While the term "assault Mecha" is used rather casually today, in the early era of Mecha combat it had a precise definition: any Mecha heavier than 30 tons. Since the mass-production of niodes and reliable A.I. would not be perfected until the very end of the Second Galactic War, these Mecha were too scarce to need division into further categories, such as "medium" and "heavy".
In fact, it was not until the interwar period that Mecha even reached the 75-ton mark, with the Taurus. Like the Gemini, the Taurus was typically manufactured on Lem -- or, atypically, on other planets somehow connected to Lem -- and was commandeered by Lem's enemies whenever possible. It was also one of the first Mecha to feature a modern A.I. suite, which allowed it a then unheard-of 50 upgrades. This A.I. was compatible with any type of weapon; the standard factory load-out included two chin-mounted Medium Cannons, two shoulder-mounted S2A Missile racks, and a Protolaser/Dual Gatling combination on each arm. (Pilots usually replaced the Protolasers with King Cobras, and the Medium Cannons with M2Z Assault auto cannons, as soon as possible. In fact, most of the Protolasers and King Cobras still in circulation today were originally installed on Taurus mechs.) Despite its hefty 130-niode price tag -- equivalent to the agricultural output of most planets -- Taurus squadrons quickly became a staple of the Second Galactic War.
Unfortunately, it was discovered very early on that Taurus sensory subroutines -- which identified weak points useful for either crippling or instantly destroying an enemy Mecha -- misinterpreted flashes from laser fire as internal optical signals. This led to chain reactions that physically damaged the Taurus itself. While the allure of "the galaxy's heaviest mech" kept the assembly lines rolling, this meant Taurus squadrons could never be the super-weapons that military planners assumed they were. As a result, most were needlessly destroyed over the course of the war, although about a dozen are still stationed on Old Mars in a ceremonial capacity.
COST
Ferrite: 16,500
Bioptics: 11,500
Niodes: 130
STATISTICAL READOUT
Tonnage: 75 tons
Armor Points: 150
Start Weapons: 8
Levels per Weapon: 7
Minimum Level: 40
Manufacturer: n/a
ARMAMENTS
Dual Gatling
Dual Gatling
Medium Cannon
Medium Cannon
Protolaser
Protolaser
S2A Missile
S2A Missile
If purchased individually, these weapons alone would cost: 4,990 ferrite, 3,952 bioptics, 66 crystal, 52 niodes.
BONUSES
Build: Laser vulnerable 10%
Build: 3X damage 5%
Build: Crit-kill 2%
Build: Speed -15
Level 3: +1 cockpit slot
Level 4: 3X damage 5%
Level 7: +1 weapon slot
Level 10: +1 chassis slot
Level 11: Crit-kill 2%
Level 14: +1 weapon slot
Level 17: +1 shield slot
Level 18: 3X damage 5%
Level 21: +1 weapon slot
Level 24: +1 engine slot
Level 25: Crit-kill 2%
Level 28: +1 weapon slot
Level 31: +1 cockpit slot
Level 32: 3X damage 5%
Level 35: +1 weapon slot
Level 38: +1 chassis slot
Level 39: Crit-kill 2%
Level 42: +1 weapon slot
Level 45: +1 shield slot
Level 46: 3X damage 5%
Level 49: +1 weapon slot
Level 50: +1 engine slot
Submitted by Damien Valentine#885659