Shadow Cat

This article is about Clan Nova Cat's medium OmniMech. For Clan Jade Falcon's heavy fire-support BattleMech, see Shadow Cat II.

Shadow Cat
Production information
Manufacturer	Barcella Beta Clan Protectorate Arms
Production Year	3003
Model	Prime
Class	Medium
Cost	11,785,510 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Clan OmniMech
Mass	45 tons
Chassis	Type 79-45 Endo Steel
Armor	Compound H17 Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Engine	RFUM 270 XL
Communications System	JNE Integrated
Targeting Tracking System	Build 2 CAT TTS
Heat Sinks	10 double
Speed	97 km/h (129 km/h with MASC)
Jump Jets	Model KY Boosters
Armament	Primary Configuration 1x Gauss rifle 2x ER medium laser 1x active probe
BV (1.0)	2,057
BV (2.0)	2,156

Description

The Shadow Cat is a heavily armed and maneuverable medium OmniMech that was developed by Clan Nova Cat to supersede the Ice Ferret in the early thirty-first century during preparations for Operation Revival. Use of the Shadow Cat has spread to other Clans since its introduction, most notably the Annihilated Clan Smoke Jaguar as well as Clans Cloud Cobra, Diamond Shark, Fire Mandrill, Steel Viper, and Wolf.

First used against Inner Sphere forces during the Battle of Luthien, the successful Shadow Cat was subsequently deployed by the Clans against ComStar during the Battle of Tukayyid. The Shadow Cat is one of the few Invasion-era Clan 'Mechs to lack a separate Inner Sphere designation; every Inner Sphere pilot who encountered the 'Mech before the Battle of Tukayyid was killed in action, and ComStar was informed of its designation before that battle which resulted in both sides using the same name to refer to the Shadow Cat.

Production of the Shadow Cat in the Clan Homeworlds faltered in the years after the Great Refusal, and stopped altogether around the time of the Wars of Reaving. This 'Mech was one of several older designs that were being phased out of manufacture in the Homeworlds. The reasons for the cessation of Shadow Cat production were never explicitly given, but it is possible that the 'Mech's association with the exiled Clan Nova Cat played a role in the decision to phase out this 'Mech.

In the Inner Sphere, however, no such reservations existed - despite its historical associations, the Shadow Cat remains a highly successful design that has seen continued production by Clan Nova Cat well into the Dark Age period. Rights to produce the 'Mech were acquired by the rechristened Clan Sea Fox, who continue to sell Shadow Cats to most Clans and even Inner Sphere militaries.

Weapons and Equipment

This expensive OmniMech makes use of weight-saving technologies in the form of a Type 79-45 endo steel internal structure, an RFUM 270 XL extralight engine, and seven tons of Compound H17 ferro-fibrous armor. All of these together allow the Shadow Cat to employ more pod space than the Ice Ferret at the expense of speed. To counteract this, the base chassis employs enough jump jets to vault up to 180 meters in a single bound and Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry that enables it to move nearly 130 km/h in bursts.

The Primary configuration of the Shadow Cat wields a Gauss rifle, allowing it to handily defeat smaller opponents, often before they can get within range. A pair of smaller ER medium lasers back up the rifle, together able to deal almost as much damage as the Gauss rifle can at closer ranges. An active probe gives the Shadow Cat the ability to detect hidden units, making it a capable scout.

Alternate Configurations

• Alternate Configuration A 

  The first alternate configuration is potent at long range thanks to a pair of ER large lasers. It retains the Prime's active probe but carries a Streak SRM-6 for backup instead of the ER medium lasers. It also utilizes three extra double heat sinks to keep heat levels comfortable. BV (1.0) = 1,972; BV (2.0) = 2,220

• Alternate Configuration B 

  This configuration is also a fusion of long-range weaponry with a scouting system, but emphasizes indirect firepower. This configuration carries a pair of Artemis IV-guided LRM-15s as well as a pair of ER medium lasers for point defense. Retaining the active probe, the B configuration adds an ECM suite to the electronics package. BV (1.0) = 2,123; BV (2.0) = 2,420

• Alternate Configuration C 

  A more recent configuration, the Shadow Cat C marries a pair of ATM 6s to three ER medium lasers, and mounts enough ammunition to make full use of the flexibility of the Advanced Tactical Missile system. A Narc missile beacon helps colleagues' missiles target an enemy unit. BV (1.0) = 1,817; BV (2.0) = 2,199

