I think if you are going for pure room clearing ability and are choosing between the Golem and the Barghest, the Barghest is probably the way to go, but only just…
Using the following Barghest fit;
[Barghest, Barghest -PvE- L4 - Rage]
Domination Ballistic Control System
Domination Ballistic Control System
Domination Ballistic Control System
Missile Guidance Enhancer II
Missile Guidance Enhancer II
Capacitor Flux Coil II
Pith B-Type Large Shield Booster
Pith C-Type Shield Boost Amplifier
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Target Painter II
Core C-Type 100MN Afterburner
Torpedo Launcher II, Scourge Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Scourge Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Scourge Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Scourge Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Scourge Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Scourge Rage Torpedo
[Empty High slot]
[Empty High slot]
Large Warhead Rigor Catalyst I
Large Warhead Rigor Catalyst II
Large Capacitor Control Circuit I
Hammerhead II x5
Stats
- 2B ISK
- 1529/886 DPS (Rage/Javelin)
- 332 Omni Tank for 2m 37s (obviously this can be stretched to 431 against the likes of Guristas with two kinetic hardeners instead of multispectrum). Its a decent enough tank when combined with the AB affording you 535 m/s (so just orbit a gate or an MTU and delete the NPC’s trailing you)
Using the following Golem fit;
[Golem, Golem -PvE - L4 Missions - Torpedo Launchers - Rage]
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Caldari Navy Ballistic Control System
Missile Guidance Enhancer II
Large Micro Jump Drive
Core C-Type 500MN Microwarpdrive
Pith B-Type Large Shield Booster
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Multispectrum Shield Hardener II
Phased Scoped Target Painter
Phased Scoped Target Painter
Torpedo Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Torpedo
Torpedo Launcher II, Mjolnir Rage Torpedo
Salvager II
Salvager II
Small Tractor Beam II
Bastion Module I
Large Warhead Rigor Catalyst II
Large Capacitor Control Circuit II
Hobgoblin II x5
Stats
- 2.1B ISK
- 1359/787 DPS (Rage/Javelin)
- 1035 Omni Tank for 3min (again, can stretch this further if you fit specific hardeners)
There are obvious operational differences between the two. The Barghest needs to keep moving and you need to plan your way to the jump gate, whereas the Golem can jump or mwd to wherever you want it, and just drop torps without worrying too much about its tank being an issue, but you need to remember to come out of bastion in time to not be sitting around twiddling your thumbs.
Using the above fits, you can rule out using a Barghest with Javelins (as the damage difference between Rage and Javelin is negligible with the rigors, tp, and enhancers fitted already). The advantage here over the Golem is that you won’t have to sit through as many reloads or even need to group your ammo to NPC groups, as you can just throw Rage at anything. To demonstrate;
Using Javelin is a bit more of a consideration when it comes to the Golem, as there is a larger difference in the damage;
and you are applying more damage to cruiser NPC’s with a Rage launched from a Golem than you are a Javelin launched from a Barghest;
Now the Barghest certainly does more damage to battleships (in both ships case the true DPS is reflective against battleship hulls), whereas the Golem is better at taking out cruisers (they are effectively even against battlecruisers so haven’t included an analysis). The thing is though, most HP in missions is made up of battleships, and with salvage being in the place it is now, a Golem is probably slightly outshone by a Barghest.
You could lose a shield hardener on the Golem for a Missile Guidance Computer, and the projection difference in Rage between the Barghest and Golem goes from 43 vs 50 km to 60 km, which could be a consideration to make the Golem more tempting, but is offset by the mobility of the Barghest
The reason many people will suggest the Machariel has nothing to do with the DPS it can throw out (which, really, isn’t “special” (outperformed slightly by a Typhoon Fleet issue in terms of application)
But its warp speed and acceleration. You will be surprised at how long you spend in warp between gates and missions, and being able to throw out in excess of 1300 DPS while warping and moving as fast as a cruiser is pretty good for your efficiency.
So the question comes down to, do you want a room clearing monster with the ability to do a B+ blitz session (Barghest), or do you want a blitzing monster with the ability to do a B+ room clear (Machariel)?
