[size=8pt]Updated build - Sept. 5th, 2013 Here is an old video that still accurately displays the build in action - Pros Easy to use build capable of filling many roles. A legitimate sniping threat, poptartable, a capable fire support/suppression mech, fast enough with jump jets to be be a mobile support striker, and carries enough armor to brawl with many mechs. Never runs out of ammo, laughs at enemy ECM, and with disciplined fire will only overheat when you must absolutely push it. The AMS is there to simply give this mech some teamplay utility. It also braces the mech against indirect fire if chasing down retreating targets for killshots over rough terrain, or if poptarting with JJs against multiple threats, etc. The simple yet powerful laserboat weapon layout, without ES or FF upgrades, makes this mech an economical and enjoyable choice for farming credits and kills. Cons 3 alphas in a row will shut this mech down. Disciplined fire is key, knowing when to overheat this mech and when not to can be the difference between a double kill or leaving yourself dead in the water. Brawling can be rough because you simply lack burst damage. XL engine in a Cataphract can spell trouble if you don't turn into/away from sustained damage - smart players will see you trying to spread damage off of those XL torsos... No indirect fire capability. Thoughts Basically, I keep coming back to this mech. Maybe it's the fact that I can get 2-6 kills and upwards of 1000 damage in a single round if I focus and play smart. This mech is one that I like to pug with, and I like to premade with as well. The weapon convergence is basically perfect with the Pinpoint skill efficiency unlocked. I run this mech with 3 modules - Advanced Target Decay, Sensor Range, Target Info Gathering, and/or 360 Target Retention. I also have a special camo for this mech that uses orange to mask the bright orange cockpit if people are trying to headshot. Proper torso movement is very important while brawling in a Cataphract that uses a XL engine. Counter snipers who see you are using a XL engine must not be allowed free looks at your torso. I typically begin rounds at maximum range and the longer the match goes, the more I'll close distance on targets. Map knowledge is very important if one is to really take advantage of JJs and proper laser sniping. If you're wondering where I put the 6 DHS outside of the engine area - 2 in LT, 2 in RT, 1 LA, 1 RA. I run the 2 torso/crosshair LLs on wep group 1, and the 2 arm/circle LLs on wep group 2. Chainfire or alpha when necessary... Overall I really think this mech is surprisingly powerful. It's quite a resourceful build that is easy on the wallet and big on fun. * Since JJ fix in the recent patch, I've had to tweak the build to accomodate 3 more JJs. This is done by lowering the engine rating down from a prepatch 325XL [with Speed Tweak fix this engine would net you 82.7 kph] to a 315XL [essentially matching the prepatch old top speed of 80.7], removing 1 DHS [HE was 1.24], and lowering armor a few points [arms/legs]. Alpha is a tiny bit hotter around 40% heat, but it cools down like a fridge still. Happy hunting! (JJ placement = 2xCT, 1xLL, 1xRL) ** 4/21/13 - This is the current updated 'final' build. Still very much the same, with a little extra oomph. Here's the details... by ripping out 1 DHS that gave 16 crit slots, which allows for Endo-Steel. With the extra 3.5 tons, upgrading the engine to a 335 attains 85 KPH and allows that DHS to be put back into the engine. With the remaining 2 slots, place AMS (I like to use AMS on XL builds) and remove 1 JJ for a total of 3/4 JJs. With that remaining slot, place another MG and then top off arm/leg armor. That gives 416 armor, 17 DHS, 4xLL, 2xMG (with 1t of ammo), AMS, and basically max engine. This is all accomplished by endo steeling and removing 1 JJ. Enjoy
I like this. Might have to try it some time. Have been thinking of a build like this in the Ilya so cheap repair no ammo and 30% c bill boost.
Posted a video link below the build table to showcase how the build works in action, unedited clip of a full round on Caldera.
Giving this a swing, though I already had an XL 340 and Endo(ever since we lost repair costs, I no longer can lose money on it), so, I was able to match the 1.2 Heat Efficiency, Large Lasers and Jump Jets at the sacrifice of AMS. However, I was able to max the armor, so, I'll see how it does. I hope the increased armor and speed will offset the lack of AMS.
I'm using a similar build with great results. I love the fact that with the Fast Fire skill can chain a constant stream of laser fire. My version has less speed, very slightly less heat containment, and no AMS, but near top armor, and a STD engine for less ka-booms. Here are the specs in case anyone wants to recreate this version.
Updated this build since I've come back and been playing a lot with it as usual. Slightly tweaked armor values (more overall in arms/legs from dropping 1 DHS, and moved some from the back chest/shoulders to the front side).
I based this build off of Voodu's post: http://www.mechspecs.com/showthread.php?913-CTF-3D-Yet-Another-LLas-Build-(4x-LLas)
Alright guys I've tweaked this build yet again today and had a major breakthrough in terms of efficiency, here it is at the moment, probably the most serendipitous moment I've had yet in MWO - I will update the main post tomorrow after processing everything tonight and explain the changes.
3 tons on AMS and MG just seems like a bit of a waste to me. I'd go with either: - XL340, max armor and another heatsink - STD 300 I just don't think 3 those 3 tons are doing many favours for you.
Dwergi, here's the actual situation that I stumbled upon - I was using 315 XL with 4 LL and 17 DHS, with 13 crit slots left over. I simply removed 1 DHS to make 16 crit slots, then upgraded to Endo-Steel. This saved me 3.5 tons, but left me with only 2 crit slots. That same DHS can be put into the engine since 335 can hold 3 extra in CT rather than 2 from a 315s, I'm still at 17 DHS. I upgraded the engine from 315 to 335 but that still leaves me with 1.5 tons. What to do with the left over 1.5 tons and only 2 crit slots? Machine Gun!!! I could, of course, remove the initial AMS and that gives 4 crit slots and 3 tons, but what am I gonna do with that when I'm already basically at full engine? So yes there are several options and I've been working through them tonight... - the one above (ams + mg picking up the last bits) - one with an extra DHS and max armor [legs] - best of all, getting rid of ams, maxing leg armor, and double MGing!!! dakka But mostly what I've been experimenting with regarding this little nook of potential min/maxing, however, is keeping it at a 315XL, removing the AMS (thus keeping 17 DHS), Endo Steeling, and then using all that extra weight to turn the 2 arm LLs into 2 LPLs; the heat difference is practically negligible. ^^
I've never been a huge fan of LPLs, to be honest. The massive hit to your range doesn't seem worth it for a tiny bit of extra damage, especially when I keep dropping on Alpine 1 in 3 games. LPLs also stop you from doing a bit of poptarting in standoffs, which is one of the benefits of the 3D. Dunno, I'll probably go with double PPC when I buy the 3D.
LPLs in good arms with fast engine destroys lights, they can't stick around for long. Much easier to swat with than LLs. But yeah, I love poptarting too so it's a no brainer to stick something like LLs or PPCs in the shoulders... ...something like either of these is what I was thinking, but then it's sort of a different mech I'm describing at that point:
Those look pretty workable, I like it. Nice mix of brawling and a bit of range so you're not useless past 500m. There's also the compromise between them with a 320 and half a ton more leg armor. However, I can't really remember the last time I got a Cataphract legged, so I guess it doesn't matter. :>
Updated 'final' build for 4/21/13 is now listed in original post, enjoy, may come back to this at some point but for now with the way things are, this is it. If you don't like the double MGs and/or AMS, consider max armor, another DHS, max engine, and full JJs. Enjoy.
The above build is still 100% legit especially with the laughable but appreciable MG buff, however this is what I've been running lately on Multipass - Just a lil bit faster, lil bit more leg armor, without the MGs.
So, given the changes lately... I've fiddled around in this build again for the past 2 days. Last night I played for 3 hours - solo pugging and in a 3man, halfway thru - I lost less games than I can count on one hand, and lowest dmg I put out was like 200 one round when I died early. Prolly only lost as many rounds as I died, too. Otherwise, it was round after round after round of 4ish kills, 500 damage... like clockwork. Without all the pinpoint meta given the shift lately, you can start to expect to see more XL builds crawling out of the woodwork. Only weakness is getting trapped or exposed early, particularly against ballistic DPS melters. Basic tactic I was running last night was just sitting in the middle of team blob - not too far behind, not out in front... just putting out great damage consistently and melting stuff... also, still great for doing tarts, brawling, ambushes, etc. Sometimes I'd hold a flank down, and if it got overrun, 400 armor + 85 kph is enough to get out of anything, or bust up a couple harassing lights. Long live the Large Laser!
