The Development of Small Gang Doctrine

In the beginning of EVE there was only Chaos and those that were brave went out and began to PvP and forced order on it.  As PvP became larger and more organized Fleet Doctrines began to come into place. These Doctrine Fleets at first were used only larger fleets, but as small gang PvP became more popular these fleets started to see that they needed fleet doctrines as well. The major developers of small gang doctrines weren't in LowSec or Null where small gangs were still using Kitchen Sink Fleets, but High Sec Merc Corps and Wardec Griefers.

These Alliances were dedicating themselves to combat that was very limited it what they could do. In Null and LowSec fleet battles have the chance of escalation due to cap ships, black op, and titian bridges. This is not possible in HighSec. So High wardecs required a fleet doctrine that could give them an advantage in limit space. Once one side formed a Fleet Doctrine then the countered doctrines were formed. As these Fleets began to show success more Small Gang PvP Corps took note. At first they would only mimic Highsec Fleets or even SovNull Fleets. But soon LowSec Pirates and NPC Null corps would create their own fleets and have their own flavors.

The need for organized fleets in EVE is greater than ever. This is driving the need for Small gang doctrines. Kitchen Sink Fleets are no longer cutting if for PvPers who want to not only want to blow up ships, but want to be extremely efficient at it. Another venue that a driving force in small gang fleet doctrines is the Alliance Tournament. While only major alliances get a real chance to play in it, smaller alliances take notes and use those tournament as base for their own doctrines and possible styles of play.

Small Gang PvP in EVE is the major factor developing new doctrines and fits. Capsuleers are always looking to turn more firepower, repping power, and tanking out of their ships.