30 replies to this topic

[IceCase88]

I intentionally misspelled it because this is how I feel about it. It has been a terrible grind. I really want to like the Thuderbolt but I cannot seem to make any successful builds. 200-300 damage is usually about it. It really seems to be a long range support mech. It really seems to have the worst attributes of the Awesome and the Dragon. Feels fragile is heck. Any help with all the variants would be appreciated. I am currently running the following builds with limited success.

TDR-5S(P)

AC10, 2 SSRMs, 4 MLs, 315XL, Endo, 14 DHS, Max armor. I have run a 2 AC5, 4 ML, and SRMs with mixed results. I even ran a 2 AC2 build but it seemed so underpowered even at range.

TDR-5SS

7 MLs, LRM20 + Arti, 280 STD, Endo, 14 DHS, Max armor.

TDR-9SE

5 LLs, No JJs, 280XL Endo, 14 DHS, Max Armor. This build seems a bit viable if with pinpoint damage from the LLs on unsuspecting opponents.

Thank you for the help.

[FupDup]

5SS with 2 LL + 5 ML, STD 300 and I think it was like 19 DHS.

[TercieI]

FupDup, on 10 December 2013 - 03:53 PM, said:

5SS with 2 LL + 5 ML, STD 300 and I think it was like 19 DHS.

Mine was 2PPC & 4ML. However, Thunderbolts are seriously, utterly, terminally OK. They're not awful, they're not great. They're really, smashingly, resoundingly OK.

I do favor STD engines in them quite strongly. They zombie quite well and they're really big targets.

[Kaox Veed]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b1edcbaa5883893


Just pretend you are a Thor.

Edited by Kaox Veed, 10 December 2013 - 04:27 PM.

[SgtMagor]

5S(P)
3 med
1 large laser
Srm6
Lrm15
2xmachine guns
AMS
BAP
DHS
XL300

5SS
5 med
2x Large laser
Srm6
AMS
DHS
BAP
XL300

9SE

4 med
Large pulse
Srm6
Lrm10
AMS
DHS
XL300
CASE
Endo steel

nothing special but it does the job.

Edited by SgtMagor, 10 December 2013 - 05:26 PM.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

For the 5S, you could try this quick and easy build:

TDR-5S

Not that heavily armed, but with an ERLL and a pair of AC5s it can really reach out and touch people. However, here's what I'm using right now:

TDR-5S

Fast, good punch up close, not too hot.

My 5SS is a bit crazy but still does surprisingly well:

TDR-5SS

I put the ML on three triggers (one each for the arm and both sides) and the LRM launcher on a fourth. It can be brutal in a stand-up fight and the LRM 20 gives it good fire support capability.

If you prefer something faster with a bit more range potential you could try this, though:

TDR-5SS

It's a bit hot for my taste.

Finally, the 9SE can be interesting. It really helps having JJs on it. Here's what I'm currently running:

TDR-9SE

It does decently, but not well enough for me to not be looking for an alternative setup. You could straight-up swap for LPL if you prefer those for their superior close range damage (better heat, better damage per hit, better rate of fire, far worse range).

Alternatively, go with ML for your energy and focus on the missile damage:

TDR-9SE

Ultimately, though, any build depends heavily on what you are good with. If you're a PPC master then that should influence your builds. If you're an LRM artist then focus on the missiles. If you prefer brawling then go short-range and reasonably quick.

[Flyby215]

Dang, I really need to stop stripping down my mechs after using them. I remember having the same troubles leveling these things until I found builds that worked so well that I actually had troubles moving on after they were mastered.

The one build I did keep was the Phoenix variant; 4LLs, ALRM15, 15DHS, XL295... although while leveling it carried an ALRM20 with TAG and only 3LLs.

The other variants carried TAG, LRM10 (1 for the 5SS, 2 for the 5SE), and 3-4 LLs (if using 4, fire them in pairs. If using 3, Alpha them, ghost heat is manageable). All carried XL engines.

For me, these builds worked really great and I had T-Bolts mastered in no time. I kept my Pheonix variant as a cash cow, the others were stripped for parts.

[Mercworks]

I think it's a nice balanced mech. Not a specialist, and it fails if you try to build it out as one.

TDR-5S

TDR-5S

Edited by Mercworks, 11 December 2013 - 11:18 AM.

