Warfare & Tactics

I've never quite been able to get the hang of using blasters in pvp - I always seem to just get outranged and shut down, even against other brawlers (I hate autocannons). I've heard many people swear by them, however, so I'm guessing the issue is something that I am personally doing wrong, and I can't find much online that specifically discusses flying with a blaster fit. Can anyone recommend tactics to semi-reliably overcome this weapon's range issue? Or does the fact that literally any ship in the same class can outrange blasters make it a more luck-based than skill-based endeavor?

Also, thoughts on kiting vs brawl fits for solo? I've heard strong arguments in favor of both, and had similar results using both for that matter. Is there any reason that one or the other would be more or less effective for a soloer?

Thanks, looking forward to your replies.

Sometimes it's better to start the fight with null loaded if you know they're going to try and burn away from you, even if the fight starts at 0.

True, I generally keep Null loaded as the default ammo in order to start applying damage right from the start. With 5sec reload time and native damage advantage, switching ammo during the fight is viable.

Wow...better response than I was expecting. Thanks for the excellent replies!

I'm afraid I've not yet had the chance to use null - I'm still training into t2 blasters. I feel like a nub for not realizing how much of an improvement t2 ammo could have. It looks like there would still be some risk of kiting (don't have access to eft now, so correct me if I'm wrong), but you could still expect to apply damage at most points inside your range and it would take a much better pilot to stay inside scram range but outside your falloff.

As for fights, I'm afraid I'm not in a position to dig up anything to link atm but my main experience in blasters is against hookbills, mainly, as well as the odd merlin or firetail. Since I'm still figuring out how to fly this style of frig (and don't have null yet) I've lost every encounter.

At this point, I'm going to guess that my next step is to train small blaster specialization, buy up a stack of incursuses (incursi?) and go commit suicide until my piloting skills improve.

I'm pretty sure an Incursus with Null vastly outdps's a rifter with barrage at 7.5km

But yea, small rails are generally better.


Small rails are wonderful ^^