Harmonic Disruptor Weapon Review By Dan Laffoon#876122

This thing may be Harmonic, but it's sure no episode of Glee for your opponents. In my previous review I gushed about the speed of a Kaos Beam, but this sweet pain dealer is even faster than that! Clocking in at 111 speed, it managed to take the place of Big Bertha herself as the fastest 50+ damage weapon in my arsenal.At 77 damage you can safely equip it on just about any mecha you wish, even if that mecha doesn't have a projectile bonus.

The Harmonic Disruptor has a pair of bonuses attached to it, though the one to be most excited for is certainly the 5 precision bonus. The more often this thing connects, the faster you rip up the opposing army. Your best bet would be to equip it to a mecha with a lot of freeze if you want to truly get the highest benefit from it, otherwise the second bonus is basically a waste. 4% odds of freeze? Well we all know how often 4% hits since we just finished raids...

I found mine on the black market with the serial number scratched off, so I couldn't tell you where to find one of these beauties, but if you ever see one, do yourself a favor and give yourself a christmas gift.

*Note weapon comes pre equipped usually with the Nakshi Mecha, as standard load out when you buy one.

Submitted by Dan Laffoon#876122

King of the Robot Ring 1 (round 2) by Brian D. Wise #17026

(Broadcast transmission begins)

…. (Roar of a Crowd)….

(Vincent) Welcome Back To King of the Robot Ring Fighting, I’m Vincent St. Paul, and beside me I have Jerry Michaels. And that last match was a close one.

(Jerry) Yes it was, Chris “Ox” Malcolm with his mech Hammertime was able to beat Yoshiko “The Samurai” Taiko with her mech Mega Shogun in the last moment.

(Broadcast Replays the moment when the Namtar ‘Mega Shogun’ brings up her mechs sword “Slasher” to its right side, raising the sword high above its cockpit. The Oggun ‘Hammertime’ quickly grabs tightly onto the handle of the massive Hammer and brings the Hammer up and smashes it into the underside of the Namtar’s cockpit before a second massive explosion  rocks the Namtar.)

(Jerry) A few more seconds, and Hammertime would have been beaten.

(Vincent) Speaking of a few more seconds, we should see coming down to the ring the Lucha Libre pilot himself, The Masked Tigre, and his Mech ‘Gran Tigre IV’.

(At the entrance to the Arena, In walks a Nerio mech painted Orange with Black stripes. As the Nerio gets into the ring, pyrotechnic spray from each of the corners showering the mech in gold and red sparks. The Nerio runs to a corner and back flips into the center of the ring to the cheers of the crowd.)

(Jerry) We are about to see some fast and flying action from these light weight mechs. And one of the most celebrated families of Luchador mech pilots, The Masked Tigre, does not disappoint his fans.

(Vincent) That’s right, and Gran Tigre IV has some of the hottest weapons anywhere, Inferno Claws. They will tear right through armor.

(Jerry) Don’t forget his finishing move the Burning Twister, you know that move takes talent just to even try, let alone complete.

(Vincent) Well the Masked Tigre has his work cut out for him tonight, because we have Dan Williams and his mech ‘Hatchet Job’.

(At the entrance a Blue and Silver Axebot wielding two ice axes comes out and runs and dives into the ring and quickly springs to his feet. The Crowd starts cheering for this flashy mech who just appeared in the ring.)

(Jerry) Sure looks like Dan Williams is full of energy tonight, this is looking to be a really good match.

(The mechs take their respective corners, the crowd settles down as each mech prepares for the horn that starts the battle sounds)

(Vincent) Get ready for some high flying action folks.

(The Horn sounds next to the ring to start the battle)

(The Nerio and the Axebot quickly close ground with each other and start swinging. The Nerio has a speed advantage over the Axebot, however with the hatchet, the Axebot has a better reach. The Axebot starts trying to take advantage of his better reach as his axes start nicking the Nerio’s armor. )

(Jerry) Hatchet Job is taking full use of its reach to get in its shots against Gran Tigre's armor. He better be careful though Gran Tigre has such high shields he can shrug off many of those blows.

