The Tank

Many an ancient lord's last words had been, "You can't kill me because I've got magic aaargh."
-- Magic armour is not all it's cracked up to be.
(Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times)

Not much about today, a good 1v1 vs Ava Starfire earlier in the day, letting a Harpy escape not once, but twice, but still managing to kill his Dramiel corp mate.

So things weren't looking up but late evening, one of my associates reported combat probes on scan as she was running an anomaly. A Cyclone is spotted on scan, shortly followed by a Tengu. Tengu moves off scan but is still in system, a boosting T3 no doubt but I was up for a fight regardless. My associate had cloaked in the anomaly and reported the Cyclone had warped in.

I undock Mort, a Hurricane class battlecruiser, something I haven't flown in a while in a configuration I haven't flown in even longer, a shield buffer fit.

I warp in on top of the Cyclone and engage immediately, he lights me up, scrammed I can't gain range as my MWD stares at me blankly, but I fight tooth and nail, his tank impressive, boosting... A lot. My shields are done for as we both enter armour except he boosts some shields back even under staggered dual neuts.

Mort collapses under the onslaught, the Cyclone at about 10% structure as I warp my pod to safety.

I decide to go back for seconds, grabbing Sgt Detritus, a Harbinger :)

The Cyclone had docked to repair the damage from the first fight and went back to the anomaly as he exited the station, I followed immediately, almost catching him on the gate but he waited for me inside.

Knowing I would struggle breaking his tank, my associate decloaked and engaged with her Ishtar, a flight of Ogre IIs spewing forth from her drone bay as I kept the Cyclone pinned down. The Cyclone still tanked like a champ but the combined firepower eventually breaking him.

A good fight for me in the end as I got revenge, even though it was a team effort, the Cyclone Pilot not saying anything after his loss, I don't think he was happy, the Tengu leaving system shortly after he did. Impressive tank mate, something I'm definitely interested in for the future.
I don't think I would have broken the tank on that thing without the Ishtar's help and would have lost another ship in the search for vengeance.

New shirt?

I bet he mad

"Bonsai!"
-- (Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man)

Ahrieman > does anyone in this low sec posket ever undock?
Kane Rizzel > we do, but pnly when we feel like it
Ahrieman > so no, got it
Kane Rizzel > tbh, if there's a gang about, I don't fancy taking the bait
Ahrieman > i'm soloing
Ahrieman > you should know that i don't have a gang with me
Kane Rizzel > you're corp history means you won't get much on just words
Ahrieman > what's wrong with my corp history? and do you even have scouts? You shouldn;t need to take my word on anything if this is your home system
Kane Rizzel > heretics aren't known to fly alone and wormholes make even the most poignant of scouts kind of redundant
Ahrieman > you're kidding right?
Kane Rizzel > just saying mate
Kane Rizzel > you want a fight, bring the dram to the 2/10
Ahrieman > do you realize how many good solo pilots Heretics have?
Ahrieman > the only people that think they don't fly alone are the same people that spend more time on the forums than actually playing the game
Kane Rizzel > cause I spend a lot of time on forums
Ahrieman > well then, don't listen to the people that do

At this point he warps into the 2/10

And dies

Kane Rizzel > gf
Ahrieman > gf?
Ahrieman > i was stupid to give you the fight oyu wanted
Ahrieman > but this area is boring

And then he left

Kane Rizzel > he mad

Edit: Just been chatting to Ahrieman in private chat, he not mad, just disappointed, good people :)

Credit where credit is due

- "Have you any last words?"
- YES. I DON'T WANT TO GO.
- "Well. Succinct, anyway."
-- Death at the other end of the scythe, for once
(Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man)

Very early this morning, at a time I really should have been asleep at, I tangled with a Dramiel.
Ordinarily a Dramiel doesn't present me with too many problems, but this one was different. It had a long point, artillery and as I would find out later, an ace up it's sleeve.

I undocked a Hawk, something I'm rather enjoying, engaged the Dramiel, easily dispatched it's drones and then was never able to get within range, the Hawk died.

Thinking is not my strong suit when deprived of sleep but I thought I'd try get him with a Daredevil, the strong, long web maybe more suited to catching him, would still need to fly smart to negate his damage.

I warped in, he's at range and where he would stay for the remainder of this five odd minute long dogfight. I locked him up, then lost lock, jammed? No, Damped, sweet jesus, what a maneuver, very smart, down to a 14km lock range, I would never get close enough to acquire lock, let alone land a web, no matter what I tried, he was one step ahead, the Daredevil died.

An expensive evening, an expensive lesson but two very good fights.

Nicely played :)

Underneath the RADAR

Quote #616.

Look, that's why there's rules, understand? So that you *think* before you break 'em.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time)

It seems I have guests.

Electus Matari, a rather staunch opponent of the fine art of Piracy has decided to make themselves at home in Gusandall. They attacked the local M34N corp POS in force over the weekend, destroying them without much resistance (to be fair, from what I heard, the locals just didn't have the numbers and when we do work together it's more of a flashmob than anything really co-ordinated) and have recently put up two of their own. Now I've never been sure what EM are all about. They claim to be loyal to the Minmatar Republic, they claim to stand for freedom, but then theY live such a cloistered life they might as well go full Amarr.

We advocate the right of all Minmatar to live in freedom and according to the customs of their clan and tribe, including those currently in foreign captivity.

They have very strict rules, much like the Amarr, they don't tolerate the freedom granted the true Minmatar rebels to make their living their own way and as such are no better then the slavers they say they are opposed.

Piracy is true freedom, the freedom they supposedly stand for and as such I shall venture forth to educate them on what it truly feels like to be free. Now I will state that EM have a few very good pilots, as such I should not be complacent.

In my adventure, I imagine I will lose a few ships, but I'll try not to give them easy kills. I will not engage them in fleets, I will not engage blindly and I will try pick them off on my terms, away from their large fleets, ECM and Logistics.

