf.com , to see if any of these can answer your question. If not, E-mail me and I will try to answer your questions. If the answer is contained in this guide or those sites, your question will be ignored.

 

My E-mail address: supersheepies@hotmail.com  .

 

4 Version History

Those versions with ‘released’ after them were released to the public.

1.0  -  First version.

1.1     -  Added Game description & features, credits and patch info. (Released)

1.2     -  Added ‘Map Descriptions and Tactics’ section, fixed some errors in item documentation, added the reason for the No Mans teleport, added ‘Upgrading CE to the right version’. (Released)

 

5 Upgrading CE to the Right Version

CE isn’t like other games in that patching it up isn’t totally easy. With the release of V1.41, you have to be careful how you do it to avoid having to re-install CE and try again. This is the correct way to do it.

 

First of all, you will need 2 patches, the one for CE V1.33, and for CE V1.41. The V1.41 patch can be downloaded here: http://www.codenameeagle.com , and the V1.33 patch can be located here. Ignore the documentation in the V1.41 patch stating that it includes V1.33, it does but it often does not work if you do not put V1.33 on first. Once both patches are downloaded, run the V1.33 patch, which conveniently has a setup program. Next extract the contents of the zip which contains the V1.41 patch to a temporary folder. Select the files you unzipped, and copy them to your V1.33 CE directory (usually C:/Program Files/Take2/Ce). When Windows asks you if you want to overwrite the existing files, click ‘Yes To All’. When that is finished V1.41 should be installed.

 

If you want to join a game online running a lower version, check out the CE Version Switcher, which lets you switch between the different versions of CE. You can find it here: www.ce-bf.com

 

 If you have any problems please post a message here: http://pub30.ezboard.com/fceandbfcommunityfrm36 .

 

(Note – Apparently the V1.41 patch can be successfully applied  to the V1.33 multiplayer demo as well…)

 

6 Changes From v1.33 to v1.41
Changes in v1.41

 

New Features

 

* 30 players in multiplayer!

This should allow for some truly crowded battlefields (this feature is

only accessible through the dedicated server).

 

* Battle chopper

A brand new vehicle! This beauty takes a belly gunner and a driver who

can fire death dealing rockets. A must see.

 

* Two people on the motorbike!

This feature adds a whole new dimension to the game. A driver and a

blazing guns passenger.

 

* Maps

The existing maps have been modified to make good use of the above

features. We also added one new huge CTF level, "Fortress".

 

* Teamchange command

"teamchange" console command allows you to change team up to three times

per game. This is great for organising clan games.

 

* Suicide command

"suicide" console command allows you to prompt a respawn at the cost of

a four-death penalty. Great for when you're stuck swimming far out at

sea.

 

Tweaking

- The zeppelin is faster but has a slower turning-speed.

- Planes have twice as much armour and their bullets do twice the damage.

 

- The AA-gun does more than twice the damage. Watch out!

- The fighter is a little bit faster. The bomber is a little bit slower.

 

- Hand grenades do real damage and has a larger damage radius.

- Gas is more lethal.

 

Bug Fixes

- Miscellaneous optimisation tuning.

- Planes can now fire and drop bombs simultaneously.

- The zeppelin no longer looses its collision.

- The tank ammo-gathering bug is no more.

- Further fixes to prevent name-cheating.

- Planes now have the correct team skins.

 

===========================================================================

Changes in v1.33

 

* Destroyers

These huge warships will take one captain/front gunner, and one rear

gunner... plus as many people as you can fit onto the deck.

 

* War Zeppelins

That's right... stuff your whole team in a zeppelin and roam the skies,

raining bombs and bullets over enemy bases. Test teams really fell in

love with this one.

 

* Parachutes

Finally you are able to parachute in over enemy territory and fight it

out true commando style. The parachute (needless to say) often comes in

handy when your plane goes down. Just remember to bring it with you.

 

* Bomber turrets

Bombers now take two players, one pilot (dropping bombs) and one rear

gunner in a rotating turret, B17 style... You can also switch between

positions if you pilot the plane by yourself.

 

* Boat turrets

The armoured boats are twice as fast and have machinegun turrets.

Essentially armoured cars of the seas (and important anti-aircraft

support for destroyers).

 

* Artillery

These static grenade launchers fire three screaming shells at once,

painting black stripes in the sky. Keep out of range !

 

* Vehicle skins and various graphical fixes

New textures added for Russian fighter, Allied bomber and Allied

armoured car. The game has also been overseen and polished here and

there.

 

* Maps

The existing maps have been modified to make good use of the new

features. We also added one new huge battle arena, Fever Valley.

 

7 Bugs

*Plane self-destruct bug - Caused by jumping ‘at’ a plane and getting in when you touch it. The game doesn’t recognise that the jump key has been released when you get in, and as the jump key is also the drop bombs key, the plane drops bombs, blowing it up. Avoid this bug by not jumping at a plane and getting in.

 

*Spontaneous explosion bug – Causes planes and sometimes other vehicles and people to blow up. The reason for this is unknown. It usually happens in planes only when you are firing its machine gun, so don’t fire unless you need to reduce the risk of this happening. This bug was introduced in v1.41 oddly enough. No other version of CE seems to suffer from it.

