16 replies to this topic

[timff8]

Hi All,

I've been playing mwo for a few weeks now, and I was looking forward to saving up money for a Cataphract, but now I'm not sure.

I love what they do, but looking at the clan mechs (specifically the Summoner) I can't see any reason to get a CTF over it. Yes the CTF has a lot more flexibility but Clan tech just seems so much better. Is there any reason to go with the CTF over the SMN, or indeed any IS mech when a clan mech has a similar weight and options for hardpoints?

I love the CTF but if there's simply a better choice...
(BTW I'm specifically looking at the CTF-4X and CTF-3D if you're wondering).

[STEF_]

timff8, on 17 September 2014 - 10:34 PM, said:

Hi All,

I've been playing mwo for a few weeks now, and I was looking forward to saving up money for a Cataphract, but now I'm not sure.

I love what they do, but looking at the clan mechs (specifically the Summoner) I can't see any reason to get a CTF over it. Yes the CTF has a lot more flexibility but Clan tech just seems so much better. Is there any reason to go with the CTF over the SMN, or indeed any IS mech when a clan mech has a similar weight and options for hardpoints?

I love the CTF but if there's simply a better choice...
(BTW I'm specifically looking at the CTF-4X and CTF-3D if you're wondering).

Well, I purchased the summoner pack (because I love how it looks like), but, seriously, my CTFs eat summoners alive in close range situation/brawl, and in mid range too.
Sadly PGI choose to give summoner 2 bad things:
1) bad hitboxes
2) low weapon tonnage - fixed JJ

It's still possible to do well with summoner, piloting as if it were a medium mech, imo.

Edited by Stefka Kerensky, 18 September 2014 - 12:32 AM.

[Cab]

Well, the Summoner isn't too bad but also far away from superior. I would wait for the Timber. Regarding the Summoner, I tried a lot of builds these days. The one that works best for my playstyle (brawl, but don't run in as the first guy) is like this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8071be8d812ab54

Edited by Cab, 18 September 2014 - 12:37 AM.

[Rushin Roulette]

timff8, on 17 September 2014 - 10:34 PM, said:

DO CATAPHRACTS STILL COMPETE?

Short answer = yes
Long answer = yeeeeeeeeeeeesss

[juxstapo]

What Rushin said.

As much as I hate to parrot popular opinion, currently the best heavy in the game is the Timber Wolf, but if you're limited to IS tech, then the Phract and the Jager (in that order for me, the precedence is reversed for some folks).

I'd take any of them over the Summoner right now. I've encountered some awesome Summoner pilots, but I consistently deliver better performance in my Cataphracts and Jagermechs. This is justme, mind you...

....eh, forget that "just my opinion" disclaimer. I'm gonna quit pussyfooting around and just say "Yes, the Cataphract is better than the Summoner".... CTF-3D one of my "untouchable" builds that is always ready to go.

Edited by juxstapo, 18 September 2014 - 06:05 AM.

[Soul Tribunal]

Cataphracts are still very much a Viable build in this game, I still loathe running around a corner to face one, and when I am in my own I find they do a good job of chewing through what I am up against.
Truthfully I tend to hover near our assaults and support them with my additional firepower, and in turn rely on someone to shoot at the assault first and ignore me while I lay down some hurt.

I find them to still be viable.

-ST

[B0oN]

OP ?
Sure as hell, as long as you can handle them

[n r g]

timff8, on 17 September 2014 - 10:34 PM, said:

Hi All,

I've been playing mwo for a few weeks now, and I was looking forward to saving up money for a Cataphract, but now I'm not sure.

I love what they do, but looking at the clan mechs (specifically the Summoner) I can't see any reason to get a CTF over it. Yes the CTF has a lot more flexibility but Clan tech just seems so much better. Is there any reason to go with the CTF over the SMN, or indeed any IS mech when a clan mech has a similar weight and options for hardpoints?

I love the CTF but if there's simply a better choice...
(BTW I'm specifically looking at the CTF-4X and CTF-3D if you're wondering).

NO

[Arkion29]

Energy, can you elaborate on why you think this chassis is no longer competitive?

Does anyone else think that the Cataphract is no longer competitive?

I am thinking picking up this mech and wondering which variants are best, if indeed tis is still a capable mech.

[Zordicron]

It's fine yet. They offer some stuff other chassis can't replicate, somthing about how they handle and the weapon positions makes them feel unique IMO.

