The Obscure Clone Wars History of the Terrifying AT-AT - What Were the Major Differences?

[@underworldguardian704]

It’s ironic that the AT-AT prototypes that were ment to be “Wonder Weapons” ended up being the greatest weakness of the Republic Forces on Jabim.

[@j0246]

Nice pfp man

[@underworldguardian704]

@@j0246 pfp??

[@j0246]

@@underworldguardian704 i mean your Profile Picture

[@underworldguardian704]

@@j0246 Oh, Thanks 😊

[@Bored_Kaga]

Just like the German Wunderwaffe from WW2 taking resources from production of other things like anti-aircraft vehicles (though it wouldn't have made much difference)

[@ryanedgerton1982]

Can you imagine being in the boardroom meeting that started the AT-AT project? "Guys, look, our walkers keep stepping on mines and getting their undercarriage blown out. We need to do something!", "Well... what if we gave them longer, heavier legs?", "Bob, you might just be onto something!", "But, uh, wouldn't a higher center of gravity mean they'd be more prone to getting knocked over? I mean, a tow cable could probably bring down something like --", "Shut up Steve! You're always such a naysayer! Next you'll start saying that exhaust ports are a safety hazard!", " . . . Well, they are!"

[@underworldguardian704]

😂

[@isaacdavis7979]

Ryan Edgerton all you need to do is turn it into a Short Film and what do ya say ?

[@miniaturejayhawk8702]

Only thing is: an ATAT being brought down by a towcable was just as likely as the death star being blown up by a proton torpodo. It was technically possible but unless you are a force user its basically a suicide attempt. Also wouldnt the heavy legs actually counterbalance the higher center of gravity?

[@antonalexander3795]

@@miniaturejayhawk8702yes, everybody keeps saying that the ATAT has a to high center of gravity and can easily be knocked over but in Jedi fallen order we see an ATAT tank a TIE fighter crashing into the side of it and it barely moves

[@arieshellstormm9487]

​@@miniaturejayhawk8702 it did with My AT-AT in 1980, unless My Collie or spastic German Shepard walked by.

[@inductivegrunt94]

The fact that the AT-AT was a Republic design shows just how much the Republic was already transitioning into the Empire. I'd personally would have liked to see a Jabiim arc in the Clone Wars TV show where we see the AT-AT come in showing the viewers just how close the Empire was to taking of the mask of the Republic and remove its cloak revealing the truth. The truth that the Empire was already here.

[@SomeAT-AT]

It honestly kinda crazy how far he had this planned out. It's a bit horrifying

[@ToddAdams1234]

@@SomeAT-AT it’s not anymore terribly horrific than what governments are doing as we currently speak.

[@brileymitchell2632]

@@ToddAdams1234 yea here on earth it’s far worse….

[@bwc-chvd]

@@ToddAdams1234 and who controls the currency in said governments?? I’ll give you a hint, it starts with a J

[@drumlessons833]

​@@bwc-chvd I hope you're not implying it's all people of a given cultural, ethnic, or religious descendance. It's a small number of people in truth. You make yourself a servant of Mossad by being the bigot they want to make all critics of Israel out to be.

[@charrineau]

I like the terror angle for why the Empire liked the AT-AT. I've always thought that they made the switch to long legged walkers for the versatility/maneuverability when occupying populated areas.

[@masteroftheassassins]

Alto Stratus: They can’t do much damage if they can’t walk. *sets up mines*

[@frogsaup]

Youre gonna need one hell of a mine to destroy an at at leg from it stepping on a mine

[@biggsdarklighter0473]

​@@frogsaup it's enough to throw it off enough, to disturb the gyro systems. At Optimum you don't need to destroy a leg to collapse the walker.

[@frogsaup]

@@biggsdarklighter0473 source on this information?

[@michaelandreipalon359]

A shame he fought for the wrong side in history... he would have made a fine hero.

[@zexalbrony4799]

@@michaelandreipalon359 I wouldn't go full-on hero for Alto. Sure he had legitimate reasons for why he choose to fight, like many Separatists, but in my book he went too far when he turned on his own people and murdered most of them because they didn't agree with him. He's kind of like Saw Gerra, someone who has legitimate reasons and noble ideals but takes things to far so you really can't route for him. As Kanen once said, "It doesn't just matter that we fight, but how we choose to fight."

