14 replies to this topic

[Tyr4nt]

I just built a new phract and I really like it so far, I'm not sure if this build already exists somewhere but here it is:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...45180821d334752

I was going for something with good speed DPS and heat management and this is what I came up with. It's primarily designed to escort an Atlas or Highlander so that they will hopefully draw enemy fire away from you. You tend to need to stay at the middle or back of you lance and use terrain for cover. I also try to maintain awareness of my lances scouts in case they dive back into the group I can damage if not kill their pursuer as well as hopefully keep them in the fight. I definitely don't recommend standing still for very long. As soon as I get my next phract and elite/master this build I'm also going to test a standard engine(230?) and see how I like it and if my survivability increases. definitely something to consider.

Unfortunately I'm not a great pilot but I suspect in the right hand this can be a deadly build as I got lucky with a 5-0 KDR in one of my recent matches.

Also it may seem odd that the LLAS are in the torso and not in the arms, this is intentional. While sacrificing range of motion the advantage is that you can use the left arm as a bit of a shield and even if you lose your arm you're only losing a medium laser. Likewise with the right arm, if your gauss rifle blows it's not taking an LLAS with it.

Thoughts?

[StygianSon]

The one thing I see right off the top, get rid of the CASE. Gauss Ammo is not explosive like AC ammo, you do not need it. The explosion comes from the rifle itself and as far as I know, CASE will not stop that.

Also, just an FYI if you have CASE located in the torso as you do and if you did have explosive Ammo there, CASE would still not save you because of the XL engine. All CASE does is prevent the ammo explosion from spreading, but it still destroys the location case is held in. Thus, you would still die because of the XL. With a standard engine, torso locations are fine.

Aside from that, I like lasers, and I like builds that do not super specialize. So this is a nice build as it has some ranged, some mid and some close in damage sources. Do not know if it would hold up in a super competitive atmosphere, but I would love this 3D as a casual mech. Definitely looks like it could be fun.

[Tyr4nt]

Chillblains, on 08 April 2013 - 02:04 AM, said:

The one thing I see right off the top, get rid of the CASE. Gauss Ammo is not explosive like AC ammo, you do not need it. The explosion comes from the rifle itself and as far as I know, CASE will not stop that.

Also, just an FYI if you have CASE located in the torso as you do and if you did have explosive Ammo there, CASE would still not save you because of the XL engine. All CASE does is prevent the ammo explosion from spreading, but it still destroys the location case is held in. Thus, you would still die because of the XL. With a standard engine, torso locations are fine.

Aside from that, I like lasers, and I like builds that do not super specialize. So this is a nice build as it has some ranged, some mid and some close in damage sources. Do not know if it would hold up in a super competitive atmosphere, but I would love this 3D as a casual mech. Definitely looks like it could be fun.

Learn something new all the time, thanks; I will drop the case and pump the armor back up in the legs.

[nubcake]

I'd mod it like this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...421b2392ed2df2a
AMS is arguably useless: most of the time you can outmanuever those LRMs, so rather go with two JJs.

Edited by nubcake, 08 April 2013 - 02:24 AM.

[Tyr4nt]

I tweaked it some to accommodate a standard engine, removed the AMS and 1 ton of gauss ammo:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c5db2c683e1181d

still maintains 14 DHS to keep the DPS up since it is more of a brawler build with a standard engine. Still have to test it though.

p.s. I like JJs I just wish they didn't weight so much =(

[Tyr4nt]

UPDATE: modified brawler build http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f7b685cfd04b249

I'm amazed by this builds capability so far, plenty of fire power with reasonable sustained DPS and heat management I'm also tempted to try swapping the AC/20 for an AC/10 for increased range and decreased cycle time but I'm a little drunk on the Ac/20 right now lol.

[thepartisan]

C.A.S.E does stop a Gauss Rifle from coring you. I used one on my atlas because my right torso kept attracting immense amounts of fire.

[SchwarzerPeter]

The CASE protects your CT right. But he was using a XL engine and thus the CASE is useless. The explosion from the Gaus will not be stopped, it prevents only spreading to the CT. Since you are dead when you lose a side torso with an XL the CASE is useless in this case


This Build reminds me of my atlas, only without Srms. 14 DHS are enought to cool the 2 ll. But could be hot if you alpha.

