On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, Woo Lee wrote:
Does Armor really make a differance in the Gundam Universe?
It all in the end seems to be a 1 shot - 1 kill thing. If so, why bother
using Gundamium instead of Super Ceramic Composite? The only thing Armor
seem to be good against are the small cal. weapons (like machine guns and
the like)
Sorry for the spam, but my two cents on the topic of Armour in Gundam
Universe. ^_- Not like I'm an expert or anything.
Armour points or topics:
- Protection against weapons.
- Structural strength
- Weight distribution
- Insignia's
- Atmospheric stability/re-entry.
- Environmental survivability
- It's holding a living person for heaven's sake!
---
Okay. Protection against weapons.
Yes, in the Gundam universe, it IS **ALMOST** one hit kill. However, that
armour DOES have some blocking potential against even the energy sabers.
Plus, I really doubt an un-armoured Gundam/Zaku/etc will hold up against
Missile Barrages, 20+mm caliber shots, general radiation blasts, or even
the radiation of it's own thrust units. I mean seriously.. THERE ARE
dangers in space and in biospheres. Even just HITTING another mobile suit
requires armour to protect one's fleshy behind from getting massive
lacerations or simply, death. ^_^;
So yes, in my mind, armour DOES make a difference in so far as weapons are
concerned. I mean.. heh.. give me another 5cm or Gundamium ANY day. ^_-
{along with thruster enhancements.. Heehee.. ^_^}
---
Structural strength is another factor. Even though the gundams employ a
more endo-skeleton approach, the internal endoskeleton needs to be
protected from external stresses which the materials which make up the
internals are not used to. Ie, deflect unnecessary shock waves, energy
washes, electrical discharges, concussion waves, etc.
you have bones.. but that fleshy padding keeps you from chipping your
bones. ^_^;
---
The armour helps to balance your MS. I mean.. the armour type makes a
difference. If you went with bulky heavy armour, then your overall speed
and maneuverability is much lowered. On biosphere's, that is. In space,
your overall mass determines how much overshoot and how long to acccelerate
from a dead stop. So weight concerns are very real, be they in zero-g or on
terra.
---
Insignia's or what I consider, sign posts. ^_^;; You want to know how your
mech looks. So why not place armour plating to show off that new painting
technique? j/k ^_-
---
Atmospheric stability/re-entry.
Ever hear of a term called ablative armour? It keeps your ms from
turning into slag while you return to your loving mother earth. ;) That
same "useless" armour which you want so badly to throw away is the same
"useless" armour which will keep your butt from making that short trip from
human anatomy to a side order of extra crispy.
---
Environmental survivability
don't know about you, but in space, things just plain suck. And I mean
hard. A Zaku is cool in that it's exoskeleton. But a Gundam only has
Endo-skeleton systems. So.. what you get is a dude in a cockpit with little
to protect that guy from stuff like...
boulders.. landslides.. submersion.. blowtorch.. flames..
intense vacuum... intense pressures.. heat protection...
space radiation.. space particles.. micro-meteors..
shrapnel.. spit... rain.. acid rain.. etc. ;)
That armour protects you, the pilot, and all that expensive electronics
inside of it. Else.. you won't need to worry about that plasma saber or
heat axe or i-beam. ^_- The local natives with clubs and gasoline and
torches can take you down.
---
It's holding a living person for heaven's sake!
Here's a choice. Gundam with no armour or Gundam with armour? You're going
to be riding this thing through land, sea, air, and space. Not to mention a
few skirmishes. :) Personally.. I'm taking the armoured gundam. You can
have the other one, Woo. :)
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There. My points on Gundam armour. ^_-
Hope my spam wasn't too extensive.
Wing.
---
"Twas not the loud roar of the world that opened my eyes but the soft
purring of my beloved Kat." - Wing T. Wong
Web: http://web.calstatela.edu/student/wwong8
Policy: http://web.calstatela.edu/student/wwong8/rules/policy.htm