Difference between revisions of "Totem BattleMech"

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==Concept==
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Totem [[BattleMech]]s represent a [[clan]] or a faction's spirit, concept or totem-animal on which they were founded. More common among the [[Clans]], particularly in the later days of the [[Dark Age]], these BattleMech designs are often more aesthetic in design than many others; often anthropomorphic or  zoomorphic in appearance.
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==Definition==
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Totem [[BattleMech]]s are designed as an avatar of a [[Clan]]'s totem animal;<ref name="er62107">''Era Report: 3062'', p. 107: "Totem 'Mechs"</ref> in a wider sense, other factions have arguably adopted the concept to a degree.
  
==Notable Examples==
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More common among the Clans, particularly after [[Operation REVIVAL]] and in the later days of the [[Dark Age]], these BattleMech designs typically devote more resources to aesthetic "frills". These "frills" are often anthropomorphic or zoomorphic in appearance.
  
The majority of totem 'Mechs are either named after their clan, such as the ''[[Nova Cat (BattleMech)]]''. However, a great many more are designed to resemble some part of the faction that fields them, such as the ''[[Eyrie]]'', ''[[Gyrfalcon]]'', ''[[Jade Hawk]]'', and ''[[Shrike]]'' of the [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcon]]'s 3130's revival BattleMech line, all of which resemble the clan's totem bird of prey with their talons, hawk-like head assemblies, and heat-dissipating wings. Others, like the [[Draconis Combine]] totem 'Mech ''[[Shiro]]'', which is symbolic of the faction's strong Japanese traditions and bushido, are powerful figureheads for commanders to lead their forces from.
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One example of the increased importance of the Totem 'Mech can be seen when these units are compared to the [[OmniMech]]s that regularly appeared in the Clan's front line Clusters. Those units, designed for brutal efficiency on the battlefield and quick production, lack all the special moldings, formed armor, and other design details used in the Totem 'Mechs.<ref name="er62107"/>
  
==List of Totem BattleMechs==
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Many 'Mechs are named after their Clan, such as the ''[[Nova Cat (OmniMech)|Nova Cat]]''. However, this does not make the 'Mech a "Totem 'Mech". To be considered as such a 'Mech is designed to visually resemble some part of the faction fielding them, such as the ''[[Eyrie]]'', ''[[Mandrill]]'', ''[[Kodiak]]'', and ''[[Fire Scorpion]]''.
  
''[[Arctic Wolf]]'' - [[Clan Wolf-In-Exile]] premier totem 'Mech.
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The question has also been answered by previous Line Developer Herb Beas on the [https://bg.battletech.com/forums/ask-the-lead-developers/totem-mechs/msg881929/#msg881929 Official Forums]
  
''[[Balius]]'' - [[Clan Hell's Horses]] premier heavy quad totem 'Mech.
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==List of Totem BattleMechs==
 
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===Clan===
''[[Battle Cobra]]'' - [[Clan Steel Viper]] medium [[OmniMech]], characterized by its fully arm-mounted weaponry.
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* ''[[Balius]]'' - [[Clan Hell's Horses]] heavy quad totem OmniMech.
 
 
''[[Black Lanner]]'' - Clan Jade Falcon fast medium totem OmniMech.
 
 
 
''[[Blood Kite]]'' - [[Clan Blood Spirit]] assault totem 'Mech.
 
 
 
''[[Cave Lion]]'' - [[Clan Spirit Cat]] totem 'Mech, designed to resemble the clan symbol's saber-toothed lion.
 
 
 
''[[Ebon Jaguar (Cauldron-Born)|Ebon Jaguar]]'' - Also known as the "Cauldron-Born", a totem 'Mech for [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]].
 
 
 
''[[Eisenfaust]]'' - [[House Steiner]] totem medium 'Mech.
 
 
 
''[[Eyrie]]'' - Light totem 'Mech for the revival of Clan Jade Falcon.
 
 
 
''[[Fire Scorpion]]'' - [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] heavy class.
 
 
 
''[[Grizzly]]'' - [[Clan Ghost Bear]] totem second-line 'Mech.
 
 
 
''[[Gyrfalcon]]'' - Medium totem 'Mech for Clan Jade Falcon.
 
 
 
''[[Hellion]]'' - [[Clan Ice Hellion]] Myst-Lynx-based totem OmniMech.
 
 
 
''[[Hatamoto-Chi]]'' - Draconis Combine assault class totem 'Mech.
 
 
 
''[[Hitotsune Kozo]]'' - Another Draconis Combine totem 'Mech, medium class.
 