On the other hand, I blow enough of them to bits nightly to say they aren't as top dog as they used to be in heavy class back in open beta. Many, many players run XL now to accomodate more weapons to keep up with more recent mechs, and it shows in survivability on the phract.

don;t let me scare you off, I blame pilots more then the chassis for this. There are I am sure many guides on this mech,it is an older one. In general, people suggest the 4x for uniqueness, the 3D for jumping, and players choice between 1Xand 2X, depends how you play them. Or, buy an Illya, because if you like the mech(if you like the 3D, you should buy an Illya on sale you will like that too) the Illya is a real hoot.

[John80sk]

Competitive? Summoner has a slight edge because of the added durability and speed. For all other purposes? The difference isn't big enough to worry about. The phract might be a little better in terms of a performance ceiling in a match, but the Summoner will probably hold a better average performance.

Both are leagues behind the Timberwolf unfortunately. This is all wibbly wobbly with the clan XL nerfs coming up though, so I'd recommend just playing what you enjoy. The cataphract is not a bad mech by any means, it just isn't king of the heavies anymore.

[Haydin]

Cataphracts are still perfectly good. They'll be receiving buffs with the new quirk overhaul (the 3D probably the least amount) and clan XL engines are getting a nerf. Timberwolves are still going to be ridiculously strong mind you, but the CTF will be just fine.

If you want to compete with clan stuff, you'll probably want to emphasize front-loaded, pinpoint damage. Even the dakka versions of IS mechs will have an easier time hammering a single point on an enemy, so I'm including them as well. Anyway, some builds you could take a look at:

3D with 2x AC10 and 1x PPC:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e28582f5f9fdda4

3D with 1x AC10 and 2x PPC (hotter, but faster and more JJ)

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...63f732d0ab793fa

Brawler 3D with AC20 + 4ML:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c591a595cb4137a

Dakka 4X with 4x AC5

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...73b9d15b3096008

Dakka 4X with 2x UAC5 and 2x AC2

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a0b16fe2b0eb12f

Dual Gauss 4X

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b3c51af001954f4

Dual Gauss 3D

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4bd6c12ed7f73a8

Quad LPL 3D:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4ff60a54a0aa70b

2x UAC5, 2x LPL 3D (PPCs also work):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b8f5e83dfb4f386

Edited by Haydin, 05 October 2014 - 10:43 PM.

[Kodyn]

While I'm no ENERGY, and at a high-end, competitive level they may not compete, I am fully in love with my 'Phract.

I regularly get 500-900 damage games with dual LB and 4x ML on a 3D, and find it to be a very satisfying mech. Little slow for a heavy, only 76/kph, and not as tanky as some, but packs a hell of a punch that'll drive off most mechs or smash their faces. I've solo'd some clan meds and heavies with it and won, barely, and it handles Atlases every day, but it really shines as direct fire support for assaults and brawler heavies.

[Arkion29]

Thanks for the advice. I have all the clan mechs, but for reason I enjoy playing IS mechs more. To me they seem to have more character.

I think I am going to get the pack that contains the 3 Cataphracts in the in game store.

Now to find a sweet build for IM.

[Kodyn]

The nice thing about the 'Phract line is that you can try a variety of loadouts, many work, it's just what you enjoy most/do well in.

I've probably had everything on my 3D you can throw in there, but settled on what I have now out of trial and error, and going by my best matches with each loadout, etc.

Play around with em, have some fun, they really begin to shine once you get Master/Elite and can be a bit more agile.

[Haydin]

Arkion29, on 05 October 2014 - 10:42 PM, said:

Thanks for the advice. I have all the clan mechs, but for reason I enjoy playing IS mechs more. To me they seem to have more character.

I think I am going to get the pack that contains the 3 Cataphracts in the in game store.

Now to find a sweet build for IM.

For unique ilya builds, there's the 3x LBX10, the 3x UAC5 + 3 ML, and the 3x UAC5 + ERLL. I also have been running a 2x AC10, 1x UAC5, 2ML setup that's been pretty nice with modules. Beyond that, the vast majority of 3D builds can be applied to the ilya, minus jumpjets.

Edited by Haydin, 06 October 2014 - 04:19 PM.

[IraqiWalker]

timff8, on 17 September 2014 - 10:34 PM, said:

Hi All,

I've been playing mwo for a few weeks now, and I was looking forward to saving up money for a Cataphract, but now I'm not sure.

I love what they do, but looking at the clan mechs (specifically the Summoner) I can't see any reason to get a CTF over it. Yes the CTF has a lot more flexibility but Clan tech just seems so much better. Is there any reason to go with the CTF over the SMN, or indeed any IS mech when a clan mech has a similar weight and options for hardpoints?

I love the CTF but if there's simply a better choice...
(BTW I'm specifically looking at the CTF-4X and CTF-3D if you're wondering).

Cataphracts are still one of the top competitive heavies. They are named "The King of Dakka" for a reason.