Ships & Modules

One of the features in Retribution that seems to be overlooked is the attempt by CCP to make exploration easier for new players by means of the T1 Scanning Frig overhaul. Now, these ships are still somewhat fragile, tight on fittings, and will rely on their drones for quite a bit of their DPS, but I think they're worth looking at, particularly for new players.

[Heron, All-in-One, Modest SP Explorer]
LOWS
Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Damage Control II

MIDS
Limited 1MN Afterburner I
Codebreaker I
Medium F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction
Kinetic Deflection Field II
Thermic Dissipation Field II

HIGHS
Sisters Core Probe Launcher, Sisters Core Scanner Probe I
'Arbalest' Rocket Launcher I, Mjolnir Rocket
'Arbalest' Rocket Launcher I, Mjolnir Rocket

RIGS
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
[empty rig slot]

DRONES
Hobgoblin II x3

fitting note: requires a 3% powergrid implant

Now certainly, this is not a cheap ship with the faction probe launcher. But since you're out there competing for sites, you'll need to scan as effectively as possible. EHP for this fit (at all 5s and tanked for Guristas) is quite robust at 6868, all while orbiting cans, wrecks and NPCs at 1012 m/s. Light missiles are an option, but given that newer players will probably struggle to keep their Hobgobs alive, I'd imagine they'll want to keep fights closer to the drone bay so to speak. The drone bays are large enough to accommodate either salvaging drones or replacements for your dead light combat drones.

Not sure how this would fair in a 1/10 and I suspect a 2/10 would be a Bridge Too Far, but certainly high sec radars (which are still quite profitable, particularly to the newer players who'll be flying ships like these) and mag sites (provided you dock up to fit Salvager/Analyzer which would be carried in your cargo).

Your thoughts? Other fits? This post is merely meant to get the conversation rolling and perhaps inspire or guide new explorers.

Hell, I'm just glad that most or all of the exploration frigates now actually have enough slots to fit all of the exploration requisite modules (probe launcher, salvager, codebreaker, analyzer) at one time. The Magnate's single mid slot was an affront to common sense.

While that's true, I did denote that this is a modest skill point build. I just thought I'd get the discussion going though and so, the fit somewhat serves as that. It's a starting point for debate really.

I am really enjoying this thing. Found a Sansha 4/10 and cobbled together a Cyclone out of whatever I could find in like 8 Stations to complete it. 115mil Repair. Been doin RADAR / Mags and Sansha 2/10's in this thing.

[Probe, My New Probe]
Small Armor Repairer II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II

Analyzer I
Codebreaker I
Cap Recharger II
Experimental 1MN Afterburner I

Rocket Launcher II, Mjolnir Rocket
Rocket Launcher II, Mjolnir Rocket
Core Probe Launcher I, Sisters Core Scanner Probe I

Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
[empty rig slot]


Hobgoblin II x4
NEW Salvage Drone I x3

Why would anyone fly this for explo when their skills are at 5?

I know but I forwent a couple of points of tank because it has been a year and I can not remember if Rogue Drones Guard Mag / Radar or any other small sites had stuff worth going after.

I love the utility of this ship more then my Cheetah. I can not wait to see what they do with that.