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[[Category:Guides]]
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'''Interceptors''' (also '''inties''' or '''ceptors''') are a class of Tech 2 [[frigates]]. They are some of the fastest ships, and they have attributes and bonuses which make them supremely effective for [[tackling]] and [[scouting]]. Inties are often one of the first classes of T2 ships that pilots train. Besides their core roles, they are also used for pure travel. If they are fitted for pure travel they are called [[Travel fits#Fleet Interceptors|travel ceptors]].
[[Category:PvP]]
 
{{uwc}}
 
  
Interceptors (often called "inties" or "'ceptors") are a class of Tech 2 frigate. They are Eve's fastest ships, and they have attributes and bonuses which make them supremely effective tacklers, or dangerous high-speed damage-dealers. Inties are often one of the first classes of T2 ships that pilots train, and they're often helpful in Eve University's fleets where they are normally used to do basic tackle well.
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== Overview ==
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There are two types of interceptor: fleet interceptors and combat interceptors. Each of the four empire factions has one interceptor of each type. Besides those two special edition pirate interceptors exist, the {{sh|Imp}} and the {{sh|Whiptail}}. Technically they are fleet interceptors but they are of little interest here because they are very rare and expensive.
  
This page won't make you a good interceptor pilot -- only practice can do that -- but it does cover a lot of information that's useful for new interceptor pilots.
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All interceptors share the following characteristics:
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* They all have an ''80% reduction in Propulsion Jamming systems activation cost'' role bonus. This makes it easier to have tackle modules running.
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* They all have a ''15% reduction in Microwarpdrive [[signature radius]] penalty'' for each level their pilot has in {{sk|Interceptors|icon=yes}}. This allows to reduce incoming damage by speed tanking.
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* They all have very high base velocities. This allows great on grid mobility to get tackle on targets.
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* They all have very high base scan resolution, letting them lock on to targets rapidly.
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* Interceptors have a warp speed of 8.0 AU/s. This means they can overtake most ships in warp and also get to a target quickly to secure tackle.
  
Terminology note: "Point" and "Long Point" usually mean a Warp Disruptor, while "Scram" (and sometimes "Short Point") refers to a Warp Scrambler.
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=== Fleet Interceptors ===
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The fleet interceptors have following traits in common which make them ideal fleet support as fast tackle and scouts:
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* They have a 5% ''bonus to warp scrambler and warp disruptor range'' for each level their pilot has in {{sk|Interceptors|icon=yes}}. At Interceptors V, a fleet interceptor can point a target within 30km—and that's without [[Overheating|heat]], which adds an extra 6km.
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* They can fit ''Interdiction Nullifiers'', which allow them to temporarily ignore warp disruption bubbles either when entering a system or when moving around a battlefield. This is an active module with certain limitations, and it is typically not fitted to PvP-focused fits.
  
==Overview==
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The tackle range bonus allows the fleet interceptor to hold tackle at a relatively safe distance. This is crucial to these ships' usual role.
  
There are two types of interceptor: interceptors designed purely for tackling ("tackle" or "fleet" inties), and interceptors designed for combat ("gank", "damage", "damage-dealing" or "combat" inties). Each of the four races has one interceptor of each type. For simplicity's sake this guide will refer to the two types as '''fleet''' and '''combat''' interceptors, but different players will use different terminology. Due to Eve University's general "Combined Arms" large fleet style, fleet inties are more useful in a normal E-Uni fleet.
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Further, they have bonuses tied to the skills of their respective empire faction's frigate:
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* {{sh|Malediction}}: 5% bonuses to rocket damage and 4% bonus to all armor resistances per level
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* {{sh|Crow}}: 5% bonus to Light Missile and Rocket explosion radius and 10% bonus to Light Missile and Rocket max velocity per level
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* {{sh|Ares}}: 10% bonus to hybrid optimal range and 10% bonus to hybrid tracking per level
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* {{sh|Stiletto}}: 5% bonus to projectile damage and 7.5% bonus to projectile tracking per level
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Those bonuses are only of minor importance for their usual role, tackling, but might occasionally come into play in unusual fits.
  
All interceptors, of both kinds, share certain characteristics:
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The fleet interceptors are distinguished from each other mostly through base stats like speed, slot layout, and fitting space, as those define the possible fits. The Stiletto is very popular in a shield buffer fit, while the Malediction is usually flown with an ancillary armor repairer. The Crow is lacking one low slot in comparison to the Stiletto which means it can't fit for as much speed. The bigger potential shield buffer can't make up for that, as speed is very important for fleet interceptors. The Ares can be fitted in a similar way as the Malediction, but its base speed is significantly lower, it has less armor buffer, and it lacks the armor resist bonus that makes the Malediction particularly tough. The low align time of the Ares does make it a popular travel interceptor, though. As a fleet tackle this can be an advantage because a target might not consider the Ares the same threat as a Stiletto or Malediction.
  
* They all have an "''80% reduction in Propulsion Jamming systems activation cost''" role bonus, letting inty pilots permanently run warp disruptors/scramblers and webifires much more easily.
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Besides their usual roles as scout and tackle, fleet interceptors are often used in unconventional ways. "Travel 'ceptors" are fleet interceptors which are fitted to have less than two seconds align time. This is often paired with rigs for faster warp speed. Since CCP removed innate [[Interdiction Nullifier|interdiction nullification]] from fleet interceptors, basic shuttles—which do have innate nullification—have taken over some of the nullsec travel ship role.
* They all have a "''15% reduction in MicroWarpdrive [[signature|signature radius]] penalty''" for each level their pilot has in the {{sk|Spaceship Command|Interceptors}} skill, dramatically reducing the signature bloom effect caused by having a MWD on.
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** Most ships have to use MWDs in short bursts only, because the bloom makes them much more vulnerable to large guns and missiles. This crucial bonus lets interceptors run their MWDs permanently but still keep (relatively) small sig radii.
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{{expansion past|Fleet interceptors used to have innate interdiction nullification, as shuttles now do (at the time of writing, late 2021). This has been removed, and replaced by the ''ability'' to fit an "[[Interdiction Nullifier]]", which is a more limited active module with a similar effect.}}
* They all have very high base velocities.
 
* They all have very high base scan resolution, letting them lock on to targets rapidly.
 
  
===Fleet Inties===
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Fleet interceptors are also sometimes fitted for exploration in nullsec. The idea is that they are safer for traveling than covert ops ships which are bonused for scanning. But it's doubtful whether the ability to fit an [[Interdiction Nullifier]] is really worth losing the scanning bonus of a dedicated exploration ship.
Fleet inties are so called because they are a great help to a fleet (especially in high- and lowsec where bubbles can't be used to pin the enemy down) but, being more or less pure tacklers, they aren't so good solo.
 
  
* Fleet inties are tied with the [[Frigate#Covert_Ops_Frigate|covops frigates]] for Eve's '''fastest base warp speed''' in Eve, 13.5 AU/s
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Another use for fleet interceptors is to fit them with [[Electronic Countermeasures#Equipment|ECM burst jammers]] to disrupt enemy fleets. In this case they warp in ECM burst and warp off again. The warp-ins are usually provided by combat scanners.
* Their defining feature is a 5% '''bonus to warp scrambler and warp disruptor range''' per level in the Interceptor skill
 
  
Fleet inties move fast, catch people quickly and can hold a point on someone while orbiting them at high speed and beyond 20km range -- for example, with Interceptor trained to level IV the range of a T2 disruptor on a fleet inty will be over 28km (and over 34km if you overheat). The rest of the fleet inty's bonuses, tied to the racial frigate skill (which will have been trained to 5), are weapon- or tank-related.
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=== Combat Interceptors ===
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Combat interceptors are more combat-oriented than their counterparts, as the name suggests. They do not have the extended tackle range bonuses of the fleet interceptors, and instead gain multiple bonuses to their chosen weapon turrets. (All combat interceptors use turrets, not missiles.) However, because their straight combat power is generally exceeded by [[assault frigate]]s, especially since AFs can fit Assault Damage Controls, they are much less commonly used.
  
