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'''Missiles''' are self-propelled ammunition launched from '''missile launchers'''. Unlike turret weapons, missiles have the ability to track and follow their target. Rather than optimal and falloff range, missile range is determined by velocity and flight time, while missile damage is determined by the velocity and signature radius of the target and the explosion radius, explosion velocity, and damage reduction factor of the missile. | '''Missiles''' are self-propelled ammunition launched from '''missile launchers'''. Unlike turret weapons, missiles have the ability to track and follow their target. Rather than optimal and falloff range, missile range is determined by velocity and flight time, while missile damage is determined by the velocity and signature radius of the target and the explosion radius, explosion velocity, and damage reduction factor of the missile. | ||
Compared to the turret weapons, missiles have a bit lower rate of fire and higher damage per hit. They also do not care whether the target is close or far away. The primary strength of missiles is that | Compared to the turret weapons, missiles have a bit lower rate of fire and higher damage per hit. They also do not care whether the target is close or far away. The primary strength of missiles is that assuming that the target is within range, a missile will always "hit" its target, but the damage dealt will vary depending on the size and speed of the target. However, missile launchers fire more slowly than turrets of a similar size, and missile damage is delayed due to travel time, rather than being instantaneous. | ||
A missile does not so much hit a ship as | A missile does not so much hit a ship as explodes near it. When a missile crosses the [[signature radius]] of its target, it blows up. The speed at which this explosion grows and the maximum size of the explosion determine the amount of damage done to the target. EVE uses a [[Missile mechanics#Missile damage formula|mathematical equation]] to compute the precise amount of damage that the explosion does to the ship. | ||
{{Co|#768d31|Note that launcher ammunition is often called "missiles" regardless of the ammunition's proper name, and thus this term can refer to any of rockets, missiles or torpedoes.}} | {{Co|#768d31|Note that launcher ammunition is often called "missiles" regardless of the ammunition's proper name, and thus this term can refer to any of rockets, missiles or torpedoes.}} | ||
Out of T1 ships the Caldari ships are the best known missile users though a few Minmatar ships also use missiles. The [[Armageddon]] and [[Arbitrator]] also often use missiles even without missile bonuses. Additionally the Khanid Kingdom made T2 Amarr ships, Guristas ships and Mordu's Legion ships use missiles as their weapons. | Out of T1 ships the Caldari ships are the best known missile users though a few Minmatar ships also use missiles. The [[Armageddon]] and [[Arbitrator]] also often use missiles even without missile bonuses. Additionally, the Khanid Kingdom made T2 Amarr ships, Guristas ships and Mordu's Legion ships use missiles as their weapons. | ||
Many hostile [[NPC]]s also use missiles as secondary weapons, and wield a single slow-firing launcher. These missiles will usually have the same range and damage application attributes of an ordinary missile of that ship's size. | Many hostile [[NPC]]s also use missiles as secondary weapons, and wield a single slow-firing launcher. These missiles will usually have the same range and damage application attributes of an ordinary missile of that ship's size. | ||
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== Equipment == | == Equipment == | ||
There are total of four size classes for missiles, each with a short range and a long range launcher. Additionally small, medium, large and XL launchers have 'rapid' launchers that shoot | There are a total of four size classes for missiles, each with a short range and a long range launcher. Additionally, small, medium, large and XL launchers have 'rapid' launchers that shoot missiles of one size class below normal. | ||
Each launcher class can launch missiles of that class. E.g., Light Missile Launchers launch Light Missiles, as do Rapid Light Missile Launchers. Heavy Assault Missile Launchers launch Heavy Assault Missiles. Torpedo Launchers launch Torpedoes. And so on. Different types of launchers within the class vary the firing rate and other characteristics of the launchers. | Each launcher class can launch missiles of that class. E.g., Light Missile Launchers launch Light Missiles, as do Rapid Light Missile Launchers. Heavy Assault Missile Launchers launch Heavy Assault Missiles. Torpedo Launchers launch Torpedoes. And so on. Different types of launchers within the class vary the firing rate and other characteristics of the launchers. | ||
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Each variety of EVE damage is available for each missile type. {{Co|#fa8d84|Inferno}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|Mjolnir}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|Nova}} and {{Co|#73dc76|Scourge}} apply {{Co|#fa8d84|thermal}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|EM}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|explosive}} and {{Co|#73dc76|kinetic}} damage, in that order. A given missile will apply only one variety of damage, and each missile category does the same number of hit points of damage. | Each variety of EVE damage is available for each missile type. {{Co|#fa8d84|Inferno}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|Mjolnir}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|Nova}} and {{Co|#73dc76|Scourge}} apply {{Co|#fa8d84|thermal}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|EM}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|explosive}} and {{Co|#73dc76|kinetic}} damage, in that order. A given missile will apply only one variety of damage, and each missile category does the same number of hit points of damage. | ||