[@isaackim7675]

Rex, “How many legs do they got?” Gregor, “Four.” Rex, “Four? Well, how did they not fallen over?”

[@necfreon6259]

Wha what what is that supposed to mean how does having 4 legs make you more likely to fall down what is the point of the comment

[@johnbyrne3402]

It’s a joke because their walkers had 6. AT-ATs are legend canon for the Clone Wars.

[@underworldguardian704]

@@necfreon6259 Because Rex and the other clones were used to AT-TE’s. 6 legged walkers, and AT-AT’s were (obviously) much higher than their AT-TE’s.

[@gmailquinn]

Less of a tripping hazard , also less legs to take out

[@Espartanica]

​@@necfreon6259Because with 4 legs, if you raise one up, you now have an unstable center of gravity. With 6, you still have a stable center of gravity. Ever seen a table with 4 legs have one removed?

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

I remember being surprised to see an AT-AT being used by the Republic when I first read the Battle of Jabiim. As for the AT-AT having a dual purpose, I think it’s possible it had a secret third purpose: It was something of a subtle stepping stone, minor or otherwise, for the Galactic Republic’s eventual transition into the Galactic Empire by making people, especially those in the military, more comfortable with or willing to use larger, powerful, fear-inducing weapons and armed vehicles. After all, it’s easy to succumb to such desires when it’s against an enemy you hate or fear.

[@midgetydeath]

Be more surprised walkers were getting stuck in mud that soldiers were clearly standing on like it’s solid ground and that walkers can, y’know, just move their legs to not get stuck. Which is half the reason they _exist._ The writers just wanted to throw crap around and didn’t pay attention to how out of place basically everything was.

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

@@midgetydeath Don’t forget that those were prototype walkers on a planet practically known for its mud.

[@iainballas]

The ATAT has always convinced me that if Palpatine HAD managed to become immortal and rule for another hundred years, we would absolutely see WH40k Titans. Massive, impractical, and difficult to replace... exactly his style!

[@voomvoom4522]

That would have been really cool to see. It would have been nice if Star Wars actually got some cool looking mechs for once.

[@akumaking1]

There should have been a Clone Wars 2003/TCW episode/snippet dedicated to the prototype AT-AT walkers.

[@gmailquinn]

Try republic at war, a mod for empire at war

[@indianajones4321]

Always enjoy that classic battlefront intro

[@Wedgekree]

The AT-AT's biggest weakness has always been that all the standard weapon mounts face forwards. I'm surprised that there was never a widespread modified version that had other blaster turrets around the rest of the body to hold off attackers from other directions. That meant that the AT-AT always had to have an escort with it to protect the flanks and rear - otherwise vehicles barely as fast as it was could just continuously circle around it to attack without it having an ability to engage them. Always wondered why they never had mainstream versions with lots more turrets put around it.

[@underworldguardian704]

@Adam Safran The Imperials actually developed tactics to counter this weakness. AT-AT’s would walk in a “convoy” (single file) formation, covering the vehicle in front. If a rebel sapper tried to lay a mine in front of the first Walker, the second would open fire and cut him down! -Source: Star Wars: Imperial Handbook.

[@marcelxd1633]

It exist other versions with blaster turrets around the rest of the body

[@Espartanica]

You mean the AT-HE?

[@Wedgekree]

Dunno!

[@Espartanica]

@@Wedgekree The AT-HE is an alternative to the AT-AT that has no "head" and instead has a lot more firepower. Several ball turrets at various points of the body and smaller turrets throughout

[@kyuss89]

I love those old Dark Horse clone wars comics

[@CT--xj5jf]

Funnily enough, recently I played the battle of jabiim with my lil brother in LEGO, it was pretty cool tbh

[@Xkhaosxzeus]

Rich Scientist: So the AT-AT was designed to counter act the placing of mines Jabiim Farmer with a pipe bomb: I'm about to ruin this whole man's career!

[@CloneScavengerVulpin8389]

The AT-AT is fun to drive in the video games.

