17 replies to this topic

[invernomuto]

Hi,
I'm new to the game and I need to decide my third cataphract variant:right now I have CTF-1X and CTF-3D (which I prefer a lot with the 2 ballistic hardpoint).
Now have about 6 mln c-bills and I'd planning to buy my third variant.
I was thinking to buy a CTF-0XP (ECM seems nice) with this modifcation:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b88fbe84df7ad07

What do you think about this build?

I like also Ilya Muromets but it's quite expensive IMHO. Are hero mech sales frequent in this game?
Thank you,
David.

Edited by invernomuto, 15 February 2016 - 02:17 AM.

[The Basilisk]

Since you got an extreme close range build you should be a bit more maneuverable and with more heat capacity. CTF0XP
Or maybe a different approach medrange supporter from inside the blob.
If you are at peace with your low hanging arms... The Pulse

Edit: since, no matter how much I twist, I loose my CT first with the Phract, or smbody takes of my arms... so I do not find the ECM too detrimental.

Edited by The Basilisk, 15 February 2016 - 02:35 AM.

[Ace Selin]

Hero mech sales generally happen a few times a year so id wait if you want the Muromets. Maybe they have an Easter sale?

As for the OXP its a decent mech. Your build is going to be HOT i think.

This is the one i use and like ...
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...88ac2517cf0f90c

[invernomuto]

Thanks for the input guys. I see you both stress the importance of having a larger engine (STD 300 vs "stock" STD 280), but the difference in terms of max velocity is only 5 mph. Do you think 5 mph more is worth the cost?
Thanks againg!

[Rogue Jedi]

invernomuto, on 15 February 2016 - 04:00 AM, said:

Thanks for the input guys. I see you both stress the importance of having a larger engine (STD 300 vs "stock" STD 280), but the difference in terms of max velocity is only 5 mph. Do you think 5 mph more is worth the cost?
Thanks againg!

it is not just walking speed, the larger engine also increases turning speed, twist speed and arm movement speed, the difference between a 280 and 300 will be noticeable, I would take a 325 not a 300, but I am a crazy person who values mobility over firepower

[Ace Selin]

My personal thoughts are that it has a big CT and mobility is nice to have. So the larger engine fits into my build more.

Try your build out and see how it goes. Keeping the 280 may be ok but with 1 large and 3 medium pulse i think you'll run hot. Id go for longer range weapons with a slower rated engine.

Edited by Ace Selin, 15 February 2016 - 04:13 AM.

[aGentleWarrior]

I have played it like that in a sniper role, had some nice games with that but most games are only average:
CTF-0XP

meanwhile i think if that would be a better way to go:
CTF-0XP

(i sometimes feel uncertain if PPC (non ER) is not better choice because of less heat. Fire PPC + AC10 on longer distances, ML + AC10 on short distance)

Will try the LPL versions too, LPL is currently my most fav weapon but i play it mostly as clan now where its range feels much superior.

[Koniving]

The Cataphract 0 is available for cbills finally?

I'm looking forward to this.

[aGentleWarrior]

Koniving, on 15 February 2016 - 06:34 AM, said:

The Cataphract 0 is available for cbills finally?

I'm looking forward to this.

It was even on sale some weeks ago...
However after all, surprisingly I felt in the 1X best so far (best k/D ratio)

[invernomuto]

Thanks guys, very interesting infos and build!

PS
Is the B.A.P. so useless? In every build I've seen there's no place for B.A.P. in 0XP...

[Koniving]

invernomuto, on 15 February 2016 - 07:12 AM, said:

Thanks guys, very interesting infos and build!

PS
Is the B.A.P. so useless? In every build I've seen there's no place for B.A.P. in 0XP...

BAP gives some extra sensor range (but pales compared to a command console in the head), some faster targeting info (again, CC), and the ability to counter enemy ECM... which is great, but requires you to be far closer than you really should be... and it doesn't do any good for you specifically. And someone milking off of your bap to counter enemy ECM is still going to have the "Lock delay" even though it is countered by your ECM, as BAP only removes it for the person using the BAP.

So it's far from useless... but as the owner of a Cataphract without missile hardpoints, you don't have a use for it.

Edited by Koniving, 15 February 2016 - 07:19 AM.

[Bud Crue]

I run my 0xps to keep up with a fast heavy push. I run 3 versions as my default "fast heavy ECM deck (with a Cicada 3M as the 4th). 4LL, 3LPL, AC/20 4ML. All with std 300s. Relatively fast, simple, support mechs. Nothing special, but there is not a lot you can do with the 0xp given the hard points. Biggest issue is to simply be aware of your terrain otherwise you will shoot a lot of it -with those low energy hard points especially.

[Spheroid]

Drop the mplas and switch to mlas since they snyc with the LPLAS. Use the free mass to add more heatsinks.

[_____]

I leveled my 0XP with this build (2xLPL AC20) - http://mwo.smurfy-ne...98a6cd11978cb91

Look for a corner to poke from, alpha with the right side, then shield left side. You can lose the entire left shield side without any loss of firepower or mobility. Long and mid-range 0XPs suffer from the low and wide hardpoints, so single-sided works best.

I see that 4xML AC20 0XPs are popular but it doesn't brawl nearly as well as the CTF-2X. If you want to brawl, then CTF-2X AC20 2xSRM6 2xML (or drop the MLs for a bigger engine or more HS) - http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2952182759aec29

[Tiamat of the Sea]

invernomuto, on 15 February 2016 - 07:12 AM, said:

Thanks guys, very interesting infos and build!

PS
Is the B.A.P. so useless? In every build I've seen there's no place for B.A.P. in 0XP...

If you're carrying a Probe and an ECM suite, the Probe's ECM-piercing function is automatically disabled (I presume this has something to do with the ECM-piercing mode of ECM suites). This means the only regularly usable thing left that the Probe does is extend your sensor range, and unless you're running some kind of oddball gauss sniping build on the 0XP, there's not much point to that.

Speed considerations aside, the heat of your initial build is prohibitive- 10 DHS is not very viable. Swapping the lasers out to 4xMPL or 4xML is advisable if you want a close range build.

I run my 0XP like this, CTF-0XP Practicality, for... well... practical reasons. I find the refire rate and range on the AC/10 is preferable, it frees up a little tonnage, the AMS is passably useful (especially if someone conks me with a NARC or uses a Beagle or ECM of their own on me), and the lowish heat of the Medium Lasers lets me keep going in close combat longer. CASE helps ensure durability against ammo blowouts as well, though your mileage may vary- I swear by it, but I have a friend who claims to suffer ammo explosions something like one match in several thousand, so....



Edit: Whoops, put up the old build link, not the current one. Apologies- is now fixed.

Edited by Quickdraw Crobat, 15 February 2016 - 11:54 AM.

[Rhavin]

Oxp with AC 20 , 1 large laser and 3 med lasers can really ghost through maps like HPG and Mining Collective. I run a 280 standard engine and 4 dbl HS need endo to get it all to fit. I bring 3 tons of ammo, but you can get by with 2 if you want an extra heat sink.

[Wedge Red Leader]

Well, you have a lot of good builds to try.
Just incase you haven't dropped the dime on upgrades, I'll give you what I would run first.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3501dc35316e69b

Key points:
1) uses stock engine
2) doesn't require FF upgrade
3) Will run reasonably cool, will be near perfect once elited
4) Has a symmetrical build for taking damage

I'd probably try to get the AC20 cd and range modules, before a FF upgrade. Not just for this mech but for what ever other IS mech you run. For the time being the AC-20 is the king of close range.

Edited by Wedge Red Leader, 15 February 2016 - 04:24 PM.

[Macksheen]

The 3D is good. Your next buys should be the 0XP and if you're still liking them, the 4X. Here's what I'd suggest:

0XP: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...15c41314eae894c ... I put ammo in the legs as CTFs tend not lose legs, esp. in solo queue.

4X: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...89edf8cc0bb8a75 ... bringing the dakka ... since it can run cool, if you feel funky and flamers turn out to be awesome you could swap out a ML for a flamer (or two)

Ilya: Lots of options here, but right now I'm running 3xAC10 http://mwo.smurfy-ne...436876d65e123be ... it runs cool and delivers a 30pt alpha