What's the best mission running ship for a security contractor? Currently I'm using a Raven but the dps just isn't there with the large cruise missiles, especially after they've been nerfed. I want a ship that's great for mission running and without all the mico management (range, accuracy falloff, ammo types, etc) some weapon types impose, such as lasers. I'm using the Raven currently because missiles are pretty much fire and forget after choosing the proper damage type for your enemies faction. The downside to that is extremely slow damage per second and the inability to inflict much damage on smaller targets such as cruisers and frigates. So I'm here asking what the best ship is for PvE mission running as a security contractor. Specifically level IV missions.

... the dps just isn't there with the large cruise missiles, especially after they've been nerfed. I want a ship that's great for mission running and without all the mico management (range, accuracy falloff, ammo types, etc)...

I do like drones. I actually have more skill points in drones than I do in missile launchers as I'm a Gallente character and owned a Domi before I ever even touched Caldari spaceship command skills. The only frustration I have with the Domi (best drone boat I'm aware of) is the hybrid weapon systems. I remember a lot of times when I'd be firing away doing lots of damage, then all of a sudden I'd be barely scratching my enemy because he changed distance. Then I'd have to check the stats of all my ammo types, see which ones would work best for this situation, and then finally load in the (hopefully) proper ammo type. I do love drones though. You've gotta manage them as well, but in a less pain in the ass sort of way. Managing drones to me feels more like a RTS game where you've gotta manage your troops carefully. I love that.

I've heard projectiles (never used them) are less anal about ranges and ammo types. If this is true that definitely appeals to me.

If you like missiles and drones, and you're already trained up in Gallente, then Guristas ships are what you want for missioning. The Gila, based on a Moa, can hold MORE and use as many drones as a Domi (assuming not Navy or Imperial), with 400 m^3 of space and 125 mb/s bandwidth, and its bonuses are to missiles (despite being based on a gunship hull ), whereas the Rattlesnake is the ultimate drone boat short of carriers, IMO: 400m3, 125mb/s, 4 missile hardpoints with 50% velocity bonuses (so you can hit rat BSes that refuse to come closer quickly).

>hisec missioning
>domi
>guns
wryyyyyyy.jpg

Missioning domi really should not be running guns. If you want high DPS, the Dominix is absolutely not the platform to do it with. Dominix (and the smaller, faster, better version of it, the Ishtar) are for zzz afk easymodo, not for doing **** fast.

>ammo management for hybrids
Once again, wryyyyyy.jpg

Hybrids have exactly two kinds of ammo that matter: your long range ammo (always Iron) and your close range ammo (antimatter if you're using rails, Void if you're using blasters). That's it. If your target is too close for your iron-loaded guns to hit, switch to antimatter (because, honestly, if you're shooting iron from blasters, you deserve your suffering) and close up (because presumably you're too slow to outrun your target if they're closing in on you).

If you want stupid high DPS, you could always fly a blaster Proteus. Scoot up to your target at 1.6km/s, give 'em a face-full of Void from inside of 7km and watch as they melt horribly. Tends to work better on Guristas/Serpentis since they're horrendously weak to kin/therm.

I know of autocannon Machariel fits that trivially do 1200+ DPS. Also arty fits that trivially do 14k+ alpha.

If you still want to fly missiles, the Golem is p. good. Torpedoes for massive damage, Hammers or Hobs for dealing with frigates.

Yeah, I've been ISKing for a Mach for a while now. Made a detour over to the Sleipnir, which is essentially a smaller, less awesome Machariel.

Go for a arty mael and mission. (Or incursion with a different fit).

Go for a arty mael and mission. (Or incursion with a different fit).

Thanks. So I should shoot for a Maelstrom first to crank out missions, then focus on the big bad mother*****r? I have a feeling I'd rather go autocannons than artillery on the Maelstrom. I'm more of a close range guy.

Go for a arty mael and mission. (Or incursion with a different fit).

I found the arty Mael very underwhelming, I swapped for ACs and it transformed the ship.