Nova Or Cataphract?
#1
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:03 PM
The Nova NVA-S and
The Cataphract 3D.
Both have desirable hard points and i feel comfortable in both mechs so its a coin toss for me but i don't want to waste all those c bills again.
Is there any thing i should be aware of or any advice on making the decision i should know of?
any feedback is appreciated. thanks
#2
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:24 PM
for me easily, the Cataphract 3D with dual gauss, or something like 2ppc1guass or 2ac52ppc or even something prototype like 2largepulse2ac5 or uac5
#3
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:25 PM
Nova is mostly an energy boat and runs too hot since PGI increased weapon heat. It has a fixed engine and that means its top speed is forever limited to what it comes with (after tweak).
No competition, really.
Edited by Appogee, 23 September 2014 - 12:27 PM.
#4
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:28 PM
#5
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:33 PM
A few things you should keep in mind:
1.) The Cataphract and Nova are different weight classes and will play differently.
2.) The Cataphract has 4 variants whereas the nova only has 3.
3.) The nova is considered to be not as good as the other clan medium, the stormcrow, whereas the cataphract is considered one of the best (most competitive) heavy chassis in the game. Probably considered the best IS heavy hands down.
4.) The nova is very customizable with the ability to change omni pods. The cataphracts have a good variety in what you can do with each variant, and all of the variants can be built to perform competitively in different roles.
So, all that said, as a newer player it would probably be better to go with the cataphract, the 3D in particular. If you are interested in a hero mech the Ilya Muromets is a great choice and is a very effective cbill grinder. Just wait for the next 50% off sale. If you really want a clan medium, I would personally wait for the stormcrow to come out for chills...
p.s. I love all of my orions. Tough mech to start with, but can be a lot of fun once you get used to them.
#6
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:47 PM
It's a MUCH more flexible chassis to start with and much more forgiving to new users.
#7
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:52 PM
The Nova will force you to learn fire discipline and manage heat if you want to pilot it well. If you can, it will benefit you on every other chassis you play. Otherwise, that's going to be a long grind because the Nova's laser builds are can be unforgiving on heat buildup. FWIW, 4 or more weapon groups of differing numbers of lasers will help manage heat on the Nova.
Early in your "career," as long as you can aim those autocannons and lead your target a little, the Cataphract is probably a better pick between these 2 chassis IMHO.
You'll learn something from either chassis, but a better fit will make for a better grind towards upgrades and the next mech in line.
You can always come back around to the other one.
Edited by Virlutris, 23 September 2014 - 01:00 PM.
#8
Posted 23 September 2014 - 12:57 PM
#9
Posted 24 September 2014 - 11:24 AM
#10
Posted 24 September 2014 - 03:01 PM
This is one mech that tends to run really, really, really hot. It's primarily designed to boat tons of smaller energy weapons and those can stack their heat very quickly. It will teach you proper positioning, trigger discipline and over everything else it teaches you not to panic. You've got to lurk, you've got to hide, jump out at the right moment and unload your ridiculous firepower into an enemies weak spot, then fade again.
On the other hand, if you *do* panic and fire both arms at the same time you get roasted - quite literally. The current stock Prime build is pretty much unplayable after the recent nerf to energy weapons heat, so you will have to modify it. My personal favorite is Prime arms with 3x ERML, 3x ERSL per arm and -S side torsos with 2x MG per side. Doesn't lose much of the classic Nova punch at close range but the heat is more manageable and the MGs give you something to fire when you wait for the heat to drop down. They are also pretty awesome as crit seekers.
So in short - the Nova is and has always been my favorite Clanner. It's not easy to pilot but it looks awesome and is incredibly rewarding if you manage to pull it off. If you are a total beginner and are just looking for a good time then the Nova is probably not for you as it has a very steep learning curve. You will overheat and die frequently. It's not exactly lumbering but (especially compared to the Stormcrow) it is somewhat lacking in agility. It's short but very wide and has often times most if not all the firepower in the arms, which tend to get shot off. The arms are mounted very low and make ridge peeking difficult (although that's the case for the 'Phract too, and that one has several variants that can't jump).
