MISSILE CATAPULT: Which variant should I buy?

[Kalynor]

Hello there!

With the event going on and some good discounts with it, I'm finally getting one of my favourite mech of all time, the iconic Catapult.

I already got the K2, which is awesome for PPCs or ballistic builds.

I am now considering a "classic" catapult build, probably due to nostalgia remembering the good, old days of Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries.

The idea would be to have a build with MRMs or LRMs.

The catapult C1 seems very good with a XL Engine 280, 2 x MRM 30, 4 x med lasers, 3 jump jets and 4 heatsinks. Still, don't know if the xl would be an issue there.

The catapult A1 on the other side, provides no backup weapons but could be useful for full srm builds or mixed missile builds.

The catapult C4 doesn't seem too interesting, with only 2 lasers as possible backup weapons and 2 missiles hardpoints.


So, which variant would you advice to get for some missiles builds?

[Fantabulor]

The C4 variant has 4 missile hardpoints, not 2. 2 of them go unused on the default loadout.
I'd say it's probably the best for a pure LRM build.
If you wanted a SRM or MRM build, you might want to go with the C1, just for more backup weapons. The 'arms' of the catapult are a big target.

I'm not an expert though, I've never owned a Catapult.

You mentioned being unsure about the XL engine. If you're worried about dying too quickly, you could use a light engine. You can loose one side torso with a light engine without dying.

[Unleashed3k]

XL in a catapult is bad, cause it has a big torso compared to the small "arms", so your sidetorso will receive many hits:

XL + ISmech - sidetorso = booom.....
Catapult for lurms is no a really good choice, you need a standart engine (if you aren't good in shielding your sidetorsos), this will eat up a lot of weight, then you have 2-6 slots for launchers, they are heavier on IS-side, artemis will need even more weight, this goes on until you may have 6x lrm5/10+artemis with very low ammo.

Not to mention you need at least the Beagle Active Probe and should also be able to spent at least 10 skillpoints into sensors (target decay!/ target info gathering/ etc...)

While a "good" lurmboat (are they ever good?^^) would look like:

MAD-IIC "SCORCH": 4x LRM20+Artemis, 16t ammo (~3200 lurms), beagle active, target comp I, 2x mlaser (1 could be switched with a TAG, but not needed if skilled to max (91))

On IS-side, a Stalker-5M with 5x LRM10+Artemis, 10t ammo, BAP and LE 285 could be at least a bit more useful.

A "lurmboat" without ammo after 3min into the game is not a good option.

If you wan't the Catapult with tubes, go for "SplatCat" (6x SRM6) or "StreakCat" (Streaks+BAP), ofc you can play like some people and annoy enemies to death with 6x LRM5, no artemis but mini engine and tons of ammo, but this won't bring you any further I guess ;)

[Ishan451]

Originally posted by Brancaleone:

Which variant should I buy?

Either the C4 or the Bumblebee, if you want to spend the MC.

The C4 is the best LRM catapult because of its -20% missile cool down quirk, you can run Dual LRM20 on it, still have space for a Narc launcher. If you go light engine, but the Catapult takes an XL rather well and if you are brawling in the thing, you are doing it wrong anyway.


The C1 is the best hybrid. With Dual MRM20 (or 30), and quad Medium lasers its quite a nice direct fire support mech.

The Bumblebee lacks the missile quirks, but you can go Quad SRM6 on it.

The A1.... meh. Can't say much good about it. Depending on what you want to do the C4 or the C1 does the better job. You can't use more than Quad SRM6 without getting ghost heat anyway, which means the C4 does the better job at Quad SRM6. And while you could do a 6 LRM5 build on it... the lack of Tag laser or Narc, as well as the fact that its no longer as good as it once was and could be done better by a Medium like the Kintaro... i just don't see the use in the A1.

Originally posted by Brancaleone:

So, which variant would you advice to get for some missiles builds?

Depends on what missiles you want to use... but i think the C4 and the C1 are your best bet. The Bumblebee is like somewhere in between the two, without any good quirks for missiles (it would be way to good with them)...

