Brawl
Win at scrambler range. Exequror Navy Issue is the apex gunboat; polarized Augoror Navy Issue can catch a lot of people off guard. HAMs are a fairly idiot-proof meat-grinder.
Faction Warfare Cruiser Guide
Web Edition · YC 128
Introduction
With the release of moderate sites in the Cradle of War expansion and various ISK printing sites in Havoc, cruisers have become a staple of the faction warfare warzone. They decide who keeps the large complexes, who controls the advantage when fighting off small gangs, and are one of the better platforms for player versus player combat.
This guide covers the hulls that you'll often see in the warzone, as well as the common archetypes that they fall into. We highly recommend that players start with destroyers before moving onto cruisers and frigates — see the Frigate Guide and Destroyer Guide.
The vast majority of the knowledge from this guide comes from Dato Koppla, who was kind enough to open up his Pyfa for us!
Considerations of the Metagame
Cruiser fights are much slower and intentional than destroyer and frigate engagements. Mutual scram and web often commit both pilots: if you slingshot wrong at zero, you will not get those fifty meters back before the DPS race is decided. Since fitting is generally a bit more freeform, this leads to interesting decisions like neutron blasters versus ion blasters.
Whereas frigates are much more of a rock-paper-scissors and destroyers are like a brawl in a pub, cruisers are much more like a dance. Many kite fits can still lose if a competent brawler punches in, and kiters cannot hold long point until the fight is over. The Exequror Navy Issue and Vexor Navy Issue punish greedy point holders.
Utility highs matter significantly, much more than they do on frigate and destroyers. The capacitor race can often determine a solo fight, especially if you can turn off their tank or guns. Osprey Navy Issue is a great example of a platform that can abuse this.
- High ground still wins openings.
- Once both ships land scram and web, you're generally committed.
- Reactive armor collapses polarized DPS, and cruisers have enough EHP to take advantage. Diversify drones.
- Dual prop hulls are leave-insurance: take free trades, AB and leave when it's not looking good.
Disclaimers
The guide is written for solo and small-gang pilots stocking contracts or holding plexes. Many of these fits are wrong for large structured fleets. Example fittings are solid representations of each archetype, not the final word — module tier, rig choice, and bling all matter. Check skills and ISK before undocking.
Matchup charts and per-ship cards rate the example fits in this guide against each other (high ground vs low ground when nothing else is in local). Change the plan when you know the fit, the pilot, or the gang. Being predictable is sometimes worse than being slightly suboptimal.
Summary of the Metagame
Kite
Hold outside of the range they can apply DPS at. Omen Navy Issue, laser boats, and rail boats are generally staples.
Active Control
Cap them out or out-rep them while you hold them down. Vexor Navy Issue is disgusting for this, and the Osprey Navy Issue can land some cheeky wins with dual neutralizers.
Dual-Prop
Take free trades, AB out or flash-tank the beacon when local is wrong. Scythe Fleet Issue and Stabber Fleet Issue are often seen doing this.
Matchup Charts
++ Go for it champ Very favorable matchup
+ Try it, you might like it Favorable matchup
= Fifty-Fifty Even matchup
- Bad Idea Unfavorable matchup
-- Are you ok bud? Very unfavorable matchup
? Still figuring it out Meta unknown or not yet tested
Brawling Matchup Chart
High ground Low ground
| High ground vs Low ground | Blaster Exequror Navy Issue | Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue | Polarized Augoror Navy Issue | HAM Caracal Navy Issue | 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue | Brawl Arbitrator | Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue | Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaster Exequror Navy Issue | ||||||||
| Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue | ||||||||
| Polarized Augoror Navy Issue | ||||||||
| HAM Caracal Navy Issue | ||||||||
| 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue | ||||||||
| Brawl Arbitrator | ||||||||
| Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue | ||||||||
| Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue |
Kiting Matchup Chart
High ground Low ground
| High ground vs Low ground | Long Point Arbitrator | Pulse Augoror Navy Issue | Kite Omen Navy Issue | 250mm Rail Exequror Navy Issue | RLML Osprey Navy Issue | Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue | Vulcan Stabber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Point Arbitrator | |||||||
| Pulse Augoror Navy Issue | |||||||
| Kite Omen Navy Issue | |||||||
| 250mm Rail Exequror Navy Issue | |||||||
| RLML Osprey Navy Issue | |||||||
| Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue | |||||||
| Vulcan Stabber |
T1 Cruiser Matchup Chart
High ground Low ground
| High ground vs Low ground | Brawl Arbitrator | Pulse Maller | Beam Omen | Neut Vexor | XLASB HAM Bellicose | AB XLASB Stabber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawl Arbitrator | ||||||
| Pulse Maller | ||||||
| Beam Omen | ||||||
| Neut Vexor | ||||||
| XLASB HAM Bellicose | ||||||
| AB XLASB Stabber |
Amarr Cruiser · Arby
Arbitrator
Drone DPS with a flexible layout: kite, AB brawl, or TD support.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Drone damage platform with strong Tracking Disruptor bonuses
10% Drone damage and hitpoints
7.5% Tracking Disruptor effectiveness
Overview
One of the strongest overall T1 cruisers on the list: drones carry the DPS, and the slot layout lets you choose kite, brawl, or gang support without changing hulls. Fitting space is forgiving. Speed is not — be wary of cruisers that can ram you.
