The Rifter is a very powerful combat frigate and can easily tackle the best frigates out there. It has gone through many radical design phases since its inauguration during the Minmatar Rebellion. The Rifter has a wide variety of offensive capabilities, making it an unpredictable and deadly adversary.

The Rifter is the primary damage frigate for Minmatar. For tackling a Slasher or Merlin is by far better. While the Rifter used to be considered the best T1 frigate (leading to many memes surrounding it), it has been nerfed to be similar in abilities to the others. In January, 2016, it is now widely considered one of the weakest solo frigates, along with the punisher.

Minmatar Frigate bonuses (per skill level):

• 5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret damage
• 7.5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret tracking speed

• Minmatar Frigate I
  • Spaceship Command I

[Rifter, Old TEST_FREE GANGFIT]

Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Damage Control I

Warp Scrambler I
5MN Microwarpdrive I
Medium Shield Extender I

150mm Light AutoCannon I, EMP S
150mm Light AutoCannon I, EMP S
150mm Light AutoCannon I, EMP S
[empty high slot]

Small EM Shield Reinforcer I
Small EM Shield Reinforcer I
Small Thermal Shield Reinforcer I

This Rifter is radically different than the old tackle fit. If you want something easy to do in a fleet, if you want to tackle - you want a Slasher instead. TEST_FREE offers both. This Rifter is designed to do a little bit of damage and survive for a little bit of time. You will be able to take a hit and maybe even help kill things. You should not use this in a large fleet except to shoot hostile tackle/small support.

Tell BoodaBooda how you like this fit (or don't like it)!

[Rifter, Fleet Tackle]

Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Overdrive Injector System I

Stasis Webifier I
Warp Disruptor I
5MN Microwarpdrive I

200mm AutoCannon I, EMP S
200mm AutoCannon I, EMP S
200mm AutoCannon I, EMP S
[empty high slot]

The empty high slot could be filled with something like a Salvager, Light Missile Launcher, Small Nosferatu, etc. If you want to rig this guy you can, small T1 rigs are pretty cheap, but it's really not necessary. If you choose to do so, Low Friction Nozzle Joints, Auxiliary Thrusters and Polycarbon Engine Housings are good choices - just pay attention to which attribute your trying to maximize and go for it, don't mix and match. Feel free to substitute named items in for T1 but don't put any expensive Meta 4 items on this - it's going to die eventually and nothing you do is going to prevent it. Your job is to get and hold points until a heavier tackler is on the target, so either you die or your target dies. Remember to keep your transversal velocity as high as possible - your speed is what keeps you alive. Against opponents with guns this means getting in close and orbiting at 500-1000 metres - against missile opponents it means staying a little farther away and keeping your speed up. Once you settle into an orbit you'll probably have to pulse your MWD or you'll start to cap out quickly - always keep your point on the target, your web and MWD are secondary.

[Rifter, IARBR]

Gyrostabilizer I
Gyrostabilizer I
Tracking Enhancer I

5MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Sensor Booster I, Scan Resolution Script
Sensor Booster I, Targeting Range Script

250mm Light Artillery Cannon I, Republic Fleet EMP S
250mm Light Artillery Cannon I, Republic Fleet EMP S
250mm Light Artillery Cannon I, Republic Fleet EMP S
[Empty High slot]

[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]

The poor version of the “Arty Wolf Best Wolf”. Use it at your own risk. High risk of trolling when you blow up, pay attention!

[Rifter, Low Sec Piracy]

Small Armor Repairer II
200mm Rolled Tungsten Compact Plates
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane I

1MN Monopropellant Enduring Afterburner
Stasis Webifier I
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I

150mm Light AutoCannon II, EMP S
150mm Light AutoCannon II, EMP S
150mm Light AutoCannon II, EMP S
Small 'Knave' Energy Drain

[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]

This fit is not for tackling, because it fits a short point, and without a Microwarpdrive it will take an eternity to get into scramble range. What this fit can be used for is for things like can flipping and low sec piracy. Get a drop on your victim in a belt or a planet. Scramble them to turn off their MWD. The Afterburner gives you a chance to keep high transversal even if you are scrammed and webbed. You should expect to die a lot anyway, but you'll have fun and might bag some hilarious kills.