32 replies to this topic

[AntiCitizenJuan]

My very first MWO mech, the Hunchback 4H, was sitting in my hangar for some time.
I really love it, I do. But that stubborn hunch is more trouble than its worth it seems.
Nothings worse than getting it blown off from peeking just a second too long and getting nailed by PPC/AC combos, effectively losing 80% of your firepower.

Faced with this predicament, I did what any avid lover of shitty mechs does; experiment.
Theorizing that if my hunch is destroyed, I am left with just 2 medium lasers, I came to the decision of equalizing the firepower of each side of the mech.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...adf6d39910753da

The 4H Strelok plays as a Medium support mech, able to comfortably fire its Large Laser and AC5 at their effective ranges for respectable firepower. As the enemy approaches, you can fire off your 4 Medium Lasers, but you have to be careful because this mech tends to run hot in prolonged engagements, so a cycle fire group or cool shot support is recommended for hotter maps. Alternatively, one could remove a ML for an extra DHS for better cooling.

Dispersing the concentration of firepower along the chassis, as opposed to consolidation in one area is both beneficial and problematic. The build is not without faults.

• Losing your RT, while still painful, does not condemn you to a fate of useless death fodder.
  
• Low slung arms means you will not always be able to fire your Large Laser from cover, a trait the Hunchback pilot should always attempt to take advantage of.
  
• Runs hot in close range engagements, as addressed above.
  
• Arguably low ammo count for the AC5,
  
• Slow for its tonnage. Not for its role as a support mech however.

Overall, The HBK-4H Strelok is a very balanced Medium Support mech.
Good for all ranges of engagement, but primarily as a mid-range assistant of heavier mechs.

I would at least recommend to Hunchback pilots to explore builds that utilize a heavier energy weapon in the left arm. You may find your little Hunchbro is more capable than once thought when the flak hits the fan (Right Torso) and your Hunch gets BTFO.

[Sug]

Unless my hitbox knowledge is out of date there's only a small piece of the hunch that counts as rear armor so most builds I've seen only put 2 points rear and the rest to the front.

[Bishop Steiner]

See, all this "zombie" builds talk (especially the Centy Nonsense) actually does have some validity with the good ol HBK.

That being the case, since it's a foregone conclusion your hunch is snatched, I feel the H really is a waste, as those extra 3 lasers.... all happen to be on the hunch side. So instead, I decided to run this: HBK-4Decoy

Yessir, let them snatch your hunch now! Yeah, you lose a bit of firepower (and more important, crit seeking) but boy won't they be surprised...cuz the big gun is in the LA! Order now, supplies are limited! Operators standing by! Baweepgranaweepninnibon!

Likewise, though actually more viable, is this: GRID IRON Decoy

All torso and head weapons are on one trigger, each arm get's it's own, as I like simplicity. The MGs and SRMs range well together, and while the laser has more range, it's not that big a deal. But lose the right torso, and you still are cranking an LPLaser, MLaser and aSRM6, which is a heck of a lot more pew pew (and wubwub and powpow)for your buck than your Zombie Cents pack around. All the while cruising a nifty 100 kph. (and finally doing something fun and different with a Grid Iron)
I call it "HulkSmash"

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 13 April 2014 - 09:43 PM.

[Turist0AT]

Not a hunchback pilot. But im curious.

Is that sufficent speed for you guys? 80, phracts are not far from that speed range.
Wont they catch and kill you?

The reason i ask is because the loadout looks great, just wondering if speed is a problem or not.

Edited by Turist0AT, 14 April 2014 - 02:29 AM.

[Triordinant]

Turist0AT, on 14 April 2014 - 02:26 AM, said:

Not a hunchback pilot. But im curious.

Is that sufficent speed for you guys? 80, phracts are not far from that speed range.
Wont they catch and kill you?

The reason i ask is because the loadout looks great, just wondering if speed is a problem or not.

275 is the biggest engine you can put in a Hunchback. Speed is at maximum.

[Curccu]

Triordinant, on 14 April 2014 - 02:41 AM, said:

275 is the biggest engine you can put in a Hunchback. Speed is at maximum.

OPs build has only 225, so it's not max engine.
Personally I like to have at least 250 engine to get 10 of those true DHS.
My HBK-4H build.

[Roachbugg]

the 4p and the sp run at 98 with tweak and a 275 engine my h runs at a decent speed with the 250

[Dracol]

The that speed is usually sufficient for the hunchback. If you are getting chased by a phract, you either don't have allies around or your the last lance mate left... either way, not a good spot to be in.

[Triordinant]

Curccu, on 14 April 2014 - 03:06 AM, said:

OPs build has only 225, so it's not max engine.
Personally I like to have at least 250 engine to get 10 of those true DHS.
My HBK-4H build.

I thought you were referring to Bishop's builds.

[Curccu]

Triordinant, on 14 April 2014 - 05:01 AM, said:

I thought you were referring to Bishop's builds.

Wasn't me and it is just my assumption (I know, assumption mother of all...), because OP's build goes 80.2 and Turist0AT was talking about 80kph Cataphract.

[YueFei]

Bishop Steiner, on 13 April 2014 - 09:25 PM, said:

See, all this "zombie" builds talk (especially the Centy Nonsense) actually does have some validity with the good ol HBK.

That being the case, since it's a foregone conclusion your hunch is snatched, I feel the H really is a waste, as those extra 3 lasers.... all happen to be on the hunch side. So instead, I decided to run this: HBK-4Decoy

Yessir, let them snatch your hunch now! Yeah, you lose a bit of firepower (and more important, crit seeking) but boy won't they be surprised...cuz the big gun is in the LA! Order now, supplies are limited! Operators standing by! Baweepgranaweepninnibon!

Likewise, though actually more viable, is this: GRID IRON Decoy

All torso and head weapons are on one trigger, each arm get's it's own, as I like simplicity. The MGs and SRMs range well together, and while the laser has more range, it's not that big a deal. But lose the right torso, and you still are cranking an LPLaser, MLaser and aSRM6, which is a heck of a lot more pew pew (and wubwub and powpow)for your buck than your Zombie Cents pack around. All the while cruising a nifty 100 kph. (and finally doing something fun and different with a Grid Iron)
I call it "HulkSmash"

I saw you running that build last night! My buddies and I were playing, but we were being stupid and YOLOing too hard so we all died like 2 minutes into the match on Forest Colony, LOL. But since I was dead I got to spectate you.

[Bishop Steiner]

YueFei, on 14 April 2014 - 11:24 PM, said:

I saw you running that build last night! My buddies and I were playing, but we were being stupid and YOLOing too hard so we all died like 2 minutes into the match on Forest Colony, LOL. But since I was dead I got to spectate you.

it's a horrible build, lol!

Curccu, on 14 April 2014 - 03:06 AM, said:

OPs build has only 225, so it's not max engine.
Personally I like to have at least 250 engine to get 10 of those true DHS.
My HBK-4H build.

my most effective HBack runs a 220 (was designed around a 215 actually, just didn't feel like buying one) and does fine.

It's a brawler, not a sprinter!

[Danghen Woolf]

Nice to see a fellow HBK pilot in here. I have to admit I have a soft-spot for my 50-tonners and the HBK will have to do until I can get my Enforcer (comes stock meta built), haha. Anyway, I tried my 4H in several flavors but have really enjoyed the AC/10 and MedLas combo with DHS. Tried with some MedPulse but did not like the stutter fire.

[Curccu]

Bishop Steiner, on 15 April 2014 - 05:13 AM, said:

my most effective HBack runs a 220 (was designed around a 215 actually, just didn't feel like buying one) and does fine.

It's a brawler, not a sprinter!

Yes, but it's not just about the speed you move forward with, it affects twist speed which means how long that hunch is going to stay where it belongs. +heat efficiency also like I said earlier.

[Bishop Steiner]

Curccu, on 15 April 2014 - 05:31 AM, said:

Yes, but it's not just about the speed you move forward with, it affects twist speed which means how long that hunch is going to stay where it belongs. +heat efficiency also like I said earlier.

I am aware of this. Yet my HBK-4G is still my most effective build. IMO; the twist rate on the HBK is pretty solid with almost any engine. Sure faster is nice (and technically, better) but not if it's at the expense of the firepower needed to compete, in some cases. For me, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and my 4G has consistently, since CB, done well with this setup, and is also the least likely to lose it's hunch (which is good, as without the hunch, it only has one laser left).

[Curccu]

Bishop Steiner, on 15 April 2014 - 05:33 AM, said:

my HBK-4G

Post da build.

[Bishop Steiner]

Curccu, on 15 April 2014 - 06:00 AM, said:

Post da build.

Ain't gonna impress ya, but it works for me (of course, I PUG, mostly, so instead of coordination, I gotta make my own luck too often.).
the Can-Opener

Simple breakdown. I know some will say put the RA laser in the Head (or even run 3 Mediums). I have my reasons for neither.

1) The 3 Mediums, ALWAYS runs hot. This mech is specifically designed to be able to operate and fire even on the hottest maps. The amount of times I have taken "superior" mechs and builds fighting in the lava channels on terra therma, it pays it's own bills. Because that superior firepower only matters if they can actually use it.

2) While toned down from the crazy crit days, those MGs have pureed enough insides to earn their stay, and even when running too hot, a lot of times, if the enemy has breached armor, even the threat of MGs makes the twist and flinch.

3) Simplicity. By having the lasers in the arms, it allows me to use one trigger, whereas I would need to use a 4th fire group with the head laser. I could I suppose tie it in with the MG, or the AC, but I prefer not to. Arm lasers also of course allow me the better range for dealing with higher or lower threats, and Lights.

Anyhow, I usually tie the MGs and AC together (at long range, I waste what, 2 mg bullets?) , the mediums on the second, and my scroll wheel has the MGs solo for when I can't afford heat.

I use it as an ambusher, usually but it also has cleaned up on maps like Canyon Network.

Went from a lousy .68 KDr with the 3 MLaser variant to a 1.85 with this. Doesn't sound like much, but when you consider that I had 300+ matches under the old model, and only about 50 in the new, it's a pretty huge swing.

[mogs01gt]

Hunchies downfall will always be the placement of their Hunch. They really need to run XL's but cant afford to..Like all Med, they need speed!

HBK-4H

[Inflatable Fish]

Bishop Steiner, on 15 April 2014 - 06:43 AM, said:

Ain't gonna impress ya, but it works for me (of course, I PUG, mostly, so instead of coordination, I gotta make my own luck too often.).
the Can-Opener

Simple breakdown. I know some will say put the RA laser in the Head (or even run 3 Mediums). I have my reasons for neither.

1) The 3 Mediums, ALWAYS runs hot. This mech is specifically designed to be able to operate and fire even on the hottest maps. The amount of times I have taken "superior" mechs and builds fighting in the lava channels on terra therma, it pays it's own bills. Because that superior firepower only matters if they can actually use it.

2) While toned down from the crazy crit days, those MGs have pureed enough insides to earn their stay, and even when running too hot, a lot of times, if the enemy has breached armor, even the threat of MGs makes the twist and flinch.

3) Simplicity. By having the lasers in the arms, it allows me to use one trigger, whereas I would need to use a 4th fire group with the head laser. I could I suppose tie it in with the MG, or the AC, but I prefer not to. Arm lasers also of course allow me the better range for dealing with higher or lower threats, and Lights.

Anyhow, I usually tie the MGs and AC together (at long range, I waste what, 2 mg bullets?) , the mediums on the second, and my scroll wheel has the MGs solo for when I can't afford heat.

I use it as an ambusher, usually but it also has cleaned up on maps like Canyon Network.

Went from a lousy .68 KDr with the 3 MLaser variant to a 1.85 with this. Doesn't sound like much, but when you consider that I had 300+ matches under the old model, and only about 50 in the new, it's a pretty huge swing.

I used to run a similar setup with 3 SL instead of 2 ML and one ton of AC ammo less, which allowed for FF and a significantly bigger engine:

HBK-4G

the SLs range very well with the MGs and never ever ever run hot while providing decent dps (better, in fact, than two MLs.) shorter range means you need to play a bit smarter and more carefully, but that should be second nature for any HBK pilot anyways.

[Inflatable Fish]

mogs01gt, on 15 April 2014 - 06:50 AM, said:

Hunchies downfall will always be the placement of their Hunch. They really need to run XL's but cant afford to..Like all Med, they need speed!

HBK-4H

hate to be rude, but that loadout sucks balls royally. extra heat sink with two MLs and an almost heat neutral AC/10? for 50 tons of meat, it's miserably low on firepower. downgrading the engine further would not hurt your mobility one bit and would allow more room for either additional ammo, switching to 5 SLs, and/or upgrading to an AC/20. a 275 engine is only any good on the 4P.