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Solo lowsec exploration?
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Mokepoke
Imperial Shipment
Amarr Empire
#1 - 2013-02-19 10:58:10 UTC  |  Edited by: Mokepoke
I'm based out of a pretty quiet area on the edge of highsec and I'm thinking about some solo exploration runs into lowsec. I've got a nice little frigate for scanning down sites, but as far as a combat ship goes I'm up **** creek. I can fly any T1 Caldari ship up to BS level, but do I really need to spend that much ISK for this? Can I do it in a Drake for example?

Sorry if this is a stupid/common question.
Mokepoke
Imperial Shipment
Amarr Empire
#2 - 2013-02-19 10:59:34 UTC  |  Edited by: Mokepoke
double post, quote is not edit
Smark Shardani
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#3 - 2013-02-19 11:54:08 UTC
Mokepoke wrote:
I can fly any T1 Caldari ship up to BS level, but do I really need to spend that much ISK for this? Can I do it in a Drake for example?


Yes
Zhilia Mann
Tide Way Out Productions
#4 - 2013-02-19 17:20:06 UTC
Mokepoke wrote:
I'm based out of a pretty quiet area on the edge of highsec and I'm thinking about some solo exploration runs into lowsec. I've got a nice little frigate for scanning down sites, but as far as a combat ship goes I'm up **** creek. I can fly any T1 Caldari ship up to BS level, but do I really need to spend that much ISK for this? Can I do it in a Drake for example?


Depending on what sites you had in mind, a Drake will do the trick nicely. But it definitely depends on what NPCs you're looking at and which sites you want to run.
Sexy Cakes
Have A Seat
#5 - 2013-02-19 17:30:39 UTC
A decently skilled caracal can handle most if not all radar and mag sites.

For DED's a drake would probably be your best bet.

Obligatory 'Use a Tengu' btw :P

Not today spaghetti.
Mokepoke
Imperial Shipment
Amarr Empire
#6 - 2013-02-19 17:46:02 UTC
Thanks guys. In any case I need to work on some skills so I can fit some T2 modules probably. My skills are all over the damn place, and hardly any of them are useful. I'm not good at the whole "wait a month for a skill" thing.
sixth sense
#7 - 2013-03-26 18:04:36 UTC
porbably not as interesting as it could be, more like blackjack - just luck
Dato Koppla
Balls Deep Inc.
Minmatar Fleet Alliance
#8 - 2013-03-26 22:33:10 UTC
I've found droneboats to be the most versatile when it comes to lowsec exploration, just get t2 medium drones and at least Drone Interfacing IV and Gallente/Amarr Cruiser IV and use a Vexor or Arbitrator which are nice all-in-one exploration ships.
Makavelia
National Industries
#9 - 2013-03-27 01:21:16 UTC
A vexor does it better thnx to drone bonus but rupy also does a good job. With the lack of space to fit enough launcher + the lack of drone bay i don't think carac or moa is very good for low sec roaming. You will cover a lot of ground eventualy.. and relying on a scanning ship ( i assume same account) will get tiresome and waste a lot of time.

I'm not suggesting you cross train, but if you do then realy consider gal cruiser. You could optionaly use the drake if you don't wish to cross train but it's overkill for mag/rads and may gain to much attention.

Below is the layout i use for my rupy. Similar is used for vexor as far as i know, obviusly with it's own weapon systems.

[Rupture, exploration]
Medium Armor Repairer II
Rat spc Hardener II
Rat spc Hardener II
Drone Damage Amplifier II
Drone Damage Amplifier II

Codebreaker I
Analyzer I
Cap Recharger II
10MN Microwarpdrive II

650mm Medium 'Jolt' Artillery I,
650mm Medium 'Jolt' Artillery I,
Sisters Core Probe Launcher
Salvager I
Improved Cloaking Device II

Medium Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Medium Capacitor Control Circuit I
Medium Capacitor Control Circuit I

Drones x5
Nicen Jehr
Subsidy H.R.S.
Xagenic Freymvork
#10 - 2013-03-28 07:03:29 UTC
I recommend running your sites in an AF, it's a lot more agile than a drake

Little Things to improve ≡⋁≡ | My Little Things posts
Robot Robot
Plate of Beans Incorporated
#11 - 2013-03-31 01:48:42 UTC
Nicen Jehr wrote:
I recommend running your sites in an AF, it's a lot more agile than a drake


Indeed. I use a Jaguar and it has no problem, plus it's fun to fly.
l0rd carlos
the king asked me to guard the mountain
#12 - 2013-03-31 20:20:08 UTC
Have fun with angel 5/10 in a jaguar :D

Youtube Channel about Micro and Small scale PvP with commentary: Fleet Commentary by l0rd carlos
Kodama Ikari
Thragon
#13 - 2013-04-01 06:53:13 UTC  |  Edited by: Kodama Ikari
sixth sense wrote:
porbably not as interesting as it could be, more like blackjack - just luck


only 4 t2 modules you really need on a drake. Invulns, shield extenders, heavy missile launchers, and ballistic control systems. And you don't even "need" the t2 heavy missile launchers. The other 3 modules i mentioned require a grand total of two skills at lvl 4. Just don't gimp your fit with salvager/analyzer/codebreaker until you actually find a site that needs them. If you want to fit a cloak and scan in the drake too I would just use a scanning frigate to find sites first, that way you can check for gatecamps on your way back. Otherwise go without a cloak (its just a drake) or at least keep that 7th HML in your cargo too. Under no circumstances should you do a combat plex above the 4/10 while only having 6 HMLs fit or with a codebreaker in your midslot.

Some first-hand PI tips
Pitrolo Orti
Doomheim
#14 - 2013-04-01 07:10:47 UTC
You will die in low sec...go to null and explore in the blue doughnut

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
Kat Orlenard
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#15 - 2013-04-02 19:34:06 UTC
Kodama Ikari wrote:

Under no circumstances should you do a combat plex above the 4/10 while only having 6 HMLs fit or with a codebreaker in your midslot.


You are still talking about a drake right? Because it can only fit 6 HMLs
Andrea Griffin
#16 - 2013-04-02 21:32:46 UTC
A Drake is plenty for most of the sites you'll find in lowsec. I have done a good amount of lowsec exploration with a Harbinger, and it's less tanky and has less damage projection than a Drake. Just be careful of the 5/10s, at least in Blood Raider territory. The neuts can be bad.

It's not a bad idea to have a "travel" fit and a "site" fit. Travel fit having nanofibers, MWD, Cloak to help at the gates, and to cloak while scanning. Then dock up in a station and swap everything out for what you need to do whatever sites you find. It's like a poor man's T3 cruiser, but much cheaper and for lowsec, almost as good.

CCP Sreegs is my favorite developer.
seth Hendar
I love you miners
#17 - 2013-04-03 09:38:59 UTC  |  Edited by: seth Hendar
Dato Koppla wrote:
I've found droneboats to be the most versatile when it comes to lowsec exploration, just get t2 medium drones and at least Drone Interfacing IV and Gallente/Amarr Cruiser IV and use a Vexor or Arbitrator which are nice all-in-one exploration ships.

vexor navy is, imao,the best to grind throught all the radar / mag sites, decent cargo, no need for ammo, nicely tanked and still plenty of med / high to carry utility modules required in those.

plus, it can be easily covered if you happen to be caught, they are not that expansive( more or less a drake price), and you do such sig pretty fast with it so....
MrTiddles
Lambent Enterprises
#18 - 2013-04-03 14:24:05 UTC
I've done this in AF's and Drakes and had more fun in the AF's. The Drake was a bit more 'solid' and felt safer but hey, this game isn't all about just being safe, amirite?

I'd recommend trying out both and seeing what you enjoy. There's more than a few ways to skin a cat in this game.

Humankind rarely forgives true greatness.
Kodama Ikari
Thragon
#19 - 2013-04-03 20:15:13 UTC
Kat Orlenard wrote:
Kodama Ikari wrote:

Under no circumstances should you do a combat plex above the 4/10 while only having 6 HMLs fit or with a codebreaker in your midslot.


You are still talking about a drake right? Because it can only fit 6 HMLs


sorry, make that 5 HMLs. The drake still only has 1 utility highslot, so you don't want to be using less than the full number of launchers in a combat plex.

Some first-hand PI tips
Baggo Hammers
#20 - 2013-04-03 23:38:31 UTC
Drake is fine in any space.

If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.