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[[Category:Guides]]
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{{related class|EWAR (CORE class)}}{{Weapon Systems Links}}
[[Category:PvP]]
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'''Electronic warfare''' ('''EWAR''') decreases the enemy's effectiveness in battle using electronics-based modules. It is often categorized as a "force multiplier" because, without actually dealing any direct damage, EWAR can make a fleet several times more dangerous than it otherwise would be.
Electronic warfare is the ability to decrease the enemies effectiveness in battle using electronics based modules.
 
  
There basically are 4 types of electronic warfare
+
There are four basic kinds of electronic warfare:
 +
* Electronic Counter Measures (ECM, or "jams")
 +
* Weapon disruption (Tracking and Guidance Disruption)
 +
* Remote Sensor Dampening ("damps")
 +
* Target Painting
  
* Electronic Counter Measures (ECM)
+
Each of the four player races specializes in one of these types of EWAR, and has ships specially bonused to that EWAR type. All four of these types of EWAR are generated by mid-slot modules with similar (but not identical) fitting and capacitor requirements.
* Tracking Disruption (TD)
 
* Remote Sensor Dampening (Damps)
 
* Target Painting (TP)
 
  
 +
Additional forms of electronic warfare are [[Tackling Guide|tackling modules]] to hold the enemy in place, and [[Capacitor Warfare Guide|capacitor warfare modules]] to drain or steal capacitor.
  
== Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) ==
+
Visual effects for the different types of EWAR are shown on the [[Identifying Visual Effects]] page.
  
ECM is used to make the target (the 'jammed ship') lose all its current target locks. The jammed ship cannot target anyone for the duration of the cycle (20 seconds), and will have to re-acquire its targets afterwards.
+
== Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) ==
 +
{{main|Electronic Countermeasures}}
 +
[[File:Icon ecm gravimetric.png|left]]ECM causes the targeted ship to lose all of its current target locks, with the exception of the jammer (often called 'jamming' the targeted ship). The jammed ship loses the ability to target anything that is not currently jamming it, for the duration of the ECM module's cycle (20 seconds), and can only re-acquire its targets after the ECM module fails to jam its target or stops cycling. ECM is often considered the most powerful of the four types of EWAR, because it renders an opponent virtually helpless, disabling their interactions with other ships and with their environment.
  
ECM success is chance based and all-or-nothing. For example: if your module has an adjusted strength of 4 and the ship you are trying to jam has a sensor strength of 20, then your chance of success (20%) is lower than if you target a ship with a sensor strength of 12 (33%).  If the module succeeds in jamming, the full effect will always be produced.  If it fails, you have to wait 20 seconds before you can try again with that module. Note that you always have some chance of success.  
+
However, there is an important, unique downside to ECM: the success of each ECM module cycle is a matter of chance, with a probability that depends on the jam strength of the ECM module and the sensor strength of the target (with larger targets generally harder to jam than smaller ones). That probability is also affected by the distance to the target; the jamming strength of ECM modules is not reducecd in their optimal range, but the strength decreases through falloff with same formula as [[turret mechanics|turret falloff]], such that ECM is only half as likely to work at (optimal + falloff). Taken together, all this means that sometimes you will jam the opposing ship, and sometimes you won't, and each cycle of your ECM modules is like a roll of the dice.
  
The Caldari race has ships that get bonuses for using ECM modules.
+
The probability to jam a target with single jammer is:
The tech 1 ships that have bonuses for ECM are: '''Griffin''', '''Blackbird''' and '''Scorpion'''. 
 
  
Note: Due to the low base strength of even the most powerful modules, these bonuses are, in practice, necessary to get any useful effect from ECM.  In other words, if you're fitting ECM on a ship without ECM bonuses, you're probably making a horrible mistake.
+
:<math> \displaystyle\text{Chance to jam} = \frac{ \text{ECM strength} }{ \text{Sensor strength} } </math>
  
There are 5 types of ECM modules: 4 racial jammers and a multispectral module.
+
However with multiple jams, each possibly with different jam strength, the probability becomes a binomial distribution. See the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_distribution wikipedia article] to refresh your memory on how it is calculated.
The racial jammers each have an increased sensor strength against 1 specific race (i.e., Caldari). The multispectral jammer has an equal (lower than the racial) strength against all races.
 
  
The 5 types are:
+
ECM is the EWAR specialty of the Caldari race. A number of Caldari ships are bonused for ECM:
* Gravimetric (Caldari, Blue). Basic Tech 1 module: ECM - Spatial Destabilizer I
+
* [[Griffin]] (Tech I frigate)
* Magnetometric (Gallente, Green). Basic Tech 1 module: ECM - Ion Field Projector I
+
* [[Griffin Navy Issue]] (Faction frigate)
* Radar (Amarr, Yellow). Basic Tech 1 module: ECM - White Noise Generator I
+
* [[Kitsune]] (Electronic Attack Ship)
* Ladar (Minmatar, Red). Basic Tech 1 module: ECM - Phase Inverter I
+
* [[Blackbird]] (Tech I cruiser)
* Multi Spectrum (Non-race). Basic Tech 1 module: ECM - Multispectral Jammer I
+
* [[Rook]] (Combat Recon Ship)
 +
* [[Falcon]] (Force Recon Ship)
 +
* [[Scorpion]] (Tech I battleship)
 +
* [[Widow]] (Black Ops battleship)
  
 +
In addition, the [[Tengu]] (the Caldari Tech III cruiser) can be fit with subsystems that give it bonuses to ECM, but these subsystems are rarely used. The Caldari have some of the only EWAR-bonused battleships (the [[Scorpion]] and [[Widow]]). Because of the low base strength of ECM modules, the bonuses from these Caldari ships are necessary, in practice, to get any useful effect from ECM. Fitting an ECM module to any other ship is a waste of a slot.
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
ECM modules can be racially specific—excellent at jamming one target race's sensor type, but poor against the other three—or they can be "multispectral", equally mediocre at jamming all four races' sensors. Tech I ECM modules—in fact, Tech I EWAR modules of all four kinds—are available in meta versions with improved range ("Scoped"), CPU fitting ("Compact"), or capacitor usage ("Enduring"). All of these variations means that there are very many Tech I modules that accomplish targeted ECM, and even more Tech II, faction and storyline variants. To illustrate the differences between the most common modules, the table below compares Tech I and II ECM modules that target Amarr (Radar) ships:
|+ ECM - Ranges and falloffs
+
 
! Item !! Optimal Range !! Falloff !! Racial jam strength !! Non-racial jam strength
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Targeted ECM Module Stats
 +
|-
 +
! width="170px" | Item
 +
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
 +
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
 +
! width="70px" | Activation Cost (GJ)
 +
! width="70px" | Optimal Range
 +
! width="70px" | Falloff
 +
! width="70px" | Racial jam strength
 +
! width="70px" | Off-race jam strength
 +
! width="85px" | Required {{sk|Electronic Warfare}} skill level
 +
|-
 +
| ECM I
 +
| 40 || 1 || 48 || 24.0 km || 27.0 km || 3.0 || 1.0 || I
 +
|-
 +
| Enduring ECM 
 +
| 40 || 1 || 38 || 24.0 km || 27.0 km || 3.3 || 1.1 || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 Racial
+
| Compact ECM 
| 26km || 29km || 3 || 1
+
| 32 || 1 || 48 || 24.0 km || 27.0 km || 3.3 || 1.1 || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 Racial 
+
| Scoped ECM
| 32km || 35km || 3.6 || 1.2
+
| 40 || 1 || 48 || 26.4 km || 29.7 km || 3.3 || 1.1 || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 Multispectrum
+
| ECM II
| 17km || 19km || 2 || 2
+
| 48 || 1 || 58 || 26.4 km || 29.7 km || 3.6 || 1.2 || IV
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 Multispectrum
+
| Multispectral ECM I
| 21km || 23km || 2.4 || 2.4
+
| 50 || 1 || 72 || 16.0 km || 18.0 km
 +
| colspan="2" | 2.0 || I
 
|}
 
|}
Required Skills:
 
  
* Electronics I
+
The first five modules in the table—Tech I, meta, and Tech II—also exist, with slightly different names, for specific targeting of Minmatar (Ladar), Gallente (Magnetometric), Amarr (Radar) and Caldari (Gravimetric) sensors. Multispectral ECM modules are likewise available in meta, Tech II, faction and storyline variants. For racially specific modules, the color of the module indicates the race that it targets. Multispectral ECM modules are white.
* Tech 1: Electronic Warfare I
 
* Tech 2: Electronic Warfare IV
 
  
Note: Using multispectrum jammers is a waste. They have way less range, use more capacitor and have less jam strength in general. If there is some time and you know the race you are going to go up against, refit the jammers towards that race. If you're not sure, fit a mix of all racial types.
+
The table above shows that multispectral ECM modules are harder to fit, use more capacitor, and have poorer range than racially specific ECM modules. As a result, Unistas are often advised to initially fit a "rainbow" of four racially specific modules, covering each of the four target races, instead of multispectral modules. ECM pilots can then carry additional modules in their cargo holds, to re-fit in station (or in space, if they also carry a Mobile Depot) and match racial types according to intel on enemy fleet compositions. To put these numbers into perspective, a low-skill Griffin pilot activating a racially matched ECM module,
 +
with a jam strength of ~6, would have a 35% chance of jamming an opposing Tech I cruiser with each cycle of that one module. Given that a Griffin is typically fit with four ECM modules, each with its own chance to jam, it is easy to imagine a freshman Unista ECM pilot wreaking havoc upon even skilled enemies.
  
