Shadowcats (expecially B and PRIME) have been my main mechs since I mastered my first mech, the RVN, and the main reason I decided to prioritize mastering clan mechs over IS mechs.
That said, I think this build fits the Shadowcat's strenghts and my playstyle pretty well:
The Outranger
Clan laser builds are, first and foremost, about outranging. This will be especially true after the February debuffing of energy range quirks for IS mechs, that will remove those pesky RVN-4X and Cicadas X-5 outta the picture.Thus the build puts C-ERLL above C-LPL. Take into account that all shadowcat builds with 2 x C-LPL run hot far too fast, extending time to kill to impractical lengths. Also, both arms have quirks that affect ER lasers, not PLs. Thus it makes sense to make use of what little quirks we got as much as possible.
Maximizing DHS usage allows for far longer sustained fire while using the Shadowcat's main advantage: range. As the enemy closes in, on targets of opportunity or unto unexpected encounters, you can use the medium laser to increase your pinpoint DPS to the extreme. Lasers, the Shadowcat in general, and this build in particular excel at pinpointing weak or weakened components, racking up those component kills and an efficient takedown of enemies.
All energy hardpoints on the Shadowcat have an ideal high placement. Placing both C-ERLL on the right side of the mech allows for long range peeking and keeping hidden as much as possible. Remember that Shadowcats excels at outmaneuvering, always securing the most advantageous high ground with the combination of decent speed, MASC, JJs, ECM and elevated energy hardpoints, especially in maps such as Alpine, Canyon or mounted on the walls of HPG Manifold.
It's also important to say that, for a medium mech, the Shadowcat barely triumphs a light's armor. Range is your friend and you should keep it dear. If you're in a range that allows for punishing return fire, you're better off retreating and setting on a new position, than trying to outgun and outtank by peek and shoot. Peeking at medium to short range, especially on builds centered on the 2 Energy hardpoints on the right side, is a sure way to get focus fire on that weak side torso and lose most on your firepower, plus you immediately lose the retreating option as you get a penalty on speed because part of your engine is lost too.