Ships & Modules

As the topic says, I'm in the process of deciding what ship type to specialize into beyond the level of meta-fit t1 frigs. The big things I'm planning on doing:

1) small to moderate gang pvp - tackle or cruiser dps.

2) solo pvp - frig and cruiser.

3) pve - exploration sites, low sec soon and, one day, npc null in a HAC.

In gang pvp I know that each race has useful options for dps and tackle, so I'm just going to make choices there that synergize with whatever else I windup doing.

Activities 2 and 3 are what I'm looking at more closely. I know that pretty much any HAC or bc can run low sec combat sites with decent skills, but in null I've been told that only the ishtar can reasonably expect to succeed in combat sites due to a) being able to hit like a battleship with its giant drone bandwidth, and b) not being forced to get close to enemies, due to being a drone boat. Any truth to that?

Also, as far as solo pvp goes, I'm not really sure that the whole slow-but-punchy gallente ethos really works for me. I know that some people swear by, for example, the blaster thorax with ecm drones for being able to actually stand a chance in unfair fights - but it seems like minmatar might be more tactically sound for operating alone in unfriendly territory (controlling terms of engagement, ability to gtfo if things turn bad, etc). My only objection is that I don't want to specialize in a race that I won't be able to run pve sites with - evemon already tells me that I'm looking at 3 months to be able to fly a HAC competently, and that's quite long enough for me without having to crosstrain.

So, I would appreciate any confirmations or refutations of the impressions I've listed above - can minmatar HACs solo null combat sites? Are gallente better than they seem on paper for fighting on one's own terms? Are there other good options for both solo/group pvp and solo exploration that I've not thought of? Thanks.

meaning that gallente is the way to go for being able to pvp solo and group, and still be able to run down exploration sites?

Even in null? A big reason for my asking the question is that, generally, people seem to believe that a very few ships (mostly ishtar, loki and tengu) can solo null combat sites, and even then they can't do all of them. From what I've been reading, minmatar HACs may not have the dps to solo null sites.

I see, thanks for the feedback! Guess it's just a matter of going out and doing the pewpew rather than hanging out on the forums, huh? >.>

Of course T3 cruisers or Ishtar are a solution to what you want to do, but if i have understood correctly you are just starting, yes ?
Then this is a long term goal, because you will need the skills to fly the ship (that's not very hard nor long), but also the support skills to fly it correctly, and the experience, to lose less often your ships, and a regular income big enough to replace your losses and finance your next project.
All that is well and beautiful, but what will you do in the meantime (many months) ? I suggest that you already start to try these activities in a T1 cruiser. It's cheap, you can practise and you can already win your money.
For exploration indeed a drone boat such as the vexor or arbitrator would be good, because drones free the slots you'll need for the exploration modules. Both can use a full flight (5) of medium scouts, which are just fine against npcs' cruisers and BCs.
For small gang/solo pvp, drone boats can also be good because you can surprise your ennemy by switching between sizes, damages, roles (ECM, neut, web etc...). The question is if you like this style. Try out ! T1 cruisers are cheap and fun !