14 replies to this topic

[barnmaddo]

What are peoples thoughts on catapults currently? I've leveled three variants each of Commando and Hunchback and am now looking for a heavy mech. Catapult is an iconic mech, and I haven't really had a chance to try a long range play style yet.

I've heard a lot of good things about the CPLT-K2, but not much about the other variants. In particular, I've never had any personal success with LRM's (since MW3 at least), but it seems like they keep getting nerfed every few months, so maybe I just wasn't using them right.

While you're here, let me know your thoughts on the set-ups I'm considering:
CPLT-C1: 2xLRM15, 4xMedium Pulse
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...865e02fdace6597

CPLT-C4: 2xLRM5+2xLRM15, 2xMedium Pulse
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5f22a0b8733ca43

[Shock4ndAwe]

If you're going to go LRM now with the nerf I think it'd be wise to go big, or go home. Throw a lot down-range or throw none at all. Just my two cents.

[TheCrazySteve]

Ran a few matches with my treb that has 2x alrm15 + tag, lrms are still viable, you just won't be soloing mechs anymore. First thing you need to figure out is if you plan on fighting in the open field or staying behind cover. If your in the open field you definetally need tag + artemis, if your behind cover, you need much more than 2x lrm15 otherwise you will find your volleys to be underwhelming.

[darkkterror]

Shock4ndAwe, on 30 March 2013 - 06:09 PM, said:

If you're going to go LRM now with the nerf I think it'd be wise to go big, or go home. Throw a lot down-range or throw none at all. Just my two cents.

I agree with this. LRMs in more moderate amounts (like, say, 2 LRM15s) is just not intimidating at all anymore. I don't even bother to find cover now when I only see that many coming at me. I only turn tail when there's enough incoming LRMs to darken the sky. This kind of puts the Catapult in a tough spot since it doesn't have the tonnage or (with the exception of the A1 and maybe the C4) the hard points to pull off a lot of LRMs.

The K2 is still a solid Mech, though. Load up a couple of ER PPCs and a Gauss Rifle and enjoy doing much more damage and getting more kills than a C1 with 2 A-LRM15s.

As far as the builds you posted, I'd suggest squeezing in your own TAG, especially on the C1. It's kinda tough trying to convince yourself to give up half your energy slots on the C4 to put in that TAG, but it shouldn't be too depressing to give up one on the C1. I also, personally, find it hard to justify pulse lasers in most cases. Instead, I imagine what I could do with that extra ton per laser and with less heat.

Edited by darkkterror, 30 March 2013 - 06:19 PM.

[One Medic Army]

If you plan to LRM, grab a TAG.

C1 can make a nasty direct-fire support and a nasty brawler as well as an LRM carrier.
Mine's currently set up with 2x ASRM6, 2xERLL, and 2xMPL. It works for me pretty well.

[NRP]

I'm loving my C1. Since the LRM nerf, I've thrown 2 ASRM6s in there along with 2 PPCs, 2 MLs, and an XL315. If they ever figure out the LRM issue, I'll probably go back to 2 ALRM15s, but for now I think I'm set.

[Johnny Reb]

I personally wouldn't recommend the C-1, however, I am a founder so I'm stuck with one. The best build I have come up for it is:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...dd040e17b24f29f

Can swap the lrms for srms for extra punch but I like the lrms so when im close to enemies my heat is more manageable since im obviously not using them.
As to the C-4 never have owned one cause I like the boom-cat and splat cat. (the k2 and a1)

Edited by Johnny Reb, 30 March 2013 - 06:58 PM.

[NRP]

I think the Jaggers make the K2 obsolete. The rest of the Cats are still viable though.

[ZeProme]

I have the A1 variant, so far not pleased with its performance. I'm thinking of doing 6 x SRM cheese build since there isn't any way LRM without TAG would work. The A1 variant only has 6 missile hardpoints, something that I never thought through carefully durin my first week. Also, LRM is pretty useless on most maps since terrain, buildings and careful manuvers can nullify LRMs.

Sad but true. Here's a tip, avoid the A1 unless you want the SRM Cheese build. I don't even know if full LRM boat is viable in tournaments anymore since most maps make LRM obsolete.

[Johnny Reb]

NRP, on 30 March 2013 - 07:35 PM, said:

I think the Jaggers make the K2 obsolete. The rest of the Cats are still viable though.

Prolly right but im mastered in all my cats but the k2.

[barnmaddo]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to try it with this setup and it's working fairly well. It only takes 2-3 perfect salvos before most mechs are seriously hurting or dead. Only wish that would happen more often.

CPLT-C4: 4xLRM15, Tag
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d4f0f4cade92698

10 Win, 7 Lose, 11 Kills, 10 Deaths, 4,485 damage dealt.

[El Death Smurf]

NRP, on 30 March 2013 - 07:35 PM, said:

I think the Jaggers make the K2 obsolete. The rest of the Cats are still viable though.

i say no to this, for startes, jagermechs broad body and bellybutton level lasers make the k2 the better mech with energy. period. all catapults do better with XL engines than the jagermech. then again... i guess the Jagermech-A could be better than the C4 due to laser hard point bing CT vs L/R Torso.
that aside.

missles wise, sure you can SRM it if you please, they still pack a punch, and
with LRMs, i strongly advise 60 or more and TAG
My founders mech is my favorite mech. 300xl, 15DHS 2 LRM15 (900rounds) TAG, Largepulse, 2 medium lasers. hits hard at all ranges, is heat efficent, can peirce ECM, and is highly mobile. i find Large Pulse and 2 mediums to be quite effective together. lrms are still great support and soften up enemies nicely.

Edited by El Death Smurf, 30 March 2013 - 11:55 PM.

[One Medic Army]

I finally bought a K2 and C4 to go with my C1. Got them all through basic, and the C1 mostly through elite this weekend with the following builds:
All 3 use Endo, DHS, 300XL, and Artemis (not K2, but the other 2)
C1: 2x ERLL, 2xMPL, 2xASRM6
C4: LPL, 4x ASRM6
K2: 2x AC5, 2x ERLL

The C4 has been putting me consistently at the top of my team with 500or more damage.
K2 is surprisingly effective, it's done nearly as well as the C4. I attribute it to nobody perceiving that loadout as a threat, plus decent enough aim to consistently hit light mechs with the AC5s.

[Blackadder]

With the exception of the C4, all the cats are better off as support mech's relying on energy or ballistic weapons based on varient, along with the standard Srm/Streak cat for the A1, since it lacks tag, its very hard to be viable without it when using LRM's. If you really want a missile boat, the C4 or the jager A would work with the ability to mount 4 LRM 15 with Artemis, and a tag, without sacrificing to much speed. Better off going for a Stalker or Awsome though, for the extra tonnage imo though.


C1: 3x LPL, 2 SRM6/LRM5 , 300XL
C1: 2x ERLL, 2x MPL, 2 SRM6/LRM5, 300XL
K2: 2x AC10/UAC5, 4xML 300 XL
K2-S: 4X LL , 300 STD
K2-P: 4x PPC, 300 XL

[NRP]

If the K2 had jump jets, you could mount 4 PPCs and have the meanest pop tart ever.

I guess you could do that with the C1 though.