Ships & Modules

I've seen some fits for Loki exploration floating around, so I thought I'd share mine. I fly this ship identical to the way I would a Buzzard-no fights, total evasion, scan sigs and run sites quickly. This fit isn't intended to do damage, except for the rare opportunity that you find yourself able to sneak a point onto a solo frig, and even then you're unlikely to succeed. Where this ship shines is in evasion and ease of travel in nullsec. Fit not intended for WH exploration, but it navigates them well. This is my first post, so please bear with me.

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120ish DPS
25k EHP

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This subsystem setup allows for 3 things imperative to an exploration Loki in null - the ability to breeze through warp disruptor bubbles, a Covert Ops cloak, and a bonus to scan strength of up to 50% with +10 on data/relic analyzers. In essence, this makes us able to explore with the same probe/analyzer stats as a Buzzard or any other dedicated exploration ship.

Subsystems:

Loki Propulsion - Interdiction Nullifier

Loki Offensive - Covert Reconfiguration

Loki Electronics - Emergent Locus Analyzer

These are my 3 non-negotiables. I'm well aware one can warp to celestials to change angle of approach for bubbled gates, but nullsec holds an admirable number of very, very good dicter pilots who can read your mind. These three systems let you move, move quietly, and still exceed at exploration mechanics.

Loki Defensive - Adaptive Shielding

Loki Engineering - Capacitor Regeneration Matrix

These two subsystems have a little more flexability. I chose the above because I like the slot layout and because the EHP of this fit comes from shields.

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High slots:

Covert Ops Cloaking Device II

Expanded Probe Launcher II - Sisters Core Scanner Probe

650mm Medium 'Scout' Artillery I

650mm Medium 'Scout' Artillery I

425mm AutoCannon I

Medium Unstable Power Fluctuator I

This fit is not intended to do damage. On occasion, there are PvE interactions (Sleeper sites, etc) that can require guns to interact with the environment; artillery lets you take care of these things at range. Guns are flexible here, I'd advise fitting the rest of the ship first and then fitting whatever you're most proficient with and can fit.

The nuet is really fit for lack of a better module to fill the remaining high. The thought is, should I encounter a gatecamp with heavy tackle and enough of them manage to lock and point me before I can warp, there may be a chance I can neut out the nearest frigate-class vessel long enough to make them drop point (this fit is triple stabbed, but this offers utility for a fourth/fifth. In theory. Kind of.).

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Mid Slots:

Data Analyzer II

Relic Analyzer II

50MN Microwarpdrive II

Warp Scrambler II

Adaptive Invulnerability Field II

Large Shield Extender II



"A point? But this ship isn't for PvP!"

It isn't...except for once. The only situation I ever engage in PvP with this fit is if I am successfully able to uncloak, lock, and point another explorer in a frigate. In these extremely rare opportunities, the nuet/guns really shine in popping little asteros for shinies. It may be better to fit 2 autocannons and one artillery, I am honestly not fully educated on damage potential of projectile weaponry. If you do not have all scanning skills/subsystem skill to 5 but still wish to pinpoint Superior Sleeper sites/DED 10s, etc. then you will need to drop the point and use a Scan Rangefinding Array I.

Passive tank fit is simply my preference, I'm unsure and uneducated concerning the potential for an active shield tank fit. I don't want to manage modules to keep my ship alive, I want to manage modules to get my ship into warp-hence my choice for buffer fit.

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Low slots:

Warp Core Stabilizer II

Warp Core Stabilizer II

Warp Core Stabilizer II

This ship is designed to never get caught. Triple stabbed doesn't make you any more invincible than the interdiction nullifier subsystem does, but it sure ******* helps. Triple stabbed is going to make your range and lock time sit straight in the shitter, but well worth it - it is goddamn difficult to hold point on this ship. I don't run less than three, as many prepared gatecamps run instalock T3 destroyers. Between instacloaking/instawarping I avoid getting targeted/locked the vast majority of the time, but there are some damn good pilots in this game, and I have been instalocked/pointed by Svipul and Confessor crews. Triple stabbed let me fly right away.

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Rigs:

Medium Gravity Capacitor Upgrade II

Medium Low Friction Nozzle Joints I

Medium Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I

If you wish to scan 1.25% sigs, you will need the Grav Cap rig - even with max scanning skills (assuming nothing in your head). The other rigs are fit with the mindset of aligning into warp faster to avoid multiple points at camps, and speed to outrun slightly more than you could without. The benefit of stacking either of the two warping rigs rather than using one of each is viable, I would say this is up to your preference and piloting style.

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So there you have it, folks. This isn't the unkillable, untraceable ultimate navigator, but I consider it to be one of the best fits for running exploration sites that Eve has to offer. You'll lose this ship if you fly it enough - gatecampers evolve, or you'll make a piloting error, or PvE will kill you...as beautiful and sneaky as this ship is, there is still huge risk to fly it. However, if you're looking to run nullsec sites of all kinds and fly under the radar, this is perfect for exactly that (except Limited Sleepers...gotta have a frig to go in those. Damn it.). I'm only a two year player, so all you old grizzled vets feel free to share your thoughts and knowledge.

Fly safe*

"It is known: CCP accidentally spelled the "Die" button u-n-d-o-c-k."

If you are primarily exploring might I suggest a Emission Scope Sharpener rig. Since relic sites are the only one worth regularly doing.