These forums have been archived and are now read-only.

The new forums are live and can be found at https://forums.eveonline.com/

EVE New Citizens Q&A

 
  • Topic is locked indefinitely.
 

T1 PVP Frigates/Destroyers/Cruisers post Retribution

Author
John Law
Ridin Spinnaz
#1 - 2012-12-30 11:01:54 UTC
Hello there, just about to get back into the game heavily after not playing in about 5 years...

I'd like to get people's thoughts (opinions welcome) on how things are looking for T1 small scale/solo pvp, as far as which frigates/destroyers/cruisers would be preferable for someone looking for maximum potential.


I've been looking around for the last month or so, and have simply not seen all of these collectively brought into the same thread in such a manner post-patch. Thank you for your time!
Schmata Bastanold
In Boobiez We Trust
#2 - 2012-12-30 11:06:36 UTC
Dude, there was like 40 ships revamped, good luck finding a thread with all current and "best" fits for all of them. Do your homework, search BC or failheap challenge threads.

Invalid signature format

John Law
Ridin Spinnaz
#3 - 2012-12-30 11:14:17 UTC
While you seem to misunderstand just what it is I am looking for (certainly not fits, and in fact I fully expect opinions as stated.) I do appreciate the additional resources, so thanks.
vikari
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#4 - 2012-12-30 12:49:31 UTC
this is in no way the rule, but is usually the most common options:

T1 Frig: Rifter
This is by far the most common pvp T1 frig used. Performs great, and in the proper hands, has outstanding dps and agility.

T1 Destroyer: Thrasher
This is pretty much the standard when it comes to pvp and destroyers. I however can't give you advice on the new destroyers. I honestly think people will need a little time to properly evaluate them.

T1 Cruiser: Rupture and Stabber.
Both are solid performers, few limitations, and if you go with rupture you have the option to fit it for sniper.

NOTE: I know I picked Minmatar, but the ships are honestly some of the most used in the game, and regarded as solid choices. I personally feel the speed Minmatar ships get helps out greatly for their smaller size, and projectile weapons are very forgiving with skills while still having great damage output, and optimal range.

GL.
Jacob Rider
Perkone
Caldari State
#5 - 2012-12-30 16:38:45 UTC
I too have just re-activated from a long hiatus (not quite as long as yours though). I liked what I saw in the Retribution ship changes, and I decided to join Faction Warfare to get a taste of frigate/destroyer/cruiser combat. It's been awesome so far...

Small ship combat has really been improved.

For frigates, the Rifter is no longer king of the hill -- the others have been brought up to its level. There are viable choices from every race, with some that are unexpected -- like the Tormentor, which was re-purposed from a miner into a combat ship. Then of course there are the new remote rep frigates. Those can really make a big difference for corps with dedicated fleet compositions.

Destroyers still DPS-tank like they always have. Pretty much any other setup is a waste, as they die to anything the same size or larger that farts in their general direction.

Haven't tried anything cruiser-size yet.

I won't suggest "best" ships, as I rarely run the same things as other pilots do. Plus, so much was improved that I'm having a hard time deciding anyway.
Maire Gheren
Imperial Shipment
Amarr Empire
#6 - 2012-12-30 20:15:13 UTC
Every race now has one frigate of each of these:

Exploring ship (obviously)

Logistics ("Healer") ship

Fast ganky tackler/combat ship ("Fast aggressive combat"): Executioner, Slasher, Condor, Atron

DPS'ey Combat ship: Incursus, Tormentor, Kestrel,

Tanky "Frontline" combat ship: Tristan, Punisher, Merlin,

I've never liked Minmatar ships because Rifter fanboyism annoyed me so much so i'm blanking on which is which between the Rifter and the Breacher.

The cruisers are rearranged in a way like that too.

All of them look like they can really rip things up. Honestly, Minnie is so popular mostly because the Rifter used to be so loved, and so everyone was flying around Minnie stuff. The Rifter almost looks second rate now.

Just pick one because it sounds like fun and you'll do great in it.
Kahega Amielden
Rifterlings
#7 - 2012-12-30 20:46:16 UTC
Quote:
While you seem to misunderstand just what it is I am looking for (certainly not fits, and in fact I fully expect opinions as stated.) I do appreciate the additional resources, so thanks.


You said in your OP

Quote:
as far as which frigates/destroyers/cruisers would be preferable for someone looking for maximum potential.


You're right, you were asking for something far more vague and trivial; which ships were the "best". Sorry, "preferable for someone looking for maximum potential".

You did not ask about a specific ship, a specific set of ships, or "if I want to do X, what are my options?". You asked us to tell you what ship to fly.
John Law
Ridin Spinnaz
#8 - 2012-12-30 21:12:03 UTC
Kahega Amielden wrote:

You did not ask about a specific ship, a specific set of ships, or "if I want to do X, what are my options?". You asked us to tell you what ship to fly.


John Law wrote:

on how things are looking for T1 small scale/solo pvp
Red Teufel
Calamitous-Intent
#9 - 2012-12-31 01:25:10 UTC
all my friends down in the FW areas have been pretty happy with the spike of small gang pvp. there is allot of solo work going on as well. t1 frig, destroyer, cruisers mostly. you leave the FW area you'll find people still flying BCs ect to gank. as for the cruisers go I'm in love. I actually reduced my corp reqs to join since t1 cruisers are so viable now for small gang pvp. the vexor so far is my fav and most lethal ship with 900dps and 21k ehp tank. speed of 1800 m/s.
Zoe Athame
Don't Lose Your Way
#10 - 2012-12-31 02:44:14 UTC
vikari wrote:
this is in no way the rule, but is usually the most common options:

T1 Frig: Rifter
This is by far the most common pvp T1 frig used. Performs great, and in the proper hands, has outstanding dps and agility.

T1 Destroyer: Thrasher
This is pretty much the standard when it comes to pvp and destroyers. I however can't give you advice on the new destroyers. I honestly think people will need a little time to properly evaluate them.

T1 Cruiser: Rupture and Stabber.
Both are solid performers, few limitations, and if you go with rupture you have the option to fit it for sniper.

NOTE: I know I picked Minmatar, but the ships are honestly some of the most used in the game, and regarded as solid choices. I personally feel the speed Minmatar ships get helps out greatly for their smaller size, and projectile weapons are very forgiving with skills while still having great damage output, and optimal range.

GL.


He said "post retribution." Time to leave 2010 behind.
Lost Greybeard
Drunken Yordles
#11 - 2012-12-31 07:47:42 UTC
Most of the recent changes can be summed up thus:

-- All T1 frigates now have power generally on the scale of what the old tier 3 frigates used to have.
-- Most of the roles previously found only in T2 frigates or even cruisers (interceptor, drone mini, logistics etc) are now reflected in a race's T1 lineup in a scaled down version.
-- The mining frigates are now their own thing, not part of the racial frig rosters.
-- Weapon systems bonuses and hardpoints are overall less mixed.

additionally:
GALLENTE/AMARR now have drone-role frigates and destroyers with relevant bonuses and both drone and dedicated turret cruisers
CALDARI/MINMATAR now have missile-focused frigates and destroyers with bonuses and both turret and missile-dedicated cruisers

That... mostly sums it up. Obviously there are details and caveats and so on, but every race now has a broader selection of ships with coherent roles, overall.
MashXX
Doomheim
#12 - 2013-01-01 15:36:52 UTC
I only fly frigates, so can only speak with regards to them, but the T1 frigate line up is really strong right now, with lots of options depending on how you want to fly.

For brawling, fighting up close to your opponent, I' d recommend the incursus or the merlin, both have great dps up close with blasters and a tanking bonus, this allows them to both out damage and out tank most other T1 frigs, but they are vulnerable to being kited.

For kiting, engaging your opponent at a range where they can't hurt you, the missile frigs are very strong, particularly the condor, but also the kestrel and breacher, and the atron is awesome as a turret kiter. I've also seem some really impressive kills using the tristan as a kiter, but really good drone skills would be required.



Haedonism Bot
People for the Ethical Treatment of Rogue Drones
#13 - 2013-01-01 19:41:10 UTC
The Breacher is sweet. Fly the Breacher. You'll never want another ship.

www.everevolutionaryfront.blogspot.com

Vote Sabriz Adoudel and Tora Bushido for CSMX. Keep the Evil in EVE!

Othran
Route One
#14 - 2013-01-02 15:42:42 UTC
Azual has a decent summary of the changes :

Frigates & Dessies

Cruisers
Maire Gheren
Imperial Shipment
Amarr Empire
#15 - 2013-01-02 16:28:11 UTC
Othran wrote:
Azual has a decent summary of the changes :

Too bad he ignored Amarr ships.
Eternal Montage
Myriad Sequence
#16 - 2013-01-02 16:44:09 UTC
Jeesh people, there's no reason for you to be rude.

To the OP: The whole point of Retribution was to make it so all the t1 frigs/cruisers are equal and now have roles. I don't fly frigates so I can't say much about them, but in my opinion, it was almost pointless to fly a t1 cruiser before the expansion. I flew a rupture quite often in solo engagements but that was one of the few cruisers that was actually worth something. Now post patch the Rupture doesn't accomplish the same role, it's no longer an effective kiter because every other cruiser is faster now, but with that, every cruiser is pretty much in line as far as I can see so far.

