18 replies to this topic

[Jonathan J Force]

Okay folks, lets look at this one, which one is better The Age old Thunderbolt, and the Steiner favorite assault mech, the Zeus.

[Tadakuma]

Jonathan J Force, on 23 May 2012 - 06:17 PM, said:

Okay folks, lets look at this one, which one is better The Age old Thunderbolt, and the Steiner favorite assault mech, the Zeus.

Ok you're going to have to be more specific on this one.

The effectiveness of the Zeus varies wildly depending on variant the Zeus-6S with the AC5 is a fine mid to long range sniper but isn't great close in. The Zeus 6-T with the PPC is a perfectly able mech even if it does tend to run a bit hot. While the upgraded Zeus - 9S is one of the finest Mechs to ever grace the Battletech universe.

If we're talking base variants then the edge goes to the Thunderbolt, it is a better balanced fighting machine with good armour, heat and weapons.

If we're talking the upgrade variants Thunderbolt - 7M vs Zeus - 9S then I give it to the Zeus, the extra heat efficiently and armour makes the Zeus - 9S a fantastic and well balanced fighting machine.

[THE 4thbreed]

Thunderbolt because of its maneuverability.

[SMDMadCow]

THE 4thbreed, on 24 May 2012 - 05:12 PM, said:

Thunderbolt because of its maneuverability.

Not really. They both have the same speed profile and there are only a few T-bolt variants with jump jets. The Zeus has the ranged advantage with an extra large weapon system and it runs pretty cool so it can use the hole punchers at close range too.
My vote is for the Zeus.

[MechRaccoon]

WAT!? Thunderbolt is heavy and Zues is assault, WHAT IS THIS UNBALANCED BLASPHEMY!?

Anyway, I like the Thunderbolt better because it looks awesome (I mean, it basically looks like a THOR! How awesome is that!?) and it has a very nice selection of weapons.

Also, you spelled Zeus rong.

[Lightdragon]

hands down the tbolt outperforms the zeus armnament wise

[KC Spaz]

The Zeus has always been one of my favorite rides, more so with the PPC over the AC/5

[Voridan Atreides]

Thunderbolt

[RobertWiley]

T-Bolt has more armor more flexability and more uses on the battlefield. Remember that even the ELI made a jump version because of its usefullness.

[SMDMadCow]

Lightdragon, on 30 May 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

hands down the tbolt outperforms the zeus armnament wise

How?

T-bolt 5S:
Large Laser
LRM 15
3 Medium Lasers
SRM 2
2 machine guns

Zeus 6t:
Large Laser
LRM 15
2 Medium Lasers
PPC

The Zeus has 2 less tons of armor than the Tbolt
The Tbolt has 2 less heatsinks than the Zeus
The Tbolt has 4 tons of ammo
The Zeus has 1 ton of ammo

They're pretty similar.

Edited by SMDMadCow, 01 June 2012 - 04:22 PM.

[Death Weasel]

Thunderbolt.
The Zeus is a fine mech but the T-Bolt is the beast of the field.
Proper heat management is a must but there is no substitute.

[Tramalhas]

I know its petty, but i get a migraine whenever someone mispells Zeus.


But on to the actual question: I love the thunderbolt. It is the only mech heavier then an Assasin that i really want in my hangar.

[ltmyndonos]

Zeus, only because I need the extra heat-sinks. I usually run a Mech hot.
If I could put more heat sinks in it, the Thunderbolt would win the vote.

Edited by ltmyndonos, 06 June 2012 - 08:05 PM.

[Shootanoob]

T-Bolt, no question. In able hands and if going through various terrain settings in different battles, the T-Bolt simply is way better than it's heavier opponent. And imagine all the beer you can store in that spare tonnage of your Union class dropship - best to celebrate the victory afterwards, so you see, it has its point why the T-Bolt is not only better but also lighter than the Zeus.

[Rion Raios]

I'd go with the Tbolt, too. With pilot abilities being equal and on open terrain those two tonnes of armor will be a big difference.

[Absolon]

I voted Zeus because its just a nicer looking mech, and in the end will have a longer production life then the venerable Thunderbolt. I mean there is almost 200 years from first production of the TB to the Zeus. That is almost apples and oranges. At this time the TB has gone through more mods, and upgrades, but the Zeus is just getting started in this area of measure. With luck they will put both in the game, and we will find out.

Edited by Absolon, 07 June 2012 - 09:54 AM.

[Beazle]

SMDMadCow, on 01 June 2012 - 04:20 PM, said:

How?

T-bolt 5S:
Large Laser
LRM 15
3 Medium Lasers
SRM 2
2 machine guns

Zeus 6t:
Large Laser
LRM 15
2 Medium Lasers
PPC

The Zeus has 2 less tons of armor than the Tbolt
The Tbolt has 2 less heatsinks than the Zeus
The Tbolt has 4 tons of ammo
The Zeus has 1 ton of ammo

They're pretty similar.

You're comparing a base model with a variant.....

If you stick to base models, I go with T-Bolt. The fact that it's even a debate just shows how crappy the Zeus is for an assault. (15 tons heavier and you have a mech that's comparable in every way? With that much weight it should have a clear advantage somewhere.)

I say, Lord Thunderbolt should smite his enemies by throwing Zeus's at them.

[Mistwolf]

Their maneuverability is the same
The Tbolt has more armour, more LRM ammo (so more staying power), A lot more short range firepower
The Zeus has slightly more long range firepower, but his LRM lacks ammo so that negates much of it. He also has a bit better heat dissipation but both still have good heat management

Regardless of 3025 or 3050 tech, I think the Tbolt Is better in almost every way and for 15 tons lighter.

[Sleeping Bear]

T-bolt hands down. Even when we're talking variants, the jump capable and gauss rifle equipped TDR-7SE will whip any Zeus variant you can try and bring up. Hell even comparing the two shows either how bad a 'mech the Zeus is or how incredible the Thunderbolt is.