49 replies to this topic

[Ewigan]

During the last trial-by-fire sale i bought not only the AS7-D, but also the CTP-K2.
And while i enjoy playing the Atlas, i ripped out the Engine of the K2, and even went as far as selling the PPCs cause i needed some quick cash for finishing a build.
So now i have a naked chassis and it itches me a bit to finally take it for a ride.

I started playing around with the mechlab (smurfy of course), read a bit, looked at builds, did some myself...

And somehow really nothing looked like "hey, i want that!".
if you go all energy, like PPC/LLs, it looks like a gimped Stalker what is only a tiny bit faster then a stalker. yay :S
So i tried ballistics on it and somehow it didn't appeal to me either.

So what is unique about the K2? What do you run, and WHY?

[Hex Pallett]

2xERPPC chainfire, 2xML, 2xMG. XL300, Endo, and stuff it with DHS.

Wouldn't call it an effective 'Mech, but the two shoulder cannons are sexy as ****.

Of course you can go with things like twin-AC20 or twin-Gauss, but that comes with a significant loss of macho. So be ware.

[Ewigan]

Well, here we definitely have the problem with uniqueness.

My STK-3F runs with 2 ERPPC, 2 ML, 2 SASRM6.
It is one hell of ann effective mech, and i do not care about chainfire.
3 Weapon groups, that is all.....
And with a 300STD and Speedtweak it's not a slow assault either.

[Tahribator]

Don't forget the mobility of the K2 chassis. The torso twist is insane, allowing you to shoot almost backwards while you disengage. It's also the only mech that can have insane energy+ballistic combos with again mobility.

By your logic there is no reason to use mechs other than Stalkers and Atlas at all, because their firepower and armor will always be superior.

[4lex]

You can fit 2 ppc + 300 xl on cicada and theres nothing unique about it. You should sell that k2 if its not unique enough.

[Ewigan]

Thanks for the positive feedback 4lex!

Seriously though i just want to know what kind of playstyle you get with the K2 that no other mech will give you.
Sure, if ther is nothing, i will fit it with ACs or PPCs and just play it as a faster sniper.

[4lex]

There only a few weapon released so far. Same weapon with same heat sink are gonna get you same dps on every chasis. The difference are subtle from one chasis to another. Turn rate, torso twist angle and speed, vertical angle, hard point layout... and chasis size mean alot when its time to hide behind a rock on forest colony. The arm mounted weapon on the k2 are above its head on a ctf 1x they are at knee level and keep shooting rocks and stuff.

Theres to many thing different between stk and cat k2 but ppc remain the same

[Ewigan]

Ok, so i started tinkering around.
I am not fond of XL engines on mechs other then lights, so my first try is without an XL:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...529d02867f29c78


Nearly exact build with an XL:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...18f96c36372fd63

[Suzano]

XL 315, endo, DHS and a pair of AC 10. this is all i need to be happy with my k-2

[4b4dd0n]

What is unique on the k2 let me think. Hm its the only mech which can fit 2 ac20s. And before the phract was release it was the only mech which could fit 2 gauss. So you are a little bit to late. Same goes for the splatcat or the streakcat both arent unique today.

[Ewigan]

Well the Splatcat has 6SRM6 + JJ's what no other mech can do.

[John Mechlane]

I've been using the K2 for quite a while now, and it's my favourite mech so far.
Here's the summary:

Pros:
-Very large angle torso twist (even bigger with twist X)
-Two energy hardpoints in the ears, which are above cockpit, great for cover shooting.
-Two ballistic (+2 energy) hardpoints in side torsos. You get a lot of slots, so can fit all ballistics in stereo , also these hardpoints are just under the cockpit, so you have less chance of shooting the ground in front of you.
-With a 315XL engine and speed tweak, u can run with 86kph. XL is a good choice for this mech, because the side torsos are hard to hit. With that speed and maneuverability you can even dodge LRMs.

Cons:
-Not the strongest armor. The mech feels kinda fragile.
-The only catapult with no jumpjets
-5 less tons than cataphract...not much, but it's something.
-Giant cockpit. I die a lot beacue of headshots.


I run with 2xUAC5, 4xML, 315XL, endo steel. I only have the engine heatsinks, and that's enough, since the ballistics are my primary weapons.

Edited by JaniTheWeedman, 11 March 2013 - 04:49 AM.

[Wrenchfarm]

Go for the 2xAC20. You know you want to cheese it up as hard as possible.

As far as unique goes, what other mech has two torso ballistic slots and 4 energy points? Mount the biggest ACs you want, still have laser back up. Combine with insane twist radius, high max speed, wonky hitboxes, you have one of the most potentially powerful mechs in the game. If you can't come up with something good to do with it, I don't know what to say.

[TheJs]

I think the unique thing of the K-2 is the 1 per side torso ballistic mounts. Which lead to the ability to mount Dual AC20 or Dual Gauss. Plus the Catapult's side torso are relatively hard to hit, protecting those weapons. Other mechs:2-3 ballistic mounts but all on 1 arm?Not too useful since there is not enough crit space.

Of course there is the good torso twist of catapults and fair mobility.

Edit: Need to say I bought a K-2 for this specific reason, DualAc20 or Dual Gauss, giving me the ability to put huge damage in 1 nicely placed shot.

Edited by TheJs, 11 March 2013 - 04:29 AM.

[Adrienne Vorton]

Helmstif, on 11 March 2013 - 02:31 AM, said:

2xERPPC chainfire, 2xML, 2xMG. XL300, Endo, and stuff it with DHS.

Wouldn't call it an effective 'Mech, but the two shoulder cannons are sexy as ****.

Of course you can go with things like twin-AC20 or twin-Gauss, but that comes with a significant loss of macho. So be ware.

agreed, i kept mine as close to the stock as possible, too... the "tech upgrade" makes it a very dynamic and fun-to-play build

[Ewigan]

And that would be the cheese then, right?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...51380544e63d7a3

[Tremendous Upside]

Ewigan, on 11 March 2013 - 04:49 AM, said:

And that would be the cheese then, right?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...51380544e63d7a3

Here's the cheese I've used and it works quite well. The biggest issue with the boomcat is that most are too slow to keep pace with the rest of their teammates. This one can (at least with assaults) - and it's much more durable than it seems on paper.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5c6a3e83a5c60a4

[NRP]

Go dual AC/20s. Ignore the "but it's cheese!" whiners. It's slow, but it will kill your Atlas and your Stalker quite easily. It's the only build I liked on the K2. Your job is to wreck mechs, not win some "gentleman's honor" award.

[Nazlfrag]

This is a cheese build: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90de1c52e2497b4

But yeah, the ballistics are the best point to this chassis. I prefer UAC/5 myself, but most options are good.

[Viperion]

Why not try something else like 4x llaser.