Difference between revisions of "Rifter"

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<onlyinclude>{{{{#if:{{{mode|}}}|{{#switch:{{{mode}}}|box=ShipBoxLarge|#default=ShipBoxTooltip}}|ShipArticle}} <!--  Template marker : DON'T EDIT LINE -->
 
<onlyinclude>{{{{#if:{{{mode|}}}|{{#switch:{{{mode}}}|box=ShipBoxLarge|#default=ShipBoxTooltip}}|ShipArticle}} <!--  Template marker : DON'T EDIT LINE -->
 
  <!-----------------------------------------------------------
 
  <!-----------------------------------------------------------
  * SHIP ATTRIBUTES SECTION (last update : 6/2/2014)
+
  * SHIP ATTRIBUTES SECTION (last update : 2022-11-08)
 
  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
  * on editing the attributes, please make sure that you don't
 
  * on editing the attributes, please make sure that you don't
  * leave/misstype any tags required. please follow the same
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  * leave/mistype any tags required. please follow the same
 
  * format below and edit only the values (after the = sign).
 
  * format below and edit only the values (after the = sign).
 
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  | shipimg=Rifter.jpg
 
  | shipimg=Rifter.jpg
 
  | shipname=Rifter
 
  | shipname=Rifter
| caption=Rifter
 
 
  | class=Frigate
 
  | class=Frigate
 
  | grouping=Standard Frigates
 
  | grouping=Standard Frigates
 
  | hulltype=Rifter Class
 
  | hulltype=Rifter Class
  | faction=Minmatar Republic
+
  | faction=Minmatar Republic  
| race=Minmatar
 
| roles=unspecified
 
 
  | variations={{Ship|Wolf}},{{Ship|Jaguar}}
 
  | variations={{Ship|Wolf}},{{Ship|Jaguar}}
  | tech=
+
  | tech=   
  | ecmprio=1 <!-- 0 = none, 1 = low, 2 = normal, 3 = high, 4 = highest -->
+
  | powergrid=41 MW
  | powergrid=38 MW
+
  | cpu=130 tf
  | cpu=125 tf
 
 
  | capacitor=250 GJ
 
  | capacitor=250 GJ
  | highs=4
+
  | highs=3
 
  | turrets=3
 
  | turrets=3
 
  | launchers=2
 
  | launchers=2
 
  | mediums=3
 
  | mediums=3
  | lows=3
+
  | lows=4
 
  | mass=1,067,000 kg
 
  | mass=1,067,000 kg
  | volume=27,289 m&#179;
+
  | volume=27,289
  | cargohold=140 m&#179;
+
  | cargohold=140
 
  | extrahold=
 
  | extrahold=
 
  | extraholdtype=
 
  | extraholdtype=
  | dronebay=0 m&#179;
+
  | dronebay=
  | bandwidth=0 Mbit/sec
+
  | bandwidth=
  | info=<b>Development</b><br>The Rifter is a very powerful combat frigate and can easily tackle the best frigates out there. It has gone through many radical design phases since its inauguration during the Minmatar Rebellion. The Rifter has a wide variety of offensive capabilities, making it an unpredictable and deadly adversary.
+
| quote=Our pride, our liberation, our legacy.
  | bonuses=<b>Minmatar Frigate bonuses (per skill level):</b><br>5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret damage<br>10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret falloff<br>
+
| quote_attribution=Unknown citizen recalling the first Rifters above Matar
 +
  | info=The Rifter is a very powerful combat frigate and can easily tackle the best frigates out there. It has gone through many radical design phases since its inauguration during the Minmatar Rebellion. The Rifter has a wide variety of offensive capabilities, making it an unpredictable and deadly adversary.
 +
  | bonuses= <b>Minmatar Frigate bonuses (per skill level):</b><br>
 +
7.5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret rate of fire<br>
 +
10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret falloff<br>
 
  | structurehp=350 HP
 
  | structurehp=350 HP
 
  | shieldhp=450 HP
 
  | shieldhp=450 HP
Line 59: Line 59:
 
  | scanres=660 mm
 
  | scanres=660 mm
 
  | reqskills=*{{RequiredSkill|Minmatar Frigate|I}}
 
  | reqskills=*{{RequiredSkill|Minmatar Frigate|I}}
**{{RequiredSkill|Spaceship Command|I}}
+
** {{RequiredSkill|Spaceship Command|I}}
  
 
  | totaltraintime=25m 0s
 
  | totaltraintime=25m 0s
 
  | forumlinks=
 
  | forumlinks=
 
  | wikireferences=
 
  | wikireferences=
  | externallinks=[http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Rifter Rifter on Eve Online Wiki]
+
  | externallinks=
 
  | highlights1=
 
  | highlights1=
 
  | highlights2=
 
  | highlights2=
Line 75: Line 75:
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
  
