Firestarter

The Firestarter is a traditional light that focuses on mobility and boating many lightweight weapons in order to brawl and skirmish. It is a rather large mech with easily isolated hitboxes, but a combination of adequate agility stats and durability quirks offsets this disadvantage. Overall it is the strongest light mech in the game with a good blend of speed, agility, durability, jumpjets, firepower, and versatility.

The large side torsos make Light Engine builds tempting for the increased survivability, but very few builds are adequate when using Light Engine - the loss in speed and firepower is not worth some protection against fluke instant deaths. If you are frequently dying early because of XL in this mech, then you are not playing it well enough and you will probably die similarly due to the Light Engine penalties anyways. Like all other light mechs, when in doubt: always XL.

It's worth mentioning the history of the Firestarter - going into 2016 this was the best light in the game by far, but then rescale and engine desync killed it by making it absolutely huge and sluggish, thus way too fragile to do its job. With the addition of some weapon and quirk nerfs, it remained absolutely useless for several years with the Wolfhound taking its place due to the Wolfhounds superior agility and durability quirks. Early in 2021 the Firestarter was given a substantial agility buff that brought it back from extinction and restored its position as the strongest and most versatile light mech in the game with the help of assorted weapon buffs.

All Firestarters except the heroes are very similar in terms of hardpoints, being energy boats with only minor differentiation in quirks. Both heroes are hybrid MG boats which tend to play a little differently than most other Firestarter builds.

Variants LA LT CT RT RA HD JJs MASC MaxEng Accel Twist Pitch
FS9-S2212 6 FALSE 295 45.4 kph/s 100o @ 130.5o/s 15o
FS9-A21212 6 FALSE 295 45.4 kph/s 100o @ 130.5o/s 15o
FS9-H21212 6 FALSE 295 45.4 kph/s 100o @ 130.5o/s 15o
FS9-K323 6 FALSE 295 45.4 kph/s 100o @ 130.5o/s 15o
FS9-EH2222 6 FALSE 295 45.4 kph/s 100o @ 130.5o/s 15o
FS9-FSH21212 6 FALSE 295 56.9 kph/s 100o @ 153.0o/s 15o

FS9-A

This is the most versatile and arguably best variant, with eight energy like the FS9-K. The FS9-A has half its hardpoints in the torso which protects them from being lost due to fragile-arm-syndrome.


6.5 MPL skirmish

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
4x MPL + 4x ERSL (XL280)  

MPLs are a staple loadout for all IS mechs with enough tonnage and hardpoints to boat them, granting decent firepower which excels at both poking and knife-fighting.

MPL and ERSL when combined act as one weapon with great synergy, having very similar range and recycle time while not triggering ghost heat. This allows you to spend less tonnage on weapons while still attaining larger alpha damage. This is the largest alpha MPL build we recommend, being 4+4, however it is also possible to go larger if you wish, running 5+3 or even the extreme 6+2 which would be roughly equivalent to running 7.5 MPL.

This build can be played on the FS9-K if you'd prefer more arm flexibility, but the FS9-A offers more insurance in the form of torso mounts since Firestarter arms are rather fragile.

6.0 MPL skirmish

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
6x MPL (XL265)  

MPLs are a staple loadout for all IS mechs with enough tonnage and hardpoints to boat them, granting decent firepower which excels at both poking and knife-fighting.

This is a simple version which runs MPLs only, and is the maximum you can boat before triggering ghost heat. You don't have to worry about the longer duration and shorter range of ERSL.

Building this on the FS9-A allows you to strip one arm to get an extra heatsink, which makes this build cooler than the heat-quirked FS9-S. This is a right-sided version, but you can build left- or right-sided according to your preference.

5.5 MPL skirmish

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
4x MPL + 3x ERSL (XL270)  

MPLs are a staple loadout for all IS mechs with enough tonnage and hardpoints to boat them, granting decent firepower which excels at both poking and knife-fighting.

This is a version which removes one laser and engine size to gain a full ton. Here the ton goes into jumpjets because having 3 jumpjets is very useful but you could also choose to put a heatsink instead and keep only 1 jumpjet.

5.0 MPL skirmish

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 28 Apr 2022
5x MPL (XL295)  

MPLs are a staple loadout for all IS mechs with enough tonnage and hardpoints to boat them, granting decent firepower which excels at both poking and knife-fighting.

