57 replies to this topic

[Turist0AT]

Hi guys.

So im thinking about getting my first light. Firestarters looks dandy. Im going to wait for the K variant and pack it full of SPL.

But before i do that i need your blessing fellas.

How is Firestarter? Are they better/worse than the lights we already have. It looks bigger, but is it faster, stronger? Gimmi your input.

FS9 vs the rest.

Edited by Turist0AT, 05 February 2014 - 01:41 PM.

[Sephlock]

It's truly awesome. Completely unlike the Awesome, in the sense of awesomeness... although it is similar in that there are a lot of energy hardpoints involved.

[3rdworld]

The firestarter is a bit easier to hit than a jenner. But spreads damage better. It will likely fall just short of the jenner which is still above all others. Not going to be a bad choice for a light IMO.

Personally I think the S will be the best, as the mech tends to lose its arms quite often.

Edited by 3rdworld, 05 February 2014 - 02:14 PM.

[operator0]

I don't have one, but have been in combat against a ton of them. It seems like their legs are super squishy. I mean really, really, easy to take out. The rest of the mech is spider-esque in the way it takes little to no damage. The legs though are it's achilles heel...pun intended.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

I'd grab the K for the arm hardpoints, the S for hte double AMS, and the H or the Ember for the ballistics (and pack in MGs).

My impression so far (using an Ember that hasn't finished Basic yet) is that it'll be a very strong choice, though it will tend to lose to SSRM lights (Ravens, JR7-Ds, etc.). The legs get popped all the time on mine, too, but I imagine that Speed Tweak will help with that (the extra 15 kph should make a difference).

It behaves differently from a Jenner, since it has articulated arms with energy hardpoints, and its profile is very different (Jenners tend to take it to the CT more than anything else, while my Ember so far has died to double leggings almost exclusively). The Jenner has a slight edge in speed and probably maneuverability (its torso twist will be superior in almost all cases, I'm sure), but the Firestarter will have arms that can shield its core and can spread damage better.

All in all, it doesn't seem like it'll be OP, but it will definitely be a competitive light. If only they'd included the S1, then maybe I'd finally have an ECM light to drive (my ECM Cidada is technically a medium).

[NRP]

It's too early to tell because no one has elited it yet. My initial impression is that it is a good light mech choice. At this point, I don't think it will top the Jenner but I'll yield that decision to the top tier light pilots.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

I would consider it on par with the Jenner, but now you have different roles to fill

The S with double AMS would be an excellent support
Jenner-D for light v light with streaks
Combination of Jenner-F's and Firestarters for energy boating

[Escef]

Waiting for c-bill versions. Definitely toying with the idea of an AC5/double triple medium laser build.

EDIT: FS9-H

Edited by Escef, 05 February 2014 - 04:24 PM.

[Roland]

No ecm means it's inferior to the spider.

[Scrawny Cowboy]

Roland, on 05 February 2014 - 04:21 PM, said:

No ecm means it's inferior to the spider.

I was surprised by this when they said it was gonna be controversial, even hoped they'd finally buck the trend of no more new ECM
But where would that leave the spider now if the Firestarter did?

Also, anyone know when the c-bill versions go live? : l

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

FS9-H Hollander! Could strip the SL and one DHS to increase engine rating a bunch.

[Bishop Steiner]

Scrawny Cowboy, on 05 February 2014 - 04:42 PM, said:

I was surprised by this when they said it was gonna be controversial, even hoped they'd finally buck the trend of no more new ECM
But where would that leave the spider now if the Firestarter did?

Also, anyone know when the c-bill versions go live? : l

next patch, as per the normal rotation.

Escef, on 05 February 2014 - 04:16 PM, said:

Waiting for c-bill versions. Definitely toying with the idea of an AC5/double triple medium laser build.

EDIT: FS9-H

not too far form what I was planning
FS9-H

[Escef]

Bishop Steiner, on 05 February 2014 - 05:04 PM, said:

not too far form what I was planning
FS9-H

Interesting. But it looks like you brain farted, 255 XL is same tonnage, might as well use it instead of the 250.