So here's what I've observed; with a shield tanked Vexor you can get almost 800dps, an ok tank and a decent 1800m/s. The Stabber is actually worth something now as it goes almost 3km/s and does 300dps and has a decent tank and has a couple small neuts, so you can kite with it and do some okay damage, the fit i use hits out to 22km with hail in Vulcan 220s. The Rupture is slightly different now, you can fit a bigger shield tank on it or armor fit it and have some extra utility because of the extra mid, but it has one less high slot so one less neut and it's speed is less impressive as now pretty much everything is faster. You can fit a really nice kiting Thorax fit that will do 400 dps with null out to 24ish km (600dps with void) or armor fit it and give it a massive tank. Its incredibly fast with a shield tank going around 2200m/s or incredibly durable with an armor tank (35k ehp) but a lot less damage. Now, these are the ships that I've flown personally and I can say they're great, and all about equal as they have completely different strengths and weaknesses, but there is a lot of ships that are completely revitalized.

I've played around with fits for the Omen, Maller, Caracal and Moa and though I haven't flown them I do believe they are in line with the ships I've just described. All of them go between 1200 and 3kms (usually right around 1800ms for a shield fit and 1300/1400 for an armor fit). All of them do between 300-800dps (typically around 400 with a good fit), and generally, the more damage output the less damage projection (as with everything)... so for instance the Stabber can do 200dps with barrage out to 45km or something ridiculous like that or about 300dps with hail within 22km [my fit]. The Vexor can do 800 dps with a shield fit which sounds crazy but it has a somewhat small tank at around 15k ehp and a lasb [my fit] and it doesn't project its damage as well. I've also noticed they've made gellente cruisers significantly more agile. It actually feels as though gellente cruisers are more agile than minmatar cruisers yet not as fast.

So I apologize if I'm babbling but I'm merely trying to offer anecdotal/experiential observations. From EFT it looks like the caracal or omen might be the strongest cruisers now but again, they all seem to be relatively in line with each other and I've never flown those ships. Everything has a role now though. So for instance, when a neutral/enemy ship comes into my home system and someone catches him on d scan, I will undock in the best ship I have to counter that... whereas before I would undock in the best and most universally formidable ship I had available (hurricane).

I think cruisers actually have their place now. I'm going to make some really general statements now, please don't stab me. It would seem cruisers are better for combating frigates and destroyers than a battlecruisers but frigates are better for combatting battlecruisers than cruisers are. Yet cruisers have enough speed to avoid getting eaten by battlecruisers now. Frigates have enough speed to avoid cruisers. It's kind of like Stratego. Every ship has its strengths and weaknesses. Before I could beat any cruiser with a rupture, that's no longer possible.

After typing all this I forgot what the question is... but anyways, these are my ruminations on the new ship balance, I think for the most part it worked, I'm pleased with it. I really miss my old rupture but now all the other ships are good sooo... I dunno. If you're trying to figure out which one is actually the best, don't ask me. I personally would never fly any cruiser that can't project its damage out to at least 20km, and I'd never fly one that goes less than 1400m/s, and I'd never fly one with less than 15k ehp (preferably 25k). As a rule of thumb, if you want to kite make sure you have the speed, if you want to brawl make sure you have the tank and/or dps to stay alive. I find the real potential in cruisers to be their ability to kite AND neutralize frigates that get in close, giving them the ability to engage or at least harass big targets but also handle small targets.
Fractal Muse
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#17 - 2013-01-02 17:40:15 UTC
John Law wrote:
Hello there, just about to get back into the game heavily after not playing in about 5 years...

I'd like to get people's thoughts (opinions welcome) on how things are looking for T1 small scale/solo pvp, as far as which frigates/destroyers/cruisers would be preferable for someone looking for maximum potential.


I've been looking around for the last month or so, and have simply not seen all of these collectively brought into the same thread in such a manner post-patch. Thank you for your time!

The interesting thing about the redo of the T1 cruisers, destroyers, and frigates is that it has almost every (if not every) T1 option viable in some way. The reason you aren't seeing a definitive this is the ship to fly now is because they each bring something to a fleet.

You won't any general consensus about what are the best ship in these categories. It may be that once someone comes up with a really creative and clever fit for one of the ships that one will dominate but so far, if someone has done that, they aren't sharing.

As such, pick whatever weapons platform you like and have at it. Give the ships a whirl.

If you want more detailed information about a specific weapons platform or racial ship you might want to elaborate on what you mean by "maximum potential." Is that DPS? Is that tank? Is that velocity? Is that tackling? Is that versatility?
Nicolo da'Vicenza
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#18 - 2013-01-02 18:14:24 UTC  |  Edited by: Nicolo da'Vicenza
Short answer: T1 frig/cruiser/destroyer PvP has recently been revamped with the aim of greatly improving the variety and viability of T1 options in a PvP fleet. As such, the established order of T1 ship preference (Thrasher, Rifter, Stabber, etc.) has been thrown out the window as long-disused ships are being dusted off and making a comeback. Therefore, answering your question of 'what are the established win ships for T1 small/solo scale PvP' is hard to deliver an answer to because as of this writing there are no longer any established 'win ships'.

For example: this guy changed how we all look at the new arbitrator, that's for sure

http://themittani.com/news/alod-little-arby-could