Take a look at this mod. It seems promising!

AI-generated, but intended to illustrate what this mech could signify within the right setting.

AI-generated, but intended to illustrate what this mech could signify within the right setting.

AI-generated, but intended to illustrate what this mech could signify within the right setting.

AI-generated, but intended to illustrate what this mech could signify within the right setting.

I’ve been considering which Mechs we might see in the upcoming DLC ​​3, which focuses on Clan Jade Falcon.
First off: In Mercenaries DLC 9, we were treated to a large number of Mechs. This is a positive sign—if they’re being this generous now, we can likely expect a substantial selection for the Clan-themed DLC as well. For comparison, DLC 1 (GB: Flash Storm) included 8 Mechs, while DLC 2 (WoT) featured only 6.
Assuming that several Mechs already introduced in DLC 9 (which also fit the timeline) can be easily ported to Unreal Engine 5, we should expect the following:
- Stone Rhino
- Warhammer IIC
- Marauder IIC
- Supernova

All of these were used by both Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf (in the context of the Refusal War, circa 3057).
I would be very surprised if these Mechs didn’t make it into DLC 3.
Probability: 90%

Looking further into the MechWarrior Online (MWO) roster, there is another Mech that is highly specific to Clan Jade Falcon:
- Black Lanner

I strongly suspect this one will be included, though it saw very little use among other Clans.
Probability: 70%

Other Mechs that were used by both Clans and are present in MWO include:
- Vapor Eagle
- Piranha
- Highlander IIC

Since these were utilized by all the Clans, the probability is 75%.
By the way: The only Clan Mechs that use single heat sinks are the Piranha, the UrbanMech IIC, and the Clint IIC. Single heat sinks were added to the available equipment in DLC2—a detail definitely worth taking note of.

As for non-canon Mechs that appear in MWO (and were already ported to Unreal Engine 5 for DLC 9):
- Sun Spider

I’m torn on this one. The Mech was essentially "invented" [for the game]. Other 'Mechs have previously found their way into the canon—such as the Hellcat, which appeared in MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries and was later incorporated into the official canon (albeit with some contortions regarding its timeline and name).
The Bullshark, which first appeared in the BattleTech video game before being adopted by PGI, is also a top-tier design that would deserve a place in the canon. That said, it is not currently canon, and MW5: Clans has adhered relatively well to the established canon so far.
Given that an OmniPod bearing the Sun Spider designation appeared in the WoT-DLC - an error that was later fixed via an update - the probability is quite high: 75%.

Consider the Orion IIC - a Mech used almost exclusively by Clan Wolf and already present in MWO:
The plot could involve a Clan Wolf Orion IIC being shot down during a Jade Falcon mission and subsequently being taken as Isorla (spoils of war)—potentially even with its MechWarrior still inside. This would stretch the canon, but it wouldn't break it entirely.
Probability: 50%.

Other 'Mechs that appeared in the DLC—such as the Arctic Wolf, Nova Cat and Blood Asp - do not yet fit the current timeline; the same applies to other 'Mechs currently in MWO, like the Cougar. While they certainly belong in the game, it would simply be too early for them to appear in this specific DLC.
Probability: 10% (though this could change if the DLC does *not* focus solely on the Refusal War, or if it extends beyond that scope—for instance, to the Battle of Coventry).

The truly intriguing question is whether we might see entirely new Mechs. The pool of available Clan Mechs from MWO is steadily shrinking, and the departure of concept artist Alex Iglesias leaves a significant void. Redesigning a 'Mech consumes a great deal of time.
Candidates that would be desirable and are on the shortlist include:
- Locust IIC
- Clint IIC
- Phantom
- Horned Owl
- Turkina

Of these, the Locust IIC is the only one that has never appeared in a game before, yet it remains a fan favorite. The Clint IIC (MW3:PM), Phantom, Horned Owl (MW2:GBL), and Turkina (MC1:DM) have all appeared in previous titles and are therefore frequently requested. I could also mention the Grizzly—and every console player would surely agree—but there is already an exceptional mod for the Grizzly (MW2:GBL), much like there is for the Battle Cobra, which is why I didn't include it here. That said, PGI, feel free to add it; no one would complain!
Probability: 30%

Other Mechs not yet in MWO that fit the timeline and the lore of Clan Jade Falcon or Clan Wolf include:
- Fire Falcon
- Howler
- Thresher
- Wyvern IIC
- Pouncer
- Kingfisher
- Mongrel
- Phoenix Hawk IIC
- Glass Spider
- Guillotine IIC
- Crossbow

