Sarna News: Bad 'Mechs - Icestorm

Difference between revisions of "MechWarrior (1989 Video Game)"

m (repoint of novel trilogy tags)
(Small improvements, added planetary data)
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Activision's '''Mechwarrior''' is a 1989 computer game set in the [[BattleTech]] universe.
+
Activision's '''MechWarrior''' is a 1989 computer game set in the [[BattleTech]] universe.
  
 
In the game, the player (as [[Gideon Braver]]) takes command of the ''[[Blazing Aces]]'' [[mercenary unit]] in his quest to uncover a hideous plot, retrieve a vital artifact and avenge the murder of his family... within only five years. He gets to manage the unit's finances and negotiate contracts, can hire and fire other MechWarriors for the unit (which can thus grow up to [[Lance]] size, i.e. four 'Mechs and their pilots) and gets to control Gideon's [[BattleMech]] in combat. Most importantly, however, he must follow leads and gather information about the events on his homeworld. Ultimately, he must find and defeat the ''[[Dark Wing]]'' unit to reclaim his heritage.
 
In the game, the player (as [[Gideon Braver]]) takes command of the ''[[Blazing Aces]]'' [[mercenary unit]] in his quest to uncover a hideous plot, retrieve a vital artifact and avenge the murder of his family... within only five years. He gets to manage the unit's finances and negotiate contracts, can hire and fire other MechWarriors for the unit (which can thus grow up to [[Lance]] size, i.e. four 'Mechs and their pilots) and gets to control Gideon's [[BattleMech]] in combat. Most importantly, however, he must follow leads and gather information about the events on his homeworld. Ultimately, he must find and defeat the ''[[Dark Wing]]'' unit to reclaim his heritage.
  
−
Only the major/more important planets from the BattleTech universe can be visited in the game (30 planets from each House except for House [[Liao]] who have only 25 worlds on the game map; no periphery worlds can be travelled to). A short one-line description is provided for each of these worlds, as is a population estimate and a rough impression of the environment as either tropical, ice or desert.
+
The game contains many references to other elements of the BattleTech universe. Over the course of the game, prominent events taken from various [[List of BattleTech novels|novels]] are mentioned in the news, covering items from [[The Gray Death Trilogy]] (Verthandi Rebellion, Sirius massacre, events on [[Helm]]) and [[The Warrior Trilogy]] (following the Solaris career of [[Justin Xiang Allard]] up to the wedding of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]] and the subsequent [[Fourth Succession War]]).
−
 
 
−
The game contains many references to other elements of the BattleTech universe. Over the course of the game, prominent events taken from various [[List of BattleTech novels|novels]] are mentioned in the news, covering items from [[The Gray Death Trilogy]] (Verthandi Rebellion, Sirius massacre, events on [[Helm]]) and [[The Warrior Trilogy]] (following the Solaris career of [[Justin Xiang Allard]] up to the wedding of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]] and the subsequent [[Fourth Succession War]]).  
 
  
 
==Plot synopsis==
 
==Plot synopsis==
 +
===Backstory===
 
[[Gideon Braver Vandenburg]] was the son of Cameron Vandenburg, the Duke of [[Ander's Moon]] (thought to be [[Elidere IV]]). The world had been colonized centuries ago by the Vandenburg and McBrin clans and was rewarded with a Dukedom by Prince [[Davion]] for the valor of its warriors in the [[Succession War]]s. Upon the death of the old Duke, the new Duke is elected by the Council of Representatives and anointed with oil from the sacred Chalice of Herne, an ancient artefact from old Terra that had come to symbolize the office of Duke. The title has thus passed from clan to clan over the centuries, creating a bitter rivalry between the Vandenburg and McBrin clans.
 
[[Gideon Braver Vandenburg]] was the son of Cameron Vandenburg, the Duke of [[Ander's Moon]] (thought to be [[Elidere IV]]). The world had been colonized centuries ago by the Vandenburg and McBrin clans and was rewarded with a Dukedom by Prince [[Davion]] for the valor of its warriors in the [[Succession War]]s. Upon the death of the old Duke, the new Duke is elected by the Council of Representatives and anointed with oil from the sacred Chalice of Herne, an ancient artefact from old Terra that had come to symbolize the office of Duke. The title has thus passed from clan to clan over the centuries, creating a bitter rivalry between the Vandenburg and McBrin clans.
  
 
On March 1, 3024, Gideon Braver Vandenburg left Castle Vandenburg, his father's stronghold, for an inspection of the family's holdings. Upon his return two days later he found that a [[Lance]] of [[BattleMech]]s had attacked the Castle, killed his family and stolen the Chalice of Herne along with other treasure. This turned out to be an intrigue by Jarris McBrin, who coveted the title of Duke for himself. McBrin faked evidence that suggested the Vandenburg clan had worked with and then double-crossed the pirates, but failed to convince the Council of Representatives to elect him Duke; instead, they chose to delay the election of a new Duke until Gideon Braver Vandenburg had reached adulthood (23 years of age) on April 8, 3029.
 
On March 1, 3024, Gideon Braver Vandenburg left Castle Vandenburg, his father's stronghold, for an inspection of the family's holdings. Upon his return two days later he found that a [[Lance]] of [[BattleMech]]s had attacked the Castle, killed his family and stolen the Chalice of Herne along with other treasure. This turned out to be an intrigue by Jarris McBrin, who coveted the title of Duke for himself. McBrin faked evidence that suggested the Vandenburg clan had worked with and then double-crossed the pirates, but failed to convince the Council of Representatives to elect him Duke; instead, they chose to delay the election of a new Duke until Gideon Braver Vandenburg had reached adulthood (23 years of age) on April 8, 3029.
  
−
Shortly after this decision, Gideon Braver Vandenburg found himself falsely accused of conspiracy and crimes against the state and was forced to flee off-world. Jordan Rowe, a friend of the Vandenburg family, provided him with safe passage on a [[DropShip]], some money and an old ''[[Jenner]]'' 'Mech.
+
Shortly after this decision, Gideon Braver Vandenburg found himself falsely accused of conspiracy and crimes against the state and was forced to flee off-world. Jordan Rowe, a friend of the Vandenburg family, provided him with safe passage on a [[DropShip]], some money and an old ''[[Jenner]]'' 'Mech. Upon arriving at a nearby world, he abbreviated his name to ''Gideon Braver'' to avoid "complications", and created a small mercenary unit, the ''[[Blazing Aces]]''.
 +
 
 +
===Game storyline===
 +
Over the course of his adventures, Gideon Braver and the Blazing Aces accepted many short term contracts with various employers all over the [[Inner Sphere]]:
  
−
Upon arriving at a nearby world, he abbreviated his name to ''Gideon Braver'' to avoid "complications", and created a small mercenary unit, the ''[[Blazing Aces]]''. Over the course of his adventures, they accepted many short term contracts with various employers all over the [[Inner Sphere]].
+
Inquiries about the insignia seen on the [[BattleMech]]s that had pillaged Castle Vandenburg point Gideon Braver to [[Grig Griez]], a wanted crimelord operating from within the [[Draconis Combine]]. On [[Land's End]] he finally meets one of Griez's henchmen. Eventually, Gideon Braver gets to meet Grig Griez in person and agrees to deliver a message to one of Griez's agents on [[Dustball]] in exchange for information.
  