[@tigerbesteverything]

the short leg thing makes no sense, the at-te body is far enough so that any mine would be ineffective, as long as the floor is sufficiently armored which it isn't, and that's the real problem. At-te with V-shape hull to deflect any explosion, armored cabin, remote control mass driver overall better armored and better shield would have made it the perfect war machine.

[@LoneWolf20213]

I feel the short leg's being the problem is one of the "for in universe reasons" thing that realistically, wouldn't be considered as the AT-TE was already a capable walker in of itself, as well as being able to be used in far more environments as well

[@adenosine2electricboogaloo647]

4:30 High General?! He really did take the death sticks!

[@captaincole4511]

(You will give me the death sticks for free)

[@lerneanlion]

The AT-AT is basically the symbol that make a statement that the Republic and the Empire are the one and the same from a certain point of view.

[@vukodrakkanien8466]

I'm sorry, what? ATAT legs are so long to prevent mine damage? But... But... Damaged leg will cause such vehicle to fall over and kill everyone inside due to shock anyway!

[@marshalllatta2073]

I love the at-at walker one of my walkers in star wars

[@comentnine1574]

What about the ones in Jedi fallen order? From what I remember that game takes place five years after the clone wars.

[@reflectionself5595]

Apparently, getting stuck in the mud means you’re bantha fodder for AAT’s… Never underestimate the Confederacy.

[@elijah1453]

Anybody have the source for the Republic's use of AT-ATs in the battle of Neimoidia? I would love to know more about that.

[@elibridgers2781]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that the AT-AT became shorter during the Galactic Civil War.

[@underworldguardian704]

It’s possible. The AT-AT’s on Jabim were prototypes after all. So maybe they felt the original design was too high.

[@zexalbrony4799]

It's not really that obscure given how many people know of and enjoy the Battle of Jabiim, including those who don't usually read the comments because of second-hand info, the wookiepedia, and of course, all the great videos you have done on the battle.

[@lycorisradiata9617]

Yes the early version of it easy destroyed by separatis nimbus using magnetic bomb on legs. Sometimes wish Star Wars make movie based on certain battle in clone wars like that Jabiim.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Still a better reveal than the offscreen launches of the TIE Fighter prototypes on the Battle of Coruscant. Hope Jedi flew those instead of clones. Anyways, the origins of the AT-AT are admittedly well debated, what with Empire at War even calling Veers' project on Carida there also a prototype... and then there's Galactic Battlegrounds' Blizzard 1/"Dune Cow" from Camp Culroon on the planet Zaloriis. Addendum: The commenters are right, why the lack of other walker pics and records of whatever the hell happened on Jabiim, let alone the other launches of the Imperial variant?

[@b.rocoli]

How to defeat all Imperial AT-AT Walkers: Flank them from behind - Warning, this dose not work on AT-AT Walkers deployed by the Republic due to their increased Infantry Support.

[@naturalist4life396]

Don't AT-STs have heads that can turn 360 degrees?

[@yuzzem64]

Why are all the images just the AT-AT even when other walkers are being discussed?

[@philjohnson1744]

"The underside is vulnerable to mines, let's expose it to everything else." -Tarkin probably

[@mill2712]

I wonder how a mad cat stacks up to it?

[@26th_Primarch]

Probably would take one out pretty easily.

[@sonofeyeabovealleffoff5462]

The Timberwolf/Mad-Cat 'Mech? Dude... Battletech mechs would PULVERIZE Imperial Walkers, while Star Wars Naval tech would stomp battletech naval technology.

[@deemen7132]

What Tarkin said reminds me of the US super carriers, Imagine being a small country beefing w the US and we park one of those of your coast!

[@Straswa]

Great work, I enjoy learning more about the Battle of Jabiim.

[@lawrenceofarabia9219]

That’s stupid for the New Republic to refuse to use them because of the empire’s mindset, as long as they arn’t being used to kill civilians I don’t see the problem. Also your screwing over your own infantry by not giving them an effective armored vehicle. This would be like a modern military refusing to use tanks because there a “symbol of terror”. Ok I can sort of get that they don’t want to invoke memories of the empire, ok then use AT-AT’s as a stopgap until you come up with a new heavy walker design.

