i'm pretty new to MechWarrior...i just got everything this last week, and have only been playing Multiplayer for a few days. that said, i'm familiar with the BattleTech setting, and i'm pretty well obsessed...i'm always either playing MechAssault on the Xbox (same gamertag), playing MechWarrior4, or reading a novel...

since i already had certain ideas when i came to MW4, i went straight for the Uziel and Highlander my first couple of days. over the last 3 days, however, i've pretty much settled on the Thor as a favorite chassis. i like the mix of speed, armor, omni slots for versatility, etc...and the fact that no matter what the setting, you can usually find a setup with this 'mech that works.

i've been noticing that most of the games i'm seeing are played at range, and it's always made sense to me that if you're not punished for using long range weapons, that means you'd do best if you took advantage of that extra reach...so range is a big factor when i'm tinkering in the MechLab. another factor is the 'ping pong' effect that a lot of weapons have, which has made me fall in love with ballistics weapons. since i don't like being 'ping ponged', myself, i've also had an eye on rate of fire.

these are 3 layouts i've gotten fairly comfortable with over the last few days...they're named after Thor's hammer, Mjolnir...


Mjolnir Spec 2:
(weapons) L. Arm: ERPPC, R. Arm: CULTR5, R. Torso: ERLL, L. Torso: CULTR2.
(groups) 1. ERPPC, CULTR2 2. ERLL, CULTR5 3. Alpha Strike
(Electronics) ECM, JJ, LAMS, Enhanced Optics
(armor) 13.0 tons/390 points, FF...upper portions max armored...legs @ 1.5 each.
73.01 kph
5 heat sinks.

that setup has solid firepower, good range, and is grouped in such a way that i'm able to manage my heat pretty nicely. i actually like starting at a distance with this setup, then rushing the target and going into a circle, chipping away with the CULTRs , and timing my PPC and ERLL shots so that i can make sure i'm placing them perfectly.


Mjolnir Spec 3: Sniper...
(weapons) R. Arm: ERPPC, R. Torso: CULTR2, L. Arm: ERPPC, L. Torso: CULTR2.
(groups) 1. all, 2. CULTR2, 3. other CULTR2
(Electronics) ECM, JJ, LAMS, Enhanced Optics
(armor) 13.0 tons...still 390 points...still mostly up top, because of pop/shoot situations and upper body exposure.
73.01 kph
5 heat sinks.

seemed pretty obvious looking at the electronics that this 'mech was intended for use as a ranged fighter, sooo...i didn't fight it. the alpha strike from this thing is obviously nothing to laugh at, and by setting up my groupings the way i have, heat never really comes into play. this is a very fun set up, in my opinion...love the combination of Enhanced Optics, and that Alpha Strike at 925km...


Mjolnir Spec 4: change up
(weapons) R. Arm: CGauss, L. Arm: ERPPC, R. Torso: two ERMLs, L. Torso: CULTR2
(groups) 1. ERPPC, CULTR2 2. CGauss 3. both ERMLs
(electronics) ECM, JJs, LAMS, Enhanced Optics
(armor) (surprise!) 12.5 tons/375 points/FF.
79.02 kph
1 sink

i'm pretty happy with this one, and like to use it as a change of pace. i'm a Gauss fan, despite the slow cycle, and i love "hiding" my Gauss until it's too late for the bad guy, and i'm close enough to take full advantage. i've been working on drawing people towards me by only showing the ERPPC and the CULTR2, then going all out on their primary weapon port (as soon as i figure out which it is...usually doesn't take long) with the CGauss, the shorter range lasers, and my trigger 1 combo.






i'd really appreciate any other Thor specs, as well as reasons behind certain decisions, etc...thanks for your time.




Mantys

Thor is a decent* brawler.

*amazing

Try:

2cLBX20, 1cLBX10
3 cLBX10, 3 ERML, 1ERSL (speed needs to be right down on this one)
2 cUAC20

If you like the THor, the Thanatos is also a nice 'mech to try. Thor is a good place to start in MW though. It can do pretty much anything.

