User:Ash Spaceships/draft: Difference between revisions

Stealth bombers, often referred to simply as "bombers", represent a captivating subclass of [[Frigate|frigate]]. Equipped with [[Cloaking|Covert Ops Cloaking Devices]], stealth bombers can traverse systems while being undetectable to [[Directional_scanning|directional scanners]] or [[Probe_scanning|combat probes]]. When bombers choose to engage targets, they use battleship-sized [[Missiles|torpedo launchers]] or [[Bombs|bomb launchers]] to inflict massive damage. Stealth bombers can operate in several roles; they are a strong roaming solo ship, useful in mixed fleets as scout or combat ship, and can operate in dedicated bomber fleets using hit and run tactics.

In exchange for these advantages, stealth bombers have weak [[Tanking|tank]] and slow base align-to-warp time. Torpedos are most effective against [[Battleships|battleships]], less effective against [[Cruisers|cruisers]], and struggle to apply damage to enemy combat frigates. Stealth bombers also have high skill requirements to fly effectively due to tight fitting requirements.

This combination of attributes makes every uncloaked moment for stealth bombers a high-stakes encounter, both for the pilots and their adversaries.  

==== Stealth Bombers ====

Stealth bombers are specialized frigates that can warp while cloaked and lack sensor recalibration delays, enabling them to lock targets immediately after decloaking. Equipped with battleship-sized torpedo launchers and bomb launchers, they can deploy area-of-effect weapons exclusively in nullsec or wormhole space. Stealth bombers deliver exceptional alpha strike damage, but their fragility makes them vulnerable to swift destruction if they sustain damage. Consequently, bomber pilots often launch a few salvos or a single bomb before warping away and recloaking. In well-coordinated groups, stealth bombers pose a significant threat to large ships, including capital vessels, particularly in nullsec.

* {{Sh|Purifier|22}} The Purifier has the lowest CPU, making it harder to fit. With bonuses for {{Co|#71c4f8|EM}} torpedoes and bombs, it is effective against shielded targets

* {{Sh|Manticore|22}} Bonused for {{Co|#73dc76|Kinetic}} torpedoes and bombs, the Manticore is the easiest stealth bomber to fit due to its high CPU.

* {{Sh|Nemesis|22}} With bonuses for {{Co|#fa8d84|Thermal}} torpedoes and bombs, the Nemesis is the middle of the pack and a solid pick for most situations. Like the Manticore, its four mid slots offer some extra utility.

* {{Sh|Hound|22}} The Hound has the best base time to warp of the stealth bombers. Its bonuses for {{Co|#f8e97c|Explosive}} torpedoes and bombs make it effective against armored targets

There is also the {{sh|Virtuoso}}, an [[Alliance Tournament]] variant of the Nemesis that has some attributes of a {{sh|Daredevil}} attack frigate. As a limited edition [[Alliance Tournament|AT ship]], the Virtuoso is quite rare and does not have a big role in everyday gameplay.

! Hound !! Manticore !! Nemesis !! Purifier

| [[Image:Hound.jpg|thumb|The Minmatar Hound]] || [[Image:Manticore.jpg|thumb|The Caldari Manticore]] || [[Image:Nemesis.jpg|thumb|The Gallente Nemesis]] || [[Image:Purifier.jpg|thumb|The Amarr Purifier]]

=== Torpedoes ===

Torpedos are slow flying, hard-hitting, long-range missiles launched by torpedo launchers. Launchers are massive compared to typical frigate-sized weapon systems and are designed for extended bombardments of hard targets like battleships and stations. Torpedo launcher magazines have a large capacity, which is offset by their slow firing rate, long flight times, and trouble applying damage to small, fast ships. To prevent the obvious exploit of launching torpedoes and then warping out before the torpedoes connect, if a ship enters warp, all torpedoes in-flight vanish immediately. This means that especially at long range, bombers on a torpedo run must stay on grid until all of their fired torpedoes have landed to avoid losing damage. The balance between the stealth bomber's fragility and the need to stay on grid is part of the inherent challenge of flying these hulls.

Each torpedo type corresponds to a specific damage type in EVE. {{Co|#fa8d84|Inferno}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|Mjolnir}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|Nova}}, and {{Co|#73dc76|Scourge}} apply {{Co|#fa8d84|thermal}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|EM}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|explosive}}, and {{Co|#73dc76|kinetic}} damage, in that order. Each torpedo inflicts only one type of damage, but all torpedoes deal the same amount of damage. Stealth bombers are bonused for their empire's damage type, so only one type of torpedo is carried in a given bomber's hold.

=== Bombs ===

Bombs are untargeted, area-of-effect (AoE) weapons fired by bomb launchers, with stealth bombers being the sole ships capable of equipping them. The use of bombs is prohibited in empire space, restricting their deployment to nullsec or wormhole space outside of deadspace pockets.

Essentially, [[bombs]] are unguided missiles that deal AoE damage of a specific type. Launched from the front of a stealth bomber, they travel in a straight line for 30 km at 3 km/s for 10 seconds before detonating. Bombs do not require a target lock, and their direction depends on the stealth bomber's orientation upon activating the bomb launcher. To successfully utilize these high-damage weapons, pilots must master timing, direction, and skill to align the stealth bomber with a target, approach, uncloak, launch a bomb at 30 km, and evade capture.

* Damage Bombs: Unguided weapons delivering 5,800 points of {{Co|#fa8d84|thermal}}, {{Co|#71c4f8|EM}}, {{Co|#f8e97c|explosive}} and {{Co|#73dc76|kinetic}} damage with a 400m explosion radius.

**Focused Void Bombs: Similar to regular Void Bombs, but neutralize 15,000 GJ of energy in a much smaller area of effect. They are only effective against capital-sized ships.

**Lockbreaker bombs emit an Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) burst of 12.5 strength to all sensor types.

== Fitting ==

=== Essential modules ===

Given the limited fitting space on stealth bombers, it is crucial to discuss the indispensable modules for an effective fit:

# Covert Ops Cloaking Device II: As the foundation of stealth bomber piloting, this cloaking device is essential. A stealth bomber without a cloak is a non-starter; if you cannot fit a Covert Ops cloak, you should not fly a stealth bomber.  

# Torpedo launchers/bomb launchers: Stealth bombers are the sole ships capable of mounting bomb launchers and the only sub-battleship vessels that can fit torpedo launchers. With bonuses for both, they are mandatory fits (depending upon the use case).

# Ballistic Control System (BCS) modules: BCS modules significantly boost torpedo damage and rate of fire, but demand substantial CPU fitting space.

# Propulsion Module (afterburner/microwarp drive): Due to their slow base velocity (275m/s - 310m/s), stealth bombers require propulsion modules.

=== Rigs ===

{{ note box | While the minimum skills will allow a pilot to get into the ship, the covert ops cloak, and the weapons systems, to fit and fly the ship well requires a more substantial skill train. | italics = yes }}

=== Suggested skills ===

In addition, increasing these relevant missile, bomb, and spaceship command skills to V has significant impact