Death Head Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Another missile weapon review this time for crystal a crystal based system that can be bought individually or will come pre equipped on the Gigus mecha, and the Rook Mecha. Available at level 51 and up, to buy these individually you will need 2,000 Ferrite, 1,200 Bioptics, and 42 Crystal. Bulk buy is an option with 5 for 168 Crystal. The weapon does straight damage at 48, with a speed of 98, and has the ability of Splash at 4%.

It is a bad assed weapon to look at certainly with its intricate shrieking skull design. Not too shabby on the damage side either, not as powerful as some to be sure but a nice mid range weapon to fall back on should you need it. As always your mecha build, stat point allocation, and equipment load out will make a difference in how this performs for you. Definitely recommended for missile boat mecha, however I have seen mecha you wouldn't expect to pack these turn em loose and make a hell of a mess, all depends on your play style really. They hit hard, they hit fast and they can carry damage beyond the intended target so really an all around win for a crystal weapon.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Clone Attack By James Blewitt#865153

James Slowly opened his eyes.  His head was screaming and he was sure that the warm wet feeling on the back of his skull was blood. James knew his leg was broken in at least 2 places so he wasn't going any where right now. Still, at least the escape pod had ejected, and he was still breathing, which meant he wasn't dead quite yet.

 The deafening noise of the battle was still ringing in his ears, off to His left he could still see Peli's Mechs raining death down on the clone army. James' own mechs, however, were a different story.  Blasted into so many small pieces that you couldn't tell one from the other. Even now the nanobots were desperately trying to repair them, despite the impossibility of the task.

 "Ahem."

James struggled to raise his gaze to the voice, every movement hurt, reigniting the  burning pain in his head.  Not good. Three figures stood above him, strangely familiar, and pointing pistols at him.  James let his eyes slowly focus on the men.

 "Ve vish to meet our maker, so to speak, before we erase you from existence" said the first.

 "Ve would like to thank you for your contribution to ze war effort" added the second.

 "And ve vere wondering how it must feel to know that you have defeated by the improved version of yourself?" asked the third.

 Yup, they were my own clones, three of them, each not quite a mirror reflection. Was I really this conceited? Surely not. It must be some slip up in the genetic cloning process, surely?

 "Your Mech's will repair themselves in a few hours and we will use them to aid the final Reich in our inevitable victory over our inferior originals." Said the first.  For some reason he had his hair slicked back, and it didn't suit him.

 "Ve know that you have genetically coded the mechs to your DNA, fortunately ve have sis covered." The second clone laughed.  Either these were REALLY bad clones, or James really needed to examine his own mental state.

 "Ve vish to know if you have any final requests before you are retired?" Asked the third.  James decided after this war was done, he really needed to get the assistance of a shrink. James couldn't really be this stupid, could he?

 "Some aspirin would be nice." He replied weakly. James became aware of a weak vibration on his wrist, a small blue flashing light barely visible through his blood stained shirt.  It couldn't be could it?  James remembered what Wotan had once told. If your alive, then there is hope.  And this might just be enough. He forced himself to sit up, staring through his one good eye at the three clones.

 "And whilst your at it a decent coffee might be nice."  The three clones chuckled.

 "Ve thought you might ask siz, so we are happy to give you your last request." said the first, bending forward with a small plasti-cup and bottle.

 "Ve vould not vish for you to be retired with out one last request." said the second, setting all three in to giggles.  The vibration on James wrist was definitely stronger now.  Behind him the pile of scrap slipped slightly sending small pieces of metal scattering.  The three clones looked up, trying to see where the movement had come from.

 "You see, even now your nanobots work to give us more armaments to destroy your puny Blue clan." said the third clone.

 James forced his breathing to slow, gently took a sip of the luke warm coffee and reached inside his jacket.  The three pistols swung back to the now hidden hand.  He slowly removed his hand, cigarette packet clenched between his fingers and popped one in his mouth.  The three triggers pointed at his chest relaxed a little.

 "I always thought these things would kill me, strange how things turn out, isn't it it?"

 The three clones laughed. Only I would find that funny, I really need to employ a good shrink, thought James.  A bit more junk slid behind him, the blue light now clearly visible on his wrist. Just a little more time thought James, I just need to stay alive a little more time.

 "Do you guys want one?" he asked, proffering the crumpled cigarette packet to his mirror images.

 "Ve do not smoke" retorted the first

 "It is very bad for ones health" added the second.

 "And now zat ve have dispensed with the niceties it is time for you to die" Said the third, pulling back the trigger on his pistol.

 From behind James, an almighty noise shot out, as huge pieces of Debris crash to one side. There was a flash of light and in front of him three smoking pairs of boots.

He looked up at the half repaired novum hovering above his head. It struggled to keep itself aloft on the one working engine, a single Hyper amp still smoking and sparking, half of it's visual systems still hanging to the ground.

 All that hard ware and it was a little drone that had saved him.

 "Good boy" Said James slowly letting his head drop back to the ground.  "Best thing I ever did, fitting it with an emergency defense circuit.  Didn't see that one coming did you?" He thought.

 The noise of the battle had subsided somewhat, this attack was over, for a couple of hours at least.

  "You gonna lie there all day?" Asked Peli, his Aspis picking it's way across the battlefield.

 "Just let me finish this cigarette and I'll start back." Replied James.

 "Those things are gonna kill you, you know that don't you?"

 "Mebbe, but not today." James answered back, taking another slow drag. The Faithful Novum stood guard, still sparking and flickering whilst the nanobots did their work.  A strange day, but any time your still breathing, it's a win.

Submitted by James Blewitt#865153

The Arbalest Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

I could no longer find these listed in the shop, however looking back over our records I did come across the following information on it. When it was available it cost 2,100 Ferrites, 1,000 Bioptics, and 58 Niodes. It had a bulk purchase option of 5 for 232 Niodes. The restriction on it was 45 per player. It dealt 125 straight damage, at a speed of 100, and contained the Fork ability at 84%, as well as Splash at 12%.

A very deadly missile system especially considering the new mecha to be released resembling to some degree the Boreas, but just as effective in say a Rook, Luison, Dread, Orester, Torrent, or Magnus mecha. Anything that can capitalize on missile damage will make excellent use of this weapon. Also any equipment that can boost the already impressive Fork rating, or even Splash rating would be strongly encouraged. These are some of the fastest missile systems to date, the closest being the crystal system Locust Missiles coming in at a speed of 99. So fast, deadly, efficient, and shares the damage as much as possible what is not to love about this?

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

The Liberation Of VL-624 By Pat Willis#224534

VL-624 was a mineral rich world where many crystals and ferrite were mined. Located in a remote section of space, it was by and large unremarkable. Star Factories started mining soon after sensor readings showed it was a world rich in resources as opposed to just yet another rock. We were sent in soon after to start the refining process on whatever the company harvested.

Everything was going fine just another text book drilling operation until we hit those damned green crystals.  Crystals used in mech construction have color variances from white, to blue, and purple. No one had ever seen green before so they mined what they found and brought it back to base to run tests. They submitted it to the standard battery of tests with energy dispersal and conductivity patterns, resistance to different elemental stresses, and finally niode interaction. It was during the niode reaction tests that things suddenly became a nightmare.

Apparently these things we had mistaken for crystals were actually life forms. Life forms who were in the process of hibernating. Whatever species this was it fed itself upon niode energy, when it ran out of food it went dormant. We fed it, we woke it up. There was a horrid buzzing in the air as the small truckload of crystals that had been brought back started to become agitated. Steam was starting to boil off of them, and that was when we realized they weren’t crystals. What we had mistaken for crystals was actually some kind of cocoon for this insectoid like life form. As soon as they started to steam off these things the creatures inside began to stir and soon were swarming out of the rear of the transport vehicle and covering everything in their path.

Thankfully someone up on the top of one of the refinery machines looked down and saw the mess and put out a general distress signal. We knew help would get here eventually but when it got here it may be too late. These things were everywhere. They looked like some huge mutant descendent of an earth scarab if some mad scientist had decided to cross it with a squid and gave it a quartz shell. They made a horrid shrieking noise as they blanketed everything and everyone that was in the way. They secreted some kind of super-heated plasma from the facial beak looking appendage to instantly melt their prey and slurp up the resulting mess into the suckers on their tentacle like legs. In an instant hundreds of men were simply turned to soup, and just as much equipment turned to so much mush.

We few who had escaped the initial outbreak of creatures barricaded ourselves in the security quarters and glued our eyes to the screens still connected to working cameras. It was then we noticed movement on the screen monitoring the gate onto this planet. The surface of the gate rippled as mecha started to pour through of all shapes and sizes. There were as many mecha as the factory ever made, I think in the assembled small army that came out of the gate.

No transmissions were sent, no status report asked for, as soon as they hit the ground from the gate they took off at a dead run towards the mining operation. We watched their progress as they blasted their way into the refinery, There had to be well over thirty or so mecha assembled here. The bug things must have sensed the niode energy from the mecha as they turned in a single body towards the new arrivals.

They had barely finished their turn to face the assembled machines when the screens lit up with explosions, laser fire and heavy weapon projectile fire. Whoever was piloting these mechs they weren’t fooling around one bit. They never intended to even see what the enemy was capable of. They just swept in and started to destroy everything that moved. By that point though the bugs were the only things moving they had totally devoured or partially digested the majority of the interior of the camp.

We heard heavy fire from Ogguns, the mad cries of Gigus and the screeches  of the Skriag, we heard missile launching Shocklites, repeating cannons of Smilidons so many weapons going off at once we feared even from this distance at the perimeter of camp we would go deaf. Then as suddenly as it started it was over.

Silence fell like a curtain. On our screens we watched as the mechas simply turned and walked back to the gate.  Before the last one entered the gate we received this over our encrypted network communications.

“You’re welcome maybe you’ll be as generous with your prices in the future when The Brotherhood is shopping for mechs. See you around."

 I for one say we give it to them!

 Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Post War/Pre-Raid Interview With ZEON's Mick Coxon#657279 By Steve Ross 162076

Steve Ross - Good day ladies and gents. This is ZEON correspondent Steve Ross with a post wars/pre-raid chin-wag, and along side me for this insightful feast I have ZEON's very own Mick 'Chief' Coxon. Mick, thanks for your time today.

Michael Coxon - You are welcome Mr Ross!

Steve Ross - Mick, the smoke is just about cleared, the scrap merchants have picked the arena clean of the debris and the medals and prizes are out. ZEON did pretty much what the fan base and book makers expected and slew everything in their path during the wars. How is it going with the clan and, more personally yourself, now that the screaming is over?

