Battle for Naboo - Platinum Medals

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Battle for Naboo - Platinum Medals

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Mark_Farlander
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Post by Mark_Farlander » Tue Apr 17, 2018 12:24 pm

Hello brave pilots and tactical officers.
Have you ever played Battle for Naboo? It cannot be installed on 64 bit systems and it was never released on GOG or Steam.
When the CD version was released in 2001, Battle for Naboo was criticized due to the already dated graphics, because it had nearly the same graphics as Rogue Squadron (1998).

However, I'd like to draw your attention on an interesting aspect of this game: Platinum Medals, a reward only for the most skilled pilots.
Well, the requirements to achieve such a reward on missions where you fly the N-1 starfighter are actually nothing for pilots of your skills and training, but the most incredible fact is that the Platinum Medal requirements were hidden when you got the Gold Medal in a mission, and they remained unknown for a long time. The Plat Hunters began their "mission" in 2001 and they completed their task in 2013.
You can read the Platinum Medal Guide here: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/n64/91423 ... faqs/67082
Yes, it took 12 years to figure out which were the requirements to earn the Platinum Medal in every mission, so I thought this deserved a dedicated topic.

Of course Battle for Naboo is no match for X-Wing Alliance, and this also applies to the AI of the enemies you are facing.
The TIE Interceptors in X-Wing Alliance really try to take you down when playing Hard, whereas the Vulture-class droid starfighters in Battle for Naboo usually fly a default flight plan basically without being able to perform any evasive maneuvers, therefore getting the Platinum Medals is the only challenging thing in that game for pilots of your level of training.

By the way, my best record is 12 Platinum Medals and 6 Gold Medals. The 6 missions where I didn't earn the Platinum Medal are Mission 1: Escape from Theed, Mission 2: Neimodian Plunder, Mission 8: The Andrevea River, Mission 13: The Queen's Gambit, Mission 14: Panaka's Diversion and Mission 17: Coruscant Encounter.

It seems there is a bug in Mission 17 preventing you from getting that 68% accuracy needed to get the Platinum Medal when firing 2 Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes against Scimitar, the Sith Infiltrator. Unfortunately there are no mission editors available for Battle for Naboo, so I cannot investigate on this one.

I found Mission 10: Search for Captain Kael the easiest Platinum Medal to earn, and this is also the only mission where you can accomplish the task the first time you play it, without the aid of Advanced Laser Technology.
Mission 3: Naboo Bayou was very easy too, and even if you cannot earn the Platinum Medal the first time you play it, there is no need for Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes to achieve it; you only need the N-1 starfighter with Standard Homing Torpedoes.

On the other hand, Mission 7: Glacial Grave was the hardest because of the outstanding 89% accuracy required. Time requirement is not on your side too.
Another mission where it's very hard to get the Platinum Medal is Mission 12: Liberation of Camp 4, but there is a mission bug you can exploit at your advantage: the mission time recorded to get the medals only starts when you are on the Heavy STAP. The time you previously spent flying the N-1 starfighter doesn't count.
I guess this bug comes from the fact that Mission 12 had been designed as 2 missions in just 1. In fact it's longer than the others.
Moreover, there are 19 missions in Rogue Squadron, but only 18 missions in Battle for Naboo.

What about you, pilots? How many Platinum Medals did you earn? And in which missions? I would be honored to hear from your endeavors.

PLATINUM MEDAL REQUIREMENTS
Link: http://www.factor5.com/secrets_battle_for_naboo.shtml
Last edited by Mark_Farlander on Sun May 10, 2020 4:46 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Phoenix Leader » Sat Aug 25, 2018 8:57 pm

My PB is 10 Platinum medals, 6 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal.
The mission where I got no more than the silver medal is Mission #8: The Andrevea River.
The problem I have in this mission is that I always lose a gunboat.
My gunboat never recharges its shields in Battle for Naboo, and the droid bombers keep bombing me in both the fighting areas.
No hope to save the first gunboat.

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Epsilon Eridani
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Post by Epsilon Eridani » Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:10 pm

This is probably just my impression, but it seems getting the Platinum medal in missions where you are on a ground vehicle is way harder than earning such an achievement on missions where you fly the N-1 starfighter.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:22 pm

Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes make that difference.
That said, you are not taking into account the bug in Mission #17: Coruscant Encounter.
Ironically, that’s the mission where you discover Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes technology.

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Post by Nairb » Mon Aug 27, 2018 5:06 pm

I’m new around here and found this board Googling platinum medals. I actually just started playing Battle for Naboo a couple months ago after years and years and can give some insight into the subject.

