The Archangel, like the most of the Celestials, requires too much in the way of BV to make this concept viable if you're utilizing that system of balance. A 4/4 pilot is minimal, although MD pilots are generally Veteran or Elite quality. Immediately, you're stuck with a BV hike and a very short-ranged design when compared to most of what's coming out of the Inner Sphere during this era. Compare this to the Viking, Archer, etc. and you'll see what I mean.
Let's not forget that if your range relies on a C3i network, you're boosting BV again. So you have an over-BVed unit with pitiful firepower and an over-BVed network ensuring that 3025-era damage levels get inflicted? :-\ I think I'll pass.
Aside from the cosmetic appearance of the unit, the base chassis doesn't have much going for it. The configurations seem to have been made with the idea of "let's jam as much Blake-flavored tech on here as possible" rather than "how can we make this effective on the field?" At some point, the WoB would probably notice how stupid most of the configs are and change them. Hell, the first-generation Omnis coming out of the Combine were superior to this waste of space.
All-in-all, the chassis provides interesting possibilities which are entirely unexplored due to fluff limitations. What's left is a unit which leaves me to question just how the Shadow Divisions gained any sort of feared reputation whatsoever.
From Personal Experience:
I happen to play in a Mekwars server set in the Jihad Era, and one of the playable factions were naturally the wobbies. I played as part of the Shadow Divisions, with the server settings giving you 3/4 pilots by default and getting celestials in well over 50% of your mech pulls. The server balances by BV2.
Needless to say, I was ALWAYS out-massed, ALWAYS out-gunned, ALWAYS outnumbered (unless I happen to fight a clanner). And I still manage to win over 60% of my games.
Sure, C3i, Leveled pilots, and the inherent high BV of the mech itself hikes your BV WAY up there, and for someone not used to them, would be far more a burden than any help, but if you know what you're doing? You can usually take on a force of 3067-3075 Era mechs with 4/5 pilots in them (or clan-tech machines with 3/4 pilots in them) and expect at least an even chance of victory, despite the disadvantages.
Also, do NOT underestimate Manei Domini pilots, especially ones with VDNI/BDVNI. The ability to HALVE your own and your target's movement modifiers makes them insanely accurate, perhaps moreso than what the BV hike would make you think.
That said, The Archangel does its best as a commander's ride, since it not only gives a high-priority target an absurdly durable ride, but the seeming lack of firepower also makes that commander seem less threatening to the other guy.
