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[Hex]

Honestly StarCraft's Marines seem more inspired by Starship troopers than WH40k. They are called Terran's after all. The Marines also aren't knights.

Earth is Terra in 40k also.
From earth-> Human = Terran

Space Marines are not Knights.

But all and all it will all come from what you were exposed to when you were younger.
Those that grew up in front of a Nintendo, think Samus
Those that grew up in front of a PC will think Starcraft or Doom or who knows what.
If you grew up reading comics and actually were one of the few that read Iron Man (it really was not popular) then Iron Man it is or perhaps even one of the other battle suit comic characters.
Cartoons have their own.
Tabletop and pen and paper have theirs.

 

[Achamian]

Haven't seen it posted yet but this is for me the most iconic and fondly remembered

 

[Principate]

Earth is Terra in 40k also.
From earth-> Human = Terran

Space Marines are not Knights.

But all and all it will all come from what you were exposed to when you were younger.
Those that grew up in front of a Nintendo, think Samus
Those that grew up in front of a PC will think Starcraft or Doom or who knows what.
If you grew up reading comics and actually were one of the few that read Iron Man (it really was not popular) then Iron Man it is or perhaps even one of the other battle suit comic characters.
Cartoons have their own.
Tabletop and pen and paper have theirs.

I know but WH40k ripped a lot from Starship troopers in the aesthetic (as did much of everything else) so your basically playing pass the parcel. Blizzards version is much closer to the original Starship troopers whereas WH40k seems to have diverted more into it's own thing. It's hard to argue how much it's ripped off from WH40k when most of that is ripped off from Starship trooprs in the first place.

Which is why the look naming convention and aesthetic in starcraft is so very similar to Starship troopers.

 

[Woorloog]

Elemental Battle Armor from BattleTech.

The first battle armor introduced in the series, and even after all these years (27 or so since its introduction), it is still the most balanced suit, and thus by one definition the best.

Also beats many of other science fiction powered armors due to integral weapons and heavy armor.


Not as deadly as the original Mobile Infantry powered armor, but then no one has had the audacity of using 2kt nuclear rockets as normal weapons since Robert A. Heinlein...

 

[Akainu]

all these other posts bleh


their is only one universe that matters when it comes to badass power armors

These and the ones like it are shit.

 

[More_Badass]

Which books have the hardest sci-fi approach to power armor? Forever War?

 

[Seductivpancakes]

I went over several of the tropes of Power Armor that were started with Heinlein's novel Starship Troopers in the OP. Its worn by a military elite in most cases, enhances the users abilities many times over and gives them increase to amazing durability and often mobility as well. Armed to the teeth with weapons that would kill a normal person and even being shot from orbit down to a planet's surface to act as the ultimate shock troop.

Yea when i think power armor I think military gear to enhance strength, provide armor and heavily armed.

 

[Woorloog]

Which books have the hardest sci-fi approach to power armor? Forever War?

From what little i know about that, don't think it is that hard. But i might be mistaken.

Realistically, anything with jump jets is a no-go due to stability, fuel and size/mass issues, and you can't really solve these in hard science fiction unless you're fine with one or two-shot jump jets. At best they're likely to be impractical outside some special uses.
Stealth is another problematic aspect due to heat problems (even if you manage to solve radar or some other sensors).

Enhanced strength, extra carrying capacity and/or armor plating are easy enough should the power supply issue be solved. Indeed, it seems this is what is a problem for real world exoskeleton designs. But how many SF works feature powered armor without jump capability and without relying on miracle tech (eg Halo with its shields, microfusion power supply and nonsense "liquid crystal metal" motors)?

EDIT If films are accepted, Edge of Tomorrow depicts quite realistic looking and functioning powered armor.

 

[NastyBook]

Ironman


My favorite tho is Alphas from Zetman

THANK YOU!!

Coudln't remember the title of this book for the life of me. Should have mad chapters to catch up on tonight!

 

[Akainu]

Anywho.

I like another agito.

 

[Fuchsdh]

In terms of recognition, Iron Man beats all other comers easily. In video games, Samus and Master Chief are pretty up there on the list, and in sci-fi geekery I would agree Warhammer (and its derivatives, like StarCraft) are pretty recognizable. I've never read a piece of Warhammer fiction nor played a game, and I can probably guess if it's Warhammer or not.

Enhanced strength, extra carrying capacity and/or armor plating are easy enough should the power supply issue be solved. Indeed, it seems this is what is a problem for real world exoskeleton designs. But how many SF works feature powered armor without jump capability and without relying on miracle tech (eg Halo with its shields, microfusion power supply and nonsense "liquid crystal metal" motors)?

