15 replies to this topic

[Anjelus]

I am VERY new to MWO and Mechwarrior in general. Only ever played Mechwarrior 3050 on the SNES when I was a kid. Believe me I wanted to play the PC games but I never had a rig that could run them until I grew old enough to buy parts and build one myself.

Anyway, bought a 2X today. It's my first mech. I'm pretty overwhelmed by all the upgrade options, does anyone have any tips on where to begin? Or good load outs I should shoot for with this mech? It seems like all of its weapons are geared for close/midrange combat, but I'm still pretty uncomfortable doing anything but long range shelling with LRMs so maybe I should have gotten another mech. Nevertheless I have the 2X now so I'd like to make the most of it.

Help appreciated!

[kevin roshak]

I run a Cataphract 2X as well as a couple Hunchbacks.

My 2X looks like this:
12 Double Heat sinks
Endo Steel internal structure
2 Medium Lasers (Either Torso)
1 Medium Pulse Laser (Arm)
1 LB/X 10 AC (Torso)
1SRM4 and 1SRM6 with Artemis Fire control (Arm)
STD 300 Engine

2 Tons LB/X ammo(Right Torso)
Anti-Missile System (Right Torso)
1T AMS ammo (RT)
1T artemis SRM ammo (RT)
CASE

You can also drop the Medium Pulse Laser and downgrade the engine to the 280 it comes with and use a Large Laser in the left arm, it pairs well with the LB/X. This build is better to start with i think, it gives you a good mix of ranges and a taste of all wepons systems (Ballistic, missile, and energy) and it allows you to keep the enemy at a range but if they close you are not completely unprotected.
I run the LL/MLP in on group (Depends on what build you like), the two ML in another, the LB/X AC in a 3rd and the SRMs in chain fire in their own group, lets you save ammo as there is only enough for 10 volleys if you fired together.

Edited by kevin roshak, 21 January 2013 - 10:40 PM.

[elde]

My 2X-build is a bit simpler. I have a Large Laser in right and left torso, and two SRM6's in my left arm. Add double heatsinks and a STD280 engine as well as 3 tons of ammo for SRMs, and you have room for one more Medium Laser.

Good damage for medium distance and sniping, excellent damage at close range, 53 points of alpha strike. It even runs heat-efficient.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4abe0135ebb27a9

Edited by elde, 21 January 2013 - 11:19 PM.

[ICEFANG13]

Number one, as elde used, look at Smurfy, its a great way to see what a mech can do, and save you C-bills. Its unfortunate you purchased the 2X. None of the Cataphracts are terrible, but the 2X is probably overall the worst. Personally, I dislike missiles overall, and this is the missile Phract. It has only 4 tubes, but two slots. Because of ECM, I personally never use SSRMs on a mech that cannot also use ECM, and I also dislike SRMs (if you use them, consider it your one two punch, 2 SRM-6s will pack some serious damage to the face of whatever gets in your face), and there are LRMs, which you can bring a good amount of. I would do something weird, ensuring that I use the most of the ballistic hardpoint with an A/C-20 (mechs with Ballistic hardpoints in arms cannot use A/C-20s because they have lower arm actuators, and the A/C-20 takes up too many slots then), this also limits you to a STD engine, which is generally good for Phracts.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2bd1a49baa8e53c

It has max armor, and arm shields (who have no weapons), hits hard, has powerful back up lasers and is pretty cool (temp wise). I would use it like this, cause its kinda weird and why I already said, however, for perfect optimization (it is unfortunate you did not see smurfy or us first), you need to use 2 missiles and 3 lasers on it, otherwise another Cataphract can do the build better. That in mind, here is something a little more normal, and designed for the 2X.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b25c8dc3d02c3a1

The A/C-10 has fine fire rate and good damage, great all around weapon, CASE to protect your ammo, huge punch in the arm for anything in your face, and 3 medium lasers for back up (do no use these with the A/C-10 and the SRMs, you will overheat too fast, only if you have to do the damage, or if your other weapons are gone). Its solid. It can also put FF armor on, and get a 305 engine, I did that for my Dragon, but its not really worth it either way, just a little faster, and if repair and rearm comes back, more expensive.

[Grey Black]

Here's a little beast I named "Mini-atlas":

Std 280 (64kph)
3x MLAs (1 RA, 1 RT, 1 LT)
2x SRM6 (LA)
1 AC20 (RT)
15 DHS
Endo-Steel

Usually piloted as either a brawler or a LRM escort, this thing packs a PUNCH at close ranges. It has enough speed to get in close on normal support mechs and packs enough punch to keep most skirmishers away, this build keeps on ticking and smashing until it's all gone.

[MustrumRidcully]

I think I am currently sporting something with DHS and Endo Steel and 3 medium lasers and 2 SRM4s, and an AC/20. Pretty much a close range build, obviously. (But don't forget that ballistic damage drops off slowly - at 540m, your AC/20 stil ldelivers 10 points of damage.)

