The Family
Overview
The Family is an enemy group in City of Heroes and City of Villains.
Background
The Family official info ( Copied from the City of Heroes official website [1]):
Despite a world of giant monsters, super-powered vigilantes, undead horrors, and alien invaders, there are those who believe the old values and established traditions are the most important things in life. These rough men by their nature live on the edges of law-abiding society. They deal in the illegal and the immoral, and create a space for themselves through the rule of the gun or knife. They profit by exploiting the weakness of others while maintaining a veneer of civility around the Sunday night dining table. They are 'The Family' .
The origins of The Family can be traced directly to Paragon City in the 70s, and even more loosely back to the 20s and 30s. In the heyday of organized crime, Paragon’s underworld was controlled by the Sicilian Families: Blundetto, Bonanno, Dante, Denaro, Garibaldi, Genovese, Gravano, Gualtieri, Liggio, Marcone, Navarra, Troia, and Verandi. A who’s who of Italian names originally from Corleone and Capaci, and Palermo Centro and Santa Maria di Gesu. The Prohibition era was a boon to them, as Rhode Island was one of two states not to ratify the 18th Amendment to the Constitution (“Prohibition”), and 400 miles of Rhode Island’s un-policed coastline was a dream for rumrunners who smuggled in good quality liquor from Canada and the Bahamas.
Several of the families were rumored to be funded by some mysterious benefactor. He was some sort of wealthy industrialist (the stories say), who provided a significant investment of cash for them to run their rackets. In exchange, he gained influence over them and could potentially manipulate them for his ulterior motives. This benefactor may have also helped arm and equip the gangs, for they certainly had an easy time accessing military-grade munitions.
One of the families to gain prominence early was the Marcone family. They operated from a speakeasy called Caesar’s, which was visited every week by Prohibition agents … who delivered cases of wine, scotch, rye, and gin! The agents would then enjoy their fill of Marcone food and drink, sitting down in the cellar with the Marcones and their guests.
The Sicilian Families bought the police, owned the politicians, and put the fear of the mob into the hearts of the hardworking poor of Paragon City. They controlled the rackets, the speakeasies, the bootlegging, and the prostitution. Territory was fought over in quick and bloody strikes, but for the most part there was enough profit for everyone to fill their pockets and the families were held together by Old World traditions. The Sicilian Families rose to dominate the New England mafia, ruling from Paragon, Rhode Island.
Gang wars, gambling dens, and backroom deals were the order of the day – until it all changed with the birth of the Freedom Phalanx in the 1930s. Statesman’s team put tremendous pressure on the organized crime families, and rather than band together they tended to tear each other apart. Several families were destroyed in this era, any mysterious benefactors were scared off, and they lost control of the New England mafia – with control moving to Boston. A “tough-on-crime” mayor and city council was elected in 1936, and those who survived the mass-arrests scurried back into the shadows.
The crime lords nursed their wounds and slowly rebuilt their empires, bringing in their families, absorbing distant cousins, promoting proven soldiers. By the 1960s, the Sicilian Families were ready to plunder Paragon once again. At a sit-down at Bell Point in the heart of Independence Port, territory was again divvied up and partitioned. Several families would stake their claims in Paragon, focusing on Independence Port and Steel Canyon, a few would move out to the territory of Striga Isle, while other families would move into the Rogue Isles in the wake of the lucrative mining and industrial ventures currently booming off the coast.
The Marcones rapidly moved into the Rogue Isles, where they took root before any of their rivals could find a niche. They bought their way into the docks, brought in drugs and prostitutes for the miners, and fought fiercely with anyone who got in their way. In Paragon, meanwhile, the other families formed partnerships with a number of drug cartels and street gangs.
One of the up-and-coming drug traffickers was a young hood named Harry Frost. Frost had a rap sheet for petty larceny, and was arrested several times for distribution of controlled substances, but the charges never stuck. He managed to avoid tangling with the street-oriented Super Groups, like the Regulators, but still made a name for himself as a “go to” guy. When the Regulators and the Dawn Patrol teamed up and took their War on Drugs to the drug fields of South America and Central Asia the North American street dealers panicked. Many got out of the business or went into hiding, but long-range thinkers like Frost bided their time and made sure they were positioned to take advantage of the next big thing – it happened to be the first cut of Superadine.
Harry became the contact point for Superadine. Numerous dealers crawled back out of the woodwork and lined up to be on his payroll. With such an ever-increasing street rep Harry could no longer keep a low profile, and his men began to clash with the various Super Groups in Paragon. Frost’s gang was known as the Frost Cartel, and they ran the entire supply chain for Superadine, acting as the contact and distribution point for the Sicilian Families.
