14 replies to this topic

[Katotonic]

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice.

I picked up a Catapult c-1 for my first mech and have had an ok time with it playing for the past 2-3 weeks. Tried it as a LRM boat, dual ERPPCs (before nerf), and finally as a 2ERLL/2ML/2SRM6 sniper that can brawl a bit. Of the three load outs, my favorite has been the last although I am not sure if that has to do with a potentially newly discovered favored play style or me having finally started to learn how to play the game in general.

I now have all the basic efficiencies and am starting to consider my next mech. I am torn between getting another Catapult (prob the k2) or going with something different for a while as while the Cat-c1 has been ok I haven't been blown away by it although maybe I just don't know what "blown away" is in terms of this game yet.

Options I was considering (in no particular order):
Highlanders (because they seem to be pretty good at being good)

Cataphracts (2 reasons: 1) because they seem to be pretty good at being good and 2) if I start with the 3D I get the XL engine which I can switch out with my Catapult c1 to make it more efficient as I haven't earned the $$ for a XL for it yet.)

Centurions (2 reasons: 1) because it would let me try out a significantly different playstyle which I may like more (although running the trial Cent I get my *** handed to me at the moment) 2) if I start with the CN9-D I get the XL engine which I can switch out with my Catapult c1 to make it more efficient as above even if I don't like the Cents.)


Any advice on switching chassis or perhaps sticking with the catapults? I lean towards switching so I at least have some options/variation on what I run with depending on my mood but how important is getting elite efficiencies? If I switch now will it slow down my development as a pilot in training/as a player trying to be efficient with this game? Either way, Catapults or X mech, what would you choose and why?

Edited by Katotonic, 25 September 2013 - 08:44 AM.

[juxstapo]

arguments for both directions;

1. Sticking to 'Pults allows you to max out the chassis. I.e. earn all xp perks. Which is huge. You have to have three variants of the same chassis to unlock all the tiers. (basic out all three, then you are able to elite all three, and finally master).

oh, just read your post properly, and you already know that. Sorry.

Okay..  Elite efficiencies are are frikken huge. By that point you've logged a bit of time with the mech anyway, so you should've gotten pretty comfortable with it. Speed tweak is by far everyone's favorite, adding 15% to the mech's top speed.  The other three are all solid and handy upgrades if you spend much time in the thing, but the biggest thing is: When you unlock all of the Elite tier, the Basic tier doubles. Imagine double heat diss and coolrun, or double the upgraded torso twist.

The counter argument is "I'm sick of this mech and want something different". Being a severe impulse buyer, I totally understand that.
Personally, I'd go ahead and level up your catapult however. Most of the missle variants will play similiarish, your C1 is the most versatile Cat there is, throughout closed beta the Catapult C1 was practically treated as an Omnimech, allowing for more flexible builds than the JR7, HBK, and AS7. C4 isn't bad as long as you're married to missles; makes a good arty if you mount TAG in the center. The A1 is the poor odd man out, need lots of help and skill with that thing).
I've had a long lasting affair with my K2. The K2 plays like an entirely different mech. It was our first direct-fire support chassis, with those high mounted arms. It was our first AC/20 or Gauss boat (BoomCat and GaussCat). Frankly I couldn't imagine strolling through my mech bay and not seeing my mastered, max engined and team color painted K2 sitting there.

So yea, get the K2 and grind up that XP. Your third variant (C1 or A1) may be a bit like work, but once you've got your C4 and K2 fully perked up you certainly will not regret it.
Note: Now that it doesn't make everything look like a minecraft map, Advanced Zoom is an excellent addition to a sniper K2.

Edited by juxstapo, 25 September 2013 - 12:32 PM.

