11 replies to this topic

[Valrock]

So I'm relatively new to owning my own mech, and still trying to sort out what some of the bits and bobs are good for. Right now I'm running a Hunchie 4SP that looks something like this:

4 MLAS
1 MPLAS (head slot)
2 SSRM's (2 ton of ammo in legs, which I rarely run out of)

AMS (1 ton ammo)

10 (7) DHS, 1.13 HE

Endo Steel

As it stands now, I have the tonnage available to slot in a STD 245 engine, but I've heard a couple people mention that everything would be better with the 250. I could fit the 250 with a couple minor changes, but was curious to know what the actual bonuses would be over the 245? Is there a significant speed change? They both take up the same number of slots, and the cost isn't much different.

Thanks =D

[Lavrenti]

The speed difference will be negligible. The biggest bonus to my mind is that the 245 can only fit 9 heat sinks inside it, while the 250 can fit 10. This is important, because DHS function at 2.0 efficiency if they're inside the engine, but only 1.4 if outside. So the 250 is significantly better in terms of your heat efficiency. The 245 will not only be worse, but will require you to take at least 1 external heat sink (requiring an additional 3 crit slots).

[Antony Weiner]

STD 250 is THE Hunchback engine, for the aforementioned reasons (by Lavrenti) plus Hunchback and XL is a bad combination.

[Lavrenti]

As Anthony says, XL engines are very risky on Hunchbacks. It'll be ok if you stay a long way away from the fighting and just snipe or fire LRMs, but practically everyone has learned to take out the right torso on a Hunchy as quickly as possible. If you're running an XL engine when that happens, you'll be in spectator mode shortly afterwards. Stick with standards, unless you a) are desperately short of tonnage; b ) have 6 spare crit slots you can't find a better use for; and c) don't mind hefty repair bills.

With respect to heat sinks in engines, an engine can fit 1 heat sink inside it per 25 units of engine capacity. So a 100 engine can fit 4, a 200 fits 8, etc. The thing is that every mech is required to have at least 10 heat sinks, so if they won't fit in the engine you have to find room for them elsewhere. This is a bit inconvenient if you're using singles, but for the reasons I mentioned above it becomes a major issue if you're using doubles. So go for 250s or better whenever you can, or at the very least multiples of 25.

Edited by Lavrenti, 29 November 2012 - 01:33 AM.

[sarkun]

Don't listen to the naysayers. I run my SP with 260XL engine, with elite skills unlocked you do 90 kph. I actually dropped endo to have more space for double heatsinks. The XL allows me to cary tag, ams, and plenty of heatsinks so i can fire my lasers for a loong time. Sure, the repair cost is high when i die... but i usually take 3 guys with me (record: 6) so i'm yet to see a CB loss.

[Wrenchfarm]

I run my 4SP with a 245 STD and it's fine. Sure the 250 STD would be better, but I got the 245 with a Jenner so I saved a few bucks.

I did later pick up a 260 STD for my HBK-9 and CN9-A, it's very nice. Not sure if you could figure out a workable 4SP build with the extra weight though.

Edited by Wrenchfarm, 29 November 2012 - 04:51 AM.

[Wildhound]

250 STD is where it's at in my opinion, wouldn't put anything else in a hunchie. Gives you 10 DHS and 87.2 kph with speed tweak. It still leaves you with plenty of space for weapons.

4SP with a 250 STD can really tear up a battlefield.

[KrazedOmega]

I run my 4SP with a STD 245. It actually allows me to add another DHS which is a little more heat efficient. With the 245 I get 9 DHS in the engine and 7 in the crit slots versus a 250 with 10 DHS in the engine and only 5 in crit slots.

Now it's only a whopping 0.04 more efficient than the 250 but I think I'll take it over 1.8KPH in speed.

[Photonicus]

The 4SP was the first mech I bought, and I still have it after buying and selling several others. I run it with a standard 260, 5mpl and 2ssrm2 with 1 ton of ammo. DHS, endo, and ff. I run 90kph, fully armored, and can either pack a punch with a few 5 laser alphas, or wear them down by cycling the lasers and launching the ssrms. I tweaked the build a couple of times and this has been my favorite version by far. Close range brawler, I let a couple of mechs engage then charge in blazing or harrass near my heavies and assaults.

Edited by Photonicus, 29 November 2012 - 04:24 PM.

[Valrock]

Update: went with the STD 250. The increase in heat efficiency was awesome, so ended up dropping one DHS and switched out one medium laser, and now rocking 3 MLAS and 2 MPLAS, and still with the 2 SSRMS. Hasn't increased my alpha strike punch by much, but has given me a fair bit more damage over a long fight. Top speed is only 81kph tho, what is this "speed tweak" of which you speak?

Edit: Found the speed tweak, i dont have Elite tier unlocked yet.

Edited by Valrock, 29 November 2012 - 11:33 PM.

[Beijing]

I'm using the 4SP with 2 MLAS in each arm, 2 SRM6, DHS and 250 STD engine (nothing in the head).
When running hot, I try to circle the opponent and use the SRMs to cool down.
Works like a charm.

[Xenophontis]

Beijing, on 30 November 2012 - 01:45 AM, said:

I'm using the 4SP with 2 MLAS in each arm, 2 SRM6, DHS and 250 STD engine (nothing in the head).
When running hot, I try to circle the opponent and use the SRMs to cool down.
Works like a charm.

Yeap, I do the exact same. I run 4MLAS and 2x A SRM6's though. It's a total monster in a brawl. With ~90KPH and 50 damage Alphas I can make quick work of most people and am pretty speedy as well!

Running a STD 250.

Edited by Xenophontis, 30 November 2012 - 08:22 AM.