Novice Frigates Yearbook 2019

Novice Frigates
Yearbook 2019
January 2019
Contents
The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP 2
I. T1 frigates II. Faction frigates III. Pirate and precursor frigates
T1 frigates: overview 3 Faction frigates: overview 18 Pirate and precursor frigates: overview 29
Atron 4 Caldari Navy Hookbill 19 Astero 30
Breacher 5 Crucifier Navy Issue 20 Cruor 31
Condor 6 Federation Navy Comet 21 Daredevil 32
Executioner 7 Griffin Navy Issue 22 Dramiel 33
Incursus 8 Imperial Navy Slicer 23 Garmur 34
Kestrel 9 Maulus Navy Issue 24 Succubus 35
Merlin 10 Republic Fleet Firetail 25 Worm 36
Punisher 11 Vigil Fleet Issue 26 Damavik 37
Rifter 12 Faction frigates in null sec 27 Pirate and precursor frigates in null sec 38
Slasher 13 Changes to faction frigates 28 Changes to pirate and precursor frigates 39
Tormentor 14
Tristan 15
T1 frigates in null sec 16
Changes to T1 frigates 17
1
The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP
Anti kiting Brawling Scram kiting Web kiting Kiting
Range control: MWD/scram/web or Range control: AB/scram/web or Range control: AB/scram/web (MWD Range control: AB/warp disruptor/web Range control: MWD/warp disruptor
MWD/AB/scram AB/double web (MWD in null sec) in null sec) Optimal range: 10-13 km Optimal range: >20 km
Optimal range: 0-4 km Optimal range: 0-4 km Optimal range: 7-10 km Weapons: beams, railguns, drones Weapons: light missiles, drones,
Weapons: blasters, drones, Weapons: blasters, drones, Weapons: pulses, beams, rockets, beams; railguns and pulses on some
autocannons autocannons railguns, drones frigates
Anti kiting fits have close range Tanky, close range, high damage fits Similar to brawlers, but these fits fight These are anti AB/scram/web fits, only Minimum tank, maximum speed,
damage, but sacrifice tank or damage that require positional advantage at the at the edge of scram range. Brawling present in FW. Same range control projection and damage (usually, in this
for speed compared to normal start of the fight or some advantage in and scram kiting are the most common (AB/web), but web kiters have order). Kiters die quickly if scrammed
brawlers. Main targets are kiting fits range control to apply damage fits in FW space because of FW advantage because of longer optimal by any close range ship
with warp disruptor consistently mechanics and tackle range
Frigate PvP cheat sheet1

You have positional advantage / You are in FW complex Your opponent has positional advantage / You are outside of FW complex
Your opponent Your opponent

Anti kiting Brawling Scram kiting Web kiting Kiting Anti kiting Brawling Scram kiting Web kiting Kiting
You You
Anti kiting =     Anti kiting =    

Brawling  =    Brawling  =   
Scram kiting   =   Scram kiting   =  
Web kiting    =  Web kiting    = 
Kiting     = Kiting     =
Notes: 1) If one of the ships has significantly better range control in scram range (due to extra web, better base speed, ship bonuses, implants, etc.), then positional advantage doesn’t matter as much
2
Pirate and precursor
T1 frigates Faction frigates
frigates
T1 frigates: overview Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
Weapons Roles2 Go to ship

Number of 1v1 fights and average win rates1
Ship & tank 1v1 tier AK B SK WK K profile
100 T1 Frigates
Atron BALANCED
95 Attack T1 frigates
Breacher BALANCED
Combat T1 frigates
90 Condor UNDERPOWERED
Executioner BALANCED
85
Incursus BALANCED
80 Kestrel BALANCED
Merlin BALANCED
75
Punisher BALANCED
70 Rifter BALANCED
Breacher Slasher UNDERPOWERED
65
Tormentor
Tormentor BALANCED
Average win rate, %
60
Tristan BALANCED
55 Incursus Tristan Faction Frigates
Caldari Navy Hookbill BALANCED
50
Merlin Crucifier Navy Issue BALANCED
Rifter
45 Atron Federation Navy Comet BORDERLINE
Punisher Executioner
Kestrel Griffin Navy Issue UNDERPOWERED
40
Condor
Slasher Imperial Navy Slicer BALANCED
35
Maulus Navy Issue BALANCED
30 Republic Fleet Firetail BALANCED
Vigil Fleet Issue BALANCED
25
Pirate Frigates
20 Astero BALANCED
15 Cruor UNDERPOWERED
Daredevil BALANCED
10 Dramiel BALANCED
5 Garmur BORDERLINE
Succubus BORDERLINE
0
Worm OVERPOWERED
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 110,000 120,000
Precursor Frigate
Number of 1v1 fights Damavik UNDERPOWERED
Notes: 1) Sample is the number of 1v1 fights against T1 frigates from September 2017 to August 2018. Average 1v1 win rate is the weighted average by sample size, excluding mirror match-ups. Raw data sources are Zkillboard and EveOvermind
2)
AK – anti kiting; B – brawling; SK – scram kiting; WK – web kiting; K – kiting. Green cells – primary roles, yellow cells – secondary roles
3
frigates
Atron Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile Attack T1 frigates
95
Combat T1 frigates
Bonuses: falloff, damage, tackle modules activation cost 90 Ewar faction frigates
■ Blaster brawler or anti kiter 85 Combat faction frigates
■ Can be used as scram kiter with Null or web kiter with rails Pirate frigates
80
thanks to falloff bonus
■ Good damage, application and control 75
■ Reliable buffer tank with bulkhead rigs 70
65
60
Fits1 Strategy
Average win rate, %

Rifter Condor
55 Executioner
Slasher
■ Brawling and scram kiting Atron ■ Use speed advantage and falloff 50 Atron
Merlin
− Low: DC, MFS, SAAR bonus to minimize opponent’s Punisher
Kestrel
45
− Med: AB, scram, web damage: scram kite against
BALANCED brawlers and brawl against scram
− High: 3x light neutron blaster 40
Tormentor
and web kiters
− Rigs: bulkheads, damage 35 Incursus
■ Against kiters, use specialized fit Breacher
■ For web kiting fit 125mm rails and (dual prop or MWD/scram/web). Anti
30
warp disruptor kiting Atrons are strong regardless
Tristan
7th win rate ■ Anti kiting Atron
25
of the initial engagement range 20
− Low: DC, MAPC, SAAR ■ Web kiting Atron works only in low
3rd popularity
− Med: AB, scram, MWD 15
sec. Before engaging make sure Combat faction frigates
− High: 3x light neutron blaster that your opponent has AB and can’t 10
Average 1v1 win rate Ewar faction frigates
45% against T1 frigates − Rigs: bulkheads, damage apply damage past 10 km 5 Pirate frigates
0
1v1 fights against 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000
60K T1 frigates
Number of 1v1 fights2
Note: 1) All fits are for FW low sec. I assume good fitting skills, no expensive fitting implants, only T2 and low-meta modules for all T1 frigates 2) For grouped up ship classes the number of fights is the simple average and the average win rate is the
weighted average by the number of fights
4
frigates
Breacher Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: rate of fire, active shield tank 90
■ Scram kiter with rockets 85 Condor
■ Sometimes used as kiter or anti kiter
80 Slasher
■ Strong active shield tank Kestrel
75 Punisher
■ Faster than many other combat frigates and has good range
70 Atron
control Merlin
Executioner
65 Rifter
60 Incursus Tristan
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Scram kiting Breacher ■ Scram kite against all turret frigates, 50 Breacher
− Low: DC, BCS, SAAR brawl against missile frigates
45 Tormentor
− Med: AB, scram, web, MASB ■ Use standard blue pill. Side effects
BALANCED
− High: 3x rocket launcher are irrelevant for this ship 40
− Rigs: tank, speed, damage ■ Use faction rockets against frigates 35
■ Anti kiting Breacher with AB and Rage rockets against 30 Combat faction frigates
everything else
− Low: MAPC, nano, overdrive Ewar faction frigates
1st win rate − Med: MWD, scram, 2x MASB ■ Manage your range, especially with
25
Rage rockets. Breacher has no 20

