[@BigPapaBelial], energy weapons are allowed, you will find HELIX Frames with laser weapons.

[@Cultural Titan] I don't do politics but I would say it's a cross between America and a monarchy, heavy lean ton freedom and stuff like that. As for Vertex, I would liken them to the USSR/China but actually able to self-sustain, standard BBEG stuff, that may change later. As for the shields, there is no kinetic transfer as it surrounds the machine, you'd end up physically breaking away the Phalanx Shield and slap the mech.