 +
The [[Electronic Countermeasures]] article covers ECM mechanics in more detail, including a mathematical analysis of jamming probabilities for different scenarios.
  
=== ECM Burst ===
+
=== Burst Jammers ===
 +
[[File:Icon target max.png|left]]Burst Jammers are non-targeted, multispectral ECM modules that jam all surrounding targets within an effect radius. Burst Jammers do not distinguish between enemy, friendly, and NPC ships; all nearby targets are jammed, including fleetmates and neutral pilots. Burst Jammers have much shorter range than targeted ECM modules, but higher jam strength, making them particularly effective against close-range frigates and drones.
  
The ECM burst module will try to jam everything in a certain radius. Just as the multi spectrum jammer, it has the same jamming strength for each race.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
The biggest downside of this module is that you hit everything. Enemies, friendlies, neutrals. If you hit a neutral using this module while being in high security space (0.5 - 1.0) you will lose your ship to CONCORD.  This includes gates, stations, gate guns, etc.
+
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Burst Jammer Stats
The other 'counterpart' of the ECM burst is that it only breaks the lock. People will be able to directly lock you again afterwards.
+
|-
 
+
! width="120px" | Item
{|  
+
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
|+ ECM Burst - Optimal ranges and falloffs
+
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
! Item !! Optimal Range !! Falloff !! Jam Strength
+
! width="70px" | Activation Cost (GJ)
 +
! width="70px" | Optimal Range
 +
! width="70px" | Falloff
 +
! width="70px" | Jam strength
 +
! width="90px" | Required {{sk|Electronic Warfare}} skill level
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1
+
| Burst Jammer I
| 5km || 5km || 6
+
| 30 || 1 || 240 || 5 km || 5 km || 6.0 || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2
+
| Burst Jammer II
|| 6km || 6km || 7.2
+
| 36 || 1 || 288 || 6 km || 6 km || 7.2 || IV
 
|}
 
|}
  
Required skills:
+
Tech I Burst Jammers are also available in Compact, Enduring, and Scoped meta versions. Because they require so much capacitor, Burst Jammers can only practically be used on large ships. And, importantly, most of the ECM ships listed above have bonuses for targeted ECM but not burst jamming; only the [[Scorpion]] and [[Widow]] are bonused for Burst Jammers.
* Electronics I
 
* Tech 1: Electronic Warfare I
 
* Tech 2: Electronic Warfare IV
 
  
General rule 1: DO NOT USE IT ... unless you know how to work with it
+
'''!CAUTION!'''
  
General Rule 2: DO NOT USE IT IN HIGHSEC. Scratch a neutral object and you will die.
+
''Burst Jammers are especially dangerous to use in high-security space, because if there is anything non-engageable within the module's effect radius—including neutral ships, GATES, stations, even asteroids—CONCORD will respond by destroying your ship. USING A BURST JAMMER AT A GATE WILL CAUSE THE GATE TO DENY YOU ACCESS.''
  
=== Signal Distortion Amplifier ===
+
=== ECM Bonuses ===
 +
ECM is also unique in being the only type of EWAR with a low-slot assistance module, the Signal Distortion Amplifier. Signal distortion amplifiers are passive modules that provide a percentage increase to the jam strength and ECM range of your ECM modules.
  
The signal distortion amplifier will increase the jam strength of your ECM modules with a percentage. Using these will give you a greater chance to jam the target's ship. These are passive modules, so you don't have to click them to activate them.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 
+
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Signal Distortion Amplifier Stats
{|
+
! width="180px" | Item
|+ Signal Distortion Amplifier
+
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
! Item !! Scan strength increase
+
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
 +
! width="70px" | Scan Strength Increase
 +
! width="70px" | Range Increase
 +
! width="90px" | Required {{sk|Electronic Warfare}} skill level
 +
|-
 +
| Signal Distortion Amplifier I
 +
| 27 || 1 || 7% || 7% || III
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1
+
| Hypnos Compact Signal Distortion Amplifier I (meta)
| 16%
+
| 24 || 1 || 8% || 8% || III
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2
+
| Signal Distortion Amplifier II
| 20%
+
| 30 || 1 || 10% || 10% || IV
 
|}
 
|}
  
Required skills:
 
* Electronics I
 
* Tech 1: Electronic Warfare III
 
* Tech 2: Electronic Warfare IV
 
  
== Tracking Disruption (TD) ==
+
There are two Electronics Superiority rigs that specifically enhance ECM:
 +
* Particle Dispersion Augmentor: Increases the jam strength of a ship's ECM modules. (Tech I: 10%; Tech II: 15%)
 +
* Signal Disruption Amplifier: Reduces the activation cost (capacitor need) of ECM and Burst Jammer modules. (Tech I: -20%; Tech II: -25%)
 +
* Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)
 +
 
 +
All Electronic Superiority rigs share the same drawback, a decrease in shields. These rigs are available in all sizes (Small, Medium, Large and Capital) and in both Tech I and Tech II variants.
 +
 
 +
Skills that enhance ECM:
 +
* {{sk|Electronic Warfare}}: 5% less capacitor need for ECM and ECM Burst systems per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Signal Dispersion}}: 5% bonus to strength of all targeted ECM jammers per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Long Distance Jamming}}: 10% bonus to optimal range for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Frequency Modulation}}: 10% bonus to falloff for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
  
Tracking disruption is used to decrease the optimal range and falloff and/or the tracking speed of gunnery weapon systems. The gunnery weapons systems are: Laser, Hybrid and Projectile.
+
In addition, the Zainou 'Gypsy' Electronic Warfare EW-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of ECM and Burst Jammers by 1-6%.
Decreasing the optimal range of a weapon makes it less effective at longer range and it won't be able to hit targets at great range that it could hit perfectly before.
 
Decreasing tracking speed(turning speed of the weapons) makes it harder for the weapons to follow a moving target and hit it properly.
 
Additionally, you can use scripts for the tracking disruptors to focus on either decreasing targeting range and falloff or decreasing the tracking speed.
 
  
The Amarr race has ships that get bonuses for using tracking disruptors.
+
ECM can also assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).
The tech 1 ships that get bonuses for tracking disruption are: '''Crucifier''' and '''Arbitrator'''.
 
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
=== Countering ECM: Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) ===
|+ Tracking Disruptor (TD) - Optimal ranges and falloffs
+
ECM is directly countered by '''Sensor Boosters''', '''Remote Sensor Boosters''', and '''Signal Amplifiers'''. All of these modules provide a bonus to all four types (Gravimetric, Magnetometric, Radar and Ladar) of sensor strength, along with bonuses to targeting range and scan resolution (locking time). Sensor boosters and remote sensor boosters are active, mid-slot modules, and can be fitted with an ECCM Script that doubles the sensor strength effect at the expense of the targeting range and scan resolution effects. As their names suggest, a sensor booster affects the fitted ship, while remote sensor boosters are used to assist other ships. Signal amplifiers are passive, low-slot modules that affect the fitted ship. Signal amplifiers cannot be scripted. Ships that are frequently the target of enemy jamming, such as logistics and other EWAR ships, will often fit a sensor booster or signal amplifier to counter enemy ECM.
! Item !! Optimal Range !! Falloff  !! Optimal Range Modifier !! Falloff Modifier !! Tracking Speed Modifier
+
 
 +
There are also skills that boost the base sensor strength for each of the four ship sensor types: {{sk| Gravimetric Sensor Compensation}}, {{sk| Ladar Sensor Compensation}}, {{sk| Magnetometric Sensor Compensation}}, {{sk| Radar Sensor Compensation}}. You can train the one of these that applies to your ship to reduce the effectiveness of incoming ECM.
 +
 
 +
== Weapon Disruption ==
 +
Weapon disruption is used to interfere with the range of enemy weapons and their ability to hit moving targets. As a result, weapon disruption can allow pilots to evade being hit by weapons that might otherwise damage them. There are two types of weapon disruption:
 +
* Tracking Disruption (TD) which specifically affects the range and tracking of enemy [[turrets]]
 +
* Guidance Disruption, which affects the travel and explosion characteristics of enemy [[missiles]].
 +
These two types of weapon disruption are associated with two different modules: Tracking Disruptors and Guidance Disruptors. That means that EWAR pilots fitting weapon disruptors have to choose which type of module to fit: Do I want my modules to interfere with [[turret damage]], or [[missile damage]]? (Or should I fit some of each?)
 +
 
 +
Weapon disruption is the EWAR specialty of the Amarr. Amarr ships that are bonused for weapon disruption include:
 +
* [[Crucifier]] (Tech I frigate)
 +
* [[Crucifier Navy Issue]] (Faction frigate)
 +
* [[Sentinel]] (Electronic Attack Ship)
 +
* [[Arbitrator]] (Tech I cruiser)
 +
* [[Curse]] (Combat Recon Ship)
 +
* [[Pilgrim]] (Force Recon Ship)
 +
 
 +
Unlike ECM, and like all other types of EWAR, weapon disruption always succeeds. However, the extent of disruption is affected by the distance to the target. If the target is anywhere within the optimal range of the disruptor, the module will exert 100% of its effect on the target. Beyond optimal range, the effectiveness of disruption decreases; at (optimal + falloff), a weapon disruptor is only half as effective. The effectiveness at distance follows same formula as [[Turret]] hit chance with range.
 +
 
