54 replies to this topic

[JohnnyC]

All my mechs have energy and missile hardpoints, but no ballistic hardpoints. I'd like to pick up a mech with good ballistic capability. Which do you recommend?

[ElmoWithAGun]

DRG-5N

[JohnnyC]

ElmoWithAGun, on 26 January 2013 - 12:34 PM, said:

DRG-5N

3 ballistics in the one arm? Interesting. Do you think that works out better than the Cataphract 4X with 2 ballistic in each arm?

I'm not trying to be snarky, just curious why you would prefer the Dragon over the Cataphract?

[Oh My Goddess]

Spider 5K

[Roughneck45]

JohnnyC, on 26 January 2013 - 12:41 PM, said:

3 ballistics in the one arm? Interesting. Do you think that works out better than the Cataphract 4X with 2 ballistic in each arm?

I'm not trying to be snarky, just curious why you would prefer the Dragon over the Cataphract?

DO NOT BUY THAT DRAGON.

If you want a Dragon, get a 1C.

If you want ballistic heavy, get a 4X phract.

If you want a medium or assault with ballistic, grab an atlas or a hunchback.

Edited by Roughneck45, 26 January 2013 - 12:44 PM.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

It depends on what you want to do...

If you want two AC20s, the Cat-K2.
If you want a quad small AC, the Cat-4x
If you want triple Mid Size AC's, The Cat-IL (which is also a hero mech so fork over the MC).

[Cerlin]

I do not like the 4x cataphrach because it is too slow. I would recommend the 3d or IL instead. The Catapult K2 is also quite solid. The dragons are a trap, more than one AC in that arm is just silly in my opinion.

[JohnnyC]

mwhighlander, on 26 January 2013 - 12:43 PM, said:

It depends on what you want to do...

If you want two AC20s, the Cat-K2.
If you want a quad small AC, the Cat-4x
If you want triple Mid Size AC's, The Cat-IL (which is also a hero mech so fork over the MC).

I think I'd lean more toward the Cat 4x with the 4 smaller AC. Mostly because I'm not willing to fork over MC on a mech right now. Thanks for the advice.

[Triordinant]

If you're looking for a cheese build there's nothing better than the Catapult K2. It can have 2 AC10s, 2 AC20s or 2 Gauss Rifles. The ballistics hardpoints should have been in the center torso because they're meant for machine guns but I doubt they'll fix that anytime soon (if ever) so lots of people take advantage of this exploit.

For a "legit" build there's the Cataphract 1X or 2X with a Gauss or AC20, or the popular 4X with 4 AC2s. If you can wait until March, the Jagermech has 4 ballistics hardpoints in arms that are at the same level as your head, making it great at sniping over ridges and low structures.

Medium mechs like the Yen-Lo Wang and Hunchback can mount AC20s, but if you're going to move at only 64 kph, might as well make it a Heavy for more armor, heat sinks and secondary weapons. Certain Dragons can mount AC20s or Gauss Rifles, but they travel at a speed best suited for Medium mechs (81 kph) which means reduced firepower and/or armor. If you're going to use up a Heavy slot on your team, it's usually better to go for the upper end of that weight class (65 to 75 tons).

Edited by Triordinant, 26 January 2013 - 12:51 PM.

[JohnnyC]

Cerlin, on 26 January 2013 - 12:45 PM, said:

I do not like the 4x cataphrach because it is too slow. I would recommend the 3d or IL instead. The Catapult K2 is also quite solid. The dragons are a trap, more than one AC in that arm is just silly in my opinion.

Couldn't the engine in the 4x be upgraded for better speed?

Triordinant, on 26 January 2013 - 12:45 PM, said:

If you can wait until March, the Jagermech has 4 ballistics hardpoints in arms that are at the same level as your head, making it great at sniping over ridges and low structures.

Hmmm an excellent point. I do tend to prefer upper mounted weapons specifically for the purpose of using cover more effectively. I might just do that.

[Team Leader]

What about the Annihilator?

[Ravn]

phract 4x. Go nuts with it.

[Warrax the Chaos Warrior]

Cataphract is "The Mech" if you want to have fun with ballistics. Solid chassis all around, no one ever regrets jumping in a 'phract.

[themoob]

Yeah 4X, 3D or Ilya Muromets are the best ballistic platforms.

Take it from me, I loooove ballistics.

[Vinny DuBonair]

I think it depends, if you want a ballistic plataform then go for a Cataphract because they're heavy armored an have a decent speed of 60+ Km/h. I have seen them as frontal attackers being able to dish and soak a lot of damage, there is even one with JJ if that's your fancy.

If you want versatility then a Dragon because you can place almost any AC or a Gauss in them and have other weapons available to use, with a speed close to a light mech (81 Km/h) it can get you in and out fast evading many enemies. You won't be able to go full frontal assault on the enemy but it makes a great flanker.

[Merky Merc]

JohnnyC, on 26 January 2013 - 12:49 PM, said:

Couldn't the engine in the 4x be upgraded for better speed?

Only slightly, it has a weird engine cap that the other phracts don't have. It tops out at something like 64 kph? The 3D is potentially a better choice if you want dual ballistics plus decent speed.

[Fenix0742]

JohnnyC, on 26 January 2013 - 12:49 PM, said:

Couldn't the engine in the 4x be upgraded for better speed?

No. The stock engine in the 4x is smaller than the other phracts, so the max size is also smaller. Kinda like how the Raven 3L can mount a bigger engine than the other two ravens, just in reverse.

Personally I like a 2 gauss 3D. 5 tons heavier than the K2, more armor, and less hate for the cataphract so you don't get picked to die first.

[Mahws]

As a Dragon enthusiast I'd avoid it if you're looking for a AC toting mech. Between its speed, bullet catching center torso and low mounted arms it's not cut out for long range ballistic combat and between the weight and the hardpoints you're laughing if you think putting more than one ballistic on it is a good idea.

If you want dual Gauss/AC20 and you're not squeamish about using a build considered slightly imbalanced (thin side torsos from the front make the K2 a surprisingly resilient brawler, you don't need to waste weight on the arms armor, you don't lose a weapon till you lose a side torso and unlike the Cataphract you don't have any convergence issues from the torso mounts effecting your range) the K2 is an excellent platform. Otherwise hit up the Cataphract.

Edited by Mahws, 26 January 2013 - 01:17 PM.

[The Trice]

Each mech has a specialization , and one of the most mechs in the game to be specialized in Ballistics is Cataphract with its 4x and Ilya-muromets variant capable of making ballistic builds not available for rest of other mechs like :-
2x Gauss rife
3x ultra ac5
3x lb10x
2xlb10x
4x ac2
and others of many ballistic builds.

[xX_Nero_Xx]

dual ac/20 cat or the dual gauss cat depends if you like short or long range