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Limal's avatar
Limal

The Thrill of Exploration: Handling Escalations

Disclaimer: I doubt I will win this challenge, as fitting Tech 3 Strategic cruisers is very hard due to the numerous layout combinations and the lack of community fits in-game. However, I decided to share it anyway, as it might be useful for other JA members.

The most exciting part of exploration in EVE Online is undoubtedly the escalations. Even if you stick to high-security space, following recommendations from Sturmer post, sooner or later you'll encounter those juicy DED sites or last escalation missions in low-security or even null-sec space. This is where a different approach is necessary.

Initially, I used a Rook due to its advantage of being invisible on a directional scanner. However, it had three major flaws: vulnerability to gate camps while traveling, no immunity to probe scanning, and unimpressive damage output. Completing a 5/10 DED site could take over 90 minutes, leaving you exposed to low-sec player pirates.

Enter the Loki: The Scanner's Bane

I designed a fit that addresses these issues and offers much more:

[Loki, Eclipse of Pride]

Corpum C-Type Medium Armor Repairer

Ballistic Control System II

Ballistic Control System II

Ballistic Control System II

Reactive Armor Hardener

Federation Navy 10MN Afterburner

Large Compact Pb-Acid Cap Battery

Sensor Booster II, ECCM Script

Sensor Booster II, ECCM Script

Heavy Assault Missile Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Heavy Assault Missile

Heavy Assault Missile Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Heavy Assault Missile

Heavy Assault Missile Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Heavy Assault Missile

Heavy Assault Missile Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Heavy Assault Missile

Heavy Assault Missile Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Heavy Assault Missile

Salvager II

Auto Targeting System II

Covert Ops Cloaking Device II

Medium EM Armor Reinforcer I

Medium Thermal Armor Reinforcer I

Medium Bay Loading Accelerator II

Loki Core - Dissolution Sequencer

Loki Defensive - Covert Reconfiguration

Loki Offensive - Launcher Efficiency Configuration

Loki Propulsion - Intercalated Nanofibers

Hornet EC-300 x2

Vespa EC-600 x3

High-grade Jackal Alpha

High-grade Jackal Beta

High-grade Jackal Gamma

High-grade Jackal Delta

High-grade Jackal Epsilon

Inherent Implants 'Squire' Power Grid Management EG-602

The key is to keep your signature radius at 165m, lower than your sensor strength resolution of 172, making you nearly unscannable by combat probes. The only ship capable of getting a 100% lock on you would be a fully trained covert-ops with all skills at level 5 and equipped with very expensive Mid-grade Virtue implants. Remember, since there is a scanning cap of 1.080 (or 1.1), any sensor strength beyond your ship’s signature radius is wasted. To achieve this, you need five Hi-grade Jackal implants (without omega), which cost roughly 200 million ISK for all five.

In the 6th implant slot, you need a 2% PG hardwiring or higher if you plan to upgrade your armor repper for tougher missions.

Advantages:

This fit is especially effective against Blood Raiders and Sansha's Nation due to its natural EM and Thermal resistances on armor.

With no damage type restrictions, you can apply up to 870 DPS (960 DPS with two implants) of any type, allowing you to complete a 5/10 DED site in 20-25 minutes.

The total cost is roughly 840 million ISK, covering the ship, fit, and implant set.

Since its a T3, you can carry up to 3 extra subsystems in subsystem bay and a mobile depot to quickly switch roles. Within a minute, you can transform into a nullified null-sec blockade runner, a PvP dual-web hunter, or a relic and hacking treasure hunter in wormhole space.

This fit can frustrate enemy scanners as they get 95-98% signal strength but never reach 100%, driving them mad and earning the name “Eclipse of Pride.”

Important Note: Do not deploy drones or a depot near you, as they are easy targets for even a rookie scanner pilot.

Eclipse of Pride

Eldoslav

Loki, crafted by Just About EVE Online community. Thanks to its low signature radius and high sensor strength, it excels at evading combat probes and delivering high DPS. Best used for high-end exploration content in hostile space.

