Guide to Solo PvP

in Factional
Warfare
Novice Plexes
August 2016
[v3.0]
Content

I. The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP

II. T1 frigates

III. Faction frigates

IV. Supplements

1
 The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP I II III IV

MWD brawling AB brawling AB scram-kiting AB web-kiting MWD kiting

Range control:
MWD/scram/web
Optimal range: 0-4km
Weapons: blasters, drones,
pulses, autocannons
Your targets are kiting ships
with long point. AB/scram/web
fits will have advantage
because of better range control
Range control: AB/scram/web
or AB/double web
Optimal range: 0-4km
Weapons: blasters, drones,
pulses, autocannons
These fits can fight everything
as long as they have positional
advantage at the start of the
fight. These are the most
common fits in FW space
because of plex mechanics
Range control: AB/scram/web
Optimal range: 7-10km
Weapons: pulses, rockets,
rails, drones
Similar to AB brawling, but you
fight at the edge of scram
range. A bit more demanding
to piloting skills then AB
brawling
Range control: AB/point/web
Optimal range: 10-13km
Weapons: beams, rails,
drones
These are anti AB/scram/web
fits. Same range control
(AB/web), but your optimal can
be as far as 13km because of
long point. MWD ships hard
counter web-kiting
Range control: MWD/point
Optimal range: >20km
Weapons: light missiles,
drones, rails and pulses on
some ships
Fast frigates with little tank.
Positional advantage at the
start of the fight and some
manual piloting are important

Frigate PvP cheat sheet

Your opponent
You MWD brawling AB brawling AB scram-kiting AB web-kiting MWD kiting

MWD brawling =    
AB brawling  =   
AB scram-kiting   =  
AB web-kiting    = 
MWD kiting     =
 - hard counter or at least good fit;  - good, if you are camping the plex, and vice versa;   - bad fit in this situation

2
Content

I. The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP

II. T1 frigates

III. Faction frigates

IV. Supplements

3
 Overview I II III IV

Number of 1v1 fights and average win rates* Overview

■ T1 frigates are the most popular ships in Factional Warfare. They are
Tristan 16,715 64%
cheap, not skill-intensive, and fit in every plex. T1 frigates are split into
Incursus 8,069 54% three main groups:
Merlin 7,492 44% − Combat frigates. Main ships for solo fights. Good dps and tank
Atron 7,427 41% − Attack frigates. Faster than combat frigates, but less tanky. Attack
Kestrel 6,882 41% frigates usually exploit their ability to dictate range against other
frigates
Tormentor 6,095 66%
− Exploration and EWAR frigates. They have some niche roles thanks to
Rifter 6,072 35%
unusual slot layout, fittings or EWAR bonuses
Breacher 5,525 66%

Executioner 4,047 43% Recent rebalances

Condor 3,977 35%
■ The most recent T1 frigate rebalance happened in December 2015:
Slasher 3,061 39%
− Slight Breacher and Tormentor buffs made no real difference. Both
Punisher 2,496 51% ships were good and are still good, although underused for their
Heron 1,120 42% strength
Maulus 914 43% − Tristan speed and tank nerf. Tristan is still very versatile, but now it is
weaker than specialized ships in their roles. Overall good change
Magnate 551 28%
− Rifter and Slasher fittings buff. Both ships still underperform and need
Crucifier 475 35%
dps buff. Rifter is not competitive in its role of scram/web kiter
Combat frigates Borderline − Punisher +1 low slot buff. Now Punisher has excellent tank and dps
Attack frigates Balanced compensated by lack of mid slots. Good change, this frigate is strong
Other T1 frigates Underpowered in its role

* Here and below data is from January 2015 to May 2016. Sample is the number of 1v1s against each frigate in the same class. Average win rate is the weighted average by sample size. Mirror match-ups 4
are excluded from average win rates calculation
 Kestrel I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Usually scram-kiter with rockets, but you may encounter occasional light missiles kiter
■ Average buffer tank, both shield and armor are possible
■ AB/scram/web shield Kestrel with rockets is standard. Armor Kestrel trades tank, dps
and speed for full range control. MWD brawling fit is rare in FW
■ Low raw damage, but damage application in scram range is very good and type is
selectable

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kiting shield Kestrel ■ With buffer tank and no utility/EWAR

− Low: DC II, BCS II modules focus on managing your
Tier: − Mid: AB II, MSE II, scram, web range and transversal
BALANCED − High: 4x Rocket Launcher II ■ Your ideal range is ~8km with Rage
− Rigs: tank rockets. Use appropriate type of
Balanced
4 6 damage
■ Scram-kiting armor Kestrel ■ Dangerous ships are stronger scram-
− Low: DC II or SAAR, 400mm plate kiters (Tristan, Tormentor and
− Mid: AB II, scram, 2x web Breacher)
2 8
− High: 4x Rocket Launcher II ■ 2 webs armor Kestrel usually can
− Rigs: PG, tank disengage by overheating mid slots
and aligning out to appropriate
0 10
■ Common trap fit is kiting Kestrel, but celestial
41% after LML nerf it has minimal damage
Average 1v1 win rate and not very dangerous
vs T1 frigates*

* Here and below win rate is the weighted average by sample size. Sample is the number of 1v1s against each frigate in the same class 5
Merlin I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Brawler with blasters and scram-kiter with rails

■ AB/scram/web blaster Merlin is standard fit in FW
■ Strong shield buffer tank thanks to resists ship bonus
■ High damage with blasters (200+dps). Damage with rails (~120dps) is average for
scram-kiters

