7 replies to this topic

[veri745]

So before anyone rips into my build too hard, I'm a super newb in the MW universe, not really having played the tabletop or video games before.

I just starting playing a couple days ago, and thank god for the new player bonus, or I would've lost interest grinding really fast.

Here's by build so far; it's a Catapult LRM boat. It can be fairly effective at range, but I feel really weak if anyone gets too close:

CPLT-C4
2x LRM20 + Artemis (4 tons ammo)
2x Streak SRM2 (1 ton ammo)
Medium laser
AMS
10x DBL Heatsinks
STD engine 260
340 armor (FF)
Endo-steel

Any suggestions for keeping my ranged firepower and packing a bit more punch up close?

[Cstriker]

Looks good sans the lack of a second mlas. I like having that second. I use 2x LRM15s 2x SSRM2s and 2x Mlas. I also use STD 260 as most of my money went to pimping my K2. Next I plan on putting in possibly an XL engine to put in LRM20+Artemis and then grabbing maybe a beagle. Also, switching maybe my streaks for SRM6s x2 for that added brawling punch since I have becoming amazing at leading with them having cut my teeth on my HBK-4SP.

XL may be asking for trouble, but most the time I am sitting back and lobbing LRMs down range and the side torsos are much harder to hit on this baby (just like the K2). Its a sweet ride really. I perfer the C4 to the C1 or A1, though I will get one of the latter so I can finally elite up on my K2 and C4. Speaking of...I still need to do that for my hunchy!

Edited by Cstriker, 25 December 2012 - 04:47 PM.

[Ascendent]

I would strongly recommend taking a TAG with LRM boats. It will allow you take out those ECM lights and Atlases as well as anyone they maybe covering.

[veri745]

Ascendent, on 26 December 2012 - 03:58 AM, said:

I would strongly recommend taking a TAG with LRM boats. It will allow you take out those ECM lights and Atlases as well as anyone they maybe covering.

What do I drop to make weight? Armor?

[Ozric]

You can drop the FF armor straight away to free up some crits, it's not that great, and then if you can you should invest in an XL engine. I use an XL300 in my C1, which fills a similar role, and I find the extra agility to be more than worth the tonnage. As has been mentioned an XL engine works very nicely for a catapult LRM boat because you should not be in the firing line in the first place, and if you are you have a massive center torso to soak up all the damage. You should max out your torso armor if you can too.

The C4 is pretty missile focused so your 2x LRM for range, 2x SSRM for close encounters plan is pretty solid despite ammo worries. And it means that you can get away with using one of your energy slots for a TAG, and the other for an emergency MPLAS/MLAS. TAG is your only weapon against ECM, among other things, and is very handy to have around.

Lastly I would say that the AMS is a luxury that you could do without if you need to. It's great and everything, but you should not be getting yourself in a position where people can throw missiles at you anyway so don't be afraid to drop it for something you will need all the time like ammo/armor.

Good starter build though. It suggests that you have a good understanding of the catapult chassis and the role of long range support. If you keep leveling catapults, might I suggest you try the C1? The C4 is still a good mech, but the 2M/4E loadout of the C1 allows for greater versatility imo. I've got quite a stable of mechs now, but I keep going back to my C1.

[Ascendent]

Drop an XL engine in. The Cat has very hard to hit side torsos, so like the Dragon you can use an XL with almost no risk. You will have plenty of weight left. If you don't have enough crit slots drop FF, it has minimal weight benefit and doesn't make your armor any stronger. If wanted to drop armor you can probably go down to low 40s on legs but I wouldn't go much lower. Good pilots often let off one shot at the legs first to see if the build is easy to leg. You can play LRM boats one of 2 ways. One is to stay hidden far from the front lines and do indirect fire support. For that you have to either have a body guard, or keep repositioning so the enemy scouts don't come hunt you down (If they are any good they still will). The second option is to stay just behind your assaults lets say 200-400m. This allows you to Tag the enemies directly so you wont loose lock, decreases travel time of rockets, and shakes enemy that is being pounded by your assaults giving your assaults an advantage. Also when hiding with the pack, you have protection, and are harder to identify and isolate. So depending on which style you go for your build may vary. If you are in the front lines for example you could consider a fast XL engine, swap SSRMs for SRM4 or 6 for more punch and ECM independence and either decrease LRM ammo or go for LRM15. At the end of the day as an LRM boat you are vulnerable so try to not become the focus of an attack, and if you do, drag enemies attacking you back to allies that can help you as you fight. As for the builds, it depends on your mood and what you want to do on any given day. Have fun.

[veri745]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I opted to drop the AMS and picked up a TAG. I have definitely had problems with ECM lights, so that should help. I wasn't really sure of the purpose of the tag was before.

I'll save up for an XL engine so I can switch out the FF armor.

Edited by veri745, 26 December 2012 - 05:06 AM.

[superteds]

Chassis Name: Catapult
Model Name: CPLT-C4
Variant Name: SRM

Engine Cost: 1,260,000 C-Bills
Heat Sink Cost: 24,000 C-Bills
Armor Cost: 130,208 C-Bills
Weapons Cost: 880,000 C-Bills
Equipment Cost: 0 C-Bills
Ammo Cost: 135,000 C-Bills

Engine: 315 XL Engine
Internal Type: Endo Steel
Armor Type: Std Armor
Heat Sinks: 16 (12) Double Heat Sinks

Tonnage: 65.00
Speed: 78.5 kph
Armor Total: 400
Alpha Strike Damage: 72.00
Alpha Strike Heat: 44.52%
Firepower: 18.20 dps
Heat Efficiency: 42.60%
Effective Range of Loadout: 270m

Head: 18/18
Right Torso: 42/60
Right Rear Torso: 18/60
Center Torso: 66/84
Center Rear Torso: 18/84
Left Torso: 42/60
Left Rear Torso: 18/60
Right Arm: 40/40
Left Arm: 40/40
Right Leg: 49/60
Left Leg: 49/60

Weapons Locations
Right Arm:
(2) SRM6
Left Arm:
(2) SRM6
Center Torso:
(2) Medium Pulse Laser

Heat Sink Locations
Right Torso: 2

Left Torso: 2


Jump Jet Locations
Right Torso: 2
Left Torso: 2

Equipment Locations

Ammo Locations
Head:
SRM Ammo
Right Leg:
(2) SRM Ammo
Left Leg:
(2) SRM Ammo

File created using MWO Mechbay

Nasty, nasty mech. Although you should really go with the 300xl, better all-around engine.

Also yeah, the C1 is the better E/M catapult.

Edited by superteds, 26 December 2012 - 05:07 AM.