Is that a Timber Wolf in your back pocket?

[Wotan]

but I was surprised after luthien they weren't more active against Clan forces

I think directly after Luthien even the Dragoons needed some time to rebuild/regroup. And then you had the peace of Tukayyid. So no need for further action against the clans. They did their share, but nothing more.

[Dragon Cat]

I know and they had their own internal civil strife which should have set off alarm bells everywhere mercs complicated enough to have their own civil war are pretty nuts in my mind

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

No kidding.  Especially when they give the instigator of said war a promotion instead of a bullet.

[haesslich]

No kidding.  Especially when they give the instigator of said war a promotion instead of a bullet.

To be fair, Eldon was relatively useful as an experienced BA trooper. They were otherwise stuck with sibko-fresh newbies, and he WAS smart enough to make friends in the lower ranks, unlike Jamie's spawn. They should never have imitated the IS noble houses in promoting members of their own families into command roles without making sure they were up to snuff.

That's why that little twirp Alpin thought he could be a leader.  And ended up being used as a puppet until Maeve showed him what it feels like to be a mech finger puppet.

Best part of the story, really. On top of showing how the Dragoons, especially Jamie, were losing their touch.

[Dragon Cat]

All Merc units promote family to positions of power

the Dragoon problem was they weren't ever truly mercs yes they fought for pay but they were always gathering intelligence for their Clan masters

  they then helped the Inner Sphere stop the Clans FedCom claim contract but really it served Dragoons goals after they'd turned backs on Clans

Then they took advantage of holding Outreach and tried to make a like controlling the Merc trade again not acting like mercs but trying to be bosses

Finally their power play of the AMC against WoB was another power play even them taking Combine contracts at the time felt out of place

ADD to that the Clanners they captured on Luthien added to their (Not merc) image

I don't actually mind the Dragoons but they aren't mercs in any normal regard

[Major Headcase]

I don't actually mind the Dragoons but they aren't mercs in any normal regard

I do agree with this statement. I don't hold the Dragoons to the measurement of the typical merc outfit, they are a singular organization really, more like a tiny sovereign nation in behavior and goals. But that doesn't mean they are to be derided for it.
The Dragoons remind me more of modern Private Military Contractors than your stereotypical soldier of fortune. The military aspect always seemed more a tool to influence politics and geopolitics of power, than as a way to make money. And I'm totally okay with that! Btech needs an ambiguous independent power in 3025-3055! Big and meddlesome enough to unbalance the precarious equilibrium of IS politics. 😁