− High: 3x rocket launcher
7th popularity missile range bonus 15
− Rigs: speed > tank/damage
■ Pre-overheat active tank before 10
Pirate frigates
Average 1v1 win rate

■ Fit dual prop and BCS if you prefer every cycle and don’t overrep
67% against T1 frigates control and dps over tank 5
■ Recall and redeploy drones if they
■ Rare viable fits: capstable MSB; are taking damage 0
1v1 fights against MSB with cap booster; LML kite 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000
38K T1 frigates
Number of 1v1 fights
5
frigates
Condor Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: kinetic damage, tackle modules activation cost 90
■ Light missile kiter by design, but nowadays it is usually used 85
as scram kiter with rockets
80
■ Low and kinetic locked damage
■ Poor tank 75
■ Good range control 70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Kiting Condor Kiting Condor: 50 Punisher Condor
− Low: MAPC, nano ■ Look for AB frigates out of position Merlin
45 Slasher
− Med: MWD, MSE, warp disruptor, and close range destroyers Executioner
UNDERPOWERED 40 Kestrel Atron
TD ■ Avoid all anti kiters and MWD
− High: 3x light missile launcher brawlers 35 Incursus
− Rigs: PG, speed, damage 30 Tristan
Rifter
■ Popular alternative is 2 damps Scram kiting Condor:
12th win rate without MSE and BCS instead of ■ Engage at the edge of scram range
25 Tormentor
20
MAPC and leave if you are losing dps race
8th popularity
■ Scram kiting Condor 15 Breacher
■ Look for anti kiters and slow AB Ewar faction frigates
− Low: DC, BCS brawlers 10
− Med: AB, MASB, scram, web Combat faction frigates
39% against T1 frigates ■ Avoid strong scram kiters (Breacher, 5
− High: 3x rocket launcher Tormentor, Tristan) 0
Pirate frigates
1v1 fights against − Rigs: tank, damage 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000
35K T1 frigates
6
frigates
Executioner Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, tackle modules and turrets activation 90
cost
85
■ Beam web kiter or pulse scram kiter
80
■ Role tackling bonus, good base speed and ability to project
full damage past 10 km synergize very well 75
■ Pure kiting fit is possible, but its damage is very low 70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Condor
55
Executioner
■ Web kiting Executioner ■ Usually the only win condition is to 50
Merlin
− Low: DC, heat sink, SAAR avoid damage with range Slasher
Kestrel Atron
45
− Med: AB, web, warp disruptor ■ Executioner has good base speed to Punisher
BALANCED
− High: 3x small focused beam control other AB frigates 40
laser ■ With beam Executioner, you can 35 Rifter Incursus

− Rigs: range > speed > tank start the fight at warp disruptor 30 Breacher
range and come into web range if
■ For scram kiting, fit pulse lasers with Tristan
10th win rate Scorch and scram instead of warp
you need extra damage 25
Tormentor
disruptor ■ The exceptions are fights against 20
11th popularity ■ Kiting Executioner
few frigates that can project damage 15
to 20 km, in which case you need
− Low: heat sink, 2x nano 10 Combat faction frigates
maximum damage immediately
− Med: MWD, MASB, warp
42% against T1 frigates 5
Pirate frigates
disruptor
0
1v1 fights against − High: 3x dual light beam laser 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000
24K T1 frigates
− Rigs: range > speed Number of 1v1 fights
7
frigates
Incursus Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, active armor tank 90
■ High damage blaster brawler 85
■ Can be fitted as a slower and tankier anti kiting Atron
80
■ Strong active armor tank with good buffer in structure
75
70 Punisher Condor
Rifter
65 Atron
Executioner
60 Kestrel Merlin
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Slasher
55
■ Brawling Incursus ■ Get as close as possible to your 50 Incursus
− Low: DC, SAAR, MFS, overdrive target
45 Tormentor
− Med: AB, scram, web ■ Manage your active tank. Pre- Tristan
BALANCED
− High: 3x light neutron blaster overheat SAAR after every 40 Breacher
− Rigs: tank > damage deactivation cycle, turn off auto 35

reload
■ Swap overdrive for adaptive plating 30
if you prefer more tank over control ■ Without range bonus Incursus
4th win rate ■ Good alternative fit is 2 webs and 2
struggles against scram kiters and 25
usually needs extra control module 20 Combat faction frigates

MFS
2nd popularity
■ Anti kiting Incursus
(overdrive or second web) 15 Ewar faction frigates
■ Dual rep Incursus has no control
− Low: DC, SAAR, MFS, overdrive and can be killed very easily
10
56% against T1 frigates − Med: MWD, AB, scram (although very slowly) by scram 5
Pirate frigates
− High: 3x light neutron blaster kiting, web kiting or kiting frigates 0

1v1 fights against − Rigs: tank > speed > damage 0 5,000 10,000 15,000
62K T1 frigates
8
frigates
Kestrel Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, range 90
■ Scram kiter with rockets 85
■ Usually shield tanked, but in low sec armor tanked control
80
Kestrels are common
■ Selectable damage and excellent application anywhere 75
within web range 70
65 Slasher
60 Condor
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Rifter
Executioner Atron
■ Scram kiting shield Kestrel ■ Scram kite against everything 50 Merlin Kestrel
− Low: DC, BCS ■ Use faction rockets against frigates
45 Punisher
− Med: AB, MSE, scram, web with AB and Rage rockets against
BALANCED
− High: 4x rocket launcher everything else 40
Incursus
− Rigs: tank > damage ■ You can exploit Kestrel missile 35 Tristan
■ Fit up to 3 damage mods (2x BCS velocity bonus: engage at 13 km, let 30
and dps rig) if you prefer damage your opponent slowly catch you, and Tormentor
6th win rate over tank switch to scram kiting 25
Breacher
■ Scram kiting armor Kestrel ■ Kestrel is relatively slow and cannot 20

5th popularity
− Low: BCS, 400mm armor plate pull range from the warpin quickly 15 Ewar faction frigates
under scram/web Combat faction frigates
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web 10
■ 2 webs armor Kestrel usually can
− High: 4x rocket launcher
45% against T1 frigates
disengage by overheating mid slots 5 Pirate frigates
− Rigs: tank > damage and aligning out to appropriate 0
51K 1v1 fights against celestial 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000
T1 frigates
9
frigates
Merlin Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, shield resistances 90
■ Blaster brawler 85
■ Strong shield buffer or active tank
80
■ Lowest base speed and highest damage of all T1 frigates
75
70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Slasher Condor
■ Standard brawling Merlin ■ At 0 km Merlin is the best T1 frigate, 50 Punisher
Atron
Merlin
Kestrel
− Low: 2x MFS, MAPC but because of its slow speed it
45 Executioner Rifter
− Med: AB, MSE, scram, web cannot do anything against scram or
BALANCED web kiting frigates set up in position
− High: 3x light neutron blaster 40 Incursus
− Rigs: tank, damage ■ Attack frigates and some faster 35 Tristan
combat frigates can warp into Merlin Breacher
■ Brawling Merlin with 2 webs 30
and still be able to burn off before
− Low: DC, 2x MFS running out of tank
Tormentor
5th win rate − Med: AB, 2x web, MASB
25
■ In low sec your general strategy is 20