 +
Weapon disruption—and specifically tracking disruption—was long considered the weakest form of EWAR in fleet PvP, as most of the PvP meta was focused on missiles and drones, which tracking disruption doesn't affect. But the introduction of guidance disruptors, and a shift of the PvP meta away from droneboats, has led to a resurgence of weapon disruption in PvP. Wings of [[Crucifier]]s, in particular, have become popular components of SovNull fleets.
 +
 
 +
=== Tracking Disruptors ===
 +
[[File:Icon track disruptor 64.png|left]]Tracking disruptors are used to decrease the optimal range and falloff, and decrease the tracking speed, of [[turrets]]. Range disruption is most effective against opponents at long range, because it can keep you beyond the range of enemy guns. Tracking speed disruption, by contrast, is most effective at short range, because it makes it difficult for your opponents to hit ships moving at high transversal (and the highest transversal speeds occur at short range). Unscripted, tracking disruptors do both range disruption and tracking speed disruption. But tracking disruptors can be fitted with scripts (the Optimal Range Disruption Script and the Tracking Speed Disruption Script) that double their effectiveness in one area at the expense of the other. In general, all disruptor-fitted ships should carry as many copies of each script as they have fitted disruptors. (The scripts are very inexpensive.)
 +
 
 +
Like other EWAR modules, Tech I tracking disruptors are available in Scoped, Compact, and Enduring meta versions.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Tracking Disruptor Stats
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1  (No script)  
+
! width="230px" | Item
| 40km || 20km || -17.9% || -17.9% || -17.9%
+
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
 +
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
 +
! width="70px" | Activation Cost (GJ)
 +
! width="70px" | Optimal Range
 +
! width="70px" | Falloff
 +
! width="70px" | Range Bonus
 +
! width="70px" | Tracking Speed Bonus
 +
! width="85px" | Required {{sk|Weapon Disruption}} skill level
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 (Optimal range script)
+
| Tracking Disruptor I
| 40km || 20km || -35.8% || -35.8% || -0%
+
| 40 || 1 || 15 || 40 km || 20 km || -15.30% || -15.30% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 (Tracking script)
+
| Baker Nunn Enduring Tracking Disruptor I 
| 40km || 20km || -0% || -0% || -35.8%
+
| 40 || 1 || 12 || 40 km || 20 km || -16.24% || -16.24% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 (No script)
+
| Balmer Series Compact Tracking Disruptor I 
| 48km || 24km || -20.1% || -20.1% || -20.1%
+
| 32 || 1 || 15 || 40 km || 20 km || -16.24% || -16.24% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 (Optimal range script)
+
| DDO Scoped Tracking Disruptor I
| 48km || 24km || -40.2% || -40.2% || -0%
+
| 40 || 1 || 15 || 44 km || 22 km || -16.24% || -16.24% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 TD (Tracking script)
+
| Tracking Disruptor II
| 48km || 24km || -0% || -0% || -40.2%
+
| 48 || 1 || 18 || 48 km || 24 km || -17.19% || -17.19% || IV
 
|}
 
|}
  
Required skills:
+
All tracking disruptors have an activation (cycle) time of 10 seconds. Tracking disruptors (as well as guidance disruptors below) are the most capacitor-efficient form of EWAR, have the longest optimal range, and are just as easy or easier to fit compared to other EWAR modules.
* Electronics III
 
* Tech 1: Weapon disruption I
 
* Tech 2: Weapon disruption II
 
  
Note: Tracking disruption modules don't work against missiles, and so aren't generally useful against missile ships (e.g., the Raven).
+
The chart above shows disruption penalties like EVE's infoboxes do, as negative "bonuses". The Range Bonus numbers are simple; range disruption cuts down the range of an opponent's turrets. The Tracking Speed Bonus numbers are less intutitive, because their effects depend on the tracking characteristics of an opponent's guns. To put these numbers into perspective, an EVE University Derptron ([[Atron]]) pilot that has tackled a typically fit [[Stabber Fleet Issue]] (SFI)—an empire faction cruiser especially good against frigates—might have 10-15 seconds to live, because the SFI's guns apply most of their typical damage even at high transversal. If the Unista's [[Crucifier]] fleetmate, however, applied two scripted tracking disruptors to that SFI, it could drop the turret damage taken by the Atron to nearly zero. Tracking disruptors work poorly on drones (because drones track so well), and so that SFI's drones would still probably take down the Atron eventually. And the SFI could counter the disruption by fitting Tracking Computers or Tracking Enhancers. But it is easy to imagine how tracking disruptors might affect the outcome of a fight involving turrets.
  
== Remote Sensor Dampening (Damp) ==
+
=== Guidance Disruptors ===
 +
[[File:Icon missile guidance computer i.png|left]]Guidance disruptors reduce the range and precision of enemy [[missiles]]. Missile range disruption reduces both missile speed and flight time; by making enemy missiles fly slower, and for a shorter period of time, missile range disruption dramatically reduces missile range. In this way, missile range disruption is analogous to the optimal range disruption offered by Tracking Disruptors. Missile precision disruption, by contrast, is unique. By decreasing the explosion velocity of enemy missiles, precision disruption makes it harder for a missile's explosion to keep up with small, fast-moving targets. (It makes it easier for a small ship to speed away from the explosion.) And by increasing explosion radius, precision disruption makes the missile explosion more diffuse, decreasing the amount of damage dealt. Unlike tracking speed disruption, missile precision disruption is not affected by range or flight vector. But like tracking disruption, it does favor small, speedy ships. Unscripted, guidance disruptors affect both range and precision, but they can be fitted with scripts (either the Missile Range Disruption Script or Missile Precision Disruption Script) to double one effect at the expense of the other.
  
Sensor dampening is the counterpart of sensor boosting. The remote sensor dampener can be used to decrease the targeting range and/or the targeting speed (measured in scan resolution) of your targets ship. With this decrease the target can either lock a smaller range and/or lock slower due to the locking time decrease.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Additional you can use scripts for the remote sensor dampener to focus on either increasing targeting range or the targeting speed penalty. With the specific script loaded the other penalty is taken away.
+
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Guidance Disruptor Stats
 
 
The Gallente race has ships that get bonuses for using remote sensor dampeners
 
The tech 1 ships that get bonuses for remote sensor dampening are: '''Maulus''' and '''Celestis'''.
 
 
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|+ Remote Sensor Dampener
 
! Item !! Optimal Range !! Falloff !! Targeting Range Modifier !! Scan Range Modifier
 
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 No script
+
! width="230px" | Item
| 25km || 50km || -15.2% || -15.2%
+
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
 +
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
 +
! width="70px" | Activation Cost (GJ)
 +
! width="70px" | Optimal Range
 +
! width="70px" | Falloff
 +
! width="65px" | Missile Velocity Bonus
 +
! width="65px" | Flight Time Bonus
 +
! width="65px" | Explosion Velocity Bonus
 +
! width="65px" | Explosion Radius Bonus
 +
! width="85px" | Required {{sk|Weapon Disruption}} skill level
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 Scan resolution script
+
| Guidance Disruptor I
| 30km || 60km || -0% || 30.4%
+
| 40 || 1 || 15 || 40 km || 20 km || -8.0% || -8.0% || -8.0% || 8.0% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 Targeting range script
+
| A-211 Enduring Guidance Disruptor
| 30km || 60km || -30.4% || -0%
+
| 40 || 1 || 12 || 40 km || 20 km || -8.5% || -8.5% || -8.5% || 8.5% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 No script
+
| C-IR Compact Guidance Disruptor
| 30km || 60km || -17% || -17%
+
| 32 || 1 || 15 || 40 km || 20 km || -8.5% || -8.5% || -8.5% || 8.5% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 Scan resolution script
+
| Highstroke Scoped Guidance Disruptor
| 30km || 60km || -0% || -34%
+
| 40 || 1 || 15 || 44 km || 22 km || -8.5% || -8.5% || -8.5% || 8.5% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 Targeting range script
+
| Guidance Disruptor II
| 30km || 60km || -34% || -0%
+
| 48 || 1 || 18 || 48 km || 24 km || -9.0% || -9.0% || -9.0% || 9.0% || IV
 
|}
 
|}
  
Skill requirements:
+
Again, penalties are listed as negative bonuses. And again, even though the explosion velocity and radius effects aren't intuitive, the end result is that missiles that are intended to hit smaller targets—say, Rapid Light Missiles aimed at frigates—can be made to do no damage by applying bonused guidance disruptors at the enemy pilot.
* Electronics III
 
* Tech 1: Sensor Linking I
 
* Tech 2: sensor Linking IV
 
  
== Target Painting (TP) ==
+
=== Weapon Disruption Bonuses ===
 +
There is just one Electronics Superiority rig set that specifically enhances weapon disruption:
 +
* Tracking Diagnostic Subroutines: increases the effectiveness of weapons disruption modules. (Tech I: +5%; Tech II: +7.5%)
 +
* Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)
  
Target painting is used to increase the target's signature radius to increase the effectiveness of weapons against the target.
+
Skills and implants that enhance weapon disruption:
This module mainly comes in handy if you need a large ship to hit a smaller ship.
 
Normally, for example, a battleship has a hard time hitting a frigate or only does minimal damage. Using the target painter on the frigate will makes it much easier for the battleship to hit the frigate.  Note that the target painter will help everyone shooting at that target, not just the painting ship.
 
