Guide [Issue 26] What to mount on: Hunter

[GoldRock 6,165]

Welcome, readers! Many times in the past, the newspaper has focused on the weapons which make our game so dynamic and versatile. But what about the other half to these weapons? Yes, hulls - without the right hull, many weapons can be rendered useless. But if you can find that right combination, regardless of whether it's extremely popular or hardly seen, you can be sure to dominate all of your battles. So, here's the second in the series; I'll be taking a look at Hunter. and how it's all-rounded nature can prove useful with a wide variety of different weapons.

Hunter/Smoky.


Very effective in a variety of situations.

Well, this combination certainly shouldn't be overlooked. Hunter's stability and health provide a good base for Smoky's rapid fire and recoil, with a good speed meaning that this is an especially effective midfield/offensive combination. Those critical hits can definitely come in handy, too, if you're looking to achieve a high rate of damage. Also, the fact that Smoky has a decent range means that Hunter's slightly slower speed relative to the other hulls isn't really too much of a downside. Overall, this seems like a strong combination, with no major disadvantages and with quite a few advantages which make this combination worthwhile.

Overall effectiveness: 8/10

Hunter/Firebird.


This has the potential to be extremely dangerous.

There's a reason why this combination has its own highly-expensive and prized kit in-game. It's versatile, fairly quick but able to withstand more shots than its lighter-hull counterparts. Not to mention that Firebird has a very high damage. Mounting such a weapon on a hull which has a good amount of health for charging into the fray, yet is still quick enough to keep up with light hulls and to out-manouevre medium and heavier hulls, could be powerful if used well. And this would become especially deadly if used with supplies where possible. Regardless, this combination can be a destructive weapon for buyers and non-buyers alike.

Overall effectiveness: 8/10

Hunter/Twins.


Not bad at all, though this could do with a little more health.

Obviously, this weapon would be more suited to Hunter than the lighter hulls, in the eyes of most, due to its increased health. However, Hunter is still relatively quick, so this could be an effective offensive combination. But I'd argue that if you're going to use a weapon with an 'infinite reload' capability, you'd really want to take advantage of that by charging into the centre of a battle situation with a more substantial hull. Regardless, I guess this has the potential to be used to some effect (such as in Pro battles) - I just doubt whether this combination is a particularly balanced one, hence the score given below.

Overall effectiveness: 7/10

Hunter/Railgun.


A strong combination in any position on the battlefield.

Well, I'd argue that this trule is a pretty all-rounded combination. We've seen this combination used to lead assaults, to take up midfield positions AND to head a defence in recent top-series clan wars - the fact that it can work well in many positions can't be ignored. However, I'd argue that this same advantage is also a disadvantage. In a way, it means that this combination is a 'jack of all trades but king of none'; basically, I could think of other combinations which might be better suited to certain positions in almost all circumstances. However, the fact that this combination is so fluid is great - especially when used with a protective paint, to increase it's ability to absorb certain shots.

Overall effectiveness: 7.5/10

Hunter/Isida.


That extra health can help, but this does lack in crucial speed.

In my view, Isida requires speed, mainly due to the fact that it's the got the shortest range in the game. And whilst the hull has a fair amount of speed, it's not quite as fast as Wasp or Hornet - which would mean you'd have to significantly alter your playing style. Therefore, this combination might not be as effective for charging down opponents, but it would be decent for reaching your allies and healing them, due to it's extra health. Therefore, this combination has it's upsides - that said, it's not that balanced, as you wouldn't be able to play too offensively with Hunter/Isida (except when using supplies). Nonetheless, it's still a decent choice, and it wouldn't be bad if used to take up a supporting role.

Overall effectiveness: 6.5/10

Hunter/Thunder.


A solid combination, with the added bonus of looking pretty great.

I first saw this combination in a clan training, just after the rebalance - and it was the first of a few 'new' combinations that impressed me in terms of its appearance. From that moment on, that's what I was aiming towards - and at Captain, I bought both Hunter and Thunder M2, and used the combination for quite some time before moving on. Actually, it wasn't just its looks - the clan training showed that the player who possessed this combo (with both parts at M3, by the way) really could swing the battle through his actions. And yes, this is probably the best hull on which to mount Thunder if you're looking to play in a more offensive role, whilst still being able to defend if needed. I guess Hunter does lack some health, which means that Thunder can be more effective on heavier hulls, especially with its splash damage which allows it to deal with multiple opponents at once. Even so, this is still an effective choice.

