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Description
VanGuard is a 250 ft colossus known as an Atlas, built during a desperate time of war when humanity and meta-humans had to combine their strength to defend earth against a powerful alien enemy known as the Sovereign.
Various Atlases were built for different circumstances. VanGuard is a heavy class Atlas, designed for frontline combat against the most powerful of foes. VanGuard's frontline duty meant it required the heaviest armour to take the brunt of attacks and had to be equipped with the most powerful weaponry available to takedown and destroy its enemies. He runs on nuclear power from a reactor core in his center. The cockpit is located in the chest of the Altas were it is more protected, whilst the head is used for enhanced sensors and also a decoy for those trying to attack the pilot.
Due to the urgency of the defence effort, VanGuard was built to be a melee Atlas, with focus on physical strength and defence. A ranged weapon was never designed for it like later models. It was amongst the slowest of the Atlas units due to its heavy plating armour, though that speed was a worthwhile sacrifice for the immense strength and fortitude it gained. Though one of the slowest of its kind, it is by no means a slow machine, capable of moving exactly like a human. VanGuard was the third strongest Atlas available during the Sovereign War, and without a doubt one of the best of the 49 that were deployed.
Of all the Atlases, only VanGuard remained functional and intact when the war was won by the defending forces.

Equipment:-

Devil-Fists
It can be noted that the design of VanGuard's armoured wrists is significantly different from the rest of the Atlas' appearance. These "wrist guards" are built to power up one of VanGuard's strikes to absolute devastating effect, capable of decimating the enemy and a portion of the surrounding area with shockwave damage. VanGuard is capable of using this ability twice as each wrist is equipped with the amplifying technology. Once used however, it can take several weeks for the devices to recharge enough power to use again.

Foot-Spikes
Though the sheer weight of VanGuard will often keep him grounded and stable during potential onslaughts from enemies, large foot spikes have been installed on the base of VanGuards feet should the Atlas need to be grounded against powerful concussive blasts. The primary purpose of the foot spikes is to prevent the Atlas from falling, as a tumble from an Atlas can potentially cause significant collateral damage. The foot spikes are usually utilized during the Devil Fist attack to further ground VanGuard against the force of his own strike. Though uncommon, they can also be used to attack, should crushing an enemy underfoot not prove to inflict enough damage.

Cooldown
VanGuard was an early model Atlas, somewhat rushed in design compared to the later iterations of the more perfected Atlases since it was desperately needed to fight as soon as possible. He runs on a nuclear reactor drive, though often, the extreme movements of the Atlas along with the sheer weight and power of it can put stress on the systems and the Atlas itself when the Reactor begins to overwork itself to keep up with the demand. It is prone to overheating, and at times needs to vent and cool down. Shafts within the armour will open up to allow for excessive steam to escape, whilst air enters VanGuard to help cool it. That steam is smouldering hot.
Richard Hunt used to save the process for when the battle was over, though now utilizes it during combat. So much steam escapes that it can cloud VanGuard, obscuring view of the Atlas to help it evade oncoming attacks. It’s biggest use has come during combat itself, in which VanGuard is able to use the cooldown mechanic to force enemy units from his chasis should he be boarded, using hot steam to force smaller units to fallback, as well as using it to distract larger opponents during the war from oncoming strikes.

Sensors
VanGuard is equipped with multiple sensors that alert him to his environment and surroundings. It can warn VanGuard’s pilot of incoming attacks, and provide some initial details on the size and estimated power of the approaching target.
Installed within VanGuard is also a threat assessment program that advises the pilot on whether to engage the target or not when initial details were displayed. Hunt often joked to fellow pilots that no matter how great and impossible the threat was, the assessment program always advised taking on the threat, to which VanGuard gained a reputation of always wanting to fight no matter how great the enemy was.

Protective Inner Shield
Atlases came under fire from all manner of attacks during the Sovereign War. In the early stages of the war, Sovereign forces managed to disable Atlases from afar before launching an assault using EMP blasts. It completely disabled an Atlas and rendered them defenceless against the coming onslaught. Heavy modifications were made to the existing Atlases to protect them from the EMP blasts. A protective shield was built around the cockpit to protect the major systems of older Atlases, whilst the newer builds received full protection for the cockpit and the Atlas itself during their construction.
As one of the first Atlases constructed, VanGuard’s systems are unphased by EMP blasts thanks to this modification; however an EMP blast is still capable of disabling his Devil Fist attack and can cause significant delays in deploying the footspikes as they are not protected. Long ranged sensors are also disabled removing VanGuard’s early warning system, though VanGuard is still effective in combat with short range sensors protected by the counter technology.
The protective shield also proved highly dependable for protecting the pilot itself from psionic attacks or attempts at mind control, keeping the Atlas and their pilot protected from such a dangerous element.

---------

So here's my new DU character to add to the roster. The Last Atlas, VanGuard who is piloted by a grizzled veteran, Richard Hunt. I'm hoping to portray him as the oldguard, having been used in a war nearly half a century ago in an event that isn't unlike what the modern heroes and villains of today go through. I'm hoping to include potential flashbacks of the war he was involved in from time to time. He's a little unique in the sense that he's a giant robot, so it might limit him from some challenges, but I'm hoping he will fit right into the DU family.

Hopefully you'll see more of this guy in the new year. Don't worry about Blaze, you'll hopefully still see plenty of her too in the coming challenges For those that wish to draw him in the coming future should he be involved with your character in a challenge, don't worry about all the little details and what not. Heck, I skip enough details on many of your characters so make him as basic as possible

VanGuard & Richard Hunt belong to

Description
VanGuard is a 250 ft colossus known as an Atlas, built during a desperate time of war when humanity and meta-humans had to combine their strength to defend earth against a powerful alien enemy known as the Sovereign.
Various Atlases were built for different circumstances. VanGuard is a heavy class Atlas, designed for frontline combat against the most powerful of foes. VanGuard's frontline duty meant it required the heaviest armour to take the brunt of attacks and had to be equipped with the most powerful weaponry available to takedown and destroy its enemies. He runs on nuclear power from a reactor core in his center. The cockpit is located in the chest of the Altas were it is more protected, whilst the head is used for enhanced sensors and also a decoy for those trying to attack the pilot.
Due to the urgency of the defence effort, VanGuard was built to be a melee Atlas, with focus on physical strength and defence. A ranged weapon was never designed for it like later models. It was amongst the slowest of the Atlas units due to its heavy plating armour, though that speed was a worthwhile sacrifice for the immense strength and fortitude it gained. Though one of the slowest of its kind, it is by no means a slow machine, capable of moving exactly like a human. VanGuard was the third strongest Atlas available during the Sovereign War, and without a doubt one of the best of the 49 that were deployed.
Of all the Atlases, only VanGuard remained functional and intact when the war was won by the defending forces.

Equipment:-

Devil-Fists
It can be noted that the design of VanGuard's armoured wrists is significantly different from the rest of the Atlas' appearance. These "wrist guards" are built to power up one of VanGuard's strikes to absolute devastating effect, capable of decimating the enemy and a portion of the surrounding area with shockwave damage. VanGuard is capable of using this ability twice as each wrist is equipped with the amplifying technology. Once used however, it can take several weeks for the devices to recharge enough power to use again.

Foot-Spikes
Though the sheer weight of VanGuard will often keep him grounded and stable during potential onslaughts from enemies, large foot spikes have been installed on the base of VanGuards feet should the Atlas need to be grounded against powerful concussive blasts. The primary purpose of the foot spikes is to prevent the Atlas from falling, as a tumble from an Atlas can potentially cause significant collateral damage. The foot spikes are usually utilized during the Devil Fist attack to further ground VanGuard against the force of his own strike. Though uncommon, they can also be used to attack, should crushing an enemy underfoot not prove to inflict enough damage.

Cooldown
VanGuard was an early model Atlas, somewhat rushed in design compared to the later iterations of the more perfected Atlases since it was desperately needed to fight as soon as possible. He runs on a nuclear reactor drive, though often, the extreme movements of the Atlas along with the sheer weight and power of it can put stress on the systems and the Atlas itself when the Reactor begins to overwork itself to keep up with the demand. It is prone to overheating, and at times needs to vent and cool down. Shafts within the armour will open up to allow for excessive steam to escape, whilst air enters VanGuard to help cool it. That steam is smouldering hot.
Richard Hunt used to save the process for when the battle was over, though now utilizes it during combat. So much steam escapes that it can cloud VanGuard, obscuring view of the Atlas to help it evade oncoming attacks. It’s biggest use has come during combat itself, in which VanGuard is able to use the cooldown mechanic to force enemy units from his chasis should he be boarded, using hot steam to force smaller units to fallback, as well as using it to distract larger opponents during the war from oncoming strikes.

Sensors
VanGuard is equipped with multiple sensors that alert him to his environment and surroundings. It can warn VanGuard’s pilot of incoming attacks, and provide some initial details on the size and estimated power of the approaching target.
Installed within VanGuard is also a threat assessment program that advises the pilot on whether to engage the target or not when initial details were displayed. Hunt often joked to fellow pilots that no matter how great and impossible the threat was, the assessment program always advised taking on the threat, to which VanGuard gained a reputation of always wanting to fight no matter how great the enemy was.

Protective Inner Shield
Atlases came under fire from all manner of attacks during the Sovereign War. In the early stages of the war, Sovereign forces managed to disable Atlases from afar before launching an assault using EMP blasts. It completely disabled an Atlas and rendered them defenceless against the coming onslaught. Heavy modifications were made to the existing Atlases to protect them from the EMP blasts. A protective shield was built around the cockpit to protect the major systems of older Atlases, whilst the newer builds received full protection for the cockpit and the Atlas itself during their construction.
As one of the first Atlases constructed, VanGuard’s systems are unphased by EMP blasts thanks to this modification; however an EMP blast is still capable of disabling his Devil Fist attack and can cause significant delays in deploying the footspikes as they are not protected. Long ranged sensors are also disabled removing VanGuard’s early warning system, though VanGuard is still effective in combat with short range sensors protected by the counter technology.
The protective shield also proved highly dependable for protecting the pilot itself from psionic attacks or attempts at mind control, keeping the Atlas and their pilot protected from such a dangerous element.

---------

So here's my new DU character to add to the roster. The Last Atlas, VanGuard who is piloted by a grizzled veteran, Richard Hunt. I'm hoping to portray him as the oldguard, having been used in a war nearly half a century ago in an event that isn't unlike what the modern heroes and villains of today go through. I'm hoping to include potential flashbacks of the war he was involved in from time to time. He's a little unique in the sense that he's a giant robot, so it might limit him from some challenges, but I'm hoping he will fit right into the DU family.

Hopefully you'll see more of this guy in the new year. Don't worry about Blaze, you'll hopefully still see plenty of her too in the coming challenges For those that wish to draw him in the coming future should he be involved with your character in a challenge, don't worry about all the little details and what not. Heck, I skip enough details on many of your characters so make him as basic as possible

VanGuard & Richard Hunt belong to