The four races' fleet inties, together with their racial frigate skill bonuses, are:
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The 'Howling Interdictors' update of October 2020 gave a new bonus to all combat interceptors: +100% [[Overheating|Overheat]] effects for Afterburners and Microwarpdrives. This allows combat interceptors to reach unbelievably high speeds for very short durations. Apart from this bonus, all combat interceptors have several different skill-based bonuses to weapons performance, from both their racial frigate skills and from the common Interceptors skill.
  
* The Amarr [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Malediction Malediction]: 5% bonuses to rocket damage and armor resistances per level
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* {{sh|Crusader}}: 7.5% bonus to laser tracking per level, 10% less laser cap use, 10% bonus to laser damage
* The Caldari [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Raptor Raptor]: 5% bonus to hybrid damage and 10% bonus to hybrid range per level
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* {{sh|Raptor}}: 4% bonus to all shield resistances, 10% bonus to Small Hybrid Turret Damage, 10% bonus to Small Hybrid Turret optimal range
* The Gallente [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Ares Ares]: 5% bonus to hybrid damage and 7.5% bonus to hybrid tracking per level
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* {{sh|Taranis}}: 7.5% bonus to hybrid tracking, 15% bonus to hybrid damage per level
* The Minmatar [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Stiletto Stiletto]: 5% bonus to projectile damage and 7.5% bonus to projectile tracking per level; notable for being the only inty with 4 midslots
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* {{sh|Claw}}: 10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret damage, 5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret rate of fire, 7.5% bonus to projectile tracking per level
  
All four of these are useful, though the Stiletto's fourth midslot gives it a bit of an edge.
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{{expansion past|Combat Interceptors had innate interdiction nullification until October 2018. Before that change [[Combat Interceptors|combat interceptor fleets]] were a common concept. Especially Claws fitted for fast align and high alpha were very successful. These so called [[Combat Interceptors#Fozzie_Claws/Windrunners|Fozzie Claws]] caused CCP to remove nullification from the combat ceptors. Since then combat interceptors struggle to stand up to other ships especially assault frigates which can also warp at over 8 AU/s if they are hyperspatial rigged (status November 2019). This doesn't mean that you cannot find a niche use for them.}}
  
===Combat Inties===
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== Skills ==
The combat interceptors are better suited to actual fighting. They are popular solo ships, usually going toe-to-toe with other frigates, and are occasionally used in all-interceptor gangs. They are often the best counter to fleet inties.
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To be able to sit in an interceptor, you need the relevant T1 frigate skill at level V and {{sk|Interceptors}} at I; Interceptors has {{sk|Evasive Maneuvering|V}} as a prerequisite. If you want to use a fleet interceptor in the tackle role, you should train {{sk|Interceptors}} at least to level IV, and level V is desirable.
  
* Combat inties have '''more combat-orientated slot layouts''', usually more lowslots at the expense of midslots
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Besides the required skills, you mostly need good general [[Support skills|support skills]] (compare [[Magic 14]]) to improve your speed/agility as well as your capacitor life, and to help with the tight fitting requirements found on these ships.
* Combat inties have '''more powergrid''' than the fleet inties, making it easier to fit weapons
 
* Combat inties have '''an extra combat-related bonus''' tied to the Interceptors skill, instead of the fleet inties' tackling range bonus
 
  
The four combat inties, together with their racial frigate skill bonuses, are:
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The following skills are important to improve your navigation:
  
* The Amarr [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Crusader Crusader]:  10% less laser cap use, 5% bonus to laser damage, 7.5% bonus to laser tracking per level
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* {{sk|Navigation}} 5% bonus to sub-warp speed per level. Level 5 is recommended.
* The Caldari [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Crow Crow]: 10% bonus to kinetic missile damage, 10% bonus to missile speed per level
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* {{sk|Acceleration Control}} 5% bonus to afterburner and MWD speed per level. Level 4 is recommended.
* The Gallente [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Taranis Taranis]: 10% bonus to hybrid damage, 7.5% bonus to hybrid tracking per level
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* {{sk|Spaceship Command}} 2% to ship agility per level. Level 5 is recommended.
* The Minmatar [http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Claw Claw]: 10% bonus to projectile damage, 7.5% bonus to projectile tracking per level
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* {{sk|Evasive Maneuvering}} 5% improved ship agility for all ships per skill level. Level 5 is a prerequisite anyways.
  
The Taranis's hefty damage bonus -- applied to the already face-meltingly high DPS potential of blasters -- has made it a very popular dogfighter. The other three all have their proponents, however, and they're all deadly in the right hands.
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Interceptors don't have a lot of capacitor but MWDs are capacitor hungry modules. Thus, skills to improve your capacitor or to reduce capacitor consumption are important:
  
==Skills==
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* {{sk|Capacitor Management}} and {{sk|Capacitor Systems Operation}} should at least be at level IV. Train them to level V very early.
===Necessary Skills===
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* {{sk|High Speed Maneuvering}} 5% reduction in MicroWarpdrive capacitor usage per skill level. Level IV is required. Level V recommended.
Training to fly the Interceptor hull will probably take the most amount of time, particularly Evasive Maneuvering 5 and Racial Frigate 5.
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* {{sk|Propulsion Jamming}} 5% Reduction to Warp Scrambler, Warp Disruptor, and Stasis Web capacitor need per skill level. Level IV is recommended.
*{{sk|Spaceship Command|Interceptors}} Level 1 is required to fly interceptors, although having at least level 4 is strongly recommended for the interceptor skill bonuses.
 
Most of these modules are relatively quick to train for. T2 modules give a significant advantage over T1 and so are recommended in most cases.
 
*{{sk|Electronics|Propulsion Jamming}} Level 2 is necessary for Tech 2 points, and level 4 allows T2 webs.
 
*{{sk|Electronics|High Speed Maneuvering}} Level 3 for T2 MWDs. Level 4 is recommended.
 
*{{sk|Mechanic|Hull Upgrades}} Level 2 is required for T2 Nanofibre Internal Structures and Overdrive Injectors.
 
*{{sk|Science|Thermodynamics}} Allows overheating of modules: vital in tight situations to give an extra boost of speed or point range. {{sk|Mechanic|Nanite Operation}} is required for Nanite Paste, used to repair heat damage.
 
  
===Support Skills===
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Other generally important skills for an interceptor:
*Basic fitting skills like {{sk|Mechanic|Hull Upgrades}}, {{sk|Electronics|Electronics}} and {{sk|Engineering|Engineering}} should be at level 5.
 
  
*{{sk|Navigation|Navigation}} 5% bonus to sub-warp speed per level. Level 5 is recommended.
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* {{sk|CPU Management}} and {{sk|Power Grid Management}}. Many fits are very tight and require those skills at level V.
*{{sk|Navigation|Acceleration Control}} 5% bonus to afterburner and MWD speed per level. Level 4 is recommended.
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* {{sk|Shield Upgrades}} reduces the fitting space for shield upgrades. Especially some Stiletto fits assume it at level V. Fits without shield extenders don't profit from it at all.
*{{sk|Spaceship Command|Spaceship Command}} 2% to ship agility per level. Level 5 is recommended.
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* {{sk|Hull Upgrades}} at least at level IV for T2 Damage Control. Level V recommended for more armor buffer.
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* {{sk|Mechanics}}, {{sk|Shield Management}}, and {{sk|Shield Operation}} improve your general buffer tank.
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* {{sk|Signature Analysis}} 5% scan resolution per level; getting this to level V will greatly boost your target locking speed.
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* {{sk|Long Range Targeting}} will help make sure you can actually target out to the same range that you can point.
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* {{sk|Thermodynamics}} Allows [[overheating]] of modules: vital in tight situations to give an extra boost of speed or point range. {{sk|Nanite Operation}} is required for Nanite Paste, used to repair heat damage.
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* {{sk|Astronautics Rigging}} for navigation rigs.
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* {{sk|Electronic Superiority Rigging}} for rigs that improve targeting speed and range.
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* {{sk|Thermodynamics|IV}} to allow you to overheat your MWD and point.
  