Long Point Arbitrator
Shield and armor are both viable. Shield pushes DPS and often drops the TD for missile highs; armor keeps the TD and accepts worse speed. Drones do the work at range.
Brawl Arbitrator
Abuse blaster and laser boats that have to apply through disruptors and neutralizers.
TD Support Arbitrator
Great for defending plexes, although you generally won't get many kills solo. Use this to learn the basics, capture some complexes, and perhaps participate in a small gang.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Long Point Arbitrator
MAAR long-point drone kite with RLMLs, medium neut, and a tracking disruptor.
[NVY]
Brawl Arbitrator
AB 1600 plate brawler with dual medium neuts, dual nos, and a tracking disruptor.
[NVY]
TD Support Arbitrator
MWD armor buffer with dual tracking disruptors for small-gang / fleet support. Do not expect solo kills.
Matchups · Long Point Arbitrator
Shield XLASB long-point drone kite with light missiles.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Hold range; drones and projected control do the work.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
They are slow. Stay at point and grind.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Lower DPS line — do not greed into scram range.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
They want scramble. Deny the close.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Disengage
They catch you. Leave before the ram lands.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Speed and leave tools win. Bail early.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Same story — do not get rammed.
Matchups · Brawl Arbitrator
100MN AB shield buffer, LMLs, small neut, drones.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Neuts and drones buy time while their polarized race burns them.
- Beam Omen Favoured
Active laser trade into your buffer. Hold zero and grind.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Skill check
Possible if you establish control early. Do not ego a clean Neutron open.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Disengage
Do not take this for fun. Warp.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Skill check
Very close. Respect their dual-prop leave.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Skill check
Close. Respect XLASB and AB out.
Amarr Cruiser · Maller
Maller
Underrated pulse brick: eight-hundred plate and real DPS.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Armor laser brick with medium energy turret damage bonuses
5% Medium Energy Turret damage
5% Armor hitpoints
Overview
Underrated, not underpowered. Think mini Augoror Navy for plex protection and small gang: respectable DPS on a heavy plate without Navy Issue cost.
Pulse Maller
Do not max-plate into uselessness — eight hundred with pulse is the line. Soft into neuts and anything that gets under your tracking.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Pulse Maller
MWD 800mm plate pulse brick for plex defense and small gang.
Matchups · Pulse Maller
AB 800mm plate pulse brick.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Conflag
Hold the plex and apply.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Conflag
T1 buffer race in your favour if you land pulse clean.
- Beam Omen Coinflip
Load Conflag
Brick versus brick. Tracking and heat decide it.
- Brawl Arbitrator Unfavoured
Load Conflag
Neuts and drones grind plates. Leave if control sticks.
- Neut Vexor Disengage
Load Conflag
Cap wall ends laser bricks. Warp.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Conflag
Navy stat check. Disengage or bring friends.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Conflag
Same hull family, much more damage. Decline.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Disengage
Load Conflag
You will not break the active wall.
Amarr Cruiser · Omen
Omen
Underrated laser T1: quad lights, kite pulse, and plex snipers.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Laser combat cruiser with medium energy turret capacitor efficiency
5% Medium Energy Turret damage
10% reduction Medium Energy Turret capacitor use
Overview
Underrated platform. You clear most T1 cruiser and destroyer work; Navy Issues usually end you in a straight trade. Prefer afterburner on the short-range lines for tracking.
Beam Omen
Odd guns: low fitting, short range, high DPS — think dual one-fifty rails for lasers — with room for a sixteen-hundred plate.
Pulse Omen
Same idea as Pulse Augoror Navy Issue at T1 budget. Hold range; do not greed into scram.
Sniper Omen
Forces people off a plex more than it solos kills. Hard to fit; useful projection in a small gang.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Beam Omen
MWD 1600 plate with five Quad Light Beam Lasers for short-range DPS.
[NVY]
Pulse Omen
MWD scram/web heavy pulse kite — AugNI pattern on a T1 hull.
[NVY]
Sniper Omen
Heavy beam long-point plex protector with MAAR.
