Missions & Complexes

I have just started doing Ded 3 and 4 sites and have noticed there is a lot of competition doing these sites. I have been using a Helios to scan the sites and then using either a Vexor or Mymidion to complete the site. Lately I have had more and more pilots enter the site as I'm doing it and start taking the site over. My question is what are my options when something like a Gila or a Tengu enter and start shooting the rats? Is it basically a race to the gate after killing all the rats to get to the overlord? Should I just give up and give the site away if I'm in a Vexor and a Tengu decides to take over the site? The last site I did was a 3-10 and was in the 3rd room when a Jaguar showed up. In this instance what should I do to get the goods in the final room?

Thx for any advise to get more aggressive tactics

For DED3 in Caldari and Angel space use assault frigate with afterburner. The boss in those sites is a frigate so you can kill it in a matter of seconds and because you are much faster than Tengu/Gila/Ishtar ( most commonly used ships in hisec exploration ) you should always get the loot. Assault frigates are ideal for doing those sites.

I see that you can use Helios so you should have access to Ishkur, which is a very good choice for this task. I remember the time when I used that little bugger in hisec exploration and I had about 20 situations of DED3 hijacking. They failed every time.

DED4 is another story. You can use AF for that too ( at least in Caldari hisec ) but it's much more problematic.
There is a way to make it work ( worked for me after I got some practise with this tactic ) - ship bumping.
When you fly a ship that is faster and much more agile than they do ( assuming that they fly T3/Ishtar/Gila ) then you can effectively bump them. You will need to practise with that for a bit but it can be done.

Another solution is to limit yourself to doing profession sites ( radars and mags ) in lowsec. Use your Helios to find the sites and then switch to your combat ship equipped with codebreakers/salvagers/analyzers. I used Ishkur for that too. Worked really well and the profitability was good enough. Lowsec profession sites are usually not contested ( happened to me only a few times ).

EDIT :

One more thing :
Lower end sites in lowsec can be done in Myrmidon ( in Caldari and Serpentis spaces ).
The sites are : DED4 ( also spawns in lowsec ), Provisional Outpost and Outpost.
You can try doing that.

Doing it wrong.

Thx all for the advise so far. And I am in Caldari space but I would like to be able to compete with them for the potential better modules in this area. I'm considering on getting an Ishtar so I can have an all in one explorer boat for Ded 3 and 4 sites. This way I could complete the site much faster and lower the chance of someone entering while I'm doing the site. In addition, I prefer to do the site by systematically eliminating all the rats in each room before moving to next room.(In my limited knowledge of running these sites I'm not sure if the gate is even open or not until all rats are cleared) But this brings me to main concern. For example: I'm in room 2 of 4 and another ship shows up. What do you guys do to ensure getting to the overlord before the other guy? I understand what Tomcio suggests going with a fast AF but if I were to use the Ishtar what are my options? I guess it would have to do with what ship enters the room also.

best tip imho

OP, try minmatar space. Loot is only marginally less valuable than caldari.

Use same ship to probe and plex. There are better ships than tengus for outside caldari space. Tengu seems to be the default for everyone, everywhere. A loki in minmatar space poops all over it. You are faster in killing the rats and faster in straight line speed if it comes to that. Also cherry pick the 4/10s using the DSP method because too many wormholes on the same sig strength as the 3/10 wasting your time. Only bother with radars if they happen to be on the same sig band as the 4/10s. I recommend doing the watches as some nice loot can be gained from the domination rats during the expedition. Just ignore the last low sec step if you don't want to go there. Also load up on the tags so you don't waste time in first room.

If you can't use deep space probes just drop your core probes at 8au strength at the central planets and move them around to others.

There's no way around the fact that high sec exploration is all about speed. Your speed at scanning and your ship's speed at clearing sites and moving around. Once you get comfortable, all other pve methods will become intolerable to you (missions omg). High sec is ok when you're learning or can't dedicate the RL time to paying attention to local, going afk all the time etc... but can be quiet profitable. Just remember the more often you roll the dice your chances of getting the number you're after increase

Hope that helps.

Drop Gardes immediately after gate and put them to work on the satellite, overheat MWD and burn to it, overheat blasters and pump it full of Void, your higher dps and rate of fire will ensure the kill for you.

Fit a warp scram, the others might try to steal the loot from you. I removed my scram for short trip in hisec, and that was a mistake

You think I'm pathetic Mia? :(

Actually, you are a necessary evil.

I used to do that though

Good times in Lonetrek.