17 replies to this topic

[Ahdreal]

I recently wanted to hop into a group but had wanted to bring a catapult c4 for lrm support. I was aware at the time that there were 'boats' out there that could carry more ammo or launch more volleys but thought I was pretty good with it anyway. To my surprise I was told that not only was the Cplt inferior as an lrm boat, but also that it was at best a 'jack of all trades.'

Is this true about all Catapults or is there a good build out there for them?

[Skinless2]

The C4 functions best as a LRM boat what with the 40 tubes for the missiles and stock LRM20's IMO, The K2 or C1 can be more "jack of all trades" due to the K2's varied hardpoints and the C1's extra energy hardpoints for defensive/brawling weapons.

Edited by Skinless2, 09 July 2013 - 11:12 AM.

[Wolf Ender]

i haven't seen a catapult in a competitive 8-man dropdeck in at least 4 months.

it's not NECESSARILY because of a poor weapon arrangement (although that is a consideration) i think it's more so the extreme ease at which you can headshot the cockpit of any catapult, making all forms (even the once godlike K-2) obsolete.

also there is opportunity cost

if you make your assaults like stalker or atlas DDC carry the missiles instead of taking catapults, that frees up your heavies to bump up to cataphracts or jagermechs with AC/20s, both staple mechs in 8mans

Edited by Wolf Ender, 09 July 2013 - 11:13 AM.

[Praehotec8]

All i have to say to that is "BOOOOOOO!"

Catapults are the best! It's a shame that they are no longer considered competitive.

[tayhimself]

The most recent ATD said that they were re-examining head hitboxes. It would be fantastic if they set them proportional to mech size/class rather than :
Catapult ------------->>>>> Every other mech.

Then again the SRM nerf in late March was temporary.

[Lord Ikka]

Still see them occasionally- mainly K2 snipers (twin gauss/quad ppc) or boomcats (AC40), but also some LRM/SRM boats depending on the team. No longer the default Heavy, but then again nothing is the default Heavy.

[Ph30nix]

Praehotec8, on 09 July 2013 - 12:04 PM, said:

All i have to say to that is "BOOOOOOO!"

Catapults are the best! It's a shame that they are no longer considered competitive.

dont worry once PGI final puts 8 man groups being able to drop with 6+ assaults the catapult will get back into popularity.

[DarkDevilDancer]

Even a half decent shot can hit a cats cockpit, it's an issue that needs looking at.

[Agent 0 Fortune]

With the current state of the match maker, and teleport technology (to avoid the logistics problems of dropship capacity). There really isn't a reason not to go big, especially on an LRM boat. A Stalker weighs 20 more tons than a capapult. do you know what else weighs 20 tons? two more LRM20s.

Unfortunately as much as I like Catapults, the powers at be do not. But at least it isn't a medium mech, Amiright!

[Ragnar Darkmane]

Agent 0 Fortune, on 09 July 2013 - 02:49 PM, said:

A Stalker weighs 20 more tons than a capapult. do you know what else weighs 20 tons? two more LRM20s.

Unfortunately as much as I like Catapults, the powers at be do not. But at least it isn't a medium mech, Amiright!

Two more LRM 20s AND close defence lasers AND huge survivability :/.
Cats are simply not worth their CB-cost as long as their cockpit hitbox isn't fixed.

[Thejuggla]

Ive mastered the catapult I'd say it is quite viable. I only have kept the c1 and k2.

My builds are
C1
300xl close or max armor
2x Lrm15 1080ammo
4x mediu lasers
15 dhs
4/4 JJ

K2
300xl close or max armor
2x Pcc
2x small laser(or swap for one more heat sink)
2x ac2 3 tons of ammo
15 dhs

I like either for supporting. I find the 300xl a good balance for speed heat sink slots and tonnage which is good for reposistion to support. The c1 has good backup weapons and still good lrm output, i think the speed is better than using rhe tonnage for the lrm20. I also like to support bigger mechs within medium laser range for more damage an faster missile hit. The k2 with dual ppc and dual ac2 is good for sniping but also does quite well if you get caught close range. The k2 is probably one of my favorite builds right now. Also facing a Lrm catapult I find it very easy to take out their missle arms, they are quite vulnerable, another reason I like the k2 more.

Edited by Thejuggla, 09 July 2013 - 03:18 PM.

[Hyperlynx]

I was actually considering buying a catapult A1, and switched to saving for a stalker. The cat is a mini stalker in pretty much every regard. There's an energy boat stalker that's like the K2 only better, and there's a missile stalker that's like the A1 or C1 only better. Not that I've piloted a stalker yet, and I do love my K2.

Edited by Hyperlynx, 09 July 2013 - 04:43 PM.

[MeiSooHaityu]

Wolf Ender, on 09 July 2013 - 11:12 AM, said:

it's not NECESSARILY because of a poor weapon arrangement (although that is a consideration) i think it's more so the extreme ease at which you can headshot the cockpit of any catapult, making all forms (even the once godlike K-2) obsolete.

I think PGI might have changed the hitbox. I have not been taking the same level of head damage in my Cat's head recently. I have noticed some additional damage to side torsos though.

I think in one of the last patches they might have shrunk the head hitbox, but enlarged the side torsos a bit.

BTW, Catapults are extremely underrated. It helps, because my C1 is left largly alone and I can clean house. So to all you out there...

Catapult C1s are soooo bad, just ignore them and go after other mechs first.

Edited by MeiSooHaityu, 10 July 2013 - 07:42 AM.

[Lord Ikka]

Just remember that when comparing a Catapult to a Stalker you are comparing two different Classes. Not exactly fair, it's like comparing a Cataphract to a Highlander. The Catapult is the best missile platform Heavy, and if there ever is some sort of Class-restriction balance, you may see competitive teams fielding LRM Cats as support for close combat Assaults.

[Blood Rose]

I use a K2-it was the first mech i got and i love it. My build you ask?

XL300 engine
Max armor
1 AMS with 2 tons of ammo-note that the ammo is in the opposite side to the AMS
C.A.S.E to protect said ammo
2 stock PPCs-ER are overrated IMO
2 Medium Pulse Lasers for in close defence
20-21 double Heatsinks(cant remember and a long way from nearest server port)
Choice of modules.

Works like a dream. The big thing to remember is to keep moving and to learn to shoot accurately whilst doing so along with using the terrain to your advantage. In a city, cross a street and shoot whilst doing so. The window is so small that your opponent will almost never get the shot unless their prepared whilst you are.

[Deathlike]

The only heavy viable for an 8-man at this point in time is the CTF-3D. I'm unsure about Quickdraws, but the rest are pretty much off the table.

[myke]

I love the CPLT-K2, because of it's similarity with a madcat.

My Current build would be

300XL
2 PPC's
2 M.lasers
1 Gausse Riffle
dble sinks

I find it very good to pilot because of the speed that the engine gives. And the position of the cannons to be on top, allowing me to do a peek-a-boo style of snipping. (just don't show your head 2x in the same place lol)

[Kitane]

Catapult is much better than Stalker if your main force is fast and you need a heavy LRM support that can keep up with the rest.

Which doesn't happen very often in the current game.