Matchups · Beam Omen
1600 plate, five Beam Omen Lasers, scram/web.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Gleam
Short-range DPS wins if you land the open.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Coinflip
Load Gleam
Buffer race. Heat and drones decide it.
- Pulse Maller Coinflip
Load Gleam
Laser brick mirror. Tracking matters.
- Brawl Arbitrator Unfavoured
Load Gleam
Neuts buy them time. Do not sit forever.
- Neut Vexor Unfavoured
Load Gleam
Cap pressure ends you. Leave.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Gleam
Navy stat check. Leave.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Gleam
Rage buffer wins fair scram trades.
Matchups · Pulse Omen
MWD scram/web heavy pulse — AugNI kite pattern on T1.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Scorch
Hold range; T1 kite should own the open.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Scorch
Deny scramble. Clip them down.
- Long Point Arbitrator Skill check
Load Scorch
Both want point range. Drones versus pulse — heat decides.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Disengage
Load Scorch
They catch Navy kiters. You are thinner.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Disengage
Load Scorch
Do not take the ram in a T1 pulse kite.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
Same job, better hull. Decline even trades.
Matchups · Sniper Omen
Heavy beam long-point plex protector with MAAR.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Aurora
Force them off the plex more than you solo-kill.
- Vulcan Stabber Favoured
Load Aurora
Projection contest — beams should win if you hold point.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Disengage
Load Aurora
Once they land scram you are done. Warp.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Aurora
Low-commit catcher with more speed. Leave early.
Gallente Cruiser · Vexor
Vexor
Neut-plate plex defender; blaster trade fit for T1 work.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Drone combat cruiser with strong bandwidth and drone damage
10% Drone damage and hitpoints
bonus varies by level Drone bandwidth
Overview
Strong high-ground T1. Soft at punching into kiters, excellent when they punch into you. Cap warfare plus plate wins a lot of zero-range trades. Subpar for organized small-gang damage application — drones derp when the grid is busy.
Neut Vexor
Sixteen-hundred plate and a neut stack. Caps out many active gunboats that slide in. Prefer defending a plex over chasing.
Blaster Vexor
Bulkheaded blaster with a medium neut. Wins most T1 mirror work; Navy Issues still end you.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Neut Vexor
1600 plate plex holder with multi-neut highs and heavy drone DPS.
[NVY]
Blaster Vexor
Neutron + dual magnetic stab scram brawler with bulkhead rigs.
Matchups · Neut Vexor
1600 plate plex holder with multi-neut highs and heavy drones.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Neuts on, hold zero, grit the buffer.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Cap wall ends laser bricks that slide in.
- Beam Omen Favoured
Same — establish neuts early.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Favoured
Hold when they punch into you and misplay.
- Brawl Arbitrator Skill check
T1 control fight. Drones versus neuts.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Coinflip
Close — respect leave tools.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Coinflip
Same. Do not chase the AB out.
- Long Point Arbitrator Unfavoured
You will not catch them. Sit or leave.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Unfavoured
Dedicated kite never enters neut range.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Low-commit pressure outside your job.
Matchups · Blaster Vexor
Neutron + dual mag stab scram brawler with bulkhead rigs.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Void
Wins most T1 mirror work.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Void
Scram race into a T1 missile boat.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Load Void
Close and apply. Neuts help if they linger.
- Beam Omen Favoured
Load Void
Same job.
- Brawl Arbitrator Skill check
Load Void
Control fight. Watch their neut.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Void
Navy Issue still ends you.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Void
Rage buffer. Decline fair trades.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Disengage
Load Void
Sister hull with dual reps. Warp.
Minmatar Cruiser · Bellicose
Bellicose
Cheaper Caracal energy: HAM grinders and XLASB plex work.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Missile T1 cruiser with launcher rate of fire and target painter bonuses
5% reduction Missile launcher rate of fire
7.5% Target painter effectiveness
Overview
Contract workhorse. HAM plus point and drones for simple fleet and meat-grinder work; XLASB for high-ground plex defense. Not the sharpest pure solo hull, but it stocks cleanly and wins the fights T1 should win.
HAM Bellicose
Idiot-proof apply for gangs and meat-grinders. Skip it when you want dedicated solo work.
XLASB HAM Bellicose
Plex protector with flash tank. Covers most T1 and small-hull gates; can punish faction kiters that greed into you.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
HAM Bellicose
Four-HAM shield scram brawler with light drones.
[NVY]
XLASB HAM Bellicose
AB XLASB HAM plex protector — cheap Caracal Navy Issue stand-in with scram/web.
Matchups · HAM Bellicose
Four-HAM shield scram brawler with light drones.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Rage
Idiot-proof apply for gangs and meat-grinders.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Load Rage
T1 laser brick — scramble and grind.
