I don’t know if this topic has ever been bought up before but thinking about the possibilities of Early Clan OmniMech designs really got me hooked. Just looking at introduction dates for known designs during the Clan Invasion was what got me started thinking about all of this. Of course, Era Digest: Golden Century already gave us details on three early OmniMechs (Coyotl, Lupus, Woodsman) which had been eluded to in early fluff. These three are the first of ten (10) known OmniMechs which all debuted in the late 2800s after Coyote’s initial discovery.
The Nova (or Black Hawk – 50 tons) and Crossbow (65 tons) were introduced next in 2870 surviving to see action all the way into the mid-31st century. They are joined by the Summoner (or Thor – 70 tons) in 2872, the Battle Cobra (40 tons) in 2873, the Fire Moth (or Dasher – 20 tons) in 2874, the Kingfisher (90 tons) in 2887, and the Kit Fox (or Uller – 30 tons) in 2890 as familiar survivors from the first generation of OmniMechs. But could there have been more…..
You would think dozens of chasses were developed and deployed at this time by different Clans just obtaining the technology. Certainly a few most have had some success especially if you look at certain weight classes most notably the Assaults. The 100 ton Dire Wolf (Diashi) is not introduced until 3010, the 95 ton Executioner (Gladiator) is 3001, and the 85 ton Warhawk (Masakari) is 2999. They all look like Clan refinements made specifically for the invasion of the InnerSphere. The 80 ton Gargoyle (Man O’War) appears earlier in 2945 but that is 91 years after the debut of the Coyotl which itself was discontinued two years prior.
The 2940s appear to be that second generation of OmniMech designs with the Viper (or Dragonfly) and the Ice Ferret (or Fenris) both appearing near other Clan standard like the Mist Lynx (Koshi) and the Hellbringer (or Loki) in 2926, Stormcrow (or Ryoken) in 2930, Timber Wolf (or Mad Cat) in 2945, and the Mad Dog (or Vulture) in 2963.
I have a lot of thoughts on all the possibilities from designs like how about a 35 ton Wild Weasel designed by Mongoose for their aggressive strikes across the Kerensky Cluster which until the Adder is the Clan design for that weight class? Or a 100 ton Gyrfalcon created in the wake of Jade Falcon’s successful seizure of the OmniMech from Coyote which is eventually replaced by the Dire Wolf. Heck, a Proliferation Series on the Clan OmniMech would be pretty interesting stuff.
As a design note for these early omnis I was thinking this new modular technology is expensive and perhaps Standard Engines would save vital resources while increasing the survivability at this time but as the Clans grew as did their desire for high end war machinery (i.e. the invasion) these first and maybe even a few second generation omnis were retired from service.
Quiaff?
