Ships & Modules

I am just returning to EvE with a new account after a few years, and I recently decided to set my sights on becoming proficient at solo PVP. I have my ship, fitting, and skill plan all worked out, and I wanted to see what people thought of the fit, as well as what I should be doing while I wait the 600ish days for all my skills to train. My goal is to fly the Orthrus because from what I've seen, it looks like an excellent solo PVP ship, but honestly, it's mostly because it just looks so darn cool.

Here's the fit (And yes, I do understand that it's pretty expensive):

[Orthrus Solo PVP]

Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System

Large Shield Extender II
X-Large Ancillary Shield Booster, Cap Booster 400
Corelum C-Type 50MN Microwarpdrive
Republic Fleet Warp Scrambler
Caldari Navy Warp Disruptor

Caldari Navy Light Missile Launcher
Caldari Navy Light Missile Launcher
Caldari Navy Light Missile Launcher
Caldari Navy Light Missile Launcher
Caldari Navy Light Missile Launcher
Imperial Navy Medium Energy Neutralizer

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer II
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II

Hornet EC-300 x5

And now for a couple questions:

1. I'm assuming that this fit would be good for fighting frigates, and currently, it puts out 233dps. What size ships should I focus on fighting with this setup?

2. If I remove the XLASB, replace it with another LSE II, and switch to HAM launchers, what kind of ships can I expect to stand up against, being mostly speed and range tanked?

And finally, my biggest question:

3. What should I be doing between now and the time that I can actually fly this thing from a skills point of view?

Problems:

- It's too needlessly expensive in some areas. Don't use faction (or any kind of "special") weaponry. You will get more bang for your buck with Tech II weapons

- You are using Frigate/Destroyer weaponry on a Cruiser. Trade up for Rapid Light Launchers at the very least. If you want to take on more beefy targets, go with Heavy Missiles (not Heavy Assault Missiles, those are short range).

- Everythig else looks okay... but you are going to have to make some tradeoffs when you fit better weapons.


To answer your questions directly;

1a. With your current fit, Frigates will be about the only things you can kill. And maybe not even that if they can tank ~200 dps.

2a. You can feasibly kill Destroyers and some Cruisers... but this is assuming that you are not dog piled and summarily executed (hint; people HATE the Orthus. When they see it, they either run away or call for back-up).

3a. Join up with a PvP corporation... fly in fast, kitey, missile ships (ex: Kestrel, Hookbill, Corax, Osprey Navy Issue, etc).... and learn the tactics, the feel, and the meta-game.
Understand, even the best solo pilots had to learn somehwere (and often from someone). Raw talent (see; skillpoints) won't help you if you don't know how to use it properly.

Another quick question, is flying a Garmur as practice for eventually flying the Orthrus worth it, or should I just go directly for the Orthrus?

You ate two bears? You must be full.

While practicing, should I limit myself to T2 mods for everything or just the most expensive stuff?

Thanks for the advice, everybody. I'm rethinking going for solo right away, and I think I'll look into joining a corp like Brave. I know this is something I could research myself, but about how long would it take to train an effective alt booster?

Shah dear, I usually agree with you but you said fast and Corax in one sentence

I think you meant the upcoming Stork, she will be fast and kitey - oh YES.

So you are saying heavy missiles are bad?

That's not what I meant. I meant that heavy missiles are supposed to be the long range "gun" for the Orthrus but for a reason I almost cannot fathom it is unusable so we have to make do with frigate guns.

Was nothing against Switch - The Tuskers know very well what they are doing, so no worries here - it's just you have to use frigate guns to shoot everything and up.

Odd isn't it?

It is, or I should say I'm not clever enough to get it to work that way.
I really really want to make it a ham brawler but i just suck at it soo badly,
it's either paper thin with good application or has shag all dps whenever I try to fit it for that.

I'd love a brawling fit for it it if anyone has a combat proven one.