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New Alpha Seeks General Advice
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Novomi Del
Doomheim
#1 - 2016-12-26 08:36:21 UTC  |  Edited by: Novomi Del
Hi! Hope im posting this in the right place. I'm super new to Eve and would like some advice regarding which ships I should aim to pilot.

Since I'm an alpha clone (for now) which faction group of t1 ships would best benefit me? I am super interested in exploration, very likely in null/WH space, with a secondary (but serious) interest in trying pvp probably using FW as a gateway drug into the pirate or null sec life. And if there are any specific ships I should aim for recommendations would be appreciated! I just don't want to limit my already limited ability to succeed. Would being limited to Amarr limit my ability in PvE? Caldari in PvP?

PS: I like the aesthetics of Amarr and Minmatar ships (but lasers are cooler), gallente are the only ones I have zero interest in (space potatoes), and gameplay wise I typically enjoy playing both speedy assassins or unkillable brawlers.
Do Little
Bluenose Trading
#2 - 2016-12-26 09:36:54 UTC
The CCP developers try to maintain a balance between the various faction ships - essential now that Alpha clones are locked into 1 race. You should expect a series of minor tweaks over the winter to bring the various factions into balance.

Since race didn't matter before Alpha, alliances are still working to develop fleet doctrines that can accommodate everyone - expect this to sort itself out over the next few months.

Caldari are primarily missile boats. Practically every alliance has a doctrine Caracal. One of the most popular cruisers in the game. For Alpha characters it has the advantage that missiles don't use capacitor and you can select damage type.

Gallente use drones and hybrid weapons. Arguably the strongest race for Alphas at the moment. The Vexor Navy Issue is a very popular ship.

Minmatar need a bit of love. Their ships are fast, their weapon systems don't need capacitor and you can select damage type. However, since Alpha clones only get 2 of their 3 weapon systems a ship like the Scythe Fleet Issue is seriously compromised. It will be interesting to see how CCP addresses this.

Amarr lasers use a lot of capacitor - which is in short supply for new players. They do have a couple of interesting drone boats - Dragoon and Arbitrator but these are capacitor warfare platforms. I would prefer the Gallente Algos and Vexor.

Exploration ships are equivalent between races. Practise in highsec - scanning is an art that will take some time to master.
Trevor Dalech
Nobody in Local
Of Sound Mind
#3 - 2016-12-26 09:40:35 UTC
Novomi Del wrote:
Hi! Hope im posting this in the right place. I'm super new to Eve and would like some advice regarding which ships I should aim to pilot.

Since I'm an alpha clone (for now) which faction group of t1 ships would best benefit me? I am super interested in exploration, very likely in null/WH space, with a secondary (but serious) interest in trying pvp probably using FW as a gateway drug into the pirate or null sec life. And if there are any specific ships I should aim for recommendations would be appreciated! I just don't want to limit my already limited ability to succeed. Would being limited to Amarr limit my ability in PvE? Caldari in PvP?

PS: I like the aesthetics of Amarr and Minmatar ships (but lasers are cooler), gallente are the only ones I have zero interest in (space potatoes), and gameplay wise I typically enjoy playing both speedy assassins or unkillable brawlers.


While each race has their differences, strengths and weaknesses, they are pretty well balanced in my opinion. Play those you enjoy most.

To give an example, for exploration the four racial T1 exploration frigates are all roughly equally effective. The bonuses they get to scanning and hacking are the same. The heron and imicus have more mid slots, which will allow you to fit more scanning mods to scan faster, while the probe and magnate have more low slots allowing you fit more mods for either align speed (to GTFO faster when I decloak next to you in my astero), tank (if you want to take me on), or speed (to flit between the cans quicker.)
Bertok Francis
Royalty.
Pandemic Horde
#4 - 2016-12-26 14:29:35 UTC
Do Little wrote:
The CCP developers try to maintain a balance between the various faction ships - essential now that Alpha clones are locked into 1 race. You should expect a series of minor tweaks over the winter to bring the various factions into balance.

Since race didn't matter before Alpha, alliances are still working to develop fleet doctrines that can accommodate everyone - expect this to sort itself out over the next few months.

Caldari are primarily missile boats. Practically every alliance has a doctrine Caracal. One of the most popular cruisers in the game. For Alpha characters it has the advantage that missiles don't use capacitor and you can select damage type.

Gallente use drones and hybrid weapons. Arguably the strongest race for Alphas at the moment. The Vexor Navy Issue is a very popular ship.

Minmatar need a bit of love. Their ships are fast, their weapon systems don't need capacitor and you can select damage type. However, since Alpha clones only get 2 of their 3 weapon systems a ship like the Scythe Fleet Issue is seriously compromised. It will be interesting to see how CCP addresses this.

Amarr lasers use a lot of capacitor - which is in short supply for new players. They do have a couple of interesting drone boats - Dragoon and Arbitrator but these are capacitor warfare platforms. I would prefer the Gallente Algos and Vexor.

Exploration ships are equivalent between races. Practise in highsec - scanning is an art that will take some time to master.

The vexor is better then the navy issue version if you are an alpha; alphas do not get heavy drones but can still put the hybrid turret bonus to good use.
Chainsaw Plankton
FaDoyToy
#5 - 2016-12-26 21:43:31 UTC
yep navy vexor is balanced around heavy drones, provides very little benefit to alpha clones. Better off with a gnosis.

overall I think pretty much any race will be fine I'm less happy with minmatar, but the wheel of balance is ever shifting. At the levels of pve and pvp I'd expect an alpha to participate in there seem to be mostly valid options.

@ChainsawPlankto on twitter
Novomi Del
Doomheim
#6 - 2016-12-27 05:20:39 UTC
Thanks so much for the replies. Seems like Caldari and Gallente alphas are a little better off atm but it also sounds like that could change and that there's some nice balance. Now I've just gotta decide for myself who I want to play! (Probably amarr). If I do pick amarr are laser ships okay or should I be aiming for the drone boats? Thanks again.
Do Little
Bluenose Trading
#7 - 2016-12-27 08:07:23 UTC