Freelancer/Walkthrough

About this Walkthrough
You may notice something a bit odd about this walkthrough: I don't really talk about the missions. I think you can figure them out for yourself. Instead, I'll talk about what you can/should do between missions--the Free part of Freelancer.

This walkthrough is all about spoiling technical info. If you don't want that, don't read it. I don't mention the plot much, though.

If you have some info you think would make a useful addition, or even want to reformat some of my sloppy tables, send it my way; I'll probably include it in a future revision.

Enjoy!

Keyboard Setup
I mostly use the default keys, with some significant exceptions: map Afterburn to W and Reverse Thrust to S for a much more FPS-like control scheme. This assumes that you have a mouse wheel for controlling your throttle, of course. I almost never use the throttle control, other than to throttle up again when leaving a base; if I want to back off in a fight I just use reverse thrust.

With Afterburn on W, I changed Tab to Cruise, which is a bit more convenient.

Configuring your Ship
It's not absolutely necessary, but your accuracy will be much better if all your weapons have the same projectile speed. If you're flying a freighter, that basically means 700m/s, though there are a few turrets that have 750m/s projectiles. You'll mostly be fighting enemies with Molecular shields.

I tend to stick with Graviton shields through the end of the plot, as they're stronger than the other types.

Dogfighting
If you're flying a light fighter such as the Starflier or Drake, use your maneuverability! Don't stand still and get hit, turn around and shoot back. If you're flying a slower fighter, and getting thrashed by enemies you can't see, use reverse thrust to improve your turning circle.

If you're flying a freighter, shoot at what's in front of you as much as possible. Use reverse thrust to prolong the initial flyby, so you can do more damage before they pass you. And you'll definitely need to use it to turn around and shoot at the guy on your tail.

A good freighter tactic is to hold down thrusters, go into turret mode, and shoot at the people following you. Usually they will hold still while you kill them. This works best if you're in Goto mode, so that the autopilot will avoid obstacles for you. This also works best with long-range turrets, so you can shoot them before they can shoot you; Tachyon turrets have a range of 800, the longest in the game. Most other turrets have a range of 700, which is still better than most guns. This really only works if you're already pretty far away from them, like if you were crusing somewhere and got hit by a cruise disruptor.

You can pull a similar maneuver in a non-freighter, by hitting thrusters, cutting your engines (Z), and turning around. You'll be going backwards at about 200m/s. This doesn't work as well in an asteroid field, of course. While your engines are off, you can change which way you're going using the thrusters.

Automatic docking can take a long time when you're under fire. You can speed up the process by flying to the right spot manually before hitting F3.

I've never really learned to use mines effectively, but people recommend dropping them shortly before the other guy passes you. Missiles work best the same way, launched sooner--but I prefer guns. YMMV.

Equipment level requirements
C3: Level 2

C4, Razor: L6

C5, Tadpole, Starkiller: L10

C6, Driller - L16

C7, Swatter - L22

C8, Cutter - L26

C9, Screamer, Sunslayer - L30

Gun Stats
The two numbers here---v are hull damage/second and efficiency.

tachyon - strong molecular, weak positron outcast dragoon 1 4/126/ 63/700/700/3.03/31 382/4.06 (turret 94/47/800/701/4.00/23) 376/4.09 cali dragoon 2 5/161/ 80/700/700/3.03/40 487/4.03 - cali dragoon 3 6/210/105/700/700/3.03/52 636/4.04 (turret 158/79/800/701/4.00/39) 632/4.05 cali wyrm 1    8/424/212/700/700/3.03/106 1285/4 - Ruiz wyrm 2    9/652/326/700/700/3.03/163 1976/4 rheinland stealthblade mk 1 6/ 70/35/700/700/5.88/26 412/2.69 hornviper mk 1   8/141/70/700/700/5.88/53 829/2.66 bundschuh luger type a 6/210/105/700/700/3.03/52 636/4.04 (turret 800/701) type b 7/278/139/700/700/3.03/69 842/4.03 type c 8/424/212/700/700/3.03/106 1285/4 lane hacker hellflurry 1 4/ 79/39/700/700/4.00/23 316/3.43 (turret 800/701) - mactan hellflurry 2 5/101/50/700/700/4.00/30 404/3.37 - mactan hellflurry 3 6/131/65/700/700/4.00/39 524/3.36 IMG matterthief 1	3/ 49/24/700/700/4.00/14 (turret 800/701) matterthief 2 4/ 63/31/700/700/4.00/18 vampire 1	6/105/52/700/700/4.00/31 420/3.39 (turret 800/701) LWB adv. devastator 6/175/87/700/700/3.03/42 530/4.17

