27 replies to this topic

[SaltBeef]

That would be sound advice as Pop-tarting as called in this game is a comon Modern Tank strategy when firing on approaching enemy tanks from a defensive position. Top-hat would only expose gunners vision sites when target aquired and ready to defeat driver moves tank up to expose only the turret so the gunner can smite victom target.Jump jets make the defensive position mobile.

[Roosterfish]

It's not that modern a tactic. It's called hull down and it's been around since at least WWII.

[Scromboid]

EDIT: Check here for the dizzying array of builds.

I cannot believe you guys are glossing over the Cataphract.

Aside from missiles, and the 2X can sport them, the Cataphract can fill multiple roles easily as well as offer multiple different play styles. The three that I have are all fitted entirely different and play completely differently...

The 1x is a 5ML, AC20 build that cruises along at 76kph and is an absolute terror in a brawl, especially if you use its speed to an advantage and torso twist like a salsa dancer. That AC20 recycles fast enough to blow the shoulder of of a victor and the lasers are set with 3 in the arms and two in the shoulders so you can creep over a hill to see and still hit something. Conversely, I have run this with AC20 2LL and it is just as nasty at longer ranges.

My 4x has 3AC5, 1AC2 and is brutal from all ranges. The beauty of this one is sustained fire without fear of over heating and 14DPS with the AC5 and AC2 firing together each .5 second. The SHAKE experienced by the other pilots as well as the armor melting power is enough to back off any mech. I recently held a pass from 4 assaults for almost 2 minutes because they thought there was more than just me standing there. I killed 2 and severely damaged another before the last one ran. Only downside here is weapons convergence at short range for lights... for this, you can drop the AC2 and put in an ERLL in the chest for ripping their legs off...

The Cataphract 3D is the original Jump sniper. Just because this is not as valid anymore, does nothing against the robot. Currently, I am running the same build as the 1X minus a laser and adding JJ and this is a nightmare. Coming from anywhere with a 45 alpha with 76kph and maneuverability is wicked fun. Before that, though, I ran with the 4LL and also tried the 4ML 2LB10X build. Both are fun and they both play totally different.

If you were asking for a Chassis that can fill multiple roles, play differently (even in the same chassis) with different builds, everyone is lying to you unless they are telling you Cataphract.

I have mastered both Cataphracts and Catapults, and I will say, they are my favorite mechs by far. The pults just ~seem~ more fragile. This cataphract is a fearsome ferocious beast no matter how you set it up and is rightly feared by every other pilot. Think about it: How often have you thought to yourself "Eh, it's just a cataphract"? Never. You have NO IDEA what they are running , but you know that it is going to hurt like HELL when they hit you.

Anyways.... BIG cataphract fan*. The catapults will limit your options to things stuffed into the mickey mouse ears. Get the pults after you are making a ridiculous amount of money with the 'phracts. You will not be sorry.

*okay, slightly insane overzealous hiding in the bushes and watching it take a shower kinda of {Noble MechWarrior}.....

Edited by Scromboid, 07 November 2013 - 06:26 AM.

[Stewbawl]

it's all going to boil down to personal preference. i pretty much have all of the heavies mastered and i think that every heavy chasi is at least decent. The Catapult, Jagermech, and Cataphract are my prefered heavies. between those it really just boils down to personal choice.

Catapults:

pros- jumpjets, lots of missile options, lots of energy options, excelent range of motion with the torsos.

cons- only one chassi has balistic hard points and it is also the only chassi without jump jets. often your primary weapons are in your arms and they can be an easy target for people to hit.

sidenote: i didn't put this in with pro or con because its kind of both, your side torsos are fairly small and hidden by your arms so running an xl engine in a catapult is low risk and frees up tonnage for weapons. but at the same time your center torso is quite large and takes the brunt of your damage.

Jagermech:

pros- lots of balistic options, most weapons are high up and make for easy peaking over terrain

cons- no chassi offers jump jets, your side torsos combined are 2/3rds of your hole torso and your arms offer almost no protection therefor running an xl engine is very risky. also most of your energy weapons are located down by your waste

Cataphract:

pros- lots of balistic weapons, lots of energy weapons

cons- missile hardpoints on one chassi only. the hardpoints are missmatched with some in the torsos and some in the arms making for less fire convergence. the arms are low slung so it must be a consious effort to not fire into terrain in front of you.


imho i think the best all around chassi is the Catapult. you can pretty much do anything in that. in the end though you can't go wrong with any of them.

Edited by Stewbawl, 07 November 2013 - 07:18 AM.

[Demogarose]

my fav heavy ATM is the Orion ON1-K

u want versatility? it can be a brawler, a fire support, or a sniper, all just by changing weapons

[Mercer Skye]

All around good 'mech? Jager or Orion, imho. Other heavies have variants that can 'play' at other roles, but those two actually can make you feel the rig is built for it.

Tbolt comes close, but only one variant carries ballistics, and either ballistics or energy, the low hanging arms and horrid terrain hitboxes require you to crest way too much in order to use them. 'Phracts, 'Pults and others are great, but those first two are most likely the ones fitting your idea.

And as huge a fan as I am of the Jager, I'd recommend the Orion. Only because of the more forgiving hitboxes (At least, after they get fixed). Which, if they tell it true, are likely to happen before you get them mastered (So I'd advise the LRM boat variant first )

[DyDrimer]

i prefer the catapult, i leveled the jager and Cataphract. Jager's seem to get picked apart fast, people know they run the duel ac20 and it makes them a first target, and running a xl wasn't very easy. The Cataphract i really enjoyed but on alot of maps i ended up shooting rocks, buildings, hills..everything but the targets i entended to shoot. Dont get me wrong if the Catapult becomes a target it will die fast to with a xl i just dont seem to be a first tier target in it like the jager was.

Edited by DyDrimer, 07 November 2013 - 08:39 AM.

[Scromboid]

Oh, and if you want to see that this mech puts out some serious, check this thread here...

Cataphract is terrifying

DyDrimer, on 07 November 2013 - 08:38 AM, said:

i prefer the catapult, i leveled the jager and Cataphract. Jager's seem to get picked apart fast, people know they run the duel ac20 and it makes them a first target, and running a xl wasn't very easy. The Cataphract i really enjoyed but on alot of maps i ended up shooting rocks, buildings, hills..everything but the targets i entended to shoot. Dont get me wrong if the Catapult becomes a target it will die fast to with a xl i just dont seem to be a first tier target in it like the jager was.

Dy is right here. It definately takes some finesse to work those arms. The shoulder lasers help out a lot if you worry about this.

What is the key, however, is to put out blistering pin point accurate withering firepower and force the other robots to run away. That is what works for me, so standing up and not hiding behind rocks is not usually a problem