26 replies to this topic

[Breidr]

So, I caved and bought some Hunchbacks. I don't regret the decision at all either. My favorite variant so far is the HBK-P because lasers are cool, or hot... something like that.

With that said, I'm working on mastering the chassis and wanted to gather some information on what to buy and how to outfit my beloved 'Mechs.
My first question being: Is it wise to buy ALL variants of the Hunchback. I like the chassis, so I thought about buying them all up, but if there are some duds, I guess I don't have to have them all.

Looking into the line, the variants can fill a lot of roles, so I thought it might be a good platform to learn on. My starting goal is to build a "twisting" reflex. When my lasers are cooling, twist between shots.

The hardest Hunchback for me to come to grips with is the Grid Iron of all things. The Gauss Cannon is a bit of a hiccup for me, but I think I'll like it if I can learn it.

Can't comment on other variants as I've only really touched my Hero and Champion so far, but I'll get around to it. I'm enjoying the game a lot more and feel good about my purchases, I'm looking forward to mastering the line and hopefully not dragging my teams down so much. I was just hoping to be pointed in the direction of a valid up to date guide and some builds to go on so I can start gathering equipment.

On the off chance I want to actually try and get some event points, is a Hunchback deck possible? It may not be optimal, but if I wanted to drop, is it feasible to fight with 4 of them?

[990Dreams]

4G- Use an AC/20 on that build.
4H- Use an AC/10 on that build
4J- Use LRMs
4P- LAZERS!
4SP- Use either SRMs or LRMs.

[Bigshep]

I love my GI, but I went a different way. I don't get on with the gaus rifle, so I went with 2x AC5. It has 190 rounds of AC5 ammo, you can either chain fire them, and they sound awesome, or you can link fire them and they are like a very long range AC10. I also have 3x ML for when things get ugly. However when I spy a target I pretty much just hold button 2 down and chain/link fire ac5's at long range till they notice me, then I twist back and back down. If you stick just behind the assaults they don't notice you that quickly.

To be honest though when I elited them ad fitted an AC5 cool down module they fires so quickly you just cannot stop grinning.

[sandworm16]

Breidr Breidsson, on 28 April 2015 - 05:38 AM, said:

The hardest Hunchback for me to come to grips with is the Grid Iron of all things. The Gauss Cannon is a bit of a hiccup for me, but I think I'll like it if I can learn it.

I avoided the gauss rifle for a long while after they introduced the charge up mechanic. Once I started giving it a chance, it's now my favorite weapon to use in pub matches. If you have the cbills, I'd recommend getting the cooldown module for the GI. That will give you much faster follow up shots to practice with.

[Todeshonk]

you dont need all hunchbacks imho

the 4p and 4sp are very solid and the 4J is a small Lrm boat (-50% cooldown Lrm10 Oo)
if you got the GI i would argue that you wouldnt need the 4G (GI gets -25% on ballistics... so its somewhat comparable).

The GI is my best mech in terms of KPD and Cbills average in Puggames .. the -50% gauss just shredders if you got the hang of it. i normally do around 500 dmg.

my build
GRID IRON

edit: ofc i dont have 16 back armor ... more front more like 40/8 or something

Edited by Todeshonk, 28 April 2015 - 06:24 AM.

[990Dreams]

Oh yeah, GI is a beast.

[Mighty Spike]

playing the 4 Sp since CB and still loving it, 5meds 2x SRM6+A, std engine with 91 kph good punch,solid,fast, makes really fun to play this mech, especially in close combat with other medium or bigger mechs, Still one of the best mediums ingame

[Wildstreak]

Grid Iron - go Gauss or try something else. When I was working the GI, I used AC2, LRM10 & 3MLs.
P - I settled for LL/LPL/PPC and some MLs.
J - Done both LRM boat and pure Energy wubbing.
SP - straight up SRMs & MLs.
H - originally did LBX & MLs, later AC10 & MLs.
G - did not like the slow speeds using an ZC20 so I did ZC10 & MLs with speed and stuff. Now it has been reverted to stock if I ever want a stock Hunchie.

Try reading this topic.

[sycocys]

My favorite mech outside of the com-2d.

HBK-4sp - 5 ML, 2 SRM4+artemis/3 tons, endo, std 235 rest is DHS - pinpoint damage from everything at 50m to 300m.

Adv sensors/Radar derp (either is a good option given the speed of this mech), ML/SRM range, SRM CD modules.

The one and only possible tweak I'd consider is trading 1 ton of ammo and a touch of armor for a BAP, its not really necessary but its free c-bills for countering ecm while you drill your opponent's face in.

I run 2 identical units in my CW drop deck, ton for ton its more efficient than the 5ss, if I had 3 Crabs to get the masters I'd run a 3rd 4sp. If I could run 5 mechs I'd run 4 of these and a commando.

