20 replies to this topic

[Katotonic]

Hi all,

Just picked up a shiny new CFT-3D and am excited to play it. But before I do, I was looking for 2 things:

Build ideas (the only 3d build threads I could find on a quick search were almost a year old. So any up to date builds considering current weapons balancing would be great)

and

A brief overview of favorite play styles with the 3D and what little tricks work best for you with this play-style.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by Katotonic, 15 November 2013 - 02:47 PM.

[Gtbuck]

In short, I love Cataphracts..I didn't buy the 3D for a while because I thought it was cheezy but I finally loaded out the poptart build back in the day with 2 erppc and guass. I've seen people still running that but to me it's too hot now..anyway, to what I like now

I'm still poptarting with an ac-10 2 PPC, and a standard 260(i've been tempted to upgrade to an xl but I've kind of gotten used to it now), try it out with an ac-20 and 4 mlas as well, maybe even with mpulse.

[Damoadius]

Ahh the 3D \m/ Excellent choice sir!

Who dosent want a 'Phract with JJs?!? As mentioned before, running dual PPCs does run hot. As for engine choice, I personally use an XL in my 3D(Both other 'Phracts have standards) for a respectable 72ks with speedtweak. With Gauss, ERPPC and 2xLLs.

Have always loved a good ol' 'Phractin \m/ The 3D is an excellent jump sniper, ducking from cover to cover giving the enemy the illusion of more then one attacker. On crimson straight Ive held the pass from the bridge against 3 assault/heavys, until backup arrived.

As a recon-support sniper you can defend your heavy hitters from pesky those lights. One carefully placed gauss will deter most lights. And using your JJs to get the upperhand on any that test your patience.

All in all, this mech is a precision weapon. Not for the faint of heart. And demands higher piloting skills, to run at its optimum.

Happy hunting

Edited by Damoadius, 16 November 2013 - 09:34 PM.

[Hex Pallett]

If you're a fine gentleman and a proper warrior, then the STD300 12DHS 4xML 1xAC20 build is definitely for you. It's battle proven, one of the most versatile flanker/brawler in existence. Feel free to take off a JJ to add more ammo.

Or if you can't find your balls then you can go with poptart. The choice is yours.

[Damoadius]

Helmstif, on 16 November 2013 - 05:50 PM, said:

Or if you can't find your balls then you can go...

Im sure you forgot to say something similar for your AC20 build...

If you cant find your brain then you can go...

JJs are the 3Ds unique part, setting it aside from all other 'Phracts. Almost every 2nd 'Phract rolls a 20. The 3D is capable of much, much more.

CTF-3D

[Hex Pallett]

Damoadius, on 16 November 2013 - 09:34 PM, said:

Im sure you forgot to say something similar for your AC20 build...

If you cant find your brain then you can go...

That comment on poptarting was supposed to be the flipside of brawling.

The way of man.

And it works. You can't beat the classic.

Edited by Helmstif, 16 November 2013 - 10:20 PM.

[Scurry]

I've experimented with a number of builds - take caution, though, because most of these builds run hot.

2xPPC, 2ML, LBX10 (can swap out to an AC10 for a jumpjet if you don't mind arm mounts)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e57af57ab0a1483

2xPPC, 2xAC5 (borrowed from one of the 12v12 threads - my current build)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3d87662cffda920

4xML, 2xAC10
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...671fd5d00650511

2xML, 2xGauss (decent sniper if you can use Gauss effectively - a mite squishy in close, though - guard your right side - good usage of armlock is recommended!)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1aaedc8c2ac68f7

[Roughneck45]

STD250 engine, endo, DHS, 2 PPC's, either an AC10 or 2 AC5's, 1 JJ, strip the armor from the unused arm, fill in with heatsinks and ammo.

Edited by Roughneck45, 17 November 2013 - 08:12 AM.

[ShadowbaneX]

here's my CTF-3D.

It's not a metabuild in any way, shape or form. It's not an Alpha mech. It's quick, it's maneuverable. It's survivable. With torso twisting and jump jets I've gotten this thing down to 12% before finally being taken out...and that's with an XL Engine. Do not Alpha with it. Fire the ER PPC, then the LB-10/X. Follow up with the MLs only if you've got a good chance of taking out a component or have a lot of spare heat.

