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MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries

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{{InfoBoxProduct | image = MechWarrior 2 Mercenaries.jpg | name = MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries | type = Computer game | author = | development = | primarywriting = | pages = | cover = | interiorart = | illustrations = | publisher = Activision | productioncode = | year = 1996 | ISBN10 = | ISBN13 = | MSRP = | content = | era = Succession Wars era
Clan Invasion era | agency = | universedate = 10 May [[3044]-20 May 3052 | timeline = | scrollable timeline = | series = MechWarrior (video games) | precededby = MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat | followedby = MechWarrior 3 }} Activision's MechWarrior II: Mercenaries is a 1996 computer game set in the BattleTech universe. It is based on the same engine as its predecessor, MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and thus also tagged "MechWarrior 2" although it is a standalone game.

MW2MercsCluebook1.jpg

A cluebook was published for the game titled MechWarrior 2 Mercenaries - The Official Strategy Guide.

MW2MercsCluebook2.jpg

Canonicity

Computer games are explicitly excluded from the list of products that contribute straight Canon to the BattleTech universe while at the same time it was stated that the IP owners are "not in total denial about these sources either"; it has also been stated that fluff from certain official, licensed products (namely certain computer games including those produced by Activision) can be assumed to be part of the shared universe as long as it is not directly contradicted, and makes sense. On this premise, MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries is considered an apocryphal product.

Plot synopsis

The player takes contracts from four factions: the Draconis Combine (DC), the Federated Commonwealth (FC), ComStar (CS), and the Free Rasalhague Republic (FRR). The player can take contracts from both sides without censure from either, though doing so will cause time-limited contract openings to close if the player is already "booked". During the game, the Draconis Combine and Federated Commonwealth are making the initial moves towards yet another war, wile the FRR and CS try to play both sides against each other. The game occurs in the aftermath of the DC/ FC War of 3039 (which was effectively a stalemate) and buildup by both sides towards the next war.

Missions include helping—and crushing—uprisings (to the benefit of the one of the primary factions), deep recon and raids, anti-pirate campaigns, and fights against other mercenary units. The player can also attempt to win the title of "Champion of Solaris" in mech on mech battles in the Solaris VII arena. These missions proved so popular that they were brought back in the spiritual sequel of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries.

The buildup to war between the two Great Powers suddenly takes a dramatic turn with the invasion of the Clans. The player is thrust into the battles against the "unknown 'Mechs" of the Clans (though if the player has played Mechwarrior 2, he or she will recognize most of the 'Mechs and their capabilities). After spending some time as a prisoner of Clan Wolf, the player returns to the Inner Sphere and fights some of the major battles of the invasion such as the Battle of Wolcott (which is represented inaccurately as a multi-day campaign rather than a multi-minute ambush) as well as the climatic Invasion of Luthien.

The Game ends with a cutscene from the last day of the Battle of Tukayyid, with a lance from the Com Guards stopping a Clan Star and only a single Atlas surviving the carnage.

Backstory

Starting on Outreach on May 10th 3044 the player is bequeathed a COM-7X Commando and a million C-Bills by the former Colonel Holly Harris of the late Team Venom; the player is the only survivor of the unit's latest mission as shown in the game's intro cinematics.

Venaria Campaign

Galedon V Campaign

New Ivaarsen Campaign

New Ivaarsen Campaign II

Liezen Campaign

Gravenhage Campaign

Solaris VII Championship

Sigurd Campaign

Wolcott Campaign

Last Frontier Campaign

Battle of Luthien

Featured BattleMechs

Inner Sphere

Clan

Resources

Media

Downloads

See also

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