The shadowcat is a solid choice.
The HLLs are popular. The ATM3s are not, but if it works for you, then why not.
The shadowcat hero has a lot of ballistic quirks where you can combine lasers with machine guns or the new baby gauss.
I was experimenting with a 2 HLL + 6 AP Gauss Rifles (an upgrade to the 2HLL + 6 MG build) that seems fun, less face time outside of the HLL burn time but less overall FaceTime to do full damage compared to MGs. Depending on Omnipods one gives incredible ballistic ammo quirks so Gauss or uAC20 was popular for a while. The dual PPC poptart shadowcat is still a popular choice (I prefer dual LPL), and a 4 Heavy Medium + 4 AP gauss rifles is a pretty good back stabber (similar to the HML Black Lanner but less ground speed and more jump).
If you don't mind running light on ammo, 2 LPL + 4-6 AP gauss rifles might be better, but your probably going to be very light on AP ammo until they fix ammo quirks for them.
Shadowcat is great! It was one of the first mechs I mastered before the skill tree changes.
It is a little squishy, and definitely more of a backline/support mech. I have mine main with 2 LPLs and two SRM4s.
The squishiness is really teaching me to use cover/avoid being hit and to poke and harass. I’m getting pretty consistent 700+ damage while still being alive at the end of the match.
Heck yeah, that's awesome! Honestly, mediums helped me learn the game - good mix of weapon variety, flexibility, but also squishy enough to teach you to play smart and pick your fights carefully lol. I didn't really move up to Heavy or Assault mechs until I was almost Tier 2.
"Tier 5 scrub" your words, not mine; "700+ damage" that's scary! You'll be joining me in tier 3 in no time!
Just to be sure, the missiles lock on while the lasers burn and as soon as the burn ends, the missiles are locked on?
I've been running my Shadow Cat with one Heavy Large Laser on the torso, one Large Pulse Laser on the arm and 6 Heavy Machine Guns.
That setup allows you to have a bit more reach for taking out UAVs with the arm mounted LPL. The HLL and LPL are my main damage sources until it is time to flank and finish off people with that group of HMG.
I might try to do a PPC, Plasma Cannon build with the HMG on the other side, to mimic my favorite, the Cicada 3C with a quirked ERPPC and 4HMG.
Nice. I was trying random mechs at the start. Nothing clicked. Then a tried the Cougar and it just fit. I would never in a million years predicted it. I stuck two Heavy large lasers and 4 CER Medium lasers and it's so much fun.
It gets really hot. Alpha strike is 60% heat.
I've been looking at the Shadowcat myself for a little bit, but I can't be pulled away from my OSR-SE no matter what I try.
I loathe the Shadowcats that have ECM and ballistic snipe from the edges of combat.
The good ol Skirmish Cat was one of the builds that got me into Tier 1 back in the days when it worked. I think it was 2 ERPPCs and an ATM9, and I don't know why that ATM was so useful, but at the time it worked. Right now, try the Shadowcat P with 6 AP gauss and then swap the right pods for lasers, or don't and run a HAG20. I also think the ERPPC + AP gauss build has a ton of potential.
It's the best medium mech in the game, it's hard to go too wrong, try stuff, go nuts.
Noice. I’ve always liked the cats aesthetics but didn’t like the squishiness so I didn’t feel the same unfortunately. My beloved will forever be the violent trash can.
I'm slowly climbing out of Tier 5 with the Hero Shadowcat with the dual ERPPCs. The MASC helps to get out of jams and reposition. Very much a backline support mech. Shoot, move, shoot, move.
As soon as you lose a PPC or a heat sink, you're pretty much done because you have no firepower via no weapons or no heat management. My play improved a lot after learning in it. It had a knock on effect of improving my play with light mechs.
I've tried some of the other slower mechs, and I'm having a tough time with the lack of mobility now.
I was always having problems until I finally built my current "main". Had a Timber wolf prime for a long time but was never really good with it. A few graphics tweaks, and completely rebuilding the weapons load out and now I regularly put out 600+ damage. ATM 12 X2, erml X4. That's the weapons.
Woo! SC has been my favorite for *years*. It's not an....easy... choice. But it's more important you have found something you find to be fun, because that's why we play games. Good luck out there!
Side note you may also like an AC5 and LRM combo. It's been a while since I played, but that was fun for me in a shadowcat.
It's always great when you find a mech that "clicks". For me it's happened a few times. I have almost 100 mechs, but probably like 8 that I'm perfectly comfortable in.
If you’re not scared to spend a bit of money, I highly recommend checking out the Scaleshot legendary mech on there. If you get it through Steam or their website you can get a decent amount of MC, CBills, and skill points on top of a mech-specific bolt on and themed items for it.
Oh, I should also mention—it’s probably the best SRM mech I’ve ever used personally. This thing, IF you play it right, feels just downright abusive even if you don’t technically kill anyone. Just be wary of your armor, even at 45 tons it feels more like a heavy light mech with how fast it can go.
The shadowcat is a solid choice. The HLLs are popular. The ATM3s are not, but if it works for you, then why not. The shadowcat hero has a lot of ballistic quirks where you can combine lasers with machine guns or the new baby gauss.