Michael Coxon - It's been an interesting FW and then a relatively clean sweep in the last CW for us. Most of us were ready for all specializations this time which is why we made  200+ kills in each round. Only Clan to do that I believe but really enjoyed doubling up with Cyberstorm for FW. Nice couple of mechs achieved from the battle filed right there!

Steve Ross - Very true sir, I thought the Storm faction was a real blast. Great bunch of guys too. Now, it was touched on before during interviews and player's page chat, but I'd like to get your take on the quite frankly surprising appearance of ZEON in division 4 of the last war. Something of a shocker would you say? Not quite the challenge the clan's fighters were expecting?

Michael Coxon - No we were expecting to have been raised a division especially after obtaining several levels each during FW, in fact I suggest that our rivals were expecting it too. Seems SH5 weren't happy to be pitted against us again judging by the whining but great respect should go to John T Mainer and his crew as they weren't daunted and actually fought us to achieve their 50 wins.

Steve Ross - And some very humbling words from John after the fact. Still, I guess everyone gained levels in the FW's so it kinda pulled the whole boat along re' levels rather than just the few fighters. This said, the ZEON war machine will eventually have to step up to the plate and enter the cross hairs of the force that is The RED COMET (MMI). I believe this has happened once in the past and it was a schooling in battlefield play that ZEON received. Do you think your guys n gals can offer a better account of themselves in the future against such a show stopping clan as TRC?

Michael Coxon - Funnier things have happened at sea! We like the "have at them" attitude and we will try our best as we always have done. Zeon has shown that we are a force to be reckoned with and that will not change just because we will be considered as the minnows when we do get put into Div 3. We'll assess our tactics and plan accordingly, our intel people are already looking it. We have a team ethic and T.J. (Da Boss!) leads well, asks us for our opinions and incorporates all those thoughts into his battle plan. We are actually itching to take on Div 3 but that doesn't mean that Zeon disrespects any of the opponents that we have already meet on the battlefield, well not publicly anyway!

Steve Ross - lol I don't feel any ill will by ZEON towards anyone in truth, but we all know the barrack room walls hide a myriad of secrets eh? I have to say it will be very interesting to see how things play out in div 3 for your clan. There are many fans and fighters alike who think ZEON are more than capable of punching above their weight, and given the fact that ZEON have never taken less than silver in any wars I would suggest the bookies figures will be tricky to balance. Now another subject to bring up, and as you are about to enter the raid yourself it is significant; The matter of prizes. There seems to be an increasing number of less desirable crystal items being offered up as winnings for such events. You yourself are predominantly a crystal player. Do you see crystal artifacts as just rewards for tournament achievements, or, like a number who have voiced their opinions, do you think crystal gear as winnings is a bit insulting to the competitor's efforts?

Michael Coxon - High end crystal gear is fair dues but credit card bills aren't paid for with crystals! Achievements paid for with crystal gear is a bit of a cop out by the devs really as the constant farming will eventually pay for it. That being said mech development and CW wins in higher divisions can really only be achieved by a mixture of load outs. Those of us that are  predominantly crystal players may get a little peeved,  if our time spent upgrading and fighting, is only rewarded with stuff that wouldn't be in the forefront of a scrap yard!

Steve Ross - A sentiment echoed by many Mick. I think there are a number of ways to see this facet of the galaxy, but I agree with you that a prize should be worth something more than easily acquired low-tech. Staying with the fact that you are a 'crystal first' player, and seeing your laudable kills with a high rolling clan such as ZEON, do you have a favorite mech or weapon in your crystal arsenal, or any little tricks or tips that new to galaxy wannabies might find useful to hear?

Michael Coxon - Speed, Accuracy, Dodge and Shielding followed with heavy and fast load outs. I go for the hit first and hit hardest as I can heal when it's all over! Time to sleep when my pilots and mechs are dead! Also teaming mechs up in the lines works favorably especially when you "double or treble tag" mechs. As for mechs, I'm partial to torrents before I got my Boreas leveled but the Regis is upgrading fast. Got to love that white spiked Boreas when it's over level 90, hoping the Regis gets up quick as it is destined to treble tag on my front line.

Steve Ross - Sound advice from a man who has seen it first hand. Mick, it's been a pleasure as always my friend. Good luck in the raid, and keep one eye on that 3rd division. She's coming up fast.

Michael Coxon - Nice speaking to you and let's think of the havoc that we will cause with player swapping in-clans when we get there!

Submitted by Steve Ross 162076 & Mick Coxon 657279

Sharing Ferrite Foxholes With The Noblest Of Vermin Part 6: The Fall Of the Iron Rain By Ron Frye#879655

By Johnathan Hollis, War Correspondant, New Terran 'Life' Magazine
Pan Galactic Assoc. Press (PGAP)

I will not...no...let me rephrase that...I CAN not, begin to describe horror that began after that
first stand off against the enemy forces massed against the clan units. I know now that the Final Reich War began that day, and the battle itself lasted for over 37 hours. I could answer specific questions if they were presented to me, but trying to think back on it and put my memory to paper without some external influencing me to put specifics to paper, I draw a blank. It was just too much. Too much death. Too much loss. Too much horror. Too much fear.

Too many times of me filling the waste collection bladders on my crotch and anus (yes, I shit and pissed myself, multiple times to be honest about it, and I have no shame over the issue. That's what those blasted things are for and I was not the only person on that battle field giving their reclamation systems a run for their money. I have a few incidents that burned into my memory like acid etched into a slate, that will never leave me. I will share two of them, the others, however, will go with me to my grave and I don't care how much my editor threatens me about it. I would rather be an unemployed reporter than the kind of creature who would
put such experiences as these on paper for every Bob and Jane in the galaxy to air out for every one, the bad laundry of that charnel house of raw, bloody slaughter.

Marble solid memory of Sean Collin McFae, Gary Allsop, Jazzy Tipton, Joel Parras, and Deborah Roaché-Hudak, performing over and over and over again, acts of bravery that would have stunned even the most jaded Hollywood stunt man. I had watched old movies from the 1940-1950's about World War II on Terra, but I never thought I would see the futuristic version of Normandy played out before and by this cast of characters. It was so unreal and made me feel rather separate from what was going on around me. Abstract is the closest to describing the feeling. I was there but I was not part of it. I was .... simply....an observer. I so want to talk for hours about the heroic acts, repeated over and over and over for hours on end by each member of our crew, but every time I get too specific I break down in tears and it all goes right back out of my head. It's just as well, if I were to honor any of them, they would mock it and me until it was meaningless to them. They don't do the job they do for medals, they do it because it is what they were born to do. It is in their blood, their body, their mind, and their very soul itself.

One thing that I clearly remember, and that will haunt me until the day I die, was my first head to head look into the eyes of  those Otto Von Bismark mecha monstrosities. I stared at a frosted view plate in the shape of a porthole window. The glass was specially frosted, to make it to cloudy to be seen into from the outside, but clear from the inside, and the frosting over the glass was in actually a high density protectant against various methods of attack. It made me feel like I had just directly looked, the great white wale of legend, into his foul, diseased soul. Oh, how very apt that impression was, considering the opponent we actually fought. Otto Von Bismark and army of Germanic clones, bent on reviving the Nazi empire as the Final Reich. Apparently, Bismark fought in WWI not WWII, but he had studied the works of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich and as a result proclaimed himself an AVID Nazi!

So.....there we had been for a day and a half............fighting Nazi space clones....................do you see now, why I am having difficulty putting all this to paper. Suffice it to say, I was in shock. The events of the day speak for themselves, no matter how you cut it, though.

Our forces pushed back the IFRA (Imperial Final Reich Army) forces. Massive casualties were taken not only by the Brotherhood but also by the Rabid Bunnies on the south continent. Stories of bravery floated about over the com channels. A ragged cheer went up as the last of the Huge black mechas, mag lifted back up to their drop ships and presented their complete retreat. Only later did we learn that what we considered a win, was merely a diversion. Their primary target had not been the planet we engaged them on, nor the hundreds of other planets attacked that day. During these skirmishes across the galaxy, a second wave of mechas had seized every scrap yard, every recycling plant, and every mecha part production facility in the entire known sphere.

And that was the day that I learned about the Drake-Bismark Clone and Mecha Insurrection of 3299. It was a lesson I could have gone with out. It sucked. The whole damn thing had sucked. I just wanted to go home, get drunk, and cry for a few days. Sean Collin stood by me, quietly letting me vent about it, nodding at all the right places and patting my back when i needed it, then he quietly said, "This is what we do. You'll never get a soldier to tell you exactly why they REALLY do this stuff. But, I'll tell you what I think it is. It's love, man. Not the kinda love most dirt bags think of. No, it's a pure love that has no physical requirement to debase it. It is unconditional and it is forever. These warriors love each other so much, they will die for each other, kill for each other, bleed for each other, and when they get so old they have to retire, they will make up excuses to be around the younger ones, so that they can do for them or give to them anything, anything at all that might help them or make them feel better, because that massive obligation is an obligation that doesn't end with something so unimportant as the expiration of an enlistment contract. Yeah, I know it's weird, but that's it in a nutshell. We kill to save lives. We fight for those we love."

Two days later I got off the ship at the NYC space terminal on Terra. I took a taxi to the paper's offices in Manhattan, and their I have stayed since. I will never again take a correspondent post. Everything I needed to learn in my entire life, I learned from a muddy, half sober, sergeant named Sean Collin McFae, and I have no desire to pursue an advanced degree. If you need me, I will be in the copy room, kissing my boss's ass, and planning to join the company soft ball team, and I am NOT giving all this up EVER again. You want more? Go ask Sean Collin.

THE END

Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

S.T.E.M. Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

The Surface To Everything Missile or S.T.E.M system is for levels 10 and up, and will cost 350 Ferrite, 280 Bioptics, with 17 Niodes. Bulk buy is an option here with five for 68 Niodes with no limits or restrictions. But be aware there are at the time of this writing only 251 left out of 300 released. They do a straight damage of 35, have a speed of 99, and have the abilities of Splash at 8%, and Wild.

These are very decent weapon systems for the levels they are available to. Some equipment may amplify your splash damage or even missile based damage, as well as mecha build stats. With Wild be aware it may not hit what you aim at however, it may decide to hit a mecha three down from what you are facing as opposed to the opponent directly in front of you. So get em while they last and happy hunting with these unpredictable but deadly missiles.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Force Rocket Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

In honor of the new 95 Ton missile mecha about to be released we are reviewing missile based weapon systems today. Like the Force Rocket here for pilots level 69 and up, costing 2,000 Ferrite, 1,200 Bioptics, and 56 Niodes. Or do a bulk purchase of five for 224 Niodes with a limit of 70. The weapon has a Fork rating of 82% and a Splash of 8%. While dealing 105 straight damage at a 93 speed rating.

The Fork ability is just plain massive when coupled with the straight damage, the AHI Missile system does Fork at 80% but only has 95 straight damage. This weapon buries both stats easily and is still three points higher speed wise. The best point it is only three niodes more price wise, and only 4 levels higher than the AHI to purchase for required levels.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

A War With Eagles By Ron Frye#879655

From the 'Sharing Foxholes with Noble Vermin'
Series by : Johnathan Hollis, Correspondent

Shaking off the last of my hangover, I sipped at a cup of what vaguely resembled coffee, in the break room of the Brotherhood staging building. As I tapped ashes into an old ration can, I heard a blood curdling siren go off. The red light over the mecha bay doors on the far side of the warehouse was spinning and flashing in time with the bleeting siren. I dropped my smoke into the coffee and ditched the cup as I grabbed my jacket and raced for the doors a few steps behind the pilots. This was it. This was what I had been waiting for. This was war!

My memories of the deployment are a bit fuzzy. Everything was such a blur. I remember riding the elevator, and climbing across the scaffolding that held the gantry into the mecha cockpit. I remember strapping into the observation seat behind Sean Collin McFae, my host pilot. And, I remember a lot of shouting, activity and banging, as equipment was shunted about the bay, and bodies rushed from task to task, but I have no idea what actually was going on other than my personal movements and feelings. I was terrified.

A command on the intercom in my ear, and a sudden rush as the mecha platform, holding the mechas of the Brotherhood, was hydraulically loaded into the drop ship, and bang, as the bay hatch shut fast. The feel of pressure as we shot upwards into the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere and the sudden shock of weightlessness as we broke it's gravitational pull. And finally the displaced feeling you get when you go into trans-galactic worm hole travel from one location to another. Then, the silence, as we floated over our target planet and awaited further instructions from the drop commander.

"All right back there?", Sean Collin inquired, looking over his shoulder at me. His face appearing distorted thru his neural helmet. It was my first time seeing one of these in actual use. It's light metal frame was illuminated by numerous small glowing electrodes and neurological impulse sensors, while the front, instead of being a piece of glass or plastic as you would expect in a normal helmet, was instead a shimmering field of energy that projected a heads up display or HUD that the wearer could interact with. I nodded back to him. "Good. Just relax for a bit. We wait here until the intel guys sort out where the field of engagement is gonna take place. This is a bit out of the ordinary tho. Usually in these clan war fights, we get a bit more warning. They are mostly for settling small disputes in a way that doesn't involve any loss of civilian life. Better than conventional war, 'ya know? Don't know what the hell the planning commission guys are up to this time." He chuckled.

Suddenly there was a flash of light that completely blinded me and a shock of impact. A siren wailed in my intercom. Voices from numerous pilots shouted out alarm and then a louder and more commanding voice broke in. "Unknown enemy contact. Impact damage to drop ship shields. Emergency drop! Emergency drop! This is not a clan war! I repeat, unknown enemy engagement from non-clan source. Emergency drop!" Then my entire world seemed to shudder as the drop platform opened and Sean Collin's Ammonite mecha went into free fall along with the other half dozen or so mechas in the squad. I could see other drop ships out of the starboard view plate, and the sky was full of hundreds of free falling mechas. The drop ships were in various degrees of damage, some plummeting towards the planet surface, beginning to spew flames and debrie as they hit the oxygen rich atmosphere. My own screams were drowned out by the input of combat sounds entering my intercom from the drop ship command channel.

Impulse engines and speed reduction jets slowed our descent as we, not quite as gently as I would have liked, made surface contact. Mechas of the brotherhood crashed down around us like a giant metal hail storm. The shouting from the drop ships stopped, and the squad audio channels kicked in. "This is Franklin, Clan Leader, Brotherhood East, to Brotherhood East Squad. Four by four formation. Heavies to the first and third squads, light support in the second and fourth. Be ready, no intel on our opposition. Com's have been established our original opponents. Those bunnies are taking heavy casualties on the planet's south continent." There was a pause and then Franklin spoke again, "You're a damn good bunch of 'bot drivers. It's been an honor. Let's win this or make 'em pay for the privilege."

Then, over the horizon I saw them. A series of gigantic black mechas with gargantuan batteries of missile batteries attached both at the shoulders and both breasts of the their chassis'. A strange germanic eagle, painted in subdued silver was portrayed across the chest of each one, and smoke poured from their dampers as they moved into the engagement. "Let's do this.", Sean Collin murmured. And we began to move forward.

]



(To be continued...........)

Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

Calling All Writers Name That Mecha/Write Up Contest By Pat Willis#224534

I had the occasion to speak with Chef of the Craftsmen guild tonight and he is ready to release a new 95 ton mecha. He is willing to hold a write up competition like we all used to do on the game page when a new mecha was released. He is looking for a name and back story for the tech manual. So if you can write and pilot a 95 ton mecha this is for you! Send submissions to Chef directly and yes I will be trying for it as well.

Here is the info I got so we are all on the same page and have access to the same material....

Per Chef - Hi there! I'm about to release the new 95 ton Niode mech. I almost have the stats done. Now it just needs a name and a description for the Mech Manual. Can you please pass this on to your top writers (including yourself of course)

Please ask them to write a name and description, and send it directly to me. Winner gets a free 95 ton mech!
Once I post the stats...

As always, I strongly prefer descriptions that match up with the stats, maybe explain why it gets certain bonuses. The description does NOT need to be an "origin story" but it can, that's up to the writer.
It's main strengths are: -More Missile Damage than any other mech. -At level 22 it gains 10% 2X damage AND 10% 3X damage (for a chance of 6X damage) -Fantastic shielding Splash, Trample, Fork, Laser & Fire (maybe interesting since most missiles cause splash or fork, so this is good with missiles both offense and defense.)

Has some other good strengths too, such as precision see the full list…
On the other hand it's slow. (All BFM are slow, but this one is…. normal for it's weight class)
I think it kinda looks like the "bat mech" LOL... Lookout Space Ghost! LOL
It gets a few extra engine slots to balance the speed..

Current draft of the powers:
Bonuses Build Missile Damage + 12%
Build Speed - 30
Build Splash Shield 26%
Build Fork Shield 26%
Level 1 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 2 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 3 + 1 Weapon Slot
Level 3 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 4 Trample Shield 50%
Level 4 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 5 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 6 + every 3 levels + 1 Weapon Slot
Level 7 Missile Damage + 6% Level 8 Speed + 4
Level 8 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 10 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 10 Laser Shield 5%
Level 11 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 13 Fire Shield 5%
Level 14 Precision (6)
Level 14 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 16 Speed + 4
Level 17 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 17 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 19 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 20 Laser Shield 6%
Level 22 2X Damage 10%
Level 22 3X Damage 10%
Level 23 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 24 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 26 Wide Fork Shield 26%
Level 30 Laser Shield 5%
Level 31 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 32 Speed + 4
Level 32 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 34 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 35 Fire Shield 7%
Level 35 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 37 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 37 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 40 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 40 Speed + 4
Level 43 Fire Shield 7%
Level 46 Wide Fork Shield 26%
Level 47 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 50 Wide Fork 6%
Level 56 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 62 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 65 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 72 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 78 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 82 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 85 Speed + 4
Level 92 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 96 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 100 Wide Fork 6%
Level 102 Missile Damage + 6%
Level 105 Speed + 4
Level 130 Precision (6)
Level 145 + 1 Engine Slot
Thanks!

 Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Bantam Fantasy Vehicle By Damien Valentine#885659

There are hundreds of worlds where Mecha construction and maintenance are economically impossible, due to factors such as the local scarcity of niobium or a lack of knowledge about crystal farming.  On these planets, local forces rely on traditional armored vehicles, which use wheels or tracks for locomotion, and remain dependent on 2- or 3-man crews rather than advanced A.I.  As a result, they are very inexpensive, but they also have a very limited capacity for upgrades and equipment.

Of these vehicles, by far the oldest and most common is the Bantam military utility vehicle.  Developed in the First Galactic War as a squad transport, it combines all-terrain four-wheel drive with respectable speed and maneuverability.  Both the driver and the commander are issued Viper hand-cannons, equivalent to a mech's Viper Laser when combined.  Upgraded vehicles include space for one or two fire-teams, each armed with a single heavy weapon -- usually a Small Cannon or Proto Beam -- on a tripod mount.  Ammunition and single-shot fuel cells for these weapons are stored in overhead compartments.

COST

Ferrite: 42
Bioptics: 21

STATISTICAL READOUT

Tonnage: 3 tons
Armor Points: 5
Start Weapons: 1
Levels per Weapon: 7
Minimum Level: 1
Manufacturer: Talbus Arms, Alpha Corporation

ARMAMENTS

Viper Laser

If purchased individually, these weapons alone would cost: 10 ferrite, 8 bioptics.

BONUSES

Build: Speed +5
Build: Dodge (2)
Level 3: Laser damage +3%
Level 3: Projectile damage +3%
Level 4: Dodge (2)
Level 7: +1 weapon slot
Level 10: Laser damage +3%
Level 10: Projectile damage +3%
Level 11: Dodge (2)
Level 14: +1 weapon slot
Level 15: Speed +5

Submitted by Damien Valentine (#885659)

Hidden Loot Part 3 By Kalevi Karvinen#863817

Third day. Again we fight. Again and again we get hit with overwhelming salvo of missiles. Funny that there really are no other weapon types, but missiles seem to do job alright. First there is nothing to see. Maybe if we could use scouts out there, but we have no more to spare, all who go too far from the platform will never return. Not that the platform would be safer place, but at least there we are still out of  the swamp. Not for long, any more, but maybe a couple days if we are lucky.

But yeah, there is only a faint warning on our scanners when they surface to fire. Maybe five seconds after that they submerge again, but missiles are in the air then. And we try to intercept them with laser fire. Almost all other ammunition are spent already. We are good, but not that good. Some mechs will die, as will pilots and other personnel too. Some weapons will overheat, some generators will fail to keep up with the energy demand.

But there are some good things in this situation. Because the enemy uses only missiles, the only shield type we use now is missile shields. All others are turned off, so every available scrap of energy could be used to keep lasers firing. If they ever use any other weapon type, we would die. But at same time this could explain why ice weapons were so effective against those lizard-things. So, our few remaining ice mechs are our best hope to survive longer. When all others try to hit missiles before they get too close, heavily protected Freons, Nifthels, two Severs and a last Jottun try to hit the surfaced part of enemy before they disappear back into the swamp. Thanks to them, and their superb marksman skill, we have now five more or less intact lizard mechs... or should I say one intact and four that could be repaired if we have time to do so.

