ED302-Wendigo

If the Gnome is the favored older child and the Viy is the newer younger child, the Wendigo is the odd middle kid. It stands at 11 meters like the Gnome, but that’s more or less where similarities end. The Wendigo sports considerable more bulk, with layered armor. It borrows a few design concepts from the Athen and Phalanx, functioning partially as a heavy weapon platform.

The ESU’s incorporation of ALAs has allowed it to deliver firepower in a variety of locations, but many ALAs are incapable of bringing firepower on the level of an AAA, which gave the ESU military a goal with the Wendigo. Unlike the Gnome, which ends up being most effective in Urban environments, the Wendigo excels in rough terrain. With a muted coloration for the environment that it is in, and a modular armor set to allow it to address terrain concerns- the Wendigo is an adaptable unit.

Often hidden between two thick shoulder pillars, the head is humanoid- but its location between the shoulder pillars makes it seem almost as if it was part of them. Its twin camera eye setup is not like the Gnome’s, but it helps with thick terrain. The shoulder pillars are in fact weapon racks, used to house hardpoint weapons such as lasers, kinetic cannons, missiles, beams, and other such weapons. Its loadout changes based on locale and the terrain it will encounter.

Its back is much like the Gnome’s, but instead of its main thrusters pointing at an angle downward, they point directly behind it. The lower portion of its back does not reach as far down, and instead presents an attachable hard point for environmental gear, such as hydrothrusters. This hardpoint is one of the main features of the Wendigo in terms of preparing it for different environments.

The Wendigo’s arms are thinner than the Gnome’s, but possess the extra arm functionality of the Athen. The exterior arm is attached to the shoulder, and can be connected to the joints of the main arms for functionality. The arms end in two ‘heat hooks’, which can be used offensively or as a utility, and possess heat blades built into the sides of the large hands as well, for cutting purposes. The main hands are able to equip regular equipment, much like the Athen.

Its chest is bulky and juts out at several angles, giving it a somewhat jagged appearance. These ‘plates’ are durable armor additions, and can hide secret grenades that can be deployed as a drop should an enemy get to close in an engagement, as a surprise. Its feet end into plain triangular slab, the Wendigo lacking pronounced claws but instead featuring hooks that can flip out from the bottom of its feet. This positioning gives it more flexibility in gaining traction, while minimizing its visible tracks.