Difference between revisions of "Orca"

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{{Update|Review for December 2021, Version 19.11 changes<br>Attributes updated. Summary and Tactics needs to be looked at}}
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<onlyinclude>{{{{#if:{{{mode|}}}|{{#switch:{{{mode}}}|box=ShipBoxLarge|#default=ShipBoxTooltip}}|ShipArticle}} <!--  Template marker : DON'T EDIT LINE -->
 
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  <!-----------------------------------------------------------
 
  <!-----------------------------------------------------------
  * SHIP ATTRIBUTES SECTION (last update : 11/4/2014)
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  * SHIP ATTRIBUTES SECTION (last update : 2022-04-06)
 
  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
  * on editing the attributes, please make sure that you don't
 
  * on editing the attributes, please make sure that you don't
  * leave/misstype any tags required. please follow the same
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  * leave/mistype any tags required. please follow the same
 
  * format below and edit only the values (after the = sign).
 
  * format below and edit only the values (after the = sign).
 
  ------------------------------------------------------------->
 
  ------------------------------------------------------------->
  | shipid=28606
+
  | shipid= 28606
  | shipimg=Orca.jpg
+
  | shipimg= Orca.jpg
  | shipname=Orca
+
  | shipname= Orca
| caption=Orca
+
  | class= Industrial Command Ship
  | class=Industrial Command Ship
+
  | grouping= Industrial Command Ships
  | grouping=ORE
+
  | hulltype= Orca Class
  | hulltype=Orca Class
+
  | faction= Outer Ring Excavations
  | faction=Outer Ring Excavations
+
 
| race=ORE
+
  | powergrid= 1200 MW
| ecmprio=0
+
  | cpu= 550 tf
  | powergrid=960 MW
+
  | capacitor= 8,000 GJ
  | cpu=430 tf
+
 
  | capacitor=4,200 GJ
+
  | highs= 6
  | highs=3
+
  | mediums= 5
  | mediums=4
+
  | lows= 2
  | lows=2
+
 
  | mass=250,000,000 kg
+
  | mass= 150,000,000 kg
  | volume=10,250,000 m&#179;
+
  | volume= 10,250,000
  | cargohold=30,000 m&#179;
+
 
  | extrahold=50,000 m&#179;
+
  | cargohold= 30,000
  | extraholdtype=Ore
+
| extraholdtype= Mining Hold
  | dronebay=75 m&#179;
+
  | extrahold= 150,000 m³
  | bandwidth=50 Mbit/sec
+
| extrahold2type= Ship Maintenance Bay
  | info=The Orca was developed as a joint venture between Outer Ring Excavations and Deep Core Mining Inc as a vessel to help meet the demands of New Eden's industry and provide a flexible platform from which mining operations can be more easily managed.<br><br>The Orca uses much of the technology developed by ORE for the Rorqual and integrated with the latest advancements from Deep Core Mining research division has developed a vessel which offers a diverse role to all sizes of operations and needs.  
+
| extrahold2= 400,000 m³
  | bonuses=<b>Industrial Command Ships bonuses (per skill level):</b><br>5% bonus to ship cargo capacity<br>3% bonus to Mining Foreman Links effectiveness<br><b>Role Bonus:</b><br>250% bonus to Tractor Beam range<br>100% bonus to Tractor Beam velocity<br>500% bonus to Survey Scanner range<br>&bull;&nbsp;Can use 3 Warfare Link modules simultaneously<br>90% reduction to effective distance traveled for jump fatigue<br>
+
| extrahold3type= Fleet Hangar
  | structurehp=46,000 HP
+
| extrahold3= 40,000
  | shieldhp=10,750 HP
+
| extrahold4type= Fuel Bay
  | shieldem=0
+
  | extrahold4= 6,400 m³
  | shieldexp=50
+
 
  | shieldkin=40
+
  | dronebay= 200 m³
  | shieldtherm=20
+
  | bandwidth= 50 Mbit/sec
  | armorhp=6,900 HP
+
 
  | armorem=50
+
  | info= The Orca was developed as a joint venture between Outer Ring Excavations and Deep Core Mining Inc as a vessel to help meet the demands of New Eden's industry and provide a flexible platform from which mining operations can be more easily managed.
  | armorexp=10
+
 