 

*No Man’s Land teleport bug – This bug is only present on No Man’s Land . The bug causes planes and people to  ‘respawn’. People respawn at base, with no marks taken off for doing it, and planes teleport to position 0,0,0 on the map (just above the lake, on the red side). The plane also gets its fuel and armour credits refilled. This only happens at one place on the map (Detailed in the Maps section). Mickle, a CE community supporter explains why this happens:

 

There is a polygon in the air, that should have been removed, it is invisible in-game, but can be seen in 3D Studio. There is a general rule that applies to all maps in Codename Eagle that you cannot go under landscape - the reason being that the engine thinks you have fell off the edge of the map. As this invisible polygon is considered to be land by the engine, travelling below it tells the engine that you have fell off the map and respawns you in the center (Coordinates 0,0,0).

 

8 Weapon, Object and Vehicle Descriptions and Tactics

 

8.1 Weapons

Each weapon in CE has its uses. Some are better than others, but there will always be a time when you use each one. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses will give you an edge on the battlefield that could save your life.

 

8.1.1 Knife

Make: Trench

Calibre: N/A

Rate of fire: N/A

Range: 1m

Damage: 10

Weight: .5kg

Ammo type used: N/A

Ammo used per use: N/A

Available on spawn/respawn: Yes

Notes: None

Rarity: N/A

 

The knife is the basic weapon. You'll always have this with you. Virtually useless in multiplayer because you are an easy target for guns while getting close enough to swipe at a player. And with the Shotgun in your pack too, this weapon is simply not worth bothering with. It’s silent though, so stealth uses spring to mind.

 

Strengths:

*Virtually silent

*Doesn’t need ammo

 

Weaknesses:

*Not very lethal

*Strikes are very slow compared to knives in other 1st person games

*You need to be close to an enemy to use it. (It is very difficult to get close enough).

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Sneak up on opponents to stop them shooting you before you reach them.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Keep a good distance away from your knife holding foe.

*Keep your eyes peeled for people sneaking up on you.

 

8.1.2 Hand Gun/ Revolver

Make: Webley

Calibre: .355

Rate of fire: 350ms

Range: 100m

Damage: 4

Weight: 1.2kg

Ammo type used: Bullets

Ammo used per use: 1
Available on spawn/respawn: Yes

Notes: None.

Rarity: N/A

 

A basic firearm. Not very powerful, but with a long range and high accuracy. This makes the handgun a secondary long-range weapon, as the sniper rifle is king of accuracy and range. Not too brilliant for close up work, the machine-gun being the preference.

 

Strengths:

*Accurate

*Fast fire rate

*Available on spawn/respawn

 

Weaknesses:

*Uses up ammo fairly rapidly

*Not very powerful

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Keep moving irregularly in fire-fights

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Keep moving irregularly in fire-fights

*Keep a good distance between you and your opponent

 

8.1.3 Shotgun

Make: Remington

Calibre: 12 Gauge

Rate of fire: 750ms

Range: 200m

Damage: 8

Weight: 3.1kg

Ammo type used: Bullets

Ammo used per use: 2

Available on spawn/respawn: Yes

Notes: None

Rarity: N/A

 

The Shotgun is your workhorse until you get the machine-gun or bazooka. It’s good close up, and decent at medium range. At long range it is ineffective. Nevertheless, the Shotgun is a good weapon. It is difficult to aim in laggy conditions, but it’s the best duelling weapon you get on respawn. It is outclassed by the machine-gun for firefights.

 

Strengths:

*Powerful

*Best weapon you get on respawn

*Ammo efficient

*Good close-up

*Decent against low-flying planes

 

Weaknesses:

*Outclassed by the machine-gun

*Weak at medium range and ineffective at long range

*Tough to aim

*Fairly weak against ground based vehicles

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Keep fairly close to your enemy, about 50m will do.

*Go for the head if you have very good ping (about 50ms)

*Only fire when you need to, remember the shotgun uses 2 bullets per shot.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Keep moving

*Don’t get close to your shotgun bearing adversary

 

8.1.4 Sniper Rifle

Make: Mauser Kar 98k

Calibre: 7.92mm

Rate of fire: 2000ms

Range: 300m

Damage: 50 (Head shot = Instant kill)

Weight: 3.4kg

Ammo type used: Bullets

Ammo used per use: 1

Available on spawn/respawn: No
Notes: Press 4 with the weapon in your hand to zoom in.

Rarity: Common

 

Now we’re getting somewhere. The Sniper Rifle is the first of the big tough weapons. As you would expect, essential for sniping and camping, and, in the absence of binoculars in CE, good for scouting ahead. It’s also powerful close up, with a head shot resulting in an instant kill. Difficult to aim when lag is abroad, and if you are close to your target. It’s close up potential is often ignored, but as I say it has potential for pro players who have deadly accuracy.

 

Strengths:

*High accuracy

*Very powerful

*Scope for head shots and scouting

*Very low ammo consumption

 

Weaknesses:

*Difficult to aim close up

*Slow to reload

*Blocks screen a little

*Virtually impossible to aim with laggy conditions

 

Strategies:

Using weapon:

*Keep a good distance between you and your foe.

*When sniping, go out of zoom mode and check no one is sneaking up on you occasionally.

*When sniping, be careful of when you choose to fire. Firing off shots at everything in sight will alert the enemy to you presence. Take your time, pick an enemy and get your aim perfect before snapping off a shot at him.

