The firebat is a campaign and Co-op Missions only frontline armored infantry. The marauder replaced the firebat in versus gameplay mode, because the firebat is effectively an alternative to the hellion.[1]
When compared to the hellion, the firebat is tougher when given Juggernaut Plating (especially against zerglings and zealots), has a faster rate of fire, can load into bunkers, and can be paired with medics or medivac dropships, making it better defensively and giving it more staying power. The hellion, however, is slightly cheaper (does not cost any gas), far faster, has more range and deals more damage per shot (against light units), making it more powerful offensively. The two also have different armor properties, giving them different counters. Overall, the firebat is considered to be more useful than the hellion in the campaign due to its medic/medivac pairings, along with the campaign being a setting where speed is less critical.[5]
The upgraded gauntlet channels the flamer's fuel through multiple ports rather than the single port of the previous generation, resulting in a much wider flame without any loss of intensity, allowing your firebats to hold enemies at bay with a literal wall of fire.
Incinerator Gauntlets were previously known as Bearclaw Nozzles.
Juggernaut Plating strengthens the firebat's natural weak spots and thickens the helmet and chest pieces. This upgrade allows firebats to shrug off the attacks of other infantry units and soak up incredible amounts of damage from small-arms fire.[6]
Attack upgrades improve attack cooldown of affected units by 5% per level.
These self-replicating ultra capacitors reduce the reload time of weapons and systems. Now each of the weapon upgrades at the armory and engineering bay increases attack speed by 5% in addition to increasing damage.
Armor upgrades increase health of affected units by 5% per level.[7]
We have created a new lightweight alloy called vanadium. Vanadium diffuses weapon impacts much more efficiently than traditional armor plating, and it better preserves the life of our units. Now each of the armor upgrades in the armory and engineering bay increases unit life by 5% in addition to increasing armor.