  
The Minmatar race has ships that get bonuses for using target painters.
+
* {{sk|Weapon Disruption}}: 5% less capacitor need for weapon disruptors per skill level.
The tech 1 ships that get bonuses for using target painters are: '''Vigil''' and '''Bellicose'''.
+
* {{sk|Weapon Destabilization}}: 5% bonus to the effectiveness of weapon disruptor modules per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Long Distance Jamming}}: 10% bonus to optimal range for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Frequency Modulation}}: 10% bonus to falloff for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
  
 +
The Zainou 'Gypsy' Weapon Disruption WD-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of weapon disruptors by 1-6%. Also the Low- and Mid-Grade Centurion implant sets provide bonuses to the optimal range of all EWAR modules.
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
Weapon disruption can also be assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).
|+ '''Target Painter'''
+
 
! Item !! Optimal Range !! Falloff !! Target Signature Increase
+
=== Countering Weapon Disruption ===
 +
Tracking Disruption is countered by Tracking Computers and Tracking Enhancers, both of which provide bonuses to turret range and tracking speed. Tracking computers are active, mid-slot modules, and can be fitted with scripts (Optimal Range Script and Tracking Speed Script) which double one bonus at the expense of the other. Tracking enhancers are passive, low-slot modules that cannot be scripted.
 +
 
 +
Guidance Disruption is countered by an analogous set of modules for missiles, Missile Guidance Computers and Missile Guidance Enhancers, which provide bonuses to missile range and precision. Similar to tracking computers, missile guidance computers are active, fitted to mid-slots, and can be scripted (with either a Missile Range Script or Missile Precision Script). Missile guidance enhancers are passive, low-slot modules, and can't be scripted.
 +
 
 +
== Remote Sensor Dampening ==
 +
[[File:Icon remote sensor dampening.png|left]]Remote sensor dampening (or "damps") is used to reduce the targeting range and scan resolution (which is related to the locking time) of an opponent's ship. Multiple range damps can be concentrated onto one target, to reduce its targeting range to nearly zero; or they can be spread across multiple attackers, to strategically create a mismatch between opponents' weapons range and targeting range. Scan resolution damps are less common, but can make it such that a battleship requires minutes to lock smaller ships. Unscripted, remote sensor dampeners apply both range damps and scan resolution damps. But sensor dampeners can be fitted with scripts (the Targeting Range Dampening Script and the Scan Resolution Dampening Script) that double their effectiveness in one area at the expense of the other. Damps pilots usually carry both.
 +
 
 +
Remote sensor dampening is the EWAR specialty of the Gallente. Gallente ships that are bonused for damps include:
 +
* [[Maulus]] (Tech I frigate)
 +
* [[Keres]] (Electronic Attack Ship)
 +
* [[Celestis]] (Tech I cruiser)
 +
* [[Lachesis]] (Combat Recon Ship)
 +
* [[Arazu]] (Force Recon Ship)
 +
 
 +
Damps and ECM are used in comparable situations—interfering with enemy logistics, sidelining an enemy fleet's most powerful ships, and countering opponents' own EWAR. But the mechanics of damps and ECM are different. Damps are guaranteed to affect the target; there is no chance-to-hit, like there is with ECM. This has led remote sensor dampening to be more popular than ECM in solo and small-gang combat, where waiting for a second chance after a failed 20-second ECM module cycle can seem like an eternity, and has made the [[Maulus]] and [[Keres]] very popular small-gang support ships. However, a damped ship can still lock at short ranges, and so damps are less effective than ECM against close-range brawlers.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Remote Sensor Dampener Stats
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1
+
! width="230px" | Item
| 25km || 50km || 25%
+
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
 +
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
 +
! width="70px" | Activation Cost (GJ)
 +
! width="70px" | Optimal Range
 +
! width="70px" | Falloff
 +
! width="75px" | Maximum Targeting Range Bonus
 +
! width="75px" | Scan Resolution Bonus
 +
! width="85px" | Required {{sk|Sensor Linking}} skill level
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2
+
| Remote Sensor Dampener I
| 30km || 60km || 30%
+
| 35 || 1 || 30 || 25.0 km || 50.0 km || -13.7% || -13.7% || I
 +
|-
 +
| LFT Enduring Sensor Dampener
 +
| 35 || 1 || 20 || 25.0 km || 50.0 km || -14.5% || -14.5% || I
 +
|-
 +
| Kapteyn Compact Sensor Dampener
 +
| 28 || 1 || 30 || 25.0 km || 50.0 km || -14.5% || -14.5% || I
 +
|-
 +
| Phased Muon Scoped Sensor Dampener
 +
| 35 || 1 || 30 || 27.5 km || 55.0 km || -14.5% || -14.5% || I
 +
|-
 +
| Remote Sensor Dampener II
 +
| 42 || 1 || 36 || 30.0 km || 60.0 km || -15.3% || -15.3% || IV
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
As the table above shows, in general, remote sensor dampeners are easier to fit (require less CPU) than other EWAR modules. However, they require much more capacitor per 10-second cycle than other forms of EWAR.
 +
 +
=== Remote Sensor Dampening Bonuses ===
 +
There is just one Electronics Superiority rig set that specifically enhances remote sensor dampening:
 +
* Inverted Signal Field Projector: increases the effectiveness of damps modules. (Tech I: +5%; Tech II: +7.5%)
 +
* Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)
 +
 +
Skills and implants that enhance remote sensor dampening:
 +
 +
* {{sk|Sensor Linking}}: 5% less capacitor need for remote sensor dampeners per skill level. <br />
 +
* {{sk|Signal Suppression}}: 5% bonus to the effectiveness of remote sensor dampening modules per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Long Distance Jamming}}: 10% bonus to optimal range for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Frequency Modulation}}: 10% bonus to falloff for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
 +
 +
The Zainou 'Gypsy' Sensor Linking SL-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of remote sensor dampeners by 1-6%. Also the Low- and Mid-Grade Centurion implant sets provide bonuses to the optimal range of all EWAR modules.
  
Required skills:
+
Damps can also be assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).
* Electronics III
 
* Tech 1: Target Painting I
 
* Tech 2: Target Painting IV
 
  
== Additional module(s) ==
+
=== Countering Remote Sensor Dampening ===
=== Sensor Booster ===
+
Like ECM, remote sensor dampening is countered by Sensor Boosters, Remote Sensor Boosters, and Signal Amplifiers. All of these modules provide a bonus to targeting range and scan resolution, along with the bonuses described above to sensor strength. Sensor boosters and remote sensor boosters—active, mid-slot modules—can be fitted with either a Targeting Range Script or a Scan Resolution Script that doubles either of those stats at the expense of the other (and also at the expense of the sensor strength effect). Signal amplifiers are passive, low-slot modules that cannot be scripted.
  
 +
== Target Painting ==
 +
[[File:Icon target painter i.png|left]]Target painting increases the signature radius of a target, making it easier for tracking turrets and missiles to hit. Target painting is especially effective against small, speedy targets that would otherwise evade turret tracking and missile and bomb explosion velocities. Target painting improves '''everyone's''' chance of hitting the targeted foe, not just the painting pilot, and so a single target painting ship can be a great complement to a fleet of damage dealers. All of this makes target painting unique, relative to the other three types of EWAR, in that it helps your friends rather than hindering your foes.
  
The Sensor booster can be used to increase the targeting range and/or the targeting speed (measured in scan resolution) of your ship. With this increase you can either lock the target at a greater range and/or lock him faster due to the locking time decrease.
+
Target painting is the EWAR specialty of the Minmatar. Minmatar ships that are bonused for target painting include:
Additional you can use scripts for the sensor booster to focus on either increasing the targeting range bonus or the targeting speed bonus. With the specific script loaded the other bonus is taken away.
+
* [[Vigil]] (Tech I frigate)
 +
* [[Hyena]] (Electronic Attack Ship)
 +
* [[Bellicose]] (Tech I cruiser)
 +
* [[Huginn]] (Combat Recon Ship)
 +
* [[Rapier]] (Force Recon Ship)
 +
:: ''Special note:'' [[Golem]] (Marauder) is a Caldari ship bonused for target painting. This is an exception to the normal 1-1 correlation between racial faction and electronic warfare type.
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Sensor Booster
+
|+ style="text-align:left; font-size:110%"| Target Painter Stats
! Item !! Targeting Range !! Scan Resolution
 
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 No script
+
! width="230px" | Item
| +25% || +25%
+
! width="40px" | CPU (tf)
|-
+
! width="70px" | Powergrid (MW)
! Tech 1 Scan resultion script
+
! width="70px" | Activation Cost (GJ)
| +0% || +50%
+
! width="70px" | Optimal Range
 +
! width="70px" | Falloff
 +
! width="75px" | Signature Radius Modifier
 +
! width="85px" | Required {{sk|Target Painting}} skill level
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 1 Targeting range script
+
| Target Painter I
| +50% || +0%
+
| 35 || 1 || 10 || 30.0 km || 75.0 km || +25.0% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 No script
+
| Parallel Enduring Target Painter
| +30% || +30%
+
| 35 || 1 || 6 || 30.0 km || 75.0 km || +27.5% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 Scan resultion script
+
| Peripheral Compact Target Painter
| +0% || +60%
+
| 28 || 1 || 10 || 30.0 km || 75.0 km || +27.5% || I
 
|-
 
|-
! Tech 2 Targeting range script
+
| Phased Scoped Target Painter
| +60% || +0%
+
| 35 || 1 || 10 || 33.0 km || 82.5 km || +27.5% || I
 +
|-
 +
| Target Painter II
 +
| 42 || 1 || 12 || 36.0 km || 90.0 km || +30.0% || IV
 
|}
 
|}
  
Skill Requirements:
+
As the chart above shows, target painters have extremely long falloff ranges. Through this falloff range, target painting becomes less effective, but it always has an effect. Target painters have a 5-second activation cycle, which is shorter than that of other EWAR modules. As a result, even though the activation cost numbers above look small, target painters require about the same amount of capacitor per time as other EWAR modules.
* Electronics II
+
 
* Tech 1: Long Range Targeting I
+
=== Target Painting Bonuses ===
* Tech 2: Long Range Targeting IV
+
There are no rigs specific to target painting. Only the one generig EWAR rig has an effect:
 +
* Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)
 +
 
 +
Skills that enhance target painting:
 +
* {{sk|Target Painting}}: 5% less capacitor need for target painters per skill level. <br />
 +
* {{sk|Signature Focusing}}: 5% bonus to the effectiveness of target painting modules per skill level. <br />
 +
* {{sk|Long Distance Jamming}}: 10% bonus to optimal range for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
 +
* {{sk|Frequency Modulation}}: 10% bonus to falloff for targeted EWAR modules per skill level.
 +
 
 +
The Zainou 'Gypsy' Target Painting TG-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of target painters by 1-6%. Also the Low- and Mid-Grade Centurion implant sets provide bonuses to the optimal range of all EWAR modules.
 +
 
 +
Target painters can also be assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).
 +
 
 +
=== Countering Target Painting ===
 +
There are no modules or rigs that decrease signature radius, so there is no direct counter to the effects of a target painter module.
 +
 
 +
== EWAR drones ==
 +
All four types of EWAR can be applied by electronic warfare drones.
 +
 
 +
Variants of the small, medium and large combat drones of each race provide that race's EWAR specialty effect instead of the usual damage effects. For example, the Gallente EWAR specialty is damps, and so three sizes of Gallente EWAR drone—the small Hobgoblin SD-300, medium-sized Hammerhead SD-600, and large Ogre SD-900—apply damps to targets.
 +
 
 +
The magnitude of each drone's effect is much smaller than that of an individual EWAR module, and stacking penalties affect sensor dampening, weapon disrupting and target painting drones. Because drones are normally used in flights of five, the end result is that a flight of EWAR drones give the effect of two-and-a-half very weakened EWAR modules: stacking penalties significantly reduce the third drone’s effect and render the fourth and fifth drones’ effects negligible, and the starting strength of the drones was low anyway.
 +
 
 +
The one exception to this pattern are ECM drones. ECM drones have weak jamming strength but, like ECM modules, they do not suffer from stacking penalties. Though the chance of any one drone successfully jamming a target is low, the chance of one of five drones getting lucky is rather higher. ECM drones therefore find small-scale PvP uses in situations in which one broken target lock can change a battle, e.g. breaking the damage ramp-up on a Triglavian [[Turrets#Precursor turrets|entropic disintegrator]] or briefly breaking hostile tackle so a ship can escape. As with other ECM, the downside to this tactic is that it is chance-based, and an unlucky pilot might find that their drones operate for a whole fight without jamming the enemy.
  
== How to use EWAR ==
+
== EWAR Tactics ==
 +
EWAR is an important element of fleet combat, and Unista EWAR pilots are nearly always welcome in UNI fleets, even if EWAR isn't explicitly called for in the fleet announcement. Make sure you check the announcement, or check with the FC, to find out whether one particular type of EWAR is preferred or excluded in the fleet. In most cases, Unista EWAR pilots will be expected to fly a Tech I EWAR frigate (a [[Griffin]], [[Maulus]], [[Crucifier]] or [[Vigil]]) or Tech I EWAR cruiser ([[Blackbird]], [[Celestis]], [[Arbitrator]] or [[Bellicose]]). If you are flying Caldari or Amarr, you may want to fit a "rainbow" of EWAR types—different racial ECM modules, or a mix of tracking and guidance disruptors—and also carry copies of all necessary scripts.
  
Now the basics of Electronic warfare use:
+
EWAR ships have much greater locking and optimal/falloff ranges than damage dealers, and are more fragile as well. As a result, EWAR pilots often operate independently from the rest of the fleet. They focus on different targets, at different ranges, and often have to warp in and out of combat to avoid being targeted, maybe even multiple times during an engagement. EWAR is a great role for Unistas just getting started with fleet combat, but there are some things you need to know in order to fly EWAR successfully.
  
'''If the target is in range:'''
+
* Don't warp into battle with the main fleet. The FC will likely warp the fleet into an engagement at the optimal range of the fleet's damage dealers, which is too close for you. In addition, if the opposing fleet sees EWAR targets at close range, they will target the EWAR and eliminate it right away. Either set yourself exempt from fleet warps using the Fleet window menu, or cancel the initial fleet warp when it starts. (Your FC may express a preference for which of these you do. If you are in a dedicated EWAR squad, that may also affect how you handle things.) Wait for everyone else to warp away. Then, once the battle has started, warp yourself to one of your fleetmates at the appropriate distance.
* 1. Turn Sensor Booster on (If you have one. If you are in a gatecamp, this should be on already).
+
* Know your modules' optimal range, and stay near that range. It's common for EWAR ships to have longer range than the damage dealers they fly with. As a result, don't stay close to the rest of your fleet. Stay at your own optimal range, far from the action.
* 2. Lock target.
+
* Keep moving, laterally, all the time. EWAR ships have small signature radii, so they are tough to hit with turrets, as long as the ships are in motion. A stationary target, on the other hand, has no transversal and is easy to hit. Stay in motion. Also, try to keep your microwarpdrive (MWD) off as much as you can; your MWD increases your signature radius dramatically, and makes you easier to hit.
* This step depends on the FC's orders and your location.
+
* Choose your own targets. If you are using target painters, then focus on the same primary target that your FC has called, in order to maximize your fleet's applied damage. But otherwise—if you are using ECM, weapon disruption or damps—it makes no sense to apply EWAR to the fleet's primary target, because the primary will hopefully be destroyed soon. Instead, ignore the FC's instructions to the rest of the fleet, and choose a target that is most appropriate to your EWAR type. For ECM pilots, EWAR works well against opposing EWAR, logistics, and high-damage offensive ships. Damps work well on many of those same targets, and are especially effective against ranged (kiting) damage dealers. Weapons disruptors should be focused on ships with appropriate weapons systems: guidance disruptors on missile ships, tracking disruptors on turret ships. In all of these cases, try to focus on the enemy ships that you think will make the greatest impact on the battle, and use your EWAR to disable them. All this means that flying EWAR requires some familiarity with the ships of EVE and the kinds of weapons they typically fit. You may want to have the UniWiki's [[Ship type quick reference|ship reference guide]] open while you fly, or print out one of the reference cards linked at that site, to help with this.
* 3a. If your orders are to orbit a gate, keep orbiting. If you get targeted you can jump through. (Unless you activated an Ewar module on someone or want to die a "Hero's" death.)
+
* Keep your eye on the battlefield, and especially on enemy drones and interceptors. Once your EWAR takes effect, your opponents will try to take you out—not just because they want to stop the EWAR, but also because they know that EWAR ships are typically the weakest ships on the field. Even if you are keeping your distance, your opponents may still try to catch you by sending drones or an interceptor towards you. If this happens, run away! If you are tackled, or surrounded by a cloud of combat drones, you won't survive for long.
* 3b. If you are at your optimal range, align to a planet. If you are targeted you can warp away and warp back in. (Unless you want to die a "Hero's" death.)
+
* Try to stay aligned to a celestial, so you can warp out at the first sign of trouble. The easiest way to evade combat is to warp out, and then warp back in again. Unfortunately, EWAR ships aren't so nimble, and they are slow to align and accelerate to warp speed. You can increase your chances of being able to warp away from combat by always flying aligned to a planet, Customs Office, or some other celestial you find on the PodSaver tab of your Overview. Then, if you need to warp away, you can always warp back in to one of your fleetmates at range. If you are lucky, that interceptor pilot might think you've gone for good, and forget to re-target you once you've returned.
* 4. Turn the Electronic warfare module on the to you designated target. ECM, TD and damps should be spread out on the opponents. TP's should all be on the primary. (the designated targets should match the EW modules you have equipped.... so don't put a TD on a missile boat Wink .... And it might be a good thing to open up a separate chat channel for all the EW people... to keep everything well spread)
+
* Spread out! If there is more than one EWAR pilot in your fleet, try not to stay together. It will be much harder for your opponents to target all of the EWAR in your fleet if you are far away from each other.
* 5. If the hit on the designated target is successful, put a second electronic warfare module (if you have it) on the another target in the opponents fleet.
+
* Create bookmarks as you fly. If you aren't overwhelmed by all of this, create bookmarks at the edge of combat. You can use these bookmarks as different warp-ins when you return to the battle. Just make sure not to warp back to the same place you warped out of—that interceptor you were running away from might still be there.
* 6. There is no 6, Let's jam it.
 
* 7. If you 'miss' a cycle (this is mainly for ECM) be ready to warp away if you get targeted.
 
  
 +
== See also ==
 +
* [[Capacitor warfare]]
  
'''If the target is outside range there are two possibilities:'''
+
{{EWAR Links}}
* 1a. You messed up. You are in the wrong place.
 
* 1b. The target warped to a bookmark where only the longest-range electronic warfare can reach.
 
  
'''Note: Remember, always be either aligned to a celestial (preferably a planet) to warp to or be in range of a gate to jump through.
+
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
'''
+
[[Category:Weapons]]

Latest revision as of 10:45, 9 December 2023

E-UNI Emblem.png EVE University offers
a class on:

Electronic warfare (EWAR) decreases the enemy's effectiveness in battle using electronics-based modules. It is often categorized as a "force multiplier" because, without actually dealing any direct damage, EWAR can make a fleet several times more dangerous than it otherwise would be.

There are four basic kinds of electronic warfare:

  • Electronic Counter Measures (ECM, or "jams")
  • Weapon disruption (Tracking and Guidance Disruption)
  • Remote Sensor Dampening ("damps")
  • Target Painting

Each of the four player races specializes in one of these types of EWAR, and has ships specially bonused to that EWAR type. All four of these types of EWAR are generated by mid-slot modules with similar (but not identical) fitting and capacitor requirements.

Additional forms of electronic warfare are tackling modules to hold the enemy in place, and capacitor warfare modules to drain or steal capacitor.

Visual effects for the different types of EWAR are shown on the Identifying Visual Effects page.

Electronic Countermeasures (ECM)

Main article: Electronic Countermeasures
Icon ecm gravimetric.png

ECM causes the targeted ship to lose all of its current target locks, with the exception of the jammer (often called 'jamming' the targeted ship). The jammed ship loses the ability to target anything that is not currently jamming it, for the duration of the ECM module's cycle (20 seconds), and can only re-acquire its targets after the ECM module fails to jam its target or stops cycling. ECM is often considered the most powerful of the four types of EWAR, because it renders an opponent virtually helpless, disabling their interactions with other ships and with their environment.

However, there is an important, unique downside to ECM: the success of each ECM module cycle is a matter of chance, with a probability that depends on the jam strength of the ECM module and the sensor strength of the target (with larger targets generally harder to jam than smaller ones). That probability is also affected by the distance to the target; the jamming strength of ECM modules is not reducecd in their optimal range, but the strength decreases through falloff with same formula as turret falloff, such that ECM is only half as likely to work at (optimal + falloff). Taken together, all this means that sometimes you will jam the opposing ship, and sometimes you won't, and each cycle of your ECM modules is like a roll of the dice.

The probability to jam a target with single jammer is:

[math] \displaystyle\text{Chance to jam} = \frac{ \text{ECM strength} }{ \text{Sensor strength} } [/math]

However with multiple jams, each possibly with different jam strength, the probability becomes a binomial distribution. See the wikipedia article to refresh your memory on how it is calculated.

ECM is the EWAR specialty of the Caldari race. A number of Caldari ships are bonused for ECM:

In addition, the Tengu (the Caldari Tech III cruiser) can be fit with subsystems that give it bonuses to ECM, but these subsystems are rarely used. The Caldari have some of the only EWAR-bonused battleships (the Scorpion and Widow). Because of the low base strength of ECM modules, the bonuses from these Caldari ships are necessary, in practice, to get any useful effect from ECM. Fitting an ECM module to any other ship is a waste of a slot.

ECM modules can be racially specific—excellent at jamming one target race's sensor type, but poor against the other three—or they can be "multispectral", equally mediocre at jamming all four races' sensors. Tech I ECM modules—in fact, Tech I EWAR modules of all four kinds—are available in meta versions with improved range ("Scoped"), CPU fitting ("Compact"), or capacitor usage ("Enduring"). All of these variations means that there are very many Tech I modules that accomplish targeted ECM, and even more Tech II, faction and storyline variants. To illustrate the differences between the most common modules, the table below compares Tech I and II ECM modules that target Amarr (Radar) ships:

Targeted ECM Module Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Activation Cost (GJ) Optimal Range Falloff Racial jam strength Off-race jam strength Required Electronic Warfare skill level
ECM I 40 1 48 24.0 km 27.0 km 3.0 1.0 I
Enduring ECM 40 1 38 24.0 km 27.0 km 3.3 1.1 I
Compact ECM 32 1 48 24.0 km 27.0 km 3.3 1.1 I
Scoped ECM 40 1 48 26.4 km 29.7 km 3.3 1.1 I
ECM II 48 1 58 26.4 km 29.7 km 3.6 1.2 IV
Multispectral ECM I 50 1 72 16.0 km 18.0 km 2.0 I

The first five modules in the table—Tech I, meta, and Tech II—also exist, with slightly different names, for specific targeting of Minmatar (Ladar), Gallente (Magnetometric), Amarr (Radar) and Caldari (Gravimetric) sensors. Multispectral ECM modules are likewise available in meta, Tech II, faction and storyline variants. For racially specific modules, the color of the module indicates the race that it targets. Multispectral ECM modules are white.

The table above shows that multispectral ECM modules are harder to fit, use more capacitor, and have poorer range than racially specific ECM modules. As a result, Unistas are often advised to initially fit a "rainbow" of four racially specific modules, covering each of the four target races, instead of multispectral modules. ECM pilots can then carry additional modules in their cargo holds, to re-fit in station (or in space, if they also carry a Mobile Depot) and match racial types according to intel on enemy fleet compositions. To put these numbers into perspective, a low-skill Griffin pilot activating a racially matched ECM module, with a jam strength of ~6, would have a 35% chance of jamming an opposing Tech I cruiser with each cycle of that one module. Given that a Griffin is typically fit with four ECM modules, each with its own chance to jam, it is easy to imagine a freshman Unista ECM pilot wreaking havoc upon even skilled enemies.

The Electronic Countermeasures article covers ECM mechanics in more detail, including a mathematical analysis of jamming probabilities for different scenarios.

Burst Jammers

Icon target max.png

Burst Jammers are non-targeted, multispectral ECM modules that jam all surrounding targets within an effect radius. Burst Jammers do not distinguish between enemy, friendly, and NPC ships; all nearby targets are jammed, including fleetmates and neutral pilots. Burst Jammers have much shorter range than targeted ECM modules, but higher jam strength, making them particularly effective against close-range frigates and drones.

Burst Jammer Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Activation Cost (GJ) Optimal Range Falloff Jam strength Required Electronic Warfare skill level
Burst Jammer I 30 1 240 5 km 5 km 6.0 I
Burst Jammer II 36 1 288 6 km 6 km 7.2 IV

Tech I Burst Jammers are also available in Compact, Enduring, and Scoped meta versions. Because they require so much capacitor, Burst Jammers can only practically be used on large ships. And, importantly, most of the ECM ships listed above have bonuses for targeted ECM but not burst jamming; only the Scorpion and Widow are bonused for Burst Jammers.

!CAUTION!

Burst Jammers are especially dangerous to use in high-security space, because if there is anything non-engageable within the module's effect radius—including neutral ships, GATES, stations, even asteroids—CONCORD will respond by destroying your ship. USING A BURST JAMMER AT A GATE WILL CAUSE THE GATE TO DENY YOU ACCESS.

ECM Bonuses

ECM is also unique in being the only type of EWAR with a low-slot assistance module, the Signal Distortion Amplifier. Signal distortion amplifiers are passive modules that provide a percentage increase to the jam strength and ECM range of your ECM modules.

Signal Distortion Amplifier Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Scan Strength Increase Range Increase Required Electronic Warfare skill level
Signal Distortion Amplifier I 27 1 7% 7% III
Hypnos Compact Signal Distortion Amplifier I (meta) 24 1 8% 8% III
Signal Distortion Amplifier II 30 1 10% 10% IV


There are two Electronics Superiority rigs that specifically enhance ECM:

  • Particle Dispersion Augmentor: Increases the jam strength of a ship's ECM modules. (Tech I: 10%; Tech II: 15%)
  • Signal Disruption Amplifier: Reduces the activation cost (capacitor need) of ECM and Burst Jammer modules. (Tech I: -20%; Tech II: -25%)
  • Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)

All Electronic Superiority rigs share the same drawback, a decrease in shields. These rigs are available in all sizes (Small, Medium, Large and Capital) and in both Tech I and Tech II variants.

Skills that enhance ECM:

In addition, the Zainou 'Gypsy' Electronic Warfare EW-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of ECM and Burst Jammers by 1-6%.

ECM can also assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).

Countering ECM: Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM)

ECM is directly countered by Sensor Boosters, Remote Sensor Boosters, and Signal Amplifiers. All of these modules provide a bonus to all four types (Gravimetric, Magnetometric, Radar and Ladar) of sensor strength, along with bonuses to targeting range and scan resolution (locking time). Sensor boosters and remote sensor boosters are active, mid-slot modules, and can be fitted with an ECCM Script that doubles the sensor strength effect at the expense of the targeting range and scan resolution effects. As their names suggest, a sensor booster affects the fitted ship, while remote sensor boosters are used to assist other ships. Signal amplifiers are passive, low-slot modules that affect the fitted ship. Signal amplifiers cannot be scripted. Ships that are frequently the target of enemy jamming, such as logistics and other EWAR ships, will often fit a sensor booster or signal amplifier to counter enemy ECM.

There are also skills that boost the base sensor strength for each of the four ship sensor types: Gravimetric Sensor Compensation, Ladar Sensor Compensation, Magnetometric Sensor Compensation, Radar Sensor Compensation. You can train the one of these that applies to your ship to reduce the effectiveness of incoming ECM.

Weapon Disruption

Weapon disruption is used to interfere with the range of enemy weapons and their ability to hit moving targets. As a result, weapon disruption can allow pilots to evade being hit by weapons that might otherwise damage them. There are two types of weapon disruption:

  • Tracking Disruption (TD) which specifically affects the range and tracking of enemy turrets
  • Guidance Disruption, which affects the travel and explosion characteristics of enemy missiles.

These two types of weapon disruption are associated with two different modules: Tracking Disruptors and Guidance Disruptors. That means that EWAR pilots fitting weapon disruptors have to choose which type of module to fit: Do I want my modules to interfere with turret damage, or missile damage? (Or should I fit some of each?)