Fits Piloting

■ AB brawling Merlin ■ When brawling, be at 0km, use Navy

− Low: DC II, MFS II, MAPC Antimatter. If you’re being scram-kited,
Tier: − Mid: AB II, MSE II, scram, web load Null
BALANCED − High: 3x Light Neutron Blaster II ■ When scram-kiting, your ideal range is
− Rigs: tank, damage ~8km with Navy Antimatter
Balanced
4 6 ■ Brawling Merlins very often have
■ Scram-kiting Merlin double webs, because in normal fit
− Low: DC II, MFS II, MAPC they are slower and have weaker tank
− Mid: AB II, MSE II, scram, web than their armored substitute Incursus
2 8
− High: 3x 125mm Railgun II ■ Other strong close range ships
− Rigs: tank, damage (Incursus or Punisher) can outbrawl
blaster Merlin
■ There are some trap fits (dual web, no
0
44%
10 ■ Scram-kiters win against both blaster
scram; dual web, armor tanked; dual
Average 1v1 win rate
and rail Merlin if they can control range
MASB, etc.)
vs T1 frigates

6
Tormentor I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Scram-kiter with pulses and web/scram-kiter with beams. Both fits are very similar and
common in FW
■ Highest damage of all scram-kiters. Beam fits with Navy Gamma can deal 200+dps at
10km
■ Average 3-slot armor tank, 200mm plate/SAAR or resists/SAAR
■ Tracking is below average, positioning and piloting are important

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kiting Tormentor ■ Getting to optimal engagement range

− Low: DC (meta or T2), Adaptive (9-11km) is your first priority
Tier: Nano Plating II, Heat Sink II, SAAR ■ Change crystals accordingly
BORDERLINE − Mid: AB, scram, web ■ With beam fit try to minimize
− High: 3x Small Focused Pulse
Balanced
transversal
Laser II (or Beams)
4 6
− Rigs: tank, damage ■ Neuting is very dangerous
■ At close range blaster brawlers can kill
■ Web-kiting Tormentor you through reps. Plan SAAR cycle in
2 8
− Low: meta DC, Adaptive Nano advance
Plating II, Heat Sink II, SAAR ■ Typical counter is dual web AB blaster
− Mid: AB, meta point, web brawlers (Incursus, Merlin, Atron).
− High: Small Focused Beam Laser II Always check if you’re pointed when
0 10
66% with Navy Gamma fighting these ships
Average 1v1 win rate − Rigs: optimal range, CPU
vs T1 frigates

7
Punisher I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Super tanky brawler/scram-kiter with pulses and kiter with beams

■ Poor range control in scram range with only 2 mid slots
■ Strong buffer tank with 400mm plate and SAAR
■ Competitive damage for both close range and kiting fits
■ One of the main frigates for Novice brawling fleets

Fits Piloting

■ Brawling Punisher ■ Punisher got significant buffs in

− Low: DC II, 400mm armor plate, December 2015 and now very
Tier: SAAR, 2x Heat Sink II competitive in T1 frigate 1v1
BALANCED − Mid: AB II, scram ■ In scram range Punisher can fight
− High: 3x Dual Light Pulse Laser II most frigates, and its only weakness is
Balanced − Rigs: tank/damage
4 6 lack of web

■ Kite Punisher ■ Most Punishers in FW will brawl, but it

2 8
0 10
51%
Average 1v1 win rate
vs T1 frigates
− Low: Heat Sink II, SAAR,
Nanofibers/Overdrive/Cap
− Mid: MWD, Warp Disruptor II
− High: 3x Small Focused Beam
Laser II with Navy Standard or other
mid-range crystal
− Rigs: optimal range
is a good idea to start the fight at 0km
and avoid any trap kiting fits
■ If you are in AB/scram/web frigate and
losing dps race against Punisher –
overheat mid slots, align out, and
leave
■ Neut Tristans hard counter Punishers

8
Incursus I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Brawler with blasters and scram-kiter with rails

■ AB/scram/web blaster Incursus is standard fit in FW. Anti-kiting MWD brawling fit with
overdrive is also good
■ Strong active armor tank thanks to ship bonus
■ High damage with blasters (200+dps). Damage with rails (~130dps) is average for
scram-kiters

Fits Piloting

■ Brawling Incursus ■ Ancillary rep on this ship is so strong

− Low: DC II, SAAR, MFS II, Adaptive
Tier: Nano Plating II
BALANCED − Mid: AB II, scram, web
− High: 3x Light Neutron Blaster II
Balanced − Rigs: bulkheads or armor tank
4 6
■ For scram-kiting, same fit with 125mm
rails
2 8
■ MWD brawling Incursus
− Low: DC II, SAAR, MFS II,
Overdrive Injector System II
− Mid: compact MWD, scram, web
0 10
54% − High: 3x Light Neutron Blaster II
Average 1v1 win rate − Rigs: bulkheads, speed or damage
vs T1 frigates
that it takes some practice to balance
between overboosting and dropping
into structure. Half-armor is generally
good point to start SAAR cycle
■ Pulse SAAR once, overheat it again,
and wait. Do not perma-run it
■ If you’re being neuted, pull range at
6km and load Null
■ When MWD brawling, land scram
ASAP or disengage. Ship is very cap
unstable

9
Tristan I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Good in every role: can MWD brawl, AB brawl with guns, AB brawl with neuts, scram-kite
or kite with multiple fits. All fits got light nerfs after December 2015 rebalance, and now
Tristan is more in line with other T1 frigates, but still very flexible
■ High drone damage applies well at any range and to some extent selectable
■ Average tank, brawlers and scram-kiters usually fit bulkheads and SAAR, kiters fit MSE
■ Lots of fitting space and perfect slot layout for some unusual fits

Fits Piloting

■ Brawling Tristan ■ AB brawling and scram-kiting:

− Low: DC II, DDA II, SAAR
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, web
BORDERLINE − High: neut, 2x Light Ion Blaster II
− Rigs: bulkheads or armor tank
Balanced
4 6 ■ For scram-kiting, same fit with 125mm
rails. For MWD brawling, same fit with
nosferatu and autocannons. For neut
Tristan, drop web for cap booster and
2 8
fit 3 T2 neuts in high slots
■ Kite Tristan
− Low: Nano II, 2x DDA II
0 10
− Mid: MWD, MSE II, Warp Disruptor
64% − High: empty
Average 1v1 win rate − Rigs: speed, tank
vs T1 frigates
− With drones you’re not committed to
optimal range of your guns. Choose
range that works best against your
opponent. Use max damage drones
■ Neut Tristan:
− Overheat your neuts for 3 cycles
and stagger them afterwards. This
should not allow your opponent to
land a lucky web. Orbit 500m
■ Kite Tristan:
− Use fast damage drones. Orbit
22km, recall or drop more drones if
they are taking damage

10
Breacher I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Scram-kiter with rockets and kiter with light missiles. Good in both roles
■ Very strong active shield tank thanks to ship bonus
■ Faster than other combat frigates and has good range control with MWD or AB
■ Average DPS, splitted about 30/70 between drones and missiles
■ Lots of fitting space for some unusual fits (capstable or capboosted MSB Breachers)

Fits Piloting

■ Kite Breacher ■ Breacher has little buffer and very

− Low: PDS II, Nano II, Overdrive strong rep. Do not overboost
Tier: Injector System II ■ Recall drones if they are taking
BORDERLINE − Mid: Warp Disruptor II, MASB, meta damage. They are HP-unbonused and
4 TD, compact MWD provide ~30% of total DPS
4
Balanced
6
− High: 3x Light Missile Launcher II
− Rigs: cap/speed>tank ■ When brawling, your ideal range is
■ Scram-kite capstable Breacher: ~8km with Faction rockets. Use
− Low: DC II, 2x Capacitor Flux Coil II appropriate type of damage
2 8
− Mid: AB II, scram, web, MSB II ■ If you cannot apply damage on
− High: 3x Rocket Launcher II Breacher, consider shooting its drones
− Rigs: 3x CCC
■ Breacher on its own is fairly average
0 10
■ Also you should know about dualrep frigate, but it scales extremely well
66% scram-kite fit and MSB capboosted fit with links, blue pill and crystal set
Average 1v1 win rate without web
vs T1 frigates

11
Rifter I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Rifter got PG/CPU buff in December 2015, which made some interesting fits possible. I
still consider it underpowered because applied damage is not high enough
■ Fits vary from overtanked 400mm plated brawly Rifters to standard scram kiters and to
lightly tanked scram/web kiters with artillery
■ The most common fit in FW is AB/scram/web scram kiter with Rocket Launcher or neut
in utility high slot

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kiting Rifter: ■ Use appropriate type of faction ammo

− Low: DC II, 200mm plate, SAAR
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, web
UNDERPOWERED − High: 3x 200mm AutoCannon II,
Rocket Launcher II or neut
Balanced − Rigs: tank, falloff
4 6
■ Brawly Rifter:
− Low: DC II, 400mm plate, SAAR
− Mid: AB II, scram, web
2 8
− High: 3x 150mm AutoCannon II
− Rigs: tank
■ Arty Rifter:
− Low: DC II, Gyrostabilizer II, SAAR
0 10
35% − Mid: AB II, point or scram, web
Average 1v1 win rate − High: 3x 250mm Artillery II
vs T1 frigates
■ AC scram kiters should stay at ~6-
8km, arty scram kiters – at the very
edge of overheated scram range
■ Rifter is faster then other combat
frigates. Usually scram kiting fits can
disengage by overheating mid slots
and aligning out. Brawling Rifter trades
speed for tank and has to commit
■ Scram-kiter Rifters should avoid rocket
and especially drone frigates. Brawly
Rifters should avoid blaster frigates

12
Condor I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ In 2013 kite Condors were the most popular 1v1 frigates in FW. After LML nerf in
October 2014 they slowly dropped out of popularity. Condors are still excellent tacklers,
but their DPS for 1v1s is too low and kinetic locked
■ Fast long-range kiter with some EWAR
■ Common fits are MSE+TD or no tank, 2 EWAR mods (damps or TDs)
■ With tight fitting and weak cap Condor is relatively skill-intensive frigate

Fits Piloting

■ Tanky kite Condor ■ Know relevant MWD kiting tricks:

− Low: MAPC, Nano II − pre-overheating MWD and manual
Tier: − Mid: MWD, MSE II, Warp Disruptor piloting when warping to someone
UNDERPOWERED II, TD in plex
− High: 3x Light Missile Launcher II − slingshot, how to notice and counter
4
Balanced
6
− Rigs: PG, speed, damage it
− effectiveness of your EWAR against
■ EWAR kite Condor various frigates
− Low: BCS II, Nano II − speed of various drones vs your
2 8 speed
− Mid: MWD, 2x damps or TDs, Warp
Disruptor II ■ Fights are longer than usual frigate
− High: 3x Light Missile Launcher II PvP because of your minimal damage,
− Rigs: cap, speed so check dscan
0 10
35% ■ All MWD brawlers and drone frigates
Average 1v1 win rate can be dangerous
vs T1 frigates

13
Executioner I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Web/scram-kiter. Both pulses and beams are good and popular in FW

■ Lacks tank and damage of Tormentor, but much faster and cap is great for web-kiting
with long point
■ Effective engagement profile is limited to short-range brawling frigates

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kiting Executioner ■ Everything that said about Tormentor

