I’ve been playing this game for quite a while now and have been a lurker on the forums. I’m a full 5-star character, who plays as a gun-sword hipster thing.
The catalyzers are one of my favourite weapon, myself owning a neutraliser. It has alot of potential, but has a bit of a steep learning curve. I will try to inform you about the different points of them and how to use them effectively.
The Normal Attack
A small, unassuming green or blue energy ball, that travels immensely slowly. The damage is kind of underwhelming.
The Charge Attack
The charge attack is quite powerful, and the main (well really only) selling point. It involves firing an extremely slow-moving bullet that sticks to the enemy and orbits them, which can be detonated by an equally slow normal shot triggering quite a large explosion. The charge appears first on the left of the enemy, and then moves around it counter clockwise.
Before we go further, I would like to say one thing:
AUTO-TARGET IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. It messes you up, rendering you unable to predict shots and pull off alot of the tricks I will outline. In summary, AUTO AIM STOPS YOU FROM USING CATALYZERS TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
Method 1: There’s too many of them! Erratically spam the charge attack!
This technique involves unleashing charges like crazy for a while, then simply firing loads of random normal shots. The theory is that you have fired so many charges that it doesn’t matter where the bullets land, because it will always trigger an explosion. This is most effective when taking on huge hordes of enemies, like in FSC.
Method 2: Don’t follow the leader! He’ll blow you up!
This method shows off how perfect the catalyser is for kiting. It first involves firing off normal shots, drawing aggro. Then multiple charges are placed on the target and detonated. If done correctly, the target is instantly killed and most of the creatures behind it. This method is best when there are multiple menders, allowing the targets to be killed before they can be healed back to full health.
Method 3: Mixing it up
When taking on just single enemy or a turret the best thing to do is to fire a charge followed by 1 or 2 normal shots. It is easy to pull off and interrupts almost every enemy type, except for lumbers. If timed correctly this startegy can be used on turrets, always interrupt them and never allowing them to fire even a single bullet.
Interesting point 1
If two enemies are clumped together, it is possible for the charge attack to hit both enemies. This will cause both enemies to be tagged. It is an uncommon thing however, and isn't easy to exploit. This can be done with normal bullets too, but this doesn't matter much.
Interesting point 2
An interesting thing to note is the controllable knockback from the charge. The monster is pushed in the opposite direction of the charge. This can be utilised to keep your distance if detonated when in front of them, or towards you when the charge is behind them, allowing you to whack it with a sword. It can even be used on rare occasions to save a teammate.
Interesting (and annoying) point 3
The damage from the charges originate from the charges. This means that if a charge passes through a physical object and detonated, the charge will disappear, but not do any damage. This also occurs for gremlin's backshields and trojan's frontshields.
Interesting point 4
The charges do no damage, so they don't break the freeze status. This allows you to easily land many charges, even on enemies who normally dodge or shield.
Interesting (and very irritating) point 5
The charges themeselves count as a status. This means that lichens lose their charges when they merge with each other.
Things that you should use catalysers on:
All slimes, gremlin scorchers, greavers (you just have to be quick), lumbers, chromalisks (it works), all turrets, retrodes, scuttlebots, zombies
Things that you shouldn't use catalyzers on:
Wolvers, devilites, kats, wolver, all gremlins (except scorchers), trojans, slag guard type enemies
The catalyzers are a difficult weapon to use and isn’t advisable for new players. It however wildly alters your playstyle, which can be quite fun.
TL; DR
Catalyzers: Steep learning curve, but it pays of really well.
PS: First post on the forums. EVER
nice tip
1ft time i choose cat~ its because from pulsar when i'm in RJP my team keep on use pulsar on wrong time and spam,annoying at 1st,then a"pro player" came with polaris it make me hate pulsar like even more he also use it wrong =/,i choose cat~and suprise its potential upgrade it to toxic for good RJP run even more suprise i harder to use and i like it a lot <3 ah pardon me LOVE IT!