>>718584718
>What's the point in making them thin, agile and acrobatic when a human would suffice?
1. It looks cool
2. Agility. Being fast in combat in ways most vehicles can't be is extremely useful. Mecha should be able to jump where tanks cannot. Dodge where helicopters cannot. And go into spaces fighter jets can't. If you don't combine and understand the benefits of being able to do all of those then just make a hover tank or whatever.
3. Versatility. Being able to use a variety of weapons lets it tackle a variety of objectives and scenarios. It can both carry a cool sword and an anti tank rocket launcher.
4. It's still an armored vehicle that can take way more hits than a person and have a shitload of mechanical and computer functions that a person can't.
5. It looks cool.
6. I didn't say they need to be thin, just not stupidly slow that it makes them useless. If they exchange some mobility for better, larger armor, it's still good enough. Just don't make them a giant, stupid target. A large, heavy mech would be able to sprint at you and deal a billion tons of energy in a single impact unlike a lighter mech. Think of the benefits of each form!