I figured it out. Basically I am including them as construction mechs that are designed to help set up colonies quickly and function as a moving crane but that the colonists have modified them and added weapons to fight predators and later other colonies. The military has much more advanced craft designed for combat but the colonists don't have those.
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Why do we need Mechs?
- Thread starter garrowolf
- Start date
(Psi)SeveredHead
Adventurer
Mechas are specialty units. They can maneuver in certain kinds of terrain where a tank can't go, and the higher platform means they can target a tank's weaker top armor.
On the other hand, their armor must be thinner (much like a tank's weak top armor, this is an unavoidable design issue) and it's more vulnerable to damage due to more moving parts. It's also an easier target to hit (a big deal at long-range if you don't have guided weapons).
You would only use it where the tradeoff works in your favor. In some settings (okay, StarCraft) mecha were used mainly in urban areas (in the lore). Also, goliaths have an anti-air attack, if that's an important issue. The thor is generally viewed as overengineered and a vanity piece unsuited to real warfare. In Gundam, not only do mecha fly (something tanks cannot do), but all modern weapon systems jam radar more effectively than they can detect things, so close-in combat is the order of the day. Needless to say, jet fighters can't swordfight.
(In other words, someone thought of a reason to give mecha swords.)
On the other hand, their armor must be thinner (much like a tank's weak top armor, this is an unavoidable design issue) and it's more vulnerable to damage due to more moving parts. It's also an easier target to hit (a big deal at long-range if you don't have guided weapons).
You would only use it where the tradeoff works in your favor. In some settings (okay, StarCraft) mecha were used mainly in urban areas (in the lore). Also, goliaths have an anti-air attack, if that's an important issue. The thor is generally viewed as overengineered and a vanity piece unsuited to real warfare. In Gundam, not only do mecha fly (something tanks cannot do), but all modern weapon systems jam radar more effectively than they can detect things, so close-in combat is the order of the day. Needless to say, jet fighters can't swordfight.
(In other words, someone thought of a reason to give mecha swords.)
So is "contragravity"? Your point?
In the light of this:
As pure sci-fantasy, I say don't worry about them making sense- put 'em in if you want 'em.
And that's a fine point. It just needed to be stated a bit more clearly.
My idea was always that mechs are controlled by a direct brain interface, so the mech is the driver's 'body', and for some neurological reason a human-shaped body works much better to eg reduce reaction times, reduce fatigue and other damaging effects, etc. This gives the Mechs much faster reaction times than tanks.
I have to say though that BOLO/OGRE type super-heavy tanks (manned or unmanned) seem a lot more plausible.
I have to say though that BOLO/OGRE type super-heavy tanks (manned or unmanned) seem a lot more plausible.
frankthedm
First Post
Am I the only person who HATES that damned big dog robot? I want to smash that repulsive thing every time I see that video!
Stormonu
NeoGrognard
Mechs are tools. Tools help us to maximize the force we bring to solving a problem.
Large construction mechs would aid with moving and positioning large objects quickly. I think you've got that angle pretty much on target.
Combat mechs are about maximizing the human force. The more man-sized you can make the mech (or exoskeleton), the more efficient they are. Tanks are lumbering brutes bringing massive force and protection to the battlefield, but they in turn take up quite a bit of space. As technology advances, you should be able to miniaturize both the armature and minimize the power requirements - computers (starting with room-filled mainframes) and cell phones (starting with such monstrosities as the brick) can give you an idea.
Future combat mechs may be more like the toad of battletech, the exoskeleton from alien and other such devices. Big mechs, like gundam, battletech and from macross I think would be less likely - too big a target on the battlefield, unless they can pack a punch that conventional weapons like the tank simply can't match.
Space brings in an additional twist - large mechs may be desirable as they can act as space vessels and double as space suits. This may be an area where the ability to transform from one form to another may be very helpful (trying to rocket-boot or pack through space may be less desirable than assuming a shape more suited to long-range, high speed thrusting) Underwater, where there is great pressure, may a place where they see use as well - rather than be stuck in something unresponsive as a sub, a more human-like form may be more desirable for detail work.
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