31 replies to this topic

[Rivenix]

So, I played alongside a Shadow Cat-B last night that was carrying 2 ERPPC's. It looked like a FUN little monster and was wanting to pick one up myself. I checked Metamech and such and only found details on large pulse lasers. Is there a particular chassis/omnipods I should go for when it comes to a PPC JJ ambusher?

The B has cooldown for both missile and energy, but the A comes with a 5% heat reduction... Seems pretty necessary for a toasty PPC mech, yeah? Hero seems fine as well, though pretty grumpy that I missed the sale WHILE I was looking at the thing lol.

Also, I do plan on swapping between PPC and large pulses, if only for variety and learning experiences.

(If this is the wrong place to post such questions, I apologize!)

Edited by Rivenix, 01 May 2018 - 10:23 AM.

[Exilyth]

Unfortunably, metamechs only contains pre-civil war tech information.

You could go for 2x ER-PPC or LPL or HLL in one side and arm and use ECM and 3 MGs or no ECM and 6 MGs on the other side. That's the most common builds.

Other than that, people have been using various combinations of ER-MLs and SRMs for brawling, but the Shadow Cat is a bit on the squishy side of things.

edit:
You can find more info in the new player help - battlemech - medium mechs subforums, e.g. in threads like
https://mwomercs.com...hadow-cat-help/

Edited by Exilyth, 01 May 2018 - 10:49 AM.

[Verilligo]

Like with basically every mech that has forced MASC, you absolutely need to learn how to abuse the hell out of MASC in order to make the mech work. Your turns need to be MASC'd, your hill humps need to be MASC'd, you have to constantly be considering the next position to move your mech to that gets you a reasonably safe angle. It's an excellent device for what it does to your top speed, but with how squishy the Shadow Cat is, you also really need to be using it for the accel/decel and turn rate buffs it gives you. Also don't just jump up and down, you need lateral movement while you jet to aid in avoiding return fire. If your MASC is maxed out, you can also feather the JJs for a smaller improvement in turn speed and added difficulty in being shot back.

Personally I found the Ice Ferret to be an easier creature to play, but I don't have enough buttons my mouse to really devote one to MASC.

[Nema Nabojiv]

Rivenix, on 01 May 2018 - 10:22 AM, said:

Is there a particular chassis/omnipods I should go for when it comes to a PPC JJ ambusher?

Yes, that chassis is Summoner. Its still bad overall and will make your team lose, but at least it can have enough heatsinks to support two CERPPCs.

[Stridercal]

Verilligo, on 01 May 2018 - 11:02 AM, said:

Like with basically every mech that has forced MASC, you absolutely need to learn how to abuse the hell out of MASC in order to make the mech work. Your turns need to be MASC'd, your hill humps need to be MASC'd, you have to constantly be considering the next position to move your mech to that gets you a reasonably safe angle. It's an excellent device for what it does to your top speed, but with how squishy the Shadow Cat is, you also really need to be using it for the accel/decel and turn rate buffs it gives you. Also don't just jump up and down, you need lateral movement while you jet to aid in avoiding return fire. If your MASC is maxed out, you can also feather the JJs for a smaller improvement in turn speed and added difficulty in being shot back.

Personally I found the Ice Ferret to be an easier creature to play, but I don't have enough buttons my mouse to really devote one to MASC.

In other words: RUN! RUN ***** RUN! RUN LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, CAUSE IT DOES!!! RUNNNNNNNN!!!!

[Jackal Noble]

Play the Uziel, it will make you a great Shadow Cat pilot.

[Rivenix]

I appreciate all the tips! Though concerned about the mention of using ERPPC's makes one useless? I've noticed it stripping armor fairly quickly, though I don't have the experience to fortify such knowledge. And yeah, jackal? The Uziel can be built similarly?

Also, I'll keep that information in mind about the MASC!

[Jackal Noble]

Rivenix, on 01 May 2018 - 01:59 PM, said:

I appreciate all the tips! Though concerned about the mention of using ERPPC's makes one useless? I've noticed it stripping armor fairly quickly, though I don't have the experience to fortify such knowledge. And yeah, jackal? The Uziel can be built similarly?

Also, I'll keep that information in mind about the MASC!

