Difference between revisions of "Clone Soldier Tags"

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(rework and update, I deleted most of the old recommendations because they were obsolete and very personal/dual-boxing specific)
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[[Category:Exploration]]
 
[[Category:Exploration]]
  
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{{Update| Need to remove references to using Stealth Bombers for hunting these.  Double check on sec status for each type of clone.  Placid does not follow the chat below for type vs System Sec Status.  Also, articles seems to indicate that they clones only appear in the designated system sec status, but it appears they only "mostly" appear there.  They do spawn (rarely) in neighboring sec status systems.}}  
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{{Update| Double check on sec status for each type of clone.  Placid does not follow the chat below for type vs System Sec Status.  Also, articles seems to indicate that they clones only appear in the designated system sec status, but it appears they only "mostly" appear there.  They do spawn (rarely) in neighboring sec status systems.}}  
  
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<br><** WARNING **>  June 2014, the Kronos release has made hunting tags with light kiting ships impossible.  All references below to using stealth bombers to kill the Clone Tag rats are outdated and obselete. See the Kronos Addendum section at the bottom of this page.  Hunting tags with heavier DD ships is presumably still a viable strategy.</** WARNING **>
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Hunting clone soldier rats is useful to raise your [[Security status|security status]] using [[Security tags|security tags]] or can be used to get ISK by selling the tags on the market.
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<br>
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While it is not among the most profitable of endeavors in EVE, it combines well with flying small inexpensive ships including PvP-capable ship fittings.
 +
Thus it is a nice ISK-making option for either low-skillpoint pilots including alpha clones or also typical lowsec-dwellers living a PvP lifestyle.
  
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<br>These are solo techniques and tips for hunting the most valuable of the Clone Soldier tags, without getting killed in the process.  ;-)   
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These are solo techniques and tips for hunting the most valuable of the Clone Soldier tags, without getting killed in the process.  ;-)   
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<br>Your moderate familiarity and comfort with low sec operations is assumed.  Low sec is dangerous, but you quickly adjust.  The isk rewards are substantial.
 
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<br>The information is based on my experience using a covops ship for finding the Clone Soldier NPC rats, then a stealth bomber for kiting and shooting those rats, and then a covops ship again for looting and later transporting the tags to market.  Usually I dual-box on a single PC, but sometimes I just solo with a stealth bomber.
 
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−
<br>This article does not discuss how to use the tags to raise your security status.
 
  
 +
Your moderate familiarity and comfort with [[Safety Tips for Operating in Low Sec]] is assumed. Low sec can be dangerous, but you will quickly adjust if you try it out.
  
 +
NOTE: Since the June 2014 "Kronos" release, hunting tags with light kiting ships has been nerfed. Disregard all references that recommend stealth bombers to kill the Clone Tag rats.
  
 
== Reference Material ==
 
== Reference Material ==
  
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<br>Clone Soldier tags were new in the 2013 Eve Odessey release, and are used in game mechanics for raising a pilot's security status.  Tags are dropped by special asteroid belt NPC rats in low sec.  See the [http://community.eveonline.com/news/dev-blogs/wanttotrade-tags-for-security-status/ CCP Dev blog] from Odessey explaining the concept.
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Clone Soldier tags were introduced in the 2013 Eve Odessey release, and are used as an in-game mechanic for raising a pilot's security status.  Tags are dropped by special asteroid belt NPC rats in low sec.  See the [http://community.eveonline.com/news/dev-blogs/wanttotrade-tags-for-security-status/ CCP Dev blog] from Odessey explaining the concept.
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<br>The tags can be bought and sold in regular Eve markets, with values from roughly 1,500,000 to 30,000,000 isk. 
 
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<br>The value of each tag is based on which type of tag it is.  And, each 'type' of tag is found only in rats in a specific Security Status low sec system.  For example, Negotiator tags are found only in Security Status 0.2 low sec systems, and are dropped only by rats which have '...Negotiator' in their name.
 
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<br>There are four tag types:<pre>
 
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      Rat Name/Tag Type,    Value,    Low Sec Where Found
 
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−
        Trainer            1,500,000    Sec Status 0.4
 
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−
        Recruiter          3,500,000    Sec Status 0.3
 
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        Negotiator        30,000,000    Sec Status 0.2
 
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        Transporter        25,000,000    Sec Status 0.1
 
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</pre>
 
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<br>Current market values can be seen at [http://www.eve-central.com/home/typesearch.html?search=Clone+Soldier Eve-Central] or your in-game market detail display, searching on 'Clone Soldier'.
 
