10 replies to this topic

[FactorlanP]

So, I've got these 3 Thunderbolts that came with the Phoenix package. Just starting to play them. I am wondering what builds others are liking. I'm having trouble settling on something I like.

[FireSlade]

Stick with LRMs on them and try to avoid brawling. XLs are fine in them or you can run STDs, I found SSRMs and SRMs to be a poor choice do due the large launcher pods that seem to take damage from any direction; 300+ meters those pods are hard to hit so they become less of a liability.

[SweetJackal]

Most say that the Thunderbolt is merely mediocre but I've enjoyed them.

For the 5S I've found either an AC10/PPC or a 2 AC5 as the primary backed up by MLs, Pulse or Streaks optional to work well.

The 5SS I've found 2 LL, 5 ML to be the better option. Tried using two high mounted PPCs instead of LLs but I found that to be too hot for my liking and style of play.

The 5SE was a bit harder. 3 LLs in the torso backed up by streaks and MLs. You really have to use the Jump Jets to make the most out of it though.

[Firemage]

From another thread in the heavies section of the mech guides.

As a someone who used to use a gauss dragon before the nerf, i found the Tbolt to be a nice mix of speed armor and weapon mix.
-5S(P) - RA Large pulse, LA AC2, RT 2xLRM10, LT 3x Med Lasers, 10DHS. XL300
If you think i run heat sink light here you are quite right, this mech is a game in itself for heat management. But even with that this mixed arms monster has my best KDR a solid 1.74 and more assists than i can really remember.

I tend to use it in support of my lance mates, softening up targets with the LRMs in chain fire, poking at soft points with the AC2, then bringing the heat heavy LPL and Med lasers to bear for frying the now opened points on their armor.

-5SS - RA 2x Medium Pulse, RT 2x med lasers, LT 3x med lasers LRM10, 19DHS XL315
On the other hand of the heat mini-game, we have my brawlerbolt, I keep the ML on chain fire and dance around using the speed of the XL315, the heat sinks and chain fire keep my heat well in check. The med pulse are mostly use for kill shots at softer parts or for annoying lights who get close. The LRMs are to give me something to throw at indirect targets.

-5SE - RA ERPPC, LT 3x Med lasers, 2x LRM10, 13DHS XL300
I kinda jump shoot with this one, nothing special like the other two.

I love XL engines, and the T-bolt is balanced enough that with a bit of torso twist if you do lose to a side shot your ruby red over the rest of the body anyway.

[FactorlanP]

Seems I am having the best results from some 2ppc/Mlas builds... Sounds a bit meta...

Not normally a ppc guy, but still experimenting.

Edited by FactorlanP, 02 February 2014 - 08:21 PM.

[Escef]

TDR-5S
TDR-5SS
TDR-9SE

The 5S is a decent all-round'er, other than jumping, you can rig it to do whatever you need it to.

The 5SS is notable for the very highly placed energy hard points on the right torso, a great spot to put longer range energy weapons.

The 9SE is notable in that it has jump jets and is pretty much playable "out of the box" (no customization necessary).

As a side note, I recently swapped around the LLs and ERLLs on my 5SS and 9SE, but haven't tested them out yet.

Edited by Escef, 02 February 2014 - 08:38 PM.

[Reverendk]

Thunderbolts? Cool.

Peep this.
LBX
ERPPC
2 Medium lasers
XL300

People will spit long lines about not taking xls but they're just bringing more noise than chuck d and trying to be funny. What you really need to do is be Dres, stay black, and get money. As soon as the round starts, start pop'n rounds off in the other team's general direction. Doesn't matter if you hit. You've already hit their souls. This suppressive fire when combined with the biting critique of their very existence that you dropped pre game with a wholly unsettling amount of vitriol will cow the entire enemy team. Let them know that they sure as hell ain't Pappy Boyington. Once they're held in place, the rest of your team can maneuver at their leisure. Once your team has wobbled their way into position start zapping targets like you were a turntable slave facing the oncoming armor rush through checkpoint charlie. Once you've accomplished this you'll realize that you didn't need to unlock seismic or endo. You just had to buckle down, be Dres, stay black, and get dough.

If you jam on those lasers things can get hot so try to stay cool.

[Butane9000]

We just had a thread like this. Here's the 3 I've settled on using:

TDR-5S - mixed brawling

TDR-5SS - Energy Brawling

TDR-9SE - LRM Support

[SweetJackal]

FactorlanP, on 02 February 2014 - 08:21 PM, said:

Seems I am having the best results from some 2ppc/Mlas builds... Sounds a bit meta...

Not normally a ppc guy, but still experimenting.

If it works for you then run with it. Good players don't curse about getting hit by people using PPCs or ACs and bad players will curse about getting hit by anything.

[Clydewinder]

Put a standard engine on it and lots of medium lasers. Play it like an oversized hunchback. They are pretty durable. considering the size.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

There are a whole bunch of other Tbowl threads out there, so you might want to spend a bit of time using the search box in the upper right corner of the forum.

That said, here are a few builds that I've been finding success with:

TDR-5S

TDR-5SS

TDR-9SE