66 replies to this topic

[Owl Cutter]

If the HBK-4SP [replaces the big gun with two SRM-6 racks and two more lasers] is an option, though, then combining it with the -4G is a must!  As for the rest of the basic, classic "four series," my personal favourite would probably be either the -4P or the -4J. [five lasers and a pair of LRM-10 racks IIRC]  One is more straitforward, powerful and durable; the other is more flexible and versatile, which is its own kind of durability, really.  I prefer beams over guns in BT, but I also prefer bracket fire setups.  From an effectiveness perspective the -4P would probably be my first choice mainly because the single weapon type reduces decision load- a huge consideration in a real-time game, IMO, but there's so much I don't know yet I can't say for sure.  Heck, maybe the AC/10 or AC/5 will end up really shining, swaying my choice toward the variants that swap for those.  From a purely aesthetic perspective, at least, I like the way the weapons of the -4N slot together so neatly; as soon as you get inside the LRMs' minimum range, you are stepping into the AC/5's optimal range.  Then, if you get inside that's minimum, you're moving into the lasers' optimum.  Fun!

Edited by Owl Cutter, 19 May 2012 - 08:37 AM.

[Soviet Alex]

I'm with the Owl on this one; I really want to see the Hunchback-4SP as a launch variant. 2 medium lasers per arm & 1 SRM-6 per side torso gives you a completely unique hardpoint layout. Failing that, the -4J would do (2xLRM-10 right torso, more lasers). If I was to pick a Hunchback, it would be one of those for the mech-lab flexibility. Although the 3039 Kuritan variant with the gauss rifle is very tempting ("Crunchback"?)

[Redshift2k5]

you don't need a variant to get the gauss rifle, a gauss rifle fits just fine in the ballistic hardpont offered by the classic hunchback. SRM or LRM builds will need a new, as yet unseen variant though (but only one variant with any kind of missiles is required to open up both options).

[Sassori]

I'd rather go from LRM's to the AC-10 than to AC-5. If you're dealing with LRM's minimum range you're better off using that tonnage for an AC-5 to add more medium lasers and heat sinks since that's the start of medium range for medium lasers. That's one of the reasons why the stock catapult is so good. As soon as the LRM's cut out (essentially) you are now weapons go on the medium lasers to start smacking the target around for 20 points of damage.

These kind of builds are nice and a lot of people find them ideal. Total heat neutrality isn't necessary, just heat neutrality for all the ranges. For example: If I fire 2 LRM 20's and run that's 14 heat. So I need 4 heatsinks to neutral it at long range. At short range I fire 4 medium lasers and run, that is also 14 heat so still need 14 heat sinks to neutral it. If I fire the LRM's /and/ the medium lasers then I am going to jump up the heat ramp like crazy, but doing so isn't making the best use of your weapons since you'll either be inside minimum for the LRM's or at long range for the medium lasers.

This kind of thing shows the versatility of the mixed weapon platform, the ability to reach out and touch someone and a good in close punch.

[Tezz LaCoil]

I think I would go with the Swayback. Sure an AC20 can rip off an arm, but lasers offer a more long term fighting solution to any Mechwarrior. Personally, I usually have many lasers on my BattleMech, and one really good, hard hitting weapon with extra ammo. However, if I had to choose a Hunchback chassis, with its easy-to-target sections, I would go with weapons that more reliably inflict damage, and have no ammo restrictions.

I mean, if people are going to target my AC20 all the time, then what is the point of having it in the first place? Lasers seem less dangerous, but pack an equal punch when grouped.

[Morashtak]

Yoseful Mallad, on 19 May 2012 - 05:09 AM, said:

I must not be looking hard enough because I'm not seeing the 6 medium laser pattern of the swayback in that vid.

Go to the Mech Lab video. The -4P is the second on the list when Paul is choosing his starting Mech.

[ethnic minority]

Not sure if I'm correct on this one, but according to the videos, it looks like that the pilot will have to fixate and fire the laser to get the full damage potential of the laser. Therefore to get the full effect of lasers, one will have to fixate their reticle on the target for ~1 sec until the medium laser needs to recharge right? Pilots using the AC/20, on the other hand, can snap shoot - meaning that the full damage potential of the AC is delivered within a fraction of a second, and they do not need to fixate themselves upon the target given the non-continuous firing, slower-reload nature of the AC/20 - in the time immediately after shooting, the hunchback can maneuver themselves to relative safety.

