The Factions

Ground Pounder will initially feature with four factions: the courageous Alliance, the mercenary Free Strikers, the inhuman Ravagers and the implacable Hierarchy. Each faction features a unique style of game play both between the factions and within the factions themselves depending on the composition of your force.

The Alliance

Combining industrial might with sophisticated technology, the Alliance forms the core governmental body and military arm of the human sphere. Alliance forces are highly trained and motivated professional soldiers equipped with the latest technology that science has to offer. Formed to police human colonies and protect against alien aggression there are those within the council who feel that the Alliance should be expanded to include those non-humans who wish its protection. Others disagree and feel such inclusion would only serve to weaken the human race. The recent treaty with the alari has only fueled this controversy and has led to a deep divide that appears to heading towards civil war for the Alliance.

The Ravagers

On the fringes of known space are the Ravagers, inhuman creatures who only seek to pillage and destroy. Nobody knows where they come from and few live to tell the tale of an encounter with them. The products of early genetic experiments to create the ultimate soldiers, the Ravagers are hybrids of human, animal and alien DNA. Proving too unstable to be used safely they turned on their creators before they could be destroyed. Ravagers possess superior natural abilities enhanced with cybernetic modifications. Although the average Ravager is not very intelligent, they are formed into “packs” by highly intelligent alphas who use a combination of psionic control and aggression to lead.

The Drax Hierarchy

Controlled by the implacable alien race known as the drax, the Hierarchy serves only to conquer and enslave. Hierarchy forces are fearsome, utilizing warriors bred for war which are clad in bio-mechanical armor and deploy advanced energy weapons. Drawn to worlds rich in sentient life, the Hierarchy has descended upon countless civilizations, leaving behind only smoking ruins. Those unlucky enough to survive the initial onslaught are enslaved, only to have their psychic energy (some say their souls) siphoned off by hungry drax, leaving behind a mindless husk. It is only due to the Hierarchy’s feudal nature, where disputes are common among rival overlords, that the known galaxy hasn’t been entirely enslaved under their rule.

The Free Strikers

Free Strikers live in a universe where there are no friends, no allies, only clients and targets. With no allegiances to governments, nations or corporations, teams of Free Strikers are common throughout the human sphere, selling their skills and talents to the highest bidder. Free Strikers are experts in their chosen fields and are equipped with the best black market weapons and technology that money can buy. Befitting their mercenary nature, teams of Free Strikers are known to operate individually while individual Free Strikers have been know to work for other factions. The life of a Free Striker is tough, but the rewards can be considerable.