11 replies to this topic

[Hedonism Robot]

I have a CTF-4x that I have not used for a while, its just been sitting in my shop collecting dust. Previously I have used this mech with an 2x UAC 5' 2x AC5 build and as a guass sniper. The issue I had with the daka ac build was the jamming of the uac5's was really annoying since I really prefer not to fire in chain fire. I stopped using the mech as a sniper due to the PPC buffs making other chassis better for this role. I prefer builds for this mech that can brawl and land a big punch. This is a build I was looking at but really not sure if its any good:

[color=#000000]http://mechromancer....7DA,7DA,1,0,1,0[/color]

I don't own either of the LBx 10's and have never used them before though. I heard they were getting some buffs a month ago and didn't know if this ever went live.

[Jolt91]

Don't use them, they only look good on paper... The lbx10's spread and hit multiple parts of a mech. This means if you're trying to shave off armor on an enemy, your hitting multiple parts for 1-3 damage most of the time. You want to be able to focus your damage on a single component. Get ac10's if you want to have a lot of alpha damage.

I use almost the same sort of build you have there except I still use the uac5's instead of lbx 10's. The key is being able to back your ballistics up with the med laser and the srm4 when you're in a brawl otherwise youll lose a lot of alpha damage on your mech. The uac5 jams are annoying but I don't tend to trigger the double shot unless I'm hitting someone out in the open down range and can just duck back in to wait out the jam, or I'm about to die and have no other choice. The uac5's are a dice roll for sure but they still dish out some of the highest DPS ballistics have to offer even if you aren't using the double shot.

[Aileen Dover]

Chassis Name: Cataphract
Model Name: CTF-4X
Variant Name: Mr Darcy

Engine: 255 Standard Engine
Internal Type: Endo Steel Internals
Armor Type: Standard Armor
Heat Sinks: 13 (10) Double Heat Sinks

Tonnage: 70.00
Speed: 59.0 kph
Armor Total: 432
Alpha Strike Damage: 32.00
Alpha Strike Heat: 27.68%
Firepower: 11.75 dps
Heat Efficiency: 52.12%
Effective Range of Loadout: 270m

Head: 18/18
Right Torso: 42/60
Right Rear Torso: 18/60
Center Torso: 68/88
Center Rear Torso: 20/88
Left Torso: 42/60
Left Rear Torso: 18/60
Right Arm: 44/44
Left Arm: 44/44
Right Leg: 59/60
Left Leg: 59/60

Weapons Locations
Right Arm:
AC5
Left Arm:
AC5
Center Torso:
(2) Medium Pulse Laser
Head:
SRM4

Heat Sink Locations
Right Torso: 2

Left Torso: 1


Equipment Locations
Right Torso:
BAP

Left Torso:
CASE


Ammo Locations
Left Torso:
(2) AC5 Ammo
SRM Ammo
Right Leg:
(2) AC5 Ammo
Left Leg:
(2) AC5 Ammo

I use this and have a blast. It is a very mid range to long range support mech. If I get primary then I'm dead in a matter of moments which can really suck.

Edited by Aileen Dover, 17 February 2013 - 01:20 PM.

[Ferret Thorn]

I beleive the role of a mech is the key to thier build, much like your personal play style. As in... Trying to make a mech fit a role or a playstyle usually ends up very frustrating unless you pick the right mech for the job. Plus the 4x, while has plenty of potential to do a multiple amount of roles it is hindered by what it has to work with in a game where not all works quite as it should yet. The LBX10's a strong example of a weapon that should do a bit more than what it really does in game.

The 4x for me is a cross between mid range sniping/brawling type of mech. I have used the 2 UAC5, 2 AC5 build but I have become to prefer the 4AC5 build alot more. Chained the spit out shell after shell without jam that just pounds on an enemy. Also frees up some weight for the SRM4 or 2 Med Lasers for a little extra punch. What it lacks is the alpha strike, sure you can fire all 4 AC5s for a 20 punch but then there is that cool down before the next shot. I prefer the chained for the constant pounding and the pressure it puts on an enemy getting steadily rocked. Most mechs turn and run or get shredded with decent aiming from the AC5s. One key here is not to always go for the core, go for the shoulder and cripple thier mechs dmg output by removing most or thier best weapons from the fight.

The 4x is not really your first round KO fighter, it's the boxer that works a great jab then aims for the weakspot to take them down.

[Wrenchfarm]

Here is what I use.

