24 replies to this topic

[slayerkdm]

So as an exclusive Hunchback driver, I started out building for firepower, then durability. So that meant slow mech. I started to believe Hunchs need speed, so I abandoned durability (use xl engine) and built around speed and firepower. With the advent of new heavy and assault choices, I'm not longer convinced my firepower and speed is greater than durability theory. It takes too long to kill the big guys, and if you lack ECM, you are always targeted as a Hunch.

So what is everyone doing these days. Seems a mixed bag, but for the more dedicated Hunchback, or maybe even medium drivers, what are you priorities?

[Gtbuck]

So far my favorite has been a SP with 5 mlas, 2 srm 6 and a 250 std engine. With speed tweek I'm hitting 89kph and deliver quite a bit of damge. Just enough speed to hit and round a corner, or hit and run behind most heavies and assaults. I've had quite a few 4+ kill matches and topped 1k in damge a few matches and I really consider myself an average at best pilot.

[slayerkdm]

Well, that is my average results with my SP, though I run it with an XL. That seems like it would run pretty hot, I build my mechs for continous fire.

[Dead Fury]

I dont know about you, but my Hunchback 4P has all 3, at least to me it does. It has speed, firepower, and durability.

[Raso]

I use a 4SP with 4 medium lasers, dual SRM6s+Artemis with 2 tons of ammo, an AMS with 1 ton of ammo and a STD250 engine. I also pack in double heat sinks and endo steel to find the weight for all of that. I ran around with a STF 200 for the longest time but now that I have tasted the speed I fear I shall never go back. I think the only armor I stripped was a little bit from the legs.

[kaeh]

I run the 4SP with 2LL/2ML/2SRM6 with 260XL engine.
That is speed + firepower, I was using before for a while the Gtbuck config, but with the 260 standart engine and 1ML less.
Although that one gave me more durability, for my playstyle it meant no much, made me go with less care and die even before that I usually do with XL engine.
The fact is this: If i play well and team up I usually survive, I play bad, switch the hero mode on and go by myself getting into situations that surpass me I die. And that works the same with every mech you pilot. Personally I tend to go on hero mode more with ST engine, XL makes me work with care, so for me it means survival (that and an Alpha strike of 58 that **** backs).

[Ascendent]

With the drops being very tonnage heavy and the popularity of cataphracts for many of the prior hunchi roles, I find speed for hit and run or scout hunting to be even more important to survivability than ever before. I'll run the occasional 200 engine for certain builds, but generally I don't go under a 245. STD or XL depends on build and variant. The rest depends on mech role (and variant) In general I see the best roles for hunchsi now as direct-indirect fire support following assaults, hit and run, or scout hunting. As usual though anything goes as long as its fun. Its amazing sometimes the things you can make work. So have fun.

[Raso]

kaeh, on 24 December 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

I run the 4SP with 2LL/2ML/2SRM6 with 260XL engine.

Several people did not believe me when I told them I could fit dual large pulse lasers with SRM6s in my 4SP. And here you have done it with an engine that's nearly 2 tons heavier than the one I was using AND with medium lasers for good measure! God I love the 4SP!

[TruePoindexter]

Here's what I'm running on my Hunchback's currently:

2 AC5 3 ML
Hunchback 4G: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f8e1abac886a5bb

2 PPC 3 ML
Hunchback 4P: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e6132695416d18b

5 ML 2 SRM4
Hunchback 4SP: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...dc04980502a3a96

With Hunchbacks I consider it a necessity to mount a standard engine and not XL. Because of this you do have to in most cases sacrifice mobility or firepower. As I consider Hunchbacks to be "rear guard" mechs most of the time mobility is sacrificed. The missile based loadouts on the 4SP are the exception to the rule.

Edited by TruePoindexter, 24 December 2012 - 11:50 AM.

[Void Angel]

slayerkdm, on 24 December 2012 - 10:08 AM, said:

So as an exclusive Hunchback driver, I started out building for firepower, then durability. So that meant slow mech. I started to believe Hunchs need speed, so I abandoned durability (use xl engine) and built around speed and firepower. With the advent of new heavy and assault choices, I'm not longer convinced my firepower and speed is greater than durability theory. It takes too long to kill the big guys, and if you lack ECM, you are always targeted as a Hunch.

So what is everyone doing these days. Seems a mixed bag, but for the more dedicated Hunchback, or maybe even medium drivers, what are you priorities?

Both. I have my brawler variant, Quasimodo, with maxxed engine and maxxed armor ('cept the legs; no one tries to leg a hunchback.) I currently run six small lasers for close-in damage, and an ER large laser in order to have something to do before the general melee erupts. I'm thinking of modifying this setup; possibly going with a medium laser array - but modifying my Atlas is taking most of my C-bills at present.

For a mobile fire support role, I have Lumpy, with two LRM 15s and a couple of medium lasers as backup. And TAG. Anyone who can spare the laser slot should use TAG, with the exception of dedicated brawlers.

Edit: in neither of these builds do I use an XL engine; I'm thinking about going there with Lumpy; he could benefit from more long-range firepower. Quasimodo, my brawler, does not use XL; I take too much damage to give my enemies the opportunity to side-core me to death. =) Also, Lumpy's upper armor slots are maxxed as well.

Edited by Void Angel, 24 December 2012 - 11:03 AM.

[Elizander]

slayerkdm, on 24 December 2012 - 10:08 AM, said:

So as an exclusive Hunchback driver, I started out building for firepower, then durability. So that meant slow mech. I started to believe Hunchs need speed, so I abandoned durability (use xl engine) and built around speed and firepower. With the advent of new heavy and assault choices, I'm not longer convinced my firepower and speed is greater than durability theory. It takes too long to kill the big guys, and if you lack ECM, you are always targeted as a Hunch.

So what is everyone doing these days. Seems a mixed bag, but for the more dedicated Hunchback, or maybe even medium drivers, what are you priorities?

I've been watching some NGNG videos on Youtube where they did 8v8 and they brought along Centurions and Hunchbacks. They did pretty well in some games so you should check those out.

Currently leveling my Dragons so no time to play Hunchie, but I do plan on buying the other 2 variants I'm missing (already have 3) someday.

[Wu Ming]

I have been running Hunchbacks as my first mech. Building the pilot EXP helps a lot, with speed boosts and torso-twist being the biggest improvemnts.

My rules of thumb for all Hunchbacks are...
-Never get the EXL engine, Hunchbacks already have the giant shoulders to lose arms, no need to add another "kill me" location
-A larger engine is however needed, say 240-260 range. Once you are over 84 KSP, you can hang back, wait for the big boys to start firing and then move in for the take down. You are also fast enough to Cap or breakoff and prevent a base-cap.
-You wont get many kills but it is easy to have 7-8 assists per game. Typically the Alpha Strike isnt high enough to make the kill, or not before some heavy hitter beats you to it. Again, speed helps get to each fight. You can get a pretty good Alpha with AC's or PPC, but I aim for 350-600 Damge in a match ( and living till the end! ).
-Never try to be the solo LRM-boat for your team.
-3 AC2 is fun... but next to no damage..

[Wrenchfarm]

Classic 250STD, 5MLAS, 2 SRM6+ammo is the gold standard for Hunchie domination. However, I've had a ton of fun with 250STD, 4 MLAS, TAG (head mounted), 2x LRM10, ammo (3 or 4 tons). You move around super quick, TAG lets you lock through ECM, and the LRMs do sweet damage. Never fire them beyond 500m and you'll waste a lot less ammo.

slayerkdm, on 24 December 2012 - 10:22 AM, said:

Well, that is my average results with my SP, though I run it with an XL. That seems like it would run pretty hot, I build my mechs for continous fire.

If your "average" results are 1000 + damage with 4 kills, why the heck are you asking for improvements? Also, gah, internet people.

[Orgasmo]

For a Hunchie, speed is durability. You are never going to win going toe to toe with a heavy (except the Dragon) or assault. Pack the biggest engine you can and run circles around your opponents. Or whack those annoying lights with your 5X ML.

[slayerkdm]

If your "average" results are 1000 + damage with 4 kills, why the heck are you asking for improvements? Also, gah, internet people.

I think I agreed with another poster who stated he had toped 1k a couple times. I never said I averaged 1000 damaage, but I see how it looks like that is what I meant, I was unclear. I have topped 1k twice with my SP once with my G. My G only runs 3mplas/3mg. Big damage really just means you lived a long time, and some would argue shot innacuratly. lol.

Smile, "internet" people, like yourself partner? I think if you look at any of my posts about Hunches, I dont claim averageing 1k in any of them.

[sarkun]

Speed IS durability. Hunchie can take an alpha or two and still be in a good shape, but the ability to disappear quickly behind cover is much better than another ton of armor. As for firepower, the 4SP's MLas + 2SRM6 combo is 50 damage. Doing 90 kph, it's quite easy to hit people in the back. Even assaults die quickly from such a barrage.

[Maksim Romanov Goldstein]

My favorite is 4G, using it since CBT. And through the time I've made perfect build for myself:
Endo
STD250 (81 km/h, 89 km/h tweaked)
304 FF (RL/LL 32, CT 52)
AC/20
4 AC/20 ammo
2ML
1SL
It's very good in city maps, with 4 tons of ammo you can stay enough long in battle with brawler role, speed advantage make you very maneuverable against heavies and assaults. Also you can slap down enemy scouts with one shot.

[Wrenchfarm]

slayerkdm, on 25 December 2012 - 03:43 PM, said:

If your "average" results are 1000 + damage with 4 kills, why the heck are you asking for improvements? Also, gah, internet people.

I think I agreed with another poster who stated he had toped 1k a couple times. I never said I averaged 1000 damaage, but I see how it looks like that is what I meant, I was unclear. I have topped 1k twice with my SP once with my G. My G only runs 3mplas/3mg. Big damage really just means you lived a long time, and some would argue shot innacuratly. lol.

Smile, "internet" people, like yourself partner? I think if you look at any of my posts about Hunches, I dont claim averageing 1k in any of them.

Looking at what you wrote, I have no idea how to interpret it as anything but "my average result is 1000+ damage." He says, "wow, I've even gotten 1000+ damage once or twice!" you say "that's my average." Seems pretty clear to me you were implying you get that kind of result on a regular basis. If you aren't comparing your performance to his, then what do you mean to say?

Sorry if you got offended, but it seemed like you were making a pretty tall claim and I stand by calling it out. I hate it when people inflate their war stories on the forums, it gives people unrealistic standards of how they should perform.

[Kiiyor]

Gtbuck, on 24 December 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

So far my favorite has been a SP with 5 mlas, 2 srm 6 and a 250 std engine. With speed tweek I'm hitting 89kph and deliver quite a bit of damge. Just enough speed to hit and round a corner, or hit and run behind most heavies and assaults. I've had quite a few 4+ kill matches and topped 1k in damge a few matches and I really consider myself an average at best pilot.

Amazing build. Don't toe to toe, wait for your opponents to engage some ponderous plodding fatty like an atlas or stalker, then use your superior speed to run around and kick as many people in the back as you can.

Same tactics I would use in the event of a zombie apocalypse. Hang around fat people, use my superior fitness to stay just far enough out of reach that the fatties look more appetising, and calmly cave in zombie skulls while they are enjoying their cheeseburger flavoured snack.

Hmmm... Brainwave! Next MWO fight I have, I AM GOING TO LEG A FRIENDLY ATLAS JUST BEFORE WE ENGAGE THE ENEMY, then lurk nearby in some bushes! Really tall bushes.

[Bagheera]

Maksim Romanov Goldstein, on 25 December 2012 - 10:16 PM, said:

STD250 (81 km/h, 89 km/h tweaked)
304 FF (RL/LL 32, CT 52)

Ah, so there's a reason to use ferro on my 4G. Love the std245 with the AC20. std250 is just going to be .... better.

I knew it could fit, but never spent any time thinking about why I would fit it.

Edited by Bagheera, 28 December 2012 - 09:43 AM.