The Nestor has a 50% role bonus to scan strength and a +10 bonus to virus strength. This shows that CCP does intend the Nestor to explore. But these are far too inferior to all other exploration ships. If players want firepower with exploration, they go for the stratios or a T3C. The Nestor also costs 1/3 of OMEGA right now, or about 5 times that of a T3C. With that in mind, let’s continue.
Summary
The Nestor currently has a 50% bonus to Core and Combat Scanner Probe strength and a +10 bonus to Relic and Data Analyzer virus strength . The Astero’s role bonus includes a 37.5% increase to probe strength and +10 virus strength, with no scan deviation role bonus. Unlike the Astero and Stratios—Sisters of EVE frigate and cruiser hulls, respectively—which lack any role bonus to scan deviation and can fit Covert Ops cloaks, the Nestor cannot fit a covert cloak and has no deviation reduction bonus too. These limitations make the Nestor a poor exploration vessel, failing to deliver on its intended role as a top‑tier exploration battleship.
Proposed Changes
• Add a Role Bonus of –20% Core and Combat Scanner Probe deviation, giving the Nestor a unique advantage over other Sisters of EVE ships for improved site efficiency.
• Increase the virus strength bonus to +20, doubling the current +10 to better reflect the Nestor’s sub‑cap exploration role and compensate for its lack of cloak.
• Remove all scanning penalties while the ship is cloaked, ensuring the 50% probe strength bonus and new deviation bonus function at full capacity in stealth‑supported exploration.
Submission Text for Player Features & Ideas
Background & Issues
The Nestor’s power grid and slot configuration continue to hinder its laser and remote‑repair fits, causing excessive capacitor strain. Its inability to fit a Covert Ops Cloaking Device renders its 50% probe strength bonus near‑useless in wormhole exploration. And its current +10 virus strength bonus is identical to small covert frigates, despite the Nestor’s significantly larger signature and slower align times .
Community Context
Community consensus has highlighted that the Astero and Stratios remain superior for exploration due to cloak access and faster align speeds. Conversely, the Nestor is seldom flown as an explorer, as evidenced by high‑loss statistics—195,255 destroyed and 23,463 lost, per zKillboard—reflecting its niche status and steep learning curve.
Recommended Rebalances
Elevating the Nestor’s viability requires targeted exploration buffs including the new scan deviation reduction and no‑cloak penalties, alongside a doubled virus strength bonus. These enhancements would differentiate the Nestor from other Sisters vessels and justify its larger size and handling trade‑offs.
Request to CCP
We request CCP integrate these changes in the next balance patch to restore the Nestor’s thematic identity as the Sisters of EVE exploration battleship.
Fly safe…
Do not play Albion Online