Firestarter (BattleMech)

This article is about the 35-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Firestarter.

Firestarter
Production information
Manufacturer	Argile Technologies Coventry Metal Works Diplass BattleMechs
Production Year	2550
Model	FS9-H
Class	Light
Cost	3,046,950 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Argile H/09
Armor	Livingston Ceramics
Engine	Omni 210
Communications System	Cyclops 14
Targeting Tracking System	Tansech C30-97
Heat Sinks	10 single
Speed	97 km/h
Jump Jets	Luxor Load Lifters
Armament	4x flamer 2x medium laser 2x machine gun
BV (1.0)	500
BV (2.0)	692 or 694

Description

The Firestarter was designed by Argile Technologies of Skye in 2550 to perform as an incendiary 'Mech. The most popular and widely-used version of the Firestarter, the FS9-H, would debut in 2703 and become the standard to which all other incendiary 'Mechs were compared. The FS9-H was produced almost exclusively from its introduction up to the beginning of the Amaris Civil War in early 2776, with nearly 3,000 Firestarters in total seeing active duty. Because of the 'Mech's popularity with all of the Great Houses, Argile Industries continued to produce spare parts and new 'Mechs prior to and during the Succession Wars, until their Argile plant and headquarters were destroyed in the Third Succession War. When the company indicated that they would not rebuild their plant, Coventry Metal Works eventually picked up production.

Though most regiments contained a number of Firestarter 'Mechs, they were traditionally assigned at the company or regimental level rather than be attached to a lance, with the commander then deploying them to support an attack group or scout wooded areas. The reason for this was that the 'Mech had such a specialized role that it was deemed useless to assign it to lances. Though protected by five and a half tons of armor and capable of jumping distances of 180 meters with its six jump jets, the Firestarter could do little against medium or heavyweight opponents. Instead, a whole series of tactics were developed around its ability to start wildfires, with skillfully-placed blazes routing an enemy or covering a retreat and hampering any pursuit. Firestarter MechWarriors were fond of setting on fire a heavily wooded area as enemy 'Mechs advanced through it or any buildings within which the enemy were sheltering. Other uses for the 'Mech included performing scorched earth tactics, though this lessened in later years as it became more imperative to capture the dwindling number of valuable resources rather than destroy them, or lead units of Wasps and Stingers in deep penetration scouting and light raiding missions.

This policy changed in the later Succession Wars as it was found that the Firestarter performed well as a scout, able to not only start fires to prevent an enemy from attempting to follow it, but also clear ambush areas for the advancement of friendly forces. In the wake of the Fourth Succession War Firestarters also found themselves being assigned to lances as replacements for the losses of other light and medium 'Mechs, forcing the 'Mech to perform in a frontline role. This evolution would continue when the Federated Commonwealth unveiled a new version in 3049, the FS9-S, which featured a host of recovered lostech to enhance its scouting abilities.

Weapons and Equipment

The Firestarter carries four Purity L-Series flamers for incendiary work, one in each arm, one forward-facing in the center torso, and one rear-facing in the center torso. For additional anti-personnel work, the Firestarter has two Deprus RF machine guns mounted in either side of its torso which, combined with the flamers, can make short work of infantry units. The Firestarter carries one Magna Mk II medium laser in either arm for when it is forced to engage hard targets like vehicles and other BattleMechs. One ton of ammo located in its torso supplies the machine guns while 10 single heat sinks help keep it cool.

Variants

• FS9-A 

  The original Firestarter, production of it ceased with the introduction of the FS9-H. It carried small lasers instead of machine guns and mounted an additional ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 773

• FS9-B 

  Following the capture of Coventry, the Word of Blake converted the Firestarter line to produce a new variant in 3070 that could be better integrated into their units. An additional ton of upgraded light ferro-fibrous armor is added, the chassis has been replaced with an endo steel model, and a light fusion engine provides power. Three flamers are devastating to conventional units, while an ER medium laser provides firepower against hardened targets. A C3i Computer allows it to share targeting data from other units. The use of single heat sinks is confusing in such a unit, and it means that the -B can build heat quickly. It uses eight improved jump jets to cover 240 meters in a jump. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 677