This said though, many Caldari ships (such as the [[Drake]]) have bonuses to only a single type of missile damage: {{Co|#73dc76|Kinetic}}. These ships are commonly referred to as "Kinetic locked". In general, damage type locked ships like this should usually only ever use missile ammo that | This said though, many Caldari ships (such as the [[Drake]]) have bonuses to only a single type of missile damage: {{Co|#73dc76|Kinetic}}. These ships are commonly referred to as "Kinetic locked". In general, damage type locked ships like this should usually only ever use missile ammo that matches the damage type of their bonus unless there is a very good reason to use a different type. | ||
Missiles can be roughly split into three groups: Short range, long range and rapid. | Missiles can be roughly split into three groups: Short range, long range and rapid. | ||
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=== Long range missile systems === | === Long range missile systems === | ||
Long range missiles have longer cycle times and lower DPS than | Long range missiles have longer cycle times and lower DPS than short-range missiles. Compared to their short range counterparts, Light and Heavy Missiles have higher damage but worse application, while Cruise and XL Cruise have lower damage but better application. | ||
* Light Missiles (frigates, destroyers) | * Light Missiles (frigates, destroyers) | ||
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=== Rapid missile systems === | === Rapid missile systems === | ||
Rapid launchers are unique among weapon systems. These missile launchers have very high fire rates, but fire missiles of one size class below of what the ships of this size would normally fire. For example a cruiser (medium) would use rapid light missile launchers to fire light missiles (small). This reduces the skill training required to use the weapons (as missile skill requirements are based on ammo type, not launcher size), and also gives ships fitted with rapid launchers unnaturally good damage application. The drawback is that they have relatively small clip sizes (19-30 shots) and very long reload times (35-40 seconds). This makes them very effective at quickly removing smaller enemies, but inefficient in larger fights if the target doesn't die before the reload hits, as between the high fire rate and small clip a rapid launcher can easily spend as much time reloading as it does firing. | Rapid launchers are unique among weapon systems. These missile launchers have very high fire rates, but fire missiles of one size class below of what the ships of this size would normally fire. For example, a cruiser (medium) would use rapid light missile launchers to fire light missiles (small). This reduces the skill training required to use the weapons (as missile skill requirements are based on ammo type, not launcher size), and also gives ships fitted with rapid launchers unnaturally good damage application. The drawback is that they have relatively small clip sizes (19-30 shots) and very long reload times (35-40 seconds). This makes them very effective at quickly removing smaller enemies, but inefficient in larger fights if the target doesn't die before the reload hits, as between the high fire rate and small clip a rapid launcher can easily spend as much time reloading as it does firing. | ||
The small clip and long reload of rapid launchers | The small clip and long reload of rapid launchers make them very good weapons to [[Overheating|Overheat]], as they can be overheated for part of their clip for further increased fire rate and DPS, repaired (using Nanite Repair Paste) during their long reload time (during which time their rack heat also dissipates), and then overheated again in the next clip. | ||
Rapid Torpedo Launchers are considered the '[[Turrets#Capital Ship Turrets|High-Angle Weapons]]' of missiles, and thus can only be fitted to the [[Phoenix]] and [[Caiman]]. | Rapid Torpedo Launchers are considered the '[[Turrets#Capital Ship Turrets|High-Angle Weapons]]' of missiles, and thus can only be fitted to the [[Phoenix]] and [[Caiman]]. | ||
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Other rarely used missile types: | Other rarely used missile types: | ||
* Defender missiles. When activated, Defender Launchers will scan local space for [[bombs]] within range. If a bomb is detected, the launcher will fire one ''Defender Missile'' to intercept and destroy it. If no bombs are found, the launcher will still cycle. The Defender Launcher has 120-second reactivation timer.<ref>[https://forums-archive.eveonline.com/message/6726903 Defender Missile update announcement]</ref> | * Defender missiles. When activated, Defender Launchers will scan local space for [[bombs]] within range. If a bomb is detected, the launcher will fire one ''Defender Missile'' to intercept and destroy it. If no bombs are found, the launcher will still cycle. The Defender Launcher has 120-second reactivation timer.<ref>[https://forums-archive.eveonline.com/message/6726903 Defender Missile update announcement]</ref> | ||
