19 replies to this topic

[Lazy Traveller]

I mostly enjoy laser vomits.
I agree that the new meta of 2 large/lpl + 6 er-med is sprawling like an infection and I get it why PGI want to nerf it.I run it myself (on my Grasshopper).

But what about plain and simple build like hunchback 4P with 7 er-med?

It's my most favourite build because of balance between speed,range, firepower and dps.
The alpha is laughable 35 dmg and original dps of around 4 is also not much but by being able to fire three-four times and then relocate while cooling off, I'm rarely below 500 dmg on a match.

Well, I was. By increasing the cooldown from 3.35 to 4 it is now too slow for peeking/brawling.
Now it feels like I should go for high-heat high-alpha, but that's just not what I enjoy.

Do you have any ideas for a hunchback 4P build that could keep the above mentioned playstyle, or do I have to simply suck it up and look at other mechs?

Also: what energy alternatives did you incorporated into your builds to replace the now underwhelming er-med lasers?

[Bombast]

Honestly, the 4P has about one trick, and the recent laser nerfs were aimed straight at it.

Probably the only thing to do with it is switch to MPLx7 (Ditch AMS, drop engine to LFE250, trim all the arm armor off) or move on.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...21e21c777b86ca0

Edited by Bombast, 20 October 2017 - 08:42 AM.

[Bombast]

Or I guess there's also the other alternative - Cram two more ERMLs in there to improve your alpha and hope the increased cooldown with help you out.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...041ce87e672c316

[Lazy Traveller]

Bombast, on 20 October 2017 - 08:36 AM, said:

Honestly, the 4P has about one trick, and the recent laser nerfs were aimed straight at it.

That's exactly what it feels like.
To the mpl version: been there. Too close range for the right torso to survive for any reasonable time. You could just take the 275XL since losing the RT makes you a stick anyways. But then again, too close, too brawly -> not really my style and not the optimal style for HB-4P imho.

[Nightbird]

Try a 2snub ppc + 2ac10 or lbx10 warhammer for a while. Change of pace.

[Gwahlur]

Ugggh, didn't think about the hbk-4p... I've been running 9ml's on mine :/

[Lazy Traveller]

Bombast, on 20 October 2017 - 08:48 AM, said:

Or I guess there's also the other alternative - Cram two more ERMLs in there to improve your alpha and hope the increased cooldown with help you out.

That's the original build that I went with. It's just that part of quick repositioning was to help the team against the missiles.
I will get more damage and c-bills and whatnot, but my team will suffer overall.

Edited by Lazy Traveller, 20 October 2017 - 09:09 AM.

[Champion of Khorne Lord of Blood]

For brawling medium pulse lasers all day: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...cc4b3c01d833410

For high alpha:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2f3a1e37bcf2cbf

Its not really brawling if you're using a weapon that is effective at 400m.

[Mr Snrub]

What's your problem? Just strap on components with ballistic and missle hardpoints, jeez!

/s

[Lazy Traveller]

Mr Snrub, on 20 October 2017 - 09:25 AM, said:

What's your problem? Just strap on components with ballistic and missle hardpoints, jeez!

/s

Lol, that's exactly why I'm grinding now to buy an ebon jag. (And also after reflecting upon the FW roflstomp of IS )

[Bombast]

Ok, I was fooling around, and it occurred to me.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...92dde733bcc4688

ERMLx5
LPLx2
LFE275

The recent nerfs haven't just done nothing about Large/Medium Alpha dominance - They're making it more attractive.

[Gwahlur]

Bombast, on 20 October 2017 - 09:44 AM, said:

Ok, I was fooling around, and it occurred to me.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...92dde733bcc4688

ERMLx5
LPLx2
LFE275

The recent nerfs haven't just done nothing about Large/Medium Alpha dominance - They're making it more attractive.

Yeah, no kidding

Edit: Watching a vid... ERLL actually has shorter cycle than ERML now? Wth

Edited by Gwahlur, 20 October 2017 - 11:00 AM.

[Mole]

Gwahlur, on 20 October 2017 - 10:58 AM, said:

Edit: Watching a vid... ERLL actually has shorter cycle than ERML now? Wth

Yep. ERLL is 3.4 seconds. Regular ML is 3.5 seconds. And ERML is now an even 4 seconds. Dumbest **** I've ever seen.

As for the OP's question, have you tried switching to regular MLs? I know that it won't bring you back to the level you were at but my 4P is one of my favorite 'mechs as well and it operated just fine with regular old medium lasers until new tech came.

[Mechteric]

Longer cycle times don't prevent you from being a peeker, it only hurts in brawling.

[Shifty McSwift]

CapperDeluxe, on 20 October 2017 - 12:32 PM, said:

Longer cycle times don't prevent you from being a peeker, it only hurts in brawling.

Maybe that was the point though? I ask because I am not sure, not trying to sound condescending or anything.

[Lazy Traveller]

Shifty McSwift, on 20 October 2017 - 12:36 PM, said:

Maybe that was the point though? I ask because I am not sure, not trying to sound condescending or anything.

That was the point.
My usual playstyle was to use the range of er-med in the early stage of the fight for peeking and then, when a push begins, switch to brawling role upfront with the assaults.
Use the 6 slot hunch for shooting from behind the assaults (with perfect convergence there is little worry of friendly fire), while providing ams for the team.
When my armor is spent or the heat is too high, run off to find a good peeking spot for enemies out of position. Also, If the push stops, or there is a chokepoint, step back and look for enemy peekers that you can supress with the range of er-meds.

Peeking style in QP means that when your teams pushes, you struggle to get a good shot while they brawl meters from the enemy.
Brawling style means that for the first third of the game you stand and wait for the push and after the push the peekers have free shots at you.

This way I get the fun of early peeking and the thrill of brawling.

Edited by Lazy Traveller, 20 October 2017 - 01:05 PM.

[VitriolicViolet]

its frustrating, the Black Knight wasnt doing well anyway and now its even worse. i can understnad wanting to change lasers but CD does nothing about the main complaint of high alphas. now all my IS mechs that are E hardpoints only have been boned.

Edited:any mechs using MLs as backups are also screwed my Enforcer's AC/20 fires faster than its 4 backup lasers

Edited by VitriolicViolet, 20 October 2017 - 01:01 PM.

[Lazy Traveller]

Mole, on 20 October 2017 - 12:17 PM, said:

As for the OP's question, have you tried switching to regular MLs? I know that it won't bring you back to the level you were at but my 4P is one of my favorite 'mechs as well and it operated just fine with regular old medium lasers until new tech came.

As I described above, the range is necessary for my prefered playstyle.
However, after playing some more games, I got in tune with the increased cooldown and my performance is high again.
Not as much as before but the heat in the brawling phase is limiting me more than the cooldown, so it's not that pronounced.
It's just that I can't do the quick 4 alphas initial burst when I'm cool.
Or when I get to the back of some assault, it was usually two or three alphas before he twists. Now it's one or two.
I rely more on hugging corners close to the enemy now ... so like close range peeking?

[Magnus Santini]

Hunchnback 4-G ready to step in: AC20, 2x ERML (for shooting into ground anyway who cares about their cooldown).

[Lazy Traveller]

Yeah, tried that one too. Even with UAC20. Fun, but a bit too squishy. But FUN when you meet a medium face to face.