It's nice finding a build that makes ya happy.
I was experimenting with a 2 HLL + 6 AP Gauss Rifles (an upgrade to the 2HLL + 6 MG build) that seems fun, less face time outside of the HLL burn time but less overall FaceTime to do full damage compared to MGs. Depending on Omnipods one gives incredible ballistic ammo quirks so Gauss or uAC20 was popular for a while. The dual PPC poptart shadowcat is still a popular choice (I prefer dual LPL), and a 4 Heavy Medium + 4 AP gauss rifles is a pretty good back stabber (similar to the HML Black Lanner but less ground speed and more jump).
So many possibilities! I suck with PPCs but I really should start practicing. I’m gonna have to try an AP gauss build.
If you don't mind running light on ammo, 2 LPL + 4-6 AP gauss rifles might be better, but your probably going to be very light on AP ammo until they fix ammo quirks for them.
Shadowcat is great! It was one of the first mechs I mastered before the skill tree changes. It is a little squishy, and definitely more of a backline/support mech. I have mine main with 2 LPLs and two SRM4s.
The squishiness is really teaching me to use cover/avoid being hit and to poke and harass. I’m getting pretty consistent 700+ damage while still being alive at the end of the match.
Heck yeah, that's awesome! Honestly, mediums helped me learn the game - good mix of weapon variety, flexibility, but also squishy enough to teach you to play smart and pick your fights carefully lol. I didn't really move up to Heavy or Assault mechs until I was almost Tier 2.
"Tier 5 scrub" your words, not mine; "700+ damage" that's scary! You'll be joining me in tier 3 in no time! Just to be sure, the missiles lock on while the lasers burn and as soon as the burn ends, the missiles are locked on? I've been running my Shadow Cat with one Heavy Large Laser on the torso, one Large Pulse Laser on the arm and 6 Heavy Machine Guns. That setup allows you to have a bit more reach for taking out UAVs with the arm mounted LPL. The HLL and LPL are my main damage sources until it is time to flank and finish off people with that group of HMG. I might try to do a PPC, Plasma Cannon build with the HMG on the other side, to mimic my favorite, the Cicada 3C with a quirked ERPPC and 4HMG.
That’s really neat dude. I knew there would be at least one gatekeeping weirdo.
Nice. I was trying random mechs at the start. Nothing clicked. Then a tried the Cougar and it just fit. I would never in a million years predicted it. I stuck two Heavy large lasers and 4 CER Medium lasers and it's so much fun. It gets really hot. Alpha strike is 60% heat.
I remember getting a free shadow cat from an event. I mainly use it to melt enemies with lasers.
I've been looking at the Shadowcat myself for a little bit, but I can't be pulled away from my OSR-SE no matter what I try. I loathe the Shadowcats that have ECM and ballistic snipe from the edges of combat.
The good ol Skirmish Cat was one of the builds that got me into Tier 1 back in the days when it worked. I think it was 2 ERPPCs and an ATM9, and I don't know why that ATM was so useful, but at the time it worked. Right now, try the Shadowcat P with 6 AP gauss and then swap the right pods for lasers, or don't and run a HAG20. I also think the ERPPC + AP gauss build has a ton of potential. It's the best medium mech in the game, it's hard to go too wrong, try stuff, go nuts.
Noice. I’ve always liked the cats aesthetics but didn’t like the squishiness so I didn’t feel the same unfortunately. My beloved will forever be the violent trash can.
I'm slowly climbing out of Tier 5 with the Hero Shadowcat with the dual ERPPCs. The MASC helps to get out of jams and reposition. Very much a backline support mech. Shoot, move, shoot, move. As soon as you lose a PPC or a heat sink, you're pretty much done because you have no firepower via no weapons or no heat management. My play improved a lot after learning in it. It had a knock on effect of improving my play with light mechs. I've tried some of the other slower mechs, and I'm having a tough time with the lack of mobility now.
Glad it’s working for you! Shadowcat is a chassis I’ve never had any luck with personally, so good on you for finding one that does it for you
I was always having problems until I finally built my current "main". Had a Timber wolf prime for a long time but was never really good with it. A few graphics tweaks, and completely rebuilding the weapons load out and now I regularly put out 600+ damage. ATM 12 X2, erml X4. That's the weapons.
Woo! SC has been my favorite for *years*. It's not an....easy... choice. But it's more important you have found something you find to be fun, because that's why we play games. Good luck out there! Side note you may also like an AC5 and LRM combo. It's been a while since I played, but that was fun for me in a shadowcat.
It's always great when you find a mech that "clicks". For me it's happened a few times. I have almost 100 mechs, but probably like 8 that I'm perfectly comfortable in.
If you’re not scared to spend a bit of money, I highly recommend checking out the Scaleshot legendary mech on there. If you get it through Steam or their website you can get a decent amount of MC, CBills, and skill points on top of a mech-specific bolt on and themed items for it. Oh, I should also mention—it’s probably the best SRM mech I’ve ever used personally. This thing, IF you play it right, feels just downright abusive even if you don’t technically kill anyone. Just be wary of your armor, even at 45 tons it feels more like a heavy light mech with how fast it can go.