Terra (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Terra was one of the internet's original Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....

, debuting in early 1996 from Kaon interactive.

Overview

Terra is a virtual world played from the first-person
First person (video games)
In video games, first person refers to a graphical perspective rendered from the viewpoint of the player character. In many cases, this may be the viewpoint from the cockpit of a vehicle. Many different genres have made use of first-person perspectives, ranging from adventure games to flight...

 perspective with one of several vehicles, originally limited to a medium tank (Rhino), light scout vehicle (Goat), or a heavy long-range self-propelled howitzer
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...

 (Buffalo). A light attack helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

 (Shrike) was added sometime in 1997 and several other vehicle types have been added since, including a heavy tank (Armadillo) and fast laser-armed recon vehicles both land (Scarab) and air (Phoenix). Also, stationary fort defenses which existed from the start of the game (Thugs) as AI
Ai
AI, A.I., Ai, or ai may refer to:- Computers :* Artificial intelligence, a branch of computer science* Ad impression, in online advertising* .ai, the ISO Internet 2-letter country code for Anguilla...

's have been made player-usable.

The game has some role-playing aspects to it as each player makes a character whose statistics are tracked continuously. Each player aligns themselves with a clan
Clan (computer gaming)
In computer and video gaming, a clan or guild is an organised group of players that regularly play together in a particular multiplayer games. These games range from groups of a few friends to 1000-person organizations, with a broad range of structures, goals and members. The lifespan of a clan...

, and all players start in one of two clans called the "Desert Rats" or "AMOK". Players move from these two beginner/introductory clans by either pledging to existing primary clans or by forming their own clans.

Ranks

Players are given rank status for the kill ratios they have attained. Higher rank means more privileges, although some of that is controlled by the clan leader for clan security reasons. Higher rank also allows the ability to create ones own clan, build forts and associated defences. Ranks go from Recruit at 0 kills, Trooper at 10 kills, Lance Corporal at 20 kills, Corporal at 50 kills, Sergeant at 100 kills (can withdraw money), Sergeant 1st Class at 150 kills (can build fuel and ammo dumps (depots)), Second Lieutenant at 200 kills (can build defenses), First Lieutenant at 250 kills (can form alliances), Captain at 300 kills (can build forts (castles), mobilebases, and powerplants), to Major at 500 kills. At Major, players can form their own clan, transfer bases, and designate a base as the clan's "home fort." After the rank of Major, the ranks go from Lt. Colonel at 150 kills, all the way up to Emperor at 500,000 kills.

Castles

Castles, or "forts", are the main bases that are built in the Outlands. These structures are stronger than Mobile Bases. Castles require power to operate and no vehicles can be purchased until the Castle is powered. Power can be obtained from either a Power plant setup at the Castle or from another Castle's Power plant, as long as that Castle is within 12KM. This will link the two forts onto the same power grid and allow near instantaneous travel between the two Castles. Each castle has 4 control pylons and can have a maximum of 20 stationary ground defences including the Power Plant and Radars. In addition to the 20 stationary ground defences, a clan can purchase up to 7 robot defenders.

Mobile bases

Mobile bases, or "MB's", are secondary bases, and are most often used for attacking enemy Castles or doing recon in the area. Although not as strong as Castles, they are cheaper and finish building faster. Mobile bases also have an internal power source so they do not require a power plant although they can still be linked to a powered fort if within 12KM. Mobile bases only have 2 control pylons, a maximum of 16 stationary ground defences and they cannot have any robot defenders.

Defences

There are two main types of stationary ground defences available for construction at Castles and Mobile bases, either of which can be built at a maximum distance of 3KM from an allied asset. Repulsors or "Reps" are used to keep opposing clans away from an assets control pylons. Repulsors can link to powered structures, (Castles and Mobile bases) power plants, and other repulsors within 500 meters. When connected to another repulsor, an invisible wall is formed between them and if any enemy vehicles try to cross it, they will be repulsed back roughly 400 meters. It is general practise to have at least 6 repulsors in a pattern so that they are connected and cover the pylons, this is called a "Rep Field". The other type of ground defence available for construction is the thug. Thugs are capable of returning fire at the enemy. Thugs are used to defend the repulsors and to help players locate and eliminate attacking enemies. Generally, thugs are left unmanned and will fire with basic weapons. If a player wishes, they may jump into the thug and take advantage of the strong armor and high ammo count. If unmanned, thugs tend to fire LDM in bursts of three at targets beyond 600 meters and fire DUP rounds at targets closer than 600 meters with increasing speed as the target approaches the thug.

The third type of ground defence are decoy pylons. Decoy pylons look and act just like regular pylons only once they get shot, they explode. Since a player has to be within 100 meters to kill a pylon, it makes them dangerous because the player that kills it has to be next to it when it explodes. Players can also build Radars at their assets.

Free Standing Structures

There are two types of structures that can be built without any nearby asset, they are the Ammo Dump and the Fuel Dump. These can be built anywhere as long as they are further than 1.2KM from an asset.

External links

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