User blog comment:El Alamein/Tripods vs. AT-ATs/@comment-379205-20160326225950

119's "Steel Behemoths" Edges


 * Firepower: The Heat Rays of the Tripod appear to some sort of laser or plasma-based directed energy weapon, capable incinerating a biological target or melting through steel armor, suggesting they are similar in firepower to the AT-AT's main guns, and likely would be able to break the energy shield with sustained fire. As for secondary armament, the Tripods are armed only with their tentacles, which might trip up an AT-AT if they got close enough, but I give the edge to the AT-AT's AA blasters, as they are at least an actual weapon. EDGE: AT-AT


 * Armor: The Tripods rely primarily on their energy shields, which can repel any human weapon with the possible exception of a nuke (IRRC, they did not use one against them in the movie) or biological and possible chemical weapons (they are clearly not NBC shielded if they succumbed from pathogens). However, given that a tripod with a barely functional dying pilot had no shield and was easily dispatched with a couple Javelin missiles, it is possible the pilot (or perhaps another unseen crew member) has to actively operate the shield, or the tripod itself is partially biological. Given that the AT-AT will likely have the firepower to penetrate the tripod's shield with it charged main guns, and the tripod will be able to hit the weak point of the AT-AT's armor, I'll call this Even


 * Mobility: The tripod is a big slow target, but the AT-AT is a bigger, slower target. Edge: Tripod


 * X-Factors: The Tripod crews may be better trained (not sure how long their service was prior to being frozen in buried tripods), however, the AT-AT crews are more experienced in battle, and are better at working in groups. Giving them the Edge.


 * Deadliest War Machine: The AT-AT take a narrow victory for their more experienced crews who are more used to fighting in groups, as well as their superior firepower, having a larger number of guns.