− Low: DC II, Heat Sink II, SAAR applies to Executioner
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, web ■ Tank is bad and weapons have no
BALANCED − High: 3x Small Focused Pulse tracking bonus, so being at 0km is
Laser II almost always a bad idea
4
Balanced
6
− Rigs: tank, damage
■ Beam scram-kiting fit trades tracking ■ Typical counter is dual web AB blaster
for more damage. Low and mid slots brawlers (Incursus, Merlin, Atron).
are the same Check if you’re pointed when fighting
2 8 these ships
■ Web-kiting Executioner
− Low: DC II, Heat Sink II, SAAR ■ Combat frigates that can project
− Mid: AB II, point, web damage to web range (Tristan,
− High: 3x Small Focused Pulse Kestrel) are also good choice against
0 10
43% Laser II Executioner
Average 1v1 win rate − Rigs: optimal range
vs T1 frigates

14
Atron I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Flexible brawler, scram or web kiter. Anti-kiting MWD brawling fits are popular and very
good
■ High damage and good application thanks to damage bonuses
■ Falloff bonus makes some unusual fits viable, like scram-kiting with Null
■ Tank with bulkhead rigs is good for attack frigate

Fits Piloting

■ Brawl Atron ■ General advice is to not fight

− Low: DC II, MFS II, SAAR specialized frigates with similar fits (i.e.
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, web blaster Incursus or Merlin in blaster
BALANCED − High: 3x Light Neutron Blaster II Atron, Tormentor in scram-kiting Atron,
− Rigs: bulkheads or damage etc.)
Balanced
4 6 ■ For scram-kiting, fit 125mm rails or ■ Dualprop structure tanked Atron with
load null and add falloff/speed rigs. For SAAR is very good for fishing popular
MWD brawling you may need to kite frigates (kite Tristan, Slicer,
downgrade to Ion blasters Garmur)
2 8
■ Web-kiting Atron
− Low: DC II, MFS II, SAAR
− Mid: AB II, point, web
0 10
− High: 3x 125mm Railgun II
41% − Rigs: bulkheads or damage
Average 1v1 win rate
vs T1 frigates

15
Slasher I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Designed to be flexible brawler/scram-kiter

■ Can fit both TD and nos/neut. EWAR allows to hard-counter some frigates, but Slasher
fits are very situational
■ Damage and tank is weak. If Slasher can’t mitigate most of the damage with EWAR, it is
usually not competitive
■ Shield Slasher is possible, but subpar against almost everything

Fits Piloting

■ EWAR Slasher ■ Your targets are ships vulnerable to

− Low: DC II, SAAR TD and neuting
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, web, TD ■ Avoid drone and missile ships
UNDERPOWERED − High: 3x 200mm AutoCannon II, ■ When fighting brawling frigate:
meta 4 nosferatu − Optimal range script in TD
Balanced − Rigs: tank>damage
4 6 − Load Barrage
− Orbit 8km
■ Shield Slasher ■ When fighting scram-kiters and other
2 8
− Low: DC II, Gyrostabilizer II long-range ships:
− Mid: AB II, scram, web, MSE − Tracking script in TD
− High: 3x150mm Light AutoCannon II − Use nos/neut
− Rigs: tank>damage − Load optimal Navy ammo
0 10 − Orbit 500m
39%
Average 1v1 win rate
vs T1 frigates

16
Crucifier I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ EWAR frigate with bonus to tracking disruptors

■ No tank or damage bonuses, both EHP and DPS are weak
■ 9 light drones (bandwidth for 3) and bonused TD make this frigate viable for solo PVP in
some situations

Fits Piloting

■ Brawl Crucifier ■ Engagement profile is limited to turret

− Low: DC II, EANM II, SAAR or missile based ships. Do not fight
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, web, TD drone frigates
UNDERPOWERED − High: 2x 150mm Light AutoCannon ■ Drones are HP-unbonused, so actually
II Crucifier has less effective drones than
4
Balanced
6
− Rigs: tank max-skilled Tristan (9 vs 12)
■ When fighting brawling frigate:
■ Kite Crucifier − Optimal range script in TD
− Low: 2x Nano II, Overdrive Injector − Load Barrage
2 8
System II − Orbit 8km
− Mid: compact MWD, 2x TD, Warp ■ When fighting scram-kiters and other
Disruptor II long-range ships:
− High: 2x 250mm Light Gallium
0 10 − Tracking script in TD
35% Cannon or similar − Load optimal Navy ammo
Average 1v1 win rate − Rigs: cap, speed
vs T1 frigates − Orbit 500m

17
Maulus I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ EWAR frigate with bonus to sensor dampeners

■ No tank or damage bonuses, both EHP and DPS are weak
■ Very good tackler
■ 6 HP-unbonused light drones (bandwidth for 4) are the only real source of damage,
although Maulus has 2 turret slots

Fits Piloting

■ Kite Maulus ■ Know relevant MWD kiting tricks

− Low: 2x Nano II, Overdrive Injector ■ Maulus is easy frigate to fly, because
Tier: System II double damps cut targeting range on
BALANCED − Mid: compact MWD, 2x damps, average frigate to 10-12km, which
Warp Disruptor II makes slingshot impossible
4
Balanced
6
− High: 2x 250mm Light Gallium
Cannon or similar ■ Solo Maulus maybe won’t be able to
− Rigs: cap, speed kill you solo, but it can keep you
tackled forever
2 8
■ Shoot drones immediately
■ Warriors/Acolutes can force unlinked
Maulus off the field
0 10
43%
Average 1v1 win rate
vs T1 frigates

18
Heron I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Exploration frigate with niche role in solo PvP thanks to 5 mid slots
■ Full range control against most other frigates
■ Weak tank and DPS, but can mitigate a lot of damage
■ Has only one viable fit, and opponents can reship to counter

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kite Heron ■ Heron’s efficiency very heavily relies

− Low: DC II, SAAR on plex mechanics. In this ship you
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, 2x web, TD have to camp plexes and
BALANCED − High: 75mm Gatling Rail II, 2x scram/double web frigates that warp in
Rocket Launcher II ■ Once you established range control,
Balanced − Rigs: tank, speed
4 6 orbit at 7-8km and load optimal range
script in TD
■ Disengage if necessary
2 8
■ Drone and rocket frigates usually can
at least force Heron off the field
■ Consider using double web or web-
0 10 kiting fits if you want to secure the kill
42% against competent Heron pilot
Average 1v1 win rate
vs T1 frigates

19
Magnate I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Exploration frigate that can fit a strong armor tank with decent damage
■ Good in 2 roles: anti-kite MWD/scram fit with cap booster and standard scram-kiter
■ Thanks to very generous CPU, active tank with 2 EANMs and SAAR is comparable to
Incursus

Fits Piloting

■ Anti-kite Magnate ■ MWD/scram fit:

− Low: DC II, SAR II, 2x EANM II − Pick fights with likely MWD-kite
Tier: − Mid: compact MWD, scram, cap frigates
BALANCED booster − With cap booster and strong
− High: 2x 125mm Gatling capstable reps this fit is very
Balanced AutoCannon II, Rocket Launcher II forgiving, and you will have several
4 6
− Rigs: PG, tank attempts to slingshot and land
scram
■ Scram-kiting Magnate: ■ Scram-kite fit:
2 8
− Low: DC II, SAAR II, 2x EANM II − Your targets are short-range
− Mid: AB II, scram, web brawlers, but you can fight some
− High: 2x 200mm AutoCannon II, weaker scram-kiter frigates
Rocket Launcher II − SAAR reps almost half of armor HP
0 10
28% − Rigs: tank per cycle. Do not perma-run it
Average 1v1 win rate
vs T1 frigates

20
 1v1 T1 frigates win rates I II III IV

Combat frigates Attack frigates Other T1 frigates

Opp.
Kestrel Merlin Torm. Punisher Incursus Tristan Breacher Rifter Condor Exec. Atron Slasher Crucifier Maulus Heron Magnate
You

Kestrel = 51% 23% 38% 38% 31% 19% 55% 63% 48% = 64% 74% 56% 59% 68%

Merlin 49% = 27% 42% 41% 34% 33% 63% 54% 49% 53% 52% 67% 49% 52% 72%

Torm. 77% 73% = 59% 60% 58% 54% 76% 67% 76% 67% 78% 83% 72% 66% 79%
Combat frigates

Punisher 62% 58% 41% = 35% 39% 36% 73% 57% 66% 62% 47% 64% 67% 68% 81%

Incursus 62% 59% 40% 65% = 43% 40% 69% 65% 62% 65% 58% 57% 57% 64% 62%

Tristan 69% 66% 42% 61% 57% = 44% 80% 77% 73% 74% 86% 83% 69% 70% 77%

Breacher 81% 67% 46% 64% 60% 56% = 78% 88% 65% 70% 84% 93% 75% 76% 89%

Rifter 45% 37% 24% 27% 31% 20% 22% = 62% 47% 45% 46% 31% 43% 44% 52%

Condor 37% 46% 33% 43% 35% 23% 12% 38% = 48% 43% 43% 60% 40% 54% 64%
Attack frigates

Exec. 52% 51% 24% 34% 38% 27% 35% 53% 52% = 54% 54% 54% 35% 60% 74%

Atron = 47% 33% 38% 35% 26% 30% 55% 57% 46% = 52% 60% 48% 52% 73%

Slasher 36% 48% 22% 53% 42% 14% 16% 54% 57% 46% 48% = 30% 54% 52% 82%

Crucifier 26% 33% 17% 36% 43% 17% 7% 69% 40% 46% 40% 70% = 56% = =
Other T1 frigates

Maulus 44% 51% 28% 33% 43% 31% 25% 57% 60% 65% 52% 46% 44% = 64% 60%

Heron 41% 48% 34% 32% 36% 30% 24% 56% 46% 40% 48% 48% = 36% = 77%

Magnate 32% 28% 21% 19% 38% 23% 11% 48% 36% 26% 27% 18% = 40% 23% =

Sample: 80,918 frigate 1v1 fights form January 2015 to May 2016 21
Content

I. The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP

II. T1 frigates

III. Faction frigates

IV. Supplements

22
 Overview I II III IV

Number of 1v1 fights and average win rates* Overview

■ Faction frigates are the first upgrade of T1 frigates. They are still fairly
Comet 12,244 68% accessible (properly fitted faction frigate will cost about 30 million isk)
and have wider engagement profile than T1 frigates. Faction frigates split
into two main groups:
Slicer 5,207 35%
− Combat faction frigates. Straightforward upgrade of combat T1 frigates
in dps, tank, or extra slots
Firetail 5,054 36%
− EWAR faction frigates. Ships with racial EWAR bonuses tweaked for
close-range solo PvP
Astero 4,863 61%
■ Astero is technically a “pirate” frigate, but in terms of combat strength it
belongs to faction frigates
Hookbill 3,348 47%

Recent rebalances
Navy Maulus 784 37%
■ Slight combat faction frigates rebalance happened in December 2015:
Fleet Vigil 642 51% − Firetail tracking buff and Hookbill dps buff. Both ships are still not good
in straight dps races and rely on numerous mid slots to counter
Navy Griffin 413 53% opponent with extra utility. Buffs did not change the general approach
to fights with or against them

Navy Crucifier 373 46% ■ EWAR faction frigates were first introduced in December 2015
− Overall these ships are in a good place. However, EWAR bonuses
make them predictable, which is a disadvantage because of rock-
Combat faction frigates Borderline
paper-scissory nature of frigate solo PvP. Common approach is to skip
Astero Balanced
some of EWAR bonuses completely and fit these frigates as upgraded
EWAR faction frigates versions of T1 frigates