• FS9-C 

  The FS9-C is an upgrade of the Firestarter manufactured by Coventry Metal Works for the Periphery starting in 3064. The armor has been upgraded to ferro-fibrous and the 'Mech carries two flamers, two medium lasers, two RL-15s, and four RL-10s, giving it an incredible one-shot kill capability against heavier 'Mechs. The already overwhelming number of Firestarters in the near Periphery led to the failure of this variant. BV (1.0) = 846, BV (2.0) = 940

• FS9-K 

  The K variant began production at the same time as the original model and mounted two flamers, a large laser and two small lasers. While it was designed to be a companion model, the H variant proved more popular and dominated production after it was introduced. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 763

• FS9-M 

  Nicknamed the Mirage, this variant of the Firestarter debuted in 2893 and converts it from an incendiary 'Mech to a frontline 'Mech by removing the flamers and adding in their place two small lasers and two tons of armor. The variant was in production for only one year before the catastrophic battle which transformed the Argile plant, and the capital of Skye, into a desert wasteland. The Skye Rangers maintained several Mirages, including a lance with one arm painted black in commemoration. BV (1.0) = 671, BV (2.0) = 798

• FS9-M2 

  Manufactured on Coventry for the mercenary market in 3101, possibly a descendant of the -B and almost the polar opposite of the -M variant, the -M2 variant of the Firestarter is an upgrade that is built on a Foundation Ultralight endo steel chassis and is armored with seven tons of Durallex Nova standard armor. 11 double heat sinks attempt to keep the -M2 cool, while a single Defiance Model XII ER medium laser mounted in the head and three Hotshot flamers in each arm work to tax those same heat sinks. The life support system was also substantially redesigned to be more rugged in support of the -M2's primary mission. BV (1.0) = 602, BV (2.0) = 751

• FS9-M3 

  The -M3 is a modification of the -M2 Firestarter introduced in 3104 that has been optimized for artillery spotting. The 'Mech has removed the three flamers mounted in the left arm, replacing them with a single ER small laser, added a TAG laser designator to the right torso, allowing it to spot for artillery, and MASC, which allows it to move at up to 129.6 km/h. The -M3 also dropped a single double heat sink but added another half ton of armor, giving it a total of seven and a half tons of standard armor. BV (1.0) = 699, BV (2.0) = 866.

• FS9-M4 

  Another reworking of the -M2 variant debuting in 3109, the M4 strips out a double heat sink, the ER medium laser and the three flamers mounted in the left arm. The -M4 upgrades the engine to 210-rated XL engine and mounts a single RAC/2 in the left arm, supplied with one ton of ammunition stored in the left torso. The -M4 also adds another half ton of standard armor. BV (2.0) = 798.

• FS9-P 

  Manufactured by the Circinus Federation in 3064, the -P is similar to the -S, but it uses 10 double heat sinks. It removes the defensive and scouting equipment, as well as a half-ton of armor to add an additional small Laser and a pair of SRM-2s. The missile launchers are commonly loaded with Inferno rounds. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 775

• FS9-S 

  The FS9-S is an overhaul of the FS9-H introduced in 3049. The structure has been upgraded to use an endo steel chassis, and the weapons carried are four Hotshot flamers, two Defiance B3M medium lasers, and a single Diverse Optics Type 10 small laser. A SureFire 444 anti-missile system, with one ton of ammo, has been added to protect against missile attacks, and a Cyclops Beagle active probe has been installed to enhance the Firestarter's scouting role. BV (1.0) = 551, BV (2.0) = 760

• FS9-S1 

  The FS9-S1 is identical to the FS9-S, except that it carries a Guardian ECM suite instead of the Beagle active probe. BV (1.0) = 613, BV (2.0) = 820

• FS9-S2 

  Introduced in 3075, this variant is a direct copy of the FS9-S except ER medium lasers replace the standard medium lasers, it carries double heat sinks, and has light ferro-fibrous armor. BV (2.0) = 842

• FS9-S3 

  Also introduced in 3075, this variant is a direct copy of the FS9-S1 except ER medium lasers replace the standard medium lasers, it carries double heat sinks, and has light ferro-fibrous armor. BV (2.0) = 908

