Review [Issue 53] Product Kit Review - Firewall

[greyat 2,972]

 

 

Hello, and welcome to the first of the kit review series. Here, I'll be looking at a fairly common kit - Firewall.

 

Firewall is one of the first M2 kits to unlock, at the rank of Second Lieutenant (). For the sum of 178 320 crystals, you can have this kit.

Let’s have a look at what Firewall contains.

 

 

Firebird M2

 

Firebird M2 normally unlocks at Major, some 3 ranks after Second Lieutenant. It has an insanely high damage rate, which, combined with the afterburn, makes it simply lethal. Consider that, at the rank of Second Lieutenant, the only unlocked M2 hull is Hornet M2, which simply shrivels in the face of a Firebird. Thus, playing at ranks around the unlock rank of Firewall and lower, the kit proves to be devastating. Using up one tank of napalm is almost guaranteed to destroy any tank. While the other two M2 short-range turrets have also unlocked by the rank of Second Lieutenant, they are far and away weaker than Firebird – Freeze has significantly lower DPS, and Isida’s self-healing capabilities are unable to match Firebird’s fearsome DPS.

 

 

Verses M1s, Firewall is indisputably superior.

 

Even beyond the rank of Second Lieutenant, Firebird remains effective. I’ve seen players up to the rank of Generalissimo use it with great success, though the same may not hold for you in particular. There are few M2 hulls that can stand up to one charge of Firebird, and while the M2-level Firebird protection paint, Loam, does diminish Firebird’s effects quite significantly, it is a relatively rare paint mostly found with those who have purchased the Atlas kit. Generally, there’s more prey out for you than just Atlas-users.

 

 

More prey, indeed. Surprised to find quite a few M1 hull-users even at that rank.

 

At M3 ranks, though still effective, Firebird M2’s glory starts to fade. Firebird protection paints become more common – not just limited to Loam anymore; Mars, Inferno, and even Zeus -users abound the battlefield. More than that, the hulls are stronger, too. One full tank of napalm, while still effective against M3 medium hulls and under, becomes noticeably less effective against M3 heavy hulls. Even more unfortunate, at their respective M3 modifications, Isida and Freeze become significantly more dangerous foes. At M3, Isida’s self-healing allows it to almost break-even when fighting a M2 Firebird (though the afterburn still takes a heavy toll), and Freeze’s updated DPS can match M2 Firebird with ease, while simultaneously having a greater charge and faster reload.

 

 

A battle against some mixed M3/M2 tanks with Firewall

 

This brings us to examine Firebird’s main weakness – a lack of charge. Firebird runs out of charge relatively rapidly compared to the other burst weapons, and a slow reload greatly limits the long-term damage. Hence, if you fail to kill an enemy with one tank of napalm… well, you’re dead metal. This calls for some more unique strategies – most notable being the burn ’n’ run: move in, unload as much of your charge onto the enemy as reason dictates, then flee (!) to reload and repeat.

 

On to the next piece of equipment.

 

 

Hunter M2

 

 

Hunter M2 normally unlocks at Captain, two ranks after Second Lieutenant. It’s fairly maneuverable, and you’d probably be better off reading my Hunter guide for more information on handling. At the rank of Second Lieutenant, excluding comparable M2 hulls through kits and MUs, Hunter is the best hull. No questions asked – it has similar HP to the M1 heavy hulls, whilst being almost as fast as the M1 light hulls.

As ranks progress, however, Hunter finds itself superseded by the other M2 hulls. M2 Dictator – significantly more HP, particularly with MUs (even compared to a similarly MU’d Hunter). M2 Viking – somewhat more HP, significantly more stable, reasonable speed (though less than Hunter). And don’t even mention the heavy hulls. In my view, the only hull that is arguable inferior to Hunter M2, is Hornet M2. I suppose there are those out there who would contend otherwise, but it’s not my job to deal with them.

