35 replies to this topic

[Freelancer604]

Hey guys, im trying to unlock elite efficiencies for my Ilya and I am wondering if a 3D will be good to have on the side? I have saved up 11m, so I could get that one then grind a lot to buy another variant later, or I could just buy two cheaper variants now and unlock start unlocking elite.

I like running the typical 3xUAC5 on my Ilya, but also love dual guass. Im thinking getting a jump jet fitted CTF will make dual guass much more fun..

Has anyone tried the CTF-3D and what do you think of it?

[ShadowbaneX]

Well, you've already got an XL280 from the Ilya, so you don't really need that extra XL280 that you'll get from the 3D. That said, I'm always of the opinion that Jump Jets make better mechs, and you could sell the XL280 that the 3D comes with to get a couple of million c-bills back. JJ with dual gauss, if you're actually planning on firing in the air would be...very difficult. If that's what you got in mind, then yeah, might be better to go with the other options.

For my personal experience I started with a 3D and did the dual ER PPC & Gauss thing and hated it. Then went to 260 Standard, PPC & AC/20. I liked it, but I found it never really worked properly. Then I went back to an XL280 with ER PPC & LB-10/X and had a lot of fun. Then I realized I could drop a heat sink, put Endo-Steel back in and came up with this build. Some times it works to devastating effect, other times it seems that the AC is pre-buff days and is doing no damage at all (I guess that happens when RNG hates me and I get no crits) and I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

For the other Phracts, I've tried the 4X which is a hell of a lot of fun, and the 2X. The 4X can do quad AC/2s, quad AC/4s, dual-Gauss, dual-LB-10/X. It's a little slow, but fun. The 2X I pulled a variant of my 3D build, dropping the jump jets, a ton of armour and a ton of LB-10/X ammo for 2 SRM4s and 2 tons of ammo.

Out of all of them I prefer the 3D, but I really like my Jump Jets.

[moraken]

3d was the second mech I got, before the gauss change I ran it with 2LL, 2ml, and a gauss. XL engine (300 i think?) Was my favorite mech, havent really gotten used to the change to gauss so I droped the gauss and a med laser and stuck 2 A/C 5's on it. It gets the job done but really dosen't shine like it used to.

If your considering other variants the 1x has been my favorite as of now, 5mlas and an ac20, with a standard engine the thing is a monster, has my highest k/d ratio of my admitedlly small number of mechs.

I bought the ilya last friday myself, still havent decided if I really like it or not
hope this helps

[Truesight]

3D is hands down my best mech. JJs with 2 Ballistic slots and some Lasers, its just great.

[NRP]

I think the 3D is the best Cataphract out there. JJs make the mech imo.

[Freelancer604]

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys, sounds like most of you love JJs. I havent had a mech with jump jets, so I guess i have to give it a try. The XL engine is a waste, but I guess I can sell it later to get half the value back.

[Modo44]

I would keep the extra XL280. It plays well in other heavies, and in the 35t lights.

[heleqin]

the Catafract 3D is considered the best heavy mech in the game and arguably the best mech in the game period. it is probably the most commonly owned mech in the game.

its a good flexible chassis, offering both ballistics and energy weapons with good hardpoint locations. its capable of taking a big engine for speed and has jump jet capability for added versitility. there are tons of loadout options, both the meta-approved and the home brewed that can be played effectively.

so yes, its a good mech and is well worth the very high C-bill price.

i personally haven't found a build that works for me, so it languishes in my mech bay waiting for me to finish mastering it, but it is a very solid chassis,

[Ewigan]

Heleqin:

Try this build: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6cf9fbde78911a5

Works awesomely for me, extremely survivable, high damage, quick and nimble

[Skunk Wolf]

Yes it is.

I usually ran mine with 2 ER PPC in the arms and 2 LL in the upper torso with 19 DHS, endo steel and a XL340.

max armour, but for 51 points in each leg.

Don't like JJ.

ERPPC's are in the arms to keep from fry frying myself with the heat, and to shoot down on people from the top of hills. LL are for close in welding, with the odd ERPPC blast if you can spare the heat, also to play peek a boo when they get into more effective weapons range.

You've got the speed to run down just about anything, and to pick your fighting range.

My rule is, if you get an XL engine, get the biggest one you can, otherwise you are just as slow and an easier kill.

Still like my muromets with the 3 AC2's. I love chewing apart people at over 1KM who are shooting at me with ineffective weapons at that range.

Edited by Skunk Wolf, 16 September 2013 - 05:35 AM.

