Logistics

	EVE University offers classes on:
Logistics 101 Logistics 102

Logistics, in EVE, refers to ships and modules that provide remote support to other ships. In real life, the term "logistics" is typically used to describe the coordination of military troops and supplies, and EVE University has a Logistics Division that serves this role. But in the EVE client, Logistics decribes remote assistance, and particularly:

• Remote Shield Boosting
• Remote Armor Repair
• Remote Hull Repair
• Remote Capacitor Transfer
• Remote Tracking Support
• Remote Sensor Boosting

One other type of off-grid remote boost module, the Warfare Link, is not typically considered logistics and will not be described here. This Guide summarizes the common mechanics of logistics modules; explains the differences between remote shield, armor, and hull repair in detail; and compares ships that are bonused for logistics. CCP made significant changes to logistics modules and ships in the Frostline patch in December 2015, and those changes have been incorporated here.

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

Logistics Modules and Mechanics

Remote Repair: Comparing Shield, Armor, and Hull Repair

Most commonly, fleet logistics is about remote repair. Logistics ships in EVE are similar to the "healer" character classes you find in many other online multiplayer games; logistics pilots usually assist their fleetmates by restoring their hitpoints (HP), in battle. Remote repair can be used to restore HP to a ship's shield, armor, or hull, via three types of high-slot, remote repair modules: Remote Shield Boosters, Remote Armor Repairers, and Remote Hull Repairers. (Technically speaking, shields are "boosted" rather than "repaired", but for the purpose of this Guide, shield boosters have been classified as repair modules.) These three types of remote repair modules have some important differences, and the differences became more pronounced with the December 2015 Frostline update. The chart below illustrates these differences for medium-sized, Tech I modules of each type:

Remote Repair Modules

Item		CPU (tf)	Powergrid (MW)	Cycle Time (sec)	Repair Amount (HP)	Repair Rate (HP/sec)	Activation Cost (GJ)	Cap Demand (GJ/sec)	Optimal Range	Falloff	Rep Applied At
File:RemoteShieldBoostIcon.png	Medium Remote Shield Booster I	50	52	8	260	32.5	232	29.0	5.00 km	7.50 km	beginning of cycle
	Fitted to a Scythe* (Tech I shield logistics cruiser)				390	48.8	158	19.7	26.5 km	39.8 km
File:RemoteArmorRepIcon.png	Medium Remote Armor Repairer I	20	120	6	196	32.7	155	25.8	8.75 km	2.50 km	end of cycle
	Fitted to an Exequror* (Tech I armor logistics cruiser)				294	49.0	105	17.6	46.4 km	13.3 km
File:RemoteHullRepIcon.png	Medium Remote Hull Repairer I	68	115	6	96	16.0	244	40.7	8.75 km	5.00 km	end of cycle

∗ Flown by a low-skill Unista (Racial Cruiser IV, Shield Emission Systems III, Remote Armor Repair Systems III). Your results may vary.

As the table above shows, fitting remote repair modules to bonused logistics ships makes them work much better, and pilot skills affect these numbers as well. In addition, there are meta versions of these modules with improved range ("Scoped"), CPU and powergrid requirements ("Compact"), or capacitor usage ("Enduring"). So, the specific values in this table are not so important. Nevertheless, the chart does illustrate some of the most important differences between remote shield, armor, and hull repair modules:

• The icons for remote repair modules look like those of local repair modules, and armor and hull repairers look alike. Make sure you select the module you want! All remote assistance modules are distinguished from local modules by a double arrow on the icon. The icons for remote armor and hull repairers show welding helmets with different colors: gold for armor, and silver for hull. If you find the symbols confusing, the names are much clearer, so you can mouse over the module icon to make sure you have the right kind.

• Remote hull repairers are inferior to remote armor repairers and shield boosters, so remote hull repairers are never used in combat. Remote hull repairers require a great deal of CPU, powergrid and capacitor, and repair less HP than other repair modules. Unlike the other two remote repair types, there are no ships in EVE that are bonused for hull repair. As a result, remote hull repairers are not generally used in fleets, even for compositions focused on hull tanking. Remote hull repair is a convenient alternative to paying for hull repairs in station, however, and so these modules are used outside of combat.

• Overall, remote shield boosters and armor repairers restore HP at the same rate. Neither of these repair modes is inherently better than the other. They do have differences, however, that make each one preferable under certain circumstances.

• Remote armor repairers require less capacitor than remote shield boosters. Not only do armor repairers require less capacitor per cycle, they are also more cap efficient (requiring less cap per time) relative to shield boosters. This means that armor-repairing ships have more cap room for other active modules, and are less sensitive to enemy neutralizers and Nosferatus, than shield-boosting ships. Armor logistics ships have an easier time running all of their repair modules continuously, whereas shield logistics ships often have to cycle their boosting modules on and off to conserve capacitor. Because of their cap efficiency, armor logistics ships are more powerful for longer engagements (in which fleetmates don't die quickly), and in any PvE activity where cap stability may be an issue.

• Remote armor repairers have longer optimal range than remote shield boosters. Armor logistics ships can stay farther away from the action, and still deliver 100% of their repping power, compared to shield logistics ships. As the chart shows, ship-bonused armor repairers have fairly long optimal range, and an Exequror—a Tech I armor logistics cruiser—can apply full armor repairs from 50 km away. The optimal range of a Scythe, the matching Tech I shield logistics cruiser, is less than two-thirds as long. As a result, it is easier to keep armor-repairing ships out of harm's way than it is shield-repairing ships.