Weapon disruption is the EWAR specialty of the Amarr. Amarr ships that are bonused for weapon disruption include:

Unlike ECM, and like all other types of EWAR, weapon disruption always succeeds. However, the extent of disruption is affected by the distance to the target. If the target is anywhere within the optimal range of the disruptor, the module will exert 100% of its effect on the target. Beyond optimal range, the effectiveness of disruption decreases; at (optimal + falloff), a weapon disruptor is only half as effective. The effectiveness at distance follows same formula as Turret hit chance with range.

Weapon disruption—and specifically tracking disruption—was long considered the weakest form of EWAR in fleet PvP, as most of the PvP meta was focused on missiles and drones, which tracking disruption doesn't affect. But the introduction of guidance disruptors, and a shift of the PvP meta away from droneboats, has led to a resurgence of weapon disruption in PvP. Wings of Crucifiers, in particular, have become popular components of SovNull fleets.

Tracking Disruptors

Icon track disruptor 64.png

Tracking disruptors are used to decrease the optimal range and falloff, and decrease the tracking speed, of turrets. Range disruption is most effective against opponents at long range, because it can keep you beyond the range of enemy guns. Tracking speed disruption, by contrast, is most effective at short range, because it makes it difficult for your opponents to hit ships moving at high transversal (and the highest transversal speeds occur at short range). Unscripted, tracking disruptors do both range disruption and tracking speed disruption. But tracking disruptors can be fitted with scripts (the Optimal Range Disruption Script and the Tracking Speed Disruption Script) that double their effectiveness in one area at the expense of the other. In general, all disruptor-fitted ships should carry as many copies of each script as they have fitted disruptors. (The scripts are very inexpensive.)

Like other EWAR modules, Tech I tracking disruptors are available in Scoped, Compact, and Enduring meta versions.

Tracking Disruptor Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Activation Cost (GJ) Optimal Range Falloff Range Bonus Tracking Speed Bonus Required Weapon Disruption skill level
Tracking Disruptor I 40 1 15 40 km 20 km -15.30% -15.30% I
Baker Nunn Enduring Tracking Disruptor I 40 1 12 40 km 20 km -16.24% -16.24% I
Balmer Series Compact Tracking Disruptor I 32 1 15 40 km 20 km -16.24% -16.24% I
DDO Scoped Tracking Disruptor I 40 1 15 44 km 22 km -16.24% -16.24% I
Tracking Disruptor II 48 1 18 48 km 24 km -17.19% -17.19% IV

All tracking disruptors have an activation (cycle) time of 10 seconds. Tracking disruptors (as well as guidance disruptors below) are the most capacitor-efficient form of EWAR, have the longest optimal range, and are just as easy or easier to fit compared to other EWAR modules.

The chart above shows disruption penalties like EVE's infoboxes do, as negative "bonuses". The Range Bonus numbers are simple; range disruption cuts down the range of an opponent's turrets. The Tracking Speed Bonus numbers are less intutitive, because their effects depend on the tracking characteristics of an opponent's guns. To put these numbers into perspective, an EVE University Derptron (Atron) pilot that has tackled a typically fit Stabber Fleet Issue (SFI)—an empire faction cruiser especially good against frigates—might have 10-15 seconds to live, because the SFI's guns apply most of their typical damage even at high transversal. If the Unista's Crucifier fleetmate, however, applied two scripted tracking disruptors to that SFI, it could drop the turret damage taken by the Atron to nearly zero. Tracking disruptors work poorly on drones (because drones track so well), and so that SFI's drones would still probably take down the Atron eventually. And the SFI could counter the disruption by fitting Tracking Computers or Tracking Enhancers. But it is easy to imagine how tracking disruptors might affect the outcome of a fight involving turrets.

Guidance Disruptors

Icon missile guidance computer i.png

Guidance disruptors reduce the range and precision of enemy missiles. Missile range disruption reduces both missile speed and flight time; by making enemy missiles fly slower, and for a shorter period of time, missile range disruption dramatically reduces missile range. In this way, missile range disruption is analogous to the optimal range disruption offered by Tracking Disruptors. Missile precision disruption, by contrast, is unique. By decreasing the explosion velocity of enemy missiles, precision disruption makes it harder for a missile's explosion to keep up with small, fast-moving targets. (It makes it easier for a small ship to speed away from the explosion.) And by increasing explosion radius, precision disruption makes the missile explosion more diffuse, decreasing the amount of damage dealt. Unlike tracking speed disruption, missile precision disruption is not affected by range or flight vector. But like tracking disruption, it does favor small, speedy ships. Unscripted, guidance disruptors affect both range and precision, but they can be fitted with scripts (either the Missile Range Disruption Script or Missile Precision Disruption Script) to double one effect at the expense of the other.

Guidance Disruptor Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Activation Cost (GJ) Optimal Range Falloff Missile Velocity Bonus Flight Time Bonus Explosion Velocity Bonus Explosion Radius Bonus Required Weapon Disruption skill level
Guidance Disruptor I 40 1 15 40 km 20 km -8.0% -8.0% -8.0% 8.0% I
A-211 Enduring Guidance Disruptor 40 1 12 40 km 20 km -8.5% -8.5% -8.5% 8.5% I
C-IR Compact Guidance Disruptor 32 1 15 40 km 20 km -8.5% -8.5% -8.5% 8.5% I
Highstroke Scoped Guidance Disruptor 40 1 15 44 km 22 km -8.5% -8.5% -8.5% 8.5% I
Guidance Disruptor II 48 1 18 48 km 24 km -9.0% -9.0% -9.0% 9.0% IV

Again, penalties are listed as negative bonuses. And again, even though the explosion velocity and radius effects aren't intuitive, the end result is that missiles that are intended to hit smaller targets—say, Rapid Light Missiles aimed at frigates—can be made to do no damage by applying bonused guidance disruptors at the enemy pilot.

Weapon Disruption Bonuses

There is just one Electronics Superiority rig set that specifically enhances weapon disruption:

  • Tracking Diagnostic Subroutines: increases the effectiveness of weapons disruption modules. (Tech I: +5%; Tech II: +7.5%)
  • Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)

Skills and implants that enhance weapon disruption:

The Zainou 'Gypsy' Weapon Disruption WD-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of weapon disruptors by 1-6%. Also the Low- and Mid-Grade Centurion implant sets provide bonuses to the optimal range of all EWAR modules.

Weapon disruption can also be assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).

Countering Weapon Disruption

Tracking Disruption is countered by Tracking Computers and Tracking Enhancers, both of which provide bonuses to turret range and tracking speed. Tracking computers are active, mid-slot modules, and can be fitted with scripts (Optimal Range Script and Tracking Speed Script) which double one bonus at the expense of the other. Tracking enhancers are passive, low-slot modules that cannot be scripted.

Guidance Disruption is countered by an analogous set of modules for missiles, Missile Guidance Computers and Missile Guidance Enhancers, which provide bonuses to missile range and precision. Similar to tracking computers, missile guidance computers are active, fitted to mid-slots, and can be scripted (with either a Missile Range Script or Missile Precision Script). Missile guidance enhancers are passive, low-slot modules, and can't be scripted.

Remote Sensor Dampening

Icon remote sensor dampening.png

Remote sensor dampening (or "damps") is used to reduce the targeting range and scan resolution (which is related to the locking time) of an opponent's ship. Multiple range damps can be concentrated onto one target, to reduce its targeting range to nearly zero; or they can be spread across multiple attackers, to strategically create a mismatch between opponents' weapons range and targeting range. Scan resolution damps are less common, but can make it such that a battleship requires minutes to lock smaller ships. Unscripted, remote sensor dampeners apply both range damps and scan resolution damps. But sensor dampeners can be fitted with scripts (the Targeting Range Dampening Script and the Scan Resolution Dampening Script) that double their effectiveness in one area at the expense of the other. Damps pilots usually carry both.

Remote sensor dampening is the EWAR specialty of the Gallente. Gallente ships that are bonused for damps include:

Damps and ECM are used in comparable situations—interfering with enemy logistics, sidelining an enemy fleet's most powerful ships, and countering opponents' own EWAR. But the mechanics of damps and ECM are different. Damps are guaranteed to affect the target; there is no chance-to-hit, like there is with ECM. This has led remote sensor dampening to be more popular than ECM in solo and small-gang combat, where waiting for a second chance after a failed 20-second ECM module cycle can seem like an eternity, and has made the Maulus and Keres very popular small-gang support ships. However, a damped ship can still lock at short ranges, and so damps are less effective than ECM against close-range brawlers.

Remote Sensor Dampener Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Activation Cost (GJ) Optimal Range Falloff Maximum Targeting Range Bonus Scan Resolution Bonus Required Sensor Linking skill level
Remote Sensor Dampener I 35 1 30 25.0 km 50.0 km -13.7% -13.7% I
LFT Enduring Sensor Dampener 35 1 20 25.0 km 50.0 km -14.5% -14.5% I
Kapteyn Compact Sensor Dampener 28 1 30 25.0 km 50.0 km -14.5% -14.5% I
Phased Muon Scoped Sensor Dampener 35 1 30 27.5 km 55.0 km -14.5% -14.5% I
Remote Sensor Dampener II 42 1 36 30.0 km 60.0 km -15.3% -15.3% IV

As the table above shows, in general, remote sensor dampeners are easier to fit (require less CPU) than other EWAR modules. However, they require much more capacitor per 10-second cycle than other forms of EWAR.