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<br>NPC rat names show what kind of tag that rat will drop.  The specific names vary depending on what region of Eve you are in, for example Serpentis rats in the Placid region, or Blood rats in the Aridia region.  The names show on your overview, like Guristas Clone Soldier Negotiator or Sansha Clone Soldier Recruiter.  Those two examples drop a Negotiater and a Recruiter tag respectively. 
 
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−
<br>Regardless of the NPC faction name like Serpentis or Blood, a '... Transporter' rat will always drop a generic Transporter tag, and so on.
 
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−
<br>Putting it all together -- If you are in a 0.1 low sec system, and you see a 'Sansha Clone ...' rat, then you know:
 
  
−
<br>* It is a 'Sansha Clone Soldier Transporter' rat.
+
The tags can be bought and sold in regular Eve markets, with values from roughly 1.5 to 30 M ISK. 
  
−
<br>* If you kill the rat, it will always drop a Transporter tag.
+
The value of each tag is based on which type of tag it is. And, each 'type' of tag is mostly found in rats in a specific Security Status low sec system. For example, Negotiator tags are mostly found in Security Status 0.2 low sec systems, and are dropped only by rats which have '...Negotiator' in their name.
  
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<br>* When you get the tag to market, it will be worth 25,000,000 isk.
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{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! NPC type !! System Security Status !! Approximate Tag Value
 +
|-
 +
| Clone Soldier Trainer || 0.4 || 1.5 M ISK
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|-
 +
| Clone Soldier Recruiter || 0.3 || 2 M ISK
 +
|-
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| Clone Soldier Transporter || 0.2 || 18 M ISK
 +
|-
 +
| Clone Soldier Negotiator || 0.1 || 20 M ISK
 +
|}
  
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<br>As discussed below, we hunt only for Transporter and Negotiator tags, to justify the time and effort and risk.
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The prices fluctuate of course. Current market values can be seen at [http://www.eve-central.com/home/typesearch.html?search=Clone+Soldier Eve-Central] or your in-game market detail display, searching on 'Clone Soldier'. It will probably be more profitable to sell the tags not in a market hub, but at a CONCORD station with a security office in or close to lowsec, where they can be used to gain [[Security status|security status]]. All Clone Soldier rats also have bounties of slightly over 1 M ISK.
  
 +
NPC rat names show what kind of tag that rat will drop.  The specific names vary depending on what region of Eve you are in, for example Serpentis rats in the Placid region, or Blood rats in the Aridia region.  The names show on your overview, like Guristas Clone Soldier Negotiator or Sansha Clone Soldier Recruiter.  Those two examples drop a Negotiator and a Recruiter tag respectively. 
  
 +
Regardless of the NPC faction name like Serpentis or Blood, a '... Transporter' rat will always drop a generic Transporter tag, and so on.
  
 
== Choosing a Low Sec Region ==
 
== Choosing a Low Sec Region ==
  
−
<br>We need to select a location in low sec where we can hunt thru multiple systems' asteroid belts for Clone Soldier rats.
+
An ideal location provides multiple systems of lower system security with many asteroid belts for Clone Soldier rats and a relatively low risk of being caught by unfriendly capsuleers.
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<br>Transporter and Negotiator NPCs, and thus the high-value tags, are found only in 0.2 and 0.1 low sec systems.  Dotlan or similar region maps can be used to identify possible locations.  You will be going from system to system hunting for the tags, so a number of systems close together will speed things along.
 
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<br>For example, look at the area around Barleguet and Gare in the Placid region, a dozen 0.1 and 0.2 systems all together, or the area below Solaria in the Aridia region.
 
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−
<br>A warning:  perfect-looking groups of systems, are often occupied by organized pirate groups, who like to shoot poachers  ;-( 
 
  
 +
Transporter and Negotiator NPCs, and thus the high-value tags, are found mostly in 0.2 and 0.1 low sec systems.  Dotlan.org or similar region maps can be used to identify possible locations. You will be going from system to system hunting for the tags, so a number of systems close together will speed things along.
  
 +
If you do not want to do your ratting as a side-activity to PvP in a fully PvP-fitted ship but rather in a specialized ratting ship it is also recommended to chose a quiet lowsec region.
 +
Faction warfare and hisec or nullsec border-systems are often the most busy, so avoid those.
 +
Note that otherwise perfect-looking groups of systems may still be occupied or roamed by pirates,
 +
so it is best to scout around or simply try to live in a region for a while to understand its inhabitants and their typical patterns.
  
