EVE General Discussion

The abilities of T3 Cruisers are only added when you add a subsystem to them. A Tengu on it's own can't do much, but when you apply the Rifling Launcher Pattern to it, it can now use 50m3 of drones and fit 5 missile launchers. Without a subsystem, it can't use missiles or drones.

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for! So it *can* use drones \o/ - Training now.

Like said above most fits for Tengu's avoid the Rifling launcher pattern' Subsystem. Unless you're going for an Armored ECMgu, which is a little more specialized. you'll get better performance by using the Accelerated Ejection Bay Sub.

A Tengu is not a drone ship by any measure. Even when fitted for rails.

Do not make the mistake of trying to use one ship for everything.

You might consider looking at a Stratios and a Pilgrim. As cruisers, they have a lot of skill overlap. However, there are lots of drone-boats available for different roles.

I also like the Eos a lot, and surprise, it also uses the same skills as cruisers, but is a longer train than others.

You needs you something other than a Tengu. Anything, really.

As others have said, use anything BUT a Tengu if you love drones. If you want to do exploration, use an Astero. They excel at exploration and they are fantastic little drone boats. Level 4 missions? There are several drone ships that will fit the bill -- Rattlesnake, etc.

Don't get me wrong, Tengu is a great ship, just not for drones.

Just use the damn drones if you want to use the drones.

You can min/max when you want. If youre more comfortable with drones out, or like them, then use them.

If you were to use drones on a Tengu in PvP and your kill board shows you killing stuff on a regular basis, you sir would be a legend

Test server is amazing place to try out ships, fits and goof around in general and all modules cost 100 ISK. I know you said you cant fly one yet but last time I logged on test server I got 8 skill injectors which allowed me to to try ships I normally wouldnt be able to fly. Too bad still couldnt try out Titan or Super :(

Gila, leave the Tengu at home in this case. I say Gila and not Ishtar because if you are already training for a Tengu, you can avoid trading skill time for a different boat as the Gila is predominately shield tanked and missile equipped. The only skills you leave out here is the specific Caldari T3 skills for the hull and subs, so all you need afterward is drones. The Ishtar would require armor training (unless you shield tank it for Guristas/Serps) and/or for turret weapons to fully maximize the firepower and Ishtar brings. That's not to say the Ishtar isn't doable, or even worse off even than the Gila; it's a pretty close second in my eyes here and is definitely a solid counterpart.

Also, another thing to consider is that the Ishtar and Tengu are T2 and T3 ships respectively. Since the Gila, when compared, is only a faction cruiser, it's not barred from certain DED sites from ship restricted gates like T2 and T3 cruisers can be. Another suggestion, though like the Ishtar requires some more skilling time just not that much, is the Stratios. Armor tanked (normally), built around both energy weapons and drones in mind, has exploration buffs in the hull (virus coherency and probe sensor strength buffs), has flexible slot layout meaning great value in utility without feeling like you need to sacrifice a lot to get EWAR or tank or gank going (and can cloak like a recon), Stratios is my personal choice for best combat exploration boat. Still, I'd say Gila for the OP since it's the absolute closest cuisine as far as skills are concerned to the Tengu among these three other ships.