*Head shots equal an instant kill. Try and get them when sniping to stop your target locating you, and to inspire fear in the enemy camp. Remember, if they are dead they can’t find you.

*Hills are the best places to snipe, as are other hard to reach places.

*Zeppelin pilots are sometimes easy targets

*If you can, use a tank or another big vehicle to cover your side, that way planes cannot shoot you with their machine guns.

* Use the terrain wisely. A dip in the ground can be hid in like it was bunker, and a raised part of ground can be hidden behind.

*Raise your view distance to get a better view of the enemy base, and so more targets. Remember to reduce it afterwards.

*Player name tags are unimportant when sniping. If you can’t see an opponents name tag, you will still be able to hit him.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Keep moving. A still player is an easy kill.

*Try and locate the sniper as soon as you are aware of him/her. Snipers can cause havoc if left to snipe freely.

*Learn what noise the sniper rifle makes when firing. This will let you find them and avoid them easier.

*Beware snipers if you are in the zeppelin. The view window at the front is like a shoot-the-ducks competition to them. Even if you are driving the zep they can still get you. This also goes for motor bikes, as you are visible in them too. (They will have a hard time shooting you at top speed though).

*If you are sneaky, find a place to hide and snipe the sniper for a lot of laughs.

 

8.1.5 Machine-Gun

Make: PPSx

Calibre: 7.62mm

Rate of fire: 125ms

Range: 50m

Damage: 4

Weight: 5.2kg

Ammo type used: Bullets

Ammo used per use: 1

Available on spawn/respawn: No

Notes: None

Rarity: Common

 

This is where the weapons get serious. The machine-gun is an utter essential in CE. Never, and I mean never, go out to attack without this piece of hardware. The best close up weapon there is, fast, good accuracy, and , most importantly: DEADLY. It’s also good for taking out planes, and not bad at tackling other vehicles. Quite simply, an essential.

 

Strengths:

*Powerful

*Fast rate of fire

*Best fire-fight weapon

*Good against planes

*Secondary weapon for vehicle destruction

*Good accuracy at short, medium and long distances

 

Weaknesses:

*Uses up bullet ammo quite fast

*Slightly difficult to aim with high ping (only a ping of about 100-150 will make the machine-gun highly accurate)

 

Strategies:

Using weapon:

*Keep moving irregularly in firefights. This will make you harder to hit.

*When shooting at planes, keep moving. You are an easy target for dive bombers standing still. Consider sheltering under a building’s porch to reduce damage to yourself caused by the enemy plane’s bombs.

*When shooting tanks, keep either at touching distance from the tank so you are too close for it to fire at you, (beware being run over by the tank!) or keep a good distance between you and the tank so you can easily dodge its shells. (Keep moving at all times!).

*Shelter in a building to be safe from a zeppelin while filling it full of holes through the door. (Move to another building if it gets above you).

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Keep moving irregularly in a fire-fight to avoid being hit.

*If your in a plane being shot at by a machine gunner, move irregularly, duck behind cover and get as far away as possible. Surprise the pest by getting very high and the diving down at him from directly above his position and drop bombs on him. He is virtually dead already if you do this.

*If you’re in a tank under attack by this weapon, lull the pest into a false sense of security by driving round him, not shooting, getting your aim just perfect. Crank out another shell and he/she is dead meat.

* If a machine-gunning pest attacks your zeppelin from below, get in the turret and shoot him/her. If the pest hides in a building and shoots you, manoeuvre the zep so you can see him/her through the doorway and blast the pest with the turret. Or drop bombs on the building to flush him/her out then gun him/her down with the turret.

 

8.1.6 Grenades

Make: M1914/31

Calibre: N/A

Rate of fire: N/A

Range: 20m

Damage: 200

Weight: 1.1kg

Ammo type used: Explosives

Ammo used per use: 1

Available on spawn/respawn: No

Notes: Grenades use explosives as ‘ammo’, so each grenade picked up will add 3 explosives to your supply.

Rarity: Common

 

Secondary explosive. Tough to find and pick up because they’re so small, and they’re usually not worth it. Almost always a last resort as they are inaccurate and tough to aim. Against vehicles they are second choice, as the mortar is far better. Highly dangerous with a lot of practice.

 

Strengths:

*Very high amount of damage done

*Not very visible on the battlefield, so can surprise enemy players

*Grenades picked up add to explosives total

 

Weaknesses:

*Small, so difficult to see and pick up

*Not too difficult to avoid

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Aim for where you think the enemy will be once the grenade explodes, not where he is then. This will make your grenades more accurate.

*Learn how long the fuse on the grenades are to improve accuracy further.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*As usual, keep moving very irregularly indeed to stop the grenades getting you.

*Listen for the sound of the grenades bouncing across the ground. This will enable you to pinpoint their position and so avoid them better.

 

8.1.7 Bomb and Detonator

Make: Jam-Tin

Calibre: N/A

Rate of fire: N/A

Range: 50m

Damage: 100

Weight 3.3kg

Ammo type used: Explosives

Ammo used per use:  2 per dynamite bundle

Available on spawn/respawn: Yes

Notes: Press and hold fire with it selected to drop dynamite bundles (2 explosives used per bundle) until 4 are on the ground. When you see the plunger in your hand, press fire to detonate the bundles of dynamite. (Keep well clear!). If someone enters the game while your dynamite is on the ground it will disappear. You can put fewer bundles of dynamite down by pressing 7 again when you have the right amount on the ground.