• Because shield boosters deliver HP at the beginning of the module cycle, no cycles are wasted. Armor repairers, by contrast, deliver repairs at the end of the module cycle. One downside of flying armor logistics is that, sometimes, your armor-tanked fleetmates will die faster than the cycle time of your remote armor repair modules. When this happens, each module's repair cycle is lost; the target of the remote armor repairer no longer exists, and so when the module completes its cycle, nothing gets repaired. This never happens with remote shield boosters, because a shield booster delivers HP at the beginning its module cycle. This may sound like an unusual situation—how is it possible that a ship is destroyed in just 6 seconds? In fact, this happens frequently in large fleet fights, where tens of opponent damage dealers are focusing fire on a single ship. But wasted cycles also affect longer fights, where each wasted cycle diminishes the overall, average efficiency of repairs. Not only does shield repair involve no wasted cycles, but because shield disappears before armor, shield logistics pilots have a little more time to rescue their fleetmates than armor logistics pilots do. As a result, shield logistics is better than armor in very large fleet engagements, or in any situation where you expect your fleetmates to die quickly.

• Remote shield boosters deliver more HP/cycle, so they have more repair "alpha". Combat ships are sometimes judged by how much damage they can deliver in their first ("alpha") volley. Logistics ships can be compared by a very similar measure, by how much damage they can repair in their initial repair cycle. By this measure, remote shield boosters are better than remote armor repairers—they repair more damage, right away.

Prior to the December 2015 Frostline patch, the statistics for shield and armor repair modules were much more similar, and flying shield and armor logistics was mechanically almost identical. Now, even though logistics pilots are still expected to fly whatever logistics type matches their fleet's doctrine, they have to pilot shield and armor ships slightly differently, according to their strengths and limitations.

Remote Repair: Comparing Module Size

As you would expect, small, medium and large remote repair modules differ in the amount of HP they repair per cycle, and in their repair range. But these characteristics are also affected a great deal by the ships they are fit to. The chart below compares remote repair modules that have been fitted to logistics ships of matching size:

Remote Repair Module Sizes

Item	Repair Rate (HP/sec)	Optimal Range	Falloff
Small Solace Scoped Remote Armor Repairer fit to an Inquisitor* (Tech I logistics frigate)	28	11.6	19.3
Medium Solace Scoped Remote Armor Repairer fit to an Exequror* (Tech I logistics cruiser)	61	51.0	14.6
Large Solace Scoped Remote Armor Repairer fit to a Nestor* (Faction logistics battleship)	112	26.4	7.7

∗ Skills: All V's.

Though this chart is focused on just armor logistics, and shows just a few of the ships that are bonused for remote repair, it illustrates something that is true across all sub-capital logistics ships and modules: Logistics cruisers, and matching medium-sized logistics modules, represent a sort of sub-capital "sweet spot" in terms of repair amount and range. Medium modules fit to logistics cruisers repair much more effectively than frigates, and have a significant range bonus relative to battleships. (This is due to ship bonuses, not to module differences; unbonused large repairers have longer range than medium repairers.) As will be discussed below in the section on Logistics Ships, Unistas are often advised to skill into Tech I logistics cruisers if they are interested in fulfilling the logistics fleet role.

Remote Repair vs. Local Repair

One, very intuitive reason for including logistics ships in fleets is so that damage dealers can focus on their own role; by having logistics ships manage repair, the other, combat-oriented ships in the fleet can fit more modules, rigs, and implants dedicated to damage-dealing. But another, less intuitive justification is that logistics ships are often better at repairing other ships than those ships are at repairing themselves. The table below illustrates this by comparing local and remote armor repairers fit to cruiser hulls:

Local vs. Remote Repair Modules

Item	Repair Rate (HP/sec)	Repair Efficiency (HP/cap unit)
Medium Remote Armor Repairer II fit to an Exequror*	69	4.3
Medium Armor Repairer II fit to an unbonused hull	41	2.3

∗ Skills: All V's.

Logistics ships often repair their fleetmates more effectively, and with less capacitor, than their targets can repair themselves. This comparison can become a bit more complicated with shield boosting, particularly for combat ships that can fit oversized local shield boosters. Nevrtheless, remote shield boosters fit to logistics ships—like the remote armor repairers shown above—are more effective than local shield boosters of the same size.

Ancillary Remote Repair Modules

In the Citadel expansion (April 2016), CCP introduced two new classes of remote repair modules: Ancillary Remote Shield Boosters and Ancillary Remote Armor Repairers. These modules are similar in function to local ancillary repair modules (introduced in the Retribution expansion of 2013) that consume charges in exchange for local repairs; the remote versions apply repairs to a fleetmate instead of locally. The attributes of ancillary remote repair modules are different from those of local repair modules, however, and are discussed further below. In general, both ancillary remote armor repairers and ancillary remote shield boosters are used to provide a quick burst of remote repair over a few module cycles, which consume all of the module's loaded charges. Once this happens, ancillary remote repair modules must undergo an extremely slow reload before they can be used in charge-boosted mode again. As a result, ancillary remote repair modules do not improve on the overall repair rate of standard remote repair modules—the combination of boosted repair and the long reload time results in an averaged HP/time that is similar to ordinary remote repair modules—but they can be used to front-load these repairs.

