Ships & Modules

So I've fooled around for two weeks, trying this and that, and think I am going to settle on Explore/Probe. I've outfitted a Heron as shown below and I am aiming for a Buzzard in about 30 days or so. The current setup feels off to me for no reason I can exactly say because there is so much to sort through, so I am looking for wiser heads to help with suggestions.


Character Sheet for skills and queue.

======================

Core Probe Launcher I,
Core Scanner Probe I
Prototype Cloaking Device I
[empty high slot]

Data Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer I
Small Shield Booster I
'Langour' Drive Disruptor I
1MN Afterburner I

Reactor Control Unit I
Overdrive Injector System I

[empty rig slot]
[empty rig slot]
[empty rig slot]

=======================

The idea is to get out of trouble... don't know what else to put there and nature abhors a vacuum.

Start out with something like this:

[Heron, Starting Explorer]

Expanded Cargohold I
Nanofiber Internal Structure I

Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
Data Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer I
Scan Pinpointing Array I
Scan Rangefinding Array I

Core Probe Launcher I, Core Scanner Probe I
Prototype Cloaking Device I
[Empty High slot]

Small Emission Scope Sharpener I
Small Memetic Algorithm Bank I
[Empty Rig slot]

This is basically a T1 version of what I use for data and relic sites in null. Train up those scanning and hacking skills. If you like exploration go for a covert ops frigate, sisters probes, and T2 hacking modules. A cargo scanner is a waste of a slot as you need to hack all the cans anyway to despawn the site so another one will spawn somewhere else nearby. Exploration cherry pickers are the devil.

Rigs can be either scanning rigs or hacking rigs.

This is a fit i would use

[Heron, Starting Explorer]

Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Nanofiber Internal Structure I

Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
Data Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer I
scoped cargo scanner (useful for seeing what is worth hacking before you hack the container)
Scan Rangefinding Array I

Core Probe Launcher I, Core Scanner Probe I
Prototype Cloaking Device I
[Empty High slot]

Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I

if you can use the cov ops cloaking device it would be well worth your money to get in an astero untill you can use a buzzard....

when you are hacking containers keep at range of 2.5km then if someone drops on grid your still able to cloak but you are also close enough to hack....

Consider something like the following:

[Heron, Heron]
Upgraded 1MN Microwarpdrive I
Data Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer I
Cargo Scanner I
Scan Rangefinding Array I

Prototype Cloaking Device I
Core Probe Launcher I, Sisters Core Scanner Probe
Salvager I

Small Emission Scope Sharpener I
Small Memetic Algorithm Bank I

Low slots to taste, I prefer cargohold expanders so you make fewer runs back to sell your loot, but nanos work, too. I fit a salvager because you'll be shocked at how many wrecks, especially T2 ones, you'll run across.

Never fit a tanking mod to an exploration ship. Anything that expands your sig radius makes you easier to tackle. Try to avoid using a Sisters Probe Launcher, use a T2 instead. Once you've made a few runs to sell off your loot, and are comfortable with cloaky travel and dodging gate camps, you can consider it, but not until then. Use Sisters Probes, though! Big help!

I couldn't see your skills, but you'll want to train up Hacking V (I find more data than relic sites), Archaeology V, Astrometrics V, and then settle in for the grind that is Astrometric Rangefinding V.

Good luck, and let us know how you do!

P.S. ALWAYS FINISH THE SITE!!! Even if the can is worthless, simply open and close the hacking window twice to blow it up. I've had sites respawn next door, so always finish them.

Also, a word on nullsec Ghost Sites, or Covert Research Facilities: cargo scan them on your way to the first can, the one with the odd name. Use the MWD, and feel free to change trajectory if another one has better loot. Hack your first can. IF this goes fairly quick, move on to another can. If not, warp out. If you hack a second can, warp out. If the second hack is going very slowly, warp out. DO NOT attempt to hack three cans. It is possible, but only if your first choice of can to head towards is the best one, and all three are hacked exceptionally quickly. The rule of thumb is to do two and leave, IF you can do them fast. Ghost Site rats will instapop you, and there goes most of your loot.