[Autobot9000]

The 3D is probably one of the best mechs in game, so how could I argue about it being worth the money I personally would get the 4X along with the Ilya though, because the Ilya is an upgunned 3D without jump jets. The 4X really offers a different experience. I advise this build for the 4x (which shreds other heavies and assaults in seconds):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8041e77d52fb006

[Victor Morson]

Freelancer604, on 15 September 2013 - 02:15 AM, said:

Hey guys, im trying to unlock elite efficiencies for my Ilya and I am wondering if a 3D will be good to have on the side? I have saved up 11m, so I could get that one then grind a lot to buy another variant later, or I could just buy two cheaper variants now and unlock start unlocking elite.

I like running the typical 3xUAC5 on my Ilya, but also love dual guass. Im thinking getting a jump jet fitted CTF will make dual guass much more fun..

Has anyone tried the CTF-3D and what do you think of it?

Positively without doubt, the CTF-3D is a top tier 'mech. It's highly used in competitive play and it dominates in casual play as well. It is hands down the best Centurion, with only the Ilya getting close.

The 2x PPC 1x Gauss variant is far from dead, as well.

It's a brutal 'mech and really one of the "must own" 'mechs. Don't listen to anybody steering you towards the 4X in particular; it's an awful, awful variant that's too speed capped for it's own good, and is not heavy enough to make use of the extra ballistic over the Ilya.

Autobot9000, on 16 September 2013 - 06:08 AM, said:

The 3D is probably one of the best mechs in game, so how could I argue about it being worth the money I personally would get the 4X along with the Ilya though, because the Ilya is an upgunned 3D without jump jets. The 4X really offers a different experience. I advise this build for the 4x (which shreds other heavies and assaults in seconds):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8041e77d52fb006

This build is worse than 3 UAC5 on an Ilya in every single possible way, unfortunately. That much ammo + XL ... yikes.

[Appogee]

Cataphract is the best mech. A Cataphract with Jump Jets...? Doesn't get any better than that.

(Well, except maybe the Ilya during the current UAC5 thumpathon.).

Edited by Appogee, 16 September 2013 - 07:39 AM.

[Bhelogan]

I ran my 3D for months with Gauss, ERPPC, 3ML, XL340 engine. Loved it. Ran the dual UAC5, 3ML build for a bit the last few weeks, just for kicks, but I'll probably go back.

[MavRCK]

The 3D is so good! It's still #1 on my tier list.

[Void Angel]

Freelancer604, on 15 September 2013 - 02:15 AM, said:

Hey guys, im trying to unlock elite efficiencies for my Ilya and I am wondering if a 3D will be good to have on the side? I have saved up 11m, so I could get that one then grind a lot to buy another variant later, or I could just buy two cheaper variants now and unlock start unlocking elite.

I like running the typical 3xUAC5 on my Ilya, but also love dual guass. Im thinking getting a jump jet fitted CTF will make dual guass much more fun..

Has anyone tried the CTF-3D and what do you think of it?

Short answer: Absolutely - you should doubt the credibility of anyone who tells you otherwise.

The reasons for this are twofold: First, the 3D has jump jets, which allows a flexibility which you can't get anywhere else on this chassis. Second, unlocking the Ilya's skill trees is very worthwhile, and the 3D is one of the most effective of the Cataphract variants.

[wickwire]

definitely worth it, i'm currently enjoying it with 2x LB10-X, 2x MPL and 2x ML, default engine, 2 JJ and AMS, and possibly endo and DHS (not sure tho, i'm on my laptop)

Victor Morson, on 16 September 2013 - 07:31 AM, said:

It is hands down the best Centurion, with only the Ilya getting close.

tehehe

Edited by wickwire, 21 September 2013 - 02:02 PM.

[Autobot9000]

Victor Morson, on 16 September 2013 - 07:31 AM, said:

This build is worse than 3 UAC5 on an Ilya in every single possible way, unfortunately. That much ammo + XL ... yikes.

I guarantee you an easy win over your Ilya. Maybe in the time, where Piranha had the U/AC broken with 15% chance to jam the triple U/ACs won, because U/AC was the only gun in the game and it didnt matter how much armor, just mattered who got more lcuk and who pulled the trigger first, but now never ever. XLs on Cataphract is also 100% fine, as much as ammo is. I thnk you dont know what youre talking about

Edited by Autobot9000, 23 September 2013 - 01:30 PM.

[Modo44]

I'd still take backup/alpha-increase MLs, but I agree, quad AC5 shreds.

[Johnny Reb]

Yes, 3D is worth it, best of the Cata without a hero, with the Mur still debatable. Only one I keep, but not a fan of the Cata, or most heavies.