Thunder Crash

Overview

Character cards

Gallery

Thunder Crash
Type	Team
In-game info
Is playable?	No
Appearances	Unreal Tournament Unreal Tournament 2004 Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict

Thunder Crash (sometimes written ThunderCrash, and mocked as Thunder Cash) is a team from the Unreal series.

Overview

Thunder Crash is a team of human Liandri Grand Tournament competitors with a military theme. Thunder Crash armor is green, sometimes accented with gold, and often features the image of a bird of prey or wings.

Although led by Othello in the original Unreal Tournament, later entries of the franchise have featured Malcolm as their leader. The team is well known throughout the UT series and the only team that is represented consistently by at least one member in every Unreal Tournament and Unreal Championship title.

Thunder Crash is well known throughout the universe, mostly because of their success in the Liandri Grand Tournaments.

In Unreal Tournament 3 it is implied they can be hired, but their services cost a lot, therefore the team is often called "Thunder Cash" behind their backs. It is not known whether Thunder Crash are mercenaries or it's NEG that decides where to send them, taking the money as a bonus. Cast member Othello is not related to the team's own Othello.

During the Corporation wars Thunder Crash forces fought for the New Earth Government in at least one instance. It is not known if they were hired, or are fully owned by the NEG.

Roster

If you're looking for the full character roster, including other characters who use the "Marine" costume, you might want to check Thunder Crash/Character cards.

Unreal Tournament

Thunder Crash
Type	Team
Personnel info
Members	Azure, Aryss, Malcom, Riker, Annaka, Tamika, Ryanna, Olga, Kulgan, Johnson
In-game info
Is playable?	Yes

"Thunder Crash is the current big city favorite, sporting a calculated balance of strength and style, they always manage to crush the opposition and look good at the same time."

– Team description

Retail/GOTY roster

• Othello
• Azure
• Aryss
• Malcom
• Riker
• Annaka
• Tamika
• Ryanna

Othello's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Othello Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Once a trader for the Curan Financial Commission, Othello became a suicidal pit fighter following the mysterious death of his wife."

Azure's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Azure Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Born in to an extremely rich family, Azure has had the benefit of training from the top fighters of her time. Physical engineering from the best hospitals has enhanced her abilities to the limit of perfection."

Aryss's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Aryss Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "A former hotshot pilot, Aryss found that her skill and agility worked well on the battlefield, earning her a spot on the Thunder Crash team."

Malcom's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Malcom Race: Human Classification: Chem Killer Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "FenTech's finest creation, Malcom is an engineered warrior enhanced by chemicals. Adrenaline stimulants, synaptic catalysts, and impulse regulators combine to create a superhuman killing machine."

Riker's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Riker Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Riker is a walking fusion of tactics and style. He always tries to find new ways of killing his opponents and has won multiple awards for creative improvisation."

Annaka's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Annaka Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Annaka's sister, a miner, was killed due to incompetent Liandri management in the depths of Vulcana 32. She joined the Thunder Crash to help win the Tournament so she can bring a class action lawsuit against the corporation and make them pay for the death of her sibling."

Tamika's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Tamika Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Tamika's mother left her at an early age and she was raised in a house full of men where she was hardened by years of abuse. Bitter beyond belief, she is a hard combatant with a penchant for obliterating male contestants."

Ryanna's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Ryanna Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "No description needed."

Demo roster

• Othello
• Johnson
• Malcom
• Kulgan
• Riker

Othello's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Othello Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Once a trader for the Cyron Financial Commission, Othello became a suicidal pit fighter following the mysterious death of his wife."

Johnson's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Johnson Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Johnson was hired out of the black market slave trade to serve as bodyguard to the powerful arms smuggler Jihan Nyhn. He is strong and has an extreme amount of endurance."

Malcom's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Malcom Race: Human Classification: Chem Killer Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "FenTech's finest creation, Malcom is an engineered warrior enhanced by chemicals. Adrenaline stimulants, synaptic catalysts, and impulse regulators combine to create a superhuman killing machine."

Kulgan's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Kulgan Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Kulgan's combat abilities are second only to his presense of character. When he's not trying to seduce the ladies, he'll be in the arena, Pulse Gun in hand."

Riker's Unreal Tournament character card
	Character data: Name: Riker Race: Human Classification: Warrior Bot data: Accuracy:  0.00 Combat Style:  0.00 Alertness:  0.00 Tend. to camp:  0.00 Strafing ability:  0.00 Loves to jump? No Preferred weapon: None. "Riker is a walking fusion of tactics and style. He always tries to find new ways of killing his opponents and has won multiple awards for creative improvisation."

Unreal Tournament 2004

Thunder Crash
Type	Team
Personnel info
Members	Othello, Riker, Azure, Aryss, Annaka, Tamika, Jakob, Taye, Picard
In-game info
Is playable?	No

"Following his well publicized break-up with long-time teammates Brock and Lauren, Malcolm has returned to lead his old team, Thunder Crash. Malcolm is currently rehabilitating an injury sustained in last year's championship match, but he is expected to be healthy in time for the Tournament Finals."

– Team description

Thunder Crash makes a comeback in UT2004 as one of the three finalist teams, of course, standing in your way to fame and victory. A balance of aggression and speed, the team can be nailed by outright offense. If this team is your opponent in the Finals, them you will have a 1-on-1 grand final match against Malcolm.

• Malcolm
• Othello
• Jakob
• Taye
• Azure
• Aryss
• Riker
• Picard
• Annika
• Tamika

Malcolm's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Malcolm Race: Human Age: 42 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  96 Agility:  94 Aggressiveness:  73 Team tactics:  97 Average: 90 Weapon Preference: None "Needs no introduction - most famous veteran of the Tournaments, recognized on every planet. With the typical calm pride of the Earth-born, and strong sense of loyalty, Malcolm is a true survivor and born leader."

