12 replies to this topic

[Sinistrum]

I've been trying to make my Hellbringer Prime I got with the Clans pack into a more playable mech.

The route I've ended up going is basically my Stormcrow Prime on steroids (5xMPL) with the Hellbringer having that plus 2xMG, 1xLRM20, ECM, etc.

For some reason, even though the Hellbringer has more armor than it or my Hunchback IIC, it seems a lot squishier than either of them. Is it just me, or does it seem like they are a bit cursed? It seems like I have to be a bit careful with it in a way I'm not with other similar mechs.

EDIT
So my initial idea was to pile on as much armor as I could, swap out the standard MLs and PPCs for MPLs, swap out the SSRM6 for a SRM6, pile on some heatsinks and treat it basically like an overgrown version of my Stormcrow. It doesn't seem to be working out all that well.

The second idea I had was to drop the targeting computer, the SRM6 and run a LRM15 and basically treat it like a goofy, ECM version of my Mad Dog with an extra MPL. This works okay, but when its time to go from LRM boat to closer in with the lasers, it seems to do worse than my Mad Dog, Timberwolf or Archer-C even though they have less MPLs. I even on a whim treated it like the hero hunchback, stuck an LB20X on it and ran some SPLs. Again, it seemed to do worse than the hunchback as well. The LRM version seemed to be the best so far- though I have debated trying ATMs instead.

The only explanation I can think of is it has a bigger hitbox than the Mad Dog with a poorer armor distribution that the Timberwolf, hence why it seems so squishy when its time to close in. It's a really cool mech and I want to make it work for me.

Has anyone figured out a good strategy to make this a more viable mech?

Thanks!

Edited by Sinistrum, 27 October 2025 - 08:01 PM.

[a 5 year old with an Uzi]

Sinistrum, on 27 October 2025 - 07:11 PM, said:

I've been trying to make my Hellbringer Prime I got with the Clans pack into a more playable mech.

The route I've ended up going is basically my Stormcrow Prime on steroids (5xMPL) with the Hellbringer having that plus 2xMG, 1xLRM20, ECM, etc.

For some reason, even though the Hellbringer has more armor than it or my Hunchback IIC, it seems a lot squishier than either of them. Is it just me, or does it seem like they are a bit cursed? It seems like I have to be a bit careful with it in a way I'm not with other similar mechs.

EDIT
So my initial idea was to pile on as much armor as I could, swap out the standard MLs and PPCs for MPLs, swap out the SSRM6 for a SRM6, pile on some heatsinks and treat it basically like an overgrown version of my Stormcrow. It doesn't seem to be working out all that well.

The second idea I had was to drop the targeting computer, the SRM6 and run a LRM15 and basically treat it like a goofy, ECM version of my Mad Dog with an extra MPL. This works okay, but when its time to go from LRM boat to closer in with the lasers, it seems to do worse than my Mad Dog, Timberwolf or Archer-C even though they have less MPLs. I even on a whim treated it like the hero hunchback, stuck an LB20X on it and ran some SPLs. Again, it seemed to do worse than the hunchback as well. The LRM version seemed to be the best so far- though I have debated trying ATMs instead.

The only explanation I can think of is it has a bigger hitbox than the Mad Dog with a poorer armor distribution that the Timberwolf, hence why it seems so squishy when its time to close in. It's a really cool mech and I want to make it work for me.

Has anyone figured out a good strategy to make this a more viable mech?

Thanks!

You are going to want to do podswapping. The Hellbie shines with the right pods.

hbr-prime

One example. Recommend pulling from Grimmechs for builds.

Edited by a 5 year old with an Uzi, 27 October 2025 - 08:06 PM.

[Sinistrum]

Is there something just wrong with them? Is the squishy-ness normal or is it just me? Is this an issue with the summoner as well?

[a 5 year old with an Uzi]

Sinistrum, on 27 October 2025 - 08:14 PM, said:

Is there something just wrong with them? Is the squishy-ness normal or is it just me? Is this an issue with the summoner as well?

To my understanding Hellbies are not horrendously fragile. Summoners seem durable in my experience shooting at them. Durability can be a function of how the pilot uses the chassis - are you staring too much, are you walking in the open and not using cover, are you making the best use of your mech's hitboxes, mobility etc.

[Sinistrum]

a 5 year old with an Uzi, on 27 October 2025 - 08:39 PM, said:

To my understanding Hellbies are not horrendously fragile. Summoners seem durable in my experience shooting at them. Durability can be a function of how the pilot uses the chassis - are you staring too much, are you walking in the open and not using cover, are you making the best use of your mech's hitboxes, mobility etc.

To be fair, I do tend to favor durable mechs- or for some reason mechs that have a certain ???? that keeps me from being torn to shreds. I did well for some time with Kit Foxes (which are squishy) the COM-D03 is how I learned how to play light mechs, I've had a great time with a ADR-A? with ATMs on it.
I even fart around with St. Ives Blues (the vindicator) and do better than I was with the Hellbringer.

I swapped in 3 ERLLs, 2 ERML and that seems to do better treating it as a long ranged mech.

Edited by Sinistrum, 27 October 2025 - 09:24 PM.

[Sinistrum]

UPDATE:

3ERML, 2HLL. Works like a champ.
I'll probably end up putting a HLL, LB10x and some sort of missile pod on the Summoner that came with the Clan pack too- it seems to have worked really well.

Edited by Sinistrum, 27 October 2025 - 09:23 PM.

[Aidan Crenshaw]

Sinistrum, on 27 October 2025 - 09:23 PM, said:

I'll probably end up putting a HLL, LB10x and some sort of missile pod on the Summoner that came with the Clan pack too- it seems to have worked really well.

Don't. The Summoner works fundamentally different to the Hellbringer. It's very mobile and agile, utilize its jumpjets. Focus on either dual UAC10s, ERPPCs or ATMs. Grimmechs Database is your friend here.

[simon1812]

hellbringer is notoriously under-armored, that's what we call a "glass cannon", are you the type that would trade survivability in favor of firepower? if the answer is "yes" then the hellbringer is for you.

"...with disgraced, solahma or even just overly aggressive warriors still finding its offense over defense focus desirable."

https://www.sarna.ne...llbringer_(Loki)

Edited by simon1812, Yesterday, 08:24 AM.

[BlueDevilspawn]

Sinistrum, on 27 October 2025 - 07:11 PM, said:

I've been trying to make my Hellbringer Prime I got with the Clans pack into a more playable mech.

The route I've ended up going is basically my Stormcrow Prime on steroids (5xMPL) with the Hellbringer having that plus 2xMG, 1xLRM20, ECM, etc.

For some reason, even though the Hellbringer has more armor than it or my Hunchback IIC, it seems a lot squishier than either of them. Is it just me, or does it seem like they are a bit cursed? It seems like I have to be a bit careful with it in a way I'm not with other similar mechs.

EDIT
So my initial idea was to pile on as much armor as I could, swap out the standard MLs and PPCs for MPLs, swap out the SSRM6 for a SRM6, pile on some heatsinks and treat it basically like an overgrown version of my Stormcrow. It doesn't seem to be working out all that well.

The second idea I had was to drop the targeting computer, the SRM6 and run a LRM15 and basically treat it like a goofy, ECM version of my Mad Dog with an extra MPL. This works okay, but when its time to go from LRM boat to closer in with the lasers, it seems to do worse than my Mad Dog, Timberwolf or Archer-C even though they have less MPLs. I even on a whim treated it like the hero hunchback, stuck an LB20X on it and ran some SPLs. Again, it seemed to do worse than the hunchback as well. The LRM version seemed to be the best so far- though I have debated trying ATMs instead.

The only explanation I can think of is it has a bigger hitbox than the Mad Dog with a poorer armor distribution that the Timberwolf, hence why it seems so squishy when its time to close in. It's a really cool mech and I want to make it work for me.

Has anyone figured out a good strategy to make this a more viable mech?

Thanks!

Hellbringers have typically been easy fast clan lasvom. Some of the sets of 8 are usable, off the top of my head Prime, B, F, and Viraigo.

For example, here is one example of the Prime so8 that is good; it uses the high torso mounts and ECM to minimize peek profile -
https://mwo.nav-alph...d6f20_HBR-PRIME

Most other builds are some variation of ECM lasvom. Below you'll see the 2HLL 6ERML and 2LPL 6ERML builds. You should always have AT LEAST 2 large something with 4 ERML in the torsos for compact high peek builds. You can add 1 and 2 more ERML in the arms as you get more comfortable.


https://mwo.nav-alph...75c86_HBR-PRIME
https://mwo.nav-alph...2b1ce_HBR-PRIME

[Sinistrum]

BlueDevilspawn, on 28 October 2025 - 09:26 AM, said:

Hellbringers have typically been easy fast clan lasvom. Some of the sets of 8 are usable, off the top of my head Prime, B, F, and Viraigo.

For example, here is one example of the Prime so8 that is good; it uses the high torso mounts and ECM to minimize peek profile -
https://mwo.nav-alph...d6f20_HBR-PRIME

Most other builds are some variation of ECM lasvom. Below you'll see the 2HLL 6ERML and 2LPL 6ERML builds. You should always have AT LEAST 2 large something with 4 ERML in the torsos for compact high peek builds. You can add 1 and 2 more ERML in the arms as you get more comfortable.


https://mwo.nav-alph...75c86_HBR-PRIME
https://mwo.nav-alph...2b1ce_HBR-PRIME

The So8 on the B seems to be absolute crap, but I could be totally missing something here. What have you seen work?

Aidan Crenshaw, on 27 October 2025 - 10:30 PM, said:

Don't. The Summoner works fundamentally different to the Hellbringer. It's very mobile and agile, utilize its jumpjets. Focus on either dual UAC10s, ERPPCs or ATMs. Grimmechs Database is your friend here.

We'll see, I'm going to give the Hellbringer B a bit of a try first before I dive into the Summoner. The platinum one looks like a fun ATM vomit.

[BlueDevilspawn]

Sinistrum, on 28 October 2025 - 09:59 AM, said:

The So8 on the B seems to be absolute crap, but I could be totally missing something here. What have you seen work?



We'll see, I'm going to give the Hellbringer B a bit of a try first before I dive into the Summoner. The platinum one looks like a fun ATM vomit.

The -B so8 is built as a high dps 1v1 glass cannon. 2 LB10X and 2 SRM2. The -F so8 has a similar dueling so8 build.

[Rosarius]

Sinistrum, on 28 October 2025 - 09:59 AM, said:

The So8 on the B seems to be absolute crap, but I could be totally missing something here. What have you seen work?

I bring you, the CHADbringer https://mwo.nav-alph...=4c51d448_HBR-B

Edited by Rosarius, Yesterday, 11:31 PM.

[KursedVixen]

slap on 6 med pulse lasers with ecm sneak up on someone and give them a good 42 points of damage this thing is a threat no matter what, unless you're dead as you'll always have at least 3 med pulse to poke someone with at medium range.. and remember those hot pulsers do 7 points of damage over 0.8 seconds(Default), just watch your heat

https://mwo.nav-alph...cfc7f_HBR-PRIME

Featuring shield arms!

Though i feel like there's a better CT for this one..

Edited by KursedVixen, Today, 05:54 AM.