Sensors scan a radius for enemies and allow players to view troop movements in the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Stations are where players get equipment or monitor the base. They can all be destroyed by sustained fire and their shields can be drained by an ELF. They are also among the objectives in the "Defend & Destroy" gametype. Destroying them can disable an entire team's defense by deactivating turrets and stations. On some maps, bases include various defense mechanisms and other tools to assist the team: Generators, turrets, stations and sensors. There are various items of equipment usable by the players, including vehicles, eight weapons, and "Packs" which alter the abilities of the player. The different armor types can be accessed at an inventory station. Players also have an energy cell, which is drawn on for jetting, firing some kinds of weapons, and activating packs. After dying, the player respawns at the team's base (or somewhere in the field). Loss of all armor results in the player's death. When damage is dealt to the player (by falling or being hurt by a weapon), armor is lost. Different armor types support different weapons and equipment for example, only the heavy armor supports the heavy mortar but only light armor supports the sniper rifle. Heavier armors supply larger amounts of armor, energy, and ammunition. Open Call: Open Call isn't necessarily a game mode per se, but a collection of missions created by map makers after a contest held by Dynamix.Įach player wears either light, medium or heavy armor.Multiple Team: Multiple teams must fight against each other to retain control of an objective or to capture the enemies' flag.The flags can be captured from the enemy as well. Team members must find and bring them back to their base. Find and retrieve (F&R) - A number of flags are scattered across the mission area.There are five distinct "default" gametypes:
The outdoor environments can extend for several kilometers. In general, bases are scattered throughout the map depending on the gametype.
Most of the standard maps are outdoors environments in a variety of climates, from sunshine to snow and hail. The battles take place on one of 40 maps. The player assumes the role of a warrior loyal to one of the four major tribes battling in the front lines of the conflict. There are also splinter tribes and the Children of the Phoenix try to act as peacekeepers between them. The latter is a tribe of people isolated from the Great Human Empire, whilst the former is a force of imperial knights sent to subdue them. Conflict has broken out between several factions of humans, the two largest of which are Diamond Sword and the Blood Eagle. The story is set in the 40th century, after humanity has settled across the galaxies via jumpgates. Tribes is a squad-based multiplayer online game with no single-player campaign it is similar in this respect to the Team Fortress and Enemy Territory games.