Ancillary Remote Shield Boosters

Ancillary Remote Shield Booster Comparison

Item	Shield Boost (HP)	Activation Cost, without charges (GJ)	Activation Cost, with charges* (GJ)	# Cycles Before Reload	Reload Time (sec)	Boost Rate (HP/sec, including reload time)	CPU (tf)	Powergrid (MW)	Cycle Time (sec)	Optimal Range	Falloff
Medium Ancillary Remote Shield Booster I	475	700	0	9	60	32.4	50	52	8	5.00 km	7.50 km
Medium Remote Shield Booster I	260	232				32.5	50	52	8	5.00 km	7.50 km

∗Navy Cap Booster 50. The Cap Booster 25 size may not be used with ancillary shield booster modules. Larger boosters can fit, but they offer no repair gain over Navy Cap Booster 50's, so the smallest possible booster is always used.

As the comparison chart above shows, ancillary remote shield boosters (ARSBs) have two advantages over standard, Tech I shield boosters: they deliver almost double the shield boost of a standard shield booster for 9 module cycles, and they require no capacitor when operated with cap booster charges. ARSBs also receive all of the ship bonuses that standard remote shield boosters do (and so, while the exact numbers in this table will change according to the ship they are fitted to, the comparison will not). These are pretty significant advantages. Shield logistics ships are often capacitor-limited, and so delivering repairs without the need for capacitor not only helps them contribute longer, but also makes them more resistant against enemy capacitor warfare. And an initial, powerful shield boost might be just what your fleet needs at the beginning of a fight, when incoming alpha damage is at its greatest.

Nevertheless, ARSBs have some clear drawbacks. When the ARSB module runs out of cap booster charges, the logistics pilot has two choices: either wait for a 60-second reload, or use the module without charges, which costs three times as much capacitor as the standard module. (Most shield logistics ships don't have enough capacitor for the second option.) As is true for local ancillary repair modules, only one ARSB can be fit to a ship, so logistics pilots with an ASRB fitted will also have to use standard shield boosters. And finally, while ARSBs compare well against standard Tech I modules, they don't look quite as strong compared to meta, Tech II, faction or deadspace shield boosters; they have shorter range, and sometimes worse fitting, than many of these other options. In particular, Tech II logistics ships are probably better fit with standard shield boosters, because Tech II ships are less capacitor-limited. On the other hand, groups of Tech I Scythe pilots could benefit significantly by fitting ARSBs, so that they can boost each other through the initial wave of damage that is frequently aimed at logistics. Although ARSBs are very new and rare—they can only be manufactured from blueprint copies found via exploration or ratting—they may still find a niche in low-skill logistics.

Ancillary Remote Armor Repairers

Ancillary Remote Armor Repairer Comparison

Item	Repair Amount, with charges* (HP)	Repair Amount, without charges (HP)	Activation Cost	# Cycles Before Reload	Reload Time (sec)	Repair Rate (HP/sec, including reload time)	CPU (tf)	Powergrid (MW)	Cycle Time (sec)	Optimal Range	Falloff
Medium Ancillary Remote Armor Repairer I	435	145	155	8	60	32.2	20	120	6	8.75 km	2.50 km
Medium Remote Armor Repairer I		196	155			32.7	20	120	6	8.75 km	2.50 km

∗Nanite Repair Paste.

Ancillary Remote Armor Repairers (ARARs) are similar to ARSBs in that they deliver more HP repair—more than double that of a standard, Tech I remote repair module—at the expense of charges. ARARs consume nanite repair paste instead of cap boosters, and they can only be loaded with eight cycles worth of charges instead of nine. More significantly, ARARs consume capacitor whether they are loaded with paste or not, but they only repair 1/3 as much HP when they are operated without paste. Just like ARSBs, ARARs have a 60-second reload time that limits the average repair efficiency of the modules. You can only fit a maximum of one, and ARARs compare poorly against meta, Tech II, faction and deadspace repairers in fitting and overall efficiency. But, as with ARSBs, they can be used for a short burst of repairs at the beginning of an engagement.

Logistics Rigs

There is only one set of rigs dedicated to assisting logistics ships—Remote Repair Augmentors—and these only assist armor repair, not shield boosting. Remote repair augmentors reduce the capacitor demand of armor repairers (by 20% for Tech I rigs, 25% for Tech II). Given the cap demand of remote repair modules, it might seem as though logistics pilots should always fit one or more of these rigs. But Capacitor Control Circult, Trimark Armor Pump, or Ancillary Current Router rigs may be preferable, depending on the fit.

Logistics Drones

Logistics drones (Maintenance Bots) are an important component of logistics piloting. All logistics ships of all sizes and races have dronebays that can fit maintenance bots. In addition, nearly all Tech I and Tech II logistics cruisers (except the Osprey and Augoror) receive a 100% bonus to maintenance bot repair amount. To put the importance of this bonus into perspective, about 25% of the repping power of a standard, Unista Fleet-Up Fit Scythe comes from its drones.

A detailed description of maintenance bots is available in the UniWiki's Guide to Drones. The message here is simple: use them, and use the best ones that you have the skills for.

