703 replies to this topic

[XSerjo]

After awersome 4P with 9xML and magnificent 5xML-2xSRM6 4SP, I decided to buy 4H. I did't like ballistic (in case of my ping), and I did't want to spent money on this weak build. So:

0) DHS - expensive but their cost their price. No endo, no ferro.
1) Ballistic should be support weapon -> UAC5 with 4 tons of ammo ;
2) 5xML and + 5 DHS (or +6 by redusing arm-leg armor).

Here's build: HBK-4H .

What about tactics: "Dakka-dakka, pew-pew"! Max speed's incomparable with 4P and 4SP, but I still can provide fire support and protect against lights (ravens don't like dakka-dakka and pew-pew on their legs).

[Op4blushift]

XSerjo, on 28 January 2013 - 11:34 PM, said:

After awersome 4P with 9xML and magnificent 5xML-2xSRM6 4SP, I decided to buy 4H. I did't like ballistic (in case of my ping), and I did't want to spent money on this weak build. So:

0) DHS - expensive but their cost their price. No endo, no ferro.
1) Ballistic should be support weapon -> UAC5 with 4 tons of ammo ;
2) 5xML and + 5 DHS (or +6 by redusing arm-leg armor).

Here's build: HBK-4H .

What about tactics: "Dakka-dakka, pew-pew"! Max speed's incomparable with 4P and 4SP, but I still can provide fire support and protect against lights (ravens don't like dakka-dakka and pew-pew on their legs).

I'd probably take out a ton or two of ammo and put some more heatsinks in. Those 5 medium lasers can run hot and I find you really don't need more then 2 tons of ammo for UAC5's.

[XSerjo]

Op4blushift, on 28 January 2013 - 11:47 PM, said:

I'd probably take out a ton or two of ammo and put some more heatsinks in. Those 5 medium lasers can run hot and I find you really don't need more then 2 tons of ammo for UAC5's.

Yep, I've tried. But 4 tons of ammo is comfort minimum: I want to be able to shoot at mid-long range during all battle.

You're right, lasers are hot and require careful heat management. But I don't need constant fire, just couple of ML-Alpha and UAC5 dakka-dakka until jam.

Edited by XSerjo, 29 January 2013 - 12:03 AM.

[Ravennus]

XSerjo, on 28 January 2013 - 11:34 PM, said:

After awersome 4P with 9xML and magnificent 5xML-2xSRM6 4SP, I decided to buy 4H. I did't like ballistic (in case of my ping), and I did't want to spent money on this weak build. So:

0) DHS - expensive but their cost their price. No endo, no ferro.
1) Ballistic should be support weapon -> UAC5 with 4 tons of ammo ;
2) 5xML and + 5 DHS (or +6 by redusing arm-leg armor).

Here's build: HBK-4H .

What about tactics: "Dakka-dakka, pew-pew"! Max speed's incomparable with 4P and 4SP, but I still can provide fire support and protect against lights (ravens don't like dakka-dakka and pew-pew on their legs).

My build is similar, but with some enhancements..... HBK-4H


Yes, you need Endo and Ferro, but for me it was worth it.
I've master the 4SP, 4P and this 4H and I still play them all regularly and love them for different reasons.
They ALL have a 260 engine though, as the top speed is just too good for hit-and-run skirmisher style play that I found the Mediums excel at.


Much faster. 92kph, speed is life in any sort of Hunchback.
It looks like it runs hotter because I only have 12 DHS compared to your 13, but with a 260 engine 10 of those DHS count as 2.0 instead of 1.4.
With your 200 engine, only 8 count as 2.0. So when you do the math, mine has nearly the same cooling as yours.

Same 5 MLAS. Only 3 tons of UAC5 ammo though, but that worked well for me. I tried 2 but ran out, tried 4 but didn't end up using it all. 3 Tons was my personal comfort zone.


As you know, it CAN run hot if you just Alpha your MLAS all day, though no one in any build should be doing that.
This build is actually quite cool when it counts. IMHO most people overdo it on heat sinks and just need to learn proper fire control and heat management. *shrug*

Edited by Ravennus, 29 January 2013 - 01:23 PM.

[Ravennus]

Oh, and here is my idea for an AC20 4H. HBK-4H "Boomer"


Again, I kept that high speed and took advantage of 10 in-engine 2.0 DHS. I also used Endo and Ferro.
AC20 w/4 tons of ammo and 5 Small Lasers.
Had to drop down to a 250 engine though, and shave a little extra armor off the legs.


I haven't tried it yet but I bet this would be a fun little scrapper if you aren't scared to get close and hit-and-run.


UPDATE: I loved this idea so much, I took a break from leveling my Atlai and gave it a go.
I love it! Even more so than the 5 MLAS/UAC5 version!
It's still fast and packs tons of punch up close, which I love with my 4P and 4SP.
I love the UAC5, but my main issue with it was that it required me to face a target for extended periods to DPS them properly. With the AC20, I hit them where it hurts and fade away.
I'm also used to the Small Lasers on my 4P, and love them. They are very efficient and recycle very fast, with the only downside being that you have to be very close... which suits the AC20 perfectly.

I only wish I could find an extra ton to upgrade the arm lasers to Mediums, but you can't have everything!

Heat was great... did a match on Caustic and even fought in the Caldera without issues.

Edited by Ravennus, 29 January 2013 - 02:10 PM.

[XSerjo]

Ravennus, on 29 January 2013 - 01:29 PM, said:

Oh, and here is my idea for an AC20 4H. HBK-4H "Boomer"
....

Thanx for example! I replaced 4xSL to 2xML in arms (like an original Hunchie 4G). And he's amazing: "BOOM-peeew-peeew, BOOM-peew-peeew"!

One question: how did you mount 260 enginge on 4SP?
For example: 4sp with 245 engine (I took it from Jenner): HBK-4SP

[Ravennus]

XSerjo, on 31 January 2013 - 12:13 AM, said:

Thanx for example! I replaced 4xSL to 2xML in arms (like an original Hunchie 4G). And he's amazing: "BOOM-peeew-peeew, BOOM-peew-peeew"!

One question: how did you mount 260 enginge on 4SP?
For example: 4sp with 245 engine (I took it from Jenner): HBK-4SP

No prob! Glad you like it!
I'm thinking of giving up 1 ton of ammo for the 2 Medium arm Lasers.
I want to keep the 2 SLAS in the torso because they also act as crit buffers for the AC20. Chances are, with the whopping 10 crit slots, the AC20 will still be the first to go... but every bit helps!


Here is my 4SP build.... HBK-4SP "Mauler"

It has EVERYTHING. (Well, almost)
Max armor. 5 MLAS. 2 Artemis SRM6s with 3 tons of ammo. 260 Engine. It even has AMS!

But you need Ferro.... and the biggest downside is "only" 11 DHS, though 10 of those are in-engine and count for 2x.


As you can see, that is a lot hotter than many of the typical 4SP builds you see.
Most have around 13-15 DHS.


However, I've found that I'm pretty good at heat management. I actually learned good heat management and fire control on this mech, and it was a GREAT teacher.
Even with 11 DHS, I can play this 4SP on Caustic without many problems. You just need to choose your shots and hit and run, which every Hunchback should be doing anyway.


It won't work for everyone, but I like it.
Just don't use the head MLAS unless you have a perfectly lined up alpha shot. Otherwise, start using it when one of your side torsos or arms get blown off.

[star rob]

It's no Urbanspider and might not be original but I'm gonna name it anyway. "The Enchalada". Why the name you might ask? Well, my son learned a new one-hand grab technique today in Tai Quon Do called "The Enchalada".....and yes, it does run hot!. I'm having a merry old time with the 3L's, Commandos and Jenners. I've not had any luck yet catching up to that damn Urbanspider though.


HBK-4SP "The Enchalada"
STD Engine 250
Armor 322/338
EndoSteel
DHS x13
Ferro-Fibrous
5x Medium Pulse Lasers
1x SRM4
1x SRM6
2 tons SRM ammo


http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7f34a2c5e821052

Edited by star rob, 31 January 2013 - 07:34 PM.

[BaronofBeanDip]

Am using a 4P with 6 ML in the torso, 1 ML in the head, and a MPL in each arm, using 18 double heatsinks, maxed armor, and a BAP because there was a blank spot in the center torso and I had room and a BAP already. You could take it out, and a little off the armor, and upgrade the engine to a 215 if you wanted.

So that's 7ML and 2 MPL total. If I can get teammates to stand in front of me, I can usually get around 500-700 damage in a game.

It's also very handy for taking out side torsos, a few blasts with the ML's will take the shoulder off an atlas. Plus, with all the people running XL's, it's a quicker kill than going for the CT.

And it doesn't require much modification from the stock 4P, just double heat sinks, and a couple of pulses.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...80fd5d73acdf6a7

The downsides are the short range and the heat. The pulses will operate fine on their own, but the ML blasts will give you a good 40%-ish heat capacity, depending on your perks. That's why it's more of a fire support mech than anything else. Find a tank, tag along, and add your guns to his. Or find a nice piece of cover and snipe some shoulders or streakcat pods.

Edited by BaronofBeanDip, 02 February 2013 - 03:23 AM.

[Ravennus]

BaronofBeanDip, on 02 February 2013 - 01:37 AM, said:

Am using a 4P with 6 ML in the torso, 1 ML in the head, and a MPL in each arm, using 18 double heatsinks, maxed armor, and a BAP because there was a blank spot in the center torso and I had room and a BAP already. You could take it out, and a little off the armor, and upgrade the engine to a 215 if you wanted.

So that's 7ML and 2 MPL total. If I can get teammates to stand in front of me, I can usually get around 500-700 damage in a game.

It's also very handy for taking out side torsos, a few blasts with the ML's will take the shoulder off an atlas. Plus, with all the people running XL's, it's a quicker kill than going for the CT.

And it doesn't require much modification from the stock 4P, just double heat sinks, and a couple of pulses.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...80fd5d73acdf6a7

The downsides are the short range and the heat. The pulses will operate fine on their own, but the ML blasts will give you a good 40%-ish heat capacity, depending on your perks. That's why it's more of a fire support mech than anything else. Find a tank, tag along, and add your guns to his. Or find a nice piece of cover and snipe some shoulders or streakcat pods.

That's close to my Alt 4P build!

Here, try this..... HBK-4P

Upgraded to Endo and added a 250 engine. You are much faster, and even cooler because you get two more in-engine heatsinks at 2.0 value.

No BAP though, and you have to take a little armor off the legs. 39 is still usually more than enough though, and I've never had issues.

Let me know how you like it!

[BaronofBeanDip]

I'll give it a go after I get my 4SP going, since I'm trying to save up enough for it. To be honest, I didn't think I'd like the 4P, I got it to get the basic perks on 3 hunchback variants. But I'm doing way better in it than I did in my 4H

[BaronofBeanDip]

Ravennus, on 02 February 2013 - 08:52 AM, said:

That's close to my Alt 4P build! Here, try this..... HBK-4P Upgraded to Endo and added a 250 engine. You are much faster, and even cooler because you get two more in-engine heatsinks at 2.0 value. No BAP though, and you have to take a little armor off the legs. 39 is still usually more than enough though, and I've never had issues. Let me know how you like it!

[Hiii Power]

That's my Hunchback SP Build right now

HBK-4SP

[BaronofBeanDip]

This is my current 4SP build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3107dd0c5f28197

Don't laugh, because with those LRM's I can do a good 600 damage in a match, and the TAG lets me nail lights and ECM, plus all that XP for the tag bonus.

The weakness of the lasers can be overcome by playing as mid-range LRM support. Like, 300-500 meters, because that lets you stick with your team, which keeps you safe.

However, get singled out by lights, and you'll end up doing, like 20 damage for the round, lol.

[Ravennus]

BaronofBeanDip, on 02 February 2013 - 06:11 PM, said:

Yay! I'm glad you (and Thor) like it!


One of my favourite parts about this (and many good mech games) is the whole added metagame of mech building.

A lot of people on the forums seem to think there are only a few "perfect" builds, and everything else is garbage... but this thread and many others show that there is still a large variation in builds that can be individually customized to a pilots preferences.


Hell, just look at the more popular chassis.... Raven 3L and Atlas DDC.
I have experience with both, and there are actually a lot of ways to tweak even the most common excepted "OP" builds (3 ML/2 SSRM and 2 ML/AC20/3SRM6, respectively).


I've got a great start using various builds posted on these forums, but inevitably end up tweaking things according to my own taste and abilities as a pilot. I love it!

[BaronofBeanDip]

Having that 89kps really changes what you can do with it.

[Ravennus]

BaronofBeanDip, on 03 February 2013 - 12:36 PM, said:

Having that 89kps really changes what you can do with it.

I bet! I've mastered the 4SP, 4H and 4P.... and except for some fun "extreme" builds *cough*LLAS boat 4P*cough* speed really is life for the medium mechs.
Having the ability to dodge in and out of cover, as well as escape a bad situation, is really key.
Plus the 250 engine is a sweet spot for heatsinks. It's win win!


I'm actually thinking of buying the 4G and 4J now, even though they are considered subpar variants.
The completionist in me is screaming "MUST MASTER ALL THE HUNCHBACKS", and the mech builder in me really wants to find some cool outside-the-box setups for those under-used variants.


I love the dual UAC5s on my Atlas, and I want to design a 4G around it.... but that one is the hardest, because you need a lot of ammo for it... and 18 tons for just the two UAC5s is painful. It's pretty much impossible to fit in a 250 engine unless you want no backup weapons and only 2 tons of ammo.


This is what I'm thinking right now.... HBK-4G "Yippee Ki-Yay"

-Ammo is still low from my experience with the 2 UAC5s in my Atlas. 100 shots seems like a lot, but goes by quick.
-Had to shave a little too much armor off for my taste. The arms suffer, though there is nothing in the right arm.
-Only 2 Medium Lasers as backup, though they are both independent of the HUGE right torso being exploded.
-Only a 225 engine. 80kph w/ Speed Tweak isn't bad, but still not as nice as 90kph+

[BaronofBeanDip]

I think I put 3 MG's in my 4G before the last wipe, and used the extra room for large lasers....

Or maybe it was 2 MG's and an LBX-10? I forgot...

Edited by BaronofBeanDip, 03 February 2013 - 01:17 PM.

[Ravennus]

Here is what I'm thinking for the 4J. HBK-4J "Crossbow"

Don't let the LRMs fool you... this is still a hit-and-run skirmisher like the other hunchbacks. You just need to be more mindful of distance and enemy ECM, obviously.

Like all good LRM builds nowadays, it's all about line of sight to the target.

-Single LRM20 w/Artemis. Unlike the 4SP, which can only spit out 6 LRMs at a time from each shoulder launcher, this fires a full LRM20 in a single salvo, making it much more dangerous. The Artemis really helps with spread and lock-on time, and will only get better with the incoming Artemis buff.

-TAG for self-spotting and helping out against ECM.

-4 tons of ammo, which is 36 full LRM20 salvos.... that should hold up for a while.

-3 Medium Lasers as backup.

-11 DHS for great heat efficiency.... 11th DHS put in Right Torso with LRM20 to help shield against crits.

- Almost max armor... just a little off the legs as per usual.

-Standard 250 engine for great top speed, maneuverability and durability.



My main issue with it is that a well built Catapult can do almost everything much better. (Example: CPLT-C4)


I guess, like other Hunchbacks, you need to travel with the pack and take advantage of people underestimating you. Also, use your slightly better speed to your advantage.


Anyone with 4G or 4J experience want to weigh in here?

Edited by Ravennus, 03 February 2013 - 01:25 PM.

[Ravennus]

BaronofBeanDip, on 03 February 2013 - 01:16 PM, said:

I think I put 3 MG's in my 4G before the last wipe, and used the extra room for large lasers....

Or maybe it was 2 MG's and an LBX-10? I forgot...

I really hope that MGs get a decent buff soon, as that will really help with all these light/medium variants that they designed with a lot of Ballistic slots.