49 replies to this topic

[Satan n stuff]

QuantumButler, on 01 December 2014 - 04:42 AM, said:

the worst Hunchback is the one with LRMs, the GI is just average.

It can at least use all of it's hardpoints effectively without an XL engine, you can't say the same about the GI.

[QuantumButler]

Satan n stuff, on 01 December 2014 - 04:48 AM, said:

It can at least use all of it's hardpoints effectively without an XL engine, you can't say the same about the GI.

I wouldn't call being a bad Trebuchet effectively using the hardpoints.

[Satan n stuff]

QuantumButler, on 01 December 2014 - 04:50 AM, said:

I wouldn't call being a bad Trebuchet effectively using the hardpoints.

That's kinda redundant isn't it?
Anyway with the energy hardpoints on it it's superior to the Trebuchet for everything except mobility and LRM support, and it's better than some Trebuchets for the latter.

[QuantumButler]

Satan n stuff, on 01 December 2014 - 04:57 AM, said:

That's kinda redundant isn't it?
Anyway with the energy hardpoints on it it's superior to the Trebuchet for everything except mobility and LRM support, and it's better than some Trebuchets for the latter.

Well yeah all mechs have their stinker variants, but the Treb is still the superior lrm platform among mediums, or you know, a golden boy or Wolverine or something.

[UrsusMorologus]

Hunchback means everybody shoots at the hunch, and XL engine means the whole mech goes boom when they get it. Hunchback also means you are short fat and slow, with no JJ and no ECM to hide, so they have no trouble hitting you if they can see you. Add to this, UAC5 DPS build requires constant facetime; the whole design point of the chassis is to hide behind a building and pop out for ~35 damage then retreat before you can draw return fire, not to stand in the open at 300m, plinking out 5 damage over and over. And you cant even do that with UAC5 because a single gun will jam, and slotting two requires dumping everything else because you cant equip XL engine with all the ST critical slots used on 2xUAC5, which means you give up on missiles which is the whole design point behind the Grid Iron.

This means you have two design choices: use XL and accept sudden-death as part of the gameplay, or build around STD engine. The sudden-death option is not really viable for most people, nobody likes being on respawn timer, so if you try to go that way it wont be long before you are rotating into other mechs during the downtime then one day you notice you havent played your GI in a few weeks. So you go STD engine if you want to play it, but that means you cant use the quirks due to lack of available tonnage, and if you give up and go to the old standard of AC20 w/ 3 MLs then you paid too much for a 4G with none of the quirk benefits.

Its just not a good pick, specially for doing what HBK is supposed to do. If I could get my MC back I would sell it in a minute.

Edited by UrsusMorologus, 01 December 2014 - 10:30 AM.

[MLM13]

After I mastered my locusts, I finally switched to medium IS and played the HBK. All I can say is they are more fun to play with an XL engine. Yeah you are more durable with an STD engine but at the end of the day, its how you get satisfaction on each match and mine is that feeling of 'no room for mistakes' games. Ill prolly get the the bundle + grid iron after the holidays so I can try to play it with different builds.

The only thing I want from the GI is the camo.

Edited by MLM13, 01 December 2014 - 06:14 AM.

[SpeedingBus]

While I don't think Grid Iron is a bad variant its pretty awful when you have dropped that amount of cash for a hunch that can easily be outdone by its other variants bros. Also the hilarious fact the default stock comes with gauss but PGI gave it UAC quirks.

[Smelly]

They should of given it a Gauss Cooldown and a Gauss no charge up quick so you could snap fire it, would fit the theme of the mech nicely I think.

[UrsusMorologus]

They need to make it an Atlas Mini-Me with AC20, SMLs, and an SRM4. Or possibly an LB10X, MLs, and an SRM6. Either of those would leverage everything that makes a hunchback worth using, and also emphasize the unique Grid Iron hardpoints.

[Fut]

Jazzbandit1313, on 30 November 2014 - 08:49 PM, said:

Any other Grid Iron appreciation out there?

I've been a HBK Pilot for quite some time now, so I was very excited when PGI announced the HBK-Hero.
When I first saw it though, I was actually kind of disgusted by it - it was nothing like I was expecting, and what's with the lame Football theme?

I bit the bullet and purchased one anyhow. It took me quite some time to find my rhythm in it, but once I got through unlocking the Elites, i had found my stride. Mine is set up with an AC10 and LRM10 (very limited ammo). Having taken it up to Master, I really think that the Devs did a good job with it, as it really does feel like the other HBKs crammed into one chassis.

As others have already pointed out though, it's practically mandatory to run an XL engine in the GI, otherwise you have to let some of the hardpoints go to waste. Would have preferred it if it could mount a STD and be a little tougher in the long run.
Oh wells...

[DEMAX51]

I just got mine for free yesterday as part of the Karma Koin promotion. The hardpoints are fine, but the quirks it got were stupid.

UAC5 quirks for a Hunchy is just silly. UACs need to be boated to be effective because of their jamming, and it's almost impossible to make a decent build in the GI that uses two of 'em. I think an AC10, standard AC5, or even AC2 quirks would have been a lot better. Hopefully it gets looked at when they revisit some of the IS quirks on December 16th.

Edited by DEMAX51, 01 December 2014 - 09:45 AM.

[Yames]

i love my hunchback was the first Hero i bought since the quirk update i have been running this http://mwo.smurfy-ne...21caa42ae98263d

i use to run it very similar only instead of the pulse lasers i had 3 medium lasers and a srm 6. In the current build i left off the right arm laser because if i lose the hunch i'm only out the AC

[Cygone]

I would LOVE! to justify a GI purchase, as I do like the HBK play. However...

The Quirks it got are just horrible. (UAC5 related)

UAC5 needs to be boated (2+) to be of any use, and then you got to stare at your target, this is something NO HBK should do. Literally the ONLY build that satisfies this requirement is
GRID IRON

Also, the UAC5 is a Mid/Long range skirmish weapon, the MPL (to which it also has multiple quirks) is a short range brawling weapon. This Mech' suffers from an Identity Crisis.

Lets not forget, even thought it got the 18/12 Buff to the Right Torso, it did NOT get the 9/12 buff to the Left Torso, to which it now DESPERATLY needs.

The Quirk List for this Mech should have been.

Torso Yaw Speed - 37.5%
Torso Pitch Speed - 10%
Additional Armor (RT) - 18
Additional Structure (RT) - 12
Additional Armor (LT) - 9
Additional Structure (LT) - 12
Medium Pulse Laser Range - 12.5%
Energy Range - 12.5%
Medium Pulse Heat Gen - 12.5%
Energy Heat Gen - 12.5%
LB10X Cooldown - 12.5%
Ballistic Cooldown - 12.5%
LB10X Velocity - 12.5%
Ballistic Velocity - 12.5%
Ballistic Range - 15%

Edited by Cygone, 01 December 2014 - 10:26 AM.

[Abigail Acerose]

I thought the Grid Iron was gonna be a piece of trash...

...I'm so glad I was wrong! =D


You just can't play it like other Hunchbacks. Here's what I run:

Build 1:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...bd86834c0c94f33

Spoiler

Build 2 (Current):
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a8a8055822a78cd

Spoiler

These results are from the past 24 hours of play. UAC5/AC5 Cooldown modules are wonderful to have! (Also, no strikes, etc...)

Best wishes on running your GI's!

Edited by Abigail Acerose, 01 December 2014 - 11:59 AM.

[saberrider]

I run my GI with a XL engine, Gauss and 3 MPL. People will scream "that doesnt work!". But its fun for me.
It would be great to get quirks for the weapons the mech came with at release...

[Fut]

saberrider, on 01 December 2014 - 12:47 PM, said:

I run my GI with a XL engine, Gauss and 3 MPL. People will scream "that doesnt work!". But its fun for me.
It would be great to get quirks for the weapons the mech came with at release...

Honestly, I thought that was the purpose of the Quirks - to highlight the stock build of the variant.
The GI is quite confusing.

[Yiazmat]

GI needed to be 1 ballistic in each side torso and missile in ct. Would have been beautiful. Double uac5 with an xl.... NOM nom nom

[Cygone]

^^ No.

My suggestion above.

The lack of a LT A+S Buff kills this Mech

[VirtualSmitty]

I like the GI quite a bit. I built mine around a standard 225, one double HS, lrm 10 w/2 tons ammo, one UAC 5 two tons ammo, two medium pulse lasers, and a small laser in the head. Still runs at 80KPH, plink with the lrm 10 and pulse lasers and use the UAC carefully. With the fire rate quirks and module it shoots insanely fast, makes for a good skirmisher. can drop the pulses down to single mediums and add ammo as needed.

[Walluh]

I cannot imagine why anyone would ever think an xl is a good idea on a hunchback. It's the most xl unfriendly mech in the entire game. You have a giant box on your shoulder that holds 90% of your weapons and you also die if you lose it. Why.