Carlos Mendoza

Carlos Mendoza was a mercenary in the employ of General Raveshaw during the First Tiberium War.
==Biography==
Carlos Mendoza had a psychotic personality and sadistic tendencies, but excelled in combat. Thus, after the extremists he was working for (the Sword of Chagall, a Colombian separatist movement) decided his methods were too extreme even for them, he was hired by the Black Hand. His bloodthirsty attitude soon earned him the antipathy of most regular Brotherhood members, who viewed him as a savage betraying the ways of Nod.
He was the personal bodyguard of General Raveshaw as well as one of the most effective Black Hand operatives. He specialized in heavy weapons, flamethrowers in particular, which he used without any protective suit (although he did use one whenever he was forced to). When Project ReGenesis was exposed to GDI and Havoc became a significant threat to the research effort by almost intercepting the jet plane they were evacuated with, Mendoza was sent to kill the GDI commando.
He failed however, and developed an obsession about Havoc and proceeded to stalk him throughout the burning village near the Black Hand base of operations. He failed again, and returned to Raveshaw in the chateau the Black Hand occupied. Eventually, the stronghold was infiltrated by Havoc in search for the missing scientists and during a tense standoff, Mendoza triggered a self-destruct sequence when he destroyed the research lab.
When Havoc and Dr. Sydney Mobius reached the helicopter pad in an effort to rescue the rest of the science staff (they were separated during the explosion), Mendoza stayed behind to fight Havoc there. Despite his proficiency in martial arts, captain Parker managed to gun him down as the mercenary attempted to kill Sydney. His flame tanks ruptured and engulfed him in fire, killing him.
==Gameplay==
Mendoza is first introduced in the introductory cinematic to Armored Assault, where he was recorded on security footage as he escorted the captured scientists. His first appearance in-game is at the end of the mission, where he serves as a miniboss of sorts. It's only necessary to bring him down to half health, after which he will escape. However, the player can avoid the fight by simply moving forward after the cutscene and sliding down the Hand of Nod's exterior wall. To enter the Fight, Exit the Hand of Nod through the main entrance and advance to the airfield.
He later ambushes the player in Deadly Reunion, where he camps the Nod helicopter crash site and for a second time, when he ambushes the player on his way to the town's cathedral. In both instances, all the player has to do is bring his health down, after which he will escape.
His last appearance is at the end of the Grip of the Black Hand mission, where he once again serves as a boss, covering Raveshaw's escape. He is initially unarmed, and engages the player in hand-to-hand combat, or so he thinks, since usually by this time player has quite an arsenal at their disposal. When brought to near-death, he attempts to kill Sydney, at which point it's rather easy to gun him down.
His death scene is bugged, as the camera circles the burning carcass with the player's entire HUD visible.
Mendoza's flamethrower seems to have the ability to shoot balls of fire in a manner similar to a rocket launcher.
===Multiplayer===
Mendoza is a playable character in Multiplayer. Apart from the standard issue (Timed C4 and a pistol), he carries the powerful Volt auto rifle, which fires a purple beam. He has also an alternate outfit available for him, which is a red fire retardant suit (basically, a retextured flamethrower infantry suit) with goggles. Despite the appearance, this alternate suit does not provide resistance to fire damage like the flamethrower infantry's suit does.
==Cut content/development==
Originally, Mendoza was supposed to be a scarred, Latino mercenary. However, somewhere along the road, as the decision was made to change Raveshaw's looks, the original Raveshaw model was altered and became Mendoza, while Mendoza's original design was scrapped. Notably, this design bears a resemblance to Ajay, a Nod field commander in the Third Tiberium War.
Mendoza was played by Gregg Berger, who also played Malcolm Granger.
==Gallery==
Old_Mendoza.jpg|Original concept art
Old Raveshaw.jpg|Final concept art, derived from Raveshaw's initial look
Nodmendoza.jpg|Carlos Mendoza in Renegade database
Renegade_Mendoza_Render.jpg|Render
Nodmendoza_cncr.jpg|Mendoza icon in multiplayer
Nodmendoza2.jpg|Ditto, alter skin
==References==
Category:Black Hand characters