If anything, the AC/20 hunchback will instill better habits in pilots than the swayback. Both snapshooting, shoot-and-scoot, and ammo conservation skills will be better practiced in the regular hunchy. The target-fixation required by the Swayback to get the full damage potential of those lasers will mean that the swayback pilot will need to expose themselves at closer-ranges for a longer period of time.

[Tyzh]

With Lasers doing their damage of a period of time, and knock-back effects of ballistics. The AC20 Hunchie could save his shots for when the Swayback fires his battery of lasers, jolting him during the firing period forcing him to scatter his fire. That could be a fun advantage. The Swayback could counter that by not alpha-striking constantly, but that still decreases his odds of landing his damage all in one place. Something that shouldn't be much of an issue for the HBK-4G.

[checker]

All good points but wouldn't the field of play dictate which mech a pilot chooses? A desert environment would not be condusive to a laser boat and a long range battlefield would not be recommended for an AC20 mech. The question I pose (in open server play) is will we know before we drop on the map the conditions or will it be "blind drops" where a pilot finds he has made a poor mech choice and is stuck for the duration? I am assuming that in organized battles the commander would know the map and it's represented terrain to define the optimal lance.

[Sassori]

Well right now we've only seen one map. So we don't know how variable the maps will be yet. Don't know if there will be urban settings, or different temperature settings either. There's a lot we simply don't know.

[Redshift2k5]

The Devs have teased 'testing a new map today' comments, and then we got two new images of an ice map(one in the mwo official desktop wallpaper, the other on the facebook page.) Temperature variation maps is pretty much confirmed

http://a2.sphotos.ak...776318692_n.jpg

Edited by Redshift2k5, 19 May 2012 - 01:09 PM.

[Sassori]

That's cool, but we also don't know what if any effect it will have on heat either Should be interesting, I hope it does add another layer of complexity to it.

[MarshmallowRampage]

The "Swayback" is the name given to Hunchbacks that use any weapon system other than the ac/20 and was coined back in the original 2050 tech manual due to the fact that using any other weapon system drasticaly alters the mechs profile. So if you change the AC/20 out for any other weapons you have made the swayback.

[Redshift2k5]

Rizartha, on 19 May 2012 - 01:21 PM, said:

The "Swayback" is the name given to Hunchbacks that use any weapon system other than the ac/20 and was coined back in the original 2050 tech manual due to the fact that using any other weapon system drasticaly alters the mechs profile. So if you change the AC/20 out for any other weapons you have made the swayback.

Which is not entirely true so far for MWO, the all-laser build Hunchback still has a very large weapon housing box for the right shoulder, it just has laser lenses on the front face, for a somewhat less dramatic shift in profile. Oh well.

[Angel of Annihilation]

I personally would go with the sway back because of the ammo. AC/20s just don't have enough of it and while they hit very hard, once the ammo is going, you have gutted yourself of 75% of your firepower on a hunchback. Same for most all the AC/20 -Gauss Rifle equiped mechs.

[Steel Talon]

When u shot 20 AC/20 shots & battle is still even, then u should
1. practice shooting
2. find better team

[eZZip]

steel talon, on 19 May 2012 - 04:29 PM, said:

When u shot 20 AC/20 shots & battle is still even, then u should
1. practice shooting
2. find better team

Precisely. You shouldn't need to carry enough ammunition to take out half the enemy team.

[Henchman 24]

trycksh0t, on 18 May 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

I'd stick with the -4G, personally. Yes, the -4P can theororetically hit for double damage, but only if you get all 8 lasers to hit. And they're going to spread damage all over the place. The -4G deals less raw damage, but it's much more precise damage, which I greatly prefer.

Lol, about as precise as lobbing a microwave oven at it when in close range, this isn't a surgical instrument, it's big, it's slow, and if you miss, it's costs you in more ways than one.

It will however, make you soil your jumpsuit when your armor goes bye bye.

[Mechwarrior Buddah]

Cant remember where but the devs have said they were getting killed in their swaybacks lol

[Sovery_Simple]

AC/20 hunchback for sure, no worries about heat (hit me with that flamer all you like, I'm still lobbing a metal bathtub through your cockpit.) Plus, you have to remember, Ultra AC/20's will come out eventually, and I'll be wanting me one of those bad boys to play with.