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Black Hand

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Black Hand
Black hand flag
JC3 Black Hand flag
Top: Logo in JC1.
Bottom: Logo in JC3.
Faction in Just Cause and Just Cause 3
Goal, or purpose To earn money as "the most elite private military force in the world" and their projects
Ideology Presumably to work for the highest bidder
Leader Unknown
Starting base, or HQ Unknown
Source of money Salvador Mendoza
Sebastiano Di Ravello
Eden
Whoever hires them

The Black Hand is a mercenary faction appearing in Just Cause and Just Cause 3.

Just Cause

The Black Hand are President Salvador Mendoza's foreign mercenaries (officially the "foreign security specialists"). They wear black uniforms and all their vehicles are either black, or a combination of black and dark gray. See also: Faction colors.

Spoiler warning: Significant plot details follow.


The Black Hand are seen for the first time in the mission River of Blood, where two of their Pequod - Harpoon PC 350 patrol boats are guarding the Quayside loading area.

"The Black Hand? What the hell are they doing here?" - Tom Sheldon during the mission River of Blood. The first mention of the Black Hand in game.

After the mission Guadalicano Choo Choo the Black Hand will replace the San Esperito Police Department in village liberations. They have better equipment than the police and send in more and better helicopters. While the police usually equip themselves with small arms like the Harker 357 Sawback revolvers and rarely use Grenades, the Black Hand are almost the opposite. Vehicles with Mounted Guns are also seen a lot more during the liberations. At higher Heat levels, the Black Hand will get involved in pursuing Rico.

Significant plot details end here.


Weapons (JC1)

  • Adler FF M-72 - A less common assault rifle that can occasionally be seen in the hands of the Black Hand.
  • Barclay Phantom - Rumored to be used by the Black Hand and has been included in this list to cover all the possible Black Hand weapons.
  • Fleisher AR-5 Blizzard - A less common assault rifle, this weapon can be found on green-capped Black Hand infantry, though it isn't as abundant as the Vindicator.
  • Haswell Gen2 Vindicator - The most widely used assault rifle, this weapon can be found on almost all Black Hand infantry.
  • Lance FDL - A battle rifle that is rarely seen in use by the Black Hand.
  • Mako Ocra - A rocket launcher used by Black Hand anti-vehicle infantry, this weapon has only been seen in sidemissions.
  • Moretti CCW Centurion - Automatic shotgun, only seen in the mission Streets of Fire.

Vehicles (JC1)

Ground:

Air:

Sea:

If you have any trouble finding any of these weapons or vehicles, see Rare vehicles, Talk:Rare vehicles, and the weapons' respective articles.

Just Cause 3

In Medici the Black Hand have been upgraded with lots of body armor. Their uniform has a black and red color scheme to it and they are authorized to use any Medici Military vehicle available if required. Judging by their accents, they appear to be either Australian or South African. They can take more damage than the military.

Insula Fonte does not have them, and they can be only encountered at military installations in Insula Dracon and Insula Striate. Unlike the Medici Military and D.R.M., Black Hand units will never appear during heat, unless the player is at Insula Lacrima or Scolio. Their presence on Insula Dracon and Insula Striate might be limited, but they do have a larger, more significant presence at Lacrima and Scolio.

Units that work specifically for the eDEN Corporation can be found guarding eDEN Extraction Site Alpha, eDEN Extraction Site Bravo, and the eDEN Airship.

Spoiler warning: Significant plot details follow.


The Black Hand are introduced to the player during the mission Three's Company, where Tom Sheldon describes them as mercenaries who work for Di Ravello in exchange for some Bavarium. As a continuity error (in fact the first of its kind in the Just Cause game series), Rico has no idea who they are. This was probably done because Just Cause is a bit underplayed so the average Just Cause 3 player would not know they existed at one point in the series before.

According to the Di Ravello tapes, Di Ravello hired the Black Hand as an elite private military force to assist in the security of his own bases and prisons, to help train his own military, and to provide a role model for all Medician military forces.

The Black Hand are seen working for the eDEN Corporation in the Sky Fortress DLC. However, those units will only bother to shoot at Rico if he already has Heat.

The Black Hand became the main antagonist in the Mech Land Assault DLC, and their faction is expanded with the introduction of two new NPCs, new structures and equipment, new vehicles, and the new skull insignia. The DLC also reveals that the Black Hand have a leader, or high-ranking individual whom the other units answer to.

The Black Hand return as the main antagonist in the Bavarium Sea Heist DLC. A former eDEN Corporation research facility called the "Stingray" has been taken over by the mercenary group, and is guarded by the full might of the Black Hand's fleet. The facility is located out in the middle of the ocean, west of Insula Dracon and is equipped with a weapon that is capable of manipulating and controlling lightning.

Projects

Storming the Hive, the final mission of the Mech Land Assault DLC, reveals that the Black Hand were secretly working on something called the "Global Change Project", but no further details about it came to light (see Cut game content from Just Cause 3).

Some Insula Lacrima locations, like the Unnamed port at N 40 52.250 E 5 35.700, have some Black Hand shipping containers. Oddly, those containers have "Global Exchange Project" written on them instead of Change, almost as if there was a development error. This can be explained by there being both a "Global Change Project" and "Global Exchange Project" in the works.

Quotes (JC3)

All four types of Black Hand NPCs (except the Warden) have the same voice and have the potential to say all these quotes, but it is most common to hear the Aegis speaking, while the other three, (Ghost, Titan, and Pilot,) will largely stay silent during combat. They talk with a robotic voice, probably a voice changer to mask their identity

  • "Citizen, if you do not leave, I will be required to eliminate you." - When Rico arrives at a restricted area.
  • "Lower your weapon citizen, now." - When aiming at them without Heat and outside of a restricted area.
  • "Citizen, leave the area or face elimination." - When Rico arrives at a restricted area.
  • "Citizen has a parachute." - When Rico uses his Parachute with no heat.
  • "Heads up, insurgent has a parachute." - When Rico uses his Parachute.
  • "Target's in the air. Bring him down!" - When Rico uses his parachute or Wingsuit.
  • "Target is in my sector." - When Rico goes near a Black Hand soldier.
  • "Target located." - When Rico goes near a Black Hand soldier.
  • "Target is after military assets!" - When destroying a chaos object.
  • "Insurgent is targeting military assets." - When Rico destroys a Sabotage destructable object.
  • "Another one down!" - If you destroy more than one Sabotage destructable object in front of the same unit.
  • "It's got me! / Mayday! / What?" - When attached to Rico's grappling hook.
  • "Heads up, insurgent moves fast!" - When using the Grappler.
  • "Heads up, insurgent has a zipline." - When Rico uses his Grappler.
  • "The insurgent is using a grapple device!" - When Rico uses his Grappler.
  • "Citizen, get down from there!" - When Rico lands on top of a vehicle.
  • "The insurgent has a tank!" - When Rico uses an armored vehicle.
  • "Warning, insurgent has heavy armour!" - When Rico uses an armored vehicle.
  • "Get back, it's about to blow!" - When a vehicle or a grenade is about to explode.
  • "I'm hit!" - When shot successfully.
  • "Target got me!" - When shot successfully.
  • "Grenade away!" - When throwing a grenade.
  • "Good hit!" - When successfully shooting Rico.
  • "Target is taking damage!" - When successfully shooting Rico.
  • "Flanking the target!" - When moving around the battlefield to attack Rico or other NPCs from a different direction.
  • "Target has a chopper!" - When getting into a helicopter.
  • "Think twice, citizen." - When Rico is holding a weapon without heat.
  • "Careful." - When Rico bumps into a Aegis unit.
  • "Exercise caution, citizen." - When Rico runs into a Aegis unit.
  • "Engaging target." - When Rico fires a weapon near a soldier or attracts heat.
  • "Lost the insurgent." - When a Black Hand soldier cannot find Rico.
  • "Target located." - When a Black Hand soldier finds Rico during the searching phase.
  • "Warning, grenade out!" - When a Black Hand soldier throws a grenade.
  • "Insurgent gone." - When Rico escapes from a Heat.
  • "Watch it, citizen." - When Rico runs into a Black Hand soldier without heat.
  • "Targets taking fire!" - When a Black Hand soldier beings to fire and successfully hit Rico.
  • "Additional units requested!" - When a Black Hand soldier attempts to radio in for reinforcements.
  • "Citizen state your business and/or leave immediately." - When Rico enters a restricted area. However, "or" can be said instead of "and" (one or the other).
  • "Sector is clear, returning to position." - When Rico escapes from a Heat.
  • "Contact." - When Rico goes near a Black Hand soldier.
  • "Target Acquired." - When a Black Hand soldier finds Rico during the searching phase.
  • "Target in range, neutralizing." - When Rico goes near a Black Hand soldier.
  • "Citizens standing on top of a vehicle." - When Rico lands on top of a vehicle.
  • "Initiate pursuit." - When chasing after Rico.
  • "Identify the target." - When searching for Rico.
  • "The insurgents in my sector." - When Rico gets near a Black Hand soldier during Heat.
  • "Insurgent located." - When a Black Hand soldier finds Rico during the searching phase.
  • "Engaging insurgent." - When Rico goes near a Black Hand soldier during Heat.
  • "Reinforcements to these coordinates!" - When calling reinforcements.
  • "Reinforcements to my location!" - When calling reinforcements.
  • "Reinforcements to this sector!" - When calling reinforcements.
  • "Target is on the chopper!" - When Rico grapples on to a helicopter piloted by a Black Hand NPC.
  • "Parachutes are forbidden in Medici airspace." - When Rico uses his parachute without heat.
  • "Hey yeah that's pretty cool." - When Rico uses his wingsuit without heat.
  • "There's a citizen flying by in a wingsuit." - When Rico uses his wingsuit without heat.
  • "Parachute overhead." - When Rico uses his parachute without heat.
  • "There's a citizen flying in a parachute." - When Rico uses his parachute without heat.

