Stop the Thief (Level 4)

Level	4
Type	Encounter
Objective	Deliver Reports (0.1 m³)
Faction	Mercenaries
Best damage to deal	Th Kin
Damage to resist	EM Th Kin
Warp disruption	Mercenary Wingman

Mission briefing

Your timing couldn't be better, <Character>. We‘ve just uncovered a breach of security in our administrative offices, an inside job during which some sensitive reports were stolen. All information points to a disgruntled former employee with contacts in Weraroix. You‘ll probably find the culprit in a local – please forgive the term – "roadhouse." Roadhouses Small, independent trade hubs throughout New Eden are sometimes referred to by a most peculiar and archaic term: “Roadhouses.” Though no one quite remembers why they're called that, it's common knowledge that roadhouses are ideal locations for moving stolen goods, making underworld contacts, or getting hurt. Needless to say, these establishments are frequented by unscrupulous roughnecks for whom pain doesn't hurt.

Video guide: [Navy Raven], [Sentry Dominix], [Maelstrom], [Gila 2021-04-18]

Single ungated normal space pocket. Initial Group aggro at warp-in. Spawn may aggro drones.
You may [Fleet] warp to preferred range distance.

"The Shadow" drops the required reports. Unlike in other missions the item is added directly to your inventory instead of dropping a container in space.

Tip: Start with the Grunt Cruisers to reduce incoming DPS from the spawn. Watch out for any scrambling Frigates and shift your primary target accordingly.

Optional Approach

• Warp in, align, kill the Overlord, instantly warp out before scramblers lock on, then warp back at 50- 100km, make sure you're outside of Cruiser's range. Then aggro and use a MWD to separate the frigates. Count on webbing if Frigates come too close! After this keep aligning of course.
• Select "warp-to" distance between 50- 100km, kill all the initial ships and the Overlord last then pick off the spawn as they approach.
• Tank the Overlord and snipe everything else, Micro Jump and snipe the Overlord and Spawn.

Warning: High EM damage from Shadow's Grunts

Blitz:

• Eliminate the Mercenary Overlord battleship to trigger the spawn. Watch out for any incoming Mercenary Wingman Frigates that web/scramble.
• Eliminate Shadow. The Reports are automatically transferred to your ship cargo. Warp out (any Reports sold by NPC Corps on the market may be used).

Initial defenders

		WD	EWAR	L
Center Group (23km, Beacon)
	1 x Battleship Mercenary Overlord
Left Group (90- 100km)
	6 x Frigate Mercenary Wingman
Right Group (123- 128km)
	4 x Cruiser Mercenary Lieutenant

Spawn (20- 25km)

		WD	EWAR	L
	4 x Frigate Shadow's Wingman - Mercenary Wingman
	6 x Cruiser Shadow's Grunt - Mercenary Commander
	2 x Battleship Shadow's Goon - Mercenary Overlord
	1 x Battleship Shadow - Mercenary Overlord

Loot and Bounty

Loot + Salvage: [6.3 mil]
Bounty: 2.17 mil

Mining

32 Veldspar asteroids (14- 30km, ~279,059 units).