37 replies to this topic

[Zakatak]

From a purely aesthetic perspective, which leg design do you like most?

Humanoid: knees bend forward, one ankle joint, like a primate (Warhammer)
Avian: knees bend backward, one ankle joint, like a bird (Vulture)
Digitigrade: 2 sets of knees that bend forward and backward, like a dog (Nova Cat)

[Magnificent Bastard]

Non-humanoid. Voted Avian specifically because only certain mechs look good with "digitgrande" legs (Uziel) whereas all chicken-walker mechs are sexy.

[Redshift2k5]

Edited by Redshift2k5, 14 May 2012 - 08:05 AM.

[Naqel]

Zakatak, on 12 May 2012 - 02:59 PM, said:

From a purely aesthetic perspective, which leg design do you like most?

Standard: knees bend forward(Warhammer)
Reverse-jointed: knees bend backward(Vulture)
Double-jointed: 2 sets of knees, one forward and one backward(Nova Cat)

Fixed that for ya.

Avian and Digitigrade is the same thing: knees facing forward, ankles acting as a "second knee", with only the ball and toes of the foot touching the ground.

Mechs, unless in some rare cases, always have their full feet on the ground, and an ankle joint directly above it, with the names based on the knee joint arrangement.

[Magnificent Bastard]

Naqel, on 12 May 2012 - 03:32 PM, said:

Avian and Digitigrade is the same thing: knees facing forward, ankles acting as a "second knee", with only the ball and toes of the foot touching the ground.

Well not all digitigrande (is that a real term?) mechs are created the same. Nova Cat vs. Uziel as an example. Unless I'm looking at those images wrong they have very different legs despite both being double jointed.

[Steamroller Stig]

I like them all, the only thing I really cant stand is humanoid torsos and arms.

[SilentSooYun]

Much of it relies on the torso design, but overall I prefer chicken-walkers.
Long, low torso with humanoid legs just looks silly to me: Jenner and Stalker need some good chicken legs.
If I were going for a close-in fighter, though, I think I'd prefer humanoid legs; better for kickin'.

[Magnificent Bastard]

SilentSooYun, on 12 May 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

Long, low torso with humanoid legs just looks silly to me: Jenner and Stalker need some good chicken legs.

This man knows what he's talking about. I know it won't happen... but I'd love to see a Jenner with chicken legs.

[Arbhall Sommers]

Avian legs I think offer the best platform for weapons that dont produce recoil. While the humanoid legs are better suited to absorb higher levels of lateral force through leaning. I have no idea what possible purpose the other legs are.
Also as above the humanoids would be better close combat legs. While the chicken would offer greater speed as well, through more efficient physics. They should all have an advantage. And a slight drawback.

[Jonas]

I like all 3 but it really depends on the whole Mech design.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

Magnificent *******, on 12 May 2012 - 03:51 PM, said:

This man knows what he's talking about. I know it won't happen... but I'd love to see a Jenner with chicken legs.

Ahem...

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Owens

...it already happened (in the future!)

[Magnificent Bastard]

Arbhall Sommers, on 12 May 2012 - 03:53 PM, said:

Avian legs I think offer the best platform for weapons that dont produce recoil. While the humanoid legs are better suited to absorb higher levels of lateral force through leaning.

[citation needed]

I'd love to see where this info comes from. I'm not trying to call you into doubt... for all I know you're right. I just genuinely want to know for sure. If this is true that's actually pretty cool info.

mwhighlander, on 12 May 2012 - 03:54 PM, said:

Ahem...

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Owens

...it already happened (in the future!)

No jump jets on the Owens... and it doesn't have a comparable weapons loadout.

Edited by Magnificent Bastard, 12 May 2012 - 03:58 PM.

[Arbhall Sommers]

Magnificent *******, on 12 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

[citation needed]

I'd love to see where this info comes from. I'm not trying to call you into doubt... for all I know you're right. I just genuinely want to know for sure. If this is true that's actually pretty cool info.


No jump jets on the Owens... and it doesn't have a comparable weapons loadout.

Nope, it is nothing stated anywhere. Just what I think goin from what I know of the properties of center of gravity, and balance.
Its all guess work and opinion.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

Magnificent *******, on 12 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

[citation needed]

I'd love to see where this info comes from. I'm not trying to call you into doubt... for all I know you're right. I just genuinely want to know for sure. If this is true that's actually pretty cool info.

We've had a very in dept and intellectual debate on this a year or two ago on the MekTek forums. It was ultimately decided that chicken walker legs are better suited for accelerting and maintaining a higher cruising speed with a smoother ride, while humanoid legs are better at bracing themself against heavy weapons fire and keeping balance. So chicken legs = more speed while humaniod = more stability. Digitigrade legs (double kneed) have a mix of both where they would be slight faster than humaniod, but a bit more stable than chicken legs.

Feel free to go and try to dig up the thread if you can, or have the time. It was a very interesting read.

Edited by mwhighlander, 12 May 2012 - 04:00 PM.

[Magnificent Bastard]

Arbhall Sommers, on 12 May 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

Nope, it is nothing stated anywhere. Just what I think goin from what I know of the properties of center of gravity, and balance.
Its all guess work and opinion.

The magic that is physics is a mystery to me. I think your opinion is really cool. Can we get other people to chime in on this one? Do others agree with Arbhall's assessment? Again, not trying to be offensive to you. I just think it is a neat discussion... and I personally have no idea.

mwhighlander, on 12 May 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

We've had a very in dept and intellectual debate on this a year or two ago on the MekTek forums. It was ultimately decided that chicken walker legs are better suited for accelerting and maintaining a higher cruising speed with a smoother ride, while humanoid legs are better at bracing themself against heavy weapons fire and keeping balance. So chicken legs = more speed while humaniod = more stability. Digitigrade legs (double kneed) have a mix of both where they would be slight faster than humaniod, but a bit more stable than chicken legs.

Feel free to go and try to dig up the thread if you can, or have the time. It was a very interesting read.

Edited this quote into my post as you ninja'd me. Very cool info. +1 to you both for bringing this to my attention. Awesome stuff.

Edited by Magnificent Bastard, 12 May 2012 - 04:02 PM.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

I may have to dig up this thread for you guys... if I get around to it

[Magnificent Bastard]

mwhighlander, on 12 May 2012 - 04:02 PM, said:

I may have to dig up this thread for you guys... if I get around to it

I think I found it. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention. If anyone else is interested the link is below:

http://www.mektek.ne...-humaniod-legs/

[Vashts1985]

reverse joint ftw

[Cold3y3s]

chicken walkers are what made me become a Mechwarrior fan, Harmony Gold can keep the gundams.

[Deathz Jester]

I had some fun going through this list to see what mechs were made when, and what kind of legs they had.


Battlemech Timetable.