And there are others, too... But we have to be realistic: it is highly unlikely that this many 'Mechs could actually be implemented. Furthermore, if there were to be a "DLC 4" (which we certainly hope for) or beyond, we would run into the issue of the advancing timeline, which introduces an ever-growing number of newer 'Mechs. Unless our purchases trigger a miraculous surge in development capacity, the outlook is unfortunately rather bleak. That said—a call to all modders: let your programming creativity run wild!
Probability: 10%h

The Locust IIC hasn’t made it into the game yet. All the more reason for us to ask PGI to include it—this little devil is absolutely incredible. It’s in a completely different league compared to its Inner Sphere predecessor; it’s fast and packs a serious punch. Unfortunately, I only have this AI-generated image.

Scenario:
Refusal War: Clan Jade Falcon vs. Clan Wolf
Potentially expanded to include Coventry
(Two separate campaigns would also be conceivable)

It would be absolutely awesome to include subtle nods to missions from *MechWarrior 2*—for instance, during mission briefings (e.g., explaining that a specific mission is taking place because Mission XY was successfully completed in a particular valley).

Mechs:
Mechs from the MW5: Mercenaries „Ashes and Ascension" expansion:
- Stone Rhino
- Warhammer IIC
- Marauder IIC
- Supernova

Mechs from MWO:
- Black Lanner
- Piranha
- Vapor Eagle

Completely new Mechs (yes... I know... difficult, but as mentioned above: this is a WISHLIST)
- Locust IIC
- Clint IIC
- Phantom
- Horned Owl
- Turkina

Mechs excluded and why:
- Blood Asp (too early for the timeline)
- Cougar (too early for the timeline)
- Arctic Wolf (too early for the timeline; used only by Clan Wolf-in-Exile)
- Nova Cat (too early for the timeline)
That is not to say these Mechs shouldn't appear in MW5: Clans at all; they would simply be too early for the year 3057.

Game Mechanics:
- Formation commands similar to MW2
- Underwater missions involving torpedoes, similar to MW2:GBL
- Fixed selectable navigation points, autopilot, and audio callouts for nav points (using Greek letters)
- Camera views: bottom and rear

Biomes:
- Underwater
- Vast open areas (grass steppes, deserts, ice fields, mesas)—unrestricted by canyons or mountains
- Lunar surface (as previously seen in the base campaign on Edo's moon)

Game Expansions:
- "Trial of Grievance" mode: two Stars from different Clans face off; players can pre-select the planet/biome, Clan, starting formation, and specific Mechs
- Mission generator/sandbox mode
Missions in occupied territories and adjacent Inner Sphere systems, involving raiding or defending planets belonging to other Clans or the Inner Sphere, plus everything in between—infiltration, intelligence gathering, etc.

Mission Designs:
Greater mission variety:
- Defend own base (player is stationed inside)
- Defend own base (player is on patrol and receives a distress call)
- Patrol mission with a sudden attack
- Intelligence gathering (scanning for data without being detected)
- Target acquisition (Scout Mech must lock onto targets for destruction by artillery/Nagas—the Phantom Mech would be ideal for this)
- Locate and destroy (or capture) a mobile HQ (which is either moving or heavily concealed)
- Convoy escort (escort and defend a vehicle convoy)
- Convoy attack (intercept a moving... Find and destroy convoy)
- Against the clock: Reach a specific point as quickly as possible and scan, destroy, or defend something there (mission for high-speed light Mechs—Firemoth, Locust IIC, Jenner IIC, etc.)
- Cover the retreat: During a major battle involving multiple Stars, the units have taken a severe beating and must flee or be evacuated. Your Star’s task is to retreat alongside them while simultaneously covering their withdrawal.
- Assault: Multiple Stars launch a joint assault on a base or enemy force (likely very resource-intensive, but still cool).

I found these images somewhere on Reddit a while back. Unfortunately, I no longer know who created them, but they did a fantastic job!

But now, to the topic at hand: Why do we need the Horned Owl?
1. It was in MW2:GBL
2. PGI really ought to start creating (lots of) new Mechs again
3. It looks cool
4. It’s well-suited for second-line missions or as a garrison Mech
5. It was in MW2:GBL (did I mention that already? I don’t know... maybe... possibly. But it can’t be mentioned often enough... and that alone should be reason enough)

Any other points to add? What are your thoughts?