Rarity: N/A

 

One of the most sneaky and devious weapons available. No use in fire-fights (for obvious reasons), but excellent for laying traps. One particularly good one is to lay dynamite around your flag, then when an enemy rushes to get it… BOOM! Muhahahaha. Also good for laying traps for vehicles, especially in a tight area such as the canyon in No Man’s Land. It can also be put by bridge supports to give an enemy traversing over it a surprise…

 

Strengths:

*Powerful

*Excellent for trap-laying

*Small, so difficult to see and avoid.

 

Weaknesses:

*There is a delay between you pushing the plunger and the dynamite exploding, so traps can go wrong.

*If someone enters the game your devious trap will disappear.

*Slow to lay.

*Useless for anything but traps, so it is of limited overall use.

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Keep well out of the way of the dynamite when it explodes.

*Spread the dynamite out to cover a large area, cluster it together for a big explosive punch.

*If laying a trap for an oncoming vehicle, stand the other side of the dynamite, lined up with the vehicle to lure it over to the right place.

*Don’t get too far from your trap, so that you can replace it if someone enters the game.

*Hide the dynamite sneakily if possible, so that it cannot be avoided. For example, you could put dynamite under the flag base of your team, and put a truck over it. An enemy gets in the truck to move it and kaboom – he never saw it coming.

*Dynamite can be used to explode yourself if you cannot get out or away from somewhere. (Like the coast). This costs less points than the suicide command.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Be on the lookout for dynamite – Don’t go over to it whatever you do.

*Try and find the enemy that dropped the dynamite to render it useless. (If the enemy is dead it will be!)

*If the bridge you are going over is destroyed, open your parachute.

*If you are chasing someone in a vehicle, be on the lookout for them luring you into a trap, and of course, the trap itself.

 

8.1.8 Bazooka

Make: Hale Launcher

Calibre: 80mm

Rate of fire: 1500ms

Range: 80m

Damage: 100

Weight: 5.1kg

Ammo type used: Explosives

Ammo used per use: 1

Available on spawn/respawn: No

Notes: N/A

Rarity: Fairly rare (only 1-3 per map)

 

Now we get to the big one. The ultimate destroyer. This is the Bazooka. An incredibly destructive weapon, it’s like a mobile tank turret, and just as powerful as its lumbering counter-part. The bazooka fires shells which are devastating. One fells a fighter and two destroy bombers and bikes. It’s the best base-camping weapon also, as it take enemy players out in a snap. Difficult to aim at first, and difficult to use against people because they move about so much. A good weapon against tanks though, so overall this must be the most useful weapon there is. Skilled players with this weapon can dominate for an awful long time. Its no wonder that this weapon is rare.

 

Strengths:

*Powerful

*Equally good against infantry and vehicles

*The best weapon for attacking

*The best camping weapon

 

Weaknesses:

*Difficult to aim, especially against enemy players

*Clearly visible on the player model, meaning that people can see you’ve got the bazooka fairly easily

*Slow fire rate

*Difficult to find, you usually have to trek quite a way to get one.

*Skilled machine-gunners can shoot you up in a jiffy when you’re using this against them

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Practice with this weapon to improve your aim, accuracy is all important with the bazooka.

*Beware of the bazookas blast radius.

*If your aim is poor, jump up and down and shoot your foe from above to get him/her more easily.

*When fighting tanks, dodge about to avoid their shells and try to keep far away from them.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Shoot an enemy who carries the bazooka as quickly as possible.

*Do not get close to a bazooka bearing enemy.

*Do not get in fragile vehicles (like planes) when a bazooka bearing enemy is about or you will be dead in a second.

*Get moving quickly when you respawn if a bazooka camper is nearby, as freshly spawned players are easy kills if they are hiding in buildings.

 

8.1.9 Gas Gun

Make: Gauss Launcher

Calibre: 60mm

Rate of fire: N/A

Range: 30m

Damage: Around 50/s

Weight: 3.5kg

Ammo type used: Gas (how surprising)

Ammo used per use: Unknown

Available on spawn/respawn: No

Notes: Fires gas pellets (they spit out gas), it doesn’t spit out gas from the actual gun.

Rarity: Rare (only 1, sometimes 2 per map)

 

The gas gun has a simple name for a definitely un-simple weapon. The gas gun fires a pellet of gas a short distance, which, after a short time starts spinning round and pouring out gas. The gas is quite deadly, and its large circle of effect makes it difficult to avoid. It also works on players who are inside vehicles, so it is an alternative to the flame-thrower for clearing people out of  the aforementioned vehicles. Its usefulness is cut short by the fact that it is hard to get hold of – there are rarely more than one or two per map. However, they are in more reachable places than the bazooka, so they are just about even in terms of finding difficulty.

 

Strengths:

*Quite deadly

*Large area of effect

*Can harm players who are in vehicles

*Ammo efficient, a little ammo goes a long way

*It is difficult to avoid the gas

 

Weaknesses:

*Rare, only one or two per map

*Covers a larger part of the screen than most weapons

*Hurts you badly as well if you get in the area of effect

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Keep out of the clearly visible area of effect, being in it too long will kill you.

