Quote:Okay, the holy trinity for designing any weapons system: be they tanks, warships or in this case mecha are these attributes:
The other is at least temporarily tagged the Achilles, and its schtick is defense. Specifically, besides having reactor-fed phase shift armor, its armor is layered with the same kind of ultra-durable ablative material that other suits in this universe carry on their shields: IE, it's proof against pretty much anything short of a capital ship's spinal gun.
1) Firepower
2) Mobility
3) Armor/defensive capabilities
So...you want a mecha that is geared toward defensive capabilities: The question is how much?
One end of the spectrum would be a mobile suit that has uber defensive capabilities and multiple layers of PSA , but would have the manueverability of a snail compared to 1st generation G-weapons and not much in the way of firepower that it could be overwhelmed by numbers.
The other end of the spectrum would be a G-weapon that uses the "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" philosophy. One that uses mobility as a defensive asset. Though of course, the G-forces involved in the manuevers would probably black out even a Coordinator.
So...let's start with the power source: you're going to need a nuclear reactor for this one, possibly even two with the power requirements you're asking.
Next threats to the mecha..which would fall into 2 types:
Kinetic energy : shells and missles, and swords made of uber materials.
Radiant energy: anti-matter streams, lasers, beams sabers etc.
Now, instead of one uber system, I advocate a layered defense:
1) ID and fire control capability equivalent to todays AWACs: If you can see them well beyond the range of any mobile suit (or capital ship) you're away ahead of the game.
2. Stealth and decoy capability: a Colloid Mirage system for hiding and holographic decoys for fooling you opponents: Do you want the capability to deply and operate multiple decoys or just one very good one or both?
3: A Dragoon system which would be dandy for a standoff defense against missles and shells and also useful to use against a mobile suit. A variant of the system only this time using buckler thype shields for defense against laser and the like.
4. A first generation deflector screen of the Starwars type. I keep thinking of two half shields that can reinforce each other ("switch shields to double front")
5. A big shield that the Gundam can crouch against that has an anti beam coating.
6. 2 or three layers of Phase shift armor.
Wth this type of system, Mu would had survived Dominion's Longherins at the last episode.
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