102 replies to this topic

[bLitzLRC]

After extensive research, (I went into MW4V and ran several trials.) and much consideration, at least ten minutes, I have a proposed loadout and strategy for a Hunchy, especially if you want to take out a Steiner Scout;

- IFF, ECM and AMS
- AC 10, Narc Beacon, Flare launcher and 2 flamers

Run up to him and shoot him in the eyes with the flare, light him up for your cats with a narc to the leg, pound him CT with your AC while heating him up with the flamers as you run around him at 98 kph!

[Zolaz]

Hide behind the Assault or Heavy as it wades in then run out and give them the Happy Birthday!! They will be happy that you are guarding their back. Then someone gets to make the decision of focusing on the Medium or that Heavy/Assault.

Edited by Zolaz, 02 July 2012 - 02:18 PM.

[BigJim]

Bodha, on 02 July 2012 - 11:12 AM, said:

Think of yourself as operating under the MAD principle. You sit somewhere that makes the big enemies hesitate b/c they KNOW you will hurt them if they get close to you. Sure they will probably kill you with an assault, but if you cause them to hold back for a few minutes and support softens them up you will WIN the fight if they push late.

Excellent post - Agreed 100%.

Let the cats & Stalkers engage at range while you stay close to watch their backs.
Once everyone's taken a few hits they'll be very very reluctant to even come within LoS of a hunchie (I know I would).

I love the analogy with MaD - "you cannot pass, mother-***er!"

Edited by BigJim, 02 July 2012 - 02:24 PM.

[Refizul]

Well, a Hunchback could always go and hunt Catapults. If you manage to get into min range of the LRMs there isn't much they can do.
In the end a AC20 can hurt ANYTHING on the field. The trick is not getting killed before you can use the BFG.

I can already see people complaining about the damn cowardly camping Hunchies killing them with with shots in the back.

[Vosgedzam]

Refizul, on 02 July 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

Well, a Hunchback could always go and hunt Catapults. If you manage to get into min range of the LRMs there isn't much they can do.
In the end a AC20 can hurt ANYTHING on the field. The trick is not getting killed before you can use the BFG.

I can already see people complaining about the damn cowardly camping Hunchies killing them with with shots in the back.

What if it's the K2 Catapult?

[Steve Varayis]

In my opinion, the Atlas is a Tanker in MMO terms. The Hunchback will be the brawler type (Specially with an AC20) etcetera. But in other terms, be the more skilled Soldier type. use cover and concealment. Remember, he is harder to hit you than you are to hit him.

Or just gauss the mother from 800M.

[Elizander]

Steve Varayis, on 02 July 2012 - 06:49 PM, said:

In my opinion, the Atlas is a Tanker in MMO terms. The Hunchback will be the brawler type (Specially with an AC20) etcetera. But in other terms, be the more skilled Soldier type. use cover and concealment. Remember, he is harder to hit you than you are to hit him.

Or just gauss the mother from 800M.

I'm really wondering how AC/2s will perform in the game. With Endo Steel and Ferro armor, the Hunchback can fit 3 AC/2s and 4 tons of ammo along with 3 Medium Lasers. 60 shots (for each) might not be enough with the double armor though (Atlas would have over 80 armor in CT).

[Tincan Nightmare]

Elizander, on 02 July 2012 - 05:35 AM, said:

You can always go Gauss, I suppose. The benefit of the hunchback (supposedly) is the location of where the AC/20 fires. You can find a nice place and reveal maybe just 50% or 25% of your mech, fire, then hide right away since it is the upper right side of your mech that shoots. You just need to pop out with the very top of your mech while an Atlas has to go at least waist up to fire his AC/20.

Hunchback with Gauss might be good as a popup sniper too.

Edit:

I just checked using Quickmech that you can easily get your Hunchie the following:

Gauss Rifle (4 tons ammo)
3 Medium Lasers
10.5 tons armor (11.0 is max)

You don't even need any XL/Endo/Ferro (if those are unlockable stuff) so you can mod it right off the bat assuming Gauss is not locked.

