EVE New Citizens Q&A

I don't usually give myself shameless plugs via forum posts, but this is important. Stacking penalty is a big factor in how ship fits work, but it is not well documented (at all, if I remember correctly) in the tutorials. It is also oft-overlooked when giving advice to newbies, since many older players simply acknowledge it subconsciously. This results in a lot of newbies going around in ships fit with so many modules of the same type that effectively only half of their fit ever does anything.

So, read up: http://www.thewholefrigate.com/2013/12/question-from-newbie-what-is-stacking.html

TL;DR: Many/most %-based effects (both module modifiers and buffs, and remote debuffs such as webs or target painters) suffer stacking penalty when multiple instances of the same effect are applied. Past the third effect of the same type, the penalty is so severe that it is almost never worth the effort to continue applying more of the same effect. Check the blog for more examples of why/how this works.

What you can do about it: Think smartly about what your fitting objective is and how you can achieve it without conflicting bonuses. For example, If you're trying to get your lasers to do more damage, don't use just heat sinks. Mix in some tracking enhancers. If you want maximum speed and agility, don't fit 6 nanos; fit 3 overdrive injectors and 3 inertia stabilizers.

TL;DR of this post: Every time you fit more than 3 of a type of effect, a kitten and puppy die. Don't do it. Think of the cute little animals, and remember stacking penalty.

Bookmarked for future linking.

Well, that's why I tried to refer to "effects" rather than modules, and why I gave the EANM+hardener example. If others think the different scripts point is necessary, I will add it.

Details about the whys and hows are scant and it is not obvious to most people to go looking for them. I know it was not for me when I was new.

Definitely some good info that's usually overlooked.

+1 to the OP.



DMC