Risk Taking

The very fact I am a cloaky hunter says something about my risk taking profile.  It's low, very low.  That said, there are times I kick myself for not jumping on an opportunity.

Within the nomadic Stealth Bomber hunting world, risk taking involves taking on more PVP oriented targets.  This includes gunnery or missile bonus ships as well as drone boats.  Drones are a bomber's worst nightmare.

So when taking risks I need to evoke my biggest advantage.  Stealth and surprise.  I hold the cards as to when I will engage and how.  I also need to be quick.  The faster I can eliminate the target the less likely they realize there is an issue, equally this will diminish their ability to call in reinforcements.

Violence. Speed. Momentum.  -  Dr. Disrespect

So, while doing the tour of Pochven I spotted a Kestrel at the sun.  I decided to see what a Kestrel was up to.  Often I see T1 frigates at the sun or in some special gated area.  I will ignore these mostly, but on this night my interest got the best of me.  Warping in to the Sun at range I made a perch about 700km off.  Perches are handy to pull you away from the field of battle, but also to allow you setup a warp in to the target if there is an object nearby to them.

Use the tools.  I pull up Zkill to review the pilot, their history, and see if I can find a fit used for the Kestrel.  I'd like to see what I'm getting myself into.  Maybe give myself an out.

In the middle of the research a Sunesis warps in and quickly cloaks on grid.  This scares the Kestrel away.  Bummer.  This does not scare me away.  I am intrigued.  I wait.  Not long and the Sunesis uncloaks and proceeds to salvage and scoop the wrecks of the NPCs that are in battle in Pochven.

A Sunesis can be spicy.  Potentially much worse than a Kestrel.  They get a drone damage benefit.  They can also be fit with rockets/missiles or gunnery.  Zooming in on the ship I see that this one seems to be only fit with salvagers.  A little Zkill research, but nothing found for a Sunesis loss on this character.  In the back of my mind the drones are still an issue, but I figure - Let's Do This!

From my perch I warp down to a grouping of wrecks.  Then once near the target I begin my approach.  It's not long and I have the Sunesis tackled and under attack.

Finishing the Sunesis, I am tickled that I also am able to capture the pod and collect a frozen corpse for a trophy.

A beautiful and colorful explosion for that pod.

So, in retrospect I am glad to have taken the risk.  My gamble paid off and I live on able to continue the hunt, seeking the next engagement.  I am grateful for the content provided by Jowemado Egivand.

For now,

Be Well New Eden!