📝 Input System

Understanding DECWARS command system is essential for effective starship command:

							Commands:
							Can be abbreviated to 2 characters (some to 1)
							Chaining:
							Use "/" to chain commands: SC/ST/TA
							Repeat:
							Press ESC to repeat last command
							Ships:
							Ship names can be abbreviated to 1 character
						

📍 Coordinate Systems

ABSOLUTE: Direct galaxy coordinates (default)
RELATIVE: Distance from your current position
COMPUTED: Target another ship's location by name

🎮 Essential Game Commands

These commands control the fundamental aspects of gameplay:

HELP

HELP [command]

List all commands or get detailed help on a specific command.

STATUS

Display your ship's current status, energy levels, and supply information.

TIME

Show current stardate, runtime, and elapsed time information.

QUIT

Exit the game and return to the system.

📊 Sensors & Intelligence

Gather critical intelligence about the galaxy and enemy positions:

SCAN

Long-range scan with maximum 10-sector range

SRSCAN

Short-range scan with 7-sector range

LIST

List ships, bases, and planets information

SUMMARY

Summary of ships, bases, and planets

TARGETS

List enemies within weapons range

USERS

List players currently in the game

⚠️ Scan notes

Type "Scan Warn" to display sectors that are within range of enemy bases and planets

🚀 Navigation & Movement

Navigate through the 75×75 sector galaxy with precision:

MOVE

MOVE [ABSOLUTE|RELATIVE|COMPUTED] <y> <x>

Warp drive movement. The maximum warp is 6, but warps 5-6 risk engine damage. Shields double the movement energy cost.

IMPULSE

IMPULSE [ABSOLUTE|RELATIVE|COMPUTED] <y> <x>

Impulse drive movement at warp factor 1. Emergency backup when warp engines are damaged.

⚠️ Navigation Notes

Computer damage makes navigation inexact during warp and impulse
Shields up doubles energy consumption during movement
Maximum warp: 6 (normal), 3 (when engines are damaged)

⚔️ Weapons & Combat

Engage enemy forces with devastating firepower:

TORPEDOES

TORPEDOES [ABSOLUTE|RELATIVE|COMPUTED] <y> <x> [y x [y x]]

Range: 10 sectors maximum. Torpedos are a line of sight weapon. The accuracy is affected by tube damage. Ships can fire up to 3 at once.

PHASERS

PHASERS [ABSOLUTE|RELATIVE|COMPUTED] <y> <x>

Dual banks: Strength reduced by computer or phaser control damage. Obstacles seemingly in the path of the phaser blast are unaffected, since the energy ray is not a line-of-sight weapon.

💥 Combat Tips

Enemy bases: Immobile but devastating within 4 sectors
Enemy planets: Weaker than bases, 2-sector range, can be captured
Neutral planets: Will attack within 2 sectors, can be captured
Romulans: Cloaked while moving, they have infinite supplies and are extremely dangerous

🔧 Ship Management

Manage your starship's systems, energy, and damage:

SHIELDS

SHIELDS [UP|DOWN] [energy]

Raise/lower shields, transfer energy to/from shields

ENERGY

ENERGY [ship] [amount]

Transfer energy between ships

REPAIR

Repair damaged devices

DAMAGES

List damaged devices and status

DOCK

Dock at adjacent base/planet for supplies and repair

TRACTOR

TRACTOR [ship]

Tow friendly ships (both must lower shields)

🏗️ Strategic Operations

Build your empire and gather intelligence:

CAPTURE

CAPTURE [ABSOLUTE|RELATIVE|COMPUTED] <y> <x>

Win neutral or enemy planets over to your side. Required before building.

BUILD

BUILD [ABSOLUTE|RELATIVE|COMPUTED] <y> <x>

Develop captured planets into bases (each side limited to 10). Essential for territorial control.

BASES

List information on friendly and known enemy bases.

PLANETS

List friendly, enemy, and neutral planet information.

📡 Communications & Utility

Stay connected and manage game settings:

TELL

TELL [ship|ALL] message

Send messages via sub-space radio

RADIO

RADIO [ON|OFF] [ship]

Control radio on/off

SET

SET [options]

Set input/output defaults and preferences

TYPE

List current input, output, and game settings

NEWS

Read about new features and enhancements

POINTS

Display your current score breakdown

GRIPE

Submit bug reports, comments, and suggestions

🚢 Starship Systems

Your starship contains 9 critical systems that can be damaged in combat:

⚡ Warp Engines

Max warp 6 (5-6 risk damage), warp 3 if damaged

🔥 Impulse Engines

Emergency backup movement at warp factor 1

🎯 Photon Tubes

10-sector range, accuracy affected by damage

⚡ Phaser Banks

Dual banks, strength reduced by damage

🛡️ Deflector Shields

Percentage protection, can deflect torpedoes and reduce phaser damage

💻 Computer

Navigation, firing control, phaser targeting

💨 Life Support

Must repair or dock within 5 stardates if damaged

📡 Sub-Space Radio

Communication with ships and bases

🔗 Tractor Beam

Tow friendly ships (shields must be down)

⚠️ Critical Thresholds

Ship Energy: 5000 units (new ship), yellow alert at ≤1000, dead at 0
Shield Energy: 2500 units (new ship), separate from ship energy
Ship Damage: Destroyed at ≥2500 units, only reduced by docking
Device Damage: <300 units = degraded, ≥300 units = inoperative

📋 Quick Command Reference

Essential commands for immediate action:

								Combat:

								TO y x - Fire torpedoes

								PH y x - Fire phasers

								SH UP/DOWN - Shields

								TA - List targets
							
								Movement:

								M y x - Move (warp)

								I y x - Impulse

								DO - Dock

								SC - Long scan
							
								Status:

								ST - Ship status

								DA - Damage report

								RE - Repair systems

								TI - Time/stardate
							
								Strategic:

								CA y x - Capture

								BU y x - Build

								BA - List bases

								PL - List planets

Ready to Command Your Starship?

🚀 Enter the Galaxy 📖 Learn More

DECWARS COMMAND GUIDE