DirePhoenix, on 04 May 2014 - 03:03 PM, said:
When they make the 3D models for a video game like this, they have to make the percentage of the volume that a hitbox takes fit within a certain range of the overall volume of a mech. So yes, the volume of a 80-ton mech's arm takes up more space than a 65-ton mech's arm.
To clarify, the tabletop's game rules are not directly tied to the art (and in some cases not tied at all). In a 3D video game, it is.
Doesn't seem to mention anything for mechs with the same size. In fact, the Kintaro is slightly bigger than the Shadowhawk. The Shadowhawk's cannons make its left torso take considerably more size, too. In comparison, the Kintaro's hitboxes for side torsos are quite tiny.
Tell me, in what way are
these "proportionate" of the overall volume.
The Atlas is BIGGER than an Awesome. But it started with a hitbox that tiny? I do 3D modeling as well, I never had such issues.
Or for that matter, if it is proportionate to the overall size of the mech... why is the Kintaro's PPCs bigger than the Shadowhawk's? Kintaros have significantly larger arms. A significantly larger portion of the hitbox encompasses the arms than the side torsos, while still allowing for a huge center torso. The Shadowhawk has perfectly even side torsos, center torso, and small arm hitboxes.
Compare it to
these. Which make the distribution significantly more proportional and even throughout the mechs. Didn't need tiny or oversized weapon models for that.
In comparison, for the Clan mechs its stated that when you mount certain weapons, the hands will automatically be removed.
Given PGI's weapon size track record..
If I slap a PPC in there, the hand will remove. The PPC will be identically sized to the laser module attachment.
What that means is if I equip a PPC, I was significantly reduce the size and profile of my arm hitbox.
Where if PPCs were all the same size, I'd have equal gain and loss in this particular case, because a PPC is larger than a laser on some mechs. But not others for some odd reason.
So I'm not buying the percentage of the mech thing. For example when a 14 or 15 ton weapon is literally 40 to 50% of the mech's weight, it should be larger than the pilot.
That'd be like having a huge suitcase, but most of the weight from packing it is in this 14 pound half-pencil I attached on the outside of it.
Also, tested "weapon mount" spots that increase the size of your total volume such as the Banshee's LRM launcher. They stop existing when removed, and exist when attached. Attaching an AMS also increases the size of your hitbox. Now, what about them? It isn't a proportion of the overall volume, because it then increases the overall volume. Anything you attach changes the size of the hitboxes. Larger items increase it significantly for large mechs who are already large and slow. Smaller items decrease it slightly for large mechs. So why are they so far off base for smaller things?
As an example, an PPC attached to the Jenner is huge. Attached to the Locust, is HUGE, as is the LB-10x. Attached to a Blackjack, they are
tiny.
If it is in relation to the mech's size, then it should be tiny on the Locust, tiny on the Jenner; especially given that you can take two of the PPCs on a Firestarter and stuff them inside of a Jenner's PPC, along with 14 of the Firestarter's machine guns and a Firestarter Gauss Rifle can be used as a plunger to help cram it all in.
My point is if it was consistent, I'd agree and even believe you. But none of it is consistent. For example, the Kintaro's PPC is BIGGER than the Atlas's PPC and is the size of an Awesome's PPC. That's good.
But not when the Kintaro is the only mech that is like that.
Btw. I'm one of the ones that like the current Timberwolf design. Though I'm worried it'll be too small -- it's supposed to also fit 6 men in battle armor. Not that it matters here, but that was an issue with the original art too. At least this one looks like it 'could' fit some.