34 replies to this topic

[Auxian]

So, I've seen Lrm boats of all kinds, but I rarely see a Catapult, besides wub K2s, so I have to ask, is it worth getting a Catapult besides having a Iconic mech of the lore?

[Sorbic]

I haven't played them much since the quirks so I can't say much about the LRM boat cats. However with the second quirk pass (the first one left it stale with that inane JJ rule) the Jester is finally ok. It's not as good as some others but the speed and JJ's make for some fun fights.

Of course if it wasn't so sexy looking I'd probably skip over it more often and play the TW or CTF.

[Karl Marlow]

The Catapult has some weak points that is easy to exploit. The ears are easy to knock off. Even so I still use my Splat cat from time to time. My Foudners mech is a Catapult wiht 2 SRMs and 4 MPL's . It does decent. In an LRM setup it works about as good as any other LRM boat.

[lsp]

Not really, I miss the days of the splatcat and streak cat.

[Rex Budman]

Auxian, on 29 December 2014 - 10:31 PM, said:

So, I've seen Lrm boats of all kinds, but I rarely see a Catapult, besides wub K2s, so I have to ask, is it worth getting a Catapult besides having a Iconic mech of the lore?

I only ride Cats...

The A1 transitions from LRM boat to SRM boat
The C1 is a x2PPC and x2LRM10 that does 80kph with a 1.32 heat rating (somewhere thereabouts)
The K2 is a x2ML x2AC5 x2PPC that does 74kph but only a 1.16 heat rating, sadly. It does pack a wallop.

And then there's the Jester, which for me is a x4PPC snipermech. It does 84kph, it can get around nicely because of JJ's and packs a mightly punch.

Surely you can see the uses of these mechs?

[El Bandito]

Orion VA is the best IS Heavy Lurmer right now. I recommend Quad LRM10s. The Orion has more armor, can put better back-up weapons and is almost as fast as the Catapult, minus the JJs.

Catapult has past its prime. Hexa LRM5 A1 got heavy GH nerf (use Penta LRM5 with NARC instead), C1 has only 2 launchers and C4 is quirked to LRM20, which is something you should NEVER use, even with quirks.

Edited by El Bandito, 29 December 2014 - 11:44 PM.

[MeiSooHaityu]

If you like a quick fire support (C1, C4, A1) or sniper mech (K2, Jester), I think you will like the Catapult. If you want a front line brawler that can scrap with the enemy direct, I'd avoid a Cat.

If you get a K2, I recommend 2PPCs and 2LPLasers or 2PPCs, with 2MLasers and an A/C10.

I'm currently running my C1 more quirk wise with 2 LRM15s, 2MLasers, and 1 LPLaser. If you ignore the quirks and want a good C1 Skirmisher, I like a C1 with 2LRM10s, 2LLasers, and 2 MLasers.

Try and keep the engine around a XL300-ish range and it will do well for you.

[Barantor]

El Bandito, on 29 December 2014 - 11:34 PM, said:

Orion VA is the best IS Heavy Lurmer right now. I recommend Quad LRM10s. The Orion has more armor, can put better back-up weapons and is almost as fast as the Catapult, minus the JJs.

Catapult has past its prime. Hexa LRM5 A1 got heavy GH nerf (use Penta LRM5 with NARC instead), C1 has only 2 launchers and C4 is quirked to LRM20, which is something you should NEVER use, even with quirks.

Orion is good if you are going to be with the mainline of attack, but it has all the worst parts of a non-JJ heavy with LRMs if it is on a flank.

The C1 can flank and still have backup weapons. It isn't putting down the amount of missiles at once as some of the other mechs, but can flank and get those missiles on target easier and faster than the orion can.

Here are some of the 'boats' I've run in the past. It isn't so much about the spam of missiles as getting the missiles you launch to have a greater chance of hitting.

CTPL-C1
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f376622fdea3ce3

TDR-5S
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...96e6e37bc458309

ON1-M
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c9731f73b7b9849

[El Bandito]

Barantor, on 30 December 2014 - 07:12 AM, said:

Orion is good if you are going to be with the mainline of attack, but it has all the worst parts of a non-JJ heavy with LRMs if it is on a flank.

The C1 can flank and still have backup weapons. It isn't putting down the amount of missiles at once as some of the other mechs, but can flank and get those missiles on target easier and faster than the orion can.

Here are some of the 'boats' I've run in the past. It isn't so much about the spam of missiles as getting the missiles you launch to have a greater chance of hitting.

CTPL-C1
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f376622fdea3ce3

TDR-5S
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...96e6e37bc458309

ON1-M
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c9731f73b7b9849

If I want to ride a flanker LRM boat, I take my 55 ton Mediums. At least they have less of a chance of getting ripped to shreds by enemy Lights.

