These forums have been archived and are now read-only.

The new forums are live and can be found at https://forums.eveonline.com/

Ships & Modules

 
  • Topic is locked indefinitely.
12Next page
 

One Mystery at a time: Command Ships

Author
Pod Panik
Low-Sec Scrubs
#1 - 2015-05-11 20:04:51 UTC
Hello fellow Podmens!


I started playing EvE a couple months ago and I can now pilot a Battleship. I am not great at it (look like a fat kid on a bike) but still, I can take my Rattlesnake through L4 missions no problem (I can just imagine how devastating that ship must be at the hand of an experienced pilot...outch!). To make a long story short, as I can solo L4 in a reasonable amount of time, I now have my ISK making machine working. Of course I could always be much better at it, but I must say that I am satisfied with my effectiveness for now. It is therefore time to look at the future...


Looking around I realize that piloting a T2 ship is a very serious commitment and you need to start working on it Months in advance. So I am now in the process of deciding towards which type of T2 ships I want to aim my training time at. At first I was considering the Marauders, but really they would only provide a marginal boost at running L4 missions. So all this time just to be a little better at what I can already do seems to be a little waste. I am therefore looking at a T2 ship that would allow me to experiment with other aspects of the game.


So, I am looking at the different types of T2. They are all pretty self-explanatory except for the Command Ship, which I am not too sure what to make of. I understand that Command Ships are the Fleet Buffers but...



1) Can a Command Ship benefit from its own Warfare Link modules?



2) How effective/essentials are the bonuses provided by a Command ship to a Fleet?



3) Can Command Ship be useful in smaller gang (2 to 5 pilots max)?



4) Are Command Ship useful in PVE?



5) How effective are Command Ship at soloing normal Missions (L3 and L4)? Are they comparable to T1 Battleship and/or Pirates ships (ex: my Rattlesnake)



6) Can you use Command Ships to undertake other activities such as Combat Site Exploration and WH space adventuring?



7) How much in demand are Command Ship Pilots?



8) What is your favorite Command Ship and Why? (I know its personal but its just to give me a sense of why people pilot them)



9) And the big one...how much fun are those Command Ship to pilot? Especially compared to other types of T2 ships...






As always, many thanks for sharing the wisdom!!!



Pod
RavenPaine
RaVeN Alliance
#2 - 2015-05-11 20:47:19 UTC  |  Edited by: RavenPaine
That's a lotta questions Shocked
I'll try to answer some, and stay somewhat fluid.

PvE, missions:
If you can improve your Rattlesnake it's never a bad thing to do. Making isk fast is important, so you can have more time for other activities. I have a feeling you aren't nearly maxed out in that snake. Pick skills that would ALSO help other ships and max them out.
Edit add here: If you are really just 2 months old, your snake is probly doing about 30% of what it's capable of.

Command ships:
1. You need to be in a fleet to get command bonus's. Solo won't work.

2 and 3. The effects are very beneficial to a fleet. Small fleets as well as big fleets. Imagine giving 10% more hit points to your fleet in a 5 vs 5 fight. It means you're killing their second guy, while they are still shooting your first guy. It means they lost 20% of their fire power, while you still have 100% of yours. Now imagine that same advantage in a 50 man fleet.
The assist bonus isn't actually 10%, but you get the idea.
Range boosts, speed boosts, repair boosts. All these have a use in different fleet doctrines.

4 and 5 and 6. Some command ships work well for limited applications in PvE. Passive fit Nighthawk has a use in some lvl V missions.
For most applications though, Command ships use medium weapons systems. Just not as powerful as large weapons, so the missions go slower. Slower = not as good.
Not really good for exploration or WH jumping. T3 are better.

7. Not a lot of demand, but it really depends on the corp/alliance you fly with.

8. My favorite Command ship, and something you did not touch on, is the Astarte for PvP. It does amazing damage, has great tank, and handles pretty decent. It's not used for command bonus in this role though... just a nice BC hull for PvP. Sleipnir used to be similarly used, but not so much any more.

