14 replies to this topic

[ZeProme]

Good evening/day all,

I'm getting ever closer to buying my first clan mech. After a long time meddling with my thoughts and reading about the various clan mech chassises, I figured that I should obtain and master the Timberwolf.

I figured that the combination of firepower, mobility is just too great to pass off. I don't know if it's relatively robust as I read that it's CT is relatively large and it's arms cannot protect a large portion of it.

It also looks pretty damn cool. I especially like the layout of the mech, very symmetrical and has legs similar to the Cataphract. The various omni-pods with many different hard points seems to show that the Timberwolf is very versatile ranging from LRMing-boating to skirmish-like builds.

Do trial mechs still exist? I cannot find them on my mechlab or is that only exclusive to new players now? I was wondering if I can pilot a Timberwolf for a test-run.

I know that clan techs have a higher heat generation, longer energy duration thus makes it vulnerable to shut-downs and prolonged exposure to combat, respectively. I think my battle experience with my HBK-4P (9MLas) should be suffice in preparations for the Timberwolf.

I'm not familiar with the variants. Some say that the center torso matters when comparing other variants, namely the C with it's energy hard point. Since I can't find anything more recent than this post (http://mwomercs.com/...-mech-am-i-mad/), I figured I should ask since there are a lot more Timberwolf variants now (Or maybe there was that many, I don't know.)

Couple other questions I have.

1) I know that Omni-pods are interchangeable but since the "overall" of the mech model is determined by it's Center Torso, can you buy the CT separately or do you need to buy other variants in order to swap Omni-pods?

2) What are the three variants (or CTs) that are must have? I think C would be one for it's energy hard point. S would be another one for it's single JJ.

3) So... my understanding for quirks is that each omni-pods has something unique. What are the best omni-pods to have?

4) Only weapons, ammunition, DHS, armor can only be changed. Is there something else I'm missing?

5) Most noticeable meta/non-meta builds for Timberwolf?

6) What are some facts that I need to be aware of from transitioning from IS to Clan besides higher heat and longer laser duration?

I await your responses. Thanks!

Edited by ZeProme, 29 May 2016 - 08:50 PM.

[MasterBLB]

1) Nope.You need other variants only to elite a chassis,though.After that,you can strip all omnipods from it,and sell unneeded central.
2) As you said,C/A/D because of energy slot in CT,and S for its JJ.Prime has a slot for a machine gun in CT,if you want some diversity;otherwise get S,A and C/D.
3) Well,that depends on your build.But for a Timberwolf I often see peoples use A-LT due to 3 high mounted energy slots.
4) Yep,jumpjets in S version are too welded solid.
5) Check metamechs and mechspecs sites.

Edited by MasterBLB, 30 May 2016 - 09:21 AM.

[zeta44]

start with the prime, its stock loadout is very versatile and can be easily modified for what you need

[Sader325]

zeta44, on 06 June 2016 - 12:52 PM, said:

start with the prime, its stock loadout is very versatile and can be easily modified for what you need

Never listen to anyone who tells you to play a stock loadout.

[TercieI]

Sader325, on 06 June 2016 - 01:01 PM, said:

Never listen to anyone who tells you to play a stock loadout.

Truth.

Also, the TBR-Pr is the worst TBR by far. Only the CTs matter and its ballistic hardpoint is valueless. The A/C/D energy hardpoint is usually best but the locked JJ of the S allows a few unique and worthwhile builds. An S and pick 2/3 A/C/D is probably the best bet for leveling.

[invernomuto]

I've recently picked a Timberwolf as my first clan Omnimech (I bought the Kodiak pack previously).
I took the TBR-S because of the JJs and because Metamechs says so .
It was quite a shock, you have to play it very differently from IS mechs.

What I do like:
1) It's fast, well armed, with JJs It's also IMHO one of the coolest looking mech.
2) Omnipods: you cannot change the engine and some components are fixed, but you can swap omnipods and they are relatively cheap (350k C-Bills each). Omnipods give you a lot of flexibility. The "A" variant LT is a must with 3 VERY HIGH mounted energy hardpoints (it's negatively quirked though).
3) Flexibility. It can do quite everithing, from brawling to sniper to LRM.

What I do not like:
1) I do not like the weapons placement in the S variant.
2) JJs in the S variant are fixed in the STs, so you cannot mount some larger ballistic weapons.
3) No useful quirks and you have negative quirks for the stronger variant.
4) Very annoying for me: with the default camo the only part you can color and customize are a tiny strips on the CT. You have to change pattern (MC only) to eliminate that metallic look of the clan mechs...

[ZeProme]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I chose the TBR-S as my first variant since it's the only variant with JJs. Not only that, its the only variant with respectable and high diversity of hard points, aside from the fact that the JJs on the torsos are locked, I will be testing some clan weaponry. Yeah, the JJs are annoying, but I'm pretty happy with the stock-ish build. I swapped out some SRM ammos and replaced the C-ER SML for a C-ER MPL for better synergy in close combat and added some extra machine gun ammo.

So far so good, managing the heat is like a double-edged sword. Great alpha, but being really mindful of when to use the weapons and when to override shutdown.

I had a look into the current quirks from mechspecs and read the metamech guides extensively for timber wolves. Keep in mind I'm only looking to master three chassises with the most load out potential. Since the Timberwolf is a very unique and versatile chassis, I want to gain the most from only three variants.

Since I'm looking forward to only elite-ing the classises, the Prime is definitely not on my list since it's ballistics hard point on it's CT doesn't yield much build possibilities. Unlike what metamechs says, the TBR-Prime fails to impress me with it's LT and RT. Unless it's quirks is, or was, very valuable, mechspecs begs to differ as there isn't any quirks for the Prime STs.

TBR-A is convincing enough to get since it has 3Es on it's left torso. BUT, following what invernoumuto said, I'm conflicted because it does show negative quirks. I'm still considering this one because it's hard points on the omni-pods are still unique ESPECIALLY since it's mounted rather high. It's LT would be great for laser vomits and hill-humpings but since Timberwolves runs really hot, I think I would opt for a more diversified load out with more various hard points. Otherwise I could stack DHS.

TBR-C looks like another valuable variant to get. The right arm Ballistics hard points would be a great fitting for TBR-S's LT and RT omni-pods. Triple ballistics, dakkas would be really fun. Besides that, it does have an AMS... like that's the only unique thing compared to others.

TBR-D looks unfavorable in every way. Besides it's RA and LA's positive quirks, the hard points are really lackluster. STs only have missile hard points, total of four. The arms only yield 2 energy hard points. Hardly unique. I think I will pass the TBR-D. Besides, it's not like the other variants do not have any missile hard points. The TBR-S would be the best substitute with it's STs, but it's JJs may interfere. I think it's omni-pods are best used for boating missiles, but I beg to differ that TBR-S would be a better substitute, money wise unless you are boating some really heavy LRM 20s.

So, I guess I'm convinced that the TBR-S, TBR-C and maybe TBR-A are the variants I need to master the chassis.

Other than that, first impressions of this mech? First match, absolutely enjoyed it but I'm learning that it's ST gets hit often and I often lose a ST too early in-game. It's an odd mech to me. It's not really good at hill-humping. Hot mech, but I'm managing it and I LOVE it's mobility. Keeping up with those fast-legged teddy bears is a breeze.

The investment is well worth it. Despite the price (I think it's slightly inflated, a little bit lower would be great ), everything you really need is THERE. Great engine, endo-steel, ferros, DHS, aside from no artemis, much of the upgrades you typically need are all THERE.

I got my energy weapons on group 1, my 4SRM6s on group 2 and my machine guns on group 3. Mid range use the group 1. Close range group 2 and 3, alternate between group 1 and 2 depending on heat level.

I can't wait to get the next variant and spread the JJs. It's useful, but it's not applicable in every situation.

I might consider dropping the machine guns and adding some more DHS and more missile hard points. Machine guns are situational to be used. However, it's only 0.25 tons... so really it's not that bad. Could help in icky situations when I'm very close to over heating. Thoughts?

Edited by ZeProme, 11 June 2016 - 08:30 PM.

[TercieI]

You do realize it's an Omnimech and you can switch hard points around with omnipods right?

[ZeProme]

Of course I do. Since the CT is the most important, I'm obviously avoiding the Prime.

My previous post is concerned with buying which two Timberwolf variants.

[TercieI]

ZeProme, on 13 June 2016 - 06:29 AM, said:

Of course I do. Since the CT is the most important, I'm obviously avoiding the Prime.

My previous post is concerned with buying which two Timberwolf variants.

K. Keen, seemed like you were worrying about what was on them stock. No offense was intended, but people do miss that sometimes.

[Aethermech]

I would add this to the list of negs for the Timby. The possible reason why you're losing ST's so quickly is depending on the missile system equipped to the mech it's ST's hit boxes will change, Most notably when you mount LRM's to it. It grows big ears that cause your ST's to be seen and shot while the rest of the mech is under cover. i'm not sure if the energy mounts cause the ears to show up as I haven't played a Timby yet except one time in the trial, but from experience I love when people put missiles on them cause it's easier to single out the ST's from range.

[Black Lanner]

I am curious how the mech has worked out for you, ZeProme, it has been a few months now...

[Snardo]

I wanted to put in a small plug for the tbr-prime: I saw a German youtuber (Baradul, channel: Moltenmetal) running this build, so I can't take credit. Swapping out the LT for the -S (I think) allows you to mount UA/C 5s in the side torsos and 2 ermls in each arm. It's not quite a brawler but works pretty well in a heavy harasser role. It's probably my most successful mech at the moment in terms of kill/death ratio.

Edited by Snardo, 11 October 2016 - 03:21 AM.

[S 0 L E N Y A]

Snardo, on 11 October 2016 - 02:39 AM, said:

I wanted to put in a small plug for the tbr-prime: I saw a German youtuber (Baradul, channel: Moltenmetal) running this build, so I can't take credit. Swapping out the LT for the -S (I think) allows you to mount UA/C 5s in the side torsos and 2 ermls in each arm. It's not quite a brawler but works pretty well in a heavy harasser role. It's probably my most successful mech at the moment in terms of kill/death ratio.

Meh.
You could easily run 2x UAC10s and 3x ERml instead.

[ZeProme]

Black Lanner, on 06 September 2016 - 01:27 AM, said:

I am curious how the mech has worked out for you, ZeProme, it has been a few months now...

I recently picked up MWO again during the nova-member event. I got my C variant but haven't got my third yet.

Haven't been playing MWO nor been foruming as much. Thanks for checking up with me.

Snardo, on 11 October 2016 - 02:39 AM, said:

I wanted to put in a small plug for the tbr-prime: I saw a German youtuber (Baradul, channel: Moltenmetal) running this build, so I can't take credit. Swapping out the LT for the -S (I think) allows you to mount UA/C 5s in the side torsos and 2 ermls in each arm. It's not quite a brawler but works pretty well in a heavy harasser role. It's probably my most successful mech at the moment in terms of kill/death ratio.

I will look into this. Thanks for the information.