Multiplayer Basics, as written by LC Z�site K�nstyte Styles

Know, Cadet, that the best way to learn how to play Multiplayer matches as TIE Corps activity is indeed to take and pass Multiplayer 2 Course [MP/2] at the IWATS Academy.
However, the high level of detailing that Course displays goes way beyond the purpose of this Core Course, so we suggest you to use that one for further learning as soon as you have already passed the Core exam. For the time being, the (extremely) basic information included here will be more than enough for you to make yourself an idea on our MP procedures.

Game Platforms

First the first, Cadet! Know that currently there are two game platforms 100% officially supported by the TIE Corps for Multiplayer gaming (we actually have 1 or 2 more, but those will be explained to you in due time as long as you're still interested, because of the inherent difficulties on tracking pilot's activity when using them). And there are some MANDATORY patches, not created by The Emperor's Hammer Science Office but by LucasArts® themselves you're going to need in order to play multiplayer matches. These game platforms and their patches are:

X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter (XvT) (with or without the Balance of Power expansion (BoP))
You'll need to have installed the official XvT 1.1.4 patch you can find HERE OR nothing if you have already installed BoP, since it comes with the 1.1.4 included.

X-Wing Alliance (XWA)
You'll need to have installed the official 2.02 patch you can find HERE.

There's other software you'll find useful or even necessary to play MP but it's not related to the games themselves and we'll get into that immediately.

Finding Opponents

There's also another interesting element in the equation when it comes to play multiplayer: one or more opponents to obliterate for the glory of The Empire! Well, it's obvious that you can use whatever online chat software you want in order to contact those who will play with you, but the 2 classic ways of doing so are:

Internet Relay Chat (IRC): heavily used by The Emperor’s Hammer, so it is also a good place to find opponents for multiplayer gaming. The official IRC channel for EH multiplayer behaviors is #ehcoo on Undernet. However, IRC doesn’t provide any help in getting a game
started, so it involves a bit of extra work. Basically you'll use our IRC channels for contacting people and dealing with the matter of setting the game, either using the mechanics the game itself provides for doing so or...

The NRSD Errant Venture (EV): As a result of MSN Gaming Zone’s closure, the XvT and XWA community has come up with a client to replace it. It was developed by Stresser, a member of The Rebel Alliance (TRA) online gaming club. It is not a commercial product, so don’t expect it to function without the occasional hiccup. It does however provide all of the important features that the Zone did, so it’s important to know how to use it. To get started, download the client at http://ccanuk.brinkster.net/xvt/redist.zip. You'll find detailed info on the usage of this software on the [MP/2] IWATS Course, but basically: it's a game client which will be (little) chat room and game client at the same time, perfectly capable of using your game installations to launch the games itself and guide you directly to the MP setup screen.

No matter where you are, if you're involved in Multiplayer gaming you shall always display “EH_” both at your nick and your ingame pilot's name as in “EH_John Doe” as a mean to differentiate yourself from players belonging to other clubs like TRA_, TFA_, NRN_ ... and this is also VERY important: you shall NEVER EVER use any pilot file you already used for Multiplayer activity to play Single Player battles using the EH Battle Launcher (EHBL), as using it for MP purposes will render your file impossible to process.

Reporting a Match

After the match is complete, the only thing left to do is report the scores. Exactly how you do so depends on the type of competition you are participating in. The first requirement, though, is that you have a record of the match scores. The best way to do this is to take a screenshot of the final scores after the match is complete. To do this, press Alt+O when the scores are displayed. A bitmap file will be created in the root directory of the game (without prompting so you better do it a few times just in case before exiting the scores screen) and for the sakes of reporting you should convert it to .jpg or .png format before submission using any graphic management software available.

Normal TC competitions, like those held on IRC, have a competition moderator. After the competition ends you shall report matches results to this moderator via e-mail for him to track all scores and other details; in that e-mail you must include the screenshots we mentioned above (properly ZIPped if possible) along with the reporting line, following the appropriate syntax. Further info on the appropriate syntax to report a match is available at [MP/2] IWATS Course. Then this moderator will report the final results to the TIE Corps Combat Operations Officer (COO), who is part of the TIE Corps Admiralty board and also the maximum responsible of all TIE Corps multiplayer activity.

If you have played a match that doesn’t apply to any other competition, you can still get credit for flying it. To do so, send your scores and screenshots exactly the same as explained above
but directly to the COO at his address (coo@emperorshammer.org), and clearly report the event on e-mail subject as being “ 24/7 LoCs” for the appropriate platform (XvT or XWA... or XvT AND
XWA). Follow the scores reporting format described in the [MP/2] Course as well. BUT! Do not report matches in this way if they have already been reported as part of a TC competition (or BattleStats Week of War explained below). Doing so can be considered cheating!

For events hosted by BattleStats (BSC) like monthly editions of the “Week of War” (and any other event not organized by EH/TC nor free “24/7 LoCs” matches), scores are reported directly to BattleStats (or wherever necessary if not a BattleStats event, but this will be announced previously). After the event, a member of the COO staff will ensure that awards are given for all matches won by TC pilots. It is therefore unnecessary for a pilot to report scores to the COO for BattleStats events. For details on how to submit the match to Battlestats... the same as usual: [MP/2] Course.

TIE Corps Multiplayer Awards

The Legion of Combat (LoC): is awarded for every multiplayer match WIN. Since these medals are plentiful, an upgrade system has been put in place using different “scimitars”. You can find the full scimitar-system at either [MP/2] Course or the TIE Corps Training Manual.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC): is awarded for outstanding performance in a single multiplayer event. Typically, this medal is awarded to the top EH/TC pilot in a competition (not necessary the BEST player overall in an inter-club competition as the “Weeks of War”), subject to some restrictions. Similarly to the LoC, the DFC has an upgrade system based on “wings”. Further info on those restrictions and the upgrading system available on [MP/2] Course
and the TIE Corps Training Manual.

Other awards like Iron Stars (IS) are also possible if sanctioned by the COO on a given competition.

Extra Information

You'll find much more detailed information on all what was briefly explained above and also on how to set up and start a MP match within the game, rules and etiquette, BattleStats reporting system, basic flying tactics and many other useful things you'll WANT to know about at the [MP/2] IWATS Course. So if you're really interested in the Multiplayer gaming aspect of the TIE Corps we strongly suggest you to try and pass that Course too; if you aren't, you already know way much more than necessary we tell you!

Advanced Multiplayer

And if you are *REALLY* interested on professional Multiplayer gaming we also suggest you to take Advanced Multiplayer [AMP] IWATS Course, available at IWATS Academy too, after already passing the basic [MP/2]. If not strictly necessary, that advanced flying Course will prove to be but very useful for you to be able to face the insanely high level of flying skills displayed by those who dare to oppose The Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet at the MP professional scene. In other words: if you want to have a chance of WINING and not only playing for fun you're going to need this Course too, Cadet!