The crystal layer in Halo isn't really motors. It's like modern materials that deform when electrical current is applied, increasing strength that way.

But it's also got a crystalline computer network, too. Crystals!

 

[Woorloog]

The crystal layer in Halo isn't really motors. It's like modern materials that deform when electrical current is applied, increasing strength that way.

But it's also got a crystalline computer network, too. Crystals!

The layer amplifies strength. It does work. It is a motor, even if it is not one in traditional sense. Indeed, the way it is described, it resembles biological muscles except it does not use chemical energy. Muscles are motors.

 

[Doomshroom]

This is a Warhammer 40k thread if i ever seen one.

 

[cakely]

Most iconic?

Iron Man, no doubt.

My personal favorite is the Landmate from the Appleseed manga:

It's a similar scale and design to the D.va suit, but it's from about 30 years earlier.

Edit: The warhammer 40k rococo space marines that are all over this thread, gilded and covered in banners and ornamentation are the dumbest s**t ever. IMO.

 

[shockthrill]

These and the ones like it are shit.

better than the animu stuff

 

[Shoeless]

Most iconic?

Iron Man, no doubt.

My personal favorite is the Landmate from the Appleseed manga:



It's a similar scale and design to the D.va suit, but it's from about 30 years earlier.

The landmates actually are pretty cool.

 

[kunonabi]

Yeah, not sure what classifies as power armor but much like others have said the Knight Sabers hard suits, Samus' Power Armor, and the power loader from Aliens are the first things to pop into my head. Iron Man obviously counts too but I just don't instinctively thing of it as one for some reason.

 

[avengers23]

so we all agree that this is pretty much a stealth 40k thread, an excuse to post badass 40k stuff

You mean it should be a stealth ExoSquad thread now.

I love the first few posts of this thread. These are the main reasons that I am so into mecha for the most part. Probably all began thanks to Ironman and eventually moved on to other things. However, one from my childhood that I have a huge heart for is EXO squad.

I eventually found warhammer 40k stuff when I was little around the same time as starcraft and I love both for different reasons. Also I do love me the T'au designs which is why I play them on tabletop . There is something special to me for some reason about the stealth suit design... old and new

This poster gets it!

Haven't seen it posted yet but this is for me the most iconic and fondly remembered

Tekkaman is also acceptable.

Another contender:

Or

 

[Eidan]

One and done. Is there anything Tony Stark can't do?

 

[Coriolanus]

From what little i know about that, don't think it is that hard. But i might be mistaken.

Realistically, anything with jump jets is a no-go due to stability, fuel and size/mass issues, and you can't really solve these in hard science fiction unless you're fine with one or two-shot jump jets. At best they're likely to be impractical outside some special uses.
Stealth is another problematic aspect due to heat problems (even if you manage to solve radar or some other sensors).

Enhanced strength, extra carrying capacity and/or armor plating are easy enough should the power supply issue be solved. Indeed, it seems this is what is a problem for real world exoskeleton designs. But how many SF works feature powered armor without jump capability and without relying on miracle tech (eg Halo with its shields, microfusion power supply and nonsense "liquid crystal metal" motors)?

EDIT If films are accepted, Edge of Tomorrow depicts quite realistic looking and functioning powered armor.

fwiw, if you've the tech to make realistic, highly functional power armor, you also most likely also have the tech to control it remotely, at which point.... why even waste space in the thing with room for wetware?

Same problem as with jets and bombers, really. You start to run into less reasons to keep the human element directly in there.

 

[More_Badass]

fwiw, if you've the tech to make realistic, highly functional power armor, you also most likely also have the tech to control it remotely, at which point.... why even waste space in the thing with room for wetware?

I imagine any realistic power armor would be an evolution of those DARPA exosuits.

 

[Stinkles]

fwiw, if you've the tech to make realistic, highly functional power armor, you also most likely also have the tech to control it remotely, at which point.... why even waste space in the thing with room for wetware?

Lag breh.


Semi serious answer too. A person in an amazing suit of power armor can also make situational and environmental decisions with more and better detailed inputs. If it were remote controlled, you'd be dealing with at least relativistic lag, and likely worse as images are processed and fed to presumably inferior displays compared to a set of yes in a helmet.

I'm not saying that's a better approach, but the argument for it makes sense based on current tech paths.

 

[Coriolanus]

I imagine any realistic power armor would be an evolution of those DARPA exosuits.

I had the same thing in mind. What i'm thinking is that we'll most likely run into the scenario where it is both safer and more cost effective to just send loads of smaller drones with offensive capabilities into an area than to suit up a buncha squishies and have them go at it.

Will still need some around for the tasks that drones will be unable to perform, of course, but... yeah. Question is if it'll happen before or shortly after something like those exosuits becomes viable. I feel that it'll be quite a bit before.

