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Scout/Explorer ship advice
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Laylah Velnik
#1 - 2012-01-20 04:30:37 UTC
I have been a scout for my corp for a few months now and I am fairly confident with my skills as a covert ops pilot. I am still some months of training away from being an ace cheetah pilot, which is my first goal, but i would like to start brainstorming my next ship. Most of my corpmates believe that a loki is the next step up for someone in my area of expertise, but I believe that those tech three cruisers are too expensive for me. I also don't like the idea of loosing skillpoints when they blow up because I still loose ships quite a bit since I am new and learning things all the time.

Are there any alternatives that I should consider? What kind of ship progression comes to mind for a pilot like me?
Liang Nuren
No Salvation
Divine Damnation
#2 - 2012-01-20 04:35:02 UTC
A Rapier seems to be an obvious bet.

-Liang

I'm an idiot, don't mind me.
Boyd Achura
#3 - 2012-01-20 04:53:27 UTC
Assault ships are about to receive what appears to be an immense buff. Considering the wolf and jaguar are two of the best already, i'd be hopping on that AF skill as soon as you complete your current regimen. Anything frigate sized, save for electronic attack frigates, would be a worthwhile train.
Roime
Mea Culpa.
Shadow Cartel
#4 - 2012-01-20 11:35:52 UTC
How about a stealth bomber? Covops V is a great skill for both the Cheetah and Hound. Fit a probe launcher instead of bomb, and you have cloaky scout ship that can add bc- level dps and suicide tackle faster than anything.

.
Cyniac
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2012-01-20 11:58:07 UTC
Purely for scouting as intel gathering I'd say the Cheetah (or perhaps some of the other covops) are ideal ships, though they lack ability to ignore bubbles which T3 ships can have, they more than make it up in that they are so disposable.

So the real question is - what do you want to do in addition to scouting? You don't have a huge number of options since you are looking to cloaky ships:

1) Covops - they do what they do very well. Additionally they can cyno, covert cyno and if you have the need for it, manage a heroic tackle. Scanning bonus can be very handy.
2) Bombers - they can add DPS when it comes to it, but are worse at scouting.
3) Force recons - they open up some additional options, particularly nice for cynos.
4) Transport ships - most people discount them as scouts as they are slow and clunky. Not generally a good option for a scout but they can do the job in a pinch. The fact they can carry supplies is good - but generally at odds with the role of the scout in a fleet.
5) T3s - they can cloak, they can fight, they can avoid bubbles - they are good scouts but pricey to lose. Scanning bonus can also be handy.

So ...

If cost is a concern - go for Force recons or just stick to covops
If probes are a requirement - Covops or T3s
If you need to fill more roles - T3 or possibly Force recons or bombers
If you are using covert cynos - Covops or force recons.
Tabernack en Chasteaux
Phoibe Enterprises
#6 - 2012-01-20 21:14:32 UTC
Cyniac wrote:
4) Transport ships - most people discount them as scouts as they are slow and clunky. Not generally a good option for a scout but they can do the job in a pinch. The fact they can carry supplies is good - but generally at odds with the role of the scout in a fleet.

Depending on what your fleet is doing, these can be handy for carrying bubbles around ;)