PVP-FLEET COMMAND

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS - THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS - THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

Contents 1 Introduction 2 How this class works 3 Prerequisites 3.1 Courses 3.2 Skills 3.3 Preparation 4 Required Reading 5 Advice and Tips from Agony Fleet Commanders 6 Recommended Reading 7 Leading a Fleet 8 Fleet Setup and Operation

Introduction

Fleet Command is essential to group PVP - by coordinating the actions of your fleet centrally you will be far more effective as a fighting force. At its most basic level, Fleet Command simply means moving your gang as a group through space and making sure all of your gang members are shooting the same target. With practice, you will learn to lead your fleet in performing coordinated actions that drastically increase its effectiveness.

We here at Agony believe that anyone can be a Fleet Commander - even the greenest of pilots - and the earlier in a pilot's career they give Fleet Command a try, the more effective a pilot they become overall. There is nothing like having sat in the FC's chair to give you a better understanding of the fleet as a whole when you are flying as DPS, Ewar, scout, or other fleet role.

How this class works

This class assumes you have no fleet command experience at all, and at least some basic experience actually flying in a fleet.

This class is HIGHLY DEPENDENT upon your reading all of the required articles listed below. We do NOT go over the reading material hardly at all in class.

This is a single-day class, expected to last 4 to 5 hours, although it could go longer :)

• We will organize the fleet together.
• We will spend about 15 to 30 minutes with an open questions-and-answer session before we undock. As you read the articles below, jot down any questions you have and bring them to class.
• We will then undock and head into nullsec. Every student will take a turn leading the fleet, for 15 minutes (approximately) at a time.
• Every student will lead the fleet at least once. After each has led the fleet once, we will then start letting students FC again for another 15 minutes, with priority given to those students whose first time in the FC chair was boring/lacking targets or whelped so fast we spent most of the time reshipping :)
• Every student will also take a turn in the role of "XO," backing up the FC, broadcasting movements and targets, handling reinvites, and general cat-herding.
• Feedback, suggestions and advice will be given on the fly as needed, throughout the roam.
• After each student's turn in the FC chair, it is expected for us to all share feedback, suggestions, and advice to improve your command in the future.

The main goal of this class is to give you a taste of being FC in a supportive and encouraging environment, with the hope that you will be bitten by the FC bug. Our long-term goal is, of course, the hope that one day you will be leading a gang against us! We need more targets, after all!

Prerequisites

• You must have a working headset. It is HIGHLY recommended that you use a headset and not a set of speakers, as speakers can create painful feedback.
• You must have a working microphone. You WILL be leading the fleet for a minimum of 15 minutes, each.
• It is expected that you have flown in a PVP-oriented fleet at least a handful of times as a member of a fleet and have a basic understanding of how fleets move.
• A rudimentary understanding of the basic hull types in Eve is helpful.
• It is expected that each student in the class will exercise patience, understanding, and the ability to communicate constructive advice and suggestions to each other after each student's turn at FCing the fleet. If you are the type of person who is hypercritical, rude, and unable to engage in supportive critiquing, then this class is not for you.

Courses

1. PVP-BASIC is required.
2. PVP-WOLFPACKS is highly recommended.

Skills

For purposes of this class, there are are no required skills. You can FC in a rookie ship if you wanted to! However, as this class uses a small frigate gang for the practical exercises, you should be able to fly a T1/T2 frigate of your choice.

Of course, there are many skills that can help you as an FC. The following is just a small sampling:

• Evasive Maneuvering 5
• Navigation 5
• Leadership 5
• Skirmish, Armour, Siege and Information Warfare to 3 at a minimum
• Warp Drive Operation 5

Preparation

It will be assumed by the instructor that all of the following preparation has been done prior to the start of the course. The instructor will assume you have read all articles listed below.

1. Understand the Agony Empire Rules of Engagement, as FC you will be expected to operate under this ROE.
2. Read all of the required reading articles listed below.
3. Buy and fit at least 2, preferably three, frigates of your choice. We suggest using any of the PVP-BASIC Hydra suggested fittings.
4. Remember you are flying under the command of a new FC, and the FC will be changing every 15 or so minutes until it is your turn! So don't fly or fit anything you are afraid of losing!
5. Verify your microphone and headset are working before the class. You must be able to listen AND speak on our voice server in order to participate.
6. It is a good idea to print out a map of the region we will be traveling in. Currently, we are most likely to be moving through Curse, possibly into Providence, Catch and/or Great Wildlands.

Required Reading

The following articles are required reading for this class. It is assumed by the instructor that you have read these articles.

• The Fleet Window
• Fleet Navigation
• Broadcasting
• Voice Communications
• Target Calling
• General Types of Fleets
• Basic Target Prioritization
• Threat Assessment
• Psychological Warfare
• It's a tarp!
• Tactical Assisted Miniwarp

Advice and Tips from Agony Fleet Commanders

• Bamar's The Soft Side of FC'ing
• Glepp's Guide to Fleet Command
• Greygal's Total Newbie Tips for Leading Your First Gang

Recommended Reading

These articles are recommended reading to assist you in furthering your career as a Fleet Commander.

• Finding Fights
• Baiting

These articles discuss various tools available to assist Fleet Commanders and other fleet officers

• Dotlan Radar Tracking
• Maps

The following are articles you should have read as part of your PVP-BASIC and/or PVP-WOLFPACKS class and are listed below for your reference and/or to refresh your memory.

Leading a Fleet

• Learning to FC
• Fleet Command Seminar (Recording)

Fleet Setup and Operation

• Fleet Setup
• Fleet Roles
• Fleet Support Team (this article probably needs simplifying)
• Gang Bonuses