Sheraf, on 20 June 2013 - 12:32 PM, said:
The jumpjet help alot, especially for LRM, allow you yo get into the right position you want to launch at. Sometimes just jump and launch LRM make a difference between hit the wall, and able to shoot pass the wall
The Stalker has more armor, and big side torsos, but that also where all the weapons are, take one down and it at 50% fire power. Stalker most have 10 LRM tube each arm only compare to 15 of Catapult, with exception of Stalker 3H which has 20 tubes vs. the Catapult C4 which also has 20 tube, but C4 has greater range of torso twist and more speed, ability to jump, can carry more modules.
When talking about LRM, of course you neet to take the Stalker 3H as a reference. Thr 3H has the same 20 tubes as the Catapult C4 and then some additional slots in the side torsos. I consider the Catapult C4 to be the biggest joke of all Catapults. Its the only Cat with a decent amount of tubes for a chassis that is supposed to be THE LRM plattform ... and then it comes with 2 energy hardpoints. TWO! And to make things really hillarious, they are both located in the center torso where you then can decide between having something like 2 medium lasers, small lasers and a tag or a single large laser ...
Could you please explain what you need 120 degree torso twist for in a mech that has only LRMs and then maybe 1 medium laser (because you should equip a TAG in a LRM boat). You can't even use your torso twist to avoid damage because you hit the Catapults center from all directions except when being exactly behind it.
Of course you can disarm a Stalker to 50% by shooting off a side torso. What you should have added to your post is the fact that the damage required to shoot off one side torso of a Stalker is about the same as required to destroy the center torso of a Catapult (its 62 Cat, 60 Stalker on my mechs). As a Catapult gets almost any damage to either the center torso or the cockpit, its a lot easier to kill the Cat than disarm a Stalker (which will then continue to shoot at you with the remaining 50% of its weapons). Oh, and doesn't the Cat has these funny ears which are so damn easy to hit and contain the important weapons as well?
Jumpjets may grant you the option to get a shot off in a few situations where the stalker might not. But lets be honest, this isn't the case often and good LRM boats don't hug a wall somewhere in the background but walk with the group. LRM boats staying behind alone and shooting at great distances are wasting their ammo and also easy prey for light and medium mechs. The same can be said about the speed advantage. You don't need it when you stay with the group. I don't see the point in flanking with LRM Catapults either. All you do is make enemies take another route to your remaining group and be an easy target again. I love killing those stray Cats with my Raven or Trebuchet... its great fun because they can't do sh#t.
At least you got a point with the additional module slots. Since the seismic sensor is available, it actually is useful for a LRM boat.
Edited by Arctu, 21 June 2013 - 01:48 PM.