Catapult has too many vulnerable locations to stay far away from the main blob. The legs, the CT, the ears...

Edited by El Bandito, 30 December 2014 - 07:26 AM.

[LordMelvin]

I rarely get "eared" in a Catapult. That CT is just too big to hit anything else.

Seriously, if people though the Hellbringer was bad they haven't spend enough time in a Catapult. You can literally get cored from any angle. Fortunately, this does make it XL safe.

It also makes for a great fire magnet. I've been singled out by wolf packs whilst standing in the middle of an assault lance.

[Monkey Lover]

Run away from the Catapults they're the size of a dire with ears sticking up in space saying Shoot my main weapons off. Lrm boats are kind of a waste but if you still want to do one for fun take a medium mech like a kintaro or trebuchet they have crazy lrm quirks.

Edited by Monkey Lover, 30 December 2014 - 08:52 AM.

[Brody319]

I love my K2, Jester, and my C1 before I sold it. They have a place. LRM boating can be pretty devastating on CW if you got a buddy with tag or narc.

[LORD TSARKON]

If you like to spectate a lot and see your teammate's play.... Get a Catapult

If you want a Heavy Mech that is bigger(larger) than an Assault Stalker..... Get a Catapult

If you like to be headshotted (still one of the easiest mechs to die from Headshotted)... Get a Catapult

If you want Hardcore MOde... and like to be crippled (Ears shot off)... Get a Catapult

If you are a Masochist and enjoy being in PAIN..... Get a Catapult..

[MeiSooHaityu]

If you enjoy being wrong about Catapults and their pilots...post nonsense about a Catapult

Edited by MeiSooHaityu, 30 December 2014 - 10:17 AM.

[vettie]

I have the K2, C4, C1 and the Jester. never bought the A1 because of the lack of back up weapons...lose the ears and, well, you are just a target that can cap, spot for others, block of just die....

I enjoy the Cats. Like any other mech, you have to spend time in them to learn the ins and outs of them. they are a big target and they do have a big CT. However, if you learn to use them you can do well.

I have a Stalker Missile boat and I do almost as well in the C1 as I do in the Stalker, mainly because the stalker becomes a target faster than the Cat does.

If you buy (them), take the time to learn them and you can ok. They are NOT a front line mech and if you try to use as a brawler of very close support mech you will die often. I dont like standing around and not pressuring the enemy, but in a Cat you need to be a smart support mech.Use the tools correctly and you will be fine. Use them wrong and you get yourself injured...

[Equalizer]

Catapults were among my favourite mechs for a very long time and I got quite a few games in all of them, but rarely play them nowadays. When I do it's mostly Jester or K2 because I like the high energy mounts in the arms. That's literally their sole saving grace though - Jester's speed isn't all that useful (due to reasons outlined below) and its JJs are utter trash with the slow lift off and short burn time. K2 can mount a couple of large ballistics, but any Jager is much better at that.

The C4 is completely useless IMO, A1 is very situational due to limited builds and both of them are ugly as hell with the tack-on missiles. C1 is kind of okay-ish but nothing stellar. In general, all Catapults are severely outperformed by other heavies and mediums due to a combination of better hard points/quirks, speed and hitboxes.

The first thing to keep in mind when playing a Catapult is that you're a huge walking CT (+ ears if you use one of the missile variants) and you won't be able to do anything to avoid taking a lot of damage on these locations. That's why you're either relegated to a support role, regardless of variant, or you're dead/disarmed the instant a couple of enemy mechs look your way.

[627]

LORD TSARKON, on 30 December 2014 - 10:14 AM, said:

If you like to spectate a lot and see your teammate's play.... Get a Catapult

If you want a Heavy Mech that is bigger(larger) than an Assault Stalker..... Get a Catapult

If you like to be headshotted (still one of the easiest mechs to die from Headshotted)... Get a Catapult

If you want Hardcore MOde... and like to be crippled (Ears shot off)... Get a Catapult

If you are a Masochist and enjoy being in PAIN..... Get a Catapult..

If you want to have the most beautiful mech in this game..... Get a Catapult.

[KuroNyra]

627, on 30 December 2014 - 12:44 PM, said:

If you want to have the most beautiful mech in this game..... Get a Catapult.

Huuuuuuuh.....

New geometry completly killed that...
The Catapult is no more "beautiful".

[627]

KuroNyra, on 30 December 2014 - 03:19 PM, said:

Huuuuuuuh.....

New geometry completly killed that...
The Catapult is no more "beautiful".

it still is. just don't add weapons.

[LORD TSARKON]

627, on 30 December 2014 - 12:44 PM, said:

If you want to have the most beautiful mech in this game..... Get a Catapult.

It used to be...A long time ago, in a Galaxy Far Far Away


I mean.... I sorta like VCRS... (back in 80s)