Shadow Cat

Description
The Shadow Cat is a heavily-armed and maneuverable medium OmniMech developed by Clan Nova Cat to replace the Ice Ferret in the early 31st 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, Clan Cloud Cobra, Clan Fire Mandrill, Clan Steel Viper, Clan Diamond Shark and Clan Wolf. First encountered by Inner Sphere forces at the Battle of Luthien, the Shadow Cat was subsequently used by the Clans during the Battle of Tukayyid against ComStar. It is one of the few invasion-era Clan 'Mechs to lack a separate Inner Sphere designation; all Inner-Sphere pilots who encountered it before Tukayyid died, and ComStar was informed of its designation before that battle, resulting in both sides using the same name.

The design has not seen use in the Clan Homeworlds since 3070 and was dismantled as a result. Possibly due to its relations with the exiled Nova Cat Clan.

The Shadow Cat was such a successful design that it has seen continued production by Clan Nova Cat well into the Dark Age period.

Weapons and Equipment
This expensive OmniMech makes use of weight-saving technologies in the form of an Endo Steel internal structure, an XL Engine, and seven tons of 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 Accelerated Signal Circuitry that enables it to move up to 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. An Active Probe gives the Shadow Cat the ability to detect hidden units, making it a capable scout.

Alternate Configurations

 * Alt. Config. A : The first alternate configuration is also potent at long range, but it uses a pair of ER Large Lasers to gain that potency. It retains the Active Probe of the prime, but uses a Streak SRM-6 for backup. It also utilizes three extra double heat sinks to keep heat levels comfortable. BV (1.0) = 1,972, BV (2.0) = 2,220


 * Alt. Config. B : This variant is also a fusion of long-range weaponry with a scouting system. This configuration adds a pair of Artemis IV-guided LRM 15s to the Active Probe. It also has a pair of ER Medium Lasers for backup, though it adds an ECM Suite to the electronics package. BV (1.0) = 2,123, BV (2.0) = 2,420


 * Alt. Config. C : A more recent variant, the Shadow Cat C marries a pair of ATM 6s to three ER Medium Lasers. It mounts enough ammunition to make use of the flexibility of the Advanced Tactical Missile System. A Narc Missile Beacon helps Starmates' missiles target an enemy unit. BV (1.0) = 1,817, BV (2.0) = 2,199


 * Alt. Config. E : This Dark Age configuration uses two Improved Heavy Large Lasers as its weaponry. To control the heat, seventeen double heat sinks are augmented by two Coolant Pods. BV (2.0) = 2,084


 * Alt. Config. F : Another Dark Age configuration, this variant carries a TSEMP Cannon, ER PPC, and Streak SRM-6. BV (2.0) = 2,997


 * Alt. Config. H : This configuration makes its presence known at long range through the use of an LRM-20 that gets help from an Artemis IV FCS. 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


 * Alt. Config. J : This Jihad-era configuration mounts a total of 6 AP Gauss Rifles and a HAG/20. It uses a Light Probe to scout for enemy infantry forces. BV (2.0) = 1,802

Apocryphal Configurations
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 a ER Large Laser in its left arm. The right arm carries an Ultra Autocannon/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.

Related BattleMechs

 * Shadow Cat II - The Shadow Cat II is a heavier, non-Omni variant of the Shadow Cat developed by Clan Jade Falcon.

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.