9 replies to this topic

[malibu43]

I've elited Ravens, Hunchbacks, and Dragons. I've been thinking of next trying something that packs a little more punch (maybe at the expense of some mobility). I think PPC's are freaking awesome. Even if they aren't the most effective right now, they are damn fun to use so I want this next mech to be able to rock some PPC's or ERPPC's. Also (and I know this might be a strange one), I want to shoot said PPC's out of something that looks like it's supposed to shoot PPC's. I can put a PPC in the shoulder or left arm of my DRG-1C, but all that's there in the model is a little hole, probably intended for a MLAS. I want my bad-*** PPC's coming out of big barrels that look like they can open a can 'o whoop-***! Lastly, I also love me some daka daka.

So I've been trying to decide between a K2 or a Cata 1X. I like the fact that the 1X can rock both a PPC and a large caliber AC. But it's got those huge side torsos and the weapons are low and will require me to get on top of ridges to get them over cover. The K2 could mount a PPC and larger AC, but it seems kinda weird with both the "big guns" in the model bein energy hardpoints. Plus most successful K2 builds seem to go one way or the other. The K2 can probably snipe better with the PPC's, it's got better torso twist and smaller side torsos. Plus there are all the cheese ballistics builds I could do with the K2.

What do you guys think? Seems like the K2 might be the "smarter" choice, but the CTF-1X sounds a little more fun to me... Also, if I say "no-cheese builds" for my K2 (gauss cat, AC20 cat), is it still an effective mech?

I have a 300XL engine I can use in either one (I've heard mixed reviews about an XL in a CTF). Otherwise I don't plan on doubling the money spent on the mech by buying another XL for it. I can go DHS or ES eventually.

[malibu43]

here is a K2 build I quickly put together (yes it has MG's, I'm assuming a buff is coming at some point...)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c73a6c5991a5276

And a CTF build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2594d409201cc73

[Elkfire]

They're both versatile mechs, but in all honesty the K2 is probably a better choice (even without using cheese builds). Its smaller side torsos allow for the safe use of XL engines, whereas the Cataphract suffers from the same problem as the Awesome: giant torsos without enough armor to make up for it. I kinda like my 1X, but I wish I'd bought a K2 instead.

A K2 will give you some big guns to fire PPCS out of (though you could certainly put them in the side torsos if you wanted to switch things up). As far as dakka is concerned, you could slap two UAC5s in the torsos and have four MLs as a nice reliable backup weapons system, if that's not straying too far into the cheese build territory for your taste (and I wouldn't blame you, I haven't bought a K2 yet specifically because I don't want to succumb to the temptation of the gausskitty).

I'll play around in the online mechlab and edit this post with a few possible builds for your perusal.

1. All energy build: This one has ERPPCs for sniping and two large lasers for general work. It would run a bit hot for my tastes, but I don't know your preferences in that regard (you could sub in some regular PPCS if you wanted, or fiddle around with the secondary weapon systems if you didn't want large lasers).

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...de34aef969d8bb8


2. Ballistics/energy balance: Two UAC5s for your main weapons, and four MLs as a not-too-shabby backup. Better heat efficiency on this one, though it veers pretty close to cheese build territory.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...bb6cde9bdb44655

Edited by Elkfire, 06 February 2013 - 02:20 PM.

[Stingz]

Cataphract has arms that can move sideways, Catapult can use XL engines with no real problems, decide from there.

The torso energy points are really high up on the Cataphract.

Edited by Stingz, 06 February 2013 - 02:19 PM.

[Tahribator]

Get the K2 if you're going to be using PPCs a lot. Use the ballistics slots for self defence AC's. High mounted arms are excellent for pop-up sniping, which is absolutely necessary because of the thin armor of Catapults. Cataphracts are good for mounting ballistics and going brawling.

If you want to go balls to the walls with the PPC then either get an Awesome 8Q(stock loadout is just perfect) for mobility or Stalker.

Edited by Tahribator, 06 February 2013 - 04:31 PM.

[Stingz]

Tahribator, on 06 February 2013 - 02:29 PM, said:

If you want to go balls to the walls with the PPC then either get an Awesome 8Q(stock loadout is just perfect) for mobility or Stalker.

The -9M can be the -8Q but better: [build]
320 engine, DHS and Endo-Steel.

[Skull Leader2]

I have both mechs. The K2 is the a little more versatile. The arms are really high and allow for shooting over obstacles. It also gives you nice options for the ballistics on left or right torso. The turning speed and torso twist is better for the annoying squirrel mechs. It has a big center but so does the Phract.

The new PPC heat levels are nice but I still prefer ER Large Laser for tracking the light mechs. Don't forget that the PPC has a minimum range .

Edited by Skull Leader2, 06 February 2013 - 04:20 PM.

[Tahribator]

Stingz, on 06 February 2013 - 03:18 PM, said:

The -9M can be the -8Q but better: [build]
320 engine, DHS and Endo-Steel.

Indeed it can be, but doesn't look as cool as 8Q By the way you're trading 2 more DHS for just 4kph with STD320. The AWS-8Q I'm currently using has 22 DHS and better cooling efficiency even with an ERPPC on the arm(for close range).

[Nicholas Carlyle]

I feel like i'm cheating if I buy a K2.

[Irvine]

You can't go wrong with either choice. Both are excellent mechs