 
 
''[[Jade Hawk]]'' - Heavy totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
 
 
 
''[[Kodiak]]'' - Totem BattleMech for Clan Ghost Bear.
 
 
 
''[[Mandrill]]'' - [[Clan Fire Mandrill]]'s Totem 'Mech, the first Totem 'Mech to be produced.
 
 
 
''[[Nova Cat (BattleMech)|Nova Cat]]'' - [[Clan Nova Cat]]'s premier heavy 'Mech.  
 
  
''[[Rokurokubi]]'' - Light class Draconis Combine totem 'Mech.
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* ''[[Eyrie]]'' - Light totem BattleMech for the revival of Clan Jade Falcon.
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* ''[[Gyrfalcon]]'' - Medium totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
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* ''[[Jade Phoenix]]'' - Assault totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
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* ''[[Shrike]]'' - Assault totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
  
''[[Scylla]]'' - Totem 'Mech for [[Clan Steel Viper]].
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* ''[[Fire Scorpion]]'' - [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] heavy BattleMech.
  
''[[Shadow Cat]]'' - Clan Nova Cat main totem OmniMech.
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* ''[[Mandrill]]'' - [[Clan Fire Mandrill]] light totem BattleMech, the first Totem 'Mech to be produced.
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* ''[[Howler (Baboon)|Howler]]'' - Light totem BattleMech for Clan Fire Mandrill
  
''[[Shiro]]'' - Draconis Combine totem heavy BattleMech, created in the 3130's.
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* ''[[Kodiak]]'' - Totem BattleMech for Clan Ghost Bear.
  
''[[Shrike]]'' - Assault class totem BattleMech, built by Clan Jade Falcon.
 
  
''[[Thunder Stallion]]'' - Clan Hell's Horses totem 'quad BattleMech.
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==Notes==
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* The ''[[Thunder Stallion]]'' was originally planned as a totem ’Mech but the totem aspect was deemphasized in favor of more combat capability.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3060'', p. 180: "Thunder Stallion"</ref>
  
''[[Tiburon]]'' - [[Clan Sea Fox]] light totem BattleMech.
 
  
''[[Tundra Wolf]]'' - Late [[Jihad]]-period [[Clan Wolf]] totem 'Mech.
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==References==
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<references/>
  
''[[Turkina]]'' - Older totem BattleMech design from Clan Jade Falcon.
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==Bibliography==
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* ''[[Era Report: 3062]]''
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* ''[[Technical Readout: 3060]]''
  
''[[Warwolf]]'' - Clan Wolf's heavy companion to the ''Wulfen''.
 
  
''[[Wulfen]]'' - Clan Wolf's light totem BattleMech.
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[[Category:'Mech classifications]]

Revision as of 02:22, 1 October 2023

Definition

Totem BattleMechs are designed as an avatar of a Clan's totem animal;[1] in a wider sense, other factions have arguably adopted the concept to a degree.

More common among the Clans, particularly after Operation REVIVAL and in the later days of the Dark Age, these BattleMech designs typically devote more resources to aesthetic "frills". These "frills" are often anthropomorphic or zoomorphic in appearance.

One example of the increased importance of the Totem 'Mech can be seen when these units are compared to the OmniMechs that regularly appeared in the Clan's front line Clusters. Those units, designed for brutal efficiency on the battlefield and quick production, lack all the special moldings, formed armor, and other design details used in the Totem 'Mechs.[1]

Many 'Mechs are named after their Clan, such as the Nova Cat. However, this does not make the 'Mech a "Totem 'Mech". To be considered as such a 'Mech is designed to visually resemble some part of the faction fielding them, such as the Eyrie, Mandrill, Kodiak, and Fire Scorpion.

The question has also been answered by previous Line Developer Herb Beas on the Official Forums

List of Totem BattleMechs

Clan

  • Eyrie - Light totem BattleMech for the revival of Clan Jade Falcon.
  • Gyrfalcon - Medium totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
  • Jade Phoenix - Assault totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
  • Shrike - Assault totem BattleMech for Clan Jade Falcon.
  • Kodiak - Totem BattleMech for Clan Ghost Bear.


Notes

  • The Thunder Stallion was originally planned as a totem ’Mech but the totem aspect was deemphasized in favor of more combat capability.[2]


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Era Report: 3062, p. 107: "Totem 'Mechs"
  2. Technical Readout: 3060, p. 180: "Thunder Stallion"

Bibliography