64 replies to this topic

[MaoutheGreat]

I'm not new to the game Mechwarrior, and one of my favorite 'Mechs was always the Thunderbolt. I'm saving my C-Bills to buy a THD-5S because it fits the load-out I would like, but I was wondering if there is a better 'Mech than the THD-5S in terms of movement, tonnage, slot space, and is around the same price with the same type of load-out. Since the THD-5S gets those annoying Dyanmic Structure Slots when you upgrade it to Endo-Steel Structure. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Sephlock]

Quote

Is Thunderbolt Good?

The energy one isn't bad due to the high shoulder slots for ppcs, otherwise... not really.

I'd go with a different heavy... maybe a Cataphract?

No wait, the Jagermech!

Edited by Sephlock, 16 February 2014 - 06:44 PM.

[Asmudius Heng]

I find it rather sub par only because missiles are sub par and all but the energy heavy one really need some missiles to make use of the hardpoints.

I run the energy based variant with 2 PPCs and 2 Large Lasers and it does quite well.

[TELEFORCE]

I love the Thunderbolt. Its hitboxes lend itself well to spreading out damage, especially with aggressive torso-twisting. Its hardpoints allow for flexible configuring. I run my TDR-5S like a beefed-up classic Thud, replacing the LRM-15 with a 20-rack and the 2-pack SRM with a 6-pack. My 5SS is like a lighter BattleMaster BLR-1G, so it just pounds stuff at close range. My 9SE is configured like a classic Thud, but with jump jets.

I think if you enjoy a certain chassis from the other MW games, or even on tabletop, you should get at least one and try it out. I've done that with many of my favorite 'mechs and I've enjoyed them all.

[SweetJackal]

I like my Thuds, I've enjoyed the way they have felt in game.

But they are far from optimal. Often builds have strange divisions between arm and torso for weapon groups, have a hard time making meaningful use of every ton or hardpoint without getting slapped by silly Ghost Heat. The hardpoint inflation on them is funky and the JJ model is quite restricted.

Once SRMs get pulled back up to On Par with Hit Reg the Thud might be a better option. I enjoy running it as a Poor Mans Summoner, a 2 AC/5 carrier or using the High Mounted Energy for LL.

Still, it's not a mech that I can recommend. I can only merely say that I like them

[Escef]

EVERY mech gets "those annoying dynamic structure slots" when you add endo steel.

As for the load out, nothing really matches the Thud 5S's mix of energy, ballistics, and missiles.

As for Thuds being good... They're Ok. Not great, nothing to write home about, but nor are they in any way bad. Unfortunately, in some people's minds that is offense enough to label them as useless.

The 5S is a decent all-around'er. The 5SS has 2 of its energy points high on the right torso, put large lasers or PPCs there to take advantage of the excellent ability to shoot over obstacles or cover. The 9SE is pretty much playable out of the box (no modification needed), but could stand some customization all the same, and is exceptional in that it has jump jets.

[MaoutheGreat]

Which Cataphract would you recommend? I've looked at them and read that they are good and I probably wouldn't mind using one, but I like the use of missles so I can support my team from a ways back and then be able to jump into the fray when the fighting gets close or I run out of missles.

The Thunderbolt is the only chassis from the old MW games that is released right now that is one of my favorites. The other 3 being the Daishi, Shadow Cat, and Mad Cat MK2.

The only reason why I said, "annoying Dynamic Structure Slots" is I thought every 'Mech didn't get them. My Jenner didn't when I upgraded it, but my Raven did, which I found weird.

[Craig Steele]

On Thunderbolt, yeah, I run one with 2 ac5's and some streaks and its pretty good. Very durable as others have said and soaks up quite a bit of dmg while dishing it out.

But its not a stand out "pick me every game' mech imo

MaoutheGreat, on 16 February 2014 - 06:57 PM, said:

Which Cataphract would you recommend? I've looked at them and read that they are good and I probably wouldn't mind using one, but I like the use of missles so I can support my team from a ways back and then be able to jump into the fray when the fighting gets close or I run out of missles.

The Thunderbolt is the only chassis from the old MW games that is released right now that is one of my favorites. The other 3 being the Daishi, Shadow Cat, and Mad Cat MK2.

The only reason why I said, "annoying Dynamic Structure Slots" is I thought every 'Mech didn't get them. My Jenner didn't when I upgraded it, but my Raven did, which I found weird.

If this is your game style you're describing Catapult. Good missile hard opoints and handy lasers for that end game throw down.

Cataphract is more of a direct fire mech, you can support with AC's but its over open sights.

Personallt I am trying a 4X Cataphract atm with 2 x AC10's arm mounted a sa brawler. It's not terrible but I think would benefit from a few more unlocks.

Edited by Craig Steele, 16 February 2014 - 07:01 PM.

[TehSBGX]

It's meh, very meh.

[SweetJackal]

MaoutheGreat, on 16 February 2014 - 06:57 PM, said:

Which Cataphract would you recommend? I've looked at them and read that they are good and I probably wouldn't mind using one, but I like the use of missles so I can support my team from a ways back and then be able to jump into the fray when the fighting gets close or I run out of missles.

