I finally am flying a Battlecruiser, and I got jumped by a swarm of frigates. Once they got below 6 km, or so, I couldn’t hit them. They orbited me at 1 to 2 km, and I couldn’t get them into a tail chase situation. (They were 150 m/s faster than me. For some reason, my drones couldn’t hit them either.)
I eventually ended up making a quick trip home and buying a “smart bomb” (AoE device) to finally complete that mission. It absolutely sucks that using a “smart bomb” flags me as a criminal, even though no neutral or friendly NPC’s were within 10 AU of my deadspace battle site.
Drones have tracking too, and if you’re using large drones they’ll never hit frigs. Mediums don’t do so well either. Small drones will eat frigates alive. Not sure what race of ships you’re using, but if you’re in the drone-based Gallente (or Amarr) BC you’ll want to keep multiple sets of drones and switch around depending on what they’re supposed to hit. If you’re not in a drone-based BC, then your dronebay is mostly supplemental damage and should be focused on small drones for this very reason. Better 5 smalls that can hit anything than 2 mediums that don’t amount to much damage anyways and might not hit fast frigs.
I play Eve often. I won’t get into particulars because others have done so and it is up for you to discover yourself.
Remember though…Eve is a journey, not a race. You can do rewarding activities at all skill levels. Do not fall into the “I have to wait to do that” mentality. Day 10 players can do many interesting things.
Eve PvP is all the rage. However, I am not a fan of Eve PvP (though many are). Eve PvP is not what you think. In Eve, “PvP” doesn’t stand for player versus player…but “Player versus People”. This means that 99.99% of all PvP outcomes are decided before the fight does. Eve PvP is won through superior numbers and your ability to attract or join an organized group*. The standard saying on Eve is “If you find yourself in a fair fight, that just means his friends will show up in a few seconds”. So if you, like me, like a thinking, fair test of your combat abilities you will be disappointed. If you like being a pack of wolves that runs from any fight you have the possibility of losing and only fights when guaranteed a win then Eve “PvP” is for you.
That being said, while Eve PvP is what everyone talks about…that is NOT the main reason to play Eve.
The main reason, IMO, is the economy. The Eve economy is in a league of it’s own. Actually probably Pro sport franchice to little league in comparison to whatever is the second best economy game out there.
Eve economy is too spectacular to be believed by anyone who hasn’t experienced it and it is the main reason I play.
If you want to look me up in game, my name is ‘Wetwater’ or sometimes I play under my daughters toon of "Nuela’. I tend to live in ‘null space’ - which means space that has no NPC police force presence - purely player owned space**. Would be happy to answer questions etc.
If you think you can just join a group you want by asking, think again. Eve’s player run groups (called corporations) are infamous for being very paranoid about letting you in as well as demanding proof of your ability in some instances. You want to join a great PvP corporation they will demand PROOF that you are a good PvPer. Gaining trust of others while keeping a healthy sense of paranoia will tax your social skills. You will (or at least should) eventually realize that your reputation really IS imoprtant to maintain.
** The way I explain null space politics to new people is think of the Feudal system of Medieval Europe. You swear allegiance to your overlord and you provide him some resources. In return for this payment, he is charged with protecting you and your space because it isn’t really your space…it is your overlords. He NEEDS you to farm the land and provide him resources and you NEED your overlord to provide some stability in order to make a living. Unlike being a peasant though, you can make considerable money/resources for yourself…much more that you tithe to your overlord.
The politics itself is much like the Mafia. While you owe alliegence to your overlord and provide him resources, many times you (as in your corp/alliance) can go above and beyond. You can participate as militia during fights/wars, for example. If you show your usefulness/loyalty to your overlords, they may recognise this and raise you in status in their eyes…giving you richer space, access to resources etc.
Direct fire weapon turrets (laser, hybrid, projectile) have a handy letter on the image/icon that let’s you know what fitting size this weapon requires. What about missile launchers?
Can I mount a Heavy Missile Launcher on a frigate that has only “small” fitting slots?
I’m also a recent Eve noob. I had dabbled in it a couple of years back, and just jumped in it again. I’ve been craving more complex games recently, and I’m not sure you can get more complex than Eve.
Thankfully, I’m in a large guild that has an Eve chapter. So I at least have some folks to hang with. I didn’t have that last time, and I believe it was a contributing factor to me quitting.
If you need a sympathetic ear, or a shoulder to cry on, you can hit me up in game on my main (Peanut Ormand). If you need detailed information that involves frightening math, you can still hit me up, but I will just stare blankly at you. (then google furiously)
I’m playing again after an absence of some 18 months. (Been back about two)
If you are just starting or are getting back into it, my corporation is about to move into a wormhole system. This looks to be huge fun as well as likely quite lucrative. The corp is small, but very good folks (mature, smart . . . they’d fit in well at The Dope).
If you are interested in affiliation with the corp or you just need help, EVE mail me in game.
Ok, thanks!