MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries

FASA Studio's MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries is a 2002 computer game set in the BattleTech universe. Smith and Tinker announced on 09 July 2009 that the MechWarrior 4 series of games and expansions will be made available for free via MekTek, this finally happened on 30 April 2010. However, with development stalling, Smith and Tinker going out of business, and the introduction of MechWarrior Online, MekTek ultimately dropped their license for MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries. Download of the Free Release is now considered illegal.

Canonicity

Computer games are explicitly excluded from the list of products that contribute straight Canon to the BattleTech universe while at the same time it was stated that the IP owners are "not in total denial about these sources either"; it has also been stated that fluff from certain official, licensed products (namely certain computer games including those produced by FASA) can be assumed to be part of the shared universe as long as it is not directly contradicted, and makes sense. On this premise, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries is considered to be an apocryphal product.

Areas of conflict with established canon

• The flexible mission selection system allows missions to take place at different times than they may have historically occurred. Beyond this, many of the conflicts that provide the mission backdrop canonically occur well outside the timeframe of the game, which is limited to 3066-3067.
• The Capellan Confederation conquered and absorbed the Styk Commonality in 3062, rather than 3066
• The Federated Commonwealth Civil War began affecting mercenary contracts in 3063, rather than 3066
• Spectre cannot have won a Solaris Championship in the 3060s. All winners for this period have been named, and are either veteran duelists or female (Spectre is a male rookie duelist).
• No canon source records a Jade Falcon raid on New Exford during the Jade Falcon Incursion of 3064. An incursion after 3064 would have constituted a violation of the arrangement worked out by Archer Christifori and Adam Steiner with Khan Marthe Pryde.
• Talon/Wernke was garrisoned by the Seventh Federated Commonwealth RCT, rather than the Twentieth. Fighting began there in 3064.
• Burr's Black Cobras were not destroyed on Talon/Wernke, but took a long-term contract with the Word of Blake.
• The Free Skye Uprising began in 3065.
• New Canton was not conquered by Clan Wolf during the FedCom Civil War. It became a part of the Blake Protectorate in 3067-3068.

Plot Synopsis

Backstory

The player takes the role of Spectre, a male commander of a small mercenary company. Trained under a pilot program on Outreach where smaller mercenary companies are "sponsored" by larger ones (such as the Kell Hounds, Wolf's Dragoons, Gray Death Legion, or Northwind Highlanders), Spectre travels inside the fictional interstellar region of the Chaos March during the FedCom Civil War (specifically during the time period from January 1, 3066 to late July 3067). The player makes a living earning cash and useful salvage from completing mission contracts for various factions. With these resources, the player can purchase new weapons and BattleMechs, pay for 'Mech repairs, and hire additional MechWarriors for his or her company.

A Note on Dates

The player has significant flexibility in which missions they choose and in what order. Accordingly, there are no firm dates for when any of the campaigns take place during the game's 3066 - 3067 time frame. Since many of the campaigns use events from throughout the 3062 - 3067 Federated Commonwealth Civil War as a backdrop, dates of related canonical events are noted.

Styk Campaign

Dates: In 3061-3062, First Lord of the Star League Sun-Tzu Liao placed SLDF peacekeeping troops on Styk Commonality worlds. Just prior to leaving office, he rotated those troops, replacing them with CCAF regulars, and then launched a campaign of annexation. The star map in the 3063-dated "Shattered Sphere" sourcebook shows the Styk Commonality having rejoined the Confederation, suggesting that the Styk Commonality fell in 3062.

Styk Commonality Under Siege - The Capellan Confederation attacks the Styk Commonality, hoping to absorb the small Chaos March state. Both sides hire mercenary support.

Reinforcement - Spectre is hired by the Styk Commonality to support Lindon's Battalion in the defense of the city of Thurbid and its naval repair facility. Hammer and Watchdog Lances from Lindon's Battalion are under heavy attack by Capellan forces when Spectre arrives.