−
Inquiries about the insignia seen on the [[BattleMech]]s that had pillaged Castle Vandenburg point Gideon Braver to [[Grig Griez]], a wanted crimelord operating from within the [[Draconis Combine]]. On [[Land's End]] he finally meets one of Griez's henchmen. Eventually, Gideon Braver meets Grig Griez in person and agrees to deliver a message to one of Griez's agents on [[Dustball]] in exchange for information.
+
On Dustball, the receipient who calls himself "Brown" draws a gun on Gideon Braver but does not kill him when the message turns out to contain a deadly poison; obviously, Griez wanted both Gideon Barver and "Brown" dead. "Brown" tips Gideon off to a [[JumpShip]] named the "Stone Arrow". This is a smuggler ship operated by a man known as [[Kangaroo Jack]]. To contact Kangaroo Jack, Gideon seeks out Jack's enstranged brother who serves as a ''[[Scorpion]]'' pilot with ''[[Smithson's Chinese Bandits]]'' on garrison duty in the [[Free Worlds League]]. Gideon travels there to meets him, and Jack's brother points him to a world in the [[Federated Suns]] where Kangaroo Jack has a woman. Immediately after meeting with the ''Scorpion'' pilot, another assassination attempt is made near the garrison's [[Saladin]] hovertank garages against Gideon Braver, who suddenly finds himself under attack from a sniper with a heavy Gyroslug carbine. The attack is carried on the news on the next day, where it is reported that terrorists attacked the 5th Armored Rangers.
  
−
On Dustball, the receipient who calls himself "Brown" draws a gun on Gideon Braver but does not kill him when the message turns out to contain a deadly poison. Obviously, Grig wanted both of them dead. Gideon Braver is tipped off to a [[JumpShip]] named the "Stone Arrow". This is a smuggler ship operated by a man known as [[Kangaroo Jack]], whose enstranged brother serves as a ''[[Scorpion]]'' pilot with ''[[Smithson's Chinese Bandits]]'' on garrison duty in the [[Free Worlds League]]. When Gideon Braver seeks him out, he hints to a world in the [[Federated Suns]] where Kangaroo Jack has a woman. Immediately after meeting with the ''Scorpion'' pilot, another assassination attempt is made against Gideon Braver but he survives again.
+
In the Federated Suns, a man named Kearny is named as a contact to meet Kangaroo Jack. Kearny gives Gideon a slip of paper with an adress where Gideon is to meet with Kearny in one hour if he wants to meet Jack, and also informs Gideon that it had been the ''[[Black Widow Company]]'' who had been moved to Ander's Moon with the "Stone Arrow" and who had attacked Castle Vandenburg bearing false unit insignia. Gideon cannot meet Kangaroo Jack before the latter is murdered under dubious circumstances.
 +
:''(The player can choose wether or not to go to the adress indicated by Kearny's note. If he does, he finds Kangaroo Jack dead and is assaulted by the assasin, whom Gideon then kills in self defense. Regardless of wether or not the player elects to visit the adress, however, the newscast will subsequently report the death of Kangaroo Jack at the hands of a gangland assassin known as "Grim Jim" who was also found dead at the murder site.)''
  
−
Subsequently, a man named Kearny contacts Gideon Braver and informs him that it had been the ''[[Black Widow Company]]'' who had been moved to Ander's Moon with the "Stone Arrow" and attacked Castle Vandenburg bearing false unit insignia. He gives Gideon a slip of paper with an adress that turns out to be a trap. Kangaroo Jack has been killed, and the murderer tries to ambush Gidon Braver who survives yet another assassination attempt.
+
For a lack of other leads Gideon Braver and the ''Blazing Aces'' then track down the ''Black Widow Company'' in the Draconis Combine.
 +
:''(Within the game, this happens in the timeframe shortly prior to the events on [[Misery]] in early 3028 from the novel [[Wolves on the border]]. In this time, the Black Widow Company frequently conducts supply raids into Federated Suns space by all accounts.)''
  
−
Gideon Braver and the ''Blazing Aces'' then track down the ''Black Widow Company'' in the Draconis Combine (obviously prior to the events on [[Misery]] in early 3028). When confronted with the accusations, [[Natasha Kerensky]] denies any involvement and a barfight ensued where only the intervention of a mysterious woman named Tasha saves Gideon Braver from a severe beating by the ''Black Widows''. She reveals herself as a [[MI6]] operative and later provides him with datafiles that reveal a [[Kurita]] company, [[Matabushi Incorporated]], to be behind the ''[[Dark Wing]]'' and the attack on Castle Vandenburg as part of their [[Operation Inroad]]. She also reveals Kearny as a Kurita agent working for the [[ISF]]; the ''Black Widows'' really had nothing to do with it - Kearny had set Gideon up to get himself killed by the ''Black Widows''.
+
Confronted with the accusations, [[Natasha Kerensky]] denies any involvement and a barfight ensued where only the intervention of a mysterious woman named Tasha saves Gideon Braver from a very severe beating by the ''Black Widows''. Tasha then reveals herself as a [[MI6]] operative to Gideon and later provides him with datafiles that reveal a [[Kurita]] company, [[Matabushi Incorporated]], to be behind the ''[[Dark Wing]]'' and the attack on Castle Vandenburg as part of their [[Operation Inroad]]. She also reveals Kearny as a Kurita agent working for the [[ISF]]; the ''Black Widows'' really had nothing to do with it - Kearny had just set Gideon up to get himself killed by the ''Black Widows''.
  
−
The ''Blazing Aces'' eventually wind up in an attack against Matabushi Inc. on [[Albiero]] by the MI6 that also sees a showdown between Tasha and Kearny who accuse each other of being Kurita operatives at gunpoint. Gideon elects to trust Tasha. After this, Tasha provides the ''Blazing Aces'' with detailed data on the whereabouts of the Chalice of Herne, which is guarded by the ''Dark Wing'' for Matabushi.
+
Following a message to seek out alledged MIIO agent Kearny on [[Albiero]] the ''Blazing Aces'' eventually wind up in an attack against Matabushi Inc. (who have their company HQ on Albiero) by the MI6 that culminates in a showdown between Tasha and Kearny aboard a [[Karnov]] heavy transport chopper who accuse each other of being Kurita operatives at gunpoint before Gideon's eyes. Gideon elects to trust Tasha. After this, Tasha explains that the MI6 had an independent mission against Matabushi underway, but saw Gideon Braver as having the same target. She provides the ''Blazing Aces'' with detailed data on the whereabouts of the Chalice of Herne, which is guarded by the ''Dark Wing'' for Matabushi.
  
−
With this information, Gideon Braver Vandenburg and the ''Blazing Aces'' eventually defeat the ''Dark Wing'' and reclaim the Chalice within five years after it had been robbed from Ander's Moon. The retrieval of the Chalice, together with the data disk on Operation Inroad, clear the Vandenburg name and the family title and honor is restored.
+
With this information, Gideon Braver Vandenburg and the ''Blazing Aces'' eventually find defeat the ''Dark Wing'' and reclaim the Chalice within five years after it had been robbed from Ander's Moon. The retrieval of the Chalice, together with the data disk on Operation Inroad, clear the Vandenburg name and the family title and honor is restored.
  
 
==BattleMechs featured==
 
==BattleMechs featured==
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*B. Hendrik (Average/Good), who started with ''[[Narhal's Raiders]]''
 
*B. Hendrik (Average/Good), who started with ''[[Narhal's Raiders]]''
 
*J. Holmaas (Excellent/Excellent)
 
*J. Holmaas (Excellent/Excellent)
−
*Darc Horse (Good/Excellent), who works "alone or with ''[[Team Banzai]]''" otherwise
+
*Darc Horse (Good/Excellent), who works "alone or with [[Team Banzai]]" otherwise
 
*"Killer" (Good/Good), a psychopath who enjoys killing
 
*"Killer" (Good/Good), a psychopath who enjoys killing
 
*G. Lofall (Excellent/Good)
 
*G. Lofall (Excellent/Good)
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*Elli Gujar (Poor/Poor)
 
*Elli Gujar (Poor/Poor)
 
*JJ Kitter (Good/Excellent), who "spent some time with the ''[[Waco Rangers]]'' and ''[[Miller's Marauders]]''"
 
*JJ Kitter (Good/Excellent), who "spent some time with the ''[[Waco Rangers]]'' and ''[[Miller's Marauders]]''"
−
*A. Chu Lai (Excellent/Excellent), formerly a ''[[Javelin]]'' pilot in Winston's Scout Lance, ''[[Waco Rangers]]'' (A [[Rhonda's Irregulars (sourcebook)|sourcebook]] also mentions one Sergeant Anita Chu Lai, with average skills and piloting a Javelin, in a Waco Rangers unit including Winston's Scout Lance in a fight with [[Snord's Irregulars]] on 9 September [[3032]].)
+
*A. Chu Lai (Excellent/Excellent), formerly a ''[[Javelin]]'' pilot in Winston's Scout Lance, ''[[Waco Rangers]]''
 
*Ilsa Marn (Average/Good), a self-proclaimed expert at covert operations
 
*Ilsa Marn (Average/Good), a self-proclaimed expert at covert operations
 
*Emma Meyer (Excellent/Good), who previously worked in scout and strike lances in ''[[Brion's Legion]]''
 
*Emma Meyer (Excellent/Good), who previously worked in scout and strike lances in ''[[Brion's Legion]]''
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*Zera Tith (Excellent/Good), whose "last gig was [[Helmar Valasek]]"
 
*Zera Tith (Excellent/Good), whose "last gig was [[Helmar Valasek]]"
 
*"TJ" (Average/Poor)
 
*"TJ" (Average/Poor)
 +
 +
== Planetary data ==
 +
Only the major/more important planets from the BattleTech universe can be visited in the game (30 planets from each House except for House [[Liao]] who have only 25 worlds on the game map; no periphery worlds can be travelled to). A short one-line description is provided for each of these worlds, as is a population estimate and a rough impression of the environment as either tropical, ice or desert. The data given is as follows:
 +
 +
{| width='700'
 +
! House
 +
! Planet
 +
! Environment
 +
! Population
 +
! Description
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Albiero
 +
| Desert
 +
| 856,000,000
 +
| Main headquarters for Matabushi Inc
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Alshain
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,759,000,000
 +
| Supports a thriving BattleMech factory
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Benjamin
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,655,000,000
 +
| Supports much heavy industry
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Buckminster
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,641,000,000
 +
| 2nd Sword of Light stationed here
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Delacruz
 +
| Desert
 +
| 879,000,000
 +
| War torn - some large industry
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Dieron
 +
| Desert
 +
| 5,284,000,000
 +
| Capital of the Dieron Military District
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Galedon V
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,595,000,000
 +
| Known for its high grade industrial diamonds
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Galuzzo
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,945,000,000
 +
| Exotic wines and the best pizza in known space
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Irurzun
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,090,000,000
 +
| A valuable world housing a sizable military force
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Karbala
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,841,000,000
 +
| Tropical paradise - known for its precious gems
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Kaznejov
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,009,000,000
 +
| Home of the 17th Galedon Regulars
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Kessel
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,310,000,000
 +
| Strong rebel forces - visits may be dangerous
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Kirchbach
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 784,000,000
 +
| Few resources but a temperate climate
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Land's End
 +
| Ice
 +
| 123,000,000
 +
| Desolate rock on the periphery
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Luthien
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,203,000,000
 +
| Capital of the Draconis Combine
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Matsuida
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,009,000,000
 +
| Nicknamed 'Nausea' - planet is known for seafood
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Misery
 +
| Ice
 +
| 100,000,000
 +
| Notable only for mining operations
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| New Samarkand
 +
| Desert
 +
| 950,000,000
 +
| Home of the Internal Security Force
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Oshika
 +
| Desert
 +
| 4,207,000,000
 +
| Homeo of the 16th Galedon Regulars
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Pesht
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,890,000,000
 +
| Heavy military garrison
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Proserpina
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,872,000,000
 +
| Home of the 9th Benjamin Regulars
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Qandahar
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,304,000,000
 +
| Highly toxic environment
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Radstadt
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 841,000,000
 +
| One of the largest prisons of the Combine is here
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Rasalhague
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,284,000,000
 +
| Large industries and plentiful resources
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Rubigen
 +
| Ice
 +
| 2,932,000,000
 +
| An ice world known for its wolverine pelts
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Skokie
 +
| Ice
 +
| 765,000,000
 +
| An ice world rich in minerals
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Tabayama
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,000,000,000
 +
| Capital of Galedon's periphery prefecture
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Thestria
 +
| Ice
 +
| 125,000,000
 +
| Frozen ball known only for precious metal deposits
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Vega
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,284,000,000
 +
| Home of Cosby Myomer Research Company
 +
|-
 +
| Kurita
 +
| Xinyang
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,010,000,000
 +
| Resort atmosphere catering to soldiers on leave
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Alarion
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,434,000,000
 +
| Heavy industry and orbiting shipyards
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Alexandria
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,450,000,000
 +
| War ravaged from struggles with House Kurita
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Anembo
 +
| Desert
 +
| 450,000,000
 +
| Unremarkable world scarce in everything
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Anywhere
 +
| Ice
 +
| 5,000,000
 +
| A real nowhere unless you're a pirate
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Arcadia
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,323,000,000
 +
| Strong in agriculture and manufacturing
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Bountiful Harvest
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,275,000,000
 +
| Largest agricultural planet in the Commonwealth
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Carse
 +
| Ice
 +
| 1,453,000,000
 +
| Center for plastic and plastisteel manufacturing
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Chuckchi III
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,500,000,000
 +
| Large titanium mining operations
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Coventry
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,549,000,000
 +
| Home of 2nd largest Commonwealth BattleMech Co
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Dixie
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,567,000,000
 +
| Known for good food and warm hospitality
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Donegal
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,651,000,000
 +
| Rich in diamonds, rare metals, and traders
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Dustball
 +
| Desert
 +
| 25,000,000
 +
| Where the elite satisfy their most wicked desires
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Garrison
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,879,000,000
 +
| Military training center and post
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Hesperus II
 +
| Desert
 +
| 235,000,000
 +
| Supports a large BattleMech factory
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Kobe
 +
| Ice
 +
| 1,009,000,000
 +
| Major producer of electronics and chemical engines
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Mizar
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,186,000,000
 +
| A pleasant resort world
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Niangol
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 567,000,000
 +
| Petroleum and ore processing center
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Port Moseby
 +
| Desert
 +
| 4,535,000,000
 +
| Major trading center - anything for a price
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Poulsbo
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,239,000,000
 +
| Jumping off point for regiments attacking Marik
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Rahne
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,234,000,000
 +
| A miserable place - 2 seasons allow humans outside
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Sevren
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,543,000,000
 +
| Large fission core manufacturing facilities
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Skye
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,256,000,000
 +
| Plenty of unspoiled landscape as well as industry
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Suk II
 +
| Desert
 +
| 987,000,000
 +
| Mining world rich in metal ores
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Tamar
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 879,000,000
 +
| Strong trading and manufacturing center
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Tharkad
 +
| Ice
 +
| 4,529,000,000
 +
| Capital of the Lyran Commonwealth
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Thorin
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,879,000,000
 +
| Ancient world rich in minerals and precious gems
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Timbiqui
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,506,000,000
 +
| Manufacturing center rich in minerals
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Timbuktu
 +
| Desert
 +
| 879,000,000
 +
| Home of the 11th Arcturan Guards
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Valloire
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 879,000,000
 +
| Producer of the best teas in the Commonwealth
 +
|-
 +
| Steiner
 +
| Winfield
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,150,000,000
 +
| Agricultural world with long growing season
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Alula Australis
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,119,000,000
 +
| Mineral source for Cirebon, Lengkong, and Mosiro
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Amity
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,324,000,000
 +
| Large and varied manufacturing facilities
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Andurien
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,950,000,000
 +
| Famous for its botanical gardens
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Angell II
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,145,000,000
 +
| One of Marik's biggest sources of wealth
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Atreus
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,391,000,000
 +
| Capital of the Free Worlds League
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Autumn Wind
 +
| Desert
 +
| 3,297,000,000
 +
| Garden planet catering to vacationers
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Calloway VI
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,250,000,000
 +
| Large trade center with BattleMech factories
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Chalouba
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,416,000,000
 +
| Pastoral but with growing electronics industry
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Cirebon
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,631,000,000
 +
| Large computer and aerospace industries
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Claybrooke
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,592,000,000
 +
| Major exports are ranch and dairy products
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Gibson
 +
| Desert
 +
| 4,137,000,000
 +
| Amazing diversity of peoples and religions
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Goodna
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,491,000,000
 +
| A planet filled with rare edible delicacies
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Griffith
 +
| Ice
 +
| 2,461,000,000
 +
| Small but important weapons business
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Irian
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,169,000,000
 +
| Houses vast BattleMech factories
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Lesnovo
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,631,000,000
 +
| Often raided by bandits of the Marian Hegemony
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Marik
 +
| Desert
 +
| 4,780,000,000
 +
| Winter residence of the Captain-General
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Mosiro
 +
| Desert
 +
| 3,399,000,000
 +
| Mostly moslem, strong in astrophysics and the arts
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Nestor
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,286,000,000
 +
| Agricultural mostly rice and other cereals
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| New Delos
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,110,000,000
 +
| Beautiful world but a depressed economy
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Oliver
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,329,000,000
 +
| Much industry including a Mech plant
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Oriente
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,972,000,000
 +
| Lush, green world of rolling grassland and forests
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Procyon
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,250,000,000
 +
| Once home to the Brigadier Mech Co. - now extinct
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Regulus
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,139,000,000
 +
| Home of John 'Icepick' Melton, man of many talents
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Sadurni
 +
| Ice
 +
| 456,000,000
 +
| A frozen, barren, lifeless rock - see you there
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Shiloh
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,000,000
 +
| Main exports include woodcarvings and silkscreens
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Silver
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,756,000,000
 +
| Named for its large deposits of that ore
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Sophie's World
 +
| Desert
 +
| 4,512,000,000
 +
| A center for the arts and learning
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Susano
 +
| Ice
 +
| 1,546,000,000
 +
| Famous for Ando Bass fished from its frozen seas
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Tamarind
 +
| Desert
 +
| 3,562,000,000
 +
| The talent of the artists here is legendary
 +
|-
 +
| Marik
 +
| Zortman
 +
| Desert
 +
| 879,000,000
 +
| Center for technology research
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Aldebaran
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,261,000,000
 +
| Major commercial and industrial center
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Ares
 +
| Desert
 +
| 4,227,000,000
 +
| Free port, also houses a Mech factory
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Betelgeuse
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,792,000,000
 +
| Major industrial center including a Mech complex
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Bharat
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,817,000,000
 +
| A planetwide hunting preserve
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Bithinia
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,298,000,000
 +
| Planetwide entertainment center - steel industry
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Buenos Aires
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,186,000,000
 +
| Subterranean and offshore hydroponic agriculture
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Capella
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,375,000,000
 +
| HQ for Ceres Metals and Capellan Commonality Bank
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Exedor
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,000,000
 +
| Liao personal treasures guarded by crack troops
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Grand Base
 +
| Desert
 +
| 3,467,000,000
 +
| Military staging, training and repair facility
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Keid
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,573,000,000
 +
| Many military, training and research facilities
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Matsu
 +
| Ice
 +
| 2,153,000,000
 +
| Precious metals mining center
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Menke
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,514,000,000
 +
| Home of McCarron's Armored Cavalry
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Milos
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,481,000,000
 +
| Agricultural world of some strategic importance
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Nanking
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,918,000,000
 +
| Home of the Warrior House Daidachi Regiment
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Necromo
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,000,000
 +
| Liao Dropship repair facility
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| New Hessen
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,139,000,000
 +
| Main recruiting and training center for House Liao
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Raballa
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,871,000,000
 +
| Houses major aerospace support installation
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Sian
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,796,000,000
 +
| Capital of the Capellan Confederation
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Styk
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,725,000,000
 +
| 2nd largest trading and industrial center
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Tall Trees
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 964,000,000
 +
| Genetic research facility which developed Nuplague
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Tikonov
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,279,000,000
 +
| Largest Mech production center in Capellan space
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Tsinghai
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 4,185,000,000
 +
| Best known for its wines, also uranium deposits
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Turin
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,267,000,000
 +
| Noted for its horses and special cattle
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Warlock
 +
| Ice
 +
| 4,128,000,000
 +
| Military research and development center
 +
|-
 +
| Liao
 +
| Zanzibar
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,549,000,000
 +
| Famous black market - anything can be bought here
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Ander's Moon
 +
| Desert
 +
| 50,000,000
 +
| Small backwater world mostly agricultural
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Baxley
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,752,000,000
 +
| A real backwater world of absolutely no importance
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Beecher
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,689,000,000
 +
| Strong industry and agriculture, excellent wines
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Caph
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,349,000,000
 +
| Major connection between Davion and Steiner space
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Cogdell
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,536,000,000
 +
| Agri-world in deep political turmoil
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Delacambre
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,215,000,000
 +
| Agricultural world supporting several near planets
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Frazer
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 899,000,000
 +
| Large producer of rice, some petroleum
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Galax
 +
| Desert
 +
| 3,527,000,000
 +
| Major mining and industrial center
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Gambler
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,145,000,000
 +
| Entertainment world with some industry
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Great Gorge
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,988,000,000
 +
| Nice world rich in minerals on the edge of nowhere
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Greely
 +
| Ice
 +
| 1,492,000,000
 +
| Recently rebuilt into a military center
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Hobbs
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,325,000,000
 +
| Giant cave systems here used as warehouses
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Hoff
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,263,000,000
 +
| Houses the Friden Aerospace research facility
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Hyalite
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,598,000,000
 +
| Strong chemical industries
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Immenstadt
 +
| Ice
 +
| 21,000,000
 +
| Cold much of the year, strong hydroponic industry
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Kathil
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,567,000,000
 +
| Major Jumpship and Dropship facilities
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Kesai IV
 +
| Desert
 +
| 1,426,000,000
 +
| Strategic military center and nothing else
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Kittery
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,381,000,000
 +
| Inhospitable jungle world, natives in rebellion
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Mallory's World
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,163,000,000
 +
| Once plentiful agri-world now war torn
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Marduk
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,691,000,000
 +
| Home of the Norse BattleMech Works
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Moravian
 +
| Desert
 +
| 2,157,000,000
 +
| Mining industry smashed by war, depressed economy
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| New Aragon
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,349,000,000
 +
| Captured in 2832, House Liao still claims it
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| New Avalon
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 5,876,000,000
 +
| Capital of the Federated Suns
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| New Syrtis
 +
| Ice
 +
| 3,682,000,000
 +
| Military capital of the Capellan March
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Noatak
 +
| Ice
 +
| 1,389,000,000
 +
| Known for its whales, seals and aquatic life
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Okefenokee
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 478,000,000
 +
| Rich petroleum deposits just discovered
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Redfield
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 1,004,000,000
 +
| Such a constant battlefield nothing else happens
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Robinson
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,428,000,000
 +
| Military capital of the Terran March
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Tancredi IV
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 3,251,000,000
 +
| Strong mining and industrial center
 +
|-
 +
| Davion
 +
| Xhosa VII
 +
| Tropical
 +
| 2,975,000,000
 +
| Aerospace industry somewhat depressed by war
 +
|}
  
