I would like to see a gang of Rapiers led by a Widow.
Jump-->Pop--->Vanish

On the OP's original question:

The Huginn and Rapier stopped being awesome when they changed webs, now you need to stack multiple webs to get any decent amount of result from them meaning you waste more slots (per target). As a solo hunter it's pretty much limited in what it can do, it can't deal with multiple targets too well and it can't deal with pvp fit cruiser+ due to their t2 range ammo (blaster boats are an exception).

In short, all you can really solo are solo frigs you were able to catch at range, low SP folks or idiots with crap fits and small/medium blaster boats. The webbing gimmick is much better in a support role but then I'd prefer the Rapier or Loki.

They stopped being OP around the web nerf, now they are just really good small gang support ships.

Also, Huginn fever is pretty much massive in the big fleet fights these days, because lollargerailtracking.

Only for poor alliances. Everyone else uses Loki's

Every Huginn fit I've ever seen uses autocannons as its primary weapon system (i.e. the one that receives damage mods and that the fit is built around). But the ship is split right down the middle between projectiles and missiles. Am I wrong in wanting to try making HAMs the primary weapon system and autocannons the support?

I've no experience in this yet, but some pyfa theorizing has lead to some very respectable results (without pimping everything, either).

Only for poor alliances. Everyone else uses Loki's

I stand by my point.

You should have quit when you were ahead man.

You had zeroed in on the truth: shield vs. armor and offensive (web range) vs. defensive (tank). When fit for shields the Loki tank does not obscure the Recon range, while once refit the tank is simply so much better that it warrant the range drop and price jump (or one armor Loki have better survivability and staying power than two armor Recons = cost effect).

No need spending more of your post debating the wealth of alliances.

One thing i'm missing a bit is the extended discussion of Huginn vs. Rapier, which is not clear-cut and pretty interesting. The balance between how you weigh the offensive prowess of the Huginn (damage, damage at range) to the defensive cloak of the Rapier. It's an interesting discussion because it doesn't follow any real pattern. You could argue the Huginn is preferred when your gang is so small that you can't afford cloaking delays and absolutely need the DPS (unless your gang is cloaky ofc.), then the Rapier become appealing when you have enough people to utilize support but not enough to ensure it, while the Huginn makes a comeback once you reach the point where you can assure further support to your support. It's an intricate web of preferences .

The kind of advice telling him not to orbit at 20km or his targets will escape.

Only for poor alliances. Everyone else uses Loki's

This may explain some things about irc ....

Look at fleets with d00m members. They run TONS of loki's.