 The Paragon Wiki Archive documents the state of City of Heroes/Villains as it existed on December 1, 2012.
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Vanguard
- This article is about the enemy group and organization. For the badge, see Vanguard Badge.
History
During the Rikti War, shortly after the initial Rikti attack, 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.
It sprang into action immediately, and began to effect stalemates similar to the one that had been reached in Paragon City. The aliens' advances were halted, but it seemed impossible to take back the territory they had already seized.
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.
Today, the Vanguard objectives are the same that they were years ago during the Rikti War. The organization opposes the Rikti wherever they show up, and so, the Rikti War Zone is a primary concern for the group, where they keep a strong presence encircling the downed Rikti starship.
But the Vanguard has a dark side too: Dedicated to stop the Rikti by whatever means necessary, they gladly recruit metahumans without any kind of distinction, not caring about the past of any new recruits. In practice this means that the Vanguard accepts into its ranks heroes as well as villains. This open door policy is causing a lot of tension between the organization and Longbow, whose point of view about the matter is completely different. Despite the fact that both groups fight for the same side and want to see the Rikti defeated, some of the Longbow leaders, such as W. M. Dietrich are especially critical of Vanguard.
And while the Vanguard fights for the planet as a whole and even has known villains in its ranks, villain groups such as the Malta Group or Arachnos are openly hostile to them, making its ally list even thinner.
Fighting an alien race in an open war, distrusted by hero organizations and attacked by villain groups, the Vanguard faces an uncertain future ahead. Only time will tell if the Vanguard and its allies succeed in their goals.
Structural Hierarchy
The Vanguard is split into 5 main divisions: The Helm, The Gauntlet, The Shield, The Herald, and The Sword.
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.
Benefits
Despite the overall situation of the group and its relations with the rest of the world, metahumans who join the Vanguard may reap the benefits of their service:
- Vanguard Medals
Just joining the Vanguard will net your char one medal. Continued action against the Rikti Ship can earn you another two. (Note that it is imperative that your char has the "Member of the Vanguard" medal if you want to earn Merits! I'm not sure you need to be a member of the Vanguard to earn the other two, but are completely related to the Vanguard.)
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Member of Vanguard You are now a member of Vanguard and can earn Merits for defeating Rikti. |
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Demolitionist You have helped place 10 bombs on the crashed Rikti ship in the Rikti War Zone. |
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Master At Arms You have defeated the Rikti Master At Arms from the crashed ship in the Rikti War Zone. |
The first thing a metahuman must do after joining is earning the Vanguard's favor. This can be done by earning Merits in battle. There are some way to do it: doing missions in the War Zone, defeating Rikti troops there or even attacking the Rikti Ship. Once enough Merits have been earned, they can be spent in different improvements.
The Vanguard can outfit recruits with the same Impervium Armor their troops use in battle. Each piece must be earned separatedly. (Please note that the Vanguard Armor is just one more option at the tailor and won't grant you char any special resistancer nor other benefits)
After fighting a technologically advanced alien race for years, the Vanguard has some high technology to offer to its allies: Mechs, Psi-weapons and even spells are all available to metahumans
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.
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
Currently, not every branch of the Vanguard may be found in game. The following Vanguard soldiers can be found, mostly as neutral or ally to heroes and villains.
Vanguard Shield
Minions
Vanguard Soldier
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.
Conference Security
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.
Note: Conference Security is a group of NPCs found in the mission Defend Vanguard Base from Levantera (Verify: May be Dark Watcher?). They actively fight the Rikti; however, if you defeat their enemies around them, they will remain in place and not attack further unless provoked.
Lieutenants
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
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 Colonel
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 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 HVAS
Main Article: 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.
Vanguard Shield
Minions
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 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 Eliminator
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
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 Magician
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 Sword
(Vanguard Sword Colonel?)
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
Willie Pete Round (Ranged) Targeted Area of Effect, Lethal/Smash Damage, Foe Knockback
The explosion from this Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.
Willie Pete Damage over Time (Fire)
You are on fire and burning!
Submachine Gun Ranged, Lethal, Low Damage, Foe -Defense
Rapid fire rifle. Can reduce target's defense.
Curse of Weariness (Ranged, Lethal, Foe -Defense) Cursed
You are tired. Your endurance total has been reduced.
Plasma Blast (Ranged, Energy) Foe -Regeneration
Plasma burns are hard to heal. The burns have halted your Regeneration rate.
Psi-Bomb (Area of Effect, No Damage) Foe Confuse, Stun
You are stunned and possibly confused.
Bayonet Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal/Energy), Damage over Time (Lethal), Foe -Resists (Lethal/Energy)
Your resistances have been weakened.
??? +Perception
Vanguard Sword Colonels can see through Stealth amd Invisibility.
Sword 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
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 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 HVAS
Main Article: 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.
Signature Heroes
Faultline (Pet)
Main Article: Faultline (As Ally)
See also: Jim Temblor (As Contact)
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 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.
Lady Grey (Henchman)
Main Article: Lady Grey (As Ally)
See also: The Lady Grey (As Task Force Contact)
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.
