Totem BattleMech

Concept

Totem Battlemechs are those which represent a clan or faction's 'mech design which mirrors the spirit, concept or totem-animal on which they were founded. More common among the clans, particularly in the later days of the Dark Age, in the 3130s, these battlemech designs are often more aesthetic in design than many others; often anthropomorphic or zoomorphic in appearance.

Notable Examples

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 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 the Shiro, are symbolic of the factions strong Japanese traditions and Bushido code of honour.