19 replies to this topic

[CritJoe]

Alright so I'm saving up C-Bills for a new mech. Originally I was planning on saving up for a Cataphract CTF-3D but as I've been stacking up the money, I've noticed that I have several Assault mechs availible for the same price (9,881,953). So what I'm asking is what do you guys think? Should I stick with my original plan and go with a the 3-D? Or try to get more tonnage for my money?

Oh one of the reasons I wanted to grab a 3-D was so I could throw 2 UAC/5's and an ER PPC on it. Or maybe something similar to that.

Thanks in advance.

[Pastor Priest]

It depends. Do you have any another Phracts or assaults you enjoy and want to master? I was in the same boat, but went with the 3D as I already had the Ilya and the 2X. That Ilya will only get more fun when I master it.

[CritJoe]

The only other Mech I have is a Cent CN9-A. The flexibility of the 3D is what has my attention. But I'm seeing some other's preferring a Jager for a UAC type build.

[Mc JR]

If you want a UAC build go with the Jager-DD. My build is 2UAC's in each arm and 1 AC2 on each and i am putting so good rounds in with it.

[New Day]

3D for the flexibility and durability. Try 2LL 2 PPC 300 XL or 2ML 2LL 1GR 300XL.

[Gevurah]

The 3D is the only phract I kept. It's a fantastic mech, well rounded, good loadout, etc. The JJ's are icing on the cake.

[Lugh]

Gevurah, on 24 July 2013 - 12:44 PM, said:

The 3D is the only phract I kept. It's a fantastic mech, well rounded, good loadout, etc. The JJ's are icing on the cake.

Yeah that and the Ilya are the only two I'll jump in anymore.

[luigi256]

Well if you want i believe you can get a victor which is pretty much the same thing i think but also the possibility of missles.

I bought the 3D myself when i started and i enjoyed it a lot good variety of weapons loadout but for the money if you are just buying one you may want to look into the victor mech

[BigJim]

Phract 3D. Simple. Best.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

The 3D can arguably be a better sniper, and Battlephract than even the phract-1x because of its AC20+ERPPC+JJ combo.

On top of that, it can safely use a gauss rifle in its arm.... with Jump Jets.

And ofc, you could just go generic and get the 2xPPC+Gauss combo. It is definately bar none the MOST versitile mech in the game right now, as it can do every role (but lrm boat) and be very effective at it. Plus, you can't go wrong with two large sized ballistic hardpoint locations.

(P.S.) DO NOT do double Gauss Rifle in this mech unless you like to die from your right arm a'sploding because of Cascading Gauss Rifle 'Splosion Syndrome™ (CGRSS). If you want Double Gauss, use the Illya.

[Punk Oblivion]

My personal experience, I started with a Jager and loved it, I got all of them mastered now. I Just bought an atlas a couple days ago. The speed and maneuvering change was a shock. And that was going from a heavy to assault. Going medium to assault is going to be a HUGE change.

Both Phracts and Jagers can suit your needs, I would stick with one of those for now.

[Punk Oblivion]

Actually I am going to make another comment I just thought of.

The Jager shoots it's weapons from roughly cockpit level, this helps with lining up shots really well. Seriously, my first day using the atlas I was accidentally shooting rocks and cliffs ALL DAY LONG.

But if that doesn't matter, the extra 5 tons on the Phracts can help, especially when using ballistic weapons.

[Zordicron]

Sounds like you are fairly new. Phracts are fantastic mechs to learn with, you can mess with every weapon in the game but missiles, you learn about torso vulnerability, you can see how engine choices and speed/mobility can affect performance, you learn the difference of fire between arms and torso(including the height difference). It is also available to use JJ, and it can be pretty dang tough if you stick with std engine.

I have all of them 1/1 mastered, they were the first chassis i used and each variant can carry a unique loadout if you choose to keep it interesting. Note: because the 4x has such lamers engine ratings, it can be quite a beast to get a feel for. it runs like an assault even with max engine. Dont let it stop you though, 4 AC5's on it is just nasty to people in range.

so yeah, Cataphract is a lot of fun. Save the assault stuff for later.

[Bodzan]

3D is very good mech, I have a design that you will not see very often on the battlefield, cause it`s kinda ... well
340Xl, Endo Steel, 14DHS, 2xERPPC, 1xUltra AC5 3t ammo, 4JJ. Fast and maneuverable sniper, very tricky to use ... this design is my personal favorite ... Main rule is to keep distance and flank the enemy ...

[The Platypus]

Highly recommend the 3D. Slap an XL300 in there and you've got a wickedly mobile sniper platform. Or stick with a Standard and brawl all day. They're not too expensive to kit out too if you've already got the engines for it (XL300 builds will cost a lot though). A flying PPC turret that can travel at 76kph with speed tweak will ruin the day for any assault mech. Also, Phracts are basically mini Atlai with the wide torsos and giant arms so if you're thinking of piloting a Fatlas in the near future, I'd suggest cutting your teeth on the Cataphracts first.

