Capacitor warfare

This page should be updated due to game changes.
Reason: Nos module names and statistics need to be updated according to the Dec 2015 Neut/Nos tiericide. Text should be reviewed. Neuts have been updated (Jan, 2017).

or Why These Pictures are Some of the Prettiest Things You Will See in EVE.

You have probably heard the phrase 'cap is life' during your time in EVE. There are many good reasons why this is true, and each one is also a reason why Capacitor Warfare can be extremely effective. Capacitor keeps many tanks working, directly feeds laser and hybrid turrets, and fullly powers the fighting midslot modules including all EWAR modules and propulsion systems. An enemy without capacitor is an enemy without options, allowing you to dictate the flow of the battle - kill them your way or if something goes wrong you can always be confident of escape since warp jamming requires cap.

Rarely will you see EWAR guides include anything but ECM, TP, RSD, or TD even though that is where capacitor warfare rightfully belongs (just like warp jamming). Capacitor warfare has had its ups and downs in the history of EVE, with its wild days of overpowered glory, and subsequent 'rebalancing' lows. It is still and will always be an extremely viable tactic in the sandbox of EVE, and the pendulum will continue to swing back and forth over the impossible 'balanced' ideal, but knowing what and how is extremely important even if you never plan to employ capacitor warfare yourself.

Capacitor Warfare, defined as direct action taken to reduce or eliminate the capacitor of a target, can be accomplished in a few ways:

• Using two types of Engineering Equipment modules
  • Energy Destabilizers - neutralizers (neuts) of various sizes and meta levels
  • Energy Vampires - nosferatu (nos) of various sizes and meta levels
• Using one of three Combat Utility Drones
  • Light, medium and heavy energy neutralizer drones based on Amarr drone models - the Acolyte EV-300, Infiltrator EV-600, and Praetor EV-900

(As an aside, if you have ever been curious where the word nosferatu comes from check out this link.)

Although focussed on the same goal, each of these systems has its own strengths and weaknesses and each is very different in implementation. Capacitor warfare drones operate like other EWAR drones and share strengths and weaknesses with the TD and RSD drones. In contrast, capacitor warfare modules are very different from other EWAR modules. They fit like weapons in high slots with module sizes corresponding to hull sizes, so they compete for fitting slots with DPS and high slot utility rather than mid slot utility or tank. Compared to other EWAR modules, capacitor warfare modules have short ranges. They don't have a binary effect like other EWAR and instead kill capacitors incrementally in the same way that DPS destroys shields. Similarly to TDs, capacitor warfare has setups against which it is inherently limited. For example, a passive tanked drake will still be able to tank and DPS with 0 capacitor (it won't be able to run active hardeners, warp jamming, or propulsion modules though!).

Capacitors are a common threat for every single ship in EVE. This is fairly unique, as the same can't even be said for module slots. Every engagement, PvP or PvE, will involve cap. Cap to get there, cap to keep someone there, cap to tank, cap to kill. Cap is life!

When you are planning a shiny new ship, fitting one, or actually undocking, countering or using capacitor warfare is something which needs to be considered. Hopefully this guide will give you enough information to do that effectively.

How Destabilizers, Vampires, and Neutralizer Drones Work

TL;DR this is the boring numbers part; skip this section if you don't care about the fine print.

General Principles

Capacitor warfare can only be understood if you first understand capacitors. Capacitors are a self recharging resource with a Capacitor Recharge Rate that changes relative to the level of the capacitor. The 'peak' recharge takes place at 25% with the recharge rate decreasing from either side of this peak. Therefore, the rate of recharge is lowest when the capacitor is full (100%) or empty (0%). Shield tankers should inherrently understand this principle as it is the same recharge mechanism as shields use. EVE university folks are lucky to have access to the Capacitor Management 101 class that Neville Smit teaches.

