In all of its configurations, the Thor's main advantages over other heavier 'Mechs are its mobility and its ability to fire all its weapons with little worry of heat buildup. The huge Thor, which stands at least a meter taller than most other 'Mechs, appears most often in a configuration remarkable for its lack of lasers. However, the successful mix of heavy firepower and maneuverability help make the Thor an excellent all-around 'Mech.

This 45-ton medium 'Mech appeared in the vanguard of the Nova Cat forces on Tukayyid. Fast and agile, the 'Mech was deployed primarily as a command vehicle for the Clan Nova Cat Stars that emerged from the Smoke Jaguar's defensive wedge formation. The Shadow Cat appears to serve in Nova Cat and Smoke Jaguar forces much as the Fenris serves in Wolf Clan forces, even matching the Fenris's sophisticated sensor array.

The Raven originated as an experimental attempt to produce a 'Mech that could provide a battalion with sophisticated electronic-warfare capabilities. The design was not a complete success, being too heavy and unsophisticated to turn the tide of battle. Recovered Star League technology, however, has made the Raven a viable BattleMech. Bristling with an advanced electronics package, the Raven is now an invaluable asset.

Following Clan Nova Cat's defeat at Tukayyid, that Clan began talks with the Draconis Combine. Khan Severen Leroux at the same time ordered the construction of a new heavy OminMech. Built to protect the Clan both militarily & spiritually, the design was titled Nova Cat, imbuing it with the spirit of the Clan. Nova Cat's standard configuration has awesome long-range firepower, however, the pilots must alternate weapons fire to control heat buildup

First built by the Draconis Combine, the Mauler has begun being seen in Davion military units since the signing of the Star League Constitution and has acquitted itself well in the fight against the clans. The Mauler is a slow but advanced design that features an extra-light engine and double heat sinks. Several prototypes have been observed, but no one has yet been able to perform a detailed study of the 'Mech.

The Mad Cat was the first OmniMech the Inner Sphere encountered, on The Rock in the Oberon Confederation, on 13 August 3049. ComStar learned of these fantastic machines from a broadcast by a member of the Kell Hounds mercenary unit. ComStar named this design the Mad Cat because of its hunched over torso is common to both the Marauder and the Catapult.

The Loki is one of the Clans' most easily recognized designs with a blend of weapon systems that combine anti-'Mech and antipersonnel, long-range and short-range. However, because the design cannot handle the massive amounts of heat generated by all these systems, MechWarriors must be cautious in their choice of targets so that heat levels do not rise too high.

Supposedly christened Daishi (Great Death) by a member of the Draconis Combine's criminal underground, this 'Mech seems particularly aptly named. Though the left-shoulder mounted long-range missiles augment the 'Mech's firepower, it is the bundles of lasers, autocannons and other weapons in the arm pods that make the Daishi most fearsome. Slow but lethal, the Daishi is an assault 'Mech in the purest sense, able to wade through almost any defense.

Khan Marthe Pryde of Clan Jade Falcon wanted to bring a new and deadly OmniMech to the field of battle. Knowing she had already taxed her Clan to the limit, she took an unprecedented step. Rather than build from the ground up, she elected to modify a proven design. Beginning with a stock chassis from a Clan Adder, the scientists managed to field a virtually new design, code-named the Cougar, in roughly half the time normally required.

The Catapult is a second-line fire-support 'Mech. Although the design lacks the manipulative hands needed for effective close combat and possesses no infantry-defense systems, the Catapult can muster impressive firepower. Using either its own targeting equipment or targeting data from any other suitably equipped BattleMech, the Catapult can provide excellent long-range striking power with its missile systems.

This 'Mech's unorthodox look is designed to present a minimal target profile. However, this unconventional configuration nearly killed the project during its initial construction. Because of the design, the interior layout was extremely complex with the engine, sensors, and communications suites crowded together. It wasn't until scientists used design techniques from a Vulture spec that they were able to resolve the space issues.

The Awesome has long been a favorite 'Mech among the armies of the Inner Sphere, and so its designers have proved reluctant to modify the design. The AWS-9M version, however, represents a real improvement over the earlier AWS-8Q Awesome. The new Hermes 320 XL, for example, provides the new Awesome with a top speed of around 68 kph - a full 28 Percent increase over the AWS-8Q's top speed.

The AS7-K Atlas is a formidable design that incorporates an extra-light engine and an impressive array of weapons. The Federated Commonwealth, frantically trying to expand the Atlas assembly line at Defiance Industries on Hesperus, is beginning to produce a model much more like the original Atlas. The most significant feature of this design, the AS7-S, is its use of double heat sinks, which increase the design's ability to dissipate heat.