19 replies to this topic

[Grimnir79]

Hi all, I just wondered if anyone has any good ideas for a good Shadowcat SHC-B build.

I tried some rounds with the stock build (2 x LRM15 + medium las) and I had some decent success with it. While I didn't to do that much damage I did manage to distract the enemy team sufficiently for us to win.
I also find the stock build to be vulnerable in CQC.

So I decided to perhaps try a different build: large lasers + lrm 5. What do you think about this? The large lasers give me a bit more punch, and the lrm5 are good for harassment.
Also I could replace the lrm5s with 2xSRM4 or 2 x SSRM4 for better CQC.

What do you all think? All replies are much appreciated.

[Bassie]

The common shadowcat builds are:
3 erll
3 ssrm6, 2 Erml ( my favourite, but takes a well practiced playstyle)
2 lpl 0-1erml
7 machine guns, 1 flamer or erppc

Have fun!

[p4ul]

my current build is 2 artemis srm6, 6 mg, 4 double heatsinks, 1 flamer.

[Grimnir79]

Thanks for the replies all.

I might be missing something here, but as far as I can see the SHB-B only has two missile hardpoints and two energy hardpoints. Are you suggesting I equip some omnipods? Sorry if question is silly, but this is the first clan-mech I have bought.

Anyways I can see that the message seems to be: drop the LRMs and use lasers + SRM's instead!?

LRM's are good for harassment but they do little damage, and with all the ECM's it will be hard getting a lock.
Yesterday I switched to 2 x LRG LASER + 2 x SSRM4 with maxed out armor. What do you think about that build? I think I will stick with the LRG LASERS, but I'm unsure about what missiles to use. I was thinking using the SSRM's for hunting lights.

Thanks again.

Edited by Grimnir79, 18 February 2016 - 11:35 PM.

[Paqu]

Grimnir79, on 18 February 2016 - 11:29 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies all.

I might be missing something here, but as far as I can see the SHB-B only has two missile hardpoints and two energy hardpoints. Are you suggesting I equip some omnipods? Sorry if question is silly, but this is the first clan-mech I have bought.

Anyways I can see that the message seems to be: drop the LRMs and use lasers + SRM's instead!?

LRM's are good for harassment but they do little damage, and with all the ECM's it will be hard getting a lock.
Yesterday I switched to 2 x LRG LASER + 2 x SSRM4 with maxed out armor. What do you think about that build? I think I will stick with the LRG LASERS, but I'm unsure about what missiles to use. I was thinking using the SSRM's for hunting lights.

Thanks again.

Yes mix and match omnipods with Clan mechs. Thats their strong point since it cannot be done with IS mechs. You do lose the xp bonus on Shadow Cat when all omnipods are not the same, but its really not a big deal.

This has been my favourite build on Shadow Cat and its also the build where I have also done the best so far:
https://dl.dropboxus...hadow%20Cat.jpg

It does require you to get closer to the enemy than with your large lasers and often its better to sit out few minutes at the start of the match and just hide behind your teammates when they are doing their poking. Once the enemy has been softened up a bit and people start moving more around the map thats when this build shines.

Especially now that the MASC got a nice buff. Dont forget that the MASC also works on reverse!

[Cato Phoenix]

2 ERPPC, ECM

[Avengerlx]

i play it 2C-ERML and 3SRM:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d3cf7087cecb86d
Weapong Grp 1: ML Chainfire
2: 3x SRM6
3: 3xSRM6 Chain fire (if heat Problems or not sure to hit with all 3.
4: left ML
5: right ML

[Paqu]

Avengerlx, on 20 February 2016 - 12:10 PM, said:

i play it 2C-ERML and 3SRM:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d3cf7087cecb86d
Weapong Grp 1: ML Chainfire
2: 3x SRM6
3: 3xSRM6 Chain fire (if heat Problems or not sure to hit with all 3.
4: left ML
5: right ML

I would highly recommend removing one heatsink and two tons of ammo so you could swap the SRM's to artemis. They are you main damage dealer afterall and the tigher spread from artemis really give better damage at their 200-270m range and at closer range you are much more likely to deal most of the damage in one part of the enemy mech.