9. Fun until it pops. I think it is all relevant to your ability to lose ships. Off grid booster is kind of fun, knowing that you give all these bonus to your pilot or fleet. Typically though, off grid ships are a duel box / second account kind of thing.
Tiddle Jr
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#3 - 2015-05-11 21:27:23 UTC
Go train T3's. Way better. Still.

"The message is that there are known knowns. There are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know" - CCP

Kashadin
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#4 - 2015-05-11 22:23:15 UTC
Tiddle Jr wrote:
Go train T3's. Way better. Still.



And can be set up to provide links, granted they are normally used as a OGB.
Gully Alex Foyle
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2015-05-11 22:51:09 UTC
1. Yes but you need to be in fleet with at least one person and I believe he needs to be in system, maybe even undocked. An alt would work perfectly, though

Make space glamorous! Is EVE dying or not? Ask the EVE-O Death-o-meter!

Chainsaw Plankton
FaDoyToy
#6 - 2015-05-12 03:11:43 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:
1) Can a Command Ship benefit from its own Warfare Link modules?
2) How effective/essentials are the bonuses provided by a Command ship to a Fleet?
3) Can Command Ship be useful in smaller gang (2 to 5 pilots max)?
4) Are Command Ship useful in PVE?
5) How effective are Command Ship at soloing normal Missions (L3 and L4)? Are they comparable to T1 Battleship and/or Pirates ships (ex: my Rattlesnake)
6) Can you use Command Ships to undertake other activities such as Combat Site Exploration and WH space adventuring?
7) How much in demand are Command Ship Pilots?
8) What is your favorite Command Ship and Why? (I know its personal but its just to give me a sense of why people pilot them)
9) And the big one...how much fun are those Command Ship to pilot? Especially compared to other types of T2 ships...


1. yes assuming the fleet is set up correctly. The booster and everyone under them in the chain gets links
2. the bonuses are very strong so people really like having them, I would assume alliances have enough CS pilots that they can have most links in most fleets. Smaller gangs probably don't have as many link pilots available, but plenty do.
3. of course, small gangs love to have links. and a command ship can provide some good firepower to help out.
4. CS aren't really that great in PVE, at least that is what I think. I'd rather use a battleship in nearly every case
5. probably about comparable to t1 BS in most cases, but I'd rather fly a pirate bs or marauder
6. probably, although I would guess people currently prefer using t3 ships for those, but t3 might get nerfed again soon™
7. pretty in demand, people like the boosts, although many pilots have a link alt. but there is warning that CCP might change boosting mechanics, the main idea is that links will have to be on grid to give bonuses.
8. Probably the Sleipnir as that is the one most used for combat. Although I always loved the idea of the Eos. I used to really like the absolution based on looks, but dunno if the performance was ever there. but they changed the abso's looks.
9. fun is too subjective to comment on P

One of the main things I will note is that it is harder to provide links and fit for combat. usually will have to pick one to three links you want the most if you are going to do that. many people will make CS fits that are solely designed to provide link boosts and to not get in combat. usually provided by an alt as it is pretty easy to warp to a safespot and stay aligned, or stay in docking/jump range of a station/gate.

@ChainsawPlankto on twitter

Stacy Lone
Nirakura Inc
Decisions of Truth
#7 - 2015-05-12 10:09:30 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:

1) Can a Command Ship benefit from its own Warfare Link modules?
2) How effective/essentials are the bonuses provided by a Command ship to a Fleet?
3) Can Command Ship be useful in smaller gang (2 to 5 pilots max)?
4) Are Command Ship useful in PVE?
5) How effective are Command Ship at soloing normal Missions (L3 and L4)? Are they comparable to T1 Battleship and/or Pirates ships (ex: my Rattlesnake)
6) Can you use Command Ships to undertake other activities such as Combat Site Exploration and WH space adventuring?
7) How much in demand are Command Ship Pilots?
8) What is your favorite Command Ship and Why? (I know its personal but its just to give me a sense of why people pilot them)
9) And the big one...how much fun are those Command Ship to pilot? Especially compared to other types of T2 ships...