 
== Preparing the Low Sec Location ==
 
== Preparing the Low Sec Location ==
  
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<br>Safety, efficiency, safety, comfort, safety.  The following are my techniques -- you are welcome to devise your own system.
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If you have decided to regularly do ratting in a region, it is recommended to prepare some bookmarks.
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+
* Gate bookmarks at >100km distance allow you to avoid PvP gangs or smartbombers.
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<br>Preparation consists of scouting out the target systems, and bookmarking them.  It takes perhaps 5-10 hours of work, but is well worth the effort for providing safe comfortable travel around the area.
+
* Additionally belt bookmarks at >100km allow you to scout out the belts for actually having valuable rats before committing and making you more prone to ganks.
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+
* Also consider docking and undocking bookmarks for stations you want to use. Definitely make them for your ratting base, where you store your ships and valuables.
−
<br>As a first bookmark in every system, created as soon as I warp in to a new system, I create a bookmark approaching the sun.  This is done by warping to the sun and dropping a new bookmark just before reaching the sun.  I name these e.g. for the Uphallent system, "Uph aa sun" (all bookmarks for the system will begin "Uph..").  The 'aa' makes this bookmark always the top bookmark when you right click in space.
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* Finally safe spots will help to wait out or avoid being ganked.
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<br>A instant safe, quickly accessible because it is always the first in the system's list of bookmarks.  And it is a good place to take a bio or lunch break in a covops or other cloaky ship.
 
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<br>Second, for all gates, I create an 'approach' bookmark, dropping the bookmark at 10 to 100k from the gate as I'm warping into the gate.  This provides for minimal effort a dscan perch for each gate, where you can safely stop and scan the gate before approaching the gate and jumping.  Example in Placid in Gare at the Aunsou gate:  "Gare Aun app".
 
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−
<br>All bookmarks around the Aunsou gate would begin "Gare Aun ...", so that they sort together in the system's bookmark list.
 
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<br>Third, for all gates (when I have time), I create an on-grid tac, up, down, or occasionally sideways, 200-300k from the gate.  This provides a visual perch to watch the gate, and a comfortable resting place for a cloaky ship.  Example in Aulbres at the Barleguet gate:  "Aul Barl tac up".  I don't bother trying to do precise up or down directions, like with clock hands -- imo far too much effort for little return, for our purposes here.
 
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−
<br>These gate tacs *do* need to be sideways from the directions of other gates and the sun, to avoid having arriving people pass too close to your cloaky ship.
 
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<br>Fourth, in a *few* systems, I bookmark a station.  A station provides a place to store ammunition, to change fittings, to temporarily stash tags (instead of flying around with a 150 million isk cargo hold), and if dual-boxing, a place to exchange bookmarks.  One station for 5 or 6 systems is enough.
 
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<br>I do a 'approach' bookmark (so I can dscan the outside of the station), a 'warp to 0' bookmark, and at least three insta-undocks (tested !).
 
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−
<br>The station should be chosen to be as far away from the system's stargates as possible, to lessen the chance of unwanted people dropping in.  Repair facilities are not needed, as you normally won't be getting shot at.
 
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<br>With the above bookmarking, you'll be able to travel with confidence, warping tac to tac, checking out gates before jumping, you will be familiar with the region's layout, and you will have met, so to speak, the region's inhabitants.
 
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<br>In addition to the above, similar gate tac bookmarks on the low sec portion of your route to hi sec, help a lot with security, safety, and comfort when you're flying to market with a few hundred million isk in tags in your cargo hold.  (obv:  in a small fast cloaky ship)
 
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−
<br>OP paranoia is just barely enuf.  ;-)
 
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== Ships ==
 
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−
<br>The general idea is to use a fast scout to locate the NPCs by checking each asteroid belt, then calling in a damage dealing ship to kill any clone tag rat.
 
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−
<br>For the scouting, I use a covops frigate with agility and warp speed rigs and modules, for maximum belt-to-belt speed and efficiency.
 
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−
<br>To kill the tag rats, I currently use a stealth bomber in a torpedo fit.  Note that torpedo damage goes up 15% per covops skill level, and faction torpedoes give a 15% damage boost.
 
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−
<br>Having cloaks on all ships makes relatively safe traveling possible, and allows for taking a break at any time by just pointing off into space and cloaking.  To be a bit more blunt, using just cloaky ships will keep you alive ;-) .
 
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−
<br>I have used a cloaky heavy missile Drake for the DD role, but it's slowness and inability to warp cloaked outweighs it's strength and missile range.  The Drake would be fine if there were only NPC rats here, but it is IMO too risky when other pilots will sometimes be hunting you.  And, the bigger your ship, the more tasty a target you are for such hunters.
 
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<br>I sometimes use the stealth bomber as a single ship hunting tags.  Downsides include warping speed and agility, and the extended exposure to other pilots when you switch from kiting/shooting to approaching the clone rat wreck to loot it.  A single ship setup like this *is* workable.
 
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<br>You will see other people hunting tags from time to time.  The combination of covops plus Ishtar is popular.
 
