3
If you can try to move around and sneak up on targets. You can do this with ideal cover placement. Try to figure out where the enemies are firing at in initial lrm engagements and sneak peaks in areas where their "Arrows" on the map aren't facing. This can allow you to have a better idea of where the rest of the enemies might be coming from or where you can go to do the most damage.
The hunchback may not have the armor of the heavy but we do have some distinct advantages as well as weaknesses. The first is that our torso twist is phenomenal, we can twist quite quickly and very far especially if you get your elite efficiencies. On top of that we can get a respectable speed of 89 KPH or even higher with certain builds. This enables you to be quick enough to circle strafe. Do not forget the golden rule, when your weapons are on cooldown, turn your body so you don't take torso shots.
The mantra of the hunchback is to be patient and strike only when the opportunity presents itself. You're a snake in the grass. Lay in wait until the enemies get closer, do damage, and get out.
As for armor placement most of the armor is up to you but what you really want is 46 in the right torso and 2 in the back. Everyone is going to be aiming for your hunch or center torso. The area on your back is relatively small and not very easy to hit. Usually if it is struck at all it's raked by a single laser that won't take it out. Playing properly with this setup makes your hunch almost has hard to destroy as your center torso so most games either my hunch doesn't get destroyed or if it does it's at the end of the game where it no longer matters.
This armor placement has been proven to work. The hunch hitbox is so large the back armor practically never ever comes into play.
Now we're on to the meat of the guide. Hunchback builds. Like I said, there's many helpful threads for hunchbacks on the forum but most of the builds in the original posts are outdated. The useful information you have to sift through pages in order to find things. It doesn't help that many people post joke builds or builds with improper efficiency making it all the more difficult for new players to find what they're looking for. I am hoping that this will alleviate that and the moment something better comes along I'll update this guide immediately. My only interest in this game is the hunchback so this guide will not be forgotten or ignored.
On to the builds:
The HBK-4G Brawler
This build is powerful with an alpha strike of 35 damage, excellent heat efficiency, and great speed this build has it all. This does exactly what the hunchback is designed to do and that's getting in there, doing massive damage, and getting out. With elite efficiencies you can alpha strike 4-5 times before overheating. Not much should stand before you that can withstand that.
Not only is this build high in damage but between the medium lasers and the AC20 you have pinpoint accuracy. This build will hurt exactly where you're aiming at. The reason I moved this build to the 4H is due to the smaller hitbox on the canon. Yes this same build is on the 4H but the larger hit box decreases the odds of you losing the hunch from behind while the 4H version is a bit harder to hit. This build works on both variants.
The HBK-4G Crit Seeker
3x MLas, LBX10 AC, 2 MG, STD260
If you're looking for the old 4G build I've moved it into the 4H section. I have tested this build and the dps is extremely high. You have a DPS of 6.11, have a good bunch, and the crit potential is insane. Stick with bigger mechs and let the enemies get close to you. Try to act as a body guard for one of the assaults on your team and if an enemy gets close enough unleash hell. You have enough speed to go for capture points and to run down an injured mech (don't tunnel vision i.e. lose situational awareness and run into a bad spot.) for the kill. You have enough speed to circle strafe larger mechs while putting out constant firepower. Finally an excellent build that uses all of the mechs ballistic slots.
HBK-4G Skirmisher
3x Mlas, STD275, LB10-X AC
With the new Engine upgrade and the buff to LB10-X AC comes this skirmisher. You now have a top speed of 98KPH with speed tweak. With increased speed we lose some firepower but remain rather effective. Getting in there, hitting hard, and getting out have become much easier. With 53% cooling efficiency we're also able to get in more Alpha Strikes. Stay back as usual, pick out a target, and strafe away pounding them into the dust while supporting the heavier mechs. With the increased speed you can take riskier maneuvers and even attempt base captures a lot easier now.
You can also do hit and runs (seeing a weakened target that's about to be destroyed) by moving in, getting the kill, and getting out. This build has proven it's worth.
The HBK-4H
4x Slas, 1x Mlas, AC20, STD250
This build is slightly different than the one above. It utilizes smaller lasers instead of medium. There's one medium laser on the head. There's a reason for this. It enables you to zombie at least semi effectively. If you lose both your right torso and your left armor you can still blast away with the medium laser on the head getting at least "Some damage." in. There's a reason I build the 4H in this manner. It has a powerful alpha just as it's brother above but the small lasers fire fast enough that if something is badly damaged by the initial burst the small lasers can finish them off.
The small lasers are also ideal in taking on lights better than the medium even. Small lasers will do their maximum damage with a shorter time of "staying on target." so on a fast moving target they're going to output more damage than the medium lasers. Playstyle is much the same as the one above but it definitely works.
The HBK-4H Brawler
3x Mlas, AC20, 250 Engine
This build is powerful with an alpha strike of 35 damage, excellent heat efficiency, and great speed this build has it all. This does exactly what the hunchback is designed to do and that's getting in there, doing massive damage, and getting out. With elite efficiencies you can alpha strike 4-5 times before overheating. Not much should stand before you that can withstand that.
Not only is this build high in damage but between the medium lasers and the AC20 you have pinpoint accuracy. This build will hurt exactly where you're aiming at. The reason I moved this build to the 4H is due to the smaller hitbox on the canon.
The HBK-4P
5x Mlas, ER PPC, STD250
This is a build I haven't really seen anywhere. Not exactly like this but I absolutely love this build and my K/D on it is through the roof. This build is really great for the PPC meta that we currently have going. If you use the advice I mentioned above in coming out where the enemies aren't facing you can sneak in quite a bit of damage by taking shots at them from the ppc without worrying about running out of ammo. You can fire on anyone you see and even finish off wounded targets from a distance no problem.
On the off chance that anyone gets close it still has an alpha strike of 35 damage. It can also deal with lights with it's 5 medium lasers with the ER PPC ready for the killing blow. It runs hotter than the previous builds but with careful heat management this should not be a problem in the slightest.
HBK-4P Swayback 9x Mlas, STD260
This is the swayback. I did not create this build and take absolutely no credit for it. This is a classic 4P build that works. It's best used like an assassin. Come up behind what you intend to kill and unleash hell before getting out. This build runs extremely hot but with careful control you can quickly eliminate just about any threat before bailing. Be especially careful of maps like terra therma.
HBK-4P Neo Swayback
8x Mlas, STD275
Same as the swayback with one difference. Remove one laser and add in a 275 engine. My recommended setup that works for me.. 5 lasers on mouse 1, 3 lasers on mouse 2, and Chain Fire on mouse 3. The playstyle is the same as the swayback above but with 5 less damage, more cooling efficiency, and more speed. The reason the weapon groups aboved are mentioned is because they bypass the "ghost heat" to an extent allowing you to maximize damage output. Use chainfire when you're running really hot or when facing off against pesky lights. If facing lights use mouse 1 to take a "part" off such as a leg when they're softened up.
The HBK-4J
4x Mlas, 2x SRM6, STD250
This is similar to a build most people run on the 4SP but why run it here? There are several reasons. I don't find the hunch to be as big of a weakness as everyone makes it out to be and on my testing the weapons grouped up all in one area (the hunch) makes for more accurate missle clumping. This isn't to say it's better than the 4SP variant (because it lacks the hunch weakness entirely) but it does deserve it's own mentioning as it's one of the few 4J builds that can actually be used in CQC.
The strategy is simple. Find an ideal opponent and hug them to death. Nothing more to be said.
HBK-4J Artemis
6x Mlas, 2 LRM10, Artemis, XL255
This breaks the golden rule of "Never use an XL Engine on a hunchback." and here's why we're going to break it. You should mostly be avoiding combat. Stick to the LRM boats on your team and try to avoid being targeted yourself. Just hide and keep up a constant barrage. If anything gets close you can defend yourself with your six medium lasers and if your hunch is targeted you have quite a bit of armor there. Always make sure there's a heavy or assault in range you can run to if someone catches you by surprise and remember to stick with the team.
You are not a brawler with this setup and you don't want to be caught by one.
The HBK-4SP
4x Mlas, Tag, 2x SRM6, STD250
Here we get to the 4SP. One of the easiest hunchbacks to pilot and also recommended to many new pilots everywhere. This wouldn't be a true hunchback guide without it. Very easy to use brawler with solid firepower. It has cooling efficiency, speed, fire power, and lacks the hunch weakness. You can move one of the lasers to the head, you can drop tag for artemis, or a variety of customizable options. It's obvious why this build is a fan favorite among many.
That concludes my guide for now. If there's any changes in the patch notes or any serious builds/configurations I've overlooked I'll include them. Thank you for reading this and if this helps out just a single person I'll be happy. The hunchback is my favorite mech in the game (or any genre) and I've enjoyed every variant. I've put in hours testing different builds, configurations, and more. So far these seem to be the most competitive and the strongest of each variant.
If you have builds I missed or that rival/surpass these please post them. I'd be glad to try them out and/or include them. If you have any questions let me know and I (and I'm sure many others.) will get back to you.
Edited by Reslin, 04 September 2013 - 02:51 AM.
