Hello Grim. The Catapult is one of the first Mechs any player encounters, after piloting the smaller, lighter, Light Mech designs. Even though the Mech has limited ammo, and some heat issues, and very thin armor for it's Class type, it is still favored for Long Range support fire. Jump Jets and the quad Medium Lasers do help quite a bit against harassment by Light Mechs and most of the Lighter and Medium Tanks it might encounter. Many people 'tinker' with this Mech's design to improve upon it. And I am no exception to that general 'rule of thumb'. It is possible to improve upon this Mech's design using just 3055 technology, and even more so using both 3055 and 3057. You, no doubts, have run into many variations, so I will not elaborate upon them all. I will only mention here that in my own re-designs, that I usually maximize the Mech's armor protection with Ferro-Fiberous Armor, replace the Standard Internal Structure with Endo-Steel, and finally, upgrade the Heat Sinks with Double Strength versions. This results in a weight savings that is mostly used for the additional Armor, with the rest going to replacing the Medium Lasers with Extended Range versions. Although I do have a favored design that does all of the above, but keeps the mediums and replaces the LRM-15's for LRM-20's and a Targeting Computer. What kept the Catapult in Service for so long was not just that so many were made, even before production on the design was continued later, but the fact that ALL of it's equipment and components were readily available to anyone, even the Lesser Houses, the smaller Star Nations, and the Pirates, of course. ANY Mercenary Company would find parts to fit a Catapult almost anywhere, wither it was on the Battlefield as Salvage, Payment for Services, at almost ANY good Mech Parts Supply Service (store), or via the Black Market. By 3060 or so, most of the 'new' parts made possible by the Helm Memory Core would have made the up-keeping of an upgraded Catapult fairly 'easy' in a relative manner of speaking. And, by the time of the Jihad, such 'upgraded' Catapults would have been pretty common in forces of the Great Houses, and the Periphery States. Enough from me, for now. Frank-ly speaking.
The first battlemech I ever played and it began my long running lover affair with LRM boats. I love using this with spotter infantry and/or light mechs.
Another icon. My brother lives missile boats and this one is an absolute pain in the but to face. It's very mobile, respectable armor, 4 medium lasers get into piloting skill roll and missile saturation in approach. Special munitions add to the fun. The chickenpult with double PPC is an epic sniper in it's weight range and can hit and move easily as well as having less short range issues. However you slice it the catapult is a serious threat on the table top. It's hard to get a better mech in the RPG because it can be pretty flexible for a missile boat. It even runs fairly cool for that much dakka. About the best balance of any of the base game mechs. Anyone would want one or hell just having one in your company is a benefit arguably more than a Marauder and that says something.
I could never understand this mech from the point of view of Mechwarrior 3 and 4. But it makes a whole hell of a lot of sense from the tabletop or other strategy perspective.
Oh my goodness the Catapult is a monster. It is one of the first mechs I target when am able to avoid frontline enemy battlemechs that are at closer range. If left alone it will shred my units like a storm of matchsticks falling upon walls of paper. A most terrifying sight. Fortunately its weakness is close range combat or other long range units which reveal how fragile it can be when hit with LRM 15 and 20 racks. Still it can take a pounding whenever I face it on HBS BATTLETECH video game. Thanks GrimDark Narrator for this hair raising electrifying readout. Truly you gave me the fear! Now where are my meds? :D
I like the Catapult but I think the Archer is better for spamming endless missiles :D Or at least that's how I remember it in the old Mech Warrior Mercenaries.
The Catapult's core designs : When one missile MIGHT solve the problem, 30 should *definitely* solve it. As much as I dislike the Dracs, they have the most fun with this -- PPC variants, MRM variants. Though the Capellans did have one with plasma rifles and that's just _exotic._
...My favorite modification was to swap the LRM-15 racks for LRM-10 racks. With the free tonnage I swapped 2 of the Medium Lasers for a single Large Laser -- giving better stand-off capacity when ammo runs out -- & adding a Flamer for anti-infantry work.
My favorite battlemech, ever since I accidentally fired on DeadEye in MW2:Mercenaries and got ass handed quick. Catapult is one of the only mech's that the AI actually handles well, as if the developers may have used it as their primary playtest model when developing their AI. Its likely the same with MW5 and may have a full catapult squad in that game too when I finally get around to buying it.
Catapults.... THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for doing the 'ol skool 'mechs. This was a STAPLE 'mech of every force back in the old century. We always liked it because it was so easy to see how it's core design was used by the clans to develop the Timberwolf/Madcat…. and there's nothing more satisfying that showering 30 LRMs down on a poorly armored light 'mech or vehicle... and the Medium Lasers (don't scoff) could cause havoc at close range. Now...let's make the kiddie's eyes glaze over and talk about Thunderbolts, Exterminators, and Grasshoppers :)
There was another variant born from MWO... the glass cannon - 4 medium lasers and 2 Gauss rifles - i believe all the concessions were made with the armor, hence it being the glass cannon... Pure offense
My first table top merc company back in 3025 was built around a Cat with Arrow IV's. Sure seamed like a good idea, it was not. Six hours into the game and I had even lost my dropship. Realized then that, maybe, I wasn't Ender.
