Whoever said ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ clearly didn’t have enemies armed to the teeth with heavy electron blasters. Since you never know when you’re going to meet one of those in EVE Online, you need to know how to kite. Kiting is the art of range control - keeping an adversary exactly where you want them.
Following last week’s Mamba and Mekubal fits article, here’s another piece of curated content sharing the Just About EVE’s community’s recommended ship fits. A couple of months ago, we published an article showing off your favourite brawler fits and asked what other fitting recommendations you’d like to see. greybill asked for a kiting cruisers and battlecruisers bounty, and so, here we are. Let us know which fits you’d like to see next!
Kiting Cruiser Fits
Swagger’s light missile Orthrus fit
Swagger Olacar believes there’s a clear frontrunner when it comes to the best kiting cruisers: the Orthrus from the Mordu’s Legion expansion.
“It’s very fast to begin with, its bonuses to missile velocity ensure that they always catch their intended target, and it has a very good range. The long point allows the pilot to keep a target in place while the long scram provides good range control and screening against light tackle.”
Swagger goes on to point out that even though it's classed as a rapid light-missile ship, its DPS is not to be underestimated. It’s worth noting that the Orthrus is on the expensive side, but as one of the strongest cruisers in EVE, Swagger believes it’s well worth the price tag.
The fit
Crosslink Compact Ballistic Control System
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Crosslink Compact Ballistic Control System
Corelum C-Type 50MN Microwarpdrive
Caldari Navy Large Shield Extender
X-Large Ancillary Shield Booster
Caldari Navy Warp Disruptor
Caldari Navy Warp Scrambler
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II
Small Energy Neutralizer II
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II
Medium Ancillary Current Router II
Medium EM Shield Reinforcer II
Medium Thermal Shield Reinforcer II
Warrior II x5
Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Navy Cap Booster
Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Scourge Fury Light Missile
Nova Fury Light Missile
Inferno Fury Light Missile
Caldari Navy Nova Light Missile
Caldari Navy Mjolnir Light Missile
Nanite Repair Paste
Mjolnir Fury Light Missile
Keacte’s rapid missile and shield NOsprey fit
Nobody tell FUN INC the odds. He likes to fight outnumbered and outgunned. As a result, he says that there are a number of cruisers that he could have chosen for this role. After serious contemplation and strenuous deliberation - or in his words “a couple cups of tea and a hot choccy woccy doodah” - he eventually settled upon the Osprey Navy Issue, also known as the NOsprey or OsNI. It’s the fastest Caldari cruiser on the block and a “totally awesome bonussed missile vessel”.
Its defensive scram is ideal for dealing with any “pesky light tacklers” who want to undermine the long point by coming in close. Its XLASB provides decent tank with extra mids for utility and extra highs.
“The fit I’ve opted for doesn’t utilise the utility highs. However, you can easily drop the XLASB, upgrade to dual LSE (large shield extenders), and whack a couple of medium neuts for neut pressure in the highs. This ship can also swap out for HAMs (heavy assault missiles) if you so desire - it’s very versatile!”
And unlike Swagger’s Orthrus, the Osprey won’t break the bank. That said, it does have its weaknesses. Engaging at close range is a death sentence and reload speeds can be problematic. Keacte recommends bringing along some EWAR (electronic warfare) and staggering clips if flying with a fleet. Yet of all its issues, cap pressure stands out:
“Cap stability on this boat is rough - don’t engage if you expect a long fight. I find pulsing the MWD (microwarpdrive) works; it draws tackle and targets away from enemy fleets to kill them right under their mates’ noses.”
In spite of its weaknesses, Keacte says that the Osprey provides the best fun-per-hour rate in all of New Eden.
The fit:
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
50MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Faint Epsilon Scoped Warp Scrambler
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Warp Disruptor II
X-Large Ancillary Shield Booster,Navy Cap Booster 400
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II,Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II,Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II,Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium EM Shield Reinforcer II
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Greybill’s laser NOmen fit
Greybill’s first choice for a kiting cruiser was also the Osprey Navy Issue. But seeing as it had been claimed by Keacte, they instead opted for two ships: the Omen Navy Issue (NOmen) and its “logical successor” the Vedmak. Both have comparable speed, tank, and range, but the Vedmak offers a “whopping” three utility slots to the Omen’s one. However, the Omen is not without its perks.
