Sean Faust
   |
Posted - 2008.01.04 21:17:00 -
[1]
Missiles are fine in PvP as long as you understand their limitations and don't try to make them do something they're not good at.
First thing to understand is that missiles, like guns, are divided into short range and long range variants. The short range ones deal significantly higher DPS but generally mandate the use of an MWD and a webber, which can hurt your survivability if you're a shield tanker. Long range missiles cannot match the DPS of blasters, autocannons, and pulse lasers, and rightfully so. They're meant to be compared to Railguns, Artillary, and Beam Lasers.
One of a missile's strengths is that as long as the target is not out of the missile's range, and is not moving faster than the missile itself can travel, then the missile is guaranteed to hit its target. If you've played world of warcraft or any other MMORPG then you'll understand what I mean when I say that missiles are like DoTs or poison/bleed effects. The damage isn't spectacular, but is consistent and reliable. They cannot score wrecking blows but cannot miss either.
They are highly impractical for fleet sniping as it takes missiles a long time to reach their target and, when firing on primaries, the target will likely already be dead from your fleet mates before your first volley even reaches them.
Long range missiles are: Light missiles, Heavy missiles, and Cruiser missiles. These sacrifice damage for range.
Short range missile are: Rockets, Heavy assault missiles, and Torpedos. These sacrifice range for a significant damage increase and are generally more preferable for PvP.
The problems missiles experience in PvP are generally attributed more to Caldari ship bonuses and the fact that they're shield tankers than missiles themselves. Because Caldari ships are shield tankers, they cannot spare the mid slots for the 3 necessary PvP mods that go along with close range weapons (MWD, Web, Scram). Also, many Caldari ships have bonuses that apply to long range missiles but not short range ones, meaning that even if they did fit them, their DPS would be higher with the ranged ones than short range. It is very hard to make a shield tanking missile ship work in solo or small gang PvP as you need dedicated tacklers. However, the Amarr Khanid missile ships rock.
Just my opinions.
|