27 replies to this topic

[D0m1n4t0r]

I was wondering which Hunchback I should buy, I've been doing alot of lasers and missiles lately so i wnted something with ballistics, so not sure which is the better variant, and i want variety, mostly heavy ballistic build but balanced with lasers would be nice too. thanks!

[theta123]

Had great times with the G model

[Ryft]

G will give you the widest range of ballistic options, so if you want to play around with ballistic weapons, go with the G.

H is more balanced, but you can try things like multiple ACs in a G.

[Spectre999]

Voted H.
I must say, I am biased against ballistic weapons and I think the triple slot will largely go to waste, unless you want to dink around with triple MGs... which quickly gets old.

Ballistic stuff weighs a lot, and you'll quickly realize that 3x AC2 has eaten up 20 tons which may have been better spent elsewhere, from my experience, it was better to just go with a single LBX or Gauss, especially on a medium mech which is not that generous with the available tonnage.

[Wrenchfarm]

I got the G, kinda wished I went with the H. More versatility is always a good thing.

[Falanin]

I likewise got the G and wished for the H. The AC/20 gets shot off way too easily, imo (though they say that's changing). I end up using an LB-10x and a pair of MGs.... at which point I may as well just use the bloody H, since pretty much anything is better than MGs.

(which makes me sad. I really liked MGs in the TT game.)

[Iram Dei]

Dual Ac-5 build is amazing. Therefore my vote goes to the G

[graewolf]

The H is almost strictly better than the G. The only thing the G gives you is the ability to mount 3x machine guns, or 2x AC 2 / AC 5, none of which are particularly good. The two extra energy slots on the H give you the flexibility to mount enough lasers that you don't have to completely rely on your ballistic weapon of choice.

[Hex Pallett]

I actually sold my G because I can't find a single viable build.

[Agent 0range]

I love my 4G only bought it because it is an iconic mechanism to go with missile versions. but the more I played it theone fhUN I had. I run ac20 2med pulse lasers and a med laser in the head with endo - steel and DHs. used as a support mech for heavy or assault trawlers.

[John MatriX82]

To me 4H is more flexible, I don't find any other build besides the dual AC5 for the 4G.. so 4H gives you plenty of backup weapons if you stick with a gauss or AC10.

[Lord Fiend]

I haven't even put dhs on my4g yet and I'm starting to love it. I think the key to ac/20 fun is having a fast engine. I have a 245 std and I'm considering trying out a 250 for the free heatsink and speed boost. You have to be able to move quick so you can stick the ac/20 where the sun don't shine. I regularly get over 300 damage. I don't know if that's good but it's good for me.

Edit: i don't average over 300 or anything. I certainly get popped trying to get behind heavies. I'm just saying it can be an effective build.

Edited by Lord Fiend, 22 November 2012 - 09:26 AM.

[Darius Otsdarva]

With either the H or the G model, it's important to remember to torso twist your hunch away from the enemy.

I learned to enjoy the 4G variant(primarily because I was stuck with it). I tried a variety of loadouts, including the outlandish triple AC 2 option but as an earlier user stated, that's a lot of tonnage you're probably not going to use well. The most viable build for me would have to be AC 20 with 3 medium lasers and as much rounds as you can cram in. I regularly get kills with it averaging 1 or 2 a match with varying damage.

It works best as an escort/ striker for your assaults and heavies. A single hunchback is not an attack force and you'll die very quickly if you try rambo.

4H probably is the better model however as 50 tons isn't much to work with in terms of 3 ballistics slots.

[LethalMezzle]

I'd say 4H. I'm pretty sure it has a smaller RT hitbox, and 3 ballistic hardpoints are mostly useless on the 4G.

At the moment I'm using a 4H with Endo-Steel, Double Heat Sinks, an AC/20 w/ 3 tons ammo and 5 Medium Lasers. Any extra space is for heat sinks. It's pretty effective.

Darius Otsdarva, on 22 November 2012 - 03:52 PM, said:

With either the H or the G model, it's important to remember to torso twist your hunch away from the enemy.

I learned to enjoy the 4G variant(primarily because I was stuck with it). I tried a variety of loadouts, including the outlandish triple AC 2 option but as an earlier user stated, that's a lot of tonnage you're probably not going to use well. The most viable build for me would have to be AC 20 with 3 medium lasers and as much rounds as you can cram in. I regularly get kills with it averaging 1 or 2 a match with varying damage.

It works best as an escort/ striker for your assaults and heavies. A single hunchback is not an attack force and you'll die very quickly if you try rambo.

^^ This is good advice.

I find that you do need to play the Hunchback quite passively initially until you can get within brawling range, hopefully when people are already damaged and you have backup. Then you unload your AC/20 rounds into their weak point and take them down.

Edited by LethalMezzle, 22 November 2012 - 05:09 PM.

[Fiachdubh]

Have not tried the H but find that the hit box on the AC/20 torso is far too big and often gets stripped within seconds of making contact so it is not very viable until that issue has been addressed.

[Mr Steik]

You can have my founders Hunchback... Seriously... Please jack this thing already!

[Depe]

I voted for H, i really like my Gaussback with 5x mlas

[Lavrenti]

I've played with both, and I like the 4H much more. The extra laser slots give it a useful secondary weapon fit, and the benefits of mounting more than one ballistic weapon are fairly minor. I've had good results with both an AC20 and a gauss. I'm not sure, but I think the hunch may also be less vulnerable than on the 4G - several times I've had my ballistic mount destroyed, but the torso lasers kept firing, which was a big help.

[Igorius]

I'm currently running an almost-stock -H variant, and loving it. The AC/10, while many people would argue is underpowered, etc., I find to be perfect for me. The only real changes I made was to upgrade to DHS, replace the head laser with a medium, and swap the two mediums in the torso for smalls. Chain the arms together, the AC on it's own, and the smalls and medium on a third button, and you've got a brawler that can dance with the best of them.

Does it lack the sheer wow power of the -G's 20? Yes, it does. I personally find the extra energy hardpoints gives me more options in close, or if I should run out of ammo in a prolonged fight. If you've got a steady hand, and pick your cover well, the -H is, pound for pound, the better choice. Not by much, mind, but enough to make a difference.

[Ryft]

Whatever you choose, the fact that you are settled on a hunchback is probably a good thing.

I piloted a Jenner before the open beta reset, and made the switch to hunchback afterwards. Having decided to master the hunchback, I can say that it's a very versatile series, with something for everyone. Additionally, you can make mistakes more easily on a hunchback, and it isn't costing you the same as with a more expensive chassis. It's a great mech for figuring out the different weapons, and figuring out your play style.

1) it can go pretty fast if you want a fast mech... you can push it to be the speed of a slower light mech at the cost of some weapon load outs.
2) it can brawl up close, with either a double pack of SRM6s, or an AC20, or a hunch-ful of little pewpewpew lasers.
3) it can stand back and be an LRM boat if you get the J variant.
4) it can be a sniper with a gauss, some AC2s, or PPCs.

Basically, there's a version for anything you might want to experiment with, and mastering the chassis gives you a wide variety of experience at only ~3.5 million cbills per mech. At that point, you figure out which model you had the most fun with, or were the best at piloting, and get something a touch more specialized.