(Vincent) With the newly released Radium Engine, Gran Tigre has been able to beef up its resistance to damage. But Hatchet Job has been able to take double the benefit due to it having double the engine slots that Gran Tigre has.

(The Nerio and the Axebot go blow for blow, the Axebot axes land successfully several times with little success as they either glance off or are absorbed from shield hits. The Nerio takes advantage of the armor and makes a run for the corner as the Axebot pursues after him. The Nerio jumps onto the turnbuckle and launches at the Axebots midsection, the Nerio’s Inferno Claws glow orange as they heat up and then ignite the air around them. As the Nerio dives at the Axebot, it lands short of hitting him but quickly springs in and catch the Axebot off guard, crippling the Axebot, and igniting the Axebot’s chest plate. )

(Jerry) Hatchet Job saw Gran Tigre’s attack coming and tried to dodge it but only was able to avoid the attempt at him going for the Burning Twister, instead he was able to land a critical slash to Hatchet Jobs chest where he was able to ignite its skin. Hatchet Job is in trouble now.

(The Axebot frantically attempts to put out the flames, as the Nerio quickly returns to the turnbuckle and prepares for his special attack, the Burning Twister, the crowd quickly jumps to its feet with excitement as they prepare for the penultimate attack of Gran Tigre.)

(Jerry) Here it comes!

(The Axebot finally is able to put out the flames on its chest, but unfortunately had stumbled towards the Nerio who springs high from the turnbuckle, twisting and spiraling towards the unsuspecting Axebot, the Crowd roars out, “BURNING TWISTER!!!” as the Nerio lights up into a orange ball of fire and its claws quickly shear into the Axebot. The Axebot stumbles backwards as the entire mech is engulfed in flames, falling down and shorting out.)

(Jerry) Gran Tigre has done it; he has successfully landed his Signature Attack, Burning Twister, which has reignited Hatchet Job in a ball of fire, thus ending the fight, as Hatchet Job is now a smoldering wreck on the arena floor.

(Vincent ) Not Much more to say , other than congratulations Gran Tigre for another successful match.

(As The Nerio climbs onto the turnbuckle to celebrate his Victory, a pair of Troopers land in the Arena both wielding giant metal baseball bats. The Nerio is preoccupied with his celebration to notice the arrival of the two Troopers.)

(Jerry) What’s this!

(Vincent) It appears two more mechs have entered the ring.

(The Troopers surprise attack the Nerio, knocking it down to the ring floor, before ruthlessly slamming it again and again. The Nerio, raises its hand up trying to reach for the cables to help bring it back to its feet, but its arm is quickly slammed by the twin mechs. As the crowd yells and boos at the unprovoked attack on the Nerio, the Jumbotron at the front of the arena stops showing whats going on in the ring and cuts two a masked man.)

(Masked Man) Long Time no see, Masked Tigre. I hope my boys aren’t roughing you up to badly.

(The Troopers in the ring stop attacking, the Nerio slowly pulls itself up from the floor, using the cables at the edge of the ring. Several servo’s in the legs spark as its legs struggle to support the now damaged mech.)

(Masked Man) I have longed for the day when I would get to face you in the ring once more, but this time I am not alone. I have gathered a force to help tear you down and this time I will be victorious! Vengeance will be mine! Muah Ha HA HA!!!

(The Troopers swing at the Nerio and miss, as the Nerio uses its arms to quickly climb the turnbuckle once again, the Troopers stumble forward from the swings not connecting. The Nerio again launches itself from the turnbuckle, and arms out wide, double clotheslines both of the Troopers, dropping them all down to the ring floor. The Nerio doesn’t bother to stand and starts tearing into the Troopers with its claws since the giant bats are no longer useful due to the Troopers inability to swing them properly. Both Troopers quickly shutdown from the critical the Nerio is able to land on them.)

(Jerry) Unbelievable, those Troopers came out of nowhere and assaulted Gran Tigre. And even though he was out numbered two to one Gran Tigre has still come out on top of it all.

(Vincent) But the question on everyone’s mind now is who that masked man was?

(Jerry) You said it Vincent, but until Gran Tigre makes it back to the docking bay, we won’t be able to find out.

(Vincent) Well with all of this excitement, we are unfortunately going to have to take a short break to clear the ring for the Final match of the night between the big showman himself, Rick Flyer and his Frigis, the Lucky Lady. And his opponent the master of destruction, Jack Knife, and his Skriag, Ripper.

(Appearing suddenly beside Vincent and Jerry a mech pilot grabs the microphone and starts to speak.)

(Rick Flyer) WOOOH!!! Did someone say my name? Rick Flyer is the most high flyingest, show stoppingest pilot this side of the Milky Way, and Jack Knife better be ready for me cause when I’m done with him, Lucky Lady and I will be walking out of that arena with his cockpit under my arm, for my trophy room.

(Rick Flyer quickly tosses the microphone at Vincent and walks off stage.)

(Vincent) What more can I say…and Now a word from one of our sponsors.

(The screen fades to black as it’s replaced with an ad for the upcoming Clan Wars special.)

Submitted by by Brian D. Wise #17026

Fantasy Mech By Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605

MAËLSTROM

The development of the super weapon condemned the Doctor Janus to sacrifice the best years of his life enclosed in the ultra secret laboratories of the little known system Gemini Beta-Algeihla.

There, sheltered by one of his moons, a complex system of passive undetectable defenses was protecting the investigations that were destined to design and construct one of the most fearsome mech of the class ultra heavy or BFM, as jocularly some like to call the titans it that rank.

A monster of 100 tons that nevertheless, it could equip and obtain benefit of any equip, with independence of the category and tonnage of stuffs for the one that had been designed. This is really a whole advance that it would do of this super an almost unbeatable enemy arms.

But the stronger point of this monster, was neither his formidable shielding, nor the extreme perfection of the Niode engineering with that it had been constructed: But his aptitude to unleash a monstrous storm which conflagration might open a wide breach in any Fortress or clear a wide front of battle just with the only help of its own capacities.

This monster was for this reason baptized as Maëlstrom: the giant sea whirlwind capable of devouring or triturate to any other marine creature or surface vessels, dragging them to the marine depths of the oblivion.

This beast possesses a set of super Niode matrices capable of amplifying the power of almost any component, including his own huge weaponry, which power of shot will be been afraid in the whole Galaxy the day in which this mech got released.


STATISTICAL READOUT:

Tonnage 100
Armor Points 300
Start Weapons 12
Min Level 100
Min Heavy Skill 55
Levels/Weapon 3
Manufacturer: Janos Laboratories


