Difference between revisions of "Covert Ops"

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{{Update|Covert Ops Fitting section needs rework. See Discussion}}
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{{Hatnote|See [[Stealth Bombers]] for the other stealthy frigate class.}}
  
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The '''Covert Ops''' class is split into two sub classes of scanning and hacking oriented covert ops frigates and combat oriented stealth bombers. Both of them have the ability to use covert ops cloaking device and warp while [[cloaking|cloaked]], ability to use the covert cynosural field generators and the ability to take covert jump bridges.
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Covert Ops ships are small, fast-warping, lightly armed and armored frigates with bonuses to [[scanning]], stealth, and [[hacking]]. They can fit [[Cloaking|Covert Ops Cloaks]] and [[Jump drives|covert cynosural field generators]]. Covert Ops ships are used in both PvP and PvE.
  
 
== Covert Ops Frigates ==
 
== Covert Ops Frigates ==
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As [[scouting|scouts]] they can stealthily gather intelligence and use their scanning bonus to probe out enemy targets. They can watch enemy targets while in cloak and provide a warp coordinate for a much larger gang of heavy hitting ships in an organized surprise attack. Explorers can use the same scanning bonus to probe down PvE [[exploration]] sites. Due to their extreme fragility, cov-ops frigates should not generally be used in a tackling role, and are typically invisible at all times.
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Each of the four empires has a covert ops ship, differing in mid/low slot layout and Racial Frigate bonuses:
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The four covert ops frigates mostly differentiate from each other by their skill bonus and slot layout.
 
 
* {{Sh|Buzzard}} - 5M-3L slot layout. Scan deviation bonus. Strongest pure scanner/hacker thanks to slot layout and deviation bonus.
 
* {{Sh|Buzzard}} - 5M-3L slot layout. Scan deviation bonus. Strongest pure scanner/hacker thanks to slot layout and deviation bonus.
 
* {{Sh|Anathema}} - 4M-4L slot layout. Scan deviation bonus.
 
* {{Sh|Anathema}} - 4M-4L slot layout. Scan deviation bonus.
 
* {{Sh|Helios}} - 5M-3L slot layout. Speed bonus when cloaked. Compromise between speed and scanning.
 
* {{Sh|Helios}} - 5M-3L slot layout. Speed bonus when cloaked. Compromise between speed and scanning.
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* {{Sh|Cheetah}} - 4M-4L slot layout. Speed bonus when cloaked. Fastest base speed and agile.
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* {{Sh|Cheetah}} - 4M-4L slot layout. Speed bonus when cloaked. Fastest base speed and agility.
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The CONCORD {{Sh|Pacifier}} has similar bonuses to scanning and hacking, with large damage bonuses to all weapon types, a bonus to reputation gain, and 5 high slots instead of 3. It is not commonly used due to a high price.
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While not technically a Covert Ops ship, the {{sh|Astero}} is used in the same way as the true Covert Ops ships listed above. The Astero is a great choice for low SP pilots, although it is more expensive than the racial frigates.
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Limited-edition Covert Ops ships have been given out as [[Alliance Tournament]] rewards:
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* {{sh|Chremoas}} (2013)
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* {{sh|Caedes}} (2016)
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* {{Sh|Virtuoso}} (2017)
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* {{Sh|Hydra}} (2018)
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*
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== Fitting ==
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=== PvE ===
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Covert Ops ships can fill several roles outside of player combat. They are the de facto ship used for relic & data exploration, they are often used as pure scanning ships, and can be a great courier ship thanks to their high warp speed and stealth bonuses.
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The Astero is competitive with and fit similarly to true Covert Ops ships. The racial frigates overtake the Astero in scanning effectiveness at level IV {{Sk|Covert Ops}}.
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==== Exploration ====
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Exploration fitting is a balancing act between scanning bonuses, hacking bonuses, safety, speed, and cost. A typical exploration fit starts with Covert Ops Cloak and Core Probe Launcher I with sisters probes, and then fits the rest depending on skill, area of operation, and preference.
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The two '''scan strength''' cutoffs are around 85 and 100. 85 scan strength can scan level IV sites and 100 can scan V. Scan bonuses come from Probes, Probe Launchers, mid slots, and rigs.
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The bonuses required for '''hacking''' are dependent on the pilot. Practiced pilots can generally get through the minigame with Data/Relic Analyzer I and level II {{Sk|Hacking}}/{{Sk|Archaeology}}. Pilots worse will need higher skills or module bonuses from mid and rig slots.
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'''Safety''' while exploring has several options. The Covert Ops cloak is always used; for safety while scanning, traveling, and waiting out suspicious activity. Interdiction Nullifiers and Warp Core Stabilizers are strong options but slow down intra-site speed due to targeting malus. A sub-2 second warp is also an option, but can be hard to take advantage of when getting jumped at a site. The racial covert ops frigates are challenging to fit for 2 second warp. They typically run no tank, a Damage Control at best, relying on speed and stealth.  
  
