Steel Clan
The Steel Clan are robots that feature in Gargoyles.
Contents |
History
Robots designed by Xanatos Enterprises to resemble gargoyles. The initial five robots were created using data stolen from Cyberbiotics by the deceived Manhattan Clan. The Steel Clan was first unleashed after David Xanatos and Demona determined that they couldn't rely on the Clan's further cooperation. They were technically superior to the gargoyles- made of steel instead of stone, capable of flying instead of gliding, and totally obedient. However, they lacked fighting experience, and were soon destroyed.
Their next major activity involved being stationed as guardians of Xanatos’s enterprises, where they acted both as deterrents against intruders and as enforcers when Xanatos wished to exert pressure without revealing his own hand. When the gargoyles infiltrated one of Xanatos’s facilities, the Steel Clan confronted them in force, attacking in a coordinated assault meant to overwhelm the intruders with sheer numbers. The confrontation revealed both their strengths and weaknesses: while their weapons and flight capability gave them an advantage in confined or urban spaces, they were not able to effectively counter the gargoyles’ cunning and use of the environment. Several units were destroyed in the ensuing conflict, forcing Xanatos to consider adjustments in their deployment strategy.
Further Steel Clan robots were built over the following years, used and modified as needed. One was used to take a DNA sample from Goliath; a pair accompanied the armored Xanatos in his search for the Manhattan Clan's new home, and another came with Demona, Xanatos and Coldstone in their winter showdown with the gargoyles. They accompanied Xanatos on several further missions, but were always defeated. Special iron-coated Steel Clan robots were even used against Oberon. They have only been used once since Xanatos became indebted to the Manhattan Clan, but they will surely see use again.
The Steel Clan later participated in Xanatos’s larger operations, including direct combat missions where they were used as shock troops in his schemes. In one such battle, Xanatos himself piloted a specially designed Steel Clan unit, larger and stronger than the standard models, to engage Goliath personally. This variation demonstrated the potential for the suits to serve not only as autonomous constructs but also as piloted exoskeletons when required. Despite this escalation, Xanatos’s personal unit was also ultimately destroyed, proving once more that while the Steel Clan could serve as powerful extensions of his will, they could not replace the unique resilience and spirit of the gargoyles themselves.
- In Puck's "Future Tense" dream-world, a bulkier, more heavily armed type of Steel Clan robot patrolled the skies and coasts of Manhattan.
Overview
In appearance, the Steel Clan were mechanical replicas of gargoyles, designed with sleek, metallic bodies mimicking the wings, claws, tails, and muscular structure of their living counterparts. Standing at roughly the same height as the real gargoyles, they bore sharp, angular features that gave them a more menacing presence, with glowing red eyes replacing the expressive faces of their inspirations. Their wings were metallic and extended, housing propulsion systems that allowed for sustained flight. The armor plating across their forms emphasized durability, while the lack of organic detail underscored their artificial and cold nature. Each construct was uniform in design, though Xanatos’s personal variant was painted darker and given a more imposing size and build, signifying its role as a command model.
The powers and abilities of the Steel Clan were entirely technological, built into their construction as weapons of war. They possessed enhanced strength, allowing them to go toe-to-toe with true gargoyles in hand-to-hand combat. Their flight systems gave them maneuverability in the air, enabling pursuit and tactical positioning beyond the limits of gliding. Built-in weaponry, including wrist-mounted blasters, provided them with ranged attacks the gargoyles could not match. Their armored exteriors granted them resilience against most physical strikes and human weaponry, although they were still vulnerable to focused attacks or heavy blows from Goliath and his clan. Despite their impressive capabilities, their greatest limitation was their lack of adaptability — they operated purely on programming and tactical orders, which left them predictable and ultimately inferior to the living gargoyles they were meant to replace.
Notes
Appearances
- Gargoyles:
