Mercenary/Legends
- "Look, I ain't in this for your revolution, and I'm not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in it for the money."
- ―Han Solo, to Leia Organa, outlining the common views of mercenaries and their work
A mercenary (merc for short), sometimes also called soldier of fortune, hired gun, or free lance, was a soldier who fought or worked in other ways (mostly in those involving violence) for any faction in exchange for a desirable amount of money.
Sometimes, the word mercenary was used as a derogatory term for someone who valued credits over other things, such as ideals or kinship.[2]
Characteristics
Mercenaries served mostly as troopers or pilots for hire, but also as bodyguards and enforcers. They worked in other military assignments[3] as well, for example in those involving testing the equipment,[4] liberating abducted people[5] or retrieving, transporting and protecting valuable goods or items.[6] Some even outfitted other beings with devices and equipment they may need. They appeared in all known eras, being especially active when conflicts erupted.[3] Mercenaries were often said to be opportunistic and concerned only on profits and "survival to fight another day". Mostly they had "neutral" affiliation and were hired by many fighting forces without actually joining them. In some cases though, they grew sympathetic to their clients, such as Kyle Katarn or Han Solo, who eventually joined the Rebel Alliance. Many mercenaries were also defectors from armies or ex-soldiers, often from special forces, thus having versatility and abilities very useful in their occupation.
Mercenaries always were equipped with weapons, often they also carried personal armor and multiple devices allowing them to fulfill their employer's demands.
Many civilizations were specialized in mercenary business. The Mandalorians have served the galaxy as mercenaries for thousands of years. Having complicated history behind them, Mistryl Shadow Guard dedicated themselves to serve as mercenaries to save their people. Due to their incredible brute strength and low intelligence, Gamorreans were often employed as mercenaries for less demanding. Many Rodians, Trandoshans, Ubese and Weequay were working throughout the galaxy as mercs.[7]
History
Mercenaries from several factions (like Echani, Iridonians and Mandalorians) were employed in the Jedi Civil War by both Sith and Galactic Republic forces. Prior to the splitting of the Mandalorians into two factions, they were among the most famous and skilled mercenaries in the galaxy. During the Clone Wars, the Separatists often hired mercenaries to perform special operations and other services that required more finesse or creativity than could be found in their droid army. The Republic was not above hiring mercenaries for many of the same reasons. Under the rule of the Galactic Empire, powerful mercenary organizations were either employed by the Empire or hunted down and wiped out,[8] although many mercs were defectors from the Imperial service. The Rebel Alliance hired several privateers in the Galactic Civil War.
List of mercenary units
- "We're soldiers. We don't ask questions. We supply answers. With an entire corporate world about to sway over to the New Republic, and the New Republic unable to openly confront the Pentastar Alignment, you need someone else to fight the battle. We are that someone else."
- ―Sully Tigereye
Mercenaries worked either as freelancers or as members of some larger military unit or mercenary guild. Some of them included:
- Ailon Nova Guard
- Black Curs
- Brommstaad Mercenaries
- Churhee's Riflemen
- First Sun Mobile Regiment
- Grrtok's Band
- Laramus Base Irregulars
- Mistryl Shadow Guard
- Nova Force
- Rebel privateers
- Red Moons
Behind the scenes
Most Star Wars mercenary units are interstellar versions of real-world private military companies, a mercenary-type, privately owned paramilitary organization that provides security detail and military support.
"The Merc" was one of the original twenty-four character templates used by the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, first published in the first edition rulebook.[9]
The mercenary is an advanced class for the bounty hunter class in the Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO video game. This advanced class specializes in dual-wielded blasters, missile launchers, and dealing damage in battle as well as healing. The Republic counterpart for this archetype is the Commando.[10]
Appearances
Sources
Notes and references
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
"Clone Wars Miniatures Preview 4" on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Starfighter
- ↑ 5.0 5.1
"Blaze of Glory" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 8
- ↑ Underworld: The Yavin Vassilika
- ↑ Ultimate Alien Anthology
- ↑
"Special Ops: The Mercenary"—Star Wars Gamer 8
- ↑ Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
- ↑ File:SWTOR mini.png STAR WARS: The Old Republic Fan Friday (August 20 2010) on The Old Republic's official website (backup link)