*{{sk|Electronics|Signature Analysis}} 5% scan resolution per level; getting this to level 5 will greatly boost your target locking speed.
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== Fitting ==
*{{sk|Electronics|Long Range Targeting}} Level 5 will help make sure you can actually target out to the same range that you can point. A signal amplifier module or ionic field projector rig can compensate for lower targeting skills.
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This section focuses on fitting principles for fleet interceptors in the role as tackle. Many people who specialise as an interceptor pilot also have highly specialised personal fits which suit their personal style but are not recommended for a beginner or general purpose. Experienced pilots also often choose the more expensive and better faction modules. One of those modules alone usually costs more than a T2 fitted interceptor. This is reasonable for experienced pilots as they know how to fly a fleet interceptor without ever losing it. A new pilot will surely lose several interceptors before mastering them. (Most players never focus enough on this role to ever master it.)
  
*{{sk|Engineering|Energy Management}} and {{sk|Engineering|Energy Systems Operation}} Level 4/5 in these skills will help cap stability greatly, although you can fit a capacitor power relay module or capacitor control rig to cope with low cap skills.
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To fulfill your role as fleet tackle you always need to fit:
  
*{{sk|Mechanic|Astronautics Rigging}} for navigation rigs.
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* a [[Warp Disruptor|warp disruptor]] (also called point or long point). This is for your main purpose: to hold tackle on another ship. You usually choose the T2 version which has a range of 30 km without overheating and 36 km hot (if you have the interceptor skill at V, a bit less otherwise). Experienced pilots sometimes choose expensive faction points as those have an even bigger range.
*{{sk|Mechanic|Electronic Superiority Rigging}} for rigs that improve targeting speed and range.
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* a 5MN [[microwarpdrive]]. This allows you for great speed which means mobility but also reduces the damage you take. You usually choose the restrained version as its signature bloom, capacitor reduction and fitting space is relatively good. The other meta versions might be useful for special cases. The T2 has no true advantages over the meta modules. Again, experienced pilots might invest more here. Notice that A-types are about the same price as the other versions although they have the best stats.
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* a [[Warp Scrambler|warp scrambler]] (scram). The scram is not primarily used to hold tackle but for scram passes, to go close for a scram if you see a microjump drive animation, or to prevent targets from gate crashing. In certain specialised cases the scram might be omitted but in general you need to fit a scram as a typical Fleet Commander will expect you to have a scram fitted. Omitting it without the awareness of the FC hurts the fleet's performance significantly. The scram is usually T2 for its longer range compared to the meta versions. It's less often upgraded to a better version than the point or MWD.
  
*{{sk|Engineering|Shield Upgrades}} Level 4+ - will allow Medium Shield Extender IIs to be fitted, a common midslot module.
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The targeting range of interceptors (36.9 to 40.6 km at {{sk|Long Range Targeting|V}}) is short compared with their point range, especially if heated. In the hunter role you want to be able to lock the target while you spiral in so that you can lock it as soon as it is in heated point range. For this reason, nearly all fits use a Small Ionic Field Projector II rig which increases the targeting range by 30%. The alternatives would be Signal Amplifiers or Sensor Boosters but the slots and fitting space are too valuable to use for them.
  
T2 small weapon skills will be useful for combat inties, as Tech 2 ammo generally allows much more range control and damage.
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The next important consideration is speed. Interceptors are already fast, but the higher the speed the quicker you get on a target to tackle and the less damage you take through speed tanking. Typically, you fit a T2 Nanofiber Internal Structure which increases speed and agility combined with a T2 Overdrive Injector System which simply increases speed. On top of that you fit one of the following navigation rigs: Small Auxiliary Thrusters increase your speed, Small Low Friction Nozzle Joints improves your agility, and Small Polycarbon Engine Housing for both. Overall, be aware that you don’t want to only fit modules which increase speed but also modules which increase agility.
  
==Fitting==
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The remaining slots are usually used for tank. A T2 damage control is usually fit to any interceptor. The shield interceptors, Stilettos and Crows, are usually shield buffer tanked, which means they fit a Medium Shield Extenders. The armor interceptors, Maledictions and Ares, are usually fit with a Small Ancillary Armor Repairer. Buffer armor fits are unusual because a plate slows the ship down.
As for most support ships, the basic rule for fitting interceptors is: fit for your role, then for tank, and then use what's left for damage. For a fleet interceptor, that means that a T2 point and MWD (essential), enough targeting range to support the point, a speed tank (possibly with a DCU2 for buffer) and some short-range weapons to take care of drones. Combat inties should focus more on their weapons and tank first, maybe fitting a small repper or plate depending on the enemy, and often swap the point for a scram.
 
  
When deciding on midslots and rigs, thought should be given to the inty's purpose. For example, you might want to fit sensor boosters and targeting speed rigs in order to catch fast ships and pods; speed and webifier(s) to lock down fast enemy ships over a longer fight; or damage and tank in order to fight toe-to-toe with other fast frigates. Much of this decision will depend on personal preference and playstyle, so experimentation is generally encouraged: although there are plenty of fellow corpmates and alumni who have been there, tried that, and are more than willing to give an opinion on your latest idea.
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Guns or missile launchers are of little or no concern. If the fitting space is there, you fit some and use them to get rid of light drones. If you don’t have the fitting space, don’t compromise the rest of the fit to squeeze some guns or missiles in.
  
===High slots===
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Energy Nosferatus are an option for the highslots. The idea is to steal a bit of cap, but realistically you are rarely close enough to anything to improve your cap significantly.
Weapons are generally small turrets with high tracking or rocket launchers. Fleet interceptors will mainly want to be shooting drones, and possibly use defenders to mitigate incoming missile damage. Combat inties will focus more on their weapons, ideally firing Scorch/Barrage/Null etc in order to dictate range better.
 
===Mid slots===
 
Almost all inties will fit an MWD first. Fleet inties will generally fit disruptors in order to get tackle earlier and make most of their bonus range, while combat inties fit scrams in order to counter other ships' MWDs better. Fleet inties should not fit scrams unless they really know what they are doing: unless the inty pilot is very good at controlling range, using a scram means getting too close to enemy scram range. If a fleet inty gets scrammed, it will most likely explode a few seconds later. When fitting a disruptor, make sure you have the targeting range to use all of your overheated point range. A signal amplifier or Small Ionic Field Projector rig will help here.
 
  
After prop and point has been fitted, the rest of the midslots are generally dependent on the number of midslots available, the friendly and enemy fleet composition, and the pilot's personal preference. Common choices include stasis webifiers, sensor boosters, medium shield extenders, afterburners, or even some form of EWAR.
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Experienced dedicated interceptor pilots often use Snake [[implants]] to improve their speed even more. Halo implants are another option: these cut your signature radius, significantly boosting your survivability, and they are cheaper. [[Skill Hardwiring]] can be used to further increase speed or improve cap. If you want to use [[medical boosters]], Overclocker and Quafe Zero are obvious candidates.
===Low slots===
 
Most inties will fit at least a couple of Overdrive Injector System IIs or Nanofibre Internal Structure IIs for speed. Generally, a mix of raw speed and agility is recommended since orbit velocity is more useful than total speed. Agility is useful to be able to warp faster, orbit more accurately and change direction more quickly (to minimise the time when angular velocity is low). Fleet interceptors will generally fit at least two low slots for speed, with a third used for a DCU2, but if a fourth lowslot is available then a Signal Amplifier II or a fitting module like an MAPC might be used. Even in a fleet interceptor, speed is not everything: inties generally have plenty of speed already and speed mods quickly suffer heavy stacking penalties. Fitting more than three speed mods or rigs is a waste: it will not noticeably increase speed and will reduce tank.
 
