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Cheap interceptor alternatives
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DIsposible Hero
State War Academy
Caldari State
#1 - 2012-01-20 01:29:13 UTC  |  Edited by: DIsposible Hero
So I'm looking to put together an interceptor, but lack the skills to fit the real thing. The issue I keep running into is that I want something fast, with the ability to web and scram, and have a tank that doesn't totally blow. Problem is that using 2 mid-slots on web + scram negates the possibility of an effective shield tank, and a proper armor tank will sacrifice speed.

The ships I'm looking at using are:

- Rifter (cheap and speedy)
- Firetail (not cheap but VERY speedy)
- Stabber (cheap and speedy)
- Fleet issue stabber (faster than a Vaga and almost as tough)

Basically, I need to be fast enough to catch and point a Vagabond or Cynabal, as we've been seeing a few of those slip through our gate camps this week. Tank is probably not a huge issue; I just need to catch the ship in question, and slow it down enough that the rest of the fleet can catch up and unload. On the other hand, I don't want to fly something that will go pop in one volley if they so much as look at me funny.

Suggestions?
Annoyed Tritanium Bar
Doomheim
#2 - 2012-01-20 02:04:43 UTC  |  Edited by: Annoyed Tritanium Bar
Use a Sensor boosted Tengu - just run a highsec incursion every now and then - it's dirt-cheap.
Talas Dir
Super Happy Fun Corp
#3 - 2012-01-20 02:38:00 UTC
Out of those four, the fleet issue stabber. If you run a few hisec incursions you'll be able to pay for them no problem.
DIsposible Hero
State War Academy
Caldari State
#4 - 2012-01-20 02:49:34 UTC
Ok, I was looking for fitting advice really, not "you should run some highsec incursions".
Boyd Achura
#5 - 2012-01-20 04:10:48 UTC
I've seen vigils used as thow-away tackle to great effect. They're the speediest of the tech1 frigates iirc and have a great slot layout/generous fitting.

Couldn't tell you anything about the specific fits used as I don't fly anything matari, but it shouldn't be hard to locate one.
loki energon
Anasazi Wanderratter's Social Club
#6 - 2012-01-20 04:50:15 UTC
three words, Caldari Navy Hookbill.
if you pick one up in caldari space, they are not too pricey.
plus 5 mid slots gives you room for scrammin'
also has GREAT 20% dam modifier for kinetics

just my humble opinion.

kill em all.
Liang Nuren
No Salvation
Divine Damnation
#7 - 2012-01-20 04:52:31 UTC
Vigil is what you're looking for.

-Liang

I'm an idiot, don't mind me.
ShahFluffers
Ice Fire Warriors
#8 - 2012-01-20 04:53:48 UTC  |  Edited by: ShahFluffers
Any T1 frigate will do. Just fit primarily for speed and tackle. Any extra CPU/PG you have left over goes to weapons so you can swat off drones that come after you.

As for actual tank... you won't need it as an extra 300 hp or so will not save you from a direct hit from a battleship. Speed and understanding of various weapon mechanics are your first and last lines of defense.

Pro-tips:

- never fly directly at a target... fly perpendicular to it and dive in at the last second. Doing so keeps your transversal high and make you harder to hit... for turret weapons at least.

- missiles deal damage based on your speed and sig radius size. The higher your speed, the less damage applied. The lower your sig radius, the less damage applied. Because the MWD creates a sig "bloom" you have to make a judgement call on which is more important to your survival.

- a "close orbit" against a ship with larger turrets means that there is less of a chance you will be hit... but it will also put you within scram-web-neutralizer range... provided they have those fit (study the fits of other ships so you can make judgement calls). Close orbits also mean you will be making tighter turns, which means your ship can't go as fast (especially if you have low agility)... allowing drones to easily catch up with you.

- a "long orbit" against a ship with larger turrets means they there is a higher chance that you will be hit. However, it will keep you out of scram-web range and (hopefully) allow you to (somewhat) outrun most drones. Heavy neutralizers are still a concern.

How did you Veterans start?
Halete
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#9 - 2012-01-20 07:02:14 UTC
It's been said, but Vigils do an amazing job. Not much slower than an Interceptor, at a fraction of the price.

"To know the true path, but yet, to never follow it. That is possibly the gravest sin" - The Scriptures, Book of Missions 13:21
Ryuce
#10 - 2012-01-20 07:18:40 UTC
Liang Nuren wrote:
Vigil is what you're looking for.

-Liang

This to be honest. It's the optimal t1 frig choice for a pseudoceptor role. However you will need to read up on those piloting advices above, cause a Vaga can eat you for breakfast.
Karak Bol
Low-Sec Survival Ltd.
#11 - 2012-01-20 07:55:33 UTC
DIsposible Hero wrote:
...and a proper armor tank will sacrifice speed...


This is a misconception. Of course you get slower when you bolt the 1600 mm plate on something too small. If you invest in resistances and a Small/Medium repper and maybe a correctly sized plate, your speed penalty is not that great and you have all those Mids free for Point, Prop, SeBo and what not.
If you want a tackler with many Mids and good Point Range have a look a Electronic Attack frigates, especially the Keres.
Kahega Amielden
Rifterlings
#12 - 2012-01-20 08:01:55 UTC
Don't worry about a web. No vaga/cyn is going to fit an afterburner and once it's scrammed, moving at a whopping 400 m/s anything else in your gang will easily catch up.


[Vigil, Derp]

Small Nosferatu I
Small Nosferatu I
[Empty High slot]

Catalyzed Cold-Gas Arcjet Thrusters
Medium Shield Extender II
Warp Scrambler II

Damage Control II
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I

Small Auxiliary Thrusters I
Small Auxiliary Thrusters I
Small Auxiliary Thrusters I



I could see this working - 4K EHP means you won't instapop (though you certainly won't last that long, so your gang better hurry the **** up). Goes 6.5 km/s overheated (4.5 km/s not, but you should be overheating anyway). Including fittings the total cost is about 4.3 mil.

Note, this is extraordinarily tight on PG - you might need an implant if you don't have engineering V and shield upgrades V (though you could just swap for meta MSE). The nos are there so that he can't neut the point off you.


I wouldn't bother with a faction frigate. The chief thing that makes an interceptor great at catching things like vagas is the MWD sig radius bonus. A faction frig like the firetail's couple extra thousand EHP is not worth the extra cost
DIsposible Hero
State War Academy
Caldari State
#13 - 2012-01-20 11:10:30 UTC
Karak Bol wrote:
DIsposible Hero wrote:
...and a proper armor tank will sacrifice speed...


This is a misconception. Of course you get slower when you bolt the 1600 mm plate on something too small. If you invest in resistances and a Small/Medium repper and maybe a correctly sized plate, your speed penalty is not that great and you have all those Mids free for Point, Prop, SeBo and what not.
If you want a tackler with many Mids and good Point Range have a look a Electronic Attack frigates, especially the Keres.


Sure but its not just the plate, its also the rigs that would be necessary for a proper armor tank.

I will definitely look into a vigil, your advice was exactly what I was looking for Kahega, if I can skip the web that opens up a lot of extra options.

My corp is recommending the Stabber Fleet Issue, but they too are a bit stumped on whether I should use armor rigs and sacrifice speed or not, opinions?
Fronkfurter McSheebleton
Horse Feathers
CAStabouts
#14 - 2012-01-20 11:14:42 UTC
Vigils are nice, and the T1 interceptor hulls actually aren't terrible at the role, either

thhief ghabmoef
Guillaume Adoulin
Overclocker.
Neon Nightmares
#15 - 2012-01-20 11:27:12 UTC
DIsposible Hero wrote:
So I'm looking to put together an interceptor, but lack the skills to fit the real thing. The issue I keep running into is that I want something fast, with the ability to web and scram, and have a tank that doesn't totally blow. Problem is that using 2 mid-slots on web + scram negates the possibility of an effective shield tank, and a proper armor tank will sacrifice speed.

The ships I'm looking at using are:

- Rifter (cheap and speedy)
- Firetail (not cheap but VERY speedy)
- Stabber (cheap and speedy)
- Fleet issue stabber (faster than a Vaga and almost as tough)

Basically, I need to be fast enough to catch and point a Vagabond or Cynabal, as we've been seeing a few of those slip through our gate camps this week. Tank is probably not a huge issue; I just need to catch the ship in question, and slow it down enough that the rest of the fleet can catch up and unload. On the other hand, I don't want to fly something that will go pop in one volley if they so much as look at me funny.

Suggestions?


So since when is a SFI faster than a Vaga. Tell me your not fitting an AB on your Vagabonds
Uppsy Daisy
State War Academy
Caldari State
#16 - 2012-01-20 13:00:12 UTC
Kahega's fit is pretty good.

I usually use this fit as a cheap T1 tackler, which is similar. The main problem is warrior drones and neuts. One nos is enough to run the point though you need you do a lot of hammering the reactivate point button, and the guns should let you kill the drones.

If you die, well its very cheap indeed. It is great fun to fly.

[Vigil]
Damage Control I
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I

Catalyzed Cold-Gas Arcjet Thrusters
Medium Shield Extender I
Warp Scrambler I

125mm Gatling AutoCannon I, Republic Fleet Phased Plasma S
Small Nosferatu I
125mm Gatling AutoCannon I, Republic Fleet Phased Plasma S

Small Anti-Explosive Screen Reinforcer I
Small Anti-Explosive Screen Reinforcer I
Small Anti-Explosive Screen Reinforcer I

Warrior I x1
DIsposible Hero
State War Academy
Caldari State
#17 - 2012-01-20 13:49:21 UTC
Guillaume Adoulin wrote:
DIsposible Hero wrote:
So I'm looking to put together an interceptor, but lack the skills to fit the real thing. The issue I keep running into is that I want something fast, with the ability to web and scram, and have a tank that doesn't totally blow. Problem is that using 2 mid-slots on web + scram negates the possibility of an effective shield tank, and a proper armor tank will sacrifice speed.

The ships I'm looking at using are:

- Rifter (cheap and speedy)
- Firetail (not cheap but VERY speedy)
- Stabber (cheap and speedy)
- Fleet issue stabber (faster than a Vaga and almost as tough)

Basically, I need to be fast enough to catch and point a Vagabond or Cynabal, as we've been seeing a few of those slip through our gate camps this week. Tank is probably not a huge issue; I just need to catch the ship in question, and slow it down enough that the rest of the fleet can catch up and unload. On the other hand, I don't want to fly something that will go pop in one volley if they so much as look at me funny.

Suggestions?


So since when is a SFI faster than a Vaga. Tell me your not fitting an AB on your Vagabonds


If I had the skills for a Vagabond I wouldn't be asking for cheap alternatives. You're right; the SFI is faster on paper, but the velocity bonus will make the vaga waaaay faster. It looks like its going to have to be a frigate, I don't think anything bigger is going to catch a vaga. The problem is every time we fleet up, everyone wants to fly the biggest and best ship they can, which means everyone ends up in BCs and BSes, and nobody wants to use a fast tackle frig or cruiser. Fortunately I have 6 rifters in my hangar I can re-fit for speed, so I'll probably just do that.

I would be interested to know if anyone knows some good fleet stabber fits; it has good stats on paper but I don't think it'd be quite fast enough to be the fast tackler I want it to be.
Carniflex
StarHunt
Mordus Angels
#18 - 2012-01-20 14:20:14 UTC
Vigil

Thats what I used to carry in my carrier as "suicide tackle". When there is fleet battle coming and carriers are also fielded it's good to eject ~10 vigils into a staging POS so those losing ships but making out with pods can reship as tackle or use the ships for running for the next ship if the resupply location is close enough and POD express is not sensible.

It lack durability of interceptor, but it has the speed and point. And it's one of the smallest firgs so you can squeeze in a lot of them into a carrier.

Something on the lines of
2x AC
MWD, point, small shield extender
3x nanofibre

Its a cheap way to be popular. No one likes to fly around in pods. Blackbirds give you more "popularity" as they are more useful but also somewhat more expensive.

Here, sanity... niiiice sanity, come to daddy... okay, that's a good sanity... THWONK! GOT the bastard.