• Honor branch - Spectre saves Hammer and Watchdog Lances and defends the facility
• Infamy branch - Spectre lets Hammer Lance die

Peace in the Chaos March? - After the Styk Commonality's victory at Thurbid, the Capellan Confederation offers to begin peace talks. Spectre is chosen as an honor guard.

(Honor Branch)

Peace Talks - Spectre stands guard with the Commonality security force as peace talks begin. The Capellan motorcade explodes on arrival, throwing the Styk security forces into disarray. Capellan 'Mechs attack in the explosion's aftermath, and Styk air cover is destroyed when its base is hit with a fuel-air explosive. As fighting renews throughout the capital city, Spectre escorts the Styk peace delegates to a secure firebase. If Hammer Lance survived earlier, they assist Spectre.

Evacuation - With the heads of the Styk Commonality scattered by the fighting, Spectre escorts the peace delegates from the firebase to the spaceport to escape offworld. The Commonality appears to be breaking up, and there is no longer a functional government to pay for this mission.

(Infamy Branch)

Assassination - Capellan agent Krull hires Spectre to assassinate three key Styk Commonality political leaders on the eve of the peace talks. After killing the targets, Spectre takes his payment and leaves Styk for more contracts.

Treachery in the Styk Commonality - Styk's peace delegation, including its military leader General Maureen Steele, was wiped out in a sneak attack, allegedly led by Spectre. The Styk Commonality is in danger of imminent collapse.

• Capellan Confederation
• Styk Commonality

Halloran V Campaign I

Dates: The Halloran V campaign could have taken place any time during the Federated Commonwealth Civil War. Spectre finishes the first group of missions, then leaves and comes back after an interval, so earlier in the war is most likely.

The Halloran V planetary militia has split along faction lines in the Federated Commonwealth Civil War. Rival militia units have imposed martial law and seized supplies from local industries. The Halloran Mining & Excavation (HM&E) Cartel has hired Spectre's mercenary unit to defend its holdings.

Checkpoint - Spectre Lance destroys Halloran Protectorate militia roadblocks on the route through the Caspian Mountains used by Transpax, Inc, a subsidiary of HM&E, allowing Transpax to resume running convoys.

Transpax Defies Militia Control - Transpax confirms it has hired a mercenary unit for short-term defense of its coastal holdings as part of its corporate security measures.

Offshore - Transpax, Inc. hires Spectre to defend the Deneb offshore drilling platform on the northwest coast of the secondary continent against Halloran Protectorate navy units - two destroyer groups and the aerospace carrier Indignation. Spectre's unit destroys the destroyers and VTOLs launched from the carrier. Spectre and his troops leave Halloran V in search of additional contracts after this mission is complete.

• Transpax Corporation
• Halloran Mining and Excavation cartel (HM&E)
• Corvatti Corporation

Solaris VII Championship

Dates: Though they can vary throughout the year, the Solaris VII sourcebook indicates that the championships are usually run in the latter part of any given year. This could take place any year between 3063 and 3066. The Map Pack: Solaris VII book lists the canon champions for the 3060s, and Spectre is not a match for any of them, rendering his Grand Championship victory non-canon.

The Jungle (Light) - Spectre wins the first Light match of the season. Announcer Duncan Fisher says he's never heard of Spectre before, but congratulates him on his first Solaris victory.

The Factory (Light) - Spectre gets an offer from a Flea pilot to cooperate until they are they final two. Fisher declares Spectre a rookie Solaris pilot to watch.

The Coliseum (Light) - Fisher calls Spectre a fancy merc hotshot turned Solaris jock.

The Jungle (Medium) - Fisher says the Medium circuit has been slow, except for a scandal when Bobby "Killer" Fields was accused of throwing a match, and has been banned pending a full inquiry. Fisher says Spectre rolled right over the competition.

The Factory (Medium) - Spectre defeats Peter Dexter, who had come out of retirement after five years, though he never placed better than 37th, even in his prime. Fisher notes that fan favorites Alice Newkirk and Miria Stewart have moved up to the Heavy Circuit.

The Coliseum (Medium) - Fisher notes that Davion and Steiner supporters have nearly come to blows. The announcer spotlights mercenary gladiator Alex Haight, but he falls to Spectre.

