120 replies to this topic

[hashinshin]

Cataphracts appear to be the most popular mech because they are a front line large heavy mech. Lights are flimsy and fast, mediums are flimsy and... not fast. Assaults are slow. Of the heavies the dragon is niche, the quickdraw is niche, the catapult is niche, and that leaves the jagermech and the cataphract. The cataphract probably is the cooler looking of the two.

It's easy to see why it's so popular. It's go-to mech right now.

[Escef]

riverslq, on 16 August 2013 - 12:23 AM, said:

TL;DR?
2 PPC + Gauss

I've tried that load out, and it works. Imagination is great, but results are better.

However, I recently swapped my Gauss for a "Stay away from me gun" (AC20), and so far its worked out ok.

[Angel of Annihilation]

I have the strangest Cataphract 3D of them all.

2 LPL
2 ML
1 UAC/5

Love it.

[Escef]

Viktor Drake, on 16 August 2013 - 12:01 PM, said:

I have the strangest Cataphract 3D of them all.

2 LPL
2 ML
1 UAC/5

Love it.

I tried 2 LPL, 2 MPL, and an LB10X, but I just couldn't get it to work. Right now I've got 2 LPL and a Gauss, an Alpha to the face cores the head.

[Tickdoff Tank]

My 2X runs with 1 AC20, 1 LL, 2 ML and 2 SSRM6s. Have not seen anyone else use that build, but I find it very effective.

My 1X is 4 ML, 1 LL, 1 Gauss. And it moves pretty fast as well, another build that I find effective but have never seen another person using.

The Cata can be a very interesting chassis if you play around with it and look for ways to use weapons other than PPCs and gauss.

[Bishop Steiner]

Victor Morson, on 16 August 2013 - 06:09 AM, said:

If you see someone who complains about the Cataphract, you've found an easy kill.



Not much because that's a terrible build.



The AC/20 is the only alright part about that build. A LPL and Streaks? Both weapons are awful. LPL offers no advantage over the ER PPC at present of note, and Streaks nosedived after they now randomly shoot at arms and legs.

The 2X is poised for a comeback IMO, but this design is now how that's going to happen. Get some regular SRMs on that thing and it will make a huge step forwards.

OH SNAP!!!!

One of the Pros has spoken, so we all gonna get told nOw!!!!!!! We should grovel for not building mechs to his standards.....

oh wait, but if we did, we would be building the same boring builds the OP refers too..... wow. Interesting. Or I can keep running my non-optimal builds and blowing the faces off the Pros when they step out of their ivory towers and into the real world of PUG Chaos.

Always amazes me how NON-optimal some of those builds become without 7-11 other mechs holding your hands.

[Lucian Nostra]

/shrug

Can't argue with results.
CATAPHRACT CTF-3D 124 78 46 1.70 188 55 3.42 47,244 128,555 11:02:26

[Bishop Steiner]

Lucian Nostra, on 16 August 2013 - 04:06 PM, said:

/shrug

Can't argue with results.
CATAPHRACT CTF-3D 124 78 46 1.70 188 55 3.42 47,244 128,555 11:02:26

yeah, but sometimes? Results are boring.

*Shrugs*

I like to play new builds and take chances. Doesn't tend to help the KDr, but it is what it is. Funny part is, 2 weeks ago, my Ilya ran a .64 KDr. Was getting LRM wrecked in PUG and 12 man. Before that, PPC metaraped.

Switched out to current build. 340xl. 2 AC/10. 2 Mediums lasers. 105 rounds of ammo. Have brought it up to a 2.44 KDr since, and that is even with several absolute steamrolls by LRM heavy 12 mans. (I think the LRM might be just a skosh too powerful atm. maybe it's not the LRM but the lack of weight matching. All I know is...... Some matches it ain't much. but dear god, if someone devotes a lance to them? )

*POOF*

[Waking One]

Lucian Nostra, on 16 August 2013 - 04:06 PM, said:

/shrug

Can't argue with results.
CATAPHRACT CTF-3D 124 78 46 1.70 188 55 3.42 47,244 128,555 11:02:26

have those kinds of stats and been running 2LL 2ML gauss xl325... not sure what your point is besides needing a crutch to do ok?

[Lucian Nostra]

Bishop Steiner, on 16 August 2013 - 04:11 PM, said:

yeah, but sometimes? Results are boring.

*Shrugs*

I like to play new builds and take chances. Doesn't tend to help the KDr, but it is what it is. Funny part is, 2 weeks ago, my Ilya ran a .64 KDr. Was getting LRM wrecked in PUG and 12 man. Before that, PPC metaraped.

Switched out to current build. 340xl. 2 AC/10. 2 Mediums lasers. 105 rounds of ammo. Have brought it up to a 2.44 KDr since, and that is even with several absolute steamrolls by LRM heavy 12 mans. (I think the LRM might be just a skosh too powerful atm. maybe it's not the LRM but the lack of weight matching. All I know is...... Some matches it ain't much. but dear god, if someone devotes a lance to them? )

*POOF*

Nothing wrong with using other builds just saying to the OP there's a reason ppc gauss is so popular, it wrecks face pretty hard and the Cataphract is the best carrier of the loadout, has the speed and manuverability the heavier mechs lack and the JJs really carry the phract.

[Jazzbandit1313]

1x with stnd 320 AC/20 -4 tons and 4 medium lasers. you cant go wrong with that. 81.5 with Speed tweak

[Lord of All]

Wales Grey, on 16 August 2013 - 02:04 AM, said:

Virtually nothing, sadly.

Seriously why are you using LBX when it's trash-tier gear, at least the AC/10 does somewhat respectable damage.

Keep thinking that.

http://i1054.photobu...zps5e6238bc.jpg

[Jack Gallows]

Actually, if I'm running dual PPC I use an Ultra AC/5 instead of a Gauss Rifle. However, I RARELY use that build, instead I run a 3D with 4 Large Lasers, max engine, 2 Jump Jets and max armor. It's crazy fun if you're accurate.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

If you see me on the field you know I'm drunk.

[Anjian]

I call my Cataphract 4XAC5 for a good reason.

I got a 2X running with 2 PPCs in the torso and 2 SRM6s in the arm.

My Ilya has 3 UAC5s.

My 1X has an AC20 and 2 LLAS.

[Mahnmut]

Who cares what the OP thinks? I run a 2PPC + Gauss build when I need to play a long range direct fire role since its the best build available. I play plenty of other mechs/loadouts too but for pugs it doesn't really matter what you take...

[Benjamin Davion]

Jason Parker, on 16 August 2013 - 12:27 AM, said:

My Ilya runs 3 ML + 3 LB-10X AC. Now you use YOUR imagination and imagine what that does to your face.

Ran into one of these two matches in a row while wing-manning with a fellow Spider pilot. Scared the HELL out of us. Took some very careful Spider free-running to get the drop on him the second time. The first time he executed my friend right off and I barely escaped with my legs. =P

[Carrioncrows]

I thought everyone knew the best muromets build was 2 Gauss 1 ERPPC

[Megasa Ward]

Bishop Steiner, on 16 August 2013 - 04:11 PM, said:

yeah, but sometimes? Results are boring.

*Shrugs*

I like to play new builds and take chances. Doesn't tend to help the KDr, but it is what it is. Funny part is, 2 weeks ago, my Ilya ran a .64 KDr. Was getting LRM wrecked in PUG and 12 man. Before that, PPC metaraped.

Switched out to current build. 340xl. 2 AC/10. 2 Mediums lasers. 105 rounds of ammo. Have brought it up to a 2.44 KDr since, and that is even with several absolute steamrolls by LRM heavy 12 mans. (I think the LRM might be just a skosh too powerful atm. maybe it's not the LRM but the lack of weight matching. All I know is...... Some matches it ain't much. but dear god, if someone devotes a lance to them? )

*POOF*

Bishop, you should try triple 10 cannons in that monster at some point. XL255 will do it, and it is always ammo starved. But it is quite vicious, and a splendid dueling mech. Handles like an assault, but well suited to taking them down. It is bad and so am I, but results really are boring unless I am being paid for them.

4ML and AC20 is my goto 3d build. Lethal in a brawl.

4xAC2 or 4xAC5 in my 4x because I don't own a jager. I like mechs with hands or at least articulated arms.

And while we are at it with the 'unexpected' builds, the Fatlas of pug termination-2xLBX10, 4ML, and 2srm4. Do not let it get close.

[Anjian]

I like to see more 'phracts with AC20s. Any mech with an AC20 is a b**ch because its an AC20.