38 replies to this topic

[Dermatran]

Good evening. It warms my heart to know that Mechwarrior video games live on, and that the production of the new mechwarrior game is unhindered by recent events. I am a newbie, stringed to the game because of the awesome experience given to me by the game's single-player. Though I've never touched multiplayer in any of the MW games.

My knowledge regarding the lore of the Mechwarrior franchise is weak, as my only experience with the game comes from MechWarrior 4 Vengeance and Mechcommander 2. Therefore I have questions, the answer is most likely dependant on my decision, but I wish to be enlightened first.

So I've heard the initial condition before playing is to choose a side. The only ones I've heard of are the Steiner, Davion and the Liao fellows from MC2. I'm guessing House Davion and Steiner are neither the good guys, as Davion might be portrayed as the good guys in the game, video comments from youtube and several friendly advices told me that in the books, it is otherwise. As regards Kurita, I have NEVER heard of them before.

As for the Clanners, I suppose they are more zealous and fervent when it comes to mechwarrior? As in, considering it a major part of human culture (I hope I'm saying that right).


Thank you.

[Adridos]

The sides you choose from are: Davion, Steiner, Kurita, Liao, Marik and Free Rasalhague Republic + being a mercenary, or stay a "lone wolf". You will be able to join Clans later.

Davions:

You played as one of them in Mechwarrior 4.
They see themselves as the good guys.
They are based on USA, England.
They are the most popular house in fanbase.
They love autocannons.
They are dumb.

Steiner:

They are germanic.
Their strategy follows " bigger = better".
They use heaviest mechs for scouting.
They are allies with Davions.
Normal popularity.


Kurita:

They are based on Japan and Asia.
They are highly "honorable" and use Bushido.
They are pretty militaristic -> good inventions and mechs.
They hate Davions and FRR.
Normal popularity.


Liao:

We are based on Chinese culture mixed with english and russian society.
We are the smallest of the houses (since FRR is not a house).
Numbers of people being capellans is low.
We do not have many mechs now, but that is going to change in a while.
We are considered crazy.
We like mercenaries.


Marik:

Based on western culture as Davions.
Lots of mech production capability (but they make tanks till Clans invade).
Lots of infighting, since they are only democratic house.
They wear "manly purple" and paint their mechs that way.
Normal popularity.
They are allies with us (Liao).


Free Rasalhague Republic:

Based on vikings and scandinavians.
They parted from Kuritans, so they hate each other.
Lore wise, after the Clans invade, they will loose all, but 7 planets.
BUT their players believe they will "hold the line".
Earliest access to rare powerful Clan tech.
Mostly made out of waiting Clan players.


Clans:

Special warriors which inavded Inner Sphere.
They are divided between various clans.
They have the best mechs, but they are low on numbers.
They follow "Zellbrigen", which are rules on how to fight.
Insane popularity. (guess why)
They will become available a year after launch.
They will get beaten by telephone company and one of the clans will get destroyed by Inner Sphere.



This is a very basic look at all the factions, if you want to know more, look at Sarna.net, or bg.battletech.com.
There is also a lore run down on this forum located here.

Edited by Adridos, 06 January 2012 - 03:54 PM.

[Dermatran]

Cheers, fellow Mechwarrior. I should have an easier time now when it comes to Day One of MWO.

May we meet on the battlefield, either as friends or foes.


Thank you!

[Adridos]

Can I ask you something in return? How are Capellans portrayed in Mechcommander 2? Never played it, sadly.

[Gattling Fenn]

Come join us in House Steiner! We are always looking for new pilots! ^.^

[Dermatran]

Adridos, on 06 January 2012 - 04:09 PM, said:

Can I ask you something in return? How are Capellans portrayed in Mechcommander 2? Never played it, sadly.

In MC2, the Capellans are charismatic, and in the end; backstabbing ********, who would take any form of advantage available to reclaim what was theirs in the past, even if it means to become friends with their enemy. Specifically the planet which the game occurs upon once belonged to a Liao ruler, who is long dead (the moment you arrive, aka begin mission 1)

Mechcommander 2 occurs on a planet called Carver V, which was ruled by Liao (Someone of the Cho family, that's what their name was). The moment you arrive (Your role is that of a mercenary commander), the Liao ruler is long dead, but his heir lives. You initially serve House Steiner, given orders from them to pursuit a bandit party which had caused mischief in their territory. (The present Houses on Carver V are House Steiner, Davion and Liao).

In one mission, the bandits are allowed passage through Liao borders, but due to a ceasefire decree, one House cannot enter the territory of another one, which was soon violated by House Steiner, whom entered the Liao borders in pursuit of the bandit forces, attacking Liao forces alike during the process.

After the bandit hunt is finished, Steiner disbands you from their service, for they had 'plans' for the planet which wasn't ment to be of the mercenaries' concern. Then you make a contract with Liao, led by Mandrissa Cho (the matriarch of the Cho family, her husband was the ruler of Carver V) along with Jason Cho (son and heir of the planet's rule). Mandrissa insists that Jason fulfills his destiny, which means that you fight both Steiner and Davion in the process.