A few days ago I went about my business of Loot Redistribution as they were mindlessly shooting at POS.

This evening I engaged some folk trying to extract riches from Eifer, before returning to Gusandall and spotting a Dramiel in the direction of the 2/10 plex, an old adversary.
I warp in as Benito is 100 odd clicks away, obvious tactic would be to close the gap but not this time, I move in the opposite direction, he shall come to me... I hope.

He starts to close, slowly. Patience Kane, must not go full retard, be smart about this.

He gets about 60 clicks away, my afterburner is set to overload, so is tackle, I close under impulse, at 40 clicks I go green, in range, tackle, overload guns... BOOM.

The Dramiel explodes, violently, recent upgrades to the Blasters making them more volatile at close range. The pod is tackled and one hundred million ransom is offered and declined by Benito. A good fight, his corpse the prize.

Hopefully this is the start of something beautiful, an abundance of new friends to make and many explosions to share.

Join me my brothers, free your minds, free your bodies... Just be free.

Operation Save the Angels

OSE is in full effect:

Kane Rizzel > yo
dagen Askold > wtf was that for
Kane Rizzel > you were attacking my angel brethren
Kane Rizzel > in the interests of their safety you needed to be eliminated
dagen Askold > could ove said stop ass
Kane Rizzel > alas I was too late to save them but I exacted revenge in the name of their families
Kane Rizzel > good day to you sir, and be mindful the next time you attack Angels

The 200

It is said that whosoever the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad. In fact, whosoever the gods wish to destroy, they first hand the equivalent of a stick with a fizzing fuse and Acme Dynamite Company written on the side. It's more interesting, and doesn't take so long.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Soul Music)

Some milestones are best left without fanfare but to be honest, I'm just honest. I'm also not very bright but you don't have to be the smartest to be the best, you just need to be smarter than the other guy. This does not however, always work.

A known plex runner/farmer is in Gusandall, in a Dramiel, in the direction of the 2/10. My normal reaction would be to grab a Daredevil and go ruin his day, however he is wary of me and my Greebo, he has felt the fury before. This time I chose something a little, how shall I put it?

Unconventional.

The Worm class faction frigate has garnered me one or two successful kills, but test like a Dramiel is something she has never encountered, I warped to the 2/10, he had warped out, I waited at the gate, just out of activation range, hoping if he spotted on scan he would investigate.

He did, warped to the gate, but instead of engaging he activated the gate and warped to the first room. I closed till in range of the gates activation range and followed him in, where he was waiting. I engaged, he obliged and started shooting right back. I launched a flight of drones, quite possibly the only way to win this fight would be to use the 'hope and pray' tank afforded by ecm drones, as my Worm was not very strong. However, my luck, much like my intelligence abandoned me to the mercy of the Dramiel's guns and drones. My Worm explodes and I whisk my pod to safety, but not before looking upon the wreck of my latest milestone, loss number two hundred.

The Dramiel then engages a Claw inside the plex and I hope this distraction will allow me the subterfuge to grab my Greebo and to extract revenge. However he warps out as I land, but curiosity gets the better of him.

Is Kane having a bad day?
Would he be able to overcome the might of the Rizzel Daredevil?
Only one way to find out. He warps back at 70km from the plex entrance, I start to close, he's staying still, until I reach 20km, he starts to move but is shortly halted as my web and scrambler stop any thought of escape, we engage at point blank range, the Angel frigates, both fearsome in their own right, locked in mortal combat, only one would warp away intact.

The Dramiel explodes, much as any other before that has danced with Greebo and his kin.

As this happens, another Daredevil enters local, piloted by an ex resident of these parts, devildog215. He lays down the challenge, a 1v1 vs Kane foshizzle Rizzel. The Dramiel pilot indicates to him I would be found at the 2/10, which I confirm, he warps in and we dance the deadly dance, until one stands, victorious, Greebo, the Champion of Gusandall.

A little saddened that one of Greebo's kin has been slain, I warp to a safespot to wait out my GCC timer, the Dramiel pilot has returned in a Rifter and is waiting inside the 2/10 for me, I kindly oblige and once again introduce his pod to the cold, harsh, reality of the Gusandall solar system.

A mixed evening for me, but once again, frigate combat reigns, the truest test of man and machine, even if it only lasts seconds, the euphoria of winning or losing, stands till the end of time.

I dock up, Greebo sitting comfortable over his docking circle, a spin or two before I retire to my quarters for a cup of Earl Grey and a movie.

Milestones and Explosions

Greebo's technique was unscientific and wouldn't have stood a chance against any decent swordmanship, but on his side was the fact that it is almost impossible to develop decent swordmanship when you seem to have run into a food mixer that is biting your ear off. -- (Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad)

A Pirates Perspective now has one hundred followers \o/

To celebrate I share this amazing tune



Sgt Angua has been rebuilt and saw action this fine day against those asleep at the wheel (Ivan was afk playing Starcraft 2) and those bold enough to engage her. On both occasions the victims were in Dramiel class frigates. Whilst some say they are overpowered, I treat them more as a challenge.

Edit: Make that three Dramiels.



On that note, CSM elections are upon us and there are a fair few folk campaigning for buffs, nerfs and whatever else will get them votes. This term, much like last I'm not following who wants to do or say what and as such will not promote any candidate. It is up to you the individual to make your own mind up, it's the only true freedom we have.

What's in a name?

There have been a few queries regarding the names I assign to ships. As many have noted I use the work of Terry Pratchett as my reference and use his books and characters for inspiration, but am also known to use other sources depending on my mood or the role of the ship.

Sometimes a name is used because of the characteristics of a specific person or non person in the Discworld and how it applies to the ship.

One such specific case is Sgt Angua: Delphine Angua von Überwald is the first werewolf in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, hired under Lord Vetinari's "special hiring procedures", at the same time as Detritus (a troll) and Cuddy (a dwarf)

She is a Werewolf and as such some have asked why I would apply the name to the Daredevil, well, it's mainly because of her tenacity at tracking criminals/prey and the ferociousness and power she possesses.

It's also a note that I use her rank as Sergeant and not her latest rank of Captain, but this is because I will always remember her as a sergeant.

Other names are a play on words or a number of words such as Flubber because that's what I call Fleet Issue Stabbers, get it? I crack myself up sometimes :)

Then there's something like the Amarr Navy Slicer which I call Victorinox, or the Worm named Squishy or a Zealot named 'That's no moon' because I got the fit from a friend called Deathstar.

There's a Stabber called Sho Kosugi, which was used for Ninja Salvaging by an associate and two Pilgrims named after famous Pilgrimage routes, Bodh Gaya and Kumano-san-zan.

I like the names to mean something, even if it is just to make me smile or giggle.

Quotes from the void

Over the years I have collected quotes from various channels, I'll share some of them now as I go through my notepad.

oogs > kane, i think you made a friend for life with that farmer :
oogs > :)
Kane Rizzel > I hope he doesn't get beaten :D
Cletus Cassidy > lol
Cletus Cassidy > just imagine the inspirational poster now.... "The Beatings will continue until Kane goes away"

oogs > wow, heh. i thought i was looking at local, and I saw Kane up there. first thought was "oh shit, dock!"

Tadrith Windblade > what kind of ore is in this belt
Kane Rizzel > it's normally explosive with a load of kinetic and thermal thrown in, sometimes there's even EM
Tadrith Windblade > hey i dont need pvp info, im just a miner trying to earn some money

Snake Boy > when i grow up i wanna be like Kane

OriasV > Welcome into the presence of Kane Rizzel, please kiss his feet before entering
Kane Rizzel > lol
Kane Rizzel > glad I wasn;t drinking anything when I read that
Szeth Kiros > wow, someone has a bitch
Szeth Kiros > =)
OriasV > Nah, he just apparently has a legacy, you cant join without knowing about him
OriasV > its like walking into a church and asking who jesus is
Szeth Kiros > So, you kiss jesus's feet too?
OriasV > That's between me and jesus

Shadowforged > The mission agents in Emolgranlan send folks several jumps the opposite direction because they know Kane waits in low sec just one jump out.
Tor Lann > truth

Mynxee > I wish i had Kane's balls.

Ralph42nd > jesus if I ever see you in local ... I'm going to just self distruct

2008.08.18 18:53
<@AlphaMeridian> LOL
<@AlphaMeridian> Mistake #1) You Undocked
<@AlphaMeridian> Mistake #Fatal) You agressed Kane Rizzel
<@AlphaMeridian> there's got to be some way to put that in a sig or something because goddamn

Miura Bull /emote sometimes has to pinch himself . . . sharing a channel with two Gods like Garmon and Kane Rizzel

Horza Otho > Damn hurricane pilots and their nav skillz of doom
Ryo Jang > could say the same about nosdom pilots and their lack of balls

[quote="Wanna Kill"]speaking of - very, very few of the 'famous' eve players ive seen are anywhere near badass. Kane rizzel is the only one who comes to mind as being badass, not a fucking fatass like that fella

Kane Rizzel > 02:09:59 Combat Your Gatling Pulse Laser II perfectly strikes ecto seven [4-CE](Slasher), wrecking for 140.1 damage.
Kane Rizzel > first blood for the sader
Xaren Keth > I'm sure the locals are thrilled that you no longer need to reload :)

AlphaMeridian> dude
AlphaMeridian> you should have forced him to call you "Mr. Rizzel"
AlphaMeridian> "why kane" "fuck you we're not on a first name basis, you can call me Mr. Rizzel"

And lastly, how to upset a Chinese ISK farmer after they swear at you for killing their Raven, just swear back at them in their own language :D

Lang ren > Kane Rizzil cao ni ma
Kane Rizzel > dude, I would never do that to my mom
Kane Rizzel > cao ni made bi, yi zhi zou, sha bi
Lang ren > vFUCK YOU
Lang ren > ni ge zhu ,chi shi zhangda de

See, they do know English

The Mistake

A day ago the future had looked aching and desolate, and now it looked full of surprises and terror and bad things happening to people... If she had anything to do with it anyway.
-- Granny Weatherwax commits optimism
(Terry Pratchett, Maskerade)

There's something to be said for confidence, it either fuels you or will ultimately lead to your downfall.

Me, I'm Kane Rizzel, my confidence and ego have their own Customs Office. I am very good at what I do but I have also been known to make some of the biggest facepalm decisions in the history of the universe.

So when two Russian Dramiels appear on scan in Gusandall, in the direction of the 2/10 plex, I just shrugged my shoulders and said "Hey, what's the worst that can happen?"

I warp to the 2/10 in Sgt Angua, a rather ferocious Daredevil class frigate, not as popular as her more famous Dramiel cousin but more than capable of dealing with at least one of them. Two might have been a tall order but you know me, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I activate the acceleration gate and Sgt Angua is launched into the first room of the plex, where her onboard scanner indicates the two Dramiels are loitering.

I burst out of warp and look at my overview of the plex and see the two Dramiels at different distances, closest about 40 clicks.

I start to close...

[ 2011.02.21 18:37:32 ] (notify) Approaching Andromeda

A bit of Lame Kane™ to get started as the Dramiels decide on what to do...

[ 2011.02.21 18:37:34 ] (notify) Speed changed to 1039 m/s

Dramiels look to have decided as they both start to close the distance, rather sharpish too, this is their first mistake...

[ 2011.02.21 18:37:47 ] (notify) Speed changed to 1518 m/s

100% thrust, I change my tactic and close on the faster of the two as he is now naturally closer...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:03 ] (notify) Approaching Хэдкраб

Their second mistake was allowing me within 20km as an overloaded Stasis Webifier reaches out and touches the faster of the two Dramiels

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:19 ] (notify) For initiating combat your security status has been adjusted by -0.1295.

It's reduced to a crawl but things go from bad to worse as now I'm in range of an overloaded Warp Scrambler

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:26 ] (notify) You have started trying to warp scramble velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel).

Sometimes you just have to sit back and smile at the things you are capable of, I open fire...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:28 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II lightly hits velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), doing 300.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:30 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), inflicting 480.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:32 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), causing 197.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:35 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel) completely.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:36 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), inflicting 476.9 damage.

Do they have guns on those things?

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:37 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to velsevur places an excellent hit on you, inflicting 364.9 damage.

Oh, it appears they do, as the fight kicks off in earnest...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:38 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II places an excellent hit on velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), inflicting 648.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:39 ] (notify) velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel) has started trying to warp scramble you!
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:39 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to velsevur hits you, doing 20.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:40 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to velsevur barely scratches you, causing 147.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:40 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), doing 442.3 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:42 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to velsevur hits you, doing 32.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:42 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to velsevur heavily hits you, inflicting 239.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:42 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), causing 211.5 damage.

At last, his friend joins in as I start to micro-manage some mods, need to repair some armour damage and keep them in range whilst cycling my afterburner...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:43 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) barely scratches you, causing 64.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:44 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 19.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:44 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), inflicting 590.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:45 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to velsevur hits you, doing 18.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:45 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to velsevur hits you, doing 168.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:46 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) hits you, doing 131.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:46 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches velsevur <SOLAR>(Dramiel), causing 243.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:48 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 18.0 damage.

The first Dramiel is not long for this verse as it spasms and explodes

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:48 ] (notify) Light Neutron Blaster II deactivates as Хэдкраб begins to explode.

All attentions now to his friend, with me at half armour...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:49 ] (notify) Approaching Andromeda
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:49 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) hits you, doing 123.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:51 ] (notify) You have started trying to warp scramble MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel).
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:51 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 14.7 damage.

Now the time has come, the time to drop the hammer, guns overloaded, shit just got real...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:51 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), doing 303.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:52 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) hits you, doing 121.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:53 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), causing 240.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:54 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 14.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:55 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), causing 224.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:55 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) hits you, doing 114.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:58 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 14.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:58 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) completely.

Somehow my scram turns off, probably me not paying enough attention to my capacitor as I'm cycling repper and propulson...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:59 ] (notify) You have started trying to warp scramble MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel).

No worries, he wasn't going anywhere...

[ 2011.02.21 18:38:59 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 10.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:59 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) hits you, doing 132.3 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:38:59 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), doing 452.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:02 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), inflicting 499.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:02 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 9.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:02 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) hits you, doing 143.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:03 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), doing 365.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:05 ] (combat) Caldari Navy Gremlin Rocket belonging to MaianeZ hits you, doing 18.5 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:05 ] (combat) MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel) aims well at you, inflicting 153.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:05 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), doing 508.3 damage.
[ 2011.02.21 18:39:08 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at MaianeZ <SOL-W>(Dramiel), inflicting 746.9 damage.

And just like that, another Dramiel dies...

[ 2011.02.21 18:39:09 ] (notify) Light Neutron Blaster II deactivates as Andromeda begins to explode.

A smile extends from ear to ear as I glance over a field of victory, to the victor the spoils, although it seems the good stuff didn't survive.

Another successful assault on the unscrupulous murderers of my Gistii friends.

In other news, had a Phoenix class dreadnought self destruct on a group of us earlier

The Trap

WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?
-- Death appeals to Azrael
(Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man)

Disclaimer: Before I start, I included the entire combat log, it's long but I feel taking bits out is not right

I walk into the NovaKane hangar this evening with a slight headache, some days it's just best not to get out of bed but things need doing and there's always something to do.

An associate reports something curious, Electus Matari Claw and Dramiel in the direction of the 2/10 plex but the Dramiel kept appearing and disappearing off scan and the local comms net.

Eventually it's just the Claw, the Dramiel is now gone.

"It's bait you know?" says Keira
"Of course it's bloody bait" I reply.

Keira can state the obvious in such a mocking tone.

"Guess I'll be going in then" I say as I board Sgt Angua.

The associate reports the Claw, still in the direction of the plex, I enter the black and set warp directly for the gate.

I land, the Claw only 20 clicks away, he engages as I land, quickly trying to control range...

[ 2011.02.03 22:21:54 ] (notify) Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw) has started trying to warp scramble you!

MWD have recently been updated to work in all deadspace complexes, but it is now more important than ever to fit your ship accordingly as I engage back, first webbing and then scrambling the Claw's propulsion...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:05 ] (notify) You have started trying to warp scramble Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw).

The Dramiel appears on scan, the trap sprung, as the Claw starts to shoot at me...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:07 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias lightly hits you, doing 88.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:09 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias hits you, doing 104.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:11 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias heavily hits you, inflicting 127.3 damage.

His range control is poor as I'm now on top of him, I open fire...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:12 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw), causing 191.3 damage.

Dramiel lands from it's warp and engages as it does so...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:14 ] (notify) Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel) has started trying to warp scramble you!
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:14 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias misses you completely.

Claw is primary target...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:14 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw) completely.

Swing and a miss, but the fight is far from over...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:14 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:16 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw), doing 354.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:16 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias lightly hits you, doing 99.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:16 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 37.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:18 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw), inflicting 486.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:18 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias hits you, doing 121.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:18 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 39.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:20 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw), doing 252.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:20 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 127.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:21 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:22 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw) completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:22 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:23 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Benito Arias heavily hits you, inflicting 181.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 20.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Benito Arias <-EM->(Claw), doing 139.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 149.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (notify) Domination Warp Scrambler deactivates as Wasp begins to explode.

The Claw explodes, I turn all my attention on the Dramiel...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:24 ] (notify) Approaching What Where ?
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:26 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania lightly hits you, doing 87.4 damage.

