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Viability of a Torso Mech

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Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#1: Mar 13th 2011 at 12:15:36 PM

What I mean by a Torso Mech is that the mech is mainly a torso that hovers above the ground.

This would somewhat solve the weigh distribution problem, since it operates more or less on the concept of a VTOL aircraft.

But why a mech?Couldn't some hovering tank work just as well. Of course Rule of Cool, but I also see cases where one might want to bust in and steal (that's what the arms are for) something or kidnap someone and get out.

Yej (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
#2: Mar 13th 2011 at 12:22:58 PM

By "mech", what scale do we mean? Are we talking about Battle Mech behemoths, or powered exoskeletons?

edited 13th Mar '11 12:23:15 PM by Yej

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#3: Mar 13th 2011 at 12:29:43 PM

Varies.

I think ideally the size should be around that of a single car garage.

edited 13th Mar '11 12:29:56 PM by Worlder

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#4: Mar 13th 2011 at 2:05:17 PM

A mech without legs is not, in any real way, a mech.

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#5: Mar 13th 2011 at 2:09:13 PM

What? Why? How come?

We have E-101 Beta, from Sonic Adventures, in his upgraded state.

I'm pretty sure that is a good example.

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#6: Mar 13th 2011 at 2:38:40 PM

E-101 or whatever is a robot, not a mech (ie, an independent entity rather than a vehicle). A Mech had two qualifiers:
* A pilot
* Legs
Unless you have both of them you don't have a mech.

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#7: Mar 13th 2011 at 2:50:52 PM

Ok fine.

Ugh, but why must a mech has legs?

Why can't it float?

Remember some tropes are fuzzy in their definitions.

Yej (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#9: Mar 13th 2011 at 3:20:16 PM

Ugh, but why must a mech has legs?

Why can't it float?

Because then it'd be a hover-tank, not a mech.

edited 13th Mar '11 3:36:20 PM by MattII

del_diablo Den harde nordmann from Somewher in mid Norway Since: Sep, 2009
Den harde nordmann
#10: Mar 13th 2011 at 3:26:36 PM

A "mech" is suppose to be something like a powered exoskeleton, except it is drones instead. The idea is a human frame.
But what you are thinking of it not a mech, but something like the sphere from NGE :P

A guy called dvorak is tired. Tired of humanity not wanting to change to improve itself. Quite the sad tale.
Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#11: Mar 13th 2011 at 3:55:49 PM

But Matt, the thing has arms.

and while cockpit is an option, it certainly is piloted.

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#12: Mar 13th 2011 at 4:45:09 PM

But Matt, the thing has arms.
Arms mean jack, sticking arms on a helicopter doesn't turn it into a mech, and more than pulling the arms off a gundam stops it being a mech.

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#13: Mar 13th 2011 at 5:42:17 PM

Oh come on! Do we really have to argue definitions?

It has torso, two limbs with arm and forearm, and a pretty much aesthetic head. Yes it is piloted.

So what if it has a propulsion system below the waist instead of two metal lower limbs, it still reeks of fancy shaped war machine.

EDIT: replaced a few words.

edited 13th Mar '11 5:49:46 PM by Worlder

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#14: Mar 13th 2011 at 6:27:59 PM

A mech requires legs that it can walk about on, sans legs, it's not a mech, that's all there is to it.

Durazno Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#15: Mar 13th 2011 at 6:50:53 PM

So is Zeong a mech?

If somebody wanted to call it a mech, especially in that setting, would it be worth arguing it out over?

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#16: Mar 13th 2011 at 6:54:42 PM

Ha! A Gundam mech that fits what I described.

So Matt what do you call that? If it is not a mech.

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#17: Mar 13th 2011 at 9:43:26 PM

It's a gundam torso on a hovercraft base, or you might just call it an anthropomorphic hovercraft.

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#18: Mar 13th 2011 at 10:21:33 PM

Definitions aside, which would be preferred in a combat situation?

Mech w/ legs or a Mech w/ hover propulsion instead of legs?

Iaculus Pronounced YAK-you-luss from England Since: May, 2010
Pronounced YAK-you-luss
#19: Mar 13th 2011 at 10:28:18 PM

Depends. The hoverer is more manoeuvrable, but has a more fragile propulsion system. I certainly imagine the legged one would fare better in dense terrain.

What's precedent ever done for us?
GiantSpaceChinchilla Since: Oct, 2009
#20: Mar 13th 2011 at 10:36:13 PM

I'd imagine it would have all the advantages and disadvantages of a Hover Tank in that they would hover over most obstacles and could turn quickly but are fuel inefficient compounded by having to compensate for missiles and projectile launches. of course they do have the advantage of arms and hands as well as having a high vantage point via the head. but that's just my 2-cents

NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#21: Mar 15th 2011 at 2:33:42 PM

A more helpful point to make might be that "a vehicle without legs doesn't really fit most of the Giant Robot tropes". So calling it one is a bit odd.

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
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