Originally by: Cautet

---

On the transversal side - you are fogetting instead of transversal Raven has *2* seperate factors that decrease damage - speed and sig size, rather than the *1* - transversal. Although arguably range can be included which balances it all out. Also, Raven isn't going to damage anything smaller than a BS (although it can neut it)

---

Quote:

---

For long range pvp effective range is 150-170km, and Megathrons perform exceptionaly well at this range. Rokh has the least damage of all the sniping BS within the normal range of engagement. Again though, arguably best choice is an Amarr BS, the Apoc.

---

Quote:

---

Mega is a very flexible all round ship which is why people like it so much.

---

Quote:

---

Yes, it's very flexible, it can die horribly at close range OR long range. The only reason people like it is because they haven't finished training Caldari/Amarr BS V and T2 guns/missiles, and even a sucky battleship is still a battleship.

---

Originally by: Traderboz

---

Quote:

---

Yes, it's very flexible, it can die horribly at close range OR long range. The only reason people like it is because they haven't finished training Caldari/Amarr BS V and T2 guns/missiles, and even a sucky battleship is still a battleship.

---

This is commonly referred to in the medical community as tempest syndrome. Tragically, it's spreading to Gallente space as well these days.

---

Originally by: Traderboz

---

Quote:

---

Yes, it's very flexible, it can die horribly at close range OR long range. The only reason people like it is because they haven't finished training Caldari/Amarr BS V and T2 guns/missiles, and even a sucky battleship is still a battleship.

---

This is commonly referred to in the medical community as tempest syndrome. Tragically, it's spreading to Gallente space as well these days.

---

Originally by: Merin Ryskin

---

Originally by: Cautet

---

And the Mega has a second factor that decreases damage: RANGE. A Megathron will only deal damage at point-blank range, so it will often do zero/near-zero damage while the Raven/Armageddon are ganking the target for full damage.

Quote:

---

For long range pvp effective range is 150-170km, and Megathrons perform exceptionaly well at this range. Rokh has the least damage of all the sniping BS within the normal range of engagement. Again though, arguably best choice is an Amarr BS, the Apoc.

---

Fine, fit for 170km, and I'll drop a gang of Rokhs/Apocs on you at 220km. The Megathron is complete trash as a sniper, and only even remotely relevant because some of the Megathron veterans are still training for an Apoc or Rokh. The simple fact is it's out-performed at mid range by the Amarr ships, and can't even compete with the Rokh at long range. In the context of a "what to train" discussion, the Megathron isn't even an option.

Quote:

---

Mega is a very flexible all round ship which is why people like it so much.

---

Yes, it's very flexible, it can die horribly at close range OR long range. The only reason people like it is because they haven't finished training Caldari/Amarr BS V and T2 guns/missiles, and even a sucky battleship is still a battleship.

---

Raven cruise is vs mega rails. It cannot be compared to blasters. And raven cruise isn't that usefull in most situations you can bring a better setup/ship to perform that role.

Range of torps vs blaster is important yes, I glossed over it. It's the big advantage raven has over the mega. I can't be arsed to check the DPS on cruisers but it's safe to assume that VS Cruisers both are ineffective. VS bc I could probably check when I have time.

The usual engagement range of snipers is 150-170km. The mega can perform at much greater range. Whilst in theory a group of rokh and apoc at 220 would be good there are a few reasons this doesn't happen. Main reason is grid size. Second reason is minmitar pilots (easy to get your mega pilots (who are mainly caldari pilots anyway) into rokhs, not so easy to get your minmitar pilots to train another racial gun to large t2 - plus the poor guys have to train missiles also). Rokh is the least used fleet sniper - theory crafting doesn't change the reality that when push comes to shove the caldari pilots all jump in Megas. Although the cost could be one of the reasons - isk values in fights are important. Both look freaking awsome.

Sorry for the wall of text. In summary you have got a point, although I think things are balanced. Rokh in theory is a great sniper although in reality most Caldari pilots are training up for the Apoc, having previously trained up for the Mega.

I'm not sure about blasters. I see the main problem with them not being EFT numbers or anything, but the actual practical use of them. On any ship. Except that damm anoying Galenti Inty. And main disadvantage of shield tanking is RR rather than anything else.

Whether shield or armor tanking is better clearly depends on shiptype and for BS class RR is key for short range. Domi's by the way haven't been mentioned - they are sick for RR gangs. For long range I don't see it makes too much difference both go down in seconds under focused fire.