Kane Carnifex's avatar
Kane Carnifex

1. Magellan

  1. Fitting [Buzzard, Magellan]

Inertial Stabilizers II Inertial Stabilizers II Warp Core Stabilizer II

Relic Analyzer II Cargo Scanner II Data Analyzer II Sensor Booster II 5MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive

Sisters Core Probe Launcher Interdiction Nullifier II Covert Ops Cloaking Device II

Small Ancillary Current Router II Small Ancillary Current Router I

Sisters Core Scanner Probe x16 Targeting Range Script x1

3. Description

All Covert Ops Frigates have a similar alignment time in common, which is around 3-4 seconds.

But one is different. The Buzzards come with a 5 Slot Mid Layout, simply one more than the others. Therefore the Buzzard offers you some more options.

  • Relic & Data Analyzer in the cheap dual variant instead of an expensive Zeugma Integrated Analyzer.

  • Cargo Scanner, when you only have 2 minutes, you want to pick at least the cherry.

  • Sensor Booster, optional comfort module which could be swapped to a Scanning Upgrade.

Strength:

  • Interdiction Nullifier, Covert Ops Cloak & Warp Core Stabs are your defense. You can either use them as protection or as your last straw to escape.

I would like to fit you a Burst Jammer, but this would disable the Interdiction Nullifier which we need to protect us against bubbles in Nullsec and J-Space.

  • Allrounder, can do anything but therefore does not overperform.

Weakness:

  • No Damage or offensive modules.

  • Allrounder, doesn´t overperform in anything except to an Allrounder.

Note:

The overall idea is to give new players all tools to hand for most of the exploration encounters. Yes, this is a T2 Ship but if you start with a T1 Heron you will invest the training into cloaky warping.

Beside Relic and Data Sites you are able to cherry pick Ghost Sides and even able to do the first Sleeper Sites. But once you find what you like you are able to tweak the Buzzard to your needs. You have plenty of fitting room which allows you to swap Data Analyzer and Sensor Booster to any other Scanning Upgrades.

Keep in mind that it easily can happen to have your ship value multiple times in your cargo during your hunt for Treasures. And as you aren´t the KING of PVP here you want as many backup plans as possible.

4. Kane Carnifex

5. In-game description

Magellan made by Kane Carnifex for Just About EVE Online. Congratulations, this Fitting offers you on the one Hand all options to avoid getting caught, on the other Hands you will have all Tools needed to succeed in the hunt for Treasures, during your dangerous exploration.

(This is 46 Words long, maybe you need to adjust the Sentence to look like good english.)

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer

Osprey Navy Issue

When I see someone asking for a ship/fitting to run those 4/10 DED sites, I always recommend this ship and fitting. This guide presents a highly effective high-security exploration ship capable of handling any rated and unrated combat sites, escalations, and even hacking sites. It’s budget-friendly, making you less of a gank target, quicker to save up for, and easier to replace. It is also Alpha-friendly, which I will cover in the last section.

The Fitting

[Osprey Navy Issue, Melamori's Velocity Voyager]

Ballistic Control System II

Ballistic Control System II

Ballistic Control System II

Inertial Stabilizers II




Large Compact Pb-Acid Cap Battery

50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive

Medium Shield Booster II

Data Analyzer I

Pithum C-Type Thermal Shield Amplifier

Pithum A-Type Kinetic Shield Amplifier




Heavy Missile Launcher II

Heavy Missile Launcher II

Heavy Missile Launcher II

Core Probe Launcher II

Salvager II




Medium Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I

Medium Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I

Medium Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I







Hornet II x5




Sisters Core Scanner Probe x16

Scourge Auto-Targeting Heavy Missile I x1000

Scourge Fury Heavy Missile x1000

Explanations

Importance of Rigs

The rigs and stabilizer in a low slot are crucial. People often overlook how essential speed and travel speed are for an exploration ship. If you land in a system with 8 ‘Refuges,’ you will spend at least 5 minutes purely on travel. With warp speed and acceleration changes, these 6.28 AU/s pay off more than any DPS gain. The warp speed of 3.40s (under 4 server ticks) is also important.

