Malta Operatives

Overview

Background

Malta Group official info ( Copied from the City of Heroes official website [1]):

Secrets within secrets. Black helicopters and balaclavas. Shadowy agencies with limitless slush funds, and black-hearted agents with licenses to kill. Hushed conversations on internet chat-rooms that mysteriously vanish. Men in black with blank identities, and deadly women with a dozen passports. A high-tech paramilitary force divided into clandestine cells and dispersed around the globe – this is the Malta Group.

In a world of super-powered chaos and costume-clad adventurers, there are still mortal forces that try to control the storm. One such group is spoken of in whispers, even at the highest levels of power. Rarely seen, those who know of them detect their fingerprints staining the headlines with frightening regularity. Young heroes may never encounter these forces directly, but paranoid government analysts and conspiracy experts believe the Malta Group’s machinations are ubiquitous.

Veteran heroes who have encountered these heavily-equipped and highly-trained special forces warn of their resources and capabilities. These agents often disguise themselves with fake IDs and false names, claiming to be attached to real agencies (like the bogus NSA’s Suppressed Transmissions Office), or part of completely fabricated groups (like the KTU anti-terrorism agency). Yet no matter what their papers say, they have similar features in common.

Malta field agents are centered around the Tactical Ops team. These men resemble “future infantry soldiers,” armed with advanced assault rifles, tasers, fragmentation and web grenades. Officers may carry stun grenades as well, to disorient and paralyze targets. They wear cutting edge armor, such as electro-textiles that provide power to a wide array of built-in sensors (capable of detecting both the wearer’s vital signs and monitoring a target’s condition), all reinforced with flexible Kevlar plates.

Tactical Ops teams are often supported by an Engineer. In addition to their expert skills, they are able to deploy mini-field artillery with lightning-quick reaction speed. These autogun turrets have a rapid rate of fire and a sophisticated tracking system; once they lock on, they maintain a field of fire until the target is destroyed or out of range.

The most feared agents of Malta are their Sapper units. These battle-hardened soldiers are equipped with a Bio-Energy Feedback Inducer: a weapon designed in a top-secret laboratory, built specifically for hunting down and neutralizing super-powered beings. Heroes coined the term “Power Sapper” for these weapons, and use it with fear, anger, and disgust. A hero cornered by a Sapper will find he or she is unable to sustain most powers, and will be easy prey for the Sapper’s back-up.

Malta also has a stable of veteran killers in their service. These wetwork agents are recruited early, and put through a rigorous training regime. Despite their lack of powers, they believe they can take on a super-powered hero one-on-one. Due to their extensive close combat and sniper training, they are often right. Technically known as Special Qualification Marksmen, everyone calls them Gunslingers because of their cocky attitude and cowboy mentality. They are armed with high-tech pistols capable of firing a wide-range of specialized ammunition – all designed plainly to take down super-powered beings. Those who have battled them have reported explosive rounds, liquid nitrogen rounds (that freeze a target solid), incendiary rounds, hollow rounds, and even poisoned rounds. The Gunslingers are able to switch ammunition in the middle of a fire-fight, keeping their opponents off-guard and hard-pressed as they work up to a killing blow. Finally, many Gunslingers are equipped with short-range teleporters, allowing them to get up close to a target before pulling the trigger.

A few heroes have also reported of mobile armored walkers at several Malta bases. These Titan units are powerful robot warmachines, equipped with tremendous firepower. Hercules Class Titans are armed with plasma blasts, gas swarm missiles, incendiary swarm missiles, and are physically very powerful. When injured (or for tactical advantage) two Hercules Titans can combine into a larger unit, designated Zeus Class; a Zeus Class combined plasma generator is a truly devastating weapon.

The various Tactical Ops teams are organized in a cell-like structure, insulated, scattered, and autonomous. This makes it hard to find out real information about the leadership manipulating the course of Malta, because each agent knows only wisps of compartmentalized information.

