EYES ON: Frigates, Tech 1 Caldari

 CALDARI

The Caldari State is adaptable and tenacious, and their ships take that philosophy into combat with them. Favoring heavy shields, long range, and  although rather slow, a surprisingly flexible design. Caldari ships are among the best rounded in New Eden, and their frigates are no exception.

Bantam: Logi

As a shield logistics frigate, the Bantam is at home in small fleets, hanging at the back using its long range shield boosters to keep gang members alive. More durable than it's Minmatar counterpart, the Burst, it's slower by a fair margin, but has a far greater capability for cap stability. Get used to being shot first if you fly this little gray octopus. And if you see one with an enemy gang, you know what to do. Some Bantams are fit as dualweb/scram brawlers with blasters, and while not the best combat fit, it can be a shock to anyone out to kill "defenseless" logi.

Condor: Tackle/Kiting/Scram-Kiting

Ahh, the Condor. In the right hands, one of the most unexpectedly dangerous T1 frigates. Has the same prop jamming cap usage as most other tackler frigates, but is surprisingly good at killing targets, instead of just holding them, despite its rather anemic damage output. My only complaint with it is the 10% per level damage bonus is kinetic locked, meaning the other ammo used will not get that 50% (at level 5) damage bonus. While the damage is predictable, the fitting is not. With 4 mid slots, it's a natural for scram/web/mse/ab, allowing you to control range easily. Add in good base speed, and rockets being so consistent, and it's a highly underestimated little frigate capable of results far above its class. This is one frigate you do not want to assume is an easy kill.

Griffin: EWAR

If you are a sociopath who loves being the center of attention and watching the world burn, fly a Griffin. A long range ECM frigate, balanced by having the tank of a paper bowl full of soggy pasta, this little ship can potentially prevent up to 4 other ships from shooting at anyone but you. ECM jams have a chance to prevent targeting anyone but the ship doing the jamming for 20 seconds, which means you’re their new favorite chewtoy. Whether flying it, or flying against it, know that Griffins are probably the highest priority target. If you can shoot Logi first, shoot Logi, but you'll probably be jammed, and if so, shoot the Griffin. As a pilot, expect drones to be vectored on it instantly, and try to stay back at the edge of your optimal jam range. Watch out for Dampeners, Interceptors, and anything with Sensor Boosters. Works particularly well in pairs spaced apart. One Griffin jams the targets going to kill the other one, while they jam important targets. When tackle switches, roles switch. Works well, but requires a lot of coordination.

Heron: Exploration/Scram-Kiting

A beautiful little boat, it excels in scanning for data/relic sites to hack, light cargo hauling, and being a surprisingly good scram-kiter. Being the cheapest ship with 5 mid slots, you can cram on an AB, scram, web, dual Medium Ancillary Shield Boosters, and a couple of rockets, and go out there and wreck scrubs looking for an easy kill. Like this. 

Kestrel: Scram-Kiting/Brawling

A wonderful missile boat that some guy wrote about so much that he literally became the ship.

Despite the fact it's a human roleplaying Caldari, it's actually pretty good, unlike most Caldari FW bots. With the bonus to missile range, you can fit rockets, and pummel your target with great dps out to a heated web range of 13km. Commonly fit with AB, scram, and either a web and MSE, or dual webs and an armor tank. Occasionally seen with a kitey fit using Light Missiles, Warp Disruptor, MSE and Tracking Disruptor or defensive web. Very strong frigate, despite looking like a pointy sandwich. A natural step on the path of Caldari missile boats, such as Corax, Caracal and Drake. Not overly fast, but good damage and projection.

Merlin: Brawling/Scram-Kiting

While overshadowed by the Kestrel and Condor with their speed and control, the Merlin is a durable hybrid weapons platform. And it has what those two do not: tank and damage. With a rack of neutron blasters it puts out very solid dps on par with any Gallente frigate, while having both turret range and shield durability bonuses. Often fit and flown as a scram/web brawler with neutron blasters, it's quite good at managing range, and has the shield tank to win the damage race. Not very fast however. Can also be fit with an Ancillary Armor Repairer for tank, and go all in with dual webs. You're committed to the fight with this one, but it's going to be a fast and brutal fight either way. A natural step to the hybrid side of Caldari ships, your fitting style and skills will work much the same on the Cormorant, Moa, and Ferox. Wonderful little boat, with some beautiful (and cheap) skins available, and always a joy to fly.

Author's note: I want to thank Darkon Chanlin, Rixx Javix, and Cervantes Marovinjun for helping with this guide, as well as helping me learn to fly frigates better. You guys really are the best!