33 replies to this topic

[Jaegerwulf]

Hi,

I need advice for builds for my shadowhawks, the 2H(P) right for right now and the 2d2 and the 5m eventually.

I don't like:
-LRM launchers, reason being I hate feeling like I am wasting ammo when loosing locks, and I don't like how long I have to stay in sight of an enemy mech to maintian a direct los lock.
-AC/20, reason being weight, number of slots, and the poor ammo per ton ratio.

I am unsure about ppc's because of the heat generation, and the gauss rifle because I seem to suck at using it against moving targets (99% of targets in other words)

what I seem to enjoy is the midrange game, with options for defending my self at short range. When I find I have PuG Dropped and allocated to a lance with pilots that seem to know what they are doing I do fairly well when sticking with them.

if there is no cohesiveness in the PuG, then I find I revert to playing my shadowhawks the way I play my jagers, and that gets me killed quite quickly.

so what loadouts are recommended? and is there a "playstyle label" i could slap on the description I have given?

oh, links to smurfy builds or to threads on mechspecs are okay by me if they are not against forum rules here.

Edited by Jaegerwulf, 01 November 2013 - 04:39 PM.

[Otto Cannon]

I love my double AC5 with 2 streaks and a ML. XL engine and a single jj with 4 tons of AC ammo.

[ShadowbaneX]

I've been liking the AC/10 on mine, two standard, one LB-10/X...although if they give the LB-10/X the ability to fire standard rounds, I'll be using that on all of them. As for the playstyle, it's support. You keep near the assaults or the bigger heavies and help them. Put some extra hurt on what they're firing at to take them down quicker or cover their back and make sure that lights mediums or even light heavies (I've fought and killed Dragons and Quickdraws and walked away with my armour intact. They've also got enough speed to do some scouting if you don't have any faster mechs.

[Escef]

I run my 2D2 with 2 LLs, 4 Streaks, 2 tons ammo, Beagle, 14 DHS, 300 XL, 3 jets. Not an inspired build, but it works, and it puts fear it light jocks.

My 2H(P) I run with AC2, LL, and 3 Streaks, Beagle, 3 jets, 300 XL. I think 2 tons each for Streaks and AC. I'm a big proponent of the LL, so I enjoy fielding it where others might go with a medium and a larger bore AC.

My 5M... Still tinkering with, haven't settled into a load-out I like, yet.

[Alistair Winter]

Shadowhawk 2D2, 2 LPLs and 1UAC5. Watch the world burn to the soothing rhythm of arm-mounted wubwubwub.

If you're not quite brave enough for that build, consider the ultimate mid-range Shadowhawk: 2 large lasers, 2 AC5s. Nothing but the best weapons in the game.

[Anjian]

Whats wrong with AC20? I can't think of my Shadowhawks without them.

[Unnatural Growth]

On my 2H(P), I'm running 1 ERLL, LB10X, 2 MG's, SRM4, AMS, XL255, 10 DHS's, 3 JJ's, 368 pts armor, 4 tons LB10 ammo and 1 ton SRM ammo.

5M, 1 ERLL, UAC 5, 1 ML, 1 SRM6, AMS, XL275, 11 DHS's, 5 JJ's, 336 pts armor, 3 tons UAC ammo, and 1 ton SRM ammo.

I never really came up with a build for my 2D2 that I liked. Played around with AC10 and 2 ML's and SRM6 mostly. It's currently sitting stripped out while I focus on the others.

I really like that LB10X since they buffed it's pattern. Firing that along with the 2xMG's on close range targets is a crit factory if they're missing any armor.

[Samziel]

Having an AC-20 and 2 ML in 2D2 or 5M is just like Yen Lo Wang but with jumpjets and better hard point locations (Yen Lo Wangs are easy to beat since after their hand has been taken out they're fairly much harmless).

But Shadowhawks have great builds without AC-20 or LRMS, actually I haven't really found a good LRM build for em because every other build are just better.

For 5M I've used a Gauss Rifle and 2 ER Large Lasers. The same can be fitted for 2D2. Another good one is for 2H and 5M, 2 AC-5 and ER PPC. Triple AC-2 is also great for 2H if you can handle the heat.

[Escef]

SHD-2H(P)

SHD-2D2

And the 5M I'm still working the kinks out of.

[Jaegerwulf]

these all look like builds I want to try, the only issue I see will be getting the xl300 engine(s)

what modules do you guys use on your hawks?

[LordBraxton]

2ac2
ac5
mlas
xl275
JJs
4 tons AC2
3 tons AC5
10DHS
endo

Edited by LordBraxton, 02 November 2013 - 12:21 PM.

[Escef]

Jaegerwulf, on 02 November 2013 - 11:37 AM, said:

these all look like builds I want to try, the only issue I see will be getting the xl300 engine(s)

what modules do you guys use on your hawks?

I use my "standard" modules: Seismic and sensor range. Seismic helps avoid ambushes or lay them, and sensor range is good for spotting. I've tried using advanced zoom in place of sensor range when dedicated to long range guns (multiple AC2 or 5, ERPPC or ERLL, Gauss), but so far those builds haven't worked out for me.

[Jaegerwulf]

Anjian, on 02 November 2013 - 12:53 AM, said:

Whats wrong with AC20? I can't think of my Shadowhawks without them.

I suppose there is nothing wrong with them but I don't like the short range, I don't like the tonnage and space they take up and I don't like getting only 7 shots per ton of ammo.

[RickySpanish]

You are quite right in your remarks about the ac20 op. The jets dont give an ac20 'Hawk a significant enough advantage to override the tonnage a standard engine takes up. You also have no tonnage left over for backup weapons of any particular note. I would say that the 2d2 is my least favourite variant, as 4 missile hardpoints are a terrible trade off to having just one ballistic slot. I build both of the remaining variants around the 'Hawks most distinguishing feature - its ballistic should mount. I use 3 ac2s in the phoenix variant and 2 ac5s in the 5m. Tbh any other discussion about the Shadowhawk is kind of a moot point, as its high mounted ballistics backed by jump jets are the main reason to pilot it.

[Carrioncrows]

RickySpanish, on 02 November 2013 - 03:07 PM, said:

You are quite right in your remarks about the ac20 op. The jets dont give an ac20 'Hawk a significant enough advantage to override the tonnage a standard engine takes up. You also have no tonnage left over for backup weapons of any particular note. I would say that the 2d2 is my least favourite variant, as 4 missile hardpoints are a terrible trade off to having just one ballistic slot.

2D2

UAC5
x4 LRM5's
x2 medium lasers

Suffient ammo for each and a 275 XL.

Considering you can chain the LRM's or fire them all in one big mass it makes the ultimate support medium paired with the UAC5.

[Escef]

Carrioncrows, on 02 November 2013 - 03:46 PM, said:

2D2

UAC5
x4 LRM5's
x2 medium lasers

Suffient ammo for each and a 275 XL.

Considering you can chain the LRM's or fire them all in one big mass it makes the ultimate support medium paired with the UAC5.

Go for the 280 XL, same tonnage, slightly better performance, marginal increase in cost.

Right now the only reason to run the 275XL at all is if you have one lying about because it came with your SHD-5M.

[Carrioncrows]

Escef, on 02 November 2013 - 03:49 PM, said:

Go for the 280 XL, same tonnage, slightly better performance, marginal increase in cost.

Right now the only reason to run the 275XL at all is if you have one lying about because it came with your SHD-5M.

And that's basically it, I had an extra 275 because my other x4 280xl's are in other mechs.

[Bishop Steiner]

Escef, on 02 November 2013 - 03:49 PM, said:

Go for the 280 XL, same tonnage, slightly better performance, marginal increase in cost.

Right now the only reason to run the 275XL at all is if you have one lying about because it came with your SHD-5M.

bingo.

If ya got it, might as well use it.

Best Shawks use between a 275XL and a 300-ish and don't ignore the importance of the ballistics as the main gun.

[Bishop Steiner]

RickySpanish, on 02 November 2013 - 03:07 PM, said:

You are quite right in your remarks about the ac20 op. The jets dont give an ac20 'Hawk a significant enough advantage to override the tonnage a standard engine takes up. You also have no tonnage left over for backup weapons of any particular note. I would say that the 2d2 is my least favourite variant, as 4 missile hardpoints are a terrible trade off to having just one ballistic slot. I build both of the remaining variants around the 'Hawks most distinguishing feature - its ballistic should mount. I use 3 ac2s in the phoenix variant and 2 ac5s in the 5m. Tbh any other discussion about the Shadowhawk is kind of a moot point, as its high mounted ballistics backed by jump jets are the main reason to pilot it.

Would disagree, as TBH, most of the variants using more than one ballistic either overspecialize (triple ac2 is a horrible build, sorry) or use too small of weapons (3 MG on a shawk, really?!?!?!)

IMO, THIS
SHD-2D2Bishop'sBaby
is the poster child of SHD perfection. (though my 5M is not far off)

[Bishop Steiner]

Anjian, on 02 November 2013 - 12:53 AM, said:

Whats wrong with AC20? I can't think of my Shadowhawks without them.

Wrong? Nothing per se, except you make the Shawk into a one trick pony that makes the JM6-BoomJager look versatile. The biggest strength, IMO of the Shawk IS it's versatility. TBH, I find the AC20 shawks singularly unscary, as I can easily outmanuever and outrange them. Unless they ambush me, I'm not too worried, and while the AC20 is nasty, a single ac20 is seldom enough unless I am already damaged. (I run my 4G a lot still, and to say you have to work for it agianst decent comp is an understatement).

It's perfectly viable, just not terribly interesting IMO. I can do essentially the same thing with my BJs.