90 replies to this topic

[chainedbeast]

I like to think of the hunchback as running into mike tyson in a dark alley. Once you see him you shiver a little bit but if you are really close most try to run away unless you are a giant.

[lysis]

I really liked the mechanic used to balance a game like Mechcommander. For the drop weight of an atlas you could pick two hunchbacks.. and often times that made more tactical sense.

[Jacob Davion]

I'd select the hunchback that way I can replace the autocannon/20 with a HAG-40. And then for ammunition reasons I'd get ferro fibrous armor to save weight so I'll have enough ammo for the mega monster. I'd also upgrade the mediums and small lasers to clan ER models. Last but definitely not the least, for tonnage compensation i'll simply switch the single heat sinks out for double and keep the regular 10 in the engine for a dissipation of 20 heat. There you have it. A Hunchback with good firepower but also a good long range punch out to 720 meters thanks to the huge HAG 40.

[Der Kommissar]

The Hunchback is one of the single-most iconic mechs of the 3025 era and is a very rare case of a non-assault sporting an AC/20. It is well-sinked, well-armored, and while not fast, not ridiculously slow for its era, either. The Hunchback also has a wide variety of canon variants for a ton of battlefield roles.

If you don't like the Hunchback, you can just hand over your man card now and report to the brony concentration camp down in Jettisoned Communications.

[Frostiken]

Jacob Davion, on 04 June 2012 - 08:53 AM, said:

I'd select the hunchback that way I can replace the autocannon/20 with a HAG-40.

Credibility status: Gone.

Edited by Frostiken, 04 June 2012 - 09:00 AM.

[Athena Hart]

Why use the Hunchback? Well.. Its faster than an Atlas.. ok.. only a little faster.. but it still gets into the fight faster (discounting the Atlas's LRM 20), Second, its alot smaller. The Atlas is just a big target with a "Kick Me" sign on it. Sure you could kill everything else first and leave it for last.. but do you really want it to let it stomp around shooting at everyone? It can be modded, just like any other mech to fit a variety of roles. Finally... Cmon.. it looks cool.. Itrs got a giant cannon mounted on one shoulder.. whats not to like?

[Frostiken]

Athena Hart, on 04 June 2012 - 09:04 AM, said:

Second, its alot smaller. The Atlas is just a big target with a "Kick Me" sign on it.

I think you're quite underestimating the size scale. The Hunchback is quite a meaty-sized mech, and the Atlas is only like three meters taller, if that.

[Jacob Davion]

Frostiken, on 04 June 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

Credibility status: Gone.

LOL what are you implying? That response honestly no joke was not clear enough for me.

[Frostiken]

Jacob Davion, on 04 June 2012 - 09:08 AM, said:

LOL what are you implying? That response honestly no joke was not clear enough for me.

The fact that you're ripping the AC/20 off the Hunchback would mandate turning in your Man Card, but my post was moreso to the point that you take Dark Age seriously.

Dark Age is to Battletech what Modern Warfare is to video games.

Sorry, but that's the best explanation I can do for you. I'd keep mentioning Dark Age on the down-low.

Edited by Frostiken, 04 June 2012 - 09:13 AM.

[TKG]

It's been said before, but comparing an assault mech against a medium isn't a fair thing. They are two different designs for two differing purposes. Depending on the level of customization we may or may not see a great variety of uses for these two. You all can argue all you want about what either design is for but in the end it will all hinge on that customization, and pilot skill. Case in point: On record I happen to have a hunchback, that is reconfigured to murder infantry, battle armor and their, supporting vehicles*, it works in MW4 and on tabletop. In the same note, I also have atlas configurations for fire support, city brawling and hell even a 'fast' atlas all of which were used both in mw3, mw4 and on tabletop*. Maybe a mech is intended for a role, however that doesn't mean we cant do otherthings with it if possible.

Honestly, I'd pick both mechs.

*for note in that campaign it was cheaper to modify then to get a new machine.

Edit: I happen to agree with Frostiken, a hunchback without some form of AC/20 is not a hunchback anymore.

Edited by TKG, 04 June 2012 - 09:16 AM.

[Jacob Davion]

Frostiken, on 04 June 2012 - 09:12 AM, said:

The fact that you're ripping the AC/20 off the Hunchback would mandate turning in your Man Card, but my post was moreso to the point that you take Dark Age seriously.

Dark Age is to Battletech what Modern Warfare is to video games.

Sorry, but that's the best explanation I can do for you. I'd keep mentioning Dark Age on the down-low.

K fine then I'll replace the autocannon/20 with a clan gauss rifle as soon as they come. And the rest I spoke of in the first comment is still applied. Happy?

Edited by Jacob Davion, 04 June 2012 - 09:16 AM.

[Magneton]

Christopher Dayson, on 04 June 2012 - 05:18 AM, said:

Why select the hunchback?

Because there is a mechlab.

In that mechlab I can make that hunchback go 5/8 or 6/9 speeds, something that an atlas will never do.

In order to make an Atlas go 4/6 you have to use up soooo much weight just for the engine and that's the most it'll ever do.

Also, hard point layout means the hunchback even stock can have some nice customization ability and isn't stuck moving 4/6 like an Atlas would be at best.

That's why the Hunchback is being taken for me. Though mine won't have a hunched back, no AC in the torso.

^
What he said.
There are clear benifits to having this over an Atlas, while not sacrificing a lot out of the mech.

[SweetJackal]

Torso Twist, the simple answer. The arms of the Atlas and Hunchback have the same weapons, 2 Medium Lasers. The Atlas has a very narrow degree of Torso Twist from what is seen from screen shots and footage, while the Hunchback can turn nearly 90 degrees to the left or the right.

The Atlas has a bigger punch it can bring to bear, but if it's caught needing to defend itself due to being even slightly out of position it only has two Medium Lasers. The Hunchback has the Torso Twist to bring it's AC20 to bear at a much greater angle, being it can better defend itself if not in an ideal situation. Played right, an Atlas vs a Hunchback will have the Atlas firing only it's arm Medium Lasers at best while the Hunchback will be able to add it's AC20 to that mix, just because of the chosen angle of attack.

Again, this is just what has been seen from screenshots and footage, not real experience so take it for what it is worth.

[Sanction]

Why would I select a hunchback? Well lets put it this way, for the same cost, I could bring a friend in another hunchback. Used for it's purpose (ambush/city) who would you rather be? The guy in the atlas, or the pair of hunchbacks hunting the atlas through the streets? It's not like a cicaida or centurion, it's not going to pop after that first atlas salvo. It'll shoot back. Really, really hard. And then his friend is going to play bongos on the Atlas's back door, which btw, nobody can stand up to.

Edit* Or, to put it another way: Would you rather have a mastiff? Or two pit bulls?

Edited by Sanction, 04 June 2012 - 09:26 AM.

[oohawkoo]

Frostiken, on 04 June 2012 - 09:07 AM, said:

I think you're quite underestimating the size scale. The Hunchback is quite a meaty-sized mech, and the Atlas is only like three meters taller, if that.

um sorry but three meters is a huge differance =X its also wider along with the the hight o.o.... an atlas is only scary if your infront of its weapons ... personaly id run and get behind the monster =3 ..... the hunchback might be slow but its designed for close fighting so its can manuver better ... id rather run from the hunchback and let the the heavys take it on =3

[Solis Obscuri]

Compared to an Atlas, the Hunchback has about half as much armor and firepower, moves about 10kph faster, and costs about half as much, as previously mentioned. In terms of game mechanics, its going to handle a lot better tahn an Atlas, and have a much smaller target profile.

Also, the Hunchback has a lot of common variants. The HBK-4G with the AC/20 and two medium lasers is the most common and popular, and is specialized as a bralwer, but other variants include the more rounded HBK-4H, which replaces the AC/20 with an AC/10 and adds two medium lasers, giving it better performance at mid-ranges, the HBK-4J and -4N, which are fire-support variants carrying two LRM-10s and 5 medium lasers, and one AC/5, two LRM-5s, and 4 medium lasers, respectively. For close combat, the HBK-4P "Swayback" carries eight medium lasers, and the HBK-4SP carries two SRM-6s, and four medium lasers. All variants carry enough heat sinks to use their weapons loadouts effectively.

The Hunchback is also available across all factions, as well as being a common I.S. unit readily available to mercenary units.

So, in short, the Hunchback is tough for its size, has average speed, average firepower, good maneuverability, can fulfill a variety of roles effectively depending on variant loadout, is readily available, and is affordable to purchase and maintain. The biggest upside to using one is that there's really no downside to using one.

[RecklessFable]

Anyone remember in MW4 how you could get behind an Atlas with a medium... and stay there without getting hit back? That's why. It isn't just top speed but acceleration, torso rotation speed, etc.

If you play WoT: Maus vs. Patton goes badly for the Maus

Pirates of the Burning Seas: There was an uber warship that took enormous amounts of effort to produce. They were meant for 20 vs 20 battles where they've have escort squadrons supporting them. Every once in a while someone would take one into open PvP... and die to much smaller ships captained by buccaneers. (and, incidentally, lose their ship)

Something like the Atlas is of limited use since it can't really apply its firepower without help.

[Solis Obscuri]

RecklessFable, on 04 June 2012 - 09:36 AM, said:

Pirates of the Burning Seas: There was an uber warship that took enormous amounts of effort to produce. They were meant for 20 vs 20 battles where they've have escort squadrons supporting them. Every once in a while someone would take one into open PvP... and die to much smaller ships captained by buccaneers. (and, incidentally, lose their ship)

There wasn't just one.

And Buccs were OP, anyway.

[Star Captain Obvious Kerensky]

Why is everyone comparing the Hunchback to the Atlas? A much better comparison would be to a modified heavy that has the same or greater speed.

Start with the Cataphract, swap out the AC10 and PPC for an AC20 and some spare Armor/Medium Lasers. Now you have a mech that moves the same speed, has more armor, and more firepower.

Also, cost doesn't matter. We know that players can start with any mech they want. While you can have 2 Hunchbacks for the price of an atlas; YOU only pilot one mech.

So either MW:O has tonnage limits, or light/medium mechs have REALLY nice modules that heavies don't get.

And I simply don't see how tonnage limits would work in pub matches.... you got 10 guys in the room arguing over who has to play as the Commando.

[SnowFox]

The hunchback was designed as a urban brawler where speed isnt a huge nesseceity, look at the beer can urby after all. In that situation the bv cost and price of the hunchback is a bit more palatible then say an Atlas outright and in such a setting the lrms of the atlas is more or less negated. Now im not saying that a match up to a atlas with a hunchie is fair or even wise, however in the right situations ive seen hunchies take down marauders and other heavys when it finds the sweet spot on the minimum ranges of the heavys weapons. I myself in another game called neveron have used hunchbacks in arenas to great effect in one on one dueling. Also add in the possbility of specielty munitions and things can get a wee bit more interesting.

My thought is that a hunchback in terrain worth the situation is a great hunter killer for some heavys, but mostly vs mediums and lights that stumble into it. Alot of the 3025 mediums and lights just cant take a single round worth diddly before they are rendered ineffective.

Edited by SnowFox, 04 June 2012 - 11:03 AM.