Contrary to their paper cost, expect to pay upwards of 16mil to properly kit out most Assaults if you haven't yet built up a healthy inventory of weapons and engines.

Edited by The Platypus, 12 August 2013 - 07:58 AM.

[Tremendous Upside]

I'd recommend the 3D as well. It's hands down one of (if not THE) most versatile mechs in the game. Want to jump snipe? Covered. Want to run an AC20 brawler? Again... Covered. And if you want to try a mixed ballistic or pure dakka build, it'll do that as well. It's a fantastic mech and the jets only make it that much better. It's one of those mechs you pretty much can't go wrong buying.

[0Life]

The 3D does have a great amount of potential, but I find that I prefer the 4X (I know, I like weird things). I even run it mostly stock as well, I just switched the LLAS for a pair of MLAS and some extra heat sinks. I know though that it is not the mech for everyone, but I tend to excel with a mech that lumbers. Tilt your armor more towards the front and you can really soak some shots, just keep in mind that no matter what Phract you pick (if you pick one), you tend to do better with a buddy helping you to shear that armor off so you can get at the juicy, creamy filling under the armor of... well... any other Mech. Most Assaults can handle you, though you can definetly make them remember that you were there. In the last match I played (about five minutes ago at the time of this writing) I was two shots away from tearing off the right torso of a Victor. Had I not started taking fire from the rear, I could have made that Victor into a heavily armored zombie Centurion (sans an extra SRM rack or two). Concentrating your own fire can do wonders against even some of the hardest targets. Even with only the one KA (the Victor), I still racked up 213 damage done in the first three minutes of the match. Sadly, my team lost, had the LRM boats not been targeting me coupled with a Tebuchet and what I think might have been a commando (never got any lock information, just a quick lock for an LRM5 salvo that I doubt hit), I might have been able to contribute more.

All that being said... customizing your mech to fill whatever role you are best at is great, but do not discount the standard load out either. It can be just as, if not more vicious than a role specific load. A little diversity in your overall range profile can mean the difference between helping out with the last couple of damage needed to core someone or being useless because the map you are on is not conducive to allowing you to do what you your mech is equiped for. Being a direct fire support or pop-tart sniper is great... if you can find somewhere to do it from. Not always will you get the chance to do what you geared your mech for, so be prepared to brawl as a sniper, or snipe as a brawler, or direct/inderect fire support as a close in brawler.

TL/DR: The 4X can be more interesting due to the limits it has. Stock or near stock can be just as good, if used well. A little diversity in your payload is not always a bad thing and can make a big difference.

[ShadowbaneX]

I picked up a 3D tonight. I've been looking at it for a while because eventually I want to pick up a an Ilya and I've already got a 4X (4x AC/2, 4xAC/5, 2xGauss, all fun) and needed a third to get the Elites & Master. The main reason this one over the others, is, well, Jump Jets. Mechs with Jump Jets are better than mechs without.

Thing is, most people just ER PPC + Gauss it and I wanted to do something different. I couldn't decide on anything until I came I thought up this. Pair of LPLs combined with an LB-10/X. There's a ton left over so I threw in a pair of SLs since I rarely get to use 'em.

Edited by ShadowbaneX, 13 August 2013 - 09:50 PM.

[Roumata]

ShadowbaneX, on 13 August 2013 - 09:44 PM, said:

I picked up a 3D tonight. I've been looking at it for a while because eventually I want to pick up a an Ilya and I've already got a 4X (4x AC/2, 4xAC/5, 2xGauss, all fun) and needed a third to get the Elites & Master. The main reason this one over the others, is, well, Jump Jets. Mechs with Jump Jets are better than mechs without.

Thing is, most people just ER PPC + Gauss it and I wanted to do something different. I couldn't decide on anything until I came I thought up this. Pair of LPLs combined with an LB-10/X. There's a ton left over so I threw in a pair of SLs since I rarely get to use 'em.

i would drive it that way :

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ee4e6c6f0a773ee

...3D is the best Mech ( The Swiss Army Knive )

[ShadowbaneX]

Roumata, on 13 August 2013 - 11:31 PM, said:

i would drive it that way :

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ee4e6c6f0a773ee

...3D is the best Mech ( The Swiss Army Knife )

That's not a bad alternative, but a) like I said, everyone does PPCs on the 3D, and I want the energy weapons on the arm mounts because it's easier to nail lights with them, and they're what's going to be doing a good portion of the damage. The LB-10/X is the finisher, it's what I use to finish off the Heavies and the Assaults that have exposed internals, so I don't mind it being in the torso.