26 replies to this topic

[Weiseth006]

I'm looking for some advice for my Cataphract CTF-4X

I find myself being outgunned by SRM packed mechs and I usually loose every 1v1 face to face shootoff I'm in. ofc most the time its me just being stupid not paying attention running up to a atlas head on getting killed in the process.

I'm wondering if my build is ok and its just my tactics I need to work on. I try to stay long range using my cannons and cover then closing in for the kill with lasers and srm at the end. Though against missile boats I dont stand a chance long range.

My current Cataphract CTF-4X

1 Gauss Rifle (3 ammo packs)
1 Ultra AC-5 (3 ammo packs)
1 Streak-SRM2 (1 ammo pack)
2 Machine guns (1ammo pack)
2 Medium lasers
1 AMS (1 ammo kack)

Also is it possible for me to upgrade my engine to gain faster speed?

Edited by Weiseth006, 08 March 2013 - 04:06 AM.

[twibs]

I used (and loved)

2 AC10
2 MG
2 MLAS
1 Streak
Std 250

Engine size 255 is the max you can fit to 4X

[Stingz]

The single Streak-2 is pretty useless. You should probably pick either Gauss or UAC/5 to avoid ammo problems. 255 is the largest engine the -4X can use.

Unless you really like having 4 Ballistic, get a -3D later on. The -3D has arm/torso ballistic, but it can move much faster and have jump jets.


The Cataphract seems to work best as a mid-range mech, jumping into fights gets you mauled.

[Weiseth006]

Thanks gonna try it out as fast as I get home

[Hebdomas]

I use:
2 AC10 (5 tons)
2 MLas
1 Streak 2 (1 ton)
Std 255
CASE
Endo Steel
DHS

So pretty similar to Twib's build. I don't use MGs as I feel you have to get too close to use them. Adjust ammo amounts to personal taste. The Std 250 and 255 both give you 10 heatsinks so it comes down to speed preference and if you want to save half a ton. The streak doesn't always work due to ECM so standard SRMs might work better, a SRM4 is only half a ton heavier than a streak 2 if you can spare that. I just use a streak because I find it easier to hit with.

With the 4x I tend to play as middle range support. Stay at medium range and just shoot whatever your teammates are attacking. (Though if shooting into a brawl try not to hit your teammates!)

Unless you stay in cover or have a nearby teammate with ECM you're going to get hit by LRMs eventually. I find the best way to avoid them is to not be a target. Don't rush out front, follow behind an assault until the battle starts and offer a juicier target than yourself. Most LRM players should have a decent sense of target priority (though some just shoot whatever they can) and generally go after the Atlas or other assault (the biggest threat to the team that isn't a light), a mech that is getting "too close", or sometimes whatever is attacking them. So in short, try not to present yourself as a target.

As for your build, I'd choose one type of gun and get two of them. Double gauss will require an overhaul (and possibly an xl engine I don't know) due to the weight. I like dual AC10s as they do decent damage and decent range. However, double UAC5s are quite good as well, more range than AC10s, can do more overall damage, and if one jams you still have the other (just stop double tapping until the first unjams).

[XSerjo]

I've bought 4X only for 4xAC2/4xAC5 build, but.. With my 200ms ping they're completly useless. I've realized that the main problem is: very low Alphastrike damage. 8/20 dmg for 70 ton slowest heavy mech?! So, I'm using 2xAC10-2xML-SRM4 build with AMS and standart engine, but... Dual AC10 cat with 4xML is better than trash-phract.

[4lex]

This is my fav 4x setup its a bit low on armor and i have to be care full with ammo but it kick *** CTF-4X hurt me prenty

The quad ac2 is fun but it run to hot for my taste. Still worth a few c-bill to try it imo CTF-4X dakkaphract

Im not realy into sniping from all the way across the map but this one does the job and have a few trick if meanies get to close CTF-4X dual guass

[Huron Fal]

Gauss is okay, but if you want more of an auto-cannon oriented build here's a few of my go-to builds. (I love autocannons)

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...476472931038c7c This is my favorite 4X setup. It will TEAR UP anything when you hold down the trigger. This build is all about DPS, and it can take a little more damage with FF and a standard engine. Runs hot, but heat discipline will make it a deadly setup. If you have 2x Basic Skill bonus from having all elites unlocked, you shouldnt have much problem at all.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3baf2485b0e297f More alpha, if you stay back and let others cover you, this build will not let you down. It is a bit more vulnerable due to having no FF and an XL engine.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...516f1cd209d6908 I also run this from time to time, a good compromise between the two builds but I find it a little short on ammo in most encounters. It is meant to be more of a "Take aim and snipe / alpha" build. Chainfire eats the ammo too fast.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3bd2e57cf82bbbe Another variant of the above setups, all comes down to preference.

These builds are a bit expensive to implement, but it makes all the difference.

Edited by Huron FaI, 08 March 2013 - 08:48 AM.

[Dredhawk]

My 4X set up with 2UAC5 2AC5 and 1 medium laser for back up weapon I do ok in it but running a XL engine can get you killed pretty fast sometimes LOL

[Huron Fal]

Yeah it is a more Veteran / "Stay the hell away from brawlers" build With a good team I have kicked *** with the XL, with a bad pug im usually first to die.

I prefer my first build for pugs, runs a little hot but good heat discipline is a must-have skill and will serve you well with this build (having the 2x basics from Elite doesnt go amiss either)

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...516f1cd209d6908 I also run this from time to time, a good compromise between the two builds but I find it a little short on ammo in most encounters. It is meant to be more of a "Take aim and snipe / alpha" build. Chainfire eats the ammo too fast.

Edited by Huron FaI, 08 March 2013 - 08:35 AM.

[Dredhawk]

Huron FaI, on 08 March 2013 - 08:30 AM, said:

Yeah it is a more Veteran / "Stay the hell away from brawlers" build With a good team I have kicked *** with the XL, with a bad pug im usually first to die.

I prefer my first build for pugs, runs a little hot but good heat discipline is a must-have skill and will serve you well with this build (having the 2x basics from Elite doesnt go amiss either)

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...516f1cd209d6908 I also run this from time to time, a good compromise between the two builds but I find it a little short on ammo in most encounters. It is meant to be more of a "Take aim and snipe / alpha" build. Chainfire eats the ammo too fast.

Ok build but I never make a config with out a back up weapon that why my 4x has 1 medium laser might not seem like much but have nothing even worse if you run out of ammo...

[Gorf]

My suggestion is to pick two ranges: long range/close range, long/medium or medium/close. It looks like you are covering all the ranges which gives you a little punch at all but not a lot at one. I current run a 4x with 3 AC-5 (4 tons ammo=180 rounds), 2 med and one AMS, 245 engine, endo. I am not a fan of the 4X but am trying to complete my Cataphract elite requirements. It runs a little hot it I use the lasers with the ACs.

[Urdnot Mau]

When i play my 4x i realize that sometimes i miss the heavy impact blow (rather than high damage over a long time).
If you do the math 4 ac/2 = 1 gauss per second, but it runs hot and it's hard to use on close range (for me at least) because most of the times i get out maneuvered. So i made this: 2 x AC/10 + 2 x AC/2. It's very slow (STD 170) so i stay with assault mechs. My dual Gauss build was running out of ammo, so i changed 1 gauss for a ac/10 and got 2 medium lasers and a bigger engine (STD 250). I prefer lasers instead of SRM because of the need for ammo. You need your AC/Gauss ammo in safe places and the SRM is in the head and you would still need another ton of ammo. Quad AC/5 works just fine, even at close range (1.70 seconds Recycle). It's better than the AC+UAC combination because you have less ammo problems.

[Warge]

I build: 2 AC/10 (90 rounds), 2 MG (2k rounds), 2 ML + SRM4 (100 rounds); endo-steel; DHS. K/D ratio: 0.34-0.5.
II build: 2 Gauss rifle (40 rounds), 2 MG (2k rounds), 2 ML + SRM4 (100 rounds); Xl engine 255; endo-steel; DHS. K/D ratio: 1.5.
III build: 4*AC/2 (500-600 rounds); 2 ML; SSRM2 (100 rounds). K/D ratio: total disaster.

Edited by Warge, 04 June 2013 - 05:39 PM.

[CarnifexMaximus]

4 AC/5s, 7 tons ammo, 2 MLaser, XL255... Never looked back.

[MurnShaw]

This is a very strong support build that allows you to zombie once your arms and sides have been blown off. I had great success winning matches in this mech, but I'll be the first to admit my Kill to Death ratio was subpar:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b676d3d7c8c9144

This is actually a great mech for learning how to spread damage. Without case, you need to be fully aware of where enemies are hitting you. You want to expose your left side to your enemy first, because that is where ammo will be drawn first for firing. Once your left arm and left side is gone, you'd switch to blocking shots with your right arm and side. I became a better pilot in this mech, and it was the first one I was in where I had a good Win to Loss ratio, so I always remember it fondly.

Edited by MurnShaw, 12 June 2013 - 08:13 AM.

[ZeProme]

I played with people in a drop who had a Quad Dakka AC/5 build and 2 MLs. Obviously this requires an XL engine, but the way it was macroed, he was able to fire all AC/5s in less than a second.

Lots of firepower, but mobility was sore. Don't know about armor.

Edited by ZeProme, 12 June 2013 - 08:48 AM.

[WildeKarde]

I played this with 4 AC5's initially then went to LB10X's which I found was actually ok. Finally finished it doing twin gauss with 2ML backup, STD engine and single HS - there was enough ammo that I didn't run out (7tons maybe).

[King Arthur IV]

i sold it

[Monsoon]

I've had my 4X sitting with 2 Gauss, 2 ML and a Std 210 for months now, meant to be a sniper, but with a couple of lasers to back it up if things get up close and personal. I love moving into position on an enemy mech busy shooting at one of my teammates, and then popping it in the head.

Edited by Monsoon, 15 June 2013 - 09:50 PM.