 
== Resources ==
 
== Resources ==

Revision as of 19:35, 2 December 2008

Activision's MechWarrior is a 1989 computer game set in the BattleTech universe.

In the game, the player (as Gideon Braver) takes command of the Blazing Aces mercenary unit in his quest to uncover a hideous plot, retrieve a vital artifact and avenge the murder of his family... within only five years. He gets to manage the unit's finances and negotiate contracts, can hire and fire other MechWarriors for the unit (which can thus grow up to Lance size, i.e. four 'Mechs and their pilots) and gets to control Gideon's BattleMech in combat. Most importantly, however, he must follow leads and gather information about the events on his homeworld. Ultimately, he must find and defeat the Dark Wing unit to reclaim his heritage.

The game contains many references to other elements of the BattleTech universe. Over the course of the game, prominent events taken from various novels are mentioned in the news, covering items from The Gray Death Trilogy (Verthandi Rebellion, Sirius massacre, events on Helm) and The Warrior Trilogy (following the Solaris career of Justin Xiang Allard up to the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner and the subsequent Fourth Succession War).

Plot synopsis

Backstory

Gideon Braver Vandenburg was the son of Cameron Vandenburg, the Duke of Ander's Moon (thought to be Elidere IV). The world had been colonized centuries ago by the Vandenburg and McBrin clans and was rewarded with a Dukedom by Prince Davion for the valor of its warriors in the Succession Wars. Upon the death of the old Duke, the new Duke is elected by the Council of Representatives and anointed with oil from the sacred Chalice of Herne, an ancient artefact from old Terra that had come to symbolize the office of Duke. The title has thus passed from clan to clan over the centuries, creating a bitter rivalry between the Vandenburg and McBrin clans.

On March 1, 3024, Gideon Braver Vandenburg left Castle Vandenburg, his father's stronghold, for an inspection of the family's holdings. Upon his return two days later he found that a Lance of BattleMechs had attacked the Castle, killed his family and stolen the Chalice of Herne along with other treasure. This turned out to be an intrigue by Jarris McBrin, who coveted the title of Duke for himself. McBrin faked evidence that suggested the Vandenburg clan had worked with and then double-crossed the pirates, but failed to convince the Council of Representatives to elect him Duke; instead, they chose to delay the election of a new Duke until Gideon Braver Vandenburg had reached adulthood (23 years of age) on April 8, 3029.

Shortly after this decision, Gideon Braver Vandenburg found himself falsely accused of conspiracy and crimes against the state and was forced to flee off-world. Jordan Rowe, a friend of the Vandenburg family, provided him with safe passage on a DropShip, some money and an old Jenner 'Mech. Upon arriving at a nearby world, he abbreviated his name to Gideon Braver to avoid "complications", and created a small mercenary unit, the Blazing Aces.

