Hello,
In this third thread, I will be exploring OmniMechs I designed for my Golden Century Campaign. The OmniMechs presented were a living part of the setting of my campaign. The entries for each are supposed to be read as if in universe historical perspectives dating to the year 3000. These OmniMechs:
1. Are (supposed to be) fun and characterful.
2. Are (supposed to be) novel or unique.
3.
Do not incorporate XL, FF, ES all together. (c.f. ED:GC, p. 6)
4. Attempt to reflect the proclivities of the Clan that introduced them.
5. Do not group weapons almost exclusively to the arms (
that innovation belongs to Clan Hell’s Horses).
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One bit of information left out is a review of when each Clan acquired OmniMech Technology, with references:
Early on I made a list, “Definitive and Speculative OmniMech Acquisition”. I have been updating this list for a while and still do as of late winter 2022. Here is my current version:
First, the two Clans who pioneered OmniMech technology2854:
Coyote
Clan Coyote developed OmniMech technology 2847-2853 (FM: WC, pp. 40-42), debuting with the
Coyotl in 2854.(ED:GC, pp. 1, 6, 10, 22; FM:WC, pp. 40-41)
2855:
Sea Fox
Helping the Coyotes develop OmniMech technology, Clan Sea Fox debuted their own designs “barely a year after Clan Coyote’s first field tests…” (FM:WC, p. 59)
2863-2864 (FM:WC, p. 41, 9 Clans had OmniMech technology - meaning 7 acquire OmniMech technology within these 2 years):
2863:Jade Falcon
Won with a single Star (FM:CC, p. 91, FM:WC, p. 41)
Wolf
Wolf took OmniMech technology from the Jade Falcons (FM:WC, p. 41, FM:CC, p. 91, 135)
Mongoose
Mongoose attacked Star Adder “en masse… the use of an unknown type of ‘Mech caught the Adders unawares.” (FM:CC, p. 112)
2864:Fire Mandrill, Kindraa Symthe-Jewel
Fire Mandrill took OmniMech technology, including 3 designs (and 2 Scientists), from Coyotes using deceptive bidding practices. The Smythe-Jewels had implemented larger Star compositions, and did not divulge to the Coyotes the actual size of their forces. Each
Point of the Star consisted of 5 infantry, 2 aerospace fighters, 2 combat vehicles, and 2 BattleMechs. While other Clans had experimented with larger formations of infantry, combat vehicles, and ASFs, and these were ultimately accepted by the Clan Grand Council, the Smythe-Jewel's modifications to BattleMech unit size were novel, and were not accepted by other Clans (FM:CC, p. 39, FM:WC, pp. 41-42,
TP: Foster, p. 10).
Guesses (most likely, only 3/5 Clans below had OmniMechs by the end of 2864):(In the back of my head, I always thought Clans with a lot of contact with Clan Coyote would win OmniMech technology sooner. Clans based on Babylon could conduct intra-system Trials of Possession for the technology, which seems to make it more likely the Cloud Cobras and Ice Hellions would win it earlier. Why would they win the technology after Clan Jade Falcon? A several possible reasons suggest themselves, including:
Years of defending the technology have taken its toll on the Coyotes.
The more OmniMechs Clan Coyote manufactures, the more likely inferior MechWarriors have access to them.
After the Jade Falcons won the technology, the Coyotes stop defending it as aggressively.)
More LikelyBurrock
Khan Zenos Danforth was elected ilKhan in 2858 (ED:GC, p. 10) ostensibly because he could act as a neutral party to adjudicate any disputed Trials of Possession (FM:WC, p. 41). However, this was a guise, since ilKhan Danforth used his position to help Clan Burrock become one of the first Clans to win OmniMech technology. Clan Burrock used their newly won technology "...to regain a strong presence of assault ’Mechs...", introducing the first generation
Executioner (later renamed
Executioner-B so as not to be confused with Clan Ghost Bear's upgraded
Executioner) (Shrapnel 08, p. 45).
Cloud Cobra
“By 2868, our Galaxies fielded several Trinaries of OmniMechs.” (FM:WC, p. 21).
Alternatively, the description from Alpha Galaxy's history says its survivors salvaged OmniMech technology in 2872 and developed the technology [by 2877] (FM:CC, p. 32). However, this does not match the text in the Cloud Cobra History (11 pages earlier), nor the description that every Clan desiring OmniMech technology possessed it by 2870 in the Coyote History (9 pages later), nor the the description of the
Fire Moth, which was designed by Clan Cloud Cobra (TRO:3050U) and debuted in 2874 (ED:GC), just 2 years after OmniMech acquisition as described in the history of Alpha Galaxy, nor does it match the 2873 introductory date for Clan Cloud Cobra's first OmniFighter, the
Goth (MUL). By adjusting the date of Clan Coyote's Priori assaults to 2863, Clan Cloud Cobra has the five years described to amass several trinaries, reconciling Alpha Galaxy’s history with all of the other pieces of information.