Remote Capacitor Transfer

Remote Capacitor Transmitters consume capacitor on the fitted ship, and transfer that capacitor to a targeted fleetmate. On unbonused ships, remote capacitor transmitters can be used to counter the effects of capacitor warfare, but local options (such as cap battery or booster modules) are often more effective at this job. However, as explained further below in the Logistics Ships section, Caldari and Amarr logistics cruisers have significant bonuses to remote capacitor transmitters that create an unusual situation: when these ships activate a remote capacitor transmitter, they transfer more capacitor than they consume. In effect, Caldari and Amarr logistics cruisers can use remote capacitor transmitters to create capacitor units, out of thin air.

Effects of Ship Bonuses on Remote Capacitor Transmitters

Medium 'Regard' Remote Capacitor Transmitter:* (meta 4)	Activation Cost (GJ)	Capacitor Transferred (GJ)	Optimal Range
unbonused	85	108	6.0 km
fit to an Osprey (Tech I logistics cruiser)	85	324	66.0 km

∗ Skills: All V's, including Capacitor Emission Systems V.

As shown in the chart, an unbonused transmitter transfers about the same amount of capacitor as it consumes. (A bit more at high skills, a bit less at low skills.) When fit to an Osprey or Augoror, on the other hand, these modules can generate hundreds of capacitor units for other ships in the fleet, at significant ranges. Most commonly, this extra capacitor is transferred to other logistics ships in a capacitor chain (or "cap chain"). In cap-chain logistics, a squad of logistics ships simultaneously give and receive capacitor to each other as a means of increasing their available capacitor. Cap-chain logistics is described further in the Tactics section of this Guide.

Remote Tracking Computers and Sensor Boosters

The Oneiros and the Scimitar—both solo (non-cap-chain) Tech II logistics cruisers—are bonused for remote tracking computers. These are primarily used to support battleship fleets, and to help their battleship fleetmates hit cruiser-sized targets. Although remote tracking support is probably not the first thing that EVE players think of when they consider logistics ships, remote tracking computers are often fit to these two specific logistics hulls.

No logistics hulls receive bonuses to remote sensor boosters (RSBs), but they are a form of on-grid remote assistance, and RSBs are sometimes fit to logistics ships as a counter to enemy electronic warfare (EWAR). In particular, cap-chained logistics ships can combine RSBs to help counter focused EWAR that is aimed at breaking the cap chain; in this scenario, multiple RSBs can be used to shore up the sensor strength of the targeted chain member.

Skills

What skills are required for the Combat Logistics Pilot?

Core Skills

These skills are the minimum to be able to pilot and perform Remote Support Systems (RSS) operations with a Tech 1 logistics ship.

• Racial Cruiser - Minimum true Logistics ship, and one of the following skills:
• Shield Emission Systems - permits use of Shield Transporters.
• Remote Armor Repair Systems - permits use of Remote Armor Repair Systems.
• Capacitor Emission Systems - permits use of Energy Transfer Arrays.
• Sensor Linking - permits use of Remote Sensor Boosters and Tracking Links.

Secondary Skills

While your fitting will depend on what your player skills will allow, the ideal combat logistics pilot should try to balance RSS capability and capacitor stability.

• CPU Management - An increase to a ship's CPU by 5% per skill level.
• Energy Grid Upgrades – A skill with a 5% reduction in CPU needs per skill level.
• Capacitor Management - A 5% per skill level increase to your ship’s overall energy capacity helps you to remain capacitor stable.
• Capacitor Systems Operation - A 5% reduction in cap recharge rate per skill level.
• Power Grid Management - An increase to a ship’s Power Grid by 5% per skill level.
• Leadership - provides non-direct RSS bonuses.
• Long Range Targeting - A requirement to fly Tech 2 logistics ships; and a good idea to target as far out as you can for situation assessment.
• Repair Systems - Decreases repairer cycle time.
• Signature Analysis - A 5% per skill level improved targeting speed is beneficial, this skill is also necessary to fly Tech 2 Logistics ships.
• Target Management and Advanced Target Management - +1 Target per skill level. Being able to keep lock on multiple ships for quicker RSS is essential.

Advanced Skills

These skills are specific to improving the effectiveness of RSS, ship survivability, and use of Maintenance Drones.

• Armor Compensation skills - A 5% per skill level to armor resistance type.
• Drone Durability - Required for Repair Drone Operation. Increases survivability of drones by a small amount.
• Electronic Warfare - Required to use Projected ECCM modules.
• Hull Upgrades - A 5% increase in structure HP per skill level.
• Repair Drone Operation - Required to use Maintenance Bots of all kinds. 5% increased repair amount per level.
• Remote Hull Repair Systems - permits use of Remote Hull Repair Systems.
• Jury Rigging - Ability to install permanent ship modifications (rigs). There are sub-skills for various types of rigs.
• Shield Management - A 5% bonus to shield capacity per skill level.
• Tactical Logistics Reconfiguration - Required for capital support ship.
• Target Painting - Required to use a Target Painter Module.
• Logistics Cruisers - Required for the Tech 2 logistics cruisers.
• [[Skills:Warfare Link Specialist]] - Required to install and use Gang Link modules.

Implants

Implants for the pilot are lost if the implant is removed or the pilot is podded. These implants can offer substantial support for RSS when using advanced modules and at higher skill levels. Prices range from affordable for low-end ones, to hundreds of millions of ISK for higher-end ones.

Slot	Implant	Bonus Reduced Capacitor Needs
7	Hardwiring - Inherent Implants 'Noble' ZET20 series (RA-70x)	1% to 6% remote armor repair system modules.
8	Hardwiring - Zainou ‘Gnome’ KXA500 series (SE-80x)	1% to 6% shield emission system modules.
9	Hardwiring – Zainou ‘Gypsy’ KRB-25 series (SL-90x)	1% to 6% sensor linking modules.

Ships

Technically speaking, almost any ship could be used for RSS. Ships the size of frigates all the way up to capital sized ships have the ability to be RSS ships if the pilot has the skill to fit and use the logistics modules. However, there are ships designed with special bonuses that are more suited for RSS, and this guide will focus on that category of ships and pilots. The mentioning of non-specific RSS ships will be made for comparison purposes, only.

Tech 1 Logistics Frigates

These Tech 1 frigates have one specific area of RSS, with an increase in support range and a reduction in capacitor usage of such modules. These ships require the racial frigate skill of 1.

Tech 1 Logistics Frigates by Race
Race	Ship	-10% Cap Usage, 500% Range
Amarr	Inquisitor	Remote Armor Repair
Caldari	Bantam	Shield Transporter
Gallente	Navitas	Remote Armor Repair
Minmatar	Burst	Shield Transporter

Tech 2 Logistics Frigates

Tech 2 Logistic Frigates has one specific area of RSS, with an increase in support falloff range, optimal (depending on faction), and repair amount. There are also decreases in capacitor requirements for the repair module. These ships require the racial frigate skill of 5.

Tech 2 Logistics Frigates by Race
Race	Ship	-50% Cap Usage, 50% Repair Amount
Amarr	Deacon	Remote Armor
Caldari	Kirin	Shield Transporter
Gallente	Thalia	Remote Armor Repair
Minmatar	Scalpel	Shield Transporter

Tech 1 Logistics Cruisers

These Tech 1 cruisers have one specific area of RSS, with an increase in support range and a reduction in capacitor usage of such modules. Also, some ships generally have a minor bonus to a secondary effect. These ships require the racial cruiser skill of 1.

Tech 1 Logistics Cruisers by Race
Race	Ship	-5% Cap Usage, 1000% Range
Amarr	Augoror	Remote Armor Repair & Energy Transfer
Caldari	Osprey	Shield Transporter & Energy Transfer
Gallente	Exequror	Remote Armor Repair
Minmatar	Scythe	Shield Transporter

Tech 2 Logistics Cruisers

Tech 2 Logistics Cruisers have two areas of RSS that receive bonuses. They also have a role bonus, uniquely tailored to being RSS ships such as the range in which they can use modules, and the decreased need for CPU and/or power grid. Tech 2 Logistics ships also receive a bonus to specific logistics drones. These ships require the racial cruiser skill of 5 and Logistics 1 skill training.

Tech 2 Logistics Cruisers by Race
Race	Ship	Primary and Drone Bonus	Secondary Bonus
Amarr	Guardian	Remote Armor Repairer	Energy Transfer
Caldari	Basilisk	Shield Transporter	Energy Transfer
Gallente	Oneiros	Remote Armor Repairer	Tracking Link Efficiency
Minmatar	Scimitar	Shield Transporter	Tracking Link Efficiency

Remote Repairing Battleship (RRBS)

The Dominix does not receive any bonuses to repair or support, but is a popular RSS ship. The considerable capacitor recharge with proper rigs and high slots makes this Tech I Battleship a low skillpoint method of gaining access to Large Remote Armor Repairers. Also the Dominix has the ability to field 5 Large Maintenance Bots with considerable range at low skill investment. The Nestor is also a Battleship capable of Remote Repair and it is meant for that role. Its high cost, and limited usefulness make it an unpopular ship though.

Command and Capital Ships

These are giant logistics platforms. They have the ability to store 1,000,000 m3 of assembled ships in their ship maintenance bay so that pilots who lose their ships can quickly pick up a new one. Other ships from the carrier pilot's corporation (or fleet, depending on the carrier's settings) can also use it to refit in space.

A carrier has a 50% per level range bonus to two of the following, depending on which race's carrier it is: capital energy transferers, capital shield transporters and capital remote armor repairers. The Amarr Archon gets cap transfer and armor rep, the Gallente Thanathos and Minmatar Nidhoggur get shield and armor, and the Caldari Chimera gets cap transfer and shield. In addition to that, the Chimera and Archon get a resistances bonus (5% per level to armor for Archon, shield for Chimera), the Nidhoggur gets a capital remote rep amount bonus (7.5% per level to armor and shield repair amounts) and the Thanatos gets a fighter damage bonus (5% per level). All carriers get the ability to control one extra drone per level in addition to the normal five, and the ability to use fighters (but not fighter bombers). They can't fit any guns or launchers at all, so the high slots are usually used for energy neutralizers, smartbombs (for killing drones or small ships) and remote reps or energy transfer arrays.

