Avatar (OmniMech)

This article is about the 70-ton OmniMech. For other uses, see Avatar.

Avatar
Production Information
Manufacturer(s)	General Motors Luthien Armor Works (OmniMech Production Facility) StarCorps Industries Victory Industries
Production Year	3056
Model	AV1-O
Class	Heavy
Cost	17,540,105 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere OmniMech
Mass	70 tons
Chassis	Alshain Hagetaga-O7
Armor	StarSlab/4 with CASE
Engine	Hermes 280 XL
Comms	Sipher CommCon SCU-9
TTS	Matabushi Stalker
Heat Sinks	10 double
Speed	64 km/h
Armament	Fixed: 2x medium laser Primary Configuration: 2x medium pulse laser 1x LB 10-X AC 2x LRM-10 with Artemis IV 2x machine gun
B.V. (1.0)	1,089
B.V. (2.0)	1,395

Description

The first of the Inner Sphere OmniMechs to be conceptualized and yet one of the last to reach production by the Draconis Combine as part of its "first generation", the Avatar's design is based on captured Vulture OmniMechs.

The Battle of Luthien would net the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery significant amounts of Clan-tech salvage. Even after providing much of it towards the Combine's ongoing efforts to reverse engineer the technology of the invaders, the weakened DCMS would proudly field numerous Clan trophy machines in many units, only to see the vast majority being rendered combat ineffective due to maintenance issues within two to three months after the battle. Charging Luthien Armor Works for a solution, LAW engineers responded by building a jury-rigged combination of the Vulture's legs with a reworked torso to accommodate a more bulky Inner Sphere XL Engine which was believed could be rapidly brought to production. Unfortunately numerous teething issues integrating Clan and Inner Sphere technologies on the design would see the Raptor, Owens and Black Hawk-KU all reach the battlefield before the finalized Avatar would finally walk off the production line.

During the 3050s, production of the Avatar largely went to DCMS units along the Clan border, with a limited quantity sold to the secular ComStar and the Federated Commonwealth for deployment in the Lyran half's Clan border. After the succession of the Lyran Alliance, the Combine redirected the reserved FedCom allotment to ComStar instead, a situation that persisted until the conclusion of the First Combine-Dominion War. The Davion half of the rump Federated Commonwealth instead received the output of local licensed production from both General Motors and StarCorps plants in the FedSuns and St. Ives Compact during the 3060s, while the Combine expanded manufacture within its borders with a production subcontract to Victory Industries during this period. That expansion in production would save the design from extinction following the nuclear obliteration of LAW's massive OmniMech Wing during the early years of the Word of Blake Jihad , a situation worsened by the destruction of GM's 'Mech lines on Kathil, with the StarCorps and Victory Industries smaller lines for the Avatar soldiering on.

Weapons and Equipment

The Avatar weighs in at seventy tons and is powered by a Hermes 280 XL engine that gives it a top speed of 64.8 km/h. It is protected by twelve tons of StarSlab/4 armor that comes with CASE to protect the 'Mech against complete destruction from an internal ammunition explosion. Though slower than the 'Mech upon which it was based, the Avatar is a powerful OmniMech in its various configurations, with an impressive thirty-four tons of pod space allowing it to carry a wide range of weapons.

The Avatar has two Victory 23R medium lasers that are permanently mounted on the chassis and are present in all of its configurations. In early stages of testing, the Avatar's OmniPod hardware connections had design faults that could result in the entire weapons array becoming disabled. To keep the 'Mech from being completely deprived of armament, the two lasers were hardwired into the system. The connector problems were later resolved before deployment, but the lasers remain integrated as vestigial remnants of that since-resolved fault.

In its primary configuration the Avatar carries two LRM-10 launchers with Artemis IV Fire Control Systems for increased missile accuracy. These are backed by an LB 10-X AC that can fire both solid rounds and cluster ammunition making it suited to a variety of roles. For close range combat, the primary configuration adds two Machine Guns and two Medium Pulse Lasers.

Alternate Configurations

• Alternate Configuration A

  Focused on close combat, the A configuration carries an ER Large Laser as its only long range weapon. Mounting a pair of SRM-6 launchers and an Autocannon/20, the Avatar A is a fearsome opponent with devastating close range punch. It also has two jump jets in each leg. BV (1.0) = 1,204, BV (2.0) = 1,481

• Alternate Configuration B

  A fire support variant, the B configuration carries two LRM-15 racks and two LRM-10 racks. These are all mated to an Artemis IV Fire Control System. BV (1.0) = 1,179, BV (2.0) = 1,496

• Alternate Configuration C

  The C configuration carries a C3 master computer into battle, allowing the Avatar to act as the central node of a C3 lance. The C configuration attempts to keep enemies at arms length with a PPC and Ultra Autocannon/5 supported by a pair of LRM-10 launchers. BV (1.0) = 1,094, BV (2.0) = 1,406

• Alternate Configuration D

  A newer configuration that uses technology from the Free Worlds League and the Draconis Combine, the D configuration is intended to act as a sniper. The primary weapon is a Light Gauss Rifle which has a range of 750 meters. For close to medium range combat, the Avatar D has two MRM-20 launchers and a pair of ER medium lasers, with two extra double heat sinks. Finally, the D Configuration has a C3 slave unit that allows it to work in C3 lances. BV (1.0) = 1,170, BV (2.0) = 1,475

• Alternate Configuration E

  Used by ComStar and the Word of Blake, the E configuration is armed with an ER PPC for long range punch and can bring its powerful Ultra Autocannon/10 to bear as it closes with its enemy. If the target of the Avatar E's pilot survives long-range combat, an ER medium laser and the two hardwired medium lasers give the E configuration good short range firepower, with six added double heat sinks allowing more weapons to be safely used. Accuracy at all ranges is improved by the use of a C3i Computer. It is also equipped with a Guardian ECM Suite to protect the network from interference. BV (1.0) = 1,383, BV (2.0) = 1,563

• Alternate Configuration F

  A versatile, yet simple, configuration of the Avatar, the F configuration is armed with an ER PPC and an LB 20-X AC. A MechWarrior can utilize the ER PPC for long range combat and once it closes in it can let loose with the armor shredding LB 20-X AC. Additionally, for added mobility, the F configuration can jump up to one hundred and twenty meters, with five extra double heat sinks handling the extra heat. BV (1.0) = 1,607, BV (2.0) = 1,667

• Alternate Configuration G

  A dedicated 'Mech killer, the Avatar G carries a Gauss Rifle with two tons of ammunition in each arm. BV (2.0)= 1,775

• Alternate Configuration H

  Developed during the Jihad, the Avatar H has a Heavy PPC in each arm, backed by two MML-3 missile launchers. The MMLs are equipped with Artemis IV FCS. Sixteen double heat sinks keep the 'Mech cool. BV (2.0)= 1,604

• Alternate Configuration I

  The Avatar I uses two torso-mounted Thunderbolt 15 missile launchers for long range striking power. These missile launchers carry two tons of ammunition each, and are backed up by an ER medium laser in each arm. This version also carries sixteen double heat sinks. BV (2.0)= 1,606

• Alternate Configuration R

  A field upgrade developed in the midst of Operation Bulldog, this configuration utilized captured Clan Smoke Jaguar weapons to help bolster the SLDF forces in later waves. Mounting a mix of Combine and Clan-tech, this configuration carries an MRM-40 supported by a Clan Gauss rifle, ER Large Laser and Streak SRM-4. BV (2.0) = 1,833

• Alternate Configuration U

  Intended for underwater operations, this Avatar variant carries two LRT-15 and two SRT-4 launchers. These are augmented by a Small Pulse Laser in the left torso. This version also functions as a Lance commander, as it's equipped with a C3 master computer. BV (2.0) = 1,359

• Alternate Configuration J

  This version carries a HAG/30 in each arm and eight tons of ammunition in CASE protected bays. BV (2.0) =2,233

Custom Configurations

• Alternate Configuration BLO

  A custom configuration used by the Blessed Order's revived First Division's Unending Faith III, the Avatar OBLO is based off the Avatar E and carries an ER PPC in the left arm supported by an LB 10-X AC in the right arm, supported by the hardwired twin Medium Lasers. Retaining the E configurations Guardian ECM Suite and Improved C3 Computer, the OBLO opts for mobility with the addition of four jump jets. BV (2.0) = 1,550

Design Quirks

The Avatar has the following Design Quirk:

• Stabilized Weapons (CT medium lasers)

Notable Pilots

Main category: Notable Avatar Pilots

Related OmniMechs

• Mad Dog (Vulture) - Luthien Armor Works based the design of the Avatar on captured Mad Dog OmniMechs after the Battle of Luthien. The leg assembly was mostly untouched, but the torso was widened to make room for a bulkier, Inner Sphere XL engine.

Gallery

• 

  Original Avatar from TRO:3058
• 

  Avatar from TRO:3058 Upgrade
• 

  AV1-OB Avatar in combat from CCG
• 

  AV1-O Avatar in combat from CCG

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• The Dragon Roars
• Handbook: House Davion
• Master Unit List
• Objectives: Capellan Confederation
• Objectives: Draconis Combine
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades
• Spotlight On: Unending Faith
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade