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Prologue II: Field Training Part II

My apologies, readers! I'm not sure why, but my flash drive decided to eat some of my screencaps! I'll cover as much of the field training as possible though!


Let's kick this off with Mission 9: Air Defense!


Unlike the last mission encounter we saw them, the enemy airmen have plenty of supplies. (Last time, they blew up, which was cool.)


Missiles? I like the sound of this already.


Oooooh. They're like souped up artillery! Muahahaha, I could use their firepower!


BAM! That's another unit down!


Much like missiles, rockets have the same range.


And the same capabilities! =D


Anti-Air units are exactly what it says on the name. Brings fliers down faster than you can blink an eye.


Good grief, look at all the enemy units! Dx It's gonna take a miracle to get me outta this mess.


Miracle granted?


Ahahahah. I didn't do well on this mission at all...



You mean I get that kinda firepower on my side? Sweet! I assure you, Nell, their bombs won't go to waste. ;D


Aww, I wanted to play with the big toys longer! At least I get 'em for this mission though.


And as one would expect, I wreck havoc with battle copters! 8D



Climate tactics. This is where we cover terrain effects like rain or snow.




We learn a little bit about Olaf, but we don't know why he switched sides. We also have no idea why he's commanding enemy troops. All we know is that we gotta defeat him. Oh well, good enough for me!

First, the old man uses his CO power to make the field icy. It only lasts for a few turns, but it penalizes my units' movements while letting his move at full speed!

Then the rain comes. It makes us both unable to move, so at least it's fair.


But as you'd guess, since I'm awesome at SRPG's, I end up victorious after smacking his units down. heart


B Rank! At least it's better than C...


Oooh, sounds difficult. I'll take on the challenge, of course!


Oh, Intelligent Systems, I should have expected this much from you.


Fogs of War obscure your view! I wonder what we can do to light up this map!


With a mech or infantry unit standing on a mountain though, you can see a lot further! That's much better.


And we have another new unit? Let's see what its job is.


It can uncover units that hide in forests or reefs! It has to be right next to 'em though. That's good to uncover enemy ambushes.


I'll use my rockets to counter Olaf's! =D


These suckers keep sniping me from hidden tiles! Jerks! D<



You've sniped me for the last time!


What, how come I didn't beat the map? All the enemy units are gone...


Or... not. I forgot about hidden terrain, and there's a transport ship here. Well, it can't stop me, so...


Base capcha time! 8D


Aww, even after I awesomely stormed the enemy base, Nell won't be my CO anymore? I'm kinda gonna miss her.


Woo-hoo, promotion! <3 And apparently my new partner's name is Andy. I can't wait for my mission's with him!


And so with the end of the tutorial, we've gotten a major victory for Orange Star!




But of course, this is just the beginning. Now the real game starts with the Campaign!

What adventures and tactical challenges await in the next chapter? Find out in the next update of Let's Play Advance Wars for the GBA!

There's also a hidden mission in the training that you can do. I think the pre-reqs were either to get A rank on all the training missions or to complete it. Can't remember. But if you get A rank in all of them, something nice happens. It's worth at least checking out.

Chapter I: A Familiar Face and a Sharpshooter

Welcome to another update of Let's Play Advance Wars (GBA), first run!


And of course, we're going to start a new file since this is my first time playing Advance Wars campaign mode!


Dude, I wiped the floor with you for 13 maps and I was only in training. What makes you think you're gonna best me now, old man Olaf?


I don't need Nell to move my units to spank your behind, sir! D<


With my new CO partner by my side, it's time to commence the first mission!


It's war indeed, and I shall be the victor.


And hey, Nell is still with us through a communication device! I guess she's too important to just poof.

Don't worry, Andy and I will clean this map up in no time flat!


I shouldn't get cocky when Olaf has Mid-Tanks and Artillery, but I'll take 'em out if I'm careful.


Bam, mountain sniped. How do ya like that? >D


I'm sure you know how and why I love artillery units so much. =D


And another victory, courtesy of my handy tanks!


Pfff, the old man winter plays dirty and makes the map snowy to reduce my movement. What's this though? Andy has a CO power of his own to use!


Go to menu and select "Power..." and Andy's ability activates! He repairs all units for 2 points! Nice!