- Beam Omen Favoured
Load Rage
Same job.
- Brawl Arbitrator Coinflip
Load Rage
Control versus buffer. Heat decides.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
Not your solo fight. Decline.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
Same role, better hull.
Matchups · XLASB HAM Bellicose
XLASB HAM Bellicose plex protector — trade a LSE for the ancillary.
- AB XLASB Stabber Coinflip
Load Rage
Flash-tank beacon fight. Boost correctly.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Load Rage
Hold the beacon; cover most T1 opens.
- Beam Omen Coinflip
Load Rage
Buffer race. Do not overheat incorrectly.
- Brawl Arbitrator Coinflip
Load Rage
Close T1 control fight.
- Neut Vexor Unfavoured
Load Rage
Neuts grind flash tanks. Leave if dry.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Can punish greedy point holds if they slide in wrong.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Close if skill gaps are large. Respect leave tools.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Same — flash tank versus leave-insurance.
Minmatar Cruiser · Stabber
Stabber
AB XLASB plex hold and Vulcan half-kite — never MWD scram.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Projectile T1 cruiser with turret damage and velocity bonuses
5% Medium Projectile Turret damage
5% Max velocity
Overview
Same job family as Bellicose for plex defense, with projectile tracking instead of missiles. Strong against T1 cruisers; can get under laser boats. Never fit microwarpdrive plus scram for solo — you will lose more than you win, even into Navy kiters, because the tank is too thin.
AB XLASB Stabber
Plex protector with real brawl stats and neut highs for frigate and destroyer gangs. Some Scythe Fleet Issues are stealable if you catch scram on a microwarpdrive fit.
Vulcan Stabber
Shield kite with point and a rapid light. Stay at range, defend the plex, die for the kill only when you choose to.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
AB XLASB Stabber
AB XLASB plex protector — do not MWD-scram in this hull. Hold the beacon and leave when you must.
[NVY]
Vulcan Stabber
MWD long-point Vulcan kite with twin LSE and twin RLML.
Matchups · AB XLASB Stabber
AB XLASB Stabber plex protector — never MWD-scram this hull.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Load Hail
AB control, get under lasers when you want it.
- Beam Omen Coinflip
Load Hail
T1 trade. Tracking helps you under guns.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Coinflip
Load Hail
Flash-tank beacon fight.
- Brawl Arbitrator Unfavoured
Load Hail
Neuts and drones grind you. Leave if control sticks.
- Neut Vexor Unfavoured
Load Hail
Cap wall. Do not invent hero moments.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Hail
Stealable if you catch scram on their MWD fit.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Disengage
Load Hail
Navy brawler. Warp.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Disengage
Load Hail
Do not invent Navy hero moments.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Disengage
Load Hail
Beacon brick deletes you.
Matchups · Vulcan Stabber
MWD long-point Vulcan kite with twin LSE and twin RLML.
- AB XLASB Stabber Coinflip
Load Barrage
Sister hull — stay at range, defend the plex.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Barrage
Half-kite should own a committed flash tank if they misrange.
- Long Point Arbitrator Skill check
Load Barrage
Point-range contest. Drones versus Vulcans.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Barrage
Navy mid-band. Die for the kill only when you choose to.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Disengage
Load Barrage
They catch you. Warp.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Barrage
Low-commit catcher. Leave early.
- RLML Osprey Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Barrage
Fatter kite with XLASB. Decline fair trades.
Amarr Cruiser · AugNI
Augoror Navy Issue
Polarized apex predator, or Pulse Augoror Navy Issue when you want to live.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Armor combat Navy Issue with energy warfare bonuses
5% Medium Energy Turret damage
5% Armor hitpoints
10% Energy Nosferatu / Neutralizer amount
Overview
Strong solo Navy Issue. The hull HP bonus is what makes polarized play real, and the same frame carries a safer Scorch kite with medium neuts. Pick aggression or stay-alive; both are first-rate.
Polarized Augoror Navy Issue
Raw HP plus absurd DPS at zero. Sit on the beacon and delete whatever punches in. Best with high ground. Mix drone types into reactive hardeners or you shred yourself.
Pulse Augoror Navy Issue
Pulse and Scorch around thirty kilometres. Medium neuts are defensive when someone rams you and offensive when you close. Faster than a VNI; lower risk, lower reward — hard to kill you.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Polarized Augoror Navy Issue
Dual 1600 polarized heavy pulse zero-range brawler with scram/web.
[NVY]
Pulse Augoror Navy Issue
MAAR pulse kite with Scorch, double medium neuts, and long point.
