Ugly and foreboding are two apt descriptions for the Atlas. Though some 'Mechs might be taller and heavier, none have the Atlas' aura. Considerable effort went into making the Atlas' weapons as visible as possible, giving an opposing MechWarrior plenty of opportunity to see that he is outgunned and to decide he is not being paid enough to die. Designers spent an entire year fashioning the head and roosterpit to create a perfect merging of function and gruesomeness. The result was a complete success, and so MechWarriors nicknamed the Atlas "Death's Head".
The Atlas was the first 'Mech to mount such a large and devastating autocannon. Even though it carries only ten rounds for its Class 20 AC, the mere threat of such a large autocannon is often enough to send some 'Mechs scurrying. The weapon's only problem is that it lacks a cooling jacket and can overheat easily.
The Atlas' long-range missile delivery system is a unique design. Upon discovering that 20 launching tubes would not fit into the 'Mech's torso, the designers decided to install five tubes with a feed system that can shoot four salvos within ten seconds. The feed system is fairly reliable, and Techs need only worry about shielding the ammo from heat emitted from the nearby reactor. Reloading is quick, as each missile tube system has its own ammunition clip. Completely loaded, the missile system can shoot twelve salvos of 20 missiles. The large aperture between the two missile systems may look like another weapon, but it is the omnicoupling, where power and coolant cables can be attached to start up or repair the Atlas.
The 'Mech's armor is thick, and the forward torso and legs are especially well protected. Someone once calculated that if a battalion of Stinger 'Mechs engaged an Atlas, the Atlas would retire for repairs an hour later, leaving only one Stinger still able to move.
The head is roomy enough to support a small disk antenna, giving the Atlas limited surface-to-space communications. When entering battle, the pilot can fold up the antenna and stow it in a protected portion of the Atlas' head.
The three medium lasers and short-range missiles make the 'Mech a good close-range fighter, while its internal structure gives the arms and hands enormous power. This has created many horror stories concerning Atlases and their ability to pick-up medium-sized 'Mechs with one hand and fling them to the ground as though they were mere toys.
The main drawback of the Atlas is its slow speed. Intelligent opponents will retreat before the forbidding machine, hoping either to draw it into tight quarters, such as a city or woods, or sucker it into water or mud. Once there, the Atlas' lack of mobility is compounded. If a company depends on an Atlas for fire support, then a wily enemy will hit and run, hoping to draw the swifter 'Mechs away from the slow Atlas.
