Warfare & Tactics

Hey guys,

Finally made enough money hacking down WH relic sites to feel financially comfortable taking this baby out. 100% sure I'll be killed the first low sec system I enter, so am really just wondering how to make the most of it. I've only PvP'd once or twice, before giving it up for exploration lol. If all goes to plan I'll only be attacking solo frigates, and trying to kite them in the hopes I can get the kill before my first reload.

Here's my fit:

Rapid Light Missile Launcher 1 x 5 (CN inferno light missiles 1)

Large Field Extender 1
1MN Afterburner (couldn't fit a 10MN)
Adaptive Invulnerability Field 1
EM Ward Field 1
Warp Scrambler 2

Ballistic Control System 1 x 3
Damage control 1

Medium Warhead Calefaction Catalyst 1
Medium Core Defense Field Extender 1
Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer 1

Any other tactics other than not shitting the bed would be great to hear!

Thanks!
Mac

Get those fitting skills up brah. I can run double LSE II's with t2 launchers AND a 10mn AB to boot.

Unfortunately you seem to have fallen into the common trap of believing bigger is better. This really isn't the case, especially when you're low on skillpoints and experience. The Caracal is renowned for its frigate killing capabilities, and as such your chances of catching a lone frigate with one is slim. This is further compounded by your dire locking speed in a cruiser, even if you manage to sneak up on them unawares they will have ample time to simply warp off or pull range.

But let's assume you catch one, what happens then? Unfortunately your 1MN afterburner leaves you four times slower than an average AB frigate, 90% of which will have at least one web fitted. They simply coast out of point range and escape.

[Caracal, RLML]

Damage Control II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II

50MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Warp Disruptor II

Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

That's a run of the mill Caracal fit, I'd stick to smaller ships until you can fit something comparable to the above (meta modules are fine). The Kestrel and Corax both perform simlar roles in combat to the Caracal, work your way up the hulls while you wait for skills to complete. Once you're able to fit the Caracal correctly, don't expect to fight lone frigates. You can handle small groups of frigates and destroyers by knocking out weak targets on your initial clip and maintaining range or face tanking the remaining DPS until your reload completes. More often than not, these fights are simply a race to kill more than your ship costs before your tank breaks. Outside of plexes, your range is your biggest asset, make the most of it.

Really good advice, thanks everyone!

Edit: And I'll definitely hold on to my Caracal and start with smaller frigates until my skills are up to par.

rlml can be a pain, that long reload will probably kill you in most cases