Getting in to range is a matter of using ECM, passive sensors, terrain and luck. Once you get away from the newbie servers and the idiots in pop-tarts you see a much wider range of combat.

now this is MY thread

Brawling Thor

1 Clbx10, 1 Clbx20, 3 ERMPL
JJs, ECM, 6 HS, 73 Kph
Just my fav one, and a often asked one by ennemies

1 Clbx10, 1 Clbx20, 2 ERLL
JJs, ECM, 2 HS, 73 Kph

Sniping Thor

2 ERPPC, 1 ERLL, 1 CUAC2
JJs, ECM, 11 HS, 79 Kph
Runs a little bit hot , but if you can manage heat, cuac2 enables you to constantly shoot your opponent while ERPPC reloads.

2 ERPPC, 2 CUAC2
JJs, ECM, EO, 8 HS, 79 Kph
Runs hot as well but has a nice punch

Here's one I'm been having some fun with:

Summoner "Hunter"

CLBX20, CLBX10, 2ERLL, JJ, ECM, 79kph

Group 1: CLBX20, CLBX10, 1ERLL,
Group 2: 2ERLL,
Group 3: CLBX10, 1ERLL,

With group 1 having only 1 erLL, it leave one in reserve, as well as allows for a better heat control.

heh, funny, we have the same Thor

thor that i like and is actully pretty good fro brawling

2 clan gauss 1 lbx 10 then med lasers... no jj armortweaked a little. speed is like at 69..good for some range too.
one of my sniper thors.. 2 gauss one rack of lrm and a erll ecm and jj.. groupings on this one are cool gauss and er firstby the time i fire i useally have a missle lock so thats group 2 group three is the erll again...allows to be hit almost all the time doent give them a chance to fire back..

One I like for long range is:
5 cuac2 x 1 ton ammo each
ECM
JJ
LAMS
Enhanced Optics
67 kph
0 heat sinks
Tweeked armor

thanks for the input, i really appreciate it. interesting how different, or how similar (2ERPPC/2CULTR2s, for instance) a lot of the layouts are.

also...i didn't know about newbie servers until after i'd been "baptized", so...i've been playing the regular servers since day 1. helped the learning curve. i've been scoring pretty well the last 2 days against guys i remember kicking the snot out of me my first couple days.

still, i'm sure a lot of you know tons of tricks i have yet to figure out, so threads like this are helpful.

many thanks...

Mantys

np Mantys. That's the goal of the Institute

• 1CUAC20
  
• 6ERML
  
• 1SSRM6
  

• 1CGR
  
• 1ERPPC
  
• 1ERLL
  
• 1CLRM20
  

• 1ERLPL
  
• 1CLBX20
  
• 2SSRM6
  
• 1SSRM4
  

• 3CLRM20 + 1 extra ammo each
  
• 3CLRM10
  

• 2CLBX20
  
• 1ERML
  
• 1SSRM6
  

When I'm designing a new variant, I take the stance that a Thor without jump jets would be better off as a Cauldron-Born (faster) or a Loki (better electronics).

Amen Brother Wadmaasi.

Ye Olde NBT Streetsweeper

2lbx20 1 lbx10 1 erll

Really like to flip those annoying mediums flat on their arses and put grass in their braces.

In the beginning, I had a Thor with 3 LB10Xs, 3 ER med lasers, and several streak srms. Then after getting tired of switching between weapon groups, I brainstormed and realized I could dump the srms to upgrade two of my LB10Xs to class 20s. And so I did. And it was good. Great was the carnage, long was the opponents frustrated cries!

Then I came to Banzai, and was crestfallen to see the same design already popular and with several variations. Sigh....

Ah well, here's the specs to my Sudden Strike Thor:
7 Streak SRM 4
ECM
Jumpjets
103kph
10.7 tons of FF armor.

Not that much good for heavy brawling, but very good at hunting down lights and mediums, rushing mission objectives, and being a terror to distracted enemy mechs.

3LBX10 + 4ERMed Reac - City map Brawler. Get close and let loose.

2ERLL + CUAC10 + LBX10 Refl - Med range mech, use the ERLL to do damage at early stage of game. Working its way to use the closer range ballistics as the game comes to an end.

1ERPPC + 2ERLL + 1CUAC10 + jj - Sniper with Medium range back-up/finisher. Only use the cannon vs harasser and/or pressuring hot sniper mechs.

40LRMs + 3ERLL + jj's - support mech. Haven't used this one for awhile though... just two of the easiest weapons to use in the game.

4CUAC2's + 1ERPPC + 2ERLL - Crazy mech... use with caution

NOTE: I always list my primary weapons first, then the secondary then tertiary (if there's one).

Try:
3uac2
4ermediumlaserl
lrm15
jj, ecm, 79kph, 12.5ff
much like the stock config

Or:
1erlargepulselaser
2cllbx20
ecm, nojj, 79kph 13ff

Or:
2ermeduimlasers
1cstrk6
2lbx20
jj, ecm, 79kph, 13ff

or:
3flamers
1lbx10
3uac2
jj, ecm, 79kph, 12.5ff

no armor on the head, some taken off the legs
IMHO taking out some different weapons on a thor is more fun than lbx boating

i got an idea earlier that i figured might be pretty stupid, and it actually turned out to not only be a lot of good fun, it worked really freaking well...

in MechAssault, the weapon that does the most damage per second is the quad machine gun setup on the Thor...soooo...yeah. i started toying with variations loaded up on CMGs.

erll x 2, cmg x 6, 97.06 kph, ecm, jj, 2 sinks, 13.5 tons of armor (405 points). lots of fun for either chasing light 'mechs, or thoroughly annoying (and damaging) assault 'mechs. doing a lot of ctrl+R running around in maps with lots of terrain to use, sneaking up on people, and just going to work with the cmgs, with healthy doses of ERLLs up close. in wide open maps, i ctrl+r, charge until i'm seen, then flip the radar back on, and start in with the lasers until i'm close enough to start ripping into ppl with the cmgs. nasty side effect: because of the constant fire and irritation, i've found it only takes me one kill to become a lightning rod. the fun part is, i still wind up getting about 1.5-2 kills per death in Team Battle, with truckloads of points.

others:

cstrk6, erppc, erll, cmg x 4, all components, 4 sinks, 85.03, and a healthy enough 12.5 tons/375 points of armor.

and...another really fun one:
erll, cgauss, cmg x 3, cstrk 6, no sinks needed, 13.0 tons of armor, and a speed of 85.03. this one works out nicely, because the cgauss and erll both have effective ranges of 800, with with ecm and jjs, you're usually able to get close enough to be within range of most of your weapons in short order. once you get in close, the cmgs start ripping (with the cstrk6 on the same trigger--group 1), and the cgauss as group 2, with group 3 being the cgauss and the erll both...i start with group 3, then as i'm closing, i get into the cmgs...if my heat runs high, i switch to hitting group 2 so i can use my cgauss w/o having to deal with the erll heat, then go back to group 3 when my heat is low enough to use that, too.


all of them have worked nicely so far...i've been kicking around the idea of using a 2 erppc/6 cmg setup, too...offsetting the PPCs so i can manage my heat nicely w/o using too many sinks, and using it as a sniper with a surprise for anyone who gets close.


still enjoying this thread, and i'm about to throw another one up for Cauldron-Born...

hehe... you probably had yours first

Hey Mantys,


Just thought I'd let ya know that I;ve been having some great fun with your "Mjoinier" (the first one). Really surprising design... much more... err... "potent" than it looks.

Thanks for posting them

Nacht

Thors are nothing but a wanna-be Thanatos.

thanks, TB...over the last couple of days, i've been having people ask me what the h#ll i'm running on these things--LOL. i actually figured most of these would already have been seen floating around, but it seems like they're surprising people.

still in the Lab working on smoothing out wrinkles, and trying to look at them while i'm toying with them. i've been checking out the variations you guys are sending me, and trying to work out hybrids as well.

still appreciating the input.

The Thor configs I used back in my youth (Two months ago when I bought this game) have sit idle for far too long.
I, as you might know if you bounced around the lobby for a while, am a Ballistics-Head. If it has a yellow Icon I love it. My two main, though derelect, Thor designs are:
The 'OHH YEAAAH'
2CLBX20, + 1 (Or 2) tonnes ammo each
erLL
0HS, ECM, LAMS
85Km/H
Near Full FF armor
The quintessencial brawler. Those two cannons will level anything that comes inside 200m, while the erLL opens up fireing capabilities outside your Brawler window.

the 'Augh, My Eye'
2Cguass + 1 tonne ammo each
erLL (See a pattern )
0HS, LAMS
85Km/H
Slightly trimmed FF armor.
Used to core out a foe at 800m. It is as simple as that. You must, however, be a good shot because you can go through 48 guass slugs really fast if you aren't careful. This is not a brawler, and is too big. Thus, it is not my style, but you may like it.

J

I'm a noob too & I've developed a real affection for the Thor. Sure the Omnimounts allow for a big range of loadouts but the real beauty of the Thor is the 360 degree torso twist. What a ballet you can do in one. I like to take the battle to the enemy so if there is suitable terrain I'll run a Thor. Given a map with a modicum of cover I'll run a brawler Thor against poptarts, I shut off the elec's & swing wide to get in behind them. The twist helps with watching where the poptarts are while running w/o elec's. Run like hell thru the poptarts using that 360 twist to do as much damage as possible with BIG guns & beat a hastey retreat to friendlier territory firing backwards at the p-o'd poptarts. If your teammates are paying attention & give you cover fire while you retreat you should be in good enuf shape to make another run. Twisted the head off of a Fafnir, that was sniping, once. He couldn't draw a bead on me because of the dance of the Thor. One of my more proud moments.

I've been working on perfecting 360 twist maneuvers. Like the 180 fast turn without ever losing target. Lately I'v done pretty good against mechs 15 tons heavier!

I've got to try some of the long range versions above, I do need a version with better long range.

Learning to make a Thor do a softshoe two-step is the real secret to its power.

Titus

Hehe well known since Veng good ole Devastator

Thor:
1LBX20
1UAC20
Both 1 extra ammo
JJs
73kph
ECM

2CG
1ERL
ECM
JJs
73kph

1ERPPC
1ERLP
1CG
JJs
73Kph
ECM

1ERPPC
2LG
JJs
67kph
ECM

for a thor, it depends on your role in the game.

city-fighter (if your team is mostly direct fire, take this, and you will score higher than any other mech, if used right)
2 lbx 10s, 3 er med, 5 strk 4s. its slow, but thor has good acceleration and stopping, so use cover. DONT RUN IN ON 5 PEEPS AT ONCE. only pop out far enough to get an alpha off on the first mech you see, crit or not. this mech has a 55 pt alpha (close to that of a 7 er nova, but recharges in 4 secs)

city-killer (if your team has strks already, take this and steal kills. its cheap but it helps big time.)
1 ppc, 1 lbx 20, 1lbx 10, 1 er. can go very fast or have jjs. i prefer jjs. helps you get to the crit mechs a lot faster. in this mech, you WANT to take out the crit mechs. it has a slow recycle time, so you want to get as many mechs gone as possible in the shortest amount of time. this means less damage on your mech.

long range thor-
there really is only one thor that has time and time again proven to be the best sniper out there (IMO)

2 ppc, 1 lg, 1 erl. its fast, has jjs, good armor, and can carry extra ammo

mboaters- (this depends ENTIRELY on if you think the other team has lams or not)

9 lrm 10s( carrys 24 salvos, and will knock any mech 70 tons and under flat on their face. if they have lams, DONT TAKE THIS MECH. i cant stress that enough, cuz only 45 lrms will get past the lams. if you think they are carrying it, take 3 lrm 20s and 2 10s, ex ammo on the 20s. this config gets 60 lrms by the lams, but wont knock them down like the 9 lrm 10s.

another fun mech to take, but isnt always use full is 2 erl, 1 lg and 2 lrm 20s, double stacked ammo. (I CANT STTRESS AMMO ON LRMS ENOUGH. when me and my wing take hellspawns, we take 720, and always run outta ammo. stay outside of 800 meters and NEVER STOP RUNNING ... EVER


and this has been thor 101. see you all tomorrow

it's been a long time since i've checked in here. i've been on and off playing MW4, and have been experimenting with other chassis, but in the end, i am always drawn right back to the Thor (despite some Highlander and Templar variants that i've enjoyed, as well as a very fun Cauldron-Born)...

here's one that i named after the guy who told me the specs on it--when we first ran into each other, i was running one almost identical to this, and decided i liked his tweak a little better after we played a couple games and swapped notes:

Pariah (named after Pariah Devalis)
2 CLG
1 CLRM15
1 ERLL
JJ

you can tweak the armor and electronics to suit yourself--i prefer FF armor, decent speed, and ECM--sometimes also going with enhanced optics for help in blowing weapon ports or legging.

another one i like to call "Frantic" is built entirely for close range, and is built around CSTRKs:

3 CSTRK6, 3 ERML, 2 CULTR2...that's not exact...it might have been two ERML--i am going off the top of my head right now. with that one, i have ECM, lots of motors, and FF armor. great in the Factory.

2 CLBX-20 (+1 ton of ammo each)
2 ER Medium Laser
SSRM-4

I forget what else.. it hits hard, and the ER Medium lasers and SSRM-4 give you some extra fire power while the CLBX-20's reload

Heck if your gonna put that on there use a loki. Better speed, manuverability and more SSRMs. Though you don't get jets.


Heres some of MY thors.

PAIN!!!!
2CLBX20
1CUAC10
ECM
whatever else

Hammer
CLBX20
CUAC10
ERLL
CLRM15
ECM
whatever else.

LAME!

2 ERPPC
ERLL
CLRM15
CLRM10
ECM
Jump Jets
MIn speed
armor and heatsinks

Weeeelll.....actually, no.

The variant is also nicknamed "The pansy arsed Solaris match contender". Take a guess why.

Also good for building rushing in Missionplay.

Screw the thor. Go for the raven. You can score double the points in a light mech. Try 4med las and 3ssmr4 on a raven with some speed and ecm and some other goodies. Fast enough so its hard 2 hit and powerful enough 2 drop a few assults before you die. My record for killing assults in a raven was 2 diashies 3 gladbags 2 Bks and a fafnir before i was finally killed in that config on my raven. I havent matched it since. Anyway if you really want thors then go for this 1.

sniper

1erppc
1erll
1cgauss
1light gauss

Jack of Clubs
2 CLBX-20's
1 ERLPL (can be swapped with an LXPL if you prefer)
Jump Jets
ECM

Pretty simple but reliable variant. The 20's knock big holes in bad guys, and the ERLPL finishes them off.



Jack of Hearts
2 IS-PPC's
1 Light Gauss Rifle
Jump Jets
ECM
Enhanced Optics

My alll-time favorite sniper. Using IS-PPC's helps keep the heat down, and they recycle at the same rate as the Light Gauss. This one is a little too warm for hot maps though.



Jack of Spades
2 Clan Gauss Rifles
1 ERLPL
Jump Jets
ECM
Enhanced Optics

Good sniper for hot maps. More effective now that CGR recycle time has been reduced by one second. As with the Jack of Clubs, the twin CGR's knock the holes, and the ERLPL gives you plenty of chances to hit the black spots and finish them off.

Sorry Desert Storm, but this is MY Thread.

Lessee here....

2 ERPPC, 1 ERL, JJ's, ECM

Deadly Sniper, hit the ERL boats from where they can't respond.


3 CLRM 20 + 1 Ton ammo, 3 CLRM 10, JJ's, ECM

Perfect JJ Missle mech.


2 CLBX 20, 1 CLBX 10, 1 HML, 1 ERML, ECM, 67 KPH

The Perfect Brawling Thor...nuff said


CLBX 20, CUAC 20, 1 HML, ECM, 85 KPH

Severe knock and severe punch


3 ERLP, ECM, JJ's 12 HS, 79 KPH

Knock around baby!


1 ERPPC, 1 ERL, 2 ATM E 12 + 2 tons ammo, JJ's, ECM 79 KPH

Long range harasser



CLBX 20, HML, ATM 12M + 1 ton, ATM 6M + 1 ton, ECM, JJ's, 85 KPH

Good mid-range brawler.


2 CLBX 20, 1 ERL, 1 CSRM 6, ECM, 1 HS, 79 KPH

Good Jack of all trades brawler.


4 CSRM 4, 1 HML, 1 CLBX 20, 1 CLBX 10, ECM, 73 KPH

Unboat Brawler


3 CLBX 10, 2 ERML, 1 HML, ECM, 79 KPH

Triple the fun!


9 CSRM 4, JJ's, ECM, 85 KPH

Knock down power...


9 CLRM 10, ECM, JJ's, 73 KPH

Ultimate Chain fire mech.


4 UAC 2, 1 ERPPC, ECM, JJ's, 79 KPH

Long range knocker..


Enjoy!

Not possible. Could be three 10's.

well... heres one you all forgot...

2 Longtoms
JJ

Hmmm...

Bruiser Mod..

1 ERppc
1 CLBX 10
1 CLBX 20

ECM, JJ,s, 85+ speed

Good, very mobile, mixed-range workhorse. The ppc give love tap capability to 925m.

Rogue (similar to the Jack of Hearts)
2 ERppc's
1 Lt. Guass
ECM, JJ's, Optics

Solid, quick, hard-hitting sniper platform.

I have just a slight feeling that most of us around here already know that.

9 SSRM4

Manty, glad to meet ya lad and welcome to our world. I too love a Thor and all the configs that go with it. I could give my config's but they are covered in the above threads so I won't repeat whats already been said. Second to the Thor would be a Scat don't know why it's just fun to drive and will ruin a poptarts day if you can slip in unnoticed. Don't bother trying to hang around and damage em severly just give em a fly by while loosing a round of LBX's in their direction or work yourself up a Laser config and tap em from range. Really frustrating to a heavy when his day is ruined by a Scat and totally rewarding to the Scat driver. Looking forward to seeing you on a server.

Tig

thank you for the warm responses--i love coming to this site, both for the fun of this mechlab thread (which i haven't seen equalled anywhere else so far), and because everyone seems so positive. most forums of any type or for any other game are usually complaint after complaint and people arguing over who is the most l337, but whenever i come here it seems like it's all sunshine.

you guys are all awesome.

still playing with diff variants...here's another one:

standard armor, JJ, ECM, 4 CULTR2, LPL...

been toying with that one mostly for the purpose of annoying the crud out of people...it's got a little bit of a chainsaw thing going (like some of the CMG/er med pulse combos i used to play every now and then), and has nice enough range that you have something to throw at people in those open stretches in area 51 or the factory when you're between cover points.

*is glowing with strong inner light*

thats me

Kalie: no, its because he ate my potato-light experiment...

uhh...

What do you THINK my main ride is?

the one you made for LB downloads had only 3 medium lasers

oh, i use a combo Thor if/when i use one (never really got into it)

2 large lasers (IS, Clan, Clan Heavy)
1 CUAC10 (+1)
3-4 Mediums lasers (HML and 2 ER's, or 4 IS meds)
jjs, ecm and 73 speed
think it's got like 13 tons of FF armor
something like 4-5 HS

or

2 CUAC10s + 1 each
1 HML
3 ER meds
70ish speed
12.5 FF armor
ecm and *maybe* jjs

You actually used those things?

A.....Templar......?

Do ya really want to know

no, i saw in the lab because *some* of the configs are useful when making hair-brained ones that won't work. i had to add my special touch to most of them to make them useful for me, but i just happened to notice about that one.

so *thbbt*

Well, considering what I quoted, I'd say my main ride is that config of a raven and I'm pretty good with my templar too. Got lots of templar advice if anyone wants it...

Main point:
DON'T TAKE ONE UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO PROTECT THE SHOULDERS!

Hmm, maybe I should write a guide on it.

Most of the ones I like have been covered, but here's a couple more.

3 ATM 12M + 1
1 ATM 6M
ECM, LAMS, rest in engine.

Due to the more rapid volley of the ATM, this'll knock down 90 tonners. Not so hot against lights, though.

2 streak 6+1
2 streak 4
CLB 20+1

ECM, LAMS, 95 kph

Brawler, obviously. Keeps up to medium mechs no problem, and closes on enemies right quick.

Hey Mantys, have you waded through the guides yet?

JJ's
ECM
3 LRM 15
2 LRM 10
As much speed and armour as you feel confortable with.

Heatsinks are optional, great for dealing with poptarts from a distance. No-one really expects you to use a THor as a missileboat. Loki does the job better, as does the vulture. But the thor has those nice little JJ's thatmean you can pop up and slap an unguided volley onto a stationary Laserboat from behind.

Agreed - impossible to mount 3 20's

The 'WARHAMMER' to me is the best infighting Thor Design out there. 3 CLBX10's and 4 ERMDL's. No Heat sinks, and make sure you have the 10's firing from 1 trigger so when you heat up, you can fire them and not overheat. The Alpha within 400 meters is deadly. The recycle time is also beneficial. I use a chain on the 10's sometimes, to help rock the enemies aim away from a direct hit.

Button 1-CLBX10's
Button 2-Lasers
Button 3-ALPHA