Setting up the 4J with 6ML and 2 srm4's is equally deadly just runs hotter and you have all your effective hardpoints on one torso (the drawback to every HBK other than the 4sp).

Edited by sycocys, 28 April 2015 - 07:08 AM.

[Breidr]

Thanks for all the help, especially the Hunchback guide topic.

I find myself at a bit of a loss, however, as I was trying things out in the 'Mech Lab.

I tried http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e442fc76fa179af that was listed in the guide, but I can't fit the AC20 ammo in the torso, as it says I'm over tonnage. Is there something I'm missing here?

EDIT: I was missing something. Fero Fibrous Armor has been acquired and all is well.

Edited by Breidr Breidsson, 28 April 2015 - 07:59 AM.

[dragnier1]

Breidr Breidsson, on 28 April 2015 - 07:19 AM, said:

Thanks for all the help, especially the Hunchback guide topic.

I find myself at a bit of a loss, however, as I was trying things out in the 'Mech Lab.

I tried http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e442fc76fa179af that was listed in the guide, but I can't fit the AC20 ammo in the torso, as it says I'm over tonnage. Is there something I'm missing here?

EDIT: I was missing something. Fero Fibrous Armor has been acquired and all is well.

You should have gone for endo steel. It gives you more weight.

[Koniving]

Breidr Breidsson, on 28 April 2015 - 05:38 AM, said:

With that said, I'm working on mastering the chassis and wanted to gather some information on what to buy and how to outfit my beloved 'Mechs.
My first question being: Is it wise to buy ALL variants of the Hunchback. I like the chassis, so I thought about buying them all up, but if there are some duds, I guess I don't have to have them all.

I did. No regrets.
Operation Inception (Founder's) HBK-4G (F)

Grid Iron

4P, 4SP, 4J, 4J again.

HBK 4G


I didn't take one of the 4H, but yes I've got it too.

I highly ask that you consider using (for your armor allocation on the RT) 46 front, 2 rear. You'd be quite surprised. Only applicable on the 4H, 4G, 4P, and 4J variants (only if you have missiles equipped for the 4J).

Don't try that on the CT or LT as it won't work on them.

[Elizander]

The 4SP with elite and modules fire the SRMA6 so fast that it can overheat from firing two SRMA6. I sometimes don't fire the 5 medium lasers I have and just pelter direwolves with SRMspam until they blush and turn away.

[Ardaz]

Hunchies are one of my faves. I still have in my mechbays:

• 4G - AC20, 3x ml
  
• 4H - AC10, 5x ml
  
• GI - Gauss, 3x mpl

[KodiakGW]

FYI - The 4J is pretty good for Large Laser/ Large Pulse Laser energy builds. One on each arm, 1-2 in torso (depending on how well you manage heat). Plus, it's "hunch" is not this huge block everyone guns for.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

HBK-4G

HBK-4H

HBK-4J

HBK-4P

HBK-4SP

GRID IRON

Some of those run a bit hot, but nothing that weapon group management can't handle.

The Grid Iron runs an XL, but you can get around that as well if you are willing to strip the Gauss.

GRID IRON

I'm not a fan of this one, but it's an alternative to a Gauss build and uses a STD engine instead of an XL.

[purplewasabi]

To answer your question of using them for CW, yes you can drop with 4 of them and have a good time. Before, I was using the 4G, 4P, 4SP and GI. But know that you have plenty of tonnage leftover. I'm currently using 3 hunchback and an assault mech, depending on the situation.

Helmstif guide is the best place to start IMO.

[Breidr]

Thanks for the nice clue on Drop Decks. I'm still working on the mastery,, but I do plan I getting some other 'Mechs.

I've kitted out my 4P and Grid Iron, not sure which one to start building next. Eventually I'd like to grab a heavy or assault 'Mech, but I feel that's more in the future. I do have a Misery sitting in one of my bays, so, maybe that.

Thanks for all the builds. Still trying to get the hang of medium lasers, but I'll get there. At least they match my 'Mech. The old lasers were blue, and not as coordinated .

[purplewasabi]

May I suggest the 4J mini lrm boat build so you can switch between play styles to keep it interesting.

[Ollorin]

This is how I run my 4J. The first build runs a bit hotter and sacrifices LRM ammo for an additional laser. The second cooler with additional LRM ammo. Currently I favor the additional LRM ammo.

2x LRM10, 5x ML

2xLRM10, 4x ML

My 4P is currently setup with 2X ERLL, 4X MPL though I'm may give 2X LPL, 4X ML a try.

My 4SP is a bit of a cop out. I pretty much just copied my 4J. 2X LRM10, 5X ML. It works well for me (since I love my 4J) though a brawler build with SRMs might be the more traditional way to go. Especially considering that the 4J does this build better. Personally, I'm not very proficient at brawling so the LRM build was the better way for me to go.