Warfare & Tactics

Recently, since May 10 I have been experimenting. Trying to figure out the most optimal close range tech 1 cruiser and set-up for said ship; iterating on any destroyer or assault frigate set-ups I currently use and adding certain factional frigates (comet).

One thing that has been on my mind is the usefulness of active armour set-ups compared to auxiliary shield booster set-ups. Honestly @ one point it was cut and dry with regard to battleships but now I find myself moving away from the Rokh and Maelstrom towards the Hyperion. @ the same time I'm disappointed with the Cyclone changes. At-least once you fit 2 auxiliary shield booster set-up (very low damage output).

How useful have active defence set-ups been in your experience in the past 3 months?

What are your GO TO tech 1, pirate, navy or tech 2 frigates? Mine are Hawk, Harpy, Daredevil and Comet.

Has tech 1 cruisers displaced tier 1 and 2 battle-cruisers? I find with the exception of the Myrmidon, Prophecy and maybe Drake. I have no use for the other lower tier battle-cruisers.

What are your GO TO tech 1 cruisers? Mine are the Caracal and Vexor.

What heavy assault cruisers are still useful? I find the Muninn useful and I can make an argument for the Sacrilege and Maybe Ishtar.

I also plan on trying out a cruise-Typhoon. Has anyone done so yet?


- killz

I fly mostly buffer ships, but when I do grab something with active rep, incursus comes to mind.

Yes, buff resists for the active-tanking races (Gallente, Minmatar). +1

Maulus. Its combat is awesome.

For a go to T1 cruiser is say shield buffer Omen. They are fast and agile great low slots for DMG mods. Oh and scorch.

Of course that is really only applicable for small gangs and skirmish level work. For a fleet T1 the CFC ham caracal fleets are pretty over the top en masse. I suppose a similar Thorax fleet could also be viable but both cases need support ships.

Finally let's not forget the T1 EWAR boats. BB and cele both can be brutal in any fleet comp.

Though I haven't flown one in a long while, the first Cruiser I think of is the Rupture.
In my early years I had great success with them. Great tank is what I remember in brawling situations.

As for the Phoon, I consider them a brawler also. I can't imagine anything but a Torp fit Phoon.

Edit Here:
The original post asked about "Thoughts on current combat dynamics."

EVE seems to have evolved into 'Frigates Online', and I see the reasoning. They are cheap, fun, and if flown right, are dangerous.

I have to say though, with the biggest population it's ever had, I'm sad about this evolution.
I wish it was fun for me...but it's not.

Frigate - Tristan is a straight beast with a full flight of lights

Cruiser - Vexor has huge ehp and DPS, need I say more?

BC - Brutix or Cane can both be buffer to active pretty well and the brutix DPS really shines.

BS - Tempest is versatile and have the two utility highs for heavy neuts.


Yes I think BCs are lackluster right now but I still use them sometimes. T1 frigs and cruisers are the best bang for your buck with the Tristan and Vexor dominating the brawlers.

Regarding 'combat dynamics' : I believe the changes to T1 cruisers and frigs are a bit too skewed towards making every fleet > 3 ships require Logistics.

It used to be more of an even exchange of value, especially when decent logistic capability was only T2 cruiser logi (worth a fair bit of ISK) making their use more specific ; Now every kitchen sink fleet uses the current cheap T1 logi - and they are so effective
(especially for their cost) that they have become almost a necessity.

This is a bad thing IMHO because PVP becomes too predictable. It is like playing rock, paper, scissors where rock beats everything.

T1 logi need a nerf, or DPS needs a buff if you ask me, which you did, so cheers.

IMO the T1 logi makes T1 armor fleets work against nano-kitey shield. At least at the T1 cruiser level I think they have everything balanced out quite well so far.