22 replies to this topic

[ElLocoMarko]

I need to acquire and level one more catapult.
I have already finished the the A1 and the K2 so it will either be the C1 or the C4 to finish out my pilot trees.

Would especially love to hear about people who have run both catapults. Please let me know about that stuff you learn after the purchase like
"Didn't really work well till I added ____ (module/upgrade/equipment)"
"The ears of the C4 are like having barns for ears - even bad players trim them off"

So, Thoughts?
I have a feeling this is going to be an expensive one because it will very likely be Endo, DHS and Artemis.

[Syllogy]

I like the C1.

I use 2 PPC's, TAG, and 2 LRM 15's w/ 6 tons of Ammo.

Link to build on Smurfy's Mechlab

It carries enough LRM's to be dangerous at range, and if the need arises, the PPC's are dangerous as a fallback weapon.

Edited by Syllogy, 28 February 2013 - 09:14 AM.

[ElLocoMarko]

Any little secrets?

When playing the A1 splat I had horrible heat problems under an XL280 and finally sank the money into an XL300 and it started to work as promised (one more in-engine and enough critical space for one more out of engine DHS). For all the haters I did un-splat it later with some LRM15 / SRM6 mix.

Oh... I see it now. That is quite good. Doh! XL255. I'll see if I can make it work on a 280. I don't really need as much LRM ammo as I do not have a strong love and will probably flip to PPC a bit more readily. Hey... this thing could really beat down an Atlas-D-DC... that'll be fun. PPC and tag and LRM....

Edited by ElLocoMarko, 28 February 2013 - 09:56 AM.

[ElLocoMarko]

No more bites on this topic? OK. That's fine. It isn't my first mech purchse. I just don't like sinking 8 mil into something that needs another 4 mil to work right.

[NRP]

The choice between a C1 and a C4 boils down to whether you want to boat missiles or lasers.

[aralad]

I got a C4 for the 40-missiles-in-one-volley you can have, but next time I'd pick the C1 for more energy hardpoints. The 2 on the C4 are just too restrictive.

[MasterBLB]

All cats are good,but if I'd choose I'd take C1,as it is more versalite than C4.
You can assemble PPC sniper with good close combat self-defense means and 2 jump jets.
You can put 3 large lasers with backup SRMs
You can assemble 2xLRM20 or 2xLRM15 boat with TAG and 3 medium lasers for self-defense.

C4 is good too,but in fact you can assemble only SRM or LRM boat on that chassis.

Edited by MasterBLB, 28 February 2013 - 11:39 AM.

[ExplodedZombie]

I have had tremendous luck with the C1 as a brawler *gasp!*

300 XL
4 ML
2 SRM6
4JJ
Endo
DHS
Full armor (I think)

Use the jump jets to maneuver while brawling. Solo it rocks but use it to back up a brawler Assault or another Heavy and you've got gold.

[Stringburka]

ExplodedZombie, on 28 February 2013 - 11:50 AM, said:

I have had tremendous luck with the C1 as a brawler *gasp!*

300 XL
4 ML
2 SRM6
4JJ
Endo
DHS
Full armor (I think)

Use the jump jets to maneuver while brawling. Solo it rocks but use it to back up a brawler Assault or another Heavy and you've got gold.

That sounds like a very low-damage output. What did you fill out all the weight with? Have you considered something like this instead?
CPLT-C1

It runs a tad bit hot, but packs a heavy punch and has a medium-range option too in the two large lasers.

Edited by Stringburka, 28 February 2013 - 12:57 PM.

[TerebNeerg]

If you already have an A1, I would definitely go with a C1. The C4 builds end up looking a lot like an A1, but with TAG or ML added. I do run a C4 w/ 4xSRM6 and an ERLL that is semi-interesting.

For running a C1:

I second the SRM/LLAS/MLAS build.

Another interesting mid-range build:

XL300
2x LLAS
2x MLAS
2x Artemis LRM-10

[Hebdomas]

I prefer the C1, I think it's better balanced hardpoint wise. Those 4 lasers can come in useful when you run out of missiles/arms get blown off/enemy gets too close.

xl 260
2 LRM 15 (5 tons)
4 medium lasers
Endo Steel
DHS
Artemis

It's basically just a heavily upgraded stock c1.

[Fitzbattleaxe]

C1 with 2 Artemis lrm15s, tag, 1LL, and 2ML. Great fun to play on any map.

[Hex Pallett]

Absolutely C1 for LRMboat. 2xALRM15, 1xTAG and 3xML is probably the most basic LRM loadout.

[Tremendous Upside]

I'll go what seems to be against the grain and recommend the C4. It's not as well-rounded as the C1 - but it's better equipped to work at the extremes as a missile boat. It's a near perfect platform to run LRMs on with energy points for TAG, and it's also nearly as effective running SRMs as the A1. I run mine with 4xSRM6's with artemis (and 2MLs) and it's a fun mech to play. It's like a slightly less punchy A1 that doesn't suffer from heat issues.

[MustrumRidcully]

The C1 is a "Ghetto K2"... Equip 2 PPCs, 2 Medium Lasers, and you're almost at the K2 stock load out. Of course, that won't fill you weight wise. So maybe add LRM5s or something... And lots of DHS.

[Evil Ed]

C1! 2xLRM15Artemis/3xML/TAG or 2xLRM10Artemis/2xERPPC/TAG usually XL300 engine. Great fun and one (or two...) of my favorites.

[Mechteric]

Definitely C1 then since you already have the A1 (I prefer the C4 to the A1, but not much point in having both)

[Roughneck45]

C1 is just a very flexible hardpoint set up.

If you still have that XL280 engine, may I recommend...

XL280
2xLRM20 + artemis
3xMlas
1xTAG

Max armor except on legs, I think it is half a ton off of each, and then the rest ammo.(Im not near the game, so im not positive on those two)

My favorite LRM boat by far. Good speed, personal tag, and decent self defense with the 3Mlas. I try to play it as a support brawler, often using the speed to close within 300-600m and keep my own lock with the tag. Just have to make sure you have an escape route if you become the focus fire target.

For added manuevarbility, you can drop one or two of the launchers down from 20's to 15's and add some JJ's.

[1453 R]

Saw an interesting C4 the other day that reaffirmed my love of that particular variant. Machine had an LRM-20 in its left-side launcher and two SRM-6 in its right, all with Artemis guidance. MPL and TAG in the CT energy slots for...not-great close defense, but hey. I'd've gone for two lasers myself, but some folks do like their TAG. Jump jets still included. Either way, the assymetric launcher configuration struck me as an interesting way to deal with the weight issues of using a ton of launcher systems with Artemis while still retaining enough punch in either missile system to be a credible threat. Note use of the word 'credible' and not 'ridiculous' - I'm not one of those who believes that LRMs need to come in salvos of eighty or more to count as a viable threat. Twenty of them - especially with the upcoming obnoxiously tight Artemis missile groupings - is going to be plenty angry.

I can also see the points raised that the C4 is too close to the A1 to be worth it, and in general I'd probably recommend the C1 in this situation as well...but I can't help but prefer the C4 variant to most any other Catapult. The C1's a classic and I love it, but the C4 is just really damn good at mixing launcher systems and close-defense lasers to produce a flexible support 'Mech the way the Catapult is supposed to be.

[Vincent Lynch]

C1 is more versatile.
Currently I use a 265 XL engine, 2 LRM15, 4 medium pulse Lasers, Endosteel, AMS, nearly full armor.
Cram the space up with at least 6 tons of ammo, and as many DHS you can still fit in by then. (I have either 13 or 14 right now. Can't look it up til I get home.)
Another very effective and also totally different C1 build carries 2 PPC, 2 ML, and either 2 SSRM2 or 2 SRM6. With this build you can also zombie because it doesn't need a XL engine.