Drake sure is an interesting fellow. Or his staff is, although most of them look alike to me. Some of his pilots are best that I have ever seen, but his mechanics do miraculous work too. They salvage from our scrap mechs everything usable, and then somehow take that pile and make something useful. There are autonomous laser turrets, shield stations to protect quite a large area of the platform. There are mechs that look way beyond repair, but still they could be used to make something. Some are scanner towers, others energy generators. Some are heavily shielded targets, whose only function is to look menacing so the enemy would target them and let other targets be that are in a relatively safer position. And that first captured lizard is moving already.

Managed to get closer look when they walked it around platform. It really is heavily built lizard. It moves around using four feet, but it's bottom (belly) drags so close to earth, that it's movement is more like crawling than a walk. But I bet that style is effective when you try ambush an enemy from the bottom of the swamp. Any lower and it would burrow itself in the ground. I really would like to get in to cockpit of that thing. With a recording device. But no, it still is off limits for me, and most of the others too. I wonder what Drake will do with it? If we survive that is...

Seems to me that our last hope is sole surviving flying mech. Mechanics managed to make one operational enough , so it was sent out again. It's mission is fly fast and find hard ground. Any ground. We need to get moving and escape here.

But now we try to survive as best as we can. Last salvo landed and the enemy is long gone. Time to thank any deity that you think is out there watching us and make all ready for the next attack. Recovery team is moving out, maybe there is something we could use. Ammunition would be really appreciated, and shields too. Working mechs would be too much to ask, but even the scrap ones are useful, we could use them to make our platform a little stronger. Talking about the platform, it sure took a beating again. It has collapsed in a few places, and there are holes in it again. So we are a little closer to that point when we have nothing to loose any more.

Time to get something to eat. Food we have plenty of, so many are dead already that rest of us will be long dead too before we run out food. Can't go too far from my post, but some pilots always take their rest at the same time, so there are some to chat with. Nothing new though, mostly we talk about our mechs, what is broken and how to fix it. How many missiles we did intercept. How bad food is. What we will do when we get back home. Normal stuff.

But now there is some disturbance amongst the engineers. They seem to be doing some sort of experiment where the lizard-things are stationed. Some sort of gigantic tube is lifted to the top of the working lizard. Tubes at the other end looks little like a drill, and another is like some sort of rocket engine... Missile? Kinda big? What would be it's target if that is a missile. City or fortress? Or is that a vehicle of sorts, something that can go faster inside the swamp? What ever that is, mechanics are busy securing it to the lizard. This sure looks interesting. When they were done, the lizard moved slowly forward, inched over the edge and submerged. What are they doing. Defense? Attack? Scouting?

Alarms wailed! Another attack. All scrambled again to their own places and so did I. Sky was full of incoming missiles and laser beams before my cockpit hatch started to shut down. Already my mechs were shooting missiles that were coming in my designated target sector. I really wasn't needed to do anything in this kinda fight. Mechs won't move, and the only thing to do was aim and shoot, aim and shoot, over and over again. As fast as you could. And lets be honest, computers are way faster in this kind of job than humans. All I could do was keep up continuous firing in the general direction were missiles were coming and hope to hit something. Computers actually selected the closest targets and most of the time even hit. And even if it was a miss, usually there were another one behind first one. But it felt good when you are doing something, so with one mech I did the shooting,  the rest were controlled by battle A.I.

...The safest place for me to be in, actually is a mech cockpit. Sure it is a big target, and something that the enemy can really try to hit, but at same time it is made to take quite heavy punishment. I could even survive multiple direct hits, if nothing critical went boom... or the round which did the hitting is not from too heavy a gun. But anyway, any shield is better than none, and I'm happy that I still have places to hide.

If these attacks weren't so mindless, we really could be in more trouble, but again we managed to stop most of the missiles. But still, there were explosions amongst defending mechs. So when the next attack started, there are fewer mechs to shoot back. But we will try. Again this ended like always. Enemy was long gone when the last missiles exploded. Recovery team moved out, still alive personnel moved to extinguish fires and check what damage we suffered this time. So we continued to survive...

Two days later that lizard mech came back. Without that attached vehicle (or missile). Wonder where it left it, or why, but at least it returned whole to camp. Couldn't move out from my spot, I was on guard duty, but a targeting system is really useful when you want to see something close up. Engineers seem to be really excited. What ever that thing was doing out there, it looks like it succeed. Lots of pointing in different directions. Data-slate inspections. More pointing. Those guys really are excited. Drake emerges again. More talk with his inner circle. Now there are messengers there... they get messages and are off... something is definitely happening, so I pushed the cockpit hatch open. Lets hear what that message is

Evacuation? Really? Good to hear that we're going to do something other than wait to die, but instructions were more then a little confusing. We should make all ready, so that after the second attack counting now we could move out. But we moved only behind the platform, so we are safe from explosions that are going to happen near the gate. What's the point? Gate won't even notice any damage we could make to it. Do they try to active it somehow, so we could escape here. Messengers didn't know, or didn't tell me. But the whole platform was full of preparations. What ever is point of this plan, it will be executed when the enemy moves away to reload.

So I did my preparations, what little there was to do. My formation was down to four still fully functional mechs. Two Krampus, an Ammonite and a Bishop. That's it. This trip better pay really well if I want to get replacements for all the lost ones. That being done I waited. Then fight off the first attack. Frantic preparations started again, nothing new there. Every evacuation looks pretty much same than any other. Only thing that slightly got my interest were mechanics rolling big barrels in to swamp. Wonder what they were doing? Well, time to eat something and then try to sleep, there is no saying when there will be another opportunity.

Alarms wake me up. Fight was on again, and it did go like all previous ones, no change there. But when the shooting stopped, there were no recovery teams heading out, but all mobile mechs moved to one side of the platform and dropped in the swamp. As did I. Soon there were radio message that barricade detonation was in 5 minutes. What did that mean? Time went by and multiple muffled thumps were registered by scanners. Something was happening on the other side of the platform. Then started another countdown. Main blast in 30 seconds and counting...

That one I felt clearly. It was big. I almost fell with my mech. Swamp rocked for the longest time, or at least it felt like that. Then was a short announcement that recovery was started, and all should return at their original spots in the platform. Okay...?? They won't tell me what's going on, so I can only wait. My turn to be dragged back to surface. That is cowered with snow? And the platform is frozen solid. Evaporating fog is everywhere. What did they do?

Loaded my mechs back to their original places, as did all others. Turrets were put pack too, as were all other hardware also. Soon it was like before our mud dive. Except that ice. Solid chunk of ice. No wonder that we survived the blast behind that wall, but I really would like to know what was the point. Why try to blow up the gate? Then finally fog was thin enough that I could see where gate was...

There was land. Above the swamp surface was land. An island of sorts, not big but still an island. And there was a recovery team dropping those barrels again, this time around that land. Really guys, please tell me what are you doing?

(Possibly to be continued)

Submitted by Kalevi Karvinen#863817

Zeon Post Round Two/ Pre Round Three Interview From Steve Ross And Don Fugate #162076&710634

Ladies, gents, and wild ones of all ages! This is your ZEON correspondent Steve Ross, here today with the clan psycho-killer that is Don Fugate. Don, Nice to speak with you sir.

Don Fugate - Good to be here Steve. Thanks

Steve Ross - Right. We have round one down, dead and buried, and round two firmly secured. How are you feeling from those last two bouts of heavy metal carnage?

Don Fugate - Feeling like I see another Gold Medal coming my way. Can never have too many of those.

Steve Ross - lol Indeed. Make room on the shelf eh? The first round was against age old adversaries the SMURFS. Pretty much as expected so the fan base is hollering. Round 2 against the Spirit of Bunny was always going to be an unknown quantity though. New guns to the division, and clearly baptized by fire. Did you expect such a result or was it a tougher battle than you thought?

Don Fugate - I give the Bunnies their due. They put up the best defense they could muster against us. But what can you do against a Zeon Colony Drop, right? But they fought valiantly and did not just give up like some others have done against us in the past so yeah they most certainly earned my respect for that.

Steve Ross - A sentiment that is reciprocated throughout the ZEON ranks for sure. As a fellow combatant to yourself I was surprised at some of the defensive points they gained. 51 against ZEON is nothing to be sneezed at. Do you think ZEON could have done any more in respect of their performance against a division 4 green-horn clan?

Don Fugate - Well I think a few of us might have got a little complacent in the opening rounds and got caught out of formation. And a few technical glitches hit a few of our pilots too which cost a few battles. So yes we could have done much better against them. Good reminder to never underestimate you opposition. And again I have to give the Bunnies credit for their excellent scouting and hitting our pilots when they did make mistakes. They capitalized brilliantly.

Steve Ross - Amen brother. I concur heartily. It was stated on players page by Commander Mainer himself that his crew did more than they were expected to do. If you had one, ONE, word of critique for the SoB's, what in your opinion would that be? and I'm sure this will be taken in the friendly manner it is intended.

Don Fugate - Hmmm one word huh? Tough one.

Steve Ross - You're a tough fighter. Let's have it:

Don Fugate - Die is the first word that comes to mind but not really a critque. lmao

Steve Ross - lol. Concise. Nice. I daresay SoB will be aiming for just that in the final run. Now, if I may pull us to the matter of build; You have a rep' in the ZEON lines for being the hardest nut to crack. Where, or what, would you put your own success down to? Without giving away secrets of course, there must be some secret formula to the force that is the FU.

Don Fugate - Well of course Niodes is the number one secret ingredient. Beyond that it's all about mixing your weapons and equipment on each Mech to maximize it's abilities and minimize it's weaknesses. After that you have to know where to place it and with what other Mechs  each will help support in your formation. I have a good grasp of reading an opponents weaknesses and altering my formation to capitalize on that.

Steve Ross - And the results speak for themselves, without question. Thanks for the insight there Don. Well, round 3 is on the cards. It looks, for all it's worth, that it will be the old enemy 'Slaughter house 5'. Any worries at all? Or do you see a field of time honored tradition here?

Don Fugate - I think the outcome will be the same as it has always been. But hopefully we learned the lessons from round 2 and out pilots come out of the gate sharp, hungry, and frosty. Always comes down to the fundamentals really. I give Slaughter House 5 their props but as I said earlier, what can you do against a Zeon Colony drop. (chuckles menacingly)

Steve Ross - Mwahahahaha! I feel old Bond movies creeping in there. Okay my friend, before we wrap this up I have one final question for you; As a heavy wielder of the newly introduced BOREAS mech do you think that the super heavy 95 tonners are paying off, or do you think that the firm fan favorite, the TORRENT, still hold their own in these clashes?

Don Fugate - Well as some know, it was my skills with the Torrent that earned me my legendary pilot status. So I will always have a special fondness for my Torrents. That being said, the new BOREAS mecha is simply AWESOME. With the right mix of weapons and equipment to maximize it's built in abilities it will freeze most Torrents in their tracks. Which is why I have a heavy mix of both. They can be used very effectively to compliment each other if you set up your formation right.

Steve Ross - Wonderful. Thanks for that Don. I'm sure the watching crowds will take note.
Now, Don Fugate is about to die beneath the heel of a monstrous enemy. He reaches into his on board drinks cabinet for a last swig. What is it you choose?

Don Fugate - LOL, I am personally fond of Agave Tequila. Smooth but with a mean kick.

Steve Ross - lmao Thanks Don. I'll take one with you. Thank you for your time sir, and I shall see you tomorrow in the lines. Ladies and Gents; Don Fugate.

Don Fugate - Thanks Steve. Now let me head back to the MechBay and hose off the bunny guts before heading out on patrol later tonight. lol

Submitted by Steve Ross #162076 &  Don Fugate # 710634

Emergency By Kalevi Karvinen#863817

Sirens wail! Fast scout mechs move out, to form an outer perimeter. There they split, some move forward still, others start to patrol surroundings near the designated area. The rest turn and move at varying speeds back towards camp, using random patterns, to make route prediction more difficult. They really want to find, whoever is hiding there.

Scouts are first out, but they are not alone. More powerful mechas move out too, but slowly. They don't want to miss anything. Scanners are at maximum detection settings, be there anything alive, either organic or mechanical, they will spot it. They are bright moving targets, anybody who wants to shoot hardly could miss, but they don't care. They have a mission to do, and it must be done fast.

Still they are not defenseless. Behind us are fighting units moving too. They don't search, they are ready to shoot back. Fast and hard. Preferably before the enemy gets the first shot off. Camp security was breached, and whoever did this, will pay.

Camp itself is a hurdle of people. Security personal check every building, inside and outside. Face scanners are everywhere and active, if your face isn't in the database, your life is really in danger. They will find any outsider who is unlucky enough to still be in camp. The clan leader is missing, and rescuing him is top priority.

Fast! Efficient! Unforgiving!

I bet that in some clans, it really would look like that. Kidnappers only hope would be enough of a head start with speed to keep that advantage. But in our clan? We  lost our leader, and it all went a little differently...

But lets start at the beginning. Faction war was over, we were just returned back to our camp. All quest pilots and their staff had left already, so it was time to rest and be merry. Fix mechs, evaluate loot and plan ahead. You know, all usual stuff, there would be nearly a month before anything official would need doing.

So we did sort of scatter. Everybody did what they liked to do. Some rest. Some hit kotm and circuit. Some select missions to do. I select kotm. I really could use new weapons. Usually there would be other clan members too, but they seem to be little tired after war, specially faction, that there really weren't many of us collecting medals. Truth to tell, I didn't collect either, but at least I was there.

Then came that surprise announcement again. Another war. How we could relax if there is always some new fight to avoid. Lay low and do nothing, that was what I signed for. But at least it's normal war, and we are back in our original group, so there shouldn't be too much of a hassle. To avoid unnecessary prep talks, I signed the war notification early, like most of others too. Now the boss is free to do normal paper work, and all is over a little faster.

The day went by. Then another. Still no “we go to war” announcement... Questions and rumors started to spread.

- When do we go to war?

- Has anybody seen the boss?

- Another leader with communication problems, they can't register either.

- One is on a field trip, can't register.

- Drake is out again and collecting samples.

- Leader is kidnapped.

- Leader is tired and ran away.

- He is resting and will come back before deadline.

- He retired.

- He got tons of loot and is hiding it.

Lot's of talk and speculation, but no actual facts. Some active ones started to look for clues. They contacted kotm and circuit officials, to see if they have some info. Last seen about week before. Week? We really are camped, half sleep most of the time.

There was efforts to track him down, if he is visiting home. Maybe there is something that prevented him from returning. Nothing in the news network. Other pilots at same area haven't noticed anything out of order. This is more than weird. I think that some even try to contact Drake, to see if he has some info, but no answer there either. Then there were those assassins and forerunners and stuff... We did “fight” against them as a faction, but I don't think that any of our clan even shot a shot against them... we were there only to look, surely they don't kill because of that?

The deadline was still closing on us. We should go war, our leader would want us to go, but we have no official authority to do so. Like that would stop us. Little hacking, and we manage to send a registration. Soon came approval of registration, we were accepted and ready to go. But we would go as unlimited clan, no specialist for us unless leader emerged early enough to set them (there are limits how much do we dare to cheat that system). And we have no plan what we would do in war. Do we lay low and just wait for the shooting to stop? Should we try to win something?

Would it be fun to see our leaders face, when (if) he returns, and we have a shiny new medal to brag about.

But there are some serious decisions to make too... There was a message sent to the previous leader, if he could come back and take over camp again. Still no response, but after war and raid, when clans are unlocked again, we really should do something. Before that, we wait and hope...

Submitted by  Kalevi Karvinen#863817

Nifthal Review By Steve Ross#162076

A base level Ice beast for those finding their feet with the different weapon categories. This cold hearted maiden weighs in at a slight 40 tons. She arrives in an attractive iron gray ball-gown and sports the ability to freeze the most aggressive of suitors. Is she worth it? Let's dig a bit deeper shall we?

Those early doors pilots who are seeking their first TRUE snow monster need to be at least level 19. To lay your frosty paws on this sub-zero honey you have to lay down a cool 1800 ferrite, a cooler 1200 bioptics, and a very frosty 80 crystal.

The ice-maiden comes loaded with 4 x sleet storms and an advanced cannon. Not a bad opening arsenal for our junior members. Speed wise? Fair enough, she's no sprinter, but with the right back up in the line she can put the slow-to-stop on any like-wise leveled opponent. Another thing to consider is the fact that recent months have seen ice guns getting faster and faster. Suddenly the arctic wastes are looking more and more like a race track, right?

From the build she has a slow+ modifier, which get's greater with upgrading. If you hit the magic '50' sweet spot, you get a whopping +10 to that slow. It's the balanced fighter who can utilize their armory that can really make the arctic gales rattle their opponent's walls here.

Conclusion: Not a super-quick girl on her own, the Nifthal is a support mech, but she makes good gain of those cold batteries that do not suit other mechs. She won't last in the level stakes and does become obsolete fairly early on, but she's cheap and affordable with damned fine ice mods throughout her fast lived life.

Definitely worth considering as an initial line-backer.








Submitted by Steve Ross#162076

Round One Zeon Interview By Steve Ross#162076 Donald A Alligood#201365

Steve Ross - Good day ladies, gents and fans of metal carnage. I'm Steve Ross, here today from the fighter's enclosure in the ZEON battle lines. With me I have a zeon combatant of some standing, Donald Alligood.
Don, thanks for your time today.

Donald A Alligood - My pleasure Steve, thanks for having me.

Steve Ross - Well Don, I have to say I was somewhat surprised at ZEON landing in the 4th division for this war, especially with the levels accrued from Faction Wars. Has this come as a bit of a stunner for all within the clan, or am I just expecting too much here?

Donald A Alligood - I don't worry about where we place, just having myself prepared to do the best I can wherever it my be, whether div 3, 4, or 5, I'm ready to go.

Steve Ross - Indeed, preparation is key to so many aspects in this galaxy. It seems the specialist roles are really well bedded in now, with so many fighters finding their own preferences. How are you finding this particular facet of warfare. Do you have a personal favorite?

Donald A Alligood - for now I like running a triple rainbow, it fits my normal formation and helps me vs people that like to run 10 torrents.  lol

Steve Ross - lol The ol' torrent just doesn't play dead does it? I'm quite impressed with it's longevity as a mech, but in your opinion do you see that empiric status under threat with the more recent Boreas? They seem to be making quite an impact.

Donald A Alligood - I will have a better opinion of that next month, but Regis does well versus them.

Steve Ross - Agreed, though I only have a single t-rex myself at the moment vs a wall of terrible torrents. Shifting back to the job in hand if I may, your clan has pulled the blue bad-boys of the Smurf Legion this first round, and it seems to be business as usual for you guys. Do you think there will be any concrete challenge over the coming rounds, or are the div 4 fan favorites lining up for another sledgehammer landslide?

Donald A Alligood - I don't think we have much of a challenge this war.

Steve Ross - Really? Even with the serious re-shuffling of members in some of the clan's upper ends?

Donald A Alligood - Closest competitor would be the bunnies but I don't see it being a nail biter.

Steve Ross - Confidence pouring out of every pore right there. Something that has been bandied about in the general scheme of things of late arethe cries for another alternative to the red ant for the 10 ton specs, which are bloody popular with many. What are your views on this? More low end mechs to take on the one-hit-kill shoot outs in the lower tonnage areas? Or are you an advocate of red-slug chucking fests?

Donald A Alligood - I would rather a new 20 ton mech myself, but even a new 10 ton mech will be just as much of a party favor where the first hit scores the win.

Steve Ross - I have to agree. Variety is the spice for me too. We shall have to see where the powers that be go with that one. Now, it's common knowledge that you have a devil's hand in the black star family too, but can you see fireworks flying if the upper ends of the Rangers ever meet ZEON's dizzy heights? Or is this a gap too far?

Donald A Alligood - The levels should keep them apart, but the rangers are loaded with good players, if the levels were similar it would be a really good fight.

Steve Ross - You heard it here first people; a wish list gauntlet many would be fixated with. Well Don, it's been a pleasure, and so to wrap up; If you could make one personal dream change to the current galaxy status-quo, or have a single gem of wisdom from your own experiences to divulge to our viewers and fans, what would it be?

Donald A Alligood - I'd have my own personal niode tree farm.  lol

Steve Ross - lmao You and a thousand others I should think. Well thank you for your time, and I'll see you in the officer's club shortly my brother.

Donald A Alligood - Thank you steve, will get the first round.









Submitted by Steve Ross#162076 & Donald A Alligood#201365

Sharing Ferrite Foxholes With The Noblest Of Vermin Part Three: Interlude In A Bar by Johnathan Hollis, War Correspondent (By Sgt Ron Frye ID# 879655)

I had just finished interviewing Sgt Sean Collin McFae, Mecha Pilot for the Frye Mercenary Stables, subcontractors of the Brotherhood Clan. Considering the impact of the realizations that the interview had on me, a round of drinks seemed in order. So, I offered to buy the first pitcher over at Niode Jane's, a watering hole across the pavement from the Brotherhood's staging area.