  | armorkin=35
+
The Orca is also capable of using a large industrial core to substantially increase its industrial capabilities, while empowering its defenses during deployment in a static configuration. A key element of the industrial capacity unlocked by activating an industrial core is the ability to use compressor modules, with the Orca having the flexibility to use a number of specialized large compressors.
  | armortherm=35
+
 
  | maxvelocity=60 m/sec
+
The Orca uses much of the technology developed by ORE for the Rorqual and integrated with the latest advancements from Deep Core Mining research division has developed a vessel which offers a diverse role to all sizes of operations and needs.
  | inertia=0.16
+
 
 +
  | bonuses=<b>Industrial Command Ships bonuses (per skill level):</b><br>
 +
5% bonus to ship cargo and ore hold capacity<br>
 +
5% reduction in fuel consumption for Large Industrial Core<br>
 +
3% bonus to Mining Foreman Burst effect strength and duration<br>
 +
1% bonus to Shield Command Burst effect strength and duration<br>
 +
5% bonus in Mining Foreman Burst range<br>
 +
10% bonus to Drone hitpoints and damage<br>
 +
15% bonus to Drone ore mining yield<br>
 +
5% reduction in Drone ice harvesting cycle time<br>
 +
'''Role Bonus:'''<br>
 +
•&nbsp;Can fit Large Industrial Core<br>
 +
100% bonus to Drone damage<br>
 +
400% bonus to Remote Shield Booster optimal range<br>
 +
90% reduction to effective distance traveled for jump fatigue<br>
 +
&nbsp;Can use three Command Burst modules<br>
 +
50% bonus to Command and Mining Foreman Burst area of effect range<br>
 +
250% bonus to Tractor Beam range<br>
 +
100% bonus to Tractor Beam velocity<br>
 +
500% bonus to Survey Scanner range
 +
 
 +
  | structurehp= 45,000 HP
 +
 
 +
  | armorhp= 7,000 HP
 +
  | armorem= 50
 +
  | armortherm= 35
 +
  | armorkin= 35
 +
  | armorexp= 10
 +
 
 +
  | shieldhp= 30,000 HP
 +
  | shieldem= 0
 +
  | shieldtherm= 20
 +
  | shieldkin= 40
 +
  | shieldexp= 50
 +
 
 +
  | maxvelocity= 60 m/sec
 +
  | inertia= 0.26
 
  | warpspeed=2 AU/s
 
  | warpspeed=2 AU/s
  | warptime=55.45 s
+
  | warptime= 54.07 s
  | targetrange=60.00 km
+
 
  | sigradius=550 m
+
  | targetrange= 70 km
  | maxlockedtargets=5
+
| maxlockedtargets= 7
  | sensortype=Magnetometric
+
  | sigradius= 1000 m
  | sensorvalue=15 points
+
  | scanres= 75 mm
| scanres=75 mm
+
  | sensortype= Magnetometric
  | reqskills=*{{RequiredSkill|Industrial Command Ships|I}}
+
  | sensorvalue= 30 points
**{{RequiredSkill|Spaceship Command|V}}
+
 
**{{RequiredSkill|ORE Industrial|III}}
+
  | reqskills= * {{RequiredSkill|Industrial Command Ships|I}}
***{{RequiredSkill|Spaceship Command|III}}
+
** {{RequiredSkill|ORE Hauler|III}}
**{{RequiredSkill|Mining Director|I}}
+
*** {{RequiredSkill|Spaceship Command|III}}
***{{RequiredSkill|Leadership|I}}
+
** {{RequiredSkill|Mining Director|I}}
***{{RequiredSkill|Mining Foreman|V}}
+
*** {{RequiredSkill|Mining Foreman|V}}
****{{RequiredSkill|Leadership|I}}
+
**** {{RequiredSkill|Leadership|I}}
 +
*** {{RequiredSkill|Leadership|I}}
 +
** {{RequiredSkill|Spaceship Command|V}}
 +
| totaltraintime= 19d 13m 34s
  
| totaltraintime=19d 13m 34s
+
  | externallinks=
  | externallinks=[http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Orca Orca on Eve Online Wiki]
+
  | highlights1= Can Use Command Bursts
  | highlights1=Can Use Warfare Links
+
  | highlights2= 150,000 m³ Mining hold
  | highlights2=50,000 m&#179; Ore hold
+
  | highlights3= 40,000 Fleet hangar
  | highlights3=40,000 m&#179; Fleet hangar
+
  | highlights4= 400,000 Ship maintenance bay
  | highlights4=400,000 m&#179; Ship maintenance bay
 