[Bassie]

I enjoyed using lrms on mine, it can be done. 2 lrm15, 3erml. Just remember that clan lrm don't have a min range. As you have limited tubes and limited ammo you need to make them count.
I aimed to shoot from 400m away, preferably at a slow mech. Using your jump jets you can pop tart (jump and shoot mid air).

Later game, 3 Erml are nothing to be sneezed at, find the stripped components and collect the kills / components.

Using jump jets, missiles and lasers together gets a bit hot, but is workable.

I consider the shadowcat (which is my best mech btw) to be a 400-500m mech. Generally, heavy mechs in the same team are pretty happy for your ecm too.

In comparison g the shc to stormcrow (which seems better in every way, but is an entirely different mech) remember that you can fit 2 weapon modules to shadowcat. This can help in maximising the effectiveness of your limited hardpoints.
Lrm15 cool down & Erml cool down for the above build. Or range and cool down on the ssrm6s really boost its performance.

[Grimnir79]

Hm so many choices, can't decide. While I do like the LRM's I have a really hard time doing any real damage, which doesn't really earn me that many C-Bills. I've had greater success using large lasers + SRM's.
But I think I will try once more with the LRMs, but this time try to get closer. If I'm to far away AMS will shot down so many missiles.

I'm now also thinking about the following loadout:
- 1 x ER LL.
- 1 x MPL.
- 2 x SRM6 + Artemis.
- More armor.
- BAP and ECM.

The ERLL is for the early long range harassment, while the MPL and SRM6 are for late game.

The Shadowcat is a nice cat, but it is a hard cat to master.

[Paqu]

Grimnir79, on 22 February 2016 - 12:35 AM, said:

Hm so many choices, can't decide. While I do like the LRM's I have a really hard time doing any real damage, which doesn't really earn me that many C-Bills. I've had greater success using large lasers + SRM's.
But I think I will try once more with the LRMs, but this time try to get closer. If I'm to far away AMS will shot down so many missiles.

I'm now also thinking about the following loadout:
- 1 x ER LL.
- 1 x MPL.
- 2 x SRM6 + Artemis.
- More armor.
- BAP and ECM.

The ERLL is for the early long range harassment, while the MPL and SRM6 are for late game.

The Shadowcat is a nice cat, but it is a hard cat to master.

The way I see it the problem with mixing weapons like that will mean that you might be able to do different things but not being good at any of them.

With one large laser you wont be able to do all that much at range and at close range you lose quite a bit of DPS by not having that third SRM and due to the heat the large laser will create if you try to use it as well. I think it would be better to go with two large lasers and one medium laser or something like that and focus on staying at a distance.

If you take two medium lasers and three SRM's you get good damage up close while still being able to decent damage to medium range with the lasers with their 405m max damage range. If you get the range module on them you can boost the max damage range up to around 450m.

So I would recommend picking either one and not trying to do both at the same time.

Edited by Paqu, 22 February 2016 - 09:47 AM.

[Bassie]

Grimnir79, on 22 February 2016 - 12:35 AM, said:

Hm so many choices, can't decide. While I do like the LRM's I have a really hard time doing any real damage, which doesn't really earn me that many C-Bills. I've had greater success using large lasers + SRM's.
But I think I will try once more with the LRMs, but this time try to get closer. If I'm to far away AMS will shot down so many missiles.

I'm now also thinking about the following loadout:
- 1 x ER LL.
- 1 x MPL.
- 2 x SRM6 + Artemis.
- More armor.
- BAP and ECM.

The ERLL is for the early long range harassment, while the MPL and SRM6 are for late game.

The Shadowcat is a nice cat, but it is a hard cat to master.

On that build... Generally just focus on one range, unless you are on an assault mech. So either drop the large laser, or drop everything else and put 1-2 more large lasers in. You also get pretty much no benefit from the bap if you have ecm.

Shadowcats have limited space due to masc and jump jets. So it important to be efficient with your choices.

As an aside, i consider it the ninja mech - hide, strike, hide. The jump jets, masc and ect all help with this.

Looking at your build, you could try 3 mpl, 2 srm6. Aim to strike from 150m ish, the hide again. You'll want Artemis on your srms at this range (less important at 50m).

[Grimnir79]

Bassie, on 22 February 2016 - 06:21 PM, said:

On that build... Generally just focus on one range, unless you are on an assault mech. So either drop the large laser, or drop everything else and put 1-2 more large lasers in. You also get pretty much no benefit from the bap if you have ecm.

Yeah I see your point. How about this one?:
- 1 x LPL
- 1x MPL
- 2 x SRM6?

I picked the LPL because... well I like the sound.

For a long range build, would it be worth it using 2 x LL + 2 LRM5s? Is there any point using LRM5s?

Oh and thanks for the replies all.

Edited by Grimnir79, 22 February 2016 - 11:17 PM.

[Bassie]

Grimnir79, on 22 February 2016 - 11:15 PM, said:

Yeah I see your point. How about this one?:
- 1 x LPL
- 1x MPL
- 2 x SRM6?

I picked the LPL because... well I like the sound.

For a long range build, would it be worth it using 2 x LL + 2 LRM5s? Is there any point using LRM5s?

Oh and thanks for the replies all.

Well you can find what works for you.
I consider short range missiles med pulse lasers and ersl to be "short" range, and erml and lpl to be mid range. So I'd suggest that by using lpl and srm you are making it harder than it needs to be. If you like lpl (and there is a lot to like), take 2. Maybe an erml as well, but it gets hit then.
LRM 5s are good when you have a lot of them, as they reload really quickly. If you are just taking 2, then no, probably not. Gauss, erll and erppc are the long range weapons. If you want lrms, 2 x 15 is where it is at for the cat.

But experiment and find what suits your play style.

I think of the shadowcat as a ninja mech. Masc, Ecm and jump jets make you good at hiding and repositioning quickly. It has very little armour so you don't want to be eased for long.

[Grimnir79]

Bassie, on 23 February 2016 - 12:26 AM, said:

But experiment and find what suits your play style.

I think of the shadowcat as a ninja mech. Masc, Ecm and jump jets make you good at hiding and repositioning quickly. It has very little armour so you don't want to be eased for long.

I'm mostly use to running Atlas'es, Highlanders and Hunchiels, which might be the reason I'm struggling a bit. The shadowcat is fast and packs a punch, but it is kind of a glas-cannon: look at it to hard and it falls appart.

When I find a build that I'm happy with I will post it here. Thanks again.

Edited by Grimnir79, 23 February 2016 - 01:55 AM.

[Grimnir79]

Ack went back to piloting my Atlas for a while, I'm more useful for my team that way.

[Bassie]

Good for you I guess.

I am hopeless in assault mechs. My best scores (and k/d ratios) are in my meds and heavies.

It's probably a strength of the game that different pilots do better indifferent classes of mechs.

[Exilyth]

I'm currently running
1x ER LL
1x ER ML
3x SRM4 + artemis
ECM

Not quite statisfied with it, I think I'll either drop some SRM for another ER LL or drop the ER LL for more SRM.

[zudukai]

try this, it's like a panther.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5232d9b98a9a3cb

the ERPPC is for jump sniping, or hill humping, keeps the exposure low just keep slinging this at range.

SRM+PPC for close range front loaded damage, again you can poptart these weapons minimizing your exposure.

2xSPL + 2xSRM4 are good for late game when everyone has damage, you can stay nimble with the low duration lasers and quick recycle-front loaded damage of the srm.

runs fairly cool so you can throw in the PPC in a skirmish/brawl when you have a good shot lined up.

or streaks, they can be launched without aiming while you are using MASC or JJ, keeping your speed high and staying nimble,
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e3cd832af25ff97

the PPC counters ECM, and runs pretty cool with the low fire rate of the SSRM, fire away, you can even drop the SSRM6 to 4's for ammo or a targeting comp, or extra heatsyncs, be careful to avoid getting over committed however you have very low DPS, focus on keeping a good position and using your equipment. with the new changes to MASC you can use it far more often then most folks realize, and alternating between MASC and JJ's make you a very hard target to hit.

[Grimnir79]

I went back to the stock SHC-B build with 2xLRM15 and 2xML. Been having a bit more success now that I have gotten used to the mech. I'm mostly using it as a ambusher/harasser.