Since capacitor warfare deals in the removal of capacitor it works in opposition to the recharge rate. Since the recharge rate is lowest at 100% and 0%, capacitor warfare will have the greatest effect (defined as amount of cap removed over the time of a cycle) at these levels. The cap will be removed in a 'chunk' each cycle and will start being refilled by the recharge rate until the next chunk is removed. Capacitor warfare will have the least effect at peak recharge as the amount of cap removed will be countered by the highest recharge the capacitor is capable of. Therefore, we know that it is more difficult to cap out an enemy than it is to keep them capped out - ie. you may have three neuts on them to drain their cap as quickly as possible but only need 1 to keep them capped out. (Incidentally when selecting cap booster charges you always want to select a charge at least 25% of the size of your capacitor to push you instantly to the 'good' side of your peak recharge rate.)

Understanding this information we can discuss the particulars of how the individual capacitor warfare systems work.

Energy Neutralizers

Energy Neutralizers ("Neuts", also formerly called Energy Destabilizers) are the heavy hitters of capacitor warfare. They can remove large amounts of cap and leave an enemy capped out faster than any other form of cap warfare.

• Strengths
  • Neutralizes large portions of the enemies capacitor every cycle
• Weaknesses
  • Requires large amounts of capacitor to activate
  • Long cycle time
  • Relatively short ranges (improves with module size)

Here is screenshot of the attributes of the meta 0 heavy neut:

All neutralizers have a similar set of attributes. The different sizes of neutralizer differ significantly, but for each size tier they are fairly consistent across meta levels. Aside from fitting considerations, the only attributes that change from meta 0 all the way to commander modules is the range and the amount of energy neutralized. The energy 'cost' to neutralize is consistent (45 GJ for small, 150 GJ for medium, and 500 GJ for heavy). Therefore, at each size higher meta modules are more efficient: meta 0 modules destabilize as much as their activation cost (100% efficiency), and it trends up to meta 5 (tech II) and higher modules at 120% efficiency. Using the heavy neut example, a Tech II neut would neutralize 600 GJ with its 500 GJ activation cost. The cycle time is also consistent (6 seconds for small neuts, 12 seconds for medium, and 24 seconds seconds for heavy) and the optimal range for modules from meta 0 to the highest are: small from 4,000m - 9,000m; medium from 8,000m - 16,500m; heavy from 16,000m - 32,000m; and capital from 30,000m - 40,000m.

Stats for Small Neuts - Last verified: December 2016

Meta Group	Meta Level	Name	Cycle Time	Optimal Range	Effectiveness Falloff	Activation Cost	Neutralization Amount	Neut Efficiency	Neuting per Sec (GJ)	Powergrid Usage	CPU usage
Tech I	0	Small Energy Neutralizer I	6 sec	4000 m	2000 m	45 GJ	45 GJ	100%	7.5 GJ/s	8 MW	10 tf
Tech I	1	Small Gremlin Compact Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	4000 m	2000 m	45 GJ	50 GJ	111%	8.3 GJ/s	7 MW	8 tf
Tech I	1	Small Infectious Scoped Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	4500 m	2250 m	45 GJ	50 GJ	111%	8.3 GJ/s	8 MW	10 tf
Tech II	5	Small Energy Neutralizer II	6 sec	5000 m	2500 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	10 MW	10 tf
Storyline	6	Small 'Caltrop' Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	5000 m	2500 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	7 MW	8 tf
Faction	8	Ammatar Navy Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	6000 m	3000 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	8 MW	10 tf
Faction	8	Dark Blood Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	6000 m	3000 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	8 MW	10 tf
Faction	8	Imperial Navy Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	6000 m	3000 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	8 MW	10 tf
Faction	8	True Sansha Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	6000 m	3000 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	8 MW	10 tf
Deadspace	10	Corpii C-Type Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	7000 m	3500 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	9 MW	10 tf
Deadspace	12	Corpii B-Type Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	8000 m	4000 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	10 MW	10 tf
Deadspace	14	Corpii A-Type Small Energy Neutralizer	6 sec	9000 m	4500 m	45 GJ	55 GJ	122%	9.2 GJ/s	11 MW	10 tf

