30 replies to this topic

[Zordicron]

My pheonix hawk variant was running triple AC2 last summer. It ran hot, but was a lot of fun and pretty effective.

Now, clans, so range is sorta moot, BUT mostly, the cooldown nerf has made me completely detest the AC2, as it feels like a peashooter instead of a DPS weapon.

So, now I need a new loadout for the last 10k or so XP to master this variant. Suggestions welcome, though I prefer mid range support on this chassis vs brawler or sniper(as sniper range with triple AC2 is largely out now)

Half a mind to make a troll loadout with triple MG and SSRM2's and a flamer, but I do actually want to master the variant.

[BoldricKent]

If you want to use balistic points on your Shadow i would suggest double AC5 with cooldown
modul, you get fast shooting no heat setup, support with some energy weapons... i would forgo missile in this setup.
If you like misslies, go ASRM6,triple MG and LPL, at least 300xl and 3-5JJ. JJ are critical for such build.

[Slots]

This is my SHD-2H. Its a little strange and really underpowered. I don't even remember why there is a BAP. You could ditch it and go with a xl350 to top out at 113kph instead of 110.

I usually stay near my team and smear the ERLL on targets in range and use the srms to scare off lights. Clan lights cannot outrun it. The xl340 lets me torso twist like a champ to spread that damage around.

No matter what build you end up using it will go by rather quickly since you only need 10k xp.

Edited by Slots, 06 October 2014 - 05:34 AM.

[xe N on]

Slots, on 06 October 2014 - 05:34 AM, said:

This is my SHD-2H. Its a little strange and really underpowered.

Sorry, but this build is absolute horrible bad.

[Crotch RockIt]

It's bad but not horrible, because it can be fixed rather easily. First, move the AMS ammo to head and SRM ammo to legs. Torso ammo is a bad idea with an XL engine. Get rid of CASE (it's useless for XL engines) and BAP. With the saved weight, add 3 machine guns and some ammo.

Still not great build, but much improved, IMHO.

[Slots]

xe N on, on 06 October 2014 - 07:49 AM, said:

Sorry, but this build is absolute horrible bad.

I did say it was really underpowered. Never really stopped me from hovering around 400 damage as long as I stick the the outskirts of a brawl and not wade into it. It really plays like a slow light more than a medium.

Crotch RockIt, on 06 October 2014 - 11:47 AM, said:

It's bad but not horrible, because it can be fixed rather easily. First, move the AMS ammo to head and SRM ammo to legs. Torso ammo is a bad idea with an XL engine. Get rid of CASE (it's useless for XL engines) and BAP. With the saved weight, add 3 machine guns and some ammo.

Still not great build, but much improved, IMHO.

I took the MGs out simply because I could not see when firing them. Looks like they reduced the muzzle flash significantly since then though. I stuck that CASE in there before I knew better and I actually had not looked at the loadout since then. BAP was the same thing but only because I was running streaks. I really should take them out.

It would only fit two MGs if I want enough ammo to last a match unless you want to skimp on armor. Even though its a fairly bad build I have fun with it and do decent enough. It has enough armor to take a hit or two and the speed to chase down all but IS lights. It will melt if you try to face tank things though.

Eldagore only needed like 10k xp to master his so that is probably all done with.

[Zordicron]

Actually I havent touched it all weekend. I might fool with some of these, just to see. But none of the suggestions pop to me or sound like somthing really different I havent tried before. I am kind of hoping someone pops in with somthing really neat-o, as this is the "hero" variant with the c-bill boost so of the hawks, if i could load this one out with something really fun, I would run it.

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

Triple AC2 is just bad nowadays,Triple ASRM6 launchers in SHD-2K on the other hand is the SRM-brawling meta for IS mediums,extremely easy to play and very forgiving even with XL-engine.

[Inflatable Fish]

I'm running an UAC/5, 3xSRM4 and ML on my 2H. it's nice, had several over-800 damage matches in it, even though I don't play it very often cause I'm in love with the St Ives Blues.

[warner2]

I wish I had a good build for it too. It's a shame PGI totally unnecessarily broke the AC2 and removed the one build I used it for. It can squeeze on an AC20+PPC or ERPPC or LPL but that builds is a little old school these days and not the best. You can also do 2AC5+PPC or ERPPC or LPL (best with an XL engine) but again I was never a big fan of that and always preferred 2PPC+AC5. I use Hawks quite a lot so it'd be nice to take advantage of the CBill boost but it just isn't the best variant these days.

[warner2]

I have been trying out a Griffin with 1 ERPPC and 3 SRM6+A which is pretty effective. I might try this build on the Hawk 2H which is similar:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...646eec1e7997d76

Edited by warner2, 13 October 2014 - 05:09 AM.

[ExplodedZombie]

Scatterhawk

It's seriously fun. Play it as a strike mech, swooping up the kills.

Or if you want something with slightly more long-range punch, swap that LB-10X for an AC/10. That's what I use, now, and pretty consistently destroy face with it.

Edited by ExplodedZombie, 13 October 2014 - 01:18 PM.

[PeeWrinkle]

I didn't read all the posts, so if these are duplicate builds I apologize.

I played the 2H two different ways:
Terror 2H; I called it Terror because its a terror on the battle field. Support your heavy and assaults and user your speed and high DPS. This build kicked but for me.
Splatter 2H: I called it splatter because it is a crit machine, but don't expect to take a mech down in one shot with this puppy because damage goes everywhere. I had several builds for this one, just messing with armor and ammo. This was my favorite, it has the most ammo and least armor out of all my splatter tweaks. It was awesome fun to play.

Hope those help.

[Dagon Zur]

SHD-2H - "Aggro-Trasher"

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3b6dd82fbeb33f5

tip: early in match snipe and supress, late game just go aggro and trash everyone, overheating-laser-vomimiting clanners are my victim of choice...

[mogs01gt]

Why are you people continually putting ammo in your STs? Horrible idea with an XL.

SHD-2H
Lights will wreck you though without help.

[Dagon Zur]

mogs01gt, on 16 October 2014 - 07:33 AM, said:

Why are you people continually putting ammo in your STs? Horrible idea with an XL.

SHD-2H
Lights will wreck you though without help.

It depends on playstyle, this is what works for me, at least on that ammo-boat..
Enemy will usually focus fire on my legs and left torso anyway.
Ammo in legs can also take your XL. Leg stored ammo explosion damage transfers to side torso.
Also, you can tank a lot of damage with legs if no ammo on them.
So for close combat SHD, my feeling is that the legs are more dangerous ammo storage than right torso.
On pure long range builds, i store ammo ln legs and CT.

Edited by Dagon Zur, 16 October 2014 - 12:44 PM.

[mogs01gt]

Dagon Zur, on 16 October 2014 - 12:40 PM, said:

It depends on playstyle, this is what works for me, at least on that ammo-boat..
Enemy will usually focus fire on my legs and left torso anyway.
Ammo in legs can also take your XL. Leg stored ammo explosion damage transfers to side torso.
Also, you can tank a lot of damage with legs if no ammo on them.
So for close combat SHD, my feeling is that the legs are more dangerous ammo storage than right torso.
On pure long range builds, i store ammo ln legs and CT.

People do not focus fire on mech's legs when its obvious they are running an XL. Good players will see the difference once they engage a mech.

Edited by mogs01gt, 17 October 2014 - 05:11 AM.

[Kal Solar]

mogs01gt, on 16 October 2014 - 12:49 PM, said:

People do not focus fire on mech's legs when its obvious they are running an XL. Good plays will see the difference once they engage a mech.

if they go for Shad's XL, they will focus on LEFT torso 90% of the time.....

Edited by Kal Solar, 17 October 2014 - 12:29 AM.

[Aleski]

I'm using that :

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2c12a2071fc3cb8
Strip the SRM 2 if you need more speed.

Or that (very nice and efficient for my play style)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d7af061d74ad167

I've never try again the Ac/2 build since the nerf, i was using it a lot before, when i try that mech for the first time =)

Bonus : The versatile one :
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6cff58c9794b91c

Edited by Aleski, 17 October 2014 - 12:28 AM.

[mogs01gt]

Kal Solar, on 16 October 2014 - 11:49 PM, said:

if they go for Shad's XL, they will focus on LEFT torso 90% of the time.....

and they're still dead.

Edited by mogs01gt, 17 October 2014 - 05:11 AM.