At one point the Regulators managed to corner Frost and deliver him to the authorities. While he suffered a brief stint in prison, his lieutenants struck back hard at the Regulators. In the midst of a brutal ambush, the Illustrated Woman, aka Mina Horne, was killed. These events ratcheted up the tension between the groups. When Frost was released a short time later after several key witnesses disappeared, the animosity between him and Back Alley Brawler and the Regulators was extreme.
Back Alley Brawler redoubled his efforts to put a dent in the drug trade on Paragon’s streets. After a series of daring raids put the heat on the traffickers, the Regulators followed a tip to a front company for the Frost Cartel. In late 1982, the Regulators stormed a building that concealed a major distribution center for the Cartel, and they closed it down. Harry Frost had been at the site at the time, and he attempted to flee. Frost was chased to the roof by Back Alley Brawler, and during the confrontation Frost was accidentally killed, falling to his death. An investigation cleared the Back Alley Brawler of any suspicion, but Frost’s death would have major implications for the city.
Meanwhile, despite the Regulators efforts the Superadine flow didn’t stop. Several other dealers immediately filled Harry’s role – it was as if some mysterious benefactor was supplying them. The Regulators worked with the mystics in the Midnight Squad to finally track the drug back to a source – a secret laboratory beneath a skyscraper in Steel Canyon. They uncovered a well-funded, high-tech research center where the scientists were studying the effects of Superadine on a wide range of test subjects. The Regulators shut the facility down with the help of the Freedom Phalanx, and although the scientists were arrested, over the ensuing weeks they would vanish into the system – clearly they had powerful connections who could pull strings for them. Similarly, much of the equipment and research vanished in a cloud of “national security.”
The respite from the drug trade was very short lived. It wasn’t long before some powerful figure seemed to be approaching the various leaders of the Sicilian Families and bringing them together. Both branches of the families, in Paragon and the Rogue Isles, appeared to be working more smoothly together than ever before. Additionally, they redoubled their efforts to deal in Superadine. Amongst other possible sources, they seemed to have liberated some of the equipment the Regulators turned over to the authorities.
The Paragon Police Department noticed that the various families’ soldiers, capos, and underbosses appeared to be working for a common cause – a more rigid control of the underworld. They also reported a much higher rate of encountering super-powered individuals in any gathering of these Mafiosi. It was as if they had access to a cleaner strain of Superadine for themselves. Eventually it was confirmed that some sort of Capo di tutti Capi (“boss of all bosses”) had unified the dons and their respective forces, and they were now all considered part of a new organization: The Family.
In Paragon post-Rikti War, The Family runs Independence Port, and has heavy influence in Steel Canyon. They also use Striga Isle as a way point between Paragon City and the Rogue Isles. The core of their business depends on the flow of Superadine. It is where they make their most profits, though of course they still deal heavily in racketeering, blackmail, selling illegal arms, trafficking in other soft and hard drugs, and prostitution. They also deal in burgeoning markets of pirated DVDs and electronics, and classic crimes of hijacking shipments, stealing cars (and car parts), and so forth. Because Superadine is so important to their cash flow, they are clearly connected to other criminal gangs such as the Trolls and the Skulls, but the depths of those connections remains undiscovered.
Meanwhile, The Family in the Rogue Isles splintered into two warring factions with the conviction of their don, Manuel Marcone. Despite the long, drawn-out gang war, The Family’s power in the Rogue Isles is deeply entrenched.
Villain types
Minions
Marcone
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers
Revolver Ranged, Lethal, Med Damage
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.
Brawl Melee, Smash
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.
Marcone Muscle
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers
Automatic Pistol Ranged, Lethal, Med Dam
Small caliber side arm.
Boxing Melee, Smash, Foe Disorient
A decent punch that has a small chance to Disorient foes.
Kick Melee, Moderate Damage, Smash, Foe Knockdown
A modest kicking attack that has a small chance to knock opponents down.
Marcone Blackjack
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers
Revolver Ranged Lethal, Med Dam
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.
Blackjack (Melee, Smash) Foe Disorient
The Blackjack has Disoriented you.
Brawl Melee, Smash
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.
Marcone Buckshot
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers (Levels 1-29)
Shotgun (Ranged) Cone, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Good at close range. Fires a cone of buckshot pellets and can knock some foes down.
Heavy Brawl Melee, Smash
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.
Kick Melee, Moderate Damage, Smash, Foe Knockdown
A modest kicking attack that has a small chance to knock opponents down.
Marcone Buckshot
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers (Levels 30+)
Slug Ranged, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Fires a large slug at a single target at a very long range. This very accurate weapon hits hard, and can knock down foes.
