[JBE] Designing a Mech

[dmccoy1693]

http://jonbrazer.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/traveller-designing-a-mech/

Tell us what you think.

Note: I'm still on vacation so don't expect me to reply until Monday.

 

[rust]

I think a mech should not use a power source that requires hydrogen fuel,
which is both somewhat dangerous and difficult to store - some kind of po-
wer cell (e.g. a superconductor loop or thelike) would seem more plausible
to me.

Otherwise, it looks good to me.

 

[Jacqual]

The only Mech's I have ever used in a traveller game was using the Powered armor construction rules for cyberpunk 2020 and converting them to traveller for battledress. I did have one design in the 5 ton range for a mega heavy suit the size of a landmate from the anime "Appleseed". I basically had a Light, Medium, Heavy, and Mega Heavy frames. Which set the Strength of the battledress then outfitted for different roles including an unarmed version for belters based on a medium frame. I should find and rewrite the rules for using with MGT. I wouldnt go any larger then 5 Tons as then I feel you would lose some of the flavor of the game. As the game is Traveller and not a giant robot game 5 tons might even be pushing the limit in that respect IMHO.

 

[dmccoy1693]

I wouldnt go any larger then 5 Tons as then I feel you would lose some of the flavor of the game.

Actually, the 5 ton MegaHerc was designed to be a small generic construction variation. Future issues will be featuring larger models for military applications. I was thinking that a heavy war mech would be in the 40-50 ton range, medium in the 25-35 ton range and light mechs in the range 10-20 ton range. Corporate models being in the sub 10 ton range.

If the traveller system were a lamborghini, I want to see what it can do. I want to screech the tires, see what her accelleration is like when pushed to the max, and see exactly how responsive the controls are. In short, I'm here having fun pushing the limits as to what this little system can do.

 

[savage]

Mech's in traveller

Keep working on them. I think the VTOL flight versions are most likely applicable. It could be a nice device of intimidation.

 

[far-trader]

Not sure I'd use small craft or ship design. But then, until Mongoose has robot or vehicle design rules with the right components I'm not sure any design rules would have the right stuff. Are there vehicle design rules in the Core Book? And if it does do they have walker design components? I still haven't slogged into it much (issues... ). I think Mechs are vehicles in every sense.

As for past Traveller having mechs, not officially canon that I recall. Much fanon though. And there is a pic of a Mech in TNE "Fire, Fusion, and Steel" and you could (and I did) design proper Mech with it. I think the MT vehicle design rules had the required components for Mech too.

 

[aramis]

MT, TNE, T4, and T20 have rules that can be used to design Mechs. ISTR that striker does as well.

DGP's 101 Vehicles includes several walkers... the Dynchia Strider is clearly a mech.

 

[far-trader]

MT, TNE, T4, and T20 have rules that can be used to design Mechs. ISTR that striker does as well.

DGP's 101 Vehicles includes several walkers... the Dynchia Strider is clearly a mech.

Yes, I should have recalled T20 as well. T4 too? Forgotten I guess, but then I didn't use it much. I really should have remembered DGP's 101 Vehicles did though. I had that book, well read and liked, but it went walkabout not long after I got it and hasn't returned yet (or it did but went into hiding in a box somewhere... )

 

[aramis]

FF&S 1 & 2 both have walker motive forms.

 

[savage]

As for past Traveller having mechs, not officially canon that I recall. Much fanon though. And there is a pic of a Mech in TNE "Fire, Fusion, and Steel" and you could (and I did) design proper Mech with it. I think the MT vehicle design rules had the required components for Mech too.

excellent point.

 

[rust]

The Breakthrough Heavy Infantry Walker from TNE - RCES looks very much
like a true Mech to me.

Ah, finally found that link:
http://mailman.silent-tower.org/public/tne-rces/2004-September/000080.html

I think it is a nice example what a Traveller-style Mech could look like.