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Solo PVE - In a Merlin, want a... something better than a Merlin.
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22
Tulber Likes received: 22	#21 - 2014-07-22 00:12:15 UTC 2 Since nobody else mentioned this option: 1. Join FW 2. Continue flying merlins 3. ???? 4. There is no 4

Dr Cedric

Science and Trade Institute

Caldari State

Likes received: 145

#22 - 2014-07-22 01:55:50 UTC

Owen Levanth wrote:

Cyrus dePlague wrote:

I'm currently doing solo Caldari PVE in a blaster Merlin (3x Light Neutron II w/Null S) with some shield tank to boot. My main PVE has been either Level 2 Security missions or Hideaway/Burrow combat sites, but I think I'd like to upgrade from the Merlin to the next best thing.

At first glance, I was thinking a blaster Harpy (4x Light Neutron II w/Null S plus Salvager in high spots), but was hoping to get some input as to whether there's something else out there that might be better suited for higher-level PVE (Level 3/4 missions, Refuge/Den combat sites).

Any thoughts/fits that people can point me to? Thanks!

A Harpy is fine up to level 3, the Hawk would have been even better, thanks to variable damage. But well, if you have the skills for T2 hybrids already, then a Harpy would work.

Level 4 with a T2 frigate is simply not possible, battleship-rats have so many HP you would take an eternity, even though you would most likely take almost no damage.

If you really don't want to take large ships, skill into a Tengu and missiles, or try a blaster-Proteus. Both are T3s and can easily shred level 4 missions.

Lvl4's with AF's is totally Possible, just not the most efficient use of time/ammo. It is a BLAST to run around Lvl 4 missions in a rail harpy and 1-volley most frigs, 2-volley most of the destroyers, coupla seconds on cruisers, little more on BC's and then just orbit and semi-afk the BS. Relaxing in a way.

On that note, the only BIG worry you'll have w/ a Rail (or Blaster) Harpy is if you fight Sansha rats...tracking disruptors are no bueno.

Cedric

Ten Thousand Days 641
Maeltstome Ten Thousand Days Likes received: 641	#23 - 2014-07-22 14:57:23 UTC Ishkur/Enyo can handle level 4's

Doomheim 2
Cyrus dePlague Doomheim Likes received: 2	#24 - 2014-07-22 15:05:53 UTC Thanks for all the feedback, folks. At this time I'm going for a Moa, and will see how that flies for a bit. Part-time Ferox railgunner Part-time Data Site hacker and Relic Site digger Part-time Mining monkey Full-time Awesome Occasional Pain in the Butt

Federal Navy Academy Gallente Federation 82
Atomeon Federal Navy Academy Gallente Federation Likes received: 82	#25 - 2014-07-22 21:58:07 UTC Cyrus dePlague wrote: Thanks for all the feedback, folks. At this time I'm going for a Moa, and will see how that flies for a bit. I dont think you have read all the feedback. They said Caldari is terrible with gunnery skils because their weapons dont have bonus to damage. You should go Gallente and use a gunship for missions.

JAF Anders

Adenosine Inhibition

Likes received: 325

#26 - 2014-07-22 22:21:12 UTC

You might find that railguns will save you time moving from target to target to apply DPS. At any rate, medium railguns are in a healthy spot at this time and they work well with the Moa.

A few notes, though:

Bigger is not always better, even in high-sec PvE. Level 4 missions still have frigates to kill; without webs or other effective range control, you'll take a lot longer to gun down those smaller targets with larger turrets.

Tanking incoming DPS is a tricky game to play. While it's true that larger modules repair more damage per second, you'll be subjecting your vessel to more damage the larger the ship you use. The nimble Assault Frigate with its low signature radius and high resist profile mitigates incoming DPS much better than the sluggish Battleship.

The pursuit of excellence and stabbed plexing alts.

Netan MalDoran

Hail To The King

The Silent Syndicate

Likes received: 323

#27 - 2014-07-22 23:59:23 UTC

Praxis Ginimic wrote:

Netan MalDoran wrote:

Degnar Oskold wrote:

If you want to stay away from Missiles, then

Level 2 : Rail Moa
Level 3: Rail Ferox
Level 4: Rail Rokh

Rails have lower DPS than blasters, but you'll do missions faster than having to MWD/AB in range of everything.

Do what he said, this works perfectly as the Ferox can pack a massive tank and they all have drones. If you do want a dessie, then the Cormorant works well (As the Corax is a missile boat) especially with multiple weapon types. For my corm highs I have 2 rails, 5 blasters, and a rocket or lite missile launcher so that you can pre-damage the rats with the rails and missiles (Or if their running and you can't keep up) then you can get in close and brawl them to death with the blasters. Or you could go all rails but you will still take some damage as light rails don't have the best range.

This is terrible advice. Don't "pre-damage" anything. Just a pick a range at which you would like to destroy things and destroy then at that range.

I've gotten this before but it surprisingly works well for this ship, haven't found any other ships where this works. Definitely don't recommend this type of fitting for PvP.

"Your security status has been lowered." - Hell yeah it was!

Falcon's truth

Spaghetti Militia 939
Dato Koppla Spaghetti Militia Likes received: 939	#28 - 2014-07-23 01:33:18 UTC You can do L4 missions in pretty much any ship you want. Some L4 missions can even be done in a T1 frig (not just Recon, but proper combat missions). However it will take extremely painfully long. L4s should only really be done in a Battleship, T3, HAC, or a Command Ship. While other ships can do it it's simply not worth the time.

Maeltstome

Ten Thousand Days

Likes received: 641

#29 - 2014-07-23 11:41:08 UTC

Netan MalDoran wrote:

Praxis Ginimic wrote:

Netan MalDoran wrote:

Degnar Oskold wrote:

This is terrible advice. Don't "pre-damage" anything. Just a pick a range at which you would like to destroy things and destroy then at that range.

I've gotten this before but it surprisingly works well for this ship, haven't found any other ships where this works. Definitely don't recommend this type of fitting for PvP.

It doesn't matter how you justify it - it's sub-optimal. If that strategy works better than a normal then your normal strategy is wrong.

Try switching to ALL rails and try things that way... and time your missions - hearsay isn't mathematical data.

Jeanne-Luise Argenau

Brutor Tribe

Minmatar Republic

Likes received: 153

#30 - 2014-07-23 16:26:06 UTC

for L4 missions i personally think the rokh is the worst choice. but as its the only shield rail platform per design its still a choice.
my personal choice would probably end up like this so with shield and rails. This is a osmium fit i created so cant say i tested it but statwise it looks akin to the mission boat i used.

[Megathron Navy Issue, Unnamed loadout]
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Shadow Serpentis Magnetic Field Stabilizer
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Federation Navy Co-Processor

Heavy Capacitor Booster II, Cap Booster 800
X-Large Shield Booster II
Large Micro Jump Drive
Domination Adaptive Invulnerability Field

350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
350mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Lead Charge L
[empty high slot]

Large Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Large Anti-Thermal Screen Reinforcer I
Large Ionic Field Projector I

Garde II x5
Federation Navy Hobgoblin x5

Hadrian Zorn

Vanguard of Silence

Likes received: 1

#31 - 2014-07-26 22:08:40 UTC

Caldari gun boats usually don't come with a damage bonus. Bad for running missions.
Therefore, there are two options:
1) crosstrain into gallente, carry over hybrid gun skills --> requires additional training in armortanking
2) crosstrain into minmatar, carry over shield tanking skills --> requires additonal training in projectile weapons

I picked 2 and don't regret it. I would propose to go streight to battlecruisers, and run L3 missions. Do that for a while, untill your support skills are good enough to switch to a battleship and run L4's.

Gallente offers the benefit of available cross faction pirate ships.

Christopher Mabata

Northern Accounts and Systems

Likes received: 471

#32 - 2014-07-26 22:49:58 UTC

Honestly small ships are fine when you learn how to fly them, cruisers are in my opinion the best because you get a balance of DPS / Speed / Tank / Signature.

get a well fit cruiser, leave the chicken coup of highsec and move to low or null, you'll make more ISK, youll get a taste of PVP, and youll meet some awesome people

Great cruisers in my Opinion going cheap to expensive:
~ Caracal
~ Moa
~ Vexor / Nexor ( Navy Vex. )
~ Cerberus
~ Sacreliege
~ Phobos
~ Orthrus

I have used all of those and none of them have let me down, can easly PVE when needed and PVP just as well and they are a ton of fun to fly.

♣ Small Gang PVP, Large Fleet PVP, Black Ops, Incursions, Trade, and Industry ♣ 70% Lethal / 30% Super-Snuggly / 110% No idea what im doing ♣

This Message Brought to you by a sweet and sour bittervet

Silverdaddy

Ourapheh Holdings

Likes received: 68

#33 - 2014-07-26 23:43:51 UTC

Caleidascope wrote:

You can run L4 Recon 1/3 is mwd fitted noob/t1 frig. But I think that is the only one L4 you can do in a frig.

There are others, such as cargo delivery, where you just need an agile frig to go in and snatched goods to bring back to the agent.

Generally speaking though, BS sized ships for Level 4's.

The problem with slavery is that only half of the manacles are visible. The Holder, supposed master, is equally bound by the gilded chains of privilege and wealth.

James Baboli

Warp to Pharmacy

Likes received: 1,038

#34 - 2014-07-27 12:56:00 UTC

The direct path is Merlin > Cormorant > Moa > Ferrox > Rokh. Of these, I really love the moa and ferrox for l2/3 missions, mostly because the free invuln in the hull helps alot with getting the sort of utility mids I like to cram onto PVE ships (2-3 TCs, a painter and web for the curious, as well as an AB or MWD on everything that ever moves.)

Talking more,

Flying crazier,

And drinking more

Making battleships worth the warp

James Baboli

Warp to Pharmacy

Likes received: 1,038

#35 - 2014-07-27 12:57:11 UTC

Jeanne-Luise Argenau wrote:

As a side note: Faction invulns are usually bad. the C-type deadspace ones are usually much more worth it.

Talking more,

Flying crazier,

And drinking more

Making battleships worth the warp

Jeanne-Luise Argenau

Brutor Tribe

Minmatar Republic

Likes received: 153

#36 - 2014-07-27 17:26:57 UTC | Edited by: Jeanne-Luise Argenau

James Baboli wrote:

Jeanne-Luise Argenau wrote:

As a side note: Faction invulns are usually bad. the C-type deadspace ones are usually much more worth it.

correct if u ignore the cpu issues this fitting has, aka u need 2 more faction damage mods because of the cpu

IIshira

School of Applied Knowledge

Caldari State

Likes received: 1,332

#37 - 2014-07-27 17:49:56 UTC | Edited by: IIshira

Jeanne-Luise Argenau wrote:

James Baboli wrote:

Jeanne-Luise Argenau wrote:

As a side note: Faction invulns are usually bad. the C-type deadspace ones are usually much more worth it.

correct if u ignore the cpu issues this fitting has, aka u need 2 more faction damage mods because of the cpu

Domination Adaptive Invulnerability Field uses 34 CPU

Deadspace use 27-35 CPU... All will fit.

T2 uses 40 CPU... Also will fit with a 1% CPU implant. I haven't tested this fit but if you're keeping 100 km range with a MJD I would suspect a T2 would be plenty. Other than officer mods deadspace or faction invulns are the first thing gankers look for when picking a target.

Jeanne-Luise Argenau

Brutor Tribe

Minmatar Republic

Likes received: 153

#38 - 2014-07-27 18:10:18 UTC | Edited by: Jeanne-Luise Argenau

IIshira wrote:

now u see what happens when u arent at home and cant check the module stats easily

IIshira

School of Applied Knowledge

Caldari State

Likes received: 1,332

#39 - 2014-07-27 18:42:33 UTC

Jeanne-Luise Argenau wrote:

IIshira wrote:

now u see what happens when u arent at home and cant check the module stats easily

Yea I know what you mean... I can't remember the exact CPU either.

The more I look at it the more I dislike the MJD Megathron Navy Issue. I think it would be better suited for close in damage dealing rather than range. You have to use lead to get any kind of range and that cuts your DPS way down. How much damage are those Garde II's going to do at 70km with their 30+18 km range? Yes they could be swapped out for Warden II's but then again another drop in DPS.

Here's what I came up with on a Rokh. I think at MJD range this would deal far more damage than the Megathron Navy Issue. Personally I would prefer a Dominix over either one but that's just me.

665 gun DPS @ 95+58 km. 758 DPS if you count the two Warden II's.

[Rokh, PVE]
Power Diagnostic System II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Federation Navy Magnetic Field Stabilizer
Federation Navy Magnetic Field Stabilizer
Federation Navy Magnetic Field Stabilizer

Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range Script
Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range Script
Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range Script
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Caldari Navy X-Large Shield Booster
Large Micro Jump Drive

425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Caldari Navy Plutonium Charge L

Large Hybrid Burst Aerator II
Large Anti-Thermal Screen Reinforcer I
Large Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I

Warden II x2

Jeanne-Luise Argenau

Brutor Tribe

Minmatar Republic

Likes received: 153

#40 - 2014-07-28 18:10:02 UTC | Edited by: Jeanne-Luise Argenau

Ilshira

actually that fit is more thought for warp in. use am and gardes to the best of your abilities and jump out when u get to much punishment change to lead and work at distance. if u go more faction damage mods maybe drop down to the next better ranged ammo fit 2 omnite instead of te and fit an extra dla. mni should have 8 highs

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Ships & Modules

Science and Trade Institute

Caldari State

Ten Thousand Days

Doomheim

Federal Navy Academy

Gallente Federation

Adenosine Inhibition

Hail To The King

The Silent Syndicate

Spaghetti Militia

Brutor Tribe

Minmatar Republic

Vanguard of Silence

Northern Accounts and Systems

Ourapheh Holdings

Warp to Pharmacy

School of Applied Knowledge

Caldari State