Ships & Modules

So I've been rolling around the forums looking at anything in regards to Caldari ships, to help make up to my lack of knowledge (being a noob and all). I've been having a blast at exploration for what little I've done so far and have recently started doing missions of different sorts. Currently I'm training into some more random things until my subscription issues get solved, where I'll then start training into some other things for my corp. However from there on I'm not sure. I'm currently piloting a t1 corax (cause subscription issue lol) with a bunch of t1 fittings. Missiles seem to be so fun and can't wait to do more in this game.

Now that the exposition is over, even though I've trolled around the forums for info I have some general and specific questions I wanted to ask in regards to the Caldari's ships. I have no issues going through the training once my corp training is done

What does the jackdaw excel at? The multi-mode system of it is interesting and eventually getting to that point would be nice if I believe I could have some fun with it.

In the same line of question above, what does the stork excel at? The ability to support and attack seems interesting as well.

Is the Corax any good for small gang attacks? We oft like to roam in small groups and I want to help more than sitting with ECM as helpful as ECM is. (Also, This ship is sexy. Like some kind of BA super space sub )

Should I progress to the Caracal? I have the capability to do so but it has less missile slots for more tank. Most of what I've read seems to say that the Caracal is just so much better than the Corax (On an irrelevant side note, that's unfortunate because I still the Corax looks better than anything else in the game I've seen so far.).

For smaller fights should I even bring a missile destroyer or cruiser? (say around 2-3 on my end including me. and 1-2 on the enemies end.) Or should I bring something more close in?

And the most specific thing is what should I focus on when I fit either or both ships. I say either or both because unless something else comes up, these two will be my main for a while. especially when looking at training time for T2 as well as cost involved in T2 and battlecruisers+.

If anything written here seems confusing I would love to clarify, in whatever way i find out. (because every forums has it different XD )

Caldari have a lot of good options but the Corax definitely isn't one of them. The RLML Caracal is awesome but don't be in a rush to ship up past t1 frigs, there are players with 100mil+ skill points and tens of billions sloshing around in their wallets who still use t1 frigs for pvp. They are cheap and effective when you learn how to use them, quick to skill into, and better for evading gate camps and gangs. Caldari have two very good missile frigs: Condor and Kestrel this is what you should be asking about and learning to fly for pvp.

The Corax is a piece of garbage. Ignore it.

The Jackdaw can fit a very significant tank while still using light missiles, but it has a huge signature for a T3D. Big tank, but easy to hit.

The Caracal is one of the better T1 cruisers, especially with rapid lights fit. RLMLs are one of the best weapon systems in the game thanks to the prevalence of small, kiting ship types like T3Ds, faction frigs, and command destroyers.

The stork is one of the better command destroyers due to its formidable tank. It also gets access to light missiles, which are almost as awesome as rapid light missiles.