Khobai, on 24 April 2017 - 03:07 PM, said:
Um except I said if I played a cicada id play the medium pulse one because its scary. so yes im aware of its potential.
The viper is still better IMO.
Again its 105+masc vs 140. The shadowcat isnt even in the same class as the viper for speed.
The shadowcat is far more paper mache than the viper due to its lack of speed and larger and more awkward hitboxes. the viper is better in every category but one, which is not having ecm.
and the viper only needs to do one build well: 5 pulses and 4 machine guns is absolutely devastating.
Straight speed, of course the Viper is
faster. This isn't a game of just speed, however. The complete package counts, here. Viper loses limbs, especially legs, in a stiff breeze, and suddenly that speed is a nonfactor. As a long range harasser, the Viper will never approach the SHC. As a mech capable of slipping past radar of the enemy, the Viper is forced to hug terrain, whereas the Shadow Cat can not only hug terrain, but poke out to look around safely due to its ECM. Makes it a lot easier to pick, choose, and time the attacks that are closer range.
A harasser has no need to stick around, either. The idea is you hit hard from the sides or rear, then re-position.
Viper is also a boring mech, customization wise. You listed one of the only good builds for it. Meanwhile, someone with a Shadow Cat could go, for long range, 3x ERLLas ECM, 2x LPlas ECM, 2x ERPPC ECM, 2x LRM10 2x ERMLas NARC ECM. All viable. For close range, you can get away with a 3x ASRM6 2x SPlas ECM, and soon 4x ASRM6 2x ERSLas build, and
already makes a vicious light and light-medium hunter with 3x SSRM6 ECM builds.
If medium range is what the OP wants, than he is better served with the IFR, given it does laser boating better than the SHC, and is far tankier than the Viper at the expense of jump jets.
Edited by Pariah Devalis, 24 April 2017 - 03:22 PM.