Sorry to hear that masterarminas, hope you had good holidays in spite of the extra work.
This time around for the Firestarter we were blessed with seventeen (17) different design concepts from six (6) designers. This pretty solid contest that last three weeks gave me some time to work on some other things and catch up in general. While we had three winners ultimately there could have been more if things turned out differently. Presentation is important and I encourage you guys to work together as there were some really awesome concepts offered up here. Off to start on the next contest folks, hopefully I’ll see you all there. Enjoy the review and thanks again for all your efforts!
Disqualified
17. FS9-D Mirage (Takiro)
My Mirage was more of a reconceptualization of the Firestarter than a refit. Meant to be the AFFC’s Raven this electronic warfare specialist would have been well suited with an ECM Suite, Active Probe, and TAG. Four Medium Lasers have nice range and provide suitable standoff weaponry. While I over did it with the armor (+6 excess) and was not happy with that it is in line with the original Mirage. Like its toughness too with the standard 210 Fusion Engine and all that plating plus the endurance of zero ammunition is desirable. Running out of internal space thanks to the EndoSteel, Ferro-Fibrous, and unmountable Double Heat Sinks was a minus though along with the wasted armor which was a bye product. Too bad I really like that name as a ghost which invokes this new role but it is not a Firestarter plus no Flamer so it is disqualified.
16. FS9-MX (masterarminas)
Another take on the Mirage variant was this beauty by masterarminas who it is good to see designing again. His infantry annihilator and toad squishier is armed with four Medium Lasers, 4 Small Pulses, a Small Laser, and two Flamers. Twelve Double Heat Sinks barely cool an Alpha Strike but you’d have to be at point blank range to do that. Still monitoring movement especially jumping and weapons fire is a must for Mechwarriors here. Seven tons of standard armor for a near max protection factor of 112 helps you stand up to tight quarters combat against infantry which it is very capable of dispatching. Thanks to EndoSteel and the superb use of a future GM 210 XL Engine from the Night Hawk masterarminas fits all this into one Light Mech, not bad. Unfortunately, it was entered too late and must be disqualified which really sucks. This was a good one and I hate to do that.
Deficient
15. FS9-MG (Abele)
This level one upgrade only uses Ferro-Fibrous as a lostech upgrade which is fine but what I didn’t like was the range reduction of the weaponry. The Medium Pulse is a nice weapon for the Firestarter but losing the Medium Lasers for it reduces your reach. More Machine Guns is fine too but do we really need another ton of ammo which is a hundred shots per weapon! While heat is reduced from this loadout moving especially jumping can result in an overheat which makes for a big explosion. Yes, that is unlikely but in combat the worse case often finds you. Fluff was a little too simple too. Sorry pal would have liked to have seen better here.
13 & 14. FS10-M (Abele)
Thankfully someone tried their hand at a Marik version of the Firestarter which would certainly be plausible. I combined both variants (Beagle Active Probe/ Guardian ECM Suite) for one review as they are identical except for their advanced electronics. Your fluff is confusing as you say that neither version used EndoSteel as neither should have in my opinion. But in fact, one does – the first Beagle variant. While you didn’t explain it the Hermes 210 XL would be widely available thanks to the Jackal which began production in 3052 so I had no problem with that. The Streak SRM-2 seems to be poorly placed here for anti-infantry support role as I’d rather have two SRM-2s armed with inferno rounds. Too bad cause this would be a nice companion to the Phoenix Hawk. Sadly, these designs were a little muddled and further work needed although it has promise.
12. Charlie (Bradshaw)
A combination of H (the original) and K (Large Laser) variants which thanks to advanced technology can work. Somehow crafting a 210 XL Engine is an issue and your fluff is a bit thin on how to address that while adding a MASC would require a lot of rework. I do like the speed and weight savings offered but like it would be costly. Like your half ton of Machine Gun ammo the best and wish more people would do that but not sure I like the Anti-Missile System. Both those guns are explosive and this design can run awful hot even with Double Heat Sinks. 25 heat from weapons and 6 more possible with jumping. Plus, only five tons of armor is again a bit thin and your pouring money into this thing. Too expensive for me.
