Elemental (BattleTech)

In the Battletech sci-fi universe, Elemental refers to both the technologically advanced power armor and the elite genetically engineered Clan infantry troops who pilot them. All Clan battle armor is protected by thick armor, internal shock cushions, and a black gelatin-like substance known as HarJel. HarJel seals breaches in the armor as well as controlling bleeding of the Elemental inside. It is also equipped with a MedPack that dispenses drugs to the warrior to control pain and shock and allow him to keep fighting.

Equally impressive as the suits themselves are the soldiers who pilot them. Elemental pilots are the result of a specialized Clan eugenics program. Elementals average between 7-9 feet in height, 250-300 lbs and are possessed of great strength and stamina as well as surprising agility and speed for their size. They are trained from birth in hand-to-hand combat, infantry tactics, anti-battlemech tactics, as well as clan politics and honor known as zellbrigen. The relative combat prowess of each Clan's elemental troops varies (Clan Ghost Bear and Clan Hell's Horses are generally considered to have the best), but all are widely respected as the epitome of infantry combat by Clan and Inner Sphere forces alike. Elementals operate in units of five, called points. They rarely attack a Mech or vehicle directly, instead fighting similarly to a pack of wolves, working together to bring down their foe.

While the original Elemental armor was the clan standard for over a century, recent innovations in Inner Sphere battle armor have led to threat of the Clans having their battle armor outclassed. This has led to the development of different classes of Clan battle armor. Elemental armor was originally invented by Clan Wolf, based on designs created by Clan Goliath Scorpion. The originating Clan is listed in parentheses.

Afreet Armor (Clan Snow Raven)-Medium Battle Armor. Armed with a light recoilless rifle. Equipped with jump jets.

Clan Battle Armor (Clan Nova Cat)-Medium Battle Armor. Armed with two one-shot SRM-2's and a heavy flamer. Equipped with jump jets.

Corona Battle Armor (Clan Star Adder)-Heavy Battle Armor. Armed with a medium pulse laser.

Elemental Armor (Clan Wolf)-Medium Battle Armor. Armed with an SRM-2 and a small laser and a machine gun. Equipped with jump jets.

Gnome Armor (Clan Hell's Horses)-Heavy Battle Armor. Armed with a Streak SRM-2 and an Extended Range small laser. Equipped with jump jets.

Golem Armor (Clan Ghost Bear)-Assault Battle Armor. Armed with an Advanced SRM-5 and two superheavy "Bearhunter" autocannons.

Salamander Armor (Clan Fire Mandrill)-Medium Battle Armor. Armed with 2 flamers and a 1 shot incendiary SRM. Equipped with jump jets.

Sylph Armor (Clan Cloud Cobra)-Light Battle Armor. Armed with an ER Micro Laser and a micro-cluster bomb rack. Equipped with thruster pack allowing sustained flight.

Undine Armor (Clan Goliath Scorpion)-Medium Battle Armor. Armed with an ER Micro Laser and a one-shot LRM-5 launcher. Equipped with an Underwater Manuvering Unit.

Notable Elementals

Evantha Fetladral-A Clan Wolf elemental, Bodyguard to Wolf Khans (and later ilKhan) Ulric Kerensky and Phelan Ward. Evantha fought with distinction on Tukayyid and against the Clan Jade Falcon sponsored Red Corsair.

Lincoln Osis-A Clan Smoke Jaguar elemental, Osis was elected Khan of the Jaguars and then ilKhan of the Clans. He was mortally wounded in the battle for the Jaguar capital Huntress, against Task Force Serpent and finally slain in an honor duel against Victor Steiner-Davion

Tiaret Nevversan-A Clan Smoke Jaguar elemental (And Lincoln Osis' genetic progeny), Tiaret led a small force of Elementals in protecting a group of children from Task Force Serpent. When the children were endangered, Victor Davion joined her in bringing them to safety. Impressed by his honor and compassion, she surrendered to him. He immediately made her a bondswoman then freed her, charging her with service to the new Star League. She appointed herself Victor's new bodyguard, even going so far as to defeat his government-assigned protector in hand-to-hand combat to prove herself worthy of the position. She later fought alongside Victor's Tenth Lyran Guards in the FedCom Civil War.

Paul Moon-A Clan Smoke Jaguar elemental and for a time commander of Mechwarrior Trent amongst others. He mocked and manipulated Trent to the point where Trent defected to the Inner Sphere. With the map of the Exidous Road provided by Trent, the new Star League created a plan to destroy Clan Smoke Jaguar. Paul Moon was wounded and captured while fighting to protect the Jaguar homeworld of Huntress from Task Force Serpent. Trent visited him in the hospital to tell Moon that his corruption had lead to the fall of his own clan.