Ships & Modules

Hi folks,

I am a young caldari pilot who is returning to the game after a first failed trial account (about 3 years ago). That (very) little experience I had with the game 3 years ago and some very noob-friendly pilots in-game have helped me overcoming many of the newbie usual mistakes. I am currently sitting on half a billion of ISK and around 1/1.5 millions SP after 20 days.

Considering my options going forward, I clearly understand that rushing for level 4 missions would be a big mistake since my support skills (and eve my core ones) are far too low as of now to run a BS or a Tengu and my passive Drake is better at farming level 3.

So I figured that I could give the 2 pirate arcs a try to have some fun while making good money. They seem to be worth isk-wise and very entertaining since they are set in nullsec systems. I have read many guides, forums, wikis and such in the hope of finding every pieces of information possible to get myself ready to complete those 2 arcs.

Despite my intensive researches, I still feel that I am not 100% sure about 2 things:

1) Do I have the skills needed to do the 2 arcs?

As far as the skills are concerned, I know that my character is still really weak with around 1.2m SP right now. Yet from what I've read, the pirate arcs are not hard from a strict PVE standpoint. Rather, they are hard because they are set in nullsec. Since I've already flown in lowsec/nullsec systems for exploration with a Heron, I think I understand the game mechanics regarding nullsec (bubbles, camps, instaundock BMs, mwd+cloak trick, etc.).

I'd be interested in having the opinions of more experienced players on this though. Do I qualify SP-wise to do the 2 arcs? What particular things should I be aware of about the Curse and Venal nullsec systems the missions are set in?

(I already have 2 jump clones so no worry for my implants if I get podded in low or null)

2) What ship and fit would be best in order to complete them?

The ship and fit I should use are a really big question mark for me. The arcs were designed to be completed in an interceptor, but from what I've gathered, everybody seems to agree that interceptors are a bit weak compared to other options. Their upside is their mobility and bubble immunity, I get that, but since I got so few SP, I figured I'd probably need a more DPS-oriented ship.

Some people seem to be running the 2 arcs in T1 frigates or destroyers. It seems appealing from a cost-POV, but once again my SP are probably too low for me to have access to enough T2 modules to make those ships good enough for the arcs.

So, I've set my sights on an assault frigate. Since I'm using missiles for now, the Hawk it should be. I'm currently training the caldari frigate skill to 5 which will grant me access to the T2 frigates tree. I have most of the requirements for the AF skill and for the Hawk. I'll be able to fly a Hawk in 10 days. I only plan to get the AF skill to 4 before going for the arcs.

So here is my question: what's the best ship for me to complete the 2 arcs? Could I do it in a t1 ship or in an inty? Or should I stick to my AF plan?

The fit

Finally, I've came up with a combat fit for a missile Hawk. It barely fits but using a Zainou Gypsy EE-601 does the trick (!). To move around, I'd fit a proto cloaking device and a MWD. I'd probably bring a cheap T1 frigate along to complete the missions that require moving around systems to talk to NPCs rather than combat. My only real fear is bubbles...

Does that fit seems correct?

[Hawk, Hawk Angel Arc]

Ballistic Control System I
Ballistic Control System I

Small Shield Booster II
'Stalwart' Particle Field Magnifier
Upgraded Explosive Deflection Amplifier I
Experimental 1MN Afterburner I
Upgraded Thermic Dissipation Amplifier I

Prototype 'Arbalest' Light Missile Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Prototype 'Arbalest' Light Missile Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Prototype 'Arbalest' Light Missile Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
Prototype 'Arbalest' Light Missile Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile
[empty high slot]

Small Processor Overclocking Unit I
Small Processor Overclocking Unit I


122 dps
4K EHP / 1k shield @ 62 ehp/s max
Cap stable with AB / 1min cap with SB
Switch exp amplifier for a kinetic one vs Guristas

More details in EFT here: http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=554330HawkHawkAngelArc.jpg


Thank you for reading! All inputs are welcomed.

Consider the vengeance

The only reason to run light missiles rather than rockets (which are much easier to fit) is so that you can out range the epic arc rats ability to damage you. Even with just an AB you are much faster than those rats anyway. Don't bother with any cap mods and ignore the cap life stat. What you do is look at the cap life with the shield repper turned off (hint it will be stable at something like 70%) . As long as you keep range you will only need a single pulse of the repper every now and again and in the mean time your cap will have recharged. The missions are fairly trivial to avoid damage with a light missile hawk.
remember peak cap recharge occurs at 33% so it is better to let shields drop low than push cap way below this number.
The mwd for travel and AB for mission is a great idea.
Get into the habit of setting up safe spots in system and watch for combat scanners on dscan.
Try and watch other player behaviour so you can build up awareness of the differences between hot dropppers, solo pvper, scouts, cloaky eyes and people just travelling or ratting.
The most dangerous times oddly are docking and undocking in npc null stations to hand missions in.