==Summary==
+
== Summary ==
The Rifter is the primary damage frigate for Minmatar. For tackling a [[Slasher]] or [[Merlin]] is by far better. While the Rifter used to be considered the best T1 frigate (leading to many memes surrounding it), it has been nerfed to be similar in abilities to the others.
+
The '''Rifter''' is the primary Minmatar damage-dealing frigate. For [[tackling]], a [[Slasher]] is a safer bet, as it has tackling bonuses.
  
==Skills==
+
== Skills ==
''Further information about additional or recommended skills to pilot Rifter for a specific or it's common role(s) can be written here.''
+
As a basic Tech 1 frigate, the Rifter is a forgiving and undemanding ship. New pilots will get more out of it, though, if they train at least a few levels of relevant [[Skills:Gunnery|gunnery skills]] to back up its bonuses for projectile turrets.
  
==Fitting==
+
== Tactics ==
 +
The Rifter is not an outstanding frigate, but it does have a balanced 3/3/4 slot layout, which allows pilots some tactical flexibility.
  
{{ShipFitting|
+
'''PvE'''
ship=Rifter|
+
 
shipTypeID=587|
+
With no need to tackle the kind of enemies faced in new-player PvE combat and Level 1 missions, Rifter pilots can try mounting a small shield tank and putting a Damage Control and Gyrostabilizers (for more damage) in the low slots. The Rifter is a perfectly good ship for most or all Level 1 mission work, but pilots will probably soon move on from the Rifter to the [[Thrasher]] and then (for Level 2 missions) the [[Rupture]].
fitName=PvE Basic Skills Rifter|
+
 
fitID=PvE-Basic-Skills-Rifter|
+
'''PvP'''
high1name=125mm Gatling AutoCannon I|
+
 
high1typeID=484|
+
The Rifter sees some use in small-scale Faction Warfare battles. With its speed and its falloff bonus (and especially with T2 autocannon, which can use the falloff-boosting Barrage ammo), the Rifter can try to kite at the edge of warp scrambler range. Artillery fits are a squeeze, but can attempt kiting beyond scram range and within point range.
high2name=125mm Gatling AutoCannon I|
+
 
high2typeID=484|
+
In PvP fleets, the Rifter is not a bad choice for a new Minmatar character who wants to bring some small-sized DPS to the table, but it is worth checking with your FC whether or not a tackling Slasher might offer more utility to the fleet.
high3name=125mm Gatling AutoCannon I|
+
 
high3typeID=484|
+
== Notes ==
high4name=open|
+
For more than a decade of Eve Online's history, the Rifter was the best of all Tech 1 frigates, highly popular for solo PvP and for cheap, low-SP "swarm" fleets. It was regarded as "EVE's AK-47": an affordable and reliable weapon wielded by many. This popularity, and perhaps its iconic silhouette when seen from above, gave it pride of place in publicity material and player memes.
mid1name=Experimental 1MN Afterburner I|
+
 
mid1typeID=6003|
+
Since a major frigate rebalancing in the middle of the 2010s, the Rifter has become a significantly weaker ship, and one seen much less often in PvP. Its iconic silhouette is still used in game for the [[Fitting ships|fitting]] window icon and the cargo hold button within the Fitting window, however, and outside the game itself a picture of the Rifter is used as the icon for the popular third-party fitting tool [[PYFA]].
mid2name=Explosive Deflection Amplifier I|
+
 
mid2typeID=2529|
+
More recently, the 2022 Uprising expansion has attempted to breathe new life into the Rifter with an increase to its firerate with small projectile turrets.
mid3name=Medium Shield Extender I|
+
 
mid3typeID=3829|
+
== Patch History ==
low1name=Shield Power Relay I|
+
{{expansion past|
low1typeID=2331|
+
'''Version 20.10 - 2022-11-08''' - ''Uprising'' ([https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-20-10 Patch Notes])
low2name=Shield Power Relay I|
+
 
low2typeID=2331|
+
:''The rifter is an iconic ship which has languished a bit too long at the bottom of the kiddie pool. Improving its damage should make it a bit more competitive, particularly in areas such as novice factional warfare complexes.''
low3name=Shield Power Relay I|
+
 
