9 replies to this topic

[Enig]

By the year 3066 it appears Clantech is widely accessible throughout the forces of the IS. At this point, why is it that chicken walkers are far more prevalent than they were pre-invasion?

Edited by Enig, 28 July 2012 - 11:10 PM.

[Thorn Hallis]

In the IS or within the Clans?

[Stormwolf]

Anybody got any data on the ratio here?

[Jaroth Corbett]

What is he specifically asking?

[Enig]

Thorn Hallis, on 29 July 2012 - 05:54 AM, said:

In the IS or within the Clans?

in 3066, clantech is widely accessible in the IS. At that point, it seems that chicken walkers go from a sight rarely seen, to at least 50% of the fielded mechs. Specifically, I love chicken walkers, and wish there weren't so few of them right now in MWO, but we're too early in the timeline.

Jaroth Winson, on 29 July 2012 - 07:45 AM, said:

What is he specifically asking?

"Why there done be so many dang 'ol chicken walkers from them varmint Clanners?"

That help?

Edited by Enig, 29 July 2012 - 03:05 PM.

[Precentor Dantalion]

A lot of Inner sphere companies tried imitating clantech which probably plays a role(case and point: Bushwacker, Raksasha, blackhawk), but as for 50% id say its not that extensive ;-)

[Jaroth Corbett]

Enig, on 29 July 2012 - 03:02 PM, said:

in 3066, clantech is widely accessible in the IS. At that point, it seems that chicken walkers go from a sight rarely seen, to at least 50% of the fielded mechs. Specifically, I love chicken walkers, and wish there weren't so few of them right now in MWO, but we're too early in the timeline.




"Why there done be so many dang 'ol chicken walkers from them varmint Clanners?"

That help?

No

[rilianv]

One of the big reasons for more chicken legged oriented mechs was the fact that they had the possibility of having a lower profile making them harder to hit. when fighting an enemy who had superior tech and weapons, you take any advantage you can get.

[Elsydeon]

While the reverse knee allows for a lower squatting position, it also allows for more speed, as it provides an extra set of muscles for forward acceleration (remember, muscles only pull, so the extending knee would impart a forward force while running) and reduces stress on the knee joint as it does a better job of absorbing shock.

[Sidney]

Enig, on 28 July 2012 - 11:07 PM, said:

By the year 3066 it appears Clantech is widely accessible throughout the forces of the IS. At this point, why is it that chicken walkers are far more prevalent than they were pre-invasion?

Well, the Clans' weren't all that much into chicken walkers. Myst Lynx, Hellbringer, Summoner, Gargoyle, Executioner, Fire Moth, Ice Ferret are not 'chicken walkers' (Just under half of the designs).

But still, I know what you mean.

I don't think an 'In character' answer has ever been given-

The real reason is asthetics.

Originally Battletech was modeled after this 'new thing' from Japan. Mangas featuring walking tanks and the like. Humanoid designs came (mostly) from artwork originally licenced from Japan.

When it came time for the Clans to be introduced, they were meant to be presented as the 'aliens' of Battletech. Human, but not so (Phenotypes, culture, advanced tech etc.). So, the artwork reflects that.

Many of the original 3050 Clan 'mechs share body parts. The Warhawk and Direwolf share the same legs for example- the Timber Wolf, Summoner, and Hellbringer all have very similiar arms. Of the authors on the Battletech forums, as I recall, explained this was intended to help convey the 'Omni' interchangability.

As the Inner Sphere closed the gap in technology, their artwork reflects that. Compare the 'reseen' Warhammer to the 'unseen' Warhammer for example. The old one is boxy- the new one is sleek
It's the same way with the Word of Blake designs. The authors have explained how the six Omnimechs intended for the Manei Domini all look very similiar (and were designed in universe by the same man). The six Battlearmour suits the WoB developed for the Jihad and the three Omnifighters (Omni based Aerofighters) do too- I'll just link a couple of each:

Omnimechs ("Celestial" series):
Archangel
Deva

Battlearmour ("Demon" series):
Djinn
Tengu

Omnifighters ("Spectral" series):
Rusalka
Striga


All of them have a very sleek, but also 'angular' and... sharp look to them.

That's the 3070s by the way (You're a bit behind in the timeline, I think )

By the 3130s, the Ghost Bears Rasalhague Dominion will be fitting skulls into their designs (although somewhat subtly), the Jade Falcons will incorporate wings to reinforce the bird imagery (as well as the new jump wings technology), the Dracs will be swept with pride and attempt to capture that Imperial Japan feel and the Wolves will be incorporating 'wolf fur' like camos and canine inspiried 'mechs.

...much like the totem 'mechs of the 3060s. (The Fire Mandrills' Mandrill, the Horses' Thunder Stallion, the Scorpion's Fire Scorpion and so on)

And I'm sure when Battletech jumps to 3150 within the next couple of years, we'll see new art themes there too