Cruisers: Difference between revisions

There are four classes of Tech 2 cruisers, which are more powerful, more focused on a particular role and much more expensive than their Tech 1 equivalents: Recons (advanced force-multiplying electronic warfare platforms), Heavy Assault Cruisers (powerful damage-dealers), Heavy Interdiction Cruisers (super-tacklers) and Logistics cruisers (remote repair platforms). Cruisers and destroyers are the only ship classes that currently have a Tech 3 version, the [[Strategic Cruiser|strategic cruisers]] and [[Destroyer#Tech 3 Destroyers| tactical destroyers]].

Each race has four tech 1 cruiser hulls, divided into several roles. One is an [[EWAR Guide|EWAR]] cruiser, one fills a [[Guide to Logistics|logistics]] role, one is a tankier combat cruiser, while another is a speedier attack cruiser.

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Rupture]]: Useful in PvP and PvE. Potentially ''very'' high dps, like the Thorax. Can fit a decent PvE armor tank, or a PvP buffer armor tank, or a nimble PvP buffer shield tank.

{{main|Recon Ships}}

These come in two varieties, combat recons and force recons. Force recons can fit a covert ops cloak and therefore can warp cloaked, while combat recons are generally better in actual combat, either because they have stronger tanks, because they deal more damage or simply because they have better range for their electronic warfare. Combat recons are also invisible to [[Directional Scanner Guide|D-scan]] at all times.

Their main purpose is [[EWAR Guide|EWAR]], but their uses vary from race to race.

Drones for DPS, well-bonused neutralizers and nosferatus in the highs, tracking disruptor bonus for reducing incoming damage. The force recon, the Pilgrim, does not get a neut range bonus and is therefore limited to roughly 12km neut range, while the Curse can neut at about 36km with recon 5 and best named/T2 neuts.

* {{icon|isis amarr|22}}[[Curse]]

Caldari recons only have bonuses to ECM, but consequently can mount the strongest ECM in the game. The Rook can fit 5 missile launchers and a full flight of light drones; the Falcon can cloak, but only gets 3 guns and 2 drones.

* {{icon|isis caldari|22}}[[Rook]]

Bonuses to sensor dampening, and to warp disruptor/scrambler range. Recon 5 gives the pilot 18km scram range and 48km disruptor range without overheating (for Tech 2 mods). The Lachesis will usually forgo its Ewar in favor of a heavy shield tank, while the Arazu is primarily armor fit.(Arazu has an extra low slot in exchange for 1 less mid and high slot)

* {{icon|isis gallente|22}}[[Lachesis]]

Extremely long-ranged webs (normal Tech 2 webs fitted on these ships reach about 40km with Recon level 5 -- before [[overheating]]!) and bonuses to target painter strength. The Huginn is the combat recon and has projectile weapon bonuses, while the Rapier is the force recon and has missile bonuses.

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Rapier]]

Heavy Assault Cruisers (commonly called "HACs") are extremely versatile and powerful ships. They combine high speed and agility with either high DPS and decent tanks when fitted for close range, or decent DPS and buffer tanks at very long ranges, where only sniper battleships can fire back, when fitted for sniping.

Besides their obvious PvP applications, some HACs are also useful PvE ships because they combine substantial tanks and DPS with unusual mobility. This can be useful in, for example, running exploration sites in lowsec or nullsec, where pilots might need to make a quick getaway.

* {{icon|isis amarr|22}}[[Zealot]]: Versatile. Does well at close or sniping ranges, buffer-tanked or active-tanked. The best sub-BS sniper in the game, much better DPS and tank in a close range fit then most other HACs, at the price of slightly lower speed and agility.

* {{icon|isis amarr|22}}[[Sacrilege]]: Tanks like a beast, decent damage with Heavy Assault Missiles. Active tank.

* {{icon|isis caldari|22}}[[Cerberus]]: Long range missile boat. High theoretical DPS compared to other sniper HACs, but missile travel time delays the damage. Other HACs can pretty much hit everything perfectly at their usual sniping ranges, where the Cerberus's missiles still get a damage penalty when hitting moving targets.

* {{icon|isis caldari|22}}[[Eagle]]: Hybrid turret gunboat, sniping with railguns or unconventionally fit with blasters.

* {{icon|isis gallente|22}}[[Ishtar]]: Great tank, high damage, quite a dangerous HAC. Drone dependent, but can carry multiple flights of heavies or sentries. Passive shield tanking potential and its drones make it popular for PvE too.

* {{icon|isis gallente|22}}[[Deimos]]: Capability for High DPS with very little tank which has earned this ship its nickname, the "Diemost." It's a very expensive ship that has to get very close to its target when close-range fitted. Given that it also usually has very little tank with High DPS(800+), it's an obvious primary, and can't survive for very long. It does alright in sniper gangs, although it's not the best option for them.

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Muninn]]: Great sniper HAC with artillery. Performs like a better-tanked Rupture at close range. Awesome [[EVE Lexicon#Alpha_Strike|alpha]].

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Vagabond]]: Nasty damage and good tackle, quick and agile, good in a gang. Will melt quickly if locked down. Stabber hulls, like the Vaga, are the fastest cruisers in the game, with the exception of some pirate faction ones.

{{main|Heavy Interdiction Cruisers}}

The role of Heavy Interdiction Cruisers ('HICs' or 'hictors') is the heaviest tackle possible. With the exception of some T3 cruiser setups, they have better tanks than any other cruiser, and match that of most battleships. Their DPS is extremely low, but is generally unnecessary to perform their role.

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Broadsword]]: Shield tank. Better speed and resists than the Onyx, at the price of CPU for utility mods.

Each race does it a bit differently here, but overall these ships increase the survivability of a fleet in one way or another.  

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Scimitar]]

{{main|Strategic Cruiser}}

Strategic cruisers, or T3 cruisers, are advanced and highly versatile ships that can fit different subsystems to achieve a variety of roles.

* {{icon|isis minmatar|22}}[[Loki]]

* [[Opux Luxury Yacht]]