Origins of the Malta Group

Players learn of the origins of the Malta Group during Missing Melvin and the Mysterious Malta Group arc from Indigo. In Get debriefed by Crimson players learn:

"...After World War II ended, a lot of super-humans who'd fought for the US left the service, leaving us weakened against the paranormal assets of our new enemies in the Soviet bloc. To counter this, a CIA spook named Roger Vrabel pulled enough strings to get the Might for Right act passed, which let him draft meta-humans into his own special strike force. When the Might for Right act was overturned in '67, the Soviets proceeded to kick our asses in all the Cold War spy games and it started to look grim."

"So Vrabel, McIntosh, and a bunch of others got together at a little conference organized by Neil McIntosh on the island of Malta, and there the 17 of them formed an illegal intelligence conspiracy called the Malta Group. They acted outside of their own governments, recruiting meta-humans by any means fair or foul to fight their invisible war."

"These days, communism's gone, the cold war is over, and the Malta Group's had to change. Now they've dedicated themselves to the spread of their version of democracy and capitalism, which really is more like a dictatorship wrapped in an American flag. "

Villain types

Minions

Tactical Operative

These are the backbone of the military presence of the Malta Group. The Tac Ops cells are trained to operate independently and are almost never aware of each other's activity. Machine guns, grenades of varying kinds and other modern weaponary are their stock in trade.

Powers

Adv Assault Rifle Ranged, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -Defense
Your Defense has been lowered by the Malta Tactical Ops Advanced Assault Rifle.

Frag Grenade Ranged (Targeted AoE), High DMG(Fire/Lethal), Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.

Web Grenade Ranged, Foe Immobilize, -Fly, -Recharge, -Jump, -Speed
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has snared you in his web grenade. You cannot move or fly and your attack speed is reduced.

Brawl Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash)
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.

Taser Melee, Minor DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Taser.

Kevlar Auto, Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Operation Engineer

The Engineers of the Tac Ops cells are masters of technology. They maintain and repair all the equipment used by their comrades. In addition to these responsibilities the Engineers are known to drop turrets in the field, turning every battle with their cell into a killing field.

Powers

Adv Assault Rifle Ranged, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -Defense
Your Defense has been lowered by the Malta Tactical Ops Advanced Assault Rifle.

Frag Grenade Ranged (Targeted AoE), High DMG(Fire/Lethal), Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.

Brawl Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash)
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.

Taser Melee, Minor DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Taser.

Auto Turret Build Turret: Ranged, High DMG(Lethal)
Places a stationary Auto Turret on the ground. The Auto Turret has an extremely fast fire rate and is equipped with a customized tracking system. Once locked on, the Turret will continue to unload a volley of lead into the target until it is destroyed or is out of range. The Turret is armored, but can be destroyed.

Kevlar Auto, Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Sapper

It has not yet been fully determined how the Bio Energy Feedback Inducer utilized by the Malta Sappers work, but it certainly does so efficiently it is clear this weapon was designed specifically for hunting down and neutralizing super powered beings of all sorts. Heroes in combat with them should be very wary.

Powers

Fly Self Fly
Sappers can Fly!

Sapper Ranged, Minor DoT(Energy), Foe -Endurance over Time
Sapper is draining you of your Endurance.

Sapper Overload Ranged (Targeted AoE), Minor DMG(Energy), Foe -Endurance over Time
Sapper is draining you of your Endurance.

Sapp Stick Melee, Light DoT(Energy), Foe Hold, -Endurance over Time, -Recovery
Sapper is draining you of your Endurance and you are Held, writhing in agony!

Tech Armor Auto, Self Res( S20 L25 E50 ), Resist(Endurance Debuff)
Sappers wear Tech Armor that protect them from Lethal, Smashing and Energy damage, as well as Endurance drain.

Lieutenants

Gunslinger

Some of the most deadly Operatives in the Malta Group have been given the nickname Gunslingers. This name came into common usage not only because the agents use firearms, but because they also tend to have the same kind of cocky attitude and cow boy mentality that one associates with gunslingers in the old west.