* When fired, an ''Auto-Targeting Missile'' will locate and target the nearest enemy ship or drone which has previously fired on you. Auto-targeting missiles do not require the user be locked on to the targets they engage; however as they cannot be deliberately aimed, deal less damage, and have a hard maximum range beyond which they will not acquire targets, auto-targeting missiles are usually passed over in favor of regular missiles. | * When fired, an ''Auto-Targeting Missile'' will locate and target the nearest enemy ship or drone which has previously fired on you. Auto-targeting missiles do not require the user to be locked on to the targets they engage; however as they cannot be deliberately aimed, deal less damage, and have a hard maximum range beyond which they will not acquire targets, auto-targeting missiles are usually passed over in favor of regular missiles. | ||
In addition to the actual missile launchers, there exist several modules and items for missile launchers. These will improve the effectiveness of all missile weapons. | In addition to the actual missile launchers, there exist several modules and items for missile launchers. These will improve the effectiveness of all missile weapons. | ||
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{{See also|Missile mechanics}} | {{See also|Missile mechanics}} | ||
In general missiles are | In general, missiles are a simpler weapon system to use than turrets. But while a missile can apply up to 100% of the Base Damage to a ship in some situations, damage is often reduced by two factors: | ||
* If the target ship is moving faster than the explosion velocity of the missile. Think of this as a fast ship being able to somewhat outrun the explosion. | * If the target ship is moving faster than the explosion velocity of the missile. Think of this as a fast ship being able to somewhat outrun the explosion. | ||
* If the signature radius of the target ship is smaller than explosion radius of the missile. Think of this as a small ship flying through a large explosion and only being hit by a part of it. | * If the signature radius of the target ship is smaller than the explosion radius of the missile. Think of this as a small ship flying through a large explosion and only being hit by a part of it. | ||
In other words, missile weapons are best at doing damage to larger, slower targets at longer range. This is not to say that a pilot cannot kill small, fast targets with the right missiles, or that there are no short range missile boats. Rather, the most common applications of launcher fitted ships tend to be as longer ranged, heavy damage weapons. | In other words, missile weapons are best at doing damage to larger, slower targets at longer range. This is not to say that a pilot cannot kill small, fast targets with the right missiles, or that there are no short range missile boats. Rather, the most common applications of launcher fitted ships tend to be as longer ranged, heavy damage weapons. | ||
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==== Kiting ==== | ==== Kiting ==== | ||
Kiting is a form | Kiting is a form of hit-and-run strategy, attacking enemies while staying beyond their effective range, and always having a way out. As kiting ships rely on their speed and range for defenses, many good kiting ships are shield-tanked missile ships. [[Pirate Faction Ship Overview#Mordu's Legion|Mordu's Legion]] ships are particularly good at this combat style. | ||
The primary goal | The primary goal of kiting is to stay alive. This means staying out of their range, either by keeping pace and range while pursuing, orbiting at around 20-30km (within missile and Warp Disruptor range but outside of other modules' range), or by running away from them just slightly faster than they can catch up. Because launching missiles at pursuing targets makes the pursuers get hit sooner, and because missiles will chase and hit their targets without any interaction from the launching ship, missile ships are extremely good at both flying evasively and straight running away. (Unlike turret ships, missile ships are not required to line up good shots with their targets to land hits; missiles merely need to be within range, and beyond that, the missile ships can take on any flight path they wish.) | ||
PvE enemies tend to be rather single-minded, locking on when they see you, approaching | PvE enemies tend to be rather single-minded, locking on when they see you, approaching orbit, and never giving up. This makes kiting a popular strategy when running missions. When compared with fighting NPCs head-on, kiting increases the time required to kill targets (as longer-ranged weapons have lower damage), and the resulting loot will be scattered across a large area; however in exchange, your ship will sustain relatively little damage, and as you are already in effect running away it is very easy to warp out and escape the field if necessary. | ||
