11 replies to this topic

[Verstaka]

Now that I've been playing MWO for about a week now I've gotten a feel for the tonnage and playstyle that I'm most comfortable with. And now that I've saved 15 million C-Bills my big question now though is whether I should go IS or Clan for the mechs. When all is said and done the cost will actually be higher for me to make the Cataphract rig I want compared to customizing the Maddog Prime to something I like.

I know with IS mechs any weapons, engines, etc, I get can be used later on in any mech that can fit the components. But the clan mechs seem much better off the bat without needing much for C-Bills to upgrade them.

I guess my question is whether the forums reccomend IS mechs or Clan mechs for new players who can only afford 1 heavy off the bat and why.

Cataphract
CTF-3D

Mad Dog
MDD-PRIME

[_____]

Neither perhaps. Currently an ECM is pretty helpful for new players to avoid getting shot at. This will change soon-ish, but right now it is. Clan is more versatile than IS so if you decide to go with a different configuration, you just need to buy more omnipods instead of a completely new chassis. Therefore I recommend a Hellbringer which is capable of LRMs, laser boating, or combination of lasers + some ACs. So for example, you can pretty much do either one of the above configurations, minus the JJs, and you get ECM.

Buy the HBR-PRIME first so you get the super important PRIME left torso. Then for the RT you can keep the PRIME pod for ballistics or the B pod for more LRMs.

[Nightshade24]

Clan mechs is more complicated then IS mechs in the mech lab for some people and do need more practice to play while IS mechs are rather obvious what weapons to put where (at times virtually any weapon that's sensible will do) BUT clan mechs not so much and due to constant nerf and 'ballance' changes while lack of buffs in other places that need them.
It takes practice to use the clan weapons and mechs to the best of it's abilities I would say.



I should note your title is confusing, it says Catapult (IS 60 ton heavy) and Timberwolf [IS designation: Mad Cat] (Clan 75 ton heavy) but your smurfy links and thread talks about the Cataphract (IS 75 ton heavy) and the Mad Dog [IS designation: Vulture] (Clan 60 ton heavy)


IT's rather confusing really and feels an odd comparison... I would say that compairing the mad dog with the catapult (both 60 ton LRM heavy mechs) and the Cataphract and Timberwolf (75 ton heavy mechs)...


Timberwolf is arguably one of the better mechs in the game (which may change soon). The Cataphract is one of the worst due to primitive status of once being the best mech in game but that was many years ago. Cataphract is a mech that with practice will do well but arguably is still inferrior. So is the Orion (minus the former "OP" status) and the Orion however is still a good brawler and is versatile... Timberwolf can do pretty well with energy weapons and can attempt ballistics nad missiles but do not try to do those without any energy weapons as a primary or secondary weapon choice.




On the flipside the Mad Dog and Catapult are two mechs going head to head in a race, the catapult got high missile hardpoints and jumpjetis allowing it to easily shoot over hills or jump over them if they are in the way.
Mad dog however has better utility choices or secondary weapons, ranging from duel UAC 2, duel Large pulse, or what ever.
there is no min range on LRM's for clans but they do drop in damage... It lacks Endo steel structure so the catapult catches up...


Either way... it depends on you I guess... I can compare mechs all night, but the Jagermech could beat the Mad dog in the areas I said it does better over the catapult... but then the Ebon jaguar beats the jagermech in what the jager beats the mad dog... but the mad dog beats the ebon jaguar at it's weakness and so on and on...

It really depends really... the 2 builds you showed me are completely different in play style.



Of the bat?... I may say Mad dog out of your cataphract vs mad dog situation.

Why? If missile boating isn't your best and you do not want to be a missile boater you can switch your omnipods so now you can be mounting duel UAC 10's or maybe a few pulse lasers with a bunch of SRM missiles or what have you. It allows you to have very different builds across all 3 mad dogs while cataprhacts that specific chassis follows a simular template for each one, ballistic primary with energy second... the 0XP (ECM), 3D (Jumpjets), and 4X (4 ballistics allowign 4 AC 5) do shake that up a bit but it still is rather simular compared to say 6 SRM 6's and 2 ER PPC's... or 2 LRM 20's and 4 medium pulse... or duel UAC 10....

[BoldricKent]

2 things to consider...
n.1 : IS mechs have a lot of hidden costs, as double heat sinks, XL engine, endo steel.. so before you buy mech,
check what equipment it has. With Clan tech, you got whole package, apart from omnipods and weapons.
When IS and Clan are fully equipped they will cost about the same.
n.2: Its advisable to get at least 3 models of same mech chassis to enable mastering it, mastered chassis are
quite different beasts then bought one.
So bottom line 15 million, you are a bit short.

[TheLuc]

I would suggest to go for which looks you prefer, so the retro looks of the Inner Sphere Mechs get to you, well go for it. In the case its more the machine like looks of the Clans is what you prefer, it is as good. Both have great Mechs

IS or Clan, both are good and once upgraded the Mechs are similar in price. To get Clan Mechs you may dish out more CBills but you will spend way less in upgrades, on the IS side its just the other way around.