[Bishop Steiner]

Escef, on 05 February 2014 - 05:08 PM, said:

Interesting. But it looks like you brain farted, 255 XL is same tonnage, might as well use it instead of the 250.

naw, just using an engine I already own. Never see a reason to buy another engine for 2 kph.

[Escef]

Bishop Steiner, on 05 February 2014 - 05:39 PM, said:

naw, just using an engine I already own. Never see a reason to buy another engine for 2 kph.

I think I still have one hanging around from when I ran one in my Cataphract 4X.

[Yiazmat]

I plan on getting the S and H to go with my E. I won't touch the A with a teen foot pole because 75 % Of its firepower is in those large awesome body builder's shield arms. rather have more torso weapons to zombie with.


.....I may have my variants mixed up. in at work on my phone, kinda a pain to look em up. I'm skipping the 6 arm energy and the 2 ballistic versions, getting the rest :-P

[Veranova]

It's not going to top the Jenner competitively because:

1. Its hardpoints are split between Torso & Arms - Meaning you can't pin point your firepower.
2. You're more likely to lose your arms - Although they make great shield arms, but you will lose those hardpoints in the process.
3. The hardpoints are low on the mech - So it can't be used for hill poking to protect your legs/CT
4. 6ML builds can't get as many heatsinks on as a Jenner because of lower arm actuators taking up 2 crit slots.
5. You can't afford to trim armour anywhere but the head, whereas Jenners can trim their arms by half perfectly safely.

However this is all very minor to a good pilot in pug play. It's the sort of stuff a competitive team would think about though.

I've found the Ember to be a total cash-cow in pugs, always earning 260k+ every match (W/ Premium + Mech Bonus)
A big redeeming feature is the 8ML build. Hot as hell, but OHMAH40POINTALPHA: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b0da7c9a0a7ac14



THIS ALL SAID.
I think the Firestarter is the second best light now. The Ember combines the Deaths Knell and Spider-5K in to one 'mech. And the other variants will beat most other lights out easily.
They will give Jenners a big run for the money in a 1v1 fight, but if the Jenner gets the jump with a few shots from behind a hill, then it's over before it's begun.

Edited by Veranova, 05 February 2014 - 06:53 PM.

[IceCase88]

I am running my Ember with the following:
PPC
3 MLs
4 MGs - 1 ton of ammo
210 XL
6 JJs
My W/L is terrible because I have been on some bad teams.  Currently running a 2 KDR but I only have about 10 games with it.  It seems to be a very durable mech as it can really soak up damage.  I ran the stock load for 2 rounds for grins.  Then I ran the Trollstarter build with AC20 (2 tons of ammo) and 145 STD for 3 kills in a match.  Probably the most fun I have had on a mech.  All my deaths have been leg related though.  Only a few matches in and I am loving it.  Hopefully it keeps staying good.
I hae been toying with the idea of placing an AC5 or AC10 in it.  Possibly even an LBX, Bishop.  O.o.   j/k.  A single LBX would be terribad on it.

Edited by IceCase88, 05 February 2014 - 10:27 PM.

[Amsro]

I can recommend the Firestarter. I play the Ember like a fast medium mech, I guess all the Trebuchet training has paid off!

Easily my deadliest light mech and its not even Elited yet! Speed tweak will increase its potency @ 150~ kph! The Firestarter willrival the Jenner IMO.

8 Small/Pulse/Medium will be insane on either of the Firestarters. Might even load one of them up with Flamers!

Turist0AT, on 05 February 2014 - 01:37 PM, said:

[Dracol]

Bought it and been having fun playing with the builds for it.

IMPORTANT: un-modded Firestarter has low armor in the legs. Make sure to bump em up a notch or three. Been seening a lot of embers getting their legs taken out... always makes me wonder if they missed the armor section within the new UI.