After reading PeaceThroughWar's thread, I realize I haven't planned on what ship to get next after my Drake. I plan to focus mainly on PvE missioning currently as it makes quite a bit of isk when I can go into security missions, blow everything up, go in with my salvager and reap the rewards.

I've been flying a Drake for my level 3 missions and I just opened my level 4 missions tonight. I can pretty solo any level 3 mission right now and I do have a hard time on some of the missions where there are faction ships involved like the Amarr high armor repair ships. I've been working on a lot of module skills and been trying to increase them to a higher level recently, so my skills do seem a bit low still. Most modules I use are still the t1 variant as I do not have the skills to use most t2 modules still. I'm unsure if I should be working on getting into t2s in my drake first, or start skill training to get into my next ship.

Now my problem is I'm not sure what I should be shooting for next. I'd assume it's a BS like the Raven, but I have also noticed while browsing through the different types of ships in the market that there are A LOT of different subcategories of ships! Like I said my main goal is missioning and being able to solo level 4 missions. I doubt I'll be able to solo level 5 missions anytime soon, or if that's even possible. I'm just looking for a ship progression guide on what I should be shooting for next after my drake right now to eventually be able to solo any level 4 mission by myself if needed. I'm not sure if there are going to be 1-3 other ships inbetween my drake and whatever ship I will be working towards, or if it's a step by step progression. I was just hoping you guys would be able to help me set a plan in motion =)

Being able to use a single ship is better then moving on to another ship, A drake will be good for you for awhile, eventually you can upgrade to a tengu and it will be easier. But until then, getting decent shield tanking skills isn't that difficult. After you get all shield skills to 4 except shield emission systems, get missile supports to 4, then go for t2 heavy missile launchers. Also unless your using passive hardeners with a passive shield tank you will use cap, and having energy management 4 and energy sys op 4 is important as well. Electronics 5/ Engineering 5/ Advanced Weapon Upgrades 4 (Requires weapon upgrades 5) Will help very much with fitting the drake well.

Thank you for those tips. Yeah I was thinking of just upgrading my skills instead of getting into a better ship right away. I'm thinking I should just work on my skills for modules and such instead. Would the Tengu be the best ship to work towards next once I feel like I have a good portion of my skills to level 4/5?

upgrade to a tengu first , this way you won`t have to train cruise missiles yet cause you already have HML II from drake , and you`ll open the path for t2 cruisers too .

A normal raven is worse than a tengu , and i suppose you can`t afford a CNR (not to mention you will have to manage an active tank which might kill you at first). Tengu is easy to fly , at least in theory ... activate hardeners , shield booster , afterburner and start shooting

And yea ... i suppose you should train for t2 tank / gank first and decent support skills , then train cruisers V

If he can't afford a CNR, he cant afford a Tengu. And there is a good chance he won't be able to fly or afford a Tengu any time soon.

CNR = Caldari Navy Raven?

Isk wise I've been doing okay. I have about 500mil isk saved up now and been able to buy anything I need mining and missioning wise. Just trying to find more ways of increasing my income. Trying out PIs finally.

Yes.

Tengu's are great but if you're running navy sec missions you might as well go navy raven since cruise missles / high enough energy management / and level 4 mission capable shielding is alot closer. you can run a reg raven untill you get the LP to buy your own CNR. Ravens might be a bit slower on L4's but they get it done. You do really need to pulse tank it, but just practice on L3's untill you feel comfortable. Not as big a deal in PvE but losing that first Tengu feels like a swift donkey punch to the balls, losing a decent equiped reg raven is alot less painfull. If you plan on doing any serious PvP i would skip right to the tengu though.

Uhm, no. Never take a tengu into pvp unless you have maxed skills, and have more then 6 months MINIMUM experience with other, much cheaper ships. When/If you start pvp, you will die, ALOT, thats all there is to it. Tengu is pretty junk in most fleets, unless it is a specilized Tengu fleet, which is the only time i ever fly mine.

Its like taking a wad of cash into a biker gang bar, wanting to own some fools at 100dollar pool games, you don't play, you just get robbed.

This post was edited by reaver19 on Sep 27 2011 05:54am

cnr with crap support skills = dead cnr , specially because he cannot kil webbing frigates fast enaugh because he can`t apply the raw damage .
tengu with crap support skills = overheat the ab and gtfo