So Zero-K has replaces all of the models and changed many of the roles, most of the units still retain the same names. In an effort for a bit more originality and a bit more consistency in by-factory naming in the new factory line-ups, this thread is for brainstorming replacement names.

In particular interest is the consistency between labs, similar to how artwork has been kept mostly consistent inside factories. A good example of renaming is the shield bot factory, which has names like outlaw, bandit, rogue, thug, etc, all fitting into the same theme.

Anyway, vehicle line-up below:

Unit: Mason
Role: Construction Vehicle
Characteristics: It's a con.
Name Status: Good (No one cares, its a con anyway.)

Unit: Weasel
Role: Raider/Scout
Characteristics: Its a motorcycle.
Name Status: Bad
Name Suggestions: Lowrider, Tracker, Initiator

Unit: Slasher
Role: Ranged Support/AA
Characteristics: Must stop to fire.
Name Status: Bad
Name Suggestions: Shanker

Unit: Scorcher
Role: Raider
Characteristics: Heatray weapon
Name Status: Good

Unit: Wolverine
Role: Minelayer Artillery
Characteristics: It lays mines.
Name Status: Bad
Name Suggestions: Ranger, Trapper, Barrager

Unit: Leveler
Role: Riot
Characteristics: Basically same as its OTA counterpart.
Name Status: Bad
Name Suggestions: Crusher

Unit: Ravager
Role: Assault
Characteristics: Basically same as its OTA counterpart (raider).
Name Status: Good

Unit: Merl
Role: Mobile Cruise Missile Launcher
Characteristics: Basically the OTA diplomat with the Merl name instead (don't ask).
Name Status: Bad
Name Suggestions: Longbow, Longranger

Unit: Dreamweaver
Role: Capture
Characteristics: Uses RA style capture.
Name Status: Good

Probably a good place to try to brainstorm around is the "Ravager" and "Scorcher" names, so maybe something like violent agent nouns.

Weasel->Lowrider?
Slasher->Ballista(unless one of the big units are using that)
In my opinion Leveler is ok. Thats what the shots do after all
Wolverine->Trapper?

Slasher-> Jack Rabbit
Wolverine-> Booby Trapper
Leveler-> Disperse-a-tron...?
Merl-> Longbow

Ballista implies ballistic. That unit shoots straight. Archer. Spitter. Something like that. Maybe pike?

Leveler = Spanker.

Merl = Vertigo

Wolverine = Horneytoad - a reptile that lays eggs and spits blood.

I second Lowrider for weasels. Or something cute and harmless, like punky, or skipper, or doombuggy.

'Ballistic' implies an arc?

projectile weapons, due to physics, must either shoot in an arc or at a very short distance

also ballista ~= archer

What about low-G environments?
sorry, couldn't resist

Weasel -> Tracker
Slasher -> MC Hammer (Mobile Combat Hammer)

Wolverine -> Trapper
(should read other peoples post more carefully before I waist time coming up with it independently, I other words: I endorse this name.

Leveler... depends on what side of the riot its on.
As a Rioter -> Leveller
As an anti Rioter -> Oppressor

I also I second Merl -> longbow

weasel - rat

slasher - archer

wolverine - barrager

leveler - crusher

merl - also think longbow is cool

not original but i think it tells a lot what unit is supposed to do

haha thats awesome.Guess CORE have a sense of humor.

If you dont have a ship called "Ranger", Wolverine could be called that. Its role is pretty analagous to a traditional RPG ranger (minus the overpowered dual wielding and animal companion).

Looking up "instigate" in a thesaurus for Wezel name replacements... Initiator?

I like Longbow for the Merl

Wolverine - Limiter
Weasel - Demon
Slasher - Shanker


I lol'd at spanker, think it would be a great name.

I like longbow too.
Hmm, if I had to give my own suggestion for Merl..

I guess I'd call it reaction or echo.


Probably all of my names are used by some other unit, eh?

kubic for weazel
pini for jeffy

Merl -> Javelin
Weasel -> Fennec (a fox)
Leveler: keep as-is
Slasher -> Chu-ke Nu? might be too big a mouthful

Some good suggestions here. I updated my first post with all the ones I thought fit the general theme pretty well. Feel free to keep posting if you guys have more suggestions or thoughts and opinions on my choices.

Mason
Tracker
Falconer
Hunter
Archer
Skinner
Butcher
Minstrel
Weaver

butcher is cool :D

Yeah, but the only Veh I'd want to see named Butcher is the Ravager, and it's already got a good non-TA name, and I don't think they want to re-open old names (if so, Glaive is first on my list to change).

@luckywaldo7

I take it that we're sticking to Very Serious Names for a Very Serious Game?

Because otherwise I still think Spanker would be a great name for the Leveler. And I always loved how OTA's units often had funny names like the Peewee and the Can.

Prettymuch the only good suggestions thus far.

Honestly, if we are sticking to the violent agent nouns, we can keep leveler, slasher, etc, call it homage. Weasel doesnt fit the theme though.