36 replies to this topic

[Masterrix]

my favourite, works really well:

3x AC2
3x SSRM2
DHs
XL275
1 JJ

[The Decoy]

SHD-2H Decoy

1 x ER LL
3 x MG
3 x SRM4
1 x AMS
XL 300
14 x DBL HS
Endo-Steel
3 x JJ
300 SRM Ammo
4000 MG Ammo
1000 AMS Ammo


I've tried a bunch of builds, switching between Standard and XL engines, PPC's, LL and ER LL. The build linked above has been my go-to build so far and is getting very positive results. Mid-range combat capabilities are pretty weak but it can pester from afar with the ER LL and the mobility afforded by jump jets. It has very respectable close combat capabilities. Lastly, it is extremely difficult to overheat, even in a prolonged brawl.

Despite having 2 or 3 jump jets and going just shy of 100km/hr with pilot skills, the Shadowhawk doesn't feel very nimble. I haven't tested it vs other mediums so far but it *feels* like it has a wider turning arc.

The other build that I've been trying is:

SHD-2H Brawling Decoy

Shaved armour off of the shield arm, removed the AMS, removed 1 ton of MG ammo and equiped a standard LL in place of the ER LL. This allowed the build to accomodate a pair of SRM6's and add 1 ton of SRM ammo.

Sacrifices the extended range for slightly better burst damage and retains the excellent heat management.

Easily my new favourite medium mech and in contention for favorite mech overall. So darned well balanced! Not flashy, no amazing alphas, but just a really solid mech for the medium weight class.

Edited by The Decoy, 16 October 2013 - 08:37 AM.

[Kraven Kor]

While I want it to be a fast brawler, I can't find a fit that "doesn't suck" using a 350 XL and full jets, much less anything useful with a standard engine. For me at least.

So I decided to go fire support.

SHD-2H

It works OK so far if I stay behind bigger friends and lay into whatever the main blob is shooting

[One Medic Army]

Kraven Kor, on 16 October 2013 - 09:08 AM, said:

While I want it to be a fast brawler, I can't find a fit that "doesn't suck" using a 350 XL and full jets, much less anything useful with a standard engine. For me at least.

So I decided to go fire support.

SHD-2H

It works OK so far if I stay behind bigger friends and lay into whatever the main blob is shooting

I've had some success with my 2H loaded with 3jets/350XL outfitted thusly:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...514711c1847e056

However it's pretty fragile it seems, and my other 2 are double AC/5 loadout and LRM loadout.

Edited by One Medic Army, 16 October 2013 - 10:23 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

One Medic Army, on 16 October 2013 - 10:22 AM, said:

I've had some success with my 2H loaded with 3jets/350XL outfitted thusly:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...514711c1847e056

However it's pretty fragile it seems, and my other 2 are double AC/5 loadout and LRM loadout.

it's not a great facehugger. But then the SHAD was never meant to be. I find balanced loadouts work great. AC10, UAC, 2 AC2, etc, with medium or large lasers and srms and streaks. But pure support or facehugger? I find disappointing.

[One Medic Army]

Bishop Steiner, on 16 October 2013 - 10:53 AM, said:

it's not a great facehugger. But then the SHAD was never meant to be. I find balanced loadouts work great. AC10, UAC, 2 AC2, etc, with medium or large lasers and srms and streaks. But pure support or facehugger? I find disappointing.

I tried SRM+LBX, didn't work, even at close range.
AC/10 weighs too much to be combined with SRMs without going do to around a 300xl, and there aren't enough energy hardpoints to boat mediums to go with the AC/10.

Maybe I'm just expecting too much, in my hunchbacks or blackjacks I can get rounds with 600+dmg pretty consistently, with the shadow hawk I'm only getting 300-500 every round, and dying a lot more compared to my other mediums. When I end up vs an assault mech it seems like I can't take advantage of my jets and mobility like I can in my other mediums.

Edited by One Medic Army, 16 October 2013 - 11:41 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

One Medic Army, on 16 October 2013 - 11:35 AM, said:

I tried SRM+LBX, didn't work, even at close range.
AC/10 weighs too much to be combined with SRMs without going do to around a 300xl, and there aren't enough energy hardpoints to boat mediums to go with the AC/10.

Maybe I'm just expecting too much, in my hunchbacks or blackjacks I can get rounds with 600+dmg pretty consistently, with the shadow hawk I'm only getting 300-500 every round, and dying a lot more compared to my other mediums. When I end up vs an assault mech it seems like I can't take advantage of my jets and mobility like I can in my other mediums.

somewhat fallacious reasoning though, isn´t it?

Comparing a new mech without master pilot skills to mechs you have unlocked, and more importantly build optimized, long ago, and so piloting them is like second nature. I certainly do better in my Hunchback. I have 1.5 years * and thousands of matches in it.

And most of mine, I don´t waste tonnage on a LB-X. AC10 works fine on the H or 2D2, as does a UAC5. The 2D2 has 4 ssrm2 and 2 mediums in support, and a 280 XL, which is plenty enough mobility. I have had up to 5 kills, and max damage so far is 778. Not bad for a mech with under 25 drops. My averaqge has fluctuated, anywhere from 350-600 damage. Probably more on the low side, yet a lot of my lower score matches, I end up with more kills. *Shrugs* I'm still cruising 5.0 kdr, pugging exclusively, so it ain´t like I can rely on teammates to bail me out (they sucked at that last night in my BLR anyhow)

[One Medic Army]

Bishop Steiner, on 16 October 2013 - 12:10 PM, said:

somewhat fallacious reasoning though, isn´t it?

Comparing a new mech without master pilot skills to mechs you have unlocked, and more importantly build optimized, long ago, and so piloting them is like second nature. I certainly do better in my Hunchback. I have 1.5 years * and thousands of matches in it.

And most of mine, I don´t waste tonnage on a LB-X. AC10 works fine on the H or 2D2, as does a UAC5. The 2D2 has 4 ssrm2 and 2 mediums in support, and a 280 XL, which is plenty enough mobility. I have had up to 5 kills, and max damage so far is 778. Not bad for a mech with under 25 drops. My averaqge has fluctuated, anywhere from 350-600 damage. Probably more on the low side, yet a lot of my lower score matches, I end up with more kills. *Shrugs* I'm still cruising 5.0 kdr, pugging exclusively, so it ain´t like I can rely on teammates to bail me out (they sucked at that last night in my BLR anyhow)

Well, from my end if I'm dropping down to a 280xl I start to look at other mechs like the Jagermech and Cataphract which can almost reach those speeds (78.7kph vs 82.4) or the Victors, and the shadowhawk comes out looking not so great in comparison.

I will admit not having unlocks certainly makes it look worse, especially when I'm being chased around by heavy mechs I can't outrun.

Edited by One Medic Army, 16 October 2013 - 12:28 PM.

[Mater]

I currently have a SHP-2H[P] with A/C 5 large laser and LRM 5 with endo

[Kraven Kor]

Mater, on 17 October 2013 - 09:21 AM, said:

I currently have a SHP-2H[P] with A/C 5 large laser and LRM 5 with endo

I've been running this (but somehow, I have an XL 300 in-game without having sacrificed any more armor...)

SHD-2H Fire Support

But thinking of trying this:

SHD-2H Brawler

[AlmightyAeng]

I've been running this as direct fire support and light-hunting. I stick with a pack, and when something small tries to flank/distract I chase it off. AC10 and ERLL do fine for pinpoint damage support and taking out weakened areas.

[Harmatia]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f48d42ed087cea3

I've been trying to have this replace my Hunchback 4SP (for the 30% CB bonus), and so far it has performed pretty good. I wasn't sure about machine guns initially, but they work really well against fast moving light mechs. Especially the Spider and Locust. And getting 16 SRM's to the face when in close is brutal. I have considered removing the jumps jets to free up a ton for additional SRM ammo, but for the time being I'm keeping it locked.

[James The Fox Dixon]

Well here's a screenshot of my best match yet with the 2H.

Edited by James The Fox Dixon, 17 October 2013 - 01:01 PM.

[Hellcat420]

i run xl275, lb10x, erlarge, 3x ssrm2, and bap in my 2h. best match so far 759 damage, 4 kills 5 assist.

Edited by Hellcat420, 17 October 2013 - 01:12 PM.

[Hans Von Lohman]

I tried using the 2H with an ER PPC and an AC-5, but the heat was brutal. When I get the heat containment unlocks I may go back and try to make that work, but not for now.

Instead I went with this. More of a medium to short range build, with the AC-5 for long range plinking. You can also go with a medium laser and an AC-10 if you care more about guns than lasers.

SHD-2H Large Pulse AC-5 Streak boat

[ShadowbaneX]

Hellcat420, on 17 October 2013 - 01:08 PM, said:

i run xl275, lb10x, erlarge, 3x ssrm2, and bap in my 2h. best match so far 759 damage, 4 kills 5 assist.

If you've got one laying around, upgrade to the XL280 as it weighs the same as the XL275. Since it's the same tonnage you might as well get the extra speed.

I'm running similar, only XL300 for a bit of extra speed, and 3 JJs for maneuverability. AC/10 with 3 tons of ammo since I like the direct fire option, ER LL for a bit of extra ranged punch and finally 3xSRM2s. Normally I'd just run an SRM6, but 3x2 is higher DPS (4.8 vs 3.0), but also higher heat (2.4 vs 1). I run it with 1 ton of ammo so I don't have many volleys, so I save them for when I'm in close when you want the higher DPS.

If the LB-10/X could fire standard rounds like it can in TT, I'd use the weight savings for an extra ton of ammo going with 2 standard, 2 cluster. That way I could plink away at range with the standard rounds and ER LL, but when in close I could swap to cluster and SRMs, with the LL firing as necessary/heat permitted.

[Hans Von Lohman]

P.S. Get an XL280, as it weights the same as the XL275. I only use the 275 because I already had one from a Centurion that donated its engine for the cause.