Webbed and scrammed but I'm bleeding atmosphere and fuel into space...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:27 ] (notify) You have started trying to warp scramble Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel).
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:27 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel) completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:28 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 29.5 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:28 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 20.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:28 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 31.5 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:28 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:29 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), doing 365.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:30 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 123.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:31 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), doing 356.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:32 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 18.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:32 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania strikes you perfectly, wrecking for 104.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:32 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:32 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania lightly hits you, doing 98.5 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:33 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel) completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:34 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 161.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:35 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II places an excellent hit on Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), inflicting 586.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:36 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 43.3 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:36 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania lightly hits you, doing 25.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:36 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 21.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:36 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 95.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:37 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II barely scratches Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), causing 257.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:38 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:39 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), inflicting 438.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:40 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:40 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania places an excellent hit on you, inflicting 45.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:40 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 33.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:40 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 171.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:41 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II lightly hits Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), doing 261.7 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:43 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania misses you completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:43 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II misses Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel) completely.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:44 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 30.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:44 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 33.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:44 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 42.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:45 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania heavily hits you, inflicting 161.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:45 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), inflicting 427.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:47 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II places an excellent hit on Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), inflicting 409.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:47 ] (combat) 150mm Light AutoCannon II belonging to Crazy Vania hits you, doing 136.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:48 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania places an excellent hit on you, inflicting 39.5 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:48 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 16.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:48 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Crazy Vania barely scratches you, causing 18.6 damage.

The fight is close, but in the end...

[ 2011.02.03 22:22:48 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II is well aimed at Crazy Vania <-EM->(Dramiel), inflicting 195.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.03 22:22:49 ] (notify) True Sansha Stasis Webifier deactivates as What Where ? begins to explode.

Dramiel down, the pilot warping his escape pod out just as I achieved lock.

Kane Rizzel > gf
Crazy Vania > :)
Kane Rizzel > login trap not work
Crazy Vania > I'll keep trying to figure out ways to kill your dare
Crazy Vania > :)
Kane Rizzel > but gf none the less :D

So I was baited, of course I was, it's as easy as that, there could have been a Concord billboard with BAIT in bright shiny letters and I still would have gone in.

Why? you may ask... Hehe, y'all should know by now but mostly I do it cause I love it.

Sgt Angua is fast earning her keep and continues to impress me.

The Devil

Being a werewolf meant having the dexterity and jaw power to instantly rip out a man's jugular. It was a trick of her father's that had always annoyed her mother, especially when he did it just before meals.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms)

There was a time when the Dramiel was just another faction frigate, but someone took what was an also ran and turned it into the only ran, with upgraded guns, range, speed and a deployment of four drones.

I remember back when flying the Dramiel was like flying a sexier Rifter but now the Dramiel is flown by anyone who thinks they can fight and if they can't fight, they can easily run away.

It is a particular favourite of plex farmers and for obvious reason. I don't blame them, if you want to make ISK, almost risk free, then this is the ship for you.

Dramiel

The Dramiel is the most long-standing and often-used ship design in the Angel Cartel's vast repertoire of vessels. A frigate workhorse if ever there was one, this sharp-tusked, dangerous beauty can sting unimaginably hard if one is not prepared for its assault.

Special Ability: 100% bonus to Small Projectile Turret damage

Minmatar Frigate Skill Bonus: 10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret falloff per level
Gallente Frigate Skill Bonus: 7.5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret tracking speed per level

Now y'all know I take great pleasure in making sure the Gusandall 2/10 complex isn't farmed, hell, I hate any ISK farming period and as such have made it my mission in the past to harass and kill any who would try and do such in the area.

There's a fellow who's been trying to run the plex on regular occasion, I caught him a while back when he was using a Succubus, I was in a Worm, he wasn't happy when I ransomed his pod and said some unpleasant things with regards to my character.

He was spotted earlier in the evening running the plex using a Dramiel but had left by the time I got ready, but as with all farmers, they always come back for more.

I wanted something to catch him, and then I wanted something to kill him.

Daredevil

Little hard data is to be had on the Daredevil's exact origin, but it is believed that Guardian Angel engineers created it to serve as a defensive complement to the Cartel's Dramiel frigate. In both flair and utility it closely resembles its counterpart, but it eschews offensive capabilities in favor of greater defensive potential and stronger armor plating. A tough nut to crack.

Special Ability: 200% bonus to Small Hybrid Turret damage

Gallente Frigate Skill Bonus: 10% bonus to Small Hybrid Turret falloff per level
Minmatar Frigate Skill Bonus: 10% bonus to the velocity factor of stasis webifiers per level

Now I remember flying the Daredevil before but never really got the hang of it, back then it had drones, but a lot has changed. My last DD was donated to Prometheus Exenthal for Frigank 6, but it didn't live long enough to feature too heavily.

Back then the Daredevil was ok, but now it's actually pretty damn impressive.

I undocked and warped to the 2/10, checking the scanner all the time during warp, the Dramiel still there. I land on the ancient acceleration gate and activate it, launching into the first room of the complex.

There he was, about 90 clicks away and moving well over 2.5km/s.

I would have to lure him in, a bit of Lame Kane™ to start off with, make him feel the comfort his speed afforded him would win him the fight.

[ 2011.02.01 18:37:30 ] (notify) Approaching Bromiel
[ 2011.02.01 18:37:35 ] (notify) Speed changed to 1441 m/s

He starts to close on me, hovering at about 35km

[ 2011.02.01 18:37:37 ] (notify) Speed changed to 1396 m/s

He slowly tightens his orbit.

[ 2011.02.01 18:37:58 ] (notify) Speed changed to 1795 m/s

The time has come, at about 30 clicks away, afterburner is set to overload...

[ 2011.02.01 18:38:40 ] (notify) Speed changed to 2412 m/s

At 24km a stasis web reaches out to the Dramiel and caresses the sleek hull

[ 2011.02.01 18:38:54 ] (notify) For initiating combat your security status has been adjusted by -0.1217.

He engages back, launches drones...