What did you sacrifice for the extra weight? An AC/20 weighs 14 tons, and the hunch only carries 2 tons of ammo for it, plus 2 med. lasers and 1 sm. laser, and 10 tons of armor. A Gauss Rifle weighs 15 tons. Without XL, Endo, or FF armor where did you get the extra ton to upgrade to a gauss and 2 extra tons of ammo for it?

Back to the original question, teamwork is best, especially with units geared for long range punch. Park next to a Catapault and send a scout out to mark targets for LRM fire. When someone comes calling to take out that pesky support mech, introduce them to Mr. Tomodzuru AC/20 (preferably from the side or back if the scout is giving you info on how they are approaching.) On the attack you can partner up with a Trebuchet or Centurion, letting them soften up targets with LRM's while you close in for the kill. Hunchies are made (unless you mechlab them ) to be a close range brawler, and even though its a medium it starts with 10 tons of armor so it can take a pretty good pounding.

[Flesh Engine]

ECM + Passivemode and engage at angles from cover using the AC/20 to knock off aim while strafing past, moving to circle.

If the Hunchback pilots anything like the MW4 one, you do lack speed but the handling is pretty sweet

[Elizander]

Tincan Nightmare, on 02 July 2012 - 10:34 PM, said:

What did you sacrifice for the extra weight? An AC/20 weighs 14 tons, and the hunch only carries 2 tons of ammo for it, plus 2 med. lasers and 1 sm. laser, and 10 tons of armor. A Gauss Rifle weighs 15 tons. Without XL, Endo, or FF armor where did you get the extra ton to upgrade to a gauss and 2 extra tons of ammo for it?

Woops, nice catch. The program I'm using lets me put anything and I didn't notice that it was red at 51/50 tons. You can drop a ton of ammo or a medium laser I suppose.

[fez]

Yeah I'll be concentrating on the Hunchback piloting at first. Should be good fun. Rebound all my MW4 Mercs keys to mirror what I assume I'll be using in MWO, to get a feel for it. That AC20 is going to be pretty damn sweeeeeet.

[MeetYourMaker]

When u lost 1 of your leg, will the mechs will still standing or will it kiss the ground?

[Steve Varayis]

Just wait till LB/X 20's become available... Hunchbacks will be a feared thing on the battlefield...

[TancredWard]

Saddle up with an Atlas, or another Heavy/Assault and watch their rear armor, and be the DPS to their Tank.

[Steve Varayis]

DPS with what? Atlas' have an advantage in that they pack the same guns as you plus missiles.

[Elizander]

MeetYourMaker, on 02 July 2012 - 11:01 PM, said:

When u lost 1 of your leg, will the mechs will still standing or will it kiss the ground?

No, you limp really, really slow.

Steve Varayis, on 02 July 2012 - 11:25 PM, said:

DPS with what? Atlas' have an advantage in that they pack the same guns as you plus missiles.

The Atlas and most assault mechs are penalized with much slower turning / torso twisting than smaller mechs. This might reduce their ability to hit fast targets compared to a medium like the Hunchback.

[Sirous]

So after reading all of this, most of the answers seem to think in terms of 1v1 battles. This to me does not seem to be the Hunchback's strength but strength in numbers and team strategy will be the key to victory.

As for setting up how you want your mech to fight well that also comes down to team tactics and strategy. Although Heat management seems to be the key for the Hunchback.

If you want to be a long range sniper in support of your teammates, probably go with Gauss, close in support and harassment stick with the AC20.
After watching quite a few of the videos, that any 1 mech alone is as good as cannon fodder, be it an atlas or a jenner.

[MeetYourMaker]

Ok thanks for the answer

[Pvt Dancer]

I have a game plan in place to give me some long range help, but I otherwise plan on running forward, Offence speced. They can not move backwards faster than I can move forward (unless it is a light) And they do not want me in close. I am planning on two things... center mass shots or going for a leg to slow them down to get their back.

I would love to work with a mech or 3, but I have to be realistic. You don't know who you may be running with and if you can depend on them to do their job/role. I just have to do what I do the best I can.

[Darklor]

Doesnt have the Hunchback a similar problem es the Hollander II - that its main weapon is a too easy target?