Volume 6: Mecha Contest Chapter 324 Beast-Shaped Mecha
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Generally speaking, teams participating in mecha competitions are divided into three levels.
First, there is the "elite level". Teams at this level are undoubtedly strong teams. To become a "elite level" team, they need to have at least three ace pilots... and some of the elite teams with deep roots, in addition to the three starting players being all ace pilots, even the fourth substitute is an ace or quasi-ace pilot.
Each of these "big-name" teams is a strong candidate for the championship. Unless they are placed in the so-called "group of death", it is basically a foregone conclusion for them to qualify.
The second level is the "ordinary level" with one or two ace pilots. Teams of this type are the most numerous among the participating teams. Teams like Ke Lan and the Angres Club belong to this level.
As for the remaining level, they are called the "make-up level"... The main feature of this type of team is that they don't even have an ace or quasi-ace pilot. Just from the literal meaning, you can tell that this type of team is basically just there to make up the numbers. Without an ace, it is impossible for them to qualify from the group stage.
The concept of ace pilot comes from the term "ACE" in the old era. Generally speaking, only pilots who shot down five or more enemy planes in a battle can receive this honor. In human history, the ace pilot with the most shots was Major Erich Hartmann of the German Air Force during World War II. From 1942 to 1945 in the old era, he shot down 352 enemy planes in just three years.
But on the Ark, it is no longer realistic to evaluate the "ace pilot" based on the statistics of kills - the war within humanity has long ended, and in the battles against the indigenous creatures of Alpha, it is difficult to make an accurate statistics of the kill numbers: the difference in the value of killing five split-jaw worms and killing five thunder beasts is a world of difference.
At this time, the ace standard of the new era naturally came into being: any pilot who has won the "Iron Blade" medal in the military, or a pilot who successfully defeated three opponents with M9-level licenses in a one-on-three battle and whose own aircraft was not seriously damaged, can obtain the title of "Ace Pilot".
(The mecha pilot licenses on the Ark are divided into nine levels: the lowest level is M1 and the highest level is M9.)
Pilots who come from the military basically belong to the former category, while pilots who come from professional sports clubs can mostly only rely on the second method to obtain the title of ace.
This has created an interesting phenomenon: most people who have had military service experience do not agree with the second type of ace, and this is what Chi Hanfeng meant when he said that Valentina had the opportunity to become a "real ace."
Of course, ace pilot is just an honorary title. Although it reflects the pilot's own ability level to a certain extent, it cannot be used as an accurate measurement benchmark: after all, the newly promoted ace who shot down five enemy planes is an ace, and Hartmann who shot down 352 planes is also an ace.
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Ke Lan and his team were in Group A. Apart from themselves, the Angels Club, and the two powerful teams in the second "fight of the gods", the remaining six teams included three "make-up-level" teams, two "ordinary-level" teams on the same level as them, and only one "quasi-powerful" team with an ace pilot and two "quasi-ace" pilots.
The so-called "quasi" ace level generally refers to pilots who have completed a one-on-three challenge, but whose own machine is also seriously damaged and their victory is very narrow... Although these people are not as good as real aces, they are also excellent talents that various clubs are eager to get.
The second opponent that Ke Lan and his team will face is this "quasi" top-level team.
"But this team's machines... are a bit weird." Hound sat cross-legged on the sofa in the living room, looking at the public information of each participating team in his hand, and couldn't help muttering.
"Strange?" Ivan put the wine jug on the coffee table, walked over, took the information from the hound, took a look at it, and frowned.
"Beast-type mecha? How did this mecha pass the inspection? Didn't it say that there are only two types of participating mechas: humanoid four-meter level and humanoid six-meter level?" Ivan asked.
"This humanoid four-meter and six-meter level refers to the skeleton." Layton said while picking his teeth with the metal toothpick that popped out from the end of his mechanical little finger. "I have been paying attention to this beast-type mecha before the competition started... It uses the standard 'Steel Sand Type VI' skeleton. This is a six-meter-level humanoid mecha skeleton, developed by Mogang Industries in the 47th year of the new era. It is a high-end product that has only been on the market for three years."
He went on to say, "The 'Gangsha' series of frames, from type one to type six, are all on the list of frames that can be used in the competition. However, this series of frames has a special feature: as long as the locks on the joints are released, all active joints on the frame can rotate 360 degrees in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions... The mechanic who modified this mecha simply let the body's limbs land on the ground and then bent all the knees. It did not violate the rules of the competition."
"What's the benefit of changing to all fours? I have two less arms to hold weapons... " Zhuo Ligetu lay on the carpet and tried to imitate the movements of the beast-shaped mecha, "I always feel... this is very awkward..."
"You feel awkward because you are a human, not a machine. As long as there is no problem with the transmission structure, the mobility of this mecha will only be stronger." Chi Hanfeng said in a deep voice, "In fact, I have always believed that humanoid mechas are not the best form of mechas. The reason why the mecha competition requires the use of humanoid skeletons is purely for the viewing pleasure of the competition."
"Generally speaking, in actual combat, all-terrain mechas are made into bipedal types like 'walkers' or multi-legged types like spiders. In open plains, whether it is tracked or wheeled armored vehicles, they are more cost- effective ." Layton took over the conversation and said, "Although beast-shaped mechas cannot hold weapons, the power that can be burst out from their four legs is more powerful than that of human-shaped legs, and the crawling posture can also reduce the frontal area of receiving bullets."
"As for weapons, they can be carried on the shoulders. The claws at the ends of its limbs also give it stronger melee capabilities than humanoid mechas... Oh, by the way, pay attention to this wolf head." Layton pointed to the photo in the information and said, "Although the other party has not disclosed all the information, don't think that this wolf head is just a decoration. I bet that there must be a weapon in the mouth of this wolf head, either a large-caliber railgun or a cluster laser cannon."
Layton bent his waist, raised his arms forward, and made a pouncing gesture. He said, "Imagine that this guy moves at high speed on all four legs, and is already close to you before you can aim at him. Then he jumps up and pounces on your body, grabs your shoulders with his claws, opens his wolf mouth, and shoots you directly with the muzzle in his throat at zero distance... If you use a handheld weapon, it will be difficult to aim in close combat, and the long barrel will become a burden."
"But this machine is not without its shortcomings... There are too many modified parts. Many parts are no longer compatible with standard modular components. If it reaches the knockout stage, it will not be able to use many of the supplies placed in the stadium." Chi Hanfeng said.
"But the problem is... we met this guy in the group stage..." Layton sighed, "It's a one-on-one regular season, and the venue is an abandoned city... This game is not easy to play. By the way, Valentina, how confident do you think you are?"
"I don't know." Valentina shook her head, "But I'll try my best."
