The Thunderbolt is a durable mech when used with a STD engine and Jump Jets give it the ability to navigate through hilly terrain. The 2 Large Lasers give it a solid long range hit and when the 3 Medium Lasers get in range it's even more of a threat. The 2 SRM-4 packs are good for seeking out any weak spots in armor after you been ripping into them with lasers.
This is pretty much the same build I am running myself. Its very effective at close range and 2 Large Lasers means that you can still be a threat before closing the gap. I 2 SRM4's works supremely better in my opinion compared to 2 SRM6's because you cant fit as many heat sinks in.
My personal recommendation for the location of some of the components: link Awesome build! Nice and hurty.
This is literally the same as one of my builds for the 9SE with only minor differences regarding MLs & SRMs and the amount of JJs. The idea remains the same, though. TDRs indeed are very durable with a STD engine, and this holds especially true for the 9SE. Lovely chassis. Depending on my mood I am currently switching between this build and one using double PPC + LL + SRM10. EDIT: Also see Blagg's Version, not differing much as well.
I'd redistribute the armor a bit more onto the left shield arm. 5 of your 7 hardpoints are located in the left torso, and you can't always protects it with your right side (besides, you would lose your large lasers). I prefer to take 3 points from each leg and 5 from the cockpit for 31 armor in the left arm, enough to take a regular dualgauss or tri-ppc shot.
Here's a version of it with slightly redistributed armor per SubjectSeven's suggestion, plus I tweaked it to have 2xSRM4+Artemis. I feel that Artemis elevates SRM4's from shotguns to something almost pinpoint and while on paper your DPS is a bit lower due to the loss of a heat sink, it's actually much better at placing crits where you want them to go. Just my $.02.
In my humble opinion, Artemis on SRM-4's is a waste of 2 tons. Based on previous testing, there is no noticeable difference in missile spread.
With respect, Cujo, I've done my own testing and come up with different results. At max range, 3 SRM4+A were able to core out most mechs roughly 20% quicker. For instance, vs. a Catapult it took 8 hits non-artemis and 6 hits with +A on average. In the hectic world of a brawl, this is significant. See this video: That said, if you feel there's a better use of 2 tons, that's definitely something you could argue. However, I don't think it's accurate to say it's a "waste" of tonnage. Honestly, I prefer not to take SRM's at all, currently. But if you're going to have them, Artemis is something to consider. Note: I didn't record this video, but it demonstrates what I already know so thought I'd share it.
Hi there. Confirmed that the OP's build (and the slight variations discussed in this thread) are bang on. Of the x3 TBOLTS I have, this one is the best - the combination of x2 LLAS and JJ makes this a feared beast at all ranges. Am still tweaking the SRM side of things, experimenting with x2 SSRMSs instead but that is just tweaking. 5/5 from me. hear:
I based my initial opinions regarding SRM-4's from this test video and from then forward from the seat of my pants in game. For my combat system and the way I play this is what works for me. Your results and opinions may be different than mine because nothing is guaranteed.