Powers

Hollow Round Ranged, High-Accuracy, High DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback
Fires a large caliber hollow tip rounds from both guns that can knock down foes.

Incendiary Round Ranged (Targeted AoE), High-Accuracy, Minor DMG(Lethal), High DoT(Fire)
The Gunslingers Incendiary round has ignited you!

Liquid Nitrogen Round Ranged, High-Accuracy, High DMG(Cold), Foe Hold
The Gunslingers Liquid Nitrogen round has frozen you solid!

Explosive Tip Ranged (Targeted AoE), High-Accuracy, Moderate DMG(Fire/Lethal), Foe Knockback
Explosive Tip rounds can affect foes in a small area. The force of the explosion can knock down foes.

Rapid Fire Ranged (Cone), High-Accuracy, Moderate DMG(Lethal)
The Gunslinger can fire off a quick burst of lead in a wide cone.

No Melee attacks No Hand to Hand
Gunslinger doesn't have any Melee attacks at all

Vest Auto, Res( S20 L30 F20 C20 E20 N20 )
Gunslingers wear an advanced Vest that protects him from all damage except Psionics.

Operation Officer

These are the backbone of the military presence of the Malta Group. The Tac Ops cells are trained to operate independently and are almost never aware of each other's activity. Machine guns, grenades of varying kinds and other modern weaponry are their stock in trade.

Powers

Adv Assault Rifle Ranged, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -Defense
Your Defense has been lowered by the Malta Tactical Ops Advanced Assault Rifle.

Frag Grenade Ranged (Targeted AoE), High DMG(Fire/Lethal), Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.

Stun Grenades Ranged (Targeted AoE), Minor DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Stun Grenade.

Brawl Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash)
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.

Taser Melee, Minor DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Taser.

Kevlar Auto, Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Hercules Class Titan

The Hercules Class is the smallest Titan unit employed by Malta. It is believed that the technology used to create them came to this covert villain group sometime during or after the fall of the Soviet Union. It has not yet been determined if the Titans are simply robots, or something more. Their offensive capabilities are many and varied.

Powers

Pummel Melee (Cone), Heavy DMG(Smash), Foe Knockback
Titan Brawling attacks.

Plasma Blast Ranged, Moderate DMG(Energy), Foe -Regeneration, Knockback
Titan plasma burns are hard to heal. The burns have halted your Regeneration rate.

Swarm Missile Ranged (Targeted AoE), Superior DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockback
Hercules Titans can launch a pack of 8 Swarm missiles.

Incendiary Swarm Missiles Ranged (Targeted AoE), Moderate DoT(Lethal), Location AoE, Minor DoT(Fire)
Hercules Titans can launch a pack of 8 Incendiary Swarm Missiles.

Gas Swarm Missiles Ranged (Targeted AoE), Light DoT(Lethal), Location AoE, Foe Hold
Hercules Titans can launch a pack of 8 Gas Swarm Missiles.

Merge Special
Two Hercules class Titans can combine together to form a Zeus Titan!

Resistance Auto, Self Res( S30 L50 F20 C60 E20 N20 P60 ), Prot( St 3.0 Sl 100 Co 2.0 Fr 100 ), Res( Im 47% ), Resist(Heal, Debuffs), +Recovery
Hercules Titans are resistant to all damage. Since they are machines, they are immune to Sleep and Fear powers.

Bosses

Gunslinger

Any Gunslinger has might be able to take down a super powered being, especially the experienced ones. Their mastery of the deadly weaponry and technology given to them by the Malta Group is complete. They complete the tasks assigned to them, taking pleasure in violence, especially when they get the chance to take down some heroes in the process.

Powers

Teleport Self Teleport
Gunslingers can Teleport long distances.

Hollow Round Ranged, High-Accuracy, High DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback
Fires a large caliber hollow tip rounds from both guns that can knock down foes.

Incendiary Round Ranged (Targeted AoE), High-Accuracy, Minor DMG(Lethal), High DoT(Fire)
The Gunslingers Incendiary round has ignited you!