BONUSES:
Build Wide Fork 5%
Build Fork 5%
Build Splash 5%
Build Trample 5%
Build Speed – 50
Level 2 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 2 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 3 + 1 Weapon Slot
Level 3 Shield (10)
Level 4 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 4 Precision (5)
Level 5 Fork 2%
Level 6
+ every 3 levels + 1 Weapon Slot
Level 7 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 8 2x Damage 5%
Level 8 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 9 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 10 3x Damage 5%
Level 10 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 10 Allows the equipment of 90+ tonnage gear.
Level 11 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 11 Shield (10)
Level 12 Splash Shield 50%
Level 12 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 13 Splash 5%
Level 14 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 15 2x Damage 5%
Level 16 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 17 Precision (5)
Level 20 Wide Fork Shield 50%
Level 20 Allows the equipment of 85+ tonnage gear.
Level 21 Shield (10)
Level 22 Trample 5%
Level 24 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 25 Wide fork 5%
Level 26 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 28 Shield (10)
Level 29 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 30 3x Damage 5%
Level 30 Allows the equipment of 80+ tonnage gear.
Level 31 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 32 2x Damage 5%
Level 34 Precision (5)
Level 34 Splash 5%
Level 35 Fork 5%
Level 36 Speed + 5
Level 37 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 39 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 40 Allows the equipment of 75+ tonnage gear.
Level 40 Splash 5%
Level 41 Wide Fork Shield 50%
Level 44 Trample 5%
Level 45 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 46 Splash Shield 20%
Level 48 2x Damage 5%
Level 49 Precision (5)
Level 50 Allows the equipment of 70+ tonnage gear.
Level 50 Trample 5%
Level 50 Fork 5%
Level 54 Splash 5%
Level 55 Speed + 5
Level 60 Allows the equipment of 65+ tonnage gear.
Level 60 Shield (5)
Level 61 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 64 3x Damage 5%
Level 64 Trample 5%
Level 64 Precision (5)
Level 65 Fork 3%
Level 66 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 70 Allows the equipment of 60+ tonnage gear.
Level 70 Trample Shield 50%
Level 73 Speed + 3
Level 77 + 1 Chassis Slot
Level 79 Precision (3)
Level 79 Splash 3%
Level 80 Allows the equipment of 55+ tonnage gear.
Level 80 2x Damage 3%
Level 89 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 90 Allows the equipment of 50+ tonnage gear.
Level 90 Trample 3%
Level 91 Speed + 3
Level 95 Fork 3%
Level 96 3x Damage 3%
Level 100 Allows the equipment of 45+ tonnage gear.
Level 100 Fork 5%
Level 101 Trample 5%
Level 102 + 1 Cockpit Slot
Level 104 Shield (5)
Level 109 Speed + 5
Level 110 Allows the equipment of 40+ tonnage gear.
Level 115 + 1 Shield Slot
Level 120 Allows the equipment of 35+ tonnage gear.
Level 125 Fork 3%
Level 130 Allows the equipment of 30+ tonnage gear.
Level 130 Shield (5)
Level 135 Trample 5%
Level 140 Allows the equipment of 25+ tonnage gear.
Level 140 Shield (10)
Level 145 Fork 10%
Level 150 Allows the equipment of 20+ tonnage gear.
Level 150 Wide Fork 5%
Level 160 Allows the equipment of 15+ tonnage gear.
Level 165 Speed + 5
Level 175 + 1 Engine Slot
Level 180 Allows the equipment of 10+ tonnage gear.
Level 190 Shield (10)
Level 200 Wide Splash (affects all lines) 10%

















Submitted by Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605

Acknowledgements:

Picture shot courtesy of Alexandre Wei Lebedeff

Thanks to Brian D. Wise for suggestion about scale the ability to use lower tonnage gear instead instantly use everything.

Thanks to Kyle Man for the suggestion to fix the starting speed, from -30 to -50 as was maybe so fast otherwise.

Blonde Chronicles 15 By Germán Jaramillo # 685605

Submitted by Germán Jaramillo # 685605

Blonde Chronicles 14 By Germán Jaramillo # 685605

Submitted by Germán Jaramillo # 685605

Life Cycle Of The Snavurm

Lesson File Splash Damage

Blonde Chronicles 13 By Germán Jaramillo # 685605

Submitted By Germán Jaramillo # 685605

Striker By Marianne and Mark Stewig #687261

A lone solitary figure is seen fleeting into the shadows keeping the outline of his shape and form from being seen. Drawn into a Cocoon of darkness that envelops him so completely the mysterious figure makes his way to a dim light in the distance under which two men set on a worn-out old bench awaiting his arrival.

Talking among themselves they wonder if the this trip has been in vain. Do you think he will show? Said Drake the man in the military uniform. Ike the other man is from a high level think tank and answers with unknown, he hasn't been active in over 50 years. His Intel says he is more machine then flesh although he didn't start out that way. He's been in four major battles and countless others, decorated with honors three times, thought to be dead five times and listed missing in action twice.