Carriers by Race
Race	Ship	Primary and Drone Bonus	Secondary Bonus	Additional bonus
Amarr	Archon	Armor Repairer	Energy Transfer	Warfare Links
Caldari	Chimera	Shield Transfer	Energy Transfer	Warfare Links
Gallente	Thanatos	Armor Repairer	Shield Transfer	Warfare Links
Minmatar	Nidhoggur	Shield Transfer	Armor repair	Warfare Links

Basic Ship Fittings

In broad sweeping generalities, combat logistics ships should be fitted to provide the RSS that they have bonuses for. This is the primary role of any RSS ship, but balancing this is the need to provide a ship that is cap stable and can provide such support under sustained heavy demands. Last, is providing some form of a tank for your ship.

Player vs Environment

• Tech 1 Logistic cruisers
• A smaller more sustainable RSS setup is preferred.
• More priority is given to cap stability.
• A smaller tank may be used, due to tactics that keep the NPC’s from attacking the logistics ship.
• Use of Maintenance Bots is preferred.

Player vs Player

• Tech 1 and Tech 2 Logistics cruisers
• A larger RSS is preferred, as it may only be used once before bouncing.
• A lesser emphasis is placed on cap stability, due to the presence of other logistics ships.
• Generally, a stronger tank to survive being primary and/or jammed.
• Use of Maintenance Bots is still preferred.

Organization and Tactics

Organization

In a fleet, logistics ships can be grouped into logistics wings and squadrons, or can be assigned to different squadrons as the fleet commander wishes. Be sure to provide the proper support to the proper ships. Remote armor support ships should be assigned to support an armor tanked squadron and or ship. At the highest levels, there could be entire fleets structured to deliver logistics support. This type of structure is beyond this guide. Logistics pilots should have their own fleet convo channel set up to ensure maximum RSS efficiency.

Basic Tactics

The basic tactics are for Tech 1 logistics ship operating in Player verses Environment, (PvE).

• Friendly ship/squadron lands on grid and draws the NPC aggression,
• Logistics ship warps to optimal range from the friendly ships,
• Aligns to celestial and adjust targeting range,
• Faster ship is responsible for maintaining RSS range,
• Locks as many squadron targets as possible,
• Begin RSS operations,
• Provide post-battle and salvage RSS

Capacitor Stable

Be cap stable, meaning you can run all of your remote support modules indefinitely. Running out of capacitor in the middle of an engagement could spell tragedy. Timing can be everything when it comes to RSS. In Empire Space, remote supporting a ship too early might gain you unwanted aggression. However, remote supporting a ship too late may result in the loss of a ship or possibly an entire fleet. Have a clearly defined agreement between the RSS squadron and your friendly targets as to when/why you will begin to support and who will be supported. Practicing your remote support is very important in helping the combat logistics squadron to determine their full potential. Player Owned Stations (POS) can be the recipients of RSS. Typically this kind of support is generally done by Capital Ships fitted with capital sized repair modules. See the article on Carrier support for details.

Do not overcommit!

You should always have reps to go within the next two seconds for emergencies. In order to make sure this is possible, you will generally not engage all your repair modules at the same time in order to achieve maximum sustained reps.

You will split them off one at a time, so it is staggered halfway through the cycle of the first. This can help target-switching to a crucial target, such as a FC or fellow logi member that is starting to get primaried.

Of course, if your primary rep target is going down too fast such as with a fight with an alpha doctrine, you should engage all your reppers, including even the reserve one, at the same time.

Crimewatch: Aggression and Timers

What happens to me when I remote repair someone else? If you remote support someone, you will become aggressed to whomever the targeted ship is currently aggressed to.

An RSS ship does not obtain a docking timer from a station, or a jump timer at a gate like a ship who is shooting a weapon at an enemy ship. If you are outside a station and within docking range, and you begin to remote support another ship, you have the ability to dock at any time as long as you do not shoot a weapon or any kind of aggressive act like webbing, warp scrambling, nossing, or neuting. The same holds true for offensive gate camping.

You can also become aggressed to CONCORD and Sentry Guns if you remote support someone doing something illegal in either Empire space or low-sec space.

Be wary of who you remote support. A common tactic is for someone in a cheap frigate to ask for remote support. Once you begin to remote support the frigate, he will fire at the station or another ship. The frigate is promptly destroyed for committing a criminal act, and so are you for remote supporting him.

Advanced Tactics

Whereas basic tactics are Player vs. Environment, (PvE), and Tech 1 ship oriented, the advanced tactics are focused on Player vs. Player, (PvP), and Tech 2 ships. These tactics build upon the foundation of the basic tactics.

Buffer Tanking and PvP

All ships (especially DPS) in PvP fleets with logistics should make use Buffer Tanking, which gives more time before logistics repairs land on them. Remote repair is used on the opposing fleet's primary targets to prevent their death for as long as possible. The advantage of this for the FC is that DPS-focused ships do not have to fit self-repair capability and so can be fit with more emphasis on damage. Any time the fleet is together on grid, logistics should lock up important targets in preparation for incoming damage.

Non-logistics ship spider Tanking

Spider tanking is when several logistic ships will remotely repair each other. Spider tanking logistic-bonused ships using Energy Emission systems can generate capacitor out of thin air, as they make more capacitor energy than they use. Spider tanking is highly effective in larger ship engagements, due to the large buffer available on those ships. Notably triage carriers in particular get strong local and outgoing repair bonuses, allowing them to serve as repair logistics and combat vessels.

Multiple Module Types

Tech 2 logistics ship can be fitted with two differing type bonus RSS modules and have a larger drone bay. Coordination of those two RSS and use of logistics drones, especially between multiple ships is the purpose of advanced tactics.

