Maelion Liates
Terminatrix
Leviathan Armoured Walker (LAW)
Image Source: Here. Starcraft 2 beta concept art. One must imagine 4 more legs.
Intent: To create an extremely powerful walker capable of matching any vehicle in the galaxy. The Leviathan is on par, and probably exceeds the conventional AT-AT walker in firepower and protection, though lacks transport abilities. Although strong this machine has exploitable flaws and weaknesses.
Development Thread: Yes:
Blood and Iron (82 posts): Eriadu is undergoing a civil war so Archangel ‘assists’ the Tarkinites by providing droids. In reality they are processing organics to make the droid brain capable of driving the Leviathan.
Ghosts of Endor (23 posts): The Leviathan is tried out against Ewoks! It fails to be destroyed by stones and logs, but a major flaw is discovered which must be fixed.
Update the Matrix (11 posts): Design flaws are fixed and the Leviathan is ready for war and the grinding of organics.
Manufacturer: Archangel Research & Design
Model: 001001
Affiliation: Archangel
Modularity: No
Production: Limited
Material: Standard walker components. Unity Matrix protected by quadranium shell and shock absorbing materials.
Role: Assault Walker
Height: 20 metres
Length: 8 metres (leg spread)
Width: 8 metres (leg spread)
Weight: 100 tonnes
Minimum Crew: 0 – Unity Processing Matrix
Optimal Crew: 0 (See above)
Propulsion: Octopedal
Top Speed: 60km/h
Armaments:
Defences:
Squadron Count: 4
Passenger Capacity: 0
Cargo Capacity: 0
Misc. Equipment: Unity Processing Matrix
Description:
Walkers have long been the galaxy’s ultimate ground-attack weapons. The AT-ATs were a formidable tool of terror, and even before then in the days of the Old Republic they were used as instruments of war.
Skip to the present and everyone’s favourite genocidal droids in Archangel needed a new weapon to give them more heft and power in a ground role. A tall and powerful walker without the need for crew or transport capabilities could allow it to pack more firepower and defences into the same body.
The issue in designing such a monster was two-fold. First, fabricating a design which would be adaptable and strong was key but it had to also be efficient. Second, the present droid brains and control units were inadequate for controlling something so complex.
Therefore, Archangel worked with the Tarkins of Eriadu to have delivered organics for processing. These organics were then tested, disposed of and experimented on until the design for the Unity Processing Matrix was devised. This machine combined the enteched essences of multiple organics, removing their personalities and emotions to combine their computing power. With this done the walker would be able to move, fire, avoid danger all at once without lags.
The design of the walker was purposefully made alien, strange, even horrifying. Looking more like a spider than a traditional walker, it was built to be able to cross multiple terrain types and climb up or down ledges or steep ramps. Eight legs allowed it to keep balance so long as half the legs were still operational, whilst gyroscopic motors would automatically move the body to balance where possible.
The body of the walker can furthermore rotate 360 degrees where necessary, and can walk in any direction as the octagonal leg layout allows such movement.
If necessary, the walker can lower itself to the ground in order to protect itself from being knocked down. If this happens though it is immobile until it stands again, and cannot use its main weapon.
Since the Unity Matrix and no transport capacity freed the walker from having open spaces inside it. This allowed extremely thick armour to be used, and for a shield generator to provide additional protection. In an attempt to help ground the machine, conductive rods run down the body, through the legs to the ground, hopefully dissipating at least some of a destructive current away.
For armament Archangel decided to make it primarily a heavy attack machine. A very heavy proton cannon is mounted on the front of the walker – this does not rotate when the body of the walker does, which means although the walker can move in any direction it can only fire this weapon in one direction.
Additionally, the walker mounts heavy blaster cannons on the body which can be turned in a 360 degree arc with the body. These weapons are equivalent to the main weapons of an AT-AT. Blaster cannons for anti-personnel defence are also mounted around the walker to ward off infantry.
Additionally a pair of anti-air launchers are concealed in the top of the dome. These missiles can be used only against air targets and has limited reloads.
Beneath the walker there is a surprise for any soldier managing to get through the curtain of fire. Below the body tendrils such as used on the Harvester droid are concealed and can swarm like a nest of snakes to grapple and stab the target. These tentacles are tipped with claws and needles which can have sedative or toxic payloads.
Tactically, the Leviathan is deployed via custom-made escape pods. These pods land and the walker unfolds from within. Typically they operate in units of 4, advancing in a checkerboard formation. As they can walk in any direction, but have a main armament which is fixed, the flank units often walk ‘sideways’ so their main weapon is ready for any flanking threat.
Designed to be a weapon of terror and destruction, the Leviathan is impressive, but has weaknesses.
For a start the walker is big, as tall as an AT-AT, and thus is not a stealth weapon. This vehicle can be heard, felt and seen approaching. This can be an advantage, but it also means the enemy knows it is coming and are unlike to be surprised.
Next, as with all walkers, the legs are the weakest part. Though there are eight of them, they lack the armour of the main body. If it loses too many legs the walker will fall.
Additionally, the shield is a little problematic. Since shields have trouble dealing with contours, it best protects the body. In flat conditions the shield extends to the ground, but in broken terrain it has to be drawn up to stop it shorting out. This presents again a skilled enemy with a chance to shoot at the legs.
Ion weapons are, of course, the best way to combat droids, and this walker is no different. Even with the shield and the conductive rods this is an effective means of disabling the Leviathan…if you have a large enough ion cannon!
Finally, the Leviathan is imposing and has limited air defences, but against sustained air attack will crumble.
Primary Source: N/A
Image Source: Here. Starcraft 2 beta concept art. One must imagine 4 more legs.
