17 replies to this topic

[malibu43]

So I went on a little winning rampage for a little while last night and this morning in my HBK-4H. For some reason I hadn't really been running either of my hunchies lately and had been sticking with mostly Dragons, my Atlas, with some Cats thrown in every now and then. I just checked my stats and saw that my HBK-4H has my highest W/L ratio at 1.71 and second highest K/D ratio at 1.20. Surprise! I guess I'd just read too many "mediums are useless" posts and let that perception override what my actual results were.

My 4H is set up like this: HBK-4H Probably runs a little hot (especially since I tend to fire all the ML at once). For whatever reason, that mech and loadout seems to work well with my tactics and play style.

So I was thinking of getting Jagers next, but then I started wondering if I should go with Cataphracts and try to create loadouts that kind of match my 4H. I just threw these together real quick:

CTF-1X
CTF-2X
CTF-3D

These are just quick ideas, totally not optimized. I'd definitely play around with the 3D more to better utilize tonnage and crit space, and try ways to use both ballistics hardpoints maybe. I could maybe find ways to squeeze a 300 or 300XL (in place of the 280's and 280XL repsectively) to make myself a little faster if I needed to.

Have any of you guys run builds like these? How were they?

I'm up to 16M CB in my pocket right now... starting to feel the burn...

Edited by malibu43, 27 June 2013 - 09:09 AM.

[mack sabbath]

This was my 2X build, really quick, runs cool, BAP for your streaks & AMS + more armor.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a807f8da9ef9b6d

Trigger medium lasers with missiles, only 3 weapons groups necessary. Can trade to original armor, lose AMS, get more ammo and an engine heat sink. Your call.

Remember, Gauss ammo never explodes.

Edited by Die Primate Die, 28 June 2013 - 07:12 PM.

[ZeProme]

Hunchbacks are awesome. 4P remains a favorite for me after a memorable battle:





I'm looking forward to my next HBK purchase. Got the HBK-4P and the HBK-4SP. Perhaps the HBK-4H would be a noble choice with AC/20, 5 ML build

HBKs are awesome

[Modo44]

You could also consider a Catapult K2. Multiple energy+ballistics builds work well on it, and the other mech variants are not as samey as the Cataphracts.

[POOTYTANGASAUR]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5a99f58da49cc46 and http://mwo.smurfy-ne...250b1afb36628b2 Both are extremely effective. Though the 1x has the same loadout as what your 4h can run it runs it much much more effectively and with more armor, more speed, more sexiness. The 2x is just wonderful. You have 2 quite powerful shotguns and aren't gimped too badly by losing a torso. This is my 4h build http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4800826b32966be nobody ever expects 81 kph out of an ac20 hunch which is mostly why i did it. Very fast, fun and versatile.

EDIT: jj dbag sniper - http://mwo.smurfy-ne...546a9166b3351c8

Edited by POOTYTANGASAUR, 28 June 2013 - 09:52 PM.

[Hebdomas]

Modo44, on 28 June 2013 - 09:26 PM, said:

You could also consider a Catapult K2. Multiple energy+ballistics builds work well on it, and the other mech variants are not as samey as the Cataphracts.

One thing to add is that using an XL engine (should you decide to use one) is generally considered "safer" on a Catapult due to it's small side torsos.

A Catapult would also be a little faster using a 300 engine, 74.8/82.2 compared to a Cataphract's 69.4/76.4. (Except for the 4x which is slower.)

Downside is that in order to elite you'd need two more catapults which means playing LRMs and/or a splat or streak cat. I don't know how you feel about that.

Since Malibu43 wants something like a hunchback 4h, it sounds like he wants to get in close and mess stuff up in which case I'd go with the cataphracts over jagers or a catapult k2. Jagers and the K2 are typically played at longer ranges, except the double AC20 builds which tend to be slower and not have much armor. Jagers do have an advantage in that their arms are up high which allows them to hide mostly behind cover and shoot, but cover doesn't seem to be that big of a deal in a brawl anyhow.

Pootytangasaur's builds look good, I think I'll use them when I have enough c-bills two get a 1x and 2x.

[Snowcrow]

I don't know how you feel about spending real money in this game, but the Ilya is a kickass mech. I love it to death. 3 ultra ac5 is crazy fun. Or 2 gauss.
On the 1x I use either 5 ml, 1 ac/20 and a std 300 engine, or 2 large lasers, ac/10 and 2 medium lasers.
Depends if you want to focus on short range brawling or some more range.

The 3D has lots and lots of fun builds. You can't go wrong with this one.

[malibu43]

Thanks for the responses folks.

I'm definitely leaning towards 'phracts. Seems like there's lot's of fun stuff I can do between the 1X, 2X, and 3D. Any thoughts on which one I should start with?

I already have a K2 (and C1 and C4) elited out. The K2 is a blasty-blast.

[Xione87]

Definitely start with the 1X, it's probably the most versatile Phract and the easiest to outfit. AC20 + 5 ML with a STD300 makes a good heavy brawler, very straightforward. With 5 energy hardpoints you can also make a energy boat, 2 PPC + 2 LL or just 4 LL works well too. And if those don't work, you can always slap on 2 PPC and a Guass, but I would save that build for the 3D.

The 2X can't do much a Jaeger can't, you can go full dakka with 4 AC2's or dual guass in the arms with either 2 ML or a LL as backup. If you want to try dual guass (a literal and figurative blast) the Ilya can do it with a bigger engine, 1 more ML and +30% Cbills, but you'll have to spend some money. It's worth it though in my opinion, second phract I bought was my Ilya

[malibu43]

Bought a 1X and I really like it. Running it like ths: CTF-1X

I'm planning on buying 3 variants and I know the 3D will be another one that I buy. I'm trying to decide between the 2X and 4X for my third variant.

I know the 4X is kind of a one trick pony. I've played with some 4 x AC2 and 4 x AC5 loadouts in smurfy's and they look like they're at least be fun to try. I don't have any Jagers, so this could be my "I just feel like some DAKA!" mech.

The 2X looks a little more versatile, but if I had a 1X and 3D around, I honestly don't know if I see myself using the 2X much other than to unlock elite and master.

So I'm now leaning toward a 3D and 4X for my other two variants. Any thoughts?

(Sorry, not going to plunk down that much $$$ for a Ilya right now. I still spend money on this game, just not buying a hero right now...)

[Koniving]

<.< >.>

Hunchback 4H's are awesome even in default rigs!

[Hebdomas]

If you want something different in a 4x: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...05fa4d315c77922
I usually just play it as assault support where speed doesn't matter so much. With only one SSRM2 I don't feel a Beagle Active Probe is really needed, but if you want it you can swap the AMS for one. This build won't have as much sustained DPS as a quad AC5, but I find the longer cool down of AC10s allows me to aim for just a little longer.


There's also the hilarious "Metal Salad" 4x build that someone came up with a while ago: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3bee68dea5741fc
I'd probably drop that one DHS and put a C.A.S.E. in each side just to feel safer.

[NRP]

My favorite Cataphracts are the 3D and the Illya. My favorite Hunchbacks are the 4H and 4P. But really, Cataphracts don't play at all like Hunchbacks, so I'm not sure what the OP is trying to do here.

[malibu43]

I think from my original post it was pretty clear what I was trying to do: I has having lots of success in my 4H and realized I could get a pretty similar loadout in a CTF-1X, So I was asking if folks thought it would make sense to try CTF's for my next heavy.

That being said, after a few matches with my CTF-1X, I realized they don't play the same. But I adjusted and am seeing some good success with the CTF-1X so far.

[Sahoj]

My favorite HBK to play... it's a little brute. I run the same build with one less heat sink/4 tons of ammo.

1.1 win/loss ratio, 2.0 K/D in it.

[Agentpony]

malibu43, on 27 June 2013 - 09:08 AM, said:

...
Have any of you guys run builds like these? How were they?

My by far best mech by stats is a CTF-3D with Gauss, 2xLL, 2xML
I run a 300XL, one JJ and AMS as well as close to max armor.

Sometimes I play around with a 330XL or more heatsinks and turn down the laser size.

All of these variants are a delight to play and deadly, even with lacking Lolalpha.

[oldradagast]

I like the 4H Hunchback - You can cram a 250 standard engine in there with Endo and Ferro and still have room for an AC10 or AC20 and a few medium lasers. Fast and hits reasonably hard - a good medium mech.

[NRP]

oldradagast, on 07 July 2013 - 03:46 PM, said:

I like the 4H Hunchback - You can cram a 250 standard engine in there with Endo and Ferro and still have room for an AC10 or AC20 and a few medium lasers. Fast and hits reasonably hard - a good medium mech.

I run mine as follows:

STD200
AC/20 (4T)
4 or 5 MLs (can't remember atm)
DHS, Endo

It's a little slow, but otherwise I love it. It's a little wrecking ball.