Warfare & Tactics

TL;DR version: try a Slasher instead.


Wall'o'text version: Try a Slasher instead of a Rifter. They are in a more competitive place right now for low-SP characters.

Try something like this:

[Slasher -competitive newbie pvp - easy to fit]

[High Slots]
200mm Light 'Scout' Autocannon I - Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light 'Scout' Autocannon I - Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light 'Scout' Autocannon I - Republic Fleet Fusion S

[Med Slots]
Limited 1MN Afterburner I
Balmer Series Tracking Disruptor I - Optimal Range Disruption Script
Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I

[Low Slots]
Small Ancillary Armor Repairer - Nanite Repair Paste
Damage Control II

[Rigs]
Small Projectile Burst Aerator I
Small Projectile Ambit Extension I
Small Projectile Ambit Extension I

You want to be orbitting at about 7km. Set your default orbit to 7km and keep your afterburner pre-overloaded. When you land and tackle hit your afterburner and pull range, you are faster than most other ships. If your target is outside your tackle range and you suspect it is kite fit you are usually quick enough to warp off before they tackle you.
(Faction warfare plexes are great for finding frigate 1v1's that start in tackle range by the way.)
Once in orbit remember to stop overloading the afterburner ASAP, especially with low thermodynamic skill!

Your falloff range with T1 high damage ammo is about 9km, so at 7km you are still doing good damage and your tracking disruptor is forcing your opponent to use long range, lower damage ammo and fight in deep falloff. I would avoid fighting missile ships for the time being. If your target deploys drones kill them first. (Make sure they are selected on your overview!)

You are quite fragile, the ancillary repper is there to give you some tank while you pull range and survive what damage does get through from your target once in orbit. Pulse it as needed, don't permarun it. Set autoreload off. You could use an armour plate instead but it can be counterproductive with low skills as it will lower your max velocity.

If you know what you are likely to be engaging I would use RF EMP ammo for shield tanking ships, RF Fusion for armour tankers and RF Phased Plasma if you're not sure.

Your most important skills to train up for frigate pvp imho are your navigation skills. They benefit ALL ships anyway, so it's worth training them all up to V.

Once your fitting/TD skills get better you can replace stuff with T2, add a neut to the setup and orbit at about 6km. Still works

Dont engage any missle/rocket boat in this. No Kestrels, Breachers, ETC and run from Hookbills.

[Thrasher, Low Skill]
Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
Counterbalanced Weapon Mounts I

Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
Medium F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction

200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
200mm Light Prototype Automatic Cannon, Republic Fleet Fusion S
5W Infectious Power System Malfunction

Small Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Small Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Small Anti-Thermal Screen Reinforcer I



Try this out for some cheap fun. With my skills it does 245 DPS not overheated. I have relatively high gunnery skills, but even if you don't you should be able to get 200 DPS. Pretty much the idea is to hit approach with the MWD overheated and get close real fast.