Wormholes

After the previous patch occasionally one could find unguarded data or relic sites in C1-C3 wormholes, the typical guarded sleeper data/relic sites were there as usual but there were a few nullsec type unguarded sites to be found occasionally as well (gurista etc etc)

Since the release today, I haven't found a single one in WH space.

I skimmed the patch changelog and didn't see it mentioned, so I would expect they would still be there, but maybe I missed it?

I usually start from hisec and enter a c1-3 hole, sometimes i hit it big right there (relatively speaking) but if need be I'll scan another wormhole from that one and go further, I usually end up in nullsec and do sites there as well, once I accumulate a sufficient amount of loot as to make me uncomfortable I back track and unload at a station.

But like I said, I usually scan down a non sleeper relic or data site in C1-3, haven't today, which is what made me wonder, might just have been picked already, no big deal, just curiosity.

Cool, the more I think about it the areas I was hopping into wormholes from were pretty populous, probably just picked clean already.

Thanks for the responses though.

Maybe since it's a new feature they anticipate a temporary surge in interest so they up the spawn rate for a while so all those interested can get a taste.

I have to say I have noticed no real difference in the amount. There are certain WHs that seem to generate a lot more of them.

I have noticed though an increase in T1 Herons inside WHs and in Low. They are now another way for me to harvest sites....

Such impatience on their part.

heron's more than fine. Make a safe while scanning and it's almost impossible die since they need combat scanners to get you and you'll see them long before they scan you down.

In fact, t1 frigates are more combat capable than t2, heron vs a buzzard in a 1vs1 the heron will wipe the floor with the ship that's 20x more expensive.

Neither one is really appropriate for actual fighting. I think the point is that heron's are very easy to catch, which is true. If you see one cloak, you know that it's within a few KM of wherever it disappeared.

With a buzzard having a covert cloak, it could be across the system by now.

So the point is that they're easier to find/catch.

"They need combat scanners" - this may surprise you, but some people actually scan down sites and rather than run them, just wait for targets to come along and try to run them.

Now, in a buzzard it doesn't matter. If someone comes into your site, just burn off the can and cloak/warp. Hopefully they don't target/bubble you, but even if they do you're pretty fast and maybe you've got a stab or two.

On the other hand, in a heron, you'd better manage to get that warp to zero on the hisec WH out of there, or safespot, or hope that they're not guarding the exits, because if you try to just cloak up they're gonna find/decloak you.

If you can't afford an astero, then I'm concerned for you, because they're cheap. Like one hour of any kind of ratting and you can afford a basic fit, am I wrong? Anyway, you can T1 frig if you want, but you're gonna die alot more than you would otherwise.

Furthermore in exploration, like gas mining, the loot is always worth a ton more than the ship you use to get it. It's not uncommon to make over 100m isk in a single WH of exploration. Having a covert cloak makes you much more likely to get away with the goods.

It's your lossmail though, do what you want.

I have no comment on the amount of sites in wormholes other than that there are still some out there. Instead I tackle your last question a little bit.

I would recommend Buzzard or any of the other Cov-Ops scanning frigates with covert cloak. However, I think Heron will do fine while you get sufficient skills to fly and fit one, and get the iskies to buy one or two. Astero to scan Data/Relic sites is an overkill - since you don't need to fight there, why take astero? For that kind of work, the only advantage Astero has over Cov-ops is faster align time. Therefore Cov-Ops frigate is sufficient and at a fraction of a price of an astero (1/3rd or 1/4th of the cost for the ship itself atm I believe. The fit costs are pretty much the same.)

The method you use sounds good. I presume you make a safe spot via mid-warp bookmarks and scan from there while hidden by your cloak and thus you are only vulnerable while actually doing the sites or getting to the wormhole or gate. That will lead to occasional ship loss but as long as it is cheaply fitted heron, the loss is minor (except for the big loot you have already gathered). Cov-ops / Astero can also be lost that way but for them the risk is lots smaller as long as you fly cautiously.

Good luck.

On training time: Ah, I didn't take training time into account. That is true. Astero is easier to get into than Cov Ops frigate like Buzzard if you consider that. Thanks for pointing that out.

On combat matters: Tougher & Drones don't really matter in my opinion. If you get caught in astero, you are as dead as you are getting caught in buzzard or heron. Well, you do have a chance to survive with ECM drones but is the heavier price worth that chance is up to the pilot. Offensive maneuvers with an astero are also something I haven't really considered. I guess I am peace loving scientist/explorer at heart.

And on the last point: My recommended Buzzard also has covert ops cloak, so on that we agree. It is the main defense of the scanning ship.

So even with the longer training time, I still recommend Buzzard and Co for getting those Data and Relic sites from wormhole pirates and Null sec.

And I agree with you. Case closed. :)