Speed and Combat Efficiency

The speed in the grid is 2150 m/s, which is even faster than a Jackdaw in propulsion mode. This speed is vital for grabbing loot when competitors show up. DPS reach is over 90km with Auto-targets and faction missiles and 70km with Fury missiles, allowing you to blitz all NPCs in Cosmic Signatures like Watch without moving. DPS is a bit over 500 with T2 missiles and around 350 with Auto-Targeting, which I highly recommend for Anomalies. While the damage application might not be ideal against frigates, it is still faster and more effective than other options (only Orthrus can beat you in a DPS race). This ship isn’t limited to Guristas; it can project good damage of any type and has 2 hardener slots, allowing you to hunt any NPC.

Additional Features

A salvager is included, as rare/named NPCs sometimes drop valuable parts, but it's optional. A data analyzer is also included for those who want to explore everything they encounter. You have time to scan all signatures while drones and auto missiles take care of everything around you. The scanning strength is sufficient to reach warp points on any signatures in high-sec, except sleepers and ghost sites, which you should avoid with this ship anyway.

Durability and Capacitor

Since it’s a faction ship, its beefy HP helps you learn the sites without too much worry, especially since no one can stop you from rewarping. The capacitor, like in most of my fits, is cap stable when used correctly. You can permarun the MWD when kiting and grabbing loot, or you can perma-run the shield booster when tanking. You have roughly 2.30 minutes in rare occasions when you need to run both, but since you kill everything within 94km, you can kite anything (yes! Auto-missiles will hit even outside your targeting range).

CPU and Powergrid

CPU and PG are ample even with poor core skills; you can fully fit it with T2 modules and still have some resources left. Due to the massive damage bonus and just 3 bays, it’s very ammo-efficient, meaning you can travel longer before needing a restock. I highly recommend dropping off loot as soon as it reaches the 150mil+ mark and collecting it later with a proper hauler for valuable items (Alex Sinclair another idea for a bounty?).

Price

The price is around 70 million ISK for the ship and fitting, which you can break even within 1-2 hours, even with bad luck.

Modifications

There are a few options to customize. You can fit Rapid Missile Launchers, which add about 30 DPS and much better application, but around 100 DPS less with reload, and the range is reduced to 32km. In a 4/10 with someone else, you will likely lose the DPS race. Or you can drop the data analyzer and fit a Missile Guidance Computer with a precision script or drop a thermal amplifier for a second guidance computer to boost heavy missile application.

New Players

To test for new players, I created a completely new character and the UI shows me 7 days of training without any implants or boosts if you slightly adjust the fitting: remove the T2 probe launcher, T2 salvager, and swap missile bays for T1 meta 4. If you grab a 1 million SP bonus, you can ride it instantly. This ship can be used perfectly fine as an Alpha account; the only drawback is the lack of Auto-Targeting missiles, as they require Omega. For training priorities, cruiser skills will provide the biggest impact (+20/25% damage per level).

Character name: Melamori Fit name: Melamori's Velocity Voyager Explore the best high-security combat and hacking ship fit, crafted by the JustAbout community. This budget-friendly, Alpha-compatible setup excels in speed, durability, and versatility, perfect for handling any site or escalation with ease.

Alex Sinclair's avatar
Alex SinclairMod
Sturmer

Sturmer - a little late, I know, but I've just spotted your tag here. Is the bounty idea best hauling fits?

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer
Alex Sinclair

Yes, it can actually be several bounties: how to move your belongings, your preferred method, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

And one or several cases: the best way to transport valuables in high-security space, how to get your loot out of null-security space, or something similar. I can go into more detail if necessary. Moving things around is a complex game with many dangers and effective methods, so I believe this topic is quite important for any capsuleer.

Alex Sinclair's avatar
Alex SinclairMod
Sturmer

Apologies for the slow response! Those sound useful, and I've added them to our EVE bounty idea trove.

