Clan Nova Cat Touman
The Clan Nova Cat Touman comprises all military assets owned by Clan Nova Cat. Once one of the strongest Clan Toumans, recent changes caused by the Nova Cats' Abjuration and other conflicts have left it a shell of its former self. Rebuilding difficulties have been compounded with a lack of resources.
Contents
History
Being led by their Warrior Castes, the history of the Nova Cat Touman is intrinsically tied to the history of Clan Nova Cat.
Overview
Clan Nova Cat warriors place a high priority on accuracy, and were known to challenge the Goliath Scorpions for marksmanship prior to the Nova Cat Abjuration. Nova Cat Warriors have a marked preference for laser armed designs, a practice that originated from the Nova Cats perfecting the ER Lasers in use by Clan forces to this day. Recently[when?], Nova Cat warriors have been lead to cross train across a wide variety of unit types, the better to disguise the Touman's issue with low resources.
Nova Cat commanders prize flexibility in tactical doctrine. They are quick to adapt what works, regardless of origin, and are known to study the tactics of their rivals. The Nova Cats particularly prize the 'Hover-Drop' maneuver. In the 'hover-drop', Nova Cat 'Mechs will deploy from their DropShips while still in the lower atmosphere, removing the need for reentry cocoons. While dangerous, it allows the 'Mechs to fire while descending and minimizes enemy reaction time. In some cases, Nova Cat 'Mechs are known to disembark at low level, allowing the DropShip to engage with its own weapon and provide additional cover fire.[1] Nova Cat units have also seen an increase in the use of combined arms tactics, more out of necessity then want.[when?][citation needed]
Clan Nova Cat are opportunistic when it comes Clan honor. They still adhere to zellbrigen when possible, but are quick to drop it when refused.
Ground Forces
Traditionally, Nova Cat Clusters were standardized into one of eight types. Nova Cat units were focused on 'Mechs, specifically the OmniMech, as the core of their Touman. Their forces appeared to favor medium and light designs, and those types continue to be the predominant 'Mech size seen in Nova Cat units. Clan Nova Cat maintained a typical Clan distribution of unit, with front line units using OmniMechs, second line units using standard BattleMechs and with vehicles being reserved for solahma units. The use of armored infantry was unpopular with the Nova Cats, but not forgotten.
Since their Abjuration, heavy losses, combined with a lack of resources, have radically changed the makeup of a Nova Cat Cluster. The Nova Cats are no longer able to maintain any sort of purity with their forces, with standard BattleMechs, and even vehicles now appearing in front line formations. It has also seen the increased use of older machines, taken from Brian Caches, as well as Inner Sphere designs imported from outside governments. Nova Cat forces have also started the use of ProtoMechs and seen an increased focus on armored infantry.[when?][citation needed]
Aerospace Forces
The Nova Cats prize the flexibility and strength of aerospace units. Because of this, Nova Cat commanders are likely to keep a higher ratio of fighters in their bidding compared to most Clans.[citation needed]
The Nova Cats maintained a Naval Tradition that rivals the Snow Ravens, and while they have never focused as high a priority on WarShips, maintained one of the larger fleets among the Clans.[citation needed]
WarShip Command
- NCS True Vision - Congress class WarShip. [2]
- NCS Thunderbolt - Black Lion-class WarShip, later renamed Severen Leroux in honor of Nova Cat Khan Severen Leroux.[3][4]
- 9 Aegis-class heavy cruisers. [5]
- 3 Vincent-class corvettes. [6]
Organization (Including Historical: Units)
Former Galaxies
In 3143, the Nova Cats would fight in a Kurita Rebellion. After backing the wrong side of the war, the Nova Cat Touman was destroyed as a result.
Alpha Galaxy (Victory Over Delusion)
Alpha Galaxy | |||
---|---|---|---|
3051-57 Vision Keshik 1st Nova Cat Guards 449th Assault Cluster 489th Assault Cluster |
3060 NovaStar Keshik 1st Nova Cat Guards 449th Assault Cluster 489th Assault Cluster |
3067 NovaStar Keshik 1st Nova Cat Guards 449th Assault Cluster 489th Assault Cluster Nova Cat Grenadiers Cluster Dragonsfang Cluster |
Delta Galaxy (Ways of Seeing)
Delta Galaxy | ||
---|---|---|
3062-67 Shiva Keshik 4th Nova Cat Guards (The Oracles) 44th Nova Cat Cavaliers (The Five Actions) 46th Nova Cat Cavaliers (Fateful June) 119th Striker Cluster (Self Harmony) |
3079 Shiva Keshik 4th Nova Cat Guards 44th Nova Cat Cavaliers 46th Nova Cat Cavaliers 246th Battle Cluster |
Tau Galaxy (A New Path)
Tau Galaxy | |
---|---|
3060-79 Vision Keshik 9th Nova Cat Regulars 12th Nova Cat Regulars 100th Striker Cluster 274th Battle Cluster |
Xi Galaxy (Rossei's Faithful Followers)
Xi Galaxy | |||
---|---|---|---|
3054 1st Garrison Cluster 3rd Garrison Cluster |
3062 1st Garrison Cluster 3rd Garrison Cluster 5th Garrison Cluster |
3067 Rossei Keshik[10] 1st Garrison Cluster 1st Carabinieri Cluster 2nd Carabinieri Cluster Nova Cat Irregulars Cluster Nova Cat Renegades Cluster Dragonscales Cluster |
Note that this Galaxy had Provisional status in 3062, upgraded to frontline status after Combine-Ghost Bear War.[11][12]
Note that all Clusters have been renamed in 3067, so the names above are no longer accurate. Two additional Clusters and a Keshik have also been added. The new Cluster names are: 1st & 2nd Nova Cat Carabinieri Clusters, Nova Cat Irregulars Cluster, Nova Cat Renegades Cluster and Dragonscales Cluster.[13]
Lambda Galaxy (Seishin-no Nekoryu)
Lambda Galaxy | ||
---|---|---|
Activated in august 3067.[12] | 3067-85 Nekoryu Keshik Nova Cat Hussars Nova Cat Fusiliers |
Omicron Provisional Galaxy
Omicron Provisional Galaxy | |||
---|---|---|---|
3054 5th Garrison Cluster 6th Garrison Cluster 4th Nova Cat Regulars 5th Nova Cat Regulars 6th Nova Cat Regulars |
3067 Thundercats Keshik Nova Cat Jaegers Cluster Nova Cat Legers Cluster Nova Cat Rangers Cluster Nova Cat Dragoons Cluster |
3079-85 Nova Cat Jaegers Cluster Nova Cat Legers Cluster Nova Cat Rangers Cluster Nova Cat Dragoons Cluster |
Note that all Clusters has been renamed in 3067, so the names below are no longer accurate. The new names are Nova Cat Jaegers Cluster, Nova Cat Legers Cluster, Nova Cat Rangers Cluster and Nova Cat Dragons Cluster.[13]
Fallen Galaxies
Beta Galaxy
Beta Galaxy (Spiritual Vision) | |
---|---|
3051 Lachesis Keshik Nova Cat Lancers 179th Striker Cluster 44th Nova Cat Cavaliers 200th Aggressor Cluster |
Gamma Galaxy
Gamma Galaxy | |
---|---|
3052 12th Nova Cat Cavaliers |
Kappa Galaxy
Kappa Galaxy | |
---|---|
3060 Fourth Provisional Garrison Cluster Seventeenth Provisional Garrison Cluster Forty-ninth Provisional Garrison Cluster |
Destroyed in 3060 during the Nova Cat Abjurement.
Rho Provisional Galaxy
Rho Galaxy | |
---|---|
3060 Unknown |
Destroyed during the Nova Cat Abjurement in 3060.
Upsilon Provisional Galaxy
Upsilon Galaxy | |
---|---|
3060 Unknown |
Destroyed during the Nova Cat Abjurement in 3060.
Sigma Galaxy (Spiritual Vision)
Sigma Galaxy | ||
---|---|---|
3059 Lachesis Keshik Nova Cat Lancers 179th Striker Cluster 246th Battle Cluster 189th Striker Cluster |
3067 Lachesis Keshik Nova Cat Lancers (The Path of Right) 179th Striker Cluster (Circle of Power) 246th Battle Cluster (Truth of Ages) 189th Striker Cluster (Hold to the Path) Dragonsclaw Cluster Added in 3060s.[10] |
Chi Provisional Galaxy
Chi Provisional Galaxy | ||
---|---|---|
3054-3059 10th Garrison Cluster (Onward) 11th Garrison Cluster (No Misstep) 12th Garrison Cluster (Integral Truth) 115th Garrison Cluster 153rd Garrison Cluster (Eternal Power) |
3060-3062 10th Garrison Cluster 11th Garrison Cluster 12th Garrison Cluster 153rd Garrison Cluster |
Destroyed in 3062 during Combine-Ghost Bear War[14]
Omega Provisional Galaxy
Omega Provisional Galaxy | ||
---|---|---|
3054-3059 13th Garrison Cluster (Reflections) 14th Garrison Cluster (A Thousand Years) 15th Garrison Cluster (Freedom of Right) 9th Nova Cat Regulars 12th Nova Cat Regulars |
3060-3062 13th Garrison Cluster 14th Garrison Cluster 15th Garrison Cluster 115th Garrison Cluster |
Destroyed in 3062 during Combine-Ghost Bear War[14]
Zeta Provisional Galaxy
Zeta Provisional Galaxy | |
---|---|
3062 37th Garrison Cluster (Lost Ones) 44th Garrison Cluster (The Fallen) 67th Garrison Cluster (Heretics) 167th Garrison Cluster (Long Road) First Dragoncat Cluster |
Mauled during Combine-Ghost Bear War, the survivors deserted in 3062 and the Galaxy was struck from the rolls.[14]
Unassigned Clusters deployed during Operation Revival
- 3rd Aerospace Cluster
- 32nd Assault Cluster
- 101st Battle Cluster
- 321st Battle Cluster
- 211th Combat Cluster
- 5003rd Harasser Cluster
- 25th Nova Cat Regulars
- 57th Nova Cat Regulars
Vision Naval Star | |
---|---|
3062[15] SLS True Vision - Congress-class SLS Faithful - Lola III-class SLS Spirit Sigh - Fredasa-class SLS True Path - Carrack-class SLS Blood Oath - Aegis-class SLS Bond - Aegis-class SLS Promise - Aegis-class |
3067[14] SLS Far Vision - Vincent Mk.42-class SLS True Path - Carrack-class SLS Promise - Aegis-class SLS Path of Honor - Aegis-class |
Transcendent Naval Star | |
---|---|
3062[15] SLS Anna Rosse - York-class SLS Future Triumph - Fredasa-class SLS Perilous Vision - Carrack-class SLS Righteous Return - Vincent Mk.42-class SLS Blade - Aegis-class SLS Path of Honor - Aegis-class SLS Vision Quest - Aegis-class |
3067[14] SLS Future Triumph - Fredasa-class SLS Perilous Vision - Carrack-class SLS Blade - Aegis-class SLS Vision Quest - Aegis-class |
Mystic Naval Star | |
---|---|
3062[15] SLS Spirit Vision - Vincent Mk.42-class SLS Far Vision - Vincent Mk.42-class SLS Void - Carrack-class SLS Chronicle - Aegis-class SLS Principle - Aegis-class SLS Remembrance - Aegis-class |
3067[14] SLS Severen Leroux - Black Lion-class SLS Spirit Vision - Vincent Mk.42-class SLS Void - Carrack-class SLS Chronicle - Aegis-class SLS Principle - Aegis-class SLS Remembrance - Aegis-class |
Other Vessels
3062
- NovaStar Keshik
- SLS Severen Leroux - Black Lion-class[16]
3067
- merchant fleet
- SLS Growler - Lola III-class
- SLS Ranger - Lola III-class
- SLS Hunter - Lola III-class
- SLS Far Star - Carrack-class
- SLS Enlightened Path - Carrack-class
- SLS Nebula - Carrack-class
- SLS Glory Road - Carrack-class
- SLS Blessed Vision - Carrack-class
- SLS Pathfinder - Carrack-class
- SLS Guiding Vision - Carrack-class
- SLS Bright Star - Carrack-class
- SLS Faithful Rite - Carrack-class
Lost Ships
- SLS Faithful - Lola III-class - destroyed by Clan Ghost Bear (3067)[14]
- SLS Spirit Sight - Fredasa-class - destroyed by Clan Ghost Bear (3067)[14]
- SLS Blood Oath - Aegis-class - destroyed by Clan Ghost Bear (3067)[14]
- SLS Bond - Aegis-class - destroyed by Clan Ghost Bear (3067)[14]
- SLS Righteous Return - Vincent Mk.42-class - destroyed by Clan Ghost Bear (3067)[14]
- SLS Anna Rosse - York-class - heavily damaged by Clan Ghost Bear (3067);[14] later repaired but destroyed during the Jihad.[17]
- SLS True Vision - Congress-class - heavily damaged by Clan Ghost Bear (3067);[14] later repaired but destroyed during the Jihad.[17]
- SLS Void - Carrack-class - destroyed during the Jihad.[17]
- SLS Perilous Vision - Carrack-class - destroyed during the Jihad.[17]
Uniform
Field and Dress Uniform
The field uniform of the Nova Cats consisted of a charcoal grey, full length body suit with banded collar. Glossy black patches, mimicking the pattern of a Nova Cat's fur, form shoulder pads. A thin black line runs down the body and left arm of the uniform. Footwear consists of a moccasin-like black boot. While not officially part of the uniform, many Nova Cat warriors also add a leather pouch to carry vineers from past battles.
The Nova Cat dress uniform adds a black cape and cowl to the field uniform.
SLDF Pattern
When the Second Star League was still active, the Field uniform of the Nova Cats underwent a change. This version of the Nova Cat uniform merged the SLDF uniform with elements of the traditional Clan Nova Cat uniform.
Ceremonial Uniform
Worn only during ritual functions and Council meetings, the ceremonial uniform consists of shorts, vest with studded collar, and fingerless gloves. These pieces are made of black leather. Laced leggings are added when footwear is desired, but this is considered optional. The uniform also adds an intricate headpiece, styled after a nova cat head, worn when called on by the Oathmaster or during Grand Council Meetings.
An alternate version of the ceremonial uniform, worn in the presence of other Clans, replaces the shorts and vest with a full length body suit.
Insignia
Nova Cat warriors wear a colored Dagger Star pin on the right side of their collar, denoting their branch of service. A pin on the left side of their collar denotes their Point position in a Star. A shoulder patch on the right shoulder denotes a warrior's rank, while the left shoulder shows his Galaxy and Cluster assignment. Finally, the insignia of Clan Nova Cat is worn as a patch on the left breast.
Ranks
While abjured, Clan Nova Cat maintains standard Clan Military Organization and ranks.
Point positions | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Point 1 | Point 2 | Point 3 | Point 4 | Point 5 | |||||
Rank | Unit | Insignia |
---|---|---|
MechWarrior Point Commander |
Point | |
Star Commander | Star | |
Star Captain | Binary/Trinary | |
Star Colonel/ Star Commodore (Naval Equivalent) |
Cluster | |
Galaxy Commander/ Star Admiral (Naval Equivalent) |
Galaxy | |
saKhan | ||
Khan | Clan Nova Cat Touman |
Notes
The Luthien (scenario pack) lists a 4th Nova Cat Assault Galaxy and a 183rd Nova Cat Assault Galaxy as being involved in the Battle of Luthien in 3052. However, these two names are in error as the developers have stated that the book does not use the proper unit naming conventions for Clan Galaxies. The name of the Galaxies involved on Luthien are unclear at this time.
References
- ↑ Strategic Operations, p. 90: "Punitive Strike"
- ↑ Invading Clans, pp.122, "Front Line Unit Summary"
- ↑ Invading Clans, pp.122, "Front Line Unit Summary"
- ↑ Field Manual: ComStar, p. 133, "Naval Assets"
- ↑ Invading Clans, pp.122, "Front Line Unit Summary"
- ↑ Invading Clans, pp.122, "Front Line Unit Summary"
- ↑ Field Manual: ComStar, pp. 116–124
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, pp. 95–97, 100
- ↑ Field Report: Clans, p. 17
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 100
- ↑ Field Manual: ComStar, p. 120
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 97
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 101
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 Field Manual: Updates, p. 96
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Field Manual: ComStar, p. 110
- ↑ Field Manual: ComStar, p. 110
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Field Report: Clans, p. 16: "Fleet"
Bibliography
- Field Manual: ComStar
- Field Manual: Updates
- Field Report: Clans
- Invading Clans
- Jihad Turning Points: Luthien
- Strategic Operations
- Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3060
- Technical Readout: 3067
- Technical Readout: 3075
- Technical Readout: Project Phoenix