In the MechWarrior PC games, many factions are vying for domination of known space, and the Inner Sphere is like an interstellar continent where any conqueror may dream of victory. Five great nations inhabit the Inner Sphere, but in 3050, mighty invaders from beyond the stars arrive: The Clans. One of the strongest and most stylish of these was Clan Ghost Bear.
Unlike some of the other invaders, such as the prideful Clan Jade Falcon, the Ghost Bears conquered territory with a firm but surprisingly gentle hand, and in time, the Ghost Bear warriors learned to get along with their conquered subjects and form a new nation that blended Clan and Inner Sphere ways of life. Clan Ghost Bear was seeing the future.
Clan Ghost Bear has a strong presence in the lore of MechWarrior, making it a compelling faction to play with (or against). This warrior Clan was founded in 2807 with its 19 sister Clans, and interestingly, Clan Ghost Bear was founded by a married couple, Sandra Tseng and Hans Ole Jorgensson. Ever since, Clan Ghost Bear has placed great emphasis on family ties, patient and methodical tactics, and cooperation, contrasting it with the savage but reckless Clan Smoke Jaguar and the "speed over everything" Clan Ice Hellion.
For many years, Clan Ghost Bear patiently built up its impressive army, but it did have its enemies. The mighty Clan Wolf hated the Ghost Bears for their part in the Clan Wolverine affair, and the two Clans have been unfriendly rivals ever since. Clan Hell's Horses doesn't like the Bears either. Fortunately, the Ghost Bears have an ally in Clan Snow Raven, which boasts the largest spaceship fleet in Clan space.
Clan Ghost Bear took part in the 3050 invasion of the Inner Sphere, but the Ghost Bears struggled at first, since they arrogantly brought too few supplies and took their enemies too lightly. Finally, the Bears underwent a much-needed change of leadership, and they started making much more impressive progress, taking one world after another.
In May 3052, the Ghost Bears took part in the historic battle of Tukayyid, and performed second-best among the seven present Clans, behind Clan Wolf (which enjoyed a total victory over their ComGuard foes). The Ghost Bears suffered relatively few losses, and they built up their occupation zone into an indomitable fortress, which eventually became the Ghost Bear Dominion.
Favoring patient and analytical tactics in battle, the Ghost Bears made steady progress and avoided the carnage that wounded the Jade Falcon and Wolf Clans in 3057. The Ghost Bears learned to get along with their conquered subjects, and the Clan-Inner Sphere cooperation found in the Dominion was an example to everyone else. By this point, the Bears had a wary truce with the Draconis Combine, and a wary truce with the Crusader-minded Clan Wolf as well. The Bears still feuded with Clan Hell's Horses, though, when the Horses carved out their own territory in the Inner Sphere after the initial invasion was concluded.
Clan Ghost Bear is the main faction in MechWarrior 2: Ghost Bear's Legacy, a follow-up to the classic 1995 original. That game takes place in the mid to late 3050s, following a rookie Ghost Bear MechWarrior who must rise in the ranks while doing battle with the Clan's many enemies, from pirates and raiders to vengeful Draconis armies and Clan Smoke Jaguar's own forces. This game is largely similar to the original MechWarrior 2, but with a new soundtrack, new planets and even a few new 'Mech chassis, such as the Horned Owl and the Kodiak.
This faction also has a presence in the popular MechWarrior Online, which features several chassis typical of Clan Ghost Bear. These include the aforementioned Kodiak 'Mech, a 100-ton assault platform with a surprisingly high ground speed, thick armor and a lot of hardpoints for weapons customization. The prime configuration is geared for laser-heavy, close-range combat, but players can tinker extensively with the weapon hardpoints and create their own design, such as a medium-range brawler with ultra autocannon 20s, LRMs, large pulse lasers or similar heavy-duty weapons.
This game also features the Executioner, another fast but huge Clan Ghost Bear machine. As for heavy 'Mech chassis, Clan Ghost Bear is quite fond of the Mad Dog chassis, a fire support 60-tonner with trademark missile racks and arm-mounted lasers (Clan Smoke Jaguar also enjoys using this 'Mech). As expected, the player can buy and use all kinds of Clan Ghost Bear paint schemes, 'Mech decals and in-cockpit decorations to fit the theme of this faction.
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