Liquid Nitrogen Round Ranged, High-Accuracy, High DMG(Cold), Foe Hold
The Gunslingers Liquid Nitrogen round has frozen you solid!

Explosive Tip Ranged (Targeted AoE), High-Accuracy, Moderate DMG(Fire/Lethal), Foe Knockback
Explosive Tip rounds can affect foes in a small area. The force of the explosion can knock down foes.

Rapid Fire Ranged (Cone), High-Accuracy, Moderate DMG(Lethal)
The Gunslinger can fire off a quick burst of lead in a wide cone.

Narcotic Dart Ranged, High-Accuracy, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe Sleep, -Regeneration
This Dart was filled with a deadly Narcotic. You are poisoned and unable to Regenerate your wounds. You probably will pass out.

No Melee attacks No Hand to Hand
Gunslinger doesn't have any Melee attacks at all

Vest Auto, Res( S20 L30 F20 C20 E20 N20 )
Gunslingers wear an advanced Vest that protects him from all damage except Psionics.

Tac Ops Commander

The Tac Ops Commanders are the only members of their cell to have any contact with the upper echelons of the Malta Group. Secrecy and maintaining their cover identity is the primary directive for these agents.

Powers

Adv Assault Rifle Ranged, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -Defense
Your Defense has been lowered by the Malta Tactical Ops Advanced Assault Rifle.

Frag Grenade Ranged (Targeted AoE), High DMG(Fire/Lethal), Foe Knockback
The explosion from the Fragmentation Grenade affects all within the blast and can knock them back.

Stun Grenades Ranged (Targeted AoE), Minor DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Stun Grenade.

Brawl Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash)
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.

Taser Melee, Minor DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Taser.

Kevlar Auto, Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Zeus Class Titan

The middle class of the Titans used by the Malta Group are even more deadly than their younger brothers. This stands to reason since they are two Hercules class units combined into a deadly enemy. They are equipped with the standard fragmentation, incendiary and gas missiles. In addition, the Zeus units combined plasma generators are extremely potent, firing multiple blast simultaneously.

Powers

Pummel Melee (Cone), Heavy DMG(Smash), Foe Knockback
Titan Brawling attacks.

Plasma Blast Ranged, Moderate DMG(Energy), Foe -Regeneration, Knockback
Titan plasma burns are hard to heal. The burns have halted your Regeneration rate.

Swarm Missile Ranged (Targeted AoE), Superior DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockback
Zeus Titans can launch a pack of 16 Swarm missiles.

Incendiary Swarm Missiles Ranged (Targeted AoE), Superior DoT(Lethal), Location AoE, Minor DoT(Fire)
Zeus Titans can launch a pack of 16 Incendiary Swarm Missiles.

Gas Swarm Missiles Ranged (Targeted AoE), High DoT(Lethal), Location AoE, Foe Hold
Zeus Titans can launch a pack of 16 Gas Swarm Missiles.

Quad Plasma Blast Ranged (Targeted AoE), Extreme DoT(Energy), Foe -Regeneration, Knockback
Titan plasma burns are hard to heal. The burns have halted your Regeneration rate.

Jump Jets Auto, Self +Jump
Zeus Class Titans are equipped with Jump Jets.

Resistance Auto, Self Res( S30 L50 F20 C60 E20 N20 P60 ), Prot( Ho 2.0 Im 2.0 St 2.0 Sl 100 Kb 100 Co 2.0 Fr 100 Rp 100 ), Res( Im 47% ), Resist(Heal, Debuffs), +Recovery
Hercules Titans are resistant to all damage. Since they are machines, they are immune to Sleep and Fear powers.

Special Bosses

Moment (Boss)

Moment is a shapeshifther currently working for the Malta Group. He may adopt different appearances, even non-human ones, apparently gaining the attacks of those forms. So far only two are found in-game. Despite the fact that these forms come under their respective factions, it should be noticed that this being works for Malta. Probably he has more forms. His true form is still unknown.

Devouring Earth Form

The ultimate eco-warriors, the Greater Devoured incorporate the biomass of fallen heroes into their monstrous forms. They rend foes with their slashing talons, spitting poison on those they can't reach. A Greater Devoured is a formidable foe, resistant to most kinds of attacks.

Powers

Pummel Melee (Cone), Heavy DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback
Devouring Earth claw attacks.

Spit Ranged, Moderate DMG(Toxic), Minor DoT(Toxic)
You are taking Toxic damage over time from the toxic spray.

Hurl Boulder Ranged, High DMG(Smash), Foe Knockback
Devoured can rip up a boulder out of the ground and Hurl it a short distance. The Hurled Boulder deals medium damage and can Knockback foes.

Foot Stomp PBAoE Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash), Foe Knockback
Devoured shakes the very Earth itself with a super Foot Stomp, attacking everything in a nearby area.

Call Swarm Summon 2 Swarms
All Devoured can summon The Swarm.

Resistance Auto, Res( S20 E20 N-20 T40 ), Prot( Im 2.0 St 2.0 Sl 2.0 Kb 100 Fr 2.0 ), Res( Ho 33% )
Devoured are resistant to Disorient, Immobilize, Hold, Knockback, effects as well as Smashing and Energy Damage. They are vulnerable to Negative Energy.

Rikti Form

Moment as a Rikti Chief Soldier

The Rikti battle armor is more advanced than any armor found on Earth. It offers the alien invaders protection from most normal kinds of physical attack. Armed with powerful energy weapons, these armored soldiers continue to pose a deadly threat to humans everywhere.

Powers

Rikti Rifle Ranged, High DMG(Energy), Foe Knockback, Disorient
You are Disoriented.

Greater Rikti Sword Melee, High DMG(Energy/Lethal), Foe Knockback
You are Disoriented.

Resistance Auto, Res( S30 L30 E30 ), Prot( Sl 1.0 ), Resist(Recharge Debuff)
Rikti Boss armor makes them are resistant to Lethal, Smashing, and Energy damage. They are also resistant to Sleep.

Quantum Gunners

Tactical Operative Quantum (Minion)

These are the backbone of the military presence of the Malta Group. The Tac Ops cells are trained to operate independently and are almost never aware of each other's activity. Machine guns, grenades of varying kinds and other modern weaponary are their stock in trade.

Powers

Quantum Array Gun Ranged, Moderate DMG(Negative), Foe -Recharge, -Speed, Special vs. Peacebringers/Warshades
Your attack and Movement rate have been slowed by the Quantum Array Gun.

Kevlar Auto, Self Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Operation Officer Quantum (Lieutenant)

These are the backbone of the military presence of the Malta Group. The Tac Ops cells are trained to operate independently and are almost never aware of each other's activity. Machine guns, grenades of varying kinds and other modern weaponary are their stock in trade.

Powers

Quantum Array Gun Ranged, Moderate DMG(Negative), Foe -Recharge, -Speed, Special vs. Peacebringers/Warshades
Your attack and Movement rate have been slowed by the Quantum Array Gun.

Kevlar Auto, Self Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Tac Ops Commander Quantum (Boss)

The Tac Ops Commanders are the only members of their cell to have any contact with the upper echelons of the Malta Group. Secrecy and maintaining their cover identity is the primary directive for these agents.

Powers

Quantum Array Gun Ranged, Moderate DMG(Negative), Foe -Recharge, -Speed, Special vs. Peacebringers/Warshades
Your attack and Movement rate have been slowed by the Quantum Array Gun.

Kevlar Auto, Self Res( S20 L25 )
Op Teams wear Kevlar Vests that protect them from Lethal and Smashing damage.

Elite Bosses

Zeus Class Titan

The middle class of the Titans used by the Malta Group are even more deadly than their younger brothers. This stands to reason since they are two Hercules class units combined into a deadly enemy. They are equipped with the standard fragmentation, incendiary and gas missiles. In addition, the Zeus units combined plasma generators are extremely potent, firing multiple blast simultaneously.

Levels: 20-34