Lag breh.

Semi serious answer too. A person in an amazing suit of power armor can also make situational and environmental decisions with more and better detailed inputs. If it were remote controlled, you'd be dealing with at least relativistic lag, and likely worse as images are processed and fed to presumably inferior displays compared to a set of yes in a helmet.

I'm not saying that's a better approach, but the argument for it makes sense based on current tech paths.

Feel that lag is a problem with both techs. Even with the darpa example, at best those things will just be stronger versions of the current meatspace approach, not faster. Plus theres also the problems with size and loss of life.

One and done. Is there anything Tony Stark can't do?

Refrain from fucking up in the long term.

 

[HStallion]

From what little i know about that, don't think it is that hard. But i might be mistaken.

Realistically, anything with jump jets is a no-go due to stability, fuel and size/mass issues, and you can't really solve these in hard science fiction unless you're fine with one or two-shot jump jets. At best they're likely to be impractical outside some special uses.
Stealth is another problematic aspect due to heat problems (even if you manage to solve radar or some other sensors).

Enhanced strength, extra carrying capacity and/or armor plating are easy enough should the power supply issue be solved. Indeed, it seems this is what is a problem for real world exoskeleton designs. But how many SF works feature powered armor without jump capability and without relying on miracle tech (eg Halo with its shields, microfusion power supply and nonsense "liquid crystal metal" motors)?

EDIT If films are accepted, Edge of Tomorrow depicts quite realistic looking and functioning powered armor.

Starship Troopers actually makes a point that the Mobile Infantry are best used as shock troops that come out of nowhere in and wreak huge swaths of death and destruction. They actually are very concentrated and systematic about it all as they all form a huge incredibly spread out wave and launch and land in split second unison, unleash their nukes and are on the move again shortly there after. Get in, hit hard far and wide then get the fuck out of there fast before the enemy can regroup and counterattack properly.

They slowly start to converge on a pick up point and eventually end up going for hit and run terror tactics with flame throwers, machine guns, etc. Even the use of their jet packs is very economical and made to maximize things for the fullest most efficient effect. If they fall behind they're left behind or if they go off course too far they might end getting caught in the blast of the other characters more wide ranging weapons or vice versa. Within a short time they all converge on a pre set pick up point and if they're late, then they're shit out of luck.

 

[Tacitus_]

One and done. Is there anything Tony Stark can't do?

Be a well adjusted person?

 

[Navidson REC]

Lots of good mentions in this thread. As a Halo fan, I gotta echo the Master Chief mentions though. Definitely was the first thing that came to my mind.

I also agree with the poster saying that 343 changed the design nicely while retaining the original visuals. It's still distinctively Master Chief, only more badass.

 

[Kelsdesu]

One and done. Is there anything Tony Stark can't do?

Make the right decision on anything.

 

[forgeforsaken]

Armor by John Steakley is my hands down favorite Power Armor Sci-Fi novel. I'm not sure it's the best or most iconic power armor since the book seems to be mostly forgotten. But its what I think of when I hear Power Armor. He was a total bad-ass, the whole thing was about how he became The Engine persona when in the Armor gives it bonus points.



Most Iconic in this day and age would have to be Iron Man if you go by "What the common non-geek thinks about when they hear Power Armor."

I bought that book for that cover, and man did I love it.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Forgot about the nanosuit

But then isn't the body of Alcatraz also an armor for the mind of Prophet.

 

[HStallion]

But then isn't the body of Alcatraz also an armor for the mind of Prophet.

It's plot armor too

 

[Toxi]

Anyone remember the Exo-Toa?

Maybe not iconic but I thought that shit was rad as a kid.

I'm also a fan of the Boxer.

So cool. Using the bodies of your enemies to build an Aliens-style power loader.

 

[AMUSIX]

Your problem is that Iron Man changes suits like panties.
His suit now looks almost nothing like his iconic suit from the early days.
Spider Man, Captain America, Daredevil...ICONIC superhero appearances once you wade through alternate universes and get to the basic.
Iron Man is just a fancy suit but nothing iconic about it.

Put up Armor Wars or early Avengers Iron Man? You got it.
Put up MCU horse shit or Marvel from the past 10 years where it still has no idea what it is doing? Nah

Nothing iconic about Iron Man's armors? Really?

Yeah, he's gone through a lot of different designs, but, aside from 2 or 3 really different ones, all of them are immediately identifiable as "Iron Man", purely due to his iconic look.

Hell, even in the MCU, there's no doubt that it's an Iron Man armor, no matter the build

 

[Killer Queen]

ROFL no.
40K is where the power armor is at.
Tau armor would make Iron Man cry.
Space Marine armor is so iconic that it is "homaged" everywhere.

