Difference between revisions of "Cargo Hauling with the Cloak Trick"

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{{main|Cloak trick}}
[[Hauling]] cargo from one star system to the next is a long and tedious job. Many players use [[Creating an Alt Hauler|alternative characters]] with dedicated skill sets to deliver their cargo for them or even as the play their main account. In order to achieve this everyone has to start from scratch meaning that the few skills we need to train the sooner we can get started hauling cargo.
+
[[Hauling]] cargo from one star system to the next is a long and tedious job. Many players use [[Creating an Alt Hauler|alternative characters]], with dedicated skill sets, to deliver their cargo for them. In order to achieve this, we have to start from scratch, meaning the fewer skills we need to train, the sooner we can get started hauling cargo.
If you are hauling an expensive payload you are at high risk of being a target for pirates looking for a slow and weak industrial ship to empty. This is a danger even in high security space. To combat this problem many solutions and strategies have been developed and the most successful method I have used to date is the [[Cloak Trick]].
+
 
There is a great deal of information on which industrial ship is the best for any particular job so I will not be covering that here; I will be doing a similar breakdown of information which demands that the industrial ships being evaluated can use the cloak trick. This angle changes the tables on the board quite a bit.
+
If we are hauling an expensive payload, we are at high risk of being a target for pirates looking for a slow and weak hauler to empty. This is a danger even in high security space. To combat this problem, many strategies have been developed, but one of the safest methods is the use of the [[Cloak Trick]].
 +
 
 +
There is a great deal of information on which hauler is the best ship. When these evaluations are done, however, it is normally with respect to the size of the cargo which can be hauled in a single journey. If we can guarantee the safe arrival of our cargo on every trip, then this is the end of the story. Nonetheless, that's not the case, as [[New Eden]] is a very dangerous place and haulers are slow and fragile ships.
 +
 
 +
With that in mind, our criteria for what constitutes the "best" ship isn't necessarily the largest cargo hold (although that is still part of the equation). We value the ability to avoid detection and move as quickly as possible to prevent our location from becoming easily identified. Our "best" cargo hauling ship is the one we believe will have the easiest time of surviving, while still being accessible to new players.
 +
 
 
== Goals ==
 
== Goals ==
The four points below outline my design goals for the fittings which I will present later. These goals are in order of importance such that the first goal is mandatory and each following goal is a best effort within the context of the previous goal. For example in order to satisfy the first goal most ships need to also fit modules to enhance their power grid which can only be done at the sacrifice of modules which increase cargo capacity. There is a bit of an exception where goal 2 is concerned; In some cases we gain significant improvement in cargo space or warp out time with just a little more training in skills.
+
The four points below outline the design goals for the fittings which are presented below. These goals are in order of relevance such that the first goal is mandatory and each subsequent goal is a best effort within the context of the previous goal.
# Fittings must use a “10MN Microwarpdrive I” as well as an “Improved Cloaking Device II”.
+
 
 +
For example, in order to satisfy the first goal, most ships need to also fit modules to enhance their power grid which can only be done by sacrificing modules which increase cargo capacity. There is a bit of an exception where goal 2 is concerned; in some cases we gain significant improvement in cargo space or warp out time with just a little more training in skill.
 +
 
 +
# Fittings must use a “50MN Microwarpdrive I” as well as an “Improved Cloaking Device II”.
 
# Fittings must require as little training as possible to accommodate brand new characters.
 
# Fittings must require as little training as possible to accommodate brand new characters.
# Fittings must aim to accommodate as much cargo as possible.
+
# Fittings must accommodate as much cargo as possible.
# Fittings must also attempt to maximize warp out time and warp speed velocity.
+
# Fittings must maximize warp out time and warp speed velocity.
With these goals in mind I hope to find the best ship with the best fit for the newest of players with the least number of skill points.
+
 
== Points of Interest ==
+
With these goals in mind, we can find the best ship with the best fit for the newest of players with the least number of skill points.
In order to illustrate some of the motivation behind my choices please review the following points of interest.
+
 