Intent: To create an extremely powerful walker capable of matching any vehicle in the galaxy. The Leviathan is on par, and probably exceeds the conventional AT-AT walker in firepower and protection, though lacks transport abilities. Although strong this machine has exploitable flaws and weaknesses.
Development Thread: Yes:
Blood and Iron (82 posts): Eriadu is undergoing a civil war so Archangel ‘assists’ the Tarkinites by providing droids. In reality they are processing organics to make the droid brain capable of driving the Leviathan.
Ghosts of Endor (23 posts): The Leviathan is tried out against Ewoks! It fails to be destroyed by stones and logs, but a major flaw is discovered which must be fixed.
Update the Matrix (11 posts): Design flaws are fixed and the Leviathan is ready for war and the grinding of organics.
Manufacturer: Archangel Research & Design
Model: 001001
Affiliation: Archangel
Modularity: No
Production: Limited
Material: Standard walker components. Unity Matrix protected by quadranium shell and shock absorbing materials.
Role: Assault Walker
Height: 20 metres
Length: 8 metres (leg spread)
Width: 8 metres (leg spread)
Weight: 100 tonnes
Minimum Crew: 0 – Unity Processing Matrix
Optimal Crew: 0 (See above)
Propulsion: Octopedal
Top Speed: 60km/h
Armaments:
Defences:
- Shield Generator.
- Heavy super-conducting armour plating
- Forward mounted proton cannon
- 2 x heavy laser cannons (equivalent to AT-AT main armament)
- 5 x anti-personnel repeating blasters (2 on front, one each side and rear)
- 2 x anti-air missile launchers mounted on the top the ‘body’ (2 missiles each)
- Concealed ‘Harvester’ tendrils under the body
Squadron Count: 4
Passenger Capacity: 0
Cargo Capacity: 0
Misc. Equipment: Unity Processing Matrix
Description:
Walkers have long been the galaxy’s ultimate ground-attack weapons. The AT-ATs were a formidable tool of terror, and even before then in the days of the Old Republic they were used as instruments of war.
Skip to the present and everyone’s favourite genocidal droids in Archangel needed a new weapon to give them more heft and power in a ground role. A tall and powerful walker without the need for crew or transport capabilities could allow it to pack more firepower and defences into the same body.
The issue in designing such a monster was two-fold. First, fabricating a design which would be adaptable and strong was key but it had to also be efficient. Second, the present droid brains and control units were inadequate for controlling something so complex.
Therefore, Archangel worked with the Tarkins of Eriadu to have delivered organics for processing. These organics were then tested, disposed of and experimented on until the design for the Unity Processing Matrix was devised. This machine combined the enteched essences of multiple organics, removing their personalities and emotions to combine their computing power. With this done the walker would be able to move, fire, avoid danger all at once without lags.
The design of the walker was purposefully made alien, strange, even horrifying. Looking more like a spider than a traditional walker, it was built to be able to cross multiple terrain types and climb up or down ledges or steep ramps. Eight legs allowed it to keep balance so long as half the legs were still operational, whilst gyroscopic motors would automatically move the body to balance where possible.
The body of the walker can furthermore rotate 360 degrees where necessary, and can walk in any direction as the octagonal leg layout allows such movement.
If necessary, the walker can lower itself to the ground in order to protect itself from being knocked down. If this happens though it is immobile until it stands again, and cannot use its main weapon.
Since the Unity Matrix and no transport capacity freed the walker from having open spaces inside it. This allowed extremely thick armour to be used, and for a shield generator to provide additional protection. In an attempt to help ground the machine, conductive rods run down the body, through the legs to the ground, hopefully dissipating at least some of a destructive current away.
For armament Archangel decided to make it primarily a heavy attack machine. A very heavy proton cannon is mounted on the front of the walker – this does not rotate when the body of the walker does, which means although the walker can move in any direction it can only fire this weapon in one direction.
Additionally, the walker mounts heavy blaster cannons on the body which can be turned in a 360 degree arc with the body. These weapons are equivalent to the main weapons of an AT-AT. Blaster cannons for anti-personnel defence are also mounted around the walker to ward off infantry.
Additionally a pair of anti-air launchers are concealed in the top of the dome. These missiles can be used only against air targets and has limited reloads.
Beneath the walker there is a surprise for any soldier managing to get through the curtain of fire. Below the body tendrils such as used on the Harvester droid are concealed and can swarm like a nest of snakes to grapple and stab the target. These tentacles are tipped with claws and needles which can have sedative or toxic payloads.
Tactically, the Leviathan is deployed via custom-made escape pods. These pods land and the walker unfolds from within. Typically they operate in units of 4, advancing in a checkerboard formation. As they can walk in any direction, but have a main armament which is fixed, the flank units often walk ‘sideways’ so their main weapon is ready for any flanking threat.
Designed to be a weapon of terror and destruction, the Leviathan is impressive, but has weaknesses.
For a start the walker is big, as tall as an AT-AT, and thus is not a stealth weapon. This vehicle can be heard, felt and seen approaching. This can be an advantage, but it also means the enemy knows it is coming and are unlike to be surprised.
Next, as with all walkers, the legs are the weakest part. Though there are eight of them, they lack the armour of the main body. If it loses too many legs the walker will fall.
Additionally, the shield is a little problematic. Since shields have trouble dealing with contours, it best protects the body. In flat conditions the shield extends to the ground, but in broken terrain it has to be drawn up to stop it shorting out. This presents again a skilled enemy with a chance to shoot at the legs.
Ion weapons are, of course, the best way to combat droids, and this walker is no different. Even with the shield and the conductive rods this is an effective means of disabling the Leviathan…if you have a large enough ion cannon!
Finally, the Leviathan is imposing and has limited air defences, but against sustained air attack will crumble.
Primary Source: N/A
