Fleet Fit versus Solo Fit

Starwalker spent his time almost exclusively in low security space, recently, that had primarily been around Placid and Metropolis. Similarly, whilst he regularly roamed with the Rebels in a small gang in low-sec he still spent the vast majority of his time solo. Consequently, when he was in a roam he was often using a ship fit that was typically his solo fit for that ship, however, that was not always the case, especially with Patrick Kasper's themed roams.

Patrick had a roam themed around the Caldari Navy Hookbill and a recommended fit, which Starwalker had managed to lose before even getting to the roam rendezvous system. That Hookbill fit was:

[Caldari Navy Hookbill, Rebel Roam]
Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
Beta Reactor Control: Reaction Control I

Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
X5 Prototype Engine Enervator
Limited Adaptive Invulnerability Field I
Medium F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction

Rocket Launcher II,Caldari Navy Scourge Rocket
Rocket Launcher II,Caldari Navy Scourge Rocket
Rocket Launcher II,Caldari Navy Scourge Rocket

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

This fleet fit featured two key characteristics that was not normal for his solo fit. First, it was using a micro-warp drive (MWD), which was great in a fleet for chasing down targets or moving quickly from one target to the next during an engagement. Secondly, this particular fit also favoured extra tank by combining the fairly standard medium shield extender with a shield hardener. 

This combination of factors led to a fast frigate fleet that was also able to absorb a little more damage than normal. The number of frigates would provide plenty of tackle and web and the preferred ammunition was Scourge Rage Rockets, which was good against above class ships like a cruiser or battle-cruiser, the target of choice for the roam.

For solo work there was a different set of considerations, in particular speed and range control. Against another frigate fit with an afterburner the MWD Hookbill would lose a lot of ability to control the range. Without range control the Hookbill would have to hope the target stayed in range and similarly it would also give up the ability to extract from the fight.

Given that, Starwalker favoured a build that was based on an afterburner for low-sec space and for the Hookbill he was currently using:

[Caldari Navy Hookbill, Solo]
Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
Ballistic Control System II

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

Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Caldari Navy Scourge Rocket

Small Ancillary Current Router I
Small Core Defense Field Extender I
Small Core Defense Field Extender I

This fit was slower than an MWD fit but against a frigate within scramble range it had complete range control. The ballistic control was important as it raised the Hookbill's firepower, to help kill a target that little bit faster. Killing targets fast enough was often important when the target had friends in system willing to help or they were part of a gang baiting hunters into a trap.

That was the situation with this Tormentor kill. Starwalker had engaged the Tormentor, establishing a range of around 7km and with dual webs applied was working through the armour whilst it was actively repairing the damage. Then a Merlin and Kestrel landed. The Merlin was only 15km away and had soon burnt in to close range, whilst the Kestrel was about 20km away.

The Tormentor went down and with it the scramble it had was lost. The Merlin had applied a web and tracking disruptor and Starwalker realised that he could extract if neither the Merlin or Kestrel applied a point. Strangely the Kestrel seemed to be moving further away and out of point range although still in light missile range. So he turned his attention to the Merlin at 2km and had soon moved out to around 7km.

The Merlin was active shield tanked and was soon dipping into armour but by now the Hookbill was on fire and still neither the Merlin or Kestrel had applied a point. Starwalker had waited as long as he could for the Merlin's ancillary shield booster to finish but he could wait no longer and the Hookbill aligned out and warped away on fire.

Comparing the two Hookbill fits, the solo fit had complete range control in scramble range and a little extra firepower, which was a trade off compared to the greater speed and tank of the fleet fit. One could not be said to be objectively better than the other, that distinction could only be applied when each ship and fit was in the same situation. As always, the choice of ship and fit came down to what you wanted to fly and expected to fight, as each ship and fit would have advantages in some situations and disadvantages in others.