Hunter is still functional at the early M3 ranks, though here its old nemesis, Hornet M2, as been converted to its M3 form, which could be said to be better than Hunter. Given the M3 weapons’ rather high impact forces, Hunter M2 becomes more and more unplayable as you climb up the M3 ranks, even with extensive MUs (consider that Hunter M3 unlocks at Field Marshal, which is an extremely late M3 rank).

 

 

Hohloma

 

Stunning, no?

 

Unlocking at Major, Hohloma provides a… interesting set of protections. With just a smidge over 20% protection against Smoky, Ricochet, and Freeze, Hohloma isn’t the best of paints at Second Lieutenant (which is mostly patrolled by M1 Hornet-Firebirds). Later in the M2 ranks (as M2 Ricochets and Smokies lose their ‘endangered species’ status), Hohloma becomes a decent mid-range paint, but generally is relatively weak in the close-quarters that Firebird thrives in. However, it does allow one to relatively effectively close the distance on those turrets without suffering enough damage to get destroyed, and also offers you an advantage over Firebird’s short range counterpart, Freeze.

 

However, Hohloma still remains one of my favorite paints. Why? The reason is simple: I find it to be among the most aesthetically pleasing of all the paints (behind Zeus and Helper – but that’s for another day). Thus, Hohloma can last you long after the last rank, as a paint simply used for looks, in XP/BP battles, or parkour battles. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll end up in an Island match against a Freeze, a Smoky, and a Ricochet...

 

 

Conclusion

 

When combining all of the aforementioned components into one, Firewall proves to be a formidable tank. (Gestalt was right – the whole is more than the sum of the parts.) Hunter is relatively adept at approaching most tanks, whilst strong enough to survive the brutal struggles that take place in close quarters.

In the end, Firewall, if it suits your style, can be lethal, especially considering its low unlock rank.

So, by all means – purchase it.

Edited July 20, 2017 by Hexed

[Zenyth 6,494]

waw

that's what I say when a Firewall burns out the whole central area in Polygon CP.. I've always wanted this kit along with Atlas, but bought Minotaur instead..

..

great review but...

 

 

such coincidence..

I had planned a kit review series a few hours ago on AW.. I hope that isn't considered plagiarism of topic, because I had posted about my plan before this article came..  :unsure:

 

 

Edited May 7, 2016 by Zenyth

[Zenyth 6,494]

 

great review but...

 

 

such coincidence..

I had planned a kit review series a few hours ago on AW.. I hope that isn't considered plagiarism of topic, because I had posted about my plan before this article came..  :unsure:

 

 

need answer to this :(

[fordmustang12345 3,910]

Minotaur kit Review next?

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

NOOOOOO! I was gonna start a series with this!

[Quarks 2,255]

NOOOOOO! I was gonna start a series with this!

lol

I could have bought this during New Years, but was about 10-15k short. I settled with m2 hunter-firebird, and it serves me quite well.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

lol

I could have bought this during New Years, but was about 10-15k short. I settled with m2 hunter-firebird, and it serves me quite well.

Well, I'm buying Legend in 20k, so I'd appreciate a kit review on it.

[fordmustang12345 3,910]

Well, I'm buying Legend in 20k, so I'd appreciate a kit review on it.

From what I've heard . Its pretty weak in normal battles cause of all the druggers. Only good for XP/BP battles or big maps/Monte Carlo . The paint is a essential paint to have if you play big maps tho. I'm still gonna get it once i reach the ranks cause i really like XP

[greyat 2,972]

 

 

such coincidence..

I had planned a kit review series a few hours ago on AW.. I hope that isn't considered plagiarism of topic, because I had posted about my plan before this article came..  :unsure:

 

 

When was this? Note I started the article on April 24. I don't know when or where you posted about yours; please direct me there.

[Zenyth 6,494]

When was this? Note I started the article on April 24. I don't know when or where you posted about yours; please direct me there.