*Against vehicles, lay it in their path, not where they are now if they are moving, as this will make it more accurate.

*Don’t run around all the time with this weapon drawn, it’s not very good for mainstream use. However, if it’s the only thing you’ve collected after respawning then you should keep it drawn, as it is better than your starting kit.

*If you can wing walk on bombers, consider flying over the enemy base, wing walking on the wing, then lobbing gas pellets down on their heads. This is highly irritating to the enemy.

*Remember there is a delay between firing a gas pellet and the pellet spitting out gas.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*You can see clearly where the gas is, so do your best to avoid it.

*DON’T walk through the gas to get to the player – you will be dead before you can say ‘Jack Robinson’.

*Shoot the gas gunning player as soon as possible to minimise damage to yourself.

*If some one is dropping gas on your head, move away from where the gas is being fired at, locate them and shoot them. (Flaming the enemy player is a perfect revenge J  ).

*If you are under gas attack in a vehicle, back off and deal with the enemy from a distance, or run him/her over if you are in a motorbike or AC.

 

8.1.10 Flame-Thrower

Make: Heat Launcher

Calibre: 60mm

Rate of fire: N/A

Range: 10m

Damage: 55 per flaming over time

Weight: 5.0kg

Ammo type used: Gas

Ammo used per use: 1

Available on spawn/respawn: Yes

Notes: Uses up gas VERY FAST, so do not fire unnecessarily. If a player enters the game while someone is on fire the flames will disappear.

Rarity: N/A

 

The flame-thrower is one of the best weapons you get on spawn/respawn. This thing, although, like the gas gun, not greatly useful for 1 on 1 combat, can be used on people in vehicles. Just send a stream of flames through the vehicle and the people inside it are flamed. They lose 55 health points pretty speedily. (Armour or no armour). Flame them a second time and they are dead unless they can get health. This makes the flame-thrower excellent for stopping players camping in your base with tanks. In fire-fights you will have to use your wits to get close enough to your enemy to flame him/her, as the flame-throwers range is not all that brilliant.

 

Strengths:

*Can flame people in vehicles

*Available on spawn/respawn

*Damaging, the target loses 55 health from just one flaming

 

Weaknesses:

*Uses up ammo very fast, and gas ammo is rare

*Short range

*If a player enters the game while someone is on fire the flames will disappear, undoing all you good work.

*Not too brilliant in a fire fight

 

Strategies:

Using this weapon:

*Dodge about in combat to avoid being hit.

*Remember that once someone is on fire, they will lose 55 health points whatever they do. Also, you cannot make them lose more than that until they have lost those 55 points.

*Flame people in vehicles (send flame through the vehicle) to wear them down.

 

Defending yourself against this weapon:

*Water does not douse the flame made by flame-throwers.

*Remember that once you are on fire, a flame-thrower cannot harm you, so shoot the flame-thrower carrier quickly then.

*If you are in a tank, drive forwards away from flame-throwers, and shoot them by turning your turret to face them.

 

8.2 Objects

Knowing what objects do is an absolute essential. What more can I say?

 

8.2.1 Parachute

Slows user down to a safe speed when falling earthwards.

Rarity: Very common.

Notes: Press ‘q’ 2 seconds after bailing out to use the parachute without having to fiddle with the selection button.

 

The parachute is an essential for aviators. If you get shot up, you can bail out with the use key, and then use this to slow you down. Even if you don’t plan on taking to the air, take it anyway, you never know when you might need it. You can also jump off cliffs and glide safely to the ground using the parachute. The parachute is nearly invincible – only a shot in the right place will take it out, and it never ‘runs out’ . I.E., if you pick it up, you’ll have it until your dying day. (Which is usually quite soon in CE lol).  Do not ‘use’ it again while it is still open, or it will close up again and you will fall. This can be useful if you want to descend quicker, as you can use it, then un-use , then use it again to drop quicker.

 

8.2.2 Tool Kit

Restores 100 points of a vehicle’s armour.

Rarity: Common

 

Like the parachute, an essential. You’d be stupid to get in a vehicle without one of these, unless you’re in a hurry, or you’re on a suicide mission, or there is none around. Basically, it is instant vehicle health, from wherever you are. It’s universal too, so any vehicle can be repaired with one. Unfortunately, you cannot carry more than one at a time. (Which is one BIG minus point that should be fixed in the next patch).

 

8.2.3 Fuel Can

Fills a vehicle’s fuel tank to the top, no matter how much the tank can carry, or how much it has lost.

Rarity: Common

 

Not as essential as the other objects, especially for ground vehicles. This item is of most use to aviators, especially helicopter pilots, who need to refuel fairly often. As with the tool kit, only one can be carried at a time. This matters less with the fuel can as you rarely survive to refuel more than once.

 

8.2.4 Vodka Bottle

Refreshes you and makes you feel grateful towards the developers for putting it in. (lol only joking.)

Rarity: Very rare. (Only appears in certain places on the Fortress map).

 

This thing does nothing. Nowt. Nill. Zero. Zilch. Nought. Wonder why it was put in…

 

Experiment: Find out why the vodka bottle was put in the Fortress map. (How any of you will find out I don’t know. Inside sources anybody…?) E-mail me if you find out natch.

 

8.2.5 Skis

Allows you to ski down snowy slopes. (surprise surprise).