low3typeID=2331|
+
:-CCP Aurora, [https://forums.eveonline.com/t/balance-updates-coming-with-uprising/381876 Balance Updates Coming with Uprising], October 2022
charge1name=Fusion S x1|
+
 
charge1typeID=183|
+
* Small Projectile Turret rate of fire bonus increased from 5% per level to 7.5% per level
charge2name=open|
+
 
charge3name=open|
+
'''November 2019 Release v.1.1 - Build: 1617768 - 2019-11-26'''
charge4name=open|
+
* 5% damage bonus per level replaced with 5% rate of fire bonus per level
charge5name=open|
 
rig1name=open|
 
rig2name=open|
 
rig3name=open|
 
difficulty=0|
 
warsop=A|
 
warsopReason=|
 
version=PHOEBE 1.0|
 
shipDNA=587:484;3:2529;1:3829;1:6003;1:2331;3:183;1::|
 
skills=Energy Grid Upgrades II</li><li>Shield Operation II</li><li>Gunnery II</li><li>Small Projectile Turret III</li><li>Afterburner I</li><li>Minmatar Frigate III</li><li>Shield Upgrades I|
 
notes=With recommended skills, this setup tanks 20 dps from Angels and can run the afterburner for over 5 minutes.</li><li>You could run the afterburner indefinitely either by training Afterburner III and Energy Systems Operation III or by replacing one Shield Power Relay with a Power Diagnostic System I (weakening the tank slightly).</li><li>With Engineering IV you have the option of fitting 150mm autocannons.}}{{ShipFitting
 
| ship=Rifter
 
| shipTypeID=587
 
| fitName=Fleet Tackle
 
| fitID=Fleet-Tackle
 
| low1name=Damage Control I
 
| low1typeID=2046
 
| low2name=Gyrostabilizer I
 
| low2typeID=520
 
| low3name=Nanofiber Internal Structure I
 
| low3typeID=2603
 
| mid1name=Medium Subordinate Screen Stabilizer I
 
| mid1typeID=8397
 
| mid2name=J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
 
| mid2typeID=5439
 
| mid3name=Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
 
| mid3typeID=5973
 
| high1name=150mm Light AutoCannon I, EMP S
 
| high1typeID=485
 
| charge1name=EMP S x1
 
| charge1typeID=185
 
| high2name=150mm Light AutoCannon I, EMP S
 
| high2typeID=485
 
| high3name=150mm Light AutoCannon I, EMP S
 
| high3typeID=485
 
| rig1name=Small Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
 
| rig1typeID=31716
 
| rig2name=Small Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
 
| rig2typeID=31716
 
| rig3name=Small Anti-Thermal Screen Reinforcer I
 
| rig3typeID=31752
 
| high4name=open
 
| charge2name=open
 
| charge3name=open
 
| charge4name=open
 
| charge5name=open
 
| drone1name=open
 
| drone2name=open
 
| drone3name=open
 
| drone4name=open
 
| drone5name=open
 
| skills=
 
| showSKILLS=N
 
| notes=
 
| showNOTES=N
 
| difficulty=0
 
| warsop=A
 
| warsopReason=
 
| version=PHOEBE 1.0
 
| showTOC=Y
 
| shipDNA=587:2046;1:520;1:2603;1:8397;1:5439;1:5973;1:485;3:185;1:31716;2:31752;1::
 
| fleetup=
 
}}{{ShipFitting|
 
ship=Rifter|
 
shipTypeID=587|
 
fitName=Solo PvP|
 
fitID=Solo-PvP|
 
high1name=200mm AutoCannon II|
 
high1typeID=2889|
 
high2name=200mm AutoCannon II|
 
high2typeID=2889|
 
high3name=200mm AutoCannon II|
 
high3typeID=2889|
 
high4name=Small Diminishing Power System Drain I|
 
high4typeID=5139|
 
mid1name=1MN Afterburner II|
 
mid1typeID=438|
 
mid2name=Fleeting Propulsion Inhibitor I|
 
mid2typeID=4027|
 
mid3name=Faint Epsilon Warp Scrambler I|
 
mid3typeID=5443|
 
low1name=Damage Control II|
 
low1typeID=2048|
 
low2name=Small Ancillary Armor Repairer|
 
low2typeID=33076|
 
low3name=Adaptive Nano Plating II|
 
low3typeID=1306|
 
drone1name=open|
 
drone2name=open|
 
drone3name=open|
 
drone4name=open|
 
drone5name=open|
 
charge1name=Nanite Repair Paste x24|
 
charge1typeID=28668|
 
charge2name=Republic Fleet Fusion S x1080|
 
charge2typeID=21906|
 
charge3name=Republic Fleet Phased Plasma x1080|
 
charge3typeID=21924|
 
charge4name=Republic Fleet Fusion S x1080|
 
charge4typeID=21906|
 
charge5name=Barrage S x1080|
 
charge5typeID=12625|
 
rig1name=Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I|
 
rig1typeID=31045|
 
rig2name=Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I|
 
rig2typeID=31045|
 
rig3name=Small Projectile Burst Aerator I|
 
rig3typeID=31668|
 
difficulty=0|
 
warsop=A|
 
warsopReason=|
 
version=PHOEBE 1.0|
 
shipDNA=587:2889;3:5139;1:438;1:4027;1:5443;1:1306;1:2048;1:33076;1:31045;2:31668;1:12625;1080:21898;1080:21906;1080:21924;1080:28668;24:21906;1:28668;1::|
 
skills=|
 
notes=Range control is the most important thing to consider when soloing in this ship since you don't have the firepower or ehp to brawl with blaster boats or duke it out at range with laser boats. </li><li>Sit at the edge of scram range against blaster boats and orbit as tightly as you can against lasers.</li><li>Against missile boats try and keep your total speed as high as possible to reduce missile damage.</li><li>The rifter is the fastest of the combat frigs, so the only T1 frigs that should out maneuver you are the attack frigs, which have less tank than you do.</li><li>As fitted, with all skills at V and before boosts, this Rifter has 3.2k EHP, flies at 1193 m/s and align in 3.2 s with AB off. The ship is cap stable with the armor repairer on if you can apply your Nosferatu and lasts 1m 32s otherwise.</li><li>Damage is 117 dps at 0.8 + 9 km with faction ammo; tracking is 0.39 [rad/s].</li> }}{{ShipFitting
 
| ship=Rifter
 
| shipTypeID=587
 
| fitName=Solo Kiting
 
| fitID=Solo-Kiting
 
| low1name=Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
 
| low1typeID=5837
 
| low2name=Small Ancillary Armor Repairer, Nanite Repair Paste
 
| low2typeID=33076
 
| charge1name=Nanite Repair Paste x15
 
| charge1typeID=28668
 
| low3name=Gyrostabilizer II
 
| low3typeID=519
 
| mid1name=Experimental 1MN Afterburner I
 
| mid1typeID=6003
 
| mid2name=Faint Warp Disruptor I
 
| mid2typeID=5403
 
| mid3name=X5 Prototype Engine Enervator
 
| mid3typeID=4025
 
| high1name=250mm Light Artillery Cannon II, Republic Fleet EMP S
 
| high1typeID=2905
 
| charge2name=Republic Fleet EMP S x1000
 
| charge2typeID=21898
 
| high2name=250mm Light Artillery Cannon II, Republic Fleet EMP S
 
| high2typeID=2905
 
| high3name=250mm Light Artillery Cannon II, Republic Fleet EMP S
 
| high3typeID=2905
 
| rig1name=Small Projectile Burst Aerator I
 
| rig1typeID=31668
 
| rig2name=Small Projectile Ambit Extension I
 
| rig2typeID=31656
 
| rig3name=Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
 
| rig3typeID=31177
 
| high4name=open
 
| charge3name=open
 
| charge4name=open
 
| charge5name=open
 
| drone1name=open
 
| drone2name=open
 
| drone3name=open
 
| drone4name=open
 
| drone5name=open
 
| skills=
 
| showSKILLS=N
 
| notes=Have Republic Fleet Fusion and Phased Plasma. Overheat the web and try to keep them at 11-12km and laugh while you hit them and they can't hit you.  
 
| showNOTES=N
 
| difficulty=1
 
| warsop=A
 
| warsopReason=
 
| version=PHOEBE 1.0
 
| showTOC=Y
 
| shipDNA=587:5837;1:33076;1:28668;1:519;1:6003;1:5403;1:4025;1:2905;3:21898;1:31668;1:31656;1:31177;1::
 
| fleetup=
 
}}
 
  
==Tactics==
+
'''Lifeblood v.1.0 - Build: 1203953 - 24.10.17'''
For [[Tackling 101 Guide|tackling]] in a Rifter, spiralling is key. The ship is agile and fast enough that you can use a standard spiral with a [[MicroWarp Drive]] (MWD). Your only concern will be on final approach (30 km or so) to pulse the MWD so that the increased signature radius doesn't come in to play as much, as the MWD's signature bloom only applies while the MWD is activated. If the ship is [[Afterburner]] (AB) fit, the pilot may consider tightening the spiral slightly. Afterburners [[Afterburner Details|do not have a signature radius penalty]], so you can risking a little more (but still tankable) damage in order to decrease closing time.
 
  
==Roles==
+
* High slots reduced from 4 to 3 (-1)
 +
* Low slots increased from 3 to 4 (+1)
  
===Solo PVP===
+
'''December v.1.0 - Build: 995003 - 08.12.15'''
  
 +
* ''Rifter and Slasher are getting a moderate fittings buff to help artillery fits and to make it easier to use the utility highs.''
 +
* +5 CPU, +3 PWG
 +
'''Rubicon v.1.3 - Build: 761459 - 12.03.14'''
  
The Rifter is an excellent ship for rookie pilots to learn their trade in due to the ship's endurance and it's low cost.  
+
* Removed +7.5% Small Projectile Turret tracking bonus per level
 +
* Added +10% Small Projectile Turret falloff bonus per level
 +
* + 10 m/s velocity
 +
* +0.01 inertia
  
[http://dl.eve-files.com/media/corp/wensley/The_Rifter_Guide_Solo_PvP.pdf The Rookie Rifter guide] nothing more needs to be said aside from reference to this excellent piece of work.
+
'''Odyssey v.1.0 - Build: 584903 - 04.16.13'''
  
===In Uni blobs===
+
* ''Some tech1 frigates and cruisers balanced during Retribution and beforehand have been iterated upon based on player feedback and performance metrics.''
 +
*+1 PWG.
 +
*+50 Armor.
 +
*The rifter's thruster locators have been moved closer to the hull.
  
''Mainly used in a tackling role. Focus is therefore on EITHER a MWD or an AB - MWD for sheer speed but at increased sig radius, AB provides a speed boost without the penalty to the increase sig radius, It is much a matter of personal preference but bear in mind that a MWD makes you a whole world easier to target! <br> <br> For more on tackling please see:'' [http://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Tackling_101_Guide EVE uni guide to tackling]
+
'''Inferno v.1.0 - Build: 377452 - 22.05.12'''
  
==Notes==
+
*Rifter: role and bonuses unchanged
This vessel qualifies for the University [[Ship Replacement Program]], [[PYOS]], and [[BYOM]].
+
*Unchanged Slot layout: 4 High, 3 Mid, 3 Low; 3 turrets and 2 launchers.
 +
*Unchanged fittings: 37 PWG, 125 CPU.
 +
*Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 450 / 400 / 350
 +
*Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / cap per second): 250 / 125 s / 2
 +
*Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 355 / 3.19 / 1067000 / 3.19 s
 +
*Drones (bandwidth / bay): 0 / 0
 +
*Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 22.5km / 660 / 4
 +
*Sensor strength: 8 Ladar
 +
*Signature radius: 35
 +
}}
  
 
{{ShipsMatrix}}
 
{{ShipsMatrix}}
[[Category:Database]][[Category:Ship Database]][[Category:Standard Frigates]]
+
 
 +
[[Category:Ship Database]]
 +
[[Category:Standard Frigates]]

Latest revision as of 18:13, 17 November 2024

EVE University Database
 
Ship Database
Rifter
Rifter
Minmatar Republic
Minmatar Republic
Standard Frigates
Rifter Class
RELATED UNI-WIKI REFERENCES
Our pride, our liberation, our legacy.
– Unknown citizen recalling the first Rifters above Matar


The Rifter is a very powerful combat frigate and can easily tackle the best frigates out there. It has gone through many radical design phases since its inauguration during the Minmatar Rebellion. The Rifter has a wide variety of offensive capabilities, making it an unpredictable and deadly adversary.

SHIP BONUSES

Minmatar Frigate bonuses (per skill level):
7.5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret rate of fire
10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret falloff

Required Skills
Training Time what's this?
25m 0s
Estimated training time only for the listed skills based on zero implants and without neural remaps.
Grouping
▪ Variations
Wolf
Wolf.jpg
CornerT2s.png
Wolf
Assault Frigates Rifter Class
Icon hi slot.png5 (1/4) Icon mid slot.png2 Icon low slot.png5
Icon powergrid.png48 MW Icon cpu.png135 tf
Icon velocity.png375 m/sec
Icon capacity.png165 m³
,Jaguar
Jaguar.jpg
CornerT2s.png
Jaguar
Assault Frigates Rifter Class
Icon hi slot.png4 (3/1) Icon mid slot.png5 Icon low slot.png3
Icon powergrid.png39 MW Icon cpu.png180 tf
Icon velocity.png368 m/sec
Icon capacity.png130 m³

Ship Attributes

Fittings
Powergrid
powergrid
41 MW
CPU
cpu output
130 tf
Capacitor
capacitor
250 GJ
High
high slots
3
Launchers
launcher slots
2
Turrets
turret slots
3
Medium
medium slots
3
Low
low slots
4
Rig
rigs
3
 
small
Calibration
calibration
400
Navigation
Max Velocity
max. velocity
365 m/sec
Inertia Modifier
inertia modifier (agility)
3.2
Warp Speed
inertia modifier (agility)
5 AU/s
Base Time to Warp
base time to warp
4.73 s
what's this?
Base Time to Warp is essentially the time needed for this ship to align and accelerate until it reaches 75% of its top speed and goes to warp. The time displayed here is the base calculated time with no account for any warp related skills, modules or any other effects.
Drones
No drone bay.
Targeting
Max Tgt. Range
max. targeting range
22.50 km
Max Locked Targets
max. locked targets
4
LADAR Sensor
LADAR sensor strength
8 points
Sig. Radius
signature radius
35 m
Scan Res.
scan resolution
660 mm
Structure
Structure Hitpoints
structure hitpoints
350 HP
Mass
ship mass
1,067,000 kg
Volume
ship volume
27,289 m³
Cargo Capacity
cargo capacity
140 m³
Armor
Armor Hitpoints
armor hitpoints
450 HP
Armor Resistances
EM
electromagnetic resistance
60
THR
thermal resistance
35
KIN
kinetic resistance
25
EXP
explosive resistance
10
Shields
Shield Capacity
shield hitpoints
450 HP
Shield Resistances
EM
electromagnetic resistance
0
THR
thermal resistance
20
KIN
kinetic resistance
40
EXP
explosive resistance
50


Summary

The Rifter is the primary Minmatar damage-dealing frigate. For tackling, a Slasher is a safer bet, as it has tackling bonuses.

Skills

As a basic Tech 1 frigate, the Rifter is a forgiving and undemanding ship. New pilots will get more out of it, though, if they train at least a few levels of relevant gunnery skills to back up its bonuses for projectile turrets.

Tactics

The Rifter is not an outstanding frigate, but it does have a balanced 3/3/4 slot layout, which allows pilots some tactical flexibility.

PvE

With no need to tackle the kind of enemies faced in new-player PvE combat and Level 1 missions, Rifter pilots can try mounting a small shield tank and putting a Damage Control and Gyrostabilizers (for more damage) in the low slots. The Rifter is a perfectly good ship for most or all Level 1 mission work, but pilots will probably soon move on from the Rifter to the Thrasher and then (for Level 2 missions) the Rupture.

PvP

The Rifter sees some use in small-scale Faction Warfare battles. With its speed and its falloff bonus (and especially with T2 autocannon, which can use the falloff-boosting Barrage ammo), the Rifter can try to kite at the edge of warp scrambler range. Artillery fits are a squeeze, but can attempt kiting beyond scram range and within point range.

In PvP fleets, the Rifter is not a bad choice for a new Minmatar character who wants to bring some small-sized DPS to the table, but it is worth checking with your FC whether or not a tackling Slasher might offer more utility to the fleet.

Notes

For more than a decade of Eve Online's history, the Rifter was the best of all Tech 1 frigates, highly popular for solo PvP and for cheap, low-SP "swarm" fleets. It was regarded as "EVE's AK-47": an affordable and reliable weapon wielded by many. This popularity, and perhaps its iconic silhouette when seen from above, gave it pride of place in publicity material and player memes.

Since a major frigate rebalancing in the middle of the 2010s, the Rifter has become a significantly weaker ship, and one seen much less often in PvP. Its iconic silhouette is still used in game for the fitting window icon and the cargo hold button within the Fitting window, however, and outside the game itself a picture of the Rifter is used as the icon for the popular third-party fitting tool PYFA.

More recently, the 2022 Uprising expansion has attempted to breathe new life into the Rifter with an increase to its firerate with small projectile turrets.

Patch History