“The Vedmak’s only downside is that it needs time to ramp up damage output whereas the Omen Navy Issue can punish the unworthy with its holy laser-lights at full force from the get-go.”
The ‘Nora’s NOmen’ fit:
Damage Control II
Multispectrum Energized Membrane II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Tracking Enhancer II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Medium Ancillary Armor Repairer
50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
Medium F-RX Compact Capacitor Booster
Warp Disruptor II
Heavy Pulse Laser II
Heavy Pulse Laser II
Medium Infectious Scoped Energy Neutralizer
Heavy Pulse Laser II
Heavy Pulse Laser II
Medium Ancillary Current Router II
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Medium Energy Locus Coordinator II
Warrior II x5
Hornet EC-300 x5
Conflagration M x4
Imperial Navy Multifrequency M x4
Scorch M x8
Navy Cap Booster 800 x15
Imperial Navy Standard M x4
Nanite Repair Paste x250
Synth Drop Booster x2
Agency ‘Overclocker’ SB3 Dose I x2
Signal-5 ‘Needlejack’ Filament x5
Greybill’s long-haul Vedmak fit
Next up, we have greybill’s Vedmak. Unlike Swagger’s Orthrus, this fit is especially designed for sustained kiting engagements. Its capacitor charges won’t run out particularly quickly, so greybill installs a polycarbon engine housing rig and a cold-gas enduring MWD. That combination allows the ship to keep moving on its regular capacitor much longer than a conventional fitting with little-to-no tradeoff.
The ‘Enduring Vedmak’ fit:
800mm Crystalline Carbonide Restrained Plates
Multispectrum Energized Membrane II
Multispectrum Energized Membrane II
Entropic Radiation Sink II
Entropic Radiation Sink II
Medium Ancillary Armor Repairer
50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
Medium Capacitor Booster II
X5 Enduring Stasis Webifier
Warp Disruptor II
Heavy Entropic Disintegrator II
Core Probe Launcher II [offline]
Small Gremlin Compact Energy Neutralizer
Medium Energy Neutralizer II
Medium Auxiliary Nano Pump II
Medium Ancillary Current Router II
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Vespa EC-600 x5
Acolyte II x5
Navy Cap Booster 400 x36
Tetryon Exotic Plasma M x500
Baryon Exotic Plasma M x1000
Meson Exotic Plasma M x1000
Occult M x1000
Mystic M x1250
Nanite Repair Paste x250
Agency ‘Overclocker’ SB5 Dose II x2
Synth Frentix Booster x2
Kiting battlecruiser fits
Swagger’s heavy missile Cyclone FI fit
Swagger says that battlecruisers tend to be too slow and cumbersome for effective kiting, but claims that if there’s an exception to be made, it’s the Cyclone Fleet Issue - a ship that’s “ridiculously fast” for its size. Their fit comes equipped with a skirmish mindlink, overclocker, and Quafe allowing it to easily reach speeds of 3.5km/s. That allows it to catch up with any frigates seeking to escape the danger zone. With a 6% fire rate bonus per skill level, it’s capable of outputting 700 DPS with Fury heavy missiles ensuring that those frigates won’t last long.
One issue with the Cyclone’s kiting abilities is that it can shoot further than it can lock a target. Swagger recommends overcoming this issue by using a backpack ship with remote sensory boosters or information command bursts.
The fit:
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Caldari Navy Large Shield Extender
Caldari Navy Large Shield Extender
Caldari Navy Warp Disruptor
Corelum C-Type 50MN Microwarpdrive
Stasis Webifier II
Heavy Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Heavy Missile
Heavy Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Heavy Missile
Heavy Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Heavy Missile
Heavy Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Heavy Missile
Heavy Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Heavy Missile
Heavy Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Mjolnir Heavy Missile
Skirmish Command Burst II, Interdiction Maneuvers Charge
Skirmish Command Burst II, Rapid Deployment Charge
Medium Command Processor I
Medium EM Shield Reinforcer II
Medium Thermal Shield Reinforcer II
Keacte’s high-speed, high-volley Oracle fit
As long as it’s not intended for solo combat, Keacte opts for Minmatar’s Oracle as his kiting battlecruiser of choice. Its 8-3-6 slot configuration makes it the “go-to” high-volley Alpha ship. It’s a well-priced ship that’s generally simple to fly. “But don’t be fooled; it’s difficult to fly well!”.
The turret-centric build takes advantage of a tracking enhancer to improve range and tracking speed, while triple heat sinks allow for rapid fire. With nanos (nano microfibre internal structures) increasing its velocity and manoeuvrability, the Oracle can reach 2.5km per second - “insane” speeds for a ship of its class.
“It’s a force to be reckoned with and it looks kinda cool too!”
The fit:
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
50MN Microwarpdrive II
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Medium Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I
Medium Energy Locus Coordinator II
Medium Energy Locus Coordinator II
Conflagration L x8
Scorch L x8
Nanite Repair Paste x100
Keacte also notes that it’s the perfect ship to fly along with his NOsprey, especially when combined with a few other tasty vessels. “Throw in a couple of NOsprey, a Hyena for ranged webs, a couple of assault frigates, a long pointer like a Keres, and you have yourself a deadly little nano gang. Load short range if something gets on top of you, and stay aligned.”
Greybill’s nano kite and MJD Drekavac fit
Greybill had originally only posted Omen and Vedmak fits, but when Keacte laid down the gauntlet of crafting two battlecruisers that harmonise with them, Greybill rose to the challenge by providing a Drekavac fit and Hurricane Fleet Issue fit. We’ll start with the Drekavac, a hard-hitting, heavy, intermediate Triglavian warship - the Collective’s equivalent of a battlecruiser.
The fit:
Damage Control II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Shadow Serpentis Multispectrum Energized Membrane
Tracking Enhancer II
Entropic Radiation Sink II
Entropic Radiation Sink II
Medium Ancillary Armor Repairer
50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Medium Micro Jump Drive
Medium F-RX Compact Capacitor Booster
Caldari Navy Warp Disruptor
Skirmish Command Burst II
Medium Infectious Scoped Energy Neutralizer
Small Energy Neutralizer II
Heavy Entropic Disintegrator II
Medium Auxiliary Nano Pump II
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing II
Medium Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer II
Warrior II x5
Hornet EC-300 x5
Acolyte II x5
Navy Cap Booster 800 x24
Evasive Maneuvers Charge x100
Interdiction Maneuvers Charge x100
Rapid Deployment Charge x100
Meson Exotic Plasma M x1250
Occult M x1000
Mystic M x800
Nanite Repair Paste x372
Greybill’s microgang-ready Hurricane FI fit
Greybill admits to rarely flying battlecruisers, stating that they’re too slow for solo and micro-gang gameplay. Both the Drekavac and the Hurricane Fleet Issue are exceptions, to an extent: “they tend to be good additions to armour gangs of four or more.” In EVE’s early years, the versatile Hurricane was a stalwart of PvP and PvE, until its Retribution nerfing. The Hurricane Fleet Issue is widely regarded as a return to the Hurricane’s roots.
The fit:
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Multispectrum Energized Membrane II
Medium Ancillary Armor Repairer
Damage Control II
50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Caldari Navy Warp Disruptor
X5 Enduring Stasis Webifier
Medium F-RX Compact Capacitor Booster
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
Skirmish Command Burst II
Skirmish Command Burst II
Medium Ancillary Current Router II
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Medium Command Processor I
Warrior II x5
Hornet EC-300 x5
Republic Fleet Phased Plasma M x1000
Tremor M x300
Republic Fleet EMP M x1000
Navy Cap Booster 800 x14
Republic Fleet Fusion M x1000
Republic Fleet Depleted Uranium M x1500
Evasive Maneuvers Charge x100
Interdiction Maneuvers Charge x100
Rapid Deployment Charge x100
Nanite Repair Paste x200
Quake M x300
What ship fits would you like to see next? Let us know in the comments and we’ll (probably) turn it into an upcoming bounty. Some answers have been edited for brevity. You can find the original wording at the bounty post.
Image Credit: Razorien on Flickr and featured JA members
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