[@shanehudson3995]

Well, stupid sums up the NR we have fairly well. Destroying the federal military when they have countless examples of Imperial splinter factions running around and completely ignoring the Rim in favor of the Core. Palpatine used the resentment of the Mid and Outer Rim systems to kick off the Clone Wars to begin with. The Rebellion really seems now that they weren't made to fight against tyranny, but because the Senators that formed and funded it wanted back into power while ignoring the root causes that gave way to the Empire in the first place.

[@vetarlittorf1807]

@@shanehudson3995 Which is why I prefer the Legends route. Where the Rebels not only restored the Republic, but also reformed it. Such as abolishing the emergency powers and most importantly, dividing the legislative, executive and judicial branches rather than having them all in the same office as the Chancellor. However, after the Yuuzhan Vong War, the Republic (or Galactic Alliance as it was now called) realized that the galaxy was simply too big to be governed by one entity. Hence they divided territories with the Imperial remnants, which unified and became the Fel Empire which, although not democratic, was benevolent thanks to the leadership of Roan Fel. I liked that approach as well. It shows that just like in the real world, some people prefer stability and strong leaders over democracy.

[@shanehudson3995]

@@vetarlittorf1807 Ah, the Galactic Alliance. That elected Natali Daala into the top seat, then started Jedi Purge 2 : Electric Boogaloo, instead of jailing her for uncounted war crimes.

[@ClonedGamer001]

Since it's mentioned twice in this video, maybe you could cover the AT-XT next? Apparently they cost less than half what an AT-RT cost (14k credits per unit vs. 40k per unit) and were better by nearly every metric, but for some reason saw next to no use.

[@halolr15leaith43]

I know it’s a nitpick but The fact that they invaded a planet with only 10000 clones is really odd like do the writers not realize the actual scale of conflict on our own planet?

[@HaloCowFilms]

I know this vid is about AT-ATs, but why did you use pics of AT-ATs when talking about all other precursors of the AT-AT

[@tristankawatsuma8962]

I’m sorry. I get where people like Geetsly are coming from when they say the Republic was already the Empire. We see the nationalization of the banks, we see in both Canon and Legends the introduction of Victory class Star Destroyers even if they had different receptions by Republic forces. And clearly in Bad Batch, V-Wings had been in use since the Outer Rim Sieges at least. Even a Canon dictionary book states the AT-AT came out during the Clone Wars. I get the Republic didn’t become the Empire overnight. I really do. But really, that statement seems pointless if people keep saying the Republic became the Empire as soon as it declared war on the CIS and recreated a federal military. Now to be fair to Geetsly and the others, they are using Legends material which is clearly darker than Canon, and lately Canon has been using Legends for some inspiration. Heck, Geetsly himself may prefer Legends over Canon while I prefer the latter, which is more optimistic about the Clone Wars and the Republic by comparison. Still, I can’t help but feel like I want to punch something and yell whenever I hear somebody say the Republic and Jedi lost as soon as the war started. That just seems to ignore that for how grand Palpatine’s plan was, it still had flaws that could have been exploited. It also seems to ignore how the Sith manipulate and push things so people always make the choices they want them to make. I get that the Clone Wars are supposed to show the rise of authoritarianism in real governments and the threat militarism can be without democracy and morality. Yoda in both Canon and Legends even thinks getting the Jedi involved in the war was a mistake. But I’m sorry, I just can’t agree with that. I can concede that they should have done a lot of things differently, both the Jedi and the Republic, but still, I just can’t agree. Maybe the Republic did become the Empire in all but name, but I say that was during the third year, maybe during the Outer Rim Sieges. Call me optimistic, idealistic, naive, or blind. Heck, this whole rant is a little immature even to me. I mean, I’m going off like this for a piece of fiction. Still, the Republic for most of the Clone Wars in my eyes wasn’t the Empire. There were of course similarities as one should expect in a transformative era. Still, there are clear and important differences and distinctions. Similarity and being one and the same are two different things, at least to me.

