The Orca: a big, annoyingly slow snail. Expensive and easy to lose in w-space. Heavy and mass-ineffective as a hauler if you compare its cargo/mass-ratio against a standard industrial. Or is it one of the most versatile, opportunity-unlocking ship to use in w-space? Is it more then just a hauler and mining booster? Is it a go-go-gadget in disguise?
It might be both. Let's have a look, shall we? A Orca...
- hauls stuff, a lot of stuff. You even got a special bay for efficient ore-hauling as well as a tractor bonus for easy pickups in space.
- can be used to to move a whole fleet of smaller ships around
- is a perfect mining-booster. This is where it got its bonuses, and what it was meant to do
- is sort of a civilian mini-carrier, with both a SMA and a CHA built-in, it's the perfect mobile base for operations away from home.
- is also a perfect invasion vessel. Space enough to plant a tower and can carry fuel and ammo needed for getting it operational.
- is not restricted to mining boosting. The ability to run gang links for shield and armor can be very handy. It will never be as good as a normal command-ship or a T3, but it's a good deal better then nothing.
- closes wormholes efficiently
- have HP enough not to be the first target for suicide ganks in high-sec
Take this event as an example. I cant claim that we could not do that without an Orca, but it's presence is making a lot of things soooo much easier.
VersatilityOn this trip we could use the Orca;
1. Capable of doing many things competently
2. Having varied uses or serving many functions
- for hauling our stuff into the new system
- for keeping ammo for the ships
- as a repair-station (large armor-RR in the high)
- as a backup fitting-service
- as booster / probe ship (we keep a probe out during plexing to alert about new incoming WHs)
- for closing and critting un-wanted WHs
- as a "escape-pod" to stuff as much valuable ships and stuff into as possible and log off in case the POS got reinforced (we did not have to)
All of this is far away from it's main use among mining barges and ore. It is truly a mighty ship.
2 comments:
I love the orca, have one in a WH and one in hi sec. The only thing it is inadequate for is hauling raw ice and tritanium.
Another bonus: it can go from full stop to warp with one mwd cycle. I lose about 40k m3 swapping cargo mods for RCU's iirc, but I get places very quickly.
I agree with you. My orca has been my most used ship over the lat few years. ive even pointed to this article from my blog.
Orca = WIN!
my Blog just incase your interested
http://tothebreach.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/the-right-tools-for-the-job/
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