With my units repaired, it's time to take to the offensive again! heart


Gah! Those darned rockets! I'm gonna close-range them so hard when I'm able to! D<


Speaking of which...


Go, my magnificent mech units! Blow up those tanks!


The best bet I have against his Mid-tank is my own.


Aaaah. Thanks to Olaf using his power again, I've already taken this long to beat the map! I still haven't got that stupid rocket unit that's up on top. -fume fume-


With my Mid-tank in range though, he'll be sayin' good night before long.


So long, sucker!


Is it really that surprising? How could you be a CO when you're losing to a couple of youngsters? ;D


And we both won, thank you very much, Andy! Woo, B Rank!


And I got some coins to purchase maps? Let's see what this does!



So I take a brief detour from my missions to check out the maps for sale.


That sounds like a good way to train my skills!

I browse the maps for a while, and purchase one called "Maji Island." Is that where you get awesome CO lessons from the legendary axe fighter of FE? Actually it's in Advance Wars' battle maps, where you're tested on your tactical knowledge.

With map purchases out of the way, let's begin the next mission!

This time, we're not taking on the old man, but one of his followers.


Gun fighter? Sounds like this guy specializes in long-ranged units. This ain't gonna be pretty.


When the chapter starts, Nell gives us advice to hire new units from the bases! So, that's what the funds are for!


There's quite a list of units you can have too. I'd advise getting some infantry to capture cities for more funds, tanks to close in on Mr. Sniper's sharp shooters, and of course Mid-tanks when you get the funds.


Look at all the units on the map. Looks like I'm in for a rough time here.



Dude, if you don't wanna fight, then call your units off!

But naturally, he doesn't, so it's time to do battle, Advance Wars style!


This is gonna go very swell, I can tell. -haha-


His snipers already reach high enough, getting to my units that are looming on the mountains! gonk


Fight, brave Infantry! Fight to defend your cities from being captured by the enemies!


Oh good Lord, Grit's CO power!


Just look at that firing range! Dx I'm so glad this only lasts one turn!

He bombards me with his snipers, but then Andy's gauge fills!

Just in time to save my units, man. I love you, Andy. heart


Muahahaha! I've conquered the whole right side of cities on the map! >D Funds are mine to have!


And after chipping away at its health, I bring down that rocket unit finally! Phew, that was a lot of work right there!

And the map is beat!

J...Junior?! D< That's "Junior who defeated me in Advance Wars Combat" to you, sir!


Eh? Grit's addressing me too? Whatever for?


Who's askin', man?


Is it just me, or is everyone on Blue Moon former members of Orange Star? Something tells me that it will be explained later, or maybe we'll just keep fighting with tanks, infantry, and our other units and not even care.


You got that right!


We both may be young, Andy, but we got another B rank! =D

On the next update, we take on the mysterious Air Ace!

Two B ranks in first playthrough? Keep up the fantastic work tactician Lynn, you're a prodigy at this!

Oh lawd, Green Earth D;

Besides Grit, there are two people I fear just as bad as him: this guy coming up, and another one who shows up at a later date in a "Gaiden" chapter.

I don't want to ruin your blind playthrough, but remember that there is no points deducted by simply going up and seizing enemy HQ opposed to killing every enemy FE style, remember this. In fact, sometimes, it's better just to march up and save yourself from enemy Rocket filled fun. Also, try to smash this guy as fast as you can, his power is really nasty when he has a full fleet to throw at you.

Also, if you're curious, after some personal discovery after playing, for rankings, they are put in consideration as follows:

Speed: Self-explanatory, this is where the seizing HQ comes into play at times.

Technique: Ally casualties, usually, they permit you to lose a reasonable amount and still get a good score

Power: This is a tricky one, it's actually how many kills in a SINGLE TURN, so you can kill one unit a day and still get a low score. However, usually, if you kill like 3+ in one day, you'll get a full score.

Finally, regarding CO powers, besides repairing his units, Andy's side effect is also strengthening his units' power for one day, so smash, smash, smash when your units are glowing! Fortunately, the next guy's power weakens his units on your phase, so keep that in mind as well.

Good to see my advice helped. I remember my first try when I played this chapter, and I forgot about the transport copter, it was a brutal fight to HQ. D;

Also, if you moved your battle copter to protect the infantry in capturing HQ, the tank wouldn't be able to interfere, as battle copter > tank.