− High: 3x light neutron blaster
4th popularity to camp FW complexes and warp in 15
− Rigs: tank only to other blaster brawlers Combat faction frigates
10 Ewar faction frigates
■ Prioritize damage over tank, ■ With double webs you can fight
45% against T1 frigates because Merlin cannot control weaker scram kiters, but this fit 5 Pirate frigates
prolonged fights loses surprise effect when Merlin 0
1v1 fights against has to burn 10-20 seconds to the 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000
55K T1 frigates
target Number of 1v1 fights
10
frigates
Punisher Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: armor resistances, turrets activation cost 90
■ Slow and very tanky brawler 85
■ Poor range control in scram range with only 2 mid slots
80
■ 3 most popular weapons are pulses (standard solo fits),
blasters (fleet fits) and autocannons (max tank fits) 75
70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Executioner Kestrel
■ Brawling Punisher ■ Punisher, by current design, is a 50
Merlin
Condor Atron
− Low: DC, 400mm armor plate, 2x fleet frigate and rarely used solo (in Punisher
45
heat sink, adaptive nano plating fact, it is the least used T1 frigate in
BALANCED 1v1) despite excellent stats
− Med: MWD, scram 40
− High: 4x dual light pulse laser ■ The biggest problem is that any 35 Slasher
Tristan
− Rigs: tank, dps AB/scram/web frigate can very Tormentor Incursus
30 Rifter
easily leave the fight against
■ For blaster or autocannon Punisher, Punisher
9th win rate change turrets and dps modules.
25 Breacher
■ However, Punisher has enough tank 20

You can fit second plate on
12th popularity autocannon fit
and dps to fight any T1 brawler and 15
scram kiter at whatever range they
■ Fit MWD/scram or AB/web in low choose 10 Combat faction frigates
43% against T1 frigates sec. It gives better engagement 5
Pirate frigates
opportunities because Punisher with
0
1v1 fights against
AB/scram has no control in scram
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
19K T1 frigates range anyway
11
frigates
Rifter Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, falloff 90
■ Brawler or scram kiter with autocannons or web kiter with 85
artillery
80
■ Poor damage, in practice further reduced by the short
optimal range 75
■ In low sec almost universally armor tanked 70 Punisher

Condor
65 Executioner
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Merlin
Slasher
■ Brawling and scram kiting Rifter ■ Autocannon Rifter with 200mm plate 50 Rifter
− Low: DC, gyrostabilizer, 200mm is a reactive frigate: brawl against
45 Kestrel
plate, SAAR scram kiters and scram kite against Atron Tristan
BALANCED brawlers. Even with a plate Rifter
− Med: AB, scram, web 40 Tormentor
has top speed advantage compared
− High: 3x 200mm light autocannon 35
to most other T1 combat frigates Incursus
− Rigs: tank, dps 30 Breacher
■ Autocannon Rifter with 400mm plate
■ Alternatively, fit 400mm plate and gains a lot of tank, but loses all
8th win rate downgrade guns to 150mm
25
range control and turns into a slow 20
6th popularity
■ Artillery Rifter brawler similar to Punisher and
15
− Low: DC, gyrostabilizer, nano, Merlin. Adjust your strategy and
SAAR avoid scram kiters 10
Average 1v1 win rate Combat faction frigates
44% against T1 frigates − Med: AB, warp disruptor, web ■ Artillery Rifter is a web kiting frigate 5 Ewar faction frigates
− High: 3x 280mm howitzer artillery similar to beam Exec or rail Atron Pirate frigates
0
and has the same approach to fights
44K 1v1 fights against
T1 frigates
− Rigs: dps > speed > tank 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000
12
frigates
Slasher Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, tracking, tackle modules activation 90
cost
85
■ The purest of the attack frigates, with the best base speed
and the lowest sig of all T1 frigates 80
■ Fleet shield tackler by design, but in solo PvP almost 75

universally armor tanked with ewar in free med slot 70
65 Punisher
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Condor
■ Autocannon Slasher ■ The only win condition is to mitigate 50 Executioner
Merlin
− Low: DC, SAAR all potential damage Slasher Atron
45
− Med: AB, scram, web, TD ■ With autocannon Slasher: Rifter
UNDERPOWERED − Scram kite and use range
− High: 3x 200mm autocannon, 40 Incursus
neut disruption script against weapons 35 Kestrel
− Rigs: damage > speed > tank with good tracking and short
30
range (blasters, autocannons, Tormentor
■ Artillery Slasher pulses)
11th win rate
− Low: MAPC, gyrostabilizer
25
− Brawl and use application 20

− Med: MWD, small shield
10h popularity disruption script against weapons 15
Breacher Tristan
extender, warp disruptor, web with bad tracking and long range
− High: 3x 280mm howitzer artillery (railguns, artillery, beams) 10 Combat faction frigates
40% against T1 frigates − Rigs: CPU > projection > speed ■ Treat arty Slasher as standard MWD 5 Ewar faction frigates
Pirate frigates
■ You can fit TD instead of web kiter with extra defensive web or 0
1v1 fights against damage mitigation module 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
27K T1 frigates
13
frigates
Tormentor Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, turrets activation cost 90
■ Scram kiter with pulses or beams 85
■ Highest damage of all T1 frigates at scram range and good
80 Executioner
control for a combat frigate
■ Average armor tank with more buffer on the pulse fit or 75
Condor Kestrel
better resists on the beam fit 70 Slasher Merlin
65 Punisher Atron
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Rifter
55 Incursus Tristan
■ Beam Tormentor ■ Scram kite against turret ships and 50

Breacher
Tormentor
− Low: DC, adaptive nano plating, brawl against missile ships
45
BALANCED
heat sink, SAAR ■ Change crystals according to range
− Med: AB, scram, web 40
■ Plated pulse Tormentor can warp to
− High: 3x small focused beam brawlers at zero, beam Tormentor
35
laser usually cannot. However, beam 30
− Rigs: range or damage > tank Tormentor is better when you have Combat faction frigates
2nd win rate 25
■ Pulse Tormentor time to set up in FW complex
20
Ewar faction frigates
− Low: DC, 200mm plate, heat sink, ■ Tormentor has little buffer in hull,
9th popularity 15
SAAR and to use all charges you have to
− Med: AB, scram, web activate SAAR earlier than on 10 Pirate frigates
64% against T1 frigates − High: 3x small focused pulse Gallente frigates 5
laser ■ Tormentor is vulnerable to neuting, 0
1v1 fights against − Rigs: tank > damage TD and dual web brawlers 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000
34K T1 frigates
14
frigates
Tristan Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: turret and drone tracking, drone hitpoints 90
■ Flexible frigate that can do most roles reasonably well, 85
brawling and scram kiting fits are more common than others Slasher
80
■ Drone damage has good application and to some extent
selectable 75
Executioner
■ Good tank for hull, armor, or shield fits 70 Atron
Condor
65
Merlin
Punisher Kestrel
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Rifter
55 Incursus
■ Brawling and scram kiting Tristan ■ Brawling and scram kiting fits: 50 Tristan
− Low: DC, DDA, SAAR − Because of consistent drone
45
− Med: AB, scram, web damage, engage at the most Tormentor
BALANCED appropriate range for a specific
− High: 2x neutron blaster or 2x 40 Breacher
matchup and commit only when
125mm railgun 35
drones secured advantage in the
− Rigs: tank dps race 30
■ Neuting Tristan
3rd win rate ■ Neuting fit: 25
− Low: DC, EANM, SAAR
− Overheat your neuts for 3 cycles 20
− Med: AB, cap booster, scram and stagger them afterwards.
Combat faction frigates
1st popularity
− High: 3x neuts 15
Orbit 500m
− Rigs: PG, neuting or tank ■ Kiting fit: 10
59% Average 1v1 win rate

against T1 frigates
■ Kiting Tristan − Use fast damage drones 5 Pirate frigates
− Low: nano, 2x DDA − Manage drones if they are taking 0
1v1 fights against − Med: MWD, MSE, warp disruptor damage 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000
113K T1 frigates − Rigs: speed, tank Number of 1v1 fights
15
frigates
T1 frigates in null sec Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
T1 frigates are not common in null sec since they have very few appropriate targets. Solo PvP in null sec is different than in low sec and defined
by 4 game mechanics:
Bubbles and fleet tacklers Ship I II III IV Comments
I
Atron  ~   Half of EHP is in hull, and after every fight you’ll have to repair. Otherwise, it is good
Must fit MWD or dual prop

