15 replies to this topic

[Fenris Krinkovich]

I've got three or four elite Hunchbacks, and they've always been my go-to mech: lots of firepower and easy to drive, great visibility from the cockpit, etc. However, after 850 solo drops with a meta that simply does not yet support the medium class, I'm ready to step up to something a little more solo-friendly, and one of the mechs I'm seriously eyeballing is the Thunderbolt. I like to brawl and be close to the action, and I'm looking for a mech that can take a better beating than the Catapult (my only heavy chassis so far.) I don't want to pilot something slow and sluggish (the responsiveness of the HBK is one my favorite qualities) and I like good visibility out of the cockpit. Nobody can guarantee that I'll like it, but does the Thud fit the bill?

[WhiteRabbit]

mhh...yeah the Thud can take quite a beating,...the cataphract is still better imo, nearly as durable..way more punch .

[Lancer Deistler]

As an owner of the Overlord Pack i must say, your might be better of with a Catapult or Jager in the 65 Ton branch (i own all three chassis). The Thunderbolt is a good energy based chassis on paper, but the problem is it's size. An XL-Engine is more risky then on a Jager. A K2 or Jester might be better options for an energy based setup. The 5S with an AC10 is quite decent though.

My K/D results for comparison.

Mech - K/D
CPLT-C1 - 1.25
CPLT-K2 - 1.99
CPLT-C4 - 1.24
JM6-DD - 2.02
JM6-A - 1.13
JM6-S - 1.77
TDR-5S - 1.52
TDR-5SS - 1.14
TDR-9SE - 0.58

Edited by Lancer Deistler, 18 December 2013 - 09:46 AM.

[TercieI]

Can't recommend the Shadow Hawk strongly enough based on your comments. Yes, it's technically a medium, but I'll take it one on one vs. any heavy save a CTF-3D. Punch, agility, speed. Phenomenal mech. If you really want to go heavy, go CTFs. Best in class.

[Darwins Dog]

Well the TDR-5S has a great mix of every kind of weapon. I've been using this one for brawling with great success. Big arms, good hit boxes, and the weapons are spread all over, so you can lose a side torso and still be a threat.

The TDR-5SE can do a bit of PPC jump sniping, if you're're into that sort of thing, or simply as a maneuverable striker. XL engines are less risky here because the JJs make spreading damage easier.

The TDR-5SS will test your heat management, but it's still a good mech. The RT energy weapons are mounted high (about head level) for some good cover fire with large lasers or PPCs, and the 5 remaining energy points mean 5 MLs for up close fighting.

I think you could find what you want in the Thud, OP. At least in the 5S, but the others shouldn't feel like a chore to grind.

[Mad Porthos]

I like the thunderbolt. I have around 50 mechs, all elited and most mastered. From what I experienced eliting the Thunderbolt variants (I dont have the master module slot on all of them yet), the Thunderbolt is a very competent brawler with some interesting characterisics shared amongst its chassis. You mention liking the responsiveness of the hunchie, well at 15 tons more, the Thd does not have that - it does have standard engine durability and high torso mounted energy points. It also has an interesting hardpoint/cockpit quirk which has some targeting advantages.

Because the cockpit is above the left torso and the left torso has 3 energy points, it can handle oddly like a centurion with CT energy, because effectively all shots you line up from these points come out dead center of your view to hit reticule. Oddly this can mean your CT can be fully protected behind an object but you are clear to fire dead on out of your left torso around that object, also using left arm weapons. RETURN fire can take left torso out and if you are in a standard engine Thud, you can still be running. In this situation, also I think twisting to your left can actually have the effect of pulling your viewpoint and left arm/torso out of sight/harms way, while keeping CT out of view still.

The concentration of three energy points also could be likened to a left side hunch to be protected with torso twists similar to hunchie piloting. More likely though since the Thunderbolt has energy points in the right torso as well, big weapons can be spread taking advantage of the topmost hardpoints in each torso.

Edited by Mad Porthos, 18 December 2013 - 10:16 AM.

[SpiralFace]

I personally get more durability out of my thunderbolts then I do my cataracts. The "Practs" are a bit better at hiding that torso center line from flank shots, but its so wide in the front that I think the bulky but compact Thud hitboxes do a much better job of distributing the shots. (At least compared to the phract.)

The thuds are all pretty well versed. The thing that you have to get used to is their odd hard point layouts, which are scattered all throughout the body.

They are not that good at "spam" builds because of the odd way their weapon hard points are located, but they do well when you are skilled enough to juggle the 3-4 weapon groups that can really make them shine.