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<br>There is an attitude here that I endorse:  By flying weak ships that are not able to 'fight', you are never tempted ( for more than a few seconds, anyway ;-)  ) to get into fights with other pilots in your area.  Rather, I advise, be a mouse in the wall, eating rich cheese and staying unnoticed.
 
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=== Tank ===
 
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<br>'Fighting' the rats is not what you're there for.  You're there to kill them and loot their tags as fast and safely as possible.  If you're getting shot at, you are not where you want to be. Doh....
 
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<br>That said, occasionally things do go wrong.  Example, warping to a gate and jumping, sometimes gets delayed enough that rats on the gate have time to target and shoot at you for a few seconds.  Or while shooting a rat at a belt, you forget to set 'keep at range', and the rat gets too close to you.  Perhaps you and someone's Ishtar or Tengu are both sweeping belts for tags, and he lands on your belt.
 
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<br>In my covops scout, I don't have a probe launcher, so with a Micro Auxillary Power Core I can fit an MSE and a couple of shield resist amps, or I can do an MSE, one resist amp, and a small cap battery (warping uses cap).
 
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<br>In my stealth bomber, mids are MWD, Ancillary Shield Booster, and two target painters.
 
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<br>
 
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[[File:CloneFitCovops.png|thumb|left|alt=caption|Covops Fit]]
 
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[[File:CloneFitNemesis.png|thumb|right|alt=caption|Stealth Bomber Fit]]
 
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<br>Getting shot does not happen often, but a bit of tank is needed.
 
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<br>Dscan is your friend  ;-) .
 
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<br><br>
 
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== General Technique ==
 
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<br>The hunting idea is to use a scout to locate the NPCs by scanning each asteroid belt in a system, then flying to the next system, rinse, repeat.  Each system will take five to fifteen minutes.  When an NPC is found, a DD ship is used to shoot the NPC.
 
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<br>Both ships are in a fleet, so that a rat killed by one can be looted by the other without going suspect (and flashing to everyone in system).
 
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<br>While shooting, the DD ship is kiting, uncloaked, and spamming dscan.
 
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<br>The rats are reasonably tough, and I suggest either shooting from range or flying a strong ship.  Different breeds of NPC's may have different ranges, laser turrent Blood rats vs hybrid turrent Serpentis rats for example.
 
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<br>As soon as the rat is dead, I cloak up the DD ship, and warp the scout to the wreck to pick up the tag.  With a single stealth bomber, you would need to MWD in while uncloaked, extending your exposure.
 
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<br>With the rat looted, the scout MWD's off and cloaks, while the DD uncloaks, shoots the rat wreck (want to avoid telling the world what you're doing in the system), reloads, and goes off in some random direction cloaked.
 
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<br>Notice, only one of the ships is uncloaked at a time, minimizing your exposure.  In particular, the scout is uncloaked only for 5-10 seconds during the looting of the wreck.
 
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== Example Sequence ==
 
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<br>Scout jumps into current system, warps cloaked to first asteroid belt at 100 ('warp to at...' default set to 100km).
 
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<br>DD is parked cloaked in previous system, at a gate tac, ready to jump into current system if a clone rat is found.
 
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<br>Scout sees 4 rats at first belt, but clone rats always spawn alone, so Scout warps cloaked to second belt at 100.
 
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<br>At second belt, Scout sees nothing.  Takes deep breath (Eve sometimes spawns rats in a belt only when someone arrives on grid, it can take a couple of seconds), then warps still cloaked to third belt at 100.
 
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<br>Scout sees Serpentis Clone Soldier Negotiator rat at 105km distance !
 
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<br>DD jumps into current system, warps cloaked to fleet member Scout.
 
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<br>Scout turns around, flies cloaked directly away from the clone rat, to get out to 150km before the rat is dead, to allow warping to the wreck at zero.
 
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<br>DD locates the rat on screen, aims ship toward the rat at an up or down angle, to draw the rat out of the belt obstructions during the fight.  DD uncloaks and turns on MWD.
 
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<br>When DD gets within targeting range, he targets the rat, and activates the target painters.
 
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<br>When DD gets to torpedo range, he starts firing, turns off MWD, and sets Keep At Range to 60km or whatever appropriate for ship and kind of rat weapons (missiles vs lasers, for example).  Keep At Range can be set to a default value.
 
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<br>If Scout and DD do not own Local, then DD is spamming dscan every few seconds.  Notice that if needed, a right click in space will give as the first bookmark the '... aa sun' safe, an escape destination if needed.
 
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<br>DD keeps occasional eye on range to rat, a single MWD pulse might be required from time to time.
 
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<br>Rat is killed.  DD immediately cloaks up.  Total DD uncloaked exposure 2-3 minutes.
 
