|
|
| Line 61: |
Line 61: |
| In addition, "shortcutting" a BR through low sec to avoid high sec warps is considered inappropriate. | | In addition, "shortcutting" a BR through low sec to avoid high sec warps is considered inappropriate. |
|
| |
|
| = Freighters = | | = '''Freighter''' = |
|
| |
|
| :Freighter pilots make up the backbone of PushX, moving more m3 through more systems than any other class of freight. Despite the relatively low skill requirements for a freighter pilot, the in-game knowledge necessary to be a top notch freight pilot remains high.
| | Freighter pilots make up the backbone of PushX, moving more m3 through more systems than any other class of freight. Despite the relatively low skill requirements for a freighter pilot, the in-game knowledge necessary to be a top notch freight pilot remains high. |
|
| |
|
| :PushX only operates freighters in High-Sec, so our asset protection procedures will focus solely on the dangers in High Security Space.
| | PushX only operates freighters in High-Sec, so our asset protection procedures focus solely on the dangers in High Security Space. |
|
| |
|
| == Types of Freighter Ganking == | | == High-Sec Gank Methods == |
| | Freighters are ganked in high-sec after being immobilized and then quickly killed by fleets of high damage ships faster than CONCORD can respond. |
|
| |
|
| :In High Sec, there is a danger of a "freighter gank" where a group of players aim to immobilize and destroy your freighter before CONCORD arrives on grid to destroy all of their ships. Multiple groups exist who practice various techniques with great success, and immediately afterwards they will use other characters to loot your freighter wreck for profits to fuel their next gank. Long standing examples of this have happened in many of the 0.5/0.6 systems on the major trade routes, but even higher true-sec systems, up to and including 1.0 systems, are not immune from freighter ganking.
| | There are two primary types of freighter ganking. |
|
| |
|
| :Several types of freighter ganking methods exist.
| | === Suicide Tackle === |
| | ''Gankers will have a "suicide tackler" positioned on a gate. The suicide tackler with warp disrupt your freighter while a fleet of damage ships in the system warp to your location to continue the warp disruption and apply damage. This is the most common freighter ganking method.'' |
| | *'''Counter: Scout ahead and use intel sources. Attempt to "ninja web" when there is a safe opportunity or wait for the gankers to gank another freighter and go through while they're "Flashing Red."''' |
| | *Common Suicide Tackle Ships: Gnosis, Procurer, Maller, Moa, Blackbird, Purifier |
| | *Common Damage Ships: Catalyst, Purifier, Talos, Coercer |
| | *Suicide Bombers can decloak and suicide tackle without delay |
| | *Some fleets will re-use their scanning ship as a suicide tackle |
|
| |
|
| === Bump and Gank === | | === Gate Bump === |
| | ''Gankers will use a battleship - usually a Macherial - to repeatedly bump a freighter to prevent it aligning and entering warp while a gank fleet travels to the freighter's location.'' |
| | *'''Counter: Scout ahead and web past the bumping ship before it can bump.''' |
| | *Once being bumped, the "Log Off Trick" ''(See below)'' can be the best option. |
| | *While attempting to enter warp a ship may be bumped for three minutes. At the end of three minutes the ship will enter warp. |
| | *Bumps may occur near or adjacent to common gank systems as they provide time for gank fleets to jump system. |
| | *Webbers with warp speed can be useful for getting to a freighter while it is in gate cloak to web before it is bumped. |
| | *Occasionally, bumpers may attempt to offer you a "ransom" to let your freighter escape. It is not worth negotiating in these situations; either a bumper does not have a gank fleet ready to gank you or they're attempting to make extra isk on the gank. |
|
| |
|
| :The bump and gank method is the most common type of freighter gank. Typically, a Machariel will bump your freighter out of alignment to prevent your ability to warp. This then allows a group of DPS ships, often Catalysts, Coercers, stealth bombers, or Talos, to warp in and destroy your freighter.
| | == Best Practices == |
| :* The type and number of DPS ships will vary depending on the system and your freighter type and fit
| | === Use a Scout === |
| :* In the September 11, 2019 patch, CCP added a 3 minute max warp timer, so a bumper has only 3 minutes to bump you before they must either gank you or utilize suicide tackle to restart your 3 minute warp timer.
