Vanguard

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This article is about the enemy group and organization. For the badge, see Vanguard Badge.

History

Shortly after the Rikti invaded, The United Nations Security Council, led by Great Britain and France, formed an emergency umbrella organization to help coordinate hero resources in the worldwide war against the invaders. Called the Vanguard, this group was comprised of some of the world's best and brightest heroes.

The Rikti had taken their toll and famous super groups like the Freedom Phalanx, The Dawn Patrol, Midnight Squad, Regulators, and Hero Corps were down to only the toughest and most powerful heroes. With its decentralized command structure and international recruiting base, only the Vanguard, remained a viable, organized fighting force.

The Vanguard initiated a plan to strike back at the Rikti using a plan by Dr. Science. Leaving only skeleton crews to man defenses, the Vanguard was split into two teams. Alpha Team was led by Statesman and Omega Team was led by Hero 1. Alpha Team was much larger and consisted of over 1,000 heroes which launched a frontal assault on the Rikti. It was a costly attack and 800 of the heroes lost their lives. While the Alpha Team attacked the main body of Rikti troops, Omega Team slipped into the main Rikti portal base, through one of the portals and after a huge explosion from the other side, the portal was shut down. Only one hero, the utterly invulnerable Ajax, managed to survive the blast on this side of the portal. It is presumed that the heroes that went through the portal have perished.

Thanks to the heroics of the Vanguard, the Rikti War was over, or at least the first phase of it was. Both sides were nearly shattered in the process. The Vanguard and the other great hero organizations of the world scarcely existed anymore. With the exception of Statesman and a few others, all the world's greatest heroes had died in the war. Trillions upon trillions of dollars of damage had been done to the majority of the world's most populated cities. Paragon City was the worst hit of all. Once a shining beacon of light and prosperity, now much of it lay in ruins. It didn't take long for criminals to start reasserting themselves, and new heroes were needed. It was the beginning of a desperate time that would last for decades. historical note?

The Vanguard is an NPC group that was implemented in Issue 10. The first contact with players happened during the closed Issue 9 beta, where a bug caused Police Radio missions to spawn this enemy group. When asked about it, Positron stated they weren't supposed to be seen yet.

Structural Hierarchy

The Vanguard is split into 4 main divisions: The Helm, The Gauntlet, The Shield, and The Herald.

The Herald - The public relations division is ran by a heroine named Incandescent. She's not normally on-site as she's usually too busy abroad working with the UN.

The Shield - The security division headed up by the sisters Levantera and Borea. Sharing the leadership between the two of them, together they handle security and most defensive roles.

The Gauntlet - The main offensive branch is headed up by the hero known as Serpent Drummer. Most troops that are visibly seen taking physical action against the Rikti belong to this branch.

The Helm - The intelligence division, headed up by the mysterious Dark Watcher. This division is dedicated in gathering information to help keep the Rikti contained.

The Sword - The counter-intelligence and special ops division is a secret branch headed up by Gaussian, and handles all kinds of cloak-and-dagger works.

The Lady Grey is the overall commander of the Vanguard and is both powerful and well connected. It's believed that she has been around as long as Statesman and Recluse. She sets the overall strategy of the organization and has Dark Watcher as her second in command.

Contacts

Serpent Drummer, Borea, Dark Watcher.

Gaussian, The Lady Grey, Levantera.

Models

Male NPC models

Female NPC models

Heavy Assault model. Not to scale; this model is over 20 feet tall.

Enemy Types

Minions

Vanguard Shield

Vanguard Soldier

Image Unavailable

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Willie Pete DoT(Fire)
You are on fire and burning!

Assault Rifle Ranged, Lethal, Foe -Defense
Quickly fires a burst of rounds at a single target at very long distance. Damage is moderate, but the fire rate is fast. Can also reduce target's defense.

Vanguard Ranger

Vanguard Ranger

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace in our world.

Powers

Strike Melee, Moderate Damage, Lethal/Energy, Damage over Time, Lethal, Foe -Resists (Lethal, Energy)
Claw Strike is a standard Claw attack against a targeted foe.

Slash Melee, Lethal, Damage over Time, Lethal, Foe -Defense
A Slash attack deals high damage, and reduces the target's Defense.

Focus (Ranged) High Damage, Energy, Damage over Time, Lethal, Foe -Resists (Lethal, Energy), Knockback
The Vanguard soldier can project a burst of focused power. Focus only travels a short distance, but it can also knock down foes.

??? +Perception
Vanguard Rangers can see through Stealth amd Invisibility.

Vanguard Ranger

Vanguard Ranger

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Flashbang Grenades (Ranged, Targeted Area of Effect, No Damage) Foe -Accuracy, -Defense
You've been partially blinded by the Flashbang Grenades. Your Accuracy and Defense are reduced.

Submachine Gun Ranged, Lethal, Low Damage, Foe -Defense
Rapid fire rifle. Can reduce target's defense.

Bayonet Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal/Energy), Damage over Time (Lethal), Foe -Resists (Lethal/Energy)
Your resistances have been weakened.

??? +Perception
Vanguard Rangers can see through Stealth amd Invisibility.

Lieutenants

Vanguard Shield

Vanguard Adept

Vanguard Adept

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Vanguard Sergeant

Image Unavailable

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Vanguard Sword

Vanguard Eliminator

Image Unavailable

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Vanguard Sergeant

Image Unavailable

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Bosses

Vanguard Shield

Vanguard Colonel

Image Unavailable

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Vanguard Wizard

Vanguard Wizard

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Vanguard Sword

Sword Sorcerer

Image Unavailable

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Powers

Ice Blast Ranged, Moderate Damage (Cold/Smash), Foe -Recharge, -Speed
Ice Blast hurls shards of ice at foes and Slows their attacks and movement for a time. Slower recharge than Ice Bolt, but more damage. Damage: Moderate, Recharge: Moderate.

Freezing Sphere (Ranged, Cold/Smash), Foe -Recharge, -Speed, -Accuracy
Your Accuracy, Attack rate and Running speed are reduced by the Freezing Sphere.

Ball Lightning (Ranged, Energy) Foe -Endurance, Sleep
Your Endurance has been drained and you are in a state of shock.

Life Drain Ranged, Negative, Foe -Accuracy, Self + Hit Points
The Sorcerer taps the powers of the netherworld to steal some life from a target foe and reduce his chance to hit. Some of that life is then transferred to the Sorcerer.

Defense Aura (Point Blank Area of Effect, Energy) Foe -Endurance, Sleep
Your Endurance has been drained and you are in a state of shock.

??? +Perception
Sword Sorcerers can see through Stealth amd Invisibility.

Vanguard Sorcerer

Vanguard Sorcerer

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Powers

Elite Bosses

Vanguard Shield

Vanguard HVAS

Vanguard is a group backed by the United Nations, and headed up by Lady Grey. Their soldiers are specifically outfitted in Impervium armor and with high tech as well as magical weaponry to fight the Rikti. Everything they do is centered around containing the Rikti menace on our world.

Others

Vanguard Shield

Faultline (Pet)

Main Article: Faultline (As Ally)
See also: Jim Temblor (As Contact)

Faultline

After he rediscovered his heroic roots, young Jim Temblor has been doing all he can to redeem the name of his father: Faultline. Following several intense battles with the Rikti, Faultline and his girlfriend Fusionette have joined the Vanguard to help fight the alien invaders.

Powers:

Fossilize Ranged, Moderate Damage (Smashing), Foe Hold, -Defense
Encases a single target within solid stone. The stone slowly crushes the victim, dealing Smashing damage. The Fossilized victim is held helpless and unable to defend himself.

Stone Prison Ranged, Minor Damage (Smashing), Foe Immobilize, -Fly, -Defense
Immobilizes a single target within an earthy formation and deals some Smashing damage over time. Some more resilient foes may require multiple attacks to Immobilize. Stone Prison can also reduce a target's Defense.

Quicksand Ranged, Location Area of Effect, Foe -Speed, -Jump, -Fly, -Defense
You can cause the ground to liquefy like Quicksand at a targeted location. Any foes that pass through the Quicksand will become snared, their movement will be dramatically Slowed, and their Defense reduced. Foes trapped in the Quicksand cannot jump or Fly.

Granite Armor Self, +Resistance(All but Psionics), +Defense(All but Psionics), -Speed, -Recharge, -Damage

When you activate this power, you are transformed into a massive bulk of unyielding Granite. Your incredible mass makes you almost completely invulnerable and resistant to most effects. However, you also become quite heavy, cannot fly, your attack and movement speed are Slowed and you do less damage. Granite Armor also grants you high resistance to Defense DeBuffs.Cannot be active at the same time as other Armors in this set, Fly powers, Sprint, Super Speed, or Jump powers.

Stone Fist Melee, Moderate Damage(Smashing), Foe Minor Disorient
Your stone covered fists attack swiftly for moderate damage, and may Disorient your opponent.

Seismic Smash Melee, Extreme Damage(Smashing), Foe Hold
This massive attack hits with all the force of the Earth itself. It deals tremendous amounts of damage, and may Hold the target if they are not defeated outright.

Fusionette (Pet)

Main Article: Fusionette

Fusionette

Fusionette is one of the Nuclear 90; 90 children from around the world all born in one year with an unusual mutation that gives them natural magnetic nuclear fusion reactors for hearts, and the ability to channel energy from their internal reactor for a variety of super powers. Like many of the Nuclear 90, Fusionette has decided to use her powers for the betterment of mankind as a hero. She has recently joined the Vanguard along with her boyfriend Faultline in order to help fight the Rikti.

Powers:

Fly Toggle:

Power Bolt Ranged, Minor Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe: Knockback
A quick attack that rapidly hurls small bolts of energy at foes, sometimes knocking them down. Fast, but little damage.

Power Blast Ranged, Moderate Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe: Knockback
A much more powerful, yet slower version of Power Bolt. Power Blast sends a focused beam of energy at a foe that can knock him back.

Energy Torrent Ranged (Cone), Moderate Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe: Knockback
Energy Torrent unleashes a cone of powerful energy that can smash foes and possibly send them flying.

Power Burst Close, High Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe: Knockback
A short range, but devastating attack. Power Burst unleashes a massive amount of energy dealing very high damage at short distances. The impact from this burst often knocks back most foes.

Power Thrust Close, low Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe: Knockback
A focused attack that violently shoves the target and sends him flying. Deals minimal damage, but can be very effective.

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Lady Grey (Henchman)

Main Article: Lady Grey (As Ally)
See also: The Lady Grey (As Task Force Contact)

Lady Grey

Ever composed, ever mysterious, the powerful and otherworldly Lady Grey is rumored to be older than Statesman, and one of the most powerful meta-humans on the planet. She was instrumental in the founding of Vanguard, and runs the organization expertly. She takes a great interest in Vanguard's day-to-day operations, and knows all of her troops by name.

Powers:

Petrifying Gaze Ranged Hold
Petrifies a single targeted foe with a terrifying gaze. The victim is Held and defenseless.

Life Drain Ranged, Minor Damage (Negative), Self: Heal, Foe: -Accuracy
You can tap the power of the netherworld to steal some life from a target foe and reduce his accuracy. Some of that stolen life is transferred to you in the form of hit points.

Twilight Grasp Ranged, Foe -Accuracy -Damage, Team Heal
You channel Negative Energy from the Netherworld through yourself to a targeted foe. Twilight Grasp drains the power from that target and slowly transfers it to you and all nearby allies. The targeted foe's Accuracy and damage are reduced, while you and your nearby allies are healed.

Dark Servant Summon Dark Servant: Ranged Debuff Special
Summons a Dark Servant to your aid. The Dark Servant possesses an assortment of dark powers to weaken your foes. The summoned entity is not a willing servant, and it is only your power that binds it in this realm. The Dark Servant can be buffed and healed. Dark Servants are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Gloom Ranged, Moderate Damage over Time(Negative), Foe: -Accuracy
Gloom slowly drains a target of life, while reducing his accuracy. Slower than dark blast, but deals more damage over time.

Night Fall Ranged(Cone), Moderate Damage over Time(Negative), Foe: -Accuracy
Unleashes a cone shaped burst of particles from the netherworld. All targets within the modest range of this power take negative energy damage and have reduced accuracy.

unconfirmed

Darkest Night Toggle: Ranged Targeted area of effect, Foe -damage, Foe -accuracy
While active, you channel Negative Energy onto a targeted foe. Darkest Night decreases the damage potential and Accuracy of the target, and all foes nearby, as long as you keep the power active.

Tenebrous Tentacles Ranged(Cone), Minor Damage over Time(Negative), Foe: Immobilize, -Accuracy
You can create a cone shaped rift to the netherworld that allows its native creatures to slip their oily tentacles into our reality. These creatures will snare all foes within range, immobilizing them while the tentacles drain their life and reduce their accuracy.

Blackstar Point Blank Area of Effect, Extreme Damage(Negative), Self: -Recovery, Foe: -Accuracy
You can unleash a devastating blast of negative energy around yourself, dealing massive damage and severely reducing affected foes' accuracy. This power leaves you drained of endurance and unable to recover endurance for a while.

External Links

Official History of the Rikti Invasion