Posted - 2010.01.09 14:14:00 - [3]

 

Edited by: Sinchai N''Bien on 09/01/2010 14:14:31

Originally by: Intigo

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I'd really use a Merlin instead. You could tank it up and use it as a bit of a durable tackler instead - you aren't going to be dealing much damage in a rocket Kestrel anyway.

<snip>

Honestly though - the Merlin atleast stands somewhat of a chance in PvP, the Kestrel is just bad.

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Something like this?
[Merlin, Tackler]
F85 Peripheral Damage System I
Micro K-Exhaust Core Augmentation

Catalyzed Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
Initiated Harmonic Warp Scrambler I
X5 Prototype I Engine Enervator
Medium Clarity Ward Booster I

OE-5200 Rocket Launcher, Gremlin Rocket
OE-5200 Rocket Launcher, Gremlin Rocket
Small Diminishing Power System Drain I
Small Diminishing Power System Drain I

Small Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Small Core Defence Capacitor safeguard I
Small Core Defence Capacitor safeguard I


2460 ehp + boost, web/scram and decent speed... Not sure about the rigs, but the boost dries up cap quickly.

Posted - 2010.01.09 15:26:00 - [5]

 

If you have ever flown the kestrel in pvp you would know not to ever MSE fit unless your in a gang with someone else providing a web! Not only have i flown it with an mse fit solo and have seen a punisher, incursus, rifter, and tristan speed tank my rocket damage without active repping even if they did have a repper fit.

I can tell you that the only weakness of the kestrel is speed and tank. Its able to break even the toughes t1 frig tanks but lacks the staying power, doesnt have the speed to dictate range and mitigate damage! Infact its very similar to the incursus and can also be all gank fit to put down massive amout of damage!

Always fit a web!!!

I dont need to go into proving this cause you just have to go out and do it and you'll see for yourself. I Have found success and failure with the kestrel in pvp and currently only use an sml version in fleets not to mention my corp mates now fly them as such in are fleet ops...

[Kestrel, Kestrel]
Damage Control I
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I

Micro Capacitor Booster I, Cap Booster 150
1MN MicroWarpdrive I
Warp Disruptor II

Standard Missile Launcher II, Bloodclaw Fury Light Missile
Standard Missile Launcher II, Bloodclaw Fury Light Missile
Standard Missile Launcher II, Bloodclaw Fury Light Missile
[empty high slot]

Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I

4500/ehp kestrel with trimarks seems to be the most dangerous of all the fits....

[Kestrel, Kestrel/B-0]
Damage Control II
200mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I

Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
Warp Scrambler II
Stasis Webifier II

Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket

Small Trimark Armor Pump I
Small Trimark Armor Pump I
Small Trimark Armor Pump I

This fit is ment to be faster than a general rifter fit and should give you enough time to kill most t1 frigs but not a rail/tristan, incursus with extension rigs or rifter with barrage loaded... 1100m/sec

[Kestrel, Kestrel/A-0]
Damage Control II
Small Armor Repairer II

1MN Afterburner II
Warp Scrambler II
Stasis Webifier II

Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket

Small Auxiliary Thrusters I
Small Auxiliary Thrusters I
Small Auxiliary Thrusters I

And yeah the Ac/Merlin is the better beast, but the kestrel is better in fleets....

Posted - 2010.01.09 15:35:00 - [7]

 

Kestrel was a good ship until they borked rockets, now it's just mediocre. You receive a 50%ish damage reduction against an unwebbed ab frigate so the primary reason to fly a kessie (double damage bonus on an mse fit) is gone, though it's worth trying out proxyyys fits.

All caldari tier 3 ships (merlin, moa and rokh) are hybrid platforms so it's worth training to use guns if you want to pvp otherwise you're limited to the kestrel, caracal and drake for cheap T1 fun.

The cookie cutter merlin setup looks like this:

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

1MN Afterburner II
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
X5 Prototype I Engine Enervator
Medium F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction

Light Ion Blaster II, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
Light Ion Blaster II, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket

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

The medium shield extender is preferred to a booster because you'll get buffer and passive regen for zero cap use. Web is there because blasters are short range and you need to get close to your opponent.

Alternatively a caracal is pretty cheap after your initial investment if you insure it, if you have missile skills this might not be a bad route.

[Caracal, little ass]
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II

10MN MicroWarpdrive I
Warp Disruptor II
X5 Prototype I Engine Enervator
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II

Assault Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile
Assault Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile
Assault Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile
Assault Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile
Assault Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Anti-Thermal Screen Reinforcer I


Warrior II x2

A second web can be a good alternative to the second extender.

This is an anti frigate platform capable of downing pretty much any frigate, T1 or T2. It's not so good against cruisers though.

Another option is the griffin though you might have problems with DPS until your skills get higher:

[Griffin, New Setup 1]
Ballistic Control System II

1MN MicroWarpdrive I
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
'Hypnos' Multispectral ECM I
'Hypnos' Multispectral ECM I

Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket
Light Ion Blaster II, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S

Small Ancillary Current Router I
Small Particle Dispersion Augmentor I
Small Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I

Hope that helps

Posted - 2010.01.09 15:53:00 - [9]

 

Originally by: Proxyyyy

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If you have ever flown the kestrel in pvp you would know not to ever MSE fit unless your in a gang with someone else providing a web! Not only have i flown it with an mse fit solo and have seen a punisher, incursus, rifter, and tristan speed tank my rocket damage without active repping even if they did have a repper fit.

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You haven't a single chance in close pvp without a MSE.
And you may fit almost any frig in long fit and kill close frigates...

Yes, rocket damage is reduced by speed and 160-180 dps from CN or fury rockets is only EFT numbers, if you shoot frigate with it. But it is still high - around 100-120 from CN.

Btw, rockets will be boosted *soon*

Posted - 2010.01.09 16:56:00 - [11]

 

Originally by: yani dumyat

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Originally by: Sidus Isaacs

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Edited by: Sidus Isaacs on 09/01/2010 15:50:19

Originally by: yani dumyat

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double damage bonus

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Actually, it only has a single bonus. Single effective bonus at any rate.

It either boosts kinetics, or the others, so whatever missile you load only one bonus is there at a time. Kinda sad really. And it still outdamages AFs like Hawk :/

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Indeed the hawk makes me sad

It's a double damage bonus because it's normally 5% per level not 10%.

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Not if you compare it to i.e. Hookbill tho. Then Hookbill has 3 bonuses ;)

Posted - 2010.01.12 01:45:00 - [13]

 

Originally by: Proxyyyy

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[Kestrel, Kestrel/B-0]
Damage Control II
200mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I

Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
Warp Scrambler II
Stasis Webifier II

Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Thorn Rocket

Small Trimark Armor Pump I
Small Trimark Armor Pump I
Small Trimark Armor Pump I

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This is an extremely powerful fit, though as always with a frig, you have to choose your battles... I've flown a fit very close to this for a while now, and it's just hilarious to kill other frigs in... Just my 2 cents... Anyone who can fly this, should try it out... if for nothing else, then for ****s and giggles... And it's cheap too...