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EVE New Citizens Q&A

 
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Weapons Systems for Small-Scale PvP?
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Pan de Monium
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#1 - 2013-09-15 02:34:31 UTC
Hello all,

I was hoping to get some advice on recommended weapons systems for small-scale PvP. I haven't had much time to really play at the moment, so I've just been reading up and training my core skills. It's coming near the time when I'm going to need to pick a weapons system to start working on, at least initially, and I was hoping to hear some people's thoughts.

I think my end-goal is probably small-gang or solo PvP, probably heavily focused on smaller ships and covert ops ships. Stealth bombers sound nice, which means torpedo training of course, but does that mean I might as well go all-out missiles? A speedy brawler ship sounds pretty fun as well, is this viable with any of the covert ops frigates or interceptors, and what would be a good weapons system for these?

I guess the basic question would be what would be a good first weapons system to focus on for a newbie with these goals? And any thoughts on what racial hulls? I'm leaning towards Caldari or Minmatar. I've read a fair bit about this, but much of it is likely outdated and I'd love to hear some opinions.

Thanks very much!

Grammaton Cleric | Forbidden Legion
Mr Epeen
It's All About Me
#2 - 2013-09-15 03:56:01 UTC
Small gang is doable but you're living in a fantasy world if you think solo is going to happen. Nearly every one on one you get into will result in a buddy warping in to rep your opponent. EVE is not the place for righteous, honest fighters. It's a place to win by whatever means you can.

As for small gang, I'd go Minmatar over Caldari. It'll be much quicker to train into and more versatile. Start with T1 frigates fit with low meta T1 weapons and learn to not get upset when you lose them. Because you will. A lot. So get used to it with affordable losses. Don't wait until you can fly a T2 fit T2 cruiser. Just get in as soon as you can and start shooting.

Try to find a corp that leans toward small gang like RvB or many of the FW corps and you will learn more in a day than you will in a month of reading blogs and posting in the forum.

So, there's the broad picture. I leave the details to those posters to follow.

Mr Epeen Cool
Zappity
New Eden Tank Testing Services
#3 - 2013-09-15 04:50:05 UTC  |  Edited by: Zappity
Solo in faction warfare lowsec is definitely viable, at least with small ships. Start cheap and be prepared to lose a lot of them but this is an excellent way to learn PvP.

All weapon types are viable for this. Strong T1 frigates at the moment are Incursus, Breacher, Tristan, Tormentor. Condor if you want to kite.

Zappity's Adventures for a taste of lowsec and nullsec.
Andracin
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#4 - 2013-09-15 06:52:33 UTC
like Zappity said, fw you can find solo fights in plexes, although I find this varies from warzone to warzone. The good part about fw plexes is you can see what is outside on scan. That helps with avoiding the blob or ships that are a hard counter to what your flying.

You can also find people who are not afraid to 1v1, win or loose. I 1v1 anyone who asks, providing I have something in my hangar that matches what the requestor has, although this is my personal space honor. If you get used to fighting the odds, how to kite, separate, isolate and kill you will actually be a much better pilot than if you look only for 1 on 1 fights.

There isn't any particular weapon system at the minute that completely out classes the other. Tracking disruptors seem to be the ewar FOTM, expect almost any opponet, especially condor, slasher to have one and plan accordingly.
Delt0r Garsk
Shits N Giggles
#5 - 2013-09-15 10:33:36 UTC
Outside FW there is plenty of solo... It hard, but plenty of people do this in high,low,null and WH space and even have some very nice solo kills.

I even solo sometimes in a rifter. i have yet to get a solo kill. But i have fun trying.

The key tactic for solo is to catch something out. Its more or less something that is a good match to your ship and fittings while being a bad match to kill you. For example you catch a bomber out (hard to do i know) and your in a frigate. Plenty of other examples of course. This means you really need to know your ships, what they can do and how they are typically fitted and flown. You need to know ranges and tracking of the different weapons etc.

Solo is a really good way to learn all that.

AKA the scientist.

Death and Glory!

Well fun is also good.
Drax Concrilla
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#6 - 2013-09-15 14:30:43 UTC
Missiles are incredibly strong in Solo/Small gang right now because they can't be easily mitigated, as can the damage from turrets. Since you want to train for Stealth Bombers it seems to be a natural fit. I'd advise you to use either the Kestrel, Condor, or Breacher to start out with and then train into the Hound or Manticore. This way you'll have all (or at least many of) the missile skills for your SB already once you get there.

Keep in mind though, Stealth Bombers are not solopwn mobiles like many think they are. When you get your bomber go hit up Bomber's Bar to see what they're all about.
Pan de Monium
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#7 - 2013-09-15 17:34:38 UTC
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I guess if missiles are a solid choice all-around it makes sense to just focus on them for the time being since I'm definitely going to want them eventually. I'll just muck around in T1 frigates for a while, maybe join a FW corp, and see how that goes. Probably makes sense to focus on Caldari hulls as well.

Grammaton Cleric | Forbidden Legion
Praxis Ginimic
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#8 - 2013-09-15 18:32:35 UTC
Gallente make some good speedy brawlers like the incursus and atron (favorite) minmitar are also good in this area but have the ability to hold a kite fit as well.

I think the midst important piece of advice that was given above was to join a pvp corp. Actually roaming in pairs and small gangs is the FASTEST & BEST way to learn small scale pvp. Honestly, it is the best way to learn solo as well.

The worst bit of advice was against solo pvp. It isn't nearly as prevalent as many of us wish it were but it is out there. When you start to solo look for belt and anom ratters. They won't be as prepared for the fight as you are. This gives you a few (dozen) chances to sharpen your teeth before picking fights with the big dogs.

Welcome to the fun part of EVE. If you see me out there ask for a 1v1.
Praxis Ginimic
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#9 - 2013-09-15 19:07:54 UTC
Also, have a look at this handy weapon systems chart