The Jungle (Heavy) - Fisher notes that this Heavy season has been dominated by House Steiner pilots, who avoid shooting at each other. Spectre faces off against Capellan Miria Stewart, who Fisher thinks should have stayed in the Medium Circuit.

The Factory (Heavy) - At the halfway point for the season, Spectre defeats Steiner contender Nako Tayuma.

The Coliseum (Heavy) - Spectre faces off against Steiner's Ellie Neals, who has a home crowd advantage, and breaks Steiner's stranglehold on their home arena.

The Jungle (Assault) - Fisher names Odessa, Coleman, and Neals as three of the most elite pilots to watch on the Assault Circuit. Spectre wins and qualifies for the Jungle Championship.

The Factory (Assault) - Spectre defeats fan favorite Marcus Wilder and teams up with Alice Newkirk until the final two, qualifying for the Factory Championship.

The Coliseum (Assault) - Spectre battles rising star Kayla Tyrell, a pro-Victor gladiator who needs bodyguards after having put a Steiner fan into the hospital with one punch.

The Jungle (Championship) - Fisher describes Spectre as a bookie's nightmare as he wins the Championship, qualifying for the Grand Championship.

The Factory (Championship) - Spectre faces all-stars Srin Odessa and Marcus Wilder and wins through, becoming the king of the rubble pile.

The Coliseum (Championship) - Steiner fans are enraged because their favorite, Ellie Neals, has failed to qualify for the championships. Fisher says he hasn't seen a performance like Spectre's since Gross took the Grand Championship in '62.

The Coliseum (Grand Championship) - Spectre faces off against Srin Odessa, Samantha Coleman, and Nako Tayuma. Srin is notable for having a mysterious training regimen involving eating live beetles, but she falls to Spectre nonetheless, making Spectre the grand champion.

Halloran V Campaign II

Dates: Deneb Control welcomes Spectre back, and notes that some of the other units rotating through have been less than reliable, indicating that Spectre and his unit departed the Halloran V theater for a period before returning.

The Halloran Protectorate militia has increased its raids on Transpax, Inc. facilities with naval and air assets. Spectre is hired to once again guard the Deneb facility.

Offshore A - The Halloran Protectorate destroyers Arbold and Harrington attack the Deneb platform, but are destroyed by Spectre with support from Harpy Squadron's Stilettos.

Escort - Spectre's force guards a pro-Katrina Corvatti Corporation convoy carrying artillery launchers between the factory and its corporate spaceport. Once at the spaceport, Station Control reports a lance of hostile 'Mechs inbound. Spectre coordinates with Hrothgar-class DropShip commander Captain Dashka to destroy the attackers.

Industry Raid - Spectre's troops raid the Tibor Industrial Facility, which is guarded by a Burr's Black Cobra medium 'Mech lance under Lt. Dunman. Spectre destroys the fuel depot and other key buildings. Dunman orders his lance to withdraw.

• Honor Path - Spectre lets Dunman go.
• Infamy Path - Spectre wipes out Dunman's lance.

Offshore B - The Black Cobras are leading a naval and BattleMech attack against Transpax's Deneb coastal facility. Admiral Carrington of the Halloran Protectorate's carrier vessel Harkness has sworn to destroy the Deneb platform. Transpax has evacuated most of their staff, leaving the platform under the command of Corporate Officer Second Class Smedlin. The attacking Cobra forces are led by a MechWarrior code-named "Dragonfly", who is targeting Spectre. After Spectre's forces repulse the attack, Admiral Carrington is relieved of duty and his successor negotiates a truce with Transpax, ending the fighting on Halloran V.

New Exford Campaign

Dates: The set-up indicates that a small force of Jade Falcons has landed on New Exford as part of a much larger push into the Arc-Royal Defense Cordon and the Lyran Alliance. Per canon, this "Falcon Incursion" took place in 3064.