Would it be fair to say that the greatest threat to Highsec haulers is gankers, and is therefore covered by our gank-survival masterclass? If so, I'll prioritise the other variants.

https://justabout.com/eve-online/33589/your-eve-online-gank-avoidance-masterclass
Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer
Alex Sinclair

Not quite, there are many ways (processes) to move stuff from A to B, and one of them is to pilot the ship by urself. So here you can simply ask to name one unique way to move your stuff and say pros and cons.

While piloting a ship - you can pick different hulls and fit them differently, each provides pros and cons. Here is a bounty about hull + fit

Alex Sinclair's avatar
Alex SinclairMod
Sturmer

Okay nice. Thanks for the info and clarification! Much appreciated.

Wadd Enderas's avatar
Wadd Enderas

So I have gone for the more extreme end of the exploration fitting. You're going to need good skills, a healthy wallet, and a willingness throw away shiny shit.

  1. [Buzzard, Buzz Off]


  2. Low

  • Inertial Stabilizers II

  • Vigor Compact Micro Auxiliary Power Core

  • Warp Core Stabilizer II

Medium

  • 5MN Microwarpdrive II

  • Scan Rangefinding Array II

  • Scan Acquisition Array II

  • Zeugma Integrated Analyzer

  • Scan Pinpointing Array II

High

  • Compact Interdiction Nullifier

  • Sisters Core Probe Launcher

  • Covert Ops Cloaking Device II

Rigs

  • Small Low Friction Nozzle Joints II

  • Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade II

Cargo/Implants

  • Sisters Core Scanner Probe x16

  • Neural Lace 'Blackglass' Net Intrusion 920-40 x1

  • Poteque 'Prospector' Environmental Analysis EY-1005 x1

Optional - Cargo Scanner II x1

  1. The general purpose of this fit is to maximise the Virus Strength of our hacking modules while having enough mid-slots available to make probe scanning a breeze. Oh, and to top it off it's pretty slippery!


    With my skills, the probe strength is 136 meaning there is nothing in New Eden we can't scan, coupled with reduced scanning time and deviation means tracking down relic/data sites can be done quickly and efficiently. The 3.57 second align time, Interdiction Nullifier and Warp Core stabiliser allow you to escape almost all hostile situations, unless someone with a very specific fit comes to get you.


    Important note on the Integrated Analyzer: It is almost essential to use this with the Blackglass implant, because the Virus Coherence is so low. You overcome this with the implants and rig, which gets the virus strenth so high that coherence barely matters, you one shot any firewall with 60 or less hp. This works mechanically because the Integrated Analyzers are considered Data analyzers from a bonusing perspective but can access both Relic and Data sites with the full bonusing.

  2. Wadd Enderas

  3. Buzz Off made by Wadd Enderas for Just About EVE Online. Don't like hacking but enjoy hacking loot? Use this fit and bypass firewalls with ease. Zeugma, Blackglass and others allows you to one shot most firewalls reducing time on grid and evading hostiles.

ND
Nth Dimensional

  1. Alpha Friendly NullSec Relic Hunter

1.

[Heron, Alpha Friendly NullSec Relic Hunter]

F-89 Compact Signal Amplifier

Inertial Stabilizers II

5MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive

Relic Analyzer I

Cargo Scanner II

Scan Rangefinding Array I

Scan Rangefinding Array I

Core Probe Launcher I

Small Gremlin Compact Energy Neutralizer

Auto Targeting System I

Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I

Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I

Sisters Core Scanner Probe x16

Noise-5 'Needlejack' Filament x5

Cladistic-5 'Krai Perun' Filament x1

  1. This fit is perfect for the new player that wants to start enjoying the game play known as NullSec Exploration! You can get in the ship from day 1 with very minimal training and it cost less than 10 million isk to boot!

  2. Nth Dimensional

  3. Are you a Newbro that wants to make huge piles of isk while only risking a little? Do you want to fly around in hostile space while slipping around the enemy and stealing their treasures from underfoot? Then this fit is for YOU! A full tutorial example session on how to use this fit can be found at https://youtu.be/wNa2c_Nbexo?si=dXBz7sFU2_pFYUbW

Brother Grimoire's avatar
Brother Grimoire

It's my time to shine!

Exploration is my bread and butter, both for my stream content and for making ISK. A lot of players ask me what they should fly to make money in something bigger than their exploration frigate. With this in mind, I will be sharing my personal fit (adjusted to remove abyssal mods) for the top tier exploration content in Hisec. I believe that having a goal in mind is helpful to newer players and being able to make the money to buy such a fit is encouraging in itself.

For a name, we'll call this fit "The Beehive" in honor of it sporting a whopping 38 drones.

The fit is posted at EWB for ease of viewing: https://www.eveworkbench.com/fitting/stratios/5e86578e-bab0-4a18-d997-08dc7b5f63d2

This fit is designed to complete as many exploration activities in Hisec as possible, ensuring that whatever you may find while exploring can be ran immediately. The large drone bay allows an individual to have the right tool for the job at all times, from light drones to ECM drones in case a detour through a lowsec invites the less than honest folk to take a potshot or two. The implants and the Zeugma analyzer allow for incredibly fast hacking and scanning, which is essential for running Sleeper Cache sites. The resistance mods and the 1600 Steel Plate keep your pilot safe and cozy while you engage in these dangerous activities, while the small gun in the high slot is for triggering actions within sites.

Name: Grimoire Erkkinen

Description: High skill ceiling fit for Hisec Exploration - Standard and Superior Sleeper Caches, Unrated and Rated complexes, and Covert Sites. Base version of the fit used at Twitch.tv/BrotherGrimoire - Add abyssal rolls to taste.

Kane Carnifex's avatar
Kane Carnifex

Also

Banned user
Kane Carnifex
greybill's avatar
greybill
Kane Carnifex

Metamorphosis entered the chat

Wadd Enderas's avatar
Wadd Enderas

I might have to put forward a blingy one though... I used to think there was no need for a pricey ship and anyone who did so was just showing off, until I added a 'Zeugma' + Blackglass implant to my buzzard. It honestly makes such a huge difference and I can't put myself in an exploration ship without one now

greybill's avatar
greybill

Name: OnlyScans

Fit:

[Anathema, OnlyScans 2024]
Inertial Stabilizers II
Inertial Stabilizers II
Inertial Stabilizers II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

5MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Scan Acquisition Array II
Scan Pinpointing Array II
Scan Rangefinding Array II

Core Probe Launcher II
Interdiction Nullifier I
Covert Ops Cloaking Device II

Small Signal Focusing Kit II
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade II

Sisters Core Scanner Probe x16

Description:

This fitting is intended to be a budget option for high-skill characters. It warps fast, is nullified, and is focused to exceed at one thing: scanning. Fit your analyzers if you want and be a little less effective - or bring a Mobile Depot.

Credited name: greybill

In-game description: This fit is intended for well-skilled characters to scan fast yet affordable. With an align time of less than 3 seconds, a nullifier, a base sensor strength of whooping 124, and a scan cycle that takes only 4 seconds it's perfect for the seasoned scanner. Mapp out a system or find a wormhole chain in no time with this good-looking Anathema.

Alex Sinclair's avatar
Alex SinclairMod
greybill

That name 😅

FirestormGamingTeam's avatar
FirestormGamingTeam

Hello! Time for an exploration video and description :)

So first let's post the video!

So for this bounty, we have chosen the Heron!

[Heron, Newbie T1 Fitting]

Nanofiber Internal Structure I Nanofiber Internal Structure I

1MN Monopropellant Enduring Afterburner Data Analyzer I Relic Analyzer I Scan Rangefinding Array I Scan Rangefinding Array I

Core Probe Launcher I Salvager I Salvager I

Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I

Hornet I x5

Core Scanner Probe I x16

Why this fit, well with this Heron fitting, this can essentially be flown, day one, by a new player, I think the only skill you would need is Salvaging (which is super cheap) - This setup is perfect for high sec exploration as a new player and due to your low skills when you start, the rigs give you a boost in scan probe strength and the Rangefinding Array I, increases your scan strength, meaning you can scan some slightly higher level Data/Relic Sites down.

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