Not many are alive that have met him since he is over 300 years old, a bit of a recluse. The parts that are flash are his right leg, left arm up to the elbow, the right half of his brain, the right side of his face, eye, tongue, and lips. Then lastly his heart.

It says here that he started as a cadet named John flintword with high scores in marksman ship, and it seems he has become an expert in everything he does. He is a brilliant strategist and the leader of men. His father told him when he was young to find something he liked and work at it until he became an expert at it and it seems that he has never stopped.

He was put back together again with the latest tech after every battle he was in. His code-name is Striker (for his ability to strike fear and terror in his enemy.) Later he accepted this name as his only name. The report goes on to list a rather lengthy list of achievements but I think that this about sums it up. How much longer must we wait said Ike. But before Drake could answer a machine hand was thrust out from the darkness and grasp Drake's arm in a vice like grip.

Ike was white as a ghost and speechless as Striker stepped out of the darkness revealing himself fully in the dim light that hung over head. Relax... came a deep sounding metallic voice. If I wanted to harm you you would be dead already. Ike managed to move his frozen mouth and blurt out the words Striker? In the flesh, or at least a little, exclaimed Striker which seemed to ease tension a little with his joke. Let's get going to my place it isn't far from here and I am sorry it has to be this way, I'm still a very hunted man with more enemies than friends and a very high price on my head.

Come.... And with a wave of his hand they were off, at the same time releasing his death like grip on Drake. They traveled for about an hour but not much was said, both men were still trying to size up this creature but still failing to see his features in their fullness. From what they could tell, Striker
was clothed in a dark hooded garment with small metal clasps and a type of belt with knife, tools and ammo. A gun of some sort could have been concealed in one of his bulging pockets but wasn't seen at this time.

One of his shoes was made of leather but the other shoe was made completely of metal and robotic in form. It goes without saying that the leather shoe was made for the fleshly foot. Judging from the drag marks on the top of the leather shoe it was apparent that this shoe was dragged along more often than not, although there was no evidence that this was the case that was observed. His arms and hands are for the most part robotic except for his left lower arm which appeared to be and functioned in a most human like manner, but may have been modified or enhanced in some way. We are here, said Striker waking both men out of their observations and into the moment and hand. Both men looked around in unbelief seeing that they were standing in a field of boulders with one huge boulder in front of them. Striker then stooped down and reached under the big boulder and released a latch that, as it slid back, revealed a large ramp which descended into a very vast underground cavern.

This used to be a missile silo a very long time ago said Striker but I have restored it for my home and fortress. As they descend down the ramp, the boulder resumed its position and a well lit cavern came to view. The cavern was full of Mech's of all types and sizes some known and some long forgotten.

There must be at least 50 Mech's in here exclaimed Drake. Sixty three and a half said Striker pridefully. I'm still rebuilding that one over there he said pointing to a rather large pile of metal parts with a chassis sticking out of the middle of it. I would've come to you in one of my Mech's but they are to big to conceal from radar and would be easy to trace here. I can only take them out after I have launched my probes to make sure that no one is around and the area is clear. I have about 100 of these probes but I fear more will be needed in the future.

This area is protected by law but lately a lot of interest in this area has come to light with talk of dividing it up and selling parts of it. The area covers about 50 miles and a lot of would be buyers are seen tramping through these parts. Ike asks if he is in this venture by himself or if he has help, to which Striker assures him that he has a dozen or so men that help him and that are sworn to secrecy and live here at this base.

Traveling past a bunch of doors presumably living quarters of the men they reach one massive door in one side of the cavern Striker produces a key which he puts in the lock and with a twist of the key and a turn of the handle the door swings open. Welcome to my humble abode, says Striker as he ushers both men to a table and chairs. The room is poorly lit so striker lights a fireplace that is in the corner of the room but stays just within the shadows.

