Mavericks

Mavericks are reploids that have turned criminal. Mavericks are an extremely widespread problem and are nearly impossible to get rid of. (Some of which may be due to how mavericks are created…)

Reploids, much like humans, are beings with free will. This free will allows them to do whatever they please. And just like humans this sometimes means a reploid may make a choice to commit a felony (EX- kill another reploid or a human). Once they have committed a serious felony they are branded a maverick. (They likely won't get branded a maverick, hunted down and destroyed because they stole something. Though they may have to fix/replace it or otherwise make it up to the owner.)

These reploids were never given a chance to make their own choice, they were simply created by other mavericks to serve them. Sometimes these mavericks only do so grudgingly, other times they thoroughly enjoy being maverick themselves. These mavericks may have restraints or other locks to prevent them from accessing their full power against their creators.

Although Force Metals didn't gain much in the way of widespread usage, during their use in Giga City it was discovered that over use or prolonged use of Force Metals would erode the Reploid's mind and cause them to go maverick. (Much like a drug would affect a Human's mind and cause damage.)

Being mechanical means that reploids can suffer from mechanical failure. Either through damage done to them (in battle or in dangerous situations), wear and tear on their body (usually the mind) or simply design faults present within them from creation. The maverick Vile was a victim of malfunction in his control chip which made him more violent than a normal reploid would be.

This is usually the most common reason for a reploid to become a maverick. There are several strains of powerful viruses which corrupt the data within the infected party's mind and cause them to become a maverick. Most of the viruses are extremely powerful and fast acting. (See Maverick Virus for more info.)

Mavericks tend to be highly vicious (especially those created through the maverick virus). They also are extremely unpredictable and most have no issue in starting a fight. They tend not to care who they drag into fights either and many are more than happy to kill a few humans without a second thought.

Though some mavericks do retain cognitive capabilities (especially those who chose to become maverick rather than those who were infected) attempting to reason with a maverick is impossible. They generally do not care what others have to say and cannot be persuaded. Some mavericks even retain a high level of cognitive skill despite being infected (Dr. Doppler being one such reploid.)

Most mavericks tend not to group together. Generally they operate on their own or in small closed groups of 2-6 with a single leader. Though since mavericks are criminals they also tend to frequently break down in larger groups or have frequent power struggles (when a leader gets challenged by another). So maverick group structure is always shaky at best.

Sigma's forces however tend to be different. These mavericks are much more organized (having received orders right from Sigma himself.) Traditionally Sigma's forces are broken down into Sigma acting as the supreme commander. Then a high ranking maverick or two (EX- Vile) to oversee the generals. Then he has 8 maverick generals that he tasks with a specific objective (he usually selects these generals according to which would give his army the greatest overall diversity for attacks). Each general leads its own army composed of mechaniloids tailored to that maverick's strengths.

Unfortunately there is no true cure for the maverick condition (seeing as how it can be through choice). For many years the maverick virus also remained incurable. Though eventually it was eradicated through the Mother Elf. But reploids could still choose to be mavericks.

The only true solution for dealing with mavericks is to destroy them. (“Retire” in the official Hunter lingo.)