If you want to go with something for longer range, A Gauss Rifle or AC/10 and 2-3 Large Lasers could perhaps work?

The Cataphract missile launchers are only 4-tube launchers, so if you use any type of LRM in them, they will be fired in smaller 4-missile salvos (so if you have an LRM 10, 2 4 missile salvos and one 2 missile salvo). That's why I decided to stick with SRM4. (Normally I always use SRM6).

I believe the brawler build looks something like this:
CTF-2X

You may think the AC/20 Ammo in the torso without Case is a risk, and you may not be wrong, but I think most of the crits will always go to your AC/20, not the ammo, so the risk is not that high after all.

Edited by MustrumRidcully, 22 January 2013 - 04:27 AM.

[Stingz]

MustrumRidcully, on 22 January 2013 - 04:20 AM, said:

I believe the brawler build looks something like this:
CTF-2X

You may think the AC/20 Ammo in the torso without Case is a risk, and you may not be wrong, but I think most of the crits will always go to your AC/20, not the ammo, so the risk is not that high after all.

I'm pretty sure 3 tons of AC/20 is enough, especially alongside the x2 SRM-4. Save the AC/20 shots for torso/CT hits, or internals.

[Hex Pallett]

Stingz, on 22 January 2013 - 04:37 AM, said:

I'm pretty sure 3 tons of AC/20 is enough, especially alongside the x2 SRM-4. Save the AC/20 shots for torso/CT hits, or internals.

With good aim, more than enough.

I didn't buy 2D since it's hardpoints are going everywhere...but I managed to build something like THIS.

Summary: STD275, 14DHS, Endo, 1xAC20 (2 tons), 1xLL, 2xML, 2xSSRM2 (1 ton).

[Triordinant]

The CTF-2X was my first Cataphract and I designed it as a versatile mech that a House unit would actually use. Stats are:

Standard Armor: 432 (2 points short of max)
Standard Engine 280 (the one it came with)
Endo-Steel Internal Structure
Double Heat Sinks

2 LRM 10s (Left Arm) with 2 tons of ammo (in Legs)
2 Medium Lasers (Left and Right Torsos)
1 Autocannon 20 (Right Torso) with 3 tons of ammo (in Legs and Head)

I recently found out that ammo stored in the Head gets used up first so after 7 shots with your Autocannon 20 the ammo in your head is used up. The LRMs give the mech its long-range punch and when the battle gets close (which happens most of the time) the AC20 and medium lasers come in.

I like using the left mouse button for the medium lasers because they never run out of ammo. The right mouse button is for the AC20 because you want to pick your shots and not waste ammo. You might also have to lead moving targets with the AC20. A third button (Left-Alt in my case) fires the LRMs.

The Autocannon 20 requires the use of a standard engine, but the Cataphract's side torsos are so big I wouldn't use an XL engine anyway. So far, this design has proven to be very versatile and survivable.

Edited by Triordinant, 22 January 2013 - 05:20 AM.

[Anjelus]

Wow the MWO community is certainly friendly and helpful. In other games a post like mine would just be ignored off the front page. Thanks a ton for all your suggestions guys, when I get home from work I'll boot up my client and start experimenting with builds!

[Tremendous Upside]

Posted this in another thread... but here's what I run on mine. Works really well.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a5de03bf1ea82de

The key on this build is to keep your targets "in front" of you. Don't get sucked into twisting, turning fights if you can help it, and make sure to take advantage of the recycle times on both the PPC and the AC10. It's an extra 20pts of pinpoint damage you can drop between ML/SRM volleys.

[B0oN]

If you are in a turning fight do as following :
-Hit your brakes hardest possible (you turn fastest when standing)
-reverse your turning direction
-anticipate enemy drifting rapidly into your view
-FIRE

Rinse and repeat until death or glory finds you.

[GT Hawk]

ac20
2 mpl
1ml
1 srm6 + artumes
stock engine
endo steel internal
DHS

Rest is ammo and armor.

damage potential of 54 points. It can be a fun build.

[Pando]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...aa3721cc3b54927

I use this for my 2X

or if i find myself dumping SRM's

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8a5bc000e1741a4

Edited by Pando, 22 January 2013 - 10:25 AM.

[jshill78]

CTF-2X

[Varrin Coursca]

CTF-2X

STD300, AC/20, 3xMLas, 1xSRM6

Just a word of warning, the Cataphract's sie torso ballistic mount is a huge target and is paper thin (40 points of forward armor if you want to keep 20 on your rear), especially compared to your center torso (60+ points forward). This is true of all non-hero Cataphracts.

The 300 Engine will give you a faster speed and a faster torso twist. I strongly suggest firing your AC/20 and whatever else you can train on your target, then turning your torso away from the line of fire. Rinse/repeat.