Game storyline

Over the course of his adventures, Gideon Braver and the Blazing Aces accepted many short term contracts with various employers all over the Inner Sphere:

Inquiries about the insignia seen on the BattleMechs that had pillaged Castle Vandenburg point Gideon Braver to Grig Griez, a wanted crimelord operating from within the Draconis Combine. On Land's End he finally meets one of Griez's henchmen. Eventually, Gideon Braver gets to meet Grig Griez in person and agrees to deliver a message to one of Griez's agents on Dustball in exchange for information.

On Dustball, the receipient who calls himself "Brown" draws a gun on Gideon Braver but does not kill him when the message turns out to contain a deadly poison; obviously, Griez wanted both Gideon Barver and "Brown" dead. "Brown" tips Gideon off to a JumpShip named the "Stone Arrow". This is a smuggler ship operated by a man known as Kangaroo Jack. To contact Kangaroo Jack, Gideon seeks out Jack's enstranged brother who serves as a Scorpion pilot with Smithson's Chinese Bandits on garrison duty in the Free Worlds League. Gideon travels there to meets him, and Jack's brother points him to a world in the Federated Suns where Kangaroo Jack has a woman. Immediately after meeting with the Scorpion pilot, another assassination attempt is made near the garrison's Saladin hovertank garages against Gideon Braver, who suddenly finds himself under attack from a sniper with a heavy Gyroslug carbine. The attack is carried on the news on the next day, where it is reported that terrorists attacked the 5th Armored Rangers.

In the Federated Suns, a man named Kearny is named as a contact to meet Kangaroo Jack. Kearny gives Gideon a slip of paper with an adress where Gideon is to meet with Kearny in one hour if he wants to meet Jack, and also informs Gideon that it had been the Black Widow Company who had been moved to Ander's Moon with the "Stone Arrow" and who had attacked Castle Vandenburg bearing false unit insignia. Gideon cannot meet Kangaroo Jack before the latter is murdered under dubious circumstances.

(The player can choose wether or not to go to the adress indicated by Kearny's note. If he does, he finds Kangaroo Jack dead and is assaulted by the assasin, whom Gideon then kills in self defense. Regardless of wether or not the player elects to visit the adress, however, the newscast will subsequently report the death of Kangaroo Jack at the hands of a gangland assassin known as "Grim Jim" who was also found dead at the murder site.)

For a lack of other leads Gideon Braver and the Blazing Aces then track down the Black Widow Company in the Draconis Combine.

(Within the game, this happens in the timeframe shortly prior to the events on Misery in early 3028 from the novel Wolves on the border. In this time, the Black Widow Company frequently conducts supply raids into Federated Suns space by all accounts.)

Confronted with the accusations, Natasha Kerensky denies any involvement and a barfight ensued where only the intervention of a mysterious woman named Tasha saves Gideon Braver from a very severe beating by the Black Widows. Tasha then reveals herself as a MI6 operative to Gideon and later provides him with datafiles that reveal a Kurita company, Matabushi Incorporated, to be behind the Dark Wing and the attack on Castle Vandenburg as part of their Operation Inroad. She also reveals Kearny as a Kurita agent working for the ISF; the Black Widows really had nothing to do with it - Kearny had just set Gideon up to get himself killed by the Black Widows.

Following a message to seek out alledged MIIO agent Kearny on Albiero the Blazing Aces eventually wind up in an attack against Matabushi Inc. (who have their company HQ on Albiero) by the MI6 that culminates in a showdown between Tasha and Kearny aboard a Karnov heavy transport chopper who accuse each other of being Kurita operatives at gunpoint before Gideon's eyes. Gideon elects to trust Tasha. After this, Tasha explains that the MI6 had an independent mission against Matabushi underway, but saw Gideon Braver as having the same target. She provides the Blazing Aces with detailed data on the whereabouts of the Chalice of Herne, which is guarded by the Dark Wing for Matabushi.

With this information, Gideon Braver Vandenburg and the Blazing Aces eventually find defeat the Dark Wing and reclaim the Chalice within five years after it had been robbed from Ander's Moon. The retrieval of the Chalice, together with the data disk on Operation Inroad, clear the Vandenburg name and the family title and honor is restored.

BattleMechs featured

Within the game, only eight different 'Mech designs are available for either side: Locust, Jenner, Phoenix Hawk, Shadow Hawk, Rifleman, Warhammer, Marauder and BattleMaster. Neither the player and his unit nor enemy forces can acquire or field 'Mechs of any other type. However, over the course of the storyline, a Scorpion features in the narrative and yet other models are mentioned in the game although they are not playable.

Personnel

The player can recruit lancemates from numerous applicants, although experienced MechWarriors only become available once the unit has gained a certain reputation. They can be hired and fired at the player's discretion, and can also die in battle. The pool of available personnel includes a variety of minor characters (with their respective starting skill at Gunnery/'Mech Pilot):

Men

  • T. D. Bente (Poor/Average)
  • Billy Chow (Average/Average)
  • Kevin Call (Good/Excellent), formerly of the Gray Death Legion
  • A. Cooper (Good/Average), a MechWarrior from the Federated Suns
  • Jim Eagle (Excellent/Good), who formerly served in the recon lance, Lindon's Company
  • Ted Hegel (Average/Poor), who lost his 'Mech in a brush with the Black Widow
  • B. Hendrik (Average/Good), who started with Narhal's Raiders
  • J. Holmaas (Excellent/Excellent)
  • Darc Horse (Good/Excellent), who works "alone or with Team Banzai" otherwise
  • "Killer" (Good/Good), a psychopath who enjoys killing
  • G. Lofall (Excellent/Good)
  • "Nasty Bill" (Excellent/Excellent)
  • Z. Rodgers (Poor/Average), a former Tech in Richard's Panzer Brigade
  • Pete Ryan (Good/Average)
  • Tim Seers (Poor/Poor)
  • Tank Smith (Good/Excellent)
  • "Tricky Nik" (Good/Good), who previously worked for Redjack Ryan
  • R. Torsak (Good/Excellent), a former Marauder pilot with the 21st Centauri Lancers
  • Kelly T. (Average/Good)
  • Bob True (Poor/Poor)
  • Kinji Tsi (Good/Average), a follower of Bushido
  • Alex Veer (Average/Good), who got his training on the gaming world of Solaris