  
Combat inties will use more of their lowslots for damage and tank. Tank can include DCU2, adaptive nano plating, an armor repper, or a small armor plate. If possible, tank should be matched to the expected enemy fleet composition, including engagement duration and estimated incoming damage. Low DPS spread over a few small encounters (say frigate fights) is ideal for a repper, but a plate is more suited to larger fleets over a longer period.
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The above discussion covers the base fitting considerations. Experienced pilots might break the above rules with a special case in mind. For example, some might even fit an expanded probe launcher for combat probes, although this takes a lot of fitting space. Only diverge from the approach outlined above if you know what you are doing.
  
===Rigs===
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== Flying Interceptors ==
Rig to taste. Rigs can be used to boost targeting, damage, speed, and tank (particularly in filling explosive holes against Warrior drones). Pilots should be careful fitting speed rigs, though, as they are roughly half as effective as lowslot modules and will be subject to hefty stacking penalties if more than one lowslot has been used for speed. See Morty's [[Module_Stacking_and_Speed_Modules|in-depth comparison]] for more details; in summary, fitting more than three speed mods or rigs is a waste.
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Generally, inty pilots want to keep speed and angular velocity high, as these are the main form of tank.
  
==Flying Interceptors==
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=== Fleet Interceptors ===
Generally, inty pilots want to keep speed and angular velocity high as these are the main form of tank.
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Fleet interceptors are generally flown as a special tackler, often staying a couple of jumps ahead or behind the main fleet to hold enemies in place until the fleet arrives, or providing mini-warpin* points and mobile safespots during a battle. Depending on the fleet style, they can 'scout and skirmish', roaming around to find targets, often holding them in place for up to 10 or 15 minutes while the rest of the fleet arrives; sit at gatecamps and a put a fast point on anything flashy coming through; or get initial tackle and then hold valuable non-primary targets during a longer engagement until the fleet is ready to DD them.
===Fleet Interceptors===
 
Fleet interceptors are generally flown as a special tackler, often staying a couple of jumps ahead or behind the main fleet to hold enemies in place until the fleet arrives, or providing mini-warpin* points and mobile safespots during a battle. Depending on the fleet style, they can 'scout and skirmish', roaming around to find targets, often holding them in place for 10 or 15 minutes while the rest of the fleet arrives; sit at gatecamps and a put a fast point on anything flashy coming through; or get initial tackle and then hold valuable non-primary targets during a longer engagement until the fleet is ready to DD them.
 
  
Inties should approach targets at an angle to maximize traversal while spiraling in. Once in place, the inty should orbit at around 15-25km in order to stay out of web/scram/neut range while keeping angular velocity up. Battleships can fit large neuts that can reach out to 25.2km, so these should be kept at a distance, while faster cruisers should be orbited at a smaller range so they don't escape. Orbit speed should be around 4-5km/s, so if the target launches drones, they will generally end up getting kited by the inty and be fairly easy to track and pick off. Note that, depending on skills and ships, the range at which the inty orbits will not necessarily be what the pilot has set in the UI. Pilots should check their actual orbit distances so they know what to choose in order to orbit at the correct range.  
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Inties should approach targets at an angle to maximize traversal while spiraling in. If you are flying an inty and charging straight at a target from a distance rather than spiraling in, you are ignoring one of the ship's principle defensive abilities -- agility -- and are needlessly risking a potentially crippling amount of damage or even a fatal alpha strike. Once in place, the inty should orbit at around 15-25km in order to stay out of web/scram/neut range while keeping angular velocity up. **REPEAT:  wandering into scram range = very, very bad for fleet interceptors.**  Scrams nearly always portend the destruction of your fleet interceptor.  BEWARE!  Battleships can fit large neuts that can reach out to 25.2km, so these should be kept at a distance, while faster cruisers should be orbited at a smaller range so they don't escape. Orbit speed should be around 4-5km/s, so if the target launches drones, they will generally end up getting kited by the inty and be fairly easy to track and pick off. Note that, depending on skills and ships, the range at which the inty orbits will not necessarily be what the pilot has set in the UI. Pilots should check their actual orbit distances so they know what to choose in order to orbit at the correct range. When orbiting a target, avoid being "slingshotted" out of point range.  Savvy targets delight in slingshotting.
  
 
Fleet interceptors should generally avoid faster targets like frigates and speedfit cruisers: these have a good chance of breaking the inty's orbit and applying a scram or web. Some enemies, like the Privateers, specialize in kiting and picking off smaller tacklers and running before the fleet arrives: these should just be avoided unless a warpin for the whole fleet can be generated.
 
Fleet interceptors should generally avoid faster targets like frigates and speedfit cruisers: these have a good chance of breaking the inty's orbit and applying a scram or web. Some enemies, like the Privateers, specialize in kiting and picking off smaller tacklers and running before the fleet arrives: these should just be avoided unless a warpin for the whole fleet can be generated.
Line 114: Line 114:
  
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Providing mini-warp points ("tactical miniwarps"): An inty may be sent 150km+ from the rest of the fleet so that other ships can warp out to it if necessary -- to reduce incoming damage or break target locks without having to bounce all the way to a planet or station.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Providing mini-warp points ("tactical miniwarps"): An inty may be sent 150km+ from the rest of the fleet so that other ships can warp out to it if necessary -- to reduce incoming damage or break target locks without having to bounce all the way to a planet or station.
===Combat Interceptors===
 
A combat interceptor's job is to establish dominance of the frigates on the battlefield, including the enemy's tackle/interceptors, by counter-tackling and killing them. Combat interceptors are also better at tackling MWD-fit cruisers and battlecruisers than fleet interceptors - they have a scram to shut off the MWD so the fleet can catch up; and a bit more tank so that they can survive while the fleet finishes it off. Combat interceptors fly like assault frigates in many ways. They will often have their own important targets independent of the fleet's primary.
 
 
==Ships and Fitting==
 
This section will list some generic fits for different interceptors. As above, these can be modified depending on personal preference. Some discussion of these fits, and variations, is available at [http://forum.eveuniversity.org//viewtopic.php?f=129&t=27229 glepp's class thread].
 
===Malediction===
 
[Malediction, fleet]
 
Overdrive Injector System II
 
Damage Control II
 
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
 
 
Catalyzed Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
 
Warp Disruptor II
 
F-90 Positional Sensor Subroutines, Scan Resolution
 
 
[empty high slot]
 
Rocket Launcher II, Defender I
 
Rocket Launcher II, Defender I
 
Rocket Launcher II, Defender I
 
 
Polycarbon Engine Housing I
 
Small Ionic Field Projector I
 
 
===Raptor===
 
[Raptor, Fast locking]
 
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
 
Capacitor Power Relay II
 
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
 
 
Phased Monopropellant I Hydrazine Boosters
 
Sensor Booster II
 
Warp Disruptor II
 
 
TE-2100 Standard Missile Bay, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile
 
TE-2100 Standard Missile Bay, Caldari Navy Bloodclaw Light Missile
 
[empty high slot]
 
[empty high slot]
 
 
Small Targeting System Subcontroller I
 
Small Targeting System Subcontroller I
 
 
'''Notes:''' This fit is pretty fragile, can't really tank anything with decent guns. Good for gatecamps or other fleets where quick locking is important and other tackle will be available soon.
 
===Ares===
 
[Ares, Imperfect skillz]
 
Signal Amplifier II
 
Capacitor Power Relay II
 
Overdrive Injector System II
 
Damage Control II 
 
 
1MN MicroWarpdrive II
 
Warp Disruptor II
 
Sensor Booster II, Scan Resolution
 
 
75mm Gatling Rail II, Caldari Navy Iridium Charge S
 
75mm Gatling Rail II, Caldari Navy Iridium Charge S
 
OE-5200 Rocket Launcher, Defender I
 
 
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
 
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
 
 
'''Notes: (glepp)''' This is the fit I've been flying until i got my cap skills up. The Cap power relay ensures  cap stability, and the SB+Sig amp allows me to catch cloakies quite often. Some will laugh at the defender missiles, but they are very useful when holding Drakes and the likes.
 