Stats for Medium Neuts - Last verified: December 2016

Meta Group	Meta Level	Name	Cycle Time	Optimal Range	Effectiveness Falloff	Activation Cost	Neutralization Amount	Neut Efficiency	Neuting per Sec (GJ)	Powergrid Usage	CPU usage
Tech I	0	Medium Energy Neutralizer I	12 sec	8000 m	4000 m	150 GJ	150 GJ	100%	12.5 GJ/s	175 MW	20 tf
Tech I	1	Medium Gremlin Compact Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	8000 m	4000 m	150 GJ	165 GJ	110%	13.8 GJ/s	160 MW	16 tf
Tech I	1	Medium Infectious Scoped Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	9000 m	4500 m	150 GJ	165 GJ	110%	13.8 GJ/s	175 MW	20 tf
Tech II	5	Medium Energy Neutralizer II	12 sec	10 km	5000 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	200 MW	20 tf
Storyline	6	Medium 'Ditch' Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	10 km	5000 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	160 MW	16 tf
Faction	8	Ammatar Navy Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	12 km	6000 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	175 MW	20 tf
Faction	8	Dark Blood Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	12 km	6000 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	175 MW	20 tf
Faction	8	Imperial Navy Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	12 km	6000 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	175 MW	20 tf
Faction	8	True Sansha Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	12 km	6000 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	175 MW	20 tf
Deadspace	10	Corpum C-Type Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	13.5 km	6750 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	193 MW	20 tf
Deadspace	12	Corpum B-Type Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	15 km	7500 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	210 MW	20 tf
Deadspace	14	Corpum A-Type Medium Energy Neutralizer	12 sec	16.5 km	8250 m	150 GJ	180 GJ	120%	15.0 GJ/s	228 MW	20 tf

Stats for Heavy Neuts (excluding Officer modules) - Last verified: December 2016

Meta Group	Meta Level	Name	Cycle Time	Optimal Range	Effectiveness Falloff	Activation Cost	Neutralization Amount	Neut Efficiency	Neuting per Sec (GJ)	Powergrid Usage	CPU usage
Tech I	0	Heavy Energy Neutralizer I	24 sec	16 km	8000 m	500 GJ	500 GJ	100%	20.8 GJ/s	2000 MW	40 tf
Tech I	1	Heavy Gremlin Compact Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	16 km	8000 m	500 GJ	550 GJ	110%	22.9 GJ/s	1800 MW	32 tf
Tech I	1	Heavy Infectious Scoped Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	18 km	9000 m	500 GJ	550 GJ	110%	22.9 GJ/s	2000 MW	40 tf
Tech II	5	Heavy Energy Neutralizer II	24 sec	20 km	10 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2250 MW	40 tf
Storyline	6	Heavy 'Moat' Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	20 km	10 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	1800 MW	32 tf
Faction	8	Ammatar Navy Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	24 km	12 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2000 MW	40 tf
Faction	8	Dark Blood Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	24 km	12 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2000 MW	40 tf
Faction	8	Imperial Navy Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	24 km	12 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2000 MW	40 tf
Faction	8	True Sansha Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	24 km	12 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2000 MW	40 tf
Deadspace	10	Corpus C-Type Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	26 km	13 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2200 MW	40 tf
Deadspace	12	Corpus B-Type Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	28 km	14 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2400 MW	40 tf
Deadspace	14	Corpus A-Type Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	30 km	15 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2600 MW	40 tf
Deadspace	16	Corpus X-Type Heavy Energy Neutralizer	24 sec	32 km	16 km	500 GJ	600 GJ	120%	25.0 GJ/s	2800 MW	40 tf

Effectiveness Falloff works by reducing the effectiveness of the module when in falloff range. The formula is the same as gun falloff:

• at 100% Optimal + 0% Falloff = 100% Effectiveness (approx figures only)
• at 100% Optimal + 100% Falloff = 50% Effectiveness (approx figures only)
• at 100% Optimal + 200% Falloff = 6% Effectiveness (approx figures only)

With these capabilities in mind and a victi... er... target located, the neut can be put into action.

