You’ve been talking a lot about differing hounds besides just the classic “hound”. Do you think there could be a sort of “hacker” type of hound where their primary goal is interfering with the enemies system? And how far can we take making hounds of other types? Do you think there could be a type of hound responding to basically every sort of combat style/role?(sniper, melee, etc)
In terms of versatility, technically with a competent Handler any Hounds can be trained in any role, it's just that they're really good as shock troops and berserkers.
However, as of recent, more Handlers have been trying different methods to make a pilot with an activation. See: Harpies, who instead of entering a dog-like ferocity state, instead enter a 'zone' of focus they stay in until the mission is complete. Less disruptive, more precise.
Or Gators, who I will be doing a full writeup in the future, who enter a several month 'hunting' state where their chassis keep them on life support while they stay active, guarding a specific location near their home base or a vital objective.
Now, if you're wondering about a specific classification on hackers? I mentioned them previously: The fucking RATS.
I hate these fuckers. You get hacked one too many times by those little shits and you develop an instinctual HATRED.
If I could find the shithead who made these power-armor piloting speedy little shits that latch onto mechs, rip out cables, and jam all wireless functions, I would throw them into my nearest kennel after dosing the Hounds with aerosolized stimms.
Rats are little shits which deserve their own entry, but know this:
They are terrifyingly effective
They get off on making you sufffer
Anti-Chaff Flechette rounds are their weakness. Apply liberally.
To get back on topic, I have also seen Hounds that do hacking, but they do it quite differently. I'll cover that in the inevitable Rat writeup...