Stofsk wrote:Maybe they built the open-cockpit design first, realised it sucked after battle experience, then redesigned it as the AT-ST.
Well, if we delve into EU a bit, we have the "AT-XT" which was basically the direct prototype for the AT-ST. I'd assume that this open-cockpit walker is meant to serve a different role from the AT-ST, more "behind-the scenes" than actual front line.
Hopefully Saxton will come up with a good explanation.
Maybe they have a shield generator a la droideka, later abandoned in favor of using solid armor w/ all power to weapons? It's a progression from balance to offensive that fits the Imperial M O.
Doesn´t really make sense since there´s two ATs out there already acting like AT-ST-predecessors and this doesn´t look similar to them or to the AT-ST.
...Probably it's just a stupid design though.
All signs point to "yes". I just call it a "walking machinegun" and leave it at that.