Personally i own a C4 for nostalgia sake.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

XL in a catapult is bad, cause it has a big torso compared to the small "arms", so your sidetorso will receive many hits:

People either aim for the arms or the CT. At least in my experience and the Catapult has no buisness being out in the open anyway. Your Mickymouse ears are that high so you can sit comfortably behind a hill and shoot over it.

[Unleashed3k]

Originally posted by Ishan451:

Originally posted by Brancaleone:

Which variant should I buy?

Either the C4 or the Bumblebee, if you want to spend the MC.

The C4 is the best LRM catapult because of its -20% missile cool down quirk, you can run Dual LRM20 on it, still have space for a Narc launcher. If you go light engine, but the Catapult takes an XL rather well and if you are brawling in the thing, you are doing it wrong anyway.


The C1 is the best hybrid. With Dual MRM20 (or 30), and quad Medium lasers its quite a nice direct fire support mech.

The Bumblebee lacks the missile quirks, but you can go Quad SRM6 on it.

The A1.... meh. Can't say much good about it. Depending on what you want to do the C4 or the C1 does the better job. You can't use more than Quad SRM6 without getting ghost heat anyway, which means the C4 does the better job at Quad SRM6. And while you could do a 6 LRM5 build on it... the lack of Tag laser or Narc, as well as the fact that its no longer as good as it once was and could be done better by a Medium like the Kintaro... i just don't see the use in the A1.

Originally posted by Brancaleone:

So, which variant would you advice to get for some missiles builds?

Depends on what missiles you want to use... but i think the C4 and the C1 are your best bet. The Bumblebee is like somewhere in between the two, without any good quirks for missiles (it would be way to good with them)...

Personally i own a C4 for nostalgia sake.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

XL in a catapult is bad, cause it has a big torso compared to the small "arms", so your sidetorso will receive many hits:

People either aim for the arms or the CT. At least in my experience and the Catapult has no buisness being out in the open anyway. Your Mickymouse ears are that high so you can sit comfortably behind a hill and shoot over it.

Ok, sorry, another pro, no, the catapult can be in the open without probs, in testing grounds...
Everyone that shoots at your center from the side will hit your ST as well because the hitzone of the ST reaches over the full side of your big "nose", please shhh

You say you own a C4 for nostalgia... so you play it sometimes or is it just in your garage? maybe look closer the next time you use it =)

And please, do not use MRMs... that's one of the worst weapons in this game.... *facepalm*

[Ishan451]

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

Ok, sorry, another pro, no, the catapult can be in the open without probs, in testing grounds...

Alright... let me know how that is working out for you, playing in the testing grounds.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

Everyone that shoots at your center from the side will hit your ST as well because the hitzone of the ST reaches over the full side of your big "nose", please shhh

I am well aware of what the hitbox looks like. There is a nice PDF on the official forums you can download where it will show you all the hitboxes. And compared to other Heavies those hitboxes are rather good. If you get hit a lot in the side, then i suggest working on your positioning, as its clearly off.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

You say you own a C4 for nostalgia... so you play it sometimes or is it just in your garage? maybe look closer the next time you use it =)

If you say so. I am well aware of what kills me in my catapult and its most certainly not a blown off side... because... you know.. i pay attention to the map and what is happening around me... which means if one side gets weak.. i keep my enemy on the other side. by the time i die... i am more likely not to have any weapons left, because my arms were shot of, or get cored via my CT... you know... because i utilized my map awareness and positioning to keep the enemy away from the sides that are weak.

But apparently that is a newb tactics, given that a pro like you seems to be beyond such newbie tactics and has their sides blown off a lot, by walzing infront of the enemy with a fire support mech.

Its up to you to believe me when i say that in comparison the Catapult takes an XL engine rather well, mostly because its designed to use cover well. But hey.. what do i know.

[Unleashed3k]

Originally posted by Ishan451:

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

Ok, sorry, another pro, no, the catapult can be in the open without probs, in testing grounds...

