Mech-Mecha design basics:Mechs or walkers can look like anything. However there are certain basic ideas that seem to be common amongst most of the mech and walker designs that are found in media and games.
1. Designed for a purpose:
The Mechs shape and design should be in most cases a result of its function. Therefore a mech, typically a war machine should be heavily armored. Lets look at the basic idea of what a mech is used for and how it will affect the design.
- Mech Defenders: If something is designed to defend, it makes sense that it is designed strong and robust. Why? Defence means "to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury" (Dictionary.com) . So an attack means use of force to damage something usually of some importance when it comes to warfare. I think you get the point. So if you decide to create a defence or defender mech that is placed around a facility of some strategic or military importance, make sure that heavy armor plating and probably a defensive weapon or device is figured into it. But the armor is the most important one. Now the only one thing that makes evidently heavy armory unnecessary is when you have used some kind of futuristic force field or composite in the description of the mech. Examples of such mechs can be seen in most anime and mech features.
- Attack Mechs: Attack mechs can be heavy, medium or light with respect to armor and armament. The variation will depend on the type of mission. If the attack mech or walker is used as an artillary unit that will affect areas well beyond visual ranges it may be heavy and chunky. It wil have bigger and heavier guns. Slow mobility due to such heavy weight will need more armor since its a slow and easy target. So the bigger the gun the heavier armor plating becasue its slower and more vulnerable. Faster and lighter mechs will compromise on armor. Here the designer can enjoy designing for looks. Be more creative with the functional parts and joints as they are more visible than they would be in armored and heavier mechs.
- A good example for a medium sized mech that can be used for both offensive and defensive measures would be Battlefield 2142 walkers. In my opinion the most perfectly designed mech in any game so far, the L5 Riesig (Battlewalker)
- I know a lot of Mechwarrior fans will be outraged if i said that in front of them, but im sure that any true mech enthusiast will appreciate the sheer beauty of this well balanced and well designed mech.