 SHM-78 «Ognivo» ШМ-78 « Огниво»
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 | Dangerous anti-infantry mech with durable medium armor, virtually immune to bullets. |
| Тип | Medium Assault Mech |
SHM-78 «Ognivo» (ШМ-78 «Огниво») is a specialized flamethrower mech developed by the state of Rusviet. Designed to suppress infantry units and destroy fortifications, combining high survivability with devastating fire potential.
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Historical Context
The development of «Ognivo» was a response to trench warfare tactics, where infantry actively used fortifications, trenches, and building ruins. Rusviet design bureaus adapted infantry flamethrowers, scaling them for mech platforms. The project received the name SHM-78 «Ognivo»[1][2] The name refers to traditional flints, emphasizing the connection with fire as the main design element.
Design Features
The mech features a wide low-profile body on two short front limbs and a rear guide wheel. The teardrop-shaped cockpit with a narrow viewing slit provides minimal pilot vulnerability. The sides of the body house twin flamethrower installations capable of concentrating fire forward or distributing flame in different directions. The rear is equipped with an engine with a massive smoke stack, emphasizing its dieselpunk design.
Medium-class armor provides protection against machine gun fire and shrapnel but is vulnerable to artillery and heavy anti-tank guns. A design feature is the absence of weak zones — damage is evenly distributed regardless of the attack direction.
It is advisable to bring it to the first veteran level, as it unlocks a necessary ability that significantly increases firing range at the cost of a slight damage reduction. With this ability, you can conduct small-scale assaults and effectively destroy even anti-tank infantry.
Combat Usage
SHM-78 «Ognivo» occupies the niche of a close-range assault mech. Its flamethrowers ignore cover, dealing direct damage to infantry even in buildings or behind barricades. The wide area of effect allows for eliminating groups of soldiers within seconds, with flame dealing additional damage over time.
However, the flamethrower cannot cause serious damage to other light mechs. Additionally, the flame jet is directed strictly to one location, allowing the enemy to dodge the attack. SHM-78 is often considered a situational unit. Its effectiveness drops sharply against mechanized formations, requiring mandatory support from anti-tank units.
«Ognivo» is very vulnerable due to its slow speed, especially when retreating. It is recommended to use it for defending specific map areas with resource points, especially in places with sharp turns or many objects that obstruct enemy fire.
Weaknesses
The mech's limitations include:
- Slow movement speed (2.3 m/s), making retreat difficult;
- Short base attack range (14 m);
- Ineffectiveness against medium and heavy mechs due to low penetration damage.
Despite the limitations, the mech remains a key element of Rusviet's defensive strategy, especially when protecting resource nodes in urbanized areas. Its ability to quickly destroy buildings makes it indispensable in protracted battles.
Veteran Status
After reaching the first veteran level, the mech gains the ability «Nozzle Narrowing», increasing the fire range to the level of standard artillery units (like the «Kolokol») at the cost of reduced area of effect. This allows supporting assault operations at medium ranges.
Update History
- 2024: The 2024 update increased the flamethrower rotation speed, improving the response to flank threats.
- 2023: Interestingly, in early versions of the game, the mech had the index SHM-78, but after a balance review in 2023, it was renumbered to SHM-56 to match the in-game classification.
Interesting Facts
- In the Russian localization, the name “Ognivo” also refers to Andersen’s fairy tale, indirectly emphasizing the “fairy tale” destructiveness of the mech.
- The concept art of “Ognivo” was created by Jakub Rozalski, the author of the original 1920+ setting.[3]
- In “Nozzle Narrowing” mode, the mech visually releases a narrow stream of flame, imitating the operation of early experimental flamethrowers from World War I.