| | Do not attempt to go through common gank systems without sufficient intel. There is no equivalent substitute for first-hand, up-to-date intel as freighters have no true "active" defense once they are in danger. |
|
| |
|
| === Suicide Tackle and Gank === | | === Use a Webber === |
| | Webbers are essential to freighter safety. |
| | *PushX strongly recommends using a Rapier to web as it is by far the best choice. |
| | *Other options include, in order of preference: Loki, Huginn, Vigil Fleet Issue, Hyena. |
| | *The Vigil Fleet Issue is generally the best "rookie" webber to use while training to fly a Rapier. |
| | *Your webber is often also your scout. |
|
| |
|
| :The Suicide Tackle and Gank is the most common method utilized in Uedama, and pilots need to be acutely aware of how it works.
| | === No Assembled Containers or Double Wraps === |
| :* A suicide tackle ship, often a Gnosis, Blackbird, Maller, Moa,or Procurer, will apply tackle to your freighter as soon as you initiate your warp from the gate.
| | PushX does not allow freighters to carry assembled containers or double wraps. This includes Small or X-Small contracts with containers or double wraps and containers being used to carry extra fittings. Assembled containers and double wraps (courier packages inside the courier package) prevent cargo scanning by gankers and makes your freighter a more appealing target. |
| :* The suicide tackle ship has often been observed to be the scanner ship from the previous system following the freighter into Uedama.
| |
| :* An awaiting DPS fleet will warp in and destroy your vessel prior to destruction of the suicide tackle by gate guns or CONCORD.
| |
| :*This fleet is typically located on short d-scan from the gate and is a certain sign of an impending gank.
| |
|
| |
|
| === Bait Courier Contract Gank === | | === Do Not Use Undock Bookmarks === |
| | With the exception of PushX bookmarks explicitly designated for freighter use, it is not best practice to use undock bookmarks for a freighter. An undock bookmark leaves a freighter able to be combat-probe scanned down while it is attempting to align. |
|
| |
|
| :In this case, the alt of a ganker will create a public courier contract with a relatively high reward, but with a volume that typically requires a double or triple expanded freighter. The collateral value of the courier contract will be excessveily high, 5-20 billion ISK. An unaware pilot will accept the contract due to the high reward, only to discover that the contents of the courier do not match the value of the collateral. They will be subsequently hunted and ganked using one of the methods above. The freighter pilot is forced to fail the courier contract, resulting in the collateral being kept by the gankers.
| | === Fit for Speed, Not Tank === |
| | PushX does not recommend fitting tank on freighters as it is rare that it makes a significant difference in a gank scenario. It is also not possible to fit tank while also fitting cargo expanders further rendering tank an unreliable defense mechanism. Instead, PushX recommends prioritizing speed with two Prototype Type Hyerspatials and one Inertial Stabilizer II. This improves isk/hour, makes it easier to make it through a gank system quickly when a safe window is available, and does not risk hindering your ability to web (as bulkheads can). Similarly, PushX reccomends using warp speed implants. |
| | The [https://www.pushx.net/pilot_optimizer/ PushX Pilot Optimizer] lets you experiment with these fittings. |
|
| |
|
| :* Never trust a high reward, high m3, high collateral public freighter contract, particularly ones which require travel through 0.5/0.6 systems
| |
| :* Always check the issuers of a contract for past scam activity
| |
| :* The contents of these couriers will frequently be assembled containers, with additional random items outside of the containers but still in the courier wrap that allow a gank scanner to identify the target freighter with their contract.
| |
|
| |
|
| === Duel Scam Gank ===
| |
|
| |
|
| :With the addition of the Duel Invite system, enterprising players have attempted to scam unsuspecting players into accepting a Duel Invite for "assistance" - and then the assistance arrives in the form of armed combat and the destruction of their freighter.