Jungle Recon - Spectre's force patrols an island in the Cocuala chain to locate the Jade Falcon center of operations. They encounter and defeat Star Captain Jeffer Roshak and find another Clan star based at a pirate supply depot, but fail to locate the Jade Falcon operations center.

Storm Patrol - Spectre takes his force on patrol for the Falcon raiders on another island in the Cocuala chain. They find and destroy two Stars of Falcon 'Mechs and navigate through a minefield protecting the Jade Falcon drop site. They use long-range fire to destroy one of the two Falcon DropShips.

(Honor Path)

Beach Fight - Spectre challenges Star Colonel Aisa Thastus to a Trial of Possession for the Cocuala island chain. Spectre bids two lances against Thastus' Binary. Spectre's forces defeat the Falcons, and he claims Thastus as his bondsman.

(Infamy Path)

Backstab - At the urging of his MechCommander, Lt. Castle (who became a refugee when the Clans invaded the Free Rasalhague Republic), Spectre launches a covert headhunter raid on the Falcon encampment the night before the scheduled Trial of Possession. They take out the encampment and kill Star Colonel Thastus.

• Kell Hounds

Talon/Wernke Campaign

Dates: The Federated Commonwealth Civil War sourcebook indicates that fighting on Talon and Wernke began in earnest in late 3064, so it would make the most sense for these missions to take place in early 3065.

Regimental Infighting Overtakes Wernke - A news report indicates that the Twentieth Avalon Hussars and the Twenty-Second Avalon Hussars have begun fighting for control of the Kallon Industries 'Mech Works on Talon. (Note: It was actually the 7th FedCom RCT that fought the 22nd on Talon.)

(Honor Path)

Moonlight (Talon) - House Davion hires Spectre to investigate a communication disruption between the Antares supply depot and its orbital launch site. Spectre's forces find the depot occupied by the Black Cobras, and drive them off. MercNet rumors suggest the unit will be disbanded due to insufficient strength.

Country Life (Wernke) - House Davion hires Spectre go guard a the communications array at Gavin's Bend. They successfully defend all vital buildings against an assault by an entire 'Mech company, with VTOL support.

'Mech Works Defense (Talon) - House Davion hires Spectre to protect the Kallon 'Mech Works. Spectre's troops battle attacking Steiner forces on the proving grounds, buying enough time for a MechWarrior code-named "Canary" to lead a force of prototype Templars into the fray. After the battle, Canary gifts two Templars to Spectre under the guise of "field testing" the prototypes.

(Infamy Path)

Blackout (Talon) - House Steiner hires Spectre on a covert op to destroy the intrasystem communications array and eliminate the living facilities and vehicles on the base while a blackout emitter jams local communications, leaving no witnesses.

Night Op (Talon) - House Steiner hires Spectre to scout Kallon Industries to gather data on their Templar design. Spectre scans an actuator stress testing lab, OmniMech weapon mounts, and a pair of Templars, then destroys liquid fuel tanks and escapes when the explosion destroys the primary sensor grid.

'Mech Works Attack (Talon) - House Steiner hires Spectre to assault the previously scouted Kallon 'Mech Works, destroying the hangars, the test facilities, and the Templar OmniMech prototypes. Following the mission, House Davion blacklists Spectre's unit for the duration of the war.

Kallon Industries Sacked - News reports indicate Spectre destroyed a strategic 'Mech Works facility working on a prototype Templar, setting back development indefinitely.

New Syrtis Campaign

Steiner Declares War on New Syrtis

Militia Slaughtered on New Syrtis

Hasek Victory on New Syrtis

Proserpina Campaign

Eighth Crucis Lancers Destroyed

Eaton Campaign

Dates: Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner launched his bid for independence in mid-3065, and other Skye worlds, including Eaton, joined the cause as the months progressed, making early 3066 the most likely time for the Eaton campaign to play out.

Free Skye Movement Breaks Peace - A news report claims Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner is coordinating with Victor Steiner-Davion to advance his bid to gain independence for the Isle of Skye worlds. Martial law is in place on many worlds, and with frontline forces caught up in the civil war, planetary governors and industrial concerns have begun to hire mercenaries for security.

