113 replies to this topic

[Rearick]

After some attempted research, both on and off this website, I still can not make heads or tales of what the difference is between any faction. Does anyone have any guides that break it down that they can link me, or give me a quick breif? I played MW2 and 3, but never watched the shows or played teh board game or anything. The storylines were just as foggy in the old games as well. Thanks in advance!

[anfadern]

I agree! Everybody seem to like bacon and search for that hula lady. But nobody seem to be able to tell what mechs they prefer. Give us a guide please! It would be much apreciated.

Edited by anfadern, 25 October 2013 - 06:46 AM.

[Lord Ikka]

Here's a couple of links to some good threads.

First, similar to the OP's post, differences about factions--> http://mwomercs.com/...-join-a-factor/

Second, the Mechs that each faction produces--> http://mwomercs.com/...ch-manufacture/

[Mahws]

If you'd like a quick rundown of the lore: http://mwomercs.com/...tions-and-tech/

[Dexter Herbivore]

An extremely over-simplified guide:

Davion - English speaking western world, nominally the good guys they turn into war-mongering ********
Steiner - Germanic, eventually they ally with Davion through marriage and form the Federated Commonwealth, love big mechs. The joke is that a Steiner scout lance is 4 Atlas DDCs.
Kurita - Feudal Japanese. Noble warriors with a harsh government.
Liao - Ethnic Chinese. Supposedly extremely oppressive government and war crimes. They claim it's all lies.
Free Rasalhague Republic - Scandinavians. Conquered by Kurita, "liberated" by Steiner, granted independence by Kurita. Lots of fun to roleplay with a pretty rich history for the BTech universe.
Marik - meh, I never remember any distinguishing features for Marik. No doubt we'll see someone from House Marik shortly to correct my lack of information but they always seemed bland to me.

Edited by Dexter Herbivore, 25 October 2013 - 06:36 PM.

[Kyone Akashi]

I think the forum is filled with threads like these - it should not be too difficult to locate them after a short search.

However, I have compiled a quick overview that includes some of the 'Mechs available in MWO. It should be stressed, however, that technically every 'Mech can turn up in any faction. This is the nature of both salvage/capture as well as planets with factories changing ownership.

Davion (French-English)
- Focus on smart tactics and strategy, generally enjoy a chivalrous portrayal
- Ballistic weapons (light autocannons and MGs)
- Locust, Spider, Centurion, Griffin, Jagermech, Thunderbolt, Stalker, Victor

Kurita (Japanese, Arab minority)
- Honor code, samurai, dominated by tradition, warfare = form of art
- Energy weapons (lasers and PPC)
- Jenner, Locust, Griffin, Wolverine, Catapult-K2, Dragon, Awesome, Stalker

Liao (Chinese-Russian)
- Service to the State, sacrifice expected
- Asymmetric, electronic warfare (ECM, Beagle, Narc, TAG)
- Locust, Raven, Blackjack, Shadowhawk, Cataphract, Catapult, Awesome, Victor

Marik (cultural melting pot: European, Oriental, American and Hindu)
- Strong focus on combined arms tactics
- Missiles (SRM, LRM)
- Locust, Spider, Hunchback, Wolverine, Orion, Thunderbolt, Awesome, Stalker

Rasalhague (Scandinavian)
- Fierce freedom fighters guarding their independence
- Cheap, efficient weapons (SRM, flamers, machine guns, small/medium lasers)
- Jenner, Locust, Griffin, Hunchback, Dragon, Thunderbolt, Awesome, Stalker

Steiner (German-English)
- Economic powerhouse, prefer overwhelming might over tactical finesse
- Ballistic weapons (heavy autocannons and gauss)
- Commando, Locust, Griffin, Shadowhawk, Quickdraw, Thunderbolt, Atlas, Stalker

Edited by Kyone Akashi, 25 October 2013 - 06:53 PM.

[dal10]

Davions are basically generic white knights in space.

Kurita is generic samurai in space

Steiner is generic prussians in space

Liao is Generic chinese in space

Marik is generic america in space.

FRR is generic vikings in space.

[Grey Black]

dal10, on 26 October 2013 - 05:23 PM, said:

Davions are basically generic white knights in space.

Kurita is generic samurai in space

Steiner is generic prussians in space

Liao is Generic chinese in space

Marik is generic america in space.

FRR is generic vikings in space.

No one seems to be able to put down Marik correctly so I'll throw my hat into the ring. Marik is Czechoslovakia in space: an Eastern European country, ostensibly a democracy, but more known for constant infighting and killing their own countrymen than outside forces.

[dal10]

the US states would try if they could get away with it.