 +
== Points of interest ==
 +
 
 +
Some of the choices made during fittings might not be very clear. Below are some of the points considered when deciding which modules to fit where and why those modules satisfy the design goals.
 +
 
 
=== Tanking ===
 
=== Tanking ===
Most people will notice that I have put no armor or shield tank in any of these fittings. In my experience any kind of traditional tank is an utter waste of time and can be extremely expensive. The reality is that industrial ships are paper thin and defenseless. If you get tackled it’s only a matter of time (normally mere seconds) before you are going to be destroyed as there is no method of retaliation that we can bring to bear upon our attackers. Even if you fit weapons they will not be up to the task of taking out a ship designed for combat.
+
Most people will notice that there is no armor or shield [[Tanking|tank]] in any of these fittings. Any kind of traditional tank is an utter waste of time and can be extremely expensive. The reality is that haulers are paper thin and defenseless if you get [[Tackling Guide|tackled]] it’s only a matter of time (normally mere seconds) before you are going to be destroyed as there is no method of retaliation that we can bring to bear upon our attackers. Even if you fit weapons they will not be up to the task of taking out a ship designed for combat.
Because of this we use the [[Cloak Trick]]. Instead of trying to absorb damage our goal here is to completely dodge it by being unavailable for targeting and warping out of the area almost instantly.
+
 
=== Inherent Problems of the MWD + Cloaking Trick ===
+
Because of this, we use the [[Cloak Trick]]. Instead of trying to absorb damage our goal here is to completely dodge it by being unavailable for targeting and warping out of the area as soon as possible.
The two modules which are mandatory for the successful execution of the cloak trick is a “10MN Microwarpdrive I” as well as an “Improved Cloaking Device II”. These modules provide the correct modifies to our ships and anything less will spoil the effort. The details of the trick you can review in the wiki’s already linked.
+
 
The biggest problem which faces a pilot trying to do use those two modules on a ship at the same time is power grid capacity. While some of the standard industrial ships can manage the industrial ships which have been “optimized” for extra cargo storage have serious problems. In order to combat this problem we need to fit modules and rigs (yes some ships NEED to have rigs while others gain a major benefit from them) which only slot into the same spots as our cargo expanding modules. As such it is literally a trade between cargo space and power grid.
+
=== Inherent problems of the MWD + Cloaking Trick ===
 +
 
 +
The two modules mandatory for the successful execution of the cloak trick is the “50MN Microwarpdrive I” and the “Improved Cloaking Device II”. These modules provide the correct modifiers to our ships anything less will spoil the effort.
 +
 
 +
Use this link for details on how to execute a [[Cloak Trick]].  
 +
 
 +
The biggest problem facing a pilot trying to use those two modules on a ship at the same time is power grid capacity. While some of the haulers can manage the haulers ships which have been “optimized” for extra cargo storage have serious problems. In order to combat this problem we need to fit modules and rigs (yes some ships NEED to have rigs while others gain a major benefit from them) which only slot into the same spots as our cargo expanding modules. It is literally a trade between cargo space and power grid.
 +
 
 
=== Power Grid Management III ===
 
=== Power Grid Management III ===
As our biggest problem is power grid it is worth noting that the Power Grid Management skill is of great importance. Although it takes extra time to train getting it to level three does not take very long. At the same time it greatly reduces the need to swap out cargo modules. This is really only necessary if you are going to fly the industrials which have larger default cargo holds though.
+
 
 +
As our biggest problem is power grid it follows that the {{sk|Power Grid Management|icon=yes}} skill could be very useful to us. Although it takes extra time to train getting it to level three does not take very long. At the same time it greatly reduces the need to swap out cargo modules. Although this is really only necessary if you are going to fly the haulers with the larger default cargo holds.
 +
 