2xAC10s, SRM4, and MGs just because. You can easily drop the MGs for more ammo or AMS. You will never overheat in this thing. The AC10s let you snipe fairly well, the SRM adds damage up close, and the 250 engine lets you move at a tolerable speed. All in all, I've still never found a 4X build I thought was amazing, but this is about as close as it is going to get.

[Hedonism Robot]

Yeah I think the ac10 variant might be what I am looking for. On paper the lbx looked great, I was planning on sitting back and waiting for my team to soften them then bank on the massive crit dmg they did close up. It sounds like lbx still perform as some kind of really nerfed srm and that doing this build would make me basically a really weak splat cat.

[Wrenchfarm]

Hedonism Robot, on 17 February 2013 - 02:08 PM, said:

Yeah I think the ac10 variant might be what I am looking for. On paper the lbx looked great, I was planning on sitting back and waiting for my team to soften them then bank on the massive crit dmg they did close up. It sounds like lbx still perform as some kind of really nerfed srm and that doing this build would make me basically a really weak splat cat.

Yeah, right now LBXs have a hard time justifying themselves. Their reputation as crit seekers is ill-founded and spread by repetition till now most seem to think it is true. With the current crit system, they are actually kind of bad at setting off ammo explosions or knocking out components The AC10 on the other hand does a great job, so not only does it have much better range and focused damage, it's better at the supposed job of the LBX!

I still think they can be useful when mounted on a very fast mech like a Dragon or CN9-D where the emphasis is on hit-and-run, but certainly not on a slugger like the 4X. Hopefully they'll get around to buffing the LBX with either a damage buff (I think 1.2 damage a pellet would make sense) or with the proposed changes to the crit system (the LBX will do significantly more damage to internals while still being mediocre at stripping armour).

[Jam the Bam]

Ive been using AC10's in the arms, 2 med pulse lasers and the SRM in the torso, its a nicely balanced build I find, Ive got some of my highest damage numbers from it, just love running into those catapults and going straight through their CT before they can blink.

[Hex Pallett]

I'll just point toward the general direction where you may wanna check out....

Wrenchfarm, on 17 February 2013 - 01:30 PM, said:

Here is what I use.

2xAC10s, SRM4, and MGs just because. You can easily drop the MGs for more ammo or AMS. You will never overheat in this thing. The AC10s let you snipe fairly well, the SRM adds damage up close, and the 250 engine lets you move at a tolerable speed. All in all, I've still never found a 4X build I thought was amazing, but this is about as close as it is going to get.

SRM4 in the head whose damage scatters? Why not something more concentrate?

[Selfish]

Helmstif, on 18 February 2013 - 01:50 AM, said:

I'll just point toward the general direction where you may wanna check out....



SRM4 in the head whose damage scatters? Why not something more concentrate?

SRM4's are the most accurate, tonnage efficient SRM option available. Wrench's build admirably mounts therapeutic MG's. You can mount more destructive power/AMS Defense in it if you forgo those heavenly blap blap guns. The SRMs give you a bit more alpha when you close, and they are the highest firing point on the mech. I wouldn't give them up for anything. If the 4X had tall upper side torso energy mounts? It might not be as necessary. The Hmiss is the only high elevation weapon the mech has, and giving it up is a mistake as grave as leaving the Hlas on a HBK chassis empty.

Edit: A quick edit deleted my first sentence. Re-added it.

Edited by Selfish, 18 February 2013 - 02:34 AM.

[Wrenchfarm]

Helmstif, on 18 February 2013 - 01:50 AM, said:

I'll just point toward the general direction where you may wanna check out....



SRM4 in the head whose damage scatters? Why not something more concentrate?

You can definitely sub out the SRM4 for 2xMLAS if you prefer. Honestly? I just enjoy seeing an all ballistic mech break the heat efficiency tab. Feels nice to never have to watch the bar.

Selfish, on 18 February 2013 - 02:31 AM, said:

SRM4's are the most accurate, tonnage efficient SRM option available. Wrench's build admirably mounts therapeutic MG's. You can mount more destructive power/AMS Defense in it if you forgo those heavenly blap blap guns.

Sometimes when I've had a rough day, I'll just sit in my Phract and dump a whole ton of MG ammo into the general direction of the enemy. Gotta enjoy the little things am I right?

[Corvus Antaka]

Dual AC 10's is the way to go with this mech. Really nasty damage output and good range.