[NRP]

I run my 3D as a jump striker with an AC/10 and 2 PPCs.

I've never changed the loadout because it's . . . so . . . freakin . . . good.

[Crashing]

I just posted about my 4X but I gotta say, I do get jealous when I see another cataphract jumping...

[ARamaLamaDingDong]

This is what I would suggest: CTF-3D

You can drop a DHS if you're fine with the heat for an additional JJ or a slightly bigger engine.

[Dagon Zur]

..try this, high risk - high gain build:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6951afb49a3d89c

[malibu43]

Here's what I've been running since I got my 3D a few weeks ago.

CTF-3D

But this thread has given me some new ideas to try!

[Lucian Nostra]

I was huge into the 2x ERPPC Gauss poptart Cata but I haven't played in a long time and came back to all the nerfs. So I changed it up to this

CTF-3D

I've used an XL on my Cataphract since I first started driving it, don't have an issue with it, the ERPPCs where just to hot so swapped to regulars

Edited by Lucian Nostra, 21 November 2013 - 02:11 PM.

[Void Angel]

The Cataphract was my first heavy, and even though I wasn't playing it for a while, I've still got over a day playing time in the chassis. My old UAC/5 PPC build just didn't feel good for me after the PPC/UAC changes, but just recently I've been playing it a lot with a new build.

Try This: Jumpy the Sniper Jerk. It's essentially Lucian's build, but with the two PPCs on the torsos to use the high weapon mounts, and the AC/10 on the arm for extra punch when you can afford to be more exposed - and for remonstrating with lights who think they can bully the sniper. An excellent all-around build for the Cataphract, and one I've been having a lot of success with.

Edited by Void Angel, 21 November 2013 - 03:17 PM.

[Victor Morson]

Scurry, on 17 November 2013 - 08:07 AM, said:

I've experimented with a number of builds - take caution, though, because most of these builds run hot.

2xPPC, 2ML, LBX10 (can swap out to an AC10 for a jumpjet if you don't mind arm mounts)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e57af57ab0a1483

2xPPC, 2xAC5 (borrowed from one of the 12v12 threads - my current build)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3d87662cffda920

4xML, 2xAC10
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...671fd5d00650511

2xML, 2xGauss (decent sniper if you can use Gauss effectively - a mite squishy in close, though - guard your right side - good usage of armlock is recommended!)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1aaedc8c2ac68f7

Not a fan of the first/last one. First because I hate LBX, last because twin Gauss on a 3D makes it INCREDIBLY fragile, since they're both on the same side - lose one Gauss and you lose the 'mech, pretty much.

However I highly recommend 2 PPC + AC/20 as well. Very solid setup you can run on a Cataphract 3D without problems. 2 PPC and 2 AC/5 remains highly popular for good reason, as well.

4 ML + AC/20 works fine too, with a standard engine and ferro.

PS: You chose the absolute best heavy 'mech to start with, OP. Good purchase. As you can see there's a bunch of top meta builds out for this thing.

Oh yeah, OP - most Cataphracts can get away with just a single jump jet. It'll let you "glide" around in an infight, pop up over ridges enough to snipe, etc. So save some weight there. I can't imagine you'd ever want to run 0 jump jets, though, it's so useful.

Edited by Victor Morson, 22 November 2013 - 01:01 PM.

[Draconis March]

Damoadius, on 16 November 2013 - 09:34 PM, said:

Im sure you forgot to say something similar for your AC20 build...

If you cant find your brain then you can go...

Poptarting takes less tactical/situational awareness than brawling. So I'm not sure where you get the idea that brawling is somehow more brainless.

[Mabru]

Here is what I'm running and I love it. It really moves with speed tweak, has good weapon ranges, and has great heat efficiency. You can plink with the ppc, then move in for the kill when all hell breaks loose. It's fast enough to get in and out without taking too much of a beating, just don't try to brawl too much with that Xl in there. You 'could' swap the PPC for an ER, I tend to get carried away though and that ER could mean trouble heat-wise.

Cataphract 3D

[Hex Pallett]

ShadowbaneX, on 17 November 2013 - 08:32 AM, said:

here's my CTF-3D.

It's not a metabuild in any way, shape or form.

I have a feeling someone is very fond of TotalBiscuit....