Spheroids may see it differently, but to Clan affairs, the Clan Coyote machine known only as the �Pariah� has been the most significant new development in �Mech design in the last five years. So far only really exposed during the astounding conquest of Babylon, the design is unique in having received a codename in Clan Space.
Clearly based on the design aesthetics of the Stormcrow, the Pariah is of the same weight as its most successful progenitor (though its true progenitor in actual development is much more likely to be the Rabid Coyote which would mirror the genesis of the Savage Coyote from the roots of the Canis). It moves slightly slower, at the more conventional high-end medium �Mech top speed of 86 kph. Coupled with the fact that it utilises the same advanced components as the Stormcrow yet has slightly less armour protection, it upgrades the pod space of the older design to a stunning 28 tons, worthy of a high-end heavy! And while the torsos show similarities to the Battle Cobra, they do not actually have a heat dissipating function but are cavernous weapon bays. Indeed, it is the internal layout where the Pariah transcends the innovative to the groundbreaking. Where other �Mechs suffer from the limitations of endo-steel and ferro-fibrous armour, the Pariah remains able to use even the largest weapon systems by mounting the bulk of those advanced components completely in the arms. Those arms are then either reduced to slender, streamlined tools or as small laser mounts.
The armour, at 9 tons, remains very respectable and is mounted in very sensible (ie �smart�) ways. The CT even has the slightest chance of surviving a double strike from the heaviest autocannon! Otherwise, the maximum armour is used on almost all locations (even though the head remains at a fully sufficient 8 points!). This means that the Pariah is somewhat better protected than the 5 tons heavier Mad Dog, with which it shares the same pod capacity.
With a base 11 DHS, the Pariah maximises the omni concept of maximal flexibility at optimal use of space. Having introduced this new Clan menace, I will briefly look at the heart of any Omni�s value, its standard configurations.
Primary Configuration � HAG 40 (12), ERLL, tarcomp. When recently discussing the best way to mount large Assault Gauss Rifle on a larger Omnimech, my sibkin and I came up with the HAG 40-ERLL combo tied to a targeting computer. Well, the Coyotes were several steps ahead of us by not only creating that configuration but mounting it as the primary configuration of their new medium Omni! In my views, this is perfection. The huge firepower is backed up in all categories: The ammo is sufficient, the heat balances perfectly while on full move, high accuracy is guaranteed, and the range is unsurpassed. Sitting in the weapon-bay torsos, an internal strike against these components would usually signal the near demise of the whole �Mech, hence the reduction to a mere two weapon systems would not be as much of a concern as it may seem.
Configuration A � 2 ATM12, 6 HSL, 5 DHS. It goes great lengths in illustrating the new strength of Clan Coyote, that this is not the primary configuration. With the Pariah, that traditionalist Clan has crossed new borders in many ways. Apart from actually developing a new medium Omnimech for a touman that mostly uses assaults, the technicians resisted the urge to mount the Coyote�s most common original weapon on the most common configurations package. And indeed, why should they? The Rabid Coyote is a solid support machine that already utilises the ATM12 (albeit singly). Otherwise, the Savage Coyote also sports this configuration. My guess is that this configuration is used mostly in Pariah-only binaries when supporting missile barrages are needed.
Configuration B � 2 LPL, 3 SPL, tarcomp, 3 DHS, 7 iJJ. At first look this is undergunned. But keep in mind that A) this is still a medium mech, B) its accuracy is unsurpassed C) it has no real heat problems and D) it now becomes as mobile (if not fast) as the flagship medium � the Mongrel / Grendel � of the Clan against which the Pariah was first used (Clan Diamond Shark). Taking all this into account and adding its sold anti-infantry capabilities, the outcome becomes the stuff of nightmare that the Inner Sphere first encountered in designs such as the Black Python.
Configuration C � 4 MPL, 3 Plasma C (20), 8 APGauss (40), 8 MG (100, 2 arrays), 1 DHS. For when you have to kill every last PBI on the planet. This configuration lacks range and endurance but epitomises anti-infantry work in a singularly deadly fashion. In close quarters, its volume of fire can give any other �Mech pause. Ultimately, it is the most specialised and least versatile configuration of the lot, yet it reminds us all of just how much outside the box Clan Coyote thought with this design.
Configuration D � UAC20 (10), ERPPC, 3 ERSL, tarcomp, 5 JJ. While too hot and with little endurance, this nevertheless excels at its intended role: as a command unit. With good mobility, huge fire-power and great accuracy that is apparently becoming standard on this chassis, this design can easily defend itself against any conventional attempts of head-hunter units.
There is not a single weak configuration here. And apart from configuration A, new ground is being broken by all of these. Put all these factors into perspective � the novelty of the design itself in the context of the Clan that created it, the high quality of the base design, the wonderful and unconventional configurations and its usage. (Apparently the Coyotes have given up any and all pretence at adhering to the traditional ways of the Clans by blatantly ignoring Zellbrigen.) I would then hope that you can see how much this single design signals change for us Clans. As such, I am confident that this brief and unscheduled watch update will be appreciated (or at least forgiven) by all. Quiaff?
IMPORTANT ADDITION:
Brian Davion was the first one to touch on a most important point, which needs to be added to the write-up:
jymset IMHO misses some of the most interesting points about this mech. The Pariah appeared out of nowhere in the hands of a clan that had been on the decline, and in fact with most of its limited manufacturing capacity accounted for, and it appered in LARGE numbers. It seems via the precise interpretation the Pariah was the sole battlemech of the force that took the planet. And it was done in a record blitzkrieg... The precise wording is: "The Coyote force, which consisted of scores of these new �Mechs, ProtoMechs, and battle armor..."
now let's step back for a moment. SCORES of these suckers, sufficient to overwhelm an entire Diamond Shark cluster in minutes, that's probably 1-2 clusters minimum. The Coyotes also engaged the Cobras and Hellions. Now granted the Hellions are known to be in less then good shape but I'm going to assume there were similar forces involved.
As such you have Clan Coyote producing an entire new GALAXY out of nowhere.
No wonder this has the sharks concerned.
Especially as the sharks may believe Clan Coyote lacked the resources to pull this off.
Suggesting at hidden manufacturing sites etc.
One thing interesting is the treatment of the lower castes. While few if any warriors made it off world, oddly many of the Shark, Hellion and Cobra lower castemen where allowed to leave if they so chose. This is HIGHLY out of character for the Clans.
Personally I kinda wonder if this is connected to the scientest conspiracy.
But what we do know is that the Coyotes have seemingly produced a new galaxy out of thin air.
:-( Omissions like these is what you get when you let an old warrior do intel ops. Sometimes, it stops at reconnaissance...
Thank you for the input, Brian Davion. This, of course, opens avenues to speculation about the real origins of the Pariah. Should Clan Coyote not truly be behind this design, it would explain a lot of the sudden innovation commented on in the above article, but it would open the door to a whole new realm of speculation.
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