At some point, Jason screws up and the plan for him to inherit the planet's rule is almost lost. To mend this damage, an alliance between Liao and Steiner is proposed, and you are sent to act as the Honor Guard of the Liao delegation during the alliance forming (composed of one Liao delegate, Jason himself). But Steiner doesn't like you, and the two form an alliance under the condition that you die, and Jason gladly agrees (for he apperantly doesn't like you either, most likely due to the reason that your effectiveness makes him look like an incapable person. Jealousy then, I presume).

In the end, you (mercenary) kill Jason, and eliminate Liao's foothold on Carver V.

Edited by Dermatran, 06 January 2012 - 05:20 PM.

[Tifalia]

Since Adridos seemed to answer your questions well enough (basic, but detailed enough for a new person to understand) when you feel like reading up on more detailed info of each faction/House, politics et cetera, sarna.net is perhaps the best site to answer any and all of your questions and give you a good running start as to what you would like to do in the BattleTech universe.

And greetings to you, from all of us in the Capellan Confederation!

[flessar]

Adridos, on 06 January 2012 - 03:28 PM, said:

Free Rasalhague Republic:

Based on vikings and scandinavians.
They parted from Kuritans, so they hate each other.
Lore wise, after the Clans invade, they will loose all, but 7 planets.
BUT their players believe they will "hold the line".
Earliest access to rare powerful Clan tech.
Mostly made out of waiting Clan players.

.....? We will beat back the swarms of *IWANTWINBUTTON!!!ONEone111!!!!
And just because we have the Jag's with us at the moment doesnt mean we are all Clanners, And heck since they arent originally there they might even end up staying with us.

If you dont believe me why dont you and your vastly supperior Capies march on up here and we settle this with AC's at 5000 paces?

[Adridos]

I said mostly made out of waiting Clan players, not that everyone is a Clanner.

And the thing about you hoping to defend yourself is there to show the OP, that there is a reason to choose FRR.

And Dermatran, thanks for the detail on capellans in MC2. They made it quiet good, but as much as we are "backstabbing *******", there are still things we would have never done for our interests.

[Stormwolf]

Dermatran, on 06 January 2012 - 03:25 PM, said:

So I've heard the initial condition before playing is to choose a side. The only ones I've heard of are the Steiner, Davion and the Liao fellows from MC2. I'm guessing House Davion and Steiner are neither the good guys, as Davion might be portrayed as the good guys in the game, video comments from youtube and several friendly advices told me that in the books, it is otherwise. As regards Kurita, I have NEVER heard of them before.

All factions are shades of grey in the Battletech universe, you could argue that Amaris and later The Master are the only two true villains in this universe.

[wombat of war]

im new as well and its good to refresh a bit on the lore.. steiners always been a personal fave ever since opening that boxed set

[Man From AUNTIE]

I love the Telephone company comment Adridos.

[Dermatran]

Thanks guys, your efforts are much appreciated. May we meet on the battlefield!

[Adridos]

Man From AUNTIE, on 07 January 2012 - 08:35 AM, said:

I love the Telephone company comment Adridos.

It's not original, though. I saw it on one of the other threads and I use it from then.

And a good choice of house Dermatran, be it just for the avatar, or your interest in our society.

[shnbwmn]

Hi there mate, welcome

[Xhaleon]

Eh?

Davions are supposed to be feudal England + France. Its the Mariks with their political system that's America in SPACE.

[deathwings51]

Another newbie here. Got excited about this and another upcoming mecha game called Hawkn. Hope to play this someday when it comes out but I'm not a very enthusiastic MMO player.

[ArchSight]

Xhaleon, on 07 January 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Eh? Davions are supposed to be feudal England + France. Its the Mariks with their political system that's America in SPACE.

I thought the free Rasalhague Republic (key word Republic) is more American in political views but I'm not sure sense all of the factions have politics that are closely similar. Like one faction may seem like America by rights like freedom of speech and freedom of religion but have a hierarchy princess commanding them. Davion, Steiner, Marik, FreeRR, Liao have certain things that appeal to me but kurita is certainly not because that has a dictatorship. Sadly the history of the FRR later down the timeline gets them turned into the Rasalhague Dominion when they merge with remnants of clan ghost bear.(Not sure about this either.) FRR is not really a faction but a buffer between the two surrounding IS factions and that’s where it gets sad for them in their history. The FRR gets pushed around by them and the Clans tell they eventually change into the Rasalhague Dominion which won’t be a republic but more clan politics I think. Siding with Davion, Marik, FRR, I can do. The FRR changing really depends on how far MWO advances down the timeline.

The true key to figuring out which faction is more like America is by looking at how the system of rule in each faction is setup. The USA was established as a republic that elected representatives to speak for the people.

Each Faction has faults about them that we will surely not like. That was intentionally made like that on purpose to create conflict for an interesting story in the BT Novels. (I'm sure)

So if we all went FRR we would have it for awhile but loose it when the timeline advances.
Marik we'll have to deal with the crony politics they have. Davion(Open to public opinion) and Steiner of course there king like rule will bother us. Liao I'm not too sure about. Clans no way, and Kurita is obvious.

I'm helping right? I've been reading the BattleTechWiki on the factions.
<Edit> Ouch had a copy paste error full of gibberish like code and slow update of the page.

Edited by ArchSight, 08 January 2012 - 01:50 AM.

[Adridos]

You should delete formating of your text. Just press edit, select all of your text and press that rubber in the upper left corner.

[Thorn Hallis]

Marik is more based on eastern and southern europe as well as India.