Rarity: Very very rare. (Not on any official multiplayer maps, is present on a few maps in Rexxie & Cliff’s MapPack (www.cenation.net or www.ce-bf.com to get it))

 

What more can I say? (That’s twice I’ve said that now hehe)

 

8.2.6 Identification Card

Totally and utterly useless.

Rarity: Very very rare. (Only found on The Airbase).

 

Like the vodka bottle, useless and all that jazz. Why on earth did they bother to put it in?

 

8.3 Pick-Ups

Knowing what the pick-ups give you when picked up is a useful advantage, allowing you to make better battlefield decisions.  I have included grenades in this section as they are essentially 3 explosives. The maximum number of explosives you can carry is 50, maximum bullets is 200, and maximum gas is 200.

Max health is 100 and armour is 200.

 

8.3.1 Ammo Clip

Gives 10 bullets.

Rarity: Very Rare.

 

8.3.2 Ammo Box

Gives 40 bullets.

Rarity: Very common.

 

8.3.3 Explosives Pack

Gives 3 explosives.

Rarity: Very rare.

 

8.3.4 Explosives Box

Gives 10 explosives.

Rarity: Very common.

 

8.3.5 Grenade

Gives 1 explosive.

Rarity: Common.

 

8.3.6 Small Gas Tube

Gives 10 gas.

Rarity: Fairly rare.

 

8.3.7 Large Gas Tube

Gives 25 gas.

Rarity: Fairly rare.

 

8.3.8 Bandage (or Small Health)

Restores 25 health.

Rarity: Fairly common.

 

8.3.9 Medical Kit (or Large Health)

Restores 50 Health.

Rarity: Common.

 

8.3.10 Gas Mask

Protects player from gas (from gas gun only, flame-throwers still damage you) for about 1 minute.

Rarity: Not present in any official multiplayer map. (And not in any user made ones to my knowledge).

 

8.3.11 Flak Jacket (or Light Armour)

Gives 100 armour, and soaks up half of the damage caused by weapons.

Rarity: Common.

 

8.3.12 Breast Plating (or Heavy Armour)

Gives 200 armour, and soaks up 75% of weapon damage.

Rarity: Fairly common.

 

10 Map Descriptions and Tactics

Codename Eagles maps are unique, and each has its own feel and general strategy that best suits it. Here I try to document those things, along with some other useful facts. Note that the ‘3Rs’ and ‘R,R,R’ do not stand for reading, writing and arithmetic, but Refuel, Repair, Re-arm.

 

Map Colour Code:

Red = Red Base

Blue = Blue Base

Purple = Point of Interest

Yellow = Bug/Glitch

 

10.1 No Mans Land

Version first present in: Out of box version

Based on single player map: No

Refuel/Repair/re-arm points: 4

Bazookas: 3

Bugs/Glitches: 1

Popularity: Very very popular

 

No Mans Land is arguably the best, and un-arguably the most popular multiplayer map. No Mans simply has the best balance around. Item and vehicle placement is almost perfect, and it suits all three of CE’s  multiplayer modes (CTF, Teamplay, Deathmatch). The bases have no advantages over one another, so winning depends on the players, not the base that you respawn in. No Mans Land is almost certainly the least laggy map of all too, so its popularity is not surprising.

 

Points of Interest

1 Bazooka Hill – A hill that has on it an artillery gun, tank, bazooka, fighter, repair kit, explosives and health. Good for laying down fire on the blue base, camping, sniping, and the 3Rs (Refuel, Repair, Re-

arm)

 

2 Zep Docking Area – An area where the Zep respawns that has the gas gun, armour, explosives, health, an AC and a bike, and other armament. Good for loading up before attacking either base from the west. Its large clear area means it’s excellent for landing planes in and the 3Rs.

 

3 Lower Bridge – A lake crossed by 3 bridge sections joined together. On either end of the bridge there are items. Red side – Bazooka, Tool kits, Explosives. Blue side – Health, Fuel cans, Explosives. Experienced pilots will be able to land here and R,R,R. The terrain is bumpy so new players may find landing here difficult.

 

4 Higher AA Bridge – An area with a bridge that continues the road over the lake. There is 1 AA-Gun on each side of the bridge, and health, 2 Tool Kits and 2 Fuel cans on the Red side. Experienced pilots will be able to fly close to the ground here to grab the goodies on the fly (haha). Landing here in planes is virtually impossible as there is just a narrow cliff road.

 

5 Red Base Blind Spot – Devious players can make use of the fact that there is a small mountain behind the Red base. Enemy players in the base cannot see you behind it, so you can lurk behind it in a heli until the time is right, then rain hell down on ‘em. Alternatively you can land beside the hill, sneak down, get the flag then get back in the heli and fly off. And voila, they’ve lost a their flag before they know what’s happening!

 

Bugs/Glitches

1 Teleport - This bug causes planes and people to  ‘respawn’. People respawn at base, with no marks taken off for doing it, and planes teleport to position 0,0 on the map (just above the lake, on the red side). The plane also gets its fuel and armour credits refilled. To enter the teleport you must fly low to the ground towards the point marked, following the coast from the Red base. Mickle, a CE community supporter explains why this happens:

 

There is a polygon in the air, that should have been removed, it is invisible in-game, but can be seen in 3D Studio. There is a general rule that applies to all maps in Codename Eagle that you cannot go under landscape - the reason being that the engine thinks you have fell off the edge of the map. As this invisible polygon is considered to be land by the engine, travelling below it tells the engine that you have fell off the map and respawns you in the center (Coordinates 0,0,0).