===Stiletto===
 
[Stiletto, Cookie Cutter]
 
Overdrive Injector System II
 
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
 
Damage Control II
 
 
Catalyzed Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
 
Sensor Booster II, Scan Resolution
 
Warp Disruptor II
 
Warp Scrambler II
 
 
200mm AutoCannon II, EMP S
 
200mm AutoCannon II, EMP S
 
Rocket Launcher II, Defender I
 
 
Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
 
Small Ionic Field Projector I
 
 
'''Notes:''' A standard Stiletto fit. The scrambler can be swapped for something else if running ahead or behind the main fleet; possibly a cap booster to deal with neuts.
 
 
===Crusader===
 
[Crusader, fleet]
 
Tracking Enhancer II
 
Damage Control II
 
Overdrive Injector System II
 
Overdrive Injector System II
 
 
1MN MicroWarpdrive II
 
Warp Disruptor II
 
 
Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
 
Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
 
Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
 
Dual Light Pulse Laser II, Scorch S
 
 
Small Energy Locus Coordinator I
 
Small Energy Locus Coordinator I
 
===Crow===
 
[Crow, Generic Crow]
 
Overdrive Injector System II
 
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
 
Damage Control II
 
 
1MN MicroWarpdrive II
 
Cap Recharger II
 
Warp Disruptor II
 
 
Standard Missile Launcher II
 
Standard Missile Launcher II
 
Standard Missile Launcher II
 
Empty
 
 
Small Anti-Explosive Screen Reinforcer I
 
Small Bay Loading Accelerator I
 
  
===Taranis===
+
=== Combat Interceptors ===
[Taranis, MWD Boom]
+
A combat interceptor's job is to establish dominance of the frigates on the battlefield, including the enemy's tackle/interceptors, by counter-tackling and killing them. Combat interceptors fly like assault frigates in many ways. They will often have their own important targets independent of the fleet's primary.
Damage Control II
 
Adaptive Nano Plating II
 
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II 
 
 
1MN MicroWarpdrive II
 
Warp Scrambler II
 
Stasis Webifier II
 
 
Light Ion Blaster II, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
 
Light Ion Blaster II, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
 
Light Ion Blaster II, Caldari Navy Antimatter Charge S
 
[empty high slot]
 
 
Small Hybrid Collision Accelerator I
 
Small Hybrid Burst Aerator I
 
 
Hobgoblin II x2
 
===Claw===
 
[Claw, lone ranger]
 
Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
 
400mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
 
Adaptive Nano Plating II
 
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
 
 
Catalyzed Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
 
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
 
 
150mm Light AutoCannon II
 
150mm Light AutoCannon II
 
150mm Light AutoCannon II
 
5W Infectious Power System Malfunction
 
 
Small Projectile Burst Aerator I
 
Small Projectile Collision Accelerator I
 
  
'''Notes:''' This fit is a bit brawlier than the other interceptor fits here, but the Claw is suited to it. It doesn't have the falloff bonus to be able to stay at range with autocannon, and artillery fits have trouble dealing with drones. This fit is generally suited to solo and small gang work. The main thing is to choose your targets carefully, ie ships without both a scram and a web. One strategy is to engage at point range: depending on the ship, if they have a point they're unlikely to have a scram and web too. Close in and kill drones at a 5k orbit, then get as close as possible and let the autocannon tear into the ship. Notably, this is the only fit with a NOS, since it's designed to survive within scram range.
+
== Countering Interceptors ==
==Countering Interceptors==
+
Various modules and tactics can be used to kill interceptors, drive them away, or escape their tackle. It is good to know those as an interceptor pilot but also – of course – if you have to deal with an interceptor on the opposing side.
Various modules and tactics can be used to kill interceptors or drive them away. When in a ship with speeds similar to the inty then some [[Advanced Piloting Techniques|piloting techniques]] or [http://www.eve-tribune.com/index.php?no=2_40&page=6 maneuvers] can be used to break the inty's orbit and bring them into web or scram range. Cruisers and destroyers fit for tracking and killing frigates can also be effective. While most guns will have tracking problems against inties, missile systems can still be effective even though the inty's speed and small sig radius will mitigate much of the damage. Missiles can slowly eat through an inty's buffer if they don't have any repair or recharge ability on their armor or shields.
+
A ship with similar speed can use a [[Slingshot Maneuver]] to break the interceptor‘s orbit to either escape tackle or to bring it into web/scram range.
  
Some ships, like combat interceptors and Dramiels have the speed and tracking to keep up with an interceptor, and should be avoided. Other frigate hulls and destroyers should be avoided by fleet interceptors as they are generally cheap, so not worthwhile to tackle, and have a decent chance of killing the interceptor. Afterburner-fit assault frigates may be worth chasing. Vagabonds and Cynabals are very dangerous to interceptors since they have heavy weaponry with good tracking but can move at around 4km/s, which severly cuts down on the amount of transversal that an interceptor can create.
+
=== Drones ===
 +
Light drones are a common defence against all small ships, interceptors included. The Minmatar Warrior II light drones are the nimblest and [[Drones#Light.2C_medium_and_heavy_drones|fastest drones]], often matching interceptor speeds, and so are the most common choice. Since the release of the Kronos patch, and the rebalance of drones, Acolytes have become a threat to tackle frigates as they are often shield fit and lacks resistance for EM. Acolytes are almost as fast as Warriors.
  
===Drones===
+
However, interceptors go so very fast that even those drones are likely to still spend time fruitlessly chasing them around. But some ships have a bonus to drone speed through a hull bonus or a drone navigation link. The drones of such ships are an especially big threat to an interceptor.
Drones are a common defence against all small ships, interceptors included. The Minmatar [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Warrior_II Warrior II] light drones are the nimblest and fastest drones, often matching interceptor speeds, and so are the most common choice.
 
  
However, interceptors go so very fast that even Warriors are likely to still spend time fruitlessly chasing them around. Furthermore, it is sometimes possible to tank an interceptor against drones: a Stiletto with a medium shield extender and one or two explosive shield resist rigs can soak up a lot of fire from Warriors (which do explosive damage), for example.
+
=== Scrams ===
 +
Speed is very important for Interceptors. But they need a microwarpdrive to achieve high speeds which can be shut off by scrams. The range bonus on their own scrams allows the fleet interceptors usually to keep other ships out of their respective scram range. But they are not the only hulls with a bonus to scram range. The Gallente T2 EWAR ships ([[Keres]], [[Arazu]], and [[Lachesis]]) as well as the Mordu’s Legion ships ([[Garmur]], [[Orthrus]], and [[Barghest]]) have a bonus to scram (and point) range. Expect them to have faction or even [[Abyssal modules|abyssal]] scrams fitted and to use heat. Be also aware of your positioning towards different hostile ships. If you are holding tackle on one ship it can easily happen that you accidentally fly into the scram range of another hostile ship.
  
Fleet inty pilots can also fit weapons specifically to shoot drones. The smallest, fastest-tracking turrets, combined with the tracking bonuses that several fleet inties get, perform quite well against drones.
+
=== Long range webs ===
 +
As webs slow interceptors down they are obviously helpful against them. But usually an interceptor can comfortably stay out of web range except for ships with a bonus to web range. Those are the Minmatar T2 EWAR ships ([[Hyena]], [[Huginn]], and [[Rapier]]) as well as the Blood Raider ships ([[Cruor]], [[Ashimmu]], and [[Bhaalgorn]]). Like for scrams expect faction or [[Abyssal modules|abyssal]] webs used with heat and watch your general positioning. Besides normal webs grapplers can also pose a thread.
  