Merc Alley - Jonathan Thayer, the pro-Skye governor of Eaton, has hired Spectre to destroy a Lyran loyalist convoy moving supplies across the desert west of the capital. Once victorious, Spectre salvages what his troops can carry and has the rest thermite-bombed.

Merc Alley A - Spectre attacks another convoy as it moves through Barlow Gap, capturing some ClanTech weapons in the process.

Merc Alley B - The Katrina-loyalists continue to use Barlow Gap to move supplies, but their convoys are larger and better protected. Spectre leads another raid on a convoy, but walks into a loyalist ambush. The mercenaries break contact and inform the governor that Barlow Gap is no longer a viable target.

Bandit Hideaway - Free Skye has identified several enemy base locations southwest of the capital, and the governor orders Spectre to take one out with a night strike. Despite unexpectedly heavy aerospace attacks, Spectre's force knocks out a major loyalist base.

Governor's Mansion - Spectre's force is assigned to guard the mansion where the governor has sent his family for safety. Lyran loyalists attack, seeking hostages, but Spectre's forces destroy them, earning the personal gratitude of the governor and his family.

Mercenary Unit Thwarts Kidnapping - The Eaton Senate's mercenary liaison, Adrianna Mackey, lauds Spectre's outstanding performance in service to Free Skye.

Revolution - Governor Thayer hires Spectre to support Skye separatist forces battling loyalists in the St. Andes Mountains west of the capital. Spectre takes up position in support of Third Company (under the command of "Black Six") in Barlow Gap. The fighting breaks the Loyalists, ending the fighting on Eaton.

• Honor path - Black Six lives
• Infamy path - Black Six dies

Hesperus II Campaign

Dates: The setup states that the Gray Death Legion recently finished a very costly campaign to keep the facilities in Lyran hands. The only subsequent attack on Hesperus II involving Free Skye forces during the Civil War was in early 3066.

(Katrina Path)

Escort

Assault

'Mech Works Defense

(Victor Path)

Raid

Stealth

'Mech Works Attack

Tikonov Campaign

Prince Wins Victories on Tikonov

Tikonov Falls to Prince's War Machine

Tharkad Campaign

Peter Steiner-Davion Returns

Overlord

Tharkad Besieged

Resupply

Checkmate

New Avalon Campaign

Archon Speaks at New Avalon Parade

Seventeenth Called to New Avalon

War on New Avalon

New Avalon Liberated

Spaceport

Hacker Run

Carse Campaign

A Plan of Action

Wolf Trial

• Clan Wolf

New Canton Campaign

Word of Blake to Occupy Chaos March

Griffon Base

Featured BattleMechs

Light 'Mechs

• Adder (Puma)
• Cougar
• Flea
• Kit Fox (Uller)
• Osiris
• Owens
• Wolfhound
• Raven

Medium 'Mechs

• Bushwacker
• Chimera
• Hellhound
• Hellspawn
• Shadow Cat
• Stormcrow (Ryoken)
• Uziel

Heavy'Mechs

• Argus
• Black Knight
• Catapult
• Hellbringer (Loki)
• Mad Dog (Vulture)
• Nova Cat
• Summoner (Thor)
• Thanatos
• Timber Wolf (Mad Cat)

Assault 'Mechs

• Atlas
• Awesome
• Dire Wolf (Daishi)
• Executioner (Gladiator)
• Fafnir
• Hauptmann
• Longbow
• Mad Cat Mk II
• Mauler
• Sunder
• Templar
• Victor

Featured Planets

• Outreach
• Eaton
• Halloran V
• Solaris VII
• New Exford
• Styk
• Wernke
• Hesperus II
• Tharkad
• New Avalon
• New Canton
• Carse

Modifications

In 2010, Studio MekTek, Inc. released a free version of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, with Microsoft's approval along with Mektek's Mekpaks (Mekpaks 1, 2 and 3, with 4 slowly progressing). These MekPaks improve upon many things in the game, including multiplayer. They also add many new 'Mechs (over 120 different 'Mechs and other units in total are used in-game, when those in the MekPaks are added to the default number of units included in MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries and the Inner Sphere and Clan 'MechPacks) and weapons to choose from, as well as many new maps for multiplayer and some for singleplayer. One interesting feature in the free release is the ability to play as battle armor or infantry.

