12 replies to this topic

[Deathlike]

I've already decided to go for the Catapult C1 after grinding for the K2. Is the C4 salvageable with its CT energy hardpoints (outside of TAG).

[Ewigan]

Well, the C4 is the "Splatcat with backup", what i would actually always prefer about an A1. 2 med lasers in there are just always nice to have.

[Fiona Marshe]

I like it as a flexible chassis; I have two versions I run.

V1: MdPulse, TAG, 2 x SRM6, 2 x SRM15
V2. 2 x MdPulse, 4 x SRM6

The first one is much more flexible, especially with Alpine in the rotation.

[employee24601]

I've got a C1 and K2, and am pondering the same thing.

C4 has bigger (LRM20 size) ears, so is easier to hit, but has energy backup (or a place to put TAG). A1 has that tempting 6xSRM6 option, but you can't use TAG for SSRM or LRM, or resort to ML.

Still a tough choice no matter which way you look at it. I'm almost tempted to get the A1 just for kicks and see how I go, but i just know I'd get ripped apart on a map like Alpine Peaks.

[Lynx7725]

I ran the C1 as primarily a LRMBoat or a BattleCat, and is now using an A1 as a SplatCat. A1 is a very ammo-dependent build but can maximize due to its 6 M slots.

C4 is a bit of a compromise and as a result doesn't have much purchase with me. while I do have little pleasure at the two extra E slots on the C1, the C4's E slots in the CT is restrictive as it narrows it to either one big laser or 2 smaller ones. Or a Tag and a laser.

Compared to the C1, the C4 is actually less flexible; C1 can run 3 large laser builds, with missile support, or missile boat with some close-in lasers, so some mixture; C4 is pretty much missile boat with energy backup only, but it doesn't have quite enough racks to make it a scary splatcat or that many launchers to make it rain LRMs.

In this sense, A1 is also flexible, in that while it's a missile boat, you can tweak the balance from all SRMs to all LRMs, and shades in between. No energy weapons has drawbacks, but nothing an overinvestment in missiles can't compensate for.

Boils down IMO to what you want to do with the Cat, and how you want to fight, and whether you want a flexible platform that can swap parts in and out for different playstyles.

[Kaeseblock]

The C4 can be really powerful in pug-games.

With

2x LRM20 (instant LRM40 volleys can be quite devastating)
2x SSRM2
2x ML

it's a really valuable midrange fighter. You can easily do 500+ damage in a normal game and get some nice kills.

(for further information about this build look here)

It's at least as flexible as the C1. You can't mount 3LL, but instead you have more flexebility for mounting different missle configurations. It's a bit more vulnerable than the C1, since 4 of it's weapons are mounted in the "ears" (the slightly bigger size of the ears doesn't really matter).

Sometimes the limited space for the CT-energy weapons can be annoying... I'd really like to fit in an ER-PPC.

[Lynx7725]

My feel is that is that if you want missile type flexibility, you might as well go with the A1; if you want flexibility of loadouts between energy heavy or missile heavy, C1 gives more choice. To me -- and this is my opinion only -- the C4 is a bit middle of nowhere, so I don't like it from an experimentation point of view. Still, if you feel it's good for you, by all means try it out.

[Xenosphobatic]

A1 is ripe for splat-catting, whereas the C4 is better for a LRM missleboat configuration. My C4 runs 4xLRM15, one small laser, and one tag. If I have a spotter, I get lots of damage. Just...try to stay out of the way, with a big friend.

[Vincent Lynch]

Kaeseblock, on 25 February 2013 - 05:43 AM, said:

The C4 can be really powerful in pug-games.

With

2x LRM20 (instant LRM40 volleys can be quite devastating)
2x SSRM2
2x ML

it's a really valuable midrange fighter. You can easily do 500+ damage in a normal game and get some nice kills.

(for further information about this build look here)

It's at least as flexible as the C1. You can't mount 3LL, but instead you have more flexebility for mounting different missle configurations. It's a bit more vulnerable than the C1, since 4 of it's weapons are mounted in the "ears" (the slightly bigger size of the ears doesn't really matter).

Sometimes the limited space for the CT-energy weapons can be annoying... I'd really like to fit in an ER-PPC.

I have the same build.
Also I had a A1 with 2 LRM15, 2 SRM6, 2 SSRM2, but I sold it after ECM was introduced.

[Phoenix Gray]

employee24601, on 25 February 2013 - 02:53 AM, said:

I've got a C1 and K2, and am pondering the same thing.

C4 has bigger (LRM20 size) ears, so is easier to hit, but has energy backup (or a place to put TAG). A1 has that tempting 6xSRM6 option, but you can't use TAG for SSRM or LRM, or resort to ML.

Still a tough choice no matter which way you look at it. I'm almost tempted to get the A1 just for kicks and see how I go, but i just know I'd get ripped apart on a map like Alpine Peaks.

A1 if you want to kill, C4 if you want to live.

[Corvus Antaka]

The c4 with 2 srm 6, 2 lrm 155 a medium laser and tag is a nasty mech that excels at fire support while having very strong inclose defense capabilities.

for the best speed and balance however the C1 remains the top choice, it can mount many different builds and still do 80 KPH no problem.

[Bogus]

If you don't want SRM cheese I'd definitely go with the C4, lasers are always nice and A1 builds tend to be very situational. If you just want to level up another cat, an A1 splatcat is very efficient at that. I got one for the purposes of unlocking elite, and while my splatcat provided my two funniest MWO moments I don't really miss it.

[Wrenchfarm]

I like the A1 better for missile boating. The C4's 2 energy slots in the CT seem like too little to make something with. If they were in the sides and I could put TAG in one and a LLAS or PPC in the other that would be great. As it is your stuck with either TAG+MLAS (useless) or your poison between 2xMLAS, 1xLLAS variation. Weaksauce.