20 replies to this topic

[Jazzbandit1313]

While everyone is out there in their new Phoenix 'mechs cruising around and yelling "These mechs are so great!" I was grinding my Jagers for enough C-Bills to buy a HGN-733C. Just got it today and slapped DHS on it with an 4 JJ, an XL300, an ac20, 2 SRM6, and 2LL and I am enjoying the HELL out of this mech. (yes i know the current meta is 2UAC5/AC20 and 2 PPC) Near-atlas armor, centurion-ish hardpoints and JJ's make the perfect storm of a 'mech. Anyone else who loves this mech, tell me why! Post builds and what not! Appreciate!

Edited by Jazzbandit1313, 02 November 2013 - 02:47 PM.

[Amsro]

Highlanders are a Solid mech, can't complain about a single variant.

[MischiefSC]

They are the premier mech. They out-perform every other mech in the game end of the day. Be that triple ballistics (2x2 and a UAC5) and either LLs or PPCs depending on your heat/brawl/snipe preferences, maybe a couple streaks thrown in to chase off lights... JJs for the poptart experience, good torso twist, the HGN has it all. So much so that people play other Assaults more for variety than anything else. End of the day not much really competes with them.

Not really a good thing IMO but it's where the metas at now. Maybe after a hitbox pass they'll get a little nerf and Awesomes will get a nice buff and Battlemasters will get one to boot it'll level that field out some.

[Escef]

I'm of the opinion that the HGNs are the best assaults in the game. I'm breakin' in my Phoenix mechs same as a lot of folks, but I doubt anyone is saying that they're all great (the BLRs are ok, the Thuds are unexemplary, the LCTs are fun yet frail, but the SHDs are pure awesome).

I run my 733C with AC20, 2 LLs, 3 Streaks, 12 DHS, 4 jets, 300 STD, endo, 544 armor. If I'm feelin' froggy I swap out the AC and lasers for 2 UAC5, 2 MLs, and an extra sink.

[SgtMagor]

I like the HGN, good solid mech. but when the Victor came out it was able to do what the HGN does but better. runs faster and jumps higher, and moves around like a medium mech. Its about time to see what I can do to get the HM upgraded, definitely want a bigger engine if anything, even with the speed tweak on 275XL 53 kph is meh considering that the Boars Head with speed tweak is 71.8 kph and a Battlemaster 400XL does 83kph with tweak, they can literally run circles around the slower assaults.

[Joey Tankblaster]

So you discovered the HGN? Still my favourite mech.

Some loadouts...
HGN-732
Made for brawling. XL325 (65 kph with tweak) LBX-10, 3x ML, 3x SRM6+Artemis.
HGN-732


HGN-733
Made for brawling but packs additionally some mid-range capability. XL325 (65 kph with tweak) LBX-10, 2x LL, 3x SRM6.
HGN-733

HGN-733C
Nice for poptarting. XL300 (60 with tweak), AC20, 2xPPC, 3x SSRM.
HGN-733C

Make it as fast as possible. If so it feels like a slightly underengined Victor but still very mobile and deadly. The HGN-733C is probably the best chassis with the HM coming second.

[zagibu]

Jazzbandit1313, on 02 November 2013 - 02:44 PM, said:

...HGN-733C. Just got it today and slapped DHS on it with an 4 JJ, an XL300, an ac20, 2 SRM6, and 2LL and I am enjoying the HELL out of this mech.

Yep, I like it, too. I run a very similarly equipped one: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2cb51258b7998d9

Thinking about going XL next, since I don't lose STs very often.

[NRP]

I've been struggling with my Heavy Metal since the Gauss Nerf and ghost heat penalized 3 LLs. So I'm thinking of trying this:

STD330
AC/10
3 MLs
2 ASRM6s
2 JJs

I really don't care for the AC/10, but I don't know what else to throw on there. What do you guys think?

[Escef]

NRP, on 03 November 2013 - 03:52 PM, said:

I've been struggling with my Heavy Metal since the Gauss Nerf and ghost heat penalized 3 LLs. So I'm thinking of trying this:

STD330
AC/10
3 MLs
2 ASRM6s
2 JJs

I really don't care for the AC/10, but I don't know what else to throw on there. What do you guys think?

How about THIS? You could easily trim some leg armor off of it for a 13th heat sink or swapping the SRMs out for an LRM15+LRM5, or even go for that 13th sink and swap the LL for ER. Lots of tinkering you could do with that. It's basically a slow, more heavily armored K2 with jump jets and a Commando in its armpit.

[zagibu]

Escef, on 03 November 2013 - 04:11 PM, said:

How about THIS? You could easily trim some leg armor off of it for a 13th heat sink or swapping the SRMs out for an LRM15+LRM5, or even go for that 13th sink and swap the LL for ER. Lots of tinkering you could do with that. It's basically a slow, more heavily armored K2 with jump jets and a Commando in its armpit.

Nice build. However, I would to this: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2598d2f98246c6b
Your main weapons are the ACs and the LLs, you only use the missiles for finishing damaged mechs. Even with my changes, it's still running quite hot. You can take a 300XL engine, lower leg armor, remove a JJ and Endo, then put in more DHS.

[Amsro]

NRP, on 03 November 2013 - 03:52 PM, said:

I've been struggling with my Heavy Metal since the Gauss Nerf and ghost heat penalized 3 LLs. So I'm thinking of trying this:

STD330
AC/10
3 MLs
2 ASRM6s
2 JJs

I really don't care for the AC/10, but I don't know what else to throw on there. What do you guys think?

If you were decent with the Gauss + 3 LL setup I would recommend retrying the configuration, post nerf. (I say buff, but the charge mechanic isn't to difficult to get.)

2000m/s is ridiculous, excellent for legging lights even! Very accurate. Have the LL in 2 weapon groups, one all together and one in chain fire. A little heat management is needed here!

You can get in a few 3 LL blasts before heat starts creeping. The Gauss is extra heat friendly.

Have patients and rediscover the Heavy Metal like you always used it and just as good as before!



Edit; I didn't even realize we were a man down that match! Heavy Metal is a clutch performer!

Edited by Amsro, 03 November 2013 - 09:17 PM.

[Lexx]

I had no idea so many players ran XL engines on their Highlanders. I am going to stop aiming at the CT and start shooting the side torsos now.

[Escef]

Lexx, on 03 November 2013 - 10:31 PM, said:

I had no idea so many players ran XL engines on their Highlanders. I am going to stop aiming at the CT and start shooting the side torsos now.

I run a standard in all of my HGNs, but a lot of people run XLs. Part of it is because most people in MWO shoot for center mass, which almost always means CT hits.

[Amsro]

Lexx, on 03 November 2013 - 10:31 PM, said:

I had no idea so many players ran XL engines on their Highlanders. I am going to stop aiming at the CT and start shooting the side torsos now.

Some builds I do, some I don't. Heavy Metal rolls with a STD330 for me.

Its truly hard to tell unless insanely loaded with weapons if a Highlander has an XL. That and the fact you can CT a mech from behind makes XL's more viable.

[NRP]

My "problem" is I naturally gravitate to close range brawling. I haven't messed with the gauss much since the change, because it just threw off my rhythm. I do miss its damage though. I guess what I really want is to mount an AC/20 on it.

Edited by NRP, 04 November 2013 - 07:09 AM.

[DONTOR]

maybe its just me but I see these mechs on the field and know I have to take out the right torso, and then most of the weapons are destroyed. More often than not they seem to have XL engines. Pretty easy to kill if your accurate. Although if all your potent weapons are on the one torso your almost useless without it so I guess you might as well bring an XL.

[Joey Tankblaster]

Thats also true for the atlas.

[Byzan]

sure wish i had two highlanders instead of the two Awesomes that inhabit my mech bays,

[Cimarb]

I just looked up my stats and I am definitely in the HGN appreciation club... 859 matches in that sucker, and my next highest is the Firebrand at 82, lol.

I don't play it much anymore, as I have so much mech XP in it that I would have to sell our car to convert it all, but it is still one of the best mechs out there. Very versatile - just needs to be able to use a bigger engine to make it competitive with the BLR and VTR in the speed area.

Oh, and I always run an XL in mine. I get cored way quicker than I ever get side torsoed, as the arms do a great job covering the tiny sides, but notes much the CT...

[DONTOR]

Huh, side seem massive to me, the thing that save it is JJs, and being able to roll that damage effectivly.