Matchups · Polarized Augoror Navy Issue
Dual 1600 polarized heavy pulse, scram/web, high ground preferred.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Conflag
Their favour. Do not ego this.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Disengage
Load Conflag
Reactive eats polarized DPS. Leave.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Conflag
Hold the beacon and melt.
- 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue Skill check
Load Conflag
Neuts hurt. Win fast or leave before you dry.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Conflag
Beacon open into a T1 buffer — you should delete them.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Favoured
Load Conflag
They slide onto you; keep zero and apply.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Favoured
Load Conflag
Same — punish the punch-in before they AB out.
Matchups · Pulse Augoror Navy Issue
MAAR Scorch pulse ~30 km with double medium neuts and long point.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Favoured
Load Scorch
You are faster; do not get webbed down at zero.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Scorch
Hold mid-band; they want scramble.
- RLML Osprey Navy Issue Favoured
Load Scorch
Similar job — your neuts help if the race closes.
- Long Point Arbitrator Skill check
Load Scorch
Range discipline. Do not greed into their drones.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
Catch tools and speed will find you.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
They run you down. Leave early.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
Low-commit catcher. Do not sit forever.
Amarr Cruiser · OmenNI
Omen Navy Issue
Mid-range kite is top tier; sniper and pulse fill the gaps.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Combat Navy Issue with medium energy turret tracking and capacitor
5% Medium Energy Turret damage
7.5% Medium Energy Turret tracking
5% Capacitor capacity
Overview
If you are flying Omen Navy, you are usually kiting at mid range. That line is the hull's job. Sniper and pulse exist for plex pressure and frigates respectively.
Kite Omen Navy Issue
The top solo reason to undock this hull. Hold mid-band with Scorch, manage capacitor, and do not greed point into a scram.
Beam Omen Navy Issue
Longer band for plex denial and gang projection.
Pulse Omen Navy Issue
Tracking and frigate work when the mid-range kite is the wrong tool.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Kite Omen Navy Issue
MAAR Scorch pulse kite with long point and a small neut.
[NVY]
Beam Omen Navy Issue
Heavy beam mid-range kite with long point for plex flex.
[NVY]
Pulse Omen Navy Issue
Closer-range pulse variant of the mid-range kite line.
Matchups · Kite Omen Navy Issue
MAAR Scorch pulse kite with long point and a small neut.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Scorch
Hold mid; do not greed point into a scram.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Scorch
Deny scramble. Clip the buffer at range.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Favoured
Load Scorch
Bleed them if you never enter web range.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Scorch
They are a beacon brick. Stay out.
- Long Point Arbitrator Skill check
Load Scorch
Mid-band versus long-point drones. Range discipline.
- RLML Osprey Navy Issue Skill check
Load Scorch
Close fight — who holds band first.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
Catch tools win. Leave early.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
Speed and leave tools. Warp before the ram.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Scorch
Low-commit catcher. Do not sit forever.
Matchups · Beam Omen Navy Issue
Heavy beam mid-range sniper with long point.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Aurora
Plex denial — force them off the beacon.
- Vulcan Stabber Favoured
Load Aurora
Projection should carry if you hold point.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Aurora
Same idea — do not let them scramble free.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Disengage
Load Aurora
Once Neutrons land you are dead. Warp.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Aurora
They out-range-threat and outspeed. Leave early.
Matchups · Pulse Omen Navy Issue
Closer-range pulse for tracking and frigate work.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Conflag
Closer band where tracking helps.
- Brawl Arbitrator Skill check
Load Conflag
Possible if you open clean. Watch neuts.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Conflag
Neutron race is not your fight.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Disengage
Load Conflag
Do not take the reactive wall at pulse range.
Caldari Cruiser · CNI
Caracal Navy Issue
Idiot-proof HAM brawler — top tier for new pilots.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Missile Navy Issue with heavy assault missile damage and shield boost
5% Heavy Assault Missile and Heavy Missile damage
7.5% Shield boost amount
Overview
Generous fitting, huge buffer, Rage that applies. One of the best "click approach and win" Navy Issues for pilots who need a simple ship that still works at the top of the meta. Skip T1 Caracal — fly this instead.
HAM Caracal Navy Issue
Full tackle, HAM Rage, fat tank. Soft into dedicated kiters and into VNI reactives you cannot break.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
HAM Caracal Navy Issue
Idiot-proof six-HAM shield brawler with scram/web.
Matchups · HAM Caracal Navy Issue
Six-HAM shield brawler with scram/web.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Rage
Scram, apply Rage, win the buffer race.
- Beam Omen Favoured
Load Rage
Idiot-proof open into a T1 laser brick.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Rage
Buffer and apply usually carry.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Tough buffer race — high ground helps.
- 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
Their neuts tip the trade. Leave if dry.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
Reactive stalls you. Do not sit forever.
- Long Point Arbitrator Unfavoured
Load Rage
If they hold range you struggle. Heat and hope, or leave.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
Committed kite. You need a misrange to land.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
Low-commit catcher bleeds you. Decline.
Caldari Cruiser · OspreyNI
Osprey Navy Issue
Mixed hardpoints: double-neut HAM and RLML kite.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Missile Navy Issue with utility highs for neuts and projection tools
5% Heavy Assault Missile and Heavy Missile damage
7.5% Shield boost amount
Overview
Three launchers leave two utility highs, six mids, and four lows. That layout is the hull's whole strength. Harder to fly and tighter to fit than Caracal Navy Issue. In solo, the neuts matter more than the raw DPS gap.
2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue
Medium neuts let you take Caracal Navy Issues and put real pressure on Vexor Navy Issue when the trade goes right.
RLML Osprey Navy Issue
Damage-per-level clip into kiting cruisers with a very large XLASB tank. Anything that catches you is scary — leave early.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue
Three HAM launchers and two medium neuts — the one-on-one pressure line versus gunboats and VNI.
[NVY]
RLML Osprey Navy Issue
RLML long-point kite with XLASB, scram, and dual small neuts for solo plex work.
Matchups · 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue
Three HAM launchers and two medium neuts.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Rage
Neuts tip the trade.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Rage
Cap pressure plus HAM — finish before they melt you.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Neuts help; Neutrons still hurt. High ground matters.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Possible with neut pressure. Do not scramble yourself.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Rage
Cap them, then grind.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Rage
They punch and leave. Do not ego the chase.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Rage
Winnable if neuts stick. Watch their AB out.
Matchups · RLML Osprey Navy Issue
RLML long-point kite with XLASB.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
Clip into the brawler if you hold point.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
Same — deny zero.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Skill check
Load Fury
Close fight — range discipline decides it.
- Long Point Arbitrator Coinflip
Load Fury
Missile kite versus drone kite. Heat and drones decide.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Disengage
Load Fury
Primary counter. Do not get caught.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Fury
They close. Leave early.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Disengage
Load Fury
They are the catcher in this matchup.
Gallente Cruiser · ENI
Exequror Navy Issue
Still top tier: free plate feel, scram-edge falloff, Neutrons.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Armor hybrid Navy Issue with plate mass reduction and hybrid damage
5% Medium Hybrid Turret damage
5% Armor hitpoints
5% reduction Armor plate mass penalty
Overview
Even after the nerfs, still the navy cruiser to beat. Plate mass reduction makes a sixteen-hundred feel nearly free. Falloff keeps Neutrons applying at the edge of scram. Prefer Neutrons over ions: once both ships land scram and web, a bad slingshot ends the fight, and neutrons forgive more.
Blaster Exequror Navy Issue
Double web, sixteen-hundred plate, Neutrons, enough speed to close kiters. Soft into VNI active tanks.
250mm Rail Exequror Navy Issue
More useful in a small gang than solo. Good plex defense on the same mid-band profile as other Navy kiters. Tracks cruisers; struggle against smaller hulls.
Dual Plate Electron Exequror Navy Issue
Solo plexing and militia fleet. Double plate buffer with electrons for frigate and destroyer blobs.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Blaster Exequror Navy Issue
Neutron plate brawler with double web and a small nos. Prefer Neutrons over ions.
[NVY]
250mm Rail Exequror Navy Issue
250mm rail plex / gang flex — hold range without giving up the ENI tank skeleton.
[NVY]
Dual Plate Electron Exequror Navy Issue
Dual 1600 electron blob / mass fight line.
Matchups · Blaster Exequror Navy Issue
Neutron plate brawler with double web and a small nos.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
Your favour if you land the open clean.
- Pulse Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
You have the speed. Close, scram, apply.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
Catch tools win. Punch in before they leave.
- Long Point Arbitrator Favoured
Load Void
Ram the kite. Do not orbit at their drone comfort.
- RLML Osprey Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
Close hard. Their XLASB only buys time.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Favoured
Load Void
You are the harder trade — force the scram.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Favoured
Load Void
They cannot speed-tank Neutrons cleanly.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Coinflip
Load Void
Buffer race. High ground and heat decide it.
- 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue Skill check
Load Void
Watch neuts. Win fast or leave dry.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Void
They tank you. Do not die for pride.
Matchups · 250mm Rail Exequror Navy Issue
250mm rail plex / gang flex on the ENI tank skeleton.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Spike
Mid-band plex hold clears most low-tier opens.
- Long Point Arbitrator Favoured
Load Spike
Same mid-band job — rails should pressure.