[Corbon Zackery]

The Free Worlds League was founded in 2271 with the signing of the [color=#BA0000]Treaty of Marik[/color] between the Marik Republic, Federation of Oriente, and [color=#BA0000]Regulan Principality[/color]. The new nation came together when it conquered the Stewart Commonality in 2293.
The League found tougher opponents in the Capellan Confederation and Lyran Commonwealth. The League warred with the Capellans over Andurien and the worlds near it time and time again. The Age of War began as a conflict over Andurien, and the peace that ended the Third Andurien War paved the way for the creation of the Star League.
House Marik took great pride in the Star League, but it was destroyed in the Amaris coup. The five Successor States fought three Succession Wars from 2785 to 3025 to determine who would become the next First Lord, each more inconclusive then the last. The League was forced to largely stay out of the conflicts of the early 31st century because of internal problems, including Anton's Revolt and the Andurien Crisis.
The Clan Invasion proved a boon to the Free Worlds, as its industry provided the war material the other Inner Sphere powers needed to stave off the Clans. Even when Captain-General Thomas Marik launched a punitive invasion in 3057 for the death of his son, the League earned a quick victory and settled back down to peace.
The Word of Blake Jihad tore the Free Worlds asunder, both from within and without. The provinces warred with one another and split apart in the 3080s, though they still banded together for mutual defense. In 3139, Jessica Marik reunited some of the former Free Worlds provinces under her leadership.

The Free Worlds League has a strong emphasis on combined-arms tactics, with almost all of their regiments featuring a large number of infantry, armor, and aerospace assets, as well as one of the largest navies in the Inner Sphere. The focus on BattleMechs, however, does exist within their elite regiments, including the Knights of the Inner Sphere.

[Adridos]

Grey Black, on 26 October 2013 - 06:01 PM, said:

Marik is Czechoslovakia in space: an Eastern European country, ostensibly a democracy, but more known for constant infighting and killing their own countrymen than outside forces.

Which one?

There were more Czechoslovakia's in the history. You've got the first one, which is after the end of the 1st WW, then you've got the 2nd one after the 2nd WW ended, the one considered for Marshal's Plan, but ultimately made to refuse it due to Stalin's disapproval, which is the Czechoslovakian Socialistic Republic and then you've got the post-socialistic one that went on till '93.

Neither of them quite fits Marik for me, although the BTech developers may have a different outlook on it, since they actually made the Marik family descendants of a Czech monarch...

[dal10]

i think everyone view marik as a space america because they are the closest of the successor states to a democracy.


rasalhague is not a successor state.

[SmithMPBT]

[AnotherOne]

Grey Black, on 26 October 2013 - 06:01 PM, said:

No one seems to be able to put down Marik correctly so I'll throw my hat into the ring. Marik is Czechoslovakia in space: an Eastern European country, ostensibly a democracy, but more known for constant infighting and killing their own countrymen than outside forces.

More of a Yugoslavia than a Czechoslovakia, if you ask me. Outwards a pure democracy but internally lots of autocrats as well. Kind of a catch-all in most regards (read: very diverse people and political systems)

[Heavenly Angel]

Davions: Like to think that they're space white knights in armour, everyone else thinks they're an imperialistic pain in the ***. Very western europe/america, holds a lot of modern democratic ideals but not without all the fun parts we forgot about like manifest destiny.

Liao: Sneaky chinese space commies. The smallest and weakest of the factions. They rely on advanced technology and cut throat political scheming to survive. Insane leaders, military police state, alliances everywhere. Very north korea meets game of thrones.

Steiner: The richest and most industrially powerful faction. Very german. Doesn't have the leadership to back up it's might. Picture highly decorated, bumbling, incompetent generals throwing waves of atlases at things and overwhelming them through sheer brute force while they stand around drinking champagne and giving each other more medals.

Marik: Actually a federation/collective of duchies, kingdoms and planets. Big chaotic melting pot. Probably the most democratic, liberal and colourful faction, but plagued by constant bureaucratic red tape, infighting and civil war as the different factions within it clash and vie for power.

Kurita: Honorabru space samurai bring many honor to mech ancestors. Basically feudal japan transplanted into space. Caste systems, seppuku, bushido, daimyo, the lot. More the down and dirty warrior side of things than the modern romanticized take. There's also a very devious side to them. They're infamous for being manipulative backstabbing ******** to anyone outside their system, screwing over and using anyone they can. Leaving allies for dead when it suits them, tricking merc companies into debt, it's kind of hilarious.

FRR: Space vikings living by all the old norse laws. In the lore they're a footnote that exists only to give the clans someone to crush. If you like the idea of being a drunk, hairy viking strapped into a mech, killing things in the name of odin they're definitely for you though.

Edited by Heavenly Angel, 04 December 2013 - 07:46 AM.

[Alexander Steel]

Rasalhague -- They really really dislike mercs. It comes from their founding when they wrote up their merc contracts so poorly that mercs were able to get their money fight very little and then leave the battlefield with their contract 100% fulfilled.

Kurita - Hates mercs even more. Has a standing "DEATH TO ALL MERCS!" order that dates back all the way to the 4th succession war where they tried to bankrupt the Wolf's Dragoons, and turn the merc unit into a house unit. Needless to say this plan blew up, cost the Draconis Combine over 5 regiments of lost troops and ended up with Jaime Wolf humiliating the leader of the combine during the wedding between Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner.

Steiner and Davion both have a good rep with mercs. Steiner probably has the best rep in the Inner Sphere.

Marik's rep is also fairly good, with only a few notable blots on their history. ((Again involving the Wolf's Dragoons and having one of their leaders kill off the Dragoon's families including Jaime Wolf's Brother.))

Liao... generally not a happy place for mercs as the nation is fairly poor, but they do have their own pet merc unit in the Big Mac ((5 regiments!)) that eventually becomes a house unit. Most mercs tend to avoid working for them because their leadership is crazy and there is a line of Thuggee Cult worshippers in their leadership. Kali Liao the daughter and 2nd child of their current house leader is actually the leader of the Cult.

[Odanan]

anfadern, on 25 October 2013 - 06:45 AM, said:

I agree! Everybody seem to like bacon and search for that hula lady. But nobody seem to be able to tell what mechs they prefer. Give us a guide please! It would be much apreciated.

Here:


(Steiner doesn't have as many Atlases people usually think they have, but they do deploy more Assault mechs than the other houses, specially Zeus and Banshee)

Edited by Odanan, 06 January 2014 - 07:59 AM.

[Kyone Akashi]

Steiner having less access to Atlases than Kurita? What trickery is this chart?!

Alexander Steel, on 06 January 2014 - 07:49 AM, said:

Kurita - Hates mercs even more. Has a standing "DEATH TO ALL MERCS!" order that dates back all the way to the 4th succession war where they tried to bankrupt the Wolf's Dragoons, and turn the merc unit into a house unit. Needless to say this plan blew up, cost the Draconis Combine over 5 regiments of lost troops and ended up with Jaime Wolf humiliating the leader of the combine during the wedding between Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner.

The "Death to Mercenaries" edict applies to mercenary forces deploying against House Kurita, as those will not be granted the usual protection under the spirit of the defunct Ares Convention, such as retreat from the battlefield or ransom back captured BattleMechs. Many smaller mercenary commands also left the Combine due to mounting pressure from the Professional Soldiery Liaison department.

Certainly, it was not a particularly nice time for them to be in / work for the Combine, even compared to House Kurita's usual treatment of mercenaries (cue the company store scheme), but by no means was there a general kill order to any and all mercs including the ones fighting for the DCMS. For example, in Heir to the Dragon it is mentioned that Tomoe Sakade hired several regiments of mercenary troops on Le Blanc in 3039.

[Odanan]

Kyone Akashi, on 06 January 2014 - 12:37 PM, said:

Steiner having less access to Atlases than Kurita? What trickery is this chart?!

It's all here...

(of course, the chart is up to 3039... I believe in the current timeline - 3051 - Steiner has more Atlases)

[Kyone Akashi]

Odanan, on 06 January 2014 - 02:45 PM, said:

It's all here...

That .. doesn't really address my confusion, though.
Sorry, I did not really attempt to kick off a discussion about the validity of conjecture presented in some unofficial product, I was just wondering how Atlases, of all 'Mechs, are supposedly more rare in the Lyran Commonwealth than the Draconis Combine, as this goes against a fairly established stereotype. Unfortunately, the author of the document doesn't really list any sources used as a possible basis for the availability tables.

That being said, the author did add this comment on page 56 of the document:
"The scale is only meant to represent how often that particular machine appears within both its weight class and the force(s) it serves with. It is not meant to give an accurate picture of exact numbers of the machines currently in service."

And since the document claims Steiner has both more regiments overall, as well as more Assaults in those regiments than Kurita (which does sound fitting, and I believe I have seen at least the regiment numbers mentioned somewhere, probably the Handbook or Field Manual series), the Lyrans would likely end up having more Atlases even going by this document after all.

Or, in short, as per your link the Atlas is a slightly less common sight in individual Lyran Assault regiments than individual Kurita Assault regiments, but the Lyrans are fielding percentually more Assault regiments than Kurita, and in addition have more BattleMech regiments overall.