34 replies to this topic

[PickledFoo]

Hi all, could you critique my Shadowhawk builds? I wanted to wrap up my Basic trees and made these two builds as something to move towards while I do it. Hopefully, if they're good, I wind up keeping one, because I do love the mech. That said, I'd appreciate any feedback on these.

SHD-5M
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90d66ada4dc5327
I made this with a "support brawl" mindset. 2xAC/2s for medium range, low heat DPS paired with 2xMPLas for up close. Finally, some SSRMs for lights or a few more points of damage if the situation calls for it. Generally I don't have too much trouble brawling in a Victor with an XL engine, but the SHD is obviously a fair bit smaller so that is a concern I have. Any thoughts here especially would be appreciated.


SHD-2D2
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...931bf89c5936eed
Again, this was made as a "support brawler", but with a little more versatility. The AC/5 gives me enough range to poke with, and I can hang a bit further back with the 2xLPLas. I also brought lots of SSRMs for the same reasons as before. My big worry with this one in particular is the heat efficiency.


I feel like I might find some success with both of these, but obviously a character sheet looks a lot different than the end product. I saw a few builds similar to these above, with the main difference being the amount of missiles. I'd really appreciate feedback on these, thanks!

[Kai Harper]

I've...kind of got a similar query to PickledFoo. If you guys wouldn't mind, could I please get some feedback on a 5M build? I'd like to pick one up, but would like some feedback from experienced Shadow Hawk pilots on a build so I can tweak it before I buy it.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d6d88c2c758c341

Thanks in advance, either way.

[AntiNeutrino]

FireSlade, on 06 December 2013 - 06:22 PM, said:

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.


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.

Just wanted to return and say that your advice has been working very well. I have been using cover and nearby mechs to avoid missile damage while averaging mid 300's in damage. I actually had my first 1000 damage round ever! Not bad for a sniper build! Thank you again for the help, it seems like a great community here.

[Will9761]

I run a Shadow Hawk-5M with 2x SRM4s, an LBX AC-10, and 2x Medium Lasers with 5 jump jets and 10 Double Heat Sinks. I use this build as a light-hunter and effective backstabber.

Edited by Will9761, 10 December 2013 - 07:58 AM.

[FireSlade]

AntiNeutrino, on 10 December 2013 - 07:34 AM, said:

Just wanted to return and say that your advice has been working very well. I have been using cover and nearby mechs to avoid missile damage while averaging mid 300's in damage. I actually had my first 1000 damage round ever! Not bad for a sniper build! Thank you again for the help, it seems like a great community here.

Congratulations The community here is really great and really close. You may see some negativity and fighting but for the most part people just want to help each other and MWO out the best way that they can.

[chrx]

PickledFoo, on 10 December 2013 - 12:45 AM, said:

SHD-2D2
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...931bf89c5936eed
Again, this was made as a "support brawler", but with a little more versatility. The AC/5 gives me enough range to poke with, and I can hang a bit further back with the 2xLPLas. I also brought lots of SSRMs for the same reasons as before. My big worry with this one in particular is the heat efficiency.

Although your build has a lot of firepower, it is very slow for a medium, lacks jump jets, armor, and heat efficiency. Trying to maintain your original idea, I built this: XL280, UAC5, 4SSRM2, 2ML, BAP, 2JJ. It can use the UAC for long range, streaks will keep the light harassers away, and BAP will counter ECM. It does not have too much ammo, but you can remove one jump jet, heat sinks or some armor to get more. Note also that adding artemis lets you obtain streak locks much quicker, for free.

[DONTOR]

Personally Id lose a ton of ammo for 2 JJs.

[PickledFoo]

chrx, on 11 December 2013 - 08:00 AM, said:

Although your build has a lot of firepower, it is very slow for a medium, lacks jump jets, armor, and heat efficiency. Trying to maintain your original idea, I built this: XL280, UAC5, 4SSRM2, 2ML, BAP, 2JJ. It can use the UAC for long range, streaks will keep the light harassers away, and BAP will counter ECM. It does not have too much ammo, but you can remove one jump jet, heat sinks or some armor to get more. Note also that adding artemis lets you obtain streak locks much quicker, for free.

I'm amazed you were able to fit all that in, and how clutch is it that you happened to select an engine that I already own? Thanks so much for correcting me, I will be building towards this ASAP!

[chrx]

PickledFoo, on 10 December 2013 - 12:45 AM, said:

SHD-5M
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90d66ada4dc5327
I made this with a "support brawl" mindset. 2xAC/2s for medium range, low heat DPS paired with 2xMPLas for up close. Finally, some SSRMs for lights or a few more points of damage if the situation calls for it. Generally I don't have too much trouble brawling in a Victor with an XL engine, but the SHD is obviously a fair bit smaller so that is a concern I have. Any thoughts here especially would be appreciated.

This build seems ok to me. It can do a bit of everything. Personally I would downgrade the medium pulse lasers to normal mediums, and add more AC2 ammo. Thus you could use the AC2s a bit longer. My shadow hawks also get legged regularly so I'd also increase the leg armor a bit. Jumping when under fire helps to spread the damage from your torso.

