Having incurred high losses during the Xen Feng Tian Plains Offensive due to Falchion light attack units, Hai Shi Dao command began looking for a comparable match to the PRF threat. Initially, Lycoming Defense Systems was contacted to determine whether their Vitzh or m-Vitzh platforms could be upgraded to the necessary speed and handling characteristics to counter the Falchion. Unfortunately, Lycoming D.S. had already disbanded their Vitzh design team and was unwilling to support the platform beyond basic maintenance services, much less re-open research and development. Goodman Manufacturing once again stepped up and exceeded expectations by offering a modified Scare Face platform optimised for speed and reconnaissance.

Although sharing a name with the conventional Scare Face model, the Scare Face A1 is optimised for a completely different battlefield role. In order to allow for the necessary speed and veering performance gains a large quantity of armour plating was minimised or altogether removed. In particular, the leg shields had been completely eliminated, which made the center of gravity much higher, lending to balancer issues. Armament options remained the same, including the sniper rifle option, making this the VT of choice to deploy for both artillery reconnaissance and strategic sniping missions. Owing to its Scare Face parentage, the A1 is not quite as fast as the Falchion, but is more durable and has much better torque, and can be effectively deployed in mountainous regions if necessary.




The lighter variant of the Scare Face serves an entirely different role from its namesake. Lighter armour, superior speed and the option to mount the MKR-La make this VT the ultimate reconnaissance and base run/capture VT. Add the fact that it may mount the 77-REC and T-GND options and it can eat Falchions alive in head on engagements. The A1 is still lacking in speed and veering when compared to the Falchion so circle-of-death engagements are still not advisable.

Scare Face A1 pilots with markers are the best friends of Vortex pilots and can serve in both escort and forward marker recon roles. At speed on flat missions, a Scare Face A1 is often used as "bait" to first mark enemy units and then taunt them to chase. This allows teammates with artillery to pick off the pursuers with ease on the minimap artillery view, or for standard combat units to move in to the rear of the pursuers for the easy kill.

Like the Scare Face, the A1's ability to mount the 320-SR lets it snipe from hiding, then move rapidly to a new position for attack, or run away from danger if necessary. Beware the lighter armour and balancer instabilities of this VT. Tipping whilst within the firing range of enemy VTs typically means destruction. Scare Face A1s are second only to Falchions in the first generation class as desirable limited VTs. A pity these are in such minimal supply when they become available.