Ships & Modules

I'll start with my question, which is I'm wondering if I should save up and go straight for the Gila for combat sites (mix of High and Low sec), or run a Jackdaw to start as a stepping stone?

A bit of context: I live in Placid, which i believe is Serpentis space. Home base is in HS, but there's a nice quiet pocket of LS nearby. When I started playing, I was interested in flying a Manticore and have many of those appropriate skills trained a fair amount (missiles being the relevant category here). I also have drone skills trained decently due to an interest in an eventual Astero/Stratios voyage. Lately I've started running exploration in a Buzzard for ISK and am enjoying it, but I'd like to branch out to combat site running for some variety.

From my research I judge that the Gila is currently my best ultimate goal of a ship to fly, but it is a bit pricey for me. Where as a Jackdaw (which I read the impression is at least a decent site runner as well) is a ship I could get into much sooner if I wish. So again, I'm curious as to opinions of whether I should start with a Jackdaw and upgrade to Gila later, or just save up from exploration and go straight for the Gila?

If I left out any other helpful info, let me know.

Yeah, my research already showed the Gila was pretty much build for no higher than a 5/10. Wasnt aware exactly what the Jackdaw was capable of, so good to know now. So far I've just kind of dabbled in combat sites with a Cormorant, but that of course doesnt have much capability going solo. haha


Hmm, didn't know those were a thing. Still kind of learning the nuances. Are those kinds of sites primarily in HS or LS? The issue I'd expect with a Stratios though is if I understand correctly, its not as combat efficient as the Gila. Correct me if I'm wrong. Beyond that, the Stratios, being similarly priced to the Gila, is equally outside my price range for now. But I will definitely keep it under consideration. I'm curious to see what others respond with.

cool, thx.


This is what i seemed to observe in other people's posts, as well as the idea of just popping drones and almost going AFK while the site gets cleared appealed to many.


Ok, I really wasn't sure how well a stratios can do straight up combat (PVE). Most people talk about using it for hacking/combat hybrid fit which kind of puts it on a handicap for either unless you use a mobile depot (I'd be willing to use one if the ship really is that good when specialized).


That's fair then.


Yeah, I did catch on that the Jackdaw really isnt the best T3D, but its the one I have training the closest too, so I could get in the quickest (started Caldari and already have Destroyers V there). Plus my missile skills are much higher than my others right now. Gunnery isn't bad, though. And I did read a few posts that the DPS at least gets better if you use rockets instead of light missiles. I did also see a lot about the Tengu being even better than the Gila (and other ships with other purposes, lol), but I'm quite a ways off from being able to fly one, whereas a Gila I already have the skills for, if not the ISK. Maybe one day.

Hmm, alright, you seem quite confident/convincing. I shall hold off on the Jacky.


That's what i keep reading from people.


True, I'll definitely have to keep it in consideration. Can't figure out what "JP" stands for though. :/


I read a lot of posts where people called Tengu the very best for running sites, actually. But its just quite a bit farther away from me both skill and ISK-wise. Definitely one to remember for the far future, though. As for the ammo thing, I've already grown accustomed to that with flying the Manticore, and even a very brief spell in a Corax.

Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.

As a missles user from the begining Jack is not what it should be. I tried confessor lately and hide jack deep below after that Rockets has no range for PvE and LML are slow, very slow. Alpha doesn't help that much. What alpha do we talked about if I can't oneshoot destro in anom?

If you want versatile ship Gila is a must. Passive brick tank and two most versatile dps systems in game = missiles and drones. That bird never disappointed me. It hold ground for so long when I was captured in a site in lowsec.

So what I'm getting here is that while the Jack is certainly capable of running these sites, it is considerably less potent than its sister ships, and not as much worth the ISK. While I'm sure it's fun to fly, I do still like to take ISK efficiency into account, so I'll probably just stick with my Buzzard exploration to save up (I do enjoy that as well) and save up for the Gila and/or Stratios. Actually just bought a new Buzzard last night after losing one over the weekend



I did find a few good videos demostrating the Gila tearing through sites. Most of them don't even bother with the Missile Launchers, the just drop the drones and calmly drift through while they devour fire from 3 dozen sources like nothing. Only a few used the missiles when trying to focus down a boss NPC or whatever it was, so they could loot and get out. I do believe most were also passive tanked. Maybe one booster if anything.