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There is also more combat oriented Pacifier. In addition to the usual scanning and hacking bonuses it has a full array of combat bonuses. It is a ship with limited availability and high price.  
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'''Speed''' options include rigs increasing warp speed for faster traveling gate-planet-gate, afterburner or microwarpdrive for faster speed inside a site, and rigs or low slots for faster align time. A survey scanner to avoid low value hack targets can also be used but is controversial in the community.
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* {{Sh|Pacifier}}
 
  
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=== Fitting ===
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Finally, '''cost'''. Covert Ops frigates can be very effective with mostly tier 1 modules, or can be blinged to high heaven.
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A Capsuleer's options for fitting Covert Ops frigates are highly dependent on their {{Sk|Covert Ops}} skill level, as each level of the skill provide a 20% reduction in CPU for Covert Ops cloaking device. Covert Ops IV or V are recommended, depending on how tight the desired fit is. The following heuristic<ref group= Note>Conci Furiram, personal communication, April 2020</ref> may be useful as a basis for fitting Covert Ops frigates with a primary role of probe scanning and a secondary role as hero tackle. In the fitting window, simulate the hull of the relevant Covert Ops frigate and add the modules of your choice in the following order:
 
  
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# Expanded (or Core) Probe Launcher (T1, T2, or Sisters)
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==== Scanning ====
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# Covops cloak
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A pure scanning ship is very easy to fit. Core or expanded probe launcher, covert ops cloak, and some scan bonuses.
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# [[Interdiction Nullifier]] - Allows you to bypass interdiction spheres
 
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# 5MN [[MWD]] (restrained on first attempt, may later be changed to compact)
 
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# T2 [[point]]
 
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# Fill mid slots with scan arrays: one acquisition, one pinpointing, and the rest rangefinding
 
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# Fill lows with inertial stabilizers
 
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# Rigs, depends on what kind of Probe Launcher and Rangefinding Array you are using: 2x T1 Gravity Capacitor Upgrades (better at cheaper levels) or 1x T2 Gravity Capacitor Upgrade with Sisters Probe Launcher and/or T2 Rangefinding Array.
 
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# Now, start shaving off lows for [[MAPC]] (for Power Grid) and Co-processors (for CPU)
 
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# Finish off by switching inertial stabilizers to Nano until you're barely before a tick in your align (with prop OFF)
 
  
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== Stealth Bombers ==
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==== Courier ====
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{{main|Stealth Bombers}}
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Covert Ops ships have solid cargo holds of around 190{{m3}} which can be further boosted to make them effective carrier ships for small cargo that can't be handled by a [[shuttle]] or [[interceptor]].
  
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Stealth bombers are very specialized ships which can warp cloaked and don't have a sensor re-calibration delay preventing them from locking targets after decloaking. They can fit torpedo launchers (battleship sized missile launchers) and bomb launchers, which fire [[bombs|area-of-effect weapons]] that can only be used in [[nullsec]] or wormhole space. Stealth bombers put out extraordinary [[Alpha Strike|alpha strike]] damage and die very fast if anyone manages to put some damage on them, so bomber pilots will typically fire a few salvos and/or a single bomb then recloak. They are the bane of large ships, especially in nullsec. In groups and flown well, stealth bombers can take down a capital ship.
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=== PvP ===
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A Covert Ops ship expecting to get into fights is typically fit as a scanner/tackler with emphasis on whichever side the pilot deems important. See [[tackling#Fitting_for_tackling|fitting for tackling]].
  
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Each stealth bomber has a damage bonus for bombs and torpedoes which do its empire's associated [[NPC damage types|damage type]].
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Covert Ops ships can also be fit with weapons, warp scramblers, and damage bonuses to prey on untanked exploration fits who do perceive another exploration ship a threat.
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* {{Sh|Purifier}}
 
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* {{Sh|Manticore}}
 
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* {{Sh|Nemesis}}
 
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* {{Sh|Hound}}
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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Covert Ops Frigates (but not stealth bombers) gained the ability to fit [[interdiction nullifier]]s when those were introduced on 2021-05-18.<ref>[https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-19-04#2021-05-18.1 Patch notes] and [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/nullification-and-warp-module-update-live-now news post] for the changes to [[Interdiction Nullifier|nullification]] and [[Warp Core Stabilizer]]s.  
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Covert Ops Frigates (but not stealth bombers) gained the ability to fit [[interdiction nullifier]]s when those were introduced on 18 May 2021.<ref>Patch notes: [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-19-04#2021-05-18.1 Version 19.04] Release 2021-05-18.1 and newspost [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/nullification-and-warp-module-update-live-now Nullification and Warp Module Update – Live Now!] for the changes to [[Interdiction Nullifier|nullification]] and [[Warp Core Stabilizer]]s.  
 