This simple build runs the minimal viable weapons so you can invest tonnage into speed, cooling, or jumpjets. If you want even more cooling or jumpjets you can drop to XL280 for another spare ton: 5x MPL skirmish (+DHS)

This is a right-sided version, but this build can also be done on the left arm instead. Whether you build left- or right-sided is personal taste.

Brawl

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 20 Dec 2018
8x SPL (XL295)  

This is ideal for fighting other lights and assassinating slower targets. If you aren't firing the SPLs as rapidly as possible, then you aren't properly leveraging the advantage of this build. Remember the Firestarter is large and easy to kill - try not to get caught by multiple enemies because you probably won't escape.

Brawl (LE)

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
8x SPL (LE280)  

A viable candidate for Light Engine - SPLs are relatively cool enough that you can get by, however you're still giving up some of the vital speed that SPLs need to maneuver in short range, as well as some sustained brawl DPS in the form of heatsinks.

ERML poke

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 20 Dec 2018
6x ERML (XL295)  

Decent firepower and decent speed allows you to continuously poke and reposition while keeping a safe distance. Avoid fighting other lights, this build is bad at knife-fighting.

Building this on the FS9-A allows you to strip the arm to get an extra heatsink, making this build run cooler than the heat-quirked variants.

This is a right-sided version, but this build can also be done on the left arm instead. Whether you build left- or right-sided is personal taste.

ML skirmish (LE)

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 11 Mar 2019
6x ML (LE280)  

This is one of the few plausible candidates for Light Engine. Similar speed and cooling compared to XL builds, with acceptable firepower. Not enough heatsinks to run proper ERMLs, you get heat efficiency by running standard MLs instead, which lack the pinpoint punch of MPLs.

This is a right-sided version, but this build can also be done on the left arm instead. Whether you build left- or right-sided is personal taste.

LPPC skirmish

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
3x LPPC + 5x SL (XL280)  

This is a hybrid build which has seen use in competitive play.

The Firestarter lacks the nimbleness or small form factor to excel with LPPCs, and furthermore lacks the quirks to make them potent. Playing this as a ranged harasser or poptart will see you pulling low numbers and generally not being effective. The strength in this build is its ability to apply small but constant pressure at range, while having adequate brawling DPS such that it can't easily be rushed down like many other ranged harassers can. This is an effective strategy in competitive play, but in Quickplay you will be better served by treating this build as a small laser brawler with some flexibility to deal some ranged damage when a brawl is not available.

SNPPC + SL

Added by SirEpicPwner / Last updated: 19 Aug 2022
2x SNPPC + 6x SL (XL225)  

Alphavomit

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
2x LL + 6x ERML (XL200)  

Like an IS version of the Cougar, this is a silly build which plays to the Firestarters' main weakness - being a large target. Instead of exposing to the enemy frequently and having to fire multiple times before reaching heat cap, this build instead expends all its damage and heat in one single volley, so you don't have to expose to the enemy as often to deal your peak DPS.

This is a borderline meme build - the exceedingly slow speed makes you a very vulnerable to be caught out - you can't play it like a light mech, you have to team up with heavier mechs and play such that they are always the focus of the enemies' attention before you expose yourself.

FS9-K

Similar to the FS9-A, this has eight energy hardpoints and thus can run almost all the same builds identically, making it a strong and versatile variant.

The FS9-K has most of its hardpoints in the arms, which allows for much more verticality and knife-fighting flexibility at the cost of having most or all of your weapons mounted on easily-destroyed arms. The arm fragility and flexibility tends to make this variant better for poking/harassing rather than brawling.


8x ML skirmish

Added by Bowser / Last updated: 11 Mar 2019
8x ML (XL280)  

One of the strongest general purpose builds for the Firestarter simply due to having a larger alpha. You can fire all eight lasers most of the time despite the ghost heat, and then use just the penalty-free six lasers on the arms when you heatcap and need the sustained DPS.

This build can also be done on the FS9-A, but then you give up the full six mounts on articulated arms.

ERML poke

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 20 Dec 2018
6x ERML (XL295)  

Decent firepower and decent speed allows you to continuously poke and reposition while keeping a safe distance. Avoid fighting other lights, this build is bad at knife-fighting.

Compared to the same build on the FS9-A, this variant offers complete arm flexibility, but it is fragile.

6.5 MPL skirmish

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
4x MPL + 4x ERSL (XL280)  

MPLs are a staple loadout for all IS mechs with enough tonnage and hardpoints to boat them, granting decent firepower which excels at both poking and knife-fighting.