The catapult is my favorite battlemech in the BTU. A high-capacity missile truck on legs; minimal and realistic concept and design. What's not to like?
I love and hate the Catapult. I love that it unleashes a devastating rain of missiles. I hate it because every tabletop session I used a Cat with, it ALWAYS got headshot in the opening rounds with a PPC or Gauss; and if my opponent used a Cat, I got headshot quite often. So, I have a real dislike for them, but like them all the same.
Longbow and Archer - We are the best missile boats!
Catapult - *quietly sneaking into more games*
Hello Grim.
The Catapult is one of the first Mechs any player encounters, after piloting the smaller, lighter, Light Mech designs. Even though the Mech has limited ammo, and some heat issues, and very thin armor for it's Class type, it is still favored for Long Range support fire. Jump Jets and the quad Medium Lasers do help quite a bit against harassment by Light Mechs and most of the Lighter and Medium Tanks it might encounter.
Many people 'tinker' with this Mech's design to improve upon it. And I am no exception to that general 'rule of thumb'. It is possible to improve upon this Mech's design using just 3055 technology, and even more so using both 3055 and 3057.
You, no doubts, have run into many variations, so I will not elaborate upon them all. I will only mention here that in my own re-designs, that I usually maximize the Mech's armor protection with Ferro-Fiberous Armor, replace the Standard Internal Structure with Endo-Steel, and finally, upgrade the Heat Sinks with Double Strength versions. This results in a weight savings that is mostly used for the additional Armor, with the rest going to replacing the Medium Lasers with Extended Range versions. Although I do have a favored design that does all of the above, but keeps the mediums and replaces the LRM-15's for LRM-20's and a Targeting Computer.
What kept the Catapult in Service for so long was not just that so many were made, even before production on the design was continued later, but the fact that ALL of it's equipment and components were readily available to anyone, even the Lesser Houses, the smaller Star Nations, and the Pirates, of course. ANY Mercenary Company would find parts to fit a Catapult almost anywhere, wither it was on the Battlefield as Salvage, Payment for Services, at almost ANY good Mech Parts Supply Service (store), or via the Black Market.
By 3060 or so, most of the 'new' parts made possible by the Helm Memory Core would have made the up-keeping of an upgraded Catapult fairly 'easy' in a relative manner of speaking. And, by the time of the Jihad, such 'upgraded' Catapults would have been pretty common in forces of the Great Houses, and the Periphery States.
Enough from me, for now.
Frank-ly speaking.
Thank ou for the share.
One of the most optimised canon designs of its technical level. Nice to see it featured.
Cats are a Raven's best friends.
Katyusha rocket storm!
and locusts as well. hell the 3 of them can take on any one
The first battlemech I ever played and it began my long running lover affair with LRM boats. I love using this with spotter infantry and/or light mechs.
Another icon. My brother lives missile boats and this one is an absolute pain in the but to face. It's very mobile, respectable armor, 4 medium lasers get into piloting skill roll and missile saturation in approach. Special munitions add to the fun. The chickenpult with double PPC is an epic sniper in it's weight range and can hit and move easily as well as having less short range issues. However you slice it the catapult is a serious threat on the table top. It's hard to get a better mech in the RPG because it can be pretty flexible for a missile boat. It even runs fairly cool for that much dakka. About the best balance of any of the base game mechs. Anyone would want one or hell just having one in your company is a benefit arguably more than a Marauder and that says something.
I could never understand this mech from the point of view of Mechwarrior 3 and 4. But it makes a whole hell of a lot of sense from the tabletop or other strategy perspective.
Oh my goodness the Catapult is a monster. It is one of the first mechs I target when am able to avoid frontline enemy battlemechs that are at closer range. If left alone it will shred my units like a storm of matchsticks falling upon walls of paper. A most terrifying sight. Fortunately its weakness is close range combat or other long range units which reveal how fragile it can be when hit with LRM 15 and 20 racks. Still it can take a pounding whenever I face it on HBS BATTLETECH video game.
Thanks GrimDark Narrator for this hair raising electrifying readout. Truly you gave me the fear! Now where are my meds? :D
Thanks for the share 😀
Tex: Even though it's a niche mech, I really like. GDR's fans: nah GDR: Gonna do it anyway
Ah my favorite of all heavies! Theres just something about LRMs that spark the imagination!!!
My favorite for LRMs is the Archer where it can also go close range with its limited energy weapons and excellent tonnage for melee.