 

 

 

10.2 Breakpoint

Version first present in: Out of box version

Based on single player map: Yes (A Train to Catch)

Refuel/Repair/Re-arm Points: 3

Bazookas: 3

Bugs/Glitches: 0

Popularity: Not very popular

 

Breakpoint is a very large map, and so is laggier than No Mans. However, all the other maps are laggier than Breakpoint. Breakpoint is a fairly balanced map, the terrain on either side is roughly the same, meaning that Breakpoint is best at Teamplay or CTF. The Twin Zeps also add possibilities for zep fights, which are very rare indeed in CE, as there are hardly ever 2 Zeps in the same map. This makes Breakpoint rather special.

 

Points of Interest

1  Zep Landing 1 – An island to the West  with a Zep, ACs, Bazooka and lots of items. Good for landing and R,R,R.

 

2 Zep Landing 2 – Almost identical to the Zep Landing 1 area, except that it is differently shaped and to the East

 

3 Bazooka Hut – A hut on top of a hill in the middle of the main Island. The hut contains a bazooka among other things.

 

4 Train Station – A train station, with the buildings around it containing many essential items. Decent for landing and R,R,R. It is borderline territory so enemies pass through it on a regular basis. Be careful of this.

 

Bugs/Glitches

N/A

 

10.3 Fever Valley

Version first present in: 1.33

Based on single player map: No

Refuel/Repair/Re-arm points: 2

Bazookas: 1

Bugs/Glitches: 0

Popularity: Fairly popular

 

Fever Valley is the first of the truly massive maps for CE. In contrast to No Mans Land, where the Red and Blue bases are roughly the same, Fever Valley takes a risky approach and makes them very different. The Blue base consists of 2 Hangars and a landing strip, and not much else. Whereas the Red base is spread out over a large area. Also, uniquely in Fever Valley the flag bases are not in the appropriate teams base, instead each flag base is a fair distance away from its home base, giving CTF in Fever Valley a new twist. The equipment each base has differs as well, the Reds having 1 fighter, 1 bomber, a heli and a Zeppelin, along with the usual vehicles; and the Blues having 2 fighters and 2 bombers instead. This can make play a little unbalanced, and it is irritating sometimes to find that the only fighter has been nicked, or there are no Helis around. Like The Airbase, Fevers snow effects slow things down, which is a blemish on an otherwise good map.

 

Points of Interest

1 Bazooka Hut – A hut way out in the wasteland containing a bazooka. The hut is well out of the main combat area, so the area is a good spot to land and R,R,R.

 

2 Blue Flag Base – The area containing the blue flag has a hut filled with rare goodies. Landing here is difficult because of the cramped landing area, but good pilots will be able to manage it.

 

Bugs/Glitches

N/A

 

10.4 Carrier War

Version first present in: Out of box version

Based on single player map: No

Refuel/Repair/Re-arm points: 0

Bazookas: 0

Bugs/Glitches: 1

Popularity: Not very popular

 

Carrier War is the only map in CE that is totally different from the others. Combat revolves around 2 carriers, one Russian and one Allied, and is air and sea based, with torpedo boats, fighters and destroyers being the only vehicles. This makes  Carrier War (CWar for short) very different and is favoured when No Mans gets a little dull. Unfortunately the rain effects in CWar make it slightly laggy. For new players CWar can be difficult as fighters are the main vehicles used, and they are tough to fly at first.

 

Points of Interest

1 Blue Islands – These islands behind the blue carrier are useful for hiding behind. They can also be used as sniping positions or shelters away from the action, for use if you have the enemy’s flag.

2 Red Islands – Virtually the same as the blue islands except that they are behind the Red carrier instead. They have the same uses as well.

 

Bugs/Glitches

1 Underground Diving – If you get a destroyer and drive head on at the island alongside the Red carrier, you will go under the island when you hit it. This is handy if you want to hide with the flag, as you can get above ground again any time simply by exiting the destroyer. You will come out on top of the island.

 

Experiment: Does this happen with the island by the blue carrier too? Drive a destroyer head on at the island alongside the blue carrier. Does it go under the island? E-mail me if it does.

 

10.5 The Airbase

 

Version first present in: Out of box version

Based on single player map: Yes (Ghost Rockets)

Refuel/Repair/Re-arm points: 4

Bazookas: 2

Bugs/Glitches: 0

Popularity: Slightly popular

 

The Airbase is best suited to Deathmatch or Teamplay as its style is very much exploring rather than mad attack rushes. It is a really good looking and good feeling map, and for once bases aren’t the focus – the big airbase in the middle is the main battle ground as players fight to control its large amount of resources. Players rarely stay long in their bases, and instead push out, which stops ‘base camping’ or ‘heavy defending’. As the bases have little in them ‘base rape’ does not happen, because there is nothing to gain from invading bases. All this makes The Airbase a unique experience, it’s just a pity that people do not host this great map more often. As usual, the snow effects, like Carrier Wars rain, slow things down.

 

Points of Interest

1 The Airbase – The airbase this map is named after. This is often the focus of battle as it contains fighters, bomber, plenty of weapons, health, items, ammunition and a Zeppelin. Ok for R,R,R because of its large flat area and landing strip, but unfortunately you will probably be pestered by enemies.

 

2 Bridge Office – A small office by the bridge over the gorge. It contains lots of useful items and a bazooka, which makes it worth a visit. Helicopter pilots will want to frequent it as vehicles are effectively trapped on the road because it is sunk into the ground substantially. This makes them easy kills.

 

3 Damaged House – A small house by the road containing Heavy armour, health and ammo clips. Do not linger if you are on Red as Blues frequently pass it on their way to the Bridge Office or the Airbase.

 

4 Log Cabin – A cabin situated slightly off the road. It contains some items. Beware of the nearby Blue base if you are on Red.

 

5 Power Generator – Beside this power generator is a couple of Tool Kits and some other items.

 

6 Remote House – This house in its own little pocket in the cliff is fairly isolated even though it is right by the busy Airbase. It has armour and a bazooka, and other items, making it a good place to visit. Chopper pilots can make use of the fact that it is not visited very often, and land out of sight of the Airbase in the pocket of space to R,R,R. Planes will not be able to land here as it is too cramped.

 

Bugs/Glitches

N/A

 

10.6 The Palace

 

Version first present in: Out of box version

Based on single player map: Yes (Into the Eagles Nest)

Refuel/Repair/Re-arm points: 3

Bazookas: 0

Bugs/Glitches: 0

Popularity: unpopular

 

The Palace is a bit under the usual CE standard. It is certainly an interesting map, with the flow of players and vehicles between bases checked by a huge frozen river channel, with two bridges crossing it. This means that devious Dynamite trap laying is used often here, and good use can be made of the fact that the bridges can be destroyed. Unfortunately there are no airplanes or helis in this map, which makes the combat all ground based. This limits strategy. Having no planes is a bad move also as most players, me included, do not like not having aircraft somewhere in a map.

 

Points of Interest

1 Radio Tower – At the back of this tower there is a flame-tank, and if you venture far enough inside the tower you will find armour health, weapons and ammunition. Blue team members should stay away as it is too close to the Red base for comfort. There is also an artillery gun beside the tower, which is useful for holding enemies off and stopping them getting over the railway bridge. R,R,R in land vehicles is possible here.

 

2 Railway Station and Bridge – This is usually a focus for the action in the map. The station holds some goodies for you and your vehicles, and there is a truck nearby for transport. The bridge is a choke point for enemies which means that they can be shot at easily. Also you can destroy the bridge to drop anyone traversing over it down into the frozen river channel. Only tanks will survive this.

 

3 Upper Road Bridge – There are Repair Kits and other items on either side of this bridge, making it a good place for servicing your vehicle. The bridge is destructible so you can drop vehicles on people going underneath the bridge.

 

Bugs/Glitches

N/A

 

10.7 Fortress

Version first present in: 1.41

Based on single player map: No

Refuel/repair/Re-arm points: 4

Bazookas: 2

Bugs/Glitches: 1

Popularity: Quite popular

 

Fortress is the second map to be introduced in a patch. It is larger than most other maps, only Fever Valley and perhaps The Airbase matching its size. Both bases are enclosed in walls, with only 3 entrances. The bases are fairly spread out compared to other maps, and the distances between them are greater than some maps. Unfortunately Fortress suffers from lag pretty badly a lot of the time, and it is always a bit laggy. That and the tendency for the SEB to crop up more often than usual stop this map being as good as it should be. On a LAN though Fortress is excellent, as lag is not an issue.

 

Points of Interest

1 Deserted Village – This place is the burn out remains of a village, and is an excellent spot for landing and R, R, R. It also has lots of weapons like the bazooka, armour, health, ammo, a tank and a chopper.

 

2 Vodka Tower – A tower between the two bases with ammunition, health, weapons, a flame-tank and vodka (lol). Bumpy terrain nearby means landing can be difficult. Enemies pass by fairly regularly too so it is not wise to linger there long.

 

3 Red Docks – The docks behind the Red base hold a helicopter, flame-tank, large amounts of ammunition and plenty of weapons. It is difficult to land here for R,R,R, especially if you are on the blue team. Any activity round here should be made brief if you are Blue as Red players visit this area often.

 

4 Blue Docks – Almost identical to the Red docks except that the plan is more open, making landing here an option to consider. As with Blue players visiting the Red docks, Red players should make visits to the Blue docks brief as Blues visit the area fairly often.

 

Bugs/Glitches

1  The SEB is Common – For some reason the SEB is more prominent on Fortress than on any other map, and there seem to be certain places where it happens.

 

11 Credits

Thanks to Mickle for revealing the reason for the No Mans teleport.

Thank-you to Sucka for informing me on the proper parachute opening method.

Thanks goes to Shma for hosting a server which I needed to get details and picture of the maps.

Thank-you to Talonsoft & Take 2 for letting me use certain text from the CE manual, and their sites.

Thanks to Talonsoft, Take 2, Refraction games and all involved with CE for bringing it to the shelves. We are all very glad you did guys.

Thank you to Danny, Chippie and Shma, who have helped me out many times in CE online.

The GameSpy Arcade help room people also should get a mention, as without them I may never have got CE working online.