Overall effectiveness: 7.5/10

Hunter/Freeze.


A good choice, which can definitely prove worthy.

The fact that this combination possesses both health and speed does mean that it's quite versatile. The weapon itself can be used in both offensive and defensive roles, especially due to its freezing ability - so to allow a user to play both offensively and defensively is an interesting option. However, it does suffer in that it's not quite as quick an attacker as a Wasp might be, nor is it as formidable to overcome in defence as the traditional Freeze/Mammoth powerhouse has been in the past. Despite this, the speed of Hunter allows for taking advantage of Freeze's ability as the hull is quick enough to circle opponents, whilst being able to survive a fair few shots when holding off an assault. That leads me to conclude that this combination is a fairly balanced one.

Overall effectiveness: 7.5/10

Hunter/Ricochet.


Well balanced, this proves to be a really excellent combination.

Now here's a deadly combination. I myself have experienced this, having been unfortunate enough to attempt to deal with a Hunter/Rico M3 with my Viking/Twins M2 combo in a Silence CTF. And that certainly wasn't a fun experience. Hunter provides the perfect base for a weapon like Rico - its projectiles take some time to reach opponents whilst rebounding off walls and other props, so a lot of using Rico is about thinking ahead a few seconds. Whilst I myself have not mastered that at all, I can see why it works so well with Hunter; because the speed of Hunter allows for aggressive action, whilst having a good amount of health for withstanding shots. Rico's projectiles also deal a decent amount of individual damage whilst having a limited reload, so charging into a battle isn't the best way to use it anyway. In my opinion, this is a very strong midfield combination, which really can be effective if you ever meet it on the battlefield.

Overall effectiveness: 8.5/10

Hunter/Shaft.


A good balance of speed, stability and health.

Actually, this combination is a fairly good one. It can be used to reach camping spots and to move around a map to different positions fairly quickly, whilst being stable enough to handle Shaft's own high recoil, and sturdy enough to fend well against fellow campers and snipers. If you want to use Shaft in an offensive way (i.e. to move up a map into an enemy base whilst stopping to pick off opponents), then this would be a great choice - however, Shaft isn't often used in that way, and it's probably because it's quite vulenrable if it gets too close to an opponent, especially if it's on a hull with lower health. Therefore, it's possible that Shaft could work better with more health; but this combination isn't bad at all, and has its merits.

Overall effectiveness: 7/10

Overall rankings:
Hunter/Firebird - 8/10
Hunter/Isida - 7/10
Hunter/Freeze - 8/10
Hunter/Twins - 6.5/10
Hunter/Ricochet - 8.5/10
Hunter/Smoky - 8/10
Hunter/Thunder - 7.5/10
Hunter/Railgun - 7.5/10
Hunter/Shaft - 7/10

So there you have it - my educated opinions on each of the combinations involving Hunter, from the perspective of the hull itself. There's a reason why Hunter is the default hull in the Garage; it certainly does possess a great balance of different factors. Next up will be the mighty Viking, so make sure you look out for that article. Thanks for reading! Feel free to let me know your feedback below, or to share your own thoughts - it's all appreciated!

See you in the battle!

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

Twins look good on Hunter :D.

[Jovanos 21]

Yea, smoky is very good on hunter, even better on dictator 

[fluctuation123 3,435]

good and informative! Keep it up!

[fluctuation123 3,435]

good and informative! Keep it up!

[Truthteller 4,204]

good and informative! Keep it up!

[Alklines 1,751]

I love love Ricochet and Hunter, and I'm so glad you chose it for the highest rating! The whole article was very interesting because I'm an avid Hunter user, and own all weapons, so I'll look into playing with the rest of the turrents more often because otherwise I'm almost always with my trusty Rico.  :)

Edited September 5, 2014 by Alklines

[hogree 4,179]

Hunter's one of those hulls that I would have struggled to give anything less than 8 to all combinations used with it. Its just such a complete tank. Though I disagreed in your low opinion of Isida-Hunter I have to agree that Rico is dead cert the best with this hull. One of the best combos in the game, surely...

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Hunter's one of those hulls that I would have struggled to give anything less than 8 to all combinations used with it. Its just such a complete tank. Though I disagreed in your low opinion of Isida-Hunter I have to agree that Rico is dead cert the best with this hull. One of the best combos in the game, surely...

 

When talking about a M3 Hunter I agree. (ok except: Isida - Hunter Wasp! :) )

 

The main problem with the Hunter is the way it upgrades.

Great at M1, mediocre IMO at M2 for a much too long time...to finally become a true Gem at M3.

[lukey0 27,543]

Good article and enjoyed the read.

Edited September 5, 2014 by lukey0

[pizzaslad 471]

Isida/Hunter is the Vampire on steroids, and sometimes literally! When you got something with close to or over 200 HP moving at 8metres per second on drugs that's scary. And with Twins it wrecks on a small map. Found those two out the hard way... <_<

[7919zola 252]

Great article Gold, I know which hull I'm getting next.  ;)

[lordmostafa 3,821]

I am not a fan of Hunter, but you make it look cool, well done.

[aom112 20]

If you say that thunder and hunter is good combo should I get thunder m3 and hunter m2 at sale? 

 

+ I have viking m2 allready...

[GoldRock 6,165]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I'm aware that Isida/Hunter would be very powerful with supplies, but the ratings I gave here are really for when used without supplies (and so without that extra speed). IMO, that would make Hunter/Isida weaker - since you could be outrun by the numerous Hornet/Wasp M3s on the battlefield.

 

If you say that thunder and hunter is good combo should I get thunder m3 and hunter m2 at sale?

 

+ I have viking m2 allready...

Hunter isn't good at M2, it's worse than Viking M2 IMO. It becomes a great hull at M3. So, you can get Thunder M3 (which is a great choice) and Hunter M2 at the next sale - but don't expect to use Hunter much until you upgrade it to M3, when it suddenly becomes powerful!

[Lhamster 4,081]

^Or don't bother waiting and just get M3 Viking, that's what I use a lot and its epic.

[hogree 4,179]

^Or don't bother waiting and just get M3 Viking, that's what I use a lot and its epic.

M3 Viking is a beginner's hull. BAWRING. ;)

[Sr.I3oSS 2,546]

M3 Viking is a beginner's hull. BAWRING. ;)

+1! Hunter, I have it m2, it's still good for me. Can't wait to get m3 hunter and smoky, it's and awesome combo.

[Zero-nl 36]

I know they guy he means in his clan  :o

Man I liked dragon... :/

[snipe3000 678]

so really hunter isnt to good with any weapon

[r91501 6]

i think hunter is good with railgun

[r91501 6]

M3 Viking is a beginner's hull. BAWRING. ;)

viking is a great hull it combins speed and defence

[ALEKSEJ0077 150]

I sometimes see hunter rico and it is OP a remember a guy joined the battle with M2 hunter and M1 rico and he dominated the battle he was drugging but still i took five of us to take him down and he didnt even use health kits . Excellent review am looking forward to do next .

[aom112 20]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I'm aware that Isida/Hunter would be very powerful with supplies, but the ratings I gave here are really for when used without supplies (and so without that extra speed). IMO, that would make Hunter/Isida weaker - since you could be outrun by the numerous Hornet/Wasp M3s on the battlefield.

 

 

Hunter isn't good at M2, it's worse than Viking M2 IMO. It becomes a great hull at M3. So, you can get Thunder M3 (which is a great choice) and Hunter M2 at the next sale - but don't expect to use Hunter much until you upgrade it to M3, when it suddenly becomes powerful!

Thanks for responding if I make 5 k more till sale maybe I will get viking&thunder m3.

[The-Drag 60]

I'm really happy because Ricochet got the highest mark. I use Hunter and Richochet and it's pretty useful. I mostly play CTF but I don't like to take the flag. I use it to help other players in my team to reach the flag or to protect them after they take it