9 replies to this topic

[DrnkJawa]

So now that we had time to compare sizes, i would like to know your opinions on the Hunchback IIC compared to the original one.

Which Hunchback do you think is superior and why?
Personally for me the HBK IIC was a fun mech to mess around with, but i go back to the original HBK 4G simply because of that godlike AC20 and how great the cockpit looks.

[Roughneck45]

IS for ballistic builds. Clan for SRMs. Both are strong with lasers.

I've been on an SRM kick lately so I've been piloting the IIC-B

[John1352]

They're so different, but retain certain characteristics. The Innersphere Hunchback is a standard engine mech, meaning that it is tonnage starved. With the structure quirks it becomes one of the toughest mediums in the game. The clan XL engine is too good to pass on with the IIC, giving it near timberwolf pod space. The size and shape of the side torsos make them very easy to isolate, so without structure quirks it is fragile. Both get some very high hardpoints and can ridge peek brilliantly.

I'd have to say I think the HBK-IICs are better for general use. Jumpjets, clan XL and the improved endo and ferro outweigh the innersphere's advantages. With that said, there are situations where I would bring the innersphere versions, mostly for the damage sponge abilities,

[Zephonarch II]

I'm about to elite and keep the Missile variant and the Ballistic variant for the HBK-IIC with the 2B,4E hardpoint distribution. They are glass cannons, they make me feel like I'm supposed to tank with a big volley/big alpha with only the armour of a Medium mech. I hated it a lot at first, and then I bought xl-engines that made it about 81km/h fast without speed tweak.

AC20 builds:
For the most part, if you just use 1 Ballistic slot for an AC20/LB20x build and equip it with backup lasers then add an Xl-engine. You got what you probably wanted on the IS-Hunchy:
A long-lasting LB20X-AC-Hunchy that could also use CAP, AMS with 3-4 small clan lasers. It's my favourite version of the Hunchy, but the design is freakin horrible. It's LB20X-AC build is probably better than the IS-AC20 build.

Streak-Hunchy:
The Streak-Hunchy has given me great pop-tart games with a good speed. But still it can be cored in one good alpha strike, so don't feel obligated to be the rushing-god of your team... leave that to the heavy/assault you're supporting.

Energy-Overheating-Waste of time build:
The Energy-Hunchy(A variant) is terrible. I've overheated so many times in it I've wanted to throw it away for a Nova/Blackhawk. (((An Energy Clan mech with Quirks)))I named it brantGormley... and I don't know why I say that, but Gormley is the worst Clan mech I've piloted. And I've gotten near mastering the Summoner/Thor before selling them all, they're not worth the time.

Tips:
Good tips I got for pilots who may try this: Stay out of the line of fire. Support your team while pretty much hiding behind/beside your team. Get a fast 80-90km/h Xl-Engine, or max it to make it a bulky Light mech... Don't bother keeping it slow, it's not worth it. And you many get decent 500damage games.

Edited by Zephonarch II, 14 March 2016 - 08:03 AM.

[process]

Even without quirks, the IIC feel so much better. I can run all of mine with an XL275 and full jump jets for maximum maneuverability, without feeling like I'm compromising on loadout. A side-by-side comparison shows the IIC also has a favorable profile despite having two hunches, and their arms seem to be larger and tank damage better.

I would go as far to say the IIC may be the best Clan medium at the moment, at worst a close second to the Stormcrow.

The IS Hunchback's quirks and autocannons are good, but the dependence on slower, standard engines means you have to play them a little more deliberately since you can't run and jump your way out of a bad situation like the IIC version.

[PeeWrinkle]

For me there is no comparison between the two. The Clan IIC's out strip the IS Hunchies considerably.

The only thing the IS Hunchies have going for them are the quirks to armor making them a bit tougher. While the Clan IICs seem much more fragile, I found myself realizing it was not as significant as I originally thought. In an IS Hunchie losing a ST usually happens quickly since opponents tend to focus there (lets face it thats were the weapons are). Once an ST is gone you are pretty much neutered.

So the Clan IIC's ability to run an XL, have more Speed, have more HS, have more Firepower are what really makes the difference for me.

[mogs01gt]

DrnkJawa, on 13 March 2016 - 06:25 AM, said:

So now that we had time to compare sizes, i would like to know your opinions on the Hunchback IIC compared to the original one.

Which Hunchback do you think is superior and why?
Personally for me the HBK IIC was a fun mech to mess around with, but i go back to the original HBK 4G simply because of that godlike AC20 and how great the cockpit looks.

If clan ballistics werent such a failure, the Clan Hunchie would wreck face.

[Shadey99]

The none ballistics IIC Hunchies are very strong, at least if you play up to the role as a close in 'brawl' heavy striker. Basically you need to play as much as possible to avoid the fire of the big heavy mechs (like Timbies and DWFs) that can do at least as much damage as you. Or work with a partner and shoot the same thing at the same time. SPLs, ERSLs, or SRMs can be absolutely brutal in the numbers the IIC Hunchies can pack them. So you can strip most of the frontal armor from an enemy mech with one shot. A pair of IIC Hunchies can literally one shot a DWF in concert. But even better is when you manage to get around behind the enemy and tag those yummy yummy rears...

