Stealth Bombers - Unconventional Fits

During my time hunting in both Pochven and Wormholes I've run across targets that have evaded my grasp.  Literally slipped away from near death.  Ventures are the most likely candidate to evade my grasp as they have a +2 inherent warp core strength.  Often the savvy venture pilot opting to further my misery by adding a Warp Core Stabilizer and add an addition +2 to their ship's warp core strength.

To counter this I initially went from a Warp Disrupter to a Warp Scrambler.  Then dual Warp Scramblers.  Now I employ the dual Warp Scramblers, but I have opted for the Dread Gurista variant that offers a -3.  This brings my capture ability to a -5 and my prey only a +4.

This brings about another issue for me in the trusty Stealth Bomber.  Application of damage.  Since Torpedos are intended for larger ships, the damage application is somewhat poor on small ships.  If you can keep them still and utilize Target Painter II or similar modules you can bloom their signature radius up to levels that make your damage application greatly improved.  Also adding some Small Rigor Catalyst rigs will further that signature increase.

My dilemma, if you will, is that employing the dual scrams will remove a target painter and thus reduce the signature radius increases I am counting on.  This dilemma is further amplified on the Hound and Purifier Stealth Bombers as they only offer 3 mid-slots each.  So dual scrams and a propulsion mod and no room left for the target painter.

Being a crafty hunter I wanted to fly the Hound and Purifier, mostly as they are Stealth Bombers and very cool, but needed an option to tackle my prey while still getting the damage application needed.  The solution, utilize smaller weapons.  I found a fit that uses Light Neutron Blaster II's along with Rocket II's.  So no need for the target painting nor Small Rigor Catalysts.  This allows the use of the dual scrams and a prop mod.

In the field, this setup was extremely effective on my unsuspecting targets.  The damage is enough to quickly dispatch their ship.  I'm able to hold them down.  And I benefit from a larger cargo hold to abscond away with any loot dropped from their exploded ship.  Winning!

Here is a Hound fit:

The Purifier is exactly the same, as the High, Mid, Low slot layouts are all the same.  The Power Grid and CPU usage is very minimal so no fitting issues either.  The Manticore fit differs slightly as the Manticore and Nemesis have 4 Mid slots and 2 Low slots vs. the 3 Mid and 3 Low of the Hound/Purifier.  For the Manticore I remove the Damage Control II from the Low and swap in a Small Shield Extender II in the Mid.  The outcome is about the same total Effective Hit Points(EHP).

The Blaster/Rocket combo is so effective I've even managed to take down Mining Barges.  I believe the added EHP gives a small boost in confidence to endure the drones of a Mining Barge while the lower DPS takes a bit longer to see their ship explode.  Ideally the Torpedos would be used on a Mining Barge...but you never know what you will encounter out in the wild.

Until we meet again,

Be Well New Eden!