Mech

A **Mech** is a massive advanced weapons platform, which in military scenarios is piloted and operated by a Ranger. The mechs of the interstellar era are common features of planetside battlefields, which are often deployed as walking tanks. Combined with the integration of the most cutting-edge technology, such as custodian-class AI, mechs have made tanks and other heavy vehicles almost irrelevant.

## History

The first mech design to ever enter service was the M10-X Bipedal Weapons Platform, which was deployed in the year 2397 during the Proxy War. Early mechs were also used in industrial environments in order to move heavy objects with ease. These more basic classes of mechs, which at this time were largely viewed as expensive or impractical compared to other vehicles, would be used on and off on the battlefield until the outbreak of the Infestation Crisis.

Following many failed infantry engagements with the bugs, an emergency joint-council comprised of United Systems and Interplanetary Union researchers would be formed. The council would create a new and improved mech from the old designs of the bipedal weapons platforms specifically designed for countering bugs. The resulting first class of mechs, named hardsuits, were relatively smaller than most modern-day mechs, and were primarily designed for anti-infantry operations.

As the Resource Wars began to escalate, many insurgents managed to obtain hardsuits and anti-hardsuit weaponry. This, combined with an emerging colony of abnormally large and armored bugs, would prompt the creation of a new class of mech. The new, heavier class of mech would be named dreadnoughts due to their large size and thick armor. The advent of dreadnoughts would mark a turning point in the fight against the bugs, as well as a major escalation of the Resource Wars.

Following the de-escalation of the Infestation Crisis, a new class of mech would be developed specifically for human combat. Named brigs, this new chassis was designed to provide a balance between hardsuits and dreadnoughts. Soon enough, brigs would become the most widely used mech frames seen across human battlefields.

## Overview

### Equipment

Mechs are armed with extremely powerful heavy equipment often used on main battle tanks, aircraft, and even small spacecraft. Because of this, one shot from a mech's weapon has the potential to instantly kill an entire squad of infantry. Their armor plating can also easily deflect and protect against small-arms fire, and is effective both against anti-mech and mech weaponry.

The mechs themselves are equipped with a wide variety of sensors, controls, and advanced integrations which allow them to operate at maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Many newer mechs possess an optical array (in order to protect the pilot from oncoming fire without sacrificing visibility), adaptive targeting systems (in order to assist the operator with aim such massive weapons), and advanced gyroscopic sensors (in order to keep the mech upright at all times using a system of sensors and stabilization jets).

### Deployment

Due to their massive size, weight, and cost - mechs are sparingly deployed on the battlefield. Most commonly, they are used against rangers, vehicles, and bugs. When mechs are deployed into combat, they are in most cases delivered directly to the battlefield via Longship transport ships. In the case that a mech survives an engagement, a Longship will collect the mech and return it to a carrier.

In some occasions, mechs are deployed via reinforced droppods. Although it is much faster than Longship transportation, this tactic is rarely used due to the high risk of severe component damage.

## Variants

Currently, both the United Systems, Interplanetary Union, and various other factions employ several mech variants.

* **Phalanx-Class Brig** - Due to it's ability to excel in multiple scenarios, the Phalanx is the most commonly employed frame of any mech. They strike the perfect balance between dreadnoughts and hardsuits, and can effectively adapt to a variety of situations. They are commonly equipped with precision cannons.
* **Minotaur-Class Dreadnought** - The Minotaur is a dreadnought specifically designed for close-quarters combat, as well as aggressive advances on the enemy. The Minotaur was originally designed to combat bugs. However, once the Infestation Crisis came to a close, most Minotaurs would be refitted for more anti-mech purposes. Minotaurs are commonly armed with either chainguns or lead cannons. They are also outfitted with harpoons, super-sonic chainsaws, and heavy flamethrowers.
* **Artillery Dreadnought** - Meant to perform a similar role to assassin hardsuits, artillery dreadnoughts are used to provide long-ranged firepower and support from a dreadnought platform. Because of this, they are armed with mortar arrays mounted on their backs, as well as various heavy cannon systems.
* **Harpy-Class Hardsuit** - Being the largest of the hardsuit frame, Harpies are generally deployed alongside full mechs as quick and maneuverable anti-mech platforms. However, their light frame causes harpies to be less rigid and fortified. Harpies are usually armed with rapid-fire heavy machine guns in order to deal sustained damage to it's targets at medium ranges.
* **Assassin Hardsuit** - Assassins are hardsuit frames specifically designed for long-ranged combat. Because of this, they are often equipped with heavy railguns, miniaturized weapon stabilization jets, and advanced gyroscopic sensors for maximum stability and accuracy.