It took me roughly three minutes, after entering the establishment, to realize that I had just traded being in a rat infested flop house, to standing in the middle of the universe's filthiest shit hole. And I can not in good conscience, even begin to describe the occupants of said shit hole. I shuffled along in a state of stunned disbelief, as Sean Collin half hauled me into the least contaminated booth.

A few shouts and a couple coins later, a greasy looking punk in a bar man's hat, wearing a 'Niode Jane's' shirt, slammed a pitcher of beer and a couple glasses on the table. I didn't bother to look to hard at the glasses or the pitcher, I thought it best to just knock it back fast at first until inebriation adjusted my sight to the point where everything began to look good.

We were about half way thru our second pitcher, when a pilot in a rabbit fur trimmed flight jacket plopped himself down across from us in the booth. "Morning, mates! I know this dirt bag. Sean Collin, how 'ya doing 'ya old snavurm nugget!", he half shouted, half laughed at us as he sat down, shaking McFae's hand in the process, "Who the hell is this, and what lies have you been telling him, boy?", he asked then, as he nodded his head in my direction.

"War correspondent, Pan Galactic Associated Press, doing a story for New Terra Life magazine. Name's Johnathan Hollis. What's yours?", I yelled back, over the screaming din of noise in the bar. "John T. Mainer, Spirit of Bunny Clan. Friends call me Johnny, but you can call me Johnny.", he laughed at his own lame joke, "I just came over to wish you luck, Sean Collin. You're gonna need it, this time round. I hear Bunny and the Brotherhood are going head to head at some point over the next few days. Make sure you eject before the kill shot, so I don't have hose what's left of you out of MY mecha, when we salvage it!"

"Ah, go blow it out your fudge factory, big man. The only thing that's gonna go down this weekend is that I am gonna be sportin' a brand new rabbit fun flight jacket come Monday.", McFae responded, reaching across the table to finger the fur on Johnny's collar.

"Hands off, jack ass!", he laughed, brushing away the sergeant's hand. "See 'ya in the field." Johnny stood up, tossed back the rest of his drink, and headed back into the chaos of the bar room crowd.

After that, the rest of the evening became a blur. My next coherent memory was slowly opening my eyes to sunlight shining thru a screened window directly in my face. I was lying on a linoleum floor in the kitchenette of the Brotherhood staging building. I pushed myself up on my elbows and slowly got my wits together. I would need them. The wars kicked off in less than 12 hours.

(To be continued....)










Submitted by Sgt Ron Frye ID# 879655

Vengeance Missile Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Another prize for the last KOTM with no purchase info, restrictions, limits etc... It does have a speed of 98, a straight damage of 35, the abilities of Splash and Fork both at 5%. Better suited for the lower tier players to mid tier players.

The ability percentages are not very large and there are others out there much better, and heavier hitting. Per usual with skill point allocation, equipment load out and proper mecha choice for build stats would enhance this weapon system greatly. Not a terrible weapon, not the best, more or less middle of the road in any every aspect.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Nightfall Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

A reward for the last KOTM tourney no longer listed in the shop, therefore no information on pricing, limits etc... What can be said is it is an ice wepon with a speed of 99, straight damage of 41, and the abilities of Freeze at 12%, with a Precision of 6.

Typical speed for an ice weapon, and hey lets face it any weapon with a damage over 30 isn't bad for a back up gun. Compatible with any Ice mecha such as the Nifthel, Freon, Frigis, Boreas, Sever, or Jottun. Such mechas have built in ice damage abilities which you can enhance yet again with proper skill point allocation, and equipment. Some like the Frigis would add to the Freeze ability. So as long as you equip it smartly it should perform well. Or set it up with any mecha that you may have modified to take ice weapons, and use them effectively.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

New Mech Upgrade & Equipment List. Replaces The Mech Upgrade List & The Mech Total Equipment Slot List By Michael Beagle#138688

Mech Upgrade & Equipment List

AMMONITE:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    44,  Ferrite:   16500,  Bioptics:       15500,  Crystal:        100.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 75  Armor Points        155
Start Weapons     8  Min Level            44  Min Heavy Skill           30  Levels/Weapon       6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 1166 Ferrite + 1233 Bioptics + 6 Crystal
Cockpit:  5th, 15th, 23rd, 75th.
Chassis:  3rd, 19th, 42nd.
Engine: 5th, 22nd, 29th, 67th.
Shield:  4th, 13th, 26th, 36th, 46th, 88th.
Total’s:  4, 3, 4, 6.

ANTITHESIS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    75,  Ferrite:   15500,  Bioptics:       12200,  Niodes: 145.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 90,  Armor Points       220
Start Weapons   12,  Min Level          75,  Min Heavy Skill    45,  Levels/Weapon      4
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 733 Ferrite + 866 Bioptics + 20 Crystal
Cockpit:  4th, 14th, 33rd, 38th, 41st, 85th.
Chassis:  6th, 16th, 27th, 34th, 47th, 77th.
Engine: 5th, 24th, 55th, 99th.
Shield:  10th, 11th, 33rd, 95th.
Total’s:  6, 6, 4, 4

ANZU:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    2, Ferrite:     375, Bioptics:  225.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 15,  Armor Points       25
Start Weapons   1,    Min Level         2,  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 25 Ferrite +  15 Bioptics
Cockpit:  28th, 115th.
Chassis:  5th.
Engine: 12th, 20th, 55th, 65th, 90th.
Shield:  .
Total’s:  2, 1, 5, 0

ASPIS:

Start Cost/Level:  .
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 90  Armor Points        250
Start Weapons   13  Min Level             77  Min Heavy Skill           45  Levels/Weapon       4
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level: . 1066 Ferrite + 900 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 6th, 22nd, 25th, 43rd.
Chassis:  4th, 14th, 19th, 39th, 71st.
Engine: 2nd, 18th, 23rd, 35th, 115th.
Shield:  5th, 9th, 15th, 27th, 47th.
Total’s:  5, 5, 5, 5.

AXE BOT:

Start Cost/Level:  Min Level:   8, Ferrite:     350, Bioptics:  350, Niodes:    35.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 20  Armor Points        50
Start Weapons     3  Min Level            8  Levels/Weapon      5
Manufacturer    Consolidated Mecha
Level up costs per level:  . 23 Ferrite + 23 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  26th.
Chassis:  14th, 76th.
Engine: 6th, 16th, 36th, 66th.
Shield:  50th.
Total’s:  1,2,4,1

BALLISTA:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    59,  Ferrite:   15000,  Bioptics:       11000,  Crystal:        320.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 80,  Armor Points       185
Start Weapons   7,    Min Level         59,  Min Heavy Skill    35,  Levels/Weapon      6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: .1000 Ferrite + 733 Bioptics + 21 Crystal
Cockpit:  5th, 25th, 38th, 45th, 48th, 90th.
Chassis:  10th, 12th, 30th, 60th.
Engine: 15th, 24th, 35th.
Shield:  20th, 28th, 40th, 70th.
Total’s:  6, 4, 3, 4

BISHOP:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    49,  Ferrite:   10500,  Bioptics:       11500,  Crystal:        300.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 50  Armor Points        125
Start Weapons     5  Min Level            24  Min Heavy Skill           5  Levels/Weapon        7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 733 Ferrite + 866 Bioptics + 20 Crystal
Cockpit:  4th, 15th, 22nd, 81st.
Chassis:  5th, 10th, 20th, 88th.
Engine: 5th, 44th.
Shield:  6th, 29th, 37th, 42nd.
Total’s:  4, 4, 2, 4.

BOREAS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    82,  Ferrite:   17400,  Bioptics:       14200,  Niodes: 150.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 95  Armor Points        250
Start Weapons   10  Min Level             81  Min Heavy Skill           50  Levels/Weapon       3
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level:  . 1160 Ferrite +  946 Bioptics +  3 Niodes
Cockpit:  4th, 11th, 20th, 34th, 44th, 56th, 128th.
Chassis:  2nd, 8th, 25th, 35th, 40th, 94th, 113th.
Engine: 5th, 17th, 26th, 38th, 62nd, 105th.
Shield:  5th, 19th, 23rd, 34th, 82nd.
Total’s:  6, 7, 6, 5.

BUCHIS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    30,  Ferrite:   2500,  Bioptics:        1500,  Niodes:  120.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 60  Armor Points        120
Start Weapons     7  Min Level            30  Min Heavy Skill           15  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 166 Ferrite + 100 Bioptics + 3 Niodes.
Cockpit:  4th, 42nd.
Chassis:  6th, 12th, 80th.
Engine: 3rd, 19th.
Shield:  2nd, 14th, 34th, 40th, 64th.
Total’s:  2, 3, 2, 5.

CINDRON:

Start Cost/Level:  Min Level:   27,  Ferrite:   2500,  Bioptics:        1500,  Niodes:  110.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 55  Armor Points        110
Start Weapons     7  Min Level            27  Min Heavy Skill           10  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 166 Ferrite + 100 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  6th, 11th, 61st.
Chassis:  4th, 26th.
Engine: 3rd, 13th, 18th, 31st.
Shield:  14th, 35th, 76th.
Total’s:  3, 2, 4, 3.

DILOPHOS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    47,  Ferrite:   19500,  Bioptics:       12500,  Niodes: 130.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 75  Armor Points        175
Start Weapons   10  Min Level             47  Min Heavy Skill   30
Levels/Weapon   5
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level:  . 1366 Ferrite + 900 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  4th, 16th, 26th, 37th, 44th, 63rd.
Chassis:  6th, 17th, 22nd, 28th, 77th.
Engine: 6th, 18th, 37th, 99th.
Shield:  3rd, 19th, 40th.
Total’s:  6, 5, 4, 3.

DREAD:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    18, Ferrite:    1125, Bioptics: 700, Niodes:    9.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 45  Armor Points        90
Start Weapons     5  Min Level          18  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 75 Ferrite + 46 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  2nd, 22nd, 36th, 38th.
Chassis:  11th, 31st.
Engine: 13th, 64th, 68th.
Shield:  2nd, 28th, 81st.
Total’s:  4, 2, 3, 3.

