Refitting cost

[stjobe]

I have two comments to make on your rather lengthy analysis.
1) I wasn't comparing the density of a mech to a single reference. I was referring to how they compare to each other. Size and alleged mass have what I can only call a tenuous connection, and that's before you start to look at the masses of specific components.

There is plenty of lore fluff describing how different 'Mechs are built differently; some are "a MechTech's dream", with lots of space to work in and around, some are so cramped they're extremely hard to work with (or even pilot). In short, size and mass doesn't need to be that strictly correlated between 'Mechs.

2) The last time I checked, sauropods didn't land on wet mud or sand from great heights.

... and now I'm imagining sauropods frolicking on a beach, skipping and jumping

Either way, my point was that 'Mech feet looks to be quite a bit larger in surface area than sauropod feet, which should help with walking and running on soft surfaces, and when jumping - unless you're executing a DFA - you can of course use your jump jets to enable a soft(er) landing.

 

[Corraidhin]

... and now I'm imagining sauropods frolicking on a beach, skipping and jumping

Now imagine them with jump jets.

 

[BunglingLummox]

snip

I really am not looking for a lengthy debate on this - the mechs are still far less plausible elements of the setting than COILs, which was the original purpose of my statement. That said, both of your points are a matter of degree. Especially the deceleration, which is inadvisable when under fire.

 

[stjobe]

I really am not looking for a lengthy debate on this - the mechs are still far less plausible elements of the setting than COILs, which was the original purpose of my statement. That said, both of your points are a matter of degree. Especially the deceleration, which is inadvisable when under fire.

The 'Mechs are the central conceit of the setting; if one doesn't buy into them as workable, there's little point in trying to work out the why's and wherefore's of the COIL mechanics.