 
=== Nanofiber Internal Structure II vs Inertial Stabilizers II ===
 
=== Nanofiber Internal Structure II vs Inertial Stabilizers II ===
There are some ships which have almost no problems with power grid and don’t actually benefit from cargo expanding modules. These ships are specialist ships which can only hold certain types of cargo, like ammunition. Their special cargo holds are massive, far larger than any standard cargo hold on any ship in this size class, while their normal cargo holds are about 500-550 cubic meters. As cargo hold expansion modules operate on a percentage basis the benefit they give these ships is insignificant.
+
 
We take advantage of this fact to act on the fourth goal in our list of objectives. by fitting Nanofiber Internal Structure II’s and Inertial Stabilizers II we reduce the ships mass and increase its agility. This ultimately means a smaller warp out time which means less time spent in any particular place in space, cloaked or otherwise.
+
There are some ships that have no problems with power grid and don’t benefit from cargo expanding modules. These ships are specialist ships that can only hold certain types of cargo, like ammunition. Their special cargo holds are far larger than any standard cargo hold on any ship in this class, while their normal cargo holds are only about 500-550 cubic meters. As cargo hold expansion modules operate on a percentage basis; the benefit they give these ships is insignificant.
While the Inertial Stabilizers have a stronger effect then the Internal Structures they also penalize your ship with a significant signature radius increase. This means if you happen to make a mistake and find yourself spending some time visible in space you will be much easier to target and will take more damage. I spent some time trying to balance the benefits against the penalties but as these two modules require the same skill level you can easily exchange them as you see fit.
+
 
 +
We take advantage of this fact to act on our fourth goal. By fitting Nanofiber Internal Structure II’s and Inertial Stabilizers II, we reduce the ship's mass and increase its agility. This means a smaller warp out time which means less time spent in any particular place in space, cloaked or otherwise.
 +
 
 +
While the Inertial Stabilizers have a stronger effect than the Nanofiber Internal Structures they also penalize your ship with a significant [[Signature radius]] increase. This means if you happen to make a mistake and find yourself spending some time visible in space, you will be much easier to target and will take more damage. I spent some time trying to balance the benefits against the penalties but as these two modules require the same skill level you can easily exchange them as you see fit.
 +
 
 
=== Expanded Cargohold II vs Medium Cargohold Optimization I ===
 
=== Expanded Cargohold II vs Medium Cargohold Optimization I ===
These two modules are used in the low power slot and the ship rig slots respectively. They each increase your standard cargo hold by a percentage of its default size. They do come with penalties but these are related to armor, hull and speed which are all insignificant to us. The only important aspect is that the Expanded Cargohold II’s are more effective per unit than the Medium Cargohold Opimization I’s and as such we prefer to get our extra power grid from the rigs before using up the low slots.
+
 
 +
These two modules are used in the low power slot and the ship rig slots respectively. They each increase your standard cargo hold by a percentage of its default capacity. They do come with penalties but these are related to armor, hull and speed which are all irrelevant within the context of our design goals. The only important aspect is that the Expanded Cargohold II’s are more effective per unit than the Medium Cargohold Optimization I’s. Therefore we prefer to get our extra power grid from the rig slots before using up the low slots.
 +
 
 
=== Use of T2 equipment for new players ===
 
=== Use of T2 equipment for new players ===
Anyone who has taken a look at the tech 2 gear in Eve Online has probably noted how much more time and isk it takes to be able to use and afford. Normally they would not be viable options for new characters trying to fly ships as soon as possible with as few skill points as possible. In the case of some low power slot gear it turns out that instead of requiring a level 5 in the related skill it only needs a level 2. As such it’s extremely affordable and beneficial to get that second level in that skill in order to take advantage of the tech 2 versions of the gear we need.
+
 
Even more so the T2 modules we are interested in use the same skill.
+
Anyone who has taken a look at the [[T2]] gear in EVE Online has probably noted how much more time and isk it takes to be able to use and afford it. Normally they would not be viable options for new characters trying to fly ships as soon as possible. Most T2 equipment requires a level five in at least one skill however the T2 modules we use in these fittings only require a level two. Additionally both of the modules we are using require the same level two skill so we are getting the use of two T2 modules for one level two skill.
== Industrial Ships by Race ==
+
 