Women

  • Ara (Good/Average)
  • Rose Artz (Good/Average), formerly a Thunderbolt pilot with the Eridani Light Horse
  • Karen Blak (Average/Poor)
  • Tara Ellis (Average/Good), formerly a Griffin pilot with the Eridani Light Horse
  • Erin Falls (Good/Excellent)
  • Elli Gujar (Poor/Poor)
  • JJ Kitter (Good/Excellent), who "spent some time with the Waco Rangers and Miller's Marauders"
  • A. Chu Lai (Excellent/Excellent), formerly a Javelin pilot in Winston's Scout Lance, Waco Rangers
  • Ilsa Marn (Average/Good), a self-proclaimed expert at covert operations
  • Emma Meyer (Excellent/Good), who previously worked in scout and strike lances in Brion's Legion
  • S. Miller (Average/Good), who claims she "practically grew up in the 3rd Recon Company"
  • A. Morris (Good/Average), who had her Locust shot out from under her in a Kurita raid
  • Pam North (Average/Poor), whose last tour was with the 12th Vegan Rangers
  • Taris Ren (Poor/Poor)
  • D. "Desire" Sajak (Poor/Average)
  • Chaney Ti (Excellent/Excellent)
  • Zera Tith (Excellent/Good), whose "last gig was Helmar Valasek"
  • "TJ" (Average/Poor)

Planetary data

Only the major/more important planets from the BattleTech universe can be visited in the game (30 planets from each House except for House Liao who have only 25 worlds on the game map; no periphery worlds can be travelled to). A short one-line description is provided for each of these worlds, as is a population estimate and a rough impression of the environment as either tropical, ice or desert. The data given is as follows:

House Planet Environment Population Description
Kurita Albiero Desert 856,000,000 Main headquarters for Matabushi Inc
Kurita Alshain Tropical 2,759,000,000 Supports a thriving BattleMech factory
Kurita Benjamin Tropical 4,655,000,000 Supports much heavy industry
Kurita Buckminster Tropical 2,641,000,000 2nd Sword of Light stationed here
Kurita Delacruz Desert 879,000,000 War torn - some large industry
Kurita Dieron Desert 5,284,000,000 Capital of the Dieron Military District
Kurita Galedon V Tropical 1,595,000,000 Known for its high grade industrial diamonds
Kurita Galuzzo Tropical 2,945,000,000 Exotic wines and the best pizza in known space
Kurita Irurzun Tropical 5,090,000,000 A valuable world housing a sizable military force
Kurita Karbala Tropical 1,841,000,000 Tropical paradise - known for its precious gems
Kurita Kaznejov Desert 1,009,000,000 Home of the 17th Galedon Regulars
Kurita Kessel Desert 2,310,000,000 Strong rebel forces - visits may be dangerous
Kurita Kirchbach Tropical 784,000,000 Few resources but a temperate climate
Kurita Land's End Ice 123,000,000 Desolate rock on the periphery
Kurita Luthien Tropical 5,203,000,000 Capital of the Draconis Combine
Kurita Matsuida Tropical 1,009,000,000 Nicknamed 'Nausea' - planet is known for seafood
Kurita Misery Ice 100,000,000 Notable only for mining operations
Kurita New Samarkand Desert 950,000,000 Home of the Internal Security Force
Kurita Oshika Desert 4,207,000,000 Homeo of the 16th Galedon Regulars
Kurita Pesht Tropical 4,890,000,000 Heavy military garrison
Kurita Proserpina Desert 1,872,000,000 Home of the 9th Benjamin Regulars
Kurita Qandahar Desert 2,304,000,000 Highly toxic environment
Kurita Radstadt Tropical 841,000,000 One of the largest prisons of the Combine is here
Kurita Rasalhague Tropical 2,284,000,000 Large industries and plentiful resources
Kurita Rubigen Ice 2,932,000,000 An ice world known for its wolverine pelts
Kurita Skokie Ice 765,000,000 An ice world rich in minerals
Kurita Tabayama Tropical 2,000,000,000 Capital of Galedon's periphery prefecture
Kurita Thestria Ice 125,000,000 Frozen ball known only for precious metal deposits
Kurita Vega Desert 2,284,000,000 Home of Cosby Myomer Research Company
Kurita Xinyang Tropical 1,010,000,000 Resort atmosphere catering to soldiers on leave
Steiner Alarion Tropical 2,434,000,000 Heavy industry and orbiting shipyards
Steiner Alexandria Desert 2,450,000,000 War ravaged from struggles with House Kurita
Steiner Anembo Desert 450,000,000 Unremarkable world scarce in everything
Steiner Anywhere Ice 5,000,000 A real nowhere unless you're a pirate
Steiner Arcadia Tropical 1,323,000,000 Strong in agriculture and manufacturing
Steiner Bountiful Harvest Tropical 3,275,000,000 Largest agricultural planet in the Commonwealth
Steiner Carse Ice 1,453,000,000 Center for plastic and plastisteel manufacturing
Steiner Chuckchi III Tropical 2,500,000,000 Large titanium mining operations
Steiner Coventry Tropical 1,549,000,000 Home of 2nd largest Commonwealth BattleMech Co
Steiner Dixie Tropical 2,567,000,000 Known for good food and warm hospitality
Steiner Donegal Tropical 3,651,000,000 Rich in diamonds, rare metals, and traders
Steiner Dustball Desert 25,000,000 Where the elite satisfy their most wicked desires
Steiner Garrison Desert 1,879,000,000 Military training center and post
Steiner Hesperus II Desert 235,000,000 Supports a large BattleMech factory
Steiner Kobe Ice 1,009,000,000 Major producer of electronics and chemical engines
Steiner Mizar Tropical 2,186,000,000 A pleasant resort world
Steiner Niangol Tropical 567,000,000 Petroleum and ore processing center
Steiner Port Moseby Desert 4,535,000,000 Major trading center - anything for a price
Steiner Poulsbo Tropical 1,239,000,000 Jumping off point for regiments attacking Marik
Steiner Rahne Desert 1,234,000,000 A miserable place - 2 seasons allow humans outside
Steiner Sevren Desert 1,543,000,000 Large fission core manufacturing facilities
Steiner Skye Tropical 3,256,000,000 Plenty of unspoiled landscape as well as industry
Steiner Suk II Desert 987,000,000 Mining world rich in metal ores
Steiner Tamar Tropical 879,000,000 Strong trading and manufacturing center
Steiner Tharkad Ice 4,529,000,000 Capital of the Lyran Commonwealth
Steiner Thorin Tropical 3,879,000,000 Ancient world rich in minerals and precious gems
Steiner Timbiqui Desert 1,506,000,000 Manufacturing center rich in minerals
Steiner Timbuktu Desert 879,000,000 Home of the 11th Arcturan Guards
Steiner Valloire Tropical 879,000,000 Producer of the best teas in the Commonwealth
Steiner Winfield Tropical 1,150,000,000 Agricultural world with long growing season
Marik Alula Australis Tropical 3,119,000,000 Mineral source for Cirebon, Lengkong, and Mosiro
Marik Amity Tropical 2,324,000,000 Large and varied manufacturing facilities
Marik Andurien Tropical 4,950,000,000 Famous for its botanical gardens
Marik Angell II Tropical 1,145,000,000 One of Marik's biggest sources of wealth
Marik Atreus Tropical 5,391,000,000 Capital of the Free Worlds League
Marik Autumn Wind Desert 3,297,000,000 Garden planet catering to vacationers
Marik Calloway VI Tropical 1,250,000,000 Large trade center with BattleMech factories
Marik Chalouba Tropical 2,416,000,000 Pastoral but with growing electronics industry
Marik Cirebon Tropical 4,631,000,000 Large computer and aerospace industries
Marik Claybrooke Tropical 3,592,000,000 Major exports are ranch and dairy products
Marik Gibson Desert 4,137,000,000 Amazing diversity of peoples and religions
Marik Goodna Tropical 3,491,000,000 A planet filled with rare edible delicacies
Marik Griffith Ice 2,461,000,000 Small but important weapons business
Marik Irian Desert 2,169,000,000 Houses vast BattleMech factories
Marik Lesnovo Desert 2,631,000,000 Often raided by bandits of the Marian Hegemony
Marik Marik Desert 4,780,000,000 Winter residence of the Captain-General
Marik Mosiro Desert 3,399,000,000 Mostly moslem, strong in astrophysics and the arts
Marik Nestor Tropical 3,286,000,000 Agricultural mostly rice and other cereals
Marik New Delos Tropical 2,110,000,000 Beautiful world but a depressed economy
Marik Oliver Tropical 2,329,000,000 Much industry including a Mech plant
Marik Oriente Tropical 3,972,000,000 Lush, green world of rolling grassland and forests
Marik Procyon Tropical 5,250,000,000 Once home to the Brigadier Mech Co. - now extinct
Marik Regulus Tropical 3,139,000,000 Home of John 'Icepick' Melton, man of many talents
Marik Sadurni Ice 456,000,000 A frozen, barren, lifeless rock - see you there
Marik Shiloh Desert 1,000,000 Main exports include woodcarvings and silkscreens
Marik Silver Desert 1,756,000,000 Named for its large deposits of that ore
Marik Sophie's World Desert 4,512,000,000 A center for the arts and learning
Marik Susano Ice 1,546,000,000 Famous for Ando Bass fished from its frozen seas
Marik Tamarind Desert 3,562,000,000 The talent of the artists here is legendary
Marik Zortman Desert 879,000,000 Center for technology research
Liao Aldebaran Tropical 4,261,000,000 Major commercial and industrial center
Liao Ares Desert 4,227,000,000 Free port, also houses a Mech factory
Liao Betelgeuse Tropical 3,792,000,000 Major industrial center including a Mech complex
Liao Bharat Tropical 1,817,000,000 A planetwide hunting preserve
Liao Bithinia Tropical 3,298,000,000 Planetwide entertainment center - steel industry
Liao Buenos Aires Tropical 2,186,000,000 Subterranean and offshore hydroponic agriculture
Liao Capella Tropical 5,375,000,000 HQ for Ceres Metals and Capellan Commonality Bank
Liao Exedor Desert 1,000,000 Liao personal treasures guarded by crack troops
Liao Grand Base Desert 3,467,000,000 Military staging, training and repair facility
Liao Keid Tropical 4,573,000,000 Many military, training and research facilities
Liao Matsu Ice 2,153,000,000 Precious metals mining center
Liao Menke Tropical 4,514,000,000 Home of McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Liao Milos Tropical 3,481,000,000 Agricultural world of some strategic importance
Liao Nanking Tropical 5,918,000,000 Home of the Warrior House Daidachi Regiment
Liao Necromo Desert 1,000,000 Liao Dropship repair facility
Liao New Hessen Desert 2,139,000,000 Main recruiting and training center for House Liao
Liao Raballa Tropical 3,871,000,000 Houses major aerospace support installation
Liao Sian Tropical 4,796,000,000 Capital of the Capellan Confederation
Liao Styk Tropical 4,725,000,000 2nd largest trading and industrial center
Liao Tall Trees Tropical 964,000,000 Genetic research facility which developed Nuplague
Liao Tikonov Tropical 5,279,000,000 Largest Mech production center in Capellan space
Liao Tsinghai Tropical 4,185,000,000 Best known for its wines, also uranium deposits
Liao Turin Tropical 3,267,000,000 Noted for its horses and special cattle
Liao Warlock Ice 4,128,000,000 Military research and development center
Liao Zanzibar Desert 1,549,000,000 Famous black market - anything can be bought here
Davion Ander's Moon Desert 50,000,000 Small backwater world mostly agricultural
Davion Baxley Desert 1,752,000,000 A real backwater world of absolutely no importance
Davion Beecher Tropical 3,689,000,000 Strong industry and agriculture, excellent wines
Davion Caph Desert 2,349,000,000 Major connection between Davion and Steiner space
Davion Cogdell Tropical 1,536,000,000 Agri-world in deep political turmoil
Davion Delacambre Tropical 3,215,000,000 Agricultural world supporting several near planets
Davion Frazer Tropical 899,000,000 Large producer of rice, some petroleum
Davion Galax Desert 3,527,000,000 Major mining and industrial center
Davion Gambler Tropical 2,145,000,000 Entertainment world with some industry
Davion Great Gorge Desert 1,988,000,000 Nice world rich in minerals on the edge of nowhere
Davion Greely Ice 1,492,000,000 Recently rebuilt into a military center
Davion Hobbs Desert 1,325,000,000 Giant cave systems here used as warehouses
Davion Hoff Tropical 1,263,000,000 Houses the Friden Aerospace research facility
Davion Hyalite Desert 1,598,000,000 Strong chemical industries
Davion Immenstadt Ice 21,000,000 Cold much of the year, strong hydroponic industry
Davion Kathil Desert 1,567,000,000 Major Jumpship and Dropship facilities
Davion Kesai IV Desert 1,426,000,000 Strategic military center and nothing else
Davion Kittery Tropical 2,381,000,000 Inhospitable jungle world, natives in rebellion
Davion Mallory's World Tropical 2,163,000,000 Once plentiful agri-world now war torn
Davion Marduk Tropical 3,691,000,000 Home of the Norse BattleMech Works
Davion Moravian Desert 2,157,000,000 Mining industry smashed by war, depressed economy
Davion New Aragon Tropical 2,349,000,000 Captured in 2832, House Liao still claims it
Davion New Avalon Tropical 5,876,000,000 Capital of the Federated Suns
Davion New Syrtis Ice 3,682,000,000 Military capital of the Capellan March
Davion Noatak Ice 1,389,000,000 Known for its whales, seals and aquatic life
Davion Okefenokee Tropical 478,000,000 Rich petroleum deposits just discovered
Davion Redfield Tropical 1,004,000,000 Such a constant battlefield nothing else happens
Davion Robinson Tropical 3,428,000,000 Military capital of the Terran March
Davion Tancredi IV Tropical 3,251,000,000 Strong mining and industrial center
Davion Xhosa VII Tropical 2,975,000,000 Aerospace industry somewhat depressed by war

Resources

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