27
Currently our European recruitment is very active, and we're looking for any pilots that either live in the EU or think they might be on at late hours that would sync well with them regardless of country. So EU folks and night owls, apply away!
The Aces are currently OPEN for recruitment and I am welcoming players to send in applications - in particular if you have gotten a referral by an Ace (including via text in-game in MWO) - so please visit our website www.blazingaces.info and register away; it's the fastest way to get noticed. We're a bit slow about checking our MWO mail / forums sometimes but actively read ours.
Now, on to the OP:
Unit History - 3049: Within the BattleTech Universe timeline
The Blazing Aces began when Gideon Braver Vandenburg was framed for a conspiracy involving the pirate lance known as the Dark Wing that attacked his home world, and made a fugitive from the place he was supposed to one day lead.
Under the abbreviated name of "Gideon Braver", Gideon Braver Vandenburg left his homeworld of Ander's Moon in March 3024 for a nearby world after his family had been killed in an attack by an unknown Lance of BattleMechs (the Dark Wing) and he himself was charged with conspiracy and crimes against the state with forged evidence. Jordan Rowe provided him with an old Jenner, some money and a safe passage off-world. Upon his arrival at the destination world, Gideon Braver began a mercenary career and created his own unit, the Blazing Aces, in April 3024.
Since then, the Aces not only destroyed the Dark Lance and cleared Braver's name, but have become one of the premiere Inner Sphere mercenary units, rising from a single light 'mech to an assault lance and then beyond.
Unit History: Our history online
Formed from the leadership of Free Worlds League NBT league veterans, we hold the distinction of being the first unit to use the Blazing Aces name in League play and were arguably one of the most successful mercenary units from that league.
Since disbanding the unit prior to Hardcore, other units have assumed the name, but our original command staff of myself, Firestorm (Fred Sampson), Snyper (Jace Nevada) and Raisinscone have held the title through countless other online games, waiting for the next incarnation of an official MechWarrior release to reform the unit. We never thought the wait would be so long, but with MWO around the corner we're preparing to resurrect the unit once more.
About us
As mentioned in the Unit History, the Aces were formed from a series of long time MechWarrior veterans, with experience in all of it's incarnations ranging from MechWarrior 1 to classic BattleTech and the early CRPGs. We have a lot of experience commanding drops, with a focus on good terrain management and insuring our units can focus fire enemies optimally at all times. We're large on maintaining com discipline during fights and take a very organized sim styled approach to the game.
We lean towards a serious, no-quarter-given style and our pilots are expected to do what it takes to win - we are a pro-legging, boating, jump sniping unit that has no qualms with shooting our enemies in the back if we can. We have no problems with using the best equipment available, boating or any configuration that's combat effective. That said we always honorably stick by our contracts and alliances.
Our command staff alternates between playing in light, mobile 'mechs that allow quick escapes when leading a drop of company size or more and preferring heavy, energy based assaults. Some of our favorite 'mechs in past games have been the Jenner, Wolfhound, Novacat and Awesome. We recognize the extreme importance of recon in both past and upcoming games and are always seeking pilots willing to fill the role of scout for the Aces.
Our official parade color scheme is an all white paint job, with red trim for the Diamonds and Hearts, black trim for Spades and Clubs capable of using either.
Ranking System
The Aces use a completely different ranking system than the majority of Inner Sphere units, based on a deck of cards. We also have four divisions that denotes a pilot's play style.
2 - 10: Our starting pilot ranks. 2 is the rank of a trainee beginning on probation, while other pilots with more experience might be accepted at a higher starting rank.
Jack: The equivalent of an officer in the Aces, a Jack is the first rank where one is considered for lance command and is generally a full-blooded permanent pilot for the group.
King/Queen: The second highest rank available, the title King or Queen is assigned based on the pilot's gender; both are entirely equal. This is given to pilots who routinely command or show exceptional skills in their area of specialty.
Ace: This is a command rank in the Aces. Very few pilots have obtained the title of Ace, and nearly all of them are actively returning to the Blazing Aces upon MWO's return.
Joker: Jokers are pilots who are outside of the normal command structure. This can include pilots that aren't available to play often but show exceptional skill, are on loan from other units (including alt. profiles), and so forth. A Joker could be assigned anything from command to basic brawling duty, situation depending. Pilots without a unit affiliation dropping with the Aces that are not actual members of the Aces can be referred to as Jokers as well. (i.e. if you have a family member who plays casually, we welcome them to play with us as a Joker!)
Division System
A sub-section of rank, every pilot is given a division. These can change if the pilot's preferences and overall role shifts and all are considered equal to the other. No pilot is more or less likely to gain rank in one division over the other as each has an equally vital role.
Club Division: The Clubs are the brawlers of the Blazing Aces. Anyone who specializes in close-range combat, be it piloting 'mechs to soak damage or raw damage dealers, gains the Club designation.
CO: Jace Nevada
XO: Draymen
Diamond Division: Diamonds are the long-range fire support pilots: Be it fast moving energy snipers or slow heavy hitting missile boats, if long-range is your area of expertise then this is the division for you.
CO: Victor Morson
XO: Stun
Heart Division: Hearts are pilots who prefer both close and long range engagements, or mid-range engagements. Typically their 'mechs are configured in a manner that allows them to fight at multiple ranges with weapons such as ER Lasers and Gauss, or a split configuration such as LRMs and an array of Medium Lasers. If you prefer engaging at any range you're needed, you belong in the Hearts.
CO: Fred Sampson
XO: Xander Grey
Spade Division: Spades are the eyes and ears of the Aces, being the recon division. Spades also include those interested in "raiding" roles, with fast 'mechs designed for striking at the border ranges of radar and disappearing before fire can be returned, acting as a damage dealing form of recon. If scouting and staying in the shadows is your style, you're likely a Spade.
CO: KJ Crow
XO: Sir Trent Howell
EU Division: The European group is run by the King of Spades, KJ Crow. Pilots from all divisions that typically play in EU timezones answer directly to KJ Crow, but are entirely welcome to play with us in the North American time zone if their schedule allows. While our EU Roster has yet to reach the size of our North American one, it has expanded greatly in the past few weeks. We've begun scheduling tournament drops with EU Players so we're looking forward to some organized play in both time zones!
Recruiting!
If you'd like to apply to try out for the Aces, again, please visit our website at www.blazingaces.info and register on our forums. It's the fastest way to get noticed. Feel free to post a note in this thread saying you plan to do so as well, it's good to get notification in multiple places and bump us.
Make sure to read the posts to fill out an application! Again, while we are closed we are currently open to both special exception and referral.
- Victor Morson
EDIT: OP 2.0 coming soon.
Edited by Victor Morson, 27 October 2012 - 03:08 AM.
