15 replies to this topic

[Pastor Priest]

I'm wanting to try something a little different on my 4H, so I decided to try a build around the gauss. Here is what I came up with

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...db45435db9b4745

What do you think? I normally don't like dropping the engine below a 250 in an HBK, but I'd only have the guass if I left it in. Plus, with speed tweak, it still breaks 80 KPH. While not stellar, that's doable. The rest of the weapons are there for short range backup. My other option is to drop them all and squeeze in a LL for additional ranged power.

Edited by Pastor Priest, 18 February 2013 - 06:58 AM.

[Raso]

If played right the high mounted cannon can make it an effective pop up sniper. You need to use cover and your profile to your advantage.

That said I like how you've incorporated small lasers into your build for close defense. I wonder how long they'll last, however, since the gauss has a tendency to explode the second your armor is gone. Still I'd stick with your current idea of mid range lasers over a single large laser. The reason being that you need to hold the laser on target for it's duration which is contrary to the idea of being a pop up sniper.

[Nacon]

EDIT: Stupid server connection issue corrupted my edited post.




Made the changes for you here.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...bbb02b4a08226f2

• Put Ferro Fiber on.
  
• Drop two small lasers.
  
• Put 1 Medium Laser on.
  
• Switch the last small laser from the head to the torso, in replace with the medium laser. This would be wise in case if your right torso gone missing.
  
• Then add a CASE to protect engine from Gauss Rifle explosion.
  
• Fill the remaining tonnage with more armor points back in your legs.

Edited by Nacon, 18 February 2013 - 07:22 AM.

[The Warspite]

I suppose it could work, although your gauss won't last long. Everyone targets that torso section of a hunchie and the gauss will explode as soon as your armor is gone. Once it's gone, it will blow your right arm off as well. Hunchies are good brawlers and I recommend a heavy mech if you want to snipe.

[Jale]

Ill give you a hint
Internal structure, ferro fiberous and single heatsinks - on LEGS!. (Gauss rifle is low heat weapon - ballistic)
Gauss ammo have chance of exploding,

Plus you can trow in 1 med las in head and in left hand, also try to use RT energy hardpoints

Edited by Jale, 18 February 2013 - 07:13 AM.

[Stringburka]

Gauss ammo can't explode, gauss rifles can. This is the inverse of all other weapons currently in the game.

[Jale]

I had ammo explosion while having gauss in my 4G - it happens i saw animation on weapon andammo neurohelment HUD - ammo was droping constantly and i noticed in death description that i died from ammo explosion.
I thought that gauss ammo was solid too, maybe it was bug or something idk

Edited by Jale, 18 February 2013 - 07:16 AM.

[The Summoner]

Jale, on 18 February 2013 - 07:09 AM, said:

Ill give you a hint
Internal structure, ferro fiberous and single heatsinks - on LEGS!. (Gauss rifle is low heat weapon - ballistic)
Gauss ammo have chance of exploding,

Plus you can trow in 1 med las in head and in left hand, also try to use RT energy hardpoints

His build already has endosteel structure. He shouldn't use single heatsinks, at least not for his build. He only has 1 additional HS apart from the 9 in the engine, and he would end up massively less heat efficient going with single heatsinks (remember, DHS in the engine are 2 times more efficient than SHS, while DHS outside the engine are only 1.4 times more efficient than SHS). Since he only has 1 additional HS outside the engine, critical space/slots do not matter. Double HS, without a question.

And as mentioned, gauss ammo does not explode, but the gauss rifle does. Maybe you got killed by the gauss exploding and it was shown as ammo explosion in the death screen. It's likely the death message is simply not fully accurate.

I actually tried a 4H gauss HBK, it isn't bad, but not really my style. The HBK is a natural brawler, so it's gonna be most efficient in this role. You can have enjoyable (and successful) games in a 4G/4H with a gauss or a 4J with LRMs, but you're never gonna be quite as good as the more specialized Mechs for sniping/fire support.

Edited by The Summoner, 18 February 2013 - 07:36 AM.

[GaiDaigouji]

The only thing I see is the low armor on your back sides. The hunch does take up much of the back side, lea

[Nathan Hawk]

From looking at your mechlab....

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b89a9afe7eadd45

what i would do to it


and if it IS true that guass ammo dosnt explode, change the CASE for a small laser

Edited by Nathan Hawk, 18 February 2013 - 09:58 AM.

[EyeOne]

I use my 4G as a Gaussback exclusively. The design works very well. I know this is extremely risky but I also throw an XL in there and it lets me mount 4 tons of ammo and (3) Medium Pulse lasers also. If I can stay in the sniper role it doesn't matter. If I get surrounded I would probably die anyway.

One of my absolute favorite designs.

Edited by EyeOne, 18 February 2013 - 10:00 AM.

[Raso]

Nathan Hawk, on 18 February 2013 - 09:56 AM, said:

From looking at your mechlab....

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b89a9afe7eadd45

what i would do to it


and if it IS true that guass ammo dosnt explode, change the CASE for a small laser

An exploding gauss works the same as exploding ammo. It can (and likely will) take out our center torso. The CASE will prevent it from taking out your CT, though you'll still lose and arm and most of your firepower.

[Ravennus]

Raso, on 18 February 2013 - 10:08 AM, said:

An exploding gauss works the same as exploding ammo. It can (and likely will) take out our center torso. The CASE will prevent it from taking out your CT, though you'll still lose and arm and most of your firepower.

Exactly. Definitely a must.

Also, Gauss Hunch + XL Engine makes me want to cry.


Here, try this.
I managed to cram in that 250 engine. No lasers on the Hunch side, in case it goes down.
1 MLAS in the head and 1 MLAS in the left arm for Zombie mode.

Heat also won't be an issue with 10 2.0 DHS in the engine.

[Bounty Dogg]

Its true, the Gauss ammo does NOT explode. The RIFLE does. However, in the game, if you die by Rifle explosion, it still lists it as an ammo explosion. Ive had it happen where the compartment i had my Gauss rifle in was totally destroyed, but it listed I was killed by an ammo explosion. I had NO ammo of any type in that torso, but it was responsible for my death.

[Jaded Jasper]

I've played a bunch of similar mechs, and this is what has worked best for me:

XL 255, Gauss (3tons ammo), 5xML

Having the XL engine for manueverability and the extra firepower is key. The jump from 80 kph to 90 kph makes it easier to avoid damage and stalk targets, and having a 40 damage volley that actually makes foes flinch is much more fearsome than a mere 28.

Frankly speaking, the other hunchbacks listed above are sub par. CASE in particular is an astonishingly terrible idea.

Edited by Jaded Jasper, 19 February 2013 - 06:19 AM.

[HeliosRX]

Honestly I've never seen the point of a Gaussback. Too light to effectively mount the weapon.

For an almost-identical build, I would recommend the Dragon (Specifically, DRG-FLAME if your wallet can fit it) which can carry the Gauss Rifle, 4 tons of ammo, and quartet of MPLs or MLs or a pair of ERLLAS for whatever you want your support weaponry to be. It's also faster than most Gaussbacks and it can effectively mount an XL engine as it has relatively small side torsos. The only drawback I can think of on the spot is a larger overall hitbox, but you'd be surprised how much armor the aforementioned build can mount, especially if you do chose the 4X ML build. Its LT, which contains the Gauss, is actually a smaller target, incidentally.

In short, more speed, more armor, and an extra weapon to slap on... all because of chassis design and abusing an extra 10 tons.

If you insist on keeping a Gaussback, however, I'd recommend using an XL engine to keep speed high. While you will survive an exploding Gauss if your torso is CASE'd, you'll also lose the weapon itself and a pair of MLs - over half your effective firepower! - once you take another glancing hit to the massive RT, and then you're an ineffectual plinker.

Jaded Jasper's build is actually quite nice, actually... still fragile XD.