If you activate the module on a target, the Activation Cost will immediately be deducted from your capacitor and the Neutralization Amount (modified, if in falloff range) will be immediately deducted from the target's capacitor. This will be repeated each cycle time for as long as you have the neut activated. Pretty simple, right?

The important thing to remember is that your goal is to cap out your opponent and that you need to use enough neutralization to overcome the peak recharge rate of their capacitor. Yes, if you neut less then that amount you will make it harder for them to run cap stable, but likely you would be a more efficient killing machine using that high slot for something else if that is all you are accomplishing. What this boils down to is that you don't use a small neut on an Apoc and expect to accomplish anything. The basic rule of thumb is that a good capacitor warfare setup has a neutralization rate MUCH higher than any conceivable recharge rate. You want to cap out your opponent quickly and then have an easy way to keep the other pilot running on empty.

Energy Nosferatu (Energy Vampires)

Energy Vampires - ie. the assortment of Nosferatus (Nos) remove small amounts of cap, but instead of costing your own cap to do this they will actually give you the cap your opponent lost. Because of the huge potential of being able to hurt a target while only aiding yourself there are several rather severe limitations on these modules.

• Strengths
  • Amount of cap removed from the target is transferred to you
  • Quick cycle time
• Weaknesses
  • Only transfers cap when your capacitor charge is below that of the target.
  • Relatively short ranges (improves with module size)
  • Removes much less cap than neutralizers and require more CPU to fit

Here is screenshot of the attributes of the meta 0 heavy nos:

All nosferatus have a similar set of attributes. The different sizes of nosteratus differ significantly, but for each size tier they are fairly consistent across meta levels. Aside from fitting consideration, the only attributes that change from meta 0 all the way to commander modules is the range and the amount of energy transferred to you. The cycle time is consistent (3 seconds for small nos, 6 seconds for medium, and 12 seconds for heavy). Small nos will transfer from 8 - 10 GJ across the meta levels, medium from 30 - 36 GJ, and heavy from 100 - 135 GJ. The ranges for all the modules from meta 0 to the highest are between: small from 5,500m - 10,214m; medium from 10,500m - 19,500m; and heavy from 21,000m - 43,000m.

Stats for Small Nosferatu - Last verified: January 2017

Meta Group	Meta Level	Name	Cycle Time	Optimal Range	Effectiveness Falloff	Neutralization Amount	Transfer Rate	Powergrid Usage	CPU usage
Tech I	0	Small Energy Nosferatu I	2.5 sec	4000 m	2000 m	8 GJ	3.2 GJ/s	8 MW	15 tf
Tech I	1	Small Ghoul Compact Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	4000 m	2000 m	9 GJ	3.6 GJ/s	7 MW	12 tf
Tech I	1	Small Knave Scoped Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	4500 m	2250 m	9 GJ	3.6 GJ/s	8 MW	15 tf
Tech II	5	Small Energy Nosferatu II	2.5 sec	5000 m	2500 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	10 MW	15 tf
Storyline	6	Small 'Upir' Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	5000 m	2500 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	7 MW	12 tf
Faction	8	Ammatar Navy Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	6000 m	3000 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	8 MW	15 tf
Faction	8	Dark Blood Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	6000 m	3000 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	8 MW	15 tf
Faction	8	Imperial Navy Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	6000 m	3000 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	8 MW	15 tf
Faction	8	True Sansha Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	6000 m	3000 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	8 MW	15 tf
Deadspace	10	Corpii C-Type Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	7000 m	3500 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	9 MW	15 tf
Deadspace	12	Corpii B-Type Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	8000 m	4000 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	10 MW	15 tf
Deadspace	14	Corpii A-Type Small Energy Nosferatu	2.5 sec	9000 m	4500 m	10 GJ	4 GJ/s	11 MW	15 tf

