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Please advise: should i use merlin or kestrel

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Fitz Talvanen
State War Academy
Caldari State
#1 - 2017-06-07 18:21:07 UTC  |  Edited by: Fitz Talvanen
I am alpha account and i do not know which ship is better for PvP or PvE: Merlin or Kestrel.
I don't like using rockets so i would rather choose Merlin but it is slow.
Can you please tell me some fits for merlin and kestrel for PvP.

Thanks.
Netan MalDoran
Noir.
Shadow Cartel
#2 - 2017-06-07 19:35:24 UTC  |  Edited by: Netan MalDoran
For PvP, I personally prefer the merlin because like you I dont really like rockets, also the Kestrel is usually a kiter and i prefer brawling with the merlin (Although you could put railguns on a merlin for longer range stuff).

Heres a fit that i like to use that an alpha should be able to fit, if you have fitting issues, just go for meta items (Other players, feel free to criticize/improve):

[Merlin, PvP Gen 6 alpha]
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I

Medium Ancillary Shield Booster, Navy Cap Booster 50
5MN Microwarpdrive II
X5 Enduring Stasis Webifier
Warp Scrambler II

Modal Light Neutron Particle Accelerator I, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
Modal Light Neutron Particle Accelerator I, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
Modal Light Neutron Particle Accelerator I, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S

Small Processor Overclocking Unit I
Small Processor Overclocking Unit I
Small Core Defense Operational Solidifier I

With the MWD you have decent speed to get to the target and lock him down with the scram and web, although you wont be able to get a fast kiter if he is already out of range. Use antimatter ammo for max short range damage, but also keep some iron on hand as it allow you to have some extra range at the cost of damage if theyre just out of your reach. For tank, you dont have much shield HP, but you have an oversized shield booster, USE 50GJ CHARGES! Unlike the capacitor booster, any type of charge will repair the shield the same amount, so go for the smallest ones so that you can fit more, because once you use all of them, its a full minute to reload them and in a frigate fight, you're usually dead by then.

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

Falcon's truth
Nasar Vyron
S0utherN Comfort
#3 - 2017-06-07 20:06:02 UTC
I'll do you one better. If you want to learn a little about the Kestrel head over to twitch and watch suitonia. The kestrel is one of the main cheap T1 ships he flies around in so you can watch and learn the basics and more advanced things about piloting.
ISD Bubblemoon
ISD Community Communications Liaisons
ISD Alliance
#4 - 2017-06-07 20:46:05 UTC
Moved to Ships & Modules

ISD Bubblemoon

Lieutenant

Community Communication Liaisons (CCLs)

Interstellar Services Department
Chainsaw Plankton
FaDoyToy
#5 - 2017-06-07 21:16:34 UTC
rocket kestrels look really strong they are one of Suitonia's favorite ships watch this video for all you need to know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taBLj42gytU

merlin seems pretty strong too there are some good brawling fits that try and get as close as possible and win the fight with high dps blasters, and some good scram kiting fits that try to control range on the edge of scram range and win the fight with railguns that can hit at ~9km.

Also note you should switch your fit up a little depending on if you plan on fighting in lowsec or nullsec. The faction warfare lowsec zones have a lot of frig level pvp going on, expect to see a lot of players with afterburners, webs, and scrams. and depending on slot layout maybe some will run double webs to establish range control. typically whoever controls range controls the fight and can either get the kill or disengage if the fight is unfavorable. in 0.0 you will see a lot more Micro warp drives as people prefer the extra speed to get out of bubbles. Ships that perform well in null might not work well in low and same holds the other way.

I suggest looking around on zkillboard for pilots that frequently use merlins and kestrels and try and copy their fittings, you might have to change the meta levels around to suit skills and restrictions.

the most important thing is to just get out there and try the various ships and find out what works, what doesn't work, and what you like to fly.

@ChainsawPlankto on twitter
Fitz Talvanen
State War Academy
Caldari State
#6 - 2017-06-08 12:43:28 UTC  |  Edited by: Fitz Talvanen
Thanks to all of you