25 replies to this topic

[Adrikk]

I've been using Shadow Cat's and am looking for a heavier medium.

I was intending to get the Stormcrow cuz it seemed to be best in scouting mode and could be adaptable to any situation with omnipods.

Also considering the HBK-IIc and Nova for their ability to put out good amounts of firepower and versatility.

[PAQUERA]

Stormcrow or HBK-IIC are very good mechs

[latinisator]

As usual, I recommend the Nova. Esp when you throw money at PGI and buy the Nova Hero (Breaker), you can go dakka (UAC/10 + 4 ERSL), missile (4 slots with the Breaker) and, of course, the Novas nature: energy boat. Plus it is relatively small and agile (jump jets).
Also, the Huntsman is pretty fun. Till now, you have to buy it with $ or wait longer till its C-Bill release.

[Nerokar]

Have no Xp with Stormcrow, but the HBK-IIC is a great chassis. I would recommend it...

With HBK-IIC you can run 2xUAC10 with smallbackup lasers or even dual Gauss is possible (slower then other variants)
With HBK-IIC-A you can boat lasers, laservomit, 4xLL sniper, MPL-spam or ERPPC jump and the best: all at ~95kph speed
With HBK-IIC-B you could "boat" ASRMs or play LURM... with nice 95kph speed

The chassis it self has extremly high hardpoints in Side Torsos and is JJ cappable. So this 3 variants can do a lot... the only two problems: You WILL buy a new XL engine at some point (~4mio CBillls) AND you need to know what playstyle you like. Cause it is a Battlemech. It has no Omnipods

[Lupis Volk]

2C HunchBacks are a great choice for a heavier Clan medium. Personally i'm leery of the Nova since they tend to boat lasers and run hot if not built right.

(there's a reason why i nickname my Nova as the Steamer)

Edited by Lupis Volk, 15 December 2016 - 02:48 PM.

[Jay Leon Hart]

Honestly, all of the heavier Mediums are solid choices.

Personally I'd recommend the Hunchback-IIC for the ability to customise the engine rating and Endo/Ferro. It allows you to squeeze out that little more tonnage, or more space, or more speed. I'd skip the C variant.

Next I'd say it's a tie between the Huntsman and Stormcrow, depending on what you want. Stormcrow is the faster of the 2 whereas the Huntsman gets JJs, 1 extra ton to work with and some nice, high torso mounts.

Lastly, the Nova. It's fun and it's a solid Medium, I just find the only thing it does better than the rest is boating Small or Medium ER or Pulse Lasers. The HBK, HMN & SCR are better for Missiles and the HBK & HMN are better for Ballistics and PPCs.

Edited by Jay Leon Hart, 15 December 2016 - 02:29 PM.

[Adrikk]

How do 2C Hunchbacks do in scouting mode? The Stormcrow I've seen plenty in scouting mode, the nova with SPLs also seen it work great in scouting mode.

[dabeda]

I always recommend the Nova, with a little firing discipline it can dish out ungodly amounts of damage, i might be a little biased here tho because i "wasted" money on a Gold Nova

[Adrikk]

Got the Hunchie 2C, solid mech, works well in scouting and invasion. Seeing that we got tonnage caps now, I'd say this is a good choice.

[Stf Sgt Marblez]

Knowing what little I do know about this game, either stormcrow, hunchback iic, nova, or huntsman- for real $. Im debating buying the hero nova just bc I want one

[N a p e s]

The Nova is awesome and though it does specialise in boating lasers it runs ERPPC poptart builds very well too.

It definitely takes a bit of practice to run the laser boat builds because range is often pretty limited, this really teaches you to become a mech-ninja. That being said rocking about 30 points of damage per arm on a mech that can cycle these shots efficiently is amazing and if you play it right the rewards are huge.

Concerning the poptart build, the Nova also benefits from quirks that increase projectile speed which is the main difference with the HBK IIC. Heat quirks aren't as significant a difference since the HBK can pack more DHS in a similar speed build.

Like others have said, the 50+ clan mediums are all pretty good so there isn't really a bad choice.

[Phra]

Nova for scouting.

[DerDutchman]

I'm more than a little confused on why the Nova comes up more often on this thread than the Stormcrow. Stormcrow moves faster, has the same number of lasers (12, well, 13 if you really wanted) and more heatsinks. It can't jump, but that's basically its only downside.

Granted I guess you can't use them in scouting anymore, so there's that, but I only play PUG.

[Leone]

So, the Nova can carry twelve lasers, and four machineguns, or twelve lasers and three ams and a flamer. Aside from the Daishi, ahem, the Direwolf, the Nova is the only other mech that hits the sixteen weapon hard limit the game has.

The Ryoken, I mean the Stormcrow can mimic the Nova, but it is inferior. Accept no substitutes.

~Leone

Edited by Leone, 29 December 2016 - 10:08 PM.

[Audacious Aubergine]

Also, they're dropping the tonnage limit for Scouting from 55t to 50t, meaning you won't be able to take a Stormcrow in the near future.
The HBK-IIC is a pretty good bet - very versatile chassis, with a variant for each of the three weapon types. I've had the most success in the -C with 2x UAC5 and 2x ERLL in the centre torso.

[Lupis Volk]

After playing the Huntsman today i'm rather enjoying them. They also fit in the new Clans CW Scouting drop deck.

[Black Lanner]

For FP Scouting, HB-IIC or Huntsman

For PUG- Linebacker, the Heaviest, most brutal Medium (or, rather thinks it is a Medium) in MWO.

[Mercworks]

The big perk of the Hunchback IIC over the Crow is that you can downgrade the engine slightly and put jump jets on it. The Crow is a great min/max chassis but the Hunchback has similar potential builds and a lot more flexibility.

[Burning2nd]

NOVA s

[Shu Horus]

With the look toward the changes comming on March 21st. The Huntsman ist the one to go.

While I really enjoy the Mech, the current Engine/Mobility dependencies and the complete lack of any mobility quirks makes the Huntsman even less mobile than most Clan Heavies.
In comparison to Hellbringer, Summoner or Timberwolf, the Huntsman currently feels a little as if moving through hip deep water all the time. But as far as I can say from the PTS, this is going to change a lot.

It's mobility gets quite up to the Stormcrow regarding turning and acceleration. Which means no more getting outmaneuvered by nimble lights. Combined with Jumpjets and quite some loadout this will be a really heavy hitter.

I do run the Pakhet in two versions:

2x ERLL + 4x SSRM

or

2x ERLL + 3x SRM6+Artemis + AMS

Both are performing pretty well.