Stats for Medium Nosferatu - Last verified: January 2017

Meta Group	Meta Level	Name	Cycle Time	Optimal Range	Effectiveness Falloff	Neutralization Amount	Transfer Rate	Powergrid Usage	CPU usage
Tech I	0	Medium Energy Nosferatu I	5 sec	8000 m	4000 m	30 GJ	6.0 GJ/s	175 MW	25 tf
Tech I	1	Medium Ghoul Compact Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	8000 m	4000 m	33 GJ	6.6 GJ/s	160 MW	20 tf
Tech I	1	Medium Knave Scoped Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	9000 m	4500 m	33 GJ	6.6 GJ/s	175 MW	25 tf
Tech II	5	Medium Energy Nosferatu II	5 sec	10 km	5000 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	200 MW	25 tf
Storyline	6	Medium 'Strigoi' Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	10 km	5000 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	160 MW	20 tf
Faction	8	Ammatar Navy Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	12 km	6000 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	175 MW	25 tf
Faction	8	Dark Blood Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	12 km	6000 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	175 MW	25 tf
Faction	8	Imperial Navy Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	12 km	6000 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	175 MW	25 tf
Faction	8	True Sansha Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	12 km	6000 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	175 MW	25 tf
Deadspace	10	Corpum C-Type Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	13.5 km	6750 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	193 MW	25 tf
Deadspace	12	Corpum B-Type Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	15 km	7500 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	210 MW	25 tf
Deadspace	14	Corpum A-Type Medium Energy Nosferatu	5 sec	16.5 km	8250 m	36 GJ	7.2 GJ/s	228 MW	25 tf

Stats for Heavy Nosferatu (excluding Officer modules) - Last verified: January 2017

Meta Group	Meta Level	Name	Cycle Time	Optimal Range	Effectiveness Falloff	Energy Transfer Amount	Transfer Rate	Powergrid Usage	CPU usage
Tech I	0	Heavy Energy Nosferatu I	10 sec	16 km	8000 m	100 GJ	10 GJ/s	2000 MW	50 tf
Tech I	1	Heavy Ghoul Compact Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	16 km	8000 m	110 GJ	11 GJ/s	1800 MW	40 tf
Tech I	1	Heavy Knave Scoped Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	18 km	9000 m	110 GJ	11 GJ/s	2000 MW	50 tf
Tech II	5	Heavy Energy Nosferatu II	10 sec	20 km	10 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2250 MW	50 tf
Storyline	6	Heavy 'Vrykolakas' Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	20 km	10 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	1800 MW	40 tf
Faction	8	Ammatar Navy Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	24 km	12 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2000 MW	50 tf
Faction	8	Dark Blood Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	24 km	12 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2000 MW	50 tf
Faction	8	Imperial Navy Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	24 km	12 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2000 MW	50 tf
Faction	8	True Sansha Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	24 km	12 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2000 MW	50 tf
Deadspace	10	Corpus C-Type Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	26 km	13 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2200 MW	50 tf
Deadspace	12	Corpus B-Type Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	28 km	14 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2400 MW	50 tf
Deadspace	14	Corpus A-Type Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	30 km	15 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2600 MW	50 tf
Deadspace	16	Corpus X-Type Heavy Energy Nosferatu	10 sec	32 km	16 km	120 GJ	12 GJ/s	2800 MW	50 tf

If you are within range of a target, and your opponent's cap amount (not percentage) is higher than your cap amount, then an activated nos acts like a neut. The difference is that the 'activation cost' is a negative amount subtracted from your capacitor (so the cap is added on) equivalent to the amount removed from the opponent. A nos will stay activated as long as you are in range and pull cap when the cap level condition is met, so keep it running every time a target is in range as there is no downside.

The caveat on only actively nosing when your own cap is lower than your opponent's mean that a NOS is highly likely to be effective when fighting bigger ships than yours, but not likely to work when fighting smaller ships.

A Nos is easier to effectively employ in a gang situation with multiple targets. While neuting your main target you nos an alternative target (ideally a bigger ship than you) and they spend the fight donating cap which is helping to destroy their fleet mate! Properly employed this synergy between neuts and nos is extremely important.

Nos are extremely useful modules in certain circumstances but they require a little more planning and their tactical employment is a little trickier than that of neuts.