[LauLiao]

Juxstapo has some great advice. A few more points:

1) Keep in mind that if you stick with leveling the catapult and decide you hate it afterwards, that's a lot of wasted time (and C-bills buying and moding the chasis).
2) Conversely, even if you do decide that you hate the Cat after mastering 3 chasis, it will make mastering ALL other heavy mechs easier. Once you've mastered one, then you only need to earn basics on 3 chasis before you can open up elite and master levels of the same weight class, as opposed to having to go through basics AND elites on 3 chasis before you open up Master.
3) The Catapult itself is a VERY limited mech. The K2 plays pretty radically different, but all the missle variants play very similar. If you want more of a different play experience, you may want to try another mech.
4) As a new new player, my personal recomendation would be to try other mechs of different weight classes first to see if you click with different play styles better. You may want to try a heavier medium (Hunchback, Kintaro, possibly Trebuchet) or a lighter Assault. These should play within a range you feel comfortable with coming from Cats, but still will play different enough that you can try some different styles.
5) Good idea to stick to mechs that can share XL engines. That's one of the largest expenses of getting a mech tweaked to where you like it, and buying a bunch of XL engines for mechs you end up selling back will eat into your C-bills in no time.


I ended up going through Cents, Cats, Atlases, and Phracts (mastered them all) before I really figured out what worked best for me. Of course I also made the mistake of banging my head against the wall with mechs that weren't right for me, figuring if I put in enough time I'd get better with them eventually (true to an extent, but not enough to make up for the wasted time and c-bills)

[Fuggles]

If you like catapults, it's worth mastering them out, you get double basics plus all the elites like fast fire and speed tweek witch make a huge difference. Im not sure how many mechbay slots you have but thats something to consider when you start on other chassis. As far as cats go, the k2 and a1/c4 are gonna play a lot different than your c1 but they are still cats.

If you want to try something else go for it, but you might want to master the cats and sell off one or 2 you don't really like first.

[Bront]

I generally suggest you finish out Catapults before you get another heavy. The K2 is a marvelous mech, though the PPC nerf has hit it pretty hard (it's still got some fun potential in it though), and the A1 or C4 are both pretty good missile boats (I prefer the C4 so I can carry my own TAG).

If you're going with something different, the Highlander is a fine mech. I also enjoyed the Victor for something faster, and the Stalker is a lot of fun if you're looking to go Assault. Otherwise, Cents are nice durable mediums you can do a lot with, though I disliked the AL.

[Kanigit]

Hi Katatonic,

Just to be different, I will recommend you go with the Centurians. I say this because 1) it is indeed a very different playstyle to your Catapult, and I very much encourage trying other chassis (I love most of em, myself), and 2) your comment regarding your favorite catapult build so far leads me to think you will have a lot of fun with Centurians. As a bonus, they are rather difficult to put down for good if running a std engine- they have been nicknamed 'zombie' because of this durability. Whatever you choose, no bad advice has been given here so I'm sure you'll have some fun. Cheers!

[Katotonic]

Hey guys,

Thank you all for the advice and opinions.

I think for now I will be going with the K2. Tough decision but I thought give it a spin as I have heard they are pretty good and can keep the catapult line going.

Now... Who has a good k2 build? Sniper that can brawl prefered but open to anything.

[Shaftronics]

A standard Gausscat with 2 MLs can't fail you, if you want something that can snipe.

[zagibu]

The main problems with any CAT is the huge center torso. Otherwise they are damn fine. If you end up keeping your K2 and want to master it, I suggest getting an A1 as the third and filling it with streaks and a bap. You can then assume the role of the best guardian mech against lights. And you can also try to make a splatcat, although I must admit I didn't have a lot of success with it because of the ghost heat problems.

Edited by zagibu, 27 September 2013 - 04:04 PM.

[Shaftronics]

Its why people capitalize on the Catapult Chassis' weakness and use XLs anyway. You'll rarely be dying from side torso shots.

[luxebo]

Katotonic, on 25 September 2013 - 08:38 AM, said:

Centurions (2 reasons: 1) because it would let me try out a significantly different playstyle which I may like more (although running the trial Cent I get my *** handed to me at the moment) 2) if I start with the CN9-D I get the XL engine which I can switch out with my Catapult c1 to make it more efficient as above even if I don't like the Cents.)

The trial Centurion is based on torso twist, you must let every part of your body take damage and use those arms as shields (both on trial but mainly left in others.) You can still kill with one leg, center, and left torsos. You still would also have full weapons. It's most effective way of playing is to push with multiple kinds of mechs that can fight well at close range (don't bring a bunch of LRM or PPC boats for wolfpack.) It requires some teamwork and effort to play well however. Hope I helped.

