ATX : Minmatar rush setup

Ahhh the Minmatar Rush. There is no real origin of this setup, but it's first real use was back in AT8, as the quintessential counter to the stealth bomber based setups that were heavily favored in AT7. The basic idea was to use the changes in Minmatar projectile turrets to be able to reach smaller, faster targets at range, while retaining the high dps of these ships in close range fights. Changes to Tracking Enhancers and Tracking computers made the previously AT-weak Minmatar team setups suddenly quite effective not only close in but at range as well.

To best highlight the point where this setup defeated our previously covered setup, breakdown is here...

I will be reviewing the Hydra vs PL final match of AT8.

Fleet composition

3 Sleipnir, 1 Claymore, 1 Huginn, 1 Scimitar, 3 Sabre, 1 Thrasher, For a total of 100 points.

Initial Evaluation

(Pre-fight, so no idea what the modules were)

1. Field control - Minmatar ships are notoriously fast, and this group is no exception. They further capitalize on the strength by throwing a Huginn and likely skirmish warfare mods on their Sliepnirs, allowing them to effectively dictate range against almost any counter setup.

Score : 9 of 10.

2. EWAR - All these ships are going to be using their mids for tank or ECCM, and have almost no inherent EWAR, unless you count the chance that the Huginn is going to be fielding a target painter or two. In addition to that, EC drones could be effective in a setup like this, but only add minor amounts of jamming over time.

Score : 3 of 10.

3. EWAR resistance - This setup is focused on Minmatar, who while weak to ECM individually, present a more difficult challenge when there is a large group of them, and each one has the mid slots to fit a ECCM to counter ranged ECM. The DPS projection will be limited by damps, but that is easily countered because this setup can close range and  dish our strong punishment from up close. Tracking disruptors would wreak havoc against this team, but would need to be used en masse to remove the majority of the DPS from the field.

Score : 6 of 10.

4. Number of ships and EHP on the field - The EHP of the "core" setup of ships is strong, but the rest of the setup is lacking EHP, but is bolstered by the presence of a Scimitar to be able to mitigate large portions of any damage that survives long enough to make a difference. They are fielding 10 ships, giving a great spread of targets for Ewar separation, and not providing a single or small group of "easy" targets.

Score : 5 of 5 for number of ships and 4 of 5 for total EHP.

Total Score : 9 of 10.

5. Field of Fire - The Sliepnir's combined some built in range bonuses with the extra range they got with tracking enhancers, making them able to project DPS, even if their DPS is weaker at extreme ranges, fairly well. They augment this with a Huginn, slowing their targets to allow them to close or hold range and still deliver DPS. Overall the field of fire put together for this team covers all ranges well and has outstanding overall DPS.

Score : 8 of 10.

6. Fleet Continuity - Sliepnirs with the Huginn is a great combination, but then in addition to that, fielding all shield based tank ships, as well as a scimitar, a fast shield Logi, is just good comp logic. The PL team uses destroyers and interdictors to provide extra tackle and extra DPS to limit drone damage and limit tackle from keeping their ships pinned down.

Score : 7 of 10.

7. Overall - The Minmatar rush is just as impressive visually as it is sexy. Add to that some of the intangibles of the pilots in PL and their great intel, and you have a near unbeatable setup. But wait, looking at these scores, it seems like I have ranked this setup lower than the setup that it beat. One of the beauties of this setup is the relative simplicity. Pilots can just focus on piloting and not lining up jam cycles and damp cycles.

Score : 8 of 10.

Post battle

1. Field control - This fleet performed even better than advertised, easily holding down targets and removing them from the field. This is reflected not only in how fast they removed Hydra from the field but also how well the setup performs under less skilled hands.

Score : 9 of 10.

2. EWAR - I was right on here with the low score in EWAR, but honestly, this is not what is important in this setup. The single recon covers their needs just fine.

Score : 3 of 10.

3. EWAR Resistance - Correct here again, the ships were fielding ECCM and managed to mitigate the majority of the ECM levied against them. In addition their speed and ability to close and do damage mitigated the heavy focused damps from the Hydra team. This would also be the case many times over in AT9.

Score : 6 of 10.

4. Number of ships and EHP - They are at the max ship number, coming in with 10, but their EHP proved to be above average especially under reps from the scimitar. The scores here was right on.

Score : 9 of 10.

5. Field of Fire - While not really forced to use their ranged damage, the setup did highlight the ability to close and deal increased focused damage as a way of mitigating damps and the ability to chase down targets without losing any ships.

Score : 8 of 10.

6. Fleet Continuity - As mentioned in fleet control, this setup was able to fly well together, dictating ranges plus the speed needed to apply the damage quickly to further maximize the DPS when not being Jammed.

Score : 7 of 10.

7. Overall - I'm not sure what level of knowledge the PL team had of this setup, but they countered it well. However the Minmatar rush wasn't simply a one setup beats another setup win, it has evolved from one situation to another to become one of the first thought of and effective setups in both 6 man and 12 man configurations. The ability to simply focus fire and pilot speaks well for this setup and links it back to other world beaters like the 10 man Thorax gang of SF.

Score : 9 of 10.

This setup is still very active in today's tourney environment. The Minmatar rush, specifically the use of a Sleipnir heavy core has been widely imitated and outright copied. The simplicity of the setup makes it a favorite for many who try it but few can manage the finesse of the PL pilots who fly it.

Next up : Predictions for the first week, Recaps from the fights over the weekend, and more introductions as I get replies.