9 replies to this topic

[Jorunn]

Working my way down from assault Banshees through several heavies then to the Blackjack I figured I could learn to like these fragile little lights after seeing so many Firestarters out there decimating the rear of OpFor ranks. It's proven a little challenging but then so was the Blackjack which seemed fragile at first, so is the Firestarter more so but grinding through the Eliting and Mastering process I'm getting better and starting to kill stuff without dying 100% of the time (now only like 80% of the time lol)

I opted for the the following (since I had a 280XL laying around I'm using it across the three platforms). I'm looking for suggestions to tweak these for maximum damage efficiency.

FS9-K 280XL, 6x ML
FS9-A 280XL, 4x ML, 4x SL
FS9-S 280XL, 5x MPL

[TercieI]

Never strip leg armor on a light. Ever. And on those you have more than 14 slots left, so your can add FF and get mad armor.

The S is...ok (should run XL295)
The A is heavily quirked for SPLs. The best build is 8 with an XL295.
Did you already buy the k? It's a weak variant. If not, pick up the H instead and run it with 6ML, it has better quirks for them.

[Sewman]

Hey Jorunn,
I bought Firestarters a while ago before the quirk system made the A the best variant and to a certain extend the S. I bought the K and soon found that it became the weak variant after getting the least aggressive quirks of the group.

Though it does have slas quirks so although it doesn't have the short laser duration of spulse lasers, it does act as a really heat efficient knife fighter (exacto knife fighter) if you build it with all small lasers.

I thought that having the majority of lasers in the arms was a good thing because the fs9 has terrible torso pitch. But n actuality you'll lose your arms pretty frequently, and some lasers with it.

Firestarters tank damage well for a light, and any Jenner pilots can attest to this (Jenner's take pretty much all shots in the ct). So one hand, survivability is good, but on the other hand the K gets neutered more quickly than the other variants.

Edited by Sewman, 27 July 2015 - 04:29 PM.

[Jorunn]

Terciel1976, on 27 July 2015 - 05:08 AM, said:

Never strip leg armor on a light. Ever. And on those you have more than 14 slots left, so your can add FF and get mad armor.

The S is...ok (should run XL295)
The A is heavily quirked for SPLs. The best build is 8 with an XL295.
Did you already buy the k? It's a weak variant. If not, pick up the H instead and run it with 6ML, it has better quirks for them.

Thanks Terciel,
I'm not really a very good light pilot nor very good close in, so the ML range helps my playstyle. Also the A only has +5% range on SPLs which doesn't offset the usefulness of ML range and dmg for me. What's the best loadout on the S without reducing leg armor? Drop another MPL?

I did already get the K variant but they are cheap and I've got 20M cbills laying around eliting these up I might get the H too and see how I like it.

PS - checked the quirks and the K has +10% Energy Range, -10% Laser Duration
The H has +5% Energy Range, -5% Energy Heat Generation, -5% Medium Laser Heat Generation
Overheating is a little challenge with the K using 6x MLs. I like having 3 MLs in each arm and .81 vs .9 sec is nice to reduce facetime. I just elited my first three last night and going to play a little bit on the K then get the H.

Edited by Jorunn, 28 July 2015 - 04:07 AM.

[Dagada Moor]

When running 6med lasers put three on cycle and other three firing together. It will help with your heat and help you keep med lasers on target by firing the three on cycle first then firing three together to hit moving targets. I personally like the H variant. Put MGs on it to annoy pilots. I am looking forward to the wolfhound. Wish it had jump.......light piloting takes time and mastery of movement. Never stop moving and remember if they can't see you u are winning.

[TercieI]

Jorunn, on 27 July 2015 - 06:41 PM, said:

Thanks Terciel,
I'm not really a very good light pilot nor very good close in, so the ML range helps my playstyle. Also the A only has +5% range on SPLs which doesn't offset the usefulness of ML range and dmg for me. What's the best loadout on the S without reducing leg armor? Drop another MPL?

This is the best FS9-S build. This is another good option if you're not comfortable with 60% of your firepower being tied into the brokeback torso of the FS9. If you're stuck with an XL280, just add another DHS to either of those.

Jorunn, on 27 July 2015 - 06:41 PM, said:

I did already get the K variant but they are cheap and I've got 20M cbills laying around eliting these up I might get the H too and see how I like it.

If MLs are your favored weapon, the H runs them best. (It's all about the heat gen quirks) Here's an XL280 version, too.

Edited by Terciel1976, 28 July 2015 - 05:14 AM.

[Jorunn]

Terciel1976, on 28 July 2015 - 05:11 AM, said:

This is the best FS9-S build. This is another good option if you're not comfortable with 60% of your firepower being tied into the brokeback torso of the FS9. If you're stuck with an XL280, just add another DHS to either of those.

If MLs are your favored weapon, the H runs them best. (It's all about the heat gen quirks) Here's an XL280 version, too.

SMH Ferro Fibrous! Makes a big difference on the S, thanks! )
I'm definitely getting the H variant, hope to have some decent matches on Youtube soon.

[TercieI]

Jorunn, on 28 July 2015 - 04:04 PM, said:

SMH Ferro Fibrous! Makes a big difference on the S, thanks! )
I'm definitely getting the H variant, hope to have some decent matches on Youtube soon.

Can't use it on all FS9s (the XL295 cap costs you crit space vs the XL300 cap of the JR7 due to one less DHS slot), but can on the S (and need to)! Good luck!

[Inflatable Fish]

Terc, y u no stick the extra DHS in the engine

also, the 9-S with 5 MPL is good with just the 10 truedubs from the engine and you can get two more jump jets for that tonnage. in my experience, 1 is just too sluggish to take full advantage of it. 3 is p. much golden.

[TercieI]

Inflatable Fish, on 29 July 2015 - 01:33 AM, said:

Terc, y u no stick the extra DHS in the engine

also, the 9-S with 5 MPL is good with just the 10 truedubs from the engine and you can get two more jump jets for that tonnage. in my experience, 1 is just too sluggish to take full advantage of it. 3 is p. much golden.

It doesn't become a TrueDub by being in the engine, so it's more useful as crit padding to maybe save the other gear.

In my experience (~250 drops plus a fair amount of lobby practice and comp drops), I wouldn't give away any DHS on the S. One reason the asymmetrical build is better is that 2JJ opens up options 1JJ doesn't allow. And a third...I'd always take another DHS.

I am having SO much fun with 6JJ on the ACH, but I'd still trade four for 2DHS if I could and have a better min-maxed build (though I'm secretly glad I can't!)

Edited by Terciel1976, 29 July 2015 - 05:21 AM.