8 replies to this topic

[Morang]

So, Master Unit List gives us following Firestarter variants before 3051:

A - Energy boat, at least 8 energy hardpoints (2 per arm, 1 per side torso, 2 in CT)
H - Energy/ballistic mix. Probably only 2 ballistics, one per side torso (replacing energy side torso hardpoints of the A variant above) and 6 remaining energy hardpoints
K - Energy boat, probably 6 energy hardpoints (2 CT and 2 per arm). Perhaps more Jump Jet hardpoints and/or relaxed engine restrictions to compensate lack of weapon hardpoints.
M - Underarmed H variant w/o CT energy hardpoints (so 2 ballistic and 4 energy).
S - Energy boat. Hardpoints same as A, but LT energy hardpoint replaced by AMS (so twin AMS and 7 energy). Also have Beagle in stock loadout.
S1 - Interesting! Same as above, but Beagle replaced by ECM.

Two last variants were introduced in 3049, have Endo Steel chassis (their only upgrade besides electronic warfare equipment). All the rest are pre-3000. All variants have the same stock mobility (210 Standard Engine and 6 jump jets).

S1 looks OP as hell (quad Energy hardpoints in movable arms and three more in torso + ECM + twin AMS if you want it + JJs). I think PGI will give us H ("prime" variant and only one with at least some non-energy hardpoints), S (because it's not as OP as S1 or A and have a quirk of second AMS) and either K or M or both (for lack of weapon hardpoints PGI will make them "mobile" variants, faster and/or able to jump as far as Spider, though nobody really needs it). Maybe they will drop S as well for being too boat.


Ediit: my mistake about M variant. I was looking for it late night and haven't noticed at first that it has two guns less, not just all four flamers replaced by SLs.

Edited by Morang, 04 February 2014 - 02:03 AM.

[Devil Fox]

Guess we'll find out when we get our hands on the game data files, smurfy will no doubt have them pulled out, I think they'll put in 4 normal variants of the A, H, K and S1. That gives them the stock variant that is common, a ballistic variation different to the hero mech, a quirk different variant (like the spider 12JJ) and an ECM variant.

Tomorrow morning it is!

[Morang]

FS9-H is the "stock variant that is common". FS9-A is kinda mothballed prototype, production of which ended after 9-H introduction.

[SaltBeef]

I'll but that for MC! In the AM she will be mine!, O yes!! She Will be Mine!

Edited by SaltBeef, 04 February 2014 - 03:26 AM.

[Morang]

So, I have a very reasonable guess that variants included will be A, H, K and S.

[FupDup]

Smurfy:
FS9-A
FS9-H
FS9-K
FS9-S


A: 8 energy (4 in arms), 1 AMS
H: 6 energy (4 in arms), 2 ballistic, 1 AMS
K: 8 energy (6 in arms), 1 AMS
S: 7 energy (4 in arms), 2 AMS

So it appears that the K is a direct upgrade over the A. The S takes over the Locust 3M's niche role of AMS boat (which was never that good in the first place, but w/e). All of them have 2 module slots.

Edited by FupDup, 04 February 2014 - 01:48 PM.

[Trevor Belmont]

I'm glad there's no ECM variant

[Devil Fox]

I'm actually very dissappointed with no ECM... what does this mech offer over the Jenner now? At least on the Jenner I could run a mixed weapon load-out with PPC/SSRM's for various combat situations... SSRM's still make a difference in light on light fights in the majority of contests over terrain.

Well time to shove a huge AC or some AC2 into the Firestarter...

[FupDup]

Apostal, on 04 February 2014 - 02:27 PM, said:

I'm actually very dissappointed with no ECM... what does this mech offer over the Jenner now? At least on the Jenner I could run a mixed weapon load-out with PPC/SSRM's for various combat situations... SSRM's still make a difference in light on light fights in the majority of contests over terrain.

Well time to shove a huge AC or some AC2 into the Firestarter...

Firestarter advantages:

1. Humanoid body shape may possibly make it more durable (Jenner has huge, nearly unshieldable CT)
2. 7-8 hardpoints compared to only 6 on the Jenner
3. It's a 6 ML light that comes with 2 module slots (6 ML Jenner only has 1 IIRC)
4. Ballistics on some variants (especially Ember, 4 MG + 4 ML troll king)
5. 2 AMS variant