12 Gauge (Ranged) Cone, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Good at medium range. Longer range and more deadly than most shotguns, the 12 Gauge shotgun fires a cone of buckshot pellets and can knock some foes down.
Boxing Melee, Smash, Foe Disorient
A decent punch that has a small chance to Disorient foes.
Kick Melee, Moderate Damage, Smash, Foe Knockdown
A modest kicking attack that has a small chance to knock opponents down.
Marcone Gunner
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers (Levels 1-29)
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Damage over Time, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Rifle Butt Melee, Smash
A smash with the butt of your rifle.
Marcone Gunner
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi.
Powers (Levels 30+)
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Damage over Time, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Heavy Burst (Ranged) Damage over Time, Lethal
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
Full Auto (Ranged) Damage over Time, Lethal
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
Boxing Melee, Smash, Foe Disorient
A decent punch that has a small chance to Disorient foes.
Kick Melee, Moderate Damage, Smash, Foe Knockdown
A modest kicking attack that has a small chance to knock opponents down.
Button Man Muscle
Organized crime has always had plenty of competition in Paragon City, but that doesn't stop young street toughs from wanting to swear allegiance to their Don and live like a wiseguy. It helps to be a stone cold killer with a gun, like these guys.
Powers
Automatic Pistol Ranged, Lethal, Med Dam
Small caliber side arm.
Boxing Melee, Smash, Foe Disorient
A decent punch that has a small chance to Disorient foes.
Kick Melee, Moderate Damage, Smash, Foe Knockdown
A modest kicking attack that has a small chance to knock opponents down.
Button Man Buckshot
Organized crime has always had plenty of competition in Paragon City, but that doesn't stop young street toughs from wanting to swear allegiance to their Don and live like a wiseguy. It helps to be a stone cold killer with a gun, like these guys.
Powers
Shotgun (Ranged) Cone, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Good at close range. Fires a cone of buckshot pellets and can knock some foes down.
No Melee attacks
This gangster doesen´t have any Melee attacks at all
Button Man Gunner
Organized crime has always had plenty of competition in Paragon City, but that doesn't stop young street toughs from wanting to swear allegiance to their Don and live like a wiseguy. It helps to be a stone cold killer with a gun, like these guys.
Powers
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Damage over Time, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
No Melee attacks
This gangster doesen´t have any Melee attacks at all
Lieutenants
Capo Gunner
Each Capo controls his own crew of Button Men. It's a kind of authority you don't earn unless you've proven yourself both ruthless and lucky. Capos save the best weapons and women for themselves and are inevitably smart, tough fighters.
Powers
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Full Auto (Ranged) Damage over Time, Lethal
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
No Melee attacks
This gangster doesen´t have any Melee attacks at all
Capo Muscle
Each Capo controls his own crew of Button Men. It's a kind of authority you don't earn unless you've proven yourself both ruthless and lucky. Capos save the best weapons and women for themselves and are inevitably smart, tough fighters.
Powers
Automatic Pistol Ranged, Lethal, Med Damage
Small caliber side arm.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Marcone Hitman
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'the Mooch' Verandi.
Powers (Levels 5-9)
Automatic Pistol Ranged, Lethal, Med Damage
Small caliber side arm.
Heavy Brawl Melee, Smash
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.
Marcone Hitman
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'the Mooch' Verandi.
Powers (Levels 10+)
Sniper Rifle Ranged, Sniper, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Sniper Rifle is a powerful piece of hardware. It is very accurate and has a verly long range. The impressive round can knock down its target.
Heavy Brawl Melee, Smash
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.
Marcone Underboss
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliere, Guido 'the Mooch' Verandi.
Powers
Frag Grenade (Ranged) Targeted Area of Effect, Lethal/Smash, Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Full Auto (Ranged) Damage over Time (Lethal)
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Focus Toggle, Self +Defense
The Family Boss can Focus his Senses to predict and avoid attacks.
Bosses
Marcone Consigliere
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliore, Guido 'the Mooch' Verandi.
Powers
Crush Ranged, Low Smash Damage, Foe Immobilize, -Fly
Creates a localized gravitational field strong enough to Immobilize a single foe. Crush can also bring down flying entities. This power is very accurate and deals some crushing damage over time.
Gravity Distortion Ranged, Foe Hold
Causes a single foe to experience an intensely misshapen gravitation field, rendering them unable to take any action.
Propel Ranged, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Family Boss can open up a portal and pull in a heavy object that her can then levitate and Propel at foes.
Crushing Field Ranged, Damage over Time, Smash, Foe Immobilize, -Fly
You are being Crushed. You cannot move or fly.
Gravity Distortion Field Ranged, Foe Hold
The Marcone Consigliere has Held you in a Gravity Distortion Field.
Singularity (Only Level 35+) Summon Singularity
Pet is a summoned entity that is created to assist the caster.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Focus Toggle, Self +Defense
The Family Boss can Focus his Senses to predict and avoid attacks.
Marcone Capo
The Family loyalists work for Emil Marcone, de facto governor of Port Oakes. They're being challenged by the Marcone's former chief consigliore, Guido 'the Mooch' Verandi.
Powers
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Full Auto (Ranged) Damage over Time (Lethal)
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Assault (Only level 10+) Point Blank Area of Effect, Ally +Damage +Resistance: Placate, Taunt
While this power is active, you and your nearby teammates deal more damage.
Consigliere
In Paragon City you don´t become one of the most trusted advisors without a little super-powered expertise. Consiglieres have far more subtle powers than their Underboss counterparts, which match their more subtle responsibilities within the Family.
Powers
Propel Ranged, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Family Boss can open up a portal and pull in a heavy object that her can then levitate and Propel at foes.
Crush Ranged, Low Smash Damage, Foe Immobilize, -Fly
Creates a localized gravitational field strong enough to Immobilize a single foe. Crush can also bring down flying entities. This power is very accurate and deals some crushing damage over time.
Gravity Distortion Ranged, Foe Hold
Causes a single foe to experience an intensely misshapen gravitation field, rendering them unable to take any action.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Underboss
The Underbosses report directly to the Don, and each has control over a number of Capos. In Paragon City you don´t rise to the top without a little super-powered help, and many Underbosses have heightened abilities or access to specialized gear that helps them stay on top in their cutthroath business.
Powers
Frag Grenade (Ranged) Targeted Area of Effect, Lethal/Smash, Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.
Full Auto (Ranged) Damage over Time (Lethal)
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Focus Toggle, Self +Defense
The Family Boss can Focus his Senses to predict and avoid attacks.
Named Enemies
Button Man Quantum Gunner (Minion)
Organized crime has always had plenty of competition in Paragon City, but that doesn't stop young street toughs from wanting to swear allegiance to their Don and live like a wiseguy. It helps to be a stone cold killer with a gun, like these guys.
Powers
Quantum Array Gun (Ranged, Negative) Foe -Recharge, -Speed
Your attack and Movement rate have been slowed by the Quantum Array Gun.
Pitbull (Lieutenant)
Main Article: Pitbull
Pitbull is an enforcer for the Marcone Family in Port Oakes. You've agreed to help the Marcones with a few problems they've been having, and Pitbull has been sent along to assist you.
Powers
Slug Ranged, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Fires a large slug at a single target at a very long range. This very accurate weapon hits hard, and can knock down foes.
12 Gauge (Ranged) Cone, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Good at medium range. Longer range and more deadly than most shotguns, the 12 Gauge shotgun fires a cone of buckshot pellets and can knock some foes down.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Elite Bosses
Emil Marcone
Emil Marcone is the son of Manuel Marcone, the former Governor of Port Oakes. When Manuel was arrested by Interpol, Guido 'The Mooch' Verandi stepped up to take control, much to the chagrin of Emil. Emil is now doing whatever he can to seize control from Guido.
Powers
Frag Grenade (Ranged) Targeted Area of Effect, Lethal/Smash, Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.
Full Auto (Ranged) Damage over Time (Lethal)
You are taking Lethal Damage over Time from the Tommy Gun.
Burst (Ranged) Lethal, Foe -Defense
Your defense has been reduced by the Tommy Gun.
Jab (Melee) Foe Disorient
You have been disoriented.
Punch Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
A Super Strength Punch is a powerful pummeling attack, and it may knock foes off their feet.
Haymaker Melee, Smash, Foe Knockback
The Haymaker is a slow attack, but makes up for it with a greater damage and a high chance of Knockback.
Assault +Damage
Assault is an inherent power of Guido, which increases the damage of all of his surrounding allies.
Named Bosses
- Buster (Consigliere, Underboss)
- Denny Marcone (Marcone Capo) (CoV)
- Draco (Consigliere, Underboss)
- Falco Marcone (Marcone Capo) (CoV)
- Frankie Frost (Underboss)
- Joey "The Shirt" (Underboss)
- Marcone Consigliere (CoV)
- Mr. Crowe (Consigliere)
- Mr. Fawkes (Consigliere)
- Mr. Wolfe (Underboss)
- Paolo Marcone (Marcone Capo)(CoV)
- Sammy The Man (Consigliere)
- Tommy One Eye (Underboss)