13 replies to this topic

[Terran123rd]

So I got tired of trying to play at 4 FPS and I'm waiting for a new graphics card. While I do so, I thought I'd mess around in smurfy's online mechlab. I've had my eye on trying a heavy, and the Cataphract looks pretty interesting.

I thought I'd post the results of my tinkering and ask for feedback:

CTF-3D

69.5 tons

1 Large Laser
3 Small Laser
2 AC5
XL 280 (stock)
C.A.S.E.
4 tons AC5 ammo
16 DHS
4 Jump Jets

CTF-1x

70 tons

1 ER Large Laser
4 Small Laser
AC10
AMS
2 tons AC10 ammo
2 tons AMS ammo
STD 300
17 DHS

[Pastor Priest]

Baahahaha, I'm having a similar issue. I think my video card is going out, as the screen now randomly flashes black anytime something visually intensive is done on the comp (watch Netflix, play this game, etc). Waiting to see if HP will cover it under warranty.

I have an idea for a 4X, but will avoid stealing your thread and post it under one of the various 4X threads.

[Ursh]

Cat 1x
ac20
5 x Medium lasers

The tactic with this build is to hang back until you can madly rush the enemy while screaming obscenities into your open mic on teamspeak.

Edited by Ursh, 21 January 2013 - 07:34 AM.

[Grondoval]

CTF-3D

Full Armor
Endo Steel
Standard XL
Jumpjets

ER PPC
Gauss Rifle with 45 Rounds
Large Laser
2 x Medium Laser
AMS
11 DHS

The build which best suits my playstyle. You could fire the Gauss Rifle while you are cooling off. The Large and Medium Lasers for close range when you are feeling rather unfamiliar with convergence on the PPC.

[jshill78]

To critique the OP's CTF-3D build.... terribad.

Ammo dependent for the bulk of the damage
XL engine
Jump Jets
AC5's

Bad, Bad, Bad, and Worse

[Loc Nar]

Here's my list of CTF builds:

CATAPHRACT

3D
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...51a8325dfa1ceed -CTF-3D [PPC x2, LLas x2, AMS, 300XL, JJ x4, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1a251f81db4affe -CTF-3D [Gauss Rifle, ERPPC, MLas x2, AMS, 300XL, JJ x4, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...74dea6efd65b183 -CTF-3D [Gauss Rifle, ERPPC, LB10X-AC, Mlas x2, AMS, 255XL, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...430488e67f60fa7 -CTF-3D [LB10X-AC, Mlas x2, ERPPC x2, AMS, 300XL, , JJ x3, Endo, DHS]

4X
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...cafcf0f8c8f0701 -CTF-4X [Gauss Rifle x2, MLas x2, SRM4, AMS, 255XL, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f2228c3dfb0c02f -CTF-4X DakkaPhract [AC2 x4, Mlas x2, Streak, AMS, 255XL, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3ea1d156cacca01 -CTF-4X [LB10X x2, Machine Gun x2, SRM4, MLas x2, AMS, 250STD, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...825ac8fa70727a4 -CTF-4X [LB10X x2, Machine Gun x2, SRM4, LLas, AMS, 255XL, Endo, DHS]

IM
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...81ce23a73bcad37 -CTF-IM aka Killya [UAC5 x3, MLas x2, 280XL, Endo, DHS]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e61ebbb9093ca92 -CTF-IM PPCilya [UAC5 x2, PPC x2, 280XL, Endo, DHS]

[RagingOyster]

You basically have 2 competitive options with the 'Phact. You can load on on MLs/MPLs and heat sinks and do tons of consistent damage up close, or you can load up some dual UAC/5s and hammer people at long range.

Those are the two common builds I see damn near every game, though I also see plenty of builds that are probably less statistically effective, but more fun to play or better suited to an individual's play style.

One thing I would say, though, is never use MGs and if you are going PPCs go all out and stock up on double heat sinks.

[TruePoindexter]

RagingOyster, on 23 January 2013 - 09:42 AM, said:

Those are the two common builds I see damn near every game, though I also see plenty of builds that are probably less statistically effective, but more fun to play or better suited to an individual's play style.

I've got to ask - but what is your definition of statistically effective? I'm not calling you out personally but I do see statements like this periodically and it makes me curious.

[miwei]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...480a0faf25b1e7c

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3185fc65ebdd5d2

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3cacea12bd1c606

[Cerlin]

Your 3D build is good, should be pretty heat efficient and do sustained damage. The 1x build is alright but my biggest two issues is the ER Large laser heat generation is SO much higher than the regular large laser and you almost never fight at the ranges to make the difference matter, so less heat is key. Also the Small lasers have such a limited range, can you actually manage to get into range only going the mid 70s in speed? I only use small lasers on mechs that go faster than 80kph myself, but they are generally effective weapons.

[Terran123rd]

Well I bought, and am currently in the process of fitting, the 1X, and it seems to do well enough, even considering I haven't gotten around to switching out the 280 for the 300 in my OP.

I figured that the pay off from the lessened heat generation was enough of a benefit to offset the lessened range. That's partly what the large laser is there for.

You're right about the heat of the ERLL though. Gonna have to switch that out when I get the C-bills.

[Corrado]

my actual cataphract builds:

phract 4X:

- XL 255
- 4 AC5 + 11 tons of ammo

phract 1X:

- XL 300
- 1 gauss + 5 tons of ammo
- 5ML

phract 3D:

- XL 280
- 2 AC10 + 7 tons of ammo
- 4ML

muromets

- XL 255
- 3 AC10 + 7 tons of ammo


(the muromets is the most effective combining good 30 alpha damage and awesome DPS)


yes i run XL because if i get blown in the sides, the mech is screwed already and means i'll die shortly after.

Edited by Corrado, 25 January 2013 - 10:03 AM.

[JokerVictor]

I'm currently running and loving 3 variants.

I use the 1X w/ AC20 and 5 ML mentioned above. It's a powerhouse, bit hot, but insanely effective you've got decent gunnery skills.

I've got a fairly unique 3D build. 1 AC10, 4 MPL's, XL 300, 4 JJ's, 18 DHS, 400 armor. I find the 3D is the only phract that can really get away with the XL. The jump jets give you the maneuverability to avoid the long sight lines and save you from the direct fire snipers. This is a brawler build, obviously. The 18 DHS give you a huge heat capacity, so you can fire 4-5 alphas before you're in danger of overheat.

I also use a 2X build that I just finished designing last night. Ridiculous firepower, honestly the best brawler I've yet used. Consider this a mini-atlas, but one that can actually maneuver. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7d5cc9a77317b5a

Edit: link was broken.

Edit 2: Miwei - I really liked that dual AC10 build you had for the 3D there, I tweaked it a bit for ya... planning on trying it. I love my jump jets, gotta keep those.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4dbc606e64da318

Edited by JokerVictor, 25 January 2013 - 11:02 AM.

[Madness In Spades]

It's not theoretical, it's what I use.

CTF-4X with dual gauss, endo-steel, two MLs, ten double heatsinks and 6 tons of gauss ammo.

Never run out of ammo again unless you're doing amazing and/or have really bad aim. It's hilarious when a Raven thinks it's safe to try to circlestrafe only to get cored in one alpha.