44 replies to this topic

[Bacl]

The bitter side i have with these new mechs are the hardpoints, so much energy weapons when you consider the ghost heat system... Time to pull out my calculator! I did a run in the Phoenix version stock, wasnt that bad and with some tweaking and changing the msg for something bigger (dual ac 2 maybe) would make it a beast. That thing is so tough, i m surprised its in the heavy classification.

[General Taskeen]

What about Thunderbolts, they work decent enough. The hitboxes seemed ok compared to other Mechs.

In fact, I didn't even change the SE version, it works fine how it is. The other threads are higher in count for two reasons -

* Locusts are easy to kill in PGI's attempt to put actual TT damage values in the game, anyone could have seen that coming;

* and 2 the Shadow Hawk is enormous and has a terrible CT hitbox.

The Thunderbolt and Battlemaster suffer less, since they are properly scaled, have better hitboxes, and usually the heaviest Mechs can survive the best with PGI's transition of actual TT damage values into the game (except MG's and Flamers).

[Escef]

General Taskeen, on 16 October 2013 - 07:19 AM, said:

* and 2 the Shadow Hawk is enormous and has a terrible CT hitbox.

Hasn't stopped me from doing well with it.

[JKohn]

Hard to tell yet. I've played the last night and some matches today mostly with the Thunderbolt. I played only Hunchbacks before so it's really hard to adjust to the extreme clumsiness of this heavy, but I wont give up since this was the mech I was waiting for and I want to learn to heavy.

Main problems being right now compared to the Hunch, I'm slower, I maneuver like 50% of Hunchie, I have barely more armament (cant even fit AC20 ) and I overheat like a son of a ***** with a decent amount of DHS' + I die a lot faster in this thing. I think it's the steroids/beefcake frame of this thing combined with the poor maneuvering.

I do about 200-400 of damage in a round, few assists and with luck get a kill. That's 200-300 less damage than on my Hunchie and 2-5 kills less. I did have problems with the Hunchie when I started too, but then I didnt have any general knowledge of the game so I dont think that is it, maybe I just dont know how to play as a heavy, we'll see after I unlock the speed tweak should that help at all.

Next what I want to try is bigger engine to get some more agility for this thing, and tweak my loadouts a bit. I'm not comfortable with the XL engine though, considering the amount of damage I often take on the sides. We'll see in couple of weeks how it goes but it's a bit frustrating at the moment since I was doing so well with the Hunchie.

One thing is for certain though, if I ever did I will not say anymore that mediums are not viable

[MeiSooHaityu]

The Thunderbolt seems descent. I burned through all my C-Bills before I could really tool around with it and get a good feel for the chassis.

I was going to ditch the missiles, but that seems wrong on so many levels. I think I will try to cater a build around an LRM10 at least.

[Knolan Flintlocke]

I got a chance to run two matches last night, both were in T-bowls(Phoenix and 5SE). Both matches this chassis proved to be very hardy. I am looking forward to getting them elited. I ran an XL in my Phoenix and kept the stock loadout of the 5SE.

I think if you go for a ranged style of play you will be able to fit XL's no problem.

Brawling though I have to agree with others who have posted already. XL's even on the sturdy'er chassis tend to still be a no go.

[General Taskeen]

Escef, on 16 October 2013 - 07:21 AM, said:

Hasn't stopped me from doing well with it.

And this is evidence that the Mech is balanced in scale? Because you are "doing well with it."

[Finn McShae]

Thud is the only PP mech I played last night. I'm in love. Good mix of speed and weapons and has been incredibly durable for me. My main has been an almost stock 5S, used DHS and Endo to toss an AC/5 and ammo, Artemis for the LRM and dumped the machine guns and SRM. Works well at all ranges, if a bit hot. I just spam LRMs wherever as I close, 2 tons for a LRM 15 is a lot so I don't bother caring. Close while AC/5 and LLAS, then add the MLAS. Just had 2 4-kill games as I got ready for work this morning.

The other one I've been liking is the 5SS. Add DHS and Endo and dumped a 300 STD engine in there for a speed boost. Kept everything else stock and it works well.

Haven't worked on the 9SE yet.

Notes on hitboxes. I haven't noticed any significant CT issues, I ususally lose most of my armor across my whole torso before I get popped. I think XL's would work OK, but I do tend to lose a torso before my CT due to twisting. The 5SS and 9SE have nothing in the left arm as well, so that side can be used as a shield if necessary.

Oh yeah, I haven't noticed significant extra damage to my missile 'hunch' yet. That may change as people get used to the profile.

[N a p e s]

Looking forward to putting it through its paces. I did take the time to build the Pheonix variant but I ended it up keeping the weapon loadout mostly stock but I swapped the LRM/SRM in the RT for a pair of SRM6. Also added DHS, Endo and artemis and upgraded the engine to a STD275.

A quick run in the testing ground make me think I'm gonna love this thing.

[Bishop Steiner]

627, on 16 October 2013 - 01:47 AM, said:

So no one plays with their thunderbolts? I can only see threads about Locusts and ShadowHawks, are you all start from left to right?

I especially would appreciate some info on the XL-Bolts... Viable? Or insta death?