[Odin Magnusson]

if I may be so bold as to suggest another mech to consider....the victor.... I don't like assaults but I love my victors. they are assaults that feel like heavys but take a beating. if u do go victor I will tell u go with the 9b or 9s if you like using ac20s as only those variants can mount them. but victors are all awesome just food for thought

[Marmon Rzohr]

I'd reccomend leveling the Cats. Elited variants feel so much better then non-elite ones. You'll see when you get them. Anoter perk of the Cats is that they will allow you to try out a variety of playstyles. You have the C1, get the K2 and get the C4 or A1 as a missle boat. LRM/SRM boating may not seem like much fun, but when you get used to it, it is.

Also the K2 is a brilliant mech. I'd reccomend going with a AC40 K2. It uses a small standard engine, a pair of AC20s and ammo. So it's pretty cheap, but oh my God, does it wreck face. You have to be careful not to expose yourself to enemy fire, but the AC20s are brutal.

(the K2 has a ton of viable builds, but this one is the best mix of cost/effect IMHO)

The builds I used:
C1:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2d19814bc9a084d
- Runs very cool and is quite potent. And hugely fast. Expensive engine, though.

K2 (a selection of possible variants, all pretty nasty):
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...858e10fc70ab0aa
- The XL 300 is probably the most useful engine you can get. Light mechs use it. Heavy mechs use it. It's an investment that really pays off. This is a ballistic support, the UACs are very good at ripping stuff apart, even after the nerf.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...12aab0ea1cede9f
- Standard energy "sniper". Sniper is in quotations because a true sniper needs pinpoint damage and the lasers on this tend to spread damage a bit.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...55c2861d582f298
- The BoomCat. Self explanatory. I reccomend this one.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3b5882e78ae6612
- A real Gauss sniper. If you really wanna snipe with a K2, this is the version to go for right now.

A1:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...235259baa585ecd
- The SRMCat. You need to fire two salvoes of 3 SRMs to avoid the heat penalty. A potent mech but a bit hard to use.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c4fe6d5f7da32f9
- The StreakCat. Never really fallen in love with this one, but some people do. You can kinda AFK with it, since the streaks have lock-on. Pick this one if you have spiders and want to see them die.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4d8fcfa8ca818c4
- LRM support. This is the mech I used to lvl the A1 along with the SRMCat. It's quite fun. You can make a more dedicated LRM boat, such as a 6xLRM5 variant, but this one gives you more ability to defend yourself with the streaks when lights come for you, and they will come for you

Hope this helps. Cheers.

[Photec]

Katotonic, on 25 September 2013 - 08:38 AM, said:

Any advice on switching chassis or perhaps sticking with the catapults? I lean towards switching so I at least have some options/variation on what I run with depending on my mood but how important is getting elite efficiencies? If I switch now will it slow down my development as a pilot in training/as a player trying to be efficient with this game? Either way, Catapults or X mech, what would you choose and why?

I just started playing a few days ago, but so far I've got 3 Jenners at elite, a cataphract 2X and an Ilya Muromets. I like having mechs that can do different things so I dont get burned out, because I play alot, and the 'phracts let me do that. My Muromets is a jack of all trades, my 2x is an excellent finisher and brawler with his high end alpha, and hopefully my 3D will be a sniping beast when I can save up a few more millions.

I'm a completionist so I'd stay with the Catapults. I REALLY like double basic skills, and the speed tweak is excellent as well. My experience is that the mechs get better as you become more and more familiar with the maps, your role and your range. I think the different versions of the Cata's will give you enough variation

Join the NGNGs TS3-server, because you can get a LOT of great pointers there (I know I did)

Edited by Photec, 29 September 2013 - 05:23 AM.

[Bront]

Fun K2 build I've been playing with. XL255, 2 LPL, 2 AC2 with 4 tons of ammo. Armor it up nearly full, and throw in I think 2 extra HS, and go. It's nice damage with good range, and the LPL give you some serious up close punch. If you want to stay at range, swap out the LPL for PPCs (not ER), but you're losing out up close, and the LPLs make excelent light defence.