* Number of fights for EWAR faction frigates is not comparable with combat faction frigates due to December 2015 release 23
Caldari Navy Hookbill I II III IV

Ship profile

■ Very versatile ship that can counter any other frigate in the game
■ 5 mid slots can be fitted with many variations of utility and EWAR modules, like double
web and TD or web and jams on brawling fits, double damps or TDs/TP on kiting fits
■ Hookbill is supposed to be shield tanked, but often people fit SAAR to use maximum
utility from the mid slots

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kiting anti-turret Hookbill ■ Damage and tank are not great for a
− Low: DC II, SAAR faction frigate, and Hookbill can lose
Tier: − Mid: AB II, scram, 2x web, TD straight dps races even against T1
BALANCED − High: 3x Rocket Launcher II frigates
− Rigs: speed, dps
Balanced
■ Fit against correct types of ships:
4 6 ■ Scram-kiting jamming Hookbill
− Low: DC II, nano − Turret AB frigate? Double web TD
− Mid: AB II, scram, web, MSE, ECM Hookbill
− High: 3x Rocket Launcher II − Rocket AB frigate? Hookbill with
2 8
− Rigs: tank correct racial jammer
− Kiters/web kiters? Damping kiting
■ Kiting Hookbill Hookbill
− Low: overdrives/nanos
− Mid: MWD, 2x damps, cap booster, ■ Hookbill is weak against drone frigates
0 10
47% warp disruptor and destroyers
Average 1v1 win rate − High: 3x Light Missile Launcher
vs faction frigates

24
Imperial Navy Slicer I II III IV

Ship profile

■ With bonus on optimal range and 5 low slots Slicer is a strong kiter with excellent speed,
agility, and dps
■ Slicer is a very skill-intensive frigate, because you will need near perfect cap, navigation
and turret skills to really get the most out of it
■ Slicers have minimal tank (if any) and will die very quickly under scram

Fits Piloting

■ Standard pulse Slicer ■ The biggest weakness of Slicer is that

Tier:
BALANCED
Balanced
4 6
2 8
■ Beam fit is identical. Some prefer to fly
0 10
35%
Average 1v1 win rate
vs faction frigates
− Low: 2x Heat Sink II, 2x nano,
SAAR
− Mid: compact MWD, Warp Disruptor
II
− High: 2x Small Focused Pulse
Laser II
− Rigs: optimal range (T2)
without any tank – in this case, drop
SAAR for overdrive or swap one heat
sink with tracking enhancers and fit
better MWD
everyone knows its fit and tries to
bring counters
■ Against anti-kiting fits (MWD/scram)
you will have to do some manual
piloting and do not always commit to
25km range to apply damage
■ I do not recommend going into
camped plexes with Slicer unless you
at least have Snakes
■ Against Slicer inside plex dualprop
Atron is the cheapest counter
■ Occasional wild 10MN or brawling
Slicer is a thing in FW

25
Federation Navy Comet I II III IV

Ship profile

■ Comet is the king of faction frigates. It has great dps, a lot of buffer tank in structure, and
can reach unusually high speed with MWD
■ Comets is FW come in two variations: blaster max dps fits and scram-kiters with 150mm
railguns
■ Sometimes overdrive MWD or dualprop Comets are used as tanky anti-kiters

Fits Piloting

■ Blaster Comet ■ First thing you should do before

− Low: DC II, SAAR, 2x Magnetic fighting a Comet is to check its guns
Tier: Field Stabilizer II (either by ‘look at’ or by killboard)
BORDERLINE − Mid: AB II, scram, web ■ Blaster Comets can be countered by
− High: 2x Light Neutron Blaster II,
Balanced
scram-kiting with double web/TD
neut
4 6 Hookbill or TD arty Firetail. Be aware
− Rigs: Bulkheads II that some close-range Comets use
■ You can swap AB for MWD, scram for ECM drones to reset range control in
double webs and neut for nos if their favor. Oversize AB destroyers
2 8
needed and neut Tristans are cheaper, but less
■ Scram-kiting rail Comet reliable options
− Low, Mid and Rigs: same as blaster ■ Against rail fit use blaster Comet.
fit
0
68%
10 Double web if you enter plex and
− High: 2x 150mm Railgun II
Average 1v1 win rate
standard scram/web if you camp plex
vs faction frigates

26
Republic Fleet Firetail I II III IV

Ship profile

■ Flying Firetail and Hookbill feels similar: below average tank and dps, but very flexible
slot layout. However, Firetail has more predictable weapons and only 4 mid slots
compared to Hookbill, which do not quite compensate weaknesses in base stats
■ In FW most Firetails are armor tanked. Arty fits use TD or second web in spare mid slot,
while autocannon fits usually go for roaming dualprop setups or tankier dual rep
capboosted setups

Fits Piloting

■ Arty Firetail ■ If you have no idea about Firetail’s fit,

− Low: DC, SAAR, Gyrostabilizer bring drone or rocket scram-kiter (rail
Tier: − Mid: AB, scram, web, TD (or second Tristan or rocket Hookbill will work)
BALANCED web) ■ Against arty Firetails manually
− High: 2x 280mm Howitzer Artillery
Balanced
maximize your transversal. If possible,
II, Rocket Launcher
4 6 you can also try to burn out of web
− Rigs: alpha, tank range and back into close range –
some pilots forget to reactivate web
2 8
■ AC Firetail and will deal almost no damage
− Low: DC, SAAR, Gyrostabilizer ■ If you are roaming in a Firetail, bring
− Mid: AB, MWD, scram, web
arty/ac refits in cargo (you will need
− High: 2x 150mm Light AutoCannon only 3 extra modules for this). Use arty
II, Rocket Launcher
0
36%
10 against turret ships and autocannons
− Rigs: damage, tank
Average 1v1 win rate
against everything else
vs faction frigates

