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[Sandslice]

Just looking at the new 'Mechs about to be brought.

1. Mist Lynx / KOSHI

With a x7 and always having 6 jets, it's a bit more nimble than the Kit Fox; but it pays for this with a bit less flexibility. Its pods are in the arms, and are as such:

Prime: 2M, 2B
B: 3E, 2M
C: AMS, ECM, 2E

So you can run it basically like an ECM Commando or Peckraven, or like a stock Jenner-F. The ECM arm lacking weapons is interesting from a loadout standpoint, making it a bit weaker than the Kit Fox which can bring 1E on its ECM arm.

2. Ice Ferret / FENRIS

Here we have the Clans' Cicada: a x8 non-jumper, which makes it the fastest Clanner for now. It's also somewhat light on the hardpoints:

Prime: 2E, 1M
A: 2E, 1B, AMS
C: 3M, 1E

While the A and B both have a CT energy slot, there's also a fixed endo slot in there, so no LPL or ERPPC. It also pays for its speed by only having 10 tons to work with unless you shave armour.

3. Hellbringer / LOKI

With standard/standard, the game's first ECM Heavy has a lot of room to work with - and lots of hardpoints. Check this.

Prime: 6E, 2B, 1M, AMS, ECM (and the ECM left torso includes 3E.)
A: 3E, 3B, 2M
B: 1E, 2M, 2B

We've got your choice of head AMS or Energy. We've got a nicely loaded ECM pod. We can complain about the slightly light armour, but damn the Hellbie's looking to be a fine piece of 'Mech at first glance.

4. Gargoyle / MAN O' WAR

It looks like an Atlas, runs like a Charger, and brings ALL the heat sinks. It also begs you to overlook the ferro-and-no-endo crime. Let's see what we get under the hood:

Prime: AMS, 1E, 2M, 2B
A: 6E
D: 6E (with 2E in the center torso, vs. none in the A.)

You know what we have here, friends? A fast Awesome with a ballistic option, but only 21-ish tons of pod space to work with - and no room to shave armour, since it's already doing so. Speed has a cost.

4. Mad Dog / VULTURE

The one we've been waiting for: the chicken-walking Archer himself, Mad Dog. What are we bringing?

Prime: 2M, 4E. The classic paired sets of LRM-20, LPL, MPL.
A: 6M, 1E, 1B. Splatcat go home!
B: 3M, 5E.

While we don't get the double-goose C variant, that doesn't matter. This thing looks great.

Maybe now we can get some people out of their Madcats.