49 replies to this topic

[Erghiez06]

I make absolutely no claim that I am a good player. To be quite honest I am terrible. So instead of complaining about game mechanics, blaming my terrible ability to play this game, I figured it would largely be more productive to ask more seasoned players what their thoughts on my issue are, and what I can do to improve.

I suppose my question is rather more two fold; Why am I being killed so fast, and why am I killing so infrequently if at all?

Right now the only Mech I use is the CPTL-K2. Since I know absolutely nothing about this game (as in I started playing only a few hours ago) I looked around for new player friendly mechs and builds and I had settled on this one. My thinking was that by staying at a distance I could get a better handle on the game while still enjoying the time I spend playing, and this seemed to do just that.

I am not certain if these values are important or if there is a way to import what I am using to these forums, but my firepower is 45, and my armor is 331 but I find myself (at least once every three or four matches) being destroyed in one or two shots. I couldn't tell you what I am being killed by or how, I just know that it does. I'll be spotted and boom, dead before I can retreat.

As far as inflicting damage I seem to be doing little to nothing, regardless of range. I managed to get the jump on another Mech (again not certain which one it was) and I used the Alpha strike function, which resulted in me overheating and losing my advantage but to my surprise I did win this fight. I counted that it took me between 9 and 11 successful shots. To be more specific I have the 4 PPCs separated in two separate groups. I don't seem to overheat if I cycle them this one. Shoot one group, line up another shot (which requires a couple of seconds) fire the other group, rinse and repeat.

Again, I am not complaining. I am hoping to find some level of understanding that I do not already have. All help and suggestions are very much appreciated, and I do apologize if for my extreme level of noobness.

[DocBach]

Catapults have notoriously easy to kill heads, even when you aren't trying. It's located at the dead center of mass.

[Corvus Antaka]

DocBach, on 18 July 2013 - 10:31 PM, said:

Catapults have notoriously easy to kill heads, even when you aren't trying. It's located at the dead center of mass.

Yup. You need to stay back, and keep moving. work on moving side to side. dont stand still, way to easy to headshot.

Might want to try a quickdraw or a Victor, something with more firepower is a little easier to run at the start.

[Erghiez06]

Again suggestions are much appreciated. If I may, since the Catapult is the only Mech I have at the moment and my incoming C-bill is fairly slow and minimal, is there another more effective way I can build this Mech until I can acquire more C-bill to buy something else?

[Narcissistic Martyr]

I like catapults, they're really easy to core or head shot with their large CT and head hit boxes. Heck, even my AC20 raven chews them up if I can get in range.

[Op4blushift]

I think the problem has to do with the fact you have no where near enough armour. Make sure at least your Center torso is completely maxed out, and maybe your side torsos as well. You can probably leave the legs around the 40s and arms in the 30s since they tend not to get hit as much. May I ask what your full catapult build is?

[Koggz]

I like the way you posted your questions and your info, A+ in my books. That being said there is a bit more info that could help us answer you. An exact build would be good, you can build it on the smurfy website. Just google "smurfy mwo" and it should pop up, sorry no link as I am on my phone at work. I think it best to log onto one of the teamspeak servers and just ask for help with play style and things. Here is one from another forum not sure if it works still but he invites new and advanced players alike.
Address: voip01.n1585.hypernia.net:9992
Password: mechwarrior

Some other things that I can't explain here (or just to lazy to type out):

•Are you aware of the mech hit boxes and how they interact with engines/ ammo storage a good research link is here (with pictures!!!)
http://mwomercs.com/...x-localisation/
I would learn these for helping get you kills and also so you can spread damage better across your own mech. Important thing to note is that XL engine essentially triple the are you can be killed by loss of engine because the spread out to both side torsos( your shoulders)

•Do you know how the critical hit system works?
http://mwomercs.com/...-a-brief-guide/

I won't be on this weekend as I have a previous RL engagement to attend but if you add me as a friend I can help you in game when I get back on. If you have more questions just send me a private message and hopefully I can answer! Thanks for being polite and asking for help. Hope I helped a little.

[Nothing Whatsoever]

You can also use this: CPLT-K2

To test builds

Edited by Praetor Shepard, 18 July 2013 - 11:00 PM.

[Erghiez06]

Ok I do apologize for the time it took me to prepare the build - But here it is. I am pretty sure it is accurate, but the MWO Client has my Power rated at 45 and this MWO Build utility has it rated at 40 so I may be missing something. All in all this is it. Again, thank you for your comments and suggestions.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90aa05382200c02

[Koggz]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but fire power calculation is just adding the max damage of each weapon in an alpha strike situation so 40 firepower for 4xPPC @10dmg each is correct. That being said you have .9 tons to play with, either add more armor it subtract some for a full 1 ton for another heat sink. I would suggest more armor if possible. My phone sometimes has problems with smurfy website.

