17 replies to this topic

[Rattler85]

I sold my Jenner to get a FS9-k.

I put a LL in the CT, a medium laser in each arm, 6 heat sinks outside of the engine. Ferro-fibrous armor and endo-steel internals. 210 standard engine.

What suggestions do you have for improving it? I am putting in DHS once I have the money to do so.

[Bigbacon]

this is what I run.

either that or I swap the PPC for a ERLL

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...21ea6490991a52f

the plus I have with the PPC is damage done without having to hold the laser on target but it comes at the cost of heat. the ER allows to snipe as well and try to deal some damage without having to get up close.

though I try to play more of a support role so deal damage and get targets to stop bothering other friendlies and I don't get into the major mix of fighting until the round has become a cluster of mechs brawling. I also just like trying to get in at flanks to do some damage and move on.

LL also lets you take AMS, but I normally don't carry it on my firestarters.

I would honestly save up and get an XL engine. To me the standards in lights just add too much weight and take away from what you could do with the mech loadout.

Edited by Bigbacon, 01 May 2014 - 06:24 AM.

[Modo44]

6xML, XL280

[Bigbacon]

could also go full ****** (which I do sometimes) and load up 8 SL or SPL

[1453 R]

I think this thread needs a little Gremlin in it.

The centerline ERLL gives a workable punch at a distance, while each arm carries another large laser's worth of damage in it. The ganged small lasers are actually really useful close-in backstab guns; the shorter beam durations means you get more of your damage on target, the lower heat means you can fire them much more often, and the speed of the maxed-out engine and agility of a near-full compliment of jump jets (armor can be trimmed to get the sixth jet in there, but I don't recommend it; Firestarters benefit more than any other light 'Mech from retaining their full compliment of plate) means you can find backs to stab without trouble even with the short range of the small beamers. A full-on seven-beam alpha is worth 27 damage, which is not a terrible number for a light 'Mech - you're only one small laser shy of the dreaded 6xML JR7-F.

This is my standard fit for the FS9-K, and I'm extremely happy with it. I originally thought that the K-variant was going to be the black sheep of my FS9 collection, the thing I had to work through to get elites out on the S and Ember. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be one of my best light 'Mechs period. Sure, there's some problems with getting the ERLL on target in a really close scrum on vertical maps - the Firestarter is known for having absolutely terrible pitch characteristics - but at the ranges the weapon is meant to work at the FS9's pitch issues don't bother it at all, and in the ranges where the pitch issues would bother it you shouldn't be using it much anyways.

Edited by 1453 R, 01 May 2014 - 06:35 AM.

[Deadead]

Mine runs an XL 270 with full efficiencies, 3 grouped Medlas on each arm, 2 SL in the torso for extra alpha punch and as many DHS as i can cram into the space that is left. No AMS. I play it like a 6 laser jenner with more freedom of aim, toggle arm lock (hold shift) and fire for a 36 dmg alpha on backs when you manage to sneak behind someone big. The SL are only there for the extra alpha punch, DONT use them otherwise. You can get 2 or more off before heat becomes a problem so its very effective when you manage to pull it off.

Edit: i also have 2 JJ, one's all you really NEED but more is better, experiment with your own playstyle and figure out how many Heatsinks you want in there. And near max armor of course, i stripped some off side torso head and arms, hasn't hurt me too bad yet.

Edited by Deadead, 25 May 2014 - 02:11 PM.

[CaptainDeez]

Rattler85, on 30 April 2014 - 03:04 PM, said:

I sold my Jenner to get a FS9-k.

I put a LL in the CT, a medium laser in each arm, 6 heat sinks outside of the engine. Ferro-fibrous armor and endo-steel internals. 210 standard engine.

What suggestions do you have for improving it? I am putting in DHS once I have the money to do so.

You can pack alot more firepower into that frame. Try this build for a pair of ERLLs, 1 ML, 1SL. Use an XL engine, firestarters are very XL savvy. Pack some jump jets and you're good to go.

Take a look at this build for example.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...58016ec8bb77ef8

[Escef]

The 280XL is a good engine for FS9s, 3 of my 5 Firestarters have one (my Ember uses a 295XL, my H uses a 255XL).

[Pappus]

Dont be fooled by weak builds.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0a8f798381a9772

the ability to alpha strike for 40 is just better and here is why:

If you run around and see a light like a spider or whatever providing ecm support you can oneshot his shoulder. The 8ml will put you to 60 heat, if you fire 6/2 it will be 40%.

Most assaults will falter to 2-3 clean alphas from behind, which you will occasionally get.

Alternatively you can slap on a 280 XL, remove a DHS and put int BAP + 1 additional JJ, if you would like to scout a bit.

[Nothing Whatsoever]

Pappus, on 31 May 2014 - 09:01 PM, said:

Dont be fooled by weak builds.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0a8f798381a9772

the ability to alpha strike for 40 is just better and here is why:

If you run around and see a light like a spider or whatever providing ecm support you can oneshot his shoulder. The 8ml will put you to 60 heat, if you fire 6/2 it will be 40%.

Most assaults will falter to 2-3 clean alphas from behind, which you will occasionally get.

Alternatively you can slap on a 280 XL, remove a DHS and put int BAP + 1 additional JJ, if you would like to scout a bit.

And weapon groups can be setup to manage heat, when needing to stay in an engagement.

As an alternative the FS9-A can work as an alpha machine, and can afford to lose an arm or two since it carries four hardpoints in the torso.

[Pappus]

atlas is left eye? Thanks for that - was just getting into headshotting, which btw is at best 18+15 hp so you see why having the alpha that high is crucial

[Nothing Whatsoever]

Pappus, on 31 May 2014 - 09:30 PM, said:

atlas is left eye? Thanks for that - was just getting into headshotting, which btw is at best 18+15 hp so you see why having the alpha that high is crucial

check this out, it's an older hitbox breakdown, but a fine starting point.

Spoiler

from here.

Edited by Praetor Knight, 31 May 2014 - 09:37 PM.

[CaptainDeez]

Pappus, on 31 May 2014 - 09:30 PM, said:

atlas is left eye? Thanks for that - was just getting into headshotting, which btw is at best 18+15 hp so you see why having the alpha that high is crucial

This just made my weekend. Time to put some eyes out.

[Pappus]

should have said at worst, but you get the picture, lock and load the eye and 1s later every mech in the game might be dead.

[crossflip]

I think the FS9-K in particular is perfect for the old 6ml build because of the arm lasers. I've tried all kinds of weird other builds but I keep coming back. The other variants are probably far better suited to long-range builds.

[Pappus]

I would trade an arm for an atlas everyday.

[Rattler85]

Here is my build.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c78dfb85a610cd8

[Rhaythe]

Split them into right arm, left arm, and center weapon groups, then enjoy.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5429fe2b1a52686