34 replies to this topic

[Capt Jester]

Many regard the AC/10 as gimpy, that the only options are AC/5s or an AC/20. When you're dealing with smaller chassis and don't want to make sacrifices just to mount a massive cannon on your medium, I've found the AC/10 to be a really viable option.

Behold, the Shadowhawk 5M (Ignore the armor, you can configure that how you like):
SHD-5M
I used an XL300 because I had one left over from my Catapults, but you could go for a smaller engine and get more heat sinks or a little more armor. Most of my deaths have been from being center-cored, if you are worried about the XL.

[FireSlade]

I am running that same build except with a 280XL instead of the 300XL and 5JJs. It is a really good mech but runs very hot. A few changes to help you survive more and get cored less http://mwo.smurfy-ne...236c53f55159973 I hope that this helps you out and remember to use your left arm as a shield to stay out a bit longer.

[Mercer Skye]

I know it's not a 'true' A/C 10 build, but I'm running this at the moment. Not quite as quick, a little less heat efficient, but in the inevitable skirmish with a light I always seem to get into, tends to do a touch better for hitting moving targets, and more ammo always makes me feel more comfortable.

[Gigastrike]

I've been finding 3 tons of ammo to be enough, even in high-action matches that I last the whole way through. Or, if not, 2 large lasers are enough on their own for the little bit longer that the match would last.

Been loving the build, though I've been finding it to rely on its mobility so that you don't have to push your heat in extended engagements. Didn't actually like it before I upgraded the engine to an XL 300 and got speed tweak.

[Aleski]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...24c9ff2f9c9c6c2

This is the same, but you remove the armor on your useless left arm, and you can put two JJ. With my AC/20 build, the JJ is very important, you can trap your ennemy, and it's give you a lot of maneuvrability...

Your build is really funky, thanks to share =)

I test it tonight!

With my XL 275 :
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...89ec26e629aa6dc

An ams, good option too!

Edited by Aleski, 06 November 2013 - 12:58 AM.

[Bront]

Needs jump jets, probably doesn't need 4 tons of ammo (I rarely burn though more than 30-35 shots).

Personally, I'd rather throw this on the 2D2 to spread the lasers out on each arm. I like the AC20 hawk as the 5M though for the 2 lasers on the other arm.

[Tooth Fairy]

To add another variant to this discussion;

I'm currently fielding this unit http://mwo.smurfy-ne...87a990d5cbd6908
with an 350XL engine (113 kph tweaked), 14 DHS and two ErPPCs in a Sniper/Support role. Great jump capability and maneuverability, no ammo dependence. XL usually not a problem.

Doesn't create a lot of damage (3-400), but anyways I don't like brawling and fight from a distance. An alternative to prevent overheating is to switch this variant to 1 ErPPC and 1 Lg Pulse Laser, which gives better close quarters fighting capability.

Let me know your thoughts.

[Aleski]

The two ER PPC build is cool too, but i think you should remove two Jump Jets and had an other Heat Sinks.

On maps like Terra Therma, i think you're going to have trouble with the heat management, you're going to have less punch than in a Ballistic build.

You should remove the armor to the left arm too if you don't use it, or use the SHD-2D2 in order to have the ER PPC on both arms. It's better i think if you get armed...

SHD-2D2 - 2xER PPC
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...38ad8270aa3d5ec

SHD-5M- 2xER PPC
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2f6cdb846728061

Edited by Aleski, 07 November 2013 - 01:49 AM.

[Bront]

Aleski, on 07 November 2013 - 01:43 AM, said:

The two ER PPC build is cool too, but i think you should remove two Jump Jets and had an other Heat Sinks. On maps like Terra Therma, i think you're going to have trouble with the heat management, you're going to have less punch than in a Ballistic build. You should remove the armor to the left arm too if you don't use it, or use the SHD-2D2 in order to have the ER PPC on both arms. It's better i think if you get armed... SHD-2D2 - 2xER PPC http://mwo.smurfy-ne...38ad8270aa3d5ec SHD-5M- 2xER PPC http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2f6cdb846728061

Yeah, doesn't hit quite as hard, but the heat efficiency is much better if you drop an ERPPC and 3 HS for an AC5 and 2 tons of ammo.

This works on the 2D2 or 5M. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0c7d392a0ad0b20

[xengk]

This is my current 5M, it was modified from a suggested build in another Shadowhawk thread.
SHD-5M

Works as a support platform.
Although the lack of BAP with only 2 SSRM2 will give you a tough time fighting lights.
The AC2 will help at hitting lights depending on your accuracy and also cover for the 4 seconds downtime of the PPC to keep your DPS up.
The XL280 goes up to 90kph after ST, enough speed for you to out maneuver and exploit weak spots on heavy and assault with the dual PPC.

[Aleski]

Bront, on 07 November 2013 - 07:27 AM, said:

Yeah, doesn't hit quite as hard, but the heat efficiency is much better if you drop an ERPPC and 3 HS for an AC5 and 2 tons of ammo.

This works on the 2D2 or 5M. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0c7d392a0ad0b20

Your version is nice for light hunting!

I prefer this sniping mode with an ER PPC and Gauss, it's more my combat-style, very powerfull, not too hot, but you just run at 82Kph.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d59f35e3a1dd58b

xengk, on 07 November 2013 - 07:16 PM, said:

This is my current 5M, it was modified from a suggested build in another Shadowhawk thread.
SHD-5M

I think the combo PPC + AC2 is too hot for a lot of maps like Terra Therma, Tourmaline or Canyon Network. You have enough power, but not enough heat sink to use it well. But i think other heavy mech can be surprise by this strenght!

Edited by Aleski, 08 November 2013 - 12:34 AM.

[Samziel]

I ran this Sniper build alot when I started playing Shadowhawks. Still one of my favourite builds.

[Aleski]

Samziel, on 08 November 2013 - 12:39 AM, said:

I ran this Sniper build alot when I started playing Shadowhawks. Still one of my favourite builds.

Really nice!! I think i'll try it with my 275XL like that :
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e00310a9e083496

I'm using the SHD-2H(P) with a LBX-10,ER PPC and SRM6 it's good too, but running too hot... On short range yoo have a good punch, and can snipe with ER PPC + JJ.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c68655b9a5114a1

[Bigg Robb]

I like the 5M best as well. I guess I'm always looking for what the Mech was in canon, not just how many SSRM's I can pack into something. Shadowhawk was one of my favorite Mechs back in the board game days too.

Since the SHD is a versatile skirmisher, harasser, and support unit. I've been driving the stock 275XL with 5JJ and an LB10, LRM10, and ERLL. Those 3 weapons give me a variety of coverage and engagement options against opponents, and I usually keep moving. I know a lot of people are gonna ***** about the LRM10, but if you shoot at the right targets and don't waste your time shooting into the pack where all the AMS is, it's just fine. (I look at the Mechs I'm targeting too to see what they're carrying.) Yes I know 2LRM5's work but that's not always my style or heat choice, and just seems to violate my sense of design for this Mech.

This build has been working for me and delivering good results!

[AntiNeutrino]

What do you think of this gauss build?

SHD-5M

Edited by AntiNeutrino, 06 December 2013 - 03:38 PM.

[FireSlade]

AntiNeutrino, on 06 December 2013 - 03:37 PM, said:

What do you think of this gauss build?

SHD-5M

It works but the LRM 5 could be swapped for a SRM 4 and will work for you better. 1 AMS will ruin your day wasting your ammo and barely dealing damage. Having Gauss in the ST with an XL engine is tough too. With so little internal hit points (26) as soon as you lose your armor the GR will explode after 5 damage is taken and will kill you. So my recommendation for it is to armor that left arm some to shield your right torso and use your right to take the brunt of the damage. Works better if you can use teammates as shields too. It can be done since that is how I am currently running my 2H and I rarely see under 300 damage matches with it but it is tough to do too. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...200594bb945dbfe

[AntiNeutrino]

FireSlade, on 06 December 2013 - 03:54 PM, said:

1 AMS will ruin your day wasting your ammo and barely dealing damage.

I had no idea! I was worried about the missile boats getting to me while I was sitting in the back sniping. Is that not much of a concern if good cover is available?

FireSlade, on 06 December 2013 - 03:54 PM, said:

[color=#959595]So my recommendation for it is to armor that left arm some to shield your right torso and use your right to take the brunt of the damage.[/color]

This make sense, using the left arm as a shield is something I try to do but I only lose it in about 1/4 of matches now. I'll work on turning with it more using this build. Great advice! I'll let you know how it works out, Thanks!

[FireSlade]

AntiNeutrino, on 06 December 2013 - 05:53 PM, said:

I had no idea! I was worried about the missile boats getting to me while I was sitting in the back sniping. Is that not much of a concern if good cover is available?

Sorry about my poor choice of wording, What I meant is that with a single LRM 5 a single enemy AMS will take out all of your missiles before they can do damage. I am up in the air with AMS. Generally, I try to put them on but some of my best builds, Ilya Muromets and Heavy Metal, there tends to be no room to run them. The other issue is AMS acts like missile armor (works with SRMs and SSRMs too) adding to you and your team’s survival, but LRMs would most likely be a pain but not threatening unless you get caught in the open and at that point AMS will not help you. Although I am finding with MWO 2 of anything makes it op and same works with AMS; I can ignore missiles in my Joker with the dual AMS. So it is up to you on if the 1.5 tons is worth to bring it.

AntiNeutrino, on 06 December 2013 - 05:53 PM, said:

This make sense, using the left arm as a shield is something I try to do but I only lose it in about 1/4 of matches now. I'll work on turning with it more using this build. Great advice! I'll let you know how it works out, Thanks!

Thanks. I try to help out anyone that I can. I love Battletech and Mech Warrior and if I can help out a fellow player I try to do my best.

[Buckminster]

I've been running my Shadow Hawks stock-ish, so the 2H and 2D2 still carry the LRM5s. I've actually found them to be fairly useful.

I've certainly seen my volleys eaten by AMS. But a lot of mechs don't carry AMS, so I've also been able to put a lot of missiles on target. That LRM adds nice support for my AC5/UAC5, putting just a little bit more damage down range. It also tends to make people duck when they see that "incoming missile" warning sign, and I don't mind wasting a volley of 5 missiles to make someone move.

[xengk]

Aleski, on 08 November 2013 - 12:27 AM, said:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d59f35e3a1dd58b

I think the combo PPC + AC2 is too hot for a lot of maps like Terra Therma, Tourmaline or Canyon Network. You have enough power, but not enough heat sink to use it well. But i think other heavy mech can be surprise by this strenght!

It does run very hot if you try to use both together.
I have the 2 PPC set to chain fire and only use them if the target is in the >300m range, or as support fire for friendly brawler.
For anything closer, the AC/2 and SSRM2 takes over.
I only carry 2t ammo for the AC/2, it not going last the match if used as a primary weapon. The 1t ammo of SSRM is for discouraging light from hanging around or removing fleas from your assault's back. Do not attempt to chase them once you got them on the run.

This build cannot survive a 1 on 1 duel, so I always travel with a buddy, preferably a heavy or assault.