1.) Yes, but only in fleet
2.) They are very, very effective to fleets.
3.) Yes. Although you should note that CS are usually used as OGBs, which means they warp to a safe spot and are kept away from the grid where the fighting occurs. CS don#t see much actual action.
4.) Depends. For Solo PvE, the hulls can be used, but not for the links. If you are ratting in 0.0, there is usually always a fleet with boosts open in your corp/alliance so that you can benefit from links while ratting.
6.) You can, but you don't want t. There are far better alternatives. A solo CS in wspace is just a juicy target that will be huted down and killed. If you can fly a rattlesnake, get a gila to do c3 sites, or skill for a t3 cruiser. they are far better for wspace then BS.
7.) depends. For fully trained CS pilots that have all links maxed, there is demand. But it takes many month to train. Not something you should consider as a new player. Those accounts are usually created exactly for that purpose.
9.) Since you are mostly off grid and just floating in space - not much if that is your main activity.


If you are a new character and running L4s in your rattle, then I would suggest training the skills for your rattlesnake higher first. Especially drone skills, but missile skills as well. A good skilled rattle makes much, much more DPS then a badly skilled one (1 do about 1k dps in a mdeium skilled rattle). if you feel comfortable, some faction mods also help increasing your DPS.
Pod Panik
Low-Sec Scrubs
#8 - 2015-05-12 11:24:45 UTC
Hey! Many thanks for thise replies...

So its pretty clear that, given the current situation, Command Ships are really an alt business.

I thought they were live action buffers like we see in many other games But they seem more like passive buffers That stay behind and "enjoy" the action from the chat.


I'll skip my turn. Given my young age i am probably better to set my mid-term goal for something more useful such HACs...

...up until ccp change their game play and make them more active (must be in the action, must manage targets of buffs and penalties, etc)




POD
Shiloh Templeton
Cheyenne HET Co
#9 - 2015-05-12 13:21:35 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:
I'll skip my turn. Given my young age i am probably better to set my mid-term goal for something more useful such HACs...
That was my thought when I read your post.

I trained an alt into command ships because he already had a strong leadership base as an Orca pilot (which is very valuable to a mining operation). Running an off-grid booster for L4 missions boosts the natural defense of the mission runner but doesn't do much for the DPS (except free up slots for DPS). So I trained for an EOS that can be in the pocket with the main to apply DPS with drones and handle salvaging/loot.

Pod Panik wrote:
...up until ccp change their game play and make them more active (must be in the action, must manage targets of buffs and penalties, etc)POD

This is not really true. A Sleipner can be very effect in combat. I think the problem is that the incredibly long training for leadership skills means that few pilots are going to go there. Especially when a CS booster is not going to get in on the KB for fleet action.
Jacob Holland
Weyland-Vulcan Industries
#10 - 2015-05-12 16:10:32 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:
1) Can a Command Ship benefit from its own Warfare Link modules?


Yes, but only within a fleet structure.
The links will work on a minimum of two pilots - if you're in a different system to the rest of your fleet, if you're docked...etc your fleet-mates will gain no benefit from your links; conversely, if your fleet are docked or in another system you will gain no benefit either.

Pod Panik wrote:
2) How effective/essentials are the bonuses provided by a Command ship to a Fleet?


The Warfare link bonuses can perhaps best be described as shared slots - if you fit a shield harmonising link (which uses one of your highslots) then everyone within your fleet responsibility gains what can be equivalent of an extra invuln on their fittings - this can mean that they're harder tanking but suffering significant stacking - or it could allow them to remove one of their already fitted Invulns and replace it with something else - extra tackle, ECCM...etc.

As such the power of warfare links is significant - and theoretically grows with the number of ships in the fleet.

Pod Panik wrote:
3) Can Command Ship be useful in smaller gang (2 to 5 pilots max)?


Absolutely. Small gang warfare is often the place where Links are considered indispensible. Every edge in pilotting and mechanics will be sought in this case.

Pod Panik wrote:
4) Are Command Ship useful in PVE?


Yes... and no...
In almost every PvE situation you would benefit more from another DPS platform than from a link ship...
However they are deemed essential in Incursions for example...

Pod Panik wrote:
5) How effective are Command Ship at soloing normal Missions (L3 and L4)? Are they comparable to T1 Battleship and/or Pirates ships (ex: my Rattlesnake)


Command ships are generally not as good as BS at this role - though I know several people who do prefer to fly them.
000Hunter000
Missiles 'R' Us
#11 - 2015-05-25 19:30:07 UTC
Using a 2 man NH team is... AWESOMEBig smile

Esp when fitted with some nice Calnav mods (launchers, BCU and so on)

Not for the lazy AFK missionrunners though Blink
FT Diomedes
The Graduates
#12 - 2015-05-26 07:12:08 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:
Hey! Many thanks for thise replies...

So its pretty clear that, given the current situation, Command Ships are really an alt business.

I thought they were live action buffers like we see in many other games But they seem more like passive buffers That stay behind and "enjoy" the action from the chat.


I'll skip my turn. Given my young age i am probably better to set my mid-term goal for something more useful such HACs...

...up until ccp change their game play and make them more active (must be in the action, must manage targets of buffs and penalties, etc)




POD


I routinely fly a Claymore in small gang warfare. It's a whole lot more fun than dragging around an alt. The training to get to it is pretty intense for a new character, so I recommend holding off on that.

CCP should add more NPC 0.0 space to open it up and liven things up: the Stepping Stones project.

Ralph King-Griffin
New Eden Tech Support
#13 - 2015-05-26 09:30:21 UTC
Yup, training for a command ship will take a massive chunk out of your training,
which at this point in your eve career you could use for much better things.

If you have a second account you don't mind training for the 2-3 months itl take then go ahead but I'd avoid doing so with your main.
Valkin Mordirc
#14 - 2015-05-26 10:38:27 UTC  |  Edited by: Valkin Mordirc
Ralph King-Griffin wrote:
Yup, training for a command ship will take a massive chunk out of your training,
which at this point in your eve career you could use for much better things.

If you have a second account you don't mind training for the 2-3 months itl take then go ahead but I'd avoid doing so with your main.



You obviously have never piloted the Slep before.

The wait is long, but at least the Slep it is almost worth it. Dual XL-ASB, 220's and you are your own mini-Vargur.

THough I would suggest waiting on training for it and get other skills up, I personally would get all other ships you want trained to near perfect before you move to CS's.
#DeleteTheWeak
Pod Panik
Low-Sec Scrubs
#15 - 2015-05-26 11:21:13 UTC
The more I read about CS and the more I realize that until they force them to be "active" during fights (force targetting to apply bonuses and such) CS will remain an "ALT" business.

Why risk the ship when you can simply have a non active account sitting in one far away (in same sector) from combat in a safe spot...?

So i will not waste my active time on such a ship. Better of training for T3 or T2 cruisers.




Pod
Jeanne-Luise Argenau
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#16 - 2015-05-26 13:43:58 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:
The more I read about CS and the more I realize that until they force them to be "active" during fights (force targetting to apply bonuses and such) CS will remain an "ALT" business.

Why risk the ship when you can simply have a non active account sitting in one far away (in same sector) from combat in a safe spot...?

So i will not waste my active time on such a ship. Better of training for T3 or T2 cruisers.
Pod


it isnt that bad u dont lose skills like a t3 and cs are normally cheaper
they can have brick tanks and rly nasty dps
downside is speed and training time compared to t2 or t3 cruiser
Lanark Gray
Republic Military School
Minmatar Republic
#17 - 2015-05-27 11:40:59 UTC
Pod Panik wrote:
The more I read about CS and the more I realize that until they force them to be "active" during fights (force targetting to apply bonuses and such) CS will remain an "ALT" business.

Why risk the ship when you can simply have a non active account sitting in one far away (in same sector) from combat in a safe spot...?

So i will not waste my active time on such a ship. Better of training for T3 or T2 cruisers.




Pod


Tageting to apply bonuses would be hard to balance: leave bonuses as they are and they become pretty bad ships, buff them much for single targets and they become overpowered easily. They should need to be on grid though imho.


Why wouldn't you bring along a ship, that besides it's great command bonuses, adds BC dps and BS+ tank (or BS dps and BC+ tank) along in a gang of 2-5 players (as you asked about)? It's a great addition for small gangs - and not much more expensive than a T2 cruiser.

