Intro stuff
- I won’t claim to be an expert on mining. But I do know a thing or two about ganking, think theory crafting is fun, and was working on these fits anyway. So, thought I’d share them. Hopefully, they’ll be, at the very least, a good starting point for people. And, feel free to provide your own fits down below.
- Fits are designed for HS. Tanks are all buffer tanks designed to stop ganks. Ganks happen so quickly that active tanks have very little time to rep. So there may be some exceptions with bonused hulls, but generally speaking, your “total EHP” will always be much larger with a straight buffer tank.
- Some of the fits could eek out more EHP by swapping a shield extender for an overheated adaptive invuln. However, I decided to base my fits around the assumption that most miners don’t use heat when ganked. I also didn’t fact in heat when doing charts for most of the ships.
- Implants used are proportional to ship cost. Check Eve University’s article on pod saving if you want to know how to dramatically reduce your chances of getting poded.
- CPU is tight on many fits, but the Procurer seems like it has a troll amount of PG. It’s large enough that you can fit an LSE on there, but low enough that I don’t consider it worth the sacrifices that you’d have to do in order to make to do it. Now, I am not arguing that the Procurer needs more tank in order to be worth it. However, there does seem to be a disconnect between developer intent and what we got. It’s like they accidentally fudged the numbers. Anyway, I already made a thread about it. So check that out if you want to know more.
- Speaking of which, barge fits assumed CPU and PG Upgrades V, but Mining Upgrades and Shield Upgrades both at IV. If you are a newer player that doesn’t yet have these skills, you can make fits work by downgrading mods to T1/meta variants, dropping a Mining Upgrade or Drone Rig (they’re particularly hard on CPU), or using a CPU or PG implant. And, if you have higher skills, you may be able to upgrade meta mods/or drop fitting implants.
- Exhumers fits assume max skills.
- EHP’s assume max skills.
- Oh, I also don’t use prop mods. The increased PG of many fits make it possible to fit 10MN AB’s, and even 50MN MWD’s, but I’ve just never really felt the need for them. So, I’d rather using the fitting resources to fit additional tank. Anyway, Gerard Amatin made a great post about it if you want to know more.
- Also, I never used survey scanners, instead preferring to maximize tank. After all, I’ve always found it just as easy to ask on comms, “how much is left in this rock?” So, I would suggest putting one or two of your barges with survey scanners into a squad leadership position, and then have them tag rocks for the fleet. I did, however, include many fits that feature survey scanners (mostly because they were the only thing that could still fit after designing the rest of the fit).
- I included MX-100x implants on the fits. The 5% versions, however, are of dubious value. The MX-1003’s give 60% of the benefit at 23% of the cost. Moreover, it doesn’t require Cybernetics V. I dunno, I’d probably just roll with 3% implants, even on the exhumers. But I don’t feel like going back to update everything.
- SM-70x implants are good for shield fits. MC-80x implants are good for hull fits. Both implants are good for the Orca. Nirvana’s probably aren’t worth the cost for barges and exhumers, but they can really beef up the EHP of the Orca.
- On a side note, I wish that Ice and Ore implants didn’t use the same slot. I’m all about having specific clones for specific things, but having to have 2 different clones for Ice and Ore mining seems kind of ridiculous. I was thinking that it would make things more consistent to move ore to slot 7 with Michi’s Excavation Augmentor. Moreover, this would make ore implants compete with shield, which would make miners have to chose between yield and tank. So, I like that from a ganker’s perspective as well. Guys who sell implants, profit from clone bays, or who use Michi’s Excavation Augmentor in combination with an MX implant might not be a fan of such a change, however.
- Nirvana Boosters give bonuses to shield HP, are cheap, and last 4 hours with Biology V. Unfortunately, they expire in early February. They might begin to make yearly appearances though. So, we’ll see.
- Invasions have left Stellar Observatories littered about HS (and LS) that provide system wide bonuses (or penalties, depending on how you look at them). Bonuses vary depending on which empire space they’re in, but they all give a 10% boost to mining. Moreover, the ones in Caldari and Minmatar space give a boost to shield HP. So, they are exceptionally good places to mine with shield doctrines. The 10% bonus that you’d get from the Amarr and Gallente one’s, however, probably isn’t going to change how anyone fits their mining ships.
- T2 Type B crystals give 25% more yield over T2 Type A, but also generates twice the waste (2.12 times to be exact). Will this lead to a tragedy of the commons situation? I sure hope so.
- T2 Type C only gives 9% the yield of T2 Type B, but is capable of clearing belts 50% faster (51.5% faster, to be exact). Honestly, I’m disappointed. I think a lot of people in HS would just use type B. They should still clear belts plenty fast, and people will get a bunch of ore out of it as well. Anyway, it has been suggested that using type C crystals give people suspect flags. So, I support that. It would give miners with teeth another option for dealing with saboteurs, and scumbags could use them to suspect bait. I still want to see more waste with them though. Like, I want them to be able to clear belts 2 or 3 times as fast as type B.
- Pyfa is reporting ship prices as being much higher than reality. Plus the prices of things can and will vary over time. So, I decided to just skip on reporting pricing data. Anyway, I am speculating that T1 barge prices will go down with increased ore availability and yields. Orca prices saw a dip with the increased emphasis on fleet mining and the decrease in manufacturing materials required. Prices might have leveled off, but I’d imagine that cheaper minerals will help push prices a little lower over time. Large Industrial Core II’s are still overpriced. Assuming I put everything into my spreadsheet correctly, build costs are somewhere in the neighborhood of 100mil. Not sure where average prices will eventually fall, but (assuming I did my math right), I seriously doubt they’ll cost over 150 mil. And I’d imagine that they’ll end up closer to 130 (prices, of course, will vary depending on where you buy and whether or not you use standing buy orders).
- This was a lot of crap. If you find a mistake, or think you see a mistake, let me know.
Stellar Observatory locations
System wide bonus to yield in all empires, plus a bonus to shield HP in Caldaria and Minmatar space.
Amarr
Aridia
- Chibi .5
- Haimeh .5
- Keba .5
- Shenda .5
Derelikmyballs
- Berta .5
- Ihal .5
- Janus .5
- Jark .8
- Iosantin .5
- Sasta .8
Devoid
- Mendori .5
- Shastal .5
Domain
- Ahmak .6
- Anila .7
- Arshat .6
- Barira .8
- Khopa .8
- Madimal .7
- Mamenkhanar .7
- Miakie .5
- Mista .5
- Sadye .6
- Seiradih .6
- Warouh .5
- Yeeramoun .8
Genesis
- Asanot .5
- Anzalaisio .5
- Bherdasopt .5
- Serren .5
- Sibe .5
- Sigga .5
Kador
- Aband .5
- Ghesis .5
- Halibai .7
- Kothe .6
- Shaggoth .7
Khanid
- Arzanni .6
- Bashyam .5
- Col .5
- Keberz .5
- Sabusi .5
Kor-Azor
- Neesher .5
- Soumi .6
Tash-Murkon
- Dabrid .6
- Iro .6
- Paye .6
The Bleak Lands
- Erkinen .6
- Sasiekko .5
Caldari
Black Rise
- Samanuni .7
Lonetrek
- Nourvukaiken .8
The Citadel
- Rairomon .6
- Usi .5
The Forge
- Hentogaira .6
- Reisen .5
Gallente
Essence
- Caslemon .6
- Pemene .5
Everyshore
- Odixie .6
- Olide .7
Placid
- Archavoinet .6
- Brellystier .5
- Stacmon .6
Sinq Laison
- Adrallezoen .5
- Ambeke .5
- Assiettes .6
- Bawilan .5
- Misneden .5
- Pulin .5
Solitude
- Boystin .5
Verge Vendor
- Jufvitte .5
- Tierijev .8
Minmatar
Heimatar
- Avesber .8
- Dammalin .5
- Osoggur .5
Metropolis
- Anbald .7
- Anher .5
- Bei .5
- Bongveber .9
- Erlendur .5
- Eygfe .7
Molden Heath
- Gelfiven .6
- Horaka .6
- Teonusude .6
Ship/Fit Comparisons Notes
- Honestly, I wasn’t too thrilled about a lot of the hull tanking fits (for barges/exhumers). They can be used to free up mids, but you’ll need to swap a MLU for a reinforced bulkhead if you want to get decent EHP’s out of them, they get less benefit from shield boosts and Caldari and Minmatar Stellar Observatories, and, honestly, I think a lot of the shield fits came out looking pretty good. So, I find it rather hard to recommend a lot of hull fits over shield. Regardless, I included one hull fit for comparison.
- I also included 1 fit designed for mining while aligned. You can do it with other ships, but I think it makes the most sense for covetors, as they’re the squishiest ship, and used in fleets. Hulks are another good candidate ship for mining while aligned, but they also can get much better tanks. So, I think you could justify going either way with them.
- The rest are shield fits that balance yield and tank in various proportions.
- All of these are all ore fits. This took a lot of work, so I’ll only do ice mining fits if people ask for them.
- Oh, I ■■■■■■■ forgot to finish the drones. Meh, I may update the fits. As it stands right now, however, prioritize combat if mining alone (so you can kill belt rats), and ECM if mining in groups (other players can handle the rats, and the ECM drones can help with ganking). And, of course, if you can carry both, carry both.
- Anyway, is it just me, or is the Hulk the big winner here. Their yields can reach insane numbers, and they can still fit a pretty decent tank. I think they’re about to get a lot more popular round these parts.
Fits
Numbers listed here assume perfect Orca Boosts and Type B Crystals, but no Stellar Observatory.
Procurer
Notes
- Crap yield, but can still fit a decent tank. Makes it good for higher risk situations and newbros who are still learning.
- Hull tank has the worst yield, but it has two open mids and plenty of fitting room. It’s unboosted tank is also on par with the shield fit.
Hull - 74k EHP / 48.9 m3/s
[Procurer, Hull]
Damage Control II
Reinforced Bulkheads II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
[Empty Med slot]
[Empty Med slot]
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Shield - 83k EHP / 52.8 m3/s
[Procurer, Shield]
Damage Control II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Medium Shield Extender II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Skiff
Notes
- Well, the Skiff’s tank is significantly upgraded over the procurers, but they yield is only marginally better. Never thought I’d say it, but I think a lot of solo miners would actually be better off in a Tanky Mack. Of course, they are more worth it in high risk systems.
- Anyway, chose between more yield or more tank.
2xLSE - 154k EHP / 54.2 m3/s
[Skiff, 2xLSE]
Damage Control II
Reactor Control Unit II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Large Shield Extender II
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
"Light Tank" - 133k EHP / 58.6 m3/s
[Skiff, “Light Tank”]
Damage Control II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Medium F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Compact Multispectrum Shield Hardener
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Retriever
Notes
- They’re still squishy, but at least it now takes more than one cat to gank a competently fit Retriever. They’re arguably still a trap though. I mean, an experienced and attentive miner can certainly fly them safely, but they’re not exactly the people who are going to be attracted to this ship (if nothing else, they’ll be flying macks). So, I’m sure there’s still going to be plenty of inexperienced pilots flying ■■■■ fit retrievers.
- The Retriever is really a solo miner’s barge, but I listed boosted stats in order to keep things consistent.
- Also, I recommend that newer players go with the tanked variant.
- Oh, and check out the “how not to be ganker bait” section of this post.
- Oh, and the Hull rigs were not a mistake on the tanked variant. You can get more EHP from shield rigs when boosted, but this is a solo miner’s fit. And the hull rigs give more EHP when unboosted.
AFK - 47k EHP / 59.9 m3/s
[Retriever, Bot Aspirant]
Damage Control II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Compact Multispectrum Shield Hardener
Medium Shield Extender II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Solo Yield - 24k EHP / 66.0 m3/s
[Retriever, Gankerbait]
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
Medium Azeotropic Restrained Shield Extender
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Processor Overclocking Unit I
Medium Drone Mining Augmentor I
Medium Drone Mining Augmentor I
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Covetor
Notes
- Squishy, but are cheap, and with a high yield. This, combined with the fact that they tend to be flown in fleets, makes them exceptionally good at yield tanking -or when the increased yield more than offsets the increased ship losses when compared to a tougher to kill, but less efficient alternative. Anyway, lots of miners in fleet function like a pack of prairie dogs, which makes it exceptionally difficult for predators to catch covetors unaware.
- Now, the question is which fit to use. Personally, I’d recommend the aligned or yield tank fits. More fun that way. I mean, if you’re going to fly a cheap, high yield, high risk ship. Might as well go all in.
- And do note, that their small cargo holds make them a less attractive option for solo miners. You can still make them work however with jet-can mining or by strategically anchoring password protected containers around belts.
Light Tank - 32k EHP / 71.4 m3/s
[Covetor, Light Tank]
Damage Control II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
Medium Shield Extender II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Aligned - 19k EHP / 77.3 m3/s
[Covetor, Aligned]
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
Fleeting Compact Stasis Webifier
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Higgs Anchor I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Medium Transverse Bulkhead I
Mining Drone II x5
Zainou ‘Gypsy’ CPU Management EE-603
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Yield Tank - 17k EHP / 78.5 m3/s
[Covetor, Yield Tank]
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
[Empty Med slot]
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Processor Overclocking Unit I
Medium Drone Mining Augmentor I
Medium Drone Mining Augmentor I
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1003
Mackinaw
Notes
- Tank is either on par with a proc, or better, depending on how you fit it. Yield is on par with a Covetor. The only downside is the higher skill requirements and cost. Still, I think the Mack is a rather attractive option for solo miners.
- Oh, and the Gankerbait fit isn’t really ganker bait. I should have changed the name. But don’t feel like updating all the references in my spreadsheet porn. So, whatever.
- Once again, this is really a solo miner’s ship. But I listed boosted stats for the sake of consistency.
Tanky - 94k EHP / 72.7 m3/s
[Mackinaw, Tanky]
Damage Control II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Compact EM Shield Amplifier
Compact Multispectrum Shield Hardener
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Gankerbait - 73k EHP / 78.7 m3/s
[Mackinaw, Ganker Bait]
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
Compact Multispectrum Shield Hardener
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Hulk
Notes
- Like I said before, I think the hulk was the big winner here. It can out tank a procurer, and do like 60% the yield of a pre-nerf max-yield rorqual. Put it in a stellar observatory, and that number gets even bigger. Naturally, the turbo crabs who have already trained rorqs will be losing out. But for everyone else -holy crap. 60% the yield of rorqs, a fraction of the cost, training time, and risk, and you can fly them in HS. Honestly, I find it hard to believe that HS doesn’t turn into wall to wall Hulks. Guess we’ll find out.
- Anyway, every one of these fits have the same rigs, and none require fitting implants. Thus, you can easily swap out tanks depending on risk.
Brick - 91k EHP / 81.8 m3/s
[Hulk, Brick Tanked]
Damage Control II
Power Diagnostic System II
Power Diagnostic System II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Medium Shield Extender II
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Tanky - 85k EHP / 88.7 m3/s
[Hulk, Tanky]
Damage Control II
Reactor Control Unit II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Medium Shield Extender II
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Balanced - 76k EHP / 96.1 m3/s
[Hulk, Balanced]
Damage Control II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Yield - 61k EHP / 104 m3/s (115 in stellar observatory)
[Hulk, Yield]
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Mining Laser Upgrade II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
ML-3 Scoped Survey Scanner
Large F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Compact Multispectrum Shield Hardener
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Modulated Strip Miner II, Simple Asteroid Mining Crystal Type B II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Mining Drone II x5
Inherent Implants ‘Highwall’ Mining MX-1005
Or you think i should go with hulk instead cause producer got nerfed?