Remote Sensor Boosters and Tracking Links

Remote Sensor Booster could be used to increase the targeting range of a friendly ship. Some ships, fitted correctly would be able to hit a target from a sizeable distance (known as sniping). But perhaps that ship would not have the modules fit to lock a target that far away. For example, a pilot has determined that his Tech 2 Cruise Missiles can hit a target at a distance of 180km. He can’t lock that far however without fitting a Targeting Range scripted Sensor Booster of his own. A Remote Sensor Boosting ship with the correct script could increase this target range even further, thereby allowing him to lock further out without having to give up a mid slot. Scan resolution scripts are important if you think a friendly target ship may want to get a target lock jump on the enemy. One example is, a Battleship has very low scan resolution. Increasing the scan resolution through remote sensor boosters will allow the Battleship to lock an enemy target faster.

Tracking Link module will increase the turret range and the turret tracking speed of the target ship. This module can be fitted with one of two similar scripts to the remote sensor booster’s script. Use of the two modules together – in certain circumstances – may be useful for a sniper BS battling fast ships at long and/or short distances. Especially when combined with the proper scripts being loaded into both the Sensor Booster and the Tracking Link modules.

Example Scenario

You are a Basilisk pilot in a fleet of thirty ships; mostly frigates and cruisers, a handful of battlecruisers and battleships (a typical e-uni fleet), and another logistics pilot. Your scout discovers a twenty ship enemy fleet, which is camped at gate in a nearby low-sec system. The Fleet Commander can choose to send the two logistics pilots in as well as a handful of the tougher ships as bait. Have the bait squadron engage the enemy, point as many as they can, wait until the enemy engage, and bring the rest of the fleet in. The logistics pilots will keep the bait squadron alive, (against the superior odds), long enough for the main fleet to arrive. Or, the FC can simply warp in at optimal with the whole fleet and begin the combat.

A typical engagement will go something like this. The Fleet Commander orders a warp to optimal ranges to engage the gatecamp.

• If the fight on the gate is at 0, warp to 50-70 km, wherever you feel comfortable. Make sure your energy transfer buddy warps at a similar range. Large transfer modules have a 70+ km range.

• Target any ships used as bait and activate reps on them. Target your logistics partner and start the cap transfer chain – Spider Tanking. Activate afterburner (if you are using one) and get angular velocity to the enemy fleet, or fight aligned to a celestial. Ideally you want your fleet between you and the enemy.

• Use the watch list, as well as people announcing in the fleet window that they need shields to judging who needs remote reps. If you have multiple logistics you may wish to look after a squad each, or simply lock when people call for shields. The "fleet announce" button is great for this. Have your fleet mates hit the "need shield" button if they require reps. Tech 2 logistics can handle 10 targets, so pre-locking is a vital tactic if you know who is likely to be primaries.

• Watch out in particular for your fellow logistics pilot. If one gets too low, either both RSS ships should bounce out, repair to full, then warp back in; or you need to let your partner know you will need repairs as soon as you re-hit the grid.

• Keep an eye out for enemy EWAR ships in particular - remote sensor damps can increase your lock time and decrease your lock range, you will need to move closer, or even better warp in closer to your fleet if these are present. EWAR ships can break your energy transfer chain and keep your reps from being effective. Logistics ships have naturally high sensor strength and usually fit ECCM, but you aren't invincible to jams, and it only takes one or two to really mess your fleet up if they are relying on you. The FC should know to target these ships first if possible.

• Keep an eye out for energy neutralizers. The occasional nos or neut is ok, but a dedicated neut ship like a Curse or a Dominix with multiple large neuts is going to cap you out. Inform the FC you are becoming cap unstable and have them jam or direct primaries on these ships.

• Use your drones as needed. Shield maintenance bots are usually put on the other Basilisk. Warrior II's are launched to attack enemy drones or small ships, (frigates/interceptors etc), harassing you. ECM drones can be used to break an enemy tacklers lock or placed on an enemy EWAR ship or logistics.

• Keep your FC informed if something is going wrong. The FC will have a plan in mind that takes into account the power of your reps. If you are jammed, that’s vital information. If people are breaking, or the logistics ships are breaking, the FC needs to know, to plan accordingly.

• Your job isn't over once your fleet is victorious or you scatter. Stick with the regrouping fleet and continue to repair people so re-engagement is possible. You never know when reinforcements might come, you get hit again, or your FC decides to re-engage the enemy fleet.

Remote verses Self Repair Analysis

This page should be updated due to game changes.
Reason: These figures are outdated as of 2015 and do not represent changes to repair modules.

Remote verses Self Repair Analysis

Ships Modules

These charts reflect the minimum skills required to use the Logistics ship and the RSS modules - except where indicated (i.e. the "Pilot Skill" column.) The numbers are from using Pyfa.