27
Griffin Navy Issue I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ GNI is high dps, low tank blaster frigate with mostly ECM range control
■ Most GNIs will have MWD, scram, and from one to three ECM modules fitted
■ Current ECM mechanics mean that the outcome of many scram-range fights will depend
on random chance. It makes this ship not very fun to fly or fight against

Fits Piloting

■ Shield GNI ■ Bring refits for all racial jams. Do not

− Low: MFS II, MAPC roam with mulispecs
Tier: − Mid: MWD, scram, MSE II, 2x ECM ■ If you have multiple jams and already
BALANCED − High: 2x Light Neutron Blaster II, jammed your opponent, jam his
Rocket Launcher II drones too
4
Balanced
6
− Rigs: damage, tank
■ To counter GNI, use kiting ships.
Ideally drone-based and not obvious
■ Armor GNI kiters – kite Tristan or 10MN Algos will
− Low: DC, SAAR
2 8 work
− Mid: MWD, scram, 3x ECM
− High: 2x Light Neutron Blaster II,
Rocket Launcher II (or Nos)
0 10
− Rigs: damage, tank
53%
Average 1v1 win rate
vs faction frigates

28
Crucifier Navy Issue I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ CNI is an EWAR faction frigate with bonus to tracking disruptor. Since people don’t fight
CNIs in ships vulnerable to TDs, its EWAR bonus is often useless and TD is skipped in
favor of second web
■ CNI is a strong scram kiter, essentially a buffed Tormentor. Beam fits can reach 220-250
dps and with double webs this frigate has no problems with damage application in scram
range

Fits Piloting

■ Beam CNI ■ Piloting CNI is very similar to piloting a

Tier:
BALANCED
Balanced
4 6
■ Pulse CNI
2 8
0 10
46%
Average 1v1 win rate
vs faction frigates
− Low: DC, SAAR, Heat Sink II
− Mid: AB, scram, 2x web
− High: 2x Small Focused Beam
Laser II
− Rigs: damage, tank
− Low: DC, SAAR, Heat Sink II
− Mid: AB, scram, web, TD
− High: 2x Small Focused Pulse
Laser II, Nosferatu
− Rigs: damage, tank
Tormentor:
− Burn to the edge of scram range
− Change crystals according to
distance
− With beam fit minimize transversal
■ If you are roaming in CNI, bring refits
for 4th mid slot (second web, tracking
disruptor and guidance disruptor)
■ Good matchups against CNI are tanky
drone ships (10MN Algos) and strong
scram-kiters (rail Comet with
appropriate ammo)

29
Maulus Navy Issue I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ MNI is a drone frigate with bonuses on scram range and scram strength. In FW in most
situations these bonuses are irrelevant, so MNI is essentially a Tristan with fourth low
slot and slightly buffed base tanking stats
■ However, unlike Tristan, MNI in its class is fairly underwhelming. You can’t efficiently go
with full neuts (only 2 high slots), can’t kite or anti-kite (too slow) and can’t brawl (no
turret bonuses). The only competitive fits are scram kiter and dual rep brick tanked MNI

Fits Piloting

■ Scram-kite MNI ■ With drones as main dps scram-kite

− Low: DC, SAAR, 2x DDA II MNI can choose any range within
Tier: − Mid: AB, scram, web 10km to minimize incoming damage
BALANCED − High: any AC/arty/rail weapon ■ Against single rep scram-kite MNI any
− Rigs: bulkheads
Balanced
strong scram-kiter should work well
4 6 ■ Armor tank fit (with EANM and active (rail Comet or even Tormentor)
tank armor rigs) is also viable
■ Against dual rep MNI, choose range to
minimize damage from its weapons
2 8 ■ Dual rep MNI and start killing drones. If you can kill
− Low: DC, SAAR, Small Armor all drones before they break your tank,
Repairer II, EANM II you win. If not, align out and try to
− Mid: MWD, scram, cap booster disengage. Remember that MNI has
0 10 − High: any AC/arty/rail weapon 16km scram
37% − Rigs: resists, tank
Average 1v1 win rate
vs faction frigates

30
Vigil Fleet Issue I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ VFI is a missile frigate with 50% web range bonus, which makes it natural web-kiter
■ This ship uses 3 damage systems (rockets, guns and drones) and it is quite skill-
intensive. With good skills, however, damage is very good for a web-kiting frigate, up to
about 200 dps
■ VFI is slightly better against armor tanked ships thanks to extra explosive dps bonus

Fits Piloting

■ Web-kiting VFI: ■ Your main targets in a VFI are close-

− Low: DC, SAAR, BCS II range ships, but VFI can fight many
Tier: − Mid: AB, point, 2x web standard fits because with long double
BALANCED − High: 2x Rocket Launcher II, webs it can disengage against any
280mm Howitzer Artillery II AB/scram/web frigate
Balanced − Rigs: damage, tank
4 6 ■ During a fight constantly check if your
range control is enough to avoid
■ As any other armor tanked 4 mid slot damage. If yes, you are likely winning
frigate, VFI has some flexibility for
2 8 ■ Anything that can project damage to
unusual fits. You can add TD or jam to 20km and has strong tank (for
standard AB/scram/web/SAAR combo
example, rail Comet) will have good
or use cap booster and fit second rep chances against VFI, because its
0
51%
10 single-rep tank is weak. MWD/web fits
Average 1v1 win rate
is another viable option
vs faction frigates

31
Astero I II III IV

Pic Ship profile

■ Despite being a exploration frigate, Astero has excellent tank and almost infinite supply
of drones to deal damage
■ With covops cloak it can fly through the most active lowsec systems without risk of dying
to instalocking camps
■ Most Asteros in FW have dual rep and cap booster. Single rep Asteros fit second web or
EWAR in fourth mid slot

