- “Lylat Datalink; Anatomy of an invasion, pg 68
The invasion of Katina is a textbook example of a Venom assault. The first enemy objective is to establish air superiority . Since Andross's Invader IIs are inferior to Cornerian fighters, the enemy will overwhelm the defenders with huge numbers. As Saucerer flies over primary targets, air defence units are lured into meeting the first wave of Invader IIs. A larger wave of enemy fighters then swarms out of Saucerer and eliminates the preoccupied defenders. With the skies clear, Saucerer deploys its Core Weapon and commences with the second objective: the complete annihilation of hapless ground units. At the end of the battle, shock troops are dropped to enslave any survivors.” - —
Invader II fighters were a class of star fighter, manufactured and assembled in the weapons labs on Macbeth and used by Andross' Empire during the Lylat Wars.
Schematics[]
- “Enemy Recon:
Venom's Invader II Assault Fighters suffer from numerous design flaws and are vastly inferior to Corneria Fighters. To overcome their shortcomings, Andross has ordered all Invader IIs to be painted with Corneria markings to confuse the Star Fox team.” - —
Improvements over Invader Is include being much faster, smaller targets, and being flown by more intelligent pilots, who were trained to destroy or be destroyed. Despite these improvements, they were still fragile, expendable ships and each fighter pilot was expected to willingly give his life for the emperor, making the Invader IIs were no match for the Cornerian Army and the Star Fox team.
In the games[]
- “Enemy Recon:
Corneria Fighters are not enemy aircraft, but many rookies mistake the aircrafts' markings for Venom's Invader Assault Fighters. Your Arwing combat computer can identify Corneria Fighters and will not lock on them.” - —
They were first encountered by the Star Fox team when the team came to the aid of the beleaguered Cornerian Defense Force at the battle for the Katina Frontline Base. In an effort to improve their odds, the Invader II's were painted the same colors as their Cornerian foes, hoping that Star Fox would accidentally target and shoot down their friends in the confusion. Indeed, initially, it had worked, though only one Cornerian Fighter was shot down by friendly fire, coming from Peppy Hare. Later in the battle, though, the Arwing's combat computer was able to tell the difference between friend and foe, though, and despite being deployed in the hundreds the Invader II's were unable to gain air superiority or protect their carrier Saucerer from destruction.
Strategy[]
- “Medal Tips:
Try to shoot down as many enemy ships as you can before the mother ship arrives. Although you won't get points for them, shooting down ships from the Bulldog squadron won't affect your chances of getting a medal. When the mother ship arrives, destroy the hatches but leave the core until the last possible second. Spend as much time as you can destroying enemy fighters. Lock on to enemy targets as much as possible because you can get bonus hits that way. Even though it seems like there are many targets here, this can be a difficult mission to earn a medal in.” - —
Try to shoot down as many enemy ships as possible can before the mother ship arrives. Although the player won't get points for them, shooting down ships from the Bulldog and Husky squadrons won't affect chances of getting a medal. When the mother ship arrives, destroy the hatches but leave the core until the last possible second. Spend as much time destroying enemy fighters by locking onto them with charged homing lasers. If group formations are taken down in one hit, it will award bonus hits that way. Destroying all four hatches underneath the Saucerer will cease the onslaught of Invader IIs, and effectively speed up the mothership's countdown start. Even though it seems like there are many targets here, this can be a difficult mission to earn a medal in.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Should the the Mission on Katina end in victory without shooting down only Invader IIs, the conversation between Fox and Bill will become more positive.
- Peppy Hare is the only pilot other than the player to be tricked by the camouflauge strategy and remarks his error.
Names in Other Languages[]
Language | Name |
---|---|
Japanese | Fighter II (ワイターII) |
References[]
- NINTENDO POWER: Official Nintendo Player's Guide. Redmond, WA, Nintendo of America. 1997.
- .com
- Star Fox 64 Keibunsha Guide. Nintendo of Japan. 1997.