The Cataphract is House Liao's latest attempt to build a successful heavy BattleMech. It is intended to become the new mainstay of elite Capellan regiments, capable of standing against Zeus and BattleMaster 'Mechs in open environment.
And it was a catastrophe that the Federated Suns captured the main production lines on Tikonov a couple of years later. Why? Because, boy, did those Cappies succeed in their goals!
CTF-1X - The Frankenmech turned out quite good, didn't it? With its 11 tons of armour, AC10 (10 shots), PPC and 16 heat sinks, this is a supreme BRAWLER. The AC10 assures that it carries the same firepower as a Warhammer, while encouraging a medium range combat. As secondary weaponry, it carries 4 medium lasers - 2 in the arms, 2 in the rear - which were common on quite a few designs of similar weight in 3025. Its two 10-point weapons will open holes fairly quickly. As thus it is well-suited to indeed take on the Zeus, which may be 10 tons heavier, but has similar armour and guns that do not smart as much at once. It would, however, be risky to take on something like a Battlemaster - which carries a lot more armour and has vastly superior close-range weaponry. When really trying to succeed in this match-up, staying at ranges 7-10 would be a main priority!
CTF-2X - first turning up in the BattlePack: 4th SW, this has been confirmed by TRO:3039 to have been a factory variant introduced before said war and is as such a design of Liao origin. Swapping 2 HS for more armour, and the PPC + rear ML for an SRM4, LL and one ton of AC ammo, it epitomises the BRAWLER concept. The armour is now as good as the 3025 heavy class gets (with the exception of the Orion), the ranges of the main guns are now even, it does not have to shepherd its ammo and its close range weaponry has just increased considerably. Nevertheless, I have my qualms: its two main guns cannot force a piloting skill roll anymore, it has no guns that reach into the long range bracket (3025 style, beginning at 18 hexes) and in short, while still having good chances against a Zeus, I really do not see this ever winning against a Battlemaster. The HS, on the other hand, are beautifully balanced - the Cataphract can always run, remaining one under with its two main guns, or will balance with all close-range weaponry + the AC. The -2X is probably the better brawler, but its more limited main guns mean it is neither as good in tackling its intended targets, nor is it as commanding in its general battlefield appearance.
CTF-3X - or not. It turns out that 3039 did not introduce this variant. There is a -3X in Starter Book: the Sword and the Dragon, but that is Sara Lytton's unique upgrade to her father's -2X.
CTF-4X - when the FedRats captured Tikonov, they happily accepted the CTF-1X, but also did some experimenting with their beloved ACs to turn out the CTF-4X on a limited basis. This changes the weaponry to two AC5s, both mounted in pods as previously only seen on the RA, and completes it by then adding a LL and an LRM5 to the torso. The price to pay for the respectable weaponry and absolute maximum armour at 14 tons (paying .5 tons for a last point to bring it to 217) is a drop of movement to a pathetic 3/5. This is esoteric, to say the least. It is slow, oversinked (only ever possibly causing 14 HS, yet mounting the original 16) and one of the rare heavy machines that can handle more damage than they can cause. However, this is also a very respectable SNIPER, quite similar to what I'd have done to the MAD-3R. With 40 shots PER GUN, it can fire all game long, the LRM5 is just garnish - but an important one, once the enemy closes to within 15 hexes. At that stage, the LRM5 ensures that the Cataphract will be able to reliably cause a piloting test if all weapons hit.
The Cataphract is a somewhat uncommon 'Mech that was just slightly too late to really make its mark on history. Yet all its 3025 variants have their merit in their roles. I prefer the -1X, that, while being a somewhat less powerful BRAWLER than the -2X, is the most flexible and arguably dangerous of the Cataphracts.
Compared to other 'Mechs, I cannot think of any heavy design that I'd rather have on my side. Sure, some may be better protected or carry more guns, but none have the same pleasant blend of damage output, range, protection and heat dissipation.
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