17 replies to this topic

[FRAGTAST1C]

I was looking at the Cataphract that can use an ECM. It's got very limited hardpoints. What are your thoughts on that mech carrying something like UAC 20 and some lasers? I thought of a ranged build like UAC10 and PPCs but the mounts are too low.

[- World Eater -]

Cataphract hard points sit pretty low. You sticking with just IS mechs? Blood Asp with dakka and ecm kicks ***

[FRAGTAST1C]

- World Eater -, on 13 May 2019 - 07:14 PM, said:

Cataphract hard points sit pretty low. You sticking with just IS mechs? Blood Asp with dakka and ecm kicks ***

Nah, I'm ok with both. I was just wondering about the Cataphract since it is on sale. I don't have any IS ECM heavy or assault mechs.

[RickySpanish]

Yikes that's an ugly layout, can't even shield with a torso without losing your big gun or ECM.

[Lykaon]

The CTF-0XP is not a glamorous mech but it is a decent brawler.

A fairly simple build something like maybe

315 LFE,Endo Steel,14 DHS nearly capped armor (-2 from max if I recall)
ECM, AMS w/ 1 ton ammo
AC/20 w/ 3.5 tons ammo
4x medium lasers

[Mister Maf]

Unfortunately on the IS side, good heavies that can mount ECM are in slim pickings. So far the best one I've found is the Archer Tempest with MRMs. I'm a fan of the Cataphract, but the 0XP is lacking.

Edited by Mister Maf, 13 May 2019 - 08:45 PM.

[Curccu]

CTF-0XP
Friend of mine likes this... haven't tried but, decent oomph and pretty good armor quirks.

ILYA with 3xAC/LB 10 is pretty fun also, not as good as Victor though.

[Bowelhacker]

I've gotten a lot of use out of a 3LB10 Ilya in my time. Still do.

[justcallme A S H]

The CTF is not really a brawler, especially when it has worse mobility (or at best, even) stats compared to other 70T mechs and a massive CT.

If you intend to brawl with it you're gonna have a rough time IMO.

[FRAGTAST1C]

In all honesty, I don't have a reason to look at the Cataphract except for the weird fondness I have for it. Also, since it is on sale, the ECM variant is the only one that I "might" consider buying. But the limited hardpoints and location of them being so low, I don't see any other option for it except to sneak in and start firing at the enemies.

[Unnatural Growth]

So get it.

And the 3D (jump jets).

Not stellar, got left behind in the power creep wars. Low hardpoints are low. But can be fun in QP once in a while. Obviously can't hill peak, but you can side peak on city maps somewhat.

[ShiverMeRivets]

FRAGTAST1C, on 13 May 2019 - 10:34 PM, said:

In all honesty, I don't have a reason to look at the Cataphract except for the weird fondness I have for it. Also, since it is on sale, the ECM variant is the only one that I "might" consider buying. But the limited hardpoints and location of them being so low, I don't see any other option for it except to sneak in and start firing at the enemies.

The ECM phract is the worst phract. The others are better quirked and have better hardpoints.
X1 (crazy quirks + lots of lasers), 3D (jumping UAC specialist phract) and the hero IM are excellent brawlers. No ECM though.

[Orville Righteous]

I definitely prefer the 3D to the OXP. The ECM just doesn't add enough. I don't have the IM which looks decent.

The Cataphracts just aren't that great. They're something to pilot if you get bored with other mechs or just want to be different. Even with their quirks, you lose your CT quickly. The mounts are quite low in the arms.

[suffocater]

CTF-0XP

rocks well enough

[Captain Caveman DE]

I have a soft spot for Catafranks. but I don't like the ecm-one too much. it's rather meh, imho, and not the best at brawling.
can be okay'ish at midrange, but other mechs do this SO much better..

if you already got it - make it work, it's not too bad.
if not, I'd advise to not buy it, for now*


*future quirks/tech may improve it, but I wouldn't count on it.

Edited by Captain Caveman DE, 14 May 2019 - 06:38 AM.

[FRAGTAST1C]

Yeah, I guess I'll skip it. I'll be getting the ECM Marauder soon thanks to the MW5 pre-order. That has missiles and lasers, which might make it better at being an IS ECM mech.

[DjStickyMouse]

I run my Splat builds with ECM so i can Counter ECM.

[Lykaon]

justcallme A S H, on 13 May 2019 - 10:06 PM, said:

The CTF is not really a brawler, especially when it has worse mobility (or at best, even) stats compared to other 70T mechs and a massive CT.

If you intend to brawl with it you're gonna have a rough time IMO.

It does however have around 3 tons of free armor from quirks.

+22 CT
+15 RT/LT
+11 RA/LA
+15 RL/LL

It is arguable that the Cataphract (0XP) is best suited for brawling. The close range of brawling mitigates the low slung arms. It also lacks the high torso energy hardpoints that other variants have.

Within the context of "what to do with a CTF-0XP" I would say brawling is the way to go.

FRAGTAST1C, on 14 May 2019 - 06:45 AM, said:

Yeah, I guess I'll skip it. I'll be getting the ECM Marauder soon thanks to the MW5 pre-order. That has missiles and lasers, which might make it better at being an IS ECM mech.

I was thinking something like 2x MRM20 5x medium lasers with a 325 LFE ECM and loads of DHS and play it like a sneaky endurance brawler.

There is also the option of using a 300 STD engine (same weight as the 300 LFE) and build a bit of a zombie since the loadout is symetrical.