Vanguard

The Vanguard is a human resistance group, and one of the three main factions of Stormgate.
==Overview==
The Vanguard was formed to serve as humanity's last bastion of defense with Earth on the brink of extinction. Representing the greatest scientific minds, toughest soldiers, and most brilliant strategists from around the world, the Vanguard stands resolute against the invading Infernal Host. Protectors by necessity, the Vanguard is a decentralized2023-06-17, Stormgate Gameplay Reveal AMA - All Answers. Reddit, accessed on 2023-06-21 "scrappy" group scattered all over Earth. The Vanguard has managed to preserve knowledge concerning advanced robotics and other scientific know-how. Their structures are built using advanced 3D printing.2022-12-24, Frost Giant Newsletter - December '22. Much of their technology is repurposed from the time before the Infernals' invasion of Earth.2023-05-30, Stormgate Human Units Revealed! | Stormgate Snapshots. YouTube, accessed on 2023-06-08
Elite Vanguard units are split into "Dagger teams" composed of its most veteran units. These soldiers tend to use colorful callsigns on the battlefield for ease of communications.Vanguard, PlayStormgate. Accessed on 2023-12-22
===History===
The Vanguard was formed after the Second Invasion. Much time was spent rediscovering human technology from before the coming of the Infernals.2022-10-15, Stormgate Developer Interviews with Frost Giant Studios. YouTube, accessed on 2022-10-19
Approximately twenty years after the start of the invasion, a Vanguard operative was able to locate and secure the Aegis Cipher. The Vanguard began examining this relic, collecting valuable data to aid them in locating other artifacts. It was believed that success would allow the Vanguard to mount a decisive counter-offensive to strike at the heart of the Infernal Host.2022-08-03, Re: War Update. Stormgate Reddit, accessed on 2022-08-04 However, things were complicated by the coming of the Celestial Armada, as while the Celestials were enemies of the Infernals, humanity was caught in the crossfire.2024-06-10, THE CELESTIAL ARMADA IS COMING. PlayStormgate, accessed on 2024-07-01
==Gameplay==
The Vanguard is designed to be the most approachable faction in Stormgate.2023-06-12, The Perfect Mix of Warcraft & Starcraft? Stormgate Developers Deep Dive. YouTube, accessed on 2023-06-14 Compared to the game's other factions, the Vanguard is the most 'standard' group in the game, with multiple similarities to past RTS titles.2024-07-12, Stormgate Hands-On: Modern RTS Masterpiece In The Making. CGM, accessed on 2024-07-13 The Vanguard is themed around the use of technology,2022-12-07, Stormgate Technology & Art Reveal - December 2022. YouTube, accessed on 2022-12-07 and has access to a variety of mechanical units. This includes mechs, tanks, artillery, and track/wheel vehicles.29-06-22, Frost Giant AMA - All Questions and Answers. Reddit, accessed on 2022-07-04 Many Vanguard mechanical units are able to convert into an alternate mode.
Per their nature as a resistance force, the Vanguard excels in defensive gameplay. Compared to the Infernals, the Vanguard field fewer, tougher, and larger units.2022-12-09, PC GAMER COVER FEATURE: GAME MODELS AND ART. Stormgate Nexus, accessed on 2022-12-14 The Vanguard has a lot of healing and support units which are designed to operate in tandem with one another.2023-05-30, Stormgate Human Units Revealed! | Stormgate Snapshots. YouTube, accessed on 2023-06-08 
Unique to the Vanguard faction is a veterancy system. Keeping Vanguard units alive will give them an opportunity to earn experience and level up, gaining increased health. Each Vanguard unit starts at level 1, and can reach level 3 through gaining XP.2024-01-30, New Unit + Patch Notes w/ Artosis. YouTube, accessed on 2024-02-01 With each level gained, the unit's health and damage increases. XP is shared between units—80% goes to the unit who took the kill, and the remaining 20% is shared with adjacent Vanguard units. In the event of a solo kill, 100% of the XP goes to the unit in question.
Overall, the Vanguard are all about survivability and keeping units alive long enough to upgrade them through veteran level-ups, growing stronger with each successful engagement.2024-06-09, Stormgate Hands-On Preview. GameRant, accessed on 2024-06-29 The Vanguard is suited to players who value survivability in an RTS.
===Structures===
*Barracks
*Biokinetics lab
*Command post
**Central command
*Gantry
*Habitat
**Rampart
**Solar habitat
*Hangar bay
*Machine factory
*Mech bay
*Sentry post
**Buzzsaw cannon
**Flak cannon
**Sentry array
*Therium refinery
===Units===
*Aerial bomber
*Atlas
*B.O.B.
*Evac
*Exo
*Giga-mech
*Graven
*Hedgehog
*Hornet
**Sky mine
*Lancer
*MedTech
*Multi-fighter mech
*S.C.O.U.T.
*Sensor drone
*Sentinel
*Skyrider
*Vulcan
==Known Branches==
*Vanguard High Command
*Warhawks
==Known Members==
*Deputy Director T
===Civilian===
*Tara Fletcher
===Military===
*Captain Carl Barclay
*Amara Nassar
==Notes==
*The core identity of the Vanguard is "plucky human resistance," with a focus on adaptability.
*The Vanguard's formation will be depicted over the course of the game's storyline.
===Development===
*The Vanguard was the first faction developed for Stormgate. It was designed to feel familiar to players.2024-07-24, Stormgate: A new generation of RTS | PC Gaming Show documentary. YouTube, accessed on 2024-07-25
*Early in the development of Stormgate, a "Human Resistance" was portrayed as the de facto human faction. Over time, this shifted to the Vanguard, with the "Human Resistance" scarcely being mentioned. In June, 2023, Micky Neilson stated that the Vanguard was one of the branches of the Resistance.2023-06-17, Stormgate Gameplay Reveal AMA - All Answers. Reddit, accessed on 2023-06-21 Since then, however, there has been no mention of a Human Resistance faction. To this end, the article has treated both groups as being the same.
*Vanguard technology is defined by bulky suits of armor, pouches, and useful-yet-imperfect holograms. Their weapons shoot bullets, not lasers. The development team took inspiration from real-world science, thinking what 50-70 years of future innovation would look like.2022-06-09, Frost Giant Studios’ Debut Mixes Starcraft With Diablo. Wired, accessed on 2022-07-06 While the Vanguard is more technologically advanced than humanity of the present day, it is still intended to be relatable to players.2022-12-23, James Anhalt & Tim Morten Interview: SnowPlay Technology & Stormgate. ScreenRant, accessed on 2022-12-24
*In late 2022, the concept team spent six weeks focusing on the visual development of the Vanguard.
====Inspirations====
*The Vanguard takes direct inspiration from the terrans of StarCraft.2022-06-09, Frost Giant Studios’ Debut Mixes Starcraft With Diablo. Wired, accessed on 2022-07-06 It has been suggested (though not by Frost Giant themselves) that the Vanguard are representative of the StarCraft IP as a whole.
*The aesthetics of the Vanguard have been described as being "somewhere between" the terrans of StarCraft and the aesthetic of Overwatch.2023-06-11, Stormgate fuses StarCraft and Warcraft in new gameplay footage. Video Games, accessed on 2023-06-14
*It has been implied that the Vanguard take some inspiration from the Alliance faction in Warcraft.2024-06-10, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnq6SQnYk94&t= Stormgate third faction reveal trailer and developer interview | PC Gaming Show 2024]. YouTube, accessed on 2024-07-01
==References==
Category: Human organizations