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Warfare & Tactics

 
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So... soloists, how you doin'?
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Wensley
Matari Exodus
#41 - 2012-01-18 16:30:52 UTC
I have no problem with people learning in bigger ships. Heck most of my corpmates haven't flown a frigate since their first week in game. If you're going out to nullsec, though, I would recomend you stick to frigates until you learn how to travel in relative safety. Once you are happy with that then pick any ship that takes your fancy, train the appropriate skills, and go PvPing.
Deen Wispa
Sheriff.
Caldari Tactical Operations Command
#42 - 2012-01-18 16:47:19 UTC
Shiki Mikkyou wrote:


Fidelium Mortis wrote:
If you're looking for decent opportunities for solo fights, I would suggest first roaming low sec, and if you want a lot of targets, join faction warfare, go pirate, or both. I think you'll find few opportunities for a decent fight in null sec, especially flying a T1 frig with meta mods.

Well, I have started a small collection of bookmarks in that lowsec corridor, and there seems to be a trickle of traffic through there when I hang around. Some FW pilots have been kind enough to invite me to enlist, but my concerns are A] a perceived lack of dedication due to obligations with work/school, and B] inability to pilot ships required to get a proper fleet composition (snowflaking?). This is why solo seemed the best choice.

.


On average, you'll find more 1 on 1s in FW than in non-FW lowsec. I joined militia 6 months ago and had experienced more 1 on 1s in the first 2 weeks than I did by just roaming lowsec alone. I went on RL vacation and have come back recently and joined militia again.

If you don't want to be hassled with joining a FW corp, just solo alone in general militia. You'll learn alot. The best thing about pvping in FW is that you don't have to succumb to gate guns when fighting the opposing militia, especially when you're just in a frigate or cruiser.

High Five. Yeah! C'est La Eve .
Shiki Mikkyou
#43 - 2012-01-18 17:40:10 UTC
A lot of info to chew on here, makes me really chafe at how little time I have to fly Mon-Thurs.

So it seems solo is, to some extent, feasible for a 5M SP char in a T1. It also sounds like it would be a lot easier to get PvP experience in FW. To know if I'm in a FW system, just use D-Scan to look for Minor skirmish sites, or will they appear on the Solar System map?

And since T2 tanking is so important, I'm guessing I should opt for Merlin over Kestrel most of the time.

All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain。
Plutonian
Intransigent
#44 - 2012-01-18 18:37:07 UTC
IMO, the Merlin is more suited for combat than the Kestral, yes.

Head for the T2 weapons and tank... they make a huge difference. The meta AB/MWD, scrams (J5b), webs (X5), etc are fine to use. Try to balance your loadout so you've a good mix between offensive and defensive (I generally like 60% gank to 40% tank myself). And don't forget those core support skills! Engineering, Electronics, Weapons Upgrades, capacitor skills, etc.

Keep it cheap at first: Malkuths over Arbalest if you're tight on cash. The drop in performance is fairly negligible.

Remember that T1 frigs are the Great Equalizer. I'm a six-year old character, and I've been killed by eight-month old pilots 1v1.

It always makes 'em so happy. Big smile
Fidelium Mortis
Minor Major Miners LLC
#45 - 2012-01-18 19:00:13 UTC
Shiki Mikkyou wrote:
A lot of info to chew on here, makes me really chafe at how little time I have to fly Mon-Thurs.

So it seems solo is, to some extent, feasible for a 5M SP char in a T1. It also sounds like it would be a lot easier to get PvP experience in FW. To know if I'm in a FW system, just use D-Scan to look for Minor skirmish sites, or will they appear on the Solar System map?

And since T2 tanking is so important, I'm guessing I should opt for Merlin over Kestrel most of the time.


You can start getting pvp kills with less than a day of training so 5M is plenty. I would highly recommend specializing for a specific ship though. The merlin is a pretty good choice for solo PvP in FW/low-sec, it can be fitted with a superb tank and has decent damage for a T1 frig. The biggest issue the merlin has will be keeping other ships in range, so get use to overheating your propulsion module often. Personally I would recommend going with a 2x 200mm autocannons and 2x rocket launchers (or neut) in the high slot, with a medium shield booster + cap booster.

To find the FW plexes just hit the system scanner and they will pop up in your filter (no probes needed).

ICRS - Intergalactic Certified Rocket Surgeon
Grog Drinker
Republic University
Minmatar Republic
#46 - 2012-01-18 19:38:10 UTC
Shiki Mikkyou wrote:
So it seems solo is, to some extent, feasible for a 5M SP char in a T1. It also sounds like it would be a lot easier to get PvP experience in FW.


With 5M skill points you should be able to get into all kinds of trouble. Setting up in FW low sec space is what I did when I started and I continue to live there. I am generally able to find frig fights every night. Find a group of systems you like and set up plenty of bookmarks.

I think joining a side in FW is only beneficial if you want to keep your sec status up. Otherwise you are cutting out a large group of targets by joining a side.

One suggestion I have is to find a chat channel in game that actively discusses pvp and ship fitting. When I was new to pvp I joined the tuskers public channel and just lurked and listened for probably like a month. I learned a massive amount in there.
Fidelium Mortis
Minor Major Miners LLC
#47 - 2012-01-18 20:04:52 UTC
Grog Drinker wrote:

I think joining a side in FW is only beneficial if you want to keep your sec status up. Otherwise you are cutting out a large group of targets by joining a side.


The pirates in FW - my self included - would beg to differ with this statement, unless there's something I'm missing. Once (if) the logistics fix is implemented later this month, I would expect to see even more pirates in FW.

ICRS - Intergalactic Certified Rocket Surgeon
Grog Drinker
Republic University
Minmatar Republic
#48 - 2012-01-18 20:23:01 UTC
Fidelium Mortis wrote:
Grog Drinker wrote:

I think joining a side in FW is only beneficial if you want to keep your sec status up. Otherwise you are cutting out a large group of targets by joining a side.


The pirates in FW - my self included - would beg to differ with this statement, unless there's something I'm missing. Once (if) the logistics fix is implemented later this month, I would expect to see even more pirates in FW.


By having FW friends you have more blues.

More Blues = less Pews

This is why I think pirate alliances are a bad idea. In my opinion the fewer the number of blues the better.

I like being able to shoot all sides indiscriminately. But this doesn't mean I can't call friends in times of need. Like when someone has a mothership tackled in Ouelletta Big smile.
Shiki Mikkyou
#49 - 2012-01-18 21:32:06 UTC
Plutonian wrote:
Head for the T2 weapons and tank... they make a huge difference. The meta AB/MWD, scrams (J5b), webs (X5), etc are fine to use. Try to balance your loadout so you've a good mix between offensive and defensive (I generally like 60% gank to 40% tank myself). And don't forget those core support skills! Engineering, Electronics, Weapons Upgrades, capacitor skills, etc.

I can use T2 Launchers, but the guns are gonna take a while, as my gun skills are pretty poor.

Fidelium Mortis wrote:
[...] merlin is a pretty good choice for solo PvP in FW/low-sec, it can be fitted with a superb tank and has decent damage for a T1 frig. The biggest issue the merlin has will be keeping other ships in range, so get use to overheating your propulsion module often. Personally I would recommend going with a 2x 200mm autocannons and 2x rocket launchers (or neut) in the high slot, with a medium shield booster + cap booster.

I have been using 2 250mm artillery guns since my build was basically for kiting from near-max rocket distance. On paper the DPS was almost the same as ACs but the volley was up something like 60%. However... since you suggest ACs I'm guessing my thinking on that choice was wrong.

Grog Drinker wrote:
Setting up in FW low sec space is what I did when I started and I continue to live there. I am generally able to find frig fights every night. Find a group of systems you like and set up plenty of bookmarks.

I think joining a side in FW is only beneficial if you want to keep your sec status up. Otherwise you are cutting out a large group of targets by joining a side.

Okay, I will have to check the systems on the corridor I use now but I'm pretty sure there are at least Minor Gallente sites.

I would like to keep my sec status above -4.5, but I suppose ratting is the only way I will be able to keep it from going below there, yeah?

All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain。
Plutonian
Intransigent
#50 - 2012-01-19 09:33:05 UTC  |  Edited by: Plutonian
Shiki Mikkyou wrote:
I can use T2 Launchers, but the guns are gonna take a while, as my gun skills are pretty poor.


It takes a bit of time, but don't let that deter you from going out there and having fun. You literally would not believe the number of bad fits/poor pilots in this universe. Lol



Shiki Mikkyou wrote:
I would like to keep my sec status above -4.5, but I suppose ratting is the only way I will be able to keep it from going below there, yeah?


When you're in an empty system and there's no targets about? Yes, kill a few rats. Keep aligned, don't worry about looting, and space the big ones out over 15 minutes or between gate jumps. Also, there's a skill (which I sadly cannot remember atm) which assists this; Concord fasttalk or something like that. Don't pod anyone... that kills your sec status faster than anything.

Most importantly... of absolute critical importance.... have fun. Do wacky s**t. Be insane. Capital ships off a station in lowsec? Get close, pop a shot at them while aligned to a celestial, and warp away before the station guns kill you. Then enjoy comments in local like "Wait. Did a Rifter just do a drive-by on my Thanatos?" Lol

At the end of the day it's only pixels. Find a way to enjoy killing and being killed, and you'll be happy throughout your entire Eve career.
Abbadon21
Ignotis Imperium
Usurper.
#51 - 2012-01-19 22:33:00 UTC
Avoid bubbles by using safespot setup 300km or so from gate. That way you can go in, avoid bubble, then see the conditions at the gate before warping in.

If you have no safe spot then go to a planet or other celestial first then come in at an angle.

Best way to learn solo is to get get 10-20 fully fit ships (frigs will do) and go get them blown up by attacking everything you see and have even the slightest chance of killing. Dying is often the fastest way to learn in EVE.

Learn How PRO Players Make Billions of ISK and Dominate PVP: http://www.EVEProGuides.com
Rhealee
KarmaFleet
Goonswarm Federation
#52 - 2012-01-22 06:31:05 UTC
Plutonian wrote:
Xpaulusx wrote:
If you really enjoy frigates, fit yourself up a dual-prop Dramiel, drop some low grade snakes in and your ready to go.

This is your advice for a younger pilot to learn PvP in nulsec? You, sir, are a mean person. I bet you kick homeless puppies as a side hobby. Ugh


Seriously though, I feel there are two phases to learning to PvP (no matter where you choose to do it); controlling your emotions and acquiring skill.

Controlling your emotions is simply getting over the adrenalin rush of PvP (i.e., 'the shakes'). For this part, I can only suggest cheaply fitted T1 frigates. Don't expect to win a lot of battles, and always go back over the fights and see what could have been done better, but your real goal is to get used to the Rush of Combat to the extent you can control it. 'Double-punching' module buttons is bad.

Once that's done, contrary to Wensley and probably every other PvP pro out there, I'd switch up to something a bit larger to actually learn PvP. (Awaits scolding from PvP pros...)

Why? Because T1 frigate combat is FAST. Rifter on Rifter typically takes anywhere between 42 and 65 seconds from opening salvo to smoking wreck. Unless you're kiting (or can pull range to regroup), there is no chance for a reload... that 10 seconds means too much. And the choice of ammo is like flipping a coin; (again, Rifter vs Rifter) Did he cover his explosive hole? Shield Fit? Armor Tanked? Using Barrage at 6k or going in close with some variant of high damage ammo? RL, NOS, or Neut? Is he masking his speed?

You won't know until you're in the middle of it, and by then it's typically too late to change tactics.

A learger (but still cheapish) ship offers more time to analyze the combat. T1 cruisers like the Ruppie, Vexor, Stabber are good for this. Lower-tier BC's are also good in lowsec. You'll have more time to see what your enemy is doing and react to it.

Also means you'll get blobbed a bit more, as longer combats offer more time for your adversary to call friends. But can't be helped.

FWIW... my 2 isk.




I never thought about the emotional part. I mean obviously its there. Its fun exciting depressing. Other night i was podded by a group of guys that i had been killing the **** out of for the past 5 weeks strait, they were so excited that they they had finally killed me. It wasnt until one of them yelled in local "eat that mother ******!"
Thats when i realized i didnt get that much enjoyment anymore. This is one reason its fun to fly with new guys you get to see them all excited about the dumbest stuff. Things a lot of us forget about or take for granted.
Shiki Mikkyou
#53 - 2012-01-22 23:26:22 UTC
Been occupied with homework for the past several days, just logging in and queuing up Gunnery skills to pad my weakness a bit.

There's been a fair amount of activity in the corridor I've been running, but no other soloists. Typically gangs of 3-8, mostly BCs, some with EWAR support. That sounds fun, but not in a one-against-all scenario in a Merlin. I saw a T1 Frig gang pop through a few times, but was outnumbered 6 to 1. I ended up 'watching' their fight with a Stabber Fleet Issue on D-Scan from about 8 AU away.

At least in this neighborhood of space, the trouble seems to be in finding other frig pilots out roaming alone.

Thanks to everyone for a great read in this thread. Favorited.

o7

All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain。
Plutonian
Intransigent
#54 - 2012-01-23 04:48:24 UTC  |  Edited by: Plutonian
If you want to find non-duel frigate fights with any regularity, you'll have to move to place that attracts them. That usually means lowsec, and that means taking some sec status hits.

The area around Amamake is good for this (but not really Amamake itself, as you'll get blobbed to death). Anytime I'm on you can hit me up for a frigate fight in Siseide. (Just don't f**king ECM me... I hates it. Blink)

There are some frigate fighters occasionally between Old Man Star and Hevrice (that's Sing Laison to Verge Vendor). You might can arrange a duel with a Tusker in Hevrice (no sec status hit there, all but one is flashy). If you run that pipe remember to 1.) avoid the OMS gate, as it stays camped and they can catch frigates, and 2.) check Adirain (next to Aeschee) as it may have some frigs.

You can set neutral standings to Black Rebel Rifter Club (who operate all over but are based in Molden Heath IIRC), Rifterlings (Heimatar area), Tuskers (Hevrice and surrounding systems), and Autocannons Anonymous (Heimatar lowsec). In this manner you'll quickly be able to see if there's one of these guys in local. Chances are they're in frigates, as these are the major T1 frigate flyers I encounter. (If you see a guy named Dorian in Siseide watch out... he'll kite you to death. Blink)

And, if all else fails, go to a hub and accept a frigate duel. The downside to this is you won't know if they've a boosting alt, on drugs, or have logistic support. And, of course, podding is verboten... you'll earn Concord's wrath if you do.

EDIT: Oh yeah... if you arrange a 1 vs 1 with a Tusker they will honor it, but get your pod out damn quick. The 1 vs 1 ends when the ship explodes, and from there on it's standard pirate SOP. Lol
Grog Drinker
Republic University
Minmatar Republic
#55 - 2012-01-23 15:42:06 UTC
Confirming that Heverice is a good place to find t1 frig 1v1s. Aside from Tuskers there are also many other pilots of various skill levels looking for 1v1s that also serve as good targets. There are also plenty of targets within 4-5 jumps. Adirain is especially great for killing newer players that happen to stumble into low sec unknowingly.
Shiki Mikkyou
#56 - 2012-01-23 16:11:41 UTC
Plutonian wrote:
There are some frigate fighters occasionally between Old Man Star and Hevrice (that's Sing Laison to Verge Vendor). You might can arrange a duel with a Tusker in Hevrice (no sec status hit there, all but one is flashy). If you run that pipe remember to 1.) avoid the OMS gate, as it stays camped and they can catch frigates, and 2.) check Adirain (next to Aeschee) as it may have some frigs.

[...]

You can set neutral standings to Black Rebel Rifter Club (who operate all over but are based in Molden Heath IIRC), Rifterlings (Heimatar area), Tuskers (Hevrice and surrounding systems), and Autocannons Anonymous (Heimatar lowsec). In this manner you'll quickly be able to see if there's one of these guys in local. Chances are they're in frigates, as these are the major T1 frigate flyers I encounter.

I added another 30 or so bookmarks in Black Rise, up to about 90 across there, Citadel, and Essence. I've got several in OMS so maybe I will take the advice you and Grog Drinker give and head out that way or check into the groups in Minmatar space. Thanks!

All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain。
Ispai Ponue
Chaos Delivery Systems
#57 - 2012-01-23 18:29:47 UTC
Ras Blumin wrote:

I sometimes have bookmarks 200km off the gate. These let me see the gate, positioning of any ships/bubbles, but I can also warp to the gate from there. If I have one of these, I usually just go to that.

I sometimes have bookmarks in scan-range of the gate. If I don't have a 200km bookmark, I'll use one of these. When in scan-range, I can scan for bubbles and ships, then go from there.


This, except that you should keep in mind that even a 200k bookmark at a gate can get you bubbled. If you fall on the grid and the bubble is anywhere in your path, you'll get stuck in it. So you might consider warping to that off-grid scan point before warping to your tac anyway, and at that point you may as well warp to the gate unless you're scouting an unbubbled camp.

Normally, assuming your 200k tac isn't directly in line with the sun or another gate, you're going to be safe...but still, it can happen.
Meridith Akesia
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#58 - 2012-01-24 13:38:48 UTC
Grog Drinker wrote:


By having FW friends you have more blues.

More Blues = less Pews


Shoot blues erryday.
Skywalker
Dubai Space Falcons
#59 - 2012-01-24 21:01:48 UTC
Wormholes is a good place to find targets for solo pvpers.
Plutonian
Intransigent
#60 - 2012-01-26 10:16:42 UTC  |  Edited by: Plutonian
I ask any pilot who flies solo to weigh in on this topic in Jita Park Speakers Corner:

https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=710076#post710076

I've also asked a member of the CSM for a response at: https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=708552#post708552