XWA-TC 13: Hammer to Anvil Part II
Battle Information
Battle Reviews
The battle itself is good, but Mission 1 gives you a very tight, almost impossible window to complete the objectives before you fail. Very frustrating having to repeat the same thing until you get it just right.
Storyline:
Very good storyline adapting the Vong and having them facing the EH. Loved all the expanded narrative on the commander briefings. You get a lot of immersion with the in-game messages and enough information about what is going on. Each mission led well to the next one in terms of story. The story itself made you feel the fear of dealing with an invasion of an unknown yet powerful enemy even if it is using known ships, as their intentions made it clear they would not stop until they destroy the EH. That makes you react. I mean, the fear , being intimidated and expecting an invincible enemy...loved it.
Technical aspects:
It had some design flaws , while it was balanced most of the time, and with enough variety and , sometimes you had no way to beat a mission unless you failed first, then read the hints. In other cases, the flaws weren't "intentional". A VSD with little time to be saved for example,
Tactical:
Indeed, the design flaws would take you into unorthodox tactics. Sometimes it was more on the side of making good use of game mechanics rather than military tactics. Still, it had room for some dogfighting and you could use your piloting skills.
Briefings:
Good briefings, good grammar. Sadly, sometimes they did not give full information on what to expect. Awesome commander briefings with lots of context; you are left wanting for more. This is the best aspect along with storyline itself.
Interesting missions, good briefings, good context but some technical details... 3/5
Going to admit, I was a bit lost as far as the storyline was concerned. This was a part II, so I understand I wasn't going to be fully up to date, but the missions did not do a good job of informing new pilots what is going on. I did not understand the general situation of timeline, so it was tough to be very motivated on the missions. It was also hard to understand why the Vepaad (or whatever the name of the blue faction was) was able to destroy so many ships in the final mission since they had nothing larger than a STRCK or FRG the entire battle.
From a mission design standpoint, I will say it's nothing special. All T/D missions and they all felt very similar to one another. Destroy fighters, maybe engage a capital ship, then mission is over. Very little inspecting or other objectives besides destroy all fighters or protect a certain craft. None of the missions were too difficult. Your T/Ds far outmatched everything they flew against and the mission critical craft didn't feel too hard to protect. None of the missions were buggy and seemed to work as intended, but to sum up my thoughts in two word - nothing special.
I'll start with the good stuff. Briefing and debriefing are excellent. There is a solid storyline attached to the battle. Where it begins to fall flat is the missions themselves. M1 to M3 were making me question life. At M4 it begins to get better. M5, the "first half" was good, the "second half" was badly done. M6, the premise was excellent but the execution was not so good. I see the reviews all around me and find myself in the minority, so up to you. The creator just threw a lot of everything in and expected a majestic cake. Do fly it, but just keep a low expectation, in my view.
One of the best battles I've played so far. Very entertaining plot that fit well with the missions, fun missions, and few bugs. The only annoyance was figuring out the first mission but I forgot that by the end. Had a lot of fun overall.
This is the solid continuation of battle TC 8. Again, really well written overarching story. The final battle takes the engine to its extremes with the number of capital ships involved.
I played on Easy with cheats. I applaud the fact that this battle has high aspirations and, mostly, hits them. I think some of the ideas came across a bit clunky, like in Mission 1 where ships start blowing up for no reason. The start of Mission 6, with all the capital ships on screen, was truly impressive but then the mission drags on as you have to fight waaaay too many fighters. Other than some minor issues, though, it was a decent battle.
An all around good battle. The plot was solid and well developed. The briefings are quite immersive both because of the narrative and the good text. The missions feature the T/D, the King of Space, so add one more incentive to fly this excellent sequel to the Hammer to Anvil saga. Don't miss it if you like the six-winger.
Looking at the most recent previous comments one can see how subjective those ratings are, and how different things people enjoy. I for one did not really enjoy this battle. The first mission has some weird condition (or bug) that when your wingmen arrive in the combat area everything blows up before you can really inspect it. Solution is just to issue a wait order to your wingmen prior to making the jump. But it provokes a question why are they there in the first place? With each next mission the battle seems to gradually evolve into larger scale conflict of zerg vs zerg. The missions are quite chaotic with so much going on it might be hard to grasp on the events. If you find yourself in the right place at the right time, you can easily go for a good score but if not... Your allies will make a short work of anything that could have been your target. Thankfully you had a little more of craft variety to fight than the previous battle of this story. Aside from plenty of Toscans (making appearance in first half of the battle), you are going to fight some of the stronger Imperial craft too. That's quite a challenge especially in the last mission, being put against T/Ds. Cap ships are still mainly Strike Cruisers though. All in all, I wasn't a fan of this one!
This is a great battle. The first mission was a little gimmicky (and I'm not sure how it ties to the other missions), but the rest were fun and challenging. In the last mission, I had to refly it because one of the friendly ISDs destroyed the base just before the 10 minute mark, but I'm not sure if it's a bug. The second time through it didn't happen.
An enjoyable continuation to the original Hammer and Anvil battle. Mission 1 is a little...iffy, but aside from that the mission design and plot are enjoyable. Now onto part 3!
Awesome story work, first mission felt pretty cheesy. But the payoff defending Dark One over the remains of the fleet: awesome!
Excellent battle. Fairly challenging and requiring some forethought to win.
Good battle and also good history.Critic is the first mission with the self-destruct ships; the inspect must performed a super-fast speed,without shields or laser charge; is a matter of very few seconds and know wich ships to inspect.After play this mission ten times, you can succeded...
An improvement even on HTApt.I. Excellent plot, even if the loss of the Avenger is a tad over the top. Last battle doesn't really *feel* like it's a momentous event- it's rather seperated and follows the floods-of-Toscans series but hey, it's still a damn good battle.
Three words, regarding the first mission only: HARD AS HELL! Otherwise, pretty fun, with lots of big meanies to have fun with...
This battle was really great and full of surprises!
WOW best battle i've ever flown (next to HTA 1) can't wait for another
Will there be an another part of this GREAT BATTLES??
I love this mission, as good as H2A 01!
Excellent battle, had a plotline i wanted to read, well designed missions too. the only bad thing is all the imperial ships being destroyed. But that does make it more believable
NO!!! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE!!! AVENGER CANNOT BE DESTROYED :"-( FM/LT Daar Skeloria/Chaos 2-3/Wing XIX/SSD Avenger
Great battle, the story line is well developed, and the missions are just plain fun to play.
This is the best battle I ever played, not only as for EH battles, my judgement also includes the original XWA missions. The story line was a masterpiece. Congratulations to the author...
Great storyline!! Good variations in mission objectives, escorting, scouting, dogfighting. I liked it alot especially the great plot!!
Great battle! The only reason I gave it a 4 is because all the EH ships blowing up in #6.
Good Battle, I liked it but it did have alot of fighters and ships. More like a dogfighters dream than a story :P
Well thought out storyline and good missions. My only problem is that the craft became too overused after a while. But overall, good.
Being Disabled is never fun. I liked the plot, even though it had some gaps missing in it.
Excellent, well-developed plotline. Could use a bit more variation in starfighters, though. One gets tired of always flying a T/D against Toscans (with a few Avengers and Rebel fighters thrown in) after a while.
I was worry, the first time I flow this battle, I came across no end of bugs, but this time apart from mission 3 and 6(which both really need a complete retink) I had a great time. Well done.
This was my first battle for EH and I absolutely loved it. It was a little tough for a rookie like me in spots but I made it through. The storyline was great! Like I said a little difficult for rookies but otherwise very solid.
Overall, great battle! Great storyline, good programming (except for the last board). Great!
Plotline=6 Diffuculty=4 So I gave it a five :)Excellent Plotline, No bugs, and fun. Could use a craft variation.Meaning not Toscans, but R-41s then some times TWs.
Simply the best XWA battle I've ever played. None of the bugs other people report have occured to me. To complete the first mission, I assign my wingmen to target that FRT, so they go to inspect it, while I fly with full power to the engines towards the Shuttles that explode first. After that, continue with the inspection normally. As for the 6th mission, fly immediately towards Zoraan's base, and when the fighters appear, tell your wingmen to attack one, while you wait there at the base. When the fighters are in range, attack using dual missiles and take some out quickly. Continue using your wingmen and lasers to take out the rest, and at 10 minutes the reinforcements arrive!
Another GREAT battle! I couldn't find any bugs in this one but in the first mission you need to send your wing men ahead and make the jump once they have inspected 61% and that way inspecting the rest is a peice of cake! The Story line was good and I loved the e-mail that gave you the backround info. Can't wait for the 3rd intallment :)
I wish the people flying this would be more prepared for lots of wing's of fighters. What you do in MIssion 6 is Fly to Dark Base before you engage the fighters. call for reenforcements, So you would have more to fight the fighters, target a toscan Fighter, and tell your Squadron to engage the target type. this will give you an even better hand on the situation. I came up with that tequnique years ago in XvsT. GEt everything you can to fight the fighters, and take out the Starships after ALL of the fighters are destroyed. I hate if pilots can't be recourceful. Check the bug section for how to do Mission 1.