Ya it can. I said that as they have similar movement profiles sans the MASC on the S-CAT. Overall I feel the Shadowcat is a better mech, but if you learn how to play the Uziel (quite a challenge), it will help you play the Shadow Cat to it's strengths.
Dual ERPPCs and ECM is my go to build and is for many others, as the shadowcat has excellent jumping ability allowing for jump shots.

[LordNothing]

use the masc. thats pretty much it. scat has a good hit and run dynamic when you leverage the masc. works good as a dual hll/erppc/lpl boat (which all can be paired with 6mgs or ecm+moar lazorz, whichever you want more).

[Rivenix]

Great to know! So, which S-cat chassis would be best for this? Just whatever gives decent energy/armor perks then omni swap whatever?

[Exilyth]

The only part of an omnimech you cannot change is the center torso (and set-of-8 quirks).
Thankfully, the SHC variants have identical torsos, so the choice is down to quirks.

If you want ECM, you'll need to use the SHC-B left torso.

What variant would be best for the build you have in mind depends on what build you want to run.

Edited by Exilyth, 01 May 2018 - 04:15 PM.

[Y E O N N E]

Don't get shot.

[panzer1b]

Yeah, despite its reputation as the "sadcat", it really is very good if you understand 2 things.

One, make sure to spam masc in any situation where it makes sense to do so. This means you should always be poking with it, since it lets your acceleration and deceleration beat most lights. You can also use it to make very rapid changes in your trajectory, so its harder for anything that isnt hitscan to connect at mid-long range.

Two, you NEED to learn to avoid fire, be it via proper maneuvering, stealth, or generally sticking near some kind of bullet magnet that will keep you from taking many hits. The mech has relatively good firepower for the mobility it has (and anyone who dares to ignore you will die for it), but it pays for that with low armor levels and subpar hitboxes that are incredibly easy to focus components in.

Anyways, as to a good build, the most popular (for a very good reason) is 2 HLL on the right side of the mech with either ECM+1ERML or ECM+3HMG or 6 MG/LMG on the left side. It gives you a sorta deadside (obviously sucks to loose the MGs but its alot less valuable then those 2 HLLs), and unlike the dual LPL/PPC model, it can afford to bring some DHS to not cook itself instantly.

Now if you have very good heat management, 2 PPCs isnt the worst thing you can bring, but it will be hot, and if you do not nail EVERY single shot the whole game you will be unable to affect the outcome in anything but the longest game. If you really want dual PPC with some sustain, try the summoner. Dual LPL is a bit better, but with LPLs you are gonna want some sustain/DPS, and HLLs/ERLLs with more DHS offer better sustained damage with better aux weapons (you CAN do dual LPL+1ERML, but after the not that old clan heat efficiency nerfs on lazors, its just not sustainable).

[mistlynx4life]

I've downed several Assault 'mechs in Solaris with just a single ERPPC on my Mist Lynx - the weapon can be devastating but you'll need to give yourself time to perfect your accuracy and get comfortable with heat management (especially so with the MASC utilization, which I agree is really integral to survival). A lot of folks like to immediately run off and be a Super Sniper but that doesn't usually work out so well. Stick with your buddies for a while until you have a good idea of where the Reds are and where they aren't and then indulge your snipey nature. I've run just the two ERPPCs before but the back-up configurations are pretty popular for sure. The SHC isn't as maneuverable as a Lynx but my tactics were still the same - lots of jumpspins, keeping on the move, etc. Good luck!

Edit: The 2xERPPC Summoner is wicked fun too, heat is almost a non-issue. Don't let them sell you on that one hero 'mech being the only possible way to do it either, it's very possible to do with arm mounts.

Edited by mistlynx4life, 01 May 2018 - 04:35 PM.

[Pariah Devalis]

An under-represented version of the Shadow Cat packs 4x ASRM6 and 2 ERSlas, dumping ECM entirely for additional (and much needed) firepower. A smidgen too hot for Solaris (just drop the lasers entirely, or exchange them for MicroER), but a nasty little knife fighter in Scouting mode. People still think the mech is a bad brawler, but considering it is low, can jump to unexpected angles, moves pretty quickly, provides a smallish target, and has the mobility steroid called MASC, it is actually a nasty little beast if given even half a chance. Decent firepower, too, with that sort of configuration.

Just don't try and take anyone in a stand up fight. You're still only 45 tons. Leverage your insane mobility and spectacular capability to pop-splat with the all in cockpit line SRM salvos. Stay airborn, but jump at difficult angles, between hard cover. You'd be astounded what you can bring down. 1v1, I've got about a 10:1 ratio between King Crab Kills vs times I have been killed by them. It's a bit silly. XD

Heavy lasers work well with the SHC, however. Leveraging the low energy hardpoint count with the high output heavy lasers lets you mitigate the first issue with a return on firepower. Heat might be a concern, however, so the very front line is not a place for a HLL SHC.

Edited by Pariah Devalis, 01 May 2018 - 05:22 PM.

[Dragonporn]

At first I slapped x2 Heavy Large Lasers and x6 LMGs, build was off because you never-ever should even attempt to brawl in SHC, you just can't get hit, if you do, it explodes. Than I slapped x2 ERPPC, some JJs and ECM, god this thing is a killer on a loose... Seriously, with MASC and JJs it's a poptart king, because it gives you instant acceleration forward or backwards. With JJs it flies like a rocket, so you can get good position or just shoot while airborn (but try not to shoot while JJs are burning). Profile is very good, and overall with this particular build, mech is insane. Gotta mention that I have barely any skills picked in Survival tree, not like it needs any. Your worst enemy will be heat, remember that well.

P.S. I don't know why people suggest putting HPPCs on Uziel, maybe some ace can make it work, but virtually this is worst build possible for this mech. It has literally profile of a Heavy and toughness of regular Light. Even if you squeeze more powerful LFE engine (XL is pure suicide), you still won't have enough speed and agility to pull off decent poptart. Slap any LLs, LBX, anything, just not PPCs, it just doesn't ******* work.

[DeadEye COTP]

I used to play it quite a bit, and it's all about positioning with the SC. Normally you want to be perpendicular to the main firing line to avoid any kind of focus.

Both 2xPPC and 3ERLL are great builds, but I always swayed slightly toward the ERLL as they run around the same heat for 13 more damage and I don't really like how clan PPC's spread.

The downside is you have to expose yourself slightly more, and more so with the fact you have to fire 2 and 1, but again that all comes down to positioning and making use of the MASC / ECM.

Edited by DeadEye COTP, 01 May 2018 - 05:51 PM.

[Yosharian]

Very simple build

https://mwo.smurfy-n...e7fe77f7a936772
https://kitlaan.gitl...9a569#s=Weapons

82 games played
1.28 win/loss
2.53 kill/death
442 avg damage

Edited by Yosharian, 01 May 2018 - 10:33 PM.

[Vanadium19]

Pariah Devalis, on 01 May 2018 - 05:09 PM, said:

An under-represented version of the Shadow Cat packs 4x ASRM6 and 2 ERSlas, dumping ECM entirely for additional (and much needed) firepower. A smidgen too hot for Solaris (just drop the lasers entirely, or exchange them for MicroER), but a nasty little knife fighter in Scouting mode. People still think the mech is a bad brawler, but considering it is low, can jump to unexpected angles, moves pretty quickly, provides a smallish target, and has the mobility steroid called MASC, it is actually a nasty little beast if given even half a chance. Decent firepower, too, with that sort of configuration.

Just don't try and take anyone in a stand up fight. You're still only 45 tons. Leverage your insane mobility and spectacular capability to pop-splat with the all in cockpit line SRM salvos. Stay airborn, but jump at difficult angles, between hard cover. You'd be astounded what you can bring down. 1v1, I've got about a 10:1 ratio between King Crab Kills vs times I have been killed by them. It's a bit silly. XD

Heavy lasers work well with the SHC, however. Leveraging the low energy hardpoint count with the high output heavy lasers lets you mitigate the first issue with a return on firepower. Heat might be a concern, however, so the very front line is not a place for a HLL SHC.

obviously the best SHC build and still don't know why there so few people using it...

[0111101]

2PPC is trash tier on the Shadow Cat, run 2 Heavy Large, 6 Light MGs w/ 3 tons of ammo, and 4 double heat sinks. Use and abuse all the mobility that 70m jump height and MASC affords you, done right you're (almost) as hard to hit as a Locust to the average player. The DPS this build is capable of blows the 2PPC SHC out of the water, especially if you learn to play it at even shorter range with standard or Heavy MGs where the DPS really starts to stack up.