• FS9-N Mirage II

  A Defiance Industries refresh of the Firestarter, causing a legal issue with Coventry Metal Works, the Mirage II features a large amount of clan-level technology, starting with its XL Engine. Using an endo-composite chassis and reflective armor, the Mirage II centerpiece is a plasma cannon with 1 ton of ammo, supplemented by 2 clan-specced ER Medium Lasers in the arms and 2 clan-specced ER Small Lasers in the torsos. Each arm still feature a regular flamer, while another one covers the rear arc in the center torso. BV (1.0) = ???? BV (2.0) = 1660

Custom Variants

• FS9-81X 

  This is an experimental prototype of the Firestarter that was created by Defiance Industries of Kwangjong-ni. Only three of these prototypes were produced as of 3074, and suffered from developmental problems with their components. Using the FS9-H as its base, the 'Mech is fitted with an XXL engine, a plasma rifle with 10 rounds as its main weapon, and a pair of medium X-Pulse lasers, both mounted in the right arm. The 'Mech retains the original base model's flamers and jump capabilities. BV (2.0) = 1,093

Apocryphal Variants

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From MechWarrior: Dark Age:

• Firestarter Pyro Peterson 

  Mostly likely an FS9-M2, this Firestarter appeared in MechWarrior: Dark Age/Age of Destruction board game as a variant piloted by William "Pyro" Peterson of Bannson's Raiders. Whether this 'Mech exists canonically is unknown.

From MechCommander:

• FS9-A 

  This variant of the Firestarter is armed with two heavy flamers and one SR missile pack. It carries seven tons of armor protection.

• FS9-J 

  The FS9-J has the same armament as the FS9-A and four tons of armor. Its jump jets allow it to jump up to 100 meters.

• FS9-W 

  This variant has only four tons of armor, while boasting a larger armament. It is armed with one laser, two SR missile packs and a PPC.

From MechWarrior Online:

• FS9-E Ember 

  The Firestarter Hero 'Mech piloted by Portia "Torrent" Ryan, the Ember mounts a pair of flamers in each arm supported by two machine guns in each side torso. Mounting only five jump jets, the Ember is powered by a 210-rated standard engine and built on an endo steel frame, the weight saved allowing it carry one ton of machine gun rounds in each CASE protected side torso, 11 double heat sinks and near 75% of the maximum armor its chassis can carry.[1]

• FS9-FS Firestorm 

  Themed as the Firestarter utilized by an unnamed member of Philip Capet's Capellan Mafia during Capet's final duel against Justin Allard on Solaris VII, the Firestorm features twin machine guns in its arms, a medium laser in each side torso, and retains the center torso mounted twin flamers. The Firestorm carries two tons of machine gun ammunition.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks

The Firestarter has the following Design Quirks:

• Ubiquitous
• Exposed Weapon Linkage (LA/RA Flamers)

The FS9-M2 Firestarter has the following additional Design Quirk:

• Improved Life Support

Related OmniMechs

• Firestarter - This OmniMech version of the venerable Firestarter debuted around 3058. BV (1.0) = 1,009, BV (2.0) = 1,150 (Prime)

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Brandstifter. The model code was changed accordingly to BD9-R.

• In French products, the unit's proper name was translated as Pyromane, which means pyromaniac.

Gallery

• 

  Original FS9-H Firestarter from TRO:3025

• 

  FS9-S Firestarter from TRO:3050

• 

  FS-9H Firestarter from BP:4thSW

• 

  FS9-S Firestarter from TRO:3050 Upgrade

• 

  Firestarter from RG:ilClan vol. 28

• 

  Experimental FS9-81X Firestarter from XTRO:Corporations

• 

  FS9-M3 Firestarter from TRO:3145LC

• 

  FS9-H Firestarter in combat from CCG

• 

  FS9-S Firestarter in battle from CCG

• 

  Firestarter from MWDA

• 

  FS9-E Firestarter "Ember" from MW5:Mercs

• 

  FS9-FS Firestarter "Firestorm" from MW5:Mercs

• 

  Firestarter miniature from BattleTech Alpha Strike: Support Lance Pack

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• BattlePack: Fourth Succession War
• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: Corporations
• Field Report 2765: Periphery
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth