22 replies to this topic

[Hans Power]

Hello there!

I'm quite new here - just started playing a few days ago - loads of fun so far. Now I'm working on my first mech which is a more unconventional Catapult based on energy weapons (CPLT-K2). Right now I have 4 ER Lrge Lasers, 1 AMS, 1 BAP, Endo steel, 382 Armor points out of 422, Tonnage is at 65 Tons and heat efficiency at 1.19 with 17 dbl Heat sinks.
It works pretty well for the playstyle I developed for it (out of cover, shoot, change position, repeat) except that it's too slow which hampers any close combat capabilities in emegencies as well as running away from said. I can't seem to fit any XL engine so I'm stuck with a std engine.

So, which compromise between heat dissipation, armor and speed would you suggest? Right now I have a Std 260 and am stuck at 64.8 KPH. I also could exchange my ER Lrge Lasers for normal lrge lasers but I'd like to sustain some range. Not sure about the BAP whithout rockets - just trying that out and see if I get any improvement with spotting enemies.

Edited by Hans Power, 30 August 2013 - 06:25 AM.

[Wintersdark]

You can use an XL, if you want. They're pretty common in Catapults, as the center torso is already pretty big and the side torsos fairly hard to hit.

You need to have three empty critical slots in each side torso, and obviously you need to remove the existing engine before attempting to slot in the XL.

Head over to http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab and explore your build options there.

For instance, my favourite K2 build is the startlingly conventional "upgraded" stock build: CPLT-K2 "Purity" - which includes an XL300.

[Redshift2k5]

You probably want a 300xl

Note that it can fit more heatsinks inside the engine than the 260 standard , remove a Dhs from each side torso, install a 300xl, place additional heatsinks in the engine.

My k2 has 4 large lasers and a 300xl, and I've maximized heatsinks by not including ams or bap. What are you really using the bap for? You don't need a lock to fire those LLs. Try building it with a 300 xl on an online mechlab and you'll see

Edited by Redshift2k5, 30 August 2013 - 06:37 AM.

[Tastian]

try this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8398b7bdd99ad16

as was mentioned, add a 300xl, put 2 dhs inside the engine, swap 2 erlarge for 2 ppc (for pinpoint damage), and you can either keep the large lasers or use er large lasers. drop the BAP and add 1 more dhs.

[scJazz]

Your design with XL315 Engine
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b9d9e852c305671

Your design -BAP + DSHS w/XL315 Engine
CPLT-K2 Example 2

The BAP is giving you +25% range (1000m instead of 800m), anti-ECM, +25% target info speed. It is not terribly useful for builds that do not include missiles.

[Modo44]

The Catapult's huge CT means you can take an XL engine with relative impunity. One popular build is ES, XL300, 2xERPPC, 2xLL, 2xMG, AMS. For a straight upgrade to your build, you can get ES, XL315, 4xERLL, 2xMG, AMS, BAP. The MGs are backup/crit seeking when you do get up close.

[Hans Power]

Redshift2k5, on 30 August 2013 - 06:31 AM, said:

You probably want a 300xl

Note that it can fit more heatsinks inside the engine than the 260 standard , remove a Dhs from each side torso, install a 300xl, place additional heatsinks in the engine.

My k2 has 4 large lasers and a 300xl, and I've maximized heatsinks by not including ams or gap. What are you really using the nap for? You don't need a lock to fire those LLs. Try building it with a 300 xl on an online mechlab and you'll see

The describtion for the BAP says that it also improves sensor range and speeds up targeting data - so basically I wanne see if it makes sensors a bit more reliable. I don't wanne go without AMS, though - since the catapult just can't take a beating it saved my bacon often enough.

[EyeDie I]

im curious why no ballistics?throw 2 ac5s on that sucker and youll be cooler and cooler ; )

[Wintersdark]

Or just a pair of machine guns, as per stock. They're still startlingly effective weapons up close once armor is gone, very light and heat free. A pair of AC5's or UAC5's are very different - they totally change the build as they're very, very heavy.

Not that they're bad, mind you. I'm a huge fan of the 2UAC5/2LL K2. But it's an entirely different build.

[Snowcrow]

Step one: Get an xl 300, endo steel, 2 ppc and 2 large lasers.
Step two: Wreck everyone.

[Hans Power]

scJazz, on 30 August 2013 - 06:36 AM, said:

Your design with XL315 Engine
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b9d9e852c305671

Your design -BAP + DSHS w/XL315 Engine
CPLT-K2 Example 2

The BAP is giving you +25% range (1000m instead of 800m), anti-ECM, +25% target info speed. It is not terribly useful for builds that do not include missiles.

That's pretty much what I was hoping for - thanks a lot! Everyone else too - there seems to be a lot more room for improvement then I thought. I'll scrap the BAP - I guess I have to go for a sensor upgrade module at some point.

EyeDie I, on 30 August 2013 - 06:41 AM, said:

im curious why no ballistics?throw 2 ac5s on that sucker and youll be cooler and cooler ; )

In the longrun I propably go for a Jäger as a second mech - that one seems to be much more suited for some ballistic close combat action. With this one I want to keep it somewhat longerange but make close combat more survivable.

Edit: Now I gotta go hunting for C-bills. It'll take some time till I can scratch enough together for an XL315.

Edited by Hans Power, 30 August 2013 - 06:59 AM.

[Buckminster]

I know it's been said, but the XL300 (minimum) is really a must on a Catapult. Especially on the K2, where you can tuck extra heat sinks in.