 
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==Summary==
+
== Summary ==
While designed as a powerful fleet booster for mining operations, the Orca also gets much use as a general freighter. It has a ship bay that can carry small and medium sized ships without needing to be repackaged (which would lose rigs and insurance) and a good amount of general cargo space.<ref>In older material you may see references to the Orca's secondary cargo areas as being "unscannable".  Prior to the Retribution expansion, the corporate hangar (now called the "Fleet Hangar") in the Orca could not be scanned by players and did not drop its contents on destruction, making it a secure way of transporting high value items around high sec.  As of the Retribution expansion, all the cargo bays of the Orca can be scanned '''and''' drop contents just like the normal cargo bay, so this advantage is gone.</ref>
+
{{See also|Orca Guide}}
 +
The Orca is designed to support a mining fleet with its command burst modules. it can fit three command burst modules without help from rigs allowing a single Orca to give all the necessary mining boosts to a fleet.
  
With the maximum configuration of cargo expanding modules and rig calibration, the Orca's standard cargo hold can grow to an approximate range of 81,000 to 101,000 m3 dependent on skills, but at a significant loss to EHP. A more reasonable fit with a Tech 2 Damage Control puts it into a range of 63,000 to 79,000 m3, still enough for a packaged battleship.  
+
While designed as a powerful fleet booster for mining operations, the Orca also gets much use as a general freighter. It has a sizeable ship maintenance bay that can be used to store assembled ships, a mining hold, a fleet hangar, and a normal cargo hangar.<ref>In older material you may see references to the Orca's secondary cargo areas as being "unscannable". Prior to the Retribution expansion, the corporate hangar (now called the "Fleet Hangar") in the Orca could not be scanned by players and did not drop its contents on destruction, making it a secure way of transporting high value items around high sec. As of the Retribution expansion, all the cargo bays of the Orca can be scanned '''and''' drop contents just like the normal cargo bay, so this advantage is gone.</ref> The ship maintenance bay especially separates the Orca from other subcapital industrials as it can move assembled ships up to battlecruiser size in it. The fleet hangar is also useful in mining fleets as the fleet members can be given direct access to this hangar.
  
With the release of February 2016 Release 1.8, the hitpoints of an Orca wreck have been [https://community.eveonline.com/news/patch-notes/patch-notes-for-february-2016-release increased to 15000 hp].
+
With the maximum configuration of cargo expanding modules and rig calibration, the Orca's standard cargo hold can grow to up to approximately 87,000 m3 dependent on skills, but at a significant loss to EHP. A more reasonable fit with a Tech 2 Damage Control puts it into a range of 60,000 m3, still enough for a packaged battleship.
  
More about the Orca and its various roles is listed in the [[Orca Guide]].
+
The Orca is a huge ship, notably larger and more durable than any battleship. It has a large signature radius, vast structure hp, poor speed and a long align time. The Orca is the only subcapital ship constructed from capital ship components. The Orca is immune to the [[Micro Jump Field Generator]] of [[Command Destroyer]]s like capital ships are.
  
==Skills==
+
More about the Orca and its various roles are listed in the [[Orca Guide]].
Flying the Orca, and developing the best skill set to do so is perhaps the biggest improvement in a high-sec [[Mining Op|mining fleet]]. While the Orca has a large cargo bay, and a separate ore bay, one of its best uses is giving mining fleet members a longer mining laser range, and a faster mining laser cycle time through the use of [[Warfare_links#Mining_Foreman_Links|warfare link modules]]. This leads to more ISK per hour of mining for all fleet members.
 
  
{{sk|Mining Foreman}}, {{sk|Mining Director}} and {{sk|Warfare Link Specialist}} provide an effective skill set for Orca operations. These skills assist fleet members in mining yield improvements. Mining Foreman links in the high slots complete the mastery of the Orca, providing mining laser range improvements and faster mining cycle times as an integral improvement to a mining fleet.
+
== Skills ==
 +
Flying the Orca, and developing the best skill set to do so is perhaps the biggest improvement in a high-sec [[Mining Op|mining fleet]]. While the Orca has a large cargo bay, and a separate ore bay, one of its best uses is giving mining fleet members a longer mining laser range, and a faster mining laser cycle time through the use of [[Command Bursts|Command Burst modules]]. This leads to more ISK per hour of mining for all fleet members.
  
Train {{sk|Science|III}} to be able to use Small Tractor Beam I modules; with the Orca's built-in bonus to tractor beam range, an Orca pilot can pull in jetcans from an enormous area (which is very useful for a mining op).
+
{{sk|Mining Foreman}} and {{sk|Mining Director}} provide an effective skill set for Orca operations. These skills assist fleet members in mining yield improvements. Mining Foreman links in the high slots complete the mastery of the Orca, providing mining laser range improvements and faster mining cycle times as an integral improvement to a mining fleet.
  
Another way to support mining ops would be to train {{sk|Drones|V}} to fly a full wing of five drones from the Orca. Depending on the situation you will want either combat drones (to kill belt rats) or ECM drones (to counter potential gankers). Note that, in order to use heavy ECM drones, you will need {{sk|Electronic Warfare|III}} and {{sk|Advanced Drone Avionics|III}}. Keep in mind that the Orca's drone bay is only 75&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup>, so you can only carry a limited number of drones (for instance, 2 x Wasp EC-900, 2 x Vespa EC-600, 1x Hornet EC-300).
+
Another way to support mining ops would be to train {{sk|Drones|V}} to fly a full wing of five drones from the Orca. Depending on the situation you will want either combat drones (to kill [[belt rat]]s), ECM drones (to counter potential gankers) or mining drones to mine ore. Note that, in order to use heavy ECM drones, you will need {{sk|Electronic Warfare|III}} and {{sk|Advanced Drone Avionics|III}}.
  
==Fitting==
+
== Tactics ==
For more info on fittings, please go [[Orca/Fittings|here]]
+
{{See also|Orca Guide}}
 +
Miners in the fleet can have direct access only to the fleet hangar bay. The Orca pilot must move ore from the fleet hangar bay to the ore hold or the cargo bay when the fleet hangar gets too full. Typically, it’s good practice to place mining crystals, both T1 and T2s in the fleet hangar, so the fleet can have access to new ones when theirs burn out. This takes up just a little of the fleet hangar.
  
==Tactics==
+
The mining fleet can use the Orca's ship maintenance bay to reconfigure their mining ship, swapping out fittings for different purposes. To enable this, the Orca pilot must configure the Orca to allow this access. This is done by the Orca pilot right clicking on the Orca, clicking on the Configure Ship menu item, and clicking the “Allow Fleet Member Usage” box.
Miners in the fleet can have access only to the Corporate hangar bays directly, and since corporation default permissions are used, only to the same hangars that they would have access to while docked in a station can be accessed. The Orca pilot must move ore from the Corporate Hangar Bay to the ore bay or the Cargo bay when the Corporate bay gets too full. Typically, it’s good practice to place mining crystals, both T1 and T2s in the Corporate Hangar bay, so the fleet can have access to new ones when theirs burn out. This takes up just a little of the Corporate bay.
 
  
The mining fleet can use the Orca's Ship Maintenance Bay to reconfigure their mining ship, swapping out fittings for different purposes. To enable this, the Orca pilot must configure the Orca to allow this access. This is done by the Orca pilot right clicking on the Orca, clicking on the Configure Ship menu item, and clicking the “Allow Fleet Member Usage” box.
+
The use of the Orca is not limited to having large cargo and ore bays. A mining tactic to use when in a [[Can Flipping|can flipping]] area is to have frigates or cruisers stored in the Corporate Maintenance Bay and have your fleet swap your mining ships for one of these. A can flipper will look twice if, after he flips your can, several cruisers, a logi, and a tackler suddenly appear. To do this, the mining ship must be within 2500m of the Orca. This coupled with a decent drone bay, will protect a mining fleet from random pirates, while allowing a decent time to get “The Cavalry” to protect your mining fleet. A note on ship swapping, Combat ships can have nothing in their cargo bays except ammunition. Miners can have nothing in their cargo bays except mining crystals. Prior to docking, miner should jettison all ore and other articles, and the Orca's tractor beam can haul the cans to the Orca and put the jettisoned cargo away.
  
The use of the Orca is not limited to having large cargo and ore bays. A mining tactic to use when in a [[Can Flipping|can flipping]] area is to have frigates or cruisers stored in the Corporate Maintenance Bay and have your fleet swap your mining ships for one of these. A can flipper will look twice if, after he flips your can, several cruisers, a logi, and a tackler suddenly appear. To do this, the mining ship must be within 2500m of the ORCA. This coupled with a decent drone bay, will protect a mining fleet from random pirates, while allowing a decent time to get “The Cavalry” to protect your mining fleet. A note on ship swapping, Combat ships can have nothing in their cargo bays except ammunition. Miners can have nothing in their cargo bays except mining crystals. Prior to docking, miner should jettison all ore and other articles, and the Orca's tractor beam can haul the cans to the Orca and put the jettisoned cargo away.
+
Before the Rhea release in December 2014, ships stored in the Ship Maintenance Bay could not drop and were simply destroyed if the Orca was destroyed. This is no longer the case and {{co|crimson|ships have a chance of dropping}}, just like any other ''"container"''. If a ship isn't destroyed, it'll drop fully intact (including everything fitted or carried in the ship; rigs, modules and cargo).
  
Before the Rhea release in December 2014, ships stored in the Ship Maintenance Bay could not drop and were simply destroyed if the Orca was destroyed. This is no longer the case and {{co|crimson|ships have a chance of dropping}}, just like any other ''"container"''. If a ship isn't destroyed, it'll drop fully intact (including everything fitted or carried in the ship; rigs, modules and cargo).
+
While the ships can drop, it is still impossible to scan past the first ''"layer"'' of the Ship Maintenance Bay, so people can see what ships you have in there but are unable to see how those ships are fitted or what charges and ammo they might have in their cargo holds. As such it's possible to hide expensive modules on ships in the Ship Maintenance Bay. Just remember that they can still drop and will show up on your lossmail.
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
== Patch History ==
 +
{{Expansion past
 +
|'''April 2022 Version 20.04''' [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-20-04 Patch notes]
 +
: Renaming of the <Racial> Industrial skills to <Racial> Hauler
  
While the ships can drop, it is still impossible to scan past the first ''"layer"'' of the the Ship Maintenance Bay, so people can see what ships you have in there but are unable to see how those ships are fitted or what charges and ammo they might have in their cargo holds. As such it's possible to hide expensive modules on ships in the Ship Maintenance Bay. Just remember that they can still drop and will show up on your lossmail.
+
'''February 2016 Release 1.0''' [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-for-february-2016-release Patch notes]
 +
: The hitpoints of an Orca wreck have been increased to 15,000 hp.
 +
}}
  
==Notes==
+
{{ShipsMatrix|expgroup=ore}}
<small><references /></small>
 
  
{{ShipsMatrix}}
+
[[Category:Ship Database]]
[[Category:Database]][[Category:Ship Database]][[Category:ORE]]
+
[[Category:Industrial Command Ships]]

Latest revision as of 16:01, 31 January 2024

This page should be updated due to game changes.
Reason: Review for December 2021, Version 19.11 changes
Attributes updated. Summary and Tactics needs to be looked at


EVE University Database
 
Ship Database
Orca
Orca
Outer Ring Excavations
Outer Ring Excavations
Industrial Command Ships
Orca Class
Highlight
Can Use Command Bursts
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlight
150,000 m³ Mining hold
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlight
40,000 m³ Fleet hangar
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlight
400,000 m³ Ship maintenance bay
HIGHLIGHTS
RELATED UNI-WIKI REFERENCES

The Orca was developed as a joint venture between Outer Ring Excavations and Deep Core Mining Inc as a vessel to help meet the demands of New Eden's industry and provide a flexible platform from which mining operations can be more easily managed.

The Orca is also capable of using a large industrial core to substantially increase its industrial capabilities, while empowering its defenses during deployment in a static configuration. A key element of the industrial capacity unlocked by activating an industrial core is the ability to use compressor modules, with the Orca having the flexibility to use a number of specialized large compressors.

The Orca uses much of the technology developed by ORE for the Rorqual and integrated with the latest advancements from Deep Core Mining research division has developed a vessel which offers a diverse role to all sizes of operations and needs.

SHIP BONUSES

Industrial Command Ships bonuses (per skill level):
5% bonus to ship cargo and ore hold capacity
5% reduction in fuel consumption for Large Industrial Core
3% bonus to Mining Foreman Burst effect strength and duration
1% bonus to Shield Command Burst effect strength and duration
5% bonus in Mining Foreman Burst range
10% bonus to Drone hitpoints and damage
15% bonus to Drone ore mining yield
5% reduction in Drone ice harvesting cycle time
Role Bonus:
• Can fit Large Industrial Core
100% bonus to Drone damage
400% bonus to Remote Shield Booster optimal range
90% reduction to effective distance traveled for jump fatigue
• Can use three Command Burst modules
50% bonus to Command and Mining Foreman Burst area of effect range
250% bonus to Tractor Beam range
100% bonus to Tractor Beam velocity
500% bonus to Survey Scanner range

Required Skills
Training Time what's this?
19d 13m 34s
Estimated training time only for the listed skills based on zero implants and without neural remaps.
Grouping
▪ Variations
none

Ship Attributes

Fittings
Powergrid
powergrid
1200 MW
CPU
cpu output
550 tf
Capacitor
capacitor
8,000 GJ
High
high slots
6
Launchers
launcher slots
0
Turrets
turret slots
0
Medium
medium slots
5
Low
low slots
2
Rig
rigs
3
 
large
Calibration
calibration
400
Navigation
Max Velocity
max. velocity
60 m/sec
Inertia Modifier
inertia modifier (agility)
0.26
Warp Speed
inertia modifier (agility)
2 AU/s
Base Time to Warp
base time to warp
54.07 s
what's this?
Base Time to Warp is essentially the time needed for this ship to align and accelerate until it reaches 75% of its top speed and goes to warp. The time displayed here is the base calculated time with no account for any warp related skills, modules or any other effects.
Drones
Drone Capacity
drone capacity
200 m³
Drone Bandwidth
drone bandwidth
50 Mbit/sec
Targeting
Max Tgt. Range
max. targeting range
70 km
Max Locked Targets
max. locked targets
7
Magnetometric Sensor
Magnetometric sensor strength
30 points
Sig. Radius
signature radius
1000 m
Scan Res.
scan resolution
75 mm
Structure
Structure Hitpoints
structure hitpoints
45,000 HP
Mass
ship mass
150,000,000 kg
Volume
ship volume
10,250,000 m³
Cargo Capacity
cargo capacity
30,000 m³
Mining Hold Capacity
capacity
150,000 m³
Ship Maintenance Bay Capacity
capacity
400,000 m³
Fleet Hangar Capacity
capacity
40,000 m³
Fuel Bay Capacity
capacity
6,400 m³
Armor
Armor Hitpoints
armor hitpoints
7,000 HP
Armor Resistances
EM
electromagnetic resistance
50
THR
thermal resistance
35
KIN
kinetic resistance
35
EXP
explosive resistance
10
Shields
Shield Capacity
shield hitpoints
30,000 HP
Shield Resistances
EM
electromagnetic resistance
0
THR
thermal resistance
20
KIN
kinetic resistance
40
EXP
explosive resistance
50


Summary

See also: Orca Guide

The Orca is designed to support a mining fleet with its command burst modules. it can fit three command burst modules without help from rigs allowing a single Orca to give all the necessary mining boosts to a fleet.

While designed as a powerful fleet booster for mining operations, the Orca also gets much use as a general freighter. It has a sizeable ship maintenance bay that can be used to store assembled ships, a mining hold, a fleet hangar, and a normal cargo hangar.[1] The ship maintenance bay especially separates the Orca from other subcapital industrials as it can move assembled ships up to battlecruiser size in it. The fleet hangar is also useful in mining fleets as the fleet members can be given direct access to this hangar.

With the maximum configuration of cargo expanding modules and rig calibration, the Orca's standard cargo hold can grow to up to approximately 87,000 m3 dependent on skills, but at a significant loss to EHP. A more reasonable fit with a Tech 2 Damage Control puts it into a range of 60,000 m3, still enough for a packaged battleship.

The Orca is a huge ship, notably larger and more durable than any battleship. It has a large signature radius, vast structure hp, poor speed and a long align time. The Orca is the only subcapital ship constructed from capital ship components. The Orca is immune to the Micro Jump Field Generator of Command Destroyers like capital ships are.

More about the Orca and its various roles are listed in the Orca Guide.

Skills

Flying the Orca, and developing the best skill set to do so is perhaps the biggest improvement in a high-sec mining fleet. While the Orca has a large cargo bay, and a separate ore bay, one of its best uses is giving mining fleet members a longer mining laser range, and a faster mining laser cycle time through the use of Command Burst modules. This leads to more ISK per hour of mining for all fleet members.

Mining Foreman and Mining Director provide an effective skill set for Orca operations. These skills assist fleet members in mining yield improvements. Mining Foreman links in the high slots complete the mastery of the Orca, providing mining laser range improvements and faster mining cycle times as an integral improvement to a mining fleet.

Another way to support mining ops would be to train Drones V to fly a full wing of five drones from the Orca. Depending on the situation you will want either combat drones (to kill belt rats), ECM drones (to counter potential gankers) or mining drones to mine ore. Note that, in order to use heavy ECM drones, you will need Electronic Warfare III and Advanced Drone Avionics III.

Tactics

See also: Orca Guide

Miners in the fleet can have direct access only to the fleet hangar bay. The Orca pilot must move ore from the fleet hangar bay to the ore hold or the cargo bay when the fleet hangar gets too full. Typically, it’s good practice to place mining crystals, both T1 and T2s in the fleet hangar, so the fleet can have access to new ones when theirs burn out. This takes up just a little of the fleet hangar.

The mining fleet can use the Orca's ship maintenance bay to reconfigure their mining ship, swapping out fittings for different purposes. To enable this, the Orca pilot must configure the Orca to allow this access. This is done by the Orca pilot right clicking on the Orca, clicking on the Configure Ship menu item, and clicking the “Allow Fleet Member Usage” box.

The use of the Orca is not limited to having large cargo and ore bays. A mining tactic to use when in a can flipping area is to have frigates or cruisers stored in the Corporate Maintenance Bay and have your fleet swap your mining ships for one of these. A can flipper will look twice if, after he flips your can, several cruisers, a logi, and a tackler suddenly appear. To do this, the mining ship must be within 2500m of the Orca. This coupled with a decent drone bay, will protect a mining fleet from random pirates, while allowing a decent time to get “The Cavalry” to protect your mining fleet. A note on ship swapping, Combat ships can have nothing in their cargo bays except ammunition. Miners can have nothing in their cargo bays except mining crystals. Prior to docking, miner should jettison all ore and other articles, and the Orca's tractor beam can haul the cans to the Orca and put the jettisoned cargo away.

Before the Rhea release in December 2014, ships stored in the Ship Maintenance Bay could not drop and were simply destroyed if the Orca was destroyed. This is no longer the case and ships have a chance of dropping, just like any other "container". If a ship isn't destroyed, it'll drop fully intact (including everything fitted or carried in the ship; rigs, modules and cargo).

While the ships can drop, it is still impossible to scan past the first "layer" of the Ship Maintenance Bay, so people can see what ships you have in there but are unable to see how those ships are fitted or what charges and ammo they might have in their cargo holds. As such it's possible to hide expensive modules on ships in the Ship Maintenance Bay. Just remember that they can still drop and will show up on your lossmail.

Notes

  1. ^ In older material you may see references to the Orca's secondary cargo areas as being "unscannable". Prior to the Retribution expansion, the corporate hangar (now called the "Fleet Hangar") in the Orca could not be scanned by players and did not drop its contents on destruction, making it a secure way of transporting high value items around high sec. As of the Retribution expansion, all the cargo bays of the Orca can be scanned and drop contents just like the normal cargo bay, so this advantage is gone.

Patch History