Following is a huge table I created while researching the builds that follow. Normally I would simply make one fitting for each ship with the exception of the industrial ships with the larger cargo holds. Those ships normally require even more power grid so I built a fitting for them assuming the use of the skill Power Grid Management III.
+
== Haulers by race ==
Each ships statistics were derived from EFT using a “dummy character” with zero skill levels in any skill. The ships fittings which use power grid management 3 are noted in the title.
+
 
=== Summary Statistics by Race ===
+
The following table is a comparison of the different haulers that new characters will be able to fly with relatively little training. Ships from each race are considered and were fitted according to the goals listed above.
==== Caldari Summary ====
+
 
{| class=”wikitable”
+
All ships were fitted using [[PYFA]] and a "dummy" pilot with zero skills. In some fittings, an alternate "dummy" pilot with {{sk|Power Grid Management|III|icon=yes}} was used. These fittings are normally for those haulers with larger default hold capacities as their power grids are smaller in general. The use of the second "dummy" pilot is noted in the title of the fit.
|Race
+
 
|Caldari
+
=== Summary statistics by race ===
 +
 
 +
==== Caldari summary ====
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Ship
 +
! Badger
 +
! Tayra
 +
! Tayra with PGM III
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
| Skills||{{sk|Caldari Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Astronautics Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Caldari Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Caldari Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}<br>{{sk|Power Grid Management|III}}
 +
|-
 +
| Cargo (m^3)||16458||7300||10079
 +
|-
 +
| Vel (m/s)||138||149||110
 
|-
 
|-
|Ship
+
| Warp out (secs)||21||25||25
|Badger
 
|Tayra
 
|Tayra with PGMIII
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Skills
+
| Warp speed (AU/s)||4.5||3||3
|{{sk|Caldari Industrial|I|icon=yes}}
 
|{{sk|Caldari Industrial|I|icon=yes}}
 
|{{sk|Caldari Industrial|I|icon=yes}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
| Cost (isk)||12M||21.4M||20.8M
|Hull Upgrades II
 
 
|}
 
|}
==== Amarr Summary ====
 
==== Minmatar Summary ====
 
==== Gallente Summary ====
 
  
=== Ship Fittings by Race ===
+
==== Amarr summary ====
==== Caldari Industrial Fittings ====
+
{| class="wikitable"
==== Amarr Industrial Fittings ====
+
! Ship
==== Minmatar Industrial Fittings ====
+
! Sigil
==== Gallente Industrial Fittings ====
+
! Bestower
 +
! Bestower with PGM III
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
| Skills||{{sk|Amarr Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Astronautics Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Amarr Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}
 +
| {{sk|Amarr Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Power Grid Management|III}}
 +
|-
 +
| Cargo (m^3)||14406||9949||16173
 +
|-
 +
| Vel (m/s)||132||108||104
 +
|-
 +
| Warp out (secs)||20||25||25
 +
|-
 +
| Warp speed (AU/s)||4.5||3||3
 +
|-
 +
| Cost (isk)||13.3M||22.5M||23M
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Minmatar summary ====
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
| Ship
 +
| Hoarder
 +
| Wreathe
 +
| Mammoth
 +
| Mammoth with PGM III
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
| Ship Note||Ammo specialist||||||
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
| Skills||{{sk|Minmatar Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Astronautics Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Minmatar Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Astronautics Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Minmatar Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Minmatar Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}<br>{{sk|Power Grid Management|III}}
 +
|-
 +
| Cargo (m^3)||500||2900||7013||11400
 +
|-
 +
| Special Cargo (m^3)||41000||||||
 +
|-
 +
| Vel (m/s)||235||156||150||129
 +
|-
 +
| Warp out (secs)||13||17||21||21
 +
|-
 +
| Warp speed (AU/s)||5.2||4.5||3||3
 +
|-
 +
| Cost (isk)||9.7M||12.7M||22M||22.7M
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Gallente summary ====
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
| Ship
 +
| Nereus
 +
| Kryos
 +
| Epithal
 +
| Miasmos
 +
| Iteron Mark V
 +
| Iteron Mark V with PGM III
 +
|-
 +
| Ship Note||||Mineral Specialist||Planetary Commodities||Ore Specialist||||
 +
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
| Skills||{{sk|Gallente Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Astronautics Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Gallente Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Gallente Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Astronautics Rigging|I}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Gallente Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Gallente Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}
 +
| {{sk|Gallente Hauler|I}}<br>{{sk|Capacitor Management|II}}<br>{{sk|Hull Upgrades|II}}<br>{{sk|High Speed Maneuvering|I}}<br>{{sk|Cloaking|III}}<br>{{sk|Jury Rigging|I}}<br>{{sk|Power Grid Management|III}}
 +
|-
 +
| Cargo (m^3)||14527||550||550||550||9429||12021
 +
|-
 +
| Special Cargo (m^3)||||43000||43000||42000||||
 +
|-
 +
| Vel (m/s)||136||197||200||184||109||103
 +
|-
 +
| Warp out (secs)||18||15||14||14||23||23
 +
|-
 +
| Warp speed (AU/s)||4.5||3||3||3||3||3
 +
|-
 +
| Cost (isk)||12.6M||21.9M||18M||22M||22.6M||22.9M
 +
|}
  
 
== Conclusion ==
 
== Conclusion ==
 +
After all of that, we have a pretty clear picture showing us the optimal choices available to us based upon different criteria. As a new character, you may or may not have spare ISK to spend but all new characters will have to consider time to train as a factor in the ship they choose to haul cargo while cloaked.
 +
 +
If you are ISK heavy then your primary concern is probably going to be cargo capacity. Apart from specialist cargo holds the two best fits for this category (in order) is the Bestower with PGM III at over 16k m^3 and then the Badger at just over 15k m^3. As the badger does not require the training of PGM III it is slightly faster to get into. It is also half the price of the Bestower.
 +
 +
For the purely budget conscious the Badger is still the best choice. Every other hauler is more expensive and the badger is only about a thousand cubic meters shy of having the largest hold as well.
 +
 +
[[Category:Hauling]]
 +
[[Category:Fitting]]
 +
[[Category:Guides]]

Latest revision as of 06:32, 6 July 2023

Main article: Cloak trick

Hauling cargo from one star system to the next is a long and tedious job. Many players use alternative characters, with dedicated skill sets, to deliver their cargo for them. In order to achieve this, we have to start from scratch, meaning the fewer skills we need to train, the sooner we can get started hauling cargo.

If we are hauling an expensive payload, we are at high risk of being a target for pirates looking for a slow and weak hauler to empty. This is a danger even in high security space. To combat this problem, many strategies have been developed, but one of the safest methods is the use of the Cloak Trick.

There is a great deal of information on which hauler is the best ship. When these evaluations are done, however, it is normally with respect to the size of the cargo which can be hauled in a single journey. If we can guarantee the safe arrival of our cargo on every trip, then this is the end of the story. Nonetheless, that's not the case, as New Eden is a very dangerous place and haulers are slow and fragile ships.

With that in mind, our criteria for what constitutes the "best" ship isn't necessarily the largest cargo hold (although that is still part of the equation). We value the ability to avoid detection and move as quickly as possible to prevent our location from becoming easily identified. Our "best" cargo hauling ship is the one we believe will have the easiest time of surviving, while still being accessible to new players.

Goals

The four points below outline the design goals for the fittings which are presented below. These goals are in order of relevance such that the first goal is mandatory and each subsequent goal is a best effort within the context of the previous goal.

For example, in order to satisfy the first goal, most ships need to also fit modules to enhance their power grid which can only be done by sacrificing modules which increase cargo capacity. There is a bit of an exception where goal 2 is concerned; in some cases we gain significant improvement in cargo space or warp out time with just a little more training in skill.

  1. Fittings must use a “50MN Microwarpdrive I” as well as an “Improved Cloaking Device II”.
  2. Fittings must require as little training as possible to accommodate brand new characters.
  3. Fittings must accommodate as much cargo as possible.
  4. Fittings must maximize warp out time and warp speed velocity.

With these goals in mind, we can find the best ship with the best fit for the newest of players with the least number of skill points.

Points of interest

Some of the choices made during fittings might not be very clear. Below are some of the points considered when deciding which modules to fit where and why those modules satisfy the design goals.

Tanking

Most people will notice that there is no armor or shield tank in any of these fittings. Any kind of traditional tank is an utter waste of time and can be extremely expensive. The reality is that haulers are paper thin and defenseless if you get tackled it’s only a matter of time (normally mere seconds) before you are going to be destroyed as there is no method of retaliation that we can bring to bear upon our attackers. Even if you fit weapons they will not be up to the task of taking out a ship designed for combat.

Because of this, we use the Cloak Trick. Instead of trying to absorb damage our goal here is to completely dodge it by being unavailable for targeting and warping out of the area as soon as possible.

Inherent problems of the MWD + Cloaking Trick

The two modules mandatory for the successful execution of the cloak trick is the “50MN Microwarpdrive I” and the “Improved Cloaking Device II”. These modules provide the correct modifiers to our ships anything less will spoil the effort.

Use this link for details on how to execute a Cloak Trick.

The biggest problem facing a pilot trying to use those two modules on a ship at the same time is power grid capacity. While some of the haulers can manage the haulers ships which have been “optimized” for extra cargo storage have serious problems. In order to combat this problem we need to fit modules and rigs (yes some ships NEED to have rigs while others gain a major benefit from them) which only slot into the same spots as our cargo expanding modules. It is literally a trade between cargo space and power grid.

Power Grid Management III

As our biggest problem is power grid it follows that the Icon skillbook2.png Power Grid Management skill could be very useful to us. Although it takes extra time to train getting it to level three does not take very long. At the same time it greatly reduces the need to swap out cargo modules. Although this is really only necessary if you are going to fly the haulers with the larger default cargo holds.

Nanofiber Internal Structure II vs Inertial Stabilizers II

There are some ships that have no problems with power grid and don’t benefit from cargo expanding modules. These ships are specialist ships that can only hold certain types of cargo, like ammunition. Their special cargo holds are far larger than any standard cargo hold on any ship in this class, while their normal cargo holds are only about 500-550 cubic meters. As cargo hold expansion modules operate on a percentage basis; the benefit they give these ships is insignificant.

We take advantage of this fact to act on our fourth goal. By fitting Nanofiber Internal Structure II’s and Inertial Stabilizers II, we reduce the ship's mass and increase its agility. This means a smaller warp out time which means less time spent in any particular place in space, cloaked or otherwise.

While the Inertial Stabilizers have a stronger effect than the Nanofiber Internal Structures they also penalize your ship with a significant Signature radius increase. This means if you happen to make a mistake and find yourself spending some time visible in space, you will be much easier to target and will take more damage. I spent some time trying to balance the benefits against the penalties but as these two modules require the same skill level you can easily exchange them as you see fit.

Expanded Cargohold II vs Medium Cargohold Optimization I

These two modules are used in the low power slot and the ship rig slots respectively. They each increase your standard cargo hold by a percentage of its default capacity. They do come with penalties but these are related to armor, hull and speed which are all irrelevant within the context of our design goals. The only important aspect is that the Expanded Cargohold II’s are more effective per unit than the Medium Cargohold Optimization I’s. Therefore we prefer to get our extra power grid from the rig slots before using up the low slots.

Use of T2 equipment for new players

Anyone who has taken a look at the T2 gear in EVE Online has probably noted how much more time and isk it takes to be able to use and afford it. Normally they would not be viable options for new characters trying to fly ships as soon as possible. Most T2 equipment requires a level five in at least one skill however the T2 modules we use in these fittings only require a level two. Additionally both of the modules we are using require the same level two skill so we are getting the use of two T2 modules for one level two skill.

