From sarna.net (bold for emphasis):
CTF-4X - The 4X is a Federated Suns prototype produced following the capture of Tikonov, but never saw use due to a lukewarm reception. The Large Laser of the 2X is retained, but all of the other weapons are removed in favor of two Autocannon/5s and an LRM-5. In order to fit all of this equipment, the top speed is lowered to 56 km/h. In a strange twist of fate, the copious ammunition bins for the autocannons became popular with the creation of special munitions, making this design much more well-liked than it had been in the past.
From patch notes(bold for emphasis):
Cataphract CTF-4X
* Tonnage: 70
* Top Speed: 48.6 kph
* Armor: 434 points
* Weapons: 1 Large Laser, 2 AC/5s, 1 LRM 5
* Hardpoints: 2 Energy, 4 Ballistic, 1 Missile, 1 AMS
* Jump Jets: n/a
Are we really that afraid of a mech that could possibly two gauss rifles on independent arms, but not one that has jump jets, which received no such speed reduction?
Cataphract CTF-3D
* Tonnage: 70
* Top Speed: 64.8 kph
* Armor: 352 points
* Weapons: 4 Medium Lasers, 1 LB 10-X AC, 1 Ultra AC/5
* Hardpoints: 4 Energy, 2 Ballistic, 1 AMS
* Jump Jets: 4
I am curious as to why this was done -- since it is obviously a targeted nerf for th 4X model, with the intent to make it not as popular as other models (to be more in line with fluff since it was not a popular model)?
Edited by The Fencer, 20 November 2012 - 01:32 PM.