[ 2011.02.01 18:38:58 ] (notify) Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel) has started trying to warp scramble you!
[ 2011.02.01 18:38:59 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Syreon 5I4 barely scratches you, causing 27.8 damage.

He fires off some Barrage ammuntion in my general direction...

[ 2011.02.01 18:39:00 ] (notify) You have started trying to warp scramble Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel).
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:02 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Syreon 5I4 hits you, doing 83.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:04 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Syreon 5I4 barely scratches you, causing 55.9 damage.

I don't think he expected me to be this close, I open fire...

[ 2011.02.01 18:39:06 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II places an excellent hit on Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel), inflicting 874.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:08 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Syreon 5I4 heavily hits you, inflicting 96.2 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:08 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II lightly hits Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel), doing 323.3 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:09 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Syreon 5I4 lightly hits you, doing 21.1 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:09 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel), doing 522.5 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:11 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Syreon 5I4 heavily hits you, inflicting 37.0 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:11 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Syreon 5I4 hits you, doing 28.9 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:11 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Syreon 5I4 heavily hits you, inflicting 100.8 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:12 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel), doing 526.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:14 ] (combat) 200mm AutoCannon II belonging to Syreon 5I4 hits you, doing 81.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:14 ] (combat) Hobgoblin II belonging to Syreon 5I4 hits you, doing 32.6 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:14 ] (combat) Your group of Light Neutron Blaster II hits Syreon 5I4 <X.I.X>(Dramiel), doing 618.4 damage.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:15 ] (notify) True Sansha Stasis Webifier deactivates as Bromiel begins to explode.
[ 2011.02.01 18:39:16 ] (notify) Domination Warp Scrambler deactivates as Bromiel begins to explode.

Twenty two seconds of action and Sgt Angua stands victorious over the wreck of the Dramiel, The pilot quick enough to get his escape pod out this time, he docked immediately and went on vacation.

I'm very happy with her first outing, the sheer animosity of how she tore through the Dramiel impressed me, really impressed me. I expect the Dramiel pilot to be back in some or other faction ship and we'll be ready.

Edit: Shout out to The tHornton from The Hatchery, because he asked :)

The Race

The Ramkins were more highly bred than a hilltop bakery, whereas Corporal Nobbs had been disqualified from the human race for shoving.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms)

I'm sitting here in my hangar, leaning back in my office chair that I nicked from some station administrators office, watching The men who stare at goats, a rather funny movie about men who stare at goats

"Dramiel, in the 2/10, piloted by DEATH RIGHTS"

The comm so loud I fall out of the chair as I was balancing rather precariously. I get the boys working on firing up Ridcully, a Jaguar class assault frigate which is rather suited to the job at hand.

Undocking can sometimes take an age to accomplish and it's at these times where patience is truly tested.

Once in the black, I set warp directly to the 2/10, hammering the scanner in that direction, making sure the Dram would still be there. Of course it was, it's a Dramiel, piloted by the most fearsome of warriors, scared of nothing and armed to the teeth.

I activate the ancient acceleration gate and warp into the first room, where my scanner says the Dramiel is. This is conformed as I land, the Dram 35km away. I start to close, the Dram, here for a fight, does the same.

He's quick, very quick and soon we are engaged in mortal combat. He deploys a flight of hobgoblins, they start in on me. Shields holding, for now but he is actively tanked and is doing well against my damage. I overload, his shields start to fail, as have mine, he starts to get range, his drones still on me but I make short work of them as he has now gained about 50 clicks on me.

My shields start to recharge, large chunks of my light armour is missing but the fight is far from over. He closes to within warp disruptor range and holds me in place, another drone is sent my way but it meets a sticky end. He's far quicker than I am, so I need to be smarter.

I hit my afterburners and burn away from him, making straight lines, waiting for him to chase, waiting for the right moment to perform an old and trusted maneuver, the Crazy Ivan.

I gain some range and I can see him make to close, I overheat my afterburner, full thrust and turn directly into his trajectory. He almost runs right into me, but is now webbed and scrammed. I can no longer overheat my weapons as they'll burn out leaving me at his mercy, but I'm firing everything, the race is on, his shields break, my shields break, a Sabre interdictor rocks up, makes my life a little more interesting and I explode...

A moment of worry as my systems freeze up as I try to warp my escape pod out of harms way, I panic like someone who really panics but the lag subsides and I whip the escape pod to safety.

Kane Rizzel > great fight
fukitbucket > yeah good fight mate
DEATH RIGHTS > yeh sorry needed a hand lol
Kane Rizzel > no worries
DEATH RIGHTS > 2006 be hard
DEATH RIGHTS > lol
Kane Rizzel > :)

And it was a great fight, what was probably two minutes felt like twenty. I will never know what the outcome of the fight would have been had his friend in the Sabre not shown up but that's life :)

Disappointment

The hippo of recollection stirred in the muddy waters of the mind.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Soul Music)

A Dramiel pilot had been haunting the local plex recently, ex Electus Matari and I decided to take Maurice out for a spin.

Jaguar

Name: Jaguar
Hull: Rifter Class
Role: Assault Ship

The Jaguar is a versatile ship capable of reaching speeds unmatched by any other assault-class vessel. While comparatively weak on the defensive front it sports great flexibility, allowing pilots considerable latitude in configuring their loadouts for whatever circumstances they find themselves in.

Developer: Thukker Mix

Being the brain-child of the nomadic Thukkers, it is no surprise the Jaguar is as fast as it is. Initially conceived as a way for the tribe to pack some added punch to their organized detachments, they've found it to be equally useful as messenger, scout and escort, and it is likely to become one of the most commonly-seen ships in the Thukkers' stomping grounds.

Minmatar Frigate Skill Bonus:
5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret Damage per level

Assault Ships Skill Bonus:
10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret Optimal Range per level
5% bonus to Small Projectile Damage per level

I easily caught up with the Dram and took out his drones but he was still slightly faster than me with afterburner even while webbed, I made a few fatal errors in the fight but I'll put that down to old age. It was a good fight but Maurice expired when the Dram hit about 25% armour, close, but not quite enough.

