The Federated Commonwealth's success with the Hatchetman, and later the Axman, sparked an interest among Combine manufacturers in creating a similar close-combat unit. To their surprise, prototype hatchet 'Mechs met with lukewarm reception among Combine test pilots. The problem was psychological; the samurai mentality was so firmly ingrained in the minds of these modern MechWarriors that they considered wielding an axe barbaric. Designers replaced the bulky hatchet with an elegant katana sword, a move that proved far more successful.

         The Cosby Myomer Research Firm had just finished reverse-engineering a new composition of triple-strength myomer from a Davion BattleMech when the Eleventh Legion of Vega approached them with a proposal for the No-Dachi. TSM and a seven-meter-long katana make this design a dangerous close-combat fighter. Its array of short-range weapons and exceptional speed for a heavy 'Mech reinforce this role.
         The primary source of the No-Dachi's firepower is a pair of shoulder-mounted missile racks and a PPC in the left arm. An array of medium and small lasers round out the 'Mech's weapons for short range combat. The PPCs were new in 3067 when the Draconis Combine began to test them, and the No Dachi was one of the first BattleMechs to try them out. They worked so well that both the BattleMech and the weapon system quickly entered mass production.

         Through special arrangement with Cosby, the bulk of No-Dachis in service resided with the Legion of Vega when the Jihad began. The Legions took heavy casualties, but when push came to shove their survivors followed the remains of the Kurita family into Azami territory. The Azami Caliphate remains the only major organization to use the design to this day.