Star Adder
“[The Star Adders] managed to salvage several OmniMechs from the battlefields, however, from which they swiftly developed their own.” (FM:CC, p. 112)
Less LikelyIce Hellion
Ice Hellion was one of the first Clans to develop the OmniMech after winning the technology from Clan Coyote (FM:CC, p. 76). “…also pioneered improvements in ferro-fibrous and endo-steel construction, aiding them in strengthening their smaller machines.” (FM:CC, p. 76). With the newly published information on Clan Burrock (Shrapnel 08), the Ice Hellions seem less likely. Being ultra-aggressive, the Hellions may have already Trialed for the technology in 2863 and lost before the Falcons won, and acquired it during subsequent next attempts in 2864 or 2865.
Smoke Jaguar
Smoke Jaguar “…in one of the most militarily significant of these trials, Clan Smoke Jaguar Warriors won possession of several OmniMechs from Clan Coyote long before many of the other Clans had access to the more powerful machines.” (IC, p. 49) With the newly published information on Clan Burrock (Shrapnel 08), the Smoke Jaguars seem less likely, perhaps winning the technology in 2865.
2865-2870 (FM:WC, p. 41, every Clan that desired OmniMech technology had it by 2870):
2866:Blood Spirit
Kindraa Smythe-Jewel approached Clan Blood Spirits with an offer for OmniMech technology in exchange for part of Foster in 2865. Trials were held in 2866 after Blood Spirits overcame their distrust. (FM:CC p. 24) 2866 was chosen as the date, because these Trials marked the beginning of "four years [in which] they used their acquisition of OmniMech technology and their contribution (sic) to smooth relations with Clan Blood Spirit to expand their influence," (FM:CC, p. 39) a relationship that became more distant solely because of the Spirit departure from Foster in exchange for Battle Armor and breeding protocols in 2870 (FM: CC, p. 39, FM:CC, p. 24, Shrapnel 09, pp. 60-77, TP: Foster, p. 10)
2868:Hell’s Horses
“In 2868, upon hearing that Khan Eric Amirault would again lead a Trial for OmniMech technology from Clan Coyote, MechWarrior Aaron fought his way into the Star and was instrumental in achieving victory.” (TP: Tokasha, p. 9)
Clans whose dates of acquisition are ambiguous, but more likely 2865-2870Nova Cat
I thought I read something about early NC OmniMech acquisition, but I have not been able to find the reference in several years. If anyone knows where I can find this, I am eager to update this information.
Snow Raven
Steel Viper took OmniMech technology from Snow Raven, resulting in the
Crossbow. Therefore, Snow Raven before Steel Viper, before 2870 (TRO:3058, p. 178, TRO:3058U, p. 182, IC, p. 98)
Goliath Scorpion
Frustrated on three attempts to acquire OmniMechs from Clan Coyote. Acquired the technology from Kindraa Payne salvage. (FM:WC, p. 104) MechWarrior Online’s (not quite cannon, but not discarded, either)
Sun Spider backstory explains CGS began developing their own OmniMech from Clan Wolf
surkairede (from battle armor technology); if so, CGS had not won the technology as of 2868 (Battle Armor debut).
Steel Viper
Steel Viper developed and deployed its first OmniMech after acquiring technology from Snow Raven technicians taken in a Trial of Possession (TRO:3058, p. 178, TRO:3058U, p.182, IC, p. 98). Though claiming to be disinterested in OmniMech technology at the time, the Vipers committed to these Trials of Possession as a way to test themselves, ensuring their battlefield excellence (FM:WC, p. 135)
Finally, Clans acquiring OmniMech Technology after 2870 (FM:CC, p. 79)2873:Ghost Bear
Ghost Bear captured OmniMechs from Hell’s Horses in 2873 (FM:CC, p. 79)
See Also:
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=57487.msg1323897#msg1323897With that said, I won't re-share the synopsis of Operation: KLONDIKE winners and losers here, as these OmniMechs will debut at least three decades later. Enjoy!
S.gage
References (in order of publication date)Invading Clans
Technical Readout: 3058
Field Manual: Crusader Clans
Field Manual: Warden Clans
Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade
Era Digest: Golden Century
Turning Points: Tokasha
Turning Points: Foster
Sharpnel, Issues 8-9