User Guide

HOW TO PLAY
14 DUNE 2000
BUILDING THINGS
Below and slightly overlapping the radar display is a horizontal row of five icons, or buttons.
Each button has a single function such as: ordering units to guard an area, ordering units to
retreat, toggling the radar map display, repairing buildings, or selling buildings.
Below the row of five buttons are two more buttons, the Upgrade button, and the Starport
button. The Upgrade button will upgrade, or improve structures. The Starport button will
allow you to order new units from the CHOAM Merchant’s Guild.
Below these two buttons are two columns of icons.The left column displays the structures
your Construction Yard can build, and the right column displays the units you can create.
The buildings show the space they will occupy when built at the top left of their picture.
This is very useful when planning the amount of concrete you will need for it. The arrow
buttons at the bottom of these icons allow you to scroll through the selections when there
are more than four available.
Before building a structure, it is advisable, but not necessary, that you place a concrete
foundation beneath the building you wish to construct. Without first laying down a
concrete foundation, your structure will immediately operate at less than full health, and will
need to be repaired. Concrete cannot be repaired, and must be replaced or abandoned, if
damaged. Buildings not placed entirely on concrete will be weathered by the harsh
environment and their health will degrade over time.
To build a structure or unit, left-click on the appropriate icon. Construction will take a
period of time, as indicated by the sweeping hand over the icon. Cost for construction and
purchasing will be automatically deducted from your credits. Only one unit (of any one
class) and one structure can be built at any one time. If you move the mouse cursor over
the icon (without clicking), you’ll see what that icon represents and how much it would cost
you to build, buy, or train it.
When construction of buildings is completed the word READY appears across the top of
the selected icon in the Sidebar. Left-click on this icon, and the mouse cursor will turn into
a placement grid on the battlefield.The grid gives you an idea of how large the building will
be on the battlefield. Move the grid to where you want the building placed. Once you’ve
found a suitable location, left-click and the building will be placed where you indicated.The
grid should be entirely white. Any red in the grid indicates that the placement area is
blocked or too far from other structures and you will not be able to deploy the building.
A building can be placed adjacent to another building or entirely on concrete. This means
concrete can be used to extend the players base.
While there is a grid on the battlefield, you will not be able to build anything else.You’ll have
to either place the ready building, or cancel placement. To cancel, right-click while the
placement grid is still up.The grid will disappear. Right-clicking on the icon in the Sidebar
will cancel the building and refund your credits.