21 replies to this topic

[Terosque]

I want to get a high weapon mounted hill humping hero mech with a little bit of speed. I typically run in an X-5 or an Atlas DDC. So right now I'm going back and forth between the Jester and Firebrand. I considered Misery but I figure I should cut my teeth on something middle of the road.

Both have two high mounted hardpoints making Hill Humping easier. Both have great max speeds for a 65 ton mech. The Jester gets jumpjets (albeit only 2). Firebrand can mount ballistics, which I prefer. Those are just some of the pros and cons that stand out to me.

So for any of you who have experience with one or both can you give me some of the strength/weaknesses as you see it? And if you have a strong opinion which do you think would be the better purchase?

Edited by Terosque, 27 April 2014 - 07:30 AM.

[Davers]

I would have thought the Firebrand would be a 'no-brainer', but I was watching some fun Marik Civil War vids and the teams were using Jesters. So maybe there is more to them than I realized?

[Turist0AT]

Have both and love both. For your porpuse: Firebrand with 4 high B and E hardpoints.

Jester is more high speed fun than hill hump. But works for that too. Dual ams and Jay jays are a big plus.


I would not NOT recomend any of these two.

Edited by Turist0AT, 27 April 2014 - 07:47 AM.

[Jabilo]

I love my firebrand, but I have spectated a lot of people in Jesters and they always look a blast.

Also, hero mechs pop up on sales quite a lot (both of these mechs were on sale recently) so if your not in a rush see which one comes up on sale first.

[Koniving]

Well that's a confusing message Turist.

At any rate, the question is whether or not the "other" variants of either would be of use.

Edited by Koniving, 27 April 2014 - 09:32 AM.

[Mawai]

I have the Jester and all the other variants of both the Jagermech and the Catapult. I don't have the Firebrand yet ... maybe one day.

The Firebrand and the Jester play very differently in my experience.

Jester
- Jester has more limited loadouts ... usually either 2xERLL + 4ML or 2xPPC + 4ML ... 6E hardpoints.
- however, because it does not have heavy ballistics the Jester can usually fit a close to max engine (355XL) so it is fast with all its firepower
- jump jets add a lot of maneuverability ... because it only needs 2 ... it only needs to fit 2 to get maximum jump jet functionality
- My most commonly used Jester is 20DHS, Endo, 2ERLL + 4ML, 350XL, 2JJ, 2xAMS ... lots of fun
- 2xAMS is a nice perk too as the LRM meta changes

Firebrand
- 2 B + 6E ... so it can fit more firepower
- lots of different loadouts 2xA20, 2xAC10/LBX10/UAC5 + 6ML, 2PPC + 2AC5 (meta), etc
- less maneuverable than the Jester - max 340 engine and no jump jets
- However, its only real advantage over the JM6-S is the 2E hardpoints (and cbill bonus) ... if you plan to actually fit ballistics you may be hard pressed to take advantage of the increased engine cap to 340 from 315.
- Jagers seem to be more fragile with an XL than the Catapult ... so a brawling Jager with an XL might be a risk


Both the Jester and the Firebrand can be very effective. I have probably put up bigger damage numbers over time with the Jagers than the Jester but I think that is mostly due to usage ... the Jagers work well in support sniper roles while the Jester also does well as both close and ranged support due to speed. (i.e. I probably take more risks in the Jester than I should but I find it fun to drive).

Edited by Mawai, 27 April 2014 - 08:03 AM.

[luxebo]

Also, it depends on what mastering of the chassis you want, like if you want missiles and energy much more, then Jester is the way to go, but if you prefer ballistics mostly then Firebrand is the better choice. And it depends on if you like JJs and how much you really like the high speed, as this is a large difference between the Jester and Firebrand.

[Appogee]

The Firebrand is more versatile.

[Bront]

Both seem to be viable. Most Firebrands I run into end up running AC40 or Gauss builds, while the Jesters tend to have more varried builds. I think both are effective, but there's nothing I've seen a Firebrand do outside of 2 AC5 2 PPC that I've wanted to do in any other Jager and couldn't.

It's night a high mount hillhumper, but the Ilya is also a great mech around that price point.

[Mawai]

Bront, on 27 April 2014 - 11:43 AM, said:

Both seem to be viable. Most Firebrands I run into end up running AC40 or Gauss builds, while the Jesters tend to have more varried builds. I think both are effective, but there's nothing I've seen a Firebrand do outside of 2 AC5 2 PPC that I've wanted to do in any other Jager and couldn't.

It's night a high mount hillhumper, but the Ilya is also a great mech around that price point.

The Ilya has the low slung arm weapons which can be irritating if you are trying to mostly hide behind something. The Firebrand has the 2B, 2E in the arms which makes the 2AC5 2PPC work a bit better but all the Jagers can fit the 2AC5, 2PPC meta if that is what you want to run.

The JM6-A is proably the most versatile of the lot with 2B, 2E and 4M ... especially if SRM hit registration gets fixed. It can run anything from 2 AC20 or 2Gauss to 4 LRM15/10 ... or 4 SRM6 or 4SSRM2 with your favorite mix of ballistics and energy weapons ... 2 AC5 + 2LL ... so many possibilities. In many ways it makes a good beginner heavy mech since it allows for so many weapon options that you can change fittings as the meta game changes or as your preference in play style changes.

[AlmightyAeng]

From what you've described: Firebrand.
What's more versatile in terms of weapon loadout: Firebrand.
What do I have more fun in: Firebrand.
What's more mobile: Jester has JJ.

Which is better: Whichever one you like best...see...and you thought I was gonna say Firebrand, didn't you?

Edited by Ghost Badger, 28 April 2014 - 07:53 AM.

[CliffhangerJaeger]

FWIW I am posting the best numbers in my history with a Jester.
I run 2 LPL 4 ML and act like an ambush predator... Pouncing over hills and lying in wait.

I know k/d and w/l is meaningless, but both stats are around 3.0 with the jester and none of my other mechs comes close.

[Furiel]

I LOVE my Firebrand. It's the mech I'm best with. I run it with the classic Rifleman build, 2x ER LL and 2x AC/5 in the arms and a pair of ML in the torso and it's great for hill humping and sniping. If you can see it, you can hit it. I rarely find the lack of jumpjets a hinderance which is the only thing the Jester has on the FB. Meanwhile the FB has better hitboxes IMO, is definately more heat efficient and a much better paint scheme. Because if you're going to slaughter the world, you should look good while doing it.

[N a p e s]

Jester has been tons of fun since I bought it a couple weeks ago. Its not much of a brawler cause the CT is pretty fragile but with a pair of PPCs it makes for a good fire support mech.

[Buckminster]

If you are looking to get into ballistics, then the Firebrand (and the Jagers) are probably your better option. All variants do ballistics very well, and the -As high missile points and -FBs high energy points make for some great variety.

I run my -FB as a Rifleman - 2 AC5, 2 LL, 2 ML, and it's my go to "I need to break this lose streak" mech
My -A has 2 UAC5 and 4 SSRMs - the twin UACs give great dakka (until they jam) and quad Streaks tear through lights and heavies alike.
My-DD has 2 AC10s and 4 MGs - decent punch with the twin AC10s, and the MGs just take components out left and right.

I've also toyed with twin AC20 builds, triple AC5 builds and twin AC5/twin AC2 builds. They've all been very solid damage dealers, the only downside is that most Jager builds rely on XL engines, which can be a bit of a liability in such a wide mech. But even with that, they tend to be my best mechs to run with.

[Bhelogan]

I love the FB. I don't have the Jester because I struggle with energy only mechs. The Dual AMS and JJ have made it tempting despite that however.

[Felio]

Mawai, on 27 April 2014 - 07:59 AM, said:

- My most commonly used Jester is 20DHS, Endo, 2ERLL + 4ML, 350XL, 2JJ, 2xAMS ... lots of fun

I can only get to 19 DHS with this build without stripping an entire ton of armor just for the 20th heat sink. And that's assuming only 1 ton AMS ammo, which goes fast. I still run out sometimes with 2 tons.

[Mawai]

Felio, on 28 April 2014 - 12:07 PM, said:

I can only get to 19 DHS with this build without stripping an entire ton of armor just for the 20th heat sink. And that's assuming only 1 ton AMS ammo, which goes fast. I still run out sometimes with 2 tons.

I think I usually run the legs around 34 armour on each leg. I find it is usually sufficient. Maybe a bit light but most folks focus fire on the CT and ignore the legs on heavies since it is usually not worth the time firing at them.

Smurfy: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5674a15e7cdb3e0

Depending on your play style ... 1 DHS doesn't make that much difference so you can drop it for armour or drop 2 DHS and add a ton of AMS ammo along with the armour.

[ImperialKnight]

why not both? I got both of them when they were 50% off.

Jester is not a hill humper, it's a poptart.

[Dark Horse X]

Those two mechs play very differently.

I have owned both, and the Jester is the most fun to play of all the mechs I have (51 of them). Yet, it definitely is not the "killer" that the Firebrand can be. It all comes down to what you consider "fun". If it's high kill counts, go Firebrand. If it's jumping in and out of trouble and creating chaos, give the Jester a run.

Also, with the FB - enemy pilots will make you a high priority target, but will be very careful in how they approach you. With the Jester, you are also a high priority target, but enemy pilots will beeline straight at you for what they consider an easy kill.