7 replies to this topic

[ContingencyPlan]

I already own a 4SP and I love it very much. I know I need to get another HBK soon to start working towards unlocking the elite mech skills for it, and I really do like the HBK chassis enough to not have any immediate desire to move over to something else. So I'd like some input as to which should be my next one. I know I want to experiment with autocannons which leaves the 4H and 4G. From what I can tell the 4G was designed to run ACs as its main weapon while 4H is primarily a laser boat with a single AC for a quick burst of high alpha. But that doesn't tell me enough about the advantages/disadvantages of each one. So can anyone please go into detail about these two?

[TruePoindexter]

Your assesment is correct. The 4H is a smaller CTF-1X where the 4G is a smaller Ilya - choose if you want to support energy or ballistics.

Otherwise they share the same issues and perks. The shoulder mounted ballistic is easy to aim and lets you fire it form cover easily. The large sides and large shoulder make the mech unsuitable for XL engines and reduce the life expectancy of any weapons in the right torso.

Both are solid and it really comes down to your own preferences.

[Najek Yuma]

I have a 4H, a 4P, and a 4SP. I've run my 4H with 5xMLs and with either a 200 + Gauss or 250 + UAC/5. I like the pinpoint sniping ability of the Gauss, but the speed and gauss fragility make it tough to thrive in close quarters (as all matches seem to end up). The AC/5 build has the advantage of speed, but a comparatively low alpha and the constant UAC/5 spam seems to make people see you as a threat so they focus fire on you. I feel like the Hunchback chassis isn't quite heavy enough to mount ballistics effectively. A dual UAC/5 on a 4G could be interesting to play with, though.

I personally prefer the 4p, even over the 4SP -- my 4P is outfitted with 6x small lasers, 3x MLs and a standard 250. It's quick, and the 6xsmalls put out almost as much damage as an AC/20 for a lot less weight and less worries about ammo/convergence/firing delay issues. Plus, it seems like people see the small laser burst and discount you as a threat. I can fire the 6xSLs by themselves in close combat for a long time before heat becomes a real issue, dealing 18 damage every 3 seconds and adding in the MLs for range work or alpha damage. The 4SP with 5xMLs + 2 SRM6's is a better heavy/assault hunter with its crazy-high alpha, but it suffers against lights and other mediums due to the spread of the SRMs. The 4P is a better all-rounder in my estimation.

[Davers]

The 4P is an all energy loadout. It's a lot of fun. I run mine with a standard 260 engine, 9 Mlasers, endo, DHS, and AMS with 1 ton of ammo.

The 4H is better than a 4G, since it can do everything the 4G can do, but has more options (more hardpoints).

But having a 4H, 4SP, and 4P gives you the full spectrum of the Hunchback experience! The Hunchback has always been my favorite mech, and my 'go to' chassis for solid, reliable performance.

[Nexus Omega]

I love my 4P, it is a great mech, I run mine with a 260 6 medium lasers and as many DHS as will fit, plus a tag in the head.

Can fire around 7 times before it over heats, most mech's go down in 3-4, if you hit them.

I tried the 3x Ballistic hunch but could never make it work, every weapon(s) I put in there seemed to explode, plus i was to slow.

I am Looking at getting a 4SP next myself,
I agree with Davers, give the 4H a try If you want a ballistic, there to heavy to mount multiple on a fast medium mech.

And you can save the best (4P) till last

[slayerkdm]

In the end, its what you like to fire and fight with. I run my goofy 3mplas/3mg G most of the time. Its looked at as a joke, but well, I had 5 kills and then 1094 damage in a winning conquest, next game, 2 kills 384 damage. I think its comes down to what you enjoy (ps, I have losts of no kill low damage games also). I have all the hunches, I think the SP and P are strongest, but frankly, I dont play them much. Dont overlook pulse lasers, they concentrate damage better than mediums.

[Tarmac]

My 1st buy was 4sp, but I wanted to level it up a bit, so I got the 4g, and the 4j. My plan was to not spend a lot of money upgrading these 2, and sell them when I had unlocked the master slot on my 4sp. But that quickly changed when I got my hands on the 4g. The AC20 is the most fun you can have with your clothes on, and now that they have speeded it up, it's even better.

[Indolo]

Regret my 4G. I couldn't find a way to fit in anything that was equal to what I could do with my 4SP or 4P. It felt like the tonnage was just light for trying to do autocannons. Could be personal bias along the lines of not liking the AC/20 cooldown combined with the wonky firing delay/trajectory issues with ballistics. Prefer faster ACs to offset the odd shots. When they fix that, I might be interested in AC/20.

Love the 4SP (mlas and streak or srm6) and 4P (9 mlas). If I were to do it over again, I'd go with the 4J as my third.