Alright... let me know how that is working out for you, playing in the testing grounds.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

Everyone that shoots at your center from the side will hit your ST as well because the hitzone of the ST reaches over the full side of your big "nose", please shhh

I am well aware of what the hitbox looks like. There is a nice PDF on the official forums you can download where it will show you all the hitboxes. And compared to other Heavies those hitboxes are rather good. If you get hit a lot in the side, then i suggest working on your positioning, as its clearly off.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

You say you own a C4 for nostalgia... so you play it sometimes or is it just in your garage? maybe look closer the next time you use it =)

If you say so. I am well aware of what kills me in my catapult and its most certainly not a blown off side... because... you know.. i pay attention to the map and what is happening around me... which means if one side gets weak.. i keep my enemy on the other side. by the time i die... i am more likely not to have any weapons left, because my arms were shot of, or get cored via my CT... you know... because i utilized my map awareness and positioning to keep the enemy away from the sides that are weak.

But apparently that is a newb tactics, given that a pro like you seems to be beyond such newbie tactics and has their sides blown off a lot, by walzing infront of the enemy with a fire support mech.

Its up to you to believe me when i say that in comparison the Catapult takes an XL engine rather well, mostly because its designed to use cover well. But hey.. what do i know.

I play the Jester with 355xl and don't have issues cause I know how to position, but I see your

Originally posted by Ishan451:

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

Ok, sorry, another pro, no, the catapult can be in the open without probs, in testing grounds...

Alright... let me know how that is working out for you, playing in the testing grounds.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

Everyone that shoots at your center from the side will hit your ST as well because the hitzone of the ST reaches over the full side of your big "nose", please shhh

I am well aware of what the hitbox looks like. There is a nice PDF on the official forums you can download where it will show you all the hitboxes. And compared to other Heavies those hitboxes are rather good. If you get hit a lot in the side, then i suggest working on your positioning, as its clearly off.

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

You say you own a C4 for nostalgia... so you play it sometimes or is it just in your garage? maybe look closer the next time you use it =)

If you say so. I am well aware of what kills me in my catapult and its most certainly not a blown off side... because... you know.. i pay attention to the map and what is happening around me... which means if one side gets weak.. i keep my enemy on the other side. by the time i die... i am more likely not to have any weapons left, because my arms were shot of, or get cored via my CT... you know... because i utilized my map awareness and positioning to keep the enemy away from the sides that are weak.

But apparently that is a newb tactics, given that a pro like you seems to be beyond such newbie tactics and has their sides blown off a lot, by walzing infront of the enemy with a fire support mech.

Its up to you to believe me when i say that in comparison the Catapult takes an XL engine rather well, mostly because its designed to use cover well. But hey.. what do i know.

I bet you play with a k/d below 1..... but sure, teach me ^^

[Ishan451]

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

but sure, teach me ^^

Pay me. I take $250 per hour long session... or you can have 5 sessions for $1000

[Nightmare1]

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

XL in a catapult is bad, cause it has a big torso compared to the small "arms", so your sidetorso will receive many hits:

XL + ISmech - sidetorso = booom.....
Catapult for lurms is no a really good choice, you need a standart engine (if you aren't good in shielding your sidetorsos), this will eat up a lot of weight, then you have 2-6 slots for launchers, they are heavier on IS-side, artemis will need even more weight, this goes on until you may have 6x lrm5/10+artemis with very low ammo.

Not to mention you need at least the Beagle Active Probe and should also be able to spent at least 10 skillpoints into sensors (target decay!/ target info gathering/ etc...)

While a "good" lurmboat (are they ever good?^^) would look like:

MAD-IIC "SCORCH": 4x LRM20+Artemis, 16t ammo (~3200 lurms), beagle active, target comp I, 2x mlaser (1 could be switched with a TAG, but not needed if skilled to max (91))

On IS-side, a Stalker-5M with 5x LRM10+Artemis, 10t ammo, BAP and LE 285 could be at least a bit more useful.

A "lurmboat" without ammo after 3min into the game is not a good option.

If you wan't the Catapult with tubes, go for "SplatCat" (6x SRM6) or "StreakCat" (Streaks+BAP), ofc you can play like some people and annoy enemies to death with 6x LRM5, no artemis but mini engine and tons of ammo, but this won't bring you any further I guess ;)

You really don't know what you're talking about.

