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Hunchies Vs Griffins


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#1 Voq

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 06:33 PM

Hey all,
I'm looking at what medium to invest in/max out next.

I'm after something nimble, that packs a reasonable punch. I would likely use, say, the 4SP with something like 2xSRM6 and 2xLL. Which I believe you can do with a Griffin as well.
I also like the idea of a speedy LRM support, which I believe both the 4J and most Griffins could fulfill that roll.

What I'm not interested in is slow models, or ACs, as I have plenty of those.
I like mechs that can both participate at some range and then cause trouble close up.

Thanks for the opinions!

#2 Bartholomew bartholomew

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 06:38 PM

Honestly since griffins are more XL friendly than hunchies. They would probably be the better bet.

But hunchies do have that cool rolling gait.

#3 Virlutris

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 07:00 PM

View PostVoq, on 10 August 2014 - 06:33 PM, said:

Hey all,
I'm looking at what medium to invest in/max out next.

I'm after something nimble, that packs a reasonable punch. I would likely use, say, the 4SP with something like 2xSRM6 and 2xLL. Which I believe you can do with a Griffin as well.
I also like the idea of a speedy LRM support, which I believe both the 4J and most Griffins could fulfill that roll.

What I'm not interested in is slow models, or ACs, as I have plenty of those.
I like mechs that can both participate at some range and then cause trouble close up.

Thanks for the opinions!


I'm a Griffin fan, and I don't own any Hunchies yet, so take this with a grain of salt.

Pros: As Bartholomew noted, Griffins are probably more XL friendly. They also can pack a bigger engine, jump jets, and also have epic torso twisting for shooting behind yourself on the run and for rolling damage more than anything ought to be able. They can pack LRMs, SRMs, or Streaks, (I personally have one set up for each) and plenty of lasers (or a PPC).

Cons: Hunchies have that engine cap at 275, and no JJs. So even though they'll go faster with that 275 because they're 5 tons lighter, that's all they're gonna get. You also noted that you're not very interested in ballistics for your next chassis.

Given the above, it sounds like Griffins are a good fit right now. Also, there are only 3, so you can move on to the next chassis relatively quickly if your a collector, and/or have all the efficiencies unlocked in time for the hero to come out at some date in the indeterminate future, if that's your thing.
[/my 2 cents]

Edited by Virlutris, 10 August 2014 - 07:26 PM.


#4 Spheroid

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 07:02 PM

Griffin.

#5 Johnneh

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 11:35 PM

God Hunch

#6 MasterBLB

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 03:44 AM

No medium IS mech,except Cicada is truly XL friendly.
Hunchbacks however can do fine on std engines obtaining good enough speed from ~80km for heavy ballistic variants to well over 90km for laser/srm variants.Ah,they can mount ballistics,what Griffins can not do.
Besides,4SP has proportional apportionment of armament,shooting off one side still leaves 1 laser in head,2 lasers in arm and 1 rocket in torso.Other variants,though have their armament concentrated in right-sideed hunch they have it well placed so it's enough to just a peek over a hill to be able to use head laser and all weapon in the hunch.
And for the last,internal structure of RT of the Hunchback has been strengthened in the last patch - +10 hit points.

The only advantage Griffin has is number of missile hardpoints and jump jets ability.

#7 VirtualSmitty

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 04:06 AM

I have all of both and prefer the hunchie by a wide margin. The 4SP is superior in terms of hardpoint layout to anything the Griffin has to offer.

#8 Spheroid

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 08:16 AM

You know what is also on sale? The Centurion-AL. Much better LLAS platform then the SP.

Hunchbacks simply are not durable enough. Griffins and Cents both have shield arms. The Cent has missile doors in addition. It makes a big difference.

#9 LiGhtningFF13

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 08:19 AM

Why not both?! Are tow reliable mech variants. I got them both mastered in my mechlab.

#10 Jody Von Jedi

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 09:09 AM

Have you considered the Trebuchet?

Five variants plus a Hero. Two of the variants and the Hero have JJ. Only one, the 7K, has ballistics. My favorite variant is the 7M. It's my go to mech when I'm in a slump. I used it in the Steiner challenge this weekend and got most of the 20 kills with it.

Another unique variant is the 3C. What the 3C lacks in JJ, it makes up for in being able to mount a 390 engine. A medium mech that can keep up with almost any light mech is really handy, and 139 kph with speed tweak will surprise most light pilots.

What I prefer about the TBT over the GRF, is the handling. Even with a 325 engine the GRF feels sluggish to me. The TBT with a 300 engine is the sweet spot for me. It just seems to "feel" lighter than it is. The GRF is also 5 tons heavier, but to me, it's wasted tonnage. I can do any build a GRF can do in a TBT and be more maneuverable and pack just as much firepower. The TBT also has better balanced hardpoints. The GRF has most of it's hardpoints on the right side. It's not a deal breaker, but I prefer to have a more balanced load out. To me the TBT just offers a pilot more choices. The TBT-7K, the one with the ballistics, is the only TBT variant that suffers from this one sided hardpoint layout, although the ballistic point is in the left torso. All others are on the right side.

The TBT also got a face lift recently with the release of the TBT-LG "Loup de Guerre". All of the missile hardpoints are now 20 tubes with 1 exception on the right arm of the 7K. That means you can mount any size missile launcher in a TBT and get one volley of up to 20 missiles at a time. The face lift also included a reduction in height, I've been told, but I haven't been able to substantiate or find in any patch notes.

I have also elited most of the HBK, and they are fine mechs, but I like the JJ brawler play style (what's left of it since the recent JJ changes).

To sum up: Between the HBK and GRF, I'd go with the GRF. But my favorite chassis is the TBT. It's a shame there's no Champion variant of the TBT. I think people are missing out on a fine ride.

Jody

#11 waterfowl

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 10:45 AM

My griffin is an LRM griffin, but I've used it enough to get the feel of the vehicle. Hunchies are probably my favorite mech to use.

Hunchy advantages:
  • Can sorta zombie
  • Can expose a minimal part of the body to shoot the AC20. This means corner peeking is that much faster. It also means you can shoot over hills and ****.
  • Way more speed due to tonnage Cheap ass STD 250 in the hunch goes faster than the expensive ass XL275 I need in the griffin
  • Can torso twist and spread damage pretty damn well
  • Can mount AC/20
  • Can also mount 9 MLs
  • Unique specialized variants
  • Can fit both Endo and Ferro
  • Most AC builds have pretty much no heat
Hunchy disadvantages:
  • Easy to counter
  • Hunchback syndrome
  • Needs team mates to function reliably
  • Unique specialized variants
  • Can't mount XL
Griffin advantages:
  • Can tank damage really well with twisting
  • JJs
  • Better brawling capabilities with spread out weapons and SRMs
  • Can do LRMs better than the hunch too
  • Incredibly versatile in its loadouts
At the end of the day, the hunchback fulfils its intended battletech role ... urban warfare with lots of cover. It's pretty specific, but you can get some pretty interesting 4SP brawling builds. For shooting AC20s while going 90kp/h (eat your heart out, wang) with a great hill hump / right hook ability, the Hunchback is great. Positioning and knowing the limits of the mech is very important. It also has some very fun builds- the 4P and AC20 builds are pretty unique as far as mediums go.




The Griffin is more all purpose, and way way way easier to use. If you wanna brawl then switch over to LRM support with a NARC, then go mid range, the Griffin is good bang for the buck.

It sounds like you want LRMs and SRM brawling, so you want the Griffin. But make no mistake, the AC/20 hunch build is not slow! :)

Here's me using the LRM Griffin, if you want to see what it's like. I was a noob then, didn't use jump jets and had arm lock on lol ... but you get the idea. You're a mobile pain in the ass


Edited by waterfowl, 11 August 2014 - 10:54 AM.


#12 LiGhtningFF13

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 12:25 PM

Both Mech variants are suitable for every role. LRM support, long distance weaponary, light hunting etc.
The Hunchback has more punch/fire power than the Griffin but it's more maneuverable.

Edited by LiGhtningFF13, 11 August 2014 - 12:25 PM.


#13 mogs01gt

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 12:38 PM

Two different styles.

One is a sword and board, the other is a smaller quicker flank and shoot mech. If you are used to using that shield arm, get the Griff. If you are used to getting in their and alpha'ing the back of a heavy, use the Hunchie.

I prefer the Griff then again, its a 55 tonner. Sort of stupid not to get a 55t medium....

#14 eFTy

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 12:41 PM

I own both hunchies and griffins. Frankly I'd say it depends on how much you want to invest. The Hunchbacks are MUCH cheaper than the griffins, simply because they don't need XL engines.

-First of all, in terms of speed, the hunchback moves fast enough with a STD275. For a griffin to move that fast you need a 315XL. The Griffin's only advantage is jump capability, and that is partly negated by the recent patch that made jump jets heat up the mech almost as bad as PPCs. You can no longer jump around while brawling and firing medium lasers.

-The HBK 4SP can be a decent LRM platform, but the Griffin is better at it simply due to height and total tube numbers. With an XL, jump jets and height, the Griffin simply wins out on medium-long range combat support.

-On the other hand, if you want to brawl with SRMs and lasers, the Hunchback is simply better due to low height, STD engine (the difference in survivability is immense) and great weapon hardpoints. The 4P, 4SP and 4G are all fantastic fun to drive and great killers once you learn how to play them. Search this forum for a really comprehensive guide on the HBKs, you'll find loads of good info in there. The only exception is the Streak Griffin 3M (which only really works once you have speed tweak and at leaast a 315XL to go over 100kph)

-Hunchback 4J is pointless, IMO. It has just as many tubes as the 4SP but they're all in the hunch instead of being distributed evenly. It also has less lasers in the arms, which also sucks.

So in the end, think well on where you'd rather be during a battle. If you like to go up close, supporting heavies and assaults and, err.... securing kills through flanking and ambushes, get the Hunchback. Trust me, even the 4G with the AC20 is well worth it, and plays like no other mech that carries it. If you'd rather keep your distance and plink away at opponents, wearing them down while you keep moving then the Griffin is great fun to play (also consider the Wolverine 7K).

Oh and by the way, BOTH mechs can end up shooting right behind them once Elite skills are done.

#15 Gremlich Johns

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 02:56 PM

The choice between these two mechs depends on what map you are on (if we ever get to know which before we enter a match)

But, since we do not have a choice in the matter, you should select the mech you can use over a broad range of engagements - lots of game play will tell you which one fits you best. I usually pilot an HBK-4G because it suits my play style. I can't stand the Cicada, but there are pilots that make it an absolutely impressive terror.

If you're a new player, well, I guess you are going to spending lots of cash (something I am VERY much against in MW:O)

#16 M4LTHU5

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Posted 11 August 2014 - 03:05 PM

Hunchback for escorting lrm boats and beefy assault builds, while having a bit more oomph to take on stray lights. Just don't let them in on your backside and use the twist angle to your advantage. Definitely gotta elite the hunchie to take full advantage of its abilities.

#17 TripleEhBeef

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Posted 16 August 2014 - 08:25 AM

Hunches vs Griffins is pretty much Apples vs Oranges. Their both support mechs, but they go at it in very different ways. Griffins are jumpy missile chuckers while Hunchbacks are bulldogs best at backing up assaults or ambushing people.

Since Hunches are not XL friendly, firepower decreases as you go up in engine size. However, even with max engines, you can still bring a respectable level of firepower into play. I've got a 4H with a 275, UAC5, and 5ML. If someone starts picking on one of my buddies, I can rush in and start smacking him with AC fire.

With XLs though, Griffins can carry missiles and some heavy energy weapons, while still being jump capable, so they're more versatile over all. And if you're into LRMs, the Griffin is hands down better.

Of course, it's a lot cheaper to set up a good Hunchback build then a good Griffin build. The downside is that anyone who sees a Hunchback on the field will automatically agro onto you.

#18 LiGhtningFF13

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Posted 16 August 2014 - 09:02 AM

The Griffin is more suitable for anti light missions. Personally have a Griffin srm "streak-boat" with 4 srm 2 streaks.

Edited by LiGhtningFF13, 16 August 2014 - 09:02 AM.


#19 Voq

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Posted 17 August 2014 - 07:19 AM

I love how constructive the feedback has been! I appreciate all the input. I'm honestly going to have to read over this thread a few times and use Surfy to setup a couple of builds.

Thanks folks.

#20 Cuddlytron

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Posted 17 August 2014 - 10:19 AM

I have mastered both chassis, and I personally prefer the HBK by a wide margin.
  • HBK feels more nimble than the Griff, even more so after the jump jet nerf.
  • HBK is a smaller target... as long as you twist and cover to protect your hunch.
  • HBK family of variants has more versatility. Makes mastering them more interesting. The Griffs all play the same.
  • HBK is much cheaper to equip. If you want a fast Griff, you'll have to mount an XL engine.
I sold all the Griffs after mastering them except the Phoenix package -1N. It mostly collects dust. The best I could do with it was use it as a LRM skirmisher, which doesn't really appeal to my play style. The 4SP is a better SRM brawler. I still have my 4SP, 4G, and 4P all fully equipped and seeing regular action.





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