However, the face time needed for clan ballistics ruins UAC and AC Hunchie IICs. LB-X is slightly better as far as that goes, but spreads damage. If you could actually fire 2xLB-20X at once and not heat up like a 8 MPL build, this would be different. Sadly this isn't so.

The lack of structure quirks also hurts the IIC Hunchies. Very few battles do I not lose at least one side torso because they are huge targets. In fact I think I've been CT killed once, because the sides are just that easy to hit the CT becomes hard. It makes them a bit like the Jenner IIC or IS Locust. As long as you take out more tonnage then yourself you won, living to the end doesn't matter. Which is actually a bit like they were used in lore.

The IS Hunchie is a strong fighter, but vastly different in roll. The IS Hunchie is more a support mech and typically lacks the raw power of the IICs. However, they are very good at their job and have useful quirks that enhance them well. I was never a bit fan of the G, but the GI, J, P, and SP are all very useful supporting a group.

[The Schwartz]

Hmmm been falling in love with the IIC hunchies.. i own all the hunchies ... been a hunchy freak sense i got my first battletech action figures. As such here's my thoughts.... and well everyone has them but, anywho.
4g vs IIC 3ML and ac/20 vs 2c/Mpl 3c/mgs and uac/20 (i have a thing for hunchies having a big gun)
3 ML one on the head.. it's a bit of a pain to pin point that damage in the middle of battle and that ac/20 is brutal with the refire but,
here's my thoughts... 3ml = 15 dmg and ac/20.. well is 20.. so 35 on the alpha, 2c/mpl is 16 dmg, uac/20 pretty simular in damage output when you take the 4g's quirks into consideration AND you get machine guns.. because.. why not... (love to brawl in the lava pit) and... jumpjets...whhhaaaatttt..... Yes it's not as durable but, easier to spread damage and well...max engine, so it's faster than the 4g builds.

4p vs IIC-a? the energy one.. i forget.. well 4p rocks the microwave oven for sure... but, can't really use ALL the slots for medium lazers (like back in the day) well you can but no more easy bake double alphas.... even if ghost heat wasn't a thing 45 dmg alpha. Clan cloning technology gave ya 8 ErML for 56, but in a straight shootout the 4p may edge it out if both are in 4p range due to dps quirks.... my build is 2x erppc and 6x c/spls for 20 + 6x6= well... 56 again... but that range.. and jumpjets and speed.. little slower than the 4p when done this way.. but.. that range.. and that close up dps.... to me... it feels more hunchback like. (ie big gun that does burst damage) while maintaining brawling ability.

4sp and 4j vs IIC-b... well there's one strong point right off the bat... 2 mechs in one.. want lurms? put them on.. plenty of room... want srms? sweet doooo eeettt... 5ml and 2x srms pretty sweet but, that headmounted ML again.. usually ends up just generating more heat than useful damage... that srm6 refire though... well... yeah.. brutal.. brawling though.. burst damage and torso twisting... maneuverability. 4xsrm6's keep pace with the dps of the 2xsrm6's of the sp... but toss on a ct erppc suddenly you got that extra 10 damage.. pinpointed.. in that hailstorm of srms... to hit that one vital spot... and not COMPLETELY useless at long distances..oh right.. jumpjets too... brawling toe to toe though.. it'd be tough to say the 4sp wouldn't mop the floor with his cloned brother.. long range.. simular story, 4j 6xML and 2x lrm 10's with an extremely fast refire.. and that mob of missles.. those glorious shiny missles... well.. the IS counterparts are just better. unless jumpjets would have been useful.. then ... not..
(i use jumpjets for everything from pop tarting, spreading damage, to tieing my shoelaces)
IIC-C though... 2x uac/10s AND arm mounted guns with ct guns... omg can actually use erMLs and manage heat very easily.. 20dakka 40dakka 28pew pew so like 68 damage ... just now... as you read that.. slow.. but, jumpjets... 78kmh is my build..

Anywho, missles IS hands down... the rest.. well... it'd depend who could aim better...or pilot better... those jumpjets imo give ya the edge over the extra structure imo...

[Dakkaface]

I generally prefer the IS Hunches. The -4G compared to the IIC is more durable, and while it doesn't kick out as much of a punch, the IS AC's make it better for skirmishing with. The cooldown and durability quirks make it superior, as well as having arm mounted weapons to shoot down UAV's.

The -4P and -IIC-A are almost equal - but the -4P edges out the -IIC-A. The -4P's laser quirks make for crazy short bursts with medium lasers, and it's a beast in short to mid range skirmishes. I run my IIC-A with 6 SPL and 2 ERLL - it's more contributory at all ranges but runs pretty hot and isn't optimized for any range. Plus, again, the arm mounts let you shoot down UAV's.

The -4SP is almost the equal of the -IIC-B, but the latter barely edges it out for having a nastier straight alpha, even though again - the arm lasers on the IS give them more utility.