| | == Essential Techniques == |
| | === Long-Range Webbing === |
| | ''Used by webbers such as the Rapier that have an extremely long web range. This is the best practice webbing method.'' |
| | *Create a "Webbing" overview filtered to only show your own freighters that you want to web so you will not misclick while webbing. |
| | *Perch webber 10-20km off of the gate. |
| | *Decloak webber a few seconds before the freigher jumps into the system to account for sensor recalibration time. |
| | *Pre-select your webs on your webber so they are blinking. This means they will apply as soon as you lock your freighter. |
| | *Hit "Warp" or "Jump" on your freighter to initiate warp. |
| | *Spam click on your webbing overview to immediately lock your freighter and apply webs. |
| | *''If you're attempting to web past a suicide tackler it is important to understand that the order in which the webs and tackle will be applied is dependent on a combination of ping and reaction times - presuming both the webber and suicide tackler have a sub-1s lock time on the freighter.'' |
| | *[https://youtu.be/MDcfRHW5mDw Here is a (not-PushX) example of webbing a freighter] |
|
| |
|
| :* Duel Scams often start with a bump machariel bumping you
| | === Short-Range Webbing === |
| :* Another "friendly" pilot will convo you and assure you that he is there to help
| | ''Used by webbers with much shorter range such as the Vigil Fleet Issue. This is not best practice; however, it is significantly superior to attempting to move your webber around the gate to get in range of your freighter while it is still in gate-cloak.'' |
| :* Once the duel invite for assistance is accepted, the same "friendly" pilot will begin to kill your freighter without CONCORD interferance
| | *Create a "Webbing" overview filtered to only show your own freighters that you want to web so that you will not misclick while webbing. |
| :* The bump machariel and the "friendly" pilot will often by the same person behind the keyboard
| | *Have your freighter and webber in the same fleet. |
| | | *Perch your webber at least 150km away from the gate. |
| == Methods to Avoid Ganks ==
| | *If you are not in a friendly-fire corp, send and accept a duel request from your freighter to your webber. This could also be done in the system before to avoid notifying those in local. |
| | | *While the freighter is in gate cloak, use warp to fleet member to warp your webber within 10km of your freighter. |
| There are no assured ways to ensure your freighter is never ganked, but PushX recommends some best practices to help minimize the risks.
| | *Hit "Warp" or "Jump" on your freighter to initiate warp once your webber has landed on grid. |
| | | *Spam click on your webbing overview to immediately lock your freighter and apply webs. |
| === Use a Webbing Alt ===
| | *''If you're attempting to web past a suicide tackler it is important to understand that the order in which the webs and tackle will be applied is dependent on a combination of ping and reaction times - presuming both the webber and suicide tackler have a sub-1s lock time on the freighter.'' |
| | |
| :The use of a webbing alt is highly recommended when passing through hotzones such as Odin or Uedama. A webbing alt (or webber) can be any ship with 3 or more 55-60% stasis webifiers on it. After a stargate jump if you activate the webs on your freighter, the freighter's max speed will be reduced allowing it to get into warp nearly instantly. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjrbDMh3BHY&list=PLIOM-qilFsoQZyhpxd7bsx5DQCEM0EiiQ&index=3 Here is a video demonstrating the tactic]. To web your freighter without getting CONCORDed your webber must be in the same corp as your hauler or your webber must accept a duel from your hauler.
| |
| | |
| :NOTE: Suicide tacklers can warp disrupt your freighter in the same tick as your webs apply, preventing your freighter from warping. Webbing should not be seen as a counter to suicide tackle.
| |
| | |
| ;PushX recommends pilots utilize a ship with a web range bonus
| |
| :*This includes the Hyena, Vigil Fleet Issue, Huginn, and Rapier, in order of least to most preferred.
| |
| :*All Pushers should intend to train to fly the Rapier as their webbing ship of choice. The Vigil Fleet Issue is the preferred webbing frigate before the Rapier is an option.
| |
| :*This class of ship must be fitted with appropriate buffer tank to ward against casual, low-cost ganks of your webber
| |
| :*This class of ship must be fitted with a minimum of 3 stasis webifiers, ideally 55-60% webs, in order to effectively web any freighter or freighter fit into an immediate warp
| |
| :* If using a frigate to web, the best method is to "Warp to Fleet Member" from a nearby bookmark while the freighter is still under the gate cloak. This will allow you to quickly, and safely, get your frigate in range to web.