Kai Harper, on 10 December 2013 - 01:49 AM, said:

I've...kind of got a similar query to PickledFoo. If you guys wouldn't mind, could I please get some feedback on a 5M build? I'd like to pick one up, but would like some feedback from experienced Shadow Hawk pilots on a build so I can tweak it before I buy it.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d6d88c2c758c341

No major problems here either. A single streak launcher is however not that useful, I'd rather remove it and upgrade the AC2 to AC5: SHD-5M.


My personal favorite build for 5M has 2AC5 and PPC, which makes it pretty good sniper. It can also be done with 2H. Below my friend shows how to play it (although he prefers ERPPC, which is a bit too hot to my taste):

Spoiler

Edited by chrx, 13 December 2013 - 12:36 AM.

[Kai Harper]

chrx, on 12 December 2013 - 11:47 PM, said:

This build seems ok to me. It can do a bit of everything. Personally I would downgrade the medium pulse lasers to normal mediums, and add more AC2 ammo. Thus you could use the AC2s a bit longer. My shadow hawks also get legged regularly so I'd also increase the leg armor a bit. Jumping when under fire helps to spread the damage from your torso.




No major problems here either. A single streak launcher is however not that useful, I'd rather remove it and upgrade the AC2 to AC5: SHD-5M.


My personal favorite build for 5M has 2AC5 and PPC, which makes it pretty good sniper. It can also be done with 2H. Below my friend shows how to play it (although he prefers ERPPC, which is a bit too hot to my taste):

Spoiler

I didn't realise I'd taken out the second SSRM, my bad! Dual AC/5's you think? Hmm...I'll have to look into that. I'm still weighing up what I'm gonna go, but that could work well. Just wondering if I should drop the SSRM and just get the bigger XL over the dual 5's. Decisions, decisions...

[chrx]

AC5+AC2 gives you more DPS and heat, but smaller alpha. It is not necessarily worse than 2xAC5, but generally it is better to stack multiple similar weapons.

AC2 is a peculiar gun, as it runs hot and is thus best suited for use as only weapon, or together with cooler ballistics like AC5. If you want to use AC2, I'd propose SHD-2H with 3xAC2, or 2xAC5+AC2. In both cases strip armor from both arms and bring as much ammo as possible; bringing the single laser is not worth the weight. Both are nasty DPS machines and can even win duels against heavier mechs, but work best from the distance when someone more durable takes the beating. I run the AC12 version on my 2H, as bigger alpha is better for jump-sniping. It is quite easy to do >500 dmg in a match with both builds.

Edited by chrx, 13 December 2013 - 03:30 AM.

[Kai Harper]

chrx, on 13 December 2013 - 03:28 AM, said:

AC5+AC2 gives you more DPS and heat, but smaller alpha. It is not necessarily worse than 2xAC5, but generally it is better to stack multiple similar weapons.

AC2 is a peculiar gun, as it runs hot and is thus best suited for use as only weapon, or together with cooler ballistics like AC5. If you want to use AC2, I'd propose SHD-2H with 3xAC2, or 2xAC5+AC2. In both cases strip armor from both arms and bring as much ammo as possible; bringing the single laser is not worth the weight. Both are nasty DPS machines and can even win duels against heavier mechs, but work best from the distance when someone more durable takes the beating. I run the AC12 version on my 2H, as bigger alpha is better for jump-sniping. It is quite easy to do >500 dmg in a match with both builds.

Hmm...thanks for the brain stew, I'll have myself a think about it - and about which variant to buy! I was mainly gonna go the AC/2 because of the space, more than anything else.

[mogs01gt]

PickledFoo, on 10 December 2013 - 12:45 AM, said:

Hi all, could you critique my Shadowhawk builds? I wanted to wrap up my Basic trees and made these two builds as something to move towards while I do it. Hopefully, if they're good, I wind up keeping one, because I do love the mech. That said, I'd appreciate any feedback on these.
SHD-5M
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...90d66ada4dc5327
I made this with a "support brawl" mindset. 2xAC/2s for medium range, low heat DPS paired with 2xMPLas for up close. Finally, some SSRMs for lights or a few more points of damage if the situation calls for it. Generally I don't have too much trouble brawling in a Victor with an XL engine, but the SHD is obviously a fair bit smaller so that is a concern I have. Any thoughts here especially would be appreciated.

Try this
SHD-5M

[HurricaneZ]

Everything you guys are building can be done on both the 2D2 or 2H, so why is the 5M your favorite? I've been mastering all 3 for the past month, and compared to the 2D2, the 5M is short 2 missile slots (so only 2 x SSRM instead of 4) and compared to the 2H, its short 1 ballistic, ( so only 2 x AC2 instead of 3). It has the same energy slots at the 2D2 so I don't see a massive difference in play style, unless you want to just stick your right arm out to shoot someone (but then your torso is also blocked anyway). The only advantage the 5M has is the 5 x jump jets vs 3, so he is the most mobile of the 3.

However, if I were to push the 5M with a 350XL fast engine and all 5 jump jets, what else can he carry? a couple of MD lasers, 1 x 4 and 1 x 6 SRMs and 2 x machine guns? If I were to drop the engine then it wouldn't jump better then the other hawks anyway. I can't seem to make the 5M work, unless in maybe in a team using his mobility for scouting with NARC and TAG or something, but he's awfully heavy for a scout.

[mack sabbath]

This:

AC/10
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...375c119dfc5ed90

Or Dakka Dog:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a6501c79e9a14d9

Edited by Die Primate Die, 03 February 2014 - 09:15 PM.