The game can be played on a modern PC by making a few file tweaks. Below is the link describing what to do and I was able to follow it pretty easily since my original game was on the N64.
https://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Star_Wars ... _for_Naboo

I was part of the Plat Hunters, but not from day 1, and helped refine the hidden requirements and create new strategies. All the platinum medals were discovered by February 2001 about 1-2 months after the game’s N64 release. The original Platinum Medal Guide was always in a draft state as so many updates were coming in because the requirements weren’t released by the developers at that time. Eventually everyone moved on and with the GameCube coming out later that year the focus was shifted. Fellow Plat Hunters GauRocks and SubSane saved the old GameFAQs topics before they were deleted and SubSane compiled and released the guide in 2013.

Coruscant Encounter is flukey with its accuracy stat but after a few tries you can earn a Platinum Medal on it. Since the level is so short it’s a nuisance but not so bad especially when comparing to the other missions. Fire 1 cluster at the start of the mission and then a second after you get the bonus when you cross paths with Maul again.

For Andrevea River gold, take your time and shoot the mines and turrets from as far away as possible before you are in their range. Even for platinum, time isn’t a huge issue (accuracy is) so just take things slow and only boost in the open water where you are not near enemies. Shields recharge if the ship has an R2 unit on board and only the N1 has that in this game.

And yes, the ground missions are typically more difficult and the clusters make all the difference when in the air.

Feel free to visit our GameFAQs home. There’s a couple of us around. Even if you are on the PC go to the N64 board as that’s where everyone is.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/91 ... -for-naboo

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Tue Aug 28, 2018 3:31 pm

Just watched a Platinum playthrough of Mission 1: Escape from Theed using the Gian speeder and I must admit it looks more like a race and a memory exercise than a war mission. That’s a ground mission where I never got the Platinum medal.
I guess earning the Platinum medal in ground missions requires to be aware of the positions of all the enemies you will find on your way.

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Epsilon Eridani
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Post by Epsilon Eridani » Tue Aug 28, 2018 3:44 pm

Let’s clarify how things really are: AI in Battle for Naboo sucks, and that’s why we are here to discuss how to earn Platinum medals and not how to simply complete the missions.

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Post by Nairb » Tue Aug 28, 2018 5:09 pm

Escape from Theed is the hardest platinum to earn and it is a speed run more or less. Almost all plat runs require some kind of detailed knowledge about the map layout and enemies encountered. There isn’t much variability when replaying the missions so much of the work is planning your strategy, executing it, and then making adjustments and trying again. Walkthroughs and videos obviously make this step much easier.

Forgive my ignorance as I’m not too familiar with the X Wing games but Battle for Naboo and the Rogue Squadrons were always quick to pick up arcade style games. You can correct me but I believe the X Wing games are closer to flight sims than arcade shooters. Different style games geared towards different interests.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:34 am

Just looked at the requirements to earn the Platinum medal in missions I never made it and Mission 14: Panaka's Diversion really seems daunting.
Official Platinum Requirements
Time: 3:41
Kills: 96
Accuracy: 67%
Saves: 5
Bonus: 0
Lives: 3
The enemies destroyed/time ratio is 0.43 kills/s.
That’s impressive considering you don’t have a kill-all-weapon such as Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes available.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:50 am

But when comparing the requirements above to those needed to earn the Platinum medal in Mission 1: Escape from Theed, I must admit Mission 1 is even more demanding.
Official Platinum Requirements
Time: 1:38
Kills: 49
Accuracy: 84%
Saves: 7
Bonus: 1
Lives: 3
The enemies destroyed/time ratio is 0.50 kills/s and a higher accuracy is also required.
You are right, Nairb. Escape from Theed is without doubt the hardest platinum to earn.

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Post by Mark_Farlander » Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:16 pm

The hardest stat to satisfy in Mission 14: Panaka's Diversion is that “saves”.
1 of Palmer’s Flash speeder gets destroyed a few seconds after she called for reinforcements in the cutscene.
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Post by Nairb » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:16 pm

Panaka's Diversion difficulty is a step down from Escape from Theed's and is one of the top 5 hardest plats to get. It's a good precursor to Escape from Theed and a good tip is play Panaka's Diversion until you can earn a plat and then move on to Escape from Theed since they are so similar. Saving these until you have the other 16 medals wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I don't have much to say about getting 5 saves in Panaka's Diversion. Palmer always says she's lost a speeder but that should still be ok. Assuming you hit all the other plat requirements, the saves should be a given. When you get to Palmer's group take out the 2 AATs and 2 droidekas attacking them and then prioritize the AATs throughout the rest of the mission. I don't usually bother with other droidekas other than those 2 by Palmer initially as they aren't worth the time to bring their shields down for just 1 additional kill. You may have just gotten unlucky but saves should be the easiest requirement to meet here other than the absence of a bonus to collect.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Wed Aug 29, 2018 6:14 pm