Ships with large dronebays and bonuses to drone hitpoints and damage, like the [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Arbitrator Arbitrator] and [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Vexor Vexor] have much more problematic drones (and if you do manage to kill them, they probably have more).
+
=== Damps ===
 +
In the fitting section the importance of targeting range was already discussed. [[Damp]]s with a range script can hurt an interceptor a lot. He has to either drop tackle or close in which increases his risk towards the other things mentioned here. While any ship can potentially fit damps you have to expect them on bonused hulls ([[Maulus]], [[Maulus Navy Issue]], and [[Keres]]).
  
===Counter-Tackle===
+
=== ECM ===
Webs (especially two at once) to directly cut an inty's speed or a warp scrambler to shut down its MWD are both excellent ways to slow down an inty and make it vulnerable. The problem is of course that webs and scrams have short ranges, and good inty pilots stay beyond web/scram range at all times.
+
[[ECM]] and especially ECM drones are helpful to escape any kind of tackle. Interceptors are no exception there. [[Crowbar]]s are a common way to free tackled ships.
  
Apart from other inties, there are a few ships that are particularly effective at webbing. The Minmatar [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Huginn Huginn] and [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Rapier Rapier] recon ships both have bonuses to web range. They can push a normal T2 web out to 40km range before heat (overheating the web and/or fitting a faction web can produce considerably longer ranges). Both ships are consequently very dangerous to interceptors, and a good countermeasure.
+
=== Anti-Tackle ===
 +
Sometimes fleets dedicate ships to deal with tackle. This is very common in nano gangs. Turrets usually have trouble with tracking or range against interceptors. Thus, those ships are usually fitted with (rapid) light missile launcher as they deal and apply a good amount of damage at a good range. In general  you can fit any cruiser and battlecruiser sized hull with missile [[hardpoint]]s with rapid lights. Hulls which are often used in that role are [[Orthrus]] (note the scram range bonus mentioned above), the Minmatar EWAR cruisers ([[Bellicose]], [[Rapier]], and [[Huginn]] as they can fit rapid lights and have a bonus to target painters), and the [[Osprey Navy Issue]].
  
A few other, rarer ships also have web bonuses but these are mostly to strength rather than range, so an inty that stays away from the range of normal webs shouldn't be troubled by them. Note, however, that the Blood Raider [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Bhaalgorn Bhaalgorn] battleship has a web range bonus which can push the optimal of a T2 web out to 20km before heat.
+
=== Energy Neutralizers ===
 +
A few cycles from a medium [[Capacitor warfare|energy neutralizer]] or just one cycle from a large neut can remove all of an interceptor's capacitor, shutting down its MWD and point and leaving it dead in the water.
 +
Medium neuts have similar ranges to scrams and webs, and so are not dangerous to a competent inty pilot (who stays clear of scram range). But the Amarr T2  EWAR ships ([[Sentinel]], [[Pilgrim]], and [[Curse]]) have a bonus to neut range (and strength).  
  
The Gallente recons, the [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Lachesis Lachesis] and [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Arazu Arazu] have bonuses to warp scrambler and warp disruptor range. They are most commonly fitted with disruptors, to point the enemy from a long way away, but they can be fitted with warp scramblers. This is less of a threat than the Minmatar recons' webs, but their bonuses can still put a T2 scram's range out to 18km before heat, so they should be treated with a bit of care.
+
The fitting requirements on heavy neuts mean that they are nearly exclusively fitted to battleships and capitals. The range of a T2 heavy neut is 20 km optimal plus 10 km fall off. Its neut amount is so high that it’s still very significant in fall off to an interceptor. Many battleships fit heavy neuts especially if they have a utility highslot and in a solo or small gang context. You can always expect them on a [[Bhaalgorn]] (drain amount bonus) and [[Armageddon]] (range bonus).
  
The Caldari and Amarr recon also have range bonuses to ECM and neuts respectively, both of which can also heavily counter an interceptor, and should be avoided.
+
X-Type heavy neuts are often used on capitals as their range is even bigger. The intended use is to shake off interceptors and other light tackle.
  
===Energy Neutralizers===
+
== History ==
A few cycles from a medium energy neutralizer or just one cycle from a large neut can remove all of an interceptor's capacitor, shutting down its MWD and point and leaving it dead in the water.  
+
Interceptors lost their innate interdiction nullification when the interdiction nullifier modules were introduced on 2021-05-18. In turn they gained the ability to fit those.<ref>[https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-19-04#2021-05-18.1 Patch notes] and [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/nullification-and-warp-module-update-live-now news post] for the changes to nullification.</ref>
  
Medium neuts have similar ranges to scrams and webs, and so are not dangerous to a competent inty pilot unless they're mounted on a ship which has range bonuses for them. The Amarr combat recon, the [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Curse Curse], does have such a range bonus, and it can neut at nearly 40km if the pilot has good skills. (Being based on the Arbitrator hull, it also has drone bonuses, making it a nightmare target for an interceptor to tackle!)
+
== See Also ==
 +
* [[Tackling]]
 +
* [[Scouting]]
 +
* [[Manual piloting]]
 +
* [[Advanced piloting techniques]]
 +
* [https://youtu.be/4yBTaqiMrX4 Small Gang Archetype: Light-Tackle] A video guide made by Chessur in 2015. Be aware that some modules in his fits have been reworked and some UI changes happened. Otherwise the video still applies.
  
T2 large neuts have 25km range. Fleet inties must therefore maintain a very careful orbit, further than 25km but near enough to be within warp disruptor range, when pointing a battleship which they know or suspect has one or more energy neutralisers fitted. Neuts are particularly common on the [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Dominix Dominix], the [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Scorpion Scorpion], in solo/small gang fits for the [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Typhoon Typhoon] and [http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Tempest Tempest], and on the previously mentioned Bhaalgorn (which has bonuses to neut strength, though not to their range).
+
== References ==
 +
<references />
  
==Further Reading==
+
[[Category:Ships]]
[http://eve-files.com/dl/226655 Tackling 201: Fleet Interceptors] by glepp.
 

Latest revision as of 17:46, 7 March 2023

Interceptors (also inties or ceptors) are a class of Tech 2 frigates. They are some of the fastest ships, and they have attributes and bonuses which make them supremely effective for tackling and scouting. Inties are often one of the first classes of T2 ships that pilots train. Besides their core roles, they are also used for pure travel. If they are fitted for pure travel they are called travel ceptors.

Overview

There are two types of interceptor: fleet interceptors and combat interceptors. Each of the four empire factions has one interceptor of each type. Besides those two special edition pirate interceptors exist, the Sansha's NationImp and the GuristasWhiptail. Technically they are fleet interceptors but they are of little interest here because they are very rare and expensive.

All interceptors share the following characteristics:

  • They all have an 80% reduction in Propulsion Jamming systems activation cost role bonus. This makes it easier to have tackle modules running.
  • They all have a 15% reduction in Microwarpdrive signature radius penalty for each level their pilot has in Icon skillbook2.png Interceptors. This allows to reduce incoming damage by speed tanking.
  • They all have very high base velocities. This allows great on grid mobility to get tackle on targets.
  • They all have very high base scan resolution, letting them lock on to targets rapidly.
  • Interceptors have a warp speed of 8.0 AU/s. This means they can overtake most ships in warp and also get to a target quickly to secure tackle.

Fleet Interceptors

The fleet interceptors have following traits in common which make them ideal fleet support as fast tackle and scouts:

  • They have a 5% bonus to warp scrambler and warp disruptor range for each level their pilot has in Icon skillbook2.png Interceptors. At Interceptors V, a fleet interceptor can point a target within 30km—and that's without heat, which adds an extra 6km.
  • They can fit Interdiction Nullifiers, which allow them to temporarily ignore warp disruption bubbles either when entering a system or when moving around a battlefield. This is an active module with certain limitations, and it is typically not fitted to PvP-focused fits.

The tackle range bonus allows the fleet interceptor to hold tackle at a relatively safe distance. This is crucial to these ships' usual role.