11. FS-9TP (Abele)
I like the idea of Majesty Metals & Manufacturing trying to build their own Firestarter in the Magistracy of Canopus. The government would be behind such an effort and I support the build myself but this design is a bit too advanced. An XL Engine on a Periphery Mech is probably too early at this point even though I am pointing to an earlier alliance between Sun Tzu and the Centrellas for the purpose of supporting Isis in the Free Worlds League. I would have preferred something simpler in that vein and involving the Taurians is something that is just a non-starter at this point. The design seems like a longer-range harasser with an ER Large, Medium Pulse, two Flamers, and a Small Laser. The ECM would certainly help disrupt enemy formations perhaps ideally as a raider and deep striker. A bit flawed overall but I liked the chance you took here with fluff. Don’t be disappointed as whacker ideas could work.
10. FS9-KC3 (Irose)
I was not as high on this C3 Master Mech as I was its base model because of its lack of speed (no MASC) and its limited short ranged arsenal. Yes, this design should never be participating directly in combat with all its electronic goodies but two Medium Lasers and two Flamers really aren’t a threat to much. Plus, you got get close to use them which requires speed or get away from your opponent which is more difficult without the MASC. The C3 Master, Guardian ECM, and Beagle Active Probe are certainly outside the box here wish I like. Interesting concept but not enough supporting equipment to make it viable in my opinion.
Close
9. FS-9L (Abele)
I could see the Capellans wanting to expand especially into the Firestarter business and the 210 XL Engine would be available thanks to the Raven. The ER PPC and Medium Laser I like better than the FS-9TP as it has better reach and can serve as a raider with pop. The minimum one Flamer keeps you in the contest and a Small Laser add slightly to the overall arsenal. Not bad, it is better than the FS-9TP but still lacks something to me. Plus this variant is more plausible as I can see the Capellans building something from salvage for testing or perhaps buying from the Canopians for some chassis. Plus you could field test these raiders on the battlefields of the 3rd Marik Civil War. Not bad but just not good enough.
8. Prodigy (Bradshaw)
I like Prodigy a lot better than the concept it was based on which was Charlie that probably tried to do too much. This well described urban prowler is a nicely armed scout with two Medium Lasers, four Flamers, and twin Machine Guns. This loadout is much more heat friendly and manageable than Charlie plus the Guardian ECM, or Beagle Active Probe if so desired, with a TAG is well suited to the Firestarter. The MASC and 210 XL Engine would require a lot of work but I like them here. Armor is slightly better too which is a major advantage to me. Not bad at all Bradshaw unfortunately you were beat out by another design.
7. King DC (Bradshaw)
While I really liked this simple upgrade another competitor beat you out with something a bit more complex. Still this joint effort to upgrade the Firestarter summed up as the King variant was good with four Medium Lasers and four Flamers. Kurita access to advanced internal structure made less sense for their models but I did like the C3 Slave. This is a solid addition to any Kurita BattleMech at this time. Sorry bud not a bad try, fluff could have been a bit better but I liked Irose’s concept better for the Dragon.
6. FS9-Z (Irose)
This Elemental killer or Toad stomper is a very solid concept which would only require the creation of Omni/Edasich 210XL Engine. Certainly, the Federated Commonwealth would be looking for a way to check the powerful advantage offered by Armored Infantry during the Clan Invasion. Barely qualifying as a Firestarter with a single Flamer to fulfill its original role against other conventional forces this design features six Pulse Lasers (four Medium and two Small) in order to decimate Elementals. With 30 points of damage max you could perhaps take out two Elementals a turn requiring three turns for the destruction of a point at close range. Good armor and I like the Anti-Missile System especially against Elementals. The ammo has got me worried about possible internal explosions. Ultimately the high price mostly due to the XL Engine which would likely be magnified and other lingering concerns make this design close but no cigar for me Irose, sorry! Be a nice test bed concept for something else one day perhaps.