Energy Neutralizing Drones

Light, medium and heavy neutralizing drones employ the same general principles as other drones. Generic information on Drones will not be discussed in this guide.

• Strengths
  • normal Drone range mechanics
  • neutralizer drones have no impact on your cap
  • quick 6 sec cycle time for all sizes
• Weaknesses
  • normal Drone weaknesses of vulnerability, flight times etc.
  • relatively small portions of cap neutralized

Here is a screenshot of the attributes with the information on neutralization for each of the drones:

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As you can see cycle times are identical for all 3 sizes of drones at 6 seconds. The amount neutralized is easy to remember as well as it is identical to the drone bandwidth: 5 GJ for light, 10 GJ for medium, and 25 GJ for Heavy drones. Like all other drone based EWAR, pilot EWAR skills have no effect on the drones and there is no stacking or usage concerns between drones.

Accordingly:

• A full flight (5) light drones will neutralize 25 GJ every 6 seconds. This is roughly 1/2 as effective as 1 small neut.

• A full flight (5) medium drones will neutralize 50 GJ every 6 seconds. This is roughly 2/3 as effective as 1 medium neut.

• A full flight (5) heavy drones will neutralize 125 GJ every 6 seconds. This is exactly as effective as 1 meta 0 heavy neut.

So knowing this approximate effectiveness together with the strengths, such as great range, and weaknesses, such as vulnerability, neuting drones are comparable to TD or RSD drones.

Support to Capacitor Warfare

Skills

There are not many skills that directly impact capacitor warfare. Prequisite skills:

• Capacitor Emission Systems is the prequisite skill for Neuts and Nos. It's the only skill that directly impacts the effectiveness of capacitor warfare modules; however, it only affects neuts. It reduces the activation cost of all neuts by 5% per level which has excellent results on efficiency. At level V, a Tech II heavy neut will only require 375 GJ per cycle to neutralize 600 GJ (160% efficiency). Unfortunately, this has no positive effect on nos or drones as strictly speaking they do not have a capacitor activation cost.
• Advanced Drone Avionics is the prequisite skill for neut drones.

The better your capacitor the more effectively you can conduct capacitor warfare. Therefore both Capacitor Management and Capacitor Systems Operation are extremely important skills and should be trained to V for serious capacitor warfare users.

All the supporting capacitor management skills as listed in Capacitor Management 101 will assist in getting you to and through a fight with more cap available for capacitor warfare. Depending on preference, ship types and fits, the relative importance of each skill will change, but each can be considered a good investment of SP.

Implants

Talisman implants, the Bloodraider pirate faction set, directly enhance capacitor warfare by reducing the duration of modules requiring the Energy Emission Skill. The complete high-grade set (slots 1-6) will have an overall effect of -38.12%. This is of course a huge increase in the amount of cap removed per sec. A max skill Curse with a full Talisman set will destablize 40.4 GJ per sec with a single meta 4+ medium neut.

A low grade Talisman set is worth about 200 M isk as of November 2013, while a set of standard Talisman implants is worth about 3 billion ISK. The use of these implants will therefore likely be reserved for advanced pilots flying ships like the Bhaalgorn.

Low-Grade: total effect -26.94%

Name	Effect	Set Effect	Attribute
Alpha	1% reduction of duration	10% effect on bonus of the set	+2 Perception
Bravo	2% reduction of duration	10% effect on bonus of the set	+2 Memory
Gamma	3% reduction of duration	10% effect on bonus of the set	+2 Willpower
Delta	4% reduction of duration	10% effect on bonus of the set	+2 Intelligence
Epsilon	5% reduction of duration	10% effect on bonus of the set	+2 Charisma
Omega		25% effect on bonus of the set

High-Grade: total effect -38.12%

Name	Effect	Set Effect	Attribute
Alpha	1% reduction of duration	15% effect on bonus of the set	+3 Perception
Bravo	2% reduction of duration	15% effect on bonus of the set	+3 Memory
Gamma	3% reduction of duration	15% effect on bonus of the set	+3 Willpower
Delta	4% reduction of duration	15% effect on bonus of the set	+3 Intelligence
Epsilon	5% reduction of duration	15% effect on bonus of the set	+3 Charisma
Omega		50% effect on bonus of the set

In addition the following hardwirings are worth considering in addition to or in place of the Talisman set:

Slot 6

• Engineering - 'Squire' Energy Systems Operation EO-6##, +(1-6)% faster capacitor recharge. Most pilots who use cap warfare, especially on dedicated ships, will use cap boosters. As such, cap recharge rate become a minor factor in cap warfare.

Slot 7

• Engineering - 'Squire' Energy Emission Systems ES-7##: -(1-6)% capacitor usage by cap warfare modules and energy transmitters. This implant has a significant impact on the capacitor usage of cap warfare modules. It however stacks with the Egress Port Maximizer rig.

Slot 8

• Engineering - 'Squire' Energy Management EM-8##: +(1-6)% capacitor size. This implant is more useful than the EO-6##, but less than the ES-7##. A bigger capacitor is always useful.

Boosters

When approaching boosters from a capacitor warfare perspective, Mindflood is the drug of choice. This booster increases capacitor by a percentage that stacks on top of all other modifiers without stacking penalty.

Type	Increases Cap by	Side Effect Chance	Side Effect Strength
Synth	3%	0%	0%
Standard	10%	20%	20%
Improved	15%	30%	25%
Strong	20%	40%	30%

The potential side effects are:

• Shield Boost Amount
• Armor Repair Amount
• Turret Optimal Range Penalty
• Missile Explosion Cloud Penalty

On drone boats like the Sentinel, Curse, and Pilgrim these possible effects are usually minimal as DPS is from drones and many popular fits are buffer tanked only. The worst penalty is potentially armour repair amount for a solo fit Sentinel or Pilgrim, although there are Curse fits that use missle launchers to up DPS.

Bloodraider ships using lasers and cap warfare mods may have more of a trade-off to consider. Individual pilots will have a different risk assesment but there is a lot of potential for a relatively small chance of harmfull side effects after applicable skills are trained.

Rigs

The Egress Port Maximizer rigs decrease the capacitor use of all energy emission modules. This includes energy neutralizers and energy vampires. The Tech I reduces activation cost by 15%, the Tech II by 20%. More than one rig can be used, but because of stacking the effect get lower as more rigs are added.
With Energy Emission at V, the activation cost of a Medium Unstable Power Fluctuator I is as follow:

• With no rig: -9.4 GJ/s
• With 1 Egress Port Maximizer I: -8 GJ/s
• With 2 Egress Port Maximizer I: -6.9 GJ/s
• With 3 Egress Port Maximizer I: -6.3 GJ/s

Capacitor Warfare and PvE

NPCs 'cheat' in EVE. One of the ways they do this is with infinite capacitors. It is impossible to 'cap out' a rat as their cap will never decrease below 100%.

The use of Cap Warfare in PvE is not common, and not much has been published on the matter. It has been reported that the use of neutralizers, neutralizing drones, or nos on NPCs will result in a chance of disrupting both shield or armour repairing by the NPC. The chance of disrupting repairs seem to increase with the size of the modules and decrease with the size of the NPC ship. So using a heavy neut on a frigate NPC should have a very high chance of stopping any repairs. Likewise using a small nos on a BS NPC will have little to no effect on stopping repairs.

Capacitor Warfare and PvP

PvP is where capacitor warfare really comes into its own.

Tips and Techniques

Specific ships and fits will be discussed in the next section. These tips and techniques are something to think about for any ship employing or defending against capacitor warfare although many can only be executed by an actual capacitor warfare bonused ship like a Curse.

• Alpha is as important to cap as it is to DPS

By using a neut a ship class larger then your target you can practically ensure you will cap them out completely on each and every cycle. There are a few factors at play here.

