Other than in my previous posts about the first 2v2 Cruiser and FFA Destroyer Proving Grounds, I have very little to complain about. In fact, I have nothing to complain about at all!
The real tryhards could still invest in some 1% Implants and go for the perfect roll on their drugs. But that’s about as big of an advantage as you get with the restriction on modules of a maximum meta-level of 5 or lower. No “bling to win” anymore.
It really comes down to a couple of things were deep pockets don’t help much anymore:
- Fittings
- Character skills
- Piloting skills
- Experience & decision making
- Match up
Okay, I admit, what type of ship/fit you get matched against is still a bit of luck. But keeping these possibilities mind and adapting could be considered as part of the skill-test.
My Weapon of Choice
It quickly became the Arbitrator. After I gave Bellicose, Moa, Omen, and even Maller a chance, I just couldn’t convince myself to fly them more than once or twice. When you have the chance to fly an Arbitrator, and it’s a meta-ship even, why the hell would you not? Strangely, it did not seem to be flown very much. Stabbers and Caracals where the majority.
[Arbitrator, Abyssal Proving Grounds 1v1] Reactive Armor Hardener Drone Damage Amplifier II Multispectrum Energized Membrane II Drone Damage Amplifier II Medium Ancillary Armor Repairer 50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive Tracking Disruptor II Guidance Disruptor II Medium Capacitor Booster II Rapid Light Missile Launcher II Medium Energy Neutralizer II Rapid Light Missile Launcher II Rapid Light Missile Launcher II Medium Auxiliary Nano Pump I Medium Explosive Armor Reinforcer I Medium Nanobot Accelerator I Infiltrator II x5 Vespa II x5 Valkyrie II x5 Mjolnir Fury Light Missile x150 Nova Fury Light Missile x150 Caldari Navy Nova Light Missile x200 Caldari Navy Mjolnir Light Missile x200 Nanite Repair Paste x100 Optimal Range Disruption Script x1 Tracking Speed Disruption Script x1 Navy Cap Booster 800 x13 Missile Range Disruption Script x1 Missile Precision Disruption Script x1
Videos
I have recorded all my 1v1 fights, picked out the best ones and made the following playlist showcasing the most interesting ones. It was a ton of work – not going to do it again anytime soon. I really hope you like it… and that I’m not getting booted from corp for being such a bad pilot. 😬
Enjoy!
Summary
I had a lot fun. But making theses videos really took a while. A long while I could also have played the game. I’ll think twice about making videos next time.
With more time and dedication, I’m confident I could have gotten further up the ladder. But in the end, what for? The main goal was to get into the top 100 and have fun while doing so. Op-Success. 🙂
Lessons Learned
Those two are simple:
- Work on range-control
- Use more keybindings
And maybe take the time to update my overview a little.
Did you enter the proving grounds during the 1v1 event? What ship did you chose? What was your experience? I would love to hear about in the comments!
the greybill 
[…] the past I was a big advocate of the Abyssal Proving Grounds. And I really liked where things went with it – for a while. A […]
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