Next chapter is a nice, easy break, you'll get full power score, guaranteed. ;D

If you're curious though, you can get a Gaiden map by using Andy for Mission 4, and FE stylin' it on mission 6 by routing the enemy. Best off, the Gaiden isn't that hard, well, compared to the Yellow Comet Gaidens... -cries a little-

Chapter III: Power to the Max!

Welcome to another update of Let's Play Advance Wars! In this chapter, we face off against Olaf once more!

I choose the new C.O., Max, and I'm on my way!


Looks like I'm going to need his power. Look at all the firepower Olaf has!


His battleships will make it difficult to just sweep in and seize H.Q. too, but my subs can take 'em.


But my units are prettier than yours, just because I said so!


Oh yeah, and that's a problem too.


Ahahaha, I already had the idea, but thanks for the tip anyway! heart


1 turn later, Olaf brings the Russian Winter on us. I hate that reduced movement.


Things aren't looking good for me right now, but I can turn this around!


One sunken battleship later, and here we are.



Time to use Max's C.O. power! From a little Wiki-fu, I found out that it gives an offensive boost to all non-infantry close-range units, and a defense boost to all! Nice!


Time to obliterate some of Olaf's snipers! >D


I sunk another of his battleships too! 8D


Finally, I closed in on that rocket unit! I thought I never would!


Going on the major offensive, there's only one Artillery unit left! Time to say good night! <3


Bye bye! ;D


You're just too awesome, Max! I love your C.O. power!


But I'll deploy you once in a while, Andy, because I dig engineers.


A Rank! =D It's my first one since starting Campaign mode! Maybe battles from here on out will get easier?

In the next chapter, I find out just how hard the next battles though are, as I face off against Grit once more in the misty Fog of War!

Chapter V: Capture Race!

Before I proceed with the next update, I do something that's very important for the well-being of us gamers and our beloved files.


YES, I want to save it after getting spanked by Grit last chapter. D:

Again, dialogue happens before the map. The other times I didn't capture the pics because it wasn't anything too interesting, but now I'm starting to see there's somewhat of a plot going on here!


Grit and Olaf argue about whose territory this was. Apparently Grit isn't too happy about Blue Moon's cause (even though he sure seemed trigger happy last chapter, so who knows what he's really thinking?)


He's cold-hearted, man. I doubt even ice makes Olaf cold.


I like Andy as my C.O. so I pick him and proceed!


It's time to battle against the winter snows once more! Bring it on, old man!


We all hear ya, loud and clear.



You mean if I wreck his units here, all of this will be over? But it still feels so early in the game!


Something tells me that this is a trap. It totally has to be.



Oh, so this is a war of capturing things, is it? It sounds like fun! Let's do this! heart


And since this is a war of capture, you'll want plenty of infantry to stomp those neutral cities into submission.


APC's help a lot to move units where you need to get them. When you get the funds, spawn at least one more.


..... What. What is this? What is..... ....... See that city up there? As soon as the enemy seizes it along with all the cities on their side, it's freakin' game over. Grrrr....


I switch C.O's. Maybe Max's power will help me more?

Another game-over was the result. This seize map has become so difficult for me!


The key is getting these guys out there to defend the bridges from the enemy's invading infantry and mech units.


Go, my Mid-tanks! Hold those bridges!


And I finally captured the city that usually meant game over if the enemy seized it! Now I gotta get just one more property.


With the funds I have, I can afford to deploy some rockets to have a little fun with, tee hee. :3


I almost feel evil sniping a defenseless enemy APC. Almost.


It feels GREAT sniping the mid-tank though. >D

Using Andy's Hyper Repair, I repair my mid-tank that's protecting my infantry.

And I just let my Infantry do what they do best.


One turn later, and the city is mine! YES! I finally got 12 properties!


You better believe it, sir. Not even the Blue Moon Winter could slow me down!


Huh? Olaf's working for someone else? The way he threw his haughtiness around I thought he was the head honcho!


Grit, I'm honestly not surprised.


Phew. I'm so glad that map is over! I'm even more glad to be getting a B rank on it! heart


Hey, I got promoted again! Sweet!

My celebration is short-lived however, as I once again face Grit in... you guessed it, another fog-of-war! gonk See ya then!