25 replies to this topic

[Fate 6]

Bishop Steiner, on 21 October 2013 - 05:57 AM, said:

it's decent, but the mech just can't lay down a face melting alpha like a Jagerbomb or SplatCat, and so with so much firepower stuck in lasers (er ppcs are too hot overall, and ppc minimum range is bad for brawling) it has to spend too much "time on target", imo. This gives it the feel of a less durable mech than the Cat or Jag to me because on those I can shoot and scoot, torso twisting all the way. Give it the borked damage transfer like the Centy has, and I think it would be an improvement. Not, overall as much usable firepower and dps as the other mechs, but tougher, is how it should be. It, like the HBK is supposed to be in the "Juggernaut" role, yet cannot do this terribly well.

Mechs need deeper and more role correct quirks, and toughness is supposed to be the hallmark of the Tbolt. It's almost there, but something is still missing.

Easiest solution is to not make max armor based on the tonnage, but instead on the variant. TBolt comes with nearly maxed armor stock, yet Catapults and Jagers which should be glass can have just as much armor. Nobody would care about AC40 Jagers if they had half their current armor.

The other problem is, of course, that hitboxes are vital and the Jager and Cat can load XL engines with little risk.


I've found the TBolt can do well in fights, but with the really energy heavy loadout it does best in drawnout engagements meaning you don't want to be face tanking the enemy as much as some other mechs. I'm actually looking forward to getting my 7 energy TBolt upgraded so I can safely load 2 PPCs on those right shoulder hardpoints for hill sniping.

Edited by Fate 6, 23 October 2013 - 03:10 PM.

[Johnny Reb]

Rather rock a Shadow!

[NRP]

Heh, I'm enjoying the Thunderbolts much more than any of the other Phoenix mechs. Everyone seems to have a different definition of "brawling", so whether the THD brawls well or not is going to depend on the pilot's ideas and preferences. In my experience, the Thunderbolt brawls well enough, if you play it right.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I think the Thunderbolt's strength is in its mix of weapons.

I am running mine with an XL305 (or XL295, can't remember off hand) w/ 1LLaser, 3MLasers, 1LRM10 and 1A/C10.

It is fairly quick, and I use the LRM10 for some long range attacks along with some LLaser bursts if I have a line of sight. Once the enemy gets a bit closer, A/C10 and LLaser shots. Finnally if they close in, 1LLaser, 3MLasers, and the A/C10 are brought to bear.

It just seems to carry a good mix of weapons that allow it to do well at all engagement ranges.

It might make the mech a bit of "Jack-of-all-trades, master of none", but it's damage overlap at all ranges is pretty respectable.

The only downside is both my LLaser and A/C10 are in the arms, and I do tend to loose arms in the Thunderbolt a bit more frequently than in some other mechs.

[3rdworld]

They are very tanky.

If the JJ version had more energy or a ballistic slot, it would be a darn fine challenger to the CTF.

[Wine O]

I don't like the in a brawl for many of the reasons Carrioncrows mentioned but primarily is the inability to dish out their entire weapon load at a quick pace before coming up to heat cap. Sniper builds and those that rely on DoT have worked better for me. When I load up and brawl I usually can get off an alpha - maybe 2 - before I need to cool down. If you are lucky you will take 1 down with you before being crushed (I call that a "one and done" strategy). This just won't work for long term success with that mech. Snipe, pepper shots and wait until later in the game when you get more bang from your buck with those alphas because everyone Is damaged. Constant chain fire is your friend with this guy but it's not a great way to win a brawl.