Further, they have bonuses tied to the skills of their respective empire faction's frigate:

  • AmarrMalediction: 5% bonuses to rocket damage and 4% bonus to all armor resistances per level
  • CaldariCrow: 5% bonus to Light Missile and Rocket explosion radius and 10% bonus to Light Missile and Rocket max velocity per level
  • GallenteAres: 10% bonus to hybrid optimal range and 10% bonus to hybrid tracking per level
  • MinmatarStiletto: 5% bonus to projectile damage and 7.5% bonus to projectile tracking per level

Those bonuses are only of minor importance for their usual role, tackling, but might occasionally come into play in unusual fits.

The fleet interceptors are distinguished from each other mostly through base stats like speed, slot layout, and fitting space, as those define the possible fits. The Stiletto is very popular in a shield buffer fit, while the Malediction is usually flown with an ancillary armor repairer. The Crow is lacking one low slot in comparison to the Stiletto which means it can't fit for as much speed. The bigger potential shield buffer can't make up for that, as speed is very important for fleet interceptors. The Ares can be fitted in a similar way as the Malediction, but its base speed is significantly lower, it has less armor buffer, and it lacks the armor resist bonus that makes the Malediction particularly tough. The low align time of the Ares does make it a popular travel interceptor, though. As a fleet tackle this can be an advantage because a target might not consider the Ares the same threat as a Stiletto or Malediction.

Besides their usual roles as scout and tackle, fleet interceptors are often used in unconventional ways. "Travel 'ceptors" are fleet interceptors which are fitted to have less than two seconds align time. This is often paired with rigs for faster warp speed. Since CCP removed innate interdiction nullification from fleet interceptors, basic shuttles—which do have innate nullification—have taken over some of the nullsec travel ship role.

Fleet interceptors are also sometimes fitted for exploration in nullsec. The idea is that they are safer for traveling than covert ops ships which are bonused for scanning. But it's doubtful whether the ability to fit an Interdiction Nullifier is really worth losing the scanning bonus of a dedicated exploration ship.

Another use for fleet interceptors is to fit them with ECM burst jammers to disrupt enemy fleets. In this case they warp in ECM burst and warp off again. The warp-ins are usually provided by combat scanners.

Combat Interceptors

Combat interceptors are more combat-oriented than their counterparts, as the name suggests. They do not have the extended tackle range bonuses of the fleet interceptors, and instead gain multiple bonuses to their chosen weapon turrets. (All combat interceptors use turrets, not missiles.) However, because their straight combat power is generally exceeded by assault frigates, especially since AFs can fit Assault Damage Controls, they are much less commonly used.

The 'Howling Interdictors' update of October 2020 gave a new bonus to all combat interceptors: +100% Overheat effects for Afterburners and Microwarpdrives. This allows combat interceptors to reach unbelievably high speeds for very short durations. Apart from this bonus, all combat interceptors have several different skill-based bonuses to weapons performance, from both their racial frigate skills and from the common Interceptors skill.

  • AmarrCrusader: 7.5% bonus to laser tracking per level, 10% less laser cap use, 10% bonus to laser damage
  • CaldariRaptor: 4% bonus to all shield resistances, 10% bonus to Small Hybrid Turret Damage, 10% bonus to Small Hybrid Turret optimal range
  • GallenteTaranis: 7.5% bonus to hybrid tracking, 15% bonus to hybrid damage per level
  • MinmatarClaw: 10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret damage, 5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret rate of fire, 7.5% bonus to projectile tracking per level

Skills

To be able to sit in an interceptor, you need the relevant T1 frigate skill at level V and Interceptors at I; Interceptors has Evasive Maneuvering V as a prerequisite. If you want to use a fleet interceptor in the tackle role, you should train Interceptors at least to level IV, and level V is desirable.

Besides the required skills, you mostly need good general support skills (compare Magic 14) to improve your speed/agility as well as your capacitor life, and to help with the tight fitting requirements found on these ships.

The following skills are important to improve your navigation:

  • Navigation 5% bonus to sub-warp speed per level. Level 5 is recommended.
  • Acceleration Control 5% bonus to afterburner and MWD speed per level. Level 4 is recommended.
  • Spaceship Command 2% to ship agility per level. Level 5 is recommended.
  • Evasive Maneuvering 5% improved ship agility for all ships per skill level. Level 5 is a prerequisite anyways.

Interceptors don't have a lot of capacitor but MWDs are capacitor hungry modules. Thus, skills to improve your capacitor or to reduce capacitor consumption are important:

Other generally important skills for an interceptor:

Fitting

This section focuses on fitting principles for fleet interceptors in the role as tackle. Many people who specialise as an interceptor pilot also have highly specialised personal fits which suit their personal style but are not recommended for a beginner or general purpose. Experienced pilots also often choose the more expensive and better faction modules. One of those modules alone usually costs more than a T2 fitted interceptor. This is reasonable for experienced pilots as they know how to fly a fleet interceptor without ever losing it. A new pilot will surely lose several interceptors before mastering them. (Most players never focus enough on this role to ever master it.)

To fulfill your role as fleet tackle you always need to fit:

  • a warp disruptor (also called point or long point). This is for your main purpose: to hold tackle on another ship. You usually choose the T2 version which has a range of 30 km without overheating and 36 km hot (if you have the interceptor skill at V, a bit less otherwise). Experienced pilots sometimes choose expensive faction points as those have an even bigger range.
  • a 5MN microwarpdrive. This allows you for great speed which means mobility but also reduces the damage you take. You usually choose the restrained version as its signature bloom, capacitor reduction and fitting space is relatively good. The other meta versions might be useful for special cases. The T2 has no true advantages over the meta modules. Again, experienced pilots might invest more here. Notice that A-types are about the same price as the other versions although they have the best stats.
  • a warp scrambler (scram). The scram is not primarily used to hold tackle but for scram passes, to go close for a scram if you see a microjump drive animation, or to prevent targets from gate crashing. In certain specialised cases the scram might be omitted but in general you need to fit a scram as a typical Fleet Commander will expect you to have a scram fitted. Omitting it without the awareness of the FC hurts the fleet's performance significantly. The scram is usually T2 for its longer range compared to the meta versions. It's less often upgraded to a better version than the point or MWD.

The targeting range of interceptors (36.9 to 40.6 km at Long Range Targeting V) is short compared with their point range, especially if heated. In the hunter role you want to be able to lock the target while you spiral in so that you can lock it as soon as it is in heated point range. For this reason, nearly all fits use a Small Ionic Field Projector II rig which increases the targeting range by 30%. The alternatives would be Signal Amplifiers or Sensor Boosters but the slots and fitting space are too valuable to use for them.

The next important consideration is speed. Interceptors are already fast, but the higher the speed the quicker you get on a target to tackle and the less damage you take through speed tanking. Typically, you fit a T2 Nanofiber Internal Structure which increases speed and agility combined with a T2 Overdrive Injector System which simply increases speed. On top of that you fit one of the following navigation rigs: Small Auxiliary Thrusters increase your speed, Small Low Friction Nozzle Joints improves your agility, and Small Polycarbon Engine Housing for both. Overall, be aware that you don’t want to only fit modules which increase speed but also modules which increase agility.

The remaining slots are usually used for tank. A T2 damage control is usually fit to any interceptor. The shield interceptors, Stilettos and Crows, are usually shield buffer tanked, which means they fit a Medium Shield Extenders. The armor interceptors, Maledictions and Ares, are usually fit with a Small Ancillary Armor Repairer. Buffer armor fits are unusual because a plate slows the ship down.

Guns or missile launchers are of little or no concern. If the fitting space is there, you fit some and use them to get rid of light drones. If you don’t have the fitting space, don’t compromise the rest of the fit to squeeze some guns or missiles in.

Energy Nosferatus are an option for the highslots. The idea is to steal a bit of cap, but realistically you are rarely close enough to anything to improve your cap significantly.