MPL and ERSL when combined act as one weapon with great synergy, having very similar range and recycle time while not triggering ghost heat. This allows you to spend less tonnage on weapons while still attaining larger alpha damage. This is the largest alpha MPL build we recommend, being 4+4, however it is also possible to go larger if you wish, running 5+3 or even the extreme 6+2 which would be roughly equivalent to running 7.5 MPL.

This build can be played on the FS9-K if you'd prefer more arm flexibility, but the FS9-A offers more insurance in the form of torso mounts since Firestarter arms are rather fragile.

5x MPL skirmish

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
5x MPL (XL295)  

MPLs are a staple loadout for all IS mechs with enough tonnage and hardpoints to boat them, granting decent firepower which excels at both poking and knife-fighting.

This simple build runs the minimal viable weapons so you can invest tonnage into speed, cooling, or jumpjets. If you want even more cooling or jumpjets you can drop to XL280 for another spare ton: 5x MPL skirmish (+DHS)

This is a right-sided version, but this build can also be done on the left arm instead. Whether you build left- or right-sided is personal taste.

Brawl

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 20 Dec 2018
8x SPL (XL295)  

This is ideal for fighting other lights and assassinating slower targets. If you aren't firing the SPLs as rapidly as possible, then you aren't properly leveraging the advantage of this build. Remember the Firestarter is large and easy to kill - try not to get caught by multiple enemies because you probably won't escape.

This build is more popular on the FS9-A. The FS9-K gives you arm articulation which is wildly superior in knife-fighting, but outweighed by the fragility of the arms - losing just one severely gimps your damage output, so it's better to not gamble on taking this variant for this build.

LPPC skirmish

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
3x LPPC + 5x SL (XL280)  

Similar to the FS9-A, but this offers consistent convergence owing to mounting all LPPC on the same arm and having a much wider firing arc. This comes with the downside of more of your weapons being mounted in fragile arms and so the FS9-A is generally considered superior.

As mentioned before, this build is suitable for competitive play scenarios and tends to leave you at a slight disadvantage in Quickplay.

FS9-S

The FS9-S lacks one hardpoint compared to all other Firestarters, making it less versatile. It is still a strong variant in its own right, with a slight heat quirk making it the optimal choice if you want a skirmisher with greater sustain, although general higher alpha is preferred which is why this variant is overshadowed by the FS9-A and FS9-K.

While the FS9-S is one of few mechs with dual AMS, you should realize that AMS simply weighs too much for the tonnage-starved Firestarter - by equipping it you are seriously marring your speed or offensive capability.


MPL skirmish (big)

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 9 Feb 2022
5x MPL + 2x ERSL (XL265)  

Equivalent to greater than 6MPL, this version sacrifices speed and cooling to run a heavier alpha.

MPL skirmish (small)

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 27 Apr 2022
4x MPL + 3x ERSL (XL280)  

Almost equivalent to 6MPL, this version sacrifices some firepower to have extra mobility and cooling. This is an ideal use-case of the FS9-S heat quirk to get a build with truly higher sustain than the other Firestarter variants, placing it in a much more aggressive or defensive role where it isn't entirely opposed to brawling.

MPL skirmish (LE)

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 28 Apr 2022
4x MPL + 3x ERSL (LE265)  

This is one of the few plausible candidates for Light Engine - the heat quirk helps offset the lack of heatsinks. You still sacrifice speed and DPS, which really makes the survivability trade-off not worth it. However, if you are really struggling with dying to XL, you can give this a try until you get used to playing the mech and spreading damage.

MPL skirmish w/AMS

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 9 Feb 2022

You sacrifice a lot to bring AMS on an MPL build, but this is workable. Your damage is equivalent to 6MPL, with less flexibility to bring speed, cooling, and jumpjets. If a single JJ is not enough for you, you can drop the heatsink for two extra JJ - the build is playable with only 10DHS.

Laservomit (BLC)

Added by SirEpicPwner / Last updated: 23 Oct 2023
1x BLC + 6x ERML (XL200)  

FS9-C


SNPPC Rockets

Added by Gadolinium64 / Last updated: 23 Nov 2024
2x SNPPC + 6x RL10 (XL235)  

SRM brawl

Added by Gadolinium64 / Last updated: 23 Nov 2024
6x SRM2 + 4x SL (XL280)  

FS9-H

The FS9-H is one of the weakest variants. It only has six energy hardpoints meaning it can't carry an effective SPL build, and the fact that it has two energy hardpoints in each arm means you can't even deadside the MPL builds. The -H does have a machine gun rate-of-fire quirk, but with only two hardpoints it's hardly worth building around.