So in the title you wrote Catapult or MadCat, in the MechLab link its a Cataphract and Mad Dog. May be a mistake or just that you have changed your mind. I will add the Catapult in build links as suggestions.

The other guys did write up good points as well, might be overwhelming or seem contradict one and other but there is so many play styles in this game that all boils down to how you play and what you feel comfortable with. 15 mil is true that isn't much but I do understand you want your own Mech.

To stick with what you wrote, here we go.

I will start with the Clan Mad Dog, good Mech for a 60 tonner, very agile but since the 60 tons Mechs act as a bridge from medium to heavy, so I consider the Mad Dog as a medium.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...66ea215c288d3be

As a support Mech its great, once those missile packs are empty it wont be a brawler but is more than able to give back some laser love. Clan Mechs can change Omni Pods so the Mad Dog role can change but dont expect to be able to build a jack of all trades.

The Catapult, a classic 65 tons support Mech, the lasers are in the torsos so can defend itself longer, the missile rack are the arms, once empty they can act as shields and some Jump Jets.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...567120f8d7ef0e7

Yes that thing needs a AMS due to the design, a big top side make it vulnerable to attacks from LRMs, there is no XL in this build to take advantage of the fact the the IS can use side torsos as shields. IS XL engines are fragile, a side torso loss and you're out of the match.

The Cataphract, 70 tons, as a direct fire Mech, its quite good, it can brawl, Snipe or both. Torso twist is required with this Mech since it has a big center torso but then again its not that dramatic with the armor it has it make this manageable

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8c4f2c950483d22

I kept the ER Large Lasers from your build but moved them in the torsos so the Mech can keep them longer, I also changed the XL engine for a bigger standard engine. The Ultra AC5 was replaced for a normal one, the regular AC5 is a overall better performer and need less ammo. There was 2 slots left so I thought that a Machine gun to munch up those unarmored opponents could be helpful.

So I hope it helps.

Edited by TheLuc, 19 October 2015 - 12:20 AM.

[Verstaka]

I just noticed the goof up in the title, sorry about that. Any way to edit the title to Cataphract or Maddog?

And thanks for the quick responses everyone. I just want to make sure I'm getting the jist of the replies so far.

Cataphract is a pretty flexible chassis as far as roles but it hasn't aged well since launch. It isn't bad it's just not as good as it once was.

Catapult is a great missleboat that can poke well once it's missles are exhausted and reasonably durable for a 60 tonner.

Timberwolf is a fantastic well rounded mech. Doesn't master anything but it'll never be in a situation it doesn't have an answer for.

Maddog is very fast for a medium but on the squishy side for 60 tons. Good missleboat but can fight a medium range no problem.

Also about how much is it to buy an omnipod? Do you need the entire mech y I have access to the pod or are they available individually?

[BoldricKent]

Ominpods are about 300 000 cbils. No, once you get first omni mech, you can buy any omnipods for that type...
Still you goal should to master mech chassie and youll need 3 of same for that. (youll need about 16k for basic, 21.5k
for elite, and another 21.5k for master mech GXP)

[Tordin]

I would go for the Mad Dog / Vulture. The A variant can wreck metal with around 96 in alpha with reasonable heat. 4 SRM6, 2 SRM 4, and 4 CML (I think). Some use only CLRM 5. I cant speak for Mad Cats, they dont interest me, maybe after re balance patch.

[KuroNyra]

Mad Dog. Believe me the Mad Dog will serve you better than the cataphract.
He will be hard to use at first. Clans mechs can be quick to overheat. But once you know how to use it. (the Splat-dog configuration is deadly. SRM4 and 4 medium laser.) Or you can make it LRM boat just like the catapult.
Or ballistic.

The Mad Dog is versatile, like the Timber Wolf/Mad Cat. The Cataphract are also but can't be specialised.

[Voodoomancer]

Do you like ballistics? Do you want to *wreck things* with AC/5's? If so:

Step 1: Buy a Dragon-1N.
Step 2: Buy an XL300 engine, either for C-bills or by buying something with an XL300 for MC, ripping out the engine, and selling the rest for scrap.
Step 3: put XL300 engine in Dragon. Add 2xAC/5, 10T ammo, 2ML. Advanced Zoom helps too.
Step 4: Play lots, wreck things, earn tons of C-bills, buy whatever you want.

Seriously. It will almost certainly get a huge nerf in the coming balance pass, but right now the 2AC/5 DRG-1N is a *monster*. Can limp out of a face-off with a Direwolf. That 10T of ammo is not overkill.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

The best heavy to start with is the thunderbolt.

Personally I recommend folks start with hunchbacks because the chassis can teach a new player a ton about the game but since you know what you like, go thud.

If you like dakka on the other hand go jagermech.

[Verstaka]

Funnily enough I've actually been look at the thunderbolt. My Laptop up and died on me a couple of days after making this thread, going to order the parts to make a new tower tomorrow, but it's made me sit down and watch a lot youtube videos other than the 2 mechs I had an eye on. I do want to say thank you to everyone for explaining your points the mad Dog and Wolf look like a lot of fun and when there's a bundle made I will more than likely get one of them.