Fits Piloting

■ Dual rep Astero: ■ Astero has very weak dps (about 100-
− Low: DC, EANM II, SAAR + SAR II 120), so your general strategy is to
Tier: − Mid: AB, scram, web, cap booster establish range control and outlast
BALANCED − High: covops cloak, gun/neut/nos your opposition
− Rigs: active tank + explosive resist
Balanced
■ Against Astreo you have 3 options:
4 6 ■ Single rep Astero:
− Low: DC, 2x EANM II, SAAR − Frigates that can break through
− Mid: AB, scram, web, web/TD double active reps (blaster DD,
− High, rigs: same dualweb Comet)
2 8
■ It is viable to fit deadspace active reps. − Ships with enough sustained tank
You will get similar tank to SAAR with and higher dps than Astero (active
paste Succubus or similar)
0 10 ■ Remaining high slot can be filled with − High-dps kiters (Slicer, Garmur) and
61% anything you like – gun, neut, nos or a hope that Astero has only one set of
Average 1v1 win rate
vs faction frigates probe launcher fast drones

32
 1v1 faction frigates win rates I II III IV

Opp.
You Hookbill Slicer Comet Firetail Griffin NI Crucifier NI Maulus NI Vigil FI Astero

Hookbill = 53% 40% 60% 52% 59% 59% 48% 30%

Slicer 47% = 25% 44% 53% 47% 42% 39% 41%

Comet 60% 75% = 72% = 65% 78% 59% 44%

Firetail 40% 56% 28% = 14% 40% 61% 36% 17%

Griffin NI 48% 47% = 86% = 27% 43% 67% 57%

Crucifier NI 41% 53% 35% 60% 73% = 60% 48% 44%

Maulus NI 41% 58% 22% 39% 57% 40% = 43% 66%

Vigil FI 52% 61% 41% 64% 33% 52% 57% = 45%

Astero 70% 59% 56% 83% 43% 56% 34% 55% =

Sample: 32,928 faction frigate 1v1 fights from January 2015 to May 2016 33
Content

I. The rock-paper-scissors of frigate PvP

II. T1 frigates

III. Faction frigates

IV. Supplements

34
Frigate micromanagement mistakes and how to avoid them I II III IV

When What Mental checklist

Монолитные
Before fight ■ SAAR auto reload ON Right click on SAAR to check auto reload setting before every fight
листы
These settings are ship-specific. When you change scram-kite Tristan with 7km
■ Wrong orbit / keep at
orbiting range to kite Tristan, kite Tristan will have 7km orbiting range as well. Check
range settings
settings before every fight

Overheat guns if in range. Always overheat active tank. Overheat prop module only if
■ Not overheating you really need to pull/close range or react to opponent’s overheated prop module.
Always be ready to overheat the shortest range control module (scram, web or point)

Load close range ammo against likely brawlers, mid-range ammo against scram-
■ Wrong ammo type or
kiters, etc. Use EM against shield tanked frigates and explosive against armor tanked
range
frigates

During fight ■ Modules deactivating Unstack guns and activate them individually. Choose 1-2 most important range control
under neut pressure or tank modules and spam them with hotkeys

Excessive range control or e-war means that shield frigate is armor tanked and you
■ No ammo swap should swap type of damage immediately. For range or tracking issues use combat log
notifications

Start MASB/SAAR cycles at 60-70% shield/armor. Generally follow ‘activate > stop >
■ Overrepping
overheat > activate’ routine

Am I scrammed, double webbed or both? After 30 seconds – am I winning or losing?

■ Not disengaging You can save a lot of lost scram-range fights by overheating mid slots and aligning out
in the right direction

35
Abbreviations I II III IV

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

AB Afterburner MSB Medium shield booster
AC(s) Autocannon(s) MSE Medium shield extender
Arty Artillery MWD Microwarpdrive
BCS Ballistic control system Nano Nanofiber internal structure
Cap Capacitor Neut Energy neutralizer
CCC Capacitor control circuit Nos Energy nosferatu
Damp Remote sensor dampener OP Overpowered
DC Damage control PDS Power diagnostic system
DDA Drone damage amplifier PG Powergrid
DPS Damage per second Point Warp disruptor
EANM Energized adaptive nano membrane PvP Player versus player
ECM Electronic counter measures Rail(s) Railgun(s)
EHP Effective hitpoints SAAR Small ancillary armor repairer
EWAR Electronic warfare SAR Small armor repairer
FW Factional warfare Scram Warp scrambler
LML Light missile launcher T1/T2 Tech 1/Tech 2
MAPC Micro auxiliary power core TD Tracking disruptor
MASB Medium ancillary shield booster UP Underpowered

36
 Changelog and future development I II III IV

Changelog between 3.0 and 1.0 Future development

1. Guide now focuses only on novice plexes instead of all 1. Pirate frigates
frigates in Factional warfare − Daredevil
2. 8 faction frigates added − Dramiel
− Worm
3. Astero added
− Garmur
4. New “Overview” slides at the beginning of each frigate class − Succubus
section − Cruor
5. Some T1 frigate descriptions changed to reflect December 2. Fleet doctrines in novice plexes
2015 balance changes
6. New statistics on frigate usage frequency in 1v1 and win 3. Better killboard analysis
rates
7. New “Win rates” slides at the end of each frigate class
section Credits
8. New “Supplements” section with some relevant additional
information 1. Gorski Car – Small Gang Tier List
9. Slides redesign 2. Kelon Darklight – How to solo PVP
10. New pictures for each frigate 3. Kelon Darklight – Kelon’s Almanac of Solo Ships
11. “Score” is now called “Tier” and reflects overall strength of the 4. Zkillboard – killboard statistics
ship
5. EvE-Overmind – killboard statistics

37