Mecha Implementation

So, I've got a worldbuilding project I work on in my spare time simply as a fun creative exercise.

And since its a soft sci-fi fantasy world, I figured I could add mechs in no problem. But I always try to keep any element in my worldbuilding, no matter what it is, internally consistent. It doesn't have to be realistic, it just has to follow its own rules and not contradict itself unless something can reasonably explain that contradiction.

And that's where mechs come in. I essentially am trying to justify them in this universe, and make them something that makes sense to use instead of being just a bigger, less stable target. I don't want Gundam-sized mechs that are complete monstrous war machines, but I also don't want something like Battletech where they are lumbering, stiff monsters.

For those of you who've heard of it, I'm going for something closer to Phantom Brigade style mechs. Still large, 1 1/2 - 2 stories tall roughly, fairly mobile and versatile, but not OP or a tank on legs.

For the in-universe justification, so far what I've got is this idea of Cores (name pending). Cores are made of some metal I've yet to name that, when put through specific processes, can be compressed significantly, in ways that defy physics. As in, you compress 10 tons of metal into a basketball sized orb that weighs maybe 20 pounds.

The idea is that Mechs aren't machines but parts. And the Core, when activated in a Mechs torso, spreads its metal like a solid-liquid through the Mech, acting as its frame, power generation and veins. The Core can bond psychically to the pilot, giving them unparalleled control over the mech. They can't do this nearly as easily with, say, a tank of fighter jet because those aren't human shaped. The pilot will experience more strain as the Core has to compensate for the fact that the pilots mind is mapped to a humanoid body.

Regardless, this makes Mechs less a single machine and more a collection of parts that can be swapped out for different mission profiles and such.

And of course, to provide some limits. Because Cores replace reactors/batteries, it means that Cores have a cooldown period of sorts in which they essentially are recharging themselves. Not to mention, pilots are put under mental strain when piloting (not as much as a non-humanoid frame but its still a mind-machine interface) and so must be careful.

But this is all just background lore/context. My biggest problem is ensuring Mechs make sense to use at all. Sure, Cores solve a lot of problems, but they don't solve all of them. A Mech still has to take fire, and is a taller target for its enemies. It has a lot of issues, and while some can be handwaved by tech, I want those things to make sense, yeah?

Realism isn't important to me, internal consistency is. Readers can accept magic and monsters, but when they contradict themselves or the internal logic of the world, it breaks, and I want to avoid that and have cool sci-fi mechs.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. Stay swagalicious.