[N a p e s]

Mercworks, on 11 December 2013 - 11:04 AM, said:

I think it's a nice balanced mech. Not a specialist, and it fails if you try to build it out as one.

TDR-5S

TDR-5S

You have AMS ammo but no AMS...

[Kanatta Jing]

1 LL, 2 LRM 10s, 3 medium pulse, 2 machine guns, BAP...

One torso is for long range poking, the other is for short range poking. This means you are an all rounder until you loose one. And you will. Very simple and straight forward.

[Mercworks]

(fixed)

[ToxinTractor]

Heres one for the thunder bolt SE

RA- ER large laser
RT- 4 double heat sinks
CT- STD 260 engine w/ 2 tons of SRM ammo
LT- 3 Med pulse lasers and 2 SRM 6s w/ 1 double heat sink
LA- 2 double heat sinks
Heat/feet- All empty.

Alpha damage: 51
Heat eff.: 1.24
Armor: 416/422
Speed: 64.8
JJs: None.

Was mostly a refit from the base version but so far ive found it works really nicely. The ER LL is useful when you gotta poke stuff and the pulse and SRMs are of course. the main attraction! All in all- have had good experiences with this mech.

Edited by ToxinTractor, 11 December 2013 - 07:37 PM.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

Finally found a 9SE build that is starting to feel more comfortable:

TDR-9SE

The SSRMs and arm ERLLs are good against lights, the dual ERLLs are pretty good at long range poke, and the ERLLs and MLs make for a nice energy combo againt larger targets at short to mid range. SSRMs aren't amazing against healthy heavy targets, but the four lasers pack quite the punch. Plus it fits an AMS for added team utility.

[Yiazmat]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...99bfa48a288543c

there my thud scraper. lpl on most one, ac2 on 2, mls on mouse three with chain fire really if running hit. remember to twist ;-) make them eat through all armor on both arms and torsos.

[Shadey99]

Personally I ran mine like this: TDR-9SE, TDR-5SS, & TDR-5S. They have perfectly acceptable K/D ratios at 1.4, 1.22, & 1.19 in my hands. I haven't played them since I mastered them, but that is normal enough for me...

[N a p e s]

Here are a few Thunderbolt builds I like.

9SE. Total brawler build with a decent punch, good speed and survivability.

5SS. Mid range dual PPC punch with 4 MLas when the enemy closes in. Also, slower and hotter than the 9SE

5S. Experimenting with this for now... Still not sure how I feel about it.

5S. Double AC5s is nice but with so few DHS, the build runs a little hot when you fire those lasers.

5S. Only theorycrafted but its up next on my build rotation. Kinda like the wannabe summoner builds that are also floating around except with a fast fire AC10.

[Whatzituyah]

Kaox Veed, on 10 December 2013 - 04:26 PM, said:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b1edcbaa5883893


Just pretend you are a Thor.

Summoner(Thor) I know this is why you said pretend but it doesn't have fero-fibrous also it doesn't go as fast and its a 70 ton mech just Five tons heavier then a ThunderBolt. But I will so use your build I love running around with an ER ppc

Edited by Whatzituyah, 12 December 2013 - 03:46 PM.

[Stormtempter]

I like missiles so I kitted my 5S with a LRM20, LRM10, 3 ML, TAG and AMS.

My 9SE has 2 LRM15s, 2 ML, TAG and AMS.

I run them essentially the same as my catapults, staying behind cover, lobbing missiles as enemies till I need to knife fight.

I call them my ThunderCats

[xengk]

Not the best loadout and they got me through Master.
5S(P)
1x LRM20
1x LRM10
2x LLaz
TAG
BAP
XL 300

5SS
2x PPC
5x MLaz
STD 275

9SE
2x LLaz
2x MLaz
1x ASRM6
1x ASRM4
STD 275
1x JJ

Edited by xengk, 12 December 2013 - 11:07 PM.

[Ngamok]

So, with everything I master, I want variety because I just don't want to take 3+ chassis to master with all the same build. It gets boring. So here goes:

The 5S has ballistics where the others don't so I wanted to make use of them. Don't mind the armor values:

TDR-5S

The 9SE I decided to do LRMs with since my other option was the 5S but it has ballistics:

TDR-9SE

The 5SS I am still toying around with. 2x ER PPC and 4x ML, 1x ER PPC and 5x ML just more DHS, 1x ER LL, 5xML, 1x SRM6. Just messing around to see which one I like or something different.