Where are all those hitbox-threads gone?

It really needs it´s efficiencies unlocked. It's profile is mostly good, but it does lose punch sans missiles, and the Missiles tend to give it a bad case of hunchy-itis. And it is rather clumsy for it's size.

I plan to reserve judgment til I unlock it. I think the 9SE can make a good mobile laser boat. And the 5S is fine, overall, just nothing spectacular, yet. The 5SS feels kinda pointless.

[Escef]

General Taskeen, on 16 October 2013 - 08:43 AM, said:

And this is evidence that the Mech is balanced in scale? Because you are "doing well with it."

It is no more or less evidence than anything you've said. I don't recall the SHD having a big CT, but I'll check again later, I have an errand to run.

EDIT: Yeah, just checked. I don't know WTF you're talking about on the SHD's CT.

Edited by Escef, 16 October 2013 - 11:32 AM.

[Ingvay]

Will be a really solid mech once it's pilot tree is unlocked. I ran the 5SS and 9PE yesterday for a while with very good matches. It's pretty rugged and well scaled. Should be a solid performer. As for the "Shaq" Hawk... well PGI gets a fail for that one as far as scale goes. I'm hoping that they do a better job scaling the Griffin and Wolverine. 'Fingers crossed'

[Cerlin]

I have ran the variant that came with double heat sinks. Kept the standard engine and no endo yet but wow, great so far! small enough to hide, quick enough, and does a lot of damage. The jump jet variant is pretty awesome too. So far happy. I have yet to upgrade the other two but so far so good.

[Bishop Steiner]

General Taskeen, on 16 October 2013 - 08:43 AM, said:

And this is evidence that the Mech is balanced in scale? Because you are "doing well with it."

Gotta agree with the other dude-

almost 100 matches in SHADs now. Torso has been nowhere near the fire magnet the Orion is or the Kintaro was. When I die it has been CT death usually, but the official cause of death was usually getting myself focus fired on by 4-5 enemy mechs with no handy retreat. Pretty sure that eats the CT right out of Atlases and Stalkers, too.

Maybe you just aren´t used to the slower torso turn of an of a non pilot unlocked medium. IDK. I just know I have found the SHD to be the best of the PHX mechs so far. I'm rather hoping my opinion of the THUD will change over the next few weeks.

[Pariah Devalis]

Been having no real tbolt torso issues yet. Between the gorilla arms and the snappy torso twist speed, you can protect the sides easily enough. Even managed to get away from two blargs and a phract because if it. No CT armor and missing both arms, but the thing can spread damage incredibly easily. Feels relatively safe with an XL - though a little less so when packing missiles in the right torso.

[CDLord HHGD]

627, on 16 October 2013 - 01:47 AM, said:

So no one plays with their thunderbolts? I can only see threads about Locusts and ShadowHawks, are you all start from left to right?

Actually, yes.... I plan to basic all my Locusts, then Shadows, THEN T-Bolts, then BMs, they go back through for elites, then master....

[DoktorVivi]

I'm liking it but I'm still not sure about the XL. Still seems very durable even with one, but I want to see how much extra mileage I can pull without.

[Asyres]

Kinda want to try a troll build on the 5S, with an srm2 in the hunch, and all the rest of the weapons on the left side -- just to see if it works as a decoy.

I can't fathom how this plan could fail...

[JKohn]

Alright then, my poor experiences with the Tbolt has been turning steadily into victory.

I ditched the missile launchers as much as I love the round rack on the shoulder, and instead loaded these ******** with something I'm familiar with: Speed, direct pain, and attitude.

5S(P) = ER PPC, 2x AC/2 (4t ammo), 3x MLas. XL300 with 17 DHS.

I can hammer the enemy face continuously with this thing now, the AC's pouring on them while dropping some PPC swirly balls for added drama and effect. The 3x MLas is just a touch to add in some last ditch effort for sticky situations and good against lights. I ran the same setup with Hunchy without the ER PPC and that alone was effective, now I have the same deal but with ER PPC and better cooling.

5SS = 6x MLas, ER PPC. STD305 with 20 DHS.

ER PPC for some long range fireworks and for that extra punch in short range. The 6MLas melts face rapidly, I ran the Hunchy P model laser boat with quite good efficiency so this thing is familiar, and it works. The cooling is good enough and only minor heat management is neccessary when brawling.

9SE yet to be tested, I'm not thrilled about the 2 missile hard points, I will propably just use this to get to elite unless I find the JJ's awesome combined with some large energy weapons.

[Finn McShae]

Bishop Steiner, on 16 October 2013 - 08:55 AM, said:

The 5SS feels kinda pointless.

Sadly, I've been finding that this seems to be the case. I dropped a 300 STD in it to get it moving but current meta favors ballistics so much that even with the speed it just can't stand up to AC Jagers doing the same thing. Run enough heavy lasers to get the damage up there and you just can't sink enough to be useful, jam a bunch of mediums in there and its .. OK, but not great. I really like the 5S and the 9SE has been doing well for me also. Somehow LRM's have really been working well for me on this chassis (and the O1N-K Orion), which is odd since I don't really even like LRMS.