Ships & Modules

I want to try exploration in hig/low sec. It will be done with 2 accounts, one for scanning/hacking and one for shooting stuff.
So i'm looking for some tips on what the combat pilot should fly. I want to be able to do the hardest sites that can be found in low/high sec (if it is possible to solo them),
I was first thinking about flying t3 but the thought that there probably is something cheaper that will do the job just as good.

Any tips with ships and fitting is welcome

There are many ships that can solo all the exploration sites in low/high, but T3 are the best by a significant margin IMO. If you use something bigger than a cruiser, you can't do most of the highsec sites. You're also limited to battlecruiser hulls, since anything bigger won't be able to do the highsec sites. That really leaves you with very limited options. Basicly you're going to use a T2 cruiser, a T3 or a faction cruiser, if you want to do it all. Battlecruiser if you're cheap and are willing to limit the highsec sites available to you.

What actual ship to use depends on what you can fly. Different races have their usual exploration ships in different ship classes. Every T3 can be made to be a capable exploration ship.

I like Gila's can do it all on there own and NPC ewar means nothing to them.

Ishtar is one of the most popular exploration ships out there, but with a second pilot I am not sure if it is the best or not. Great all around boat for it however.

Gila for shields.
Istar for armor.

T3 because you want to feel special.

T1 cruiser because you are one broke pilot.

2 race specific hardeners, keeping your range and speed up and boost amplifier+T2 booster/2xT2 armor reppers will do for a tank, but that isn't the real problem. You can also use deadspace modules for easy mode tanking or because of slot layout limitations, but I didn't see any use for it, since T2 will handle everything just fine. But most ships will be able to handle all the normal fights, so that isn't the issue. The real problem is the few harder parts where there are special requirements for survival.

For example if you do the hardest lowsec serpentis site, you must be able to handle heavy neuting towers. That means loads of warping about or preferably weapons and tank invulnerable to neuts. I think most 5/10 sites of every faction also have a nasty final room where you'll get 3 stasis towers engage you on warpin along with a incoming heavy hitting fleet. The issue there isn't just your tank, but your ability to kill all 3 towers and get your speed up before the fleet can get on top of you or killing the target, bookmarking the wreck and warping out in time. That means good long range damage projection and tank with smart target selection.

A ishtar trying to run a 4/10 site you can find in high sec would melt you dont have the tank or the speed to handle it.

I've run all the 4/10s in an ishtar, a tengu, and a kiting caracal(scoot and shoot 4tw).

Please don't spread ignorance.