DREADNOUGHT:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    62,  Ferrite:   15500,  Bioptics:       12500,  Niodes: 140.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 85,  Armor Points       210
Start Weapons   10,  Min Level          62,  Min Heavy Skill    40,  Levels/Weapon      4
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 1033 Ferrite + 833 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 21st, 34th, 41st, 110th.
Chassis:  8th, 19th, 31st, 42nd, 95th.
Engine: 5th, 16th, 25th, 28th, 45th, 61st, 72nd.
Shield:  10th, 13th, 37th, 49th.
Total’s:  5, 5, 7, 4

FIDES:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    23, Ferrite:    1600, Bioptics: 1200, Niodes:   10.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 50  Armor Points        100
Start Weapons     6  Min Level            23  Min Heavy Skill           5  Levels/Weapon        5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 106 Ferrite + 80 Bioptics, + 3 niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 38th, 44th, .
Chassis:  2nd, 4th, 28th, 71st, .
Engine: 4th, 9th, 18th, 81st, .
Shield:  2nd, 12th, 22nd, 61st, .
Total’s:  3, 4, 4, 4.

FREON:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    39,  Ferrite:   6000,  Bioptics:        5000,  Crystal: 20.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 70  Armor Points        145
Start Weapons     7  Min Level            39  Min Heavy Skill           25  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 400 Ferrite + 33 Bioptics + 13 Crystal
Cockpit:  9th, 25th, 36th, 63rd, 88th.
Chassis:  10th, 23rd, 33rd, 75th.
Engine: 11th, 21st, 30th, 82nd.
Shield:  12th, 19th, 39th.
Total’s:  5, 4, 4, 3.

FRIGIS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    57,  Ferrite:   10000,  Bioptics:       9000,  Niodes:  140.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 80,  Armor Points       200
Start Weapons   7,  Min Level           57,  Min Heavy Skill    35,  Levels/Weapon      4
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 666 Ferrite + 600 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  5th, 27th, 42nd, 90th.
Chassis:  2nd, 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 58th, 80th.
Engine: 1st, 15th, 25th, 40th.
Shield:  4th, 18th, 38th, 45th.
Total’s:  4, 7, 4, 4

GIGUS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    52,  Ferrite:   10000,  Bioptics:       10000,  Crystal:        280.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 80  Armor Points        180
Start Weapons     7  Min Level            52  Min Heavy Skill           35  Levels/Weapon       6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  .. 666 Ferrite + 666 Bioptics + 18 Crystal.
Cockpit:  4th, 16th, 28th, 72nd.
Chassis:  2nd, 12th, 22nd, 32nd, 42nd, 62nd.
Engine: 6th, 25th, 48th.
Shield:  3rd, 34th, 38th, 82nd.
Total’s:  4, 6, 3, 4.

GORDON:

Start Cost/Level:  Special mech only obtainable by donating to a Christmas fund for the Gordon Family, only one’s who donated acquired one.
Tonnage 40
Start Weapons 4, Levels/Weapon 4
Level up costs per level:  .. 133 Ferrite + 66 Bioptics + 10 Crystal.
Cockpit: 5, 29, 52
Chassis: 22, 39, 82
Engine: 15, 42, 62
Shield: 10, 34, 72
Total’s: 3, 3, 3, 3.

HARRELL:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    70,  Ferrite:   15800,  Bioptics:       10300,  Crystal:        350.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 85,  Armor Points       205
Start Weapons   10,  Min Level          70,  Min Heavy Skill    40,  Levels/Weapon      6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 1053 Ferrite + 686 Bioptics + 24 Crystal
Cockpit:  4th, 9th, 14th, 23rd, 40th, 100th.
Chassis:  2nd, 17th, 29th, 37th, 48th, 60th.
Engine: 11th, 28th, 90th.
Shield:  7th, 21st, 33rd, 45th, 75th.
Total’s:  6, 6, 3, 5

HOLMES:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    16, Ferrite:    1575, Bioptics: 1050, Crystal:  70.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 35  Armor Points        80
Start Weapons     4  Min Level          16  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Consolidated Mecha
Level up costs per level: . 105 Ferrite + 70 Bioptics + 4 Crystal
Cockpit:  11th, 30th, 60th, .
Chassis:  5th, 12th, 22nd, .
Engine: 5th, .
Shield:  .
Total’s:  3, 3, 1, 0.

HOPLITE:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    10, Ferrite:    1000, Bioptics: 450, Crystal:   30.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 25  Armor Points        55
Start Weapons     3  Min Level          10  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 66 Ferrite + 30 Bioptics + 2 Crystal
Cockpit:  18th.
Chassis:  9th.
Engine: 13th, 65th.
Shield:  6th, 26th, 60th, 75th.
Total’s:  1, 1, 2, 4.

IGNIS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    76,  Ferrite:   16000,  Bioptics:       13500,  Niodes: 14.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 90,  Armor Points       230
Start Weapons   12,  Min Level          76,  Min Heavy Skill    45,  Levels/Weapon      4
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 1066 Ferrite + 900 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 5th, 15th, 23rd, 41st, 125th.
Chassis:  7th, 11th, 17th, 36th, 106th.
Engine: 5th, 30th, 38th, 86th.
Shield:  10th, 14th, 26th, 43rd, 66th.
Total’s:  6, 4, 4, 5.

IMECH:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    12, Ferrite:    1350, Bioptics: 600, Crystal:   4.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 30  Armor Points        70
Start Weapons     3  Min Level          12  Levels/Weapon       6
Manufacturer    Talbus Arms
Level up costs per level: . 90 Ferrite + 40 Bioptics + 2 Crystal
Cockpit:  2nd, .
Chassis:  4th, 22nd, .
Engine: 36th, 60th, .
Shield:  10th, .
Total’s:  1, 2, 2, 1.

INFERNO:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    38,  Ferrite:   5000,  Bioptics:        3000,  Niodes:  145.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 70  Armor Points        160
Start Weapons     9  Min Level            38  Min Heavy Skill           25  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 333 Ferrite + 200 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 18th, 35th, 58th.
Chassis:  3rd, 14th, 31st, 44th.
Engine: 2nd, 10th, 27th, 38th, 69th.
Shield:  2nd, 6th, 41st, 73rd.
Total’s:  4, 4, 5, 4.

JADOON:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    73,  Ferrite:   14800,  Bioptics:       11200,  Crystal:        360.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 90,  Armor Points       210
Start Weapons   11,  Min Level          73,  Min Heavy Skill    45,  Levels/Weapon      6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  .  986 Ferrite + 746 Bioptics + 24 Crystal
Cockpit:  6th, 17th, 38th, 75th, 110th.
Chassis:  21st, 28th, 34th, 43rd, 55th, 90th.
Engine: 3rd, 12th, 13th, 15th, 22nd, 39th.
Shield:  4th, 9th, 17th.
Total’s:  5, 6, 6, 3

JOTTUN:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    66,  Ferrite:   14000,  Bioptics:       12000,  Crystal:        330.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 85,  Armor Points       190
Start Weapons   9,    Min Level         66,  Min Heavy Skill    40,  Levels/Weapon      6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 933 Ferrite + 800 Bioptics + 22 Crystal
Cockpit:  3rd, 13th, 19th, 41st, 46th.
Chassis:  4th, 23rd, 90th.
Engine: 5th, 15th, 21st, 37th, 85th.
Shield:  9th, 26th, 33rd, 39th, 69th.
Total’s:  5, 3, 5, 5

KERADON:

Start Cost/Level:  Min Level:   15, Ferrite:    1100, Bioptics: 800, Niodes:    70.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 35  Armor Points        75
Start Weapons     6  Min Level          15  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level: . 73 Ferrite + 53 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  2nd.
Chassis:  2nd, 26th.
Engine: 4th, 18th.
Shield:  4th, 22nd, 48th.
Total’s:  1, 2, 2, 3.

KRAMPUS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    37,  Ferrite:   5500,  Bioptics:        4400,  Crystal: 19.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 70  Armor Points        150
Start Weapons     7  Min Level            37  Min Heavy Skill           25  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 366 Ferrite + 293 Bioptics + 12 Crystal
Cockpit:  2nd, 16th, 37th, 115th, 161st.
Chassis: 6th, 6th, 19th, 32nd, 60th.
Engine: 5th, 22nd, 47th, 70th.
Shield:  4th, 25th, 42nd, 90th.
Total’s:  5, 5, 4, 4.

LUISON:

Start Cost/Level:  Min Level:   22, Ferrite:    2100, Bioptics: 1500, Crystal:  100.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 45  Armor Points        110
Start Weapons     6  Min Level            22  Levels/Weapon     6
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level: . 140 Ferrite + 100 Bioptics + 6 Crystal
Cockpit:  35th, 70th.
Chassis:  16th, 31st.
Engine: 10th, 37th.
Shield:  2nd, 5th, 33rd, 60th.
Total’s:  2, 2, 2, 4.

MAGNUS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    80,  Ferrite:   16500,  Bioptics:       11500,  Crystal:        360.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 90  Armor Points        220
Start Weapons   12  Min Level             79  Min Heavy Skill           45  Levels/Weapon       6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 1100 Ferrite + 766 Bioptics + 24 Crystal
Cockpit:  2nd, 5th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 90th, .
Chassis:  14th, 46th, 80th, .
Engine: 7th, 11th, 18th, 23rd, 41st, .
Shield:  3rd, 8th, 16th, 27th, 34th, 70th,  99th, .
Total’s:  6, 3, 5, 7.

MEGAZOME:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    36,  Ferrite:   4600,  Bioptics:        2600,  Niodes:  140.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 65  Armor Points        150
Start Weapons     8  Min Level            36  Min Heavy Skill           20  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level:  . 306 Ferrite + 173 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  2nd, 31st, 63rd.
Chassis:  4th, 8th, 27th, 37th, 47th, 77th.
Engine: 3rd, 23rd.
Shield:  3rd, 11th, 43rd.
Total’s:  3, 6, 2, 3.

NAKSHI:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    55,  Ferrite:   15000,  Bioptics:       14000,  Niodes: 14.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 80,  Armor Points       195
Start Weapons   11,  Min Level          55,  Min Heavy Skill    35,  Levels/Weapon      5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 1000 Ferrite + 933 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  6th, 16th, 31st, 47th, 110th.
Chassis:  11th, 19th, 37th, 58th.
Engine: 3rd, 13th, 23rd, 34th, 44th, 72nd.
Shield:  8th, 12th, 28th, 41st, 82nd.
Total’s:  5, 4, 6, 5

NAMTAR:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    26,  Ferrite:   2700,  Bioptics:        1800,  Crystal: 160.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 60  Armor Points        145
Start Weapons     6  Min Level            26  Min Heavy Skill           15  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 180 Ferrite + 120 Bioptics + 10 Crystal
Cockpit:  5th, 16th, 48th.
Chassis:  4th, 33rd.
Engine: 4th, 36th.
Shield:  6th, 20th, 26th.
Total’s:  3, 2, 2, 3.

