Tychus for the Mr. Olympia Title in 2505?

[mr. peasant]

Well, it's a sci-fi game, that kind of tech could get cheap enough to use. However, if their life expectancy is just a few seconds, it's dumb to even use Marines, armored or not.

If you're referring to the Medic's description of raising Marine life expectancy beyond 9 seconds, I suspect this is Blizzard being somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Yes, prior to their introduction, Marines would drop like flies during battles in-game. However, the novels seem to show Marines as being a lot more competent and self sufficient than the games would suggest.

[warrior6]

As you pointed out, Raynor and Findlay both are known to wear power armor yet neither are in the picture. What this proves is that Terran infantry don't wear power armor for every operation/duty (likely due to cost of maintenance and practicality). Consequently, it is worthwhile that each individual soldier be given physical training instead.

they are probably not at the front lines and are safe in their base. thats where guys can usually be off duty to look after their weapons and take pictures like that. its like seeing a bunch of airforce pilots or marines on a base ya they dont wear their body armor and carry big packs of essentials and fly aircraft when not on duty or an operation

[Gradius]

If you're referring to the Medic's description of raising Marine life expectancy beyond 9 seconds, I suspect this is Blizzard being somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

The 9 seconds is referring to UED marines back on Earth, not Koprulu marines.

" The Medic’s use of chemical modifiers has greatly enhanced the survival rate of UED forces, lengthening the expected battlefield life expectancy to over nine seconds."

[Pandonetho]

UED marines back on Earth? Or UED marines in the K-sector?

[Perfecttear]

Probaly the second, the first wouldn't make a lot of sense. (Unleas there is also a war going on back home, would also explain the relatively very small size of the exspeditionary fleet.)

[mr. peasant]

they are probably not at the front lines and are safe in their base. thats where guys can usually be off duty to look after their weapons and take pictures like that. its like seeing a bunch of airforce pilots or marines on a base ya they dont wear their body armor and carry big packs of essentials and fly aircraft when not on duty or an operation

Yet, they're still seen carrying heavy weapons (as opposed to side arms or ceremonial weapons) which suggests they can/are expected to use them to some capacity even without power armor.

The 9 seconds is referring to UED marines back on Earth, not Koprulu marines.

" The Medic’s use of chemical modifiers has greatly enhanced the survival rate of UED forces, lengthening the expected battlefield life expectancy to over nine seconds."

Either way, it doesn't matter (and more importantly, I did not say it was K-Sector Marines specifically). I think that line you quote is not meant to be taken literally but perhaps as an in-joke since that's probably how long they survive in-game (as opposed to lore, which is considerably longer if the books and installation missions are anything to go by).

[Gradius]

UED marines back on Earth? Or UED marines in the K-sector?

Probaly the second, the first wouldn't make a lot of sense. (Unleas there is also a war going on back home, would also explain the relatively very small size of the exspeditionary fleet.)

There have to be some kind of wars back at home. There were still dissident countries by 2500, and Dugalle didn't become a decorated war veteran for not fighting in any. The UED brought medics with them from Earth - so there's a good chance it's referring to back on Earth.

Either way, it doesn't matter (and more importantly, I did not say it was K-Sector Marines specifically). I think that line you quote is not meant to be taken literally but perhaps as an in-joke since that's probably how long they survive in-game (as opposed to lore, which is considerably longer if the books and installation missions are anything to go by).

There's a better explanation than "it's a joke": they're referring to Marines back on Earth. Neither the SC or Brood War manual had any other types of "jokes", so I don't see why this should be treated as one either when there's a perfectly reasonable alternative explanation.

And there are even lore situations in the K-sector where that kind of survival rate might apply. In the short story "Why We Fight" when those Marines were unloaded from the Dropship, they literally stepped into hell, with one guy getting a spike through his eye as soon as he got out. The survival rate of those Marines might be even less than 9 seconds.

[phazonjunkie]

And there are even lore situations in the K-sector where that kind of survival rate might apply. In the short story "Why We Fight" when those Marines were unloaded from the Dropship, they literally stepped into hell, with one guy getting a spike through his eye as soon as he got out. The survival rate of those Marines might be even less than 9 seconds.

Unfortunately, that quote probably has some basis in real life too, especially when considering various horrific battles in wars past ('Saving Private Ryan's' true-to-life depiction of Omaha beach is a good example).

[mr. peasant]

There's a better explanation than "it's a joke": they're referring to Marines back on Earth. Neither the SC or Brood War manual had any other types of "jokes", so I don't see why this should be treated as one either when there's a perfectly reasonable alternative explanation.

And there are even lore situations in the K-sector where that kind of survival rate might apply. In the short story "Why We Fight" when those Marines were unloaded from the Dropship, they literally stepped into hell, with one guy getting a spike through his eye as soon as he got out. The survival rate of those Marines might be even less than 9 seconds.

Unfortunately, that quote probably has some basis in real life too, especially when considering various horrific battles in wars past ('Saving Private Ryan's' true-to-life depiction of Omaha beach is a good example).

Yes, there are bound to be early casualties in a fight. However, it's unlikely that even in the worst of wars, that most of those deployed into the field are dead within 9 seconds. Granted, we don't know if this 'expected battlefield life expectancy' is measuring the mode or mean or whether it's referring to the soldier's time in this one battle or the summation of his entire military career (granted, with such a low survival time, the two are likely the same). Regardless, any which combination of this is illogical as it would be impractical to equip, feed and transport so many people for so little gain.

Let's put this in actual numbers:

Say, a major battle takes place, lasting 12 hours. Infantry are present throughout the entire engagement and are deployed in groups of 200 at a time. If once deployed, the soldiers on average are dead in 9 seconds, we're talking about a body count of 960,000 in one battle just from infantry alone.

[diebyme]

Why bodybuilder?? He doesnt eaven have abs.Ye he is muscular but bodybuilders have abs :P and this guy has a fat stomatch :P