Discussion quotes (JC3)

It has been reported that although almost never heard, they do actually have discussion lines, similar to how The Rebellion soldiers can talk to each other in a car.

To hear these, the player has to somehow arrange, or find, a situation where a Black Hand soldier is in the same car as a D.R.M., or Medici Military soldier. It would then be a good idea to block the road with another vehicle.

Actual quotes are needed.

Reportedly they mention:

  • Something about Bavarium.
  • They don't like the D.R.M. and think they're fools.
  • Something about the amount of Black Hand in Medici.
  • The HQ apparently doesn't like them being in a group, or something.
  • Something about Rico and The Rebellion.

Unit types (JC3)

There are five types of Black Hand units in Just Cause 3, with a fourth and fifth type added in the Mech Land Assault DLC. The unit type names are known from the "The art of Just Cause 3" book that came with the collectors edition of the game. Also, Eden asks if Rico is afraid of ghosts before sending a few "ghost" soldiers after you in the mission Taking Control.

There is also a unique variant that is only seen in certain cutscenes which could be some kind of commander.

See the bottom section "Counters" for good ways to defeat these five enemies.

Aegis units are the most common of Black Hand soldiers and are usually the front line combatants when the Black Hand are in conflict. They are amongst the most elite, highly trained, and well-equipped soldiers in the entire world. In the vanilla game, they can only ever be seen using the CS Predator assault rifle, and they only appear at certain bases.

In Mech Land Assault, the Aegis trooper becomes much more common, also dominating the Heat level on Lacrima. They still mainly use the CS Predator, but Aegis troopers can also be seen driving the Pavouk U-15, effectively filling the role of a biker. These bikers can be seen wielding the Prizrak U4. There have also been additions of Aegis troopers as rocket infantry, wielding the UVK-13 as their primary weapon, and switching to the U-55S Pozhar when approached, similar to Medici Military RPG soldiers. In the Bavarium Sea Heist DLC, they are also pilots of helicopters even if the Mech Land Assault is installed. These pilot troopers only use the U-55S Pozhar for self defense. They are also paratroopers which can be seen when liberating Lacrima.

In Sky Fortress, the Aegis troopers can be found on board the eDEN Airship, wielding the Bavarium Splitter and donning the white and blue colors of the eDEN Corporation. They have been hired to assist operations on board the eDEN Airship and additionally to provide security.

Ghost units are the next most common Black Hand solder after the Aegis. In the vanilla game, they are only seen wielding the CS Wraith 225R. Presumably, judging by training, weapons, and performance in combat, these can be considered the most highly trained of all Black Hand soldiers. Ghost units that wield the CS Wraith 225R, are very agile and trained in the art of dodging bullets, and will often dive, spin, and run during combat in an effort to reduce their incoming hits.

In Mech Land Assault, the Ghosts can now be seen filling the role of sniper, wielding the USV 45 Sokol against Rico. These sniper Ghosts are often seen inside guard towers but can also be found on the ground. If approached, the Ghost sniper will switch from his Sokol to the U-55S Pozhar and engage Rico with the sidearm. Ghost snipers do not engage in the same bullet-dodging maneuvers that the Wraith-wielding Ghosts do, making them much easier to eliminate in combat. Wraith-wielding Ghosts also make a return in the DLC, now appearing during Heat, and still appearing at Black Hand bases.

In Sky Fortress, Ghosts wielding the Wraith can be seen once during the mission Taking Control, on board the eDEN Airship. Like the Aegis, they can also be seen donning the colors of the eDEN Corporation.

Titan units are the muscle of the Black Hand infantry, being the toughest soldiers in the game with the most health. They wield the Urga Vulkan minigun against Rico, which can kill him in seconds. While Titan units wear the most body armor, they are also uncommon troops to encounter in combat. They can be seen reliably in front of Di Ravello's meeting area in the capital, guarding the entrance. When they are seen they make for a very tough enemy to eliminate. Presumably, with their heavy weapons, the Titan's role could also be assault tactics or anti-aircraft. They can survive multiple bullets, wasting entire clips. They can take 3 grenades, and survive point-blank RPG's.

In Mech Land Assault, the Titan makes a return but is not seen wielding any new weapons, unlike the Aegis or Ghost. It is unknown if they appear during Heat.

In Sky Fortress, they can be seen on board the eDEN Airship like the Aegis, also sporting the eDEN Corporation color scheme on their armor. Unlike the Aegis, they do not get a new weapon and instead keep their miniguns for combat engagements.

Pilot units are only seen in the Mech Land Assault expansion pack. These are the vehicle operators of the Black Hand, and are also equipped with a U-55S Pozhar sidearm for self-defense. They can be seen driving Mechs, driving the CS Odjur, commanding the CS Powerrun 77, and flying the Urga Postolka and CS Navajo. Additionally, one can be found manning the mounted gun of an Urga Szturm 63A, but only during the Hold the Fort phase of the Nebio Sud Detention Camp, strangely. Every other mounted gunner is an Aegis.

Wardens are added in the Mech Land Assault expansion pack, and serve as a boss that must be defeated in order to liberate a detention camp. They are amongst the toughest enemies in the game, equipped with the Bavarium Splitter if Sky Fortress is installed and the Urga Vdova 89 without Sky Fortress, and almost as much body armor to rival the Titan in health. They appear once Rico has completed enough detention camp tasks, often flanked by two Ghosts.

The Warden is the commanding officer in charge of prisons, and seem to wear riot-style gear. They also command all Black Hand forces stationed at the prison. It is unknown how a Warden is selected, perhaps from the most promising of Aegis or Ghost troopers. Wardens also seem to be female, judging by bodily structure and voice.

Counters

  • The Aegis trooper, while having a lot of health, tends to stay still and are vulnerable to Rico's grapple-kick which can knock them over and allow you to eliminate them safely.
  • The Ghost trooper is probably the hardest of the Black Hand troopers because of their difficulty to hit, but if you manage to get a successful grapple hit on them, you can kick them and eliminate them safely while they're on the ground. This does not apply to the sniper variant.
  • The Titan is the most difficult of the Black Hand soldiers, but being slow-moving, they are vulnerable to grenades and explosives. If you can find a Capstone FH155, they will prove very effective against them. Additionally, if a minigun is available, you can fight fire with fire. A headshot from the CS110 Archangel can also kill a titan in one hit.
  • The Wardens, added in the Mech Land Assault DLC, have almost as much health as the Titan, but suffer from the same slow speed and vulnerability as the Aegis. Grappling them can be the best course of action. Additionally, one can place a GE-64 explosive charge on the door of their barracks and detonate it when they walk outside.

