Note: An updated version (July 2013) of this Cataphract 2X brawler build guide is available. Click here to view it.

This build provides a short description of a nice CTF-2X brawler build with relatively high damage output (whooping 50 alpha strike) while still maintaining a very nice heat efficiency to fight for extended periods of time. Long range combat is not recommended but you will still be able to harass over long distances with an Ultra AC/5.

CTF-2X SRM6 Brawler

• Cataphract CTF-2X
• XL Engine 255
• Max Armor except legs (~51 each)

• 3x Medium Laser
• 1x Ultra AC/5 (~2x ammo)
• 2x SRM 6 (~3x ammo)
• 1x Anti-Missile-System (1x ammo)

• Despite being a heavy and having a considerable amount of armor: play save, do not lead the charge. Use the increased speed from the engine to outmaneuver your opponents.
• You will be an easy victim for LRM boats despite having an AMS and driving a heavy chassis. Try to avoid open spaces at all times.
• If you spot enemies at the horizon, use heat vision (hotkey H) and zoom (hotkey Z) and place some single UltraAC/5  hits. Most enemies will duck behind cover and cease to or not even open fire.
• If you are not proficient with SRMs, yet, set your SRM6s weapon group to chain fire (hotkey BACKSPACE) and fire single bursts. If you want to fire both missiles at the same time, double tap the weapon group´s hotkey.
• Remember that you can use your mouse cursor (yellow circle) to aim your SRM6s.

Average round as CTF-2X SRM6

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Please note: This guide may still be viable, but is very old.
You will probably find better ones or will need to tweak a few things. In addition, some or all meta game information and play style/hints may include outdated information. As soon as an updated version is available, it will be shown here. If you have up-to-date information on how to improve this build, please leave a comment below. Thank you.

The Cataphract CTF-1x offers 5 energy slots (and one ballistic slot). It will occur to most people to use some mixture of a smaller ballistic weapon (UAC5, AC5, AC10, LB10X) and multiple Large Lasers. However, if you don´t need the range and just want to dish out loads of damage with ease, a Medium Laser centered build usually brings nicer results in regards to the endgame screen. This build provides a successfully tested allround build with an emphasis on high damage dealt utilizing Medium Lasers and a complementary Gauss Rifle as a heat efficient secondary weapon.

CTF-1X Build Overview

• Cataphract CTF-1X
• XL Engine 255
• Max Armor except legs (~39 each) and cockpit (~10)

• 5x Medium Laser
• 1x Gauss Rifle (~4x ammo)
• 1x Anti-Missile-System (1x ammo)

• Despite being a heavy and having a considerable amount of armor: play save, do not lead the charge. Use the increased speed from the engine to outmaneuver your opponents.
• If you find your Gauss Rifle destroyed a lot before you can use up all the ammo, remove 1-3 ammo and replace them with heat sinks.
• If you are at high heat levels, do NOT fire your lasers again and overheat. Instead, fire your Gauss Rifle which produces almost no heat.
• If you overheat and face a strong but slow opponent (Atlas, Stalker, other heavys oder assaults), do the following: override shutdown immediately (hotkey “o”), do not fire, and run for it. Take the fight back to them if you are behind something solid and recovered.

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Please note: This guide may still be viable, but is very old.
You will probably find better ones or will need to tweak a few things. In addition, some or all meta game information and play style/hints may include outdated information. As soon as an updated version is available, it will be shown here. If you have up-to-date information on how to improve this build, please leave a comment below. Thank you.

With the latest patch from November 20th a new heavy mech has been deployed to the field: the Cataphract! One of the most appealing variants is the CTF-4X due to its four (4(!)) ballistic slots. Now lets see what one can do with this:

The Build:

Cataphract CTF-4X

• Standard Engine 210
• Endo Steel Structure
• Double Heat Sinks (~13)
• Maxed Armor

Armament:

• 4x AC/2 Autocannon
• 2x Medium Laser
• 8x AC/2 ammo (put 4 in legs and 4 in torso protected with CASE)

Playstyle and Tips:

• The ammo is very expensive so try to work with auto 75% rearm (turn auto-ream off and launch into new match).
• Do not brawl first row. If you get caught in a melee fight with an Atlas you will likely lose. Try to stay in the 2nd row or keep at least 200+ distance.
• If you find a Gausspult (Catapult armed with 2x Gauss Rifles) fire at it! The screen shaking from 4x AC/2 will ensure that the Gausscat cannot aim properly and will be rendered useless.
• Only fire your lasers when encountering light mechs or when you have run out of ammo.
• Set weapons to alternating (by pressing BACKSPACE) to maximize fun for yourself and screenshaking for your foes.
• If you find yourself overheating a lot, try to fire in short bursts rather than holding down the trigger.

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