Introduction to T1 frigates - Amarr, Caldari

In this post and the next I will go through the t1 pvp frigates, and give an example of a "standard" fit.  Some ships work fine if you are lacking skills for t2 modules, other ships do not.  Feel free to adjust the fits as needed for skills or cost.  Most of the fits have only minimal ammo and drones - always bring a full drone bay and multiple types of ammo.  Today is only caldari and amarr frigates.  Minmatar and Gallente will be the next post.

Amarr Frigates:

Executioner - This is a great frigate.  Like the other "attack" frigates it is relatively fast.  The long range of t2 pulse lasers combined with its speed allow you to scram kite in this very effectively.  This ship really needs t2 guns and good supports, particularly capacitor skills.

[Executioner, scram kite]
Small Ancillary Armor Repairer, Nanite Repair Paste
Damage Control II
Heat Sink II

1MN Afterburner II
Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I
Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I

Small Focused Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
Small Focused Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
Small Focused Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
[empty high slot]

Punisher - This is one of the weakest t1 frigates.  Its poor tracking, combined with its slow speed and lack of range control (because it has only 2 mids) make it much worse than the executioner and tormentor.  It works 'ok' against scram kiters because of its natural range, but you have no way to stop them from disengaging and leaving.  There is a gimmick fit you can use for this against mwd kiters.  With this gimmick fit, you want to pretend to have an afterburner by manually adjusting your speed, and then using heat and your max speed to land the scram.  Yes, it has autocannons.  You can fit dual light pulses if you would like, which gives you a bit more dps, but the capacitor on it already needs careful management.  The standard fit is linked as well, but I do not recommend it.

[Punisher, fake ab]
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Small Armor Repairer II
Damage Control II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II

Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I

200mm AutoCannon II, Republic Fleet EMP S
200mm AutoCannon II, Republic Fleet EMP S
200mm AutoCannon II, Republic Fleet EMP S
Small Diminishing Power System Drain I

Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I
Small Nanobot Accelerator I

[Punisher, Standard]
200mm Reinforced Steel Plates II
Damage Control II
Small Ancillary Armor Repairer, Nanite Repair Paste
Heat Sink II

1MN Afterburner II
Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I

Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency S
Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency S
Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency S
Small 'Knave' Energy Drain

Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I
Small Energy Metastasis Adjuster I



Rest of the frigates after the break



Tormentor - This is like the punisher, but better.  Sure, its missing the armor resist bonus, but it has more dps, and the all important web.  Dont forget to launch your drones when using this, they make up a lot of your dps.  The addition of the web and drones makes the tormentor a much less vulnerable brawler than the punisher. 

[Tormentor, Fit 1]
Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
Heat Sink II
200mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Small Ancillary Armor Repairer, Nanite Repair Paste

1MN Afterburner II
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
X5 Prototype Engine Enervator

Small Focused Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
Small Focused Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
Small Focused Pulse Laser II, Scorch S

Small Energy Collision Accelerator I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I

Hobgoblin II x2

Caldari Frigates:

Heron - I thought this was only combat frigates?  The heron turns out to be one of the best duelists of all the t1 frigates.  Because of how powerful ewar is, mid slots are the strongest kind of slot in frigate combat, and the heron has a whopping 5 of them, along with a large drone bay.  This ship can kill most other t1 frigates with ease.  The dps is lacking, the tank is weak, but the TD lets you take almost no damage.  Avoid missile and drone ships in this.

[Heron, ez lyfe]
Small Armor Repairer II
Damage Control II

1MN Afterburner II
Balmer Series Tracking Disruptor I, Optimal Range Disruption Script
Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I
Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I
Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I

Rocket Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Rocket
[empty high slot]

Small Capacitor Control Circuit I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I

Hobgoblin II x3




Condor - This is the prototypical MWD kiter.  Its fast and has cruiser range on its light missile launchers.  You can brawl in these as well, although the kestrel is used more often for that.  It is cap stable while orbiting.  The fit below has an MSE.  Many people will drop it for a second TD, or defensive web.  Its dps is poor and it is limited to kinetic only, but the crazy range on LMLs and the crazy power of even unbonused TDs or damps make up for that entirely.

[Condor, LML kite]
Ballistic Control System II
Micro Auxiliary Power Core II

Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
Medium F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction
Warp Disruptor II
Balmer Series Tracking Disruptor I, Tracking Speed Disruption Script

Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
[empty high slot]

Small Processor Overclocking Unit I
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I

Kestrel - This is very similar to the condor, but it trades the speed and capacitor of the condor for an extra launcher and omni damage.  Because it is slower than the condor people usually, but not always, brawl in it.  I have a shield fit below, but a dual web or web/td armor fit is also very common.

[Kestrel, New ]
Ballistic Control System II
Damage Control II

1MN Afterburner II
Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I
Medium Shield Extender II
Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I

Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Rocket

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

Merlin - This is the king brawler.  It has large tank (for a t1 frigate anyway), huge dps (in blaster range).  It is possible to escape from it, particularly in a faster scram kiter like a rifter or executioner, but you might die first, since it puts out 270 dps with heated void.  While pulling range from it, you will have near 0 transversal.  You can also scram kite with rail merlin.

[Merlin, New Setup 1]
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Micro Auxiliary Power Core II

1MN Afterburner II
Medium Shield Extender II
Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I
Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I

Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S
Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S
Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S

Small Core Defense Field Extender I
Small Core Defense Field Extender I
Small Core Defense Field Extender I