When the Dragoon Compromise delivered intelligence on the Inner Sphere to the Clans, the Star Adders realized how difficult it would be to conquer the Inner Sphere. Not only did they re-organize the second-line Kappa Galaxy to act as an Inner Sphere opposition force to train against, but they began to design an OmniMech that could emulate the majority of known Inner Sphere designs and defeat them in conflict. By 3010, the Adder was being produced, and due to its success in many trials, many other Clans began declaring Trials of Possession for the design, spreading it out widely by 3045.
         The design succeeded brilliantly even though the Star Adders did not. The invasion of the Inner Sphere made it one of the most feared light BattleMechs any Spheroid defender could expect to meet, swiftly carrying firepower that rivaled Inner Sphere BattleMechs twice its size. For that ferocity the desperate defenders called it the Puma, a name that many call it to this day. In the half-century since the invasion, the Star Adders have disappeared along with the Clan homeworlds, but their namesake design continues to thrive on the modern battlefield.

         The Adder is as fast as most BattleMechs its size, but its Clan origins show in its armor and weapons space. It has enough armor protection to survive a single strike from even the largest assault-class weapon, something that many lighter 'Mechs can not claim. It also carries an impressive 16 tons of pod space, nearly half its mass, all of which is dangerous Clan technology.
         When an Adder pilot expects heavy combat, he uses the 'Mech's most common configuration-double particle projection cannons, one in each arm. The PPCs deliver heavy damage, and the advanced targeting computer gives them devastating accuracy.
         Alternate Configuration A turns the Adder into a fire-support 'Mech. The double LRM-20 racks on the arms can deliver enormous damage from afar, softening up the enemy for the Adder's Starmates. To deal with enemies that get too close, this design mounts a small pulse laser in each of the right and left torsos.
         Alternate Configuration B features more varied weapons, and is used when the 'Mech may need to play several battlefield roles. Like the Primary configuration, this version gives its pilots problems with heat buildup. A careful pilot, however, can take maximum advantage of this configuration's immense firepower and versatility. One arm mounts a large pulse laser, the other an LB 5-X autocannon. Extended-range medium lasers in the right and left torsos round out the weapons array.
         Configuration C appears most often when several Adders are used together. In these cases, all are equipped with Narc missiles, and a single Adder-C carries the Narc beacon for them all. As a trade-off, this configuration must downgrade its missile launchers to LRM-15s. This version also carries a medium pulse laser in its left torso rather than the small lasers carried by Configuration B.
         Alternate Configuration D is a variation on the Adder-B. This configuration features the Ultra-5 autocannon, an extended-range large laser, and carries Streak missile launchers rather than lasers in its right and left torsos.
         Configuration E carries 9-tube ATMs in each arm and micro pulse lasers in the side torsos. Four tons of ammunition let it carry missiles for all ranges, making it highly adaptable in combat situations.
         The H configuration is like most other Hs, featuring Clan heavy lasers where the primary config has particle cannons. A targeting computer gives them improved accuracy and five extra double heat sinks helps to offset the massive heat buildup of those weapons.

         The Wolf Ascendancy uses all configurations of the Adder in their front-line units, making it a common sight for their enemies to see. Wolf's Dragoons also make heavy use of the design, though the E and H configurations are very rare. The Dragoons approve sales to only the most trusted member units of the Allied Mercenary Command though, keeping the vast majority of mercenary Adders in a small number of units.