Mardonius
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Posted - 2005.09.09 04:30:00 -
[1]
These tips are just my take. If you're looking for tips for 0.0 piracy, I'm afraid I can't help you. This advice mostly applies to people new to low-sec belt piracy and people struggling to break even with their new career path.
I used to think it was a rule of three, but in fact it's more like a rule of ten. Whatever ship you're using, make sure that you can afford to lose it ten times over before the cash dries up.
Never, EVER use a ship or equipment you can't afford to lose, no matter how much you think it guarantees success. This means avoid using tech 2 ships mostly, especially Heavy Assault Cruisers. There are a few exceptions where tech 2 can make the difference, but not many. In general it isn't worth the risk.
Know your limits. I'm very bad at this one, and I have tried all kinds of stupid things and paid for it. In general, never fight a pirate or a PvPer who has a bigger ship and never fight more than one at a time. You can probably take on two unsuspecting non-PvPers at a time, but it all depends. After you have screwed up enough times you will get a feel for what you are capable of.
Avoid other pirates. Most likely they will be taking these precautions in which case their loot is pretty rubbish and so is their pod ransom. Not worth the risk in general.
NPCers = Pay Day. If you find an NPCer in a complex, or a belt, or doing a mission he is a priority. Dedicated NPCers often pack a ship full of the best named and tech 2 equipment that can probably pay the insurance for your next couple of ships. It's always worth checking the complexes and perhaps even using scan probes to track them down.
Always insure your ships.
Always ransom pods where possible. If not give them an express ride to the cloning facility.
After you come out on top, wait patiently, and then when the flag runs out dock and escrow all of your stuff to a hauling alt for sale later. This way you ensure that you don't forget about it and just lose it later on. This method probably doesn't apply in 0.0
Don't underestimate belt piracy. It can pay the bills easily. I have scored some incredible loot off random people in belts and complexes.
If money really is a top priority, do a corp fundraiser and camp a gate between high-sec empire areas. These low-sec highways have high traffic and you will make a lot of money. If you don't have the means you will have to stick to belt piracy. I hate gate-camping but if it pays the bills for more interesting exploits then who am I to judge.
I've been pirating for about a few weeks now on a daily basis and have nicely managed to stay in the black after some early setbacks. Since I started I have lost 2 Celestises, an Ishkur, a Dominix and roughly 5 Thoraxes. I made sure I could afford to lose every ship, every ship was equipped with tech 1 equipment. Every loot I scoop I see in terms of insurance for my future ships. At the moment I am running a Thorax with an unexpected set-up (secret), that is working out very nicely for me. I have a full tech 1 set-up and a replacement set-up waiting for me in my base when I finally bite the dust again. I have a clone and no implants.
Put simply, the key is to minimize risk and potential losses, and maximize on your gains.
Lots of good advice in the posts above, this stuff is just my style. I have repeated quite a few things that are worth repeating.
Finally, don't flame meh! |