7 replies to this topic

[Tooooonpie]

Brand new to mech building, but like the look of Cataphracts so we'll go with them! Now I've tried to find build guides, but most seem to potentially be outdated due to recent patches.

Now I've heard the 3D is the current "best of the bunch", but not a clue how to fit it - Looking for more a brawler if it helps

Any tips or advice would really be appreciated!

[Lokesh]

I think the draw of the 3D is the jump jets, although with the recent change I don't know if pop-tarting works as well

I own both a 1X (set up like a classic Marauder - 2xPPC, 2xML and UAC5) which is a great mid range fire support build and 4X. The 4X is a nice brawler - whole loads of your favorite AC. I'm currently running 2xAC5, machine guns and flamers. It's a hell of a lot of fun if you can single out on target. You might also check the Ilya.

There is a thread around with tournament builds for many mechs and it has good thoughts for the 3D and the Ilya.

[greywolf79]

I am also interested in upgrades to the 3D Cataphract... I bought one and now have some c-bills to do upgrades. I am thinking on a 2nd mech to buy too, but I want to upgrade my 3D.

[Appogee]

Take the 3D, due to the Jump Jets. I use them not for jump sniping, but to easily get around maps ... up and down in canyons, up and over buildings in River City, etc. Makes a big difference to being able to engage at the time and distance of your choosing.

Since PGI made Gauss harder to use, I've been trying different builds. I just swapped out my dual LBXs and 4MLs for 2LLs, 2MLs and an AC10.

The Ilya is also a great variant, as it can pack 3xUAC5 and some MLs.

Hope this helps you.

[Autobot9000]

It's not just the jump jets. The 3D has two ballistic hardpoints. An example fit would be 2xLB10X+2xLL+300XL+1JJ (endosteel). The jump jets have far more utility than just "pop tarting" (what a stupid phrase). If youre in hands reach of your opponent you can jump up while your cooldowns are active. This makes it much harder to hit your torso area, especially with torso mounted guns, but also in general. The CTF-3D is a very strong brawler with high survivability even when running XL engines.

[Hex Pallett]

Fellow brawler here who owns 1X, 3D and Ilya, with 4X sold.

I would recommend against 3D if you're looking for a brawler and are short on CB. The stock XL280 makes it too slow a brawler for my taste, and keeps you away from mounting the mighty AC20. The JJ is good, but not that good. It's just not worth the price if you don't plan on using the XL engine on a, say, Jagermech later.

Start with 1X first. It simply kicks a lot of a**es. Then, if you're looking for fully upgrading your 'Mech tree, get an 3D and basically directly porting the loadout to it other than taking off an ML, a few DHS and stuff some JJ in there. Then you can decide between 4X and Ilya, the former being the only 'Mech that can practically utilize quad-AC5, the latter being widely considered the best variant.

[Appogee]

I run a 325XL in my 3D. I may swap it out for a 300XL so that I can hit an ERL and give myself some distance hitting power.

[wickwire]

Ilya with 3x LB10-X and 3x ML makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You can keep the default engine but need Endo to do this, and preferably DHS.