27 replies to this topic

[Rattler85]

I have 3 Shadow Hawks and have them all elited and would like to get better at fighting with them.

SHD-5M:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...abb504329a2e997

SHD-2D
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d8f5b0757e82794

SHD-2D2 (srms/ll)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7e6e138b26e3347

SHD-2D2 (streaks/ll)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...bfca498b28ab3a7

I do the best in my LRM/LL 2D, but I really do struggle with the other builds.

For the 2d2, I usually try to kill lights especially with the streak build. If I am not fighting lights I try to engage mid to close ranged targets that my teammates are attacking. I am also not sure on whether or not to use the streaks or srm4 build. The nice thing about the srm4 build is that I do not have to worry about ecm.

How can I improve the 2d2s and 5m? Should I remove the CASE and put the ammo for the SRMs or streaks in the legs? I have tried to skirmish with these mechs. I often end up being the guy focused on by the opposing team.

Edited by Rattler85, 14 November 2014 - 06:37 AM.

[Crotch RockIt]

If you want to run Streaks and large lasers on the 2D2, I think this is a better way to do it. Put in an XL to save weight. With the weight savings, add a 4th launcher and a 3rd ton of ammo. Max the leg armor and put some ammo there. Use the rest of your space for more heat sinks. I left one ton of ammo in a side torso and loaded that torso with crit padded items, so an ammo explosion is unlikely.

Also, add Artemis to any Streak build to decrease lock-on time. There's no weight penalty.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...97c58cc6f328502

Edited by Crotch RockIt, 14 November 2014 - 07:45 AM.

[Rattler85]

The XL on a Shadow Hawk does increase the speed, but they go down faster.

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

You are missing the best variant,SHD-2K,its a basically jumping Zombie Cent.

Flying Zombie Cent

You can run it with 3 ER LL too,but that is bit too situation dependent for my taste,but someone likes the daughter,someone the mother.

2D can be run as a jumping Hunchback 4G with AC20+3ML,2 JJ,Endo+Ferro+STD260,its pretty solid in that.

5M is a bit problematic,i liked AC10 + ER PPC metanonsense build with XL300

[PeeWrinkle]

I run XL's on all my Shadowhawks except for the 2d2 and 2d AC20 builds. Which is obvious since there is not enough room for an XL. I have not noticed much of a difference since I seemed to get cored when I die. Grant it every once in a while I have a ST death. I would definitely use XL's in most of your builds to increase speed and damage potential.

[Zeriniel]

I've always run my 2d2 with 4xSSRM2s, 1xLBX10, 2xML, BAP, 2xJJ, XL280 and have never had any issue having a good game. The SHD rolls damage around great, and you can get many many volleys off before even approaching heat issues.

[mogs01gt]

Cookiemonter669, on 14 November 2014 - 12:22 PM, said:

You are missing the best variant,SHD-2K,its a basically jumping Zombie Cent.
Flying Zombie Cent
You can run it with 3 ER LL too,but that is bit too situation dependent for my taste,but someone likes the daughter,someone the mother.2D can be run as a jumping Hunchback 4G with AC20+3ML,2 JJ,Endo+Ferro+STD260,its pretty solid in that.
5M is a bit problematic,i liked AC10 + ER PPC metanonsense build with XL300

Zombie not found.


I dont see the benefit of removing the ballistic weapon in favor of large lasers. The best part about the SHawk is the high mounted ballistic hard point.

[Triban]

This is my 2D2. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

SHD-2D2

[Lefty Lucy]

Rattler85, on 14 November 2014 - 12:14 PM, said:

The XL on a Shadow Hawk does increase the speed, but they go down faster.

But you also move and twist faster, allowing you to sink more damage on the arms and get out of harms way better. Unless you do something silly like run an XL with under 300 rating, putting an XL on a SHD tends to increase your survivability, not decrease it.

[mogs01gt]

Lefty Lucy, on 19 November 2014 - 10:42 AM, said:

But you also move and twist faster, allowing you to sink more damage on the arms and get out of harms way better. Unless you do something silly like run an XL with under 300 rating, putting an XL on a SHD tends to increase your survivability, not decrease it.

But smart players aim for the CT mounting ballistics hardpoint

[Macksheen]

I ran this for a long time on my 2D2
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...308243ffeca8bcf

Though when I got Griffins I moved back to ballistics on my 2D2 and did the above on a Griffin

[CimaGarahau]

Rattler85, on 14 November 2014 - 12:14 PM, said:

The XL on a Shadow Hawk does increase the speed, but they go down faster.

I take that risk, I need the speed/mobility. I have to be quick, becuase I'm more the "hit and run" guy.

[StonedDead]

SDH-5M
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a52c2b95160908d

SDH-2D2
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...afeecce68a010ea

Those are my builds, and I changed my Phoenix variant but didn't update smurfy so I didn't list it. I seem to do best with the 5M, which has probably the most varied loadout. It just seems to work well in most situations. I did manage to tear apart a Highlander with the 2D2 once, but someone snagged the kill at the last second with LRMs. The 4 srm2's kept a steady stream of fire on him while I jumped around and made it hard for him to target, and lasers as well as the occasional AC round to get the juicy parts. I was pretty disappointed to have done all the work for someone to fire a lousy LRM10 at the last second, but it happens. Especially since it would have been a rare(for me) completely solo kill, as he was completely fresh when I found him.

Don't be afraid to take on a bigger mech with a Shadowhawk, just be reasonable about it. And don't try if they have backup. Otherwise, support your team with it, concentrate your fire with theirs, and don't be afraid to chase the pesky lights off of your heavies/assaults with one.

[Ens]

man no matter what i do:

i suck at shadowhawks

[Void Angel]

Rattler85, on 14 November 2014 - 06:17 AM, said:

I have 3 Shadow Hawks and have them all elited and would like to get better at fighting with them... I have tried to skirmish with these mechs. I often end up being the guy focused on by the opposing team.

Ens, on 19 November 2014 - 11:37 AM, said:

man no matter what i do:

i suck at shadowhawks

Your builds aren't terribly bad, though they could all use more autocannon. It seems to me like you're running into problems with how you're approaching the chassis tactically.

Piloting Mediums is about the fine arts of cooperation and positioning. You want to engage something smaller than you, something that's not looking at you, or something that's distracted by your teammates. To this end, you need to always try to keep tabs on where the enemy is, where your team is, and what both are doing. Let me give you a few examples and suggested tactics - these are not intended to be an exhaustive list, or in any order of importance:

• Engage alongside a Heavy or Assault. Often Assaults and Heavies will walk around corners and exchange fire with the enemy; walk around that corner with them (preferably on a straight line and always without blocking your bullet sponge best friend forever's line of movement back,) and shoot at all the guys who just shot at your Big.
  
• Play Defend the Dire Wolf. Or the Atlas, or the Battlemaster, or whatever. Stick close to them and bully lights that target them, engage what they're engaging, and just generally support them. This will make the enemy choose between engaging you while your Big beats on them, or letting you engage unopposed - usually they end up shooting at both of you, which is the best of both worlds.
  
• When sniping, set up so that you can see only your target, by preference. You want to be shooting someone who's not looking back at you from around a corner so that the rest of their team can't see you either. If your Special Friend downrange gets tired of playing Autocannon Tag, switch to another target.
  
• Be suspicious. If you don't see some of the enemy team, and haven't for a while, you should really be wondering where they went. If you've been staring downrange for a while, dishing out hot blam, you should consider moving, just because. Even if they're not shooting back at you. Especially when they're not shooting back at you. Be elusive, and remember that your firepower-toughness-speed ratio makes you the best first responder in the case of an enemy flanking maneuver.

[Ens]

i know all of this actually

and i do magics in griffins....but i really do suck in shadowhawks...i just don´t know why

same thing for my alt-account applies with timber wolves...but don´t tell anyone

[Alaskan Nobody]

Ens, on 19 November 2014 - 12:45 PM, said:

i know all of this actually

and i do magics in griffins....but i really do suck in shadowhawks...i just don´t know why

I have similar issues - stemming in part that I am a lot more aggressive in "good" mechs than is smart to be
(That and the horrible cockpit for the Shawk)

[Void Angel]

Ens, on 19 November 2014 - 12:45 PM, said:

i know all of this actually

and i do magics in griffins....but i really do suck in shadowhawks...i just don´t know why

same thing for my alt-account applies with timber wolves...but don´t tell anyone

Then I'd have to say it's your loadouts and/or the difference between the two chassis' mobility and handling. The only Shadow Hawk I use currently is my Phoenix Variant. The dual AC/5s are new, to take advantage of the quirk (my previous build had an AC/10 and a much bigger engine.) Just use your mobility and smart positioning to get a few shots on the enemy, and discipline yourself not to engage until the enemy is sufficiently distracted.

It may be that the way you're using your weapons with the chassis isn't well supported by the Shadow Hawk. The fully-skilled Griffin's 191 degrees of total arm+torso range make it amazing for mobility fights, while the Shadow Hawk's 143 degrees is merely adequate for circle strafing. Once you consider that the Griffin supports up to 7 jump jets while the Shadow Hawk supports only 3 on most variants, you get a good illustration of just how different two 55-ton chassis can be. The Shadow Hawk will require a more focused and deliberate playing style than I'd expect from the Griffin, because it cannot escape so well as its more agile cousin.

Edited by Void Angel, 19 November 2014 - 04:24 PM.

[Ens]

good point, i honestly never thought about that !

[Alienized]

alos make good use of the high mounted ballistics, you dont have to expose your mech to fire.
the terrain can give you alot of these chances. just stand behind a smaller building and fire the ac/5's above it