Ships & Modules

So after coming back after a year away, I'm getting the sinking feeling whatever cruise missile 'adjustments' have been made have pretty much put them into the lackluster/down right *suck* category. How are laser boat ( Apoc/Abaddon ) pilots liking them for running L4's and are there any NPC's that the crystal damage limitations make the missions more tedious?

Thanks all.

*And CCP: *Thumbs Up* on your cruise missile changes. To get me to even consider benching my beloved Ravens speaks volumes...

The Amarr BSes are great for EM weak rats (Blood Raiders/Sansha/Drones), "meh" against those with a big thermal weakness (Serpentis?), and kind of awful against Guristas and Angels. Stick to missioning in Amarr space, and you'll be mostly fine.

For what it's worth, missiles are getting an overhaul Soon.

This. To my knowledge the only missile that got reductions in damage was the HML, and even that it is looking like will be balanced out with the TE / TC change.

I predict the Raven / Navy Raven is about to become the king of L4 PVE again.

Alara: It just seems to take 'longer' killing off rats for some reason ( and don't ask me to quantify that beyond 'it feels longer' ). I've even tried all of the 3 cookie cutter Raven fittings, with none of them seeming that much 'better' ( pulsed tank does seem some-what better and I never have really liked flying Liang's gank fit. ).

Kasutra: Thanks - that's kind of what I expected. Standard fits still Apoc = Pulse, Abaddon = Beams, or will the 51days or so I need to spend into T2 pulse good for both hulls?

And to everyone above: I thought I've read in a few places about cruises getting adjusted/nerfed in some way. And it seems to me missions are taking longer than they used to. If it takes changing hulls/weapon systems to make L4's at least bearable again - so be it I guess.

Cruise missiles are still excellent for missioning and no, they haven't received any nerfs at least not for the past year or two. However Winmatar is still winning and in my experience you'll generally get more mileage from a Minnie BS.

Nah it will still be the Rattlesnake.

The Vargur
Makes a mess and cleans up nicely.

Paladin, Nightmare and even more Machariel and Vargur perform much better than the former kings of PvE (Raven/CNR/Golem). Rattlesnake is nice, but not on par with the best. Atm the best platform for Caldari in missions is the Tengu as long as the enemy is somewhat weak with kin resists. For all other my bet would go for a cruise CNR (torp Golem just not viable in too many missions) if you have to stick with Caldari. Hopefully this will be adressed soon, so there will be a missile based ship on par with the top ships again. Btw, if HML range AND damage will be nerfed, I dont see how this can be compensated with TE/TC, you have instead to sacrifice even more DPS (=lowslot) or tank (=medslot) to get range again and apply the on paper DPS. In fact the whole HML nerf is just ridiculous and not well thought. But thats another topic ;)

gone berserk is an awesome mission. you can blitz it pretty quickly in a tengu or you can burn it down with a nightmare and then salvage for another big chunk of $$

The CNR with DPS fit is easily on par with a Mach. A Rattlesnake should not be used for Lvl 4s, because that isn't where it's strengths lay - a full passive fit for Lvl 5s suits the hull better.

HMLs are getting a nerf, so I wouldn't recommend anyone to train for a Tengu now. Yes, it can fit HAMs and retain decent DPS, but why bother when there are better options? One viable Cruiser option for Lvl 4s is the Gila. You'd obviously need decent Drone skills, but I bought one this week - full faction fit and it's actually quite silly.