Really, the prevention of a Killmail has always resulted in the more outstanding and memorable stories for me. Escaping bubble camps in null-sec or E-Warring or Repping to save someone, but I’ll share two of the more memorable Kills below:
#1 - “The Bait Whisperer: A Tale of Spaceships, Shenanigans, and Mining Mishaps”
I’ve always liked the idea of using ships rather unconventionally, in this case, PvP Procurers and Skiff.
A cold wind whipped through the system of Sarekuwa as Butch Light and I, ever the unconventional pilots, eyed the shimmering entrance to a 2022 Winter Event mining site. These sites, restricted to mining vessels, were populated by mining ships of all sizes. But as we prepared to delve in, a lone Skiff bobbed into our D-Scan, its pilot reeking of mischief. He was suspect-baiting Capsuleers, luring them into an attack within the restricted site, a dirty trick in any pilot’s book!
A glint sparked in my eye. We wouldn’t allow him to perpetuate his ploy. Instead, we’d weave a web of our own. A bait within a bait… a “Baitception” of epic proportions!
We scrambled to procure (pun intended) a pair of Procurers, mining vessels not exactly known for their combat prowess. We quickly slapped on some hull tanking, combat drones, and a Scram, fueled by a cocktail of adrenaline and amusement (it was a hilarious concept, these lumbering industrial ships facing off against a much more capable Skiff), and rocketed back to the mining site.
The scene that unfolded was pure comedic chaos. Our quarry, trapped within the confines of the restricted zone, became the baited one. His accomplice, a supposed savior, tried in vain to nudge us away with their ship, but we were determined. The battle wasn’t exactly a heart-pounding spectacle, rather more of a slow-motion duel between unlikely combatants resulting in YouTube’s most boring PvP video ever, but the victory was ours, as evidenced by this Killmail:
The true triumph, however, wasn’t the kill itself. It was the thrill of the unexpected, the joy of spontaneous strategy, and the camaraderie of a well-executed prank. This escapade served as a potent reminder: the most rewarding experiences often lie outside our comfort zones. So, embrace the unconventional, Capsuleers! You never know what hilarious, unforgettable encounters await in the vast reaches of New Eden which might otherwise be overlooked.
#2 - “The David and Goliath of Ikoskio: A Frigate’s Triumph”
My first solo kill in a Kestrel vs a Hecate.
The near-ominous expanse of Factional Warfare Low-Sec stretched before me, a hunter’s paradise. Piloting my humble Frigate (a Kestrel) in the system of Ikoskio, I D-Scanned cautiously, the hairs raising on the back of my neck. There it was, a Hecate, a T3 Destroyer, a nightmare for any small ship like mine. My past encounters with these sleek metal beasts had always ended the same way: my smoldering wreck and a bitter respawn. But tonight, something felt different. A flicker of defiance ignited within me.
The Hecate deployed its Sisters Combat Scanner Probes which slowly crawled towards my “safe”-spot with each scan. Panic threatened to consume me. Run and live to fight another day? Or stand my ground and defy the odds? The ghosts of past defeats battled with the spark of rebellion. “This time,” I promised myself, eyes locked on the ever-shrinking distance of my hunter’s probes, “this time the tables will turn.”
With bated breath, I watched as the probes homed in, my ship slowly inching away from its original position, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm. My opponent, anticipating an stagnant ship at a safe-spot, would likely warp to my last scanned position. That’s where the gamble came in. By the time they landed I would have put some distance between my scanned position (where the Hecate would land) and myself, but not too as to not allow their Microwarpdrived boost to place them on top of me after they landed and engaged my ship. The distance and my reaction had to be perfect, or this engagement wouldn’t be any different than those which came before.
The seconds stretched into an eternity. My screen seemed to flicker as the Hecate materialized at the predicted spot. But I wasn’t there. I was already a sliver of distance away, just enough to break their initial volley of short-range blasters, but within the range of my Scram. A triumphant grin began forming across my face.
The ensuing dance was a ballet of desperation and skill. I orbited quickly, staying just beyond the reach of their devastating close-range firepower but just at the edge of my Scram’s capabilities, ensuring my foe would not chicken-out should they realize their plan was foiled. My own weapons, though modest, chipped away at the giant’s armor. They countered by switching ammunition, but the window of opportunity had basically slammed shut.
The kill notification flashed on my screen, a testament to the audacity of a lone Frigate against a seemingly invincible foe. Relief washed over me, tinged with a healthy dose of exhilaration.
As the battle-shakes wore off, a well earned exchange of "GF"s (Good Fight) in local chat between my vanquished opponent and myself echoed my own sentiment. This night, in the system of Ikoskio, a legend was born – a legend of a Frigate captain who dared to defy the odds and emerged victorious.
Disclaimer:
I really don’t think of myself as highly as I portrayed myself above, but believe it makes for much more captivating stories. I am definitely not the best at combat, but I take every engagement as a learning experience to improve.
If I can do it, you certainly can too!
It’s a lot of fun cloaky bombing
