51 replies to this topic

[KhanHeir]

Almost all the phoenix mechs are DOA to be honest.

None of them do anything worthwhile, it would seem the original 4 are some of the best mechs.

[rolly]

I dunno about you folks, but I love the Shadowhawk.

I always thought of the original three as big mechs anyhow. They are after all at the top of the medium weight class. Its versatile and great for hunting down little ones.

Edited by rolly, 15 October 2013 - 10:17 PM.

[Dymlos2003]

The Shadowhawk is amazing piece, always scoring atleast 300 in my matches on my phoenix variant. You just need to know how to pilot medium mechs to use it right.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

Even using SHS (I'm broke), I've been enjoying my ShadowHawks quite a bit. I found them to be far easier to run sans upgrades than the T-Bolt and Battlemaster (having one variant with DHS already on board helps a bunch too).

My 2H currently has a LL, 2x SRM6s, 1x SRM4, and 3x MGs. Once I get some money it'll go to DHS and an ERLL.

My 2D2 is running 2x SRM6s, 2x SRM4s, 2x MLs, and a single MG. Again, DHS and other upgrades should let me improve that load-out a goodly bit.

Finally, my 5M is rolling with an AC20 and 2x MLs. Between the decent speed, jump capability, robust armor distribution, high fire point on the AC20, and responsive arm-mounted lasers I think it does pretty well for itself.

The 5M comes stock with all the upgrades it needs to make the build work, so it's the most comfortable one for me to pilot right now, but I expect once I get enough saved up (now that basic load-out expenses are done for all twelve Phoenix mechs) to start putting in upgrades the 2H will be my favorite. I'm a sucker for SRM builds and MG boats, and it does both quite well.

[One Medic Army]

It works, if you stay at range.

Trying to make a flying SRM carrier is pretty much doomed to failure, as even with speed and jets within 100m even the worst shot can pick and choose which section he wants to open up.
Playing hit+run doesn't work well, as it's not really enough faster than heavies to reliably disengage (at least not without Speed Tweak), or with a 350size engine it can disengage but not mount enough alpha to make hit+run work.

I've relegated my 2 that are upgraded to LRM carrier and AC/5 carrier.

[edit] Managed a decent round fitted with 2xSRM6, SRM4, 3MG, and MPL with a 350XL on my 2H.
I legitimately have been trying to make the thing work up close, but it folds way too quickly when anyone actually targets you.

Edited by One Medic Army, 15 October 2013 - 11:18 PM.

[Ewigan]

the shadowhawk IS big, but so far i am having a blast jumping around in it with my AC20...
that thing rocks

[Frantic Pryde]

I like it...but it's all ct and legs

Dunno if that has to do with it being so big, but you make 1 mistake in this thing and your done.

I normally pilot a Blackjack and I find the BJ much more survivable.

Edited by Frantic Pryde, 15 October 2013 - 11:19 PM.

[Haakon Magnusson]

Davers, on 15 October 2013 - 04:06 PM, said:

If Vassago was ever happy about anything I would be surprised.

I think only time he's happy when complaining about 'the golds'

On topic, I've been positively surprised by the good rides of the new mechs... even locust was so annoyingly tiny that it seemed to survive far better than it should on "paper". Although kicking a leghumping locust would be surprisinly satisfying, I doubt collisions or physical attacks will get implemented anytime soon.

[Devil Fox]

I haven't been able to fully test my Phoenix mechs out yet... I've built the majority of them (40mil in upgrades alone) and I'll be tweaking from there. However I have dropped in my recon hunter 2D2 and that really surprises me, but it needs a touch more ammo so I need to review it a touch.

My Ac20/ERPPC one I tested is much too hot, so I might rework it as a faster hit and run machine.

[Karl Streiger]

Bishop Steiner, on 15 October 2013 - 03:08 PM, said:

It IS too tall. Quickdraw tall, as it were. And to make it worse, losing the Autocannon leaves the housing, aka ¨the Hunch¨.

What does it mean? So far, absolutely nothing. My SHD-5M has been ridiculously tough, with nothing unlocked and only changes being dropping the LRM for more SRMs and ammo. (Oh, did upgrade my Medium to a large). The thing is decently fast stock, mobile, and the size and hunch have had zero impact on my survivability, even with the stock XL engine.

Thanks man - you said it.
That thing is extremly though - and fully skilled I'm pretty sure it will become a nightmare for lights and heavy pilots

[Bilbo]

Haven't found anything I like for this one. The Battlemaster though.....pure joy

[Karyudo ds]

One Medic Army, on 15 October 2013 - 10:55 PM, said:

[edit] Managed a decent round fitted with 2xSRM6, SRM4, 3MG, and MPL with a 350XL on my 2H.
I legitimately have been trying to make the thing work up close, but it folds way too quickly when anyone actually targets you.

Very much so. That's why I've been trying to pick careful targets but I've mostly tried to keep at AC5 range unless I can get behind something. Don't usually have to be as careful with my Centurions, but I've so far been able to make it work.

dymlos2003, on 15 October 2013 - 10:18 PM, said:

The Shadowhawk is amazing piece, always scoring atleast 300 in my matches on my phoenix variant. You just need to know how to pilot medium mechs to use it right.

Yeah same here. It still feels a little out of line to me, but workable.

[Krivvan]

KhanHeir, on 15 October 2013 - 10:12 PM, said:

None of them do anything worthwhile, it would seem the original 4 are some of the best mechs.

The Dragon, Atlas, and Catapult? What?!

[Scandinavian Jawbreaker]

Loving this mech already. This was the mech I waited for and it delivers. Happy to say that all of the variants are good!

[Samziel]

The survivability is amazing! I think the size is fine though, it is the same as Kintaros?

[HammerSwarm]

Shadow hawk experience night one:

Squishy center torso...could be a lack of torso twist without efficentcies, I noticed when trying to turn away from lrms I was still being nailed in my CT pretty hard. This was not unique to missiles. I believe this will get better but I feel that the CT hitbox is still too large. We'll see.

Weapons are great, I like each variant.
2D = Machineguns, Streaks, ERPPC
2D2 = A/C 10, Streaks, and Medium Lasers
5M = A/C 2s, Streaks, Medium Lasers

Everything else - This mech will be helped by efficentcies, each one will unlock more of things you need. set at a good level for a stock mech.

Mech rating B+: that CT is teh squish.

[General Taskeen]

Akaraut, on 15 October 2013 - 09:10 PM, said:

Put a XL 360 engine in the hero variant, er LL, 3 SSRMs, 3 MGs and i'm having a blast. The only thing is that the 3 MGs blind your left side when firing.

Meh, if I can't get the Shadow Hawk to work with a default engine - it is a bust. Too Tall And Center Torso is Huge.

Died repeatedly in stock Shaq-Lander or otherwise failed to do more than 200 damage.

Got frustrated and loaded up the shorter Hunchback-4G and shot faces with AC/20. Maximum frustration outlet led to one of the best matches ever with 6 kills in a stock Mech.

[Akaraut]

General Taskeen, on 16 October 2013 - 05:30 AM, said:

Meh, if I can't get the Shadow Hawk to work with a default engine - it is a bust. Too Tall And Center Torso is Huge.

That is something that i've really noticed with them. Even when twisting to the side, that center torso tends to still get hit alot.

The default engine in the 5M is an XL 275, so you don't have to change that one to make a decent build.

[L1f3H4ck]

Running a 2D2 with AC2, 2 Mediums and 4 Streaks. Yep, it's tall, but rather slim, which is a good combination.

The high gunmount lets you shoot out of cover, and the slim profile makes it harder to hit when you use your speed. Like.

[Bishop Steiner]

KhanHeir, on 15 October 2013 - 10:12 PM, said:

Almost all the phoenix mechs are DOA to be honest.

None of them do anything worthwhile, it would seem the original 4 are some of the best mechs.

sounds like the only consistent through all 12 mechs is the pilot.

One Medic Army, on 15 October 2013 - 10:55 PM, said:

It works, if you stay at range.

Trying to make a flying SRM carrier is pretty much doomed to failure, as even with speed and jets within 100m even the worst shot can pick and choose which section he wants to open up.
Playing hit+run doesn't work well, as it's not really enough faster than heavies to reliably disengage (at least not without Speed Tweak), or with a 350size engine it can disengage but not mount enough alpha to make hit+run work.

I've relegated my 2 that are upgraded to LRM carrier and AC/5 carrier.

[edit] Managed a decent round fitted with 2xSRM6, SRM4, 3MG, and MPL with a 350XL on my 2H.
I legitimately have been trying to make the thing work up close, but it folds way too quickly when anyone actually targets you.

must depend on a persons comfort level, as all of mine are designed at sub 300 meter mobile flankers, and do well. One secret I find is not to let yourself get locked on to any one target (unless they are alone) but to hit one, keep moving, hit another. Like my hunchies and cents, I just keep moving from cover to cover shooting anything I see and seem to do OK.

Last thing I need is more support mechs, a role better handled by much heavier units in the first place.