MechWarrior: Online - Hunchback HBK-4P Build (Upgraded Swayback)

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

I never knew how much fun Hunchbacks could be till I piloted the HBK-4P for the first time. There's something thrilling about slicing limbs off BattleMechs whilst cooking yourself alive... Ok that doesn't sound very thrilling, but acting like a 50 Ton Plasma Cutter is!

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

The Swayback is the most iconic Hunchback variant in BattleTech and MechWarrior: Online. It's a major fan favourite too. The issues with all Hunchbacks however is that "Hunch". Focus fire on that, and 80% of the Hunchback's firepower is gone. Which is why the HBK-4SP is considered by many to be the best Hunchback.

However, just because of a major weakness, don't think that all Hunchbacks are crap. If you utilise them correctly, they can be just as effective, if not better.

The First tip about piloting a Hunchback, is to always twist right. Once you fire at something, immediately use your Left Arm and Left Torso as a shield. You'll delay the destruction of your "Hunch".

The Second tip is to have lopsided armour. The "Hunch" hit box (Right Torso) has an extremely small Rear Torso hitbox; the Front Hunch literally covers part of the rear. Due to this, I personally prefer having 4 points of Rear Torso Armour. That gives me 44 points in the Front.

Swayback, Upgraded

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Striker

Speed: 87.48 kph

Firepower: 45

Armour: 320

Cost: 7.5 mil CBills (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: 6 Medium Lasers (Hunch)

Secondary Weapon Group: 3 Medium Lasers (Head and Arms)

Tertiary Weapon Group: 2 Medium Lasers (Arms)

With this build, you suffer dramatic heat when you try to fire all 9 Medium Lasers. Which is why you should never do that, or avoid doing that at all times. Instead fire your Primary Medium Lasers (the Hunch Lasers). Fire these when you can, and aim for specific points of the Mech and try and hold it there. You can easily strip limb from limb by doing this.

In addition, avoid firing your Hunch Lasers when the enemy is outside 270m. Your damage is reduced when you fire from outside 270m; because of this you generate unnecessary heat. If they're outside 270m, fire your Secondary Medium Lasers. If you need to utilise your arms to track a Light Mech, or fire up/down a cliff face, use your Tertiary Medium Lasers.

This is the best way I've found to manage the super heat of 9 Medium Lasers. Surprisingly I've shut down only once per Battle.