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Medium Mech To Buy


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#1 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 05:55 PM

Ok so a few days ago I put up a post on a medium/light mech to buy. Bought a light scout mech and now I would like to hear what the community thinks I should buy.

I am already leaning towards Centurion or the Hunchback but don't know what to go for. AC20 on the hunchback and seems pretty hard to kill or the Centurion with a variety of weapons loadout.

Any help on these or possible other choices would be great thanks everyone who answers.

This page is a hunchback fan page now as it looks like a lot of players love the hunchback.
Also looking to ditch the ac 20 on the hunchback (if i buy it) completely and go with other loadouts, anyone else who wants to add their two cents on the centurion or loves that ac-20 please let me know!

Edited by luigi256, 20 July 2013 - 08:42 PM.


#2 Toadkillerdog

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:09 PM

the hunch 4sp and cent 9a are solid mechs, but the hunch definitely has more viable variants.
I would reccomend hunchies for you, as they're not as painful to master due to being more versatile

#3 scJazz

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:14 PM

View Postluigi256, on 20 July 2013 - 05:55 PM, said:

Ok so a few days ago I put up a post on a medium/light mech to buy. Bought a light scout mech and now I would like to hear what the community thinks I should buy.

I am already leaning towards Centurion or the Hunchback but don't know what to go for. AC20 on the hunchback and seems pretty hard to kill or the Centurion with a variety of weapons loadout.

Any help on these or possible other choices would be great thanks everyone who answers.

Flip a coin :( The advice is either the Hunchback or the Centurion from the vast majority of the community. You have already pointed out the main reasons. The question then becomes which one do you want? Slow and big gun or fast with lots of smaller guns.

Side notes: The hunch on the Hunchbacks is gigantic and easily hit from any angle. The Centurion has a shield arm (left arm contains no weapons so torso twisting and using it to absorb damage is a valuable skill to learn.

My advice... forget both of them and get a Heavy. Jagermech most likely but others are nice as well such as the Quickdraw.

#4 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:21 PM

View PostscJazz, on 20 July 2013 - 06:14 PM, said:

Flip a coin :( The advice is either the Hunchback or the Centurion from the vast majority of the community. You have already pointed out the main reasons. The question then becomes which one do you want? Slow and big gun or fast with lots of smaller guns.

Side notes: The hunch on the Hunchbacks is gigantic and easily hit from any angle. The Centurion has a shield arm (left arm contains no weapons so torso twisting and using it to absorb damage is a valuable skill to learn.

My advice... forget both of them and get a Heavy. Jagermech most likely but others are nice as well such as the Quickdraw.


Lol thanks for the advice scJazz but i have a heavy catarphact already, looking for a medium class since i have not tried them yet (other than trial but most are pretty lame without modifications)

On a side note i will take into consideration the arm shield on the centurion.

Edited by luigi256, 20 July 2013 - 06:22 PM.


#5 Scromboid

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:22 PM

The hunchback was my first robot, and man, I am telling you, still one of my favorites.

My two favorite ones are the 4SP and the 4H. I run the 4SP with 2LL and 2SRM6 with an XL255. DHS and Endo, with AMS is your best best. I average about 400 with this guy, but the ability to sneak around the other team, hit hard, then fade away is very disconcerting. One of the biggest tricks with this build is to use your LL at range and goad them into closing. Once they do, the 42 point alpha is enough to wilt most pilot's resolve.

With the 4H, I run 4ML and 1AC10, standard 260. I tried the AC20, but it did not have the range/recycle time I liked. WIth the 4H, I hit constantly with the AC10 and close for the kill with the 4ML. The power in that thing is ridiculous and running 92.7Kph makes it a tough target. Again, I can average over 400 with that guy easily again, and pick my targets and fight like a ghost. Attack, fade, attack, fade. Alternatively, I pick a (competent) Assault and do fire support with em. It is amazing sometimes when an Atlas rounds a corner on another Atlas, they just like to duke it out. Having my AC/10 and 4ML there tips the scales and I am usually pounding his back in no time :(

The 4G is great, too, as well as the 4P. All solid robots. My buddy runs the 4G with 2 AC/5 and it is ridiculous. He does a great job.

Remember, speed is life. Your job is to attack and fade - do not stand and trade.

GL, my friend!

Edited by Scromboid, 20 July 2013 - 06:24 PM.


#6 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:28 PM

View PostScromboid, on 20 July 2013 - 06:22 PM, said:

The hunchback was my first robot, and man, I am telling you, still one of my favorites.

My two favorite ones are the 4SP and the 4H. I run the 4SP with 2LL and 2SRM6 with an XL255. DHS and Endo, with AMS is your best best. I average about 400 with this guy, but the ability to sneak around the other team, hit hard, then fade away is very disconcerting. One of the biggest tricks with this build is to use your LL at range and goad them into closing. Once they do, the 42 point alpha is enough to wilt most pilot's resolve.

With the 4H, I run 4ML and 1AC10. I tried the AC20, but it did not have the range/recycle time I liked. WIth the 4H, I hit constantly with the AC10 and close for the kill with the 4ML. The power in that thing is ridiculous and runing 92.7Kph makes it a tough target. Again, I can average over 400 with that guy easily again, and pick my targets and fight like a ghost. Attack, fade, attack, fade. Alternatively, I pick a (competent) Assault and do fire support with em. It is amazing sometimes when an Atlas rounds a corner on another Atlas, they just like to duke it out. Having my AC/10 and 4ML there tips the scales and I am usually pounding his back in no time :(

The 4G is great, too, as well as the 4P. All solid robots. My buddy runs the 4G with 2 AC/5 and it is ridiculous. He does a great job.

Remember, speed is life. Your job is to attack and fade - do not stand and trade.

GL, my friend!


Hey thanks for the response. Yes i was wanting speed in the medium to attack and fade away was hoping to accomplish that with an ac-20 but if that is not possible perhaps i will take some advice from you and try a build similar to yours.

View PostToadkillerdog, on 20 July 2013 - 06:09 PM, said:

the hunch 4sp and cent 9a are solid mechs, but the hunch definitely has more viable variants.
I would reccomend hunchies for you, as they're not as painful to master due to being more versatile


Looking into the cent -9A that was one i was thinking about. Having the ac-10 or the lb-10x was a thought i had with some srm and a few med laser. Plus it has that arm that can absorb some damage when needed.

#7 scJazz

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:37 PM

View Postluigi256, on 20 July 2013 - 06:28 PM, said:


Hey thanks for the response. Yes i was wanting speed in the medium to attack and fade away was hoping to accomplish that with an ac-20 but if that is not possible perhaps i will take some advice from you and try a build similar to yours.



Looking into the cent -9A that was one i was thinking about. Having the ac-10 or the lb-10x was a thought i had with some srm and a few med laser. Plus it has that arm that can absorb some damage when needed.

Pretend the AC10 doesn't exist... UAC5 for maximum carnage! LB10s are great when you can fit 2 or 3 of them. But the AC10 there is nothing that some other weapon system doesn't do better at the same or less weight, with better range, better ballistics, fewer slots, etc.

As for the Jager/Quickdraw suggestion... heh my bad you mentioned your light mech so I didn't think you had a heavy.

Edited by scJazz, 20 July 2013 - 06:42 PM.


#8 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 06:54 PM

View PostscJazz, on 20 July 2013 - 06:37 PM, said:

Pretend the AC10 doesn't exist... UAC5 for maximum carnage! LB10s are great when you can fit 2 or 3 of them. But the AC10 there is nothing that some other weapon system doesn't do better at the same or less weight, with better range, better ballistics, fewer slots, etc.

As for the Jager/Quickdraw suggestion... heh my bad you mentioned your light mech so I didn't think you had a heavy.

I will look into the UAC5 but it appears i am only able to put two on the hunchback 4G but then would not have space for a bigger standard engine or a XL engine due to the torso being filled. So maybe on a heavy or assault (or Yen Lo but not spending real money on a med mech right now)

Also looks like I cannot have much room for the ac-20 since i cannot put in an XL engine on the hunchbacks without it eating too much space unless i am missing something

Edited by luigi256, 20 July 2013 - 06:59 PM.


#9 scJazz

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:03 PM

View Postluigi256, on 20 July 2013 - 06:54 PM, said:

I will look into the UAC5 but it appears i am only able to put two on the hunchback 4G but then would not have space for a bigger standard engine or a XL engine due to the torso being filled. So maybe on a heavy or assault (or Yen Lo but not spending real money on a med mech right now)

Also looks like I cannot have much room for the ac-20 since i cannot put in an XL engine on the hunchbacks without it eating too much space unless i am missing something

Almost no one puts XL Engines in a Hunchback because the hunch is such a bullet magnet. Honestly, Scromboid is the only person who I can think of who does and likes it.

#10 Warge

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:09 PM

View Postluigi256, on 20 July 2013 - 05:55 PM, said:

Ok so a few days ago I put up a post on a medium/light mech to buy. Bought a light scout mech and now I would like to hear what the community thinks I should buy.

PPC Stalker. Right now there is no other choice if you want to last long in battle (for new player). Or any LRM boat among Mediums.

#11 aniviron

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:11 PM

I've got three hunchies over 100k past mastery. Here is my advice regarding them:

If you want to go for an ac20 or a gaussback, get the HBK-4H and ignore the 4G. The 4H lets you take up to five medium lasers in addition to your big ballistic weapon, which adds a lot of additional punch, and leaves you with options besides the main gun if it goes out. The 4G only has three energy slots, which it trades for two additional ballistic hardpoints. This means that the only thing it can do that the 4H can't is 2x AC2 or 2x UAC5, neither of which are considered very good loadouts.

The 4SP is a very solid mech, and you can't really go wrong with it when you're learning how to run mediums. It's fairly tough, has pretty good close range punch, and having four mlas on the arm crosshair is a huge help against lights.

The 4P was the best medium for those with steady aim and good trigger discipline up until the last patch for its ability to put 40-80 damage on target and then get out at a decent speed. You can't use all the lasers that it comes with anymore, so there is no real reason to buy it now.

The 4J is a bit of an oddball- on paper it looks better than the 4SP, with more missile tubes and one more laser hardpoint, but unlike the 4SP, it has a huge hunch that leaves it vulnerable to losing 80% of its firepower to one shot from a heavy or assault. It's not a bad mech, but given that its hardpoints are so similar to the 4SP, it's hard to justify using it when there is an option available that doesn't leave the pilot so open to being disarmed.

No matter what you wind up picking, be prepared to get killed in 2-3 shots by most heavier mechs. Most hunchies will go about 80-90kph with a maxed engine, speed tweak depending, so you're a fairly large target that isn't very fast, and most bigger mechs regard you as free cbills. The Cent is more durable and faster than the hunch despite being larger, mostly thanks to its broken hitboxes. I don't drive any cents so I will let someone else break them down for you, but in general the HBK has more firepower and is easier to hit with, as well as having more options for loadout diversity, but the Cent survives longer and goes faster.

Edited by aniviron, 20 July 2013 - 07:14 PM.


#12 SirDubDub

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:17 PM

Well. Speaking as a dedicated hunchbro for life, I would strongly reccomend the hunch 4H for the particular style of hit-and-fade you seem to favor. Scromboid's 4 mlas+AC10 is an excellent scrapper. Personally I tend to lean toward the AC20+2mlas+3smlas as it allows for a slightly higher point-blank alpha with slightly less heat than the 4mlas build. I wouldn't go for the 4G if I were you as it is a bit trickier to build/use to its full potential. For the kind of guerrilla tactics you're looking for I'd stick with the 4H.

The gun hunchies also have the ability to meat shield in a pinch. A 4H has 54 armor points in its CT, plus an additional 40 in the hunch. Taking into consideration the general tactic of gimping a hunchie by shooting its RT before hitting anything else, this effectively gives you 94 armor points in your CT, comparable to most Atlases.

Another hit-and- run AC20 mechs include the Yen-Lo-Wang (a considerably monstrous machine when put into the right hands)

But by far the most fun I have ever had in mechwarrior online is the flying Wang build for the Blackjack BJ-1. With a 235XL engine and speed tweak it ends up topping out at 93-ish kp. Plus Jump Jets. Plus 3 mlas. Plus one giant motherhumping bass cannon.
Granted. It's not the most effective/useful build out there, but its ability to generate idiotic laughter is unsurpassed when it does work.

#13 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:24 PM

View PostWarge, on 20 July 2013 - 07:09 PM, said:

PPC Stalker. Right now there is no other choice if you want to last long in battle (for new player). Or any LRM boat among Mediums.

Haha thank you for the advice i think from here i will put my owned mechs in the order i got them

Catraphact-3D
Stalker-5S
Highlander HeavyMetal
Spider-5D (Very new maybe 2 days ago)

Essentially I am trying out the lighter mechs for their mobility and the roles they play I have more than enough experience with heavy/assault mechs I want to try the lighter side and see if I like it more or absoulutely hate it.

So far with the spider I enjoy it lots running around giving tracking info and doing my best not to die. With my heavy/assault on I usually just pop tart or fire while being fired upon. It is not super exhilirating to me but it makes the c-bills. Also LRM boating is in the same vein as it is not super exciting for me.

#14 Warge

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:26 PM

View Postluigi256, on 20 July 2013 - 07:24 PM, said:

it is not super exciting for me.

All MWO now not super exciting. :(

#15 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:31 PM

View Postaniviron, on 20 July 2013 - 07:11 PM, said:

I've got three hunchies over 100k past mastery. Here is my advice regarding them:

If you want to go for an ac20 or a gaussback, get the HBK-4H and ignore the 4G. The 4H lets you take up to five medium lasers in addition to your big ballistic weapon, which adds a lot of additional punch, and leaves you with options besides the main gun if it goes out. The 4G only has three energy slots, which it trades for two additional ballistic hardpoints. This means that the only thing it can do that the 4H can't is 2x AC2 or 2x UAC5, neither of which are considered very good loadouts.

The 4SP is a very solid mech, and you can't really go wrong with it when you're learning how to run mediums. It's fairly tough, has pretty good close range punch, and having four mlas on the arm crosshair is a huge help against lights.

The 4P was the best medium for those with steady aim and good trigger discipline up until the last patch for its ability to put 40-80 damage on target and then get out at a decent speed. You can't use all the lasers that it comes with anymore, so there is no real reason to buy it now.

The 4J is a bit of an oddball- on paper it looks better than the 4SP, with more missile tubes and one more laser hardpoint, but unlike the 4SP, it has a huge hunch that leaves it vulnerable to losing 80% of its firepower to one shot from a heavy or assault. It's not a bad mech, but given that its hardpoints are so similar to the 4SP, it's hard to justify using it when there is an option available that doesn't leave the pilot so open to being disarmed.

No matter what you wind up picking, be prepared to get killed in 2-3 shots by most heavier mechs. Most hunchies will go about 80-90kph with a maxed engine, speed tweak depending, so you're a fairly large target that isn't very fast, and most bigger mechs regard you as free cbills. The Cent is more durable and faster than the hunch despite being larger, mostly thanks to its broken hitboxes. I don't drive any cents so I will let someone else break them down for you, but in general the HBK has more firepower and is easier to hit with, as well as having more options for loadout diversity, but the Cent survives longer and goes faster.

Thanks very much aniviron I will definitely take your advice and avoid the 4P and 4G.
Looks like lots of people are favoring the hunchback rather than the Centurion wonder if the hunchback is just better.

#16 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:37 PM

View PostSirDubDub, on 20 July 2013 - 07:17 PM, said:

Well. Speaking as a dedicated hunchbro for life, I would strongly reccomend the hunch 4H for the particular style of hit-and-fade you seem to favor. Scromboid's 4 mlas+AC10 is an excellent scrapper. Personally I tend to lean toward the AC20+2mlas+3smlas as it allows for a slightly higher point-blank alpha with slightly less heat than the 4mlas build. I wouldn't go for the 4G if I were you as it is a bit trickier to build/use to its full potential. For the kind of guerrilla tactics you're looking for I'd stick with the 4H.

The gun hunchies also have the ability to meat shield in a pinch. A 4H has 54 armor points in its CT, plus an additional 40 in the hunch. Taking into consideration the general tactic of gimping a hunchie by shooting its RT before hitting anything else, this effectively gives you 94 armor points in your CT, comparable to most Atlases.

Another hit-and- run AC20 mechs include the Yen-Lo-Wang (a considerably monstrous machine when put into the right hands)

But by far the most fun I have ever had in mechwarrior online is the flying Wang build for the Blackjack BJ-1. With a 235XL engine and speed tweak it ends up topping out at 93-ish kp. Plus Jump Jets. Plus 3 mlas. Plus one giant motherhumping bass cannon.
Granted. It's not the most effective/useful build out there, but its ability to generate idiotic laughter is unsurpassed when it does work.

Thanks for your input SirDubDub if i wanted to spend the real money I would probably get the yen lo for the ac-20 but it looks like the hunch as many including you have pointed out can have the ac-20. (Advantage on the yen lo being that it can have an xl engine with that ac-20 not just a standard engine)

#17 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:40 PM

View PostWarge, on 20 July 2013 - 07:26 PM, said:

All MWO now not super exciting. :(

Ah you may be right but personally after doing the heavies my light spider is very fun jumping around like an ***** with ecm and only a few light weapons and darting between the larger mechs. Also something i've been trying to see is if by some unlucky stroke on the enemy team if they team kill while trying to shoot me but i have never heard of anything like this before (although since this game has been out for a while i would bet it has happened before)

Really it bleeped out another word for lack of intelligence that starts with an i and is not profanity?

Edited by luigi256, 20 July 2013 - 07:42 PM.


#18 Warge

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:42 PM

View Postluigi256, on 20 July 2013 - 07:40 PM, said:

is very fun jumping around like an ***** with ecm and only a few light weapons and darting between the larger mechs.

Broken hit detection,
And this horrible ECM implementation...

#19 luigi256

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:44 PM

View PostWarge, on 20 July 2013 - 07:42 PM, said:

Broken hit detection,
And this horrible ECM implementation...

yeah that is true have run into that broken hit detection quite a few times.
What do you mean about ECM?

#20 Unnatural Growth

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 07:48 PM

I'm wrapping up eliting Hunchbacks myself. I have the -G, the -P, and the -J.

I think the -P has been the deadliest for me, when ranges get close. I'm running 1 ERLL, and 7 ML's. I'm running max armor, and rest is packed with DHS's, cause it runs pretty hot. It's pretty slow, as I still have the stock STD 200 engine, but I play assault support in that mech, and can keep up with most assaults at 71 Kph with speed tweak. A full alpha inside 300 meters is not to be taken lightly from that mech. I mostly run the 4 ML's on one key, and 3 ML's on another for when it gets hot. If the enemy isn't closing, I can pepper them with the ERLL at will without any heat buildup. Good against LRM boats that want to sit behind the lines.

The -J is pretty much stock except for DHS's and Endo. Running the 2x LRM 10's is nice because it launches all 20 rockets in one salvo. It will overwhelm a single AMS equipped mech. The advanced target decay module comes in handy on this one. I'm also running 6 ML's for when in range. It can also support assaults, and has a pretty nasty alpha in emergencies.

The -G is my Hunch with "issues". I've become smitten with the dakka music of running 2 or 3 AC2's in the hunch. If I run 3, then I can't fit any other weapons. Currently I'm running it with 2 AC 2's and 3 ML's. I run a minimum of 4 tons of ammo, even 2 AC 2's will drain ammo fast. It is the weakest of my 3 Hunchies firepower wise, but that cannon sound... It's addictive.

I like the high mount weapons in the hunch. Comes in handy when you're trying not to expose too much of your mech to fire over a ridge or rock.





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