Below is a list, organized by MekPak number, that shows the various units introduced by Studio MekTek, Inc. Units marked with an asterisk (*) are non-canon designs by MekTek.

MekPak 1 New 'Mechs

Light 'Mechs

• UrbanMech
• UrbanMech IIC

Medium 'Mechs

• Strider

Heavy 'Mechs

• Ares *
• Avatar
• Marauder
• Warhammer

Assault 'Mechs

• Blood Asp
• Stalker

MekPak 2 New 'Mechs

Light 'Mechs

• Brigand
• Commando
• Fire Moth (Dasher)
• Solitaire

Medium 'Mechs

• Black Lanner
• Gesu *
• Grim Reaper
• Hollander II
• Nova (Black Hawk)

Heavy 'Mechs

• Argus XT *
• Grizzly
• Rifleman
• Thanatos XT *

Assault 'Mechs

• Annihilator
• Canis
• Cyclops
• Deimos *
• Gargoyle (Man O' War)
• Warthog *

MekPak 3 New 'Mechs

Battle Armor and Infantry

Infantry:

• Players can choose to play as Inner Sphere or Clan infantry with either a single ballistic, energy, or missile hardpoint.

Battle Armor:

• Elemental
• Gnome
• Golem
• Gray Death Standard
• Infiltrator Mk. I
• Inner Sphere Standard
• Kanazuchi
• Longinus
• Salamander

Light 'Mechs

• Duan Gung
• Jenner IIC
• Koto
• Locust IIC
• Panther
• Razorback
• Wasp

Medium 'Mechs

• Assassin II *
• Blackjack (Note: The Blackjack featured in-game is known as Blackjack II)
• Centurion
• Crab
• Hunchback IIC
• Ice Ferret (Fenris)
• Privateer *
• Rabid Coyote
• Reaver *
• Shadow Hawk
• Trebuchet
• Ursus

Heavy 'Mechs

• Archer
• Black Heart *
• Bowman
• Catapult K2 (Note: This is a modified version of the default Catapult, sporting PPC cannons instead of LRM racks)
• Orion IIC
• Pitbull *
• Tenchi *
• Vulture Mk. II *
• Vulture C (Note: This is a modified version of the default Vulture, removing most of the weaponry for two Gauss Rifles in the arms)
• Wildcat *
• Yeoman

Assault 'Mechs

• Battlemaster
• Battlemaster IIC *
• Marauder II
• Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
• Stone Rhino (Behemoth) II *
• Supernova
• Talos *
• Thug
• Warlord *

MekPak 3.1 New Content

This new MekPak was released as the free, stand-alone version of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries mentioned above (including MekTek's previous modifications), and added another two 'Mechs as development progressed. There were plans to include several more 'Mechs, but development began to slow and eventually ended completely towards the end of 2012. The goal of this development was to transition to a final MekPak 4, featuring not only more new 'Mechs, but also a large array of new equipment and many more options and enhancements. Some of the planned features for MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries that were released before development halted include Advanced Radar and Artillery Range Indicator.

Medium 'Mechs

• Battle Cobra

Heavy 'Mechs

• Linebacker

Planned New Content

Planned 'Mechs

Light 'Mechs

• Firefly

Medium 'Mechs

• Goshawk

Heavy 'Mechs

• Champion
• Crusader
• Guillotine
• Orion

Assault 'Mechs

• Hatamoto-Chi
• Turkina

Planned Equipment

• Blue Shield Particle Field Damper
• Hardened Armor
• Directional Jump Jets
• MASC
• Standard Armor
• Stealth Armor

Resources

Media

• Advanced Radar Overview
• Armor (Current and Planned)
• MekTek's MekPak 4 Overview
• Radar Ranges Table (as of the last release of MekPak 3.1)

Downloads

• The MTX Download client, and other pertinent files. [1]