28 replies to this topic

[ZeProme]

Because the XL engines are so expensive, I am really clueless when it comes to buying XL engines. I currently have two Catapult variants, the K2 and the C1. A while back, I purchased the XL 265 for the K2 to use the Gausspult build. It was a major success which clearly showed that the Gausspult build is very deadly. However, because of the XL 265 engine, I am not able to make full use of the tonnage and critical space with the C1.

Which XL engine is commonly used, most beneficial and best bang for the buck for the catapult series? I'm planning to master the Catapult chassis but I really need the right XL engine that I can share between the variants.

I have two builds in mind with the XL Engine 300 for both the K2 and the C1 catapult.

CPTL-C1 Build that I just made up: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1d8efa2f5788c3f

Another build by Michael of Mechspecs.com featuring the CPTL-C1 Grimm Variant (both builds as shown) http://www.mechspecs...hp?topic=1416.0

Much appreciated! Thanks!

[Undecided]

The XL 280 and 300 are the best engines you can put in a cat. The enormous center torso and head mean you need that extra speed and twisting to keep your enemies away from you nose. Even sniper K2 builds benefit greatly from larger engines. The 300 is my favorite and I use it in most of my catapult builds. I don't find the 305-315 give nearly enough performance increase for the extra weight.

[Koniving]

Xl 300s are the most versatile of all engines, as most mechs can use it. Depending on the build I run an XL 300, 315, 200, or 280 in my catapult.

[Shalune]

Koniving, on 19 June 2013 - 04:03 PM, said:

Xl 300s are the most versatile of all engines

Echoing this for emphasis and truthiness. I think I have 24 mechs, and use XL300 on more different chassis than any other engine. Just off hand I know I've used it in my 3 catapults, jenner, CTF-3D, and now my growing stockpile of quickdraws. XLs are a huge investment, but this one's well worth it for the long run.

[Orbit Rain]

Bite the bullet and buy it, you'll end up using it on all kinds of mechs. And as someone with about half a million in xp on a C1, I can say you'lll want to get an XL315 too, after you figure out the 300 (I have 4 K2's and 4 C1's in my mechbays with diffrent builds)

[Whiskey Dharma]

Question: In BT a mech could only fit an engine with a rating that divided evenly by its tonnage (e.g., a 65-ton Cat could use an engine with a rating of 65, 130, 195, 260, or 315). Obviously that's not the case in MW:O, since we're talking about putting a 300 on a Catapult.

So what do we mean when we say that "most mechs can use" a certain engine rating? Why is a 300 more flexible than a 315?

[ZeProme]

Shalune, on 19 June 2013 - 04:15 PM, said:

Echoing this for emphasis and truthiness. I think I have 24 mechs, and use XL300 on more different chassis than any other engine. Just off hand I know I've used it in my 3 catapults, jenner, CTF-3D, and now my growing stockpile of quickdraws. XLs are a huge investment, but this one's well worth it for the long run.

This is quite the response I wanted. Now that I know the XL 300 engine is great for the catapult but also to other mech chassis, I stand affirmed that the XL 300 is the right engine to invest in.

I don't want to spend an extra 5mil for another XL engine if I could help it.

Orbit Rain, on 19 June 2013 - 04:17 PM, said:

Bite the bullet and buy it, you'll end up using it on all kinds of mechs. And as someone with about half a million in xp on a C1, I can say you'lll want to get an XL315 too, after you figure out the 300 (I have 4 K2's and 4 C1's in my mechbays with diffrent builds)

That's quite a lot of Catapult variants you have there. I stand affirmed that the XL 300 will be probably the best XL investment.

[Redshift2k5]

Mechs are still limited to certain caps for engine rating, which is a factor of their stock engine. Jenners are capped at 300, for example. Have look at the max engine capacity for mechs http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/

The 300 is also a nice mix of engine power, weight, and heatsink capacity, since heatsinks are based on engine rating/25

[Hex Pallett]

All Catapults should use a XL300 engine. I don't care what anyone else says. ALL OF THEM.

Except for C4, which you shouldn't buy anyway.

[ZeProme]

Redshift2k5, on 19 June 2013 - 04:25 PM, said:

Mechs are still limited to certain caps for engine rating, which is a factor of their stock engine. Jenners are capped at 300, for example. Have look at the max engine capacity for mechs http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/

The 300 is also a nice mix of engine power, weight, and heatsink capacity, since heatsinks are based on engine rating/25

Thanks for mentioning this, didn't know about it.

Helmstif, on 19 June 2013 - 04:27 PM, said:

All Catapults should use a XL300 engine. I don't care what anyone else says. ALL OF THEM.

Except for C4, which you shouldn't buy anyway.

C4 = worse variant? I was thinking of buying it and slapping 4 LRM 10 with artemis (I believe C4 has 20 missile capacity per shot) with a Tag or 2 ML or 1 LL.

[Felicitatem Parco]

The C4 is most useful if you're using the Jump Jets, otherwise the role is better played by a JagerMech 6A.

