A mobile bunker cable to carry infantry into battle while harassing adversaries with its mortar launcher.
The PZM-16 "Zółw" is a heavy transport mech produced by the Polania Republic. Quite literally a walking bunker, it can transport an infantry squad, who can fire from within the protection of its heavy armor.
General Description[edit | edit source]
In a war where human troops have never before been so vulnerable thanks to the terrors of enemy mechanized armor, the "turtle" is a sight for sore eyes. It is low-built, quadrupedal mech with thick armor, even on the fronts of its legs. Designed like a bunker, it is largely symmetrical on all fronts presenting no real chink in the armor. The chassis has a door on either side with firing slits all around. It even has handrails atop the chassis for infantry who need a lift to the front, although they would have to share space with a 360-degree mortar turret.
The humble appearance of this armored personnel carrier belies a number of special features. Despite being a heavy-type mech, the Zółw is actually one of the fastest units, rivaled only by infantry units and the PZM-7 "Smialy." It also does not have a weak spot, meaning attacks from any direction will not cause extra damage. Its mortar is equally effective against most unit types, does not have a minimum range (as the infantry inside are protected unlike with a field mortar) and the mech's firepower is augmented by the infantry inside. On top of it all, it can lock into position and greatly decrease any damage taken. All this makes the Zółw very versatile at defense, fire support, and unit transport.
However, it is far from invincible. Its armor, while strong, is not strictly the strongest, and its weapon has a slow rate of fire with projectiles that take a second to land. Thus, in a head-on fight it is vulnerable to other heavy units as even with gunners it cannot defeat heavy armor that well. Field guns also deal with it fairly well and it is fairly costly. While in deployed mode, it is vulnerable to artillery as well. They are best used to support the front lines: pair them up with anti-armor capability, give it proper support, and a few loaded Zółws can be a truly strong force.
Pros[edit | edit source]
- Very mobile, second fastest heavy unit (barely second to Zubov by .1m/s) and one of the fastest units in the game
- Good armor with no weak spot
- Second most affordable heavy mech
- Strong mortar with no minimum range and can fire from relatively far
- Very flexible firepower with infantry garrison and can safely transport units
- Ability makes it tougher to bring down
- Can attack in any direction
- Walks forwards or backwards at equal speed
Cons[edit | edit source]
- Outgunned and outarmored by other heavy mechs
- Requires an advanced workshop to build
- Mortar is slow-firing and projectiles can be dodged
- Vulnerable to field guns, ability makes it vulnerable to artillery
- Fairly expensive, especially combined with the cost of infantry like machine gunners
Weapons[edit | edit source]
The PZM-16 "Zółw" has a roof-mounted mortar, able to rotate and fire in every direction. This weapon is equally effective against most units and has a long range. If an infantry squad is garrisoned inside, they can fire outwards.
Abilities[edit | edit source]
- Garrison: The Zółw can transport a single infantry unit. The transported unit is then able to shoot from inside, while being protected by the mech's heavy armor. Machine gunners or anti-armor cannoneers are popular choices.
- Deploy: The Zółw becomes immobile to gain increased damage resistance (15%) and passenger fire rate. Passengers cannot be loaded or unloaded while active.
Trivia [edit | edit source]
- "Zółw" Is a Polish word for turtle.
- It is pronounced "zoo-v"
- This references both its appearance resembling a turtle and the concept of "turtling" where players focus heavily or solely on defense like a turtle retracting into its shell, usually due to hesitancy to go on the offensive.
- the PZM-16 "Zółw" used to be known as the PZM-16 "Nosidełko" or "baby carrier."
- The Zółw is one of only two units that can garrison troops, the other being Brunhilde.
- Brunhilde's troop garrison cannot fire outwards but instead increase the fire rate of the broadside guns.
