28 replies to this topic

[SunSword Page]

I've got 3 Mastered Hunchbacks (G, J, SP) and I am thinking about what to get as far as another Mech chassis to Master. I'm thinking about getting a Thunderbolt, but I am unsure which to by as my first.

If you were getting a Thunderbolt for the first time, which variant to go with as your first?

Edited by SunSword Page, 20 March 2015 - 06:31 AM.

[InspectorG]

Wise choice.

5ss for brawling, great wubs. Some put erlls on it for the range.

Next would get the 9S/9SE. 9SE gets LPL which is more in vogue cuz the 9S nerf but both are very strong IS heavies.

[SunSword Page]

I went with the 9SE. IT was the more expensive of the two (5SS or 9SE). Figured buying the bigger was better to start (plus it had Doubles already).

No I am broke lol! Will still be in my Hunchies till I can get the case for a few more LPLs


Any good 9SE builds?

[SunSword Page]

How is this build?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...88e3deca9b59ffe

Edited by SunSword Page, 20 March 2015 - 06:35 AM.

[Joey Tankblaster]

Standard CW build. 280 standard engine, 1-2 JJs, 3x LPL left torso, 2x ML right arm. DHS as much as you can.

Look at that build:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c257d0ddf5549a3

[Banditman]

SunSword Page, on 20 March 2015 - 06:30 AM, said:

How is this build?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...88e3deca9b59ffe

That build is bad. I mean, really, pretty bad.

Here. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...fd1e557686f396e

Since I know you're broke, this loadout will cost you a bit less since I used the stock engine. It has a couple tons left over. As soon as you can afford it, put in a 275 and move one heat sink into the engine.

The build above mine is pretty good too, but it might be on the hot side until you've unlocked double Basics.

Edited by Banditman, 20 March 2015 - 06:42 AM.

[Tarogato]

SunSword Page, on 20 March 2015 - 06:30 AM, said:

How is this build?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...88e3deca9b59ffe

You broke the link, cut off the part at the end, "]TDR-9SE" to fix it.

You'll want to go with triple Large Pulses to get the most bang for your buck. They'll get 20% better heat efficiency and 20% more range.

Personally I find that the TDR-9SE is a pretty bad variant unless you use that meta build that Joey posted above. I use an XL engine in mine and it's a great pug stomper because it moves fast, has jets, and has a large alpha at a long range.

I wouldn't really recommend SRMs on Thunderbolts. It's a lot of crits and tonnage that are going to a weapon system that doesn't even have quirks. And PGI is dumb, because they're basically using quirks to shoehorn variants into "do this build or suck."

[Nazar24]

Quote

How is this build?
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...88e3deca9b59ffe

I would change the srm 6 with an srm 4, loose the artemis, lose the ferro, shave some armour on the left arm and invest the tonnage in heatsink


http://mwo.smurfy-ne...fd9b005442af343

Or, you could drop the srm enirely to get more heat efficency

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...895ccdcd6bad445


edit:
also remeber that the srm will increase the front surface of your mech, the srm pod on your shoulder is a nice and easy target to shoot

Edited by Nazar24, 20 March 2015 - 07:06 AM.

[Voivode]

SunSword Page, on 20 March 2015 - 06:30 AM, said:

How is this build?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...88e3deca9b59ffe

While I don't think this build is quite as bad as Banditman does I would agree it isn't very good.

For one, the heat efficiency is very low, meaning you will either shut down, or be very ineffective in a prolonged engagement. That heat problem is going to be exacerbated by the fact that those weapons are close to mid range fighting weapons. Shutting down in a close range fight usually means you'll be spectating the rest of the match.

Additionally, those LPL's would be better in the torso as that will place them higher. It's usually advantageous in any mech to place the more powerful weapons in the highest hardpoint possible, that way you can fire them from a position that exposes a minimum of your mech to the enemy.

If you are intent on having SRMs on your build, I would suggest a few changes. First, drop the artemis and make them both SRM4's. This will give you a nice backup punch and allow you to sneak some heat sinks on. Drop the Ferro Fibrous and strip some armor from the left (empty) arm in order to save some weight. For two SRM4's I would say 3 tons of SRM ammo would be perfect.

Otherwise, the 3xLPL build is very effective and simpler to use.

Good luck and see you on the battlefield!

Edited by Voivode, 20 March 2015 - 07:03 AM.

[Nazar24]

Voivode, on 20 March 2015 - 07:02 AM, said:

[...] those LPL's would be better in the torso as that will place them higher. It's usually advantageous in any mech to place the more powerful weapons in the highest hardpoint possible, that way you can fire them from a position that exposes a minimum of your mech to the enemy.[...]

True, but this is the 9se, only one of the energy hardpoint in the torso is high, while the others are waist level.
Having the lpl in the arm will allow you to have more "reach" and expose only the arm in a "side poke".

[Voivode]

Nazar24, on 20 March 2015 - 07:30 AM, said:

True, but this is the 9se, only one of the energy hardpoint in the torso is high, while the others are waist level.
Having the lpl in the arm will allow you to have more "reach" and expose only the arm in a "side poke".

True. I put the max JJs on mine and made a "flying laser vomit" mech.

[SunSword Page]

Thanks all, didn't realized I'd made such a stinker lol!

I've gone with the Triple LPL build.

Should I be chain firing the LPLs or just group firing them?

[Voivode]

SunSword Page, on 20 March 2015 - 07:47 AM, said:

Thanks all, didn't realized I'd made such a stinker lol!

I've gone with the Triple LPL build.

Should I be chain firing the LPLs or just group firing them?

That will depend on your total heat and the situation in which you are firing them. If you have low heat or a short opening to fire on a mech, let loose with all 3.

If you find yourself in a prolonged engagement at close range, keep an eye on the heat. Over time you'll get a feel for how often you should let loose with all of them. Low DPS through chain firing is better in a close range fight than shutting down and being a defenseless target.

[SunSword Page]

Loving the 9SE so far, cant wait to get the 5SS next! Which should be the third one to get?

[Joey Tankblaster]

Glad to hear that you like it. Next one 5SS with 7xMPLasers. Third one could be the 9S. Its still a very good and nicely quirked mech. Lost a bit of its potential when it was nerfed last month.

Thats the one I am using:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5bccad7d0536915

2x ERPPC, 4x MLs. Standard engine 280-300. Remember its a dedicated sniper now and preferably used on cold, long-range maps (such as Boreal).

[Thunderchild]

Go WUB or go home

Fire 2 and 2, alpha strike gives you 40% heat (ghost included) on "normal heat" maps once mech is elited and you can alpha 3 times with a bit of timing.

Range without moduls 434 meters, with 475m.

Depending on the situation dishes out hefty 350-1000 dmg per match (averages around 600-700).

Edited by Thunderchild, 25 March 2015 - 12:58 AM.

[Bottle Caps]

Joey thank you for the tips on the 9SE - made my day

[The Red Priest]

I have a standard 300, 3 mpls, and 2 SRM 6s. It does well.

[CygnusX7]

Use the quirks.

as mentioned
3LPL, 2ml, XL310, 1JJ and all the DHS you can cram in it.
Add LPL Range and CD modules.

TDR-9SE

[white0Fox]

I use for CW this setup ---> http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d411ae7b2a35169