Finally I hope you have some experience of shooting other folk before going out in any t2/t3 ship.
Pod Panik
Low-Sec Scrubs
#18 - 2015-05-27 14:09:03 UTC
Lanark Gray wrote:
[quote=Pod Panik]


Why wouldn't you bring along a ship, that besides it's great command bonuses, adds BC dps and BS+ tank (or BS dps and BC+ tank) along in a gang of 2-5 players (as you asked about)? It's a great addition for small gangs - and not much more expensive than a T2 cruiser.

Finally I hope you have some experience of shooting other folk before going out in any t2/t3 ship.




Well my point is that, with how things work at the moment, your can simply have an inactive alt in a CS somewhere in the zone and you get all the bonuses. No need to actually be in the action piloting the ship.

So why would you risk a high value ship in skirmish combat when you can leave it behind and still get all the bonuses?


No questions that the bonuses are interesting...but I think there are no questions that you don't require an active pilot to get them.



I always loved buffers in every MMORPG I played. I hope they fix the CS soon,,,to make them playable
Lanark Gray
Republic Military School
Minmatar Republic
#19 - 2015-05-27 14:39:54 UTC
I entirely agree that command bonuses should not work off grid, but ...

You are assuming an alt off grid, which assumes that: you have an alt and:

1) You can get them off grid, which will not always be easy - bubbles/HICs etc will certainly keep them on grid even if you WCS them.

2) Or you are just hanging around in a system waiting for the fight to come to you - better hope no one is scouting or probing, especially if you they know you have a CS somewhere (I'll assume it won't be parked by a deathstar).

3) You like playing swap the client - not to my taste, but YMMV.

As to changes to make them more playable - they seem very unlikely to get buffed.

The way they can be played now is how you want them to be forced to play, so if you don't want to 'risk' them in a small gang now why would you do so later?

I'll ask another direct question, do you actually have any pvp combat experience that isn't high sec duels or can thieves? Because I'm doubting it if you can't see why a CS is a great addition to a smaller gang- assuming that gang isn't all faster than if ofc.
Pod Panik
Low-Sec Scrubs
#20 - 2015-05-27 15:07:46 UTC
Hey Lanark!


BTW, thanks for the answers/comments.


So you are 100% right. I have NO pvp experience other then trying to go through low-sec and being blown to pieces. I am not yet confident in my capacities as an EVE PILOT and I want to learn more of the game to actually get into that very fascinating aspect of EVE. In other MMO, I used to be a full PVPer and I absolutely loved it. However, the stakes are a little higher in Eve (which is an absolute good thing) as you actually lose multiple million ISK every time you get beaten. Therefore, I think I will feel more comfortable doing some PVP when: 1) I understand what I am doing; and 2) I have a decent ISK stack to pay for that hobby.

But thanks to Donnachadh, who took me under his wing, I am learning this game at an accelerated rate and I should get ready to try up PVP in the near future.

This said, in all the MMO I played (started with Everquest back in the days...) I always loved to have a support role, Either as a healer or a buffer. I always preferred to help other human beings accomplish their goals then shooting at pixel and admiring my DPS numbers. Anyway, just a personal choice. In EVE, those tasks/functions translate to logistics and Command ship (unless i am missing something). So those would be my natural focus...

Given my young age in EVE (4 months old), my skill set is quite low. So, if I am to go one of those route (logistics or CS), I would rather pick one type of ship that would also allow me to do other things in the game.

Looking at the stats of Command Ships, I loved the fact that, in a group they would be VERY useful to help everyone else with their buffs, DPS and tank. Outside of a group, they could probably solo L4 missions or run exploration sites in high sec (not risking that ship in low/null!!!). On paper...they are very interesting.

However, I then realized that because you don't actually need to be part of the fight to offer your bonuses to the rest of the group, most people simply get an ALT and leave the CS cloaked somewhere in the system.

Also, T3 ships seem to be able to provide similar bonuses (is that really so?).


Anyway, it simply busted my bubble that CS would be a great type of ship to orient my training. I am talking here about investing the next 3 months of training to be able to pilot one of those. And from what I read, I would just be filling a a role that is normally undertaken by an AFK pilot.

Not very interesting...

...unless I am missing something fundamental.


Pod
12Next page