  This is not a bonused version, so covert ops have a long cool down between uses.</ref>
 
  This is not a bonused version, so covert ops have a long cool down between uses.</ref>
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== See also ==
 
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[[Frigates]]
 
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== Notes ==
 
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<references group= Note />
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Latest revision as of 19:23, 10 August 2024

See Stealth Bombers for the other stealthy frigate class.

Covert Ops ships are small, fast-warping, lightly armed and armored frigates with bonuses to scanning, stealth, and hacking. They can fit Covert Ops Cloaks and covert cynosural field generators. Covert Ops ships are used in both PvP and PvE.

Covert Ops Frigates

Each of the four empires has a covert ops ship, differing in mid/low slot layout and Racial Frigate bonuses:

  • Caldari Buzzard - 5M-3L slot layout. Scan deviation bonus. Strongest pure scanner/hacker thanks to slot layout and deviation bonus.
  • Amarr Anathema - 4M-4L slot layout. Scan deviation bonus.
  • Gallente Helios - 5M-3L slot layout. Speed bonus when cloaked. Compromise between speed and scanning.
  • Minmatar Cheetah - 4M-4L slot layout. Speed bonus when cloaked. Fastest base speed and agility.

The CONCORD CONCORD Pacifier has similar bonuses to scanning and hacking, with large damage bonuses to all weapon types, a bonus to reputation gain, and 5 high slots instead of 3. It is not commonly used due to a high price.

While not technically a Covert Ops ship, the Sisters of EVE Astero is used in the same way as the true Covert Ops ships listed above. The Astero is a great choice for low SP pilots, although it is more expensive than the racial frigates.

Limited-edition Covert Ops ships have been given out as Alliance Tournament rewards:

Fitting

PvE

Covert Ops ships can fill several roles outside of player combat. They are the de facto ship used for relic & data exploration, they are often used as pure scanning ships, and can be a great courier ship thanks to their high warp speed and stealth bonuses.

The Astero is competitive with and fit similarly to true Covert Ops ships. The racial frigates overtake the Astero in scanning effectiveness at level IV Covert Ops.

Exploration

Exploration fitting is a balancing act between scanning bonuses, hacking bonuses, safety, speed, and cost. A typical exploration fit starts with Covert Ops Cloak and Core Probe Launcher I with sisters probes, and then fits the rest depending on skill, area of operation, and preference.

The two scan strength cutoffs are around 85 and 100. 85 scan strength can scan level IV sites and 100 can scan V. Scan bonuses come from Probes, Probe Launchers, mid slots, and rigs.

The bonuses required for hacking are dependent on the pilot. Practiced pilots can generally get through the minigame with Data/Relic Analyzer I and level II Hacking/Archaeology. Pilots worse will need higher skills or module bonuses from mid and rig slots.

Safety while exploring has several options. The Covert Ops cloak is always used; for safety while scanning, traveling, and waiting out suspicious activity. Interdiction Nullifiers and Warp Core Stabilizers are strong options but slow down intra-site speed due to targeting malus. A sub-2 second warp is also an option, but can be hard to take advantage of when getting jumped at a site. The racial covert ops frigates are challenging to fit for 2 second warp. They typically run no tank, a Damage Control at best, relying on speed and stealth.

Speed options include rigs increasing warp speed for faster traveling gate-planet-gate, afterburner or microwarpdrive for faster speed inside a site, and rigs or low slots for faster align time. A survey scanner to avoid low value hack targets can also be used but is controversial in the community.

Finally, cost. Covert Ops frigates can be very effective with mostly tier 1 modules, or can be blinged to high heaven.

Scanning

A pure scanning ship is very easy to fit. Core or expanded probe launcher, covert ops cloak, and some scan bonuses.

Courier

Covert Ops ships have solid cargo holds of around 190 m3 which can be further boosted to make them effective carrier ships for small cargo that can't be handled by a shuttle or interceptor.

PvP

A Covert Ops ship expecting to get into fights is typically fit as a scanner/tackler with emphasis on whichever side the pilot deems important. See fitting for tackling.

Covert Ops ships can also be fit with weapons, warp scramblers, and damage bonuses to prey on untanked exploration fits who do perceive another exploration ship a threat.

History

Covert Ops Frigates (but not stealth bombers) gained the ability to fit interdiction nullifiers when those were introduced on 18 May 2021.[1]

References

  1. ^ Patch notes: Version 19.04 Release 2021-05-18.1 and newspost Nullification and Warp Module Update – Live Now! for the changes to nullification and Warp Core Stabilizers. This is not a bonused version, so covert ops have a long cool down between uses.
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