116 replies to this topic

[Bishop Steiner]

Seems a pretty safe assumption, since last month was the Atlas, this month the Catapult, so likely next month will be the Hunchback, capped off in January with the Jenner Hero.

What is interesting is the comparative lack of "notable" Pilots and custom versions of the Mech. Obviously there are a LOT of standard variants left, but those have not been the basis of Heroes to date, so not looking for much there.

About the only "standout" candidate would be "ACES HIGH", the HBK piloted by future DEST, then ISF Director Shakir Jerrar. Unfortunately, the Mech itself seems a little blase, being mostly a stock HBK-4H with 2 Medium Pulse Lasers in place of the 4 standard Mediums. Obviously, PGI could and probably will monkey with stuff like the engine, but.........

As a huge Hunchback fan, my hopes would be for a version with JJs, and hopefully with dynamic weapon geometry, so a Swayback actually can look like a Swayback (so named because the lack of an AC/20 is supposed to dramatically change the profile of the mech. Also it should be noted that originally Swayback referred to ANY variant of the HBK that removed the AC20. True story.)

What are your candidates for the Hero Hunchie and it's intrepid pilot?

[CDLord HHGD]

Only named person I am familiar with is Renny Sanderson, Victor's room mate and confidant at the Nagelring. I think it was just a stock variant though and he did lose it eventually.

IMO the HBK+AC20 is iconic so I'd hope that any Hero would revolve around that concept. Jump Jets would be nice too. The variants we have now cover most the basics (and I'd burn them to the ground if they pulled the same bullsh*t move like they did with the CN9-AH).

One thing that particularly affects the Hunchback and is something that PGI can capitalize on are the IIC variants. I know we are still a bit early but this is still an option.

[Deathlike]

Ballistic and missile (1B+2M or 2B+2M) in the RT with energy hardpoints in the usual places (3E, head and arms) and done.

[N a p e s]

My guess is something like the 4N variant which has extra energy hardpoints but also has a combination of missile and ballistics.

[Bishop Steiner]

cdlord, on 01 November 2013 - 06:15 AM, said:

Only named person I am familiar with is Renny Sanderson, Victor's room mate and confidant at the Nagelring. I think it was just a stock variant though and he did lose it eventually.

IMO the HBK+AC20 is iconic so I'd hope that any Hero would revolve around that concept. Jump Jets would be nice too. The variants we have now cover most the basics (and I'd burn them to the ground if they pulled the same bullsh*t move like they did with the CN9-AH).

One thing that particularly affects the Hunchback and is something that PGI can capitalize on are the IIC variants. I know we are still a bit early but this is still an option.

a Clan refit before the Clan package? I would not hold my breath, plus in truth most IIC are ground up redesigns and not truly variants.

[DONTOR]

I dont even care I just want the weapons that I have on my current hunchbacks to actually show as is. 3PPCs in the hunch of my 4P is going to look badass!

[Bishop Steiner]

Deathlike, on 01 November 2013 - 06:18 AM, said:

Ballistic and missile (1B+2M or 2B+2M) in the RT with energy hardpoints in the usual places (3E, head and arms) and done.

somewhat .....dull though, yes?


Daddy wants some sparkle!

Jump Jets, Left Torso ballistics, left /rt torso energy, a jester's cap, arm mounted MG, something, ANYTHING, but "oh look here's a hump, blow it off then ignore him". Or a Hero SP. I loather the SP. To accept a Hero SP would require 2 energy in each arm, 2 Missile in each torso, JJs, and a big, juicy engine. And even then, it's be MEH. (Though if so equipped tii should come with 4SSRM2 racks, 4 Medium Lasers and a 300XL. Why an XL? 1) No hunch, 2 why not? Costs us the same 75 MC per ton either way, so why not get all the extra toys? DHS, endosteel, etc.?)

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 01 November 2013 - 06:45 AM.

[Felicitatem Parco]

I just want them to shoot straight... *sniff*

I would love a good Hero Hunchie to round-out my collection, though. Something with more than 2 missile hardpoints would be nice, but we also lack a "middle-ground" Hunchback with 2 ballistic hardpoints which would require something else to compensate for having more than the 4H's 1 hardpoint and less than the 4G's 3 ballistic hardpoints.

[Wintersdark]

Adding modular weapons to the hunchies would make any hero worthwhile... But I'm with Deathlike, the only real option is a ballistic/missile hunchback.

A JJ equipped AC20 hunch would be awesome, but I feel rather unlikely.

[Bishop Steiner]

Prosperity Park, on 01 November 2013 - 06:42 AM, said:

I just want them to shoot straight... *sniff*

I would love a good Hero Hunchie to round-out my collection, though. Something with more than 2 missile hardpoints would be nice, but we also lack a "middle-ground" Hunchback with 2 ballistic hardpoints which would require something else to compensate for having more than the 4H's 1 hardpoint and less than the 4G's 3 ballistic hardpoints.

I'd take 2 ballistics, IF they were in opposing torsos. Then stick with the existing 3 energy Hpoints and JJs? Might be fun.

[Ngamok]

Napes339, on 01 November 2013 - 06:23 AM, said:

My guess is something like the 4N variant which has extra energy hardpoints but also has a combination of missile and ballistics.

It's what I was hoping for as well. They can make it all in one hunch which the 4N is I believe or go the 4SP route and put on two hunches, AC/5 in right and LRMs in left. Also, the 4N adds 2 Medium Lasers. If they wanted to, they could leave those 2 extra out or put them in either hunch or 1 in each or move to the arms.

Edited by Ngamok, 01 November 2013 - 06:51 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

Ngamok, on 01 November 2013 - 06:45 AM, said:

It's what I was hoping for as well. They can make it all in one hunch which the 4N is I believe or go the 4SP route and out on two hunches, AC/5 in right and LRMs in left. Also, the 4N adds 2 Medium Lasers. If they wanted to, they could leave those 2 extra out or put them in either hunch or 1 in each or move to the arms.

number 1 reason I hate the 4H? Those extra lasers are in the same hunch as the AC, so lose it, lose the lasers anyhow. BOOO! Those lasers should have been in the LT or the arms like the SP. But the LRMs being in the LT would at least offset things a skosh.

[Deathlike]

Bishop Steiner, on 01 November 2013 - 06:47 AM, said:

number 1 reason I hate the 4H? Those extra lasers are in the same hunch as the AC, so lose it, lose the lasers anyhow. BOOO! Those lasers should have been in the LT or the arms like the SP. But the LRMs being in the LT would at least offset things a skosh.

You would think that MWO would try the MW4 style of "special" armored hardpoints where that part of the Hunch has its own independent armor like a "missile pod" in the Madcat and scale to how much external armor you put in...

Maybe someday.

[Fate 6]

I want 2 hunches. Either both energy or both ballistic. 2AC10s would be a fun ride. So would 2 high-mounted PPCs, although it seems extremely dull. The double ballistic hunch would fit the Hunchback theme much better as well.

If the Hunch Hero is at all decent I'm pretty sure I'll instabuy as Hunchy was my first non-founder mech and I've been in love with him since the beginning.

[Trauglodyte]

I could see a couple of things:

• 4G with JJs
  
• A 4G/SP hybrid - pre BB2C (1 ballistic+1 energy in each torso)
  
• Some weird frankenmech mix of ballistics, energy, and missiles

[N a p e s]

Bishop Steiner, on 01 November 2013 - 06:47 AM, said:

number 1 reason I hate the 4H? Those extra lasers are in the same hunch as the AC, so lose it, lose the lasers anyhow. BOOO! Those lasers should have been in the LT or the arms like the SP. But the LRMs being in the LT would at least offset things a skosh.

Yea.... I still like the 4H, but getting those two extra lasers on the arms instead would make it so much better. I'd even drop the head laser for it.

So how about 4 arm lasers, 1 right torso ballistic, 2 left torso missiles and 2 JJs?

[CDLord HHGD]

The three standard MLs plus a ballistic and missile HP in each side torso and JJ would be cool....

Edited by cdlord, 01 November 2013 - 07:32 AM.

[Barantor]

Big hunch - 2 Ballistic, other side 1 missile rack, center torso 1 energy, energy on the arms and two energy on the head instead of just one. Call it the Taurus or something since the lasers on the head will make it look like it has horns. Total of 5 energy, 2 Ballistic and one missile.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I know this is a bit out there, but what about keeping the hump and going with a missile array there. Maybe 6 missile hardpoints in the RH torso. Follow up with 1 energy in each arm.

while we are being CRAZY...1 ballistic in the head.

Mostly the build could allow for 6 small SRMs or streaks and even a troll 6 LRM5 build (I think it will fit with a standard engine...I think). Despite having only one crit slot, the ballistic in the head can accomidate an MG or A/C2.

Hey, at least it isn't boring *shrug*.

[pbiggz]

ECMback?