Some thoughts on the canon background of the Champion-Hero.
The Champion was a well-liked, even prestigious Mech with a long history in BattleTech (both in-universe and out-of-universe). So it is not surprising to find a number of notable pilots.
But it is somewhat surprising that most of them actually were active during the 3050ies and 60ies. (Not that PGI cares, their selection of hero Mechs is not restricted by the time-line).
So who are they?
Captain Daniel Brewer: Duke of Hesperus II, CEO of Defiance Industries, member of the GDL, 3060ies. He is also a major character in the novels
Operation Excalibur and
The Dying Time. During the FCCW, the loyalist GDL defended Hesperus II against Skye Seperatists and Brewer was one of the few survivors of the GDL.
Mech: definitely a standard CHP-1N. ...which is strange, to say the least. Being one of the richest men in the galaxy and having the largest arms manufacturer at his complete disposal you'd think he had at least the field upgrade with DHS (CHP-1N2).
Force Commander Pasi Irin: 1st Free Worlds Legionnaires, FWLM, 3050ies.
Mech: modified CHP-2N. Originally supplied a downgraded Champion by the Word of Blake in 3052, Irin restored most of the advanced weaponry but not the SRM-6 and its Artemis FCS. He opted for two SSRM2 launchers and increased armour.
Force Commander Bors Krepky: Lesnovo Planetary Militia, FWLM, 3030ies (?)
Mech: modified CHP-2N. His Mech was heavily damaged and he rebuild it, changing the configuration. He tried replacing the Mydron AC/10 with an Imperator AC/20. It is implied but never confirmed that he failed.
Sir Gavin Ellis: 1st Knights of the Inner Sphere, FWLM, 3050ies. He was one of the original Knights and participated in Operation Serpent.
Mech: probably a standard CHP-1N2. The Knights had the best possible equipment of the FWL and this would be the best Champion available to the FWLM, unless the WoB supplied a CHP-3N. ...and that is extremely unlikely given the history between the Knights and WoB.
Demi-Precentor Vanye Highfield: ComGuards, 3040-3060ies. He was a regular training partner of Hohiro Kurita on Luthien prior to the Clan Invasion, a veteran of the Battle of Tukayyid and Operation Bulldog. It seems he did not survive Case White.
Mech: probably a standard CHP-1N or CHP-1N2, but perhaps an upgraded CHP-3N or even CHP-3P
Captain Aristotle Crandall: notorious Gunslinger during the Hidden War
Mech: probably a standard CHP-1N or CHP-1N2
Acolyte Aristoxenos Crandall: descendent of the Gunslinger, ComGuards, 91st Division, 3030ies (?)
Mech: probably a standard CHP-1N or CHP-1N2
As far as we know, none of them had paintschemes similar to that of Invictus, but PGI is known to take some creative liberties.
Obviously Brewer would be the best choice since he had a direct and important connection to the FCCW and it is not like PGI cares about his Mech being stock (see Grinner...). But Irin, Ellis, and Vanye would work, too.
Anyway I am afraid PGI simply made up the hero, which would be a shame considering the wealth of options.
Edited by FLG 01, 24 July 2018 - 06:26 PM.