I like the Catapult but I think the Archer is better for spamming endless missiles :D Or at least that's how I remember it in the old Mech Warrior Mercenaries.
The Catapult's core designs : When one missile MIGHT solve the problem, 30 should *definitely* solve it.
As much as I dislike the Dracs, they have the most fun with this -- PPC variants, MRM variants. Though the Capellans did have one with plasma rifles and that's just _exotic._
Kuritans knew what was up when they put 2 PPC's on the thing :D
So it's like a MRLS.
...The Capellan variant with Arrow IV: for that LONG range damage dealing 😎
You know what this mech needs.........
Three rotary autocannons on each mount.
I like how you think.
...My favorite modification was to swap the LRM-15 racks for LRM-10 racks. With the free tonnage I swapped 2 of the Medium Lasers for a single Large Laser -- giving better stand-off capacity when ammo runs out -- & adding a Flamer for anti-infantry work.
"It's raining missiles, hallelujah, it's raining missiles..."
My favorite battlemech, ever since I accidentally fired on DeadEye in MW2:Mercenaries and got ass handed quick. Catapult is one of the only mech's that the AI actually handles well, as if the developers may have used it as their primary playtest model when developing their AI. Its likely the same with MW5 and may have a full catapult squad in that game too when I finally get around to buying it.
Catapults.... THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for doing the 'ol skool 'mechs. This was a STAPLE 'mech of every force back in the old century. We always liked it because it was so easy to see how it's core design was used by the clans to develop the Timberwolf/Madcat…. and there's nothing more satisfying that showering 30 LRMs down on a poorly armored light 'mech or vehicle... and the Medium Lasers (don't scoff) could cause havoc at close range.
Now...let's make the kiddie's eyes glaze over and talk about Thunderbolts, Exterminators, and Grasshoppers :)
I'll definitely add those to the topics roster.
My favorite LRM support mech! And the Kurita PPC variant rocks the house too!
The Kurita one is definitely one you wouldn't expect given the general role of this mech.
Ah, the Mickey Mouse Mech. In MechAssault for Xbox it was my favorite. Pretty mean thanks to its simplicity.
I liked using this support mech, always tried to take two when ever my merc force took to the field, pared well with Longbows and Warhammers.
Three of those, a Guillotine or Grasshopper to spot for indirect fire (or using TAG and the matching LRMs) - mobile fire support
I actually modified my K2 model in BattleTech as the jester without even knowing it does insane damaged at face hugging range
I label my Catapults as Trebuchets. For when I am doing siege missions. Using Clan medium ER pulse lasers instead of the stock lasers.
Interesting.
Might go to Katyusha for a few of them.
A good Narc Raven's best friend. I have seen some crazy builds which mount even double Heavy Gauss Rifles
Sounds like overkill :)
My go to missile boat in any BattleTech game before getting hold of the true king of the missile boats, the MadCat Mk II
A natural evolution of the Catapult :D
I'd rather grab a stalker
Catapults always in my heart! ;)
what about Trebuchets ? :P
@@GrimDarkNarrator never used. Very boxy mech. Is for the most a lrm boat, but too light to do something. But yep. Thanks
@@GrimDarkNarrator maybe the Dragon ;)
great video the catapult is a great fire support mech
Thank you!
One tactic I learned early on was, team up the Catapult and the Hunchback in the game and see the enemy sweat...
Lol :D
I always kinda liked this one....it looks like a VW beetle was glued to the front
There was another variant born from MWO... the glass cannon - 4 medium lasers and 2 Gauss rifles - i believe all the concessions were made with the armor, hence it being the glass cannon... Pure offense
My first table top merc company back in 3025 was built around a Cat with Arrow IV's. Sure seamed like a good idea, it was not. Six hours into the game and I had even lost my dropship. Realized then that, maybe, I wasn't Ender.
Thanks for the vid sir.
You're welcome :)
Keep it going thanks and yes love it
The catapult is my favorite battlemech in the BTU. A high-capacity missile truck on legs; minimal and realistic concept and design. What's not to like?
Not good at close quarters :P
You missed the ButterBee. It rocks 4x SRM6 instead of the LRMs
Might've slipped through the cracks. I don't always mention 100% of the variants I read about.
Nothing like the classics!
Best Mech Ever !
I prefer the Yeoman.
I love and hate the Catapult. I love that it unleashes a devastating rain of missiles. I hate it because every tabletop session I used a Cat with, it ALWAYS got headshot in the opening rounds with a PPC or Gauss; and if my opponent used a Cat, I got headshot quite often. So, I have a real dislike for them, but like them all the same.
Archers are support lords
My Cat never last too long in battle. Enemy always focuse it ☹
/sadface
Hello Michio.
Hello there!
More tacos
All the tacos.
Shaddup Your not Tex :(