Do people regularly play with the non-core Clan omnimechs? Since omnimechs are not limited to mech specific load outs, do people find a strategic use for other mechs or is it fluff-related personal preference that drives the choice?
This-
I think that overall it's more common to stick with canon configurations rather than custom designs.
And b/c some tables are canon only . . . I go with that for pick up & TT, since it keeps things easier. For campaign customization is OK, but I do it through MM so its simple with that format. One of the old MegaMek servers . . . ugh, 15 years ago? . . . we worked out a config alternate option, basically we traded AC types around. So the Timber Wolf C with a UAC/5? You could get a Timber Wolf C Alt, it had a LB-5X instead. Fun one was the Mad Dog C, Guass Rifles were replaced by 1 UAC/20 and 1 LB-20X . . . brought back the old Hunchback Hate.
For me its certain things . . .
The Wolves would not use mechs with fixed JJs and tend to be faster.
The Falcons WOULD use mechs with fixed JJs.
Jags favor firepower on the triangle- especially BFGs.
Bears . . . size, some speed, and firepower at the expense of armor.
So as a example for the Falcons are simple for some since IMO they would keep 3 iconics b/c the JJ
Cougar (still, its the fixed JJs)
Night Gyr
Turkina
Pouncer (fixed JJ)
Mongrel
Jaguars
Arctic Cheetah
Shadow Cat
Cauldron Born
Flamberge
Tomahawk
Ghost Bear
Fire Falcon (name change?)
Coyotl
Mad Dog MK III
Nova Cat
Blood Asp
Wolf
Hellion
Phantom
Crimson Langur (name change)
Lupus
Linebacker