Medium Remote Armor Repair Modules						Armor Repair Module
Module	Cycle	Activation Costs				Cycle	Activate	Amount
Meta	Time	Base	Pilot Skill	T2 Ship	HP/Cycle	Time	Cost	HP/Cycle
0	5	118	88.5	41.3	160	12	160	276
1	5	118	88.5	41.3	168	12	160	290
2	5	118	88.5	41.3	176	12	160	304
3	5	118	88.5	41.3	184	12	160	317
4	5	118	88.5	41.3	192	12	160	331
5	4.5	108	81	37.8	192	12	160	368

Medium Energy Transfer Arrays
Module	Module Activation Costs			Transfer
Meta	Time	Base	Pilot Skill	Amount
0	5	113	84.8	90
1	5	113	84.8	95
2	5	113	84.8	99
3	5	113	84.8	104
4	5	113	84.8	108
5	5	122	91.5	117

Medium Shield Transporter Modules							Shield Booster Module
Module	Cycle	Activation Costs				Amount	Cycle	Activate	Amount
Meta	Time	Base	Pilot Skill	T1 Ship	T2 Ship	HP/Cycle	Time	Cost	HP/Cycle
0	5	132	99	132	132	160	3	60	78
1	5	132	99	132	132	168	3	60	82
2	5	132	99	132	132	176	3	60	85
3	5	132	99	132	132	184	3	60	90
4	5	132	99	132	132	192	3	60	93
5	4.5	120	90	120	120	192	3	60	104

Add a Tracking Links chart.

Non-RSS Ship Comparison

As an example of just how effective spider tanking, and by extension remote support can be; a simple analysis is given using a well skilled pilot.

Performance Comparison - Select Gallente Ships
Ship	Fitting	Armor Tank	Shield Tank	Remote Armor	Shield Transport
Myrmidon	Tech 2	188.84	468.25	1152	768
Dominix	Tech 2	249.36	270.39	2304	2304
Exequror	Meta 4	-	-	768	768
Oneiros	Tech 2	-	-	1536	1536

• All numbers are in hp/s for effective Damage-Per-Second (DPS), shield tanks at optimal.
• All shield tanks are passive, omni-tank. All armor tanks are for Thermal/Kinetic.
• DPS Numbers from EveHQ and EFT. Fittings are from battleclinic.
• All numbers are calculated with relevant skills at effective level 5.
• This does not include Repair Bots, to which the Logistics cruisers gain bonuses.

So for example, the Myrmidon can tank around 188 DPS from Serpentis (Thermal/Kinetic) with two Medium Armor Repair II modules but with 6 Remote Armor Repair II modules repair a fellow Myrmidon for 1,152 DPS while being capacitor stable. Also, the huge base repair rate of the Dominix with 6 Remote Armor Repair or Shield Transport Arrays should be obvious.

Logistics Drones – The numbers

Single Repair Drone		Ship Amount		Single Rig Amount
Size	Base HPs	Tech 1	Tech 2	Tech 1	Tech 2
T1 Light	12	12.6	25.2	13.86	28.98
T2 Light	14	17.5	31.5	19.25	40.25
T1 Medium	24	26.4	50.4	29.04	60.72
T2 Medium	28	35.0	63.0	38.05	80.50
T1 Heavy	60	69.0	129.0	82.50	158.7
T2 Heavy	72	90.0	162.0	99.00	207.0

• The transfer amounts use minimum skills and EFT numbers.
• Rig amounts are for one rig at same tech level as the ship.
• All logistics drones have a 5 second cycle time.
• Medium shield drones have a slightly higher transfer amount.

Countermeasures

Like all ships in EVE, logistics ships have ways of being made a non-factor in combat.

Aside from being called primary, shot at and possibly destroyed, a logistical pilot can expect to be jammed from the onset of an engagement to limit their ability to support the fleet. Having several logistical ships in a fleet will make it more difficult for an enemy to jam all of you; making it possible for others to remotely support during your jammed cycle. In Capital ship engagements, Motherships have a special module - the Remote ECM Burst - to jam all ships in range and break this chain of cooperative RSS.

Conclusion

Random Thoughts:

For the pilot, flying Logistics Ships is the ultimate team-player.

These ships are not for the ad-hoc fleet, it requires training and practice to be an effective logistics pilot.

Since Logistics are a force multiplier, they can enable a smaller fleet of skilled pilots to take on and prevail over a larger fleet.

There is a place for Tech 1 Logistics, they can be used at the squadron level, or be assigned to shadow and support one or two Damage Dealers and/or EWar ships.

Tech 1 Logistics is where to begin training the new logistics pilots.

Tech 1 Logistics can be used to support missions and small classed wormholes fleets.

Tech 1 Logistics can be used for remote sensor boost and tanking an interceptor on a defensive gate camp.

I have discovered no value in direct combat support roles, for mining.

Could Logistics, be the key to providing ILN ESCORT SERVICES?

• A logistics ship providing buffer tanking to the transport.
• This is a tactic/operation to be examined.

Fleet Replenishment, classed under non-combat logistics, was not examined by this author.

• Orcas flying in mining fleet is the reverse of this concept,
• This is another tactic/operation to be examined.

Truly, effective Combat Logistics begin with Tech 2 ships and there must be multiples of them to take advantage of the spider-tanking bonuses.

The Spider-Tanking bonus is the real power behind logistics.

Can two T2 Logistics ships Tank AND Cap Stabilize each other to an extent where they can become a fortress. Use shield tanking, projected ECCM, and energy transfers, and still retain enough capabilities to support a fleet, wing, or squadron?

References

Top Contributors for this Page

• Evelopedia: Logistics Piloting, stolen shamelessly from
• EVE University: Logistics Guide,
• EVE University: Logistics 101, class