• cycling and getting inside the nos or booster loop

BS, BC or Falcon/Rook: 1st cycle - 3 neuts, disable 2 2nd cycle - wait 2 seconds until I enable the 2nd one, and another 2 for the 3rd one

Cruiser: 2 neuts right away and 3rd one later, take one off in a few cycles for some extra cap.

Frigate: It doesn't matter 1 med will alpha majority cap.

• the functionality of an undersized neut

• maintaining the 'cap out'

• Neuting through Cap Boosters

• Neuting through a nos

• Nosing through a neut

Capacitor Warfare and PvP Ships

Bonused ships

The following ships have some bonus related to energy neutralizers and energy vampire for range or drain amount

Frigates

• The Cruor is a pirate faction frigate with a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer drain amount
• The Sentinel is an Electronic Attack Frigate with a bonus to energy vampire and energy neutralizer range.
• The Hematos is a faction frigate with a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer drain amount
• The Malice is a rare faction frigate with a bonus to energy vampire and energy neutralizer transfer amount and range

Destroyers

• The Dragoon is a destroyer with a bonus to energy vampire and energy neutralizer transfer range

Cruisers

• The Ashimmu is a pirate faction cruiser with a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer drain amount
• The Pilgrim is a recon ship with a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer transfer amount
• The Curse is a recon ship with a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer range and transfer amount
• The Legion, when fitted with the Energy Parasitic module, has a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer drain amount. The Legion is however very expensive, and a Curse is probably a better choice.
• The Vangel is a rare faction cruiser with a bonus to energy vampire and energy neutralizer transfer amount and range

Battlecruisers

• No battlecruiser is bonused for cap warfare

Battleships

• The Armageddon is a battleship with a bonus to Energy Neutralizer and Energy Vampire range
• The Bhaalgorn is a pirate faction battleship with a bonus to Energy Vampire and Energy Neutralizer drain amount

Unbonused ships

A number of ships fitted for cap warfare are not bonused for it. The Dominix or the Prophecy are well known examples of ships with no bonus to cap warfare range or transfer amount which have been used with great effect. While any ship could conceivably be fitted with a neutralizer or a nos, the following elements help make an unbonused ship suitable for cap warfare:

• Free high slots. You need a place to fit the module.
• Drone capacity. If you use your high slots for neuts and you want to have some dps, you'll have to rely on drones. You therefore are looking at a minimum for dronebay capacity and drone bandwidth. A drone damage bonus is also nice.
• Powergrid. Neuts cost a lot of powergrid to install. You won't have any turret or missile in your highs, but the more powergrid the higher the number of neut modules you can actually install.
• Capacitor size. Neuts cost a lot of cap to run, and a ship with a big capacitor will be easier to fight with.
• Tank. Your ship need to be close to your target. He probably won't like being neuted, so the bigger your tank, the harder you'll be to kill.
• Range. In an unbonused ship, you need to be be close to your target to use cap warfare modules. Don't mix cap warfare modules with long range modules such as ewar.

Frigates

• The Punisher is often flown with an utility cap warfare module.
• Many solo fits for frigates use a small cap wafare module.

Destroyers

• Except for the Dragoon (see above), destroyers are not usually used for cap warfare.

Cruisers

• The Arbitrator is usually flown with cap warfare modules. Its tank is not that great but it has a nice drone damage bonus.
• The Maller can be used as a surprise neuting cruiser. It won't have any dps to speak of, but can fit a point, a scram or a web while being cap stable and have more than 50K EHP.
• The Rupture is often flown with an utility cap warfare module.

Battlecruisers

• The Prophecy can be effectively fitted with cap warfare modules on its highs. It has a good tank, capacitor and with good drone skills a reasonable amount of dps.
• Brawling Hurricanes are often flown with a utility cap warfare module.

Battleships

• The Dominix is often used a cap warfare ship. Its great drone bonus makes it ideal as a close range cap warfare ship.
• Brawling Typhoons are often flown with a utility cap warfare module.
• Tempests are often flown with a utility cap warfare module.