Part 155: Emma
Wanzer Retrospecticus: EmmaBuild Cycle #1: Missions 14-21
Doing it with SCIENCE
Submitted by: jng2058
Parts
Body: Drake
L. Arm: Zenislev
R. Arm: Rekson
Legs: Kasel M2
Backpack: BX002
Computer: COM 4
Weapons
L. Shoulder: None
L. Hand: SN-100G
R. Shoulder: Wagtail 2
R. Hand: Cleaver Axe
MVP of Mission 15
Analysis
The beginning of jng2058's quest to control Emma for the entire branch began here. In a sense, he failed, as he lost control of Emma after a while, on the other hand, his missile/machine gun setup did become the standard for Emma, which was a moral victory for jng20588, I guess.
And yet, looking at his first design, it's not even clear he knew what he wanted, seeing as he have Emma a melee weapon. In general, a missile/melee combo doesn't work well, because a missile wanzer is a delicate beast entirely unsuited to melee attacks.
Build Cycle #2: Missions 22-29
Science Babe
Submitted by: jng2058
Parts
Body: Drake
L. Arm: Zeros
R. Arm: Rekson
Legs: Kyojun Mk 107
Backpack: Mk 5 E-Pack
Computer: COM5
Weapons
L. Shoulder: Empty
L. Hand: Buckler
R. Shoulder: Yusheng 34
R. Hand: Mingda 2
MVP of Mission 28
Now this is the standard form for Emma's wanzers going forward. It's actually pretty good.
Build Cycle #3: Missions 30-37
BossEmmanent
Submitted by: thetruegentleman
Parts
Body: Rekson M4F (38)
L. Arm: Zeros (15)
R. Arm: Drake M2C (45)
Legs: Grapple M1 (59)
Backpack: Mk5 E-Pack (10)
Computer: COMB554
Weapons
L. Shoulder:
L. Hand: Buckler (22)
R. Shoulder: Yunsheng 34 (109)
R. Hand:
MVP of Mission: 36
A problematic design. thetruegentleman tried to save weight by ditching the machine gun and then invested the weight savings in a low-HP body and legs with high mobility, even though, with only a missile launcher, mobility was really necessary or even advisable. For that matter, despite having the extra weight, the BossEmmanent has a less accurate arm than its predecessor.
Build Cycle #4: Missions 38-43
Science Kills
Submitted by: jng2058
Parts
Body: Mingtian
L. Arm: Yongsai III
R. Arm: Pare PAW1
Legs: Laiying 1
Backpack: Placid
Computer: COMB603
Weapons
L. Shoulder: Empty
L. Hand: Buckler
R. Shoulder: Zhiniao 50
R. Hand: Mingda 2
MVP of Mission 43
Okay, you have to understand something. From a technical standpoint, this is an excellent standpoint. From the perspective of trying to keep the wanzer builds as exciting and welcoming as possible, it was a real problem.
Build Cycle #5: 45-55
Stolen Heart
Submitted by: Nick Buntline
Parts
Body: Laiying 1
L. Arm: Mingtian 1
R. Arm: Tiandong 3
Legs: Laiying 1
Backpack: Placid
Computer: COMB603
Weapons
L. Shoulder: Zhiniao 50
L. Hand: Huida 3
R. Shoulder: Empty
R. Hand: Heavy Shield
MVP of Mission 55
Nick Buntline's design which took over from jng2058. Frankly, though, it's basically indistinguishable from its competitor. Why? Because both of them know the game well enough to know what works and what doesn't.
Build Cycle #6: Missions 56-62
Black Widow
Submitted by: Successful Student
Parts
Body: Whisk
L. Arm: Lenghe 1
R. Arm: Shangdi 1
Legs: Yongsai 3
Backpack: Placid
Computer: COMB652
Weapons
L. Shoulder: Empty
L. Hand: Heavy Shield
R. Shoulder: Zhiniao 50
R. Hand: Mk12 Fist
Now, I guess you could make the case that the Shield Attack III on the shield arm makes the risk of melee combat worth it, but I'm not sure it's a good idea.
Build Cycle #7: Missions 63-69
Who Cares?
Submitted by: Dr. Video Games 0071
Parts
Body: Whisk (60) <344>
L. Arm: Wude 3 (15)
R. Arm: Kyojun Mk107 (36)
Legs: Hoshun Mk112 (35)
Backpack: BPT9MAX (30) <90>
Computer: COMG10
Weapons
L. Shoulder: None
L. Hand: Heavy Shield (28)
R. Shoulder: Bjariger (137)
R. Hand: Arc Barrel 4 (91)
Actually, despite its name, this is actually a rather well-built wanzer. Granted, it's helped out by the fact that it uses the Hoshun legs which provide great mobility at a relatively low weight cost. The Kyojun arms aren't super-accurate, but by the endgame, the accuracy upgrades have so far outpaced evasion upgrades that it doesn't really matter, since there is no difference between a 100% accurate shot, and one that's 110% accurate.