I almost always keep that tri ML battery set up for anti light duty, a single LRM 10 - 15 launcher for suppression fire and mid range bite, and then expand from there based on the rest of the set up.

They are "middle of the road" when it comes to XL set ups. You can make due with or without them. Their CT is big, which makes using them not to bad, but the Torsos do eat up a lot of shots as well, and depending on how you maneuver (especially once you unlock proficiencys,) You can get a lot of "general use" out of them.

Just don't expect many "Specialized" builds, they are not that great at those.

[zagibu]

I think something like this could work quite well: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...03b724fa320e788

Or this: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3433547f4c89c2d

[kevin roshak]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...238bf187e21f01f

my only mech with a KDR above one. i normally get 8-12 fps so its the most of the time the game is unplayable.

this mech is perfect for what it does, and that is fire suppressing and underhanded brawling.
wait till everyone is brawling then come out from under your rock (where you have been sniping) and put your MLs to use.
will not be nearly as responsive as the hunchback, but that is how it goes.

you can also switch to a XL315 and drop some armor for 2 tons to place in another HS(or two) or more ammo
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1cae157a2d53535

also its really nice that the cockpit is situated above the left torso, as you can stick out your left arm and the MLs in the torso and get a couple shots off (with both if they are close enough)

Edited by kevin roshak, 18 December 2013 - 04:18 PM.

[Ivaneus]

Take the 5SE and re-create the 4SP with it . . . to an extent.

2 SRM 6's
3-4 Medium Lasers
and one Large Laser.

Add in your jumpjets and other upgrades and you'll have a fun mech that plays similairly to the good old Hunchy but is still unique and a lot of fun to use.

[Autobot9000]

@Mad Porthos Very good analysis.

I would like to add, that I see the missile mounts as an advantage, because they are highly mounted, so you can fire LRMs more effectively while staying close to a hill. The fact, that you have ballistic+energy hardpoint mounted on each arm (TDR-5S) also makes for some strong aiming advantages. On the downside the Thunderbolt is really such a bulky target, I can not see him do well as a brawling machine, especially since XLs aren't viable and this would either eat into his speed or his armament, which really makes him a poor brawling choice either way.

[SpiralFace]

He's bulky, but keep in mind he DOESN'T have the leg split pre-buit in his hit boxes (came out about a month before they started doing that.) As a result, while the bulky but boxy torso does distribute top hits nicely, the fact that his groin is still purely CT means that you are going to be take more to the CT. So XL's are a "take it or leave it" based on your own experiences with them.

I personally think they are perfectly fine XL Platforms if you want them to be.

[AlmightyAeng]

If you're looking to brawl...I'd take Cataphracts over Thunderbolts. The ballistics the 'phracts bring does better than the T-bolts, in my opinion.

I'm not saying the T-bolts are bad...not at all! My 5SS striker T-bolt with 2 LL and 5 ML is great (3.80 KDR) and my fire-support 5S with LRM30+A, 3 ML and 2 MG is my best T-bolt with a 5.0 KDR at this point.

Still trying to find a build I like with the 9SE...but I've had good success with the other two. For close-up in your face, though? Lore aside, I'm not sure the T-bolt is what you're looking for.

[TheStrider]

Here are mine:

TDR-5S - Build him when I was having fun putting a LL and LBX10 on everything. Great damage, only fault is having XL.

TDR-5SS - Just set this one up, seems to work. Stay in the 200-300 range and watch your heat when the knife fight comes. Weapon group 1: Arm ML, Group 2: Torso ML, Group 3: LRMs. Don't play him like a LRM boat, but don't lead the charge. The LRMs are for softening them up.

TDR-5SE - Best performing Pheonix mech I've run. Decent speed, STD engine durability. Only fault is it's lack of range, but you can work with that most games.

[Coralld]

Ghost Badger, on 19 December 2013 - 06:17 AM, said:

... and my fire-support 5S with LRM30+A, 3 ML and 2 MG is my best T-bolt with a 5.0 KDR at this point.

I was thinking of making a T-Bolt like this but instead of 2x MGs it would have a UAC5 with 2 tons of ammo and 6 tons of ammo for the LRM30s+A. I can get it to fit and everything but requires a XL280 for it to work so its max speed with speed tweak is 76.8.

My biggest concern however is having an XL Engine in it, but sense its suppose to be a support mech it shouldn't be to much of a problem. Thoughts?

Edited by Coralld, 19 December 2013 - 09:00 AM.

[Spheroid]

TDR-5S Improved Stock Somehow very lethal

TDR-5SS 3xPPC, 4x splas A legitimate use of small pulse lasers?

Edited by Spheroid, 19 December 2013 - 10:36 PM.