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Wh Exploration Question
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Admiral Bill Adama
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#1 - 2015-12-28 21:52:56 UTC
So in general I'm new to exploration ( I have high skills in it, I just never really focused on it before now ) I currently use a Buzzard.

Covert Ops Cloaking II
Sisters Core Launcher II
Salvager II

Scan Rangefinding array II
Data Analyzer II
Relic Analyzer II
PL-0 Scopped Cargo Scanner
5MN Microwarp drive II

Micro Auxiliary Power Core II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

Small Emission Scope Sharpener I
Small Memetic Algorithm Bank I

My Question isn't about the fit ( Although suggestions on improvement are always welcome ) MY question is, is there a " stronger " ship I can take in instead of the buzzard.

I'd like at least some defense and a moderate if not decent amount of damage I'm not used to being so helpless...

I know I'd lose the bonuses but I can live with that if I'm more able to defend myself.
Demica Diaz
SE-1
#2 - 2015-12-28 21:56:10 UTC
T3 perhaps?
Bobb Bobbington
Rattini Tribe
Minmatar Fleet Alliance
#3 - 2015-12-28 21:59:05 UTC
Get an astero, can do what the buzzard can but with some offensive capabilities. Not that it'll stand up to any serious pvp if you scanning fit it, but it'll be able to drive off the occasional untanked explorers.

This is a signature.

It has a 25m signature.

No it's not a cosmic signature.

Probably.

Btw my corp's recruiting.
Admiral Bill Adama
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#4 - 2015-12-28 21:59:28 UTC
Demica Diaz wrote:
T3 perhaps?


My thoughts too but wasn't sure if any one had a favorite ship they used :P
Paranoid Loyd
#5 - 2015-12-28 22:01:08 UTC  |  Edited by: Paranoid Loyd
Astero is a good recommendation.

I think Gnosis will be the best bang for your buck if you have most of your skills in exploring as the bonuses are subpar compred to most ships but do not require any training to get them maxed.

Unless you are funding yourself with plex, T3 is overkill and will be a tough loss considering your age and assumed skill set.

"There is only one authority in this game, and that my friend is violence. The supreme authority upon which all other authority is derived." ISD Max Trix

Fix the Prospect!
Admiral Bill Adama
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#6 - 2015-12-28 22:05:44 UTC
Paranoid Loyd wrote:
Astero is a good recommendation.

I think Gnosis will be the best bang for your buck if you have most of your skills in exploring as the bonuses are subpar compred to most ships but do not require any training to get them maxed.

Unless you are funding yourself with plex, T3 is overkill and will be a tough loss considering your age and assumed skill set.


This is an alt account my mains live in w-space lol. isk is not a concern
Admiral Bill Adama
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#7 - 2015-12-28 22:14:09 UTC
Think I got my answers thanks all :)
Mortlake
Republic Military School
#8 - 2015-12-28 22:37:10 UTC
Use a Magnate with 4 stabs. Profit.

Sometimes you hit the bar and sometimes the bar hits you...
Celthric Kanerian
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#9 - 2015-12-28 22:49:47 UTC
I recommend either an Astero or Stratios, they are both fairly powerful ships with huge dronebays.

Admiral Bill Adama wrote:

Sisters Core Launcher II


Just don't bring that thing to lowsec though...
Scipio Artelius
Weaponised Vegemite
Flying Dangerous
#10 - 2015-12-28 23:25:42 UTC  |  Edited by: Scipio Artelius
To a degree, I'd extend some of these answers and say it depends on what you hope to do in terms of WH exploration.

If you are solo, some options are for example:

1. running nullsec exporation sites (in wormholes) with a small ship
2. running sleeper exploration sites with a larger ship
3. dropping in on other solo explorers to kill them

In the case of 1., you want something that can explore well, but run away even better, since other people will want to drop in on you to kill you.

The advice above to go with a cheap, warp core stabbed ship is a good one (eg. Magnate with 4 stabs)

If 2., then you need something bigger than a frigate, because the bulk of the value is in the sleeper loot, rather than the hacking.

Something like a Stratios/T3 would work well, but they are also attractive to others so you need to watch out for being killed. T3 has the advantage that you can interdiction nullify it.

If 3., then really anything from a frigate (eg. Astero) up to a T3 is a good choice as they will be dual purpose for pvp and then exploration.

So I don't think there is a best ship to choose. It more depends on what you intend to do in terms of the exploration and whether you want to be able to attack anyone; because really, if someone comes and engages you, it's likely that they already have the firepower/backup to win the fight.
Jakero Jackobi
Doomheim
#11 - 2015-12-29 00:26:10 UTC
Stratios, I love mine.
Kiandoshia
Pator Tech School
Minmatar Republic
#12 - 2015-12-29 01:14:46 UTC
Astero, Stratios, T3, if in doubt.
Roberta Gastoni
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#13 - 2015-12-29 13:12:34 UTC
It all come down to how much you wish to risk and how much are doing per low/null/wh trip in terms of isk.

A Gallente / Caldari T2 Cov op can:

- Scan Anything
- It's cheap
- Fit both data and relic t1 rigs (200 calibration each)
- Fit Scan Range Finding Array, both analyzers, a mwd and a cargo scanner (5 medium slots)
- Have slightly more sensor strength if you have Cov Op skill at 4 or more (+10% Str per level)

But they are totally defenseless.

A Stratios / Astero cannot:

- Fit everything at once, you'll end up either sacrificing the cargo scanner or refitting in space with a depot the data or relic mod
- Fit both data and relic rigs, forcing you to choose which of the two and put some other rigs in the last two slots (all scanning t1 rigs use 200 calibration)
- Has less probe strength at high skill levels, but it's good for low SP characters with a fixed 37.5% bonus
- The astero hull alone is 75 mil and the stratios is 280 mil, versus the 18 mil of a Helios
- They however tend to scare away the T2 cov ops exploration pilot, as they can hold their ground with their drones.

A T3 can:

- All the above
- Cost even more of a stratios
- No exploration pilot is going to mess with a T3 cruiser. When you show up on d-scan, they'll probably just leave, or call friends to hunt you down, depends.
- If you lose it you lose also skill points, which depending on the skill level you are running around can hurt. ISK can be endless, but SP are time based.


My choice has been the T2 cov op, as the stratios and astero are good but they cost too much compared to what they offer, and losing SP when I lose T3 cruisers sounds bad, even if the price tag is fine for what it offer.