[Hound of War]

Maybe the Cat is just wrong for you, I mean a mech running that hot is really not a beginners mech imo. Why dont ya just play the trial mechs? I mean not just playing one time and after getting blown to pieces saying "this mech sux" but givin each one a fair chance ( and getting c-bills to boot). That way you can see how diffrent weapons,speed,armor,ect. work for you and your opponents.

[One Medic Army]

Erghiez06, on 18 July 2013 - 10:47 PM, said:

Again suggestions are much appreciated. If I may, since the Catapult is the only Mech I have at the moment and my incoming C-bill is fairly slow and minimal, is there another more effective way I can build this Mech until I can acquire more C-bill to buy something else?

Well, there's the old standby:
Gauss rifle in each side torso, 300XL engine, full armor (maybe skimp some on the arms) with a good amount of ammo and medium lasers to taste.
Downsides: very vulnerable to damage on the side torsos as Gauss Rifles will explode and kill your XL engine.
Upsides: very cool running, long range

I use a pair of AC/5s, a 300XL, and a pair of ER Large Lasers. 5 armor on each arm, maxed elsewhere, fill torsos with heatsinks, and add endosteel.

Generally the best thing to do is to use at least one or two ballistics (AC/10, UAC/5, AC/5, Gauss) to counterbalance the high heat generation of the PPCs or Large Lasers.
I'd suggest a pair of ballistics since any of them smaller than the AC/20 or Gauss aren't worth being fired singly much.

Now playstyle, the big thing is to always be moving and twisting, anything to make the cockpit harder to hit. Work on aiming faster so you don't have to hold still for as long. If possible shoot people in the back or from a long way away. Do not move predictably if you can avoid it.

[Nothing Whatsoever]

Erghiez06, on 18 July 2013 - 11:07 PM, said:

Ok I do apologize for the time it took me to prepare the build - But here it is. I am pretty sure it is accurate, but the MWO Client has my Power rated at 45 and this MWO Build utility has it rated at 40 so I may be missing something. All in all this is it. Again, thank you for your comments and suggestions.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90aa05382200c02

Since this mech is only in Basic, if you have used the Pilot Lab, and since you are currently short on C-Bills, I recommend this build for now, as you save up for something much better and to how you'd rather play.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...033f04742bfe619

So you would need to buy a Large Laser, some Double Heat Sinks, remove Ferro F Armor (very little benefit on mechs 65 tons or heavier anyway), front load armor more (to what you can tolerate) and put back a single Medium Laser.

This way you can keep two PPC on one weapon group and the Lasers on a second, and be able to practically fire the lasers continuously on most maps without Elite Efficiencies.

Then with enough C-Bills you can better improvements like getting an XL engine. The 300 XL is awesome for many, many mechs once you can get at least one to swap between them.

Then in a match, make sure to use your mech profile to last longer, since you will currently have a Standard Engine, and if you get stuck in a brawl, keep moving even at the 64 KPH speed, and use the mech's great torso twist to your benefit, since the cockpit is very vulnerable.

Hope the ideas help.

[Barghest Whelp]

For starters I'd remove the PPC's and stick two AC20's on there. If you must use PPC's, don't use 4 of them. Use 2 ERPPC's and stick some mediums lasers on there as well as two UAC5's.

Don't get me wrong, the 4PPC K2 is a perfectly viable loadout, but you really need to know your heat. Also, the catapult chassis has some very bad hitboxes, which is ok since the catapults have some very versatile HP configurations. But it is very important to twist ALL the time.

So what you do, is fire a shot and then twist so that you're no longer facing your enemy. Wait until your weapons recycle, face enemy, unload, twist away again. Keep an eye on your hit locations and try to spread the damage out. Also, don't run straight in to the enemy team. A K2 is tends to be the primary target, so make sure you have your team mates near by to use for cover.

Yes, you heard me right. Once you start taking fire, hide befind your team. By doing this you are denying the enemy the ability to focus fire, and this can be the difference between victory or defeat. The longer you stay alive, the the more shots you get to fire, and thus you will dish out more damage. Of course, if there is terrain to hide befind, you can use that as well, but once you've engaged it may be a bit hard to get to non exposed cover.

Either way, if you just stand there and die like a sitting duck, you're not any more useful to your team than if you hide befind your team. Another this you might consider, just to make your life a bit easier, is to reduce the rear armour on your mech. 10 points in the rear is more than enough, and then you can face your enemy for longer without dying.

It means you need to watch your back a bit more, but I found that reducing the rear armour to 8 points, I started getting way more kills, and I could survive a few seconds longer. Just about enough to take out that Awesome with my phract.