Excellent battle! Ignore the bug reports. The only "bug" that I can see, is that some people might be a bit too slow to inspect all the craft at the beginning of the first mission. But apart from that, it's filled with an imaginative storyline, fun missions and it's not too hard! Brilliant work Saur!
Like almost everyone else, the FRT in the first mission kept crashing, and the others exploded before I got to them. It's amazing how some battles pass Beta Testing! All in all, a good battle except for that part.
I give a 5 for the plotline but only a 3 for the missions because they aren't very original: you just fly a T/D killing endless Wings of Toscan Fighters. The battle is fun though
Just two words : Great Battle
This was by far one of the best battles that I have played so far. Although it did require the use of the hints after the first mission, but all in all I loved playing this battle, I hope to see a third installment in the series!!!
A fun battle with a well-written story. Lots of points to be had, too. Only problem is that first mission is a bit too frustrating.
Great battle! If only the first mission was made a little more easy? I mean, I did complete it with help from that tip. But only someone with mission editing experience could figure that trick out. (cause they blow up after a certain time of your arrival, not the fleets) Great story and I loved flying that T/D again :) Aslo a great way to test my new vid card too!
Great battle. The trick in mission 1 is to let your wingmen hyper away to the second area first while you let your shields power up. your wingmen will inspect a lot of ships (until about 40% are inspected), then you should hyper in.
Great plotline. Other then the bugs I repoted below the battle is great.
Absolutely wonderful. Challenging missions even I had trouble with at times ;P Great Job Sauron!
Battle Bug Reports
2022-09-05
M6: Enemy craft attacking the platform remain stationary.
2009-07-11
Mission 3: CARG Jorin fly in circles instead of hyperspacing out of the area.
High Scores
| Battle Total: | 120,752 | COL Deimos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission 1: | 14,212 | LCM Narnil | |
| Mission 2: | 19,119 | LCM Marek Ny`Irfa | 2020-10-04 |
| Mission 3: | 23,524 | CM Pat Dowling | |
| Mission 4: | 13,438 | COL Deimos | |
| Mission 5: | 39,071 | VA Gord Darkonian | |
| Mission 6: | 29,496 | RA Genie | 2022-09-03 |
Top Ten
(of available records)
| 1 | 104,509 | COL Aardvark | 2022-09-16 |
| 2 | 102,502 | LC Rando | 2018-05-31 |
| 3 | 101,774 | RA Genie | 2022-09-03 |
| 4 | 100,437 | COL Aardvark | 2022-09-04 |
| 5 | 97,435 | HA Daniel Bonini | 2004-10-16 |
| 6 | 97,400 | COL Dirty Vader | 2004-10-20 |
| 7 | 87,635 | LT Korbane Ashoka | 2002-09-06 |
| 8 | 86,369 | LCM Marek Ny`Irfa | 2020-10-04 |
| 9 | 83,414 | HA Anahorn Dempsey | 2022-08-27 |
| 10 | 80,995 | LC Phoenix Man | 2004-08-17 |
Battle Completion Statistics
This battle has been flown by 495 pilots a total of 513 times.
COL Aardvark - 2 times, last on 2022-09-16
MAJ Ace Fighter - 2003-10-25
SL Alejandro Araujo - 2022-09-14
CPT Alexander Anderson - 2004-10-16
CPT Alexi Stukov - 2004-10-16
CPT Alimet - 2003-04-14
HA Anahorn Dempsey - 3 times, last on 2022-08-27
LC andr3 - 2 times, last on 2022-08-17
COL Angel - 2002-12-20
CM Aragorn - 2003-02-24
COL Archangel - 2003-06-03
LT Arsot Bondabra - 2003-05-25
CM Asen Starlancer - 2022-09-09
VA Astix - 2005-03-02
MAJ Aurelius Erasmus - 2003-05-30
COL Beef - 2003-08-30
LCM Beignet - 2003-09-11
LCM Big Daddy - 2003-03-17
CM Billy Taldrya - 2003-05-15
CM Bonzo - 2002-08-22
LCM Brunon von Doom - 2003-04-16
COL BubbaX - 2003-06-01
CM Cabbel - 2002-09-02
LT Cauldron Hawke - 2004-06-18
LC Choosh - 2002-11-26
LT Chris Pape - 2009-08-14
CPT Claus Shteiner - 2005-04-24
LT Cole Archer - 2004-06-18
MAJ Colo Delste - 2022-08-24
SL Condar Freed - 2004-07-11
COL CrimsonFury - 2003-01-28
MAJ Crix Talra - 2011-08-16
CPT Daar Skeloria - 2002-08-27
LT Damon Spears - 2003-01-09
HA Daniel Bonini - 2004-10-16
LCM Dargor - 2004-07-18
CM DarkSith_99 - 2018-04-20
LCM Daurathi Ghost - 2003-07-23
COL Davi Anthol - 2002-09-01
CM Dierdre Varn - 2003-06-06
COL Dirty Vader - 2004-10-20
CPT Draiff Stryker - 2003-06-06
CPT Dujhod - 2004-10-16
GN Dunta Polo - 2009-07-11
LCM Durakon Staely - 2002-08-22
GN Earnim Branet - 2004-09-10
LCM Edward - 2003-06-17
LCM Eightguy - 2003-10-08
CM El Guapo - 2004-06-10
GN Elwood the Brave - 3 times, last on 2015-08-19
CM Epicedion - 2020-09-19
MAJ Eugene - 2003-01-27
MAJ Evo Sarnok - 2003-03-20
GN Exar Kit - 2002-11-18
CPT EXE - 2005-01-20
CM Fahrer - 2004-12-11
CM Falcon - 2003-01-29
CPT Fallien Skull - 2003-12-22
LT Fenix Cochrane - 2002-11-24
MAJ Frankie - 2005-01-27
CPT Frenchie6 - 2020-09-15
CM Frenzy Lekvoda - 2003-01-25
LCM Fung - 2002-11-03
RA Genie - 2022-09-03
LCM Germ - 2020-05-12
FA Giovanni Palermo - 2004-07-22
CM Gistenjunge - 2 times, last on 2009-08-31
MAJ Granite - 2003-05-07
LCM Gregor MacDonald - 2003-10-16
MAJ Gustan - 2003-08-10
LC Gytheran - 2022-08-21
AD Hav Antiel - 2020-09-25
MAJ Hermann - 2 times, last on 2020-09-11
FA Howlader - 2 times, last on 2009-10-19
CPT Ibram Gaunt - 2003-07-19
LT Illandian Hunt - 2003-04-06
LT James Greer - 2003-06-09
CM Jamiek - 2003-08-10
CM Jan Schneider - 2003-01-09
VA Jan Wemmel - 2003-10-11
MAJ Jaxx Nassin - 2022-09-16
LCM Jer - 2003-09-08
COL Jer Stryker - 2003-01-02
LCM Josef Hassan - 2004-11-26
LT Kaek - 2003-07-16
LCM Kael Dalor - 2 times, last on 2009-02-08
LCM Kat Lyons - 2003-01-08
LT Kate Flyer - 2005-04-25
LC Kayle Bayron - 2005-02-08
MAJ Kazraran - 2022-12-07
MAJ KEBLAOMEGA - 2 times, last on 2022-08-22
MAJ Keiran Laserlight - 2003-03-23
SL Ketan-Shej - 2003-03-19
LT Korbane Ashoka - 2002-09-06
LCM KramCola - 2003-10-05
CPT Krayt - 2002-09-06
LCM Lazyleesblood - 2003-06-18
COL Lenvik - 2003-05-20
CPT Maiko Spince - 2003-03-09
LCM Marek Ny`Irfa - 2020-10-04
LT Marick Winter - 2005-05-26
CM Matthew Weeks - 2004-08-04
LT Maxwell - 2003-06-03
CM Milo Antu - 2020-11-13
COL Mini Minkus - 2003-03-04
COL Mosh - 2002-09-13
LCM Naar Treib - 2003-05-03
LT Narraku - 2004-08-21
LCM Needa - 2004-11-07
COL Nightmare - 2002-11-21
COL Nurel Turr - 2004-09-17
LT Nurgas Hui - 2003-06-24
LCM Nylan - 2014-06-16
LT Outlaw - 2003-03-10
CM Paul Tecluse - 2003-07-05
Per-Aa Damar N`Eshathi - 2002-11-16
LT Perihelion - 2005-04-09
HA Pete Mitchell - 2002-11-26
COL Phalk Sturm - 2 times, last on 2022-09-15
