Posted 28 June 2013 - 03:21 PM
I've been piloting a Hunch 4P for a little while off and on. It'll be my next mech to master after I'm done with the Jenners, and I've kind of been switching back and forth for now. So right now I only have about 50 matches down with it. The first thing you must do is get DHS's. They are vital. That is one hot running mech stock. It's still easy to overheat even with DHS's, but if you manage your weapons groups, it's doable.
The second thing is you must run with your assaults, or heavies if no assaults on your team (rare). I'll usually tell whichever assault I've picked in chat that I'm going to run with them. Something like "Hey Atlas, I've got your back" or similar. Then, hopefully that assault pilot knows not to run out and do anything stupid, like run straight into the enemy line, etc. If he does, he'll get you both killed.
But stay with that assault. Shoot at same mech they shoot at. If another enemy mech moves in from flank and starts pounding your assault, switch over and give them some grief. Try not to get too hot. Shutting down from heat is never good, even in an assault mech, but it's a death sentence in a Hunchback.
I have a 4 button mouse (now), and have button 1 for 1 single ERPPC, 2 fires 4 ML's, 3 fires 3 ML's, and 4 fires all weapons (full alpha strike). I use the ERPPC to ping long range snipers and LRM boats, mostly just to harass and keep them down to help our approach. The 4 ML's strike is for close up hits when I'm not close to overheating. The 3 ML's strike is for when I'm hot, near shutdown, as the weapon cycle times well with the cooling rate of my DHS's. The full alpha strike is good for turning that light mech inside out that ran up and started pinging my assault buddy. Have to be very careful with heat with that one though.
Watch out for enemy light mechs. They can be a real hassle (if they know what they're doing) to your assault. One or two well placed alpha's from your Hunchback will turn any light mech into a flaming crater.
The standard 200 engine is slow. It's up to you if that is an issue or not. I haven't upgraded mine, since I can still keep up with my assault mechs that I'm shadowing. If you see your Hunch in a different role, you may want to upgrade your engine.
I would personally recommend running AMS on your Hunch. They are not very fast at all, and if you start getting hammered by LRM's, it will buy you a little more time while you get to cover.