Talk:Totem BattleMech
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I have a major quibble on this one, but want to discuss it before editing it wholesale. Something should only be a totem mech if its description says it's a totem mech. There are several other mechs out there that are related to the concept, (and I dont have any problems listing those that way), but 'Totem Battlemech' has a very specific listing. — The preceding unsigned comment was posted by Istal devalis (talk • contribs) on 18 March 2010.
- I agree. Though its clearly stated, that this is a clan-concept, I accept Inner Sphere totem-LIKE mechs, but even the draco's mechs are not really totem in the sense of the word. I'd rather go for "signature mech", though that would pose other questions, like: Is the Zeus a SigMech for the lyrans and so on....RagTag 11:19, 18 March 2010 (UTC)
- I'm with RagTag; "totem 'Mech" has a very specific meaning with regard to Clan totems. That said, I think this "article" is better served as a category. --Scaletail 02:49, 19 March 2010 (UTC)
- Well, it's got enough of a meaning in Battletech that it bears some mention, but a category wouldnt be a bad idea. You'd want to be very specific in mentioning what is allowed in that, though, otherwise we're just going to end up with a list like this one. --Istal devalis 14:38, 19 March 2010 (UTC)
- Seems like the issue of Totem 'Mechs vs. signature 'Mechs is still hot: CBT Forum query. Frabby 10:01, 28 April 2010 (UTC)
- I think this definitely needs some serious pruning - Inner Sphere units and really the majority of the Clan designs on here need to go. There's a big difference, as people have said, between signature units and totemic ones. Citizen Erased 02:59, 29 April 2010 (UTC)
This is getting a bit ridiculous here. Era Report 3062 specifically does NOT list those IS designs as Totems. They mention they're just similar in concept. Someone with more time on their hands then I do needs to go over this guy and weed out the fanon from the official. Is there an official list of Totems somewhere? Istal devalis 12:39, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
- Hey, I just added the content to remove the Update Needed tag. Feel free to remove the list of totem/nontotem mechs from the article.--Mbear(talk) 14:11, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
OK, I just went on a purge here. A unit dsigned to be a premier 'Mech for a Clan does not automatically qualify it as a Totem 'Mech. The Hellion OmniMech, for example? Not a totem. It doesn't have any stylistic elements that in any way, shape, or form resemble a Hellion or hark back to Clan Ice Hellion itself.--GreekFire(talk) 13:59, 26 February 2021 (UTC)
- Your work is appreciated. The whole concept of Totem 'Mechs is poorly defined though, as there are no "hard" criteria. In this sense, it's a lot like the Bug 'Mech thing. and both of these concepts are only notable, imho, because they exist as in-universe concepts. It ultimately seems to come down to gut feeling - if a sourcebook or anyone within the universe calls a 'Mech a Totem 'Mech then that warrants its inclusion here, but please cite a reference. Frabby (talk) 04:32, 3 March 2021 (EST)
I nuked all the references to IS mechs and my back up is the answer the previous line developer gave here: https://bg.battletech.com/forums/ask-the-lead-developers/totem-mechs/msg881929/#msg881929 Maybe I can ask again and the current line developer will answer.
- I'm not sure that the Thunder Stallion or Huntsman should appear here as they might have started as totem mechs but had that aspect discarded - neither look like a Clan totem animal.