[meteorol]

Erghiez06, on 18 July 2013 - 11:07 PM, said:

Ok I do apologize for the time it took me to prepare the build - But here it is. I am pretty sure it is accurate, but the MWO Client has my Power rated at 45 and this MWO Build utility has it rated at 40 so I may be missing something. All in all this is it. Again, thank you for your comments and suggestions.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90aa05382200c02

You dont have MG ammo with you.

First off all: i wouldnt use ferror foribus armor. It's rather terrible.
Gives you like 0.8 tons for all the lost space. If you really want to use 4 ppcs (make sure to fire them in groups of 2/2. Don't alpha strike them, you will get a harsh heat penalty for it). i would get rid of the MG and raise the leg armor.

Since you said you have a rather slow cbill income, i wont suggest a XL build (will cost you like 4-5 millions for the engine alone).
Note about xl engines: They weigh less than normal engines, but you will die if someone destroys your side torso (not really a problem for catapults, because they have tiny side torsos).


If you don't mind using something else than 4 ppcs, you might want to try this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...544ddd491aa7b6f

You might want to switch the lasers to the arms.

One thing you should really know: PPCs have a minimum range of 90 meters. If you use them below 90 meters, the damage drops alot. If you use a PPC only build, don't let someone catch you in a brawl. If they are up in your face you will deal like 2 damage with every ppc. (Only ppcs, Erppcs don't have this disadvantage, but they cause more heat)

Lasers don't have this penalty (thats why i switched 2 ppcs for lasers, will make it easier for you in close combat situations)

Edited by meteorol, 18 July 2013 - 11:57 PM.

[Erghiez06]

Again, I really really appreciate the suggestions. I should note that I am not stuck on the idea of solely using PPCs. I was only using them due to a build suggestion I had found. I have been changing the build around a bit, and since I've decided to remove 2 of the PPCs I have been varying the build loadout for the empty spots and I seem to be doing slightly better.

[meteorol]

One thing to add, 4 ppcs are not a bad loadout. Ppcs are considered the best weapons in game at the moment (many even call them overpowered).

But 4 PPCs are not a very good loadout to start the game with. Their 90m minimum range combined with high heat can really punish you if you are new to the game.
Once you get a better feeling for the different maps and improved your aim a bit, you might want to try 4 of them again.

Regarding your problem of getting cored to fast:
The catapult has a huge head hitbox.
Protect it by twisting your torso. Look away from the enemy after you fired your weapons (during cooldown), and only turn towards him to fire.
If one part of your mech is already damaged, protect it by showing the enemy the other side.
Don't engage more than one enemy mech at onces.

[Baba Yogi]

You should play according to what your mech can do. It is easy to figure out once you know what to look for. You have std 260 engine so you are both slow but have ability to go zombie. Mechs that has long cd on their weapons make good zombies since you unload your weaponry then start twisting torso to spread damage. It is almost required in the game. Also try to move, never stand still unless you are in great position(Protected partly by cover, not in line of sight of a dangerous enemy on the rest). Secondly with slow mechs positioning mistakes are much more costly, since you intend to go ppc heavy never lead a charge, never be the spearhead. Stand at the back of your team but not too much, you dont want lights to ambush you, if they do you'Ll most likely die. And most importantly always look at map to see where your team is positioned

[Durahl]

May I suggest this Build which I'm successfully using on my own: CPLT-K2

At long Range you're sitting at 20DMG with 56% Cooling Efficiency using 2 ERPPC.
At medium Range you're pumping up to 30DMG with 41% Cooling Efficiency including the 2 MLAS.
At short Range the 2 MG's should start to come in Handy once Internals are exposed.

I like this build quite a lot. It runs max Armor, has the fastest Engine giving you top speeds of up to 86.4kph and still deals reasonable damage.
Unless I die early I usually leave the game as on of the 2 top damage dealers ( on 2nd thought... That's not really related to the Mech xD )

[Bad Alchemy]

Being a heat heavy mech, you need to maximize your heat skills first with XP and when you can afford another 2 Cats, get all the basic skills on them as the mech needs the x2 heat buffs you get.

I have a highly effective K2 which uses 3 ER PPCs, double heatsinks, max armour and does over 70kph. Whats great about it is how much it can torso twist so you can pretty much run away to cover and fire behind you at pursuers. On a cold map ill do 5-600 damage. If you are using a PPC build, keep max distance at all times where possible. Your not supposed to ever get close. That said, team up with a buddy so a light dosent sneak around the back of your team to pick you off.

Oh and PPC builds should be chain fired, alpha strike only occasionally when on low heat. PPCs arent brawling weapons so dont alpha twice and wonder why you die when shutdown or are unable to fire for ages.

Edited by Bad Alchemy, 19 July 2013 - 02:14 AM.