NEPHILAX:

Start Cost/Level:  Reward mech from winning event gold in KotM’s, possible in other rewards.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 40  Armor Points        80
Start Weapons     6  Levels/Weapon        5
Manufacturer    The Craftsmen
Level up costs per level: . 70 Ferrite + 46 Bioptics
Cockpit:  18th, 48th, 72nd.
Chassis:  16th, 46th, 68th.
Engine: 14th, 44th, 64th.
Shield:  12th, 42nd, 60th.
Total’s:  3, 3, 3, 3.

NERIO:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    11, Ferrite:    500, Bioptics:  300, Niodes:    50.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 25  Armor Points        50
Start Weapons     3  Min Level          11  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Consolidated Mecha
Level up costs per level:  . 33 Ferrite, 20 Bioptics, + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 21st, 25th.
Chassis:  .
Engine: 9th.
Shield:  7th, 14th, 56th.
Total’s:  3,0,1,3

NIFTHEL:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    19, Ferrite:    1800, Bioptics: 1200, Crystal:  80.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 40  Armor Points        100
Start Weapons     5  Min Level            19  Levels/Weapon     7
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level: . 120 Ferrite + 80 Bioptics + 5 Crystal
Cockpit:  21st, 41st.
Chassis:  2nd, 51st.
Engine: 11th, 31st, 55th.
Shield:  8th, 18th.
Total’s:  2, 2, 3, 2.

NOVUM:

Start Cost/Level:  Special reward from the Novum Dolorum mission, rare to encounter & acquire.
Level up costs per level:  . 66 Ferrite, 66 Bioptics, + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  .
Chassis:  .
Engine: .
Shield:  .
Total’s:  , , , .


OGGUN:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    24, Ferrite:    2500, Bioptics: 1600, Crystal:  120.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 50  Armor Points        125
Start Weapons     5  Min Level            24  Min Heavy Skill           5  Levels/Weapon        7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 150 Ferrite + 100 Bioptics + 8 Crystal
Cockpit:  5th, 31st.
Chassis:  20th, 22nd, 25th.
Engine: 10th.
Shield:  15th, 37th, 60th.
Total’s:  2, 3, 1, 3.

ORCUS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    14, Ferrite:    900, Bioptics:  400, Niodes:    70.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 35  Armor Points        65
Start Weapons     4  Min Level          14  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level:  . 60 Ferrite + 26 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  38th, 90th.
Chassis:  2nd.
Engine: 2nd, 18th, 48th, 60th, 77th.
Shield:  12th, 28th, 56th.
Total’s:  2, 1, 5, 3.

ORESTER:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    32,  Ferrite:   4800,  Bioptics:        4000,  Crystal: 17.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 65  Armor Points        150
Start Weapons     6  Min Level            32  Min Heavy Skill           20  Levels/Weapon       7
Manufacturer    Talbus Arms
Level up costs per level: . 320 Ferrite + 266 Bioptics + 11 Crystal
Cockpit:  3rd, 16th, 29th, 44th.
Chassis:  4th, 40th.
Engine: 2nd, 10th, 33rd.
Shield:  2nd, 22nd, 37th, 61st.
Total’s:  4, 2, 3, 4.

RED ANT:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    1, Ferrite:     125, Bioptics:  125.
Statistical Readout:
Tonnage         10,  Armor Points               20,
Start Weapons           1,  Min Level           1,  Levels/Weapon       6
Manufacturer:           Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 8 Ferrite + 8 Bioptics
Cockpit:  8th, 18th, 100th.
Chassis:  28th.
Engine: .
Shield:  44th, 54th, 74th.
Total’s:  3, 1, 0, 3

REGIS:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    79,  Ferrite:   18000,  Bioptics:       16000,  Niodes: 150.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 90  Armor Points        260
Start Weapons   13  Min Level             78  Min Heavy Skill           45  Levels/Weapon       4
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level: . 1200 Ferrite + 1066 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  2nd, 6th, 16th, 21st, 31st, 46th, 154th.
Chassis:  3rd, 8th, 25th, 26th, 38th, 87th.
Engine: 10th, 19th, 29th, 35th, 71st, 123rd.
Shield:  5th, 23rd, 34th, 55th.
Total’s:  7, 6, 6, 4.

ROOK:

Start Cost/Level:  Min Level:   51,  Ferrite:   18500,  Bioptics:       16000,  Niodes: 140.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 75  Armor Points        175
Start Weapons   10  Min Level             51  Min Heavy Skill           30  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 1333 Ferrite + 1100 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 15th, 36th, 41st, 61st, 71st.
Chassis:  6th, 18th, 33rd, 46th, 66th.
Engine: 9th, 21st, 30th, 76th.
Shield:  12th, 24th, 27th.
Total’s:  6, 5, 4, 3.

SEVER:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    43,  Ferrite:   18500,  Bioptics:       18500,  Niodes: 130.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 75  Armor Points        170
Start Weapons   10  Min Level             43  Min Heavy Skill           30  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Talbus Arm
Level up costs per level: . 1233 Ferrite + 1233 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  4th, 14th, 24th, 36th, 101st.
Chassis:  2nd, 15th, 27th, 81st.
Engine: 4th, 11th, 30th, 39th, 71st.
Shield:  2nd, 12th, 33rd, 42nd, 61st.
Total’s:  5, 4, 5, 5.

SHOCKLITE:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    8, Ferrite:     900, Bioptics:  300, Crystal:   20.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 20  Armor Points        45
Start Weapons     3  Min Level            8  Levels/Weapon      7
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 60 Ferrite + 20 Bioptics + 1 Crystal
Cockpit:  5th, 36th, 60th.
Chassis:  66th.
Engine: 18th, 100th.
Shield:  11th.
Total’s:  4, 1, 2, 1.

SKRIAG:

Start Cost/Level:  Min Level:   53,  Ferrite:   12000,  Bioptics:       12000,  Niodes: 135.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 80,  Armor Points       195
Start Weapons   11,  Min Level          53,  Min Heavy Skill    35,  Levels/Weapon      5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level: . 800 Ferrite + 800 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  2nd, 18th, 34th, 44th, 78th.
Chassis:  3rd, 18th, 28th, 33rd, 79th, 99th.
Engine: 2nd, 14th, 39th, 46st.
Shield:  4th, 11th, 22nd, 48th.
Total’s:  5, 6, 4, 4

SMILODON:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    34,  Ferrite:   4500,  Bioptics:        2500,  Niodes:  130. Can also be won as reward from C.W.’s.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 65  Armor Points        140
Start Weapons     8  Min Level            34  Min Heavy Skill           20  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level:  . 300 Ferrite + 166 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  2nd, 29th, 39th, 46th, 86th.
Chassis:  2nd, 23rd, 76th.
Engine: 6th, 13th, 19th, 37th, 66th.
Shield:  9th, 33rd.
Total’s:  5, 3, 5, 2.

TORRENT:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    65,  Ferrite:   13000,  Bioptics:       8000,  Niodes:  14.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 85,  Armor Points       210
Start Weapons   11,  Min Level          64,  Min Heavy Skill    40,  Levels/Weapon      4
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 866 Ferrite, 533 Bioptics, + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd, 13th, 23rd, 33rd, 43rd, 64th.
Chassis:  4th, 10th, 14th, 28th, 37th, 54th, 110th.
Engine: 8th, 19th, 40th, 80th.
Shield:  4th, 17th, 30th, 39th.
Total’s:  6, 7, 4, 4

TROOPER:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    12, Ferrite:    800, Bioptics:  500, Niodes:    50.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 30  Armor Points        60
Start Weapons     4  Min Level          12  Levels/Weapon       5
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 53 Ferrite, 33 Bioptics, + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  9th, 44th.
Chassis:  4th, 14th, 34th.
Engine: 24th.
Shield:  54th, 84th.
Total’s:  2, 3, 1, 2.

VIZI:

Start Cost/Level:  Can only be acquired in special event, clan wars once in a certain division or higher, the top 2 I believe.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 45  Armor Points        110
Start Weapons     6  Min Level            22  Levels/Weapon     6
Manufacturer    Alpha Corporation
Level up costs per level:  . 133 Ferrite, 86 Bioptics, + 3 Crystals
Cockpit:  11th, 27th, 55th.
Chassis:  13th, 29th, 63rd.
Engine: 15th, 31st, 71st.
Shield:  17th, 33rd, 79th.
Total’s:  3, 3, 3, 3.

WARHORSE:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    5, Ferrite:     125, Bioptics:  200
Niodes: 3.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 15  Armor Points        30
Start Weapons   2  Min Level            5  Levels/Weapon        5
Manufacturer    Consolidated Mecha
Level up costs per level:  . 8 Ferrite + 13 Bioptics + 3 Niodes
Cockpit:  3rd.
Chassis:  17th, 68th.
Engine: 27th.
Shield:  7th, 37th, 56th.
Total’s:  1,2,1,3

XMAS TREE:

Start Cost/Level:  Special, Christmas reward mech & possible at other times in rewards from events or raids.
XMAS TREE:
Tonnage 50
Start Weapons 8, Levels/Weapon 5
Level up costs per level:  . 153 Ferrite + 93 Bioptics + 10 Crystal
Cockpit: 14,44,75
Chassis: 8, 36,
Engine: 2, 28, 65
Shield: 20, 48
Total’s: 3, 2, 3, 2

YALLAN:

Start Cost/Level: Min Level:    84,  Ferrite:   17000,  Bioptics:       14500,  Crystal:        37.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 95  Armor Points        235
Start Weapons   12  Min Level             84  Min Heavy Skill           50  Levels/Weapon       6
Manufacturer    Star Factories
Level up costs per level:  . 1100 Ferrite + 766 Bioptics + 24 Crystal
Cockpit:  6th, 17th, 28th, 38th, 75th, 110th.
Chassis:  9th, 21st, 43rd, 90th.
Engine: 3rd, 12th, 22nd, 39th, 55th.
Shield:  4th, 9th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 34th, 65th.
Total’s:  6, 4, 5, 7.

ZADOK:

Start Cost/Level:  Reward mech from C.W.’s, also possible event rewards.
Statistical Readout
Tonnage 35  Armor Points        75
Start Weapons     5  Levels/Weapon      5
Manufacturer    The Craftsmen
Level up costs per level:  . 120 Ferrite + 80 Bioptics + 5 Crystal
Cockpit:  11th, 41st, 55th.
Chassis:  13th, 43rd, 63rd.
Engine: 15th, 45th, 71st.
Shield:  17th, 47th, 79th.
Total’s:  3, 3, 3, 3.



Cockpit:  .
Chassis:  .
Engine: .
Shield:  .











Submitted by Michael Beagle  #138688