Breacher    ~ Good T1 frigate in null. The only downside is 2 drones that you can’t leave behind
The most common targets are interceptors and

Condor     Damage of LML Condor is too low, and for rocket fits use Kestrel instead
fleet interdictors
Executioner     Executioner by design is not good at null sec solo PvP
II
Anti kiters, scram kiters and kiters > brawlers

Incursus ~   ~ Incursus doesn’t like to MWD around too much and has a lot of EHP in hull
Kestrel     Good tank, damage and range – Kestrel is the best T1 frigate for null sec
   
Solo fights are rare. The faster you can kill one
Merlin Merlin can’t outbrawl dictors or apply damage well to interceptors
target, the better
III Punisher ~    Punisher is too slow to catch interceptors and can’t control fights well
High dps frigates > control frigates

Rifter   ~  Underrated, but good. Damage is a bit low, especially for scram kiting vs dictors
No convenient stations or citadels to resupply

and repair
Slasher     In null sec you almost never have the time to execute that Slasher is good at
IV Tormentor     MWD causes some cap and fitting problems. Usable, but not great
No bulky consumables. Shield or active armor

tank > hull or buffer armor rank Tristan     Tristan is good, but drones and hull tank for close range fits are awkward in null
Note: Recommended frigates for null sec 1v1 are highlighted with green color
16
frigates
Changes to T1 frigates Overview At Br Co Ex In Ke Me Pu Ri Sl To Tr
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Attack T1 frigates
Atron
Hull rigs
Executioner
Lasers buff
Condor
LML nerf
Slasher
Projectiles buff (+) Fitting Artillery fitting buff
Combat T1 frigates
Breacher
(+) Damage, speed, fitting LML nerf (+) Speed
Incursus
Hull rigs
Kestrel
(+) Speed
Merlin
Punisher
(+) Fitting, cap Lasers buff (+) Fitting; +1 turret; +1L
Rifter
(+) Falloff, speed (-) Tracking Projectiles buff (+) Fitting -1H, +1L Artillery fitting buff
Tormentor
Lasers buff (+) Drone bay
Tristan
Hull rigs, acolytes buff DDA nerf (-) Tank, speed; neut tiericide (-) Speed
Notes: / - buffs / nerfs to relevant modules; / - buffs / nerfs to ship stats and full redesigns; - releases of new ships
17
frigates
Faction frigates: overview Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI

100 T1 Frigates
Atron BALANCED
Breacher BALANCED
85
Incursus BALANCED
80 Kestrel BALANCED
Merlin BALANCED
75
Punisher BALANCED
70 Rifter BALANCED
65 Slasher UNDERPOWERED
Tormentor BALANCED
Average win rate, %
60
Federation Navy Comet Tristan BALANCED
55 Vigil Fleet Issue Faction Frigates
50 Caldari Navy Hookbill
Crucifier Navy Issue Crucifier Navy Issue BALANCED
45 Federation Navy Comet BORDERLINE
Republic Fleet Firetail
40 Imperial Navy Slicer Griffin Navy Issue UNDERPOWERED
Imperial Navy Slicer BALANCED
35 Maulus Navy Issue
30 Griffin Navy Issue3 Republic Fleet Firetail BALANCED
25
Pirate Frigates
20 Astero BALANCED
Daredevil BALANCED
10 Dramiel BALANCED
5 Garmur BORDERLINE
Succubus BORDERLINE
0
Worm OVERPOWERED
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 55,000
Precursor Frigate
Notes: 1) Sample is the number of 1v1 fights against faction frigates from September 2017 to August 2018. Average 1v1 win rate is the weighted average by sample size, excluding mirror match-ups 2) AK – anti kiting; B – brawling; SK – scram kiting; WK
– web kiting; K – kiting. Green cells – primary roles, yellow cells – secondary roles 3) GNI win rates after ECM rebalance in October 2018, number of 1v1 fights adjusted proportionally for comparability
18
frigates
Caldari Navy Hookbill Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
■ Scram kiter with rockets or kiter with light missiles 85 Attack T1 frigates
■ Extra bonus to kinetic damage
80 Combat T1 frigates
■ Good control thanks to free med slot for dual prop, second
web or ewar 75
■ The best shield buffer tank among faction frigates 70
65 Maulus NI
60 Firetail
Fits1 Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Crucifier NI Slicer
■ Armor Hookbill ■ Use armor fit with TD vs turret ships, 50 Hookbill
− Low: DC, SAAR armor fit with MD vs missile ships Vigil FI
45
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web, TD or and shield fit vs drone ships Comet
BALANCED ■ With 2 webs, scram kite against 40
MD
− High: 3x rocket launcher everything with Rage rockets and 35
− Rigs: bulkheads > dps the most appropriate type of
30
damage
■ Shield Hookbill
3rd win rate ■ Against dangerous brawlers, 25
Pirate frigates
− Low: DC, BCS
engage at 13 km, let your opponent 20
− Med: AB, MSE, scram, 2x web
4th popularity slowly catch you, and switch to 15
− High: 3x rocket launcher scram kiting
− Rigs: shield tank > dps ■ Hookbill can disengage against
10
50% against faction frigates ■ For null sec, swap DC for MAPC most T1 and faction frigates with 5
and one web for dual prop single web, so these are risk-free 0
1v1 fights against ■ Kiting Hookbills are out of the meta fights regardless of starting position 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000
18K faction frigates
since LML nerf Number of 1v1 fights2
Note: 1) All fits are for FW low sec. I assume good fitting skills, no expensive fitting implants, only T2, low-meta and cheap faction modules for all faction frigates 2) For grouped up ship classes the number of fights is the simple average and the average
win rate is the weighted average by the number of fights
19
frigates
Crucifier Navy Issue Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, weapon disruption effectiveness 90 Attack T1 frigates
■ Scram kiter with beams or brawler/scram kiter with pulses 85
■ Ship bonus to short range weapon disruption Combat T1 frigates
80
■ Excellent damage at scram range with beams
75
■ Poor base speed and weak tank, but one of these
weaknesses can be mitigated by ‘free’ med slot 70
65
Firetail
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Maulus NI
55
■ Beam Navy Crucifier ■ Beam CNI has very similar style to 50
Crucifier NI
Slicer
− Low: DC, SAAR, heat sink beam Tormentor, with more
45
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web damage, better tank and second Hookbill Comet
BALANCED web or ewar
− High: 2x small focused beam 40 Vigil FI
laser ■ Scram kite against turret ships and 35

− Rigs: damage, bulkheads brawl against missile ships. Change
30
crystals according to range and
■ When appropriate, fit TD/MD instead activate SAAR early
4th win rate of second web
25
■ Pulse CNI is more of a brawler that 20 Pirate frigates