| |
| | |
| ;Webbing is a useful tool but it is not recommended to web all the time or when is it not needed.
| |
| :*A freighter being webbed on every gate can draw attention to the freighter as it looks as though it has valuable cargo.
| |
| :*If a freighter is being webbed, ganker scanners can not scan the cargo and assume the freighter is carrying high value cargo so gankers may form a whole fleet and pull out all the tricks to kill the freighter, including suicide tackle. Then, even if the freighter is found to not have valuable cargo gankers will probably still kill it for fun since a fleet has already been formed.
| |
| :*PushX policy for Pushers is to only web on gates when needed to avoid danger.
| |
| | |
| ;A Webbing Alt is your most valuable scout
| |
| :*A Webbing alt will notice the presence of a bumping machariel prior to your freighter entering the system, allowing you to prepare to web safely past them. This helps you avoid Bump and Gank efforts or Duel Invite Scam efforts.
| |
| :*A webbing alt will also notice the signs and symptoms of a Suicide Tackle and Gank effort. The presence of the DPS fleet on short-dscan from the gate, combined with obvious suicide tackle ships at zero on the incoming gate are giveways that your freighter is in danger
| |
| :*If your freighter pilot has been cargo scanned in the previous system, and your scout is seeing the signs of a Suicide Tackle Gank, your freighter is in danger
| |
| :*A webber as a scout can ensure that your freighter does not jump the gate into a Suicide Tackle and Gank setup.
| |
| :*Whether webs or tackle applies first depends on a combination of ping and reaction time; setting up a webbing overview so that you can spam click to lock (with your webs preselected) gives you the best chance of winning that race should it come to that.
| |
|
| |
|
| === Log Off Trick === | | === Log Off Trick === |
| | | ''The Log Off Trick can be used to attempt to escape a bumper before the gank fleet arrives. This is very unlikely to work if the gank fleet is in the same system as the bumper. Webbing should still be the first defense.'' |
| :If you are being actively bumped, a webber will no longer work. Never take a duel from somebody that is offering to help you (with webs or anything else) that you do not know and trust. Another option to try is the log off trick.
| | *You must not have any timers - this includes the fifteen minute timer caused by webbing. |
| | | *Stop your freighter entering warp by hitting Ctrl + Space |
| :If certain conditions are met your ship will disappear from space after 1 minute even if your ship can not warp or is locked by another ship. There are a few steps to the log off trick.
| | *Open the Esc menu and click "Log OFF" '''NOT''' Safe Log Off. |
| #You can not have any timers.
| | *Your ship will leave space after one minute, even if you are locked, provided no one aggresses your ship in that one minute timer. |
| #*If you have webbed yourself you will have a 15 minute log out timer. Since webbing after a bump does not help anyways, it's best to not web after getting bumped because that will prevent you from doing the log off trick without having to wait 15 minutes.
| | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1hS1hpHt_c Here is a (not-PushX) YouTube video example of the Log Off Trick] |
| #Stop the warp on your ship by hitting Control+Space.
| |
| #Open Esc menu and click "Log Off", NOT Safe Log Off.
| |
| | |
| | |
| :If these steps are followed your ship will disappear from space after 1 minute even if your ship is locked.
| |
| :*This trick will work if the other players are bumping you just for fun or ransom
| |
| :*The log trick can be negated by the aggressors shooting your freighter with a rookie ship, thus giving you a timer and preventing your ship from disappearing.
| |
| :*It is not recommended to use this trick in systems where gankers are actively using suicide tackle, such as Uedama, as the odds of your ship being aggressed in under 60 seconds are quite high, negating the effectiveness and safety of the mechanic.
| |
| | |
| :[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1hS1hpHt_c Here is an YouTube video example of the log off trick working].
| |
|
| |
|
| = '''DST - High Sec/Thera/Pochven''' = | | = '''DST - High Sec/Thera/Pochven''' = |