But, the XL-300 is a Swiss Army Knife of an engine for the entire Heavy Weight Class, especially the Cats. I use XL-300s or the XL-280s for my Cats (since the 280 gives me 1.5 free tons that I sometimes need).

[LoboSG]

I bought the CND-9 for the XL300 engine (and to elite my YLW), so that I don't have to buy it by itself. I have been 'transplanting' it over my other mechs since.

However, I changed my A1 to streakcat so that it can use the standard 300 engine from my altas instead... so that I have install the Xl300 more permanently in my YLW, which is my c-bill churner.

Anyway, my point was, see where you can buy mechs with the engine you want, rather than just aiming for the engine. Esp if you wish to elite that line of mechs in the future anyway.

Edited by LoboSG, 19 June 2013 - 05:12 PM.

[scJazz]

The XL300 engine is quite useful across builds as noted. 4xALRM10 is ummmm stunningly dumb... as it weighs more than 2xALRM20. There is no reason not to use XL Engines on a Catapult given the HUGE CT.

[Y2kHippy]

I was running a Streak Cat with my clan mate. He used a Standard 300 and I had the XL. The difference was nothing in reality except I was risking my shoulders being blown off

[Shalune]

I actually really like the Cat C4. And i'll take a Cat over a JM for missiles any day. JJ, better twist makes kiting possible, and better light defense. Also if you're running 40 LRMs in 4 launchers I'd recommend trying 2x 15, 2x 5. This gives you great flexibility in how you use your missiles. Sometimes I just want to light up someone's warning with a 5, they'll rarely take the time to look up at how little is coming their way. Also great when you're unsure about the lock time on a target and don't want to waste 40 ammo on a possible miss.

[RLBell]

scJazz, on 19 June 2013 - 05:11 PM, said:

The XL300 engine is quite useful across builds as noted. 4xALRM10 is ummmm stunningly dumb... as it weighs more than 2xALRM20. There is no reason not to use XL Engines on a Catapult given the HUGE CT.

scJazz, on 19 June 2013 - 05:11 PM, said:

The XL300 engine is quite useful across builds as noted. 4xALRM10 is ummmm stunningly dumb... as it weighs more than 2xALRM20. There is no reason not to use XL Engines on a Catapult given the HUGE CT.

Four LRM10's fire faster than two LRM20's (but with the penalty of heavier Artemis and more heat), so it is a case of what you are trying to optimise -- DPS, choose four tens, for better heat and tonnage, choose two twenties.

[ZeProme]

RLBell, on 19 June 2013 - 06:13 PM, said:

Four LRM10's fire faster than two LRM20's (but with the penalty of heavier Artemis and more heat), so it is a case of what you are trying to optimise -- DPS, choose four tens, for better heat and tonnage, choose two twenties.

Ah my apologies. I totally forgot with artemis it adds weight.

What I mean is, if you want to save weight, substituting 2 LRM 5s for a LRM 10 will save 1 ton.

[Johnny Reb]

LoboSG, on 19 June 2013 - 05:09 PM, said:

I bought the CND-9 for the XL300 engine (and to elite my YLW), so that I don't have to buy it by itself. I have been 'transplanting' it over my other mechs since.

However, I changed my A1 to streakcat so that it can use the standard 300 engine from my altas instead... so that I have install the Xl300 more permanently in my YLW, which is my c-bill churner.

Anyway, my point was, see where you can buy mechs with the engine you want, rather than just aiming for the engine. Esp if you wish to elite that line of mechs in the future anyway.

This is an excellent point! If you ever want a xl320 the cda-3m is a good buy for the same reason. If fact, if you subtract the upgrades and engine from the cda-3m price, the actual chassis comes out to costing less than a few hundred thousand cbills.

[Reported for Inappropriate Name]

250xl is good enough for a gaussapult, this lets you install 1-2 medium lasers for finishing depending on how you want to shift your armor around

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...145c3a94b403343
this is the build that never let me down in beta, there are variations to what you like, but it's very straightforward. I really recommend at least one medium laser, for those situations where you need a little more than two gauss rounds for a headshot, and waiting isn't an option.

as far as your typical missiles and 4ml catapults, a bigger engine is very useful. she can be fast when you need her to be, and it's usually enough to dance around assaults.

Edited by Battlecruiser, 19 June 2013 - 07:58 PM.

[Orbit Rain]

ZeProme, on 19 June 2013 - 04:24 PM, said:

That's quite a lot of Catapult variants you have there. I stand affirmed that the XL 300 will be probably the best XL investment.

no doubt it's the best choice in your progression, wasn't saying otherwise.

Helmstif, on 19 June 2013 - 04:27 PM, said:

All Catapults should use a XL300 engine. I don't care what anyone else says. ALL OF THEM.

Except for C4, which you shouldn't buy anyway.

lol, I like this thinking "inside the box" - you should (lol) follow it when you (try to) build a boomcat or a gausscat