Othello's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Othello Race: Human Age: 34 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  70 Agility:  79 Aggressiveness:  76 Team tactics:  86 Average: 77.75 Weapon Preference: Flak Cannon "Othello's superior combat abilities were evident at an early age, and he was trained to become a member of the elite Thunder Crash force from the age of nine."

Jakob's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Jakob Race: Human Age: 31 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  73 Agility:  76 Aggressiveness:  64 Team tactics:  77 Average: 72.5 Weapon Preference: Shock Rifle "Little is known about Jakob's origins, except that he grew up in the fringe mining worlds along the Centaur Rim."

Taye's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Taye Race: Human Age: 34 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  0 Agility:  0 Aggressiveness:  0 Team tactics:  0 Average: Weapon Preference: None "Othello's twin brother, Taye's superior combat abilities were evident at an early age, and he was trained to become a member of the elite Thunder Crash force from the age of nine."

Azure's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Azure Race: Human Age: 39 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  74 Agility:  87 Aggressiveness:  64 Team tactics:  84 Average: 77.25 Weapon Preference: Bio Rifle "Born into an extremely rich family, Azure has had the benefit of training from the top fighters of her time. Physical engineering from the best hospitals has enhanced her abilities to the limit of perfection."

Aryss's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Aryss Race: Human Age: 27 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  78 Agility:  83 Aggressiveness:  69 Team tactics:  80 Average: 77.5 Weapon Preference: None "A former hot shot pilot, Aryss found that her skill and agility worked well on the battlefield, earning her a spot on the Thunder Crash team."

Riker's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Riker Race: Human Age: 31 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  75 Agility:  75 Aggressiveness:  70 Team tactics:  75 Average: 73.75 Weapon Preference: Rocket Launcher "Riker is a walking fusion of tactics and style. He always tries to find new ways of killing his opponents and has won multiple awards for creative improvisation."

Picard's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Picard Race: Human Age: 32 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  0 Agility:  0 Aggressiveness:  0 Team tactics:  0 Average: Weapon Preference: None "Picard is wanted by the Izanagi corporation for the theft of secret new space fighter designs. His status as a Tournament competitor grants him immunity from arrest."

Annika's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Annika Race: Human Age: 28 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  84 Agility:  64 Aggressiveness:  67 Team tactics:  72 Average: 71.75 Weapon Preference: Lightning Gun "Annika's sister, a miner, was killed due to incompetent Liandri management in the depths of Vulcana 32. She joined the Thunder Crash to help win the Tournament so she can bring a class action lawsuit against the corporation and make them pay for the death of her sibling."

Tamika's Unreal Tournament 2004 character card
	Character data: Name: Tamika Race: Human Age: 25 yrs. Bot data: Accuracy:  66 Agility:  86 Aggressiveness:  79 Team tactics:  92 Average: 80.75 Weapon Preference: Rocket Launcher "Tamika's mother left her at an early age and she was raised in a house full of men where she was hardened by years of abuse. Bitter beyond belief, she is a hard combatant with a penchant for obliterating male contestants."

Trivia

• In Unreal Tournament 2004, albeit reformed, this team is the only returning team from the first Tournament game, alongside Iron Guard and Iron Skull, and the only one with almost its entire UT lineup intact (only Ryanna is missing).
• Tamika and Jakob appear alongside Dominator on the box art of 2004 standard package.
• The post-game ladders of Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict mention that Malcolm reformed Thunder Crash alongside Lauren (mentioned in her ladder as one of the founders of the team), Sapphire (who, in her ladder, formed her own team, which was disbanded due to low ratings and non-appeal, only to get a tryout at the 'Crash) and Anubis (as part of his deal with the Liandri Mining Corporation). There's also a "Thunder Crash B" team, whose only known member is Szalor.
• In Unreal Tournament, there is a bot named "Tamerlane" which is modelled like Riker. This bot is one of the most deadly bots that the player can encounter in custom matches, as he has 95% accuracy and very aggressive playing style.

Development

• In 2004, Jakob/Taye, Riker (not his texture, though), Tamika, Annika and Aryss (only the rig, though), were made by Delaney King.
• Despite being part of a Godlike team, Jakob is a playable character in the single player mode of Unreal Tournament 2004. In fact, one of the early plans for the future Unreal Tournament 3 was the appearance of a team called "Jakob's Team".
• The entire team was set to appear in Unreal Tournament 4, with Adam 'Gooba' Wood doing the concept art. In the end, only Taye made the cut as a fully-fledged character, with several skins.

Easter eggs

Main article: Easter eggs

• Unreal Tournament 3 reveals that the team has a nickname, "Thunder Cash". This is referenced when Reaper meets Malcolm in the introduction of With Caesar's Coin.
• Jakob is apparently a convict, due to the barcode on his forehead with the numbers "021136".
• References to other works:
  • Riker and Picard may have been named after William Riker and Jean-Luc Picard, after two members of the NCC-1701-D Enterprise from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Background Continuity

• Backstories for members of the Thunder Crash team vary based on the title. It is unknown whether characters present in Unreal Tournament are intended to correspond exactly to same-named characters in later titles. For example, the Unreal Tournament backstory for Othello, indicating he is an "ex-trader for the Curan Financial Commision" apparently contradicts the backstory presented in Unreal Tournament 2004 where it is indicated he was "trained [for Thunder Crash] from the age of nine."

External links and references

• Brown, Jim (Jun 17, 2015). "Character / Art All Call!". Epic Games Forums. Archived from the original on Aug 7, 2020. Retrieved Aug 8, 2024.

See also

• Malcolm