COL Phantom - 2003-01-13
LC Phoenix Man - 2004-08-17
LCM Pi Stryker - 2003-05-05
FA Pickled Yoda - 2002-08-23
LT Pistol - 2003-01-31
HA Plif - 2015-04-24
MAJ Praetorian - 2003-01-14
CPT Psyko Prefect - 2003-07-10
LC Quincy Nelson - 2003-06-27
LCM Raistlin - 2003-04-11
GN Rancorous - 2 times, last on 2009-05-11
LC Rando - 2 times, last on 2020-09-04
CPT Red Fox - 2002-11-18
VA Rejili Holthaus - 2005-01-27
LCM Rem Somnos - 2003-06-28
LCM Rhace - 2014-04-08
MAJ RichyV - 2009-09-17
LT Saint Lucifer - 2004-08-04
LCM Sam Booker - 2002-12-03
LC Savageaz - 2004-08-07
CM Sergeyli - 2009-08-14
COL Shae Kitane - 2002-11-16
GN Sickman - 2002-12-07
CPT SL8c8 - 2018-12-24
LC Solohan50 - 2 times, last on 2022-08-21
AD Stryker - 2020-09-21
LT Swerg - 2003-06-22
CPT Syntroth - 2022-09-15
LCM Talon Virgilio - 2003-08-07
MAJ TheBlackxRanger - 2022-08-22
LC Thorn - 2002-08-18
LT Thunder - 2003-01-07
CPT Tiamat - 2003-12-14
CPT Tim - 2002-08-24
CM TK-9780 - 2002-08-24
LC Tolbr - 2003-09-13
COL Triji Boliv - 2 times, last on 2022-09-10
MAJ Tuba - 2010-08-30
FA Turtle Jerrar - 2003-09-16
LT Ty Seerlan - 2022-09-05
LC Tygra Shadowclaw - 2003-08-12
CPT Ulath - 2003-03-17
LT Vailon Verel - 2003-07-12
LT Varis Palharris - 2015-08-16
LCM Vissan - 2003-04-14
COL Vladet Xavier - 2003-02-02
CPT Voort SaBinring - 2004-07-11
COL Wes Janson - 2003-01-21
CPT Wolve Excelsior Berkana - 2 times, last on 2023-06-04
CM Xanatos Screed - 2003-02-01
CM Xeraan Rhazzazor - 2002-12-15
CPT Xye - 2022-09-13
LCM Yilana - 2002-12-21
LT Zacarias - 2003-05-01
SL Zekk Terrik - 2 times, last on 2020-09-11
Hammer To Anvil, Part II
Game platform: X-Wing Alliance (XWA)
Number of missions: Six (6)
Created by: RSV/COL Sauron/M/FRG Phoenix/Reserves
Email: adm_pellaeon@lineone.net
Contents:
1B8M1HII1.tie
1B8M2HII2.tie
1B8M3HII3.tie
1B8M4HII4.tie
1B8M5HII5.tie
1B8M6HII6.tie
Mission.lst
Email.txt
Hammer to Anvil II.txt
Hammer to Anvil II Epilogue.txt
HtA 2 Readme.txt
HtA2.plt
Instructions:
1] Double click the .EHM file, the EH Battle Launcher will install the battle.
2] Check the Misc folder in your XWA for additional material like patches, emails or sounds.
3] In EHBL, create a new "EH Pilot" in the Game Menu (Check "Prepare for EH Battle").
4] Press the X-Wing Alliance button to start XWA and fly the battle.
NB: Installing the Email.txt file will delete all of the original emails from the game, so it is advised that you make a makeup of the original Email.txt file before installing Hammer to Anvil, Part 2.
Plotline:
With the recent discovery of the Vepaal and the ensuing war, the Emperor's Hammer is gearing for all-out attack. You will play the role of Major John Tert, an elite fighter pilot. You will be accompanying the Victory-Star Destroyer Battleaxe on its campaign against the Vepaal forces.
(See Hammer to Anvil II.txt for complete prologue)
It is highly advised that you read the entirety of the post-mission dialogues, as they are used to further the storyline. In addition, be sure to check the personal emails at the start of every mission as there will be additional information contained within them.
THIS LEVEL IS NOT MADE, DISTRIBUTED, OR SUPPORTED BY LUCASARTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, ELEMENTS TM & (C) LUCASARTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY.
RSV/COL Sauron/M/FRG Phoenix/Reserves
GS/SS/BSx8/PCx8/ISMx13/MoI/MoT-5rh-8gh/LoCx2/
MoC-1SoC-1GoC/CoSx3/CoL/CoB/OV-2E (PLDN)
{IWATS IIC/3 M1/2 SM/2}