If you are however looking for a machine that can teach you a lot of important tools and techniques that will be very handy for your future MWO career and don't have a problem with a hard-to-master mech, then by all means go buy the Nova. If not - the Cataphract is a great machine, a ton of fun, still one of the best heavies in the game and will probably give you a great time anyway.
Edited by Anassi, 24 September 2014 - 03:04 PM.
#11
Posted 24 September 2014 - 03:09 PM
So realistically you are looking to blow CBills on 3 mechs. Advantage of Clan is that you can't do upgrades, on IS mechs, you have to factor in the cost of upgrades as well.
For Medium, I would say go for a Shadowhawk, Griffin or wait another month for the Stormcrow. These 3 far outclass any other chasis in the Medium category.
For Heavies, I would say wait for the Timberwolf. Cause there really isn't much point of using any other Heavies. Yes, the Cataphract is a great IS mech (I have 3 including the Hero myself). But that's just it, it was great until the Clan invasion. The Timberwolf outperforms also any other mech in the game.
#12
Posted 24 September 2014 - 03:17 PM
#13
Posted 25 September 2014 - 01:43 AM
if you are new to the game I doubt you will have fun in a Nova. Its a hard mech. Serveral newbies I tried to explain and ffind love for the Nova left it.
Anassi, on 24 September 2014 - 03:01 PM, said:
This is one mech that tends to run really, really, really hot. It's primarily designed to boat tons of smaller energy weapons and those can stack their heat very quickly. It will teach you proper positioning, trigger discipline and over everything else it teaches you not to panic. You've got to lurk, you've got to hide, jump out at the right moment and unload your ridiculous firepower into an enemies weak spot, then fade again.
On the other hand, if you *do* panic and fire both arms at the same time you get roasted - quite literally. The current stock Prime build is pretty much unplayable after the recent nerf to energy weapons heat, so you will have to modify it. My personal favorite is Prime arms with 3x ERML, 3x ERSL per arm and -S side torsos with 2x MG per side. Doesn't lose much of the classic Nova punch at close range but the heat is more manageable and the MGs give you something to fire when you wait for the heat to drop down. They are also pretty awesome as crit seekers.
So in short - the Nova is and has always been my favorite Clanner. It's not easy to pilot but it looks awesome and is incredibly rewarding if you manage to pull it off. If you are a total beginner and are just looking for a good time then the Nova is probably not for you as it has a very steep learning curve. You will overheat and die frequently. It's not exactly lumbering but (especially compared to the Stormcrow) it is somewhat lacking in agility. It's short but very wide and has often times most if not all the firepower in the arms, which tend to get shot off. The arms are mounted very low and make ridge peeking difficult (although that's the case for the 'Phract too, and that one has several variants that can't jump).
If you are however looking for a machine that can teach you a lot of important tools and techniques that will be very handy for your future MWO career and don't have a problem with a hard-to-master mech, then by all means go buy the Nova. If not - the Cataphract is a great machine, a ton of fun, still one of the best heavies in the game and will probably give you a great time anyway.
Most things are true, but not the conclusion. A new player will have too many other things to lern to undertsand why the Nova he sits in will fail quite often. Nova is not a beginner mech. You need to know the games basics first before you should try a Nova.
Edited by Lily from animove, 25 September 2014 - 01:49 AM.
#14
Posted 25 September 2014 - 11:24 AM
#15
Posted 25 September 2014 - 10:10 PM
#16
Posted 26 September 2014 - 12:25 AM
Monroe the Pinhead, on 25 September 2014 - 11:24 AM, said:
try to get used to it, if it stays an issue, chanage it. Torso twisting works well on the catapharact
#17
Posted 26 September 2014 - 01:33 AM
Edited by DrSlamastika, 26 September 2014 - 01:33 AM.
#18
Posted 26 September 2014 - 02:54 AM
Also I strongly recomend you keep the XL280 engine even if you are not going to be using it for a while, the XL280 is one of the most useful engines in the game (most light, medium and heavy Mechs can make good use of that engine), and you only get half the item value if you sell it.
#19
Posted 26 September 2014 - 03:28 AM
Good brawler with AC20+lazors,can do gauss sniping and anything energy/ballistic-related stuff and excel in it.
#20
Posted 27 September 2014 - 09:33 PM
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