Here is a design that I have created for my "Clash of Talons" series. It is intended as a totem 'Mech for the Steel Vipers and Cloud Cobra. What do you think?


Hooded Cobra
Clantech (level 2) - Steel Viper/Cloud Cobra joint design (Jade Falcons possess one example)

Mass: 70 tons
Engine: 350XL
Internal Structure: Endo Steel
Armor: 10.5 tons Ferro-Fibrous

H: 9
CT/R: 31/10
LT/R: 22/7
RT/R: 22/7
RA: 22
LA: 22
RL: 25
LL: 25

Heat sinks: 11 double

Speed:
Walk: 5
Run: 8 (10 MASC)
Jump: 5

Pod space available (25 tons):
1 head
2 left leg
2 right leg
10 left arm
10 right arm

Configuration:
Primary:
Gauss Rifle + 2t ammo (LA)
2 Streak SRM-6 + 1t ammo (RA)
Large Heavy Laser (RA)

Alpha:
ER Large Laser (H)
ATM-9 + 3t ammo (LA)
ER Medium Laser (LA)
ER Large Laser (RA)
ER Medium Laser (RA)
Double Heat sink (LA)
Double Heat sink (LL)
Double Heat sink (RL)
4 Double Heat sinks (RA)

Beta:
2 LRM-15, Artemis IV FCS and 3t ammo (LA)
2 LRM-15, Artemis IV FCS and 3t ammo (RA)
ER Small Laser (LA)
ER Small Laser (RA)

Charlie:
ER Large Laser (H)
ER Large Laser (LA)
Streak SRM-6 + 1t ammo (LA)
ER Large Laser (RA)
Streak SRM-6 (RA)
2 Double Heat sink (LA)
Double Heat sink (LL)
Double Heat sink (RL)
2 Double Heat sinks (RA)

Delta:
ER Large Laser (H)
2 Medium Pulse Laser (LA)
3 Medium Pulse Laser (RA)
Streak SRM-6 + 1t ammo (LA)

As with many of the later Clan Steel Viper designs, this one concentrates all of its pod-space in its arms. Unlike previous Steel Viper designs it uses all of the available weight-saving technology (XL engines, Endo Steel, Ferro Fibrous armour), largely at the insistance of the Steel Vipers' partner in the project, Clan Cloud Cobra. These are crammed into what would be pod space in a normal OmniMech, meaning all of the critical locations are occupied save for the limbs and the head. The limb-pods and head-pod are very straightforward to access and changing the pods takes half the time of a normal OmniMech. They also cost less to produce, store and transport. The head pod will only accept a one-critical-space laser, though this may be of any weight. It protrudes from the head of the 'Mech, which is designed to resemble a hooded serpent, looking for all the world like a snake's tongue.

Early prototypes lacked the jump jets and the MASC system of the completed design. This allowed more weaponry but space was a serious issue. Two proposals were considered. One, proposed by the Steel Viper scientists, downgraded the design's weight to a 65-ton machine. The other, proposed by the Cloud Cobra scientists, instead packed the torso of the 'Mech with systems intended to boost its mobility.

The two were then considered and tested by the senior ranks in both Clans. Eventually the mobility and flexibility of the 70-ton machine were found to be clearly superior, despite the extra cost, so production began. It quickly began to supplant the ageing Summoner and Loki designs throughout the Steel Viper and Cloud Cobra Toumans.

The speed and mobility of the design, coupled with a preference for long-ranged weaponry in most of the designs and its totem-like appearance with the snake-like head has made it a popular choice amongst Trinary and Cluster commanders. In this role it is often seen in the Alpha, Beta and Charlie configurations. The Primary, Alpha and Delta configurations have a more balanced spread of weaponry and are more frequently seen in a Cluster role.

Originally the designers anticipated the Primary configuration would have the greatest tactical flexibility, perhaps being influenced by the experience of combat against forces in the Inner Sphere. In action, however, it became clear to the Warriors that the Alpha configuration was superior and as such the Alpha configuration is the most commonly seen configuration of all.

If I remember the Battle cobra correctly, it wasnt exactly an Omnimech (Although it used the same rules). The entire arm served as a giant omni pod, more or less, so rather then swap out individual weapons, you'd just replace the arm itself. The Crossbow worked the same way. Probably want to mention those two mechs in the flavor text too :)

Alpha and Charlie are too similar. I shall reconfigure one of them to rely more on ATM. Hence emulating the Beta configuration (which, incidentally, is very effective).

Nice Mech.
Carla (or is it with a K? Gah, I need to re-read them) is still fighting Steel Vipers I see?

I've decided to re-write book 3 and I wanted her to keep the Hooded Cobra she won. So I've decided to flesh it out. Or rather I had already fleshed it out, I finally decided to share it.

And I stand by "Beta Rocks"!!!

...Not quite sure what you're trying to refute here? The Battle Cobra is the mech he's basing his on. He even mentions it (not by name) in the fluff text. I was just slightly correcting his fluff text and suggesting he add the mech so people can look it up if they wanted to (Fans love continuity like that). And the other arm pod mech was the Crossbow, which I also mentioned.