This is a very viable Catapult build: https://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=13&l=d77fa29e5b257e7610c2ceda3dea864e647c84fe

...And a variation of the build that also works well:
https://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=13&l=d8a50e32eaa97bd1ca45fb141949f29b1dae8bd4

It goes much faster than what you claim, has plenty of ammo, excellent armor and heat management, and fits the bill for what the OP is wanting. If the OP does want to run an XL engine in a 'Pult, he can certainly do that too since 'Pults are reasonably XL friendly. Most people shoot for their ears instead of their torsos since the ears are so easy to hit.

I can't figure out why you would insist on using a Standard Engine when the XL and LFE both work well in a CPLT.

Here's another good build that the OP could use:

https://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=24&l=c3ec5a7b876d1238d3f03a2872e79b156bb0132e

If the OP doesn't want the XL, he can ditch the ERML and a couple tons of ammo and get an LFE instead. If he invests in the Missile Rack Nodes, he should have plenty of ammo to go along with that LFE then.

This is the second thread I've wandered into only to find you offering bad advice to players who need help. If you really don't know what you're doing, then you need to quit pretending that you do.

[Nightmare1]

Originally posted by Ishan451:

Originally posted by c0dex Unleashed3k:

but sure, teach me ^^

Pay me. I take $250 per hour long session... or you can have 5 sessions for $1000

*Chuckle*

Nice!

[Battleseed]

Originally posted by Nightmare1:

This is the second thread I've wandered into only to find you offering bad advice to players who need help. If you really don't know what you're doing, then you need to quit pretending that you do.

He must be a student at Dante Yoda University.

[Nightmare1]

Originally posted by Battleseed:

Originally posted by Nightmare1:

This is the second thread I've wandered into only to find you offering bad advice to players who need help. If you really don't know what you're doing, then you need to quit pretending that you do.

He must be a student at Dante Yoda University.

ROFL, that really cracked me up!

[Xilo The Odd]

for pure missile builds the A1 is king. the C4 is a solid 2nd, with the Bee stomping both but costing MC.

i love my A1, with the range of missile weapons available you can load it with some solid high damage setups your main problem is running out of ammo or losing an arm however.

the C4s main advantage is its got some energy weapons to backup its missile setup. you could pop a couple MRM 20 or 30 in, with some SRM or rocket launcher backup followed by med laser or med pulse for a solid high damage rig.

the question everyone asks, to XL or not to XL on an IS mech. idealy for a catapult you want a 280 engine or faster in it to stay relevant to the group. 300 imo is more optimal, allows for toggleing between better heat exchange or firepower.

XL isnt the worst thing in the world, it does suck to die because of it but i find people dont XL check as often anymore, they try for the CT or a leg if they are gonna shoot anything.

that said, a light engine is a tad cheaper than an XL so it might be better to go with a light if you can.

i run a light 300 in my K2, with 2 heavy PPC, 2 ER med, and 2 light MG. its stock build redux xD. hot as hell and hurts like hell.

[Kareekoe]

get Archer, missile boat catapult sucks, missile boat archer is where its at, it has like 7 or 9 missile hard points or something like that, i did a build where i got like 2 MRM 40 on it and the rest rocket launcher 20 (i had to put it on the lowest engine for that) but with all of that weaponry on it, its a slow moving 250+ firepower beast. yes 250+ firepower.

you can straight up mess up any assault mech that gets too close to you with your rockets, and still have alot of stuff left over. and same can be said about any other mech, but of course, its down side is its slow arse move speed, so its super weak to LRM and snipers, but its still amazing on close quarters/mid range.

[Alien Queen]

i may self us lot catapult in orignal mechworiors 4 vengance and i love may c4 lot onle wish cud add suport system ammo system weapond system seperate to add more and to mech cud life longer and to they fix radar to show range all arund you and to tiny mechs cent cery big med or heavy guns but cataputl C4 i cud tell its nice i never hold orignal gear on mech i change the 2 laser to med and missels to more soon to got more fire at 1 hit he

[Shotgun]

Splatcat (6 launchers) is the fun one (also somewhat unique, since that many missile slots is rare). The rest of them have layouts that can be had from better mechs.

The K2 was all the rage when the game initially came out, and then everyone forgot it existed the second we got something with jump jets.