There are 6 friendly speeders in Panaka's Diversion (Mission 14): Kol Kotha’s Gian speeder, 3 Flash speeders under Palmer’s command, the Gian speeder escorting the heavy transport and the transport itself.
You can afford to lose 1 and still get the Platinum, provided that you save the transport, so if you hear Palmer saying “We’ve lost a speeder” that’s OK.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Wed Aug 29, 2018 6:57 pm

Nairb wrote:
Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:16 pm
I don't usually bother with other droidekas other than those 2 by Palmer initially as they aren't worth the time to bring their shields down for just 1 additional kill.
You have underlined an interesting fact: the heavy laser cannon on the Gian speeder can destroy an AAT with a single shot just like in the film, but it’s an ineffective weapon against shielded targets.
The Flash speeder with its missiles (sadly only 6) is more suitable to fight Droidekas, but firing a missile will slow you down a little.

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Post by Nairb » Wed Aug 29, 2018 10:14 pm

Phoenix Leader wrote:
Wed Aug 29, 2018 6:57 pm
You have underlined an interesting fact: the heavy laser cannon on the Gian speeder can destroy an AAT with a single shot just like in the film, but it’s an ineffective weapon against shielded targets.
The Flash speeder with its missiles (sadly only 6) is more suitable to fight Droidekas, but firing a missile will slow you down a little.
Agreed.

Just for laughs I tried the Flash in Panaka's Diversion and could barely get under 4:00 with a solid effort. The level really makes you choose between using the missiles on the heavy hangar door or the tougher enemies. I tried both ways and it didn't really make a difference. It's probably possible to earn a platinum with the Flash but the Gian is so much easier.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Thu Aug 30, 2018 11:46 am

So much easier? To be honest, I struggled to earn the Gold medal in Mission #14: Panaka's Diversion, but I think that’s because I’m more familiar with space sims and RTS games than race games and arcades.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Thu Aug 30, 2018 12:07 pm

A curious thing about the enemies destroyed required to earn a given medal: in Rogue Squadron it’s the total number of enemies destroyed, no matter if you personally take them down or if your companions help you shooting at them.
In Battle for Naboo only the enemies you personally destroy are taken into consideration to earn a medal.

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Post by Nairb » Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:42 pm

Phoenix Leader wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 11:46 am
So much easier? To be honest, I struggled to earn the Gold medal in Mission #14: Panaka's Diversion, but I think that’s because I’m more familiar with space sims and RTS games than race games and arcades.
Sorry, I meant relatively. With a good Gian run on Diversion I average around 3:20 and that same run with the Flash is closer to 4:00. The plat time is 3:41.
Phoenix Leader wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 12:07 pm
A curious thing about the enemies destroyed required to earn a given medal: in Rogue Squadron it’s the total number of enemies destroyed, no matter if you personally take them down or if your companions help you shooting at them.
In Battle for Naboo only the enemies you personally destroy are taken into consideration to earn a medal.
That is a significant change and Panaka's Diversion is a great example actually. If your friendly's speeder passes you he'll mop up many of the easy free-kill battle droids and meeting the kill requirement is much tougher. And The Battle of Hoth in Rogue Squadron is a perfect example of the benefits of friendly kills counting for you. In the last section there are 3 AT-ATs, a handful of AT-STs, and stormtroopers. If I recall correctly you need to kill every enemy in the level to beat it and by the time you're done wrapping up the walkers the rebel base's defenses will have already taken out all the stormtroopers and you'll get the credit.

The biggest change from Rogue Squadron to Battle for Naboo was the addition of the lives lost requirement. The "official" Rogue Squadron gold medal strategy is use up all your secondaries, crash on purpose to resupply, do that again, and then collect. Imagine having 30 clusters in Battle for Naboo. Platinum medal requirements as they stand now would become silver difficulty or if the requirements were adjusted accordingly the requirements for every level would be exactly the same:

Time: <2:00
Kills: All
Accuracy: 90%+

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Thu Aug 30, 2018 3:39 pm

Nairb wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:42 pm
The "official" Rogue Squadron gold medal strategy is use up all your secondaries, crash on purpose to resupply, do that again, and then collect.
This strategy only works in MISSION 8: ASSAULT ON KILE II and MISSION 14: RAID ON SULLUST, the missions where you fly a Y-Wing. Having 60 proton bombs instead of 20 is a huge advantage in those missions.
However, I don’t see how the same strategy can help in MISSION 4: DEFECTION AT CORELLIA, MISSION 7: IMPERIAL CONSTURCTION YARDS and MISSION 12: ESCAPE FROM FEST, the missions where you fly a T-47 airspeeder with no secondary weapons except for the tow cable.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Thu Aug 30, 2018 6:54 pm

Nairb wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:42 pm
Imagine having 30 clusters in Battle for Naboo.
30 probably not, but you can fire 18 Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes in Mission #9: Sanctuary if you choose the N-X Police Cruiser when you enter the hangar, shoot 8 torpedoes to the AATs and then come back to the hangar to take the N-1 starfighter.
49 enemies destroyed are required to earn the Platinum medal in that mission, but I was easily able to take down more than 60 enemies in this way.
The same thing can be done in the first bonus mission: Trade Federation Secrets.

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Post by Nairb » Thu Aug 30, 2018 7:17 pm

Phoenix Leader wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 3:39 pm
Nairb wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:42 pm
The "official" Rogue Squadron gold medal strategy is use up all your secondaries, crash on purpose to resupply, do that again, and then collect.
This strategy only works in MISSION 8: ASSAULT ON KILE II and MISSION 14: RAID ON SULLUST, the missions where you fly a Y-Wing. Having 60 proton bombs instead of 20 is a huge advantage in those missions.
However, I don’t see how the same strategy can help in MISSION 4: DEFECTION AT CORELLIA, MISSION 7: IMPERIAL CONSTURCTION YARDS and MISSION 12: ESCAPE FROM FEST, the missions where you fly a T-47 airspeeder with no secondary weapons except for the tow cable.
My comment about crashing is a general statement more than a literal one. In the simpler missions like Mos Eisley and also the snowspeeder ones there is no benefit. However I'd say in missions like Moff Seerdon's Revenge and Mon Calamari triple the amount of secondaries is very useful.

Phoenix Leader wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 6:54 pm
Nairb wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:42 pm
Imagine having 30 clusters in Battle for Naboo.
30 probably not, but you can fire 18 Cluster Homing Proton Torpedoes in Mission #9: Sanctuary if you choose the N-X Police Cruiser when you enter the hangar, shoot 8 torpedoes to the AATs and then come back to the hangar to take the N-1 starfighter.
49 enemies destroyed are required to earn the Platinum medal in that mission, but I was easily able to take down more than 60 enemies in this way.
The same thing can be done in the first bonus mission: Trade Federation Secrets.
Swapping ships is a hallmark of the Plat Hunters' strategies and those extra 8 police cruiser clusters are definitely taken advantage of. In Trade Federation Secrets I go N1 > bomber > police cruiser > N1 that way I can take out the STAPs and AATs without wasting any clusters.
60+ kills in Sanctuary is pretty high, well done.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Thu Aug 30, 2018 8:16 pm

In Rogue Squadron do you usually fly the V-wing airspeeder to earn the Gold medal in MISSION 15: MOFF SEERDON'S REVENGE?
GOLD REQUIREMENTS

COMPLETION TIME: 6:00
ENEMIES DESTROYED: 45
ACCURACY: 30%
FRIENDLY SAVES: 55
BONUS: 1
I hate using the V-wing in that mission because I really risk hitting my own containers with cluster missiles depending on the angle of fire.
I found the N-1 starfighter is the best choice for that mission: fast, maneuverable, with rapid lasers and a load of seeker torpedoes.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Thu Aug 30, 2018 8:19 pm

As for earning the Gold medal in MISSION 16: BATTLE OF CALAMARI, it’s way simpler than in the previous mission.
GOLD REQUIREMENTS

COMPLETION TIME: 5:30
ENEMIES DESTROYED: 24
ACCURACY: 25%
FRIENDLY SAVES: 87
BONUS: 0
Plenty of time to destroy 24 enemies, so you don’t need to “sacrifice” a V-wing.
It’s recommended to spare the cluster missiles for those new TIEs, but you can also fire with rapid lasers without worrying about accuracy.

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Post by Nairb » Thu Aug 30, 2018 10:23 pm

After I did a play through of Battle for Naboo a few months back I did one of Rogue Squadron as well. In that file I got all golds in the default vehicles which would be the X-Wing in Moff Seerdon's Revenge. That level took me a few tries to get gold on because I kept missing saves. My Rogue Squadron knowledge isn't as deep as it is for Battle for Naboo right now, but I think I waited too long to take out the AT-STs and they shot too many people on that plateau area. it didn't look like that many buildings were destroyed.

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Post by Phoenix Leader » Fri Aug 31, 2018 3:16 am

You did very well. Earning Gold medals in missions from 9 (RESCUE ON KESSEL) to 15 (MOFF SEERDON'S REVENGE) of Rogue Squadron is way harder than getting Gold in any mission of Battle for Naboo.
In Battle for Naboo you can earn a Gold medal in each mission the first time you complete it.
I mean you don’t need any more technological upgrades found in the following missions.
I just did it, including that infamous Mission #8: The Andrevea River.
In Rogue Squadron this can be theoretically done as well, but those 7 missions will surely force you to use some “old tricks” to accomplish the task.
In other words those Gold medals count as Platinum medals.

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