Hey all. I love the "Standard" Firebrand build...it's been my goto long before I even saw it on Mechspecs. For some reason I've seen more missiles more often than usual, though...and with the changes made to the firing rates of the AC5 and the UAC5, I've been wondering if the below build might be worth a shot instead. Thoughts? *Edited to repair armor values and drop a heatsink...my bad!*
I like it. I always believed in building a variant to maximise what it has. What makes the FB special is the 6 laser hard points. If they're not used, you may as well use a JM6-S.
the armor values need work in the OP. as for a STD engine, I would use a STD 255 as a base. So you can get this as a variant
Good catch! Like a genius I didn't max armor values first. Heatsink dropped, armor values adjusted to what I actually run.
I love this build, I basically copied the one you are using and have found great success with it! Personally I chainfire my AC/5s to keep up a constant stream of dakka, but however you use it this is a great mech.
Running this pretty much the same, but with one ton of AC5 converted to a second ton of AMS. Had a 1500+ dmg match last week in it...still lovin' this thing, through every meta.
So, I've noticed in my games that, pilot skills being equal, using the XL in my favorite Firebrand build just isn't holding up the way it used to. Even if I'm trading shots 3 to 1 with Clan Heavies, their more durable XL engines (and the fantastic Timberwolf hitboxes) means I'm coming up short. So, I figured, why not downgrade to a STD, and see what happens? The result is this: Compared to my favorite, the Firebrand "Team Standard," it drops the XL 300 in favor of a STD 280, is 4% less heat efficient, has no AMS, 60 fewer rounds of AC/5 ammo, ADDS Ferro Fibrous (novel, I know) and includes MORE armor on the legs (I'm anticipating the new fall damage rules). So, thoughts?
I run this: Used to run this: The standard engine build was just too slow, and didn't have the extra dps that uacs give me. So all in all decent but not quite enough firepower imo.
Pootytangsaur, I'm well aware of the relatively bread and butter XL 300 2xUAC5, 6xML...though I vastly prefer the 2xAC5, 6xML w/ AMS version I have posted elsewhere here (The Team Standard). I'm looking for comments on survivability of an XL 300 in this Jager vs. a STD 280 with the implementation of clans, and XL's which beat out IS and hitboxes on the TW to match. I find the XL 300 in the Firebrand more of a liability than it used to be, hence this build, and a request for comments. And yeah, that STD 260 is definitely WAY too slow.
The problem is, there's no point trying to rival or compete with Clan mechs with what they're good at, with their thick armor, durability and top notch speed. What IS mechs should do, is focus on where Clan mechs can't beat them. Cooler PPCs, higher Alpha with single shot ACs, meaning better pinpoint damage. Jagermechs have a flat torso that's easy to Zero in on, and if you're in an Infight with one without the proper support and loadout, you're not going to do so well. I'd still prefer a Firebrand with an XL 340 with 2 PPCs and 6 MGs over this.in a pinch I'd like to make my attacker hella nervous about his exposed armor after peppering them with PPCs at range. Also, 120 rounds isn't going to last long in a target rich environment.
Not a fan of ML boating on a firebrand. It just doesn't feel right. Try looking at my Sharpshooter build instead. Still uses XL, but it stays true to this chasis spirit.
I'm still trying to understand why this build makes sense for the Firebrand. The only thing i see is the 5th + 6th MLas, which you can't load on the JM6-S. But using a heavy MLas build means you want to go Alphastrike a lot at sub270m range. And that can be very tricky for the Sidetorso-fragile Jagermech. But if you don`t brawl aggressively at close range but rather keep distance, this build seems to be somehow underpowered for a 65tonner. Even Mediums could outdamage this setup at 270+m range. Double Ultras definitely works better for Burstpower. Hmm, idk if i would call this "the Standard build", rather "the Mixed Beast", a little bit of Sniping with some Brawling Power. The reason why I have bought the Firebrand was only because it has two high mounted Arms.Energy-HPs, for ranged Gunz like Large Lasers or PPCs. Something like this: Putting MLas in the Arms seems to be a big waste imo. Either go Meta Poptard or ff you want to go aggressive High Alphastrike Brawling with the Firebrand, then try out the following builds: Cheers
I think that the Jm6's strength on the battlefield is ballistic hill poking, which no clan mechs (maybe Summoner) and only a hand full of IS mechs can do. This is even more the case with clans out, who have reduced guilt XL engines, CASE protected SRM racks, 450m CMLas and slim CDHS to keep it all running cool in an all-in brawl if you copy a half-sane build. This build seems too under specialized to really pull ahead regularly as an MLas invested brawler. Perhaps a 3-4x AC5 and MLas JM6 would be more advantageous.
