Looks ok to me.

Maybe get Faction antimatter if you can afford some, for the later fights.

Slightly better x8 guns = much better.

Cap recharger instead of the web as a swap-in for the longer fights if you're having cap troubles.

Get some Rigs in there, too, maybe an anti-explosive or trimark armor pump for a bit of extra tank, or nano accelerator/nano pump for better reps.

Keep in mind that there can be a LOT of jumps in between missions, and a frigate will fly these faster than a destroyer.

How do I know what range I have with this fit and ship?

And if you REALLY can't crack your enemy's tank, consider changing your weapons to Blasters.

They have FAR less range (you basically have to be right on top of your target) but will deal FAR more damage.

can someone please clarify the difference between webifiers and warp scramblers as I was able to warp back to base when the little web thingy was showing above my hud.

A webber slows you down (normal space velocity). They make it easier to warp though.

Not really.

In the specific case that you're already aligning on the correct vector and are partially accelerated, the max velocity cut can scoot you into warp earlier. They don't make it easier to warp in general, though.

Update: the original text above also had the text: "They make it easier to warp though". This is wrong (see SurrenderMonkey's post, two posts down)

Burning Down the Hive can also be completed with a destroyer fitted for long range. I used a Cormorant with Rails (Iridium Ammo) and had an optimal of around 23 km. This is so far away that the Drones will be unable to apply either much damage or do their nastly webbing/scramming.

I'd argue that even if the learn how to tank lesson is probably the missions main objective it could also be seen as a learn range control mission if one chooses the long range option.

my optimal range was only about 8km so how did you get 23km range? Am I missing something?

my optimal range was only about 8km so how did you get 23km range? Am I missing something?

my optimal range was only about 8km so how did you get 23km range? Am I missing something?

I'm coming in late here, so a few things. Use the in game fitting simulation to see the stats you'll get before you buy it. Never trust someone else's loadout as is. You need to know that it's going to do what you think it should do, and while pre built loadouts might be good enough for a fleet where it'll average out, for solo stuff you need the performance of a custom loadout.

1) guns - the ones you've got are fine, my usual preference, but keep around a full rack of neutron blasters with you as well. You are allowed to own more than 1 type of gun, just don't mix fitted guns. You can also keep around a couple mag stabs in case your tank is more than you need and DPS less than you need.

2) tank - looks good. imo, a little over tanked. I prefer a speed tank in small ships. I'd tend to swap out those resists for propulsion mods. Also be aware, damage control isn't particularly useful for improving a PVE tank compared to other alternatives. The biggest advantage of it is that it adds hull resists, which if you hit hull, you've already done something wrong in PVE. It might buy you more time to run away, but there are better options for improving your armor and holding the field, such as the eanm you've already got fitted.

3) controlling the range - you've got your AB, and your web. Good start. Like I said, I like being fast, but that's not the only way to control ranges. The longer range of rails helps give you range flexibility as well. I'm not sure what the range of your ammo is, but make sure you have 1 that's outside of web range at 12ish km, then maybe another even further out. Consider tracking mods to effectively improve your DPS at longer ranges (you can use shorter range ammo at longer ranges, therefore higher DPS.)

Some numbers. A cheap neutron blaster DPS catalyst can get approximately 300 DPS, but has range issues. A comparable Algos has about 230 DPS with much more flexible range options but more skills required for minimal effectiveness. Skills you're gonna need eventually anyway flying Gallente. It sounds like yours is around 100 DPS, which is fine for most situations, but be prepared to be flexible.

what neutron blasters exactly as there are several? I have 3 light ion blasters should i use those and get 5 more? Or should I get 8 light neutron blasters?

what neutron blasters exactly as there are several? I have 3 light ion blasters should i use those and get 5 more? Or should I get 8 light neutron blasters?