The Strider is Draconis Combine’s medium-class OmniMech. Based on the Cicada, the Strider represents a solid, if uninspired, design. The DCMS wanted a good trooper OmniMech, something capable of threatening most BattleMechs in existance. Novel design ideas and construction practices were not considered an advantage.
         The simplicity and ruggedness of the resulting design allowed it to survive the Jihad in large numbers, and relatively intact. Only the recovered lighter EndoSteel frame proved difficult to replace, but Coordinator Ricol created an arm of the DCMS devoted completely to the hoarding of what recovered Star League technologies they could assemble. The Strider benefitted from this program, though during the years of the Jihad many still fell into disuse because the units using them could not gain access to replacement EndoSteel. All such non-functional Striders were recalled to the factory, stripped down, and had their remaining light EndoSteel removed to keep other BattleMechs operating. This practice kept the design in operation for many years.
         As the Jihad wore on though, the Coordinator ordered the Strider redesigned with a standard internal frame that would be easier to maintain in the field. Rurik Drascir of Luthien Armor Works headed the redesign process, and actually piloted the first example of the new Strider in combat against Word of Blake forces, where he proved its effectiveness. The design has been in production ever since.

         The Strider is a classic jack of all trades, fast enough keep up with most medium 'Mechs, carrying enough firepower to fight most medium 'Mechs, and sporting enough armor to take heavy, but not too heavy, damage. The DCMS considers it a good trooper OmniMech. The Strider's eleven tons of weapon space is a significant increase over the firepower available in the basic Cicada design, but not a major advantage when compared to the capabilities of other 40- to 50-ton ’Mechs. The Strider is as well-armored as some heavy ’Mechs, which makes it tougher but also slows it down and subjects it to more danger.
       The DCMS seems content with the trade-offs made in the Strider's design. The primary configuration has two short-range missile racks capable of unleashing a barrage of twelve 110 mm rockets and a single spinal medium laser. With its heavy armor protection, a Strider in this configuration is well equipped to extract its comrades from a major fire-fight. The Strider's other configurations also allow it to deliver heavy and accurate firepower via weapons systems customized for terrain, mission, and likely enemies. The Strider's degree of specialization makes it an excellent complement to the DCMS’s other, capable medium OmniMech, the Blackhawk-KU.
         Some original Striders still exist, with their light EndoSteel construction. There are no official configurations for them, and MechWarriors with such a surviving design usually use the standard weapons' pods. They tend to add a heat sink, some ammunition if needed, or a small weapon or array of weapons to the design, making them slightly more effective than the standard Strider.

       Strider 'Mechs appear primarily in DCMS forces, either as lance command vehicles or partnered with Kidousei OmniMechs. They also form the recon elements of heavy or assault units. Deployed only to forces loyal to the new Coordinator, very few Striders have made their way out of Combine space.