User Guide
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DOCKING AT SPACE STATIONS
The Earth & Beyond universe is filled with many types of space stations,
where you may meet other players, accept missions from computer-
controlled characters, buy and sell goods, and access special terminals that
allow you to analyze alien artifacts, create weapons and devices, and
engage in various other activities.
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Left-click on the space station to target it. The docking icon appears
above your targeting interface. If the button is highlighted, you're within
docking range of the station and can request permission to dock by
clicking the button. (If there is no docking button, the station has no
docking facilities).
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Clicking the docking icon to begin the docking process. Your ship is now
docked.
NOTE:
A station may refuse docking rights if you’ve done something to
anger its controlling factions.
WALKING IN SPACE STATIONS
Walking in a space station is easy – you do it in the same way you fly your
ship.
To walk in a space station, hold down your right mouse button. Your
character begins walking
To turn left or right, move your cursor in the direction you want to go.
To stop, release the mouse. Your character stops moving.
Doors will open automatically for you, and your mouse cursor will change
to indicate an object with which you may interact. Common examples are
another player, a computer-controlled merchant, or a computer terminal.
To leave a space station, simply find your ship, walk up close, and click on
it when your cursor changes. We’ll handle the rest!
COMBAT
Although Mankind has colonized parts of the galaxy, space is filled with
dangerous creatures, nefarious pirates, and other enemies. It’s important
you know how to defend yourself!
To begin combat, left-click on a target to select it. Your computer
displays your foe in your targeting interface, and also provides an
approximation of its strength relative to yours.
ATTACKING
In order to attack, you must first have a weapon equipped and be within
your weapon’s range.
CHECKING YOUR RANGE
To check a weapon’s range, examine your shortcut bar at the bottom of
the screen. Every equipped weapon is displayed here, with a targeting
circle superimposed.
When you’re within range, the circle will be green; if you need to move
closer, it will be red.
NOTE:
Because weapons have different ranges; some may be within
range while others are not.
FIRING
To fire at a targeted enemy, click the weapon you’d like to use. The
weapon fires.
After a brief power-up period (whose length depends on the weapon,
your ship’s reactor, and your skills), your weapon will be ready to fire
again.
>>TIP:
Combat is much safer if you have at least one wingman.
USING SKILLS IN COMBAT
Weapons aren't your only recourse in combat! Every character has a
number of special skills that define what they can do in the Earth & Beyond
universe, and many of those skills are useful for defeating your foes.
You use skills in much the same way you use your weapons.
*Earth and Beyond_PC 8/15/02 6:25 PM Page 18