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Ishtar Vs Proteus for low sec exploration
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Seth Actault
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2012-06-28 06:26:49 UTC
I've been doing high sec exploration for quite awhile now and finally think it's time to head down to
low sec for some fun. However, I can't decide between the ishtar and proteus as both seem viable for the job.

I've got at least 2 mill sp in drones and can use t2 sentries so I'm thinking of a sentry ishtar to run complexes.

What would be a better choice in your opinion?
Tomcio FromFarAway
Singularity's Edge
#2 - 2012-06-28 07:49:56 UTC
Proteus
Arrow Much bigger buffer
Arrow Much better active tank
Arrow Better cap
Arrow No fitting issues
Arrow Faster drones
Arrow Can easily fit 3xDDA + 2xOmni and still have very good tank
Arrow Faster
Arrow Scanning bonuses
Arrow Can use Deep Space Probes
Arrow Easier to apply blaster damage ( thanks to much stronger tank )

Ishtar
Arrow Potentially more heavy/sentry drone damage ( thanks to 5th drone )
Arrow Cheaper

Proteus is much better all-around lowsec exploration vessel for SOLO work. Problem with Ishtar is that you will have issues with fitting DDAs with Omnis while maintaining good tank. You can shield tank it and use heavy drones ( ~700 ogre dps ) but it isn't exactly as good as using sentries. Ishtar is better for team work and multiboxing ( scanner/tanker friend/alt ) while Proteus is definitely better when you explore on your own.
St Mio
Imperial Academy
Amarr Empire
#3 - 2012-06-28 08:14:03 UTC
+ Proteus can use covops subsystem to travel then swap to damage sub in system
Tomcio FromFarAway
Singularity's Edge
#4 - 2012-06-28 08:29:04 UTC
St Mio wrote:
+ Proteus can use covops subsystem to travel then swap to damage sub in system


Heh, forgot about that. And one more :
+ Can use Interdiction Nullifier for nullsec exploration ( or lowsec expeditions )
Mnemosyne Gloob
#5 - 2012-06-28 11:20:04 UTC
Solo, yes the Proteus is prolly better (but still to have to race into almost each rats face, that then soon after dies ... on to the next... can get frustrating quite fast).

I use other accout as added dps and find the Ishtar to be very nice in this scenario. Simply get aggro, then release sentries and go deal with the smaller stuff on other account. We then meet somewhere and either each works on his own Battleship or i assign my sentries and they melt even faster.
Seth Actault
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#6 - 2012-06-28 11:22:52 UTC
So rails would suck on a proteus?
Alticus C Bear
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#7 - 2012-06-29 06:15:45 UTC
Seth Actault wrote:
So rails would suck on a proteus?


Medium rails are not great, although a Drone Proteus should still be able to fit 3x 250mm Rails to support it's Drone DPS, Spike has nice range, but use antimatter.
Roime
Mea Culpa.
Shadow Cartel
#8 - 2012-06-29 07:29:03 UTC
Tomcio FromFarAway wrote:
St Mio wrote:
+ Proteus can use covops subsystem to travel then swap to damage sub in system


Heh, forgot about that. And one more :
+ Can use Interdiction Nullifier for nullsec exploration ( or lowsec expeditions )


Have you actually done that in practice? With drone Proteus, I see the 300m3 cargo bay can be a problem. Covops+Augm.Cap Reservoir only leaves you with 100m3 drone bay, and you need to store 125m3 drones in cargo.

Subsystems are 125m3, leaving you with just 50m3 for ammo and cap boosters. If you have satellite bases set up, this may not be an issue, but for roaming locust -style I think it's a bit impractical.

Anyway I don't see a pressing need for either covops or nullifiers in lowsec, gate camps are extremely rare these days and active Proteus can actually hold it's own against player ships too. Cloak+MWD will in any case work as normal.

Check out this other thread about some more thoughts about the drone Proteus https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=126846&find=unread

.
Sir Livingston
Doomheim
#9 - 2012-06-29 17:17:41 UTC
If you can afford to lose a Proteus, then go with the Proteus.

just don't go running into any blood raider sites with blasters firing away without being prepared for your capacitor to be sucked dry

Sci-fi games as played by an earthbound human in the 21st century http://www.youtube.com/JonnyPew
Tomcio FromFarAway
Singularity's Edge
#10 - 2012-06-29 17:35:09 UTC
Roime wrote:
Tomcio FromFarAway wrote:
St Mio wrote:
+ Proteus can use covops subsystem to travel then swap to damage sub in system


Heh, forgot about that. And one more :
+ Can use Interdiction Nullifier for nullsec exploration ( or lowsec expeditions )


Have you actually done that in practice? With drone Proteus, I see the 300m3 cargo bay can be a problem. Covops+Augm.Cap Reservoir only leaves you with 100m3 drone bay, and you need to store 125m3 drones in cargo.

Subsystems are 125m3, leaving you with just 50m3 for ammo and cap boosters. If you have satellite bases set up, this may not be an issue, but for roaming locust -style I think it's a bit impractical.

Anyway I don't see a pressing need for either covops or nullifiers in lowsec, gate camps are extremely rare these days and active Proteus can actually hold it's own against player ships too. Cloak+MWD will in any case work as normal.

Check out this other thread about some more thoughts about the drone Proteus https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=126846&find=unread


Covops is only for lowsec/nullsec scanning/scouting ( and hunting Big smile ). I use that when dualboxing with Tengu alt. Tengu for pve and cloaky Proteus as scout/scanner/bodyguard/hunter.
IN is very handy for busy nullsec exploration and lowsec expeditions that ends in null.
I usually do my exploration in Black Rise/Placid/Essence so most expeditions drop me in busy Syndicate systems. Having IN there is a must if I go really solo.
You only need IN in cargo hold for that occasions.