Remote Sensor Dampening Bonuses

There is just one Electronics Superiority rig set that specifically enhances remote sensor dampening:

  • Inverted Signal Field Projector: increases the effectiveness of damps modules. (Tech I: +5%; Tech II: +7.5%)
  • Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)

Skills and implants that enhance remote sensor dampening:

The Zainou 'Gypsy' Sensor Linking SL-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of remote sensor dampeners by 1-6%. Also the Low- and Mid-Grade Centurion implant sets provide bonuses to the optimal range of all EWAR modules.

Damps can also be assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).

Countering Remote Sensor Dampening

Like ECM, remote sensor dampening is countered by Sensor Boosters, Remote Sensor Boosters, and Signal Amplifiers. All of these modules provide a bonus to targeting range and scan resolution, along with the bonuses described above to sensor strength. Sensor boosters and remote sensor boosters—active, mid-slot modules—can be fitted with either a Targeting Range Script or a Scan Resolution Script that doubles either of those stats at the expense of the other (and also at the expense of the sensor strength effect). Signal amplifiers are passive, low-slot modules that cannot be scripted.

Target Painting

Icon target painter i.png

Target painting increases the signature radius of a target, making it easier for tracking turrets and missiles to hit. Target painting is especially effective against small, speedy targets that would otherwise evade turret tracking and missile and bomb explosion velocities. Target painting improves everyone's chance of hitting the targeted foe, not just the painting pilot, and so a single target painting ship can be a great complement to a fleet of damage dealers. All of this makes target painting unique, relative to the other three types of EWAR, in that it helps your friends rather than hindering your foes.

Target painting is the EWAR specialty of the Minmatar. Minmatar ships that are bonused for target painting include:

Special note: Golem (Marauder) is a Caldari ship bonused for target painting. This is an exception to the normal 1-1 correlation between racial faction and electronic warfare type.
Target Painter Stats
Item CPU (tf) Powergrid (MW) Activation Cost (GJ) Optimal Range Falloff Signature Radius Modifier Required Target Painting skill level
Target Painter I 35 1 10 30.0 km 75.0 km +25.0% I
Parallel Enduring Target Painter 35 1 6 30.0 km 75.0 km +27.5% I
Peripheral Compact Target Painter 28 1 10 30.0 km 75.0 km +27.5% I
Phased Scoped Target Painter 35 1 10 33.0 km 82.5 km +27.5% I
Target Painter II 42 1 12 36.0 km 90.0 km +30.0% IV

As the chart above shows, target painters have extremely long falloff ranges. Through this falloff range, target painting becomes less effective, but it always has an effect. Target painters have a 5-second activation cycle, which is shorter than that of other EWAR modules. As a result, even though the activation cost numbers above look small, target painters require about the same amount of capacitor per time as other EWAR modules.

Target Painting Bonuses

There are no rigs specific to target painting. Only the one generig EWAR rig has an effect:

  • Particle Dispersion Projector rigs: increases the optimal range of all targeted EWAR modules. (Tech I: 20%; Tech II: 25%)

Skills that enhance target painting:

The Zainou 'Gypsy' Target Painting TG-901/906 implant series reduces the activation cost of target painters by 1-6%. Also the Low- and Mid-Grade Centurion implant sets provide bonuses to the optimal range of all EWAR modules.

Target painters can also be assisted by a fleet booster with the Information Command Burst - Electronic Superiority Charge (increases EWAR range and strength).

Countering Target Painting

There are no modules or rigs that decrease signature radius, so there is no direct counter to the effects of a target painter module.

EWAR drones

All four types of EWAR can be applied by electronic warfare drones.

Variants of the small, medium and large combat drones of each race provide that race's EWAR specialty effect instead of the usual damage effects. For example, the Gallente EWAR specialty is damps, and so three sizes of Gallente EWAR drone—the small Hobgoblin SD-300, medium-sized Hammerhead SD-600, and large Ogre SD-900—apply damps to targets.

The magnitude of each drone's effect is much smaller than that of an individual EWAR module, and stacking penalties affect sensor dampening, weapon disrupting and target painting drones. Because drones are normally used in flights of five, the end result is that a flight of EWAR drones give the effect of two-and-a-half very weakened EWAR modules: stacking penalties significantly reduce the third drone’s effect and render the fourth and fifth drones’ effects negligible, and the starting strength of the drones was low anyway.

The one exception to this pattern are ECM drones. ECM drones have weak jamming strength but, like ECM modules, they do not suffer from stacking penalties. Though the chance of any one drone successfully jamming a target is low, the chance of one of five drones getting lucky is rather higher. ECM drones therefore find small-scale PvP uses in situations in which one broken target lock can change a battle, e.g. breaking the damage ramp-up on a Triglavian entropic disintegrator or briefly breaking hostile tackle so a ship can escape. As with other ECM, the downside to this tactic is that it is chance-based, and an unlucky pilot might find that their drones operate for a whole fight without jamming the enemy.

EWAR Tactics

EWAR is an important element of fleet combat, and Unista EWAR pilots are nearly always welcome in UNI fleets, even if EWAR isn't explicitly called for in the fleet announcement. Make sure you check the announcement, or check with the FC, to find out whether one particular type of EWAR is preferred or excluded in the fleet. In most cases, Unista EWAR pilots will be expected to fly a Tech I EWAR frigate (a Griffin, Maulus, Crucifier or Vigil) or Tech I EWAR cruiser (Blackbird, Celestis, Arbitrator or Bellicose). If you are flying Caldari or Amarr, you may want to fit a "rainbow" of EWAR types—different racial ECM modules, or a mix of tracking and guidance disruptors—and also carry copies of all necessary scripts.

EWAR ships have much greater locking and optimal/falloff ranges than damage dealers, and are more fragile as well. As a result, EWAR pilots often operate independently from the rest of the fleet. They focus on different targets, at different ranges, and often have to warp in and out of combat to avoid being targeted, maybe even multiple times during an engagement. EWAR is a great role for Unistas just getting started with fleet combat, but there are some things you need to know in order to fly EWAR successfully.

  • Don't warp into battle with the main fleet. The FC will likely warp the fleet into an engagement at the optimal range of the fleet's damage dealers, which is too close for you. In addition, if the opposing fleet sees EWAR targets at close range, they will target the EWAR and eliminate it right away. Either set yourself exempt from fleet warps using the Fleet window menu, or cancel the initial fleet warp when it starts. (Your FC may express a preference for which of these you do. If you are in a dedicated EWAR squad, that may also affect how you handle things.) Wait for everyone else to warp away. Then, once the battle has started, warp yourself to one of your fleetmates at the appropriate distance.
  • Know your modules' optimal range, and stay near that range. It's common for EWAR ships to have longer range than the damage dealers they fly with. As a result, don't stay close to the rest of your fleet. Stay at your own optimal range, far from the action.
  • Keep moving, laterally, all the time. EWAR ships have small signature radii, so they are tough to hit with turrets, as long as the ships are in motion. A stationary target, on the other hand, has no transversal and is easy to hit. Stay in motion. Also, try to keep your microwarpdrive (MWD) off as much as you can; your MWD increases your signature radius dramatically, and makes you easier to hit.
  • Choose your own targets. If you are using target painters, then focus on the same primary target that your FC has called, in order to maximize your fleet's applied damage. But otherwise—if you are using ECM, weapon disruption or damps—it makes no sense to apply EWAR to the fleet's primary target, because the primary will hopefully be destroyed soon. Instead, ignore the FC's instructions to the rest of the fleet, and choose a target that is most appropriate to your EWAR type. For ECM pilots, EWAR works well against opposing EWAR, logistics, and high-damage offensive ships. Damps work well on many of those same targets, and are especially effective against ranged (kiting) damage dealers. Weapons disruptors should be focused on ships with appropriate weapons systems: guidance disruptors on missile ships, tracking disruptors on turret ships. In all of these cases, try to focus on the enemy ships that you think will make the greatest impact on the battle, and use your EWAR to disable them. All this means that flying EWAR requires some familiarity with the ships of EVE and the kinds of weapons they typically fit. You may want to have the UniWiki's ship reference guide open while you fly, or print out one of the reference cards linked at that site, to help with this.
  • Keep your eye on the battlefield, and especially on enemy drones and interceptors. Once your EWAR takes effect, your opponents will try to take you out—not just because they want to stop the EWAR, but also because they know that EWAR ships are typically the weakest ships on the field. Even if you are keeping your distance, your opponents may still try to catch you by sending drones or an interceptor towards you. If this happens, run away! If you are tackled, or surrounded by a cloud of combat drones, you won't survive for long.
  • Try to stay aligned to a celestial, so you can warp out at the first sign of trouble. The easiest way to evade combat is to warp out, and then warp back in again. Unfortunately, EWAR ships aren't so nimble, and they are slow to align and accelerate to warp speed. You can increase your chances of being able to warp away from combat by always flying aligned to a planet, Customs Office, or some other celestial you find on the PodSaver tab of your Overview. Then, if you need to warp away, you can always warp back in to one of your fleetmates at range. If you are lucky, that interceptor pilot might think you've gone for good, and forget to re-target you once you've returned.
  • Spread out! If there is more than one EWAR pilot in your fleet, try not to stay together. It will be much harder for your opponents to target all of the EWAR in your fleet if you are far away from each other.
  • Create bookmarks as you fly. If you aren't overwhelmed by all of this, create bookmarks at the edge of combat. You can use these bookmarks as different warp-ins when you return to the battle. Just make sure not to warp back to the same place you warped out of—that interceptor you were running away from might still be there.

See also