9 replies to this topic

[DA BAWSS]

Hi! I was wondering, does anyone have experience with, or know much about the Quickdraw or Cataphract?

I have played both of them as trial mechs, and found both rather charming, but noticed some problems with the set loadouts.

The Cataphract was great at almost all ranges. 2 Large lasers, 2 medium lasers and an LB10X were suprisingly effective, although they did run hot quite often.
This was back during the akward phase of sniping-to-big engine meta.

The current trial Quickdraw is a very charming mech, playing like a very big medium. Although the PPCs aren't very fitting for the 60 tonner.

I normally pilot mechs that move at a fairly fast pace, around 70-100 kph,
and specialize with autocannon and any of the large lasers.

Builds I am considering:
Quickdraw 5K: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...echlab#modified
Cataphract: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...echlab#modified

PS: Didn't really plan out that Cataphract build too well.

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

QKD-5K Lazorvomit

pair this with range modules and kill everything

is excellent in cw too.

[N a p e s]

I'm personally more a fan of the Cataphracts than the Quickdraws but in the right hands both can be fun and do well. Here’s a break down for the Phracts.

Of all the variants the CTF-1X stands out since it has a good mix of offensive quirks geared towards using a big ballistic weapon and some medium lasers for backup as well as a bit of extra structure to keep you in the fight as you get hit. Basically plays like a big Hunchback 4G with a slower recycle on the AC20 but much better laser punch.

The CTF-0X is also pretty cool and plays mostly the same way as the 1X but with ECM and its quirks geared way more towards buffing armor and structure. It is admittedly super tanky but it doesn’t hit quite as hard.

The old classic 3D is also pretty fun but I’ve never found a build that I really enjoyed and now that jumpjets just let you hover well most of its old builds aren’t nearly as effective.

One thing to keep in mind with the CTFs is that those arms are real low and you’ll often see shots hit edges of terrain that would have cleared if the hardpoints were higher up.

[DA BAWSS]

PowerOfNapes, on 25 June 2015 - 06:19 AM, said:

I'm personally more a fan of the Cataphracts than the Quickdraws but in the right hands both can be fun and do well. Here’s a break down for the Phracts.

Of all the variants the CTF-1X stands out since it has a good mix of offensive quirks geared towards using a big ballistic weapon and some medium lasers for backup as well as a bit of extra structure to keep you in the fight as you get hit. Basically plays like a big Hunchback 4G with a slower recycle on the AC20 but much better laser punch.

The CTF-0X is also pretty cool and plays mostly the same way as the 1X but with ECM and its quirks geared way more towards buffing armor and structure. It is admittedly super tanky but it doesn’t hit quite as hard.

The old classic 3D is also pretty fun but I’ve never found a build that I really enjoyed and now that jumpjets just let you hover well most of its old builds aren’t nearly as effective.

One thing to keep in mind with the CTFs is that those arms are real low and you’ll often see shots hit edges of terrain that would have cleared if the hardpoints were higher up.

Do you know anything about the 4X?
Also, are XLs a requirement on Cataphracts?

[Juodas Varnas]

I'm a huge fan of Quickdraws myself, but i'm going to tell you this: they're not good mechs. (Apart from 5K laser vomit)

I'm running a 4G myself. With a STD300 engine (because of Quickdraw's size, i don't like the idea of running an XL engine, even though it has pretty nice shielding arms) with 4 Medium lasers and 2 SRM4 launchers.


What i would suggest if you really want a Quickdraw, just get one of the 55 tonners instead. Like a Griffin or a Wolverine. They're much, MUCH better than the Quickdraw AND you won't suffer long queue times, because they're mediums and not heavies.

[N a p e s]

DA BAWSS, on 25 June 2015 - 10:53 AM, said:

Do you know anything about the 4X?
Also, are XLs a requirement on Cataphracts?

I've never played the 4X but opinions are generally mixed regarding that variant. It's limited in the sense that its got a really low max engine (255) which means a top speed of 65 kph (tweaked) and even though it can mount 4 AC5s the hardpoints are low. Here's the build I'd use.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1089b3f27673c5f

No doubt that those quad quirked AC5s can lay on the hurt, but you're paying for it in mobility.

EDIT: Just to compare all the other CTF variants can mount 340 rated engine which puts them at above 85 kph. Its usually not really a good idea since you lose too much firepower but it lets you get into the sensible range of 280-300 and even 325 rated engines.

Also, I've never played the 2X variant.

Edited by PowerOfNapes, 25 June 2015 - 11:05 AM.

[N a p e s]

Juodas Varnas, on 25 June 2015 - 11:02 AM, said:

I'm a huge fan of Quickdraws myself, but i'm going to tell you this: they're not good mechs. (Apart from 5K laser vomit)

I'm running a 4G myself. With a STD300 engine (because of Quickdraw's size, i don't like the idea of running an XL engine, even though it has pretty nice shielding arms) with 4 Medium lasers and 2 SRM4 launchers.


What i would suggest if you really want a Quickdraw, just get one of the 55 tonners instead. Like a Griffin or a Wolverine. They're much, MUCH better than the Quickdraw AND you won't suffer long queue times, because they're mediums and not heavies.

If only it was as slim as it was intended to be like in the concept art. The 4H that I have in my mechbay is loaded with 4xMPL and 3xASRM4. Its a hell of a machine if I can get into range, but it just feels too big most of the time.

[Juodas Varnas]

PowerOfNapes, on 25 June 2015 - 11:17 AM, said:

If only it was as slim as it was intended to be like in the concept art. The 4H that I have in my mechbay is loaded with 4xMPL and 3xASRM4. Its a hell of a machine if I can get into range, but it just feels too big most of the time.

Yeah, the modelers absolutely butchered Alex's concept art.
It might be the WORST concept - model transition of all mechs, currently in the game.

The fact that it's larger than some Assault mechs, doesn't bloody help

[DA BAWSS]

Thank you guys! Ive decided that I will pick the Cataphract-1X, as It is fairly cheap to outfit, and I am familiar with its weapons.
I plan to use an AC/20, and whatever lasers I feel like using.

[N a p e s]

I'd recommend this setup:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b43355f3dbf1e8a

Or something similar that drops the AMS for half a ton of armor and an extra DHS.