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<br>Scout having reached > 150km from the wreck, remains cloaked and warps to the wreck at zero.  Scout will click the wreck and Open Cargo, and will be uncloaked as he approaches the wreck.  Loot the tag.
 
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−
<br>Scout turns away in some safe direction, MWD on, and cloaks as soon as he is 2000 meters away from the wreck.  Total Scout uncloaked exposure typically < 10 seconds
 
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−
<br>DD aligns to sun if desired, uncloaks, targets wreck and shoots it with a single volley of torpedoes.  As soon as the torpedo launchers have cycled, DD clicks Reload. 
 
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−
<br>With the launchers reloaded, DD turns away in a safe direction and cloaks up.  DD uncloaked exposure here approx 25 seconds.
 
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−
<br>Scout and DD are 30 million isk richer ;-)  .
 
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−
<br>Scout warps cloaked to next belt at 100.  Rinse, repeat.
 
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−
<br>With a couple of belts yet to be scanned, DD warps to gate tac for next system, to eyeball the outgate.
 
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−
<br>Scout looks at last belt, then remains cloaked and jumps into the next system.
 
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−
 
 
−
 
 
−
== Downtime ==
 
−
 
 
−
<br> Clone tag rats are found five or six times more often immediately after downtime.
 
−
 
 
−
<br> Sad fact of life, but true. Most of those rats are hunted down in the first hour or two after downtime, and for the rest of the day are only found as infrequent spawns.
 
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−
<br> Flying immediately after downtime, I typically find 3 to 6 tags over one to one and a half hours, scanning ten or eleven 0.1 and 0.2 systems.  I've found as few as zero tags (once), and as many as eleven (once).
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
== Lessons Learned ==
 
  
−
<br>* About once in 30 or 40 warps to asteroid belts at 100km, you will arrive too close to an asteroid and be decloaked.  The rats are generally slow to target and shoot, so you usually have time to warp to the next belt, re-cloaking on the way.  Except....  Once in a while, the 'next belt' direction takes you thru the close asteroid that decloaked you, and your ship keeps bouncing off that asteroid instead of warping off.  You need to Ctrl-space to cancel the warp, before Eve will allow you to change directions and speed off elsewhere.  Doesn't happen often, but on the other hand, don't warp to a belt at 100 and go afk while in warp.
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== Clone Soldier NPCs ==
  
−
<br>* Right after downtime, systems that have not yet been visited by anyone often report "Traffic Control currently offline ....", making you wait on the gate. Embarassing if there are rats on the gate, also 'waiting' for easy targets, so to speak ;-) . Fear not, you can order 'jump' again after a second or two, and it usually works.
+
Clone soldiers spawn in all lowsec asteroid belts. Multiple NPCs can spawn in one system. Respawn seems to be around 15-20 minutes. Respawn of clone soldiers seems to happen with a certain probability to all empty belt - so clearing belts increases the chance for a clone soldier spawn. After downtime all belt NPCs respawn, so this is the best time to rat.
 +
Clone soldiers are not affected by warp disruption and sometimes will warp away - often to a different belt in the same system.
  
−
<br>* Pirate groups usually have preferred hours, for example a Russian alliance versus an American alliance, and the different evening hours for both of those. Learning and then avoiding those groups and their busy hours, is good.   Weekend hours versus work/school day hours too.
+
All clone soldier NPCs are in cruiser sized ships with long-range weapons (~70km optimal).<br>
 +
The Transporters (0.2) will web you at 10km.<br>
 +
The Negotiators (0.1) will warp disrupt you at 24km.<br>
  
−
<br>* Urban legend says that the Clone Soldier NPC rats can warp disrupt you, and have weapons ranges out to 60+km.  I have not seen either of those, and have not been shot at even when within 40km of the rats. The danger (if any) is limited because our rats always spawn alone. Do notice tho, that these rats will target you out to well over 100km, limiting your DD ship re-cloaking options if someone comes hunting you.
+
You can look up the detailed stats of NPCs via specialized sites such as shown for the example of Serpentis belt rats below:<br>
 +
[http://games.chruker.dk/eve_online/inventory.php?group_id=571 Serpentis Asteroid NPCs including Clone Soldiers]
  
−
<br>* Urban legend also says that if you get a Clone Soldier rat in a system, you might as well go to the next system as there are never multiple such rats in a system.  False.  Numerous times I have gotten more than one tag on a single search pass thru a system's belts.  Once I got four tags from a system on one search pass (admittedly, the system had 23 asteroid belts).  Once I got three tags from a system with six belts.  Once I got two tags from a system with two belts ;-) ;-) 
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== Ratting Ships ==
  
