Turret Mechanics in EVE: Tracking and Spiraling

Key Concepts

• Turret Mechanics: Based on chance to hit; better chance = more damage.
• Two Main Factors: Range and Tracking.

Range of Turrets

• Determined by:
  • Optimal Range: Distance at which turret hits 100% of the time.
  • Accuracy Falloff: Distance beyond optimal range where accuracy decreases.

Example of Range

• Turret Example:
  • Optimal Range: 20 km
  • Accuracy Falloff: 10 km
• Hit Chances:
  • Inside 20 km: 100% hit rate.
  • 20-30 km: 50% hit rate.
  • Beyond 30 km: hits drop to 0.

Types of Turrets

• Autocannons: Short optimal range, long accuracy falloff; effective up close but flexible.
• Pulse Lasers: Long optimal range, short accuracy falloff; excellent damage at range but vulnerable outside that range.

Tracking Speed

• Definition: Attribute indicating how well a turret can track a moving target (in radians/second).
• Comparison:
  • Frigate-sized guns (e.g., 125mm autocannon): ~0.4 radians/second.
  • Battleship-sized guns (e.g., 800mm autocannon): ~0.04 radians/second.

Angular Velocity

• Definition: Speed at which a target moves around the turret (also in radians/second).
• Example: Different ships have different angular velocities depending on their speeds and distances.

Signature Radius

• Definition: Size of a ship treated as a sphere in mechanics; affects how quickly ships can lock and how much damage they take.
• Comparison:
  • Megathron Battleship: 400 m radius.
  • Tristan Frigate: 42 m radius.
• Importance in PvP: Smaller signature radius is generally better.

Increasing Signature Radius

• Micro Warp Drive: Increases signature radius by factor of 6 when active; a downside for small ships.
• Signature Resolution: Size of ship the gun is designed to effectively hit.

Effective Tracking Speed

• Calculation: Effective tracking speed = Base tracking speed × (Target's signature radius / Gun's signature resolution).
• Hit Chances:
  • 100% hit chance: angle velocity = 0.
  • 50% hit chance: angle velocity equals effective tracking speed.

Spiraling Approach

• Purpose: Method for small ships to approach larger targets without getting shot.
• Key Point: Maintain high angle velocity to minimize damage taken.

How to Execute Spiraling

1. Approach with an Angle: Maintain some angle velocity while closing in.
2. Camera Position: Align camera to look directly at the target to adjust approach angle.
3. Double Click Method: Click halfway between the target and edge of the screen for a slight angle while moving towards the target.

Practice Tips

• Avoiding Damage: Keep adjusting angle to maintain speed without directly approaching the target.
• Situational Awareness: Adjust approach based on target type (e.g., missile users may not require spiral).
• Orbiting: Once in range, can continue to orbit using similar techniques.

Conclusion

• Practice: Recommended to practice spiraling skills in controlled environments.
• Resources: Visit Agony Unleashed for more information and videos.