Astero fit and overall gameplay advice for a Heron explorer. Skills in the description

Exploration Gameplay Center Known Space
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I am a Heron player, doing Relic and Data site. My goal was always to fly the Astero, it looks stunning, so I trained my Character with that goal in mind (also training other things on the side to do IKS, but ultimately Astero is my first goal).

Today, I was gifted an Astero and some modules. I couldn’t contain my excitement, but I am not ready to fly it yet. I still have skills to learn and also, to master.

What I wish to receive is a fit, matching my skills and advices for using it.

As I said, I only did/do Relic and Data sites before but I know that Astero can do more than that. I want to travel through space for several days before coming back to HQ because I, usually, just do a few system and one or two WH and go back to HQ to drop my loots.

Here are my current skills and the trainings on-going to complete it:
Mattrob77 Thypmathi - capsuleer.app

Thank you.

Mattrob77 Thypmathi

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o7 pilot.

I don’t have the app, so I can’t view your skills, but I can give you some general advice.

  1. Are you Omega? If you’re not Omega, it means you can’t cloak and the Astero without cloak is just not worth it unless you’re trying to be a “bait” ship. I suppose it may be fine if you’re doing High sec exploration, and you don’t live near Jita (a lot of gankers play near Jita, and could easily take out an Astero)
    If you are Omega, you should consider the covert ops ships, each race has their own, and I believe Heron —> Buzzard.
    But, if you really want the Astero, strongly consider using the CovOps cloak. It’s an okay choice if you’re waiting to skill into the Buzzard.

If you’re not Omega, stick with the Heron. It’s a very good ship and amazingly cheap. When it comes to wormhole exploration, your Heron is probably 75% as good as an astero, for about 1% of the cost.

  1. You mentioned doing combat, but I should point out- Astero is not good at PvE combat sites. Your isk/hour is going to be very low vs the cost of your ship. However, if your goal is PvP Combat, the Astero is very good as long as you choose your targets wisely.

I hope this helps. Fly safe!

3

The Astero is a nice looking strong ship.

It may lack some of the warp speed, nullification and scan bonuses of the T2 exploration frigates but makes up for that with superior combat capabilities.

Personally I mostly fly T2 explorers (Helios) for exploration instead, but would consider the Astero if I also wanted the capability to ambush other explorers while I explore.

My recommendation is to only fly the Astero if you make use of both the covert ops cloak and of it’s combat capabilities with drones and tackle to kill other explorers.

If that’s your goal then the the Astero is a fine ship.

If you’re not looking to fight and/or cannot use the covert cloak yet it’s a waste of an expensive hull to fly the Astero instead of a cheaper option like a Heron.

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