Strike Commander rookie guide

This is a rookie guide for Strike Commander, a DOS flight simulator with a plot. It has been made using the CD-ROM version of the game, which is the best way to play the game, as it is faster, has less bugs and features full voice acting compared to the floppy version.

Strike Commander is an offshoot of the Wing Commander series. It is a flight simulator, but has a plot, characters controlled by the computer and at some points the player can talk to the other characters and make several choices.

The missions and their objectives are always the same, although you can choose in which order to play some campaigns.



These instructions are meant for Strike Commander and its expansion Tactical Operations, but they also apply -to some extent- to its sequels Pacific Strike and Wings of Glory, set in WWII and WWI rexpectively.

 

So yes, the plot.

We are in a near future. Some countries have disappeared, others have lost their former power or face new threats, and their fate is often decided by small scale conflicts and squadrons of mercenaries. Squadrons such as the Wildcats.

Their leader is Stern, who has hired us and will act as a mentor of sorts during part of the game. As far as mercenary leaders go, Stern is not one of the worst. He maintains discipline among his ranks, is not blood thirsty and won't accept just any job available. Other squadrons, we'll see later, are not this picky.



We also need to know some other characters in the game. The rest of the pilots have distinct personalities (some are more aggressive, others cooler) and will always have some insight on the missions we're playing or useful tips, but you don't need to talk to them to progress into the game.

Virgil, however, is another story. He's our accountant, and we'll need to consult him on wether the business is going fine or his ulcer is acting up. We also buy new weapons and supplies through the ledger in his desk.



There's also Selim's, a bar in Turkey where we meet our contacts.



They will offer us contracts to fight around the world. They all have different difficulty and pay. Our choice is somehow limited, because in order to finish the game we need to play all campaigns, but sometimes the order can matter. An easier assignment means more time to master the game, but will likely offer less pay.

--- добавлено 6 ноя 2025, предыдущее сообщение размещено: 6 ноя 2025 ---

Flight navigation

In Strike Commander, we'll mostly fly the F-16. It's a small jet, fast and maneuverable, capable of both air combat and ground attacks.

Compared to other flight simulators, Strike Commander is rather simple. But this doesn't mean you'll be excuses from learning some key controls.

Starting with taking off and landing, those can be performed automatically with the A key:



If not, we take off by using full power (power is controlled from keys 1 to 0), extending our flaps (F) and retracting our gear (L). And the opposite for landing.

Every mission consists of several waypoints, which we can consult with N and move around them with A.



Our first time in the cockpit is also the best moment to change options with ALT+O. We have the usual controls, realism and graphic options. I recommend easy levels amd, in the cockpit section, to deactivate "ladder", "sun glare" and "g effects". I also recommend to activate the VICTIM CAMERA, so we can enjoy your kills.


Dogfights

Dogfights (facing enemy planes) will be a constant incident during our missions. Signals will appear in our radar and our wingman (we often fly in pairs) will warn us of incoming enemies:



It's time to learn about our weapons. G changes from mixed mode to air combat mode and viceversa. Then, it's W to cycle between our weapons and SPACE to fire. But wait! First acquire target with T, and a square will surround it. And if you lose sight of your enemy, press Y to follow him with your head.

Dogfights in Strike Commander usually take place within sight, with both planes moving in circles until they can shoot each other, either with your cannon or your missiles.

Aiming with your cannon is not easy, but you can help yourself with the weapon camera (F8). Also try to anticipate the enemy's trajectory and fire ahead of him.



Missiles in the game come in two flavours. At first you'll be using the cheaper Sidewinder-J (this is a business after all), and you'll need to place yourself directly behind the enemy plane in order to get "tone" and fire. Later you'll be using Sidewinder-M and AMRAAM missiles, which can be fired at any time with the enemy in sight.

Of course, the enemy can evade your missiles and fire theirs against you. You'll know whenever you're being targeted with a missile with the intermitent lights at the top left of the cockpit. A blinking AMBER light means heat missile, which you can evade by switching off the engine, dropping flares (with the ' key) and making a sharp turn. A blinking RED light, on the other hand, means RADAR guided missile, which you can evade by dropping chaff (with the ; key).

And your wingmen? You can communicate at any time using the comms screen, with the letter C:



At first you'll only be able to ask for their status. But eventually you'll be in charge, and you can give them basic instructions, such as HELP ME or ATTACK MY TARGET.

--- добавлено 6 ноя 2025 ---

Ground attacks

Ground attacks are my favorite part of the game, but also the most challenging.

First of all, listen carefully to your instructions. Strike Commander wasn't translated into other languages, and sometimes you'll be asked very specific things, such as "drop bombs on the flat building between the two skyscrapers" or "destroy the enemy tanks but leave the rest alone". Activate subtitles if you have to.

As for weapons, save the expensive but guided weapons (Maverick missiles, Paveway bombs) for important targets, and use rockets, MK-82 and MK-20 bombs for the rest. The MK-82 are good for hard targets such as structures, and the MK-20 for vehicles.

Now, the strategy. Choose your rockets or bombs, change to a lower speed (use brakes with B if you have to) and align yourself with the target. If the target is not yet in sight, press R while selecting a ground weapon for the ground RADAR. That will help. So will the weapon camera (F8).

With guided weapons, you'll need to acquire target with T. But not with your unguided ordinance, for those use the weapon camera or the HUD indications.



The VICTIM CAMERA (remember, you can enable it in your options, with ALT+O) is another useful help here. It will let you know when a target is destroyed, and seeing them blow up in pieces is veeeeeeeeery satisfying.

Sometimes you'll be asked to destroy enemy runways. There is a bomb in your arsenal, the Durandal, which does exactly that. But I find it difficult to aim, so I usually employ the MK-82 in those missions.



Targets such as fortifications or runways require multiple bomb or rocket hits.


Damage

Sooner or later, your plane will suffer from damage. Enemy missiles usually end up with your plane in flames. If you don't die instantly, press CTRL+E to eject.

Your plane will be destroyed (it will cost you $500,000 in insurance and a reprimand from another character), the mission will be lost (unless you saved your game), but you'll live to fight another day.

Cannon or AAA damage is more gradual. You can check it at any time pressing D. Systems highlighted in YELLOW are damaged but still work. Systems in RED won't work anymore. Usual failures from cannon or AAA fire are fuel leaks (you'll need to finish the mission quickly), your cannon no longer working (wich can be a drag in dogfights), damaged flaps or ailerons (your turns will be waaaaay slower, also a problem during dogfights, but you can end up with a completely uncontrolable plane) or losing total control of the plane.

One of the most frustrating things in the game is finishing your mission but not being able to land at your base because of landing gear damage. In those cases, you'll need to eject and lose the plane (remember, $500,000 and a reprimand), but the mission will count as finished. If it has been a hard one, it might be worth it.

 

And make a Windows port of this game, godammit!

 

@Neville, thank you for the nice writeup. I've almost dropped my current tasks to fire up a DOS PC and give the game a proper try))

It seems to be very similar to the main series in terms of layout and controls, despite the gap in eras (Privateer in particular comes to mind).

Has great music, too!

 

Thank you. I wrote it because SC is a personal favorite. It's a really intense game, and lots of fun. I kept it installed on my PC for years, and I finished it several times.

 

Also note that there exists a missile fix for the game that you may want to apply. It fixes an issue with the missiles from the player. In modern CPUs the enemies can dodge them too easily and you'll have to use the cannon more often than the game creators predicted.