37 replies to this topic

[Dukarriope]

Random fun poll/opinion time!

Do you like chicken walker/runner style mechs - that is, bird-legged/raptor style such as the Raven and Catapult that run and walk similar to an ostrich, or prefer humanoid, upright walkers such as the intimidating Atlas or the popular Hunchback and Centurion?


I myself like bow-legged mechs more. I suppose I just like more animalistic designs, and the bird legged mechs tend to be faster too. Many of my favorite designs (purely speaking in terms of aesthetics) have been chicken runners like the Catapult, Marauder, and thus by extension the Timber Wolf (or Mad Cat if you prefer), or the Mad Dog.

Edited by Dukarriope, 05 November 2012 - 01:06 PM.

[Jack Corvus]

I voted based on what I'd want to pilot in a realistic MechWarrior game, rather than on looks alone.

I voted humanoid. While it's irrelevant in the various MechWarrior computer games, the humanoid shape is so common in BattleTech because mechs can move and behave like a human. Mechs are not stiff gigantic tank-like machines, they are metal skeletons with electrically operated muscles covered in armour, and (especially the light ones) move and act in a human-like manner. I saw a post in another thread saying it seemed silly to field mechs instead of tanks when they have such a huge profile and are so easy to hit. That's not how battletech works. A mech can crouch, drop prone (if it's light), hide his body behind a building and fire around corners just by exposing his weapon arm alone.

[Dukarriope]

Jack Corvus, on 04 November 2012 - 07:46 AM, said:

I voted based on what I'd want to pilot in a realistic MechWarrior game, rather than on looks alone.

I voted humanoid. While it's irrelevant in the various MechWarrior computer games, the humanoid shape is so common in BattleTech because mechs can move and behave like a human. Mechs are not stiff gigantic tank-like machines, they are metal skeletons with electrically operated muscles covered in armour, and (especially the light ones) move and act in a human-like manner. I saw a post in another thread saying it seemed silly to field mechs instead of tanks when they have such a huge profile and are so easy to hit. That's not how battletech works. A mech can crouch, drop prone (if it's light), hide his body behind a building and fire around corners just by exposing his weapon arm alone.

The one benefit I can think of in favor of a tank is that its turret has full 360 degree rotation. Otherwise, who wouldn't rather have a giant walker?

Just to be clear though, Humanoid in this context kind of refers, to, well, normal 'straight legs' or however you might want to say it.

[Kyone Akashi]

I used to be in the chicken-walker camp due to AT-STs and ED-209, but the Jenner made me appreciate humanoids as well. <3

[Roughneck45]

Really depends on the rest of the Mech design for me, but in general the bow leg mechs tend to be my favorites.

[Alois Hammer]

Don't care about legs. It's all about the guns.

[Lokust Davion]

Chicken leg mechs is what attracted me to this game... I wouldnt wanna play this if all of them were humanoid. Mechwarrior's humanoid mech looks awful to me.

[Alture White]

Chicken all the way. I don't mind larger humanoid mechs, but the smaller ones always bothered me. Especially the Trenchbucket.

[Dukarriope]

In particular only the kinds designed to be extremely intimidating (such as the Atlas) work for me in the humanoid camp, plenty of the best looking mechs still are bow-legs!

[MustrumRidcully]

I voted Tripods to feel special. But if that wasn't the option, I'd pick chicken.

[Dukarriope]

PGI should start using the bow-legs in promotional pictures more, judging from the results of the poll so far...

[Walk]

Definitely the bowl legged mechs. All of my favorites are them, they are just so much more menacing than the human figures. The Mad Cat, Diashi, Cougar, Raven, all of these mechs are just much more intimidating than the awkward human mechs. The only humanoid one I like at all is the Atlas.

Speaking of which... is there any chance of seeing a Cougar? It's my all time favorite mech by far, and I would love nothing more than to pilot one of them again.



seriously, look at that thing. LOOK AT IT

Edited by Walk, 04 November 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[Hatachi]

Cougar comes in around 3058, I believe. You will get his older brother and my favorite mech, the Adder, in 3050 though.

[Dukarriope]

I should make a GIF out of this

Edited by Dukarriope, 04 November 2012 - 10:39 AM.

[Cleverbird]

Jack Corvus, on 04 November 2012 - 07:46 AM, said:

I voted based on what I'd want to pilot in a realistic MechWarrior game, rather than on looks alone.

I voted humanoid. While it's irrelevant in the various MechWarrior computer games, the humanoid shape is so common in BattleTech because mechs can move and behave like a human. Mechs are not stiff gigantic tank-like machines, they are metal skeletons with electrically operated muscles covered in armour, and (especially the light ones) move and act in a human-like manner. I saw a post in another thread saying it seemed silly to field mechs instead of tanks when they have such a huge profile and are so easy to hit. That's not how battletech works. A mech can crouch, drop prone (if it's light), hide his body behind a building and fire around corners just by exposing his weapon arm alone.

See, but a tank is much less prone to getting disabled as easily as a mech would. Take out it's legs, and a mech will fall over, rendering it completely useless. Whereas if you blow the tracks of a tank, it can still function as a stationary "turret". Plus, tanks are faster, far more difficult to hit (which, ironically, you actually demonstrate by mentioning the ability to "duck" for mechs). And I'm not even touching the subject of gravity here.

The only pros I see a mech having over a tank, are armaments, since a mech has more room, and intimidation factor. Because face it, what's scarier, a rank rolling over the hill, or an Atlas?

Realistically speaking, I'd feel MUCH safer in a tank than in a mech. But mechs are more awesome.

[1ceTr0n]

Chicken walker have always looked much more menacing and fearsome and flat out cooler then standard humanoid walkers. Reminds of of the T-Rex and how he hunts and moves, just fearsome and menacing looking

Edited by 1ceTr0n, 04 November 2012 - 10:55 AM.

[1ceTr0n]

But in my opinion, nothing beats the granddaddy badass of walking mechs that are the Imperial walkers.

Edited by 1ceTr0n, 04 November 2012 - 11:00 AM.

[LoneUnknown]

Having a rear facing knee joint is not the same as "Bow Legged".

Bow legged is when the thighs arch outward like an archers bow, with the knees pushing out to the sides. The opposite of knock-kneed.

Bird-legged or chicken walker are probably more acceptable terms, even though in reality birds knees do face forward. What most people call the knees are actually the ankles (they are digitigrade, as in they walk on their digits/toes).

[Dukarriope]

LoneUnknown, on 04 November 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

Bird-legged or chicken walker are probably more acceptable terms, even though in reality birds knees do face forward. What most people call the knees are actually the ankles (they are digitigrade, as in they walk on their digits/toes).

I think the similarity between the terms 'bow-legged' and 'bird-legged' lead to some confusion in my side. Changed.

[Solis Obscuri]

LoneUnknown, on 04 November 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

Having a rear facing knee joint is not the same as "Bow Legged".

Bow legged is when the thighs arch outward like an archers bow, with the knees pushing out to the sides. The opposite of knock-kneed.

Bird-legged or chicken walker are probably more acceptable terms, even though in reality birds knees do face forward. What most people call the knees are actually the ankles (they are digitigrade, as in they walk on their digits/toes).

Yes, and I am disappoint for no "digitigrade" option. Have you all forgotten the Mongoose?