Hello everyone. My initial plan was to create an ideal Rattlesnake fit that an Alpha clone can fly to run L4s. It would be a pretty expensive fit that could be tweaked down a bit and made cheaper if one desired to do so.
HOWEVER, after getting a lot of feedback and discussion, I think the Rattlesnake might not be the best option due to Alphas not having acces to MJDs or Sentry Drones. It seems the Gila might be a better option for making full use of the Alpha skill set, so I’ve posted a Gila fit further down in the discussion as well.
Disclaimer - Please consider this before posting
I am aware that Hyperspatial Machariels are the most efficienct for ISK-making in L4s due to their blitzing capabilities. This Rattlesnake takes a different approach because I enjoy full clears and do not intend to blitz anything. I enjoy full clears because I like shooting at stuff and dislike running past content. A simple matter of personal choice. Please consider this when providing feedback.
I am aware that the fitting as posted is more expensive than some would want to risk. As I’ve already mentioned in the intro above, it can be made cheaper if one desires to do so. The essential modules to maintain the concept of the build would be the rigs, tank modules and drone control range modules. The intention with those is to occupy minimum space with tank so there is more space for raw damage as well as damage application, and also have a drone control range that is equal to the ship’s targeting range.
The primary objective of the fit is to run L4s in a way I find fun: doing full clears and getting a balance of ISK rewards in the forms of bounties, loot, salvage, mission rewards and LP. I’m not super concerned with maximum ISK efficiency but it’s supposed to be reasonably profitable, say around 50mil ISK per hour or more.
The secondary objective is to be able to fly the fit in an Alpha clone. Please consider the Alpha skill set before providing feedback.
The Fitting:
[Rattlesnake, Alpha L4]
Federation Navy Drone Damage Amplifier
Federation Navy Drone Damage Amplifier
Federation Navy Drone Damage Amplifier
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Gistum A-Type Medium Shield Booster
Gistum B-Type Adaptive Invulnerability Field
Missile Guidance Computer II, Missile Precision Script
Federation Navy Omnidirectional Tracking Link, Tracking Speed Script
Federation Navy Drone Navigation Computer
Federation Navy Drone Navigation Computer
Domination 500MN Microwarpdrive
Caldari Navy Cruise Missile Launcher, Scourge Cruise Missile
Caldari Navy Cruise Missile Launcher, Scourge Cruise Missile
Caldari Navy Cruise Missile Launcher, Scourge Cruise Missile
Caldari Navy Cruise Missile Launcher, Scourge Cruise Missile
Caldari Navy Cruise Missile Launcher, Scourge Cruise Missile
Black Eagle Drone Link Augmentor
Large Warhead Rigor Catalyst II
Large Drone Control Range Augmentor II
Large Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Instead of the MWD, you better fit a Large Micro Jump Drive. Your tank looks quite squishy and, as long as CCP does not introduce actually scrambling NPCs, the MJD will get you out of harms way quick.
You probably want to swap out a drone nav for a 3rd tanking slot. Then you can have the booster plus whatever 2 dedicated resists the mission actually deals for a way stronger tank. Considering your limitations I think it would be a mistake to aim for a single tank that will fit all missions (single invuln).
Alright, here’s a new version that’s a third of the cost and has more tank at the cost of some DPS, some capacitor and some drone range, speed and tracking. The omni-damage shield hardeners will be swapped to specific ones depending on mission.
[Rattlesnake, Alpha L4]
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Damage Control II
Gistum A-Type Medium Shield Booster
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Missile Guidance Computer II, Missile Precision Script
AML Compact Omnidirectional Tracking Link, Tracking Speed Script
Drone Navigation Computer I
500MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
Drone Link Augmentor I
Large Capacitor Control Circuit II
Large Capacitor Control Circuit I
Large Drone Control Range Augmentor I
it will die
mwd huge sig
low hps
gecko short range
not even a remote rep for your single solitary drone
and thats checking with all 5 skills i dont have an alpha profile to check with
so i would say no
rs seems like a crappy ship for alphas imo
edit
pyfa didnt show missile launchers so to be fair it looks a bit better with the launchers on
but i still wouldnt wanna fly it
The Rattlesnake is usually sniper fit with sentry drones, cruise missiles and a micro jump drive to engage beyond 100Km. I don’t think the Alpha skillset allows for that.
If you are going to use it for close range brawling, fit rapid heavy launchers or torpedoes - I think Alphas can fit T2 rapid heavies and they will be useful for killing small stuff but the reload is painful.
A shield booster and MWD will do horrible things to your capacitor. Try an afterburner that you can run continuously to provide a modest speed tank and an ancillary booster for a burst tank if you get into trouble. The Rattlesnake has a massive buffer tank so you should have plenty of time to warp out.
As others have pointed out, the shiny fittings will make you an attractive gank target - if you can afford that stuff, you can afford a subscription.
Thank you very much for everyone who has been sending feedback. Here’s a third version of the fit. Now the price is under 1 bil ISK and I’ve kept only what I think is really indispensable.
The build is not intended to be for close range brawling, it’s intended to be as long range as an Alpha can be, considering Alphas can’t use Sentry Drones. This version of the fit has 80km drone range and 3k mps speed for drones, which while not super min-maxed should be enough for L4s and pretty good for an Alpha in my opinion.
[Rattlesnake, Alpha L4]
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Damage Control II
Gistum B-Type Medium Shield Booster
Caldari Navy Explosive Deflection Field
Caldari Navy Thermal Dissipation Field
Missile Guidance Computer II, Missile Precision Script
Federation Navy Omnidirectional Tracking Link, Tracking Speed Script
Drone Navigation Computer I
Domination 500MN Microwarpdrive
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
‘Arbalest’ Cruise Launcher I, Scourge Cruise Missile
Drone Link Augmentor I
Large Warhead Rigor Catalyst II
Large Drone Control Range Augmentor II
Large Drone Speed Augmentor I
