7 replies to this topic

[Wildstreak]

I currently have the contest provided Centurion9-A{C} used at first like this but then switched to an AC5 and the Thunderbolt-9S used in this configuration then switched to this one.
I also have 2 open Mech Bays and got both of the above variants with all Basics unlocked.

I am now looking at getting 2 variants of either for Mastering one chassis, the rest would be further down the road. The question is which one.

My understanding of how these two work from using the two I have:

Centurions, like other Mediums, combine a good movement rate with decent firepower and armor when used for strike tactics. For me, the ability to use all three weapon types is a bit odd, other Mechs I have run focused on two or even one on a variant, having all 3 as offered makes it hard to see what roles a Centurion can fill, when I can see it it appears limited.
A Griffin can be done as a Sniper, Brawler, LRM Boat, Harasser/Raider/Skirmisher or even combo. Different Hunchback variants allow the same though each variant is more focused. A Centurion seems to have less options or I just do not see them clearly. Not saying it is a bad Mech, I just do not get everything about it.
My CN9-A{C} has achieved more kills than the TDR-9S.

Thunderbolts would be my first Heavy and in a way I like them. They feel, from driving them, similar to the Awesome and I am used to that, initially a pain due to slow speed, turning and torso movement but better once things are unlocked. Mainly Energy focused loadouts are also similar to both Awesomes and Hunchbacks. The 5S, maybe the 9SE have the LRM Boat option.
The 9S and I guess the others do not seem to work well if I try to maximize the Hardpoints, some have to be ignored to make a design work. Having a lot of Energy requires good heat management unless that is limited by using combos of 2-3 weapon types. Like the Centurion, beyond a couple of LRM Boat options and Energy focused builds, I do not see many roles for this except Tanking but I have not looked at all possibilities.
My TDR-9S has somehow been on more Team Victories than the CN9-A{C}, I attribute this to a small degree due to how many times I get targeted by 2+ enemies with allies around, saw the same thing when I drove Awesomes, due to Tank ability, it takes a while for me to go down.

So I am choosing between some Medium qualities I am familiar with and using my first Heavy Mech, both based on trying one variant of each.

I am not looking for someone to choose my Mech for me, rather for qualities of each I do not see now so I can make a choice based on as much information as possible.

[Tastian]

I've mastered 3 Centurions and 4 Thunderbolts. The centurions are hard to take down due to their terrific zombie ability. But the Thunderbolts have more variety imho. I did terrible in centurions and did surprisingly well in my Thunderbolts. But with srms getting a fix tomorrow, I'm sure many will say the centurions are the way to go.

But for me, I'll take my thunderbotls.

[Barkem Squirrel]

I had mastered the three thunderbolts with the phoenix package, but after the two mechs that we earned with 5 wins, I finally played the Cents.

At first I was not impressed, then I got the D variant and the AL and Wang. Now I enjoy them. Even with a few match scores over 100. I think one of those matches I had over 30 spotting assists. With the change in CT size the Cent does not have as much of a zombie ability like it once had, but still they are hard to put down and with the shield arm, they can take a pounding.

Now the Thunderbolt, if you have a standard engine, they can really tank. Even if you make LRM boats out of to of them, they still have enough MLs to make a difference, especially near the end of the game after your LRMs are gone. I have more kills with thunderbolts with lasers or PPC's than LRMs or SRMs. Plus the right torso has high mounted Energy points. The one you can run a mix of energy and MG's.

I just might go for the Thunderbolts after seeing the W/L record and the KDR. The but is I have had more fun in the thunderbolts.

[Harathan]

I've mastered both, but my preference is the Thunderbolt both in normal play and Stock Mech Mondays. With a standard engine and max armour, it's a tank. It's one of the most well rounded of the Heavy chassis in my opinion, you can build it a dozen different ways and still get the job done. You have less customisation options in the Centurion, but its a quick and soild medium chassis. I just prefer the Thunderbolt.

Edited by Harathan, 16 June 2014 - 01:30 PM.

[Koniks]

With the SRM fixes incoming, the Centurion is going to be one of the better brawlers, especially in the medium class. It's pretty fast, durable, has good torso movement, and can carry a decent load of SRMs. It's a good striker mech.

The TDRs are a jack of all trades, master of none chassis. Their side torsos take a lot of damage, so XL engines aren't a good idea unless you're playing a long range build. They're decent energy platforms. Especially the 5S and 9S with dual MGs to back them up. That' something like 2xLL, 3x ML, 2xMG. The 9S also has high-mounted hardpoints in the RT, good for ERLLs or PPCs. It can be difficult to fit enough heat sinks and get enough speed to be useful, though.

You can also load up 2xAC5s and some medium lasers like a mini-Battlemaster on both variants. The ballistics are mounted in the arm, though, so be careful not to fire into your cover.

They don't really have the tubes to be great missile boats. At most they can carry 2 launchers with 10 tubes per. So if you 15s or 20s, each launcher will fire 2 volleys. The shoulder launcher also makes a really big target. But you can carry some as a support weapon, especially if you're planning to keep your distance.

A STD300 engine will get you over 80kph while still carrying decent firepower though it can do alright at slower speeds.

So I'd recommend mastering the Centurion. I'd recommend selling the 9S and buying almost any other heavy instead, if you want a mech in the class.

Edited by Mizeur, 16 June 2014 - 01:51 PM.

[InspectorG]

I heard the Thunderbolts called the 'heavy hunchback'. Dont know how valid that is but the right torso weapons are mounted nice and high. I could not do well in them though...

[NextGame]

thunderbolts by a mile due to the flexibility of the mech when it comes to building them

[Topshot Tiger]

being someone whos tried both, Id take the centurion hands down. YLW was the first mech i bought, and i still am not bored with it. His laser variant is complete awesomeness (especially with the srm fix). I rarely get below 400 on my laser variant of centurion.