Experienced dedicated interceptor pilots often use Snake implants to improve their speed even more. Halo implants are another option: these cut your signature radius, significantly boosting your survivability, and they are cheaper. Skill Hardwiring can be used to further increase speed or improve cap. If you want to use medical boosters, Overclocker and Quafe Zero are obvious candidates.

The above discussion covers the base fitting considerations. Experienced pilots might break the above rules with a special case in mind. For example, some might even fit an expanded probe launcher for combat probes, although this takes a lot of fitting space. Only diverge from the approach outlined above if you know what you are doing.

Flying Interceptors

Generally, inty pilots want to keep speed and angular velocity high, as these are the main form of tank.

Fleet Interceptors

Fleet interceptors are generally flown as a special tackler, often staying a couple of jumps ahead or behind the main fleet to hold enemies in place until the fleet arrives, or providing mini-warpin* points and mobile safespots during a battle. Depending on the fleet style, they can 'scout and skirmish', roaming around to find targets, often holding them in place for up to 10 or 15 minutes while the rest of the fleet arrives; sit at gatecamps and a put a fast point on anything flashy coming through; or get initial tackle and then hold valuable non-primary targets during a longer engagement until the fleet is ready to DD them.

Inties should approach targets at an angle to maximize traversal while spiraling in. If you are flying an inty and charging straight at a target from a distance rather than spiraling in, you are ignoring one of the ship's principle defensive abilities -- agility -- and are needlessly risking a potentially crippling amount of damage or even a fatal alpha strike. Once in place, the inty should orbit at around 15-25km in order to stay out of web/scram/neut range while keeping angular velocity up. **REPEAT: wandering into scram range = very, very bad for fleet interceptors.** Scrams nearly always portend the destruction of your fleet interceptor. BEWARE! Battleships can fit large neuts that can reach out to 25.2km, so these should be kept at a distance, while faster cruisers should be orbited at a smaller range so they don't escape. Orbit speed should be around 4-5km/s, so if the target launches drones, they will generally end up getting kited by the inty and be fairly easy to track and pick off. Note that, depending on skills and ships, the range at which the inty orbits will not necessarily be what the pilot has set in the UI. Pilots should check their actual orbit distances so they know what to choose in order to orbit at the correct range. When orbiting a target, avoid being "slingshotted" out of point range. Savvy targets delight in slingshotting.

Fleet interceptors should generally avoid faster targets like frigates and speedfit cruisers: these have a good chance of breaking the inty's orbit and applying a scram or web. Some enemies, like the Privateers, specialize in kiting and picking off smaller tacklers and running before the fleet arrives: these should just be avoided unless a warpin for the whole fleet can be generated.

In some circumstances, such as a planned long gatecamp, ships will be asked to fit remote sensor boosters to assist inties in grabbing targets quickly. This will generally be up to the fleet commander to organize, although you should know how many boosters can be assigned to you and still be useful (ie, before lag and reaction time become the dominant factor in how fast you can lock a target). An interceptor should also be the first to de-agress and jump back through a gate if the targets seem to be trying to jump back, chase after targets that break through the camp, or picket the other side of a gate during a fight- giving intel on what is coming through.

* Providing mini-warp points ("tactical miniwarps"): An inty may be sent 150km+ from the rest of the fleet so that other ships can warp out to it if necessary -- to reduce incoming damage or break target locks without having to bounce all the way to a planet or station.

Combat Interceptors

A combat interceptor's job is to establish dominance of the frigates on the battlefield, including the enemy's tackle/interceptors, by counter-tackling and killing them. Combat interceptors fly like assault frigates in many ways. They will often have their own important targets independent of the fleet's primary.

Countering Interceptors

Various modules and tactics can be used to kill interceptors, drive them away, or escape their tackle. It is good to know those as an interceptor pilot but also – of course – if you have to deal with an interceptor on the opposing side. A ship with similar speed can use a Slingshot Maneuver to break the interceptor‘s orbit to either escape tackle or to bring it into web/scram range.

Drones

Light drones are a common defence against all small ships, interceptors included. The Minmatar Warrior II light drones are the nimblest and fastest drones, often matching interceptor speeds, and so are the most common choice. Since the release of the Kronos patch, and the rebalance of drones, Acolytes have become a threat to tackle frigates as they are often shield fit and lacks resistance for EM. Acolytes are almost as fast as Warriors.

However, interceptors go so very fast that even those drones are likely to still spend time fruitlessly chasing them around. But some ships have a bonus to drone speed through a hull bonus or a drone navigation link. The drones of such ships are an especially big threat to an interceptor.

Scrams

Speed is very important for Interceptors. But they need a microwarpdrive to achieve high speeds which can be shut off by scrams. The range bonus on their own scrams allows the fleet interceptors usually to keep other ships out of their respective scram range. But they are not the only hulls with a bonus to scram range. The Gallente T2 EWAR ships (Keres, Arazu, and Lachesis) as well as the Mordu’s Legion ships (Garmur, Orthrus, and Barghest) have a bonus to scram (and point) range. Expect them to have faction or even abyssal scrams fitted and to use heat. Be also aware of your positioning towards different hostile ships. If you are holding tackle on one ship it can easily happen that you accidentally fly into the scram range of another hostile ship.

Long range webs

As webs slow interceptors down they are obviously helpful against them. But usually an interceptor can comfortably stay out of web range except for ships with a bonus to web range. Those are the Minmatar T2 EWAR ships (Hyena, Huginn, and Rapier) as well as the Blood Raider ships (Cruor, Ashimmu, and Bhaalgorn). Like for scrams expect faction or abyssal webs used with heat and watch your general positioning. Besides normal webs grapplers can also pose a thread.

Damps

In the fitting section the importance of targeting range was already discussed. Damps with a range script can hurt an interceptor a lot. He has to either drop tackle or close in which increases his risk towards the other things mentioned here. While any ship can potentially fit damps you have to expect them on bonused hulls (Maulus, Maulus Navy Issue, and Keres).

ECM

ECM and especially ECM drones are helpful to escape any kind of tackle. Interceptors are no exception there. Crowbars are a common way to free tackled ships.

Anti-Tackle

Sometimes fleets dedicate ships to deal with tackle. This is very common in nano gangs. Turrets usually have trouble with tracking or range against interceptors. Thus, those ships are usually fitted with (rapid) light missile launcher as they deal and apply a good amount of damage at a good range. In general you can fit any cruiser and battlecruiser sized hull with missile hardpoints with rapid lights. Hulls which are often used in that role are Orthrus (note the scram range bonus mentioned above), the Minmatar EWAR cruisers (Bellicose, Rapier, and Huginn as they can fit rapid lights and have a bonus to target painters), and the Osprey Navy Issue.

Energy Neutralizers

A few cycles from a medium energy neutralizer or just one cycle from a large neut can remove all of an interceptor's capacitor, shutting down its MWD and point and leaving it dead in the water. Medium neuts have similar ranges to scrams and webs, and so are not dangerous to a competent inty pilot (who stays clear of scram range). But the Amarr T2 EWAR ships (Sentinel, Pilgrim, and Curse) have a bonus to neut range (and strength).

The fitting requirements on heavy neuts mean that they are nearly exclusively fitted to battleships and capitals. The range of a T2 heavy neut is 20 km optimal plus 10 km fall off. Its neut amount is so high that it’s still very significant in fall off to an interceptor. Many battleships fit heavy neuts especially if they have a utility highslot and in a solo or small gang context. You can always expect them on a Bhaalgorn (drain amount bonus) and Armageddon (range bonus).

X-Type heavy neuts are often used on capitals as their range is even bigger. The intended use is to shake off interceptors and other light tackle.

History

Interceptors lost their innate interdiction nullification when the interdiction nullifier modules were introduced on 2021-05-18. In turn they gained the ability to fit those.[1]

See Also

References

  1. ^ Patch notes and news post for the changes to nullification.