■ Pulse Navy Crucifier
7th popularity − Low: DC, SAAR, SAR
can scram kite when it should or 15
forced to do so
− Med: AB, scram, web, cap ■ Pulse fit needs Exile booster to
10
49% against faction frigates booster compete in popular match ups (vs 5
− High: 2x small focused pulse Comets, Firetails or Hookbills) 0
1v1 fights against laser 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
1.8K faction frigates
− Rigs: active armor tank Number of 1v1 fights
20
frigates
Federation Navy Comet Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
Attack T1 frigates
Bonuses: damage, tracking 90
Combat T1 frigates
■ Blaster brawler or rail scram kiter. Can be used as dual prop 85
anti kiter
80
■ Weak control due to only 3 med slots Maulus NI
■ Excellent and reliable hull tank 75
Slicer
■ By far the most popular faction frigate 70 Firetail
65
60 Crucifier NI
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Hookbill
■ Rail Comet ■ Comet wins straight dps races vs all 50 Vigil FI Comet
− Low: DC, SAAR, 2x MFS faction frigates, and in low sec your
45
− Med: AB, scram, web main concerns are ewar and better
BORDERLINE range control of other frigates
− High: 2x 150mm railgun 40
− Rigs: bulkheads > dps ■ In low sec rail fit is preferred, 35 Pirate frigates
because it is not vulnerable to scram
■ Blaster Comet 30
kiting – currently the most popular
− Low: DC, SAAR, 2x MFS style among faction frigates
1st win rate − Med: AB, scram, web
25
■ With blaster fit you often want to 20

− High: 2x light neutron blaster
1st popularity have either positional advantage, or 15
− Rigs: bulkheads > dps 2 webs, or overdrive instead of one
10
■ For dual prop anti kiting Comet fit MFS to facilitate issues with range
59% against faction frigates MWD instead of web control 5
■ On both fits you can swap AB for ■ In Comet vs Comet mirror find out 0
1v1 fights against MWD or scram for double webs his weapons first and engage at the 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
when appropriate best range Number of 1v1 fights
21
frigates
Griffin Navy Issue Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, ECM strength 90
■ Blaster brawler 85
■ High damage, although not at the level of blaster Comet
80
TBD ■ Good tank for ewar faction frigate standards
75
■ Slow base speed and weak control among faction frigates
with double web 70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Buffer GNI ■ After ECM nerf GNI turned into 50
Not enough 1v1 fights for
− Low: 2x MFS straightforward blaster brawler detailed engagement map
45
− Med: AB, MSE, scram, 2x web ■ However, it has only marginally
UNDERPOWERED
− High: 2x light neutron blaster, more tank and damage than Merlin 40
rocket launcher and loses to Comet in the same role 35

− Rigs: PG, tank ■ With very few exceptions, GNI must 30
■ Active GNI have positional advantage before
8th win rate − Low: 2x MFS the fight
25
20
− Med: AB, 1x MASB, scram, 2x ■ In fitting prioritize damage over tank,
8th popularity 15
web because GNI cannot control
− High: 2x light neutron blaster prolonged fights 10
30% against faction frigates − Rigs: damage > tank ■ Scram kiting faction frigates with 2 5
webs can warp into GNI and burn off 0
1v1 fights against before running out of tank 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
22
frigates
Imperial Navy Slicer Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
■ Pulse or beam kiter 85 Attack T1 frigates
■ Decent damage and excellent projection up to warp
80
disruptor range with pulses and up to lock range with beams
Combat T1 frigates
■ Good top speed and agility with 2 nanos 75
■ No tank and defensive control modules 70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Pulse Slicer ■ Don’t rush to tackle ships that want 50 Crucifier NI
− Low: 2x nano, 2x heat sink, SAAR to fight anyway. Save cap and tackle Maulus NI Slicer
45 Hookbill
− Med: MWD, warp disruptor only when you’re winning the fight or
BALANCED control everything on grid. This is
− High: 2x small focused pulse 40 Firetail
especially important in beam Slicer Vigil FI
laser 35
− Rigs: optimal range ■ Let opponents chase you and don’t
30
chase them yourself
■ Beam Slicer Pirate frigates Comet
6th win rate ■ Never auto orbit or use approach 25
− Low: 2x nano, 2x heat sink, SAAR
when you want to reduce distance to 20
− Med: MWD, warp disruptor
2nd popularity target. Double click in space at a 15
− High: 2x small focused beam wide angle instead
laser 10
Average 1v1 win rate ■ Don’t stay around ships that can
41% against faction frigates − Rigs: optimal range project damage to your lock range, 5
or have long range webs, or have 0
1v1 fights against scram and are faster than you 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
23
frigates
Maulus Navy Issue Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
Attack T1 frigates
Bonuses: drone tracking and hitpoints, scram optimal 90
range
85
■ Scram kiter with drones Combat T1 frigates
80
■ Scram range up to 16.2 km with heated T2 scram
■ Average, but reliable hull tank and drone damage 75
■ No control in normal scram range 70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Slicer
■ Scram kiting MNI ■ General win condition is to exploit 50 Maulus NI
− Low: DC, SAAR, 2x DDA long range scram
45 Crucifier NI
− Med: MWD, scram, warp ■ Engage at 20 km, use MWD and Firetail
BALANCED defensive scram to control the fight 40
disruptor
− High: anything ■ With web instead of warp disruptor, 35 Hookbill
− Rigs: bulkheads scram kite at 15 km and use web as 30 Vigil FI
defensive module for range control
■ Refit web/warp disruptor when
7th win rate appropriate. In high slots fit ■ In normal scram/web range MNI has
25 Pirate frigates
no control and its opponents can 20 Comet

whatever damage you prefer
6th popularity
■ Kiting MNI
manage the engagement range 15
− Low: nano, 3x DDA ■ However, this range control usually 10

does not mean a free way out of the
− Med: MWD, MSE, scram
35% against faction frigates
fight because of MNI long range 5
− High: empty scram 0
1v1 fights against − Rigs: speed > tank 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
24
frigates
Republic Fleet Firetail Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, tracking 90
■ Scram kiter with artillery or brawler with autocannons 85
Attack T1 frigates
■ Average tank and bad damage

80
■ Excellent base speed Combat T1 frigates
75
■ Control over other faction frigates with the same range
control modules 70
65
60 Slicer
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Maulus NI
55
■ Artillery Firetail ■ In artillery Firetail, scram kite 50 Firetail
− Low: DC, gyrostabilizer, SAAR against everything. You can initiate
45
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web at web range and move in to tackle
BALANCED later
− High: 2x 280mm howitzer artillery, 40 Hookbill
rocket launcher ■ Against scram kiters with 3 med 35

Crucifier NI
Vigil FI
− Rigs: alpha > speed > bulkheads slots and slower base speed refitting
30
a web for TD is feasible since armor Comet
■ Autocannon Firetail Firetail will have range control
5th win rate − Low: DC, gyrostabilizer, MAPC
25
Pirate frigates
anyway 20
− Med: MWD, MSE, AB, scram ■ Shield autocannon Firetail is mostly
3rd popularity 15
− High: 2x 150mm light used in null sec as it lacks control or
autocannon, neut dps/tank required in low sec 10
43% against faction frigates − Rigs: tank > dps ■ In low sec you can use nano Firetail 5
■ Refit AB/web, rocket launcher/neut, as an anti kiter, but overall its 0

1v1 fights against MAPC/nano when needed performance doesn’t justify the extra 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
cost over T1 anti kiters Number of 1v1 fights
25
frigates
Vigil Fleet Issue Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
100
Ship profile
Bonuses: damage, explosion velocity, web range 90
■ Scram kiter with rockets 85
Combat T1 frigates
■ Web range up to 19.5 km on T2 web with heat

80
■ Extra bonus to explosive damage
75
■ Both shield and armor tank are viable. Usually control armor
fits are used in low sec and shield fits are used in null sec 70 Maulus NI
65 Firetail Slicer
60 Crucifier NI
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Armor VFI ■ Main targets for armor VFI are 50
Hookbill
− Low: DC, BCS, SAAR brawlers and weaker scram kiters. Vigil FI Comet
45
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web Thanks to explosion velocity bonus,
BALANCED Rage rockets apply full damage to
− High: 2x rocket launcher, 280mm 40
AB frigates under one web
howitzer artillery 35
− Rigs: range > damage > ■ Armor VFI usually can engage most Pirate frigates
30
T1 and faction frigates at the
bulkheads
2nd win rate positional disadvantage thanks to 25
■ Shield VFI excellent base speed and 2 webs 20
− Low: DC, 2x BCS ■ Shield VFI in low sec can be used
5th popularity 15
− Med: MWD, MSE, web, scram as specialized counter to Slicers and
− High: 2x rocket launcher, 150mm Garmurs or as ganky, all-in shield 10
55% against faction frigates autocannon Hookbill 5
− Rigs: tank > damage/range ■ In null sec shield VFI is good 0
1v1 fights against general purpose ship against almost 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200
all common frigates and destroyers Number of 1v1 fights
26
frigates
Faction frigates in null sec Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
Faction frigates are capable of killing most popular null sec frigates and destroyers. Solo PvP in null sec is different than in low sec and defined
by 4 game mechanics:
   
Caldari Navy Kestrel Mk II. With dual prop Hookbill has full range control over any common null
I Hookbill sec ship

Crucifier Navy
Issue ~   ~ You can make it work with several fits, but CNI is slow, its tank is terrible and supply
of drones will be an issue
fleet interdictors
II
Federation
Navy Comet    ~ Dual prop blaster and some rail fits are excellent. The only problem is that a lot of
Comet hitpoints are in hull
Anti kiters, scram kiters and kiters > brawlers Griffin Navy
Issue     GNI after ECM nerf is just an expensive Merlin
Solo fights are rare. The faster you can kill one
target, the better Imperial Navy
Slicer     Starting ship for every pilot who wants to learn kiting. Slicer performs better in null
without low sec engagement range restrictions
III
High dps frigates > control frigates

Maulus Navy
Issue   ~  Only one spare set of drones, hull tank and low dps will make you sad null sec
roamer. MNI is also very slow for null sec
  
No convenient stations or citadels to resupply Republic Fleet Firetail doesn’t excel at killing interdictors, but overall has decent engagement profile
and repair Firetail ~ in null sec thanks to its excellent base speed
IV
No bulky consumables. Shield or active armor

Vigil Fleet
Issue    ~ Less tank and range than Hookbill, but VFI is faster, has more damage and long web.
However, 25% of total dps in drones without replacements is a little inconvenient
tank > hull or buffer armor rank
27
frigates
Changes to faction frigates Overview CNH CNI FNC GNI INS MNI RFF VFI
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Caldari Navy Hookbill

LML nerf (+) Damage
Federation Navy Comet

Hull rigs
Imperial Navy Slicer

Lasers buff
Republic Fleet Firetail

Projectiles buff (+) Tracking Artillery fitting buff
Crucifier Navy Issue

Release
Griffin Navy Issue

Release ECM nerf
Maulus Navy Issue

Release Scram tiericide
Vigil Fleet Issue

Release Web tiericide
28
frigates
Pirate and precursor frigates: overview Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam

100 T1 Frigates
Atron BALANCED
95 Pirate frigates
Breacher BALANCED
Precursor frigate
85
Incursus BALANCED
80 Kestrel BALANCED
Merlin BALANCED
75
Punisher BALANCED
70 Rifter BALANCED
65 Slasher UNDERPOWERED
Damavik4 Worm Tormentor BALANCED

Daredevil
Average win rate, %
60
Succubus Tristan BALANCED
55 Faction Frigates
50 Dramiel
Crucifier Navy Issue BALANCED
45 Federation Navy Comet BORDERLINE
Garmur
40 Griffin Navy Issue UNDERPOWERED
Cruor
Imperial Navy Slicer BALANCED
35
30 Republic Fleet Firetail BALANCED
25
Pirate Frigates
Astero3
20 Astero BALANCED
Daredevil BALANCED
10 Dramiel BALANCED
5 Garmur BORDERLINE
Succubus BORDERLINE
0
Worm OVERPOWERED
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000 6,500 7,000
Precursor Frigate
Notes: 1) Sample is the number of 1v1 fights against pirate frigates from September 2017 to August 2018. Average 1v1 win rate is the weighted average by sample size, excluding mirror match-ups 2) AK – anti kiting; B – brawling; SK – scram kiting; WK –
web kiting; K – kiting. Green cells – primary roles, yellow cells – secondary roles 3) Low sec only to exclude exploration Asteros in null & wh 4) Damavik win rates after rebalance in October 2018, number of fights adjusted proportionally for comparability
29
frigates
Astero Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
Ship profile
Bonuses: armor resistances, drone hitpoints 90 Combat T1 frigates
■ Pure drone frigate, usually scram kiter or kiter 85
■ Excellent active armor tank
80
■ Poor, but very consistent damage due to 3 flights of light
drones in bay 75
■ Slow base speed 70
65
60
Fits1 Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Dual rep Astero ■ In terms of combat strength, Astero 50 Ewar faction frigates Astero
− Low: DC, 2x SAR, EANM is closer to faction than to pirate
45
− Med: AB, scram, web, cap frigates
BALANCED 40
booster ■ General win condition is to outlast Cruor
− High: covert cloak, neut your opponent. Astero always deals 35
− Rigs: active tank some damage, because killing 15 30
hitpoint bonused drones is not an
■ Deadspace SARs and AB Dramiel
8th win rate considerably improve this fit
option in frigate 1v1 25
Worm
20 Garmur
■ Kiting Astero ■ Astero has poor range control, so: Daredevil
2nd popularity − Low: 3x DDA, nano − In dual rep fit position the ship 15 Succubus
− Med: MWD, MSE, web, warp closer than normal scram kiting 10

disruptor range to not give your opponent a
against pirate frigates 5
free way out
− High: covert cloak 0
− In shield fit avoid all strong kiters
1v1 fights against − Rigs: tank, speed 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000
5.2K pirate frigates and anti kiters
Number of 1v1 fights2
Note: 1) All fits are for FW low sec. I assume perfect fitting skills, T2, low-meta, faction (highlighted with green) and deadspace (highlighted with blue) modules for all pirate and precursor frigates 2) For grouped up ship classes the number of fights is the
simple average and the average win rate is the weighted average by the number of fights
30
frigates
Cruor Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
95
Bonuses: damage, nos and neut drain amount, web range 90
Combat T1 frigates
■ Scram kiter with pulses or beams 85

■ Web range up to 26 km on T2 web with heat
80
■ Below average dps, tank and speed
75
■ Active tank can be supported by double nos thanks to
special nos mechanics on Blood Raider ships 70 Ewar faction frigates
65 Combat faction frigates

Astero
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
Cruor
■ Dual rep Cruor ■ Without cap warfare Cruor has 50
− Low: DC, 2x SAR, heat sink mediocre gank/tank, so its general Dramiel
45
− Med: AB, scram, web win condition is to mitigate some of Succubus
UNDERPOWERED the opponents damage or tank with Garmur
− High: 2x small focused pulse 40
Daredevil
nos or neuts
laser, 2x nos 35
− Rigs: active tank ■ Good targets for Cruor are scram 30
range cap reliant frigates
■ Single rep Cruor
7th win rate − Low: DC, SAAR, heat sink, ANP ■ Despite long web, Cruor cannot play
25
20 Worm
− Med: AB, scram, web an anti kiting role well and usually
7th popularity should avoid kiters that have 15
− High: 2x small focused beam
positional advantage 10
laser, nos, neut
against pirate frigates − Rigs: active tank > speed ■ Frigates with cap booster, multiple 5
webs and capless frigates can be
■ Best deadspace nos and neut are 0
dangerous
0.9K 1v1 fights against required. Deadspace SARs are 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
pirate frigates
recommended. Use Exile booster Number of 1v1 fights
31
frigates
Daredevil Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
95
Bonuses: damage, falloff, web effectiveness Combat T1 frigates
90
■ Blaster brawler or rail scram/web kiter 85
■ Excellent control thanks to 90% T2 web
80 Astero
■ Top damage among pirate frigates Combat faction frigates
75
■ Weak tank and cap Garmur Dramiel
65
Succubus
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Cruor
55
■ Blaster Daredevil ■ Because of weak tank, Daredevil 50 Daredevil
− Low: DC, 2x MFS, SAAR has to start applying damage early
45
− Med: AB, scram, web in the fight
BALANCED
− High: 2x light neutron blasters ■ Therefore rail Daredevil is generally 40
Worm
− Rigs: bulkheads, damage safer and has better engagement 35
■ For anti kiting fit MWD instead of AB profile unless you want to camp FW 30
and upgrade to faction web complexes
3rd win rate ■ Web effectiveness bonus
25
■ Rail Daredevil 20
− Low: DC, MFS, ANP, SAAR guarantees full range control once
1st popularity its on, and this is the main win 15
− Med: AB, warp disruptor, web
condition
− High: 2x 150mm railgun 10

against pirate frigates − Rigs: bulkheads, damage ■ Blaster Daredevil wins straight dps 5
races vs all pirate frigates, except
■ Faction web is required for rail and brawling Worm 0
1v1 fights against 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
5.3K pirate frigates
anti kiting fits
32
frigates
Dramiel Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
95
Bonuses: damage, falloff, tracking, warp speed 90 Combat T1 frigates
■ Anti kiter or scram kiter. Can web kite or brawl in 85
appropriate situations
80
■ Usually active armor tanked in low sec and buffer shield
tanked in null sec 75
Astero
Garmur
■ Excellent control 70

60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Artillery Dramiel ■ Dramiel has the best control among 50
Cruor
Dramiel
− Low: DC, gyrostabilizer, SAAR frigates without special bonuses and
45
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web can escape from unfavorable fights
BALANCED
− High: 2x 280mm howitzer artillery ■ Frigates with bonuses to control 40
− Rigs: alpha, speed > bulkheads (Daredevil and Succubus) usually 35

should be avoided Succubus
■ Fit TD or MD instead of 1 web when 30
appropriate ■ In artillery Dramiel, scram kite Worm
Daredevil
5th win rate against everything. You can initiate
25
■ Dual rep Dramiel 20
− Low: DC, 2x SAR at web range and move in to tackle
5th popularity later 15
− Med: AB, scram, web, cap
■ In autocannon Dramiel, scram kite 10
booster
50% Average 1v1 win rate against brawlers and brawl against
against pirate frigates − High: 2x 200mm autocannon, everything else
5
rocket launcher 0
■ Similarly to Firetail, shield Dramiel is
4.0K 1v1 fights against
pirate frigates
− Rigs: active tank appropriate only in null sec
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
33
frigates
Garmur Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
Ship profile
Bonuses: damage, range, tackle modules range 90
■ LML kiter or (rarely) rocket scram kiter 85
Combat T1 frigates
■ Excellent synergy between high base speed and long range

80 Astero
damage and tackle
■ Weak tank and damage 75
70
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

Worm
Cruor Combat faction frigates
55
■ LML Garmur ■ LML Garmur: 50 Garmur
− Low: BCS, nano, MAPC − General kiting strategy (see
45
− Med: MWD, MSE, scram, warp Slicer) is applicable here,
BORDERLINE although Garmur has a safety net 40
disruptor
− High: 2x light missile launcher thanks to long range tackle, dps 35
− Rigs: lock range, speed and infinite cap
30
− Avoid strong anti kiters Daredevil
■ Faction tackle modules are required
6th win rate and significantly improve kiting fit ■ Rocket Garmur:
25 Dramiel
Succubus
20
■ Rocket Garmur − Counter frigates that want to fight
4th popularity against LML Garmur with 15
− Low: DC, BCS, SAAR
positional advantage in complex
− Med: AB, scram, 2x web 10

against pirate frigates − High: 3x rocket launcher − Avoid strong scram kiters 5
− Rigs: damage, speed > tank ■ Succubus generally should be 0

1v1 fights against avoided because its bonus to AB 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
4.3K pirate frigates
speed counters missile application Number of 1v1 fights
34
frigates
Succubus Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
Attack T1 frigates
Ship profile
95 Combat T1 frigates
Bonuses: damage, tracking, AB velocity 90
■ Scram kiter with pulses or scram/web kiter with beams 85 Ewar faction frigates
■ Usually buffer shield tanked with beams and active shield Astero
80
tanked with pulses Combat faction frigates
■ Good control thanks to bonused AB 75

Garmur
70
Dramiel
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55 Cruor
■ Pulse Succubus ■ Succubus can control all AB frigates 50

Worm
− Low: DC, 2x heat sink unless they have 2 more webs, Succubus
45
− Med: AB, scram, cap booster, except Daredevil and mirror against
BORDERLINE Succubus 40
MSB Daredevil
− High: 2x small focused pulse laser ■ All Succubus fits are vulnerable to 35
− Rigs: tank > speed kiters with positional advantage. 30
Avoid Daredevil by default
■ Beam Succubus
4th win rate − Low: nano, 2x heat sink ■ Dangerous match-ups are
25
20
− Med: AB, web, warp disruptor, AB/double web frigates against
6th popularity pulse fit and MWD/web brawling 15
MASB
frigates against beam fit
− High: 2x small focused beam laser 10

against pirate frigates − Rigs: tank, speed, optimal range ■ In a mirror match-up beam 5
Succubus wins by kiting outside of
■ Fit the best deadspace AB. At least 0
Scorch range because of better
1.9K 1v1 fights against C-type Pithum MSB is required for 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
pirate frigates control
pulse fit Number of 1v1 fights
35
frigates
Worm Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
95
Combat T1 frigates
Bonuses: missile and drone damage, drone hitpoints, 90 Ewar faction frigates
shield resistances
85 Combat faction frigates
■ Kiter or scram kiter with primarily drone damage
80
■ Excellent shield tank. Buffer is more common, active tank Cruor
Astero
on scram range fits is possible 75
Dramiel
■ Comparatively slow speed in every role 70
65
Daredevil
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Kiting Worm ■ For the majority of novice frigates 50 Worm
− Low: 2x DDA Worm simply has too much tank and Succubus
45
− Med: MWD, MSE, web, warp damage
Garmur
OVERPOWERED 40
disruptor ■ Neither Worm’s tank nor damage
− High: 2x compact light missile can be mitigated well in frigate 1v1, 35
launcher so even if Worm loses war of 30
− Rigs: tank, lock range, speed control, it still usually wins the grid
1st win rate ■ Dangerous match-ups:
25
■ Refit web for drone nav. computer 20
■ Scram kiting Worm − Frigates that can screen off one
3rd popularity
drone while keeping tackle 15
− Low: DC, DDA
− Med: MWD, MSE, scram, web (Garmur with defensive scram, 10
62% Average 1v1 win rate Succubus with defensive web)

against pirate frigates − High: 3x rocket launcher 5
− Strong brawlers at 0 km vs kiting
− Rigs: tank 0
Worm (blaster Daredevil and
4.6K 1v1 fights against
pirate frigates
■ Refit DC and web for MAPC and Comet)
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
second MSE Number of 1v1 fights
36
frigates
Damavik Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
100
Ship profile
95
Bonuses: damage, optimal range, reduced neut activation 90
cost
85
■ Brawler with utility neuts or kiter
80
■ Damage spools up from fairly low to very high. Usually
frigate fights are too short for a full spool up 75
■ Tank, speed and overall control are subpar 70
65
60
Fits Strategy
Average win rate, %

55
■ Brawling Damavik ■ The biggest weakness of Damavik is 50
Not enough 1v1 fights for
− Low: DC, ERS, SAAR weak control combined with spool detailed engagement map
45
− Med: AB, scram, web up damage on fixed range
UNDERPOWERED
− High: light entropic disintegrator, ■ Therefore, choose ammo according 40
2x neut to the expected opponent’s range 35