A great fight, it took a while but was worth it. Maurice was a veteran of many battles and it was a fitting end for the old boy. Time to unleash a new improved Jaguar fit upon the world :)

ISD Volunteers

Many moons ago I applied for the ISD volunteer program, I thought I could give advice to new players on what EVE was about... fast forward to this evening when out of the blue I finally got a response:

vms@eve-online.com to me, leads

show details 7:50 PM (20 minutes ago)

Greetings!


Thank you for your recent application with the Eve Online volunteer program.


In your application, you indicated a desire to participate in the ISD Team: STAR team.


Upon review of your application and your player account, we have decided not to offer you a position within ISD:STAR.


This process is separate from other ISD volunteer department applications or interviews. Someone from any of the other ISD teams may still contact you, if they approve your application.


Thank you for your interest in the program.

---ISD:STAR Team Leads.

Colour me disappointed :(

[OOC] Oh it's on

Crowley was in Hell's bad books. Not that Hell has any other kind.
-- (Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman, Good Omens)

I'm back. Sorted out my technical difficulties in true Minmatar fashion... Ductape and a ball of string.

Hopefully it holds together to give me many more years of joyful explosions.

On my return I have lost another Dramiel, a good fight and worth the loss. They killed my Dramiel, a Jaguar and a Thrasher. We killed two Dramiels, an Ishkur and two Rifters, their Vigil got away.

New Dramiel is up and running but I've run out of spares.

[WTB] Dramiels

Seems Electus Matari have taken to farming the local 2/10, well, we can't be having any of that. As long as it brings good fights I'm well up for it.

Will try and start writing In Character posts soon, with some twists along the way.

Just a quick shout out to my friends in Unfortunate Incidents, who are trying their hand at this Piracy lark. Good luck guys, I'm sure y'all will do well and I look forward to flying with you soon™
This lot got me into EVE and it's thanks to them I've had many good years terrorizing space. Due to some e-Drama and a need to try new things they have formed corp and moved to lowsec, trying to see what I've been on about all these years :)

Well... Stay Classy

Oops

People who used magic without knowing what they were doing usually came to a sticky end. All over the entire room, sometimes.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures)

Remember yesterday when I said:

"The respec has done wonders for this amazing looking vessel and I'm going to fly it to death."

Well, I did.

Fell for bait, got blobbed and exploded, they managed to get my pod and the 150million ISK bounty.

:(

It wasn't a truly remarkable fight, as I didn't get a chance to fight back with the Falcon about. I felt so helpless as more and more people warped into the belt to point and laugh.













But, have no fear my loyal reader, it has been rebuilt, new implants installed, been a while since I was podded and let me tell you it wasn't pretty :P

They even called me a n00b, which almost hurt my feelings.

So with a rather large amount of blobs flying about the area tonight and me unable to contain my eagerness to engage everything I decided it was probably best to just dock up. Three blobs, one loss, I suppose that isn't too bad.

Stay Classy

Halt, it is the time of the hammer

It's a metaphor of human bloody existence, a dragon. And if that wasn't bad enough, it's also a bloody great hot flying thing.
-- Captain Vimes ponders his problems
(Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!)

Its been a good day, quite a lot to shoot, some good loot and some fantastic fun. I wish all days were like this one.

A new business partner has successfully fulfilled her duties in providing me with things to shoot, even at the risk of her own ship at times. Her skills aren't as good as our other partner in crime but she's getting there, she has talent and a lot of potential.

A good 25 kills today, some solo, some in gang with the M34N crew and a quality 1v1 versus a Harpy pilot that has visited Gus in various ships in the past.

The Dramiel is a fantastic ship, better than before it got 'fixed'. I was probably one of the few who flew it before as an armour tanking super Rifter in combat. The respec has done wonders for this amazing looking vessel and I'm going to fly it to death.



This particular specimen has been with me for close to two years now and has and continues to serve me well

Also took the Navy Armageddon out into the black, to introduce a Fenrir freighter pilot to our special brand of violence. He logged his critical systems twice to try and save his ship but the tenacity of the locals knows no bounds and such action bring out a rather nasty vindictiveness. I'm sure when he wakes up in the cloning vats he'll rethink his actions and how they affect others.

Today I caught covops enjoying the wonders of lowsec, ratters in belts, explorers trying their luck, people trying to run the gauntlet that is Gusandall and frigate training ops. The loot hangar is filling up once again.

Piracy is good, it warms my black heart

[OOC] Failure

Perdita thought that not obeying rules was somehow *cool*. Agnes thought that rules like "Don't fall into this huge pit of spikes" were there for a purpose.

-- (Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum)

I am fucking annoyed right now, annoyed at my failure to kill a Drake.

It seems my ISK farming friends have returned to Ingunn to run combat missions, we spotted three Drakes earlier and probed them out, killed two of them, this made me happy.

Three Drakes appear in Gus again, but different characters. I decide to take the Dramiel for a spin, chance my luck and maybe get something epic out of the deal.

I warp to the mission site, it's still there, with the three Drakes inside. In I go, bursting out of warp a mere 4 clicks off the closest I light it up and attack, drones out, guns spitting hot death. The two that aren't tackled warp out, leaving me with my prize.

I'm fast enough and small enough to evade most incoming damage, that is until the fucking Gistii rats decide to fucking web me down to 300m/s.

FUCK OFF YOU DIRTY FUCKING BASTARDS, THIS IS MY FUCKING KILL AND YOU'RE FUCKING RUINING IT.

I start to take heavy damage, my shields are gone, I'm getting dangerously close to hull damage. I decide to warp out, abandoning three drones and my prize entering structure.

SWEET ZOMBIE FUCKING JESUS.

I was so close to an epic kill, so what if it was a 15 day old character? It was a 15 day old character in a Drake, in a mission, in my lowsec.

Fuck you CCP, why do NPC rats have ewar that never fails, ewar that webs you down to a fraction of your speed, ewar that can damp you from a gazillion miles away?

You keep nerfing us players in an attempt to balance the game but then leave these mindless automatons with the ewar of fucking Chuck Norris.

I'm gonna go sulk some more now, y'all stay classy

In a hole

Brutha tried to nod, and thought: I'm on everyone's side. It'd be nice if, just for once, someone was on mine.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Small Gods)

The last few days have seen me roaming with virtually no targets about. Whatever was in system was either docked or at a POS so I was feeling a little down.

The Dramiel was desperate for blood and I kept moving on to the next system, continually scanning for any sign of life.

I jumped into Todifrauan, hit scan and was pleasantly surprised to spot a Drake in a belt, desperate to shoot at something I warped in knowing I wouldn't be able to break its legendary tank. I just wanted to shoot something, anything. Little did I know it would escalate to an awesome fight.

I was orbiting the Drake at a rapid rate of 7km/s when my overview lit up. Drake, Brutix, Armageddon and Rifter.

Sweet.

A swarm of drones start to chase me around the belt. I decide to call for a little help and I know just the bunch of delinquents who'd be bang up for this.

Kane Rizzel > hole bunch of fuckers here
Marovinchian > how many?
Commando Jaxx > ?
Marovinchian > ships?
Kane Rizzel > 2 drakes, brutix and geddon, rifter
OriasV > I am a hole fucker
Commando Jaxx > omw kane
Marovinchian > i'm in baddon
Commando Jaxx > what are you in?
Takayo > OMW
Kane Rizzel > dramiel
Commando Jaxx > you holding them off?
Kane Rizzel > yeah
Commando Jaxx > we'll be there soon
Marovinchian > vent?

I couldn't get on voice comms as I was busy trying to evade the chasing cloud of drones and as you can see, my typing took a dive. HOLE!

Takayo > were coming mate
Kane Rizzel > geddon pointed
Takayo > like 4 of us
Takayo > woop
Marovinchian > should i jump in?
Kane Rizzel > if you want, two drakes and geddon here

Takayo > here we comeeeeeeeeee
Uma Thurman > bettyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Commando Jaxx > fuck long warps!!
Kane Rizzel > jammed

Takayo > belt Kane?
Takayo > warp isn't working
Takayo > belt
Marovinchian > which belt
Takayo > ?
Commando Jaxx > what belt!!!??
Marovinchian > warp crap

I'm still flying around like a mad man and trying to kill the Rifter, so not really paying attention to fleet chat

Kane Rizzel > 1-1
Commando Jaxx > belt
Commando Jaxx > what!
Marovinchian > rgr
Commando Jaxx > in warped
Marovinchian > pri?
nominruil > geddon
Kane Rizzel > geddon still tackled
Marovinchian > spread point
Commando Jaxx > aye
Kane Rizzel > brutix back
Commando Jaxx > drake pointed
Kane Rizzel > I killed their rifter tackler too

I was wrong, he warped out at 5% structure as I'm a nub and lost point.

Commando Jaxx > lol
Commando Jaxx > they fail
Commando Jaxx > that drake out of point range

Not for long

Kane Rizzel > tackled

The Geddon and Drake drop, Brutix and other Drake warped out when local spiked

Kane Rizzel > thanks guys
nominruil > kane you're a crazy mofo
Kane Rizzel > I couldn't take em on my own

The M34N crew have my thanks for making all haste to get to Todi. It was about 6 minutes from when I got on the batphone till they arrived and I was in stitches of laughter


Exert from local
Kane Rizzel > gf btw
Ovno ConSyquence > i a fucking idiot
Ovno ConSyquence > gj lads
Ovno ConSyquence > we totaly got suckered
Commando Jaxx > gf
Kane Rizzel > thanks
Uma Thurman > why i am always primary??
Uma Thurman > gf btw
Commando Jaxx > LOL
Kane Rizzel > that was awesome
Gesadt > come back any time
Uma Thurman > ;)
Kane Rizzel > wait, did that rifter survive?
Uma Thurman > you guys live here?
Gesadt > yep
Gesadt > i got away
Ovno ConSyquence > not for long sadly
Ovno ConSyquence > and as you may be able to tell were getting complacent
Kane Rizzel > damn, how low structure?
Gesadt > prolly about 5-10%
Kane Rizzel > that was an epic fight for me, I had to get on the batphone
Ovno ConSyquence > that wasnt even my geddon =/
Ovno ConSyquence > good fucking job tbh
Ovno ConSyquence > gotta love t3h dram
Kane Rizzel > yep

I warped to a safespot, mainly to let the adrenaline subside a bit, not being on voice comms I missed the start of another fight in the same belt in which a Falcon, Maelstrom and Megathron engaged the M34N crew. Late to the party I eventually got my shit together and got in on the Mega and Mael kills after the Falcon was dispatched

An overview of the fight.

The perspective from the M34N killboard.

This... Was... Awesome

I was absolutely buzzed and the adrenaline rush is still coursing through my veins as I type this.

We hurried back to Gusandall as a Carrier had jumped in but as we got close it docked.

The locals were also in a buzz earlier as a Nyx supercarrier had jumped into Eifer but cloaked up before moving on to its next destination so we weren't able to fully welcome him to our corner of the universe.

A great night for me, worth the trip.

Thanks once again to the Gus locals for an epic assist ;)

Time to crash, the adrenaline has burnt me out and it's time to try and sleep.

Roots

"No running with scythes!"

-- (Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time)

The feeling of speed is incredible, it has been far too long since the universe sped by at such a rate. The faster I went, the slower my heart beat became. Once more, one with the universe.

Dramiel

The Dramiel is the most long-standing and often-used ship design in the Angel Cartel's vast repertoire of vessels. A frigate workhorse if ever there was one, this sharp-tusked, dangerous beauty can sting unimaