55 replies to this topic

[Bleary]

PowerOfNapes, on 10 February 2015 - 07:30 AM, said:

STD250 with 3xMlas, an AC20 and 4 tons of ammo? Can you share a smurfy link please?

Edit: Played around in smurfy's and this is the only way I'd do it. HBK-4G but honestly that's pretty light on armor... sure the arms don't intercept much incoming damage but you'll be losing your lasers pretty quickly.

People simply do not aim for the arms, and they're terrible at intercepting shots. Sometimes you'll lose one, but even if you do you're not out that much. And it will happen much more rarely than you think.

You're also not that liable to get legged. At least not in the pub queue. You're going to be spending a lot of the match peeking over-around obstructions with your cannon. Opponents shouldn't be getting clear shots at your legs unless you're locked in a brawl.

The big shoulder box on most HBKs is an enormous bullet magnet. Everyone tends to aim torso-mass when they're shooting a Hunchback. It's almost like the beak on a Jenner. And just like Jenners can get away with running what would normally be less-than-sane amounts of armor on their side torsos because that CT beak takes all the fire, Hunchback pilots can take advantage of their otherwise unfavorable geometry by shaving armor from the limbs.

Edited by Bleary, 15 February 2015 - 05:35 AM.

[N a p e s]

Bleary, on 15 February 2015 - 05:19 AM, said:

People simply do not aim for the arms, and they're terrible at intercepting shots. Sometimes you'll lose one, but even if you do you're not out that much. And it will happen much more rarely than you think.

You're also not that liable to get legged. At least not in the pub queue. You're going to be spending a lot of the match peeking over-around obstructions with your cannon. Opponents shouldn't be getting clear shots at your legs unless you're locked in a brawl.

The big shoulder box on most HBKs is an enormous bullet magnet. Everyone tends to aim torso-mass when they're shooting a Hunchback. It's almost like the beak on a Jenner. And just like Jenners can get away with running what would normally be less-than-sane amounts of armor on their side torsos because that CT beak takes all the fire, Hunchback pilots can take advantage of their otherwise unfavorable geometry by shaving armor from the limbs.

Well, I'll have to give it a try. The legs are admittedly not the main target on a Hunchy but since they're full of ammo I'm reluctant to shave off too much armor. I mean, whats worse than losing your RT with a Hunchback? Still having that big ol' AC20 but no ammo to fire cause your ammo bins got blown up.

[Alekzander Smirnoff]

I run mine almost a bone stock loadout. HBK-4G, I really don't have problems going 71 kph, its plenty since I run around escorting the assaults and providing heavy firepower during the assault brawls where they'll typically ignore me while pounding the assaults. Much to their mistake I might add. If I were to add speed, I'd probably do this: HBK-4G sped up!

[RecklessFable]

I've run the 4G with everything from STD180 to STD260 (and even XL for a laugh.... don't to it)

It comes down to style and what you enjoy. The 4G reminds me of actual race cars, where a few tweaks change it's personality.

I loved the STD260 for Conquest. I would run with he lights and surprise the hell out of enemies that were expecting to ambush mechs with just medium lasers and then take AC20 to the chest.

For more ammo/armor, the slower versions are good Assault escorts. Be patient and let the Timber Wolves and Atlai take the hits. Use your low profile and agility to dance around their legs.

Machine guns, are OK, but on a slow mech they are more situational than on, say, a Spider. If you are going to spend tonnage on something, make sure you have a plan. When are you firing the MGs when you are also punching through everything with an AC20?

My build today has only 250 armor (AC20, 3ML, STD 260). I do a lot of dancing to protect myself but it was a good build for getting to the 24 kills in the weekend tournament.

edit: One more thought about speed. You can be a zombie scout if the hunch gets blown off.

Edited by RecklessFable, 17 February 2015 - 09:58 AM.

[RecklessFable]

I should also point out that the 4G isn't a moneymaker. It is good for XP since you get kills, but AC20s punch through without as much aggregate damage as SRM and Machine Gun builds. Frankly, I prefer a win over lots of useless damage.

[waterfowl]

The posts of people recommending small engines are kind of odd.

The best engine is a 250. 90kph with an AC20 is ridiculous. And it's not about keeping up with lights, it's about relocation.The Hunch shines the most when you can peek around a corner, blast a guy's torso off, then get back around the corner before getting shot. Or peeking over the top of a hill. Or peeking around the bulk of a fatty. Flanking is also huge with the 4G because that 20 damage is enough to blow off any mech's back armor. A faster engine will help in all of these scenarios, as well as increase your survivability by letting you get to cover faster. And I don't care who you are, you absolutely will get targeted by LRMs either from a UAV or a light scouting your team, or you will get flanked by some ****** your team didn't see coming, and that extra speed will save you. And on top of that, it lets you torso twist faster, which lets you keep your auto cannon alive longer.

3 or 4 tons of ammo is more than enough for 90% of matches if you pick and choose your shots, and you shouldn't sacrifice your performance in 90% of matches for that last 10% where you do run out of ammo.

[RecklessFable]

Agree with all of waterfowl's points above.

Repositioning is key with such a short-ranged beatstick. You can really learn how to stalk and hunt your prey when you have the ability to reposition.
Also, the larger engines provide faster torso movement, also key when using your left arm to shield the hunch.

[Gremlich Johns]

waterfowl, on 23 February 2015 - 01:14 AM, said:

The posts of people recommending small engines are kind of odd.

Bite me: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c2a97a5fa2bd037

[RecklessFable]

While YMMV, I suspect most players won't be as successful with such a slow version.

[Gremlich Johns]

RecklessFable, on 23 February 2015 - 06:45 AM, said:

While YMMV, I suspect most players won't be as successful with such a slow version.

Achieved using a joystick and Nostromo keypad as well.

[Wintersdark]

RecklessFable, on 23 February 2015 - 06:45 AM, said:

While YMMV, I suspect most players won't be as successful with such a slow version.

I dunno, most of the really accomplished 4G pilots I know run slower builds. "Slower" being relative, a 76kph hunchie is still plenty agile and able to get around quickly.

Since the quirks particularly carrying more ammo is worthwhile, because you can hammer off rounds twice as fast.

[waterfowl]

Gremlich Johns, on 23 February 2015 - 06:39 AM, said:

Bite me: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c2a97a5fa2bd037

I don't understand. You have 4 more ammo than me at the cost of 15 kph. 15 kph is a lot more likely to be game changing than 4 extra shots. You waste tons of space with those heat sinks too when they could be in the engine. Space that could be used for FF.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...64f8f5d39bb2a05

Superior, unless those 4 shots really mean something to you

on a side note, does anyone know how the extra quirk armor applies to the RT? is it front or back or both?

Edited by waterfowl, 23 February 2015 - 01:21 PM.

[Gremlich Johns]

@waterfowl, regards all the complaints you have, did you not see my score in the image above. My build works for me, I've been working with it since closed Beta, I'm good. There are others that don't use larger engines because their build works for them.

[waterfowl]

Gremlich Johns, on 23 February 2015 - 01:37 PM, said:

@waterfowl, regards all the complaints you have, did you not see my score in the image above. My build works for me, I've been working with it since closed Beta, I'm good. There are others that don't use larger engines because their build works for them.

I could post scores from my matches where I kill 8 guys but it doesn't prove anything. There are literally no reasons not to use a faster engine and "because it works for them" isn't really a convincing argument. How the heck can being slower benefit anybody?

[Dakkaface]

Gremlich Johns, on 23 February 2015 - 06:39 AM, said:

Bite me: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c2a97a5fa2bd037

I'm not of waterfowl's opinion that 250 engines are the be-all-end-all of 4G builds, but I think you could up that to a STD225+one external - you lose a tiny amount of heat dissipation for 8kph and a half-ton more ammo.

[Soulscour]

For any player that prefers armor over speed, this is your hunchback.
Hunchback Special

Edited by Soulscour, 25 February 2015 - 12:19 AM.