particle - strong graviton, weak molecular breton skyrail advanced     5/121/ 60/600/600/4.00/30 outcast pyros type 1 4/113/ 56/600/600/4.00/23 (turret 700/700) - cali pyros type 2 5/145/ 72/600/600/4.00/30 580/4.83 - cali pyros type 3 6/189/ 94/600/600/4.00/39 756/4.85 (turret 700/700) - cali kraken 1     8/381/190/700/700/4.00/79  1524/4.82 - sold at Ruiz kraken 2	9/586/293/700/700/4.00/122 2344/4.80 xeno scorpion      2/ 73/36/549/699/4.00/15 292/4.87 - ouray adv. scorpion 3/ 89/44/549/699/4.00/18 356/4.94 - ouray tarantula	 5/145/72/549/699/4.00/30 580/4.83 - ouray adv. tarantula 6/189/94/549/699/4.00/39 756/4.85 - ouray bounty hunter brave 1  2/ 49/ 24/650/650/4.00/15 brave 2  4/ 75/ 37/650/650/4.00/23  (turret 750/750) warrior 1 6/126/ 63/650/650/4.00/39 504/3.23 warrior 2 7/167/ 83/750/750/4.00/52 (turret same) buckshot 9/391/195/750/750/4.00/122 (turret same)

laser - strong positron, weak graviton civilian starbeam	  1/14/ 7/600/750/8.33/4  117/3.50 (turret 700/700) adv. starbeam	  2/18/ 9/600/750/8.33/5  150/3.60 heavy starbeam  3/22/11/600/750/8.33/7  183/3.14 (turret 700/700) flashpoint      6/47/23/600/750/8.33/14 392/3.36 adv. flashpoint 7/62/31/600/750/8.33/19 516/3.26 heavy flashpoint 8/95/47/600/750/8.33/29 791/3.28 liberty weapons justice mk I	  1/16/ 8/600/750/8.33/5  133/3.20 (turret 700/700) justice mk II	  2/20/10/600/750/8.33/6  166/3.33 (turret 700/700) justice mk III  3/24/12/600/750/8.33/7  200/3.43 vengeance mk II 5/40/20/600/750/8.33/12 333/3.33 (turret 700/700) vengeance mk iii 6/52/26/600/750/8.33/16 433/3.25 dragon swords 600/750/8.33 tanto         5/40/20/12 wakizashi     6/52/26/16 433/3.25 (tanto turret 700/700) katana	 7/69/34/21 gendaito	 8/106/53/33 order death's hand mk 1 5/40/20/600/750/8.33/12 333/3.33 (turret 700/700) death's hand mk 2 6/52/26/600/750/8.33/16 433/3.25 liberty rogue azrael 1/19/ 9/600/750/8.33/6 158/3.17 (zaphiel turret 700/700) drail  3/29/14/600/750/8.33/9 242/3.22 (badariel turret 700/700) raphael 4/37/18/600/750/8.33/11 usiel  5/48/24/700/750/8.33/15 vassago 7/83/41/700/750/8.33/26 hessian natter     5/ 53/26/600/750/5.88/16 (turret 700/700) natter zwei 6/ 70/35/600/750/5.88/21 412/3.33 roter blitz 7/ 92/46/600/750/5.88/29 natterturn 8/141/70/600/750/5.88/44 bounty hunter gunslinger 1 2/ 20/10/649/700/8.33/7 (turret 750/750) gunslinger 2 4/ 31/15/649/700/8.33/11 258/2.81 (turret 750/750) winchester 1 6/ 52/26/649/700/8.33/19 433/2.74 (turret 750/750) winchester 2 7/ 69/34/649/700/8.33/26 reaver 1    8/106/53/649/700/8.33/39 (turret 750/750) reaver 2    9/163/81/649/700/8.33/61

neutron - strong molecular, weak positron rheinland kusari scrambler 1   5/101/50/549/600/4.00/20 scrambler 2	 6/131/65/549/600/4.00/26 524/5.04 disinfector 1 7/174/87/549/600/4.00/34 order reaper mk 1   5/101/50/549/600/4.00/20 404/5.05 (turret 650/650) reaper mk 2   6/131/65/549/600/4.00/26 unioners protector mk 1 4/ 79/ 39/549/600/4.00/15 protector mk 2 6/131/ 65/549/600/4.00/26 protector mk 3 8/265/132/549/600/4.00/53 corsair angelito mk 1 5/121/ 60/600/600/4.00/24 484/5.04 (turret 700/700) angelito mk 2 6/158/ 79/600/600/4.00/31 632/5.10 angelito mk 3 7/209/104/600/600/4.00/41 (turret 700/700) salamanca 1   8/318/159/600/600/4.00/63 salamanca 2   9/489/244/600/600/4.00/97 1956/5.04 LWB vulture 2     5/161/ 80/549/600/3.03/26 vulture 3	 6/210/105/549/600/3.03/35 636/6 eliminator	 7/232/116/700/700/3.03/55 molly dublin duster 2 6/131/ 65/659/600/4.00/26 524/5.04