It's really worth playing around with your build ideas on Smurfy's website. It'll let you play around and make the decisions without spending costly C-bills. I was pretty pissed to discover that I was actually better off without endo-steel on my K2 - the 14 slots required meant that I couldn't take nearly as many DHS, and I ended up having to pay to remove an upgrade that I had already paid to put on.

(My K2, btw: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b75ccee5245200e A lot of people don't dig on it, they think it's under armed, but I find that I am much happier with the heat efficiency. All those large lasers or PPCs aren't useful once you've shut down.)

Edited by Buckminster, 30 August 2013 - 07:12 AM.

[NickFury271]

I recommend running the K2 with an XL300 and for weapons loadout I go with 2 ER PPC and 2 AC/2's for the ballistic slots. It puts an incredible amount of hurtin on your opponents. The challenge is to not attract to much attention because with that giant CT target you can get cored pretty fast.

[Hans Power]

Buckminster, on 30 August 2013 - 07:11 AM, said:

I know it's been said, but the XL300 (minimum) is really a must on a Catapult. Especially on the K2, where you can tuck extra heat sinks in.

It's really worth playing around with your build ideas on Smurfy's website. It'll let you play around and make the decisions without spending costly C-bills. I was pretty pissed to discover that I was actually better off without endo-steel on my K2 - the 14 slots required meant that I couldn't take nearly as many DHS, and I ended up having to pay to remove an upgrade that I had already paid to put on.

(My K2, btw: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b75ccee5245200e A lot of people don't dig on it, they think it's under armed, but I find that I am much happier with the heat efficiency. All those large lasers or PPCs aren't useful once you've shut down.)

Yes - at first I wasted almost all of my c-bills on a crappy Raven without ecm (sold it now) and some other bad decisions. Now I'm pretty much broke and much more cautious not to waste too much. Fortunately my current mech is actually quite fun and moderately effective despite the engine otherwise I propably would have thrown the towel.

NickFury271, on 30 August 2013 - 07:17 AM, said:

I recommend running the K2 with an XL300 and for weapons loadout I go with 2 ER PPC and 2 AC/2's for the ballistic slots. It puts an incredible amount of hurtin on your opponents. The challenge is to not attract to much attention because with that giant CT target you can get cored pretty fast.

Yup, I realized that. That's why I wanna go as fast as possible so I can outmanouver the enemy which isn't possible right now so I'd rather go for an XL315 or are there some disadvantages in going so high that I'm not aware of?

Edited by Hans Power, 30 August 2013 - 07:36 AM.

[Roughneck45]

Hans Power, on 30 August 2013 - 07:33 AM, said:

Yup, I realized that. That's why I wanna go as fast as possible so I can outmanouver the enemy which isn't possible right now so I'd rather go for an XL315 or are there some disadvantages in going so high that I'm not aware of?

XL300 is generally considered the most versatile engine in the game, it is a good investment.

Although, if you are just talking about your K2, I know my 4 LL build had an XL315 in it.
CPLT-K2

[Edustaja]

XL 280 works pretty well too. If you want to spend some real money you can buy the Firebrand Jagermech which comes with this engine. The XL 300 comes with some of the hero/champion mechs too

[scJazz]

Hans Power, on 30 August 2013 - 07:33 AM, said:

Yes - at first I wasted almost all of my c-bills on a crappy Raven without ecm (sold it now) and some other bad decisions. Now I'm pretty much broke and much more cautious not to waste too much. Fortunately my current mech is actually quite fun and moderately effective despite the engine otherwise I propably would have thrown the towel.

Ahhhh... OK... so here is the thing. The XL300 is one of the most reusable engines available. For instance you can put it in a Jenner. So my advice to you is to look at designs for other mechs you are interested in. Will the XL315 fit? If not your probably better off with an XL300.

[Hans Power]

Edustaja, on 30 August 2013 - 07:46 AM, said:

XL 280 works pretty well too. If you want to spend some real money you can buy the Firebrand Jagermech which comes with this engine. The XL 300 comes with some of the hero/champion mechs too

Real money isn't an option for an indefinate time, unfortunately.

scJazz, on 30 August 2013 - 07:47 AM, said:

Ahhhh... OK... so here is the thing. The XL300 is one of the most reusable engines available. For instance you can put it in a Jenner. So my advice to you is to look at designs for other mechs you are interested in. Will the XL315 fit? If not your probably better off with an XL300.

Ohh right - that makes sense! So I'll have to decide if I want to go all out on that K2 or if I invest in the future with a more versatile engine. I'm tempted to go all out on my K2 but I'll think about it. Thanks for the input!

Edited by Hans Power, 30 August 2013 - 08:01 AM.

[Modo44]

Hans Power, on 30 August 2013 - 07:33 AM, said:

Yup, I realized that. That's why I wanna go as fast as possible so I can outmanouver the enemy which isn't possible right now so I'd rather go for an XL315 or are there some disadvantages in going so high that I'm not aware of?

The XL315 only makes sense in a limited number of builds. The XL300 can be reused in multiple mechs with ease -- it has better synergy with various builds.

[Alistair Winter]

As has been said already, the XL300 engine is very useful on a number of mechs, so it's a good investment.

The XL315 is only useful for the Catapults. I didn't really think it would be worth the money to upgrade from XL300 to XL315, it's quite expensive. I was wrong. CPLT-K2 with XL315 is like the lovechild of an Apache gunboat, a T90 battle tank and Robocop.