War of the Worlds, a map for TA
by SlowHandd

screen size: 16x16
memory required: 24 megs (see below)
players: 4
tileset: All TA worlds (well most of them)
Custom ai included in the UFO
TAMEClight.hpi is required

This map is partly tiled, and partly hand painted. Due to the number
 of textures, the memory requriements in Annhilator says the map needs 
22.7 mb. However, my puter has 128 mb, and TA will chug once in a
while. You have been warned.

There are also some new trees in the zip. The file is called 
Newtrees.hpi. Place this file in your TA directory.

About the ai
------------
Your ai opponent MUST be set to Arm. The ai I have made does not 
include Core units, so choose Arm for the ai, or the game will not 
play correctly.

The ai does not cheat. It makes no use of an ai boost file. You can 
leave your ai boost file in your TA directory. The ai will not 
access it.

The ai does not build Nukes or Berthas. It is intended that you play
and not build these either, to test your mettle without the use of 
super weapons. In Medium difficulty, the ai can be beaten without using 
these. In Hard difficulty, you will want to end the game by using nukes,
 or if you have the time, it can be beaten without these. However, build 
and use your nukes only when you grow tired of chasing the ai around 
the map.

Recommended strategy
--------------------
You'll want to attack early. Get in the ai's face as soon as possible
(even in Medium difficulty), or face a long game. Slow the ai down, and
force it to continually rebuild it's base. There is plenty of coastline,
so use your navy to support ground troops. The ai will build lots of
ground troops, ships, and airplanes, and your best approach is to
build all these units too, and lots of them. You cannot win without
ground troops (just like reality). 

Also, be forwarned -- the ai will build sea plane torpedo bombers and these 
can take out your navy very quickly. Gaurd your navy with air support, 
or lose it!

Play is designed for positions 1 vs 2, or 3 vs 4, but a good game 
can still be had between 1 vs 3 or 4, or 2 vs 3 or 4. Positions 1 vs 2 
gives the best game, in my opinion.

Finally
-------
This map took me three tries to get it right. It had to be resized 
twice to give realistic dimensions, and provide good balance.

The green coastal tiles with the Archi water will be made available
as a complete set on Tamec. Look for it in the Terra Project 
custom tile sets. The trees will be made available there too, but
you already have them in the zip.

The trees can be used in your own maps too. You'll need to use 
Annihilator to get to these features, because TAE will not load 
them up for use.

Have fun in the orchards and on the rocky coasts! Let me know if you 
manage to beat this in Hard difficulty without nukes. Its a long game
indeed if you play this way.

Good luck, soldier. May God be on your side!


Comments, suggestions, and criticisms can be emailed to

SlowHandd
goforth@cyber-dyne.com