[Tyr4nt]

indeed, it was a first attempt before I knew any better, hence the tweaking. I haven't had a problem with over heating really. I generally don't alpha unless the target is close because of the divergence between lasers and large ballistics. I don't want to say the ML's are there as a back up because not using them decreases your damage, but they basically are and it's fine since they only way 1 ton each. I could have dropped them and a large laser and picked up a ER/PPC etc for a little more damage at range but I like the added survivability they provide. In the case of the AC/20 build, they just make it beastly in exchange for a bit more heat without significantly dropping DPS.

My opinion pretty much null though given my bias. I just know I'm having a lot of fun especially not playing a cheese build or trolling in an ECM light playing freaking peekaboo lol.

[thepartisan]

SchwarzerPeter, on 19 April 2013 - 12:27 PM, said:

The CASE protects your CT right. But he was using a XL engine and thus the CASE is useless. The explosion from the Gaus will not be stopped, it prevents only spreading to the CT. Since you are dead when you lose a side torso with an XL the CASE is useless in this case


This Build reminds me of my atlas, only without Srms. 14 DHS are enought to cool the 2 ll. But could be hot if you alpha.

Indeed. Having C.A.S.E with a XL is pointless.

[McQuackers]

Looking at your most updated build, it's not terrible, but it goes against the grain of the Cataphract:
The Cataphract is NOT a brawler

No matter how much armor you give it, it will get cored quickly in a stand up fight as it is 50% CT.

In my opinion, the CTF is a Long-Mid range skirmisher. You hit with your 1-2 punch, hit with your followup if you can, and dodge into cover. It's just not built for a stand-up fight.

But, if you *really* want to be a brawler, switch your lasers around to this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3bb44aed067016f

As it stands, if your RT goes, you lose 34 of your 49 firepower. Rearranging it, if your RT goes, you only lose 31 firepower and keep both of your long range options available, which is definitely what you want. After you lose that AC/20, you won't want any reason to be up close in the fight then.

[FireSlade]

I have to agree with McQuackers the Cataphract 3D isn't for brawling you can do better with the 4X being more of a brawler. The other thing is the 3D is a really expensive version of the 1X (granted you lose 1 ballistic hard point) since those builds are based around the single Gauss/AC20. The whole reason to get the CTF-3D is the ability to mount JJs to it to add to its already impressive mobility. I would use a build like this CTF-3D and emphisize "hit and run" tactics to minimize exposure and to manage recycle times and heat build up. It hits for 30 damage and the UAC5 can hit from 5-15 damage in the same strike depending on if it jams. You have to be careful with the Ultra ACs since they require some skill watching the recycle bar to prevent jams but double tap is useful for burst tactics. I would keep the 4 JJs since they do more than most people expect them to. I will either do a charge while firing then jump over the enemy's head while spining so that I come down facing their back while they're mid turn which allows you to predict their path and head the opposite direction keeping you out of their crosshairs longer; the other tactic that I use against lights that works with my Highlander is to use the JJs to get me off the ground while turning and pulsing it to keep you aloft long enough to do a 180 (looks a little like a figure skater). The downside to this manuver is once you run out of JJ fuel you can't turn anymore but you don't need to use the JJs to actually turn in mid air. Another is that you can't change direction once you are airbourn but you can use that to your advantage once you get the hang of it. But as I mentioned earlier you're better off using a CTF-1X (cheaper) for these designs though they certainly work.

Edit: oh another version of the CTF-3D is basically the stock design modified. It keeps the LBX which I tend to love for brawling but others hate. Has the second highest ballistics Impulse (cockpit shake) and can potentially do 6 damage per shot to an unarmored section where it can potentially do 60 damage alone. The expense for this is it behaves like a shotgun so it does not work well long range and the price (800k c-bills).

Edited by FireSlade, 21 April 2013 - 04:33 PM.

[Cyke]

If you do insist on brawling with a CTF (any variant), start twisting your torso to reduce the amount of damage your CT takes right from the start. Don't wait till your CT armor is badly damaged (or worse, stripped) before you start doing defensive torso twisting.
And of course, if you're protecting a big gun (like an AC20 or Gauss Rifle) mounted on your RA/RT, preferentially face your left toward the enemy first.

I'm by no means a very good player, but I did Master three CTF variants, and learned that the hard way as I went. I suppose it applies to any 'Mech with a very large CT hitzone.

[blacklp]

If your gonna brawl in cataphract, spend a few bucks, get the Ilya.

[Wizard Steve]

blacklp, on 22 April 2013 - 11:14 AM, said:

If your gonna brawl in cataphract, spend a few bucks, get the Ilya.

The Ilya's nice and all but the 3D has JJs. Take both.