At OP - Seems like the main starting point of this argument is the screen shot showing the Model number K-2 which is the Kurita version of this mech. The K2 is one of 17 "canon" variants. However the point I'm getting at is would this argument have started if the mech displayed had a different variant designation?
@HBS this could be resolved in the future by I don't know maybe forcing a name change when we bastardize our mechs to meet our individual playing styles? Or maybe dropping the Model variant names altogether so this point doesn't turn off MWO players? Just looking for resolutions here...
FYI
The
Catapult is an offense oriented, second-line fire-support
BattleMech initially produced on a limited contract for the
Terran Hegemony. Representing Hollis Incorporated's first foray into the 'Mech market, the
Catapult was produced in record numbers over its initial three-year period from the company's brand-new, state-of-the-art factory. However, when the contract came up for review in
2563, the Hegemony decided not to renew it; while the
Catapult had performed adequately at its role, it was not quite what they wanted. With large numbers of the 'Mech still in the field, the
Catapult would continue to see use in the
Star League Defense Force with second-line and specialist formations such as mountaineering
regiments. When the factory constructing them switched over to the more-successful
BattleMaster, Hollis' limited production of spare parts couldn't keep the design's numbers from dwindling.
[4][5]
When the Star League fell, many of the remaining
Catapults joined
Aleksandr Kerensky on his
Exodus. The
Capellan Confederation collected most of the
Catapults that remained in the Inner Sphere, and the Hollis factory on
Corey briefly produced new models and spare parts. At the same time, the
Draconis Combine managed to seize a sizable force in their capture of
Dieron. The renewed production ended when the Corey factory was destroyed at the onset of the
First Succession War, ensuring the rarity of the
Catapult during the rest of that
bloody era. Entire invasions were commenced simply to seize the remaining number of these 'Mechs, particularly those launched by the
Federated Suns against the Confederation.
[4][5]
Many variants of this venerable design were produced through its lifetime, and the
Catapult's rarity began to reverse in
3033 when Yori 'Mech Works was contracted by the
DCMS to restart production of the CPLT-K2 on
Al Na'ir. The greatest change to the chassis came later, with the introduction of the CPLT-C3, which swapped out the original's LRMs for much larger and more powerful artillery missiles. These models were put to excellent use, especially when paired with
Ravens, and paved the way for new design advancements.
[6]