• Alternate Configuration D 

  This configuration carries an ER large laser and an extra double heat sink in the right arm, while the left arm carries a pair of medium pulse lasers. The left torso carries two machine guns, an ER small laser and another medium pulse laser. To capitalize on the damage inflicted by the close-range weapons, the right torso mounts a Streak SRM-6. One ton of ammo is provided for the machine guns and the missile launcher. BV (2.0) = 2,298

• Alternate Configuration E 

  This Dark Age configuration uses two improved heavy large lasers as its weaponry. To control the heat, 17 double heat sinks are augmented by two coolant pods. BV (2.0) = 2,084

• Alternate Configuration F 

  Another Dark Age configuration, this variant carries a TSEMP cannon, ER PPC, and Streak SRM-6. BV (2.0) = 2,997

• Alternate Configuration H 

  This configuration makes its presence known at long range through the use of an LRM-20 with Artemis IV FCS capability. A targeting computer–assisted heavy large laser packs a wallop, though four extra double heat sinks are used to keep heat in check. BV (1.0) = 1,980; BV (2.0) = 2,155

• Alternate Configuration I 

  This configuration carries an ER medium pulse laser and improved heavy medium laser in each arm; these are linked into a targeting computer. Each side torso carries a Streak SRM-6 with one ton of ammunition. An extra double heat sink is mounted in the right arm. BV (2.0) = 2,408

• Alternate Configuration J 

  A model of advanced Gauss technology, this Jihad-era Shadow Cat configuration mounts a total of 6 AP Gauss rifles and a HAG/20. It uses a Beagle active probe to scout for enemy infantry forces. BV (2.0) = 1,802

• Alternate Configuration M 

  A fast striker, this configuration mounts a large pulse laser in each arm and an ER medium laser in each side torso. Three additional double heat sinks help mitigate the heat generated by such an energy-intensive weapons loadout. BV (2.0) = 2,438

• Alternate Configuration T 

  This configuration carries a UAC/10 in the right arm with two tons of ammo stored in the right torso. A medium pulse laser is mounted in the left arm and another in the right torso. An active probe is mounted in the left torso to find hidden foes. BV (2.0) = 1,852

• Alternate Configuration TC 

  Used in the Battle of Tukayyid, this configuration carries an LB 10-X autocannon in the right arm, fed by two tons of ammunition is stored in the right torso. The left torso mounts an SRM-4 with a ton of ammunition, along with an active probe. The TC configuration also makes use of two small pulse lasers, one in the left arm and one in the right torso. BV (2.0) = 1,378

Apocryphal Configurations

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:

• SHC-MI Mishipeshu 

  A customized variant of the Shadow Cat. A depiction of Nova Cat Khan, Lucian Carns' personal 'Mech of choice. The Mishipeshu uses an ER large laser in its left arm, a UAC/5 with one ton of ammo, supported by an ER medium laser. In the right torso, a Streak SRM-6 with a ton of ammo.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks

The Shadow Cat is subject to the following Design Quirk:

• Narrow/Low Profile

Related BattleMechs

• Shadow Cat II - The Shadow Cat II is a heavier, non-Omni variant of the Shadow Cat developed by Clan Jade Falcon.
• Shadow Cat III - The Shadow Cat III was made as an improvement to the original Shadow Cat

Notable Pilots

• Lucian Carns - The saKhan of Clan Nova Cat was piloting a Shadow Cat Prime at the time of his death during the Great Refusal.

• Dominic Paine - A Federated Commonwealth officer who piloted a Shadow Cat during the initial stages of Operation DAMOCLES.

• Ian Dresari - Scion of House Dresari, Ian fought in Operation BIRD DOG and Operation BULLDOG, capturing a Shadow Cat D from Clan Smoke Jaguar at some point. He would begin the campaign to recapture Kentares IV piloting this 'Mech.

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was translated to Schattenkatze.

Gallery

• 

  Original Shadow Cat from The Black Thorns

• 

  Shadow Cat from TRO:3058

• 

  Shadow Cat from RG:ilClan v9

• 

  A Shadow Cat in action from The Dragon Roars

• 

  Shadow Cat firing its Gauss Rifle from BT:25 Years

• 

  Shadow Cat Prime in motion from CCG

• 

  Shadow Cat A standing at attention from CCG

• 

  Shadow Cat B in motion from CCG

• 

  Model of Shadow Cat from MW4:Mercenaries

• 

  Model of Shadow Cat from MWO

• 

  Annihilation Expansion Dark Age era Shadow Cat from WizKids website

• 

  Shadow Cat miniature from BattleTech: Clan Command Star

Bibliography

• BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid
• The Black Thorns
• Master Unit List
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 9
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade