The Tackler

In this section, we'll look at tackling. The assumption here is that you are new and you are part of a gang.

You can view the GoonFleet video by following the tackling tag on this article. It gives a lot of good advice.

On saying that, where you can fly any frigate as a tackler (a cruiser is NOT a tackler) some frigates are better than others.

The VIGIL detailed here is probably the best tackler out there.

This is for a number of key reasons.

1: It's basic speed is 320m/s. This is extremely fast for a newbie tackler and speed at reaching that target is key.

You want to get within warp jamming range immediately and this helps you do that.

The ship bonus is also interesting...you get 5% bonus to the ships maximum velocity per level (frigate skill). Within hours you could be flying one of the cheapest and fastest Tech 1 frigates.

2: It's price. It's very cheap making it disposable. As a tackler, you will die so cost has to be a factor. If you are rich, money won't matter anyway.

3: Skill requirements are very low. So if you do fly another race, it's easy to cross train.

Minmatar Frigate II
Spaceship Command I
See point 1 for bonuses.

4: Fitting.
Low slots 3
Med slots 3
High slots 3
Launcher hardpoints 1
Turret hardpoints 2

The Vigil has all the basic requirements for a tackler. It has 3 all important medium slots for:

Warp Scrambler/Jammer: Come in two ranges basically - 7.5km and 20km. Recommended you use 20km as you can lock someone down and remain out of their smartbomb range easily.

At 7.5km you can also stay out of range but the margin for error is smaller plus you have to get closer to the target taking precious seconds to do so.

Stasis Webifier/Webber: Not much needs to be said here just go for a combination of low fitting costs and higher speed reduction.

1mn MicrowarpDrive: This is your tool that gets you in range quickly.

Naysayers often point out these make your frigate look the size of battleships to enemy guns. While this is true, you can use a short burst to get in range. Orbit your target at full speed outside of Smartbomb range (5km)

All other fittings are cake, avoid tanking your frigate. Putting armour plate on slows you down. Nanofiber internal structure and similar in the low slots make your ship faster.

Remember, in a tackler, speed is king.