−
<br>* If you can fit it, adding an expanded probe launcher and combat probes to the scout ship lets you scare off many competitors. This tactic is arguable, as the pilots that would be scared off, are probably not the ones most likely to hunt you.
+
Generally anything from a high-dps T1 frigate and up can be used to kill clone soldier rats. Faction and assault frigates, T1 and T3 destroyers and cruisers are popular options.
 +
Smaller ships such as frigates and destroyers excel at fast and relatively safe travel in lowsec - and travel you will do a lot during ratting.
 +
Since the clone soldier rats are in long-range cruisers, ratting ships should either try to approach and brawl them with short-range high-dps fits or be able to tank them safely.
 +
T1 or T3 destroyers are among the most popular ratting ships as they combine high dps with good mobility.
 +
* T1 destroyers - such as the Thrasher - have the advantage of being extremely cheap - and thus disposable - while still having excellent short range dps. They are also accessible for very low skillpoint pilots.
 +
* T3 destroyers are more capable, but also a higher loss if you get hunted successfully. They can also rat while being completely PvP-fit.
  
−
<br>* The distribution of the Clone Soldier rats after downtime is not really random, but rather has been jiggered with by CCP in an apparent attempt to nerf farming of those rats.  So don't expect a Bell Curve distribution.   ^ IMO, from professional knowledge and current experience.
+
For the clone soldier rats themselves, neither a warp disruptor nor scram or web are particularly useful: the NPC rats will warp away even when pointed and the cruiser sized clone soldiers can be effectively hit with most weapon systems.
 +
A web may still be useful for the frigate sized normal rats that often spawn in the belts as they can be a nuisance.
 +
A point may of course be useful if you want to be prepared for PvP.
  
 +
If you are using a brawling fit a MWD or at least afterburner is recommended to close in on your target quickly.
 +
In a frigate or destroyer your tank will only need to survive this initial approach if you orbit closely (i.e. at 500m).
  
−
== Comments ==
+
A ratting ship that can snipe or kite the clone soldier has the big advantage that you can stay out of the belt - where gankers might easily warp-in - and also outside the clone soldiers warp disruption range (24km, only for Clone Soldier Negotiators).
 +
Note that the NPC have optimals of ~70km, so you need to be either able to tank them or avoid their damage.
 +
Drone boats such as the Algos are one popular choice for this tactic.
  
−
<br>Q:  Ok, so he talks the talk, but can he walk the walk !! ??
+
== Strategy and Tactics ==
  
−
<br>A: One weeks work:  [[File:CloneOneWeekIsk.png]]
+
There are two basic strategies that can be used to rat efficiently:
 +
* roaming around a number of low-security systems checking all belts and killing (only) clone soldier rats
 +
* clearing all the belts in one or a few systems completely to trigger respawns - which happen after around 15-20 minutes
  
−
<br>
+
Other strategies include scouting out clone soldiers with a fast "safe" ship such as a cov-ops frigate or an interceptor first and killing them with a heavier damage dealer.
−
<hr>
 
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<br>-- Yanu Zantal, April 2014
 
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<br><br>
 
−
<hr>
 
−
<br>
 
−
== Kronos Release Addendum ==
 
  
−
<br>The June 2014 Kronos release has strongly buffed the Clone Soldier NPC ships.  Their weapons now hit out to 100km ( personal experience on Kronos day # 2, sigh ). They are all 30% faster, they target you up to 200km away, and importantly their sig radius has been dropped by 50%, so torpedos do far less damage.
+
The more valuable clone soldiers will web (Transporters) or warp disrupt (Negotiators) you. The warp disruption is of course dangerous with respect to being ganked as you will need to kill the NPC before you can get out. The webbing is a minor inconvenience and a good reason to fit an MWD to your ship.
  
−
<br>Example new NPC specs from http://pastebin.com/iZVbK8ry :<pre>
+
The two basic tactics to kill clone soldier rats are:
 +
* brawling:<br>Use a fast ship with short range weapons and reasonable tank, e.g. an Autocannon Thrasher with a single Medium Shield Extender and MWD.<br>Close in fast on the NPC and orbit at 500m.
 +
* sniping/kiting:<br>Stay away from the NPC - at least 24km for Negotiators - and kill from a distance while tanking the damage.
  
−
    [*] Blood Clone Soldier Negotiator
+
Note that your ship can be asteroid-tackled in a belt, i.e. you may be stuck between the collision boxes/spheres of the often very large asteroids in the lowsec belts. This can be a nuisance when trying to kill NPCs and also dangerous when being hunted by capsuleers.
−
      [*] entityAttackRange: 21750.0 => 200000.0
 
−
      [*] falloff: 3000.0 => 10000.0
 
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      [*] maxRange: 6500.0 => 90000.0
 
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      [*] maxVelocity: 540.0 => 710.0
 
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      [*] signatureRadius: 170.0 => 90.0
 
−
</pre>
 
  
−
<br>Forums indicate that CCP could not allow stealth bomber farming of low sec asteroid belts because of the very high value of the new Mordu Legion blueprints now being dropped there.
+
== Faction and Mordus Legion Rats ==
  
−
<br>Tag hunting with stealth bombers is dead. IMO. ;-(
+
Hunting Clone Soldiers can of course be combined with general belt ratting. In particular it is very worthwhile to look out for the rare faction rats and Mordus Legion rats as these drop very valuable BPCs and faction modules.
 +
See [[Ratting 101]] for more details.
  
−
<br>
+
==References==
−
<br>-- Yanu Zantal, June 2014
+
* [http://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewtopic.php?f=128&t=102893 short ratting discussion from 2017]
−
<br><br>
+
* [http://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewtopic.php?f=214&t=86111 longer ratting discussion from 2014]
−
<hr>
 

Revision as of 13:19, 6 March 2017


This page should be updated due to game changes.
Reason: Double check on sec status for each type of clone. Placid does not follow the chat below for type vs System Sec Status. Also, articles seems to indicate that they clones only appear in the designated system sec status, but it appears they only "mostly" appear there. They do spawn (rarely) in neighboring sec status systems.

Hunting clone soldier rats is useful to raise your security status using security tags or can be used to get ISK by selling the tags on the market. While it is not among the most profitable of endeavors in EVE, it combines well with flying small inexpensive ships including PvP-capable ship fittings. Thus it is a nice ISK-making option for either low-skillpoint pilots including alpha clones or also typical lowsec-dwellers living a PvP lifestyle.

These are solo techniques and tips for hunting the most valuable of the Clone Soldier tags, without getting killed in the process. ;-)

Your moderate familiarity and comfort with Safety Tips for Operating in Low Sec is assumed. Low sec can be dangerous, but you will quickly adjust if you try it out.

NOTE: Since the June 2014 "Kronos" release, hunting tags with light kiting ships has been nerfed. Disregard all references that recommend stealth bombers to kill the Clone Tag rats.

Reference Material

Clone Soldier tags were introduced in the 2013 Eve Odessey release, and are used as an in-game mechanic for raising a pilot's security status. Tags are dropped by special asteroid belt NPC rats in low sec. See the CCP Dev blog from Odessey explaining the concept.

The tags can be bought and sold in regular Eve markets, with values from roughly 1.5 to 30 M ISK.

The value of each tag is based on which type of tag it is. And, each 'type' of tag is mostly found in rats in a specific Security Status low sec system. For example, Negotiator tags are mostly found in Security Status 0.2 low sec systems, and are dropped only by rats which have '...Negotiator' in their name.

NPC type System Security Status Approximate Tag Value
Clone Soldier Trainer 0.4 1.5 M ISK
Clone Soldier Recruiter 0.3 2 M ISK
Clone Soldier Transporter 0.2 18 M ISK
Clone Soldier Negotiator 0.1 20 M ISK

The prices fluctuate of course. Current market values can be seen at Eve-Central or your in-game market detail display, searching on 'Clone Soldier'. It will probably be more profitable to sell the tags not in a market hub, but at a CONCORD station with a security office in or close to lowsec, where they can be used to gain security status. All Clone Soldier rats also have bounties of slightly over 1 M ISK.

NPC rat names show what kind of tag that rat will drop. The specific names vary depending on what region of Eve you are in, for example Serpentis rats in the Placid region, or Blood rats in the Aridia region. The names show on your overview, like Guristas Clone Soldier Negotiator or Sansha Clone Soldier Recruiter. Those two examples drop a Negotiator and a Recruiter tag respectively.

Regardless of the NPC faction name like Serpentis or Blood, a '... Transporter' rat will always drop a generic Transporter tag, and so on.

Choosing a Low Sec Region

An ideal location provides multiple systems of lower system security with many asteroid belts for Clone Soldier rats and a relatively low risk of being caught by unfriendly capsuleers.

Transporter and Negotiator NPCs, and thus the high-value tags, are found mostly in 0.2 and 0.1 low sec systems. Dotlan.org or similar region maps can be used to identify possible locations. You will be going from system to system hunting for the tags, so a number of systems close together will speed things along.

If you do not want to do your ratting as a side-activity to PvP in a fully PvP-fitted ship but rather in a specialized ratting ship it is also recommended to chose a quiet lowsec region. Faction warfare and hisec or nullsec border-systems are often the most busy, so avoid those. Note that otherwise perfect-looking groups of systems may still be occupied or roamed by pirates, so it is best to scout around or simply try to live in a region for a while to understand its inhabitants and their typical patterns.

Preparing the Low Sec Location

If you have decided to regularly do ratting in a region, it is recommended to prepare some bookmarks.

  • Gate bookmarks at >100km distance allow you to avoid PvP gangs or smartbombers.
  • Additionally belt bookmarks at >100km allow you to scout out the belts for actually having valuable rats before committing and making you more prone to ganks.
  • Also consider docking and undocking bookmarks for stations you want to use. Definitely make them for your ratting base, where you store your ships and valuables.
  • Finally safe spots will help to wait out or avoid being ganked.

Clone Soldier NPCs

Clone soldiers spawn in all lowsec asteroid belts. Multiple NPCs can spawn in one system. Respawn seems to be around 15-20 minutes. Respawn of clone soldiers seems to happen with a certain probability to all empty belt - so clearing belts increases the chance for a clone soldier spawn. After downtime all belt NPCs respawn, so this is the best time to rat. Clone soldiers are not affected by warp disruption and sometimes will warp away - often to a different belt in the same system.

All clone soldier NPCs are in cruiser sized ships with long-range weapons (~70km optimal).
The Transporters (0.2) will web you at 10km.
The Negotiators (0.1) will warp disrupt you at 24km.

You can look up the detailed stats of NPCs via specialized sites such as shown for the example of Serpentis belt rats below:
Serpentis Asteroid NPCs including Clone Soldiers

Ratting Ships

Generally anything from a high-dps T1 frigate and up can be used to kill clone soldier rats. Faction and assault frigates, T1 and T3 destroyers and cruisers are popular options. Smaller ships such as frigates and destroyers excel at fast and relatively safe travel in lowsec - and travel you will do a lot during ratting. Since the clone soldier rats are in long-range cruisers, ratting ships should either try to approach and brawl them with short-range high-dps fits or be able to tank them safely. T1 or T3 destroyers are among the most popular ratting ships as they combine high dps with good mobility.

  • T1 destroyers - such as the Thrasher - have the advantage of being extremely cheap - and thus disposable - while still having excellent short range dps. They are also accessible for very low skillpoint pilots.
  • T3 destroyers are more capable, but also a higher loss if you get hunted successfully. They can also rat while being completely PvP-fit.

For the clone soldier rats themselves, neither a warp disruptor nor scram or web are particularly useful: the NPC rats will warp away even when pointed and the cruiser sized clone soldiers can be effectively hit with most weapon systems. A web may still be useful for the frigate sized normal rats that often spawn in the belts as they can be a nuisance. A point may of course be useful if you want to be prepared for PvP.

If you are using a brawling fit a MWD or at least afterburner is recommended to close in on your target quickly. In a frigate or destroyer your tank will only need to survive this initial approach if you orbit closely (i.e. at 500m).

A ratting ship that can snipe or kite the clone soldier has the big advantage that you can stay out of the belt - where gankers might easily warp-in - and also outside the clone soldiers warp disruption range (24km, only for Clone Soldier Negotiators). Note that the NPC have optimals of ~70km, so you need to be either able to tank them or avoid their damage. Drone boats such as the Algos are one popular choice for this tactic.

Strategy and Tactics

There are two basic strategies that can be used to rat efficiently:

  • roaming around a number of low-security systems checking all belts and killing (only) clone soldier rats
  • clearing all the belts in one or a few systems completely to trigger respawns - which happen after around 15-20 minutes

Other strategies include scouting out clone soldiers with a fast "safe" ship such as a cov-ops frigate or an interceptor first and killing them with a heavier damage dealer.

The more valuable clone soldiers will web (Transporters) or warp disrupt (Negotiators) you. The warp disruption is of course dangerous with respect to being ganked as you will need to kill the NPC before you can get out. The webbing is a minor inconvenience and a good reason to fit an MWD to your ship.

The two basic tactics to kill clone soldier rats are:

  • brawling:
    Use a fast ship with short range weapons and reasonable tank, e.g. an Autocannon Thrasher with a single Medium Shield Extender and MWD.
    Close in fast on the NPC and orbit at 500m.
  • sniping/kiting:
    Stay away from the NPC - at least 24km for Negotiators - and kill from a distance while tanking the damage.

Note that your ship can be asteroid-tackled in a belt, i.e. you may be stuck between the collision boxes/spheres of the often very large asteroids in the lowsec belts. This can be a nuisance when trying to kill NPCs and also dangerous when being hunted by capsuleers.

Faction and Mordus Legion Rats

Hunting Clone Soldiers can of course be combined with general belt ratting. In particular it is very worthwhile to look out for the rare faction rats and Mordus Legion rats as these drop very valuable BPCs and faction modules. See Ratting 101 for more details.

References

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