Well, how would I know you started it on April 24? :P

Here's my post stating I am going to do it in AW section -

NOTE - I am in no way stating that YOU are plagiarizing the topic, it's only my concern that if I post my review article I will be held responsible for plagiarizing YOUR topic; which is clearly not what I'm going to do since I never knew you were posting this. :P

~ http://prntscr.com/b1kcvf ~

Edited May 8, 2016 by Zenyth

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

"However, Hohloma still remains one of my favorite paints. Why? The reason is simple: I find it to be among the most aesthetically pleasing of all the paints (behind Zeus and Helper – but that’s for another day). Thus, Hohloma can last you long after the last rank, as a paint simply used for looks, in XP/BP battles, or parkour battles. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll end up in an Island match against a Freeze, a Smoky, and a Ricochet..."

 

So a Freeze, a Smoky, and a Ricochet walk into a bar....."  :P  Great article, I was really anticipating a series like this and am really happy one finally started!

[DragonOfStorms 2,706]

 

So a Freeze, a Smoky, and a Ricochet walk into a bar....."

That was my first thought when I read that line :lol:

[mydoom.exe 5,154]

I vote Minotaur review next.

[lukey0 27,543]

Nice guide.

 

Firewall and Boar kit combined, it's OP.

 

I should help you with these guides, with both of us combined we have probably bought almost every kit in the game. :$ :P

[pk1215 0]

Well, I'm buying Legend in 20k, so I'd appreciate a kit review on it.

Good news for you: I'm applying for the reporter position, and my article is a legend kit review. If I'm accepted, maybe it'll be published.....

[pk1215 0]

From what I've heard . Its pretty weak in normal battles cause of all the druggers. Only good for XP/BP battles or big maps/Monte Carlo . The paint is a essential paint to have if you play big maps tho. I'm still gonna get it once i reach the ranks cause i really like XP

I have the kit, and it is simply amazing. Not only can you play in normal battles, but through the kit you unlock a whole new game mode. While you are right about the kit being best used on large maps with teammates, there are places where you can use any part of the kit effectively. (For example, using Hornet M3 on Noise CTF). Because of this, the kit is great, and when equipped with drugs you are literally unstoppable, especially with a medium/heavy hull.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

Good news for you: I'm applying for the reporter position, and my article is a legend kit review. If I'm accepted, maybe it'll be published.....

Bought it already lol.

[donaldo9000 1,342]

Pretty decent review :)

[HaloScorpionV2 438]

I bought Firewall at Captain, and it was pretty good. Fire and Hohloma last a lot longer than Hunter though. 7.5/10 for me.

[ConcealedMarksmen 0]

waw

that's what I say when a Firewall burns out the whole central area in Polygon CP.. I've always wanted this kit along with Atlas, but bought Minotaur instead..

..

great review but...

 

 

such coincidence..

I had planned a kit review series a few hours ago on AW.. I hope that isn't considered plagiarism of topic, because I had posted about my plan before this article came..  :unsure:

 

 

 

When was this? Note I started the article on April 24. I don't know when or where you posted about yours; please direct me there.

I actually think it would be great to have two perspectives on Firewall Kit and all the others. You guys should just go ahead as planned

[ConcealedMarksmen 0]

Nice review. Though I still like Minotaur better :) .

[beaku 2,656]

Firewall user here. Decent kit but if you're a poor tanker like me, you probably should go for Atlas or Northerner. (The only reason I bought it was because of 50% discount, ok)

[randomperson123456 17]

Moar reviews! Loved this article; I gotta say that it almost swayed me to buy the kit :D

I really appreciate these detailed reviews on what to buy, because in all honesty kit-buying can make or break an account! It's a HUGE crystal investment, and I need all the info I can get to make informed decisions and not cry over wasted crystals.

[TTK_229 1,080]

I sorta want to buy this in the September sales, but I am worried that I won't have enough crystals. After that, I will buy raiden kit. Then I will be unstoppable. :3