Ships & Modules

The bonus is sweet, but as you say all other things considered it's not the only important thing.

Fully bonused links > partially bonused links >>>>>>>>>>>> no links at all!

Just train what you think you'll be using most, then swap links as needed. Eventually train another race if you want max boosts in all occasions.

I don't remember the exact figures, but I did some research some time ago and I recall that things like T2 links vs. T1 and the 'mindlink' implants made a greater difference than hull bonuses.

Check the skill requirements for training Command Ships. You effectively have to train to use all of the links anyways just to be able to sit in the hull.

There's a reason why the base bonus on the link modules is so small. Whenever you get an attribute that has one large % multiplier and multiple smaller ones (+80% for specialist IV, +40% for link specialist IV, +25% for the mindlink, etc.) that aren't stacking penalized, even a +3% bonus can have a huge impact. I wouldn't say you're wasting links that are flown on unbonused CS hulls, but you should expect those links to be noticeably less effective than bonuses ones.

I have a couple of thoughts, different but relative.

1. If you're thinking of flying a Command ship for the fleet bonus only, then the goal should be perfection. It's a specialized role in a specialized ship. No use doing it at 80% commitment.

2. Links and bonus's are controversial, but the argument is usually that they are on the edge of being OP. Using that mentality, makes me think that 3% is in fact, pretty darned important. Speed is clearly a bonus in this game. Range for other links is also very advantageous.

3. Command Ships V affects more bonus's than just the links. ROF, tank resistance, self reps, explosion radius, damage, fall off, to name a few. Combat Command ships really shine at level V.

If you're looking for a recommendation on the ship skill, Mine would be YES, train it to V.

Thanks for the help.

It sounds like I need to bite the bullet and train all of the racial BCs to 5 so I can take full advantage of the links by using the right hull to get the additional bonus.

But I'm encouraged that it sounds like it's not terribly derpy to use links that don't take advantage of the hull bonus while I'm still training everything.

Complicated game, this Eve.

you can set it all up in eft and see. Looks like with a 10km web it is a 0.4-0.6km difference with and without heat respectively. about 1km on a t2 point.

I would guess having the spec skill to 5 and the mind link is more important.

I'm starting to doubt my recall but...

The difference (as I remember) between an Armoured Warfare: Passive Defence mounted on a Damnation versus one mounted on a Vulture (with skills at [5] and the mindlink) was akin (not exactly but close enough) to the difference between an ANP and an EANM...

I can't recall what the effect of the mindlink changes and so forth had - nor whether the T2 links were out when the equivalence was noted...

It's the most useless Role Bonus ever on a T2 Hull and should be replace or something additional added like 100% increase to sensor strength or -70% MMJD reactivation cooldown reduction.

If you want to use warfare links everyone already knows to use a cloaky OGB T3.