pulse - mostly shield damage - strong positron, weak graviton civilian stunpulse	    2/ 4/155/600/750/4.00/ 9 (turret 700/700) advanced stunpulse 3/ 5/189/600/750/4.00/11 debilitator       6/11/401/   /   /4.00/23 (turret 700/700) debilitator       7/15/530/600/750/4.00/31 adv. debilitator  8/23/806/600/750/4.00/47 (turret 700/700) - colorado/honshu corsair borroco	    5/10/308/600/600/4.00/24 borroco 2         6/13/401        /4.00/31 (turret 700/700) rapier	    7/17/531/600/600/4.00/41 tizona del cid    9/40/1242/600/600/4.00/97 - cadiz, tripoli

plasma - slow refire - strong graviton, weak molecular liberty lavablade mk I     1/ 97/ 48/600/500/2.00/20 194/4.84 lavablade mk II    2/122/ 61/600/500/2.00/25 244/4.88 lavablade mk III   3/149/ 74/600/500/2.00/31 298/4.80 magma hammer mk II 5/242/121/600/500/2.00/50 (turret 700/500) magma hammer mk III 6/316/158/600/500/2.00/65 632/4.86 rheinland flamecurse mk 1 6/316/158/600/500/2.00/ 65 632/4.86 (turret 700/500) firekiss mk 1  8/636/318/600/500/2.00/132 (turret 700/500) hogosha drake type a   6/158/ 79/550/550/4.00/32 632/4.94 drake type b   7/209/104/550/550/4.00/43

photon - strong positron, weak graviton - seems strictly better than laser kusari sunfury 1   5/ 50/ 25/600/600/8.33/15 (turret 700/700) sunfury 2   6/ 65/ 32/600/600/8.33/19 541/3.42 sunfrenzy 1 7/ 87/ 43/600/600/8.33/26 (turret 700/700) gmg (gas miners in sigmas, aomori station in E honshu) sunblast A  6/ 79/ 39/600/750/8.33/19 658/4.16 (turret 700/700) - ogash/naha sunblast B  7/104/ 52/600/750/8.33/26 - aomori skyblast A  8/159/ 79/600/750/8.33/39 (turret 700/700) - aomori, ogash skyblast B  9/244/122/600/750/8.33/61 2032/4 (turret 700/700) - naha sig-13 golden c suncannon a  4/ 52/ 26/600/750/5.88/15 suncannon b 6/ 87/ 43/600/750/5.88/26 512/3.35 suncannon c 8/176/ 88/600/750/5.88/53 zoner helios 2    4/ 52/ 26/649/700/5.88/15 (turret 750/750) fury	      6/ 87/ 43/649/700/5.88/26 512/3.35 (turret 750/750) fury 2      7/116/ 58/649/700/5.88/34 fury 3      8/176/ 88/649/700/5.88/53 (turret 750/750) gaians gaia's savior   5/ 67/ 33/600/750/5.88/16 393/4.19 gaia's savior b 6/ 87/ 43/600/750/5.88/21 512/4.14 junkers barrager 1  2/ 30/ 15/600/600/8.33/ 9 250/3.33 (turret 700/700) barrager 2  4/ 47/ 23/600/600/8.33/14 392/3.36 (turret 700/700) barrager 3  6/ 79/ 39/600/600/8.33/23 658/4.16 (turret 700/700)

DIAMONDBACK  10/1173/586/699/600/2.00/293 2346/4.00 CERBERUS     10/1173/586/699/600/2.00/293 WILD FIRE    10/1075/537/699/600/2.00/220 2150/4.89 BLUE BLAZE   10/1075/537/699/600/2.00/244 GUARDIAN     10/1075/537/699/600/2.00/268 BLOODSTONE   10/ 880/440/699/600/2.00/220 IRON HAMMER  10/ 880/440/699/600/2.00/220 THOR'S HAMMER 10/ 880/440/699/600/2.00/244 JADE	     10/ 652/326/699/600/3.03/163 SILVER FIRE  10/ 717/358/699/600/3.03/179

Nomad Energy Blaster 10/635/317/699/600/4.00/0 2540/inf Nomad Energy Cannon 10/847/423/699/600/3.03/0  2566/inf

Other stats
Countermeasures			1000/70% $1000 New York Imp. Countermeasures		1000/80% $2100 Rochester Adv. Countermeasures		1000/90% $2500 Cadiz, Shinkaku

Thruster			165/200 $ 500 New York Deluxe Thruster			150/200 $3000 Rochester Heavy Thruster			133/200 $5000 Rochester Adv. Thruster			125/200 $6000 Cadiz, Shinkaku

Drone Mine			 326/ 163/60   750/  25 New York Seeker Mine			 408/ 204/80  1290/  43 New York Wardog Mine			 498/ 249/60  2740/  91 Willard Razor Mine			 632/ 316/80  5560/ 185 Willard Tadpole Mine			 808/ 404/60 11190/ 373 Leeds Driller Mine			1054/ 527/80 14300/ 715 Kyoto Swatter				1394/ 697/60 37180/1239 Cutter				2120/1060/80 82210/2740 Freeport 9 Screamer			3260/1630/60 180720/6024 Crete Ripper Mine		       3912/1956/80 216870/7229 salvage only?

Javelin			1/ 489/ 244/1000/90/0.50/2.90   750/  25 New York Eraser EMP		1/ 16/ 660/1000/90/1.00/2.90    750/  25 New York Stalker	Homing		1/ 244/ 122/1000/99/1.00/4.36   970/  32 New York Slingshot		3/ 747/ 373		       2740/  91 Willard Windstalker Homing	3/ 373/ 186		       3570/ 119 Willard Sweeper EMP		4/ 31/1279		        5560/ 185 Willard Catapult		5/1212/ 606		      11190/ 373 Leeds Moonstalker Homing	5/ 606/ 303		      14550/ 485 Kyoto Lancer			7/2091/1045		      37180/1239 Neutralizer EMP		7/ 69/2822		       37180/1239 Sunstalker Homing	7/1045/ 522		      48340/1611 Cannonball		9/4890/2445/1000/90/0.50/2.90 180720/6024 Crete Paralyzer EMP		9/ 195/7921/1000/90/1.00/2.90      /7229 ? Firestalker Homing	9/2445/1222/1000/99/1.00/4.36 234930/7831 Crete

Wasp Cruise Disruptor	   37/ 18/2500/700/1.00/8.71   2285/  91 Willard Hornet Cruise Disruptor   159/ 79/3000/800/1.00/8.71  68510/2740 Crete

Starkiller Torpedo	 2424/1212/1500/50/0.50/0.58   7833/ 373 Leeds Sunslayer Torpedo	 11736/5868/2700/60/0.50/0.58 151809/7229 Bruchsal

Shields Graviton - strong laser, photon, pulse; weak plasma, particle Sentry		 1/ 654/ 14/10 - New York Adv. Sentry		 2/ 894/ 19/10 - New York Guardian		 3/1225/ 27/10 - Willard Adv. Guardian		 4/1677/ 37/10 - Mactan, Baxter Sentinel		 5/2296/ 51/10 - Mactan, Baxter Adv. Sentinel		 6/3143/ 69/10 - Kyoto Protector		 7/4303/ 95/10 - Atka (sigma-17), Naha Adv. Protector	 8/5890/130/10 - included with Titan Champion Adv. Champion Positron - strong tachyon, neutron; weak laser, pulse, photon Armet			 1/ 490/ 10/10 California Minor Adv. Armet		 2/ 670/ 14/10 California Minor Cuisse		 3/ 920/ 20/10 California Minor Adv. Cuisse		 4/1260/ 28/10 Cambridge, Edinburgh Pourpoint		 5/1720/ 38/10 Essex (Dublin) Adv. Pourpoint	 6/2360/ 52/10 Cali (Tau-23) Aegis			 7/3230/ 71/10 Cali Adv. Aegis		 8/4420/ 98/10 $118K Cadiz, Crete, Malta Brigandine		 9/6050/134/10 $260K Cadiz, Crete, Malta Adv. Brigandine	10/8280/184/10 $312K Crete, Ruiz, Malta Molecular - strong plasma, particle; weak tachyon, neutron Rampart		 1/ 490/ 10/10 $  1K Rochester (New York) Adv. Rampart		 2/ 670/ 14/10 $  2K Rochester Sconce		 3/ 920/ 20/10 $  4K Rochester Adv. Sconce		 4/ 1260/ 28/10 $ 8K Palisade		 5/ 1720/ 38/10 $ 16K Adv. Palisade		 6/ 2360/ 52/10 $ 31K Freeport 9 Bulwark		 7/ 3230/ 71/10 $ 54K Freeport 9 Adv. Bulwark		 8/ 4420/ 98/10 $118K Freeport 9 Barrier		 9/ 6050/134/10 $260K Freeport 9 Adv. Barrier

Derelicts

 * "Old Imperial Navy Fighter", Sigma-13
 * C5 - 2xDIAMONDBACK L10 guns, etc.
 * C/D5 - 2xJADE, 1xWasp launcher, 5xWasp Missile, 20xCounter, 20xDrone Mine
 * C3 - 2xIRON HAMMER, etc.; 2xSILVER FIRE, etc.
 * C3/4 - 2xBLOODSTONE, etc.


