I trained into AFs now and want to use it for solo / small gang PVP. I have looked into the Jaguar, but right next to it stands the Wolf.
The Jaguar seems to be right my style, a Rifter+1 so to say ;) But the Wolf? What is it's role compared to the Jaguar? What are each's advantages?
astronomix
[ Editor ]
It all comes down to the slot layout.
The Jag is 4/4/3, whereas the Wolf is 5/2/4 (IIRC).
So the Jag has enough mid slots to fit both a web and a shield tank, and is also much faster than the Wolf. You still also get three low slots to fit some nice damage mods, which kind of makes up for only having three gun slots.
The Wolf has superior range due to the falloff bonus (as opposed to the silly optimal bonus on the Jag), an extra gun slot for high DPS, as well as the lows to fit a hefty armour tank.
So...
For soloing
I would take the Jag. You cannot dictate range with the Wolf because of the lack of mid slots, and since you have no tracking bonus people can get really good transversal on you and take you down. That's why I've beaten the Wolf several times using a Rifter. An extra gun slot is not worth the loss of range dictation and speed.
There is also more versatility with the Jag - you can even do a nice active armour fitting and put a tracking disruptor in the mids, allowing you to take on larger targets with ease. With the Wolf, there are really only two ways to fit it - active armour or buffer armour.
For fleets
As a heavy tackler, I would still take the Jag. It's ridiculously fast and still has a mean shield tank on it. The high explosive resists mean that Warrior IIs will barely hurt you when you tackle large ships, and you can dual prop for superior GTFO factor.
I'd only really use the Wolf as heavy tackle in fleets with armour logistics, or in frigate fleets that need pure DPS.
So TL;DR - the Jag's speed and slot layout make it a superior choice for the vast majority of solo and fleet scenarios.
Owen Hughes
[ Editor ]
Wolf is gankier and can project DPS out to 20km falloff (DC, 200mm plate, 2 * TEII, MWD, Point, 200mm IIs, gun rigs). It can also do a fairly chubby armour tank.
Jag is quicker and shield tanks pretty good (minnie T2 shield resists are great). Not as much effective range on it's guns, one less turret slot. Jag can also mount more tackle or be dual propped.
I guess it depends how you're fitting your rifter.
I get a bit of use out of both. Kind of like the Wolf better for it's super DPS projection (it can pretty much chase off or kill anything) and being cheap to fit.
Matt
[ Editor ]
Annie makes a lot of good points.
You seemed to be interested in the wolf specifically so here is a bit more info.
Wolf is basically DPS focused, Jaguar more tackle and survivability.
Wolf's excel at pack hunting.
it may seem counter intuative, but you are better off with a wolf fit with 150's rather than 200's. more EHP, more DPS can be squeezed on, if you are going to be able to break something then you will do it before you need reps so no need for a repper.
[Wolf, Wolf solo 200DPS]
Gyrostabilizer II
Damage Control II
400mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Warp Scrambler II
Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
150mm Light AutoCannon II, Barrage S x3
'Malkuth' Rocket Launcher I, Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket
Small Projectile Burst Aerator I x2
Gang variant is a remote rep chain after battle for out of station repairs, you lose 10DPS but can roam more.
[Wolf, Gang Wolf RR]
Gyrostabilizer II
Damage Control II
400mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Warp Scrambler II
Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters
150mm Light AutoCannon II, Barrage S x3
Small Remote Armor Repair System II /OFFLINE
Small Projectile Burst Aerator I x2
Jaguar is traditionally shield tanked, much faster more like an interceptor than a DPS boat. As you say depends on play style and if you prefer shield or armour tanking... Personally I have both dependant on my feeling and role within the fleet.
Pure solo, I would likely take the Jaguar out unless I was feeling particularly confident/care free. Don't know why the jag seems to survive more, just experience... common sense would say you should get more survivability from the Wolf as it has more EHP and smaller sig but hey. Jag usually comes home, where wolf usually kills and dies more.
Put a neut instead of the rocket launcher – much more useful than a tiny amount of extra DPS. You’ll shut down any active tanker in a few cycles.