Haulers by race

The following table is a comparison of the different haulers that new characters will be able to fly with relatively little training. Ships from each race are considered and were fitted according to the goals listed above.

All ships were fitted using PYFA and a "dummy" pilot with zero skills. In some fittings, an alternate "dummy" pilot with Icon skillbook2.png Power Grid Management III was used. These fittings are normally for those haulers with larger default hold capacities as their power grids are smaller in general. The use of the second "dummy" pilot is noted in the title of the fit.

Summary statistics by race

Caldari summary

Ship Badger Tayra Tayra with PGM III
Skills Caldari Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Astronautics Rigging I
Caldari Hauler I
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Capacitor Management II
Jury Rigging I
Caldari Hauler I
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Capacitor Management II
Jury Rigging I
Power Grid Management III
Cargo (m^3) 16458 7300 10079
Vel (m/s) 138 149 110
Warp out (secs) 21 25 25
Warp speed (AU/s) 4.5 3 3
Cost (isk) 12M 21.4M 20.8M

Amarr summary

Ship Sigil Bestower Bestower with PGM III
Skills Amarr Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Astronautics Rigging I
Amarr Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Capacitor Management II
Amarr Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Capacitor Management II
Power Grid Management III
Cargo (m^3) 14406 9949 16173
Vel (m/s) 132 108 104
Warp out (secs) 20 25 25
Warp speed (AU/s) 4.5 3 3
Cost (isk) 13.3M 22.5M 23M

Minmatar summary

Ship Hoarder Wreathe Mammoth Mammoth with PGM III
Ship Note Ammo specialist
Skills Minmatar Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Astronautics Rigging I
Minmatar Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Astronautics Rigging I
Minmatar Hauler I
Capacitor Management II
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Minmatar Hauler I
Capacitor Management II
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Power Grid Management III
Cargo (m^3) 500 2900 7013 11400
Special Cargo (m^3) 41000
Vel (m/s) 235 156 150 129
Warp out (secs) 13 17 21 21
Warp speed (AU/s) 5.2 4.5 3 3
Cost (isk) 9.7M 12.7M 22M 22.7M

Gallente summary

Ship Nereus Kryos Epithal Miasmos Iteron Mark V Iteron Mark V with PGM III
Ship Note Mineral Specialist Planetary Commodities Ore Specialist
Skills Gallente Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Astronautics Rigging I
Gallente Hauler I
Capacitor Management II
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Gallente Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Astronautics Rigging I
Jury Rigging I
Gallente Hauler I
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Gallente Hauler I
Capacitor Management II
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Gallente Hauler I
Capacitor Management II
Hull Upgrades II
High Speed Maneuvering I
Cloaking III
Jury Rigging I
Power Grid Management III
Cargo (m^3) 14527 550 550 550 9429 12021
Special Cargo (m^3) 43000 43000 42000
Vel (m/s) 136 197 200 184 109 103
Warp out (secs) 18 15 14 14 23 23
Warp speed (AU/s) 4.5 3 3 3 3 3
Cost (isk) 12.6M 21.9M 18M 22M 22.6M 22.9M

Conclusion

After all of that, we have a pretty clear picture showing us the optimal choices available to us based upon different criteria. As a new character, you may or may not have spare ISK to spend but all new characters will have to consider time to train as a factor in the ship they choose to haul cargo while cloaked.

If you are ISK heavy then your primary concern is probably going to be cargo capacity. Apart from specialist cargo holds the two best fits for this category (in order) is the Bestower with PGM III at over 16k m^3 and then the Badger at just over 15k m^3. As the badger does not require the training of PGM III it is slightly faster to get into. It is also half the price of the Bestower.

For the purely budget conscious the Badger is still the best choice. Every other hauler is more expensive and the badger is only about a thousand cubic meters shy of having the largest hold as well.