26 replies to this topic

[Praehotec8]

Shadey99, on 24 July 2013 - 01:44 PM, said:

My Firestorm CPLT-A1 is easily my best K/D ratio mech and I regularly eat Atlas' and pretty much anything 1v1. It could run a BAP or AMS by pulling some leg armor off (more than 40 is usually a waste on this build) & removing a ton or LRM ammo. You could also bump up the engine to a 300XL, but I find ammo to light if I up the speed. Some would remove a pair of JJs, but with 4 I can usually do a Spider and jump over a mech and do a 360 to land a pack of SRMs on an enemy while they are turning to match me.

I'll second this. I run almost the same build with my A-1, but I changed down to an XL 265, and two SRM6s to two SRM4s to add artemis, which I find useful. Not quite as much in your face as a pure splatcat, but it's also useful for some long-range fire support and area denial (it's hard to measure just how useful it is to keep a sniper hiding from LRMs rather than coring your teammates, but it can win drops).

[ValdnadHartagga]

CPLT-C4 "Drac Seeker"

This is more or less the build I've used since Closed Beta. Modules are currently Advanted Target Decay, 360 Retention, and Advanced Sensor. With master skills and BAP I can target anything almost instantly. I can do support at any range, I can peg a target with everything at 270m. Not only can I spot my own targets, but I can also TAG for the rest of my company when I run out of LRMs (and the ammo I have is just enough to get me through a round, even in 12v12) - I can even adequately defend myself against lights at close range if I keep moving and I'm mobile enough that I can keep up with forward units and have no problem randomly dropping into Conquest. I also happen to play more aggressively, which surprises a lot of players and gives me a moment's upper hand.

[Corvus Antaka]

A1 is the worst for utility - and it cannot mount a TAG. the C4 makes a good splatcat too and gets some energy weapon backup, or can be an lrm boat with ssrm for backup or SRM.

the c1 is a monster, you can run dual ppc, mlaser, lrm15, various good loadouts depending on your style.

[xRatas]

I have them all mastered, my prefered order of Cats is: K2, C1, C4, A1. I prefer XL300 in My Cats, but XL280 and XL315 have been used in some builds.

K2 is easily my favorite mech in the whole game, and works with many different loadouts. (I have 3 of these in my mechlab. Running a 2PPC,2AC5+2ML build right now. Another has 2ERPPC+2PPC and last one has 2ERPPC+2UAC5. I think I buy one more to have stock model with upgrades that would be faithful to lore.)

C1 is well balanced machine, with a pair of LRM15 racks, TAG and 3ML it is effective firesupport with capability outrun most that it can not outgun. (This one I have kept in my mechlab.)

C4 I used to have 2LRM15, 2SRM6, TAG and ML (IIRC), Too slow for my taste though, and never really liked SRM use, so not my favorite. Just worse version of C1 IMO. 4 LRM launchers are popular, but I'd rather get bigger engine and more missiles. (Sold this one after mastered.)

A1 is the legendary SplatCat, and while it is enjoyable to drive when you manage to sneak upon unsuspecting enemies and oneshot 2-3 of them in 10 seconds, it is rather one-sided mech, with severe handicaps. Not really my ride. As an LRM platform, it can not mount TAG and 2-4 LRM launchers are already enough, so not that great for that job IMO. (Sold this too, after mastered.)

Edited by xRatas, 24 July 2013 - 10:45 PM.

[Erghiez06]

As always suggestions are appreciated =D. For one I didn't expect this topic to gain any real foothold, but I am glad it has. I didn't expect there to be so many mixed suggestions on the A1. Its definitely made me question my next purchase choice. Through this though I've definitely narrowed it down to either the A1 or the C4.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I like the A1 over the C4 because it is an "all or nothing" type of chassis. I agree the C4 is a bit better now that TAG is in the game. I am sure it makes a big difference for LRMs. I think the A1 might still be the better Splat/Streak platform, but streaks are a bit weak in damaging anything but lights.

If the C4 had the energy weapons in the side torsos instead of the CT, I would LOVE the C4. As is stands though, I prefer the C1 and A1 over it.

[Angel of Annihilation]

Voivode, on 24 July 2013 - 08:58 AM, said:

I built a C1 with 2xLRM20+A 3xML and a TAG. Run it with an XL engine and a decent amount of ammo and a couple jump jets. Does well in the fire support role, don't be afraid to push up a little either, LRMs become much deadlier if you hang around at 200-300 meters rather than tossing em from 600meters away.

Yeah I have to agree. I don't run a Catapult yet but when I was playng my Awesome 8T, I found that hanginbg back behind the main thrust a few hundred meters but still in visual range was the best and most effective way to employ my Dual LRM15+Artemis set up. Same with on my Stalker. At 300m, mechs just have a hell of a time avoiding the missiles so most hit home.