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
Shadow Cat
Production information
Manufacturer Barcella Beta[1]

Clan Protectorate Arms[2]

Production Year 3003[3]
Model Prime[1]
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

BV (1.0) 2,057[4][5]
BV (2.0) 2,156[1][6]


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.[4] 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.[7][8][4]

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.[citation needed]

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.[9] 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.[citation needed]

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.[10]

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.[4][8]

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.[4][8]

Alternate Configurations

  • 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.[1] BV (1.0) = 2,123;[4][13] BV (2.0) = 2,420[1][14]
  • 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.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,817;[4][15][16] BV (2.0) = 2,199[1][17]
  • 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[2]
  • 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[2]
  • 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[2]
  • 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[24]

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.[25]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks

The Shadow Cat is subject to the following Design Quirk:[26]

Related BattleMechs

Notable Pilots

Notes

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

Gallery

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 34–35: "Shadow Cat"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 9, p. 12
  3. MUL online date for the Shadow Cat
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 170–171: "Shadow Cat Profile"
  5. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 201
  6. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 134
  7. The Black Thorns, pp. 58–59
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Technical Readout: 3058, pp. 166–167: "Shadow Cat"
  9. The Wars of Reaving Supplemental, p. 17
  10. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 6, p. 12: "Shadow Cat"
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 202
  12. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 135
  13. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 203
  14. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 136
  15. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 204
  16. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 77
  17. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 137
  18. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 112
  19. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 113
  20. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 205
  21. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 78
  22. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 138
  23. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 139
  24. BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid, p. 148
  25. MechWarrior Online - "Night Gyr"
  26. BattleMech Manual, p. 94: BattleMech Quirk Table - Shadow Cat Entry
  27. Twilight of the Clans, p. 38: "Attacker", Carns' 'Mech and BattleTech statistics
  28. Trial Under Fire
  29. MechWarrior 3
  30. Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance

Bibliography