- Pulse Augoror Navy Issue Coinflip
Load Spike
Mid-band profile match. Tracking and heat.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Coinflip
Load Spike
Same story. Cap and band discipline.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Skill check
Load Spike
Bleed if you hold range; do not get webbed to zero.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Coinflip
Load Spike
Both want low-commit pressure. Leave if they own band.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Spike
Sister hull with Neutrons — decline the close trade.
Matchups · Dual Plate Electron Exequror Navy Issue
Dual 1600 electron blob / mass-fight line.
- AB XLASB Stabber Favoured
Load Void
Blob buffer wins if they commit into you.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Void
Mass-fight apply into T1 flash tanks.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Void
Solo reactive wall is still not your job.
- Frigate / destroyer blob Favoured
Electrons and double plate exist for this.
Gallente Cruiser · VNI
Vexor Navy Issue
Dual-rep landlord: barely loses a scram fight without neuts-plus-DPS.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Drone Navy Issue with armor repair amount bonuses
10% Drone damage and hitpoints
7.5% Armor repairer amount
Overview
The hull other people hate punching into. Once you land scram, you win most straight trades. Kiters can theoretically bleed you, but holding two kilometres a second for the whole booster stack is hard. Double cap booster for solo. Weak once frigates and destroyers defang your drones.
Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue
Dual reps, reactive, prefer double cap booster. Cheap drugs make the active wall absurd. Heavy neut stacks are the honest answer — and even then the trade is messy.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue
Dual-rep reactive ion VNI with scram/web and a medium cap booster.
Matchups · Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue
Dual-rep reactive electron with double medium cap boosters.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
Hold close, manage boosters, win the bleed.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
Reactive eats polarized. Scram clean and smirk.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Void
Once you land scram you win most straight trades.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Favoured
Load Void
Do not let them speed-tank forever — hold scramble.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Void
T1 control into your wall. Manage boosters.
- 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue Skill check
Load Void
Heavy neut + DPS is the honest answer — and even then messy.
- Neut Vexor Skill check
Load Void
T1 neut stack can pressure. Win the cap race or leave.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Skill check
Load Void
They can bleed you in theory — holding 2 km/s for the whole stack is hard.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Void
Low-commit kite. Force a scramble or decline.
- Frigate / destroyer dogpile Unfavoured
They defang drones. Warp before the swarm finishes you.
Minmatar Cruiser · ScytheFI
Scythe Fleet Issue
Dual-prop leave-machine; armor RLML for low-commit plex (XLASB RLML refit).
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Fleet Issue combat hull with missile damage and shield boost
5% Missile damage
7.5% Shield boost amount
Overview
Nearly three kilometres a second cold on dual prop with a flash tank that lets you commit, then leave. That leave button is the hull's whole identity.
Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue
Run people down on microwarpdrive; afterburner out when the tank collapses. Default punch-and-leave solo tool.
Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue
Armor tank, medium neut, roughly sixty kilometres of low-commit pressure — the common solo RLML meta line. Excellent plex defense: faster than almost everything, and filthy against frigate tackle gangs. Refit: RLML XLASB Scythe Fleet Issue for the shield flash-tank kite when you want XLASB leave tools instead of plate/MAAR.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue
Primary dual-prop leave-insurance: MWD + AB XLASB with Dual 180mm ACs.
[NVY]
Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue
Primary RLML line: 800 plate MAAR long-point with medium neut. Refit: RLML XLASB (shield flash kite).
[NVY]
RLML XLASB Scythe Fleet Issue
Refit of Armor RLML: four RLML + XLASB long-point kite with a small neut.
Matchups · Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue
MWD + AB XLASB Stabber leave-insurance with Dual 180mm ACs.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Punch in; leave if the trade turns.
- 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Comfortable if you pick the trade and AB out.
- RLML Osprey Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
You are the catcher. Run them down.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Close the kite; leave if wrong.
- Pulse Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Same — speed is the identity.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Punch the beacon brick and AB out if polarized wins.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Hail
Free trades into T1 control.
- XLASB HAM Bellicose Favoured
Load Hail
Take the free open; leave if flash tank holds.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Hail
Respect them. Take free shots or warp.
- Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue Unfavoured
Load Hail
Soft into Stabber Fleet. Respect the web and plate.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Skill check
Load Hail
Possible if you never commit past leave. Do not sit in reps.
Matchups · Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue
Low-commit ~60 km RLML with medium neut. Refit: RLML XLASB Scythe Fleet Issue.
- RLML Osprey Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
You are the catcher in this matchup.
- Long Point Arbitrator Favoured
Load Fury
Low-commit pressure with speed.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
Same mid-band story — you usually force the leave.
- Pulse Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
Faster than almost everything on this line.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
Clip the brawler; do not greed into scramble.
- 250mm Rail Exequror Navy Issue Coinflip
Load Fury
Low-commit versus mid-band rails.
- Vulcan Stabber Favoured
Load Fury
Projection and speed should carry.
- Frigate / destroyer tackle Favoured
Neut the landers; clip them down.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Fury
If they punch clean, leave — do not invent a dual-prop race.
Matchups · RLML XLASB Scythe Fleet Issue
Four RLML + XLASB long-point kite with a small neut (Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue refit).
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Favoured
Load Fury
Range trade when you do not want the dual-prop AC commit.
- Long Point Arbitrator Skill check
Load Fury
Missile versus drone kite. Band discipline.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Skill check
Load Fury
Projection contest. Leave if they own mid-band.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Fury
Once they land you are in trouble. Warp.
- Armor RLML Scythe Fleet Issue Skill check
Load Fury
Sister line — armor has the neut reach.
Minmatar Cruiser · StabberFI
Stabber Fleet Issue
Fairly weak, still useful: dual-prop plate for range control.
- Ship bonuses (per skill level)
- Role bonus
- Fleet Issue combat hull with projectile damage, tracking, and falloff
5% Medium Projectile Turret damage
7.5% Medium Projectile Turret tracking
7.5% Medium Projectile Turret falloff
Overview
The hull has problems and sits mid on pure charts. Fly it anyway for Minmatar Fleet identity and for tools Scythe Fleet Issue lacks — especially a web and better guaranteed-brawl presence. Speed tank under guns; do not expect to beat a serious VNI in a held scramble.
Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue
Dual prop, sixteen-hundred plate, autocannons. Strong against laser boats if you get on top; can punch up into some battlecruisers. Prefer this over Scythe Fleet when the fight is a guaranteed brawl or a smaller gang.
Example fits
Example fittings for each role above. Copy into Pyfa / EFT, then tune for your skills and contracts.
[NVY]
Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue
MWD + AB 1600 plate Vulcan for range control and punching up.
Matchups · Dual Prop Stabber Fleet Issue
MWD + AB 1600 plate Vulcan for range control and punching up.
- Polarized Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Get under guns; speed tank the projectiles back.
- Kite Omen Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Close laser kiters. Prefer guaranteed brawl over Scythe Fleet chasing.
- Pulse Augoror Navy Issue Favoured
Load Hail
Same — get on top.
- Pulse Maller Favoured
Load Hail
Laser boat under Vulcans.
- Beam Omen Favoured
Load Hail
T1 laser brick — scrub them.
- 2X Neut HAM Osprey Navy Issue Skill check
Load Hail
Winnable. Watch neuts.
- HAM Caracal Navy Issue Skill check
Load Hail
Tough buffer race.
- Brawl Arbitrator Favoured
Load Hail
Guaranteed-brawl presence is why you flew this over Scythe.
- Dual Prop Scythe Fleet Issue Favoured
Load Hail
You are the harder dedicated brawl.
- Dual Rep Vexor Navy Issue Disengage
Load Hail
Do not take the straight brawl.
- Blaster Exequror Navy Issue Unfavoured
Load Hail
You cannot speed tank their apply. Leave.
Glossary
- Brawling
- Fighting up close within damage range of the enemy.
- High grounds
- The pilot already inside the plex. Most fights start with a slide-in; the inside pilot sets the opening range.
- Kiting
- Staying outside the enemy’s effective range while still applying damage.
- Low grounds
- The pilot outside the plex. You can scout and choose when to initiate, but you start at a range disadvantage.
- ENI
- Exequror Navy Issue
- VNI
- Vexor Navy Issue
- CNI
- Caracal Navy Issue
- XLASB
- Extra Large Ancillary Shield Booster
- RHML
- Rapid Heavy Missile Launcher
- RLML
- Rapid Light Missile Launcher
- Neuts
- Energy neutralizers
- Plex
- Faction warfare complex: a gated (or, for Open, ungated) deadspace site where most FW fights happen.
- TD
- Tracking Disruptor
Additional Resources
Written by Dato Koppla. The links below cover sibling hull guides, plex fundamentals, and deeper yearly data when you want another angle.
- Faction Warfare Frigate Guide (this site) Scout plexes and navy/T1 frigates—start here before stepping up to destroyers and cruisers.
- Faction Warfare Destroyer Guide (this site) Navy and T1 destroyers, archetypes, and 1v1 charts—the usual rung below cruiser plex work.
- Faction Warfare Complexes (this site) Landing, gates, site sizes, and LP/VP tables for the plexes you are fighting in.
- Faction Warfare Basics (this site) Warzone map, system types, contested vs advantage.
- EVE Faction Warfare Yearbook (T Sky / EVE Frigates) Deeper yearly hull reference when you want more engagement data than this guide covers.
