Conceived in late 2765, the Hotei was a design that never got a chance to make its mark on the Inner Sphere.   While this design breezed through initial research and development with almost no serious issues, it only reached production in December of 2766 - just days before the Amaris Coup on Terra.   Although what few designs actually produced performed admirably in the upcoming conflicts, it was never produced in significant enough numbers to be remembered.

What is notable about this 'Mech is its resemblance to the Clan Nova OmniMech.   The hunched over appearance, forward jutting cockpit, and energy-based armament all point to a close relation to the Nova/Black Hawk.   It is hypothesized that, although no examples of this 'Mech have existed in the Inner Sphere since the First Succession War, Kerensky may have taken one or more with him on the Exodus.   While there is no direct evidence of this, the similarities between the machines are striking.

The HTI-1SW Hotei was designed by NewHart Industries to complement that company's Guillotine design.   By reducing the tonnage slightly they were able to increase the maneuverability over the Guillotine, giving it a maximum speed of 86kph and a jump capacity of 150 meters, unusual for a 'Mech of its size.   Mobility is definitely one of this design's most attractive features.   Due to its all-energy payload this design was known to create tremendous amounts of heat, which can degrade myomer performance drastically.   The jump jets allowed it to virtually ignore the effects of heat on its mobility, either pressing the attack or retreating to cool.

Of course, heat could be a huge problem for this design.   It was apparently not uncommon to see Hoteis sitting motionless on a battlefield, steaming, because the pilot wasn't able to manage his heat properly.   This is likely one of the reasons none appears to have survived the Succession Wars.

The shape of the Hotei was hotly contested by NewHart's engineers.   Some thought that it was too odd looking and that a more traditional body style would result in better sales.   The group that finalized the chassis, however, felt that the squat, compact shape would provide numerous advantages.   The widely spaced legs would provide extra stability during combat operations, including jumps, and the hunched over appearance would help it hide behind available cover, especially in urban envorinments.   This, combined with its mobility and low cost, makes it an adequate companion to the much-maligned Urbanmech.

The drawback to the Hotei's mobility is the affect on its weapons payload.   The huge 325 VOX engine and Anderson jump jets didn't leave much room for equipment.   The designers knew they didn't have room for a significant weapons load and a large number of heat sinks, so they decided to go with an all laser compliment.   This allowed them to maximize what firepower they could fit on the chassis without risking ammunition explosions from overheating.   Even with its less than overhwelming heat dissipation capabilites, the Hotei is still not exactly a powerhouse.

The Hotei's primary weapon is a large laser mounted in the left torso.   This gives it respectable hitting power, although not a lot of range.   Once the Hotei gets nearer its target it can bring its four medium lasers to bear, providing much more significant damage potential.   At point blank range it can also add four small lasers to the barrage, although alpha strikes can sometimes be worse for the one firing than their potential targets.

Although the designers could have swapped some armor for additional heat sinks, they decided against it.   The apparent reasoning was that the armor would not only make it easier for pilots to get closer to their opponents, but it would help them survive the shutdowns they were sure to experience.

Due to the unfortunate timing of the Hotei's development it was unable to develop any significant battle history.   Units were known to have participated in the recapture of Terra, but not in any significant numbers.   The history of those few left after that campaign is completely unknown, although all are suspected to have been destroyed by the end of the First Succession War.

The Hotei did not exist long enough for any factory variants to be produced.   There were plans for one that swapped most of its laser battery for long range missile launchers and ammo, but the factory was destroyed before the idea could ever be finalized.

There is some talk of redesigning the Hotei with newer technology, improving its heat dissipation and payload, but this is unlikely to ever happen.

Mechwarrior Ian Kent

Ian Kent was the pilot of one of the rare Hoteis that saw combat on Terra.   His heavy lance was ambushed and his lancemates obliterated by a Republican assault lance in the jungles of the Amazon.   Kent did what he could to fight back, using the Hotei's jump jets to maximum advntage in the dense forest and riding the redline the whole time, but when he managed to jump directly behind the leading Atlas he was unable to resist an alpha strike.   Although he did cripple his target's gyro and set off an ammo explosion that destroyed the enemy 'Mech, it also forced a shut down of his own 'Mech and made him an easy target for the remainder of the enemy assault lance.

The Hotei is not currently known to be deployed with any unit.   In fact, it is highly unlikely that any examples of this 'Mech even exist.