Drones

Main article: List of eDEN drone types.

In Mech Land Assault, the Black Hand have acquired and reprogrammed combat drones from eDEN Corporation installations. They've repainted them to show Black Hand colors, and will use them in combat against Rico or other enemies.

Light Drone

The Light Drone is the smallest drone available to the Black Hand, equipped with a single minigun, and a small body. Being the lightest of the three drones, it is also the fastest and most agile. They can be seen pursuing Rico or covering the air above Black Hand bases. Additionally, they have a Black Hand insignia on their heads.

Eviction Drone

The Eviction Drone is the big brother to the Light Drone, being equipped with missiles as well as the minigun. It is a larger drone, making it slower, less agile, and presenting a larger target, but it has more armor and offensive power. It is only seen during high Heat.

Suppression Drone

The Suppression Drone is used by the Black Hand for defensive purposes. Visually a large turret, the Suppression Drone is equipped with dual miniguns for anti-personnel, and missile pods on the back for anti-aircraft and anti-vehicle. Thankfully for the player, the missile pods are very inaccurate when attacking Rico in the air, but the miniguns can be very damaging if you let them. This drone only appears in the mission Storming the Hive.

Drone counters

Light drone

The best way to counter a Light Drone is to use the Grappler to tether it to the ground, then reel in, making it crash. Alternatively, the player can tether it to other drones, killing two birds with one stone. If that is impractical for the situation, small-arms fire will bring it down pretty well.

Eviction drone

Like the Light Drone, enough small-arms fire will bring it down, but the best way is to place a Ge-64 charge on the head. Grappling this drone is impractical, as you'll become a sitting duck to its missiles.

Suppression drone

The best way to destroy a Suppression drone is to place a GE-64 charge on its head. If you can't get close to it, use an explosive special weapon.

Significant plot details end here.


Weapons (JC3)

Weapons (Mech Land Assault)

In addition to the above weapons, the Black Hand can now also be encountered with the following:

Vehicles (JC3)

They don't have a color scheme to call their own and none of their own vehicles are ever seen, but they seem to be authorized to commandeer any vehicle in service with the Medici Military. During combat at the bases and mines they protect, they've been seen using theWeimaraner W3, CS Baltdjur, Stria Obrero and the Urga Szturm 63A. In the Mech Land Assault DLC, the Black Hand use their own military vehicles, and have their own decals and paint.

Vehicles (Mech Land Assault)

Mech Land Assault adds a small variety of Black Hand-owned vehicles that can be seen and driven on the island of Insula Lacrima. Their colour scheme is mostly black with an orangish red. Light grey can also be seen on Black Hand vehicles, but not all of them.

All of these vehicles except the U41 Ptakojester, Urga Hroch, and Stria Campania 115 can be encountered during Heat. The Ptakojester drops paratroopers during the Hold the Fort phase of prison liberation, the Hroch only appears in the mission Storming the Hive, and the Stria Campania 115 appears in the Mech Arena activity.

Allies and enemies

Just Cause:

Just Cause 3:

Trivia

Just Cause 1

Just Cause 3, Mech Land Assault, and Bavarium Sea Heist

  • There is a symbol on the Titan's left shoulder that resembles an uppercase Q. This is not the their official Just Cause 3 logo, but it might be a secondary logo.
  • The Black Hand always consider Rico as a citizen without heat and will give him fair warning whenever he enters a "restricted area" rather than simply open fire.
  • It is possible to find Black Hand Aegis and Titans at police stations in Just Cause 3.
  • All Black Hand soldiers have the same robotic voice. This includes the female Wardens as well as the other infantry, and Black Hand dispatchers. The only reason it may seem that the Aegis is the only one, is because they're the most talkative.
    • According to dialogue in The Heist Begins, the robotic voices from Black Hand units are a result of a standard issue voice modulator.
      • Upon close inspection, this modulator seems to be visible on the Aegis.
      • In fact, during this mission, Rico is given one of such voice modulators to mask his identity. Upon acquiring it, he does a humorous impression of a Black Hand soldier.
  • If Sky Fortress is installed, the Warden will use the Bavarium Splitter. If only Mech Land Assault is installed, they will instead use the Urga Vdova 89. Needs confirmation.
  • A quote made by Rico in the mission Storming the Hive for the Mech Land Assault contradicts his apparent lack of knowledge about the Black Hand in Three's Company. He clearly recalls what happened back in San Esperito and notes that ever since, the Black Hand have always been on the "dictator's side".
    • If so, then this statement would be considered a major anachronism on the part of the developers.
    • Rico's quote isn't necessarily the only contradiction found in Mech Land Assault. Before the mission Stowaway, when Sheldon calls Rico to ask if the name "Black Hand" means anything to him, Rico's response isn't one of denial but rather "Creepy military dudes? Lots of body armor? Very skilled?"
  • The Eden Callaghan tapes for Bavarium Sea Heist reveal that the Black Hand were initially turned down by the eDEN Corporation when they first approached the company to make an offer. Eden Callaghan's primary reason for refusing to do business with them was that she considered herself to be a highly ethical person, and expected her company to act in the same manner. Doing business with the likes of a shady mercenary organization that operates outside any form of governmental jurisdiction could've threatened the eDEN Corporation's reputation.
    • Ironically, after it killed all personnel on the eDEN Airship, the self-aware AI named Eden, programmed with Ms. Callaghan's voice, discovered an non-executed contract with the Black Hand in the eDEN Corporation's files. Seeking to cover up the truth of what "she" recently did and to buy time in her hunt to acquire more Bavarium, Eden ultimately decided to make use of this contract and enlist the Black Hand's services.
  • In the mission The Heist Begins for Bavarium Sea Heist, Sheldon advises Rico to gain access to Stingray by claiming to be running a "Code Fuchsia" for delivery to the Black Hand. Upon hearing this, the Black Hand sentry talking to Rico immediately grants him access to the base and gives him a personal thanks for the delivery, claiming that Stingray is extremely boring and that it would be a major relief to finally have something to pass the time with other than eDEN files and reports.
    • Based on the sentry's response, it's possible that the Black Hand classify "Code Fuchsia" as R&R (rest & relaxation).

Miscellaneous

  • Back in JC1, their color scheme was all black with a hint of grey and white in places, but in JC3, their color scheme has become more varied, featuring black, red, grey, and even beige or brown.
  • The "17-2" on Black Hand vehicles in Just Cause make a return in Just Cause 3, most dominantly being seen on the Pilot's helmet.
  • This organization might be named after the famous real world terrorist group called the "Black Hand" that started World War I. Link to Wikipedia. However, that group is not the only (or first) real world group that has called itself the "Black Hand".
    • There are a lot of "Black Hand" factions and other organizations in many other works of fiction. Examples include:
  • There is an interesting amount of similarities between the Just Cause 3 iteration of the Black Hand, and the Helghast from the Killzone series:
    • As stated above, there is a "Black Hand" organization appearing in Killzone Shadow Fall.
    • The voices of the Black Hand Troopers sound remarkably similar to Helghast troopers.
    • Visually, the Ghost bears resemblance to some Helghast and Shadowfall Black Hand troopers.

Gallery (JC1)

Soldiers


Ground Vehicles


Helicopters


Fixed-Wing Aircraft


Nautical vehicles


Decals


Gallery (JC3)

Weapons


Infantry

Aegis


Ghost


Titan


Pilot

These pictures were achieved by grappling the Pilot out of his mounted gun at Nebio Sud Detention Camp, except for the boat picture at the end.


Warden


Drones

Light Drone


Eviction Drone


Suppression Drone

The Suppression Drone only appears during Storming the Hive, but can be found immediately after the mission. It is impossible to find them after leaving the game post-mission.


Vehicles


Structures


Miscellaneous

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