5. FS9-D (Abele)
Using a standard chassis for what is perhaps the best upgraded version of the FS9-K is this Firestarter from Abele. The ER Large is well suited here on this Davion variant whose obsession with Light weight harassers is known. Two Medium Pulses and two Flamers can still do a number on enemy infantry which thanks to a Beagle Active Probe can be rooted out effectively. The Triple Strength Myomer is a nice touch on such a hot ‘Mech whose Double Heat Sinks could keep up with careful management but why not go for that +9 bonus which ramps up movement to 7/11. This is very nicely done. I would have liked a little more than five and half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor for a 98 factor but it ain’t bad. My biggest question is where does the 210 XL Engine come from? Very close on this one but it just comes up short. I’d like to combine your concept with Bradshaw’s King approach of a SDK joint design. That would have easily won, sorry bud. Great concept though.
4. FS9-SAS (Ice Hellion)
First off great fluff on this entry Ice Hellion, written from the viewpoint of a ‘Merchant’ / pseudo-Watch operative this summation on the Battle of Barcelona was well done. Eluding to a shock veteran sighting the Callandra Witch from the Pentagon Civil War and Adam Steiner’s involvement was very well done. While your armament was paired down to two Medium Lasers and two Flamers your recon capabilities were ramped up with Guardian ECM, Beagle Probe, and Remote Sensors. A MASC gives you extra speed while EndoSteel and Ferro-Fibrous provide extra weight but I am guessing you ran out of space as there are no Double Heat Sinks. So very close, I liked one design just a bit better but won’t mind if this were a one off custom job built just for the Somerset Strikers.
Winner
3. King FC (Bradshaw)
This cheaper variant is a winner in my opinion with EndoSteel, Ferro-Fibrous, and Double Heat Sinks all doing a great job of simply improving on the existing design. Six tons of advanced armor provides a 107-armor factor which is close to max protection for a thirty-five tonner. Weaponry is simplistic with four Medium Lasers splitting time with four Flamers and while this could cause heat issues especially combined with jumping simply alternating fire relieves any problems. Going all energy weapons eliminates the need for resupply and it can stay in the field forever. The TAG in this case works great for artillery support while scouting something the Federated Commonwealth would certainly desire. I would have loved to have had a deeper fluff understanding of this coordinated improve effort between Kurita and Steiner-Davion but it works. Nice job!
2. FS9-K (Irose)
Irose came up with this design using captured Firestarters from the Steiner front during the Succession War and the new GM 210 XL Engine from the soon to be released Hitman. I really like this Mech developed by Diplan at their emerging Aix-la-Chapelle facilities. Replacing Light Mechs destroyed by the Clans during the invasion makes a lot of sense and this high tech upgrade certainly fits the bill. It is an extensive upgrade utilizing a MASC also found on the Hitman and a C3 Slave to tie in with other equipped units. Armed with an ER Large, two Medium Lasers, and two Flamers it has variable range armament. Despite Double Heat Sinks you still have to watch your movement and rate of fire. Six tons of Ferro-Fibrous protecting that old Argile H/09 chassis is pretty solid. Great job on this one.
1. F9-P (Irose)
Love this pirate nightmare created through theft and duplicity out in the Pirate’s Haven Star Cluster. The unknown group fits with the Salient Horizon storyline and is a nice touch. Stealing components from the Federated Commonwealth (FS9-S and Double Heat Sinks), Capellan Confederation (210 XL Engine and SRMs), Outworlds Alliance (Machine Guns), and Taurian Concordat (Targeting and Tracking Systems) is ballsy. Some may say stretches believability but at this time it fits plus this Terror Mech in the hands of bandits is well placed. Way to take a chance here Irose and it pays off big with a first place finish, well done!!
