53 replies to this topic

[MeiSooHaityu]

StealthAssassin, on 24 April 2013 - 07:07 AM, said:

...Clearly, the A1 is the worst variant of the Catapult. Don't get me wrong, I love catapults, but the A1 is ONLY useful packed full of SRM's. I do get multiple kills with the splat cat, but it's terribly boring to do this. For anything besides SRM's it's best to use a different variant. I've tried multiple builds, mixed with LRM/SRM/Streak's... just not enough of a threat. Any light or medium is more of a threat as a support mech even.

I actually think the C4 is worse (IMO). The A1 is only missiles, so LRM boats or Splats is about all it can do, HOWEVER, the C4 doesn't have a good enough energy loadout to warrant substituting a C4 for a A1.

If the C4 had side torso lasers, I would rather have the C4, but with it having only CT mounted lasers, it just doesn't do energy well, and it is short 2 missile launchers. I would have an additional 2 SRMs then 2 MLasers.

[Vahnn]

Please excuse my while I find my lols.

Oh yes, here they are.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

[Golfin Man]

Dusted off the old hellcat yesterday and went to town. Except when there were a few Kaos members put on my team on Alpine, I basically marched in circles while they rained PPCs from death mountain.

[MeiSooHaityu]

Golfin Man, on 24 April 2013 - 09:50 AM, said:

Dusted off the old hellcat yesterday and went to town. Except when there were a few Kaos members put on my team on Alpine, I basically marched in circles while they rained PPCs from death mountain.

Yea, Alpine pretty much turns a Splatcat into a spectator for most of the match. I once said in team chat that I was taking a nap and to wake me if the enemy comes within range of us

[StealthAssassin]

Ecliptor, on 24 April 2013 - 07:44 AM, said:

if you dont like a mech dont use it...thats like me saying Stealthassassin sucks at this game, dont let him play

That's not a great metaphor, and I don't use it any more for the reason's stated. Elited it, and it will now just sit in my inventory until PGI revisits the older mechs. Someone should at least point out to them that it's very weak comparable to other mechs, and can be completely neutralized by ECM, and being 271 meters away. Just a while ago, I found one, gave a laugh, and went to town on him with my Spider 5D.

I don't own the C4 so can't speak to it entirely, but the C1 is much more versatile, and the K2 is... well it's the K2, and is awesome.

[Victor Morson]

Ecliptor, on 24 April 2013 - 07:44 AM, said:

if you dont like a mech dont use it...thats like me saying Stealthassassin sucks at this game, dont let him play

That isn't the point. The point is that even with the heaviest of boats the damage is still far and away pathetic for 'em. He wasn't suggesting everyone drive/stop driving Stalkers.

[qki]

A1 is faster, and jumpier than a stalker. And you can still load up with 4 streaks and a pair of A4-6s, or just go full bore splat cat. They're no longer the easy-mode "push button to explode 'mech", but you can very well kill something with them.

[Caviel]

StealthAssassin, on 23 April 2013 - 04:47 PM, said:

Okay, so why would you run a Catapult A1, when a Stalker can run more LRM's, tag, and energy weapons as well?

Because the Catapult is smaller, 20-30 kph faster, and jump capable?

Quote

I still don't see any good argument or build for it being viable as anything other than an SRM boat...

Other than the Splatcat variety, the A1 is very much a "team orientated" variant that is not well suited to PUG groups. It relies heavily on teammates for spotting and protection, although this can be addressed to a small degree by a SRM/LRM mix. This doesn't make it useless, just very good at what it does (Extreme missile boat) at the cost of being less versatile.

[Danish Fury]

The A-1 is a blast to pilot, still capable of 1200 damage and 5-6 kills. SRMs are fine. The "problem" with the Splatcat nowadays is that it actually requires a small amount of skill and intelligence to be successful.

[ExplodedZombie]

Heh. Is this a troll? I don't know but I'll answer, in case it's not.

What the guy above me said!

Example:
4 x SRM6
2 x SRM4
300 XL
2 JJ

Fast, use the JJ to outmaneuver your opponent. Even with the missile nerf, this is a fantastic brawler if you are good with SRMs and JJs (see: requires skill).

Edited by ExplodedZombie, 24 April 2013 - 04:44 PM.

[Buckminster]

I've taken my A1 back out lately (last Cat I need to Master) when I'm looking for something to break the monotany of grinding for Elite on my Raven 2X and 4X. I was actually quite surprised.

I have 2 ALRM10s and 4 SSRMs, a 300XL and JJ. ECM still plays havoc on me, but with the Highlander as the FOTM mech, I haven't seen as much ECM as I used to.

Is it a killing machine? No. Am I going to get stupid amounts of damage with it? No. But is it effective - able to engage and kill? Absolutely.

[Mercules]

Maybe stop boating?

2 LRM 20s and 2 SRM 6s.


While I personally agree that TAG should not take an energy slot but should instead be a system that can be placed on the mech lack of TAG does not mean lack of targets in most cases. In fact I have seen a lot less ECM on the field lately with the current PPC meta going around.

Aside from that, if you drop with a team then it would behoove you to ask someone else to slot a tag while you are leveling up your A1. I'm willing to tag for my friends.

[StealthAssassin]

ExplodedZombie, on 24 April 2013 - 04:43 PM, said:

Heh. Is this a troll? I don't know but I'll answer, in case it's not.

What the guy above me said!

Example:
4 x SRM6
2 x SRM4
300 XL
2 JJ

Fast, use the JJ to outmaneuver your opponent. Even with the missile nerf, this is a fantastic brawler if you are good with SRMs and JJs (see: requires skill).

Even the splat cat is a niche build, it's light-bait. Any good medium/light pilot will tear apart a SRM/LRM boat, and probably not even take damage. Any smart heavy/assault pilot, will keep their distance, and either rip off the missile bays, or just headshot the catapult before it's in range. It's not a good brawler because it has an XL engine. Brawlers with XL engines are just so easy to kill. Focus fire them, and they're dead in seconds. I get kills and do good damage running SRMs on the A1, but it's clear to me how much more useful I would have been in almost any other mech.

Victor Morson, on 24 April 2013 - 11:29 AM, said:

That isn't the point. The point is that even with the heaviest of boats the damage is still far and away pathetic for 'em. He wasn't suggesting everyone drive/stop driving Stalkers.

Someone gets it at least.

Edited by StealthAssassin, 25 April 2013 - 12:06 PM.

[El Bandito]

StealthAssassin, on 23 April 2013 - 04:33 PM, said:

Please uninstall this mech from the game. It is by far the most painful mech to use. I'm just trying to master my Catapult K2, and made a poor decision to buy the A1 over the C4. Maybe revise it, and give it a damn energy hardpoint for tag? Something? 1600 LRM's fired 200-300 damage. What? It's sole purpose is to load 6xSRM6 and blast people.

HarmAssassin, on 23 April 2013 - 04:48 PM, said:

Until they un-nerf missiles, yes the A1 is useless.

I can only tell you this. A1 is only as good as its pilot. Here is my A1 stats. 90% of the matches were played after the missile nerf. Because I'm hipster like that. (Psst, my KDR/WLR is climbing as I play more)




As always, I would encourage you to check out my Streakcat videos, if you haven't.

http://mwomercs.com/...tube-gameplays/

Edited by El Bandito, 25 April 2013 - 07:00 PM.