PvP is much more difficult in this regard. Inexperienced pilots may chase you to their deaths, but experienced pilots will just let you run, knowing that both you and they likely have the choice to escape. The greatest danger in kiting is extremely fast ships such as [[interceptors]], which can outrun, catch, and tackle most other ships, giving their allies time to close in for the kill. Part of the popularity of cruisers with Rapid Light missiles is that these missiles are extremely effective at destroying interceptors. | PvP is much more difficult in this regard. Inexperienced pilots may chase you to their deaths, but experienced pilots will just let you run, knowing that both you and they likely have the choice to escape. The greatest danger in kiting is extremely fast ships such as [[interceptors]], which can outrun, catch, and tackle most other ships, giving their allies time to close in for the kill. Part of the popularity of cruisers with Rapid Light missiles is that these missiles are extremely effective at destroying interceptors. | ||
==== The Delayed Damage Problem ==== | ==== The Delayed Damage Problem ==== | ||
One of the issues with missiles compared to turrets is that while turret shots impact and damage their targets in the same moment as they are fired, missiles do not have this luxury. | One of the issues with missiles compared to turrets is that while turret shots impact and damage their targets in the same moment as they are fired, missiles do not have this luxury. Instead, when a missile is launched, there can be several seconds of delay between the launch and the target is damaged. This has several effects. | ||
# In PvE, it can lead to wasting missiles overkilling targets (where the target dies with another volley of missiles in-flight), and at the same time leave the attacker exposed to enemy fire for longer. | # In PvE, it can lead to wasting missiles overkilling targets (where the target dies with another volley of missiles in-flight), and at the same time leave the attacker exposed to enemy fire for longer. | ||
# In PvP, when an enemy is targeted by missiles, they receive the warning about being Red Boxed at the moment the launchers fire, which gives them time to either overheat active hardeners, broadcast for their logistics to repair them | # In PvP, when an enemy is targeted by missiles, they receive the warning about being Red Boxed at the moment the launchers fire, which gives them time to either overheat active hardeners, broadcast for their logistics to repair them or, at longer ranges, potentially warp out before the missiles land. | ||
# If an enemy ship is flying away from a missile ship, the missiles need to chase after it as it flies away. This means that missiles can have significantly reduced effective range when used on fleeing enemies. (However, in exchange they also gain significantly ''increased'' effective range when running away and shooting at a pursuer.) Furthermore, extremely fast ships like [[interceptors]] can actually completely outrun missiles | # If an enemy ship is flying away from a missile ship, the missiles need to chase after it as it flies away. This means that missiles can have significantly reduced effective range when used on fleeing enemies. (However, in exchange they also gain significantly ''increased'' effective range when running away and shooting at a pursuer.) Furthermore, extremely fast ships like [[interceptors]] can actually completely outrun missiles that are in flight, and never be hit at all despite staying within range. | ||
# To prevent the obvious exploit of launching missiles and then warping out before the missiles connect, if a ship enters warp, all of the missiles it has in-flight vanish immediately. This means that, especially at long range, missile ships must stay on grid until all of their fired missiles have landed, to avoid losing damage. This problem is most obvious on [[stealth bomber]]s making torpedo runs on targets. | # To prevent the obvious exploit of launching missiles and then warping out before the missiles connect, if a ship enters warp, all of the missiles it has in-flight vanish immediately. This means that, especially at long range, missile ships must stay on grid until all of their fired missiles have landed, to avoid losing damage. This problem is most obvious on [[stealth bomber]]s making torpedo runs on targets. | ||
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Auto-Targeting and Assault variants use the same as entered above. | Auto-Targeting and Assault variants use the same as entered above. | ||
Highsec refers to Only Tritanium, Pyerite and Mexallon. Other entries are those materials required in addition to Highsec ones. So for example, if you have a potential choice of Light Rapid Missiles or Heavy Missiles (e.g. on a Bellicose) and other tactical considerations are not applicable, then using rapid light missiles would remove the need for Nocxium while crafting ammunition replenishment. | Highsec refers to Only Tritanium, Pyerite, and Mexallon. Other entries are those materials required in addition to Highsec ones. So for example, if you have a potential choice of Light Rapid Missiles or Heavy Missiles (e.g. on a Bellicose) and other tactical considerations are not applicable, then using rapid light missiles would remove the need for Nocxium while crafting ammunition replenishment. | ||
For the cruise and Torpedo variants, this information may assist in choosing which type of damage to deal. So for example, Guristas Pirates are more | For the cruise and Torpedo variants, this information may assist in choosing which type of damage to deal. So for example, Guristas Pirates are more susceptible to Scourge Missiles than Inferno Missiles, but these will use up Nocxium as well as Zydrine. You may therefore choose to deal damage slower by using Inferno saving Nocxium stockpiles when crafting replenishments. Bombers, it should be noted, have bonuses to particular torpedoes. | ||
== Footnotes and references == | == Footnotes and references == | ||