− Rigs: bulkheads since the beginning of the fight 30
■ Kiting Damavik ■ Brawl Damavik wins against T1
2nd win rate − Low: 2x ERS, nano frigates and at least holds grid
25
20
− Med: MWD, MSE, warp disruptor against most faction frigates and
8th popularity Astero. Fights against Comet, Cruor 15
− High: light entropic disintegrator
and Dramiel are risky. Avoid all other
− Rigs: speed, tank 10
Average 1v1 win rate match ups
61% against pirate frigates 5
■ Kite Damavik is stronger than Slicer,
0
but weaker than kite Garmur and
1v1 fights against 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
0.3K pirate frigates Worm. Avoid all anti kiters
37
frigates
Pirate and precursor frigates in null sec Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
Pirate frigates kill all popular null sec frigates and destroyers 1v1 fairly easily and in some situations can fight against several targets or go after
bigger ships. Solo PvP in null sec is different than in low sec and defined by 4 game mechanics:
I Astero    ~ Covops cloak is nice for roaming and picking fights, but low dps means that you will
be on grid for a long time against any meaningful target

Cruor     As a scram range control frigate, Cruor does not work well in null sec. Cruor’s fittings
also cannot support MWD with optimal fit
fleet interdictors
II
Daredevil    ~ Daredevil has excellent speed, control and damage. However, significant portion of
Daredevil’s tank is in hull
Anti kiters, scram kiters and kiters > brawlers Shield autocannon Dramiel counters the vast majority of null sec frigates
Dramiel     (interceptors, bombers, cheap T1 tackle, kiting solo frigates), but it is not as good at
killing larger targets
Solo fights are rare. The faster you can kill one In null sec LML Garmur has the best engagement profile of any novice frigate. Long
target, the better Garmur     range damage and tackle provide freedom in movement on grid and long defensive
scram protects against faster anti kiters
III
High dps frigates > control frigates Succubus ~    Succubus really struggles to shake off fleet interceptors, which is critical in null sec.
But if you choose fights wisely, Succubus can be strong in many situations
   
No convenient stations or citadels to resupply Worm is a little slow, but it can quite easily kill almost all null sec frigates and
Worm
and repair destroyers and is able to go for bigger targets as well
IV
Damavik is too slow to reliably keep other MWD frigates in optimal range and spool
No bulky consumables. Shield or active armor Damavik     up damage. And against destroyers and cruisers there are stronger and cheaper
options to choose from
tank > hull or buffer armor rank
38
frigates
Changes to pirate and precursor frigates Overview Ast Cru Dar Dra Gar Suc Wor Dam
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Pirate frigates
Astero
DDA nerf
Cruor
(+) Redesign Lasers buff Nos, neut tiericide
Daredevil
Hull rigs Web tiericide
Dramiel
(+) Warp speed Projectiles buff Artillery fitting buff
Garmur
Release LML nerf Scram tiericide
Succubus
(+) Redesign Lasers buff
Worm
(+) Redesign DDA nerf (-) Fitting; -1L
Precursor frigate
Damavik
Release +1M, -1L
39
About the author
Contacts Abbreviations
T Sky AB Afterburner
ANP Adaptive nano plating
■ I have been doing frigate PvP since 2013 with QCATS,
BCS Ballistic control system
BLFOX, Stay Frosty and currently with OEG
Cap Capacitor
■ Permanent links for this and other reports are on DC Damage control
http://evefrigates.blogspot.com/ DDA Drone damage amplifier
DPS Damage per second
EANM Energized adaptive nano membrane
Links and credits EHP Effective hitpoints
ERS Entropic radiation sink
■ http://eveoganda.blogspot.com/ Front page background and the picture of Firetail are made EWAR Electronic warfare
by Rixx Javix. This is the link to his blog with further information FW Faction warfare
■ https://zkillboard.com/ Main source of PvP data LML Light missile launcher
■ https://www.eveovermind.com/ Aggregated 1v1 data MAPC Micro auxiliary power core
MASB Medium ancillary shield booster
■ https://www.eveonline.com/articles/patch-notes Ship and module rebalances MD Missile disruptor
■ Thanks to many EvE players who helped me with in-game testing and suggestions over the MSE Medium shield extender
years MWD Microwarpdrive
Nano Nanofiber internal structure
Disclaimer Neut Energy neutralizer
PG Powergrid
EVE Online and the EVE logo are the registered trademarks of CCP hf. All rights are reserved worldwide. All other SAR Small armor repairer
trademarks are the property of their respective owners. EVE Online, the EVE logo, EVE and all associated logos
and designs are the intellectual property of CCP hf. All artwork, screenshots, characters, vehicles, storylines, world SAAR Small ancillary armor repairer
facts or other recognizable features of the intellectual property relating to these trademarks are likewise the Scram Warp scrambler
intellectual property of CCP hf. T1/T2 Tech 1/Tech 2
TD Tracking disruptor
Web Stasis webifier
40

Novice Frigates Yearbook 2019

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Novice Frigates Yearbook 2019

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Novice Frigates

The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP 2

I. T1 frigates II. Faction frigates III. Pirate and precursor frigates

Atron 4 Caldari Navy Hookbill 19 Astero 30

Breacher 5 Crucifier Navy Issue 20 Cruor 31

Condor 6 Federation Navy Comet 21 Daredevil 32

Executioner 7 Griffin Navy Issue 22 Dramiel 33

Incursus 8 Imperial Navy Slicer 23 Garmur 34

Kestrel 9 Maulus Navy Issue 24 Succubus 35

Merlin 10 Republic Fleet Firetail 25 Worm 36

Punisher 11 Vigil Fleet Issue 26 Damavik 37

Slasher 13 Changes to faction frigates 28 Changes to pirate and precursor frigates 39

T1 frigates in null sec 16

Anti kiting Brawling Scram kiting Web kiting Kiting

Frigate PvP cheat sheet1

Your opponent Your opponent

Anti kiting =     Anti kiting =    

Weapons Roles2 Go to ship

■ Reliable buffer tank with bulkhead rigs 70

Average win rate, %

Average win rate, %

− Rigs: tank, speed, damage ■ Use faction rockets against frigates 35

Rage rockets. Breacher has no 20

Average 1v1 win rate

■ Good range control 70

Average win rate, %

■ Pure kiting fit is possible, but its damage is very low 70

Average win rate, %

laser ■ With beam Executioner, you can 35 Rifter Incursus

Average win rate, %

− Rigs: tank > damage deactivation cycle, turn off auto 35

usually needs extra control module 20 Combat faction frigates

− High: 3x light neutron blaster kiting, web kiting or kiting frigates 0

within web range 70

Average win rate, %

■ Scram kiting armor Kestrel ■ Kestrel is relatively slow and cannot 20

Average win rate, %

■ In low sec your general strategy is 20

Average win rate, %

■ However, Punisher has enough tank 20

■ In low sec almost universally armor tanked 70 Punisher

Average win rate, %

■ Fleet shield tackler by design, but in solo PvP almost 75

Average win rate, %

neut disruption script against weapons 35 Kestrel

− Brawl and use application 20

Average win rate, %

■ Beam Tormentor ■ Scram kite against turret ships and 50

Average win rate, %

59% Average 1v1 win rate

Bubbles and fleet tacklers Ship I II III IV Comments

Must fit MWD or dual prop

The most common targets are interceptors and

Anti kiters, scram kiters and kiters > brawlers

High dps frigates > control frigates

No convenient stations or citadels to resupply

No bulky consumables. Shield or active armor

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Weapons Roles2 Go to ship

■ The best shield buffer tank among faction frigates 70

Average win rate, %

Average win rate, %

laser ■ Scram kite against turret ships and 35