Ships & Modules

I'm looking to update my year old Kronos fit used for level 4's. It works just fine for me. But since I was away for awhile, i may of missed some improved changes or nerfs. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Kronos, Bastion Lvl IVs w/ tracking enhance]

4x Neutron Blaster Cannon II (Null L or Void)
Bastion Module I
2x Salvager II
Heavy Nosferatu II

Large Micro Jump Drive
2x Tracking Computer II (Optimal Range Script)
Cap Recharger II

True Sansha Large Armor Repairer
2x Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
Energized Explosive Membrane II
2x Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Damage Control II

2x Large Capacitor Control Circuit II

5x Hammerhead II
15x Warrior I

This is a fit similar to what I use, feel free to bling it up some more but it is a competent ship on its own.

[Kronos]
Large Armor Repairer II
Shadow Serpentis Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane
Reactive Armor Hardener
Damage Control II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II

Large Micro Jump Drive
500MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Heavy Capacitor Booster II, Cap Booster 400
Federation Navy Stasis Webifier

425mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Antimatter Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Antimatter Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Antimatter Charge L
425mm Railgun II, Federation Navy Antimatter Charge L
Bastion Module I
Salvager II
Salvager II
[empty high slot]

Large Hybrid Locus Coordinator I
Large Hybrid Burst Aerator II

It's a bit over zealous on the tank with only 2 Mag Stabs and no TE's in their place. Maybe dropping one/both of the EANM's in favor of another Mag Stab and maybe a TE or just two Mag Stabs. I'd say both, but I've not flown a Kronos personally before, just the other three Marauders. Bastion is going to give you some solid resists and turn your repper into a buy-one-get-one-free situation. A faction LAR with DC2 is already pretty close to being just enough on their own, though any less would being kind of pushing it a bit too hard.

Edit: You could also drop them and the explosive for a Reactive Armor Hardener. Less stable cap-wise, but gives you back those extra lows without dropping so much on the tank.

If you really want to do level 4 missions effectively in a Kronos without having to care about making full aggro, you can use this setup.

[Kronos, Death Sentence (Level 4 Missions)]

Dark Blood Large Armor Repairer
Damage Control II
Dark Blood Armor Explosive Hardener
Dark Blood Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane
Dark Blood Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane
Shadow Serpentis Magnetic Field Stabilizer
Shadow Serpentis Magnetic Field Stabilizer

Large Micro Jump Drive
Tracking Computer II, Tracking Speed Script
Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range Script
Heavy Capacitor Booster II, Navy Cap Booster 800

Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Small Tractor Beam II
Small Tractor Beam II
Salvager II
Bastion Module I

Large Nanobot Accelerator I
Large Anti-Thermic Pump I


Hammerhead II x5
Hammerhead II x3
Hobgoblin II x5
Hobgoblin II x4

The whole setup here costs 408 mill isk (except for the ship cost). Ofc you can go much cheaper, but you have to be more carefull about not doing a full aggro in that case. With this setup, you can tank every level 4 missions without any issues.

However, i find the Vargur better for level 4 missions

My setup is pretty good because i have been using the same setup with more blinged modules while doing level 4 missions. And the Kronos here will do them all fine and fast.

Heck, i even instapop frigs that are 60+ km from me and 2 volley the cruisers that are 30-40 km from me with Null L loaded on the Blasters. And if the npc's are even longer away than that, you have the LMJD to get close to them.

Sad thing about the Kronos is the Rattler can spit out 1200dps to like 60km easily while being able to tank all the level 4s, being able to select damage type, and having dual prop (and probably a hyperspatial rig). All for wayyy cheaper.

If you must go for a Kronos though, definitely use rails, the dps on blasters seems awesome but getting into range/swapping to null makes you lose alot of applied dps.

1. Blasters vs. rails is entirely situational. I typically prefer blasters; I can still pretty much one-shot many frigates and cruisers out to 40km using Null, and I get better performance at close range where most battleships tend to end up if you're sitting stationary. For long range NPCs that like to have their battleships kite you at 40km, rails are a much better choice.

2. Don't fit for passive cap regen. You have plenty of grid and gobs of cargo space so suck it up and go for a cap booster. I've flown my Kronos on plenty of level 4s and a few Besieged Covert Sites in losec, and I think I've only had to activate my cap booster once. With the strong native tank on the Kronos, and smart aggro control, I just don't have to cycle my repper constantly, which keeps my cap steady.

3. Don't rely solely on a MJD for your prop mod. The MJD is very handy in some circumstances, especially with the Marauder's role bonus to MJD cooldown, but if you run into a situation where you have to burn 45-50km between gates it buys you nothing. (Knowing your missions really helps here.)

4. Consider a reactive armor hardener instead of your explosive plating. Most missions only do two damage types which means a reactive hardener will give good performance, plus they don't stack in the same pool as membranes, platings, and hardeners which further helps. Obviously it won't be as much benefit on missions with 3 more more damage types.

5. Consider packing a pair of sentry drones. They're great for engaging at range. Obviously keep some lights or mediums for frigates and cruisers that get in under your guns.

6. Consider fitting a web, again for stuff that does manage to get in close.

7. Be very selective about when you use Void ammo. If you are using blasters, I would not use Void on anything smaller than a battleship, and preferably a double-webbed one at that. The DPS looks great on paper, but the tracking hit combined with the close range really hurt you.

Hope this helps.

I use a kronos for like 3 missions. MJD on top of the group and blast away with void. occasionally use null if one of them spawns in a structure and bounces. I've been thinking about getting a vindicator for that extra dps.

in general:
rails are probably better for most missions, although blasters are very viable in some.
dual prop is good.
look at deadspace med reps, turn it on and forget it is there. if you have a short DC in bastion you probably won't lose your ship.

^ stop trying to fit for cap stability.

Learn triggers, use DPS as your tank.

implying that missioning can ever be fun in any situation