The Thunderbolt is the only chassis from the old MW games that is released right now that is one of my favorites. The other 3 being the Daishi, Shadow Cat, and Mad Cat MK2.

The only reason why I said, "annoying Dynamic Structure Slots" is I thought every 'Mech didn't get them. My Jenner didn't when I upgraded it, but my Raven did, which I found weird.

The CTF-3D can support a 2 AC/10 loadout well and has JJ. The CTF-4X can do 4 AC/5 Dakka but no JJ. STD sets you as slow Fire Support for your big and slow Assaults. XL has you moving at over 80 kph as a Raider/Flanker, which is harder to play and makes you a bit less durable.

And your Jenner would have had those Structure Slots if you upgraded the Structure to Endo-Steel. If you upgraded your Jenner and didn't get those then you didn't have Endo on your Jenner. Or the Dynamic Structure was in places you didn't notice.

Edited by SuckyJack, 16 February 2014 - 07:05 PM.

[SgtMagor]

Tbolt is a hit/run sniper, support mech. Phract, Orion, Dragon, Jag if you like to brawl. as far as phract I just recently got them and my fav is the CTF-3D the jump jets good for clearing obstacles. and defending yourself from any light mechs who want to try to get behind you, until you jump and twist around and smack them with the lbx-10.

[MaoutheGreat]

I'm not one for Brawling since I die fairly quickly because I'm either in the center of the fight or the first one into it.

I've looked at Catapults, and I like the way they look and I like the tonnage, and hard points on them, but the missle variants seem to be lacking the ballistic hard points I'm looking for.

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions.

Edited by MaoutheGreat, 16 February 2014 - 07:27 PM.

[xengk]

I have all the Tbolt from buying phoenix pack and have unlocked Master on them.

Their loadout option isn't great, but I have seen them survive punishment that can put down an assault.
They are a tough piece of work, with the down side being unable to bring serious firepower like other heavy.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

My dad is not the best pilot in the Inner Sphere, and has had a lot of trouble finding builds that work for him. Recently we reworked his TDR-5S, and suddenly it just clicked for him. He started having high-damage, multi-kill games and raking in the c-bills.

Not every mech is for every pilot, and some people do better with what Groupthink would judge to be inferior variants and builds. The best way to figure out if a mech works for you is to take it for a spin, and keep tweaking its loadout and your playstyle until you find something that works.

In general I've found that persistence, patience, and a degree of inventiveness can allow pretty much every variant to find a place in my garage. I don't want to spend the c-bills on buying one of everything (let alone the MC for all the Heroes), but the ones I do buy I generally don't ever sell (only got rid of the AS7-K and replaced one of my Jagers with the Firebrand during a recent sale). I stick with each one until I find a build that works for me. I find this helps to keep my interest level up, as I wind up with a far more varied mech selection than if I only kept a few prime/popular variants.

Edited by Levi Porphyrogenitus, 16 February 2014 - 08:51 PM.

[Iacov]

yeah, thunderbolt is quite good!
i personally ride one as a IS-thor...ppc, lbx10 and lrm15...sometimes i take a ac10 instead of the lbx
it is fun...sometimes it rocks, sometimes it is aweful...like almost every build xD

the best thunderbolt i've seen on the battlefield sported 3mlas, 2streak2s and 1ac10 iirc...that one was a beast!

[627]

Tbolts are a bit lackluster... wide front so better stay away form XL engines. I had some success with ER-LL or PPCs in the 5SS and 9SE, the 5S can be build around 2 AC5s.

For Cataphracts, common toplist is 3D, 1X, 4X, 2X.

If you are into Hero Mechs, the Ilya is arguably the best Hero in game and (imho) on par with the 3D.

Just want to point out there're the Orions, heaviest Heavy mech and very versatile with Hardpoints and build options.
I'm a bit biased on those I have to admit

[Zerberoff]

Took me a fair amount of time to find an loadout that fits my Playstyle, but with 2 LRM15, LBX10 and one LL it turned into one of my most Fav Mechs im runing. Btw im runing him with an XL and it works fairly good for me.

[Escef]

A note on XL engines with the Thud, some people report it does well, others have reported it does not. My best guessis that the people that report good results are those most used to torso rolling to spread damage, especially those that cut their teeth on Centurions. The off set head probably confuses some people in regards to torso hit boxes as well.

If you've mastered torso twisting to spread damage or are going long range support, you should be fine with an XL. If you are going to brawl with an XL you either need to know how spread that damage around or learn to do so real fast. But the mech does reasonably well with standard engines (I run 275s scavenged out of SHDs in 2 of my Thuds, the third has a 300).

[SubXulu]

I have a really nice TDR-5S(P): AC10, 2x ERL , 1 ML, 2x streaks XL290.
It has a very nice range potential from the ERL's down to the streaks.

[DarkDevilDancer]

Like any mech some love it some hate it, me I was pleasantly surprised by the thunderbolt I bought the Phoenix pack for the battlemaster and shadowhawk, it's hit boxes suit an XL engine well, they are missile and energy heavy but it can work if you play smart.

Play what you like, there is always someone that will hate what you enjoy playing.