[@zexalbrony4799]

I agree. I look up to Geetsly and I respect him, but I still completely disagree with him on the Republic becoming the Empie the minute it choose to fight in the war or saying it was inevitable at that point, because it really wasn't, it as one possible outcome for the Republic, and unfortunately, do the Sith's manipulations it soon became the only outcome, but that didn't happen right away, it took years of brutal war and slowly eroding everything the Republic stood for before it happened, and I agree that it happened sometime either before or during the Outer Rim Sieges. The Republic has many flaws, there is no doubt, but despite all those flaws, it's still better than the Empire. There are some clear fundamental differences. And many in the Rebellion can see those differences which is why they fight to restore the Republic because it is different from the Empire. Even during the Clone Wars, some of the good of the Republic was still alive and helping the galaxy, like how Jedi and Clones saved the people of Ryloth or how they saved the Togura people from the Zygerrians. true all this good was eventually wiped out by the end of the conflict or at least a couple of months to like a year after, but that doesn't change the fact that there was still good done by many in the Republic, some of which inspired people to keep up the fight against the Empire to restore the Republic. I sometimes wish Geestly would discuss the good done by the Republic during the Clone Wars, instead of the bad which slowly led to the Empire.

[@CanadaMan6]

All the good qualities you apply to the Republic are largely due to the Jedi- any bit of temperance, mercy or good behavior by Clones. Sure, the Republic can nominally “stand” for things, but in practice it doesn’t take much thought to see how fragile the system was or how prone it was to abuse. The entirety of the Clone Wars is a heavy handed allegory for the effects militarism and imperialism can have on a democracy. If you want to ignore the lessons of that, that’s up to you.

[@tristankawatsuma8962]

@@CanadaMan6 I’m not blind to the Republic’s flaws. The Separatists wouldn’t even have a droid army and navy if the megacorporations weren’t given permission by the Republic to field their own militaries. I don’t see the Republic as being completely infallible or as a pure faction. What I disagree with Geetsly and other fans on is if the Republic had any redeeming qualities, even in its final years. They take the pessimistic view and I take the idealist view.

[@RagnarTheGrey]

This is the first time I've heard tale of an AT-HE and I am now sad that as best I can see there isn't a canon nor legends appearance

[@nagayafamm1006]

I wish they would show this in the bad batch show

[@wedgeantillies66]

Although they prove their worth as weapons of terror and useful heavy weapons juggernauts, that none could stand against on the battlefield under the empire. Under the republic and during the clone wars, they proves to generally be an unreliable vulnerability until the final days of the war, with the clone turbo tank, doing a much better job in my opnion of providing heavy fire support and battering down and destroying any enemy heavy armour or fortifications that stood in their way and move much more quickly at the same time. While also acting as troop transport as well.

[@Austin-pv5dp]

In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war...WOOPS WRONG UNIVERSE

[@tailssonicteam1604]

Guardsman. Fix your bayonet. The Commissar will inspect you soon

[@Austin-pv5dp]

@@tailssonicteam1604 BY YOUR ORDERS COMRADE

[@akumaking1]

If you look at Star Wars Legends, there's some startling similarities of eternal conflict.

[@Austin-pv5dp]

@@akumaking1 yeah I know in legends star wars actually had Cathedral ships that were roughly the same size as an Emperor class warship

[@underworldguardian704]

😂

[@zacfrana8963]

Some pictures of the AT-TE and other well known walkers would have been great during the part you talk about them, rather than just having picture after picture of AT-ATs

[@captaincole4511]

2:25 60 KM/h???? Thats insane. Does it go into a running motion?

[@merafirewing6591]

Didn't the rebels also used it after the fall of the Empire? It would be more useful as a transport like it's supposed to.

[@1reefshark]

I just cannot take the AT-AT seriously, it’s just such a stupid design for a stupid reason. You want to deal with mines you invest in better mine sweeping or if you must you add armor to the bottom of your vehicles, or use v shaped hulls to direct the explosion. You don’t make the largest target ever in the thinnest legs ever in a galaxy where star fighters are super prevalent.

[@underworldguardian704]

Agreed. See battle of Scarif.

