Crossbow Prime

       Clan Steel Viper originally developed the Crossbow after Viper warriors captured several members of Clan Snow Raven’s scientist caste in a Trial of Possession. They set the Snow Raven scientists to work with their own technical engineers and, using Snow Raven expertise, developed an excellent missile carrying OmniMech. The Crossbow and its sister ‘Mech, the Battle Cobra, mount weapons pods only in their arms, with no additional weaponry–a striking contrast with other Clan OmniMechs.

       Similar in many ways to the Star League-era Longbow, the Crossbow has a more rounded shape and a sleeker overall appearance. Though its short, squat profile lacks elegance, the ‘Mech’s reliable and punishing performance makes the Crossbow a favorite among second line Clan warriors, and its shape has become a familiar one to Inner Sphere MechWarriors after extensive confrontations with it in combat. The Crossbow has earned a fierce reputation, especially in Configuration B, which is used for close support fighting.
       The Crossbow was developed specifically to deliver a missile based offensive, a rare goal within the Clans. This ‘Mech has given Clan Steel Viper MechWarriors a unique edge in several trials. Several Stars of the elite Viper Guards make heavy use of the Crossbow, combining it with Elemental Points to devastating effect in close combat.

       During the Trial of Possession for Firebase Climax on the planet Homer, Clan Steel Viper unveiled the Crossbow for the first time against an enclave of Clan Smoke Jaguar. Several Viper Stars were equipped with the new Omni in its primary configuration, and the unique ‘Mechs used their long range missiles to whittle away at their opponents. The Vipers were able to hold back until they had expended their long range ammunition, then charge up to close range and finish off their work with Streak SRMs. The Smoke Jaguar forces, after only an hour of fighting, conceded the firebase to their opponents.