Reading the BattleClinic and EVE Online forums I found common themes in the suggestions for equipping the Tristan for PVP. The updated version of EVEMon let me open a suggested fitting and listed the skills I needed to configure a Tristan in that manner. I added those to the list of skills I keep in the EVE Online Notepad, which helps me keep things organized. I added a few of the core skills I wanted to have regardless of equipping the Tristan and used the Skill Queue to get my training underway.
I’ve never fitted a ship explicitly for PVP before so comments and suggestions are welcomed. Specifically, I have questions about the two items with red comments. If there are more cost effective options, I’d appreciate knowing them since it goes without saying that I’m going to lose ships.
Before even engaging in any actual Faction Warfare combat the first thing that comes to mind is that the is an "all expenses on you" trip. You have to have ships, ship components, ammunition and insurance, all of which cost ISK. The 10 million ISK in training not included, a single decently fitted Tristan is going to run around 300K + insurance per ship. You have to be engaged in income generating activities in addition to PVP, to foot that sort of bill in an on-going capacity.
Planned Tristan PVP Setup
- Damage Control II
- Overdrive Injector System II
- Inertia Stablizers II
- Catalyzed Cold-gat I Arcjet (what is a lower cost option?)
- Cap Recharger II
- Warp Scrambler
- Ion Blaser II x 2
- Rocket Launcher I x 2 (is this considerably better than standard version?)
Faction Warfare isn’t a long-term plan for me. I just wanted to get a taste of the action. I’m outfitting 5 ships and let things run to a natural conclusion. It will be interesting to see how many outings it will take to consume those ships. *Smile* I’ve pre-determined that equipping these 5 ships is my investment limit for FW PVP. The rest of my funds will be kept to decide what I’m going to be doing when ambulation arrives or if I want to do some low-level production of items for my personal use. However, with me getting my crafting fix in Runes of Magic, that seems less likely now.
After my FW joy ride is over I can recoup some of the expenses doing PVE and salvaging which I’ve never minded doing. I just don’t have a long-term plan or direction for myself in EVE right now. Interesting thing about EVE is that lack of direction can be offset by simply continuing to train skills, gain standing with NPC corps and amassing wealth.
Well, instead of the Arcjet you could fit a normal MicroWarpdrive I, but it takes more CPU from your ship (23 vs 25) - not sure how tight that fit is with your current skills.
About the rockets, I'm not really sure what you are asking about - if you compare it with missiles, rockets have a shorter range but I guess they do pack a higher punch as well. I used rockets on my old PvP Tristan, as far as I remember.
Posted by: Petter Mårtensson | March 26, 2009 at 07:01 AM
Only 5 Tristans are being sacrificed?
:P
When I started EVE, I was immediately thrown into a war against BoB. I went through a Tristan a day for a month straight before I was able to fly Thoraxs.
Thats why if I ever come back to EVE I will have more skill points than ISK.
Posted by: heartless_ | March 26, 2009 at 08:08 AM
@Heartless - I've done the noob in a war declaration which was interesting. The corp didn't last very long afterward.
I might up the number. Something special happened in EVE the other day that I'll post about next week. It really all depends on how much fun I'm having. FW PVP is all cost and since I'm mot playing right now I won't be replacing those funds. I want a nice lump of ISK still available for whatever is releasing with ambulation.
@Petter - thanks for the options. I haven't purchased any of the items yet. This gives me something to compare when it comes time. I've only ever used missiles in my Tristan. I wasn't clear of the diff between them and rockets.
Posted by: Alysianah aka Saylah | March 26, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Might want to load it into EFT if you haven't to see how it performs, especially with cap usage. Once your cap dries up you're gonna be left with just the rockets going, and you'll want to know how long you can run your MWD. A cap booster may be better for you than the cap recharger.
Rockets/Missile-wise, rockets will have higher DPS and missiles have longer range, since you also use small turrets and a warp scrambler you'll be in pretty close range anyway so the rockets should be fine.
Are you going to be focusing more on gang or solo FW?
Posted by: Nef | March 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
@Nef - Thanks for mentioning EFT. I've heard of it but never used it. I will definitely download it and play around with the configuration.
I'm hoping that joining my side in FW enables me to chat with other doing FW and join random groups?? I honestly, have no idea how all of this is supposed to work.
Posted by: Alysianah aka Saylah | March 26, 2009 at 12:49 PM
@Saylah That's exactly how FW works. One thing you'll learn quickly: don't ask them in militia chat where to head for the action, wait till you join a fleet and then they should tell you where to head, if they don't ask by typing in chat - voice coms are for instructions from the fleet commander or reports from scouts when an op is ongoing. Eventually you'll learn which FCs are good and which are to be avoided :)
Posted by: Letrange | March 26, 2009 at 02:16 PM
What Letrange said^. Only did FW on SiSi when it was being tested, so I can't say much about it on TQ, but I'm guessing there's quite a few spies in the NPC FW corps.
May want to look into any FW player corps that recruit new players and train them -- might have some ship replacement policies since 5 Tristans are going to be popped fairly quickly. :P
Posted by: Nef | March 26, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Looking forward to reading about this. I'm entertaining a similar endeavor with an alt. I'm prepared to consume Rifters like popcorn until I don't suck.
Mandatory accessories if you haven't got them already:
Eve Mon (links to battleclinic loadouts)
Eve Fitting Tool (aka EFT)
Ombey's 2D Eve Maps
Probably others, but those I rely on daily.
Posted by: p@tsh@t | March 26, 2009 at 03:25 PM
@Saylah, ok, fit analysis time. When you run in a frigate in FW as a newbie you have a rather simple job: tackle the primary and start getting out when you start taking damage. If you're tackled and going down just concentrate on getting your pod out once your ship goes down. Given this there are 2 most important modules of your fit: MWD permits you to close fast with the target (don't leave it on you'll "cap out" rather fast at your skill level and it makes you a bigger target than a battleship) and your warp scrambler (everything else is window dressing). The idea behind the suitcase is to give you more survivability. not sure I'd go for that, I'd probably prefer to have the mag stab thing but that's me. Mix of OD and IS - double check you may get better results from 2 nanos. Tech 2 vs Tech 1: T2 is harder to fit (usually more CPU taken per mod) and MUCH more expensive, for example I sell 1MN Afterburner II's for 1.9mil isk usually. Since your lows dont' seem to be blowing out the pg/cpu budget I'd actually consider going for larger blasters or standard missiles fit permitting, rockets I've found are not that much better than missiles and missiles have that juicy range advantge. I'd go for all T1 Meta0 for fits. Try things out though at the very least go to the local belt and just tackle rats and see how the ship feels. At this point you're looking for speed and nimbleness. Your primary role will be getting to your target (usualy whatever the FC calls as primary), establishing an orbit and laying down your scrambler. Guns firing are a nice bonus but only after part 1 has been accomplished.
Posted by: Letrange | March 26, 2009 at 04:24 PM
@Potshot - Definitely the one I was missing is EFT. I've never heard of Ombey's but will look into it. I had a timely arrival of my EON subscription yesterday, which includes #13 with a guide to FW. Haven't read it but will report back.
@Letrange - Hmm, this is sounding very much like that mission series where I couldn't complete the final part of the big pay-off and it wouldn't let my Vexor thru the gate.
Very interesting...I think it was you that told me what to do to get past that and about the mission guide. Once I equipped the MWD and the scrambler, I moved in for close range with the Tristan and it was a piece of cake. So I have used both of those before - was a first time when I equipped for that mission. Sahweet, I know something!
I certainly didn't realize the there was espionage going on even in the FW corps. Well I thought it was all done via NPC corps to be honest since you have to drop corp for FW or all corp is included. Thought that's what I read.
Anyhoo - Thanks for the excellent information. Lots to look into and I'll probably be increasing the ante to 10 ships minimum. *Deep breath* this is gonna be something. :-)
It's going to be another week or so before I get rolling. Once I get started, I want to play consecutively for a while. Right now I have to get to 30 in ROM. It's bugging me. Plus the guild is so cool and friendly. They are running upper level instances now and I don't want to miss all the fun.
Posted by: Alysianah aka Saylah | March 26, 2009 at 05:30 PM
One last bit... Ombey maps are good, so are the Dotlan maps. Knowing the space you'll be working in is very good.
And, again as Letrange suggests, try T1 modules. At least for the first few outings. You'll save millions, have less wasted ISK and can probably fit a dozen more ships for the same price. It might not be as effective, but on a T1 hull all it takes is a web/scram and you'll pop quickly regardless.
Posted by: Nef | March 26, 2009 at 06:57 PM
What systems are you kicking around in? I'm still playing in Essence, with my base of ops in Renyn. And please do let us know how your PVP fix goes for ya :)
Posted by: Iggep | March 26, 2009 at 09:40 PM
@saylah well you have to realize that it is PVP and even thouth you're flying for an npc empire, you're doing so with 1000-3000 other pilots. And the other side has the same (actualy more). Knowing where the other side is operating is kind of important. Knowing what they intend to do, even more important. So yes Espionage is alive and well (This is one of the big differences between EVE PvP and any other MMO PvP - espionage counts)
Once you have a fit you like, leme know and I'll run off a batch of 10 - takes a single evening - ammo and mods included. I have the Tristan BPO researched and can haul all that in a single trip to any jump off point you choose.
Posted by: Letrange | March 27, 2009 at 02:39 PM
@Iggep - I'm still in a high sec zone where I was running missions last - Essence Algogille.
@Letrange - That's good to know and I'm sure the EON guide will help explain it. In my mind, I envision, WOW BG type PVP in FW. I thought I'd heard Van Hemlock talk about running missions associated with FW and doing PVP along the way, which is how I formed that impression. I didn't realize that it was as open-ended as low sec PVP.
WOW thanks for the generous offer. Once I get a feel for PVP in the Tristan, I'll get in touch.
Posted by: Alysianah aka Saylah | March 27, 2009 at 07:06 PM