6x MPL skirmish

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 16 Mar 2019
6x MPL (XL265)  

6x MPL is a staple light mech build which is decent at both poking and knife-fighting. This is generally the best build, regardless of variant. The strength lies in the precision of the short MPL burn duration, and the burst potential of having all six on a fast cooldown.

The FS9-H allows you to run this build with most of your firepower in the arms, which could be seen as an advantage (or not) compared to the FS9-A and WLF-2, and you get a heat quirk compared to the FS9-K.

5x MPL skirmish

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 20 Dec 2018
5x MPL (XL295)  

You really should run full 6x MPL at all times for the increased burst, however the 5x MPL version is good for hot maps and leveling up unskilled mechs. Take advantage of the extra cooling and extra speed by harassing as frequently as possible. If you are not constantly heatcapped from firing so often, then you are not properly leveraging the DPS advantage of this build.

If you want more cooling or jumpjets, you can drop to XL280 for a spare ton: 5x MPL skirmish (+DHS)

ERML poke

Added by Blaketown / Last updated: 20 Dec 2018
6x ERML (XL295)  

Decent firepower and decent speed allows you to continuously poke and reposition while keeping a safe distance. Avoid fighting other lights, this build is bad at knife-fighting.

This variant offers more arm mounts than the FS9-A, and offers a heat quirk that the FS9-K doesn't get. Identical to the FS9-S.

ML skirmish w/MGs

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 8 May 2019
6x ML + 2x MG (XL295)  

6ML isn't a terrible loadout, and the MGs add some DPS on top of it. But facetime is bad, this build somewhat encourages poor habits and it's difficult to get the most out of the two meager MGs.

SPL brawl

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 13 Mar 2022
6x SPL + 2x HMG (XL295)  

A hybrid between the HMG DPS of the hero Firestarters and the SPL alpha damage of the FS9-A. This has noticeable alpha, but extra DPS, though it requires you to commit fully to brawls in order to leverage the DPS of the HMG - you shouldn't play this in the exact same way that you play the FS9-A.

FS9-E "EMBER"

With four each of energy and ballistic, the hero Firestarters can each really only run one build well. Unfortunately, MG brawling is not a niche the Firestarter is well-suited for, so that makes these the worst variants, though far from being the worst light mechs.

The Ember currently has the superior quirks by far, but its lasers are solely in the fragile arms, which is not good for brawling.


HMG brawl

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 7 Aug 2024
4x SXPL + 4x HMG (XL295)  

A very high DPS build for dedicated brawling. This has rather meaningless alpha damage, so you must commit to brawling targets down and using your mobility to make it more difficult for opponents to land a shot on you.

MXPL LMG

Added by SirEpicPwner / Last updated: 7 Aug 2024
4x MXPL + 4x LMG (XL245)  

Snubshot

Added by Gadolinium64 / Last updated: 7 Aug 2024

FS9-FS "FIRESTORM"

With four each of energy and ballistic, the hero Firestarters can each really only run one build well. Unfortunately, MG brawling is not a niche the Firestarter is well-suited for, so that makes these the worst variants, though far from being the worst light mechs.

The Firestorm currently has the superior agility by far, and its main firepower (the lasers) are tucked safely in the torsos, albeit saddled with the poor torso pitch.


HMG brawl

Added by Tarogato / Last updated: 7 Aug 2024
4x SXPL + 4x HMG (XL295)  

A very high DPS build for dedicated brawling. This has rather meaningless alpha damage, so you must commit to brawling targets down and using your mobility to make it more difficult for opponents to land a shot on you.

MXPL LMG

Added by Gadolinium64 / Last updated: 7 Aug 2024
4x MXPL + 4x LMG (XL245)  

Snubshot

Added by Gadolinium64 / Last updated: 7 Aug 2024

Quick info:
Firestarter
InnerSphere light
35-ton battlemech
Avg Engine 270 (125kph)

Ratings:
GeneralSpecialist
Solaris7 coming soon
Public Vote coming soon

Recommended:
FS9-AERML poke
FS9-A6.5 MPL skirmish
FS9-EHMG brawl
FS9-EMXPL LMG
FS9-FSSnubshot
FS9-K8x ML skirmish
FS9-SMPL skirmish (big)
FS9-SERML poke