Do you know the meaning of iconic?

 

[PSqueak]

Warhammer 40k armors look goofy as hell and people overstimate the actual brand awareness of the franchise.

If it counts i think Darth Vader or Bobba Fett would win just out of the sheer brand power Star wars has.

 

[ProtomanNeo]

I love the first few posts of this thread. These are the main reasons that I am so into mecha for the most part. Probably all began thanks to Ironman and eventually moved on to other things. However, one from my childhood that I have a huge heart for is EXO squad.

I eventually found warhammer 40k stuff when I was little around the same time as starcraft and I love both for different reasons. Also I do love me the T'au designs which is why I play them on tabletop . There is something special to me for some reason about the stealth suit design... old and new

I thought about posting Exosquad, but I think it moves too far into mech territory.

 

[Seductivpancakes]

Warhammer 40k armors look goofy as hell and people overstimate the actual brand awareness of the franchise.

If it counts i think Darth Vader or Bobba Fett would win just out of the sheer brand power Star wars has.

One isa life support system and the other is just advanced body armor.

 

[HStallion]

I thought about posting Exosquad, but I think it moves too far into mech territory.

Yeah I figure if you have to sit in a cockpit that makes it a mech but slipping into or donning an actual body like apparatus makes it power armor.

 

[PSqueak]

One isa life support system and the other is just advanced body armor.

Suspected as much, hence "if it counts".

 

[Staccat0]

No one knows Warhammer 40k outside of the United States. Iron Man is more iconic worldwide among the general public, if only because of the films. My mom knows Iron Man.

I saw a ton of it in Europe actually.

 

[HariKari]

No one knows Warhammer 40k outside of the United States.

40k was born/is run by a company based out of Europe.

It's also the correct answer.

 

[HStallion]

There is some awesome WH40K Space Marine cosplay out there:

 

[Boobahzone]

The 40k stuff looks so stupid. I always liked the mass effect sentinel armor.

 

[MechDX]

Nothing iconic about Iron Man's armors? Really?

Yeah, he's gone through a lot of different designs, but, aside from 2 or 3 really different ones, all of them are immediately identifiable as "Iron Man", purely due to his iconic look.

Hell, even in the MCU, there's no doubt that it's an Iron Man armor, no matter the build

Man....can you get that bottom shot in poster form??

 

[Staccat0]

I am kinda partial to stuff that looks more than an inch thick. May as well just be a superhero with sexy muscles otherwise.

 

[Haly]

 

[HStallion]

They do in fact have power armor in the Alien universe or at least through the random stuff that was written around it. From the 90's coming ALIENS: Tribes there was the The MOX-16 or the Mobile Offensive Exo Warrior aka The Shit Kicker. Basically a weapon developed by the Colonial Marines when you truly needed to fuck something up and consisted of a homicidal maniac given the option of death the quick way or to be basically built into an weaponized exoskeleton and put into a drug induced stupor. When woken up he gets pumped full of even more drugs turning it into an unstoppable Berserker decked out in all manner of weapons. It takes on an entire Alien hive and even a Queen Alien.

 

[Annubis]

The paper and pen game (Palladium) Rifts has tons of power armors.
You can find pretty much anything.

From light

To heavy

From overpowered

to edgy

even sexy

and weird

 

[BriareosGAF]

My personal favorite is the Landmate from the Appleseed manga:

This is the correct answer. Guges D, baby.

 

[Woorloog]

fwiw, if you've the tech to make realistic, highly functional power armor, you also most likely also have the tech to control it remotely, at which point.... why even waste space in the thing with room for wetware?

Same problem as with jets and bombers, really. You start to run into less reasons to keep the human element directly in there.

I am well aware.

I have various ideas for scifi worlds, yet since i try to be logical and consistent and effective, i always end up in place where all warfare is done by (independent rather than remote controlled) computers and drones unless i artificially restrict technology somehow. While an interesting concept in itself, it is not necessarily what i want right now.

No human will ever beat reaction times of a computer. And with AIs and other automation advancing at rapid pace, an independent AI capable of far better target recognition and decision making than a human will be possible sooner rather than later. Keeping a human in the loop is easy enough, if necessary, with simple "yes/no" control, and a computer is fast enough it can deal with a human being slow-ass in his or her decision making.

AIs are already good enough to beat human pilots in simulator training, in case one wonders whether AI would work in a real combat.
http://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/recent_features/alpha.html
Within 50 years? Certainly.

 

[AppleSeason]

But my favorite are the Hardsuits from Bubblegum Crisis.

I was worrying nobody would ever mention this.