Vintarid gfx revamp
Vintarid Surmount and Theurge
Surmount: There is a rumor among soldiers of a monstrosity that once plowed through an entire army alone. Those few that survived talking about an unstoppable, screaming horror, feeding on their fear itself, as if the hopelessness and inevitabiliy of defeat materialized in a form of a hulking monster.
Theurge: The elisuve Theurges are probably the least understood thing on the battlefield. The reason for that is their nature: hyperdimensional beings capable of crossing time as effortlessly as we cross the street. Anyone, and anything, that faces a Theurge in combat, may find themselves back at home after having a strange dream they can't remember.
Or worse - never have been born in the first place.
Now, back to 2017, that started with very little to show, until April, when I managed to finish some things I was working on. Those being:
Civilian vehicles
Updated Dreamspark and Phantasm
Vintarid Watcher, Shifter and Volatile Mind
Watcher: It's rare for anyone to be able to spot a Watcher, but those who do, report of a series of mishaps, disasters and conflicts following the encounter. Most of them also ends up going insane, locked in a psychiatric ward.
Shifter: Most humans abducted by the Vintarids end up abandoned to wander aimlessly, only to make them go feral when such need arises. For the rest of them, the most common fate used to be being sent back to their homes, with some modifications, where they could live their lives as if nothing happened, until given order to activate and wreck havoc.
Volatile Mind: Some people are more than willing to join the aliens, either due to naivety, or due to disgust for humanity. Others have such strong willpower that they need to be "acquired" regardless if they wish it or not. All of them receive a gift: ability to destroy objects with mere thought, at the cost of their mental stability.
Later I moved on to work on other Paladin Infantry, after which I went back to finish Vintarid ones.
Paladin Knightmare
These humanoids are entirely covered with metal armor plates, with purple flames sipping through the holes. They close in, causing fear and confusion with their breath, to cut their targets with their flaming swords.
Vintarid Sun's Chosen and Overseer
Sun's Chosen: Sun's Chosen are probably the most diabolical and terrifying weapon that the aliens use - a pregnant human woman with a developing Neonate inside her, controlling her thoughts and actions. When its mission ends, or it feels threatened, the Neonate dies, creating a rift that kills all life forms in the vicinity, including its host.
Overseer: Overseers are Theurges that appear in their true form - blonde humans of an unsettling beauty - commanding the Vintarid armies instead of engaging in combat themselves. Entering the battlefield has no effect on the control they have, but it splits their attention to their army and makes them unable to directly retaliate to attacks.
After that, with all Vintarid infantry being done, it was time to move to Essence again. First, another walker:
Essence Hephaestus Artillery Walker
Essence combat doctrine expects ground forces to require as little aerial support as possible (which also includes no transportation through air), a walker is more fitting for a heavy-gun platform, despite being potentially more vulnerable to attacks.
And then finally starting work on their infantry:
Essence Raider and Intruder
Raider: Raiders are mostly volunteers, often without even the most basic military training, eager to join the cause against the aliens that destroyed their lives. Amateurish, naive and unpredictable, they are generally disliked by any real military personnel.
Intruder: Each Intruder carries a backpack with enough power to support one strong area electromagnetic pulse that disables multiple targets at once. After using the charge, the device has to be left idle to recharge, otherwise, only a continuous single-target beam can be supported.
Essence Rocket Quad and Hunter
Rocker Quad: While squads of Raiders are generally hated by proper military personnel, Rocket Quads are the first, and the most widespread, truly professional force. The launchers they carry are used to fire both anti-tank and anti-air missiles, sometimes even mortar shells.
Hunter: Thanks to their rapid-fire sniper rifles, Hunters are able to quickly dispatch a small infantry squad from afar, which is especially helpful for base infiltration missions. They are also equipped with explosive charges they can plant on buildings and vehicles.
Essence Engineer and Surveillance Drone
Engineer: After moving into a ca area, it's often necessary to secure enemy equipment and make adjustments to support the conquering army. Engineers are equipped with what's necessary to do exactly that. When the need arises, they can also use their suitcase as a timed bomb.
Surveillance Drone: Fragile and unarmed, but fairly cheap and easily accessible, these flying drones provide anyone who purchases them with necessary intelligence and situational awareness.
Hopefully, I'll manage to finish Essence infantry soon, and then I'll be able to move to Paladins.
That's it for this year. Have a happy new one.
