Mekton Zeta Plus Extra
Mekton Classifications
By Rob Knotts

From the orginal Mekton Techbook through to Tactical Display, Algolian Mektons have pretty much always been the same. Regardless of the inspiration for the designs(everything form SPT LAYZNER to SENTINEL GUNDAM), Mektons have long followed the example set by Zeta Gundam: walking and flying units capable of combat on the surface and in space. However, since Mektons now form entire *armies*, we can address different classes of Mektons:

Roadstriker:

  • Beastmecha: Robot animals used to disrupt troops(among other things).
  • Roadstriker (1/10 & 1/5 Scale): One-man vehicles or Beastmecha that transform into Humanoid or Mecharider forms.
  • Tactical Mektons [Tac-Meks] (1/3 & 1/5 Scale): Small-scale mektons usually built for specific military or civilian functions.
  • Power Armor (1/10 Scale): Human-sized exoskeletons usually used as flightsuits for Mekton or Roadstriker pilots.

Mektons:

  • Infantry: The most common class in Karga and Elara, these are Humanoids which(usually)have jumpjets. There are often modifications for specific tasks(scouts, commander, artillery & squad support).
  • Assault/Commando: The best known type of Mekton, these are Humanoids also capable of sustained flight, usually very well armed & armored. Commando refers to units built to operate independently of a larger force.
  • Dragoon: Usually used to support Assault units, these are Humanoids capable of switching between walking and winged flight. This usually involves folding wings(Thrusters only work in Hybrid form), but there is also an increasing trend to build "flightpacks" for Infantry units(mechariders).
  • Cutters: These are Humanoid or semi-humanoid(Hybrid) units built for space. Walking is a secondary consideration, and these units are often built to only operate in space.
  • Hybrids: Vertol fighters with arms and/or legs, usually built for specific tasks like assault or support.
  • Transformables [Trans-Mektons]: These are Mektons that can reconfigure themselves into *completely* different vehicles, often calling for two different pilots. There are usually built for assault or "interceptor" roles.

Mekton Armor:
(1: 1 or 10: 1)This is a broad category covering very large or over-sized units built for specific missions(usually heavy assualt). Though some are humanoid, they are built with a variety of body-types depending on thier intended use. Mekton Armors are usually very expensive units, built as either prototypes or customizd machines.

Military Breakdown: (this ignores more conventional vehicles like tanks, planes, fancarriers, etc)

Karga & Elara: With the exception of Cutters, all of the above. Elara tends to build standardized units that are modified or upgraded over time, while Karga consistently designs new series of Mektons (soon to include Cutters).

Ettara: The Ettarans created Transformables, and still rely on them. They sometimes buy surplus Dragoons and Hybrids.

Muria: The Murian Knights use advanced Mekton Armor(sometimes known as Towers or Temples).
These terms were inspired by Five Star Stories, but Ebonflack's reference to "Excalibur" Mektons sounds just as good.

Freelancers' Guild: Assault and Dragoon units, simple and efficient.

Axis: With thier limited resources the Axis rely on anything they can steal, preferring Commando and Roadstriker units, usually modifying them with Cloaking technology. They occasionally build Mekton Armors, dubbed "Terror Meks", and usually try to steal other Armors as soon as they're built.

Nearside Federation/Halo League: Lots of Cutters, as well as Hybrid, Transformable, and Assualt units. It's also rumoured both sides are working on large Mekton Armors.

Obviously Gundam is a strong source for all of this, but there are also references to Macross, Five-Star Stories, and Bubblegum crisis. As always feel free use any, all, or none or this material, it's only intended for reference. However, if you accept that all these classifications for Mektons exists, a new option presents itselt: Algolian military has *no* conventional combat vehicles, nothing that isn't in some way an articulated mecha.

Sometime next week I hope to post this material on my webpage, along with some scanned pictures for clarification(the best pictures'll probably be the Cutters).