[@_kommandant_3055]

In Star Wars Rebels you can see AT-AT's are pretty resilient, surving laser fire and proton torpedoes launched by starfighters. There's benefits to the long legs too. The ability to engage targets at greater distance, oversee the battlefield, and fire down into trenches from further away. Also keeps infantry from being able to put mines or other explosives on the hull/crew compartments.

[@1reefshark]

@@_kommandant_3055 any resiliency they might have is instantly negated by the fact that all you need to take them down is a cable. And they already had long range weapons that probably had a lot greater effect in the big guns we saw in the clone wars. Not to mention in a setting where you have fleets of space ships bombardment can be an effective alternative to artillery. And there is a simple answer to infantry placing mines on your walkers, it’s called infantry. You don’t need impracticality long legs, you just need storm troopers.

[@_kommandant_3055]

@@1reefshark I'm not talking about long range in the sense of artillery or orbital strikes which are both artillery. I'm talking about the ability for it as a tank to spot it's target sooner than lower sitting vehicles. As far as the air speeders with the cables. That's very niche to begin with. Hoth was a one off case of things coming together. The empire having no air support, lack of effective AT-ST screening which is supposed to be a big part of AT-AT doctrine, the rebels just haplening to having a specific vehicle with a specific modification that could be used to some effect. And the height still protects from infantry planting explosives in urban environments where it'a easier to get closer to the vehicle, or in the event infantry support is minimal

[@1reefshark]

@@_kommandant_3055 Maybe if they could actually see around it. With the tiny slit and the limited motion of the neck, they would be lucky to see anything let alone at distance. You could apply that Cable method to anywhere, just put a cable between two points that are strong enough to take the weight. With the tiny vision slit they would be lucky to see the suspended cable before their trip over, dig in within sight of the cable and infantry will have a hard time approaching it to cut it. Not to mention with the weight and the SEVERE ground pressure issues caused by using a walker instead of a tank, you could easily make all kind of traps for them with just a little preparation, and you can make them so that infantry won’t set them off, strong enough support to hold the infantry but will break wide open when the massive AT AT steps on and considering their tendency to explode when they fall apparently. But it all goes back to the issue that the Empire was made to fail, that’s how the writers wrote it, they made an enemy that the heroes could easily beat. An Empire that was guaranteed to fall from its onset. It’s military was weak to exactly what the rebels were doing.

[@brokenbridge6316]

This video was very nice and insightful

[@calebdonaldson8770]

You said that the AT-AT was introduced to compensate for the shortcomings of the AT-TE, but I'd argue that the AT-AT suffered from far more shortcomings than its predecessor. If anything, the AT-AP was a much better designed successor, and quite frankly is a phenomenal vehicle. The Republic has an enormous and very powerful vehicle, the Juggernaut. The AT-AT did little to bolster Republic ranks.

[@RayHardman7567]

The AT-AT isn't really an all-terrain walker. It can do space, but wasn't really designed to, and it can't climb vertical walls. Granted, most of the time the just through the wall, but you can't do that with a cliff or sheer vertical structures.

[@devo1977s]

Sounds familiar, I think Russia used the same tactic as the republic 😂😂

[@loganoldon8924]

Definitely need some good systems with the idea that the most loved new republic ship has

[@makingastardestroyer3066]

terrible that the photos do not match up with the text.

[@pyeitme508]

BRUH, prefer main battle tanks on Earth lol!

[@midgetydeath]

The lore reason is dumb. If I remember correctly, the underside was also heavily armored and it is definitely high enough to not be threatened by mines. If it’s not, then the AT-AT and AT-ST legs are fucked and those two machine are useless.

[@kalebhead2602]

isnt this Legends content If not, why were Captin Rex and the other clones surprised by the existence of a four-legged walker in Star Wars Rebels? It would be best if you were up-front about content that isn't Cannon

[@superjumpbros64]

Oh

[@mikedrop4421]

AT-AT's! AT-AT's!

[@ArmaniGaming445]

Hello there

[@underworldguardian704]

Ahh, General Armani. You are a bold one.

[@ArmaniGaming445]

@Underworld Guardian I've sensed that I had a new walker for my fleet

[@Chasta1n42]

B I G

[@johnjr9997]

AT-TE's were better