Nigel replied to me: > > > Perhaps a one man and one AI team? The pilot-AI gestalt learns > together > > to > > > run the machine. The gestalt is what makes mecha viable? > > > Perhaps the mechajock has a VII in an otherwise VII free world? > > > > Arbitrary rule in favor of Mecha. > > Why? > My point was the man-machine interface experiment gives you the gestalt > from > mech technology. The mecha needs it. The tank doesn't. with the gestalt > the mech can make the human-like dodges.
So are are saying that humanoid machines get a larger benefit from AI/VII systems than non-humanoid machines, and that the margin is large enough to discourage the use in non-humanoid machines? VE64 says that a neural interface on a humanoid machine has a further +1 bonus to most skills, beyond the +4 for all neural interfaces. A small edge for Mecha, but nevertheless an edge. > > So some country decides to build a thousand tanks, train their > > troops, and conquer the world. > > Still, sounds doubtful - recall that this was a response to the world > which > has a developed mech environment. Because of megascale animals, herding, > whatever, such as the Heavy Gear setting: Terra Nova. I'm assuming a mature non-Mecha and Mecha technology. Neither should be saddled with being a prototype. > What is the balance here? > The mech can kill the tank with one shot - maybe except from the front, > the > tank can kill the mech with one shot from any side - but the mech can > dodge. > The tank is cheaper but the mech is more agile? And if it doesn't even try to resist main gun rounds, just ordinary autocannon-equivalents, a Mecha gets even faster. Think of them as attack helicopters on legs, not tanks on legs. > Short answer: the mech should work if it can do several things fairly > well. > If it can be a multirole platform. > Big feet allowing it to walk quietly with a lower signature than flight. > Modular weapons and sensors > Cargo space to support ammo and supplies > > And imo - tanks operate like cavalry. Mech operate like infantry. Flexibility sounds more like modern-day armored cav, who scout and screen while armor and mechanized infantry are the heavy hitters. "In March of 2345, it was decided to equip one troop in each divisional cavalry squadron with the XM-something. Seven Mecha troops participated in the ill-fated drop on Beta Canis V, where they held the initial perimeter while the tank units assembled for their epic breakout." > Which was what I was trying to say. Or: If your mech army works, why > build > tanks? :) Because they would have been better? I could write a TL8 ship of the line with sails and broadside guns, and it could wipe out Nelson's fleet all by itself, but that doesn't make sailing warships a sound TL8 technology. Onno _______________________________________________ GurpsNet-L mailing list <[email protected]> http://mail.sjgames.com/mailman/listinfo/gurpsnet-l