 * "Fugaku", Honshu
 * C3 (follow patrol routes) - 2xTanto, 1xTanto Turret


 * "Robert Fitzgerald", Sigma-17
 * Bottom center of F4 - 3x adv. starbeam turret, 2xheavy starbeam, 20xalien organisms (worth $2000 each in California or Cambridge, $600 each at nearby planet Kurile).


 * "Pathfinder", Omicron Beta
 * E5 - 2 WILD FIRE L10 cannons, 10 paralyzer missiles, other stuff.
 * BEWARE: Omicron Beta is fiercely guarded by Outcast Sabres. You might want to buy off one of their allies before visiting.


 * "Hosho Maru", Omicron Beta
 * 4xAdv. Starbeam Turret, 2xAdv. Starbeam, 20xAlien Organisms.
 * Escort Ships: 2x Skyblast B


 * "Hien", Sigma-19
 * E3 - 1xSkyblast Turret A, 2xSunblast B


 * "Menorca" Sigma-19
 * F6 - 2xAngelito Mk 2, 20xArtifacts


 * "Kobe Maru" Shikoku
 * C5 - 2xDrake Type A, 20xArtifacts


 * 3x"Kusari Naval Forces Fighter", Hokkaido
 * C3 - 2xSunfury 2, 2xDisinfector 1, 2xScrambler 2


 * "Mongoose", Sigma-17
 * 2xBLUE BLAZE L10, 1xGunslinger Turret Mk 1, 10xParalyzer Missile


 * "Rebel", Omicron Theta
 * E6 - 2xTHOR'S HAMMER L10, 1xGunslinger Turret Mk 1, 10xParalyzer Missile


 * "Vengeance" Omicron Gamma
 * C5 - 2xGUARDIAN, etc.


 * Hessian Fighters in Omega-5(?)
 * Corsair Fighters in Omega-7
 * C5 - 6xAngelito 1


 * Outcast Graves, Omicron Alpha
 * 4F - great haul, but beware of Nomads.
 * 2xWyrm Type 2, Ripper Mine (Launcher & 5 Mines), 10xParalyzer Missile (twice)
 * 2xCERBERUS, etc.
 * 2xGUARDIAN, etc.


 * Bounty Hunter Fighter in Omega-11 C4/5 - nothing
 * Daumann Fighter, Omega-11
 * C5 - nothing


 * Independence, Omega-41
 * D/E4 - 2xHeavy Starbeam, 2xFlashpoint Turret, 20xDiamonds


 * Fearless, Omicron Theta
 * G6 - 2xHeavy Starbeam, 2xFlashpoint Turret, 20xArtifacts


 * Barossa, Tau-37
 * D6 - 2xHeavy Starbeam, 2xFlashpoint Turret, 0xNiobum?!?


 * Old Kruger Storage Container, Sigma-13
 * E5 - nothing


 * Corsair Fighter(s), Omicron Gamma
 * F2 - many 20xArtifacts, 2xSalamanca I


 * Viking, Omicron Alpha
 * D6 - 2xPROMETHEUS, Paralyzers, Gunslinger


 * Whetstone, Tau-31
 * D3/4 - 2x Heavy Starbeam, 3xAdv. Starbeam Turret, 20xCon. Mach

What they use

 * Liberty navy: laser weapons, graviton shields
 * Kusari navy: neutron weapons, graviton shields
 * Rheinland navy: tachyon weapons, molecular shields
 * Corsairs: neutron weapons, positron shields
 * Cryer pharm: civilian lasers, graviton shields
 * Bounty hunters: laser weapons, molecular shields
 * Zoners: photon weapons, molecular shields
 * Gaians: photon weapons, graviton shields
 * Red Hessians: laser weapons, graviton shields
 * Bundschuh: tachyon weapons, molecular shields
 * Xenos: particle weapons, molecular shields
 * Unioners: neutron/graviton
 * Alg: laser/graviton
 * Rogues: laser/molecular
 * Bowex: laser/grav