So what brings you to my humble abode? I assume that this situation is bleak with a lot of death and destruction, and you want me to go in and make it all better. You both know that this type of thing is what I'm good at and I have never said no before, to this date but I tell you this, times are changing and apparently so am I. So what's in it for me? Money?, Cash or script?… Forget it! I've got enough to last me 10 lifetime or more. Duty? ..Honor? ...Or prestige? Nope!...Wrong again! Been there ...done that... Left a bad taste in my mouth. So what's the problem and how do I get paid?

Both men looked at each other and fell silent for a moment, it was Drake who spoke first with one word CURIOSITY! What! Exclaimed Striker, What could possibly intrigued me enough to risk it all just for the sake of understanding? You must be mad! I have given of myself way too much already.

We have found an anomaly that we think you might be interested in. It was found in a forerunner mine that was uncovered in an excavation. It's alive biologically and parts of it are machine. It is tearing the hell out of everything we send in their and it is questionable whether we will be able to contain it much longer. We have lost two legions of elite mecha and the third is failing fast. Such firepower....such fury the likes of which I have never seen! In all respects not counting gender she's a lot like you.

Wait a minute, you said she, I distinctly heard you say she said Striker with a lot of screaming. Now spell it! he demanded. Okay, okay simmer down, biologically she's female around the age of 27 years old or so preliminary scan's show. That's the only thing that we were able to get close enough to tell. But should that make a difference? I mean in your decision to join us.

Well of course! That changes everything, I mean at the moment I'm not doing anything important and a lady in distress does seem to take on a high priority in my opinion. If not me then who..... ? Some other poor slob that would probably just get in the way and mess things up anyhow, in which case you'd be back here in an instant I'm sure. At any rate who am I to keep a lady waiting? Come on let's go!

(To be continued)














Submitted by Marianne and Mark Stewig #687261

Zadok Mecha Review By Brian D. Wise#17026

Every Clan War if you clan was successful you will receive one of the prized mechs within the game, the Zadok. It like its KOTM counterpart is one of the most balanced mechs within the game. It is a light 35 ton mech with a boost to all weapon types once it reaches maxed out level at around 79. this mech has it usefulness in limited environments such as specialist and 35 ton or less kotm's.

It is balanced all over to be an all around mech which can fill whatever you need it to be. Its only real weaknesses is that like most light mechs, it doesn't have the tonnage needed to fight high tonnage mechs who benefit from higher armor points as well as better access to high dodge equipment.

There is hope that one of these days we might get a specialty event where the only mechs allowed are ones won from events like this. Eventually one day we will convince the builders to make a balanced mech like this in the 75-90 ton range. When that happens I hope it is as well balanced as the Zadok.

Submitted by Brian D. Wise#17026

Nephilax Review By Brian D. Wise#17026

Probably the most sought after prize, the nephilax. Like the zadok it is a craftsman mech, and like all craftsmen mechs it is well balanced mech. Unlike the zadok, its is geared more towards projectile than all around, but it does have a boost to all weapon categories. it has a better shield at higher levels than its CW prize counterpart, but lacks the equipment slots that it does.

Its biggest value is in its upgrade cost, from 20 tons on up every mech either required crystal or niodes to upgrade it as well as the ferrite and bioptic that every mech needs. However this 40 ton gem require no crystal at all to level, this gives it the most useful life to those lucky few in the early game to earn this mech. It also benefits those players who don't earn this until way later, it is cheap to upgrade and gives you a inexpensive mech to upgrade to help fill those specialty battles later on.

Its biggest draw back is its requirements on how to receive this mech, you have to be the last man standing at the end of a KOTM event. This is one of the most difficult things to do within the game. and getting enough of these mechs to help field out your slots late game for new specialty like the 40tons...well if you can take full advantage of a kotm, you will eventually be able to take full advantage of this highly prized mech, the only way to really show those other players that you are the king of the mountain.

Submitted by Brian D. Wise#17026