Ships & Modules

I tried the 3 following ships in level 4 missions recently using Caldari Navy cruise launchers and missiles:

• Raven Nay Issue (CNR)
• Scorpion Navy Issue (SNI) and the
• Golem.

I have the following very subjective initial observations, that I present for discussion. Haven't run things through EFT, all observations are based on level 4 missions against different factions. Combat strategy was basically to go in, take aggo, release drones, hit the big ships first and move down. Tried to stay in one place with the Golem, and orbited stuff with the other two.

Fitting:
High Slots:
Nothing much to debate. 4 launchers for the Golem, 6 for SNI and 7 for CNR. The extra slot on the CNR and SNI I used for a drone control unit or a salvager. For the Golem I used 2 tractor beams and a salvager in the extra high slots.

Low Slots:
Golem and SNI have 4 low slots, which I used for CN BCUs. CNR's 5th low slot I used for a 5th BCU (a couple of times) and for a Signal Amplifier. When trying a fit on the CNR with a Cap Booster, I had to use this 5th slot for a CPU upgrade.

Rigs
Used Rigor rigs for all ships. Either 3 T1s, or 1 T2 and other T1s. Note: Golem has 2 rig slots. Explosion radius for less than 150m for all fits.

Mid Slots:
This is where these ships differ greatly. SNI has 8 of these, giving you many different options. CNR has 6, which limits certain options. Golem has 7, which again gives you many options. Though to be effective 2 or 3 of these need to be devoted to Target Painters.

For the CNR, 4 of the 6 mid slots get taken up by the tanking modules: Shield booster (XL or L), amplifier, resist mods. In the 6th slot I tried the following: cap booster (useless), AB, Stasis Webifier, and Target Painter, shield resist mod.

The SNI (8 mid slots) needs a cap booster for emergencies. One can easily fit most things and I tried all the modules named above in various numbers. Always used: Cap booster, AB, XL or L shield booster, boost amplifier and 2 or 3 mission specific shield resist mods.

Defence
I had no issues in tanking using all the 3 ships.

The CNR has the worst tank in general. It is shame to use the mid slots for a cap booster, thus things can get uncomfortable. I suppose many people can get a cap stable fit, but my XL booster lasted about 1.5 to 2 minutes, and L booster 3.5 to 4 min, depending on what else was running. The XL booster must be pulsed, but works great. The ship does so much damage, that in the vast majority of situations 2 or 3 minutes are all that you need to break the back of the opposition.

The Golem has an almighty shield boost, and I occasionally pulsed the XL booster (with amplifier), and never failed to be amazed by the amount of repair achieved.

For the SNI, I needed to use the cap booster a couple of times, though in majority of missions there was no need. Am still uncomfortable, and will continue to fit the cap booster till I get more familiar with the ship. The capacitor appeared to recharge over a long time, especially compared to the other 2 ships.

Offence
Damage per volley on BSs was maximum for the Golem. About 10-20% more than CNR, which in turn was about 10-20% more than CNI.

The main issue in the slow rate of fire for the Golem, which was 2.3s longer than for the other 2 ships, which get a 5% ROF bonus.
For killing BSs, the Golem was marginally faster than the CNR.

It all boils down to the number of volleys needed to kill a ship. When you move down to BCs and Cruisers, many ships need 2 volleys, which make the CNR and SNI better. The Golem can possibly compete, with micromanagement of 2-3 TPs. It needs a bit of focus, what with pulling wrecks in, salvaging, minding drones etc.

Drones are key to killing frigates, when using these ships. When TPed and webbed, cruise missiles work great against frigates. With just the rigor rigs (no TP/web e.g. CNR) some frigates can take a long time to kill if they get in close. At a distance of more than 30-40km most frigates require one, max 2 volleys.

Final Comments
The CNR was best overall at offence, but most of my fits lacked an AB, which I missed occasionally. Drones are needed for effective frigate killing. You can get it to tank anything, but that takes most of the mid slots. Will continue to use in missions with little travelling, or with a propulsion mod for kiting.

The SNI was most fun to use, I had fun trying different things, and even though the BSs may take one volley longer to kill, the smaller ships were easier to kill. This is like a CNR with slightly less damage per volley, but more versatile. Will continue to use regularly. Good ship to take into an unknown situation.

It can be rewarding using the Golem, as in a little extra time than the other ships, you can salvage most of the room, while decimating the opposition. I would use it only when I'm in the mood to micromanage. Slow rate of fire of the launchers was irritating at times. I get strange urges to salvage missions (which I routinely don't), and this will certainly be the ship I want to use then.

It seems odd your SNI had tanking issues but not the CNR. The scorp has a really good tank and can fit an extra painter on there too for improved damage application on little stuff..

Well, it was the comment about still being uncomfortable I remembered most clearly.

I dont even use a cap booster on mine, just an old fashioned shield booster.

Triple TP Torp Golem is your answer on these three ships.

Alternatively, use a Machariel as its better. =)

Did nobody else see? 5 mids on the CNR.

5


mids.


Edit: okay, here. Let me explain it completely.
The Raven and CNR both have 6 mids.

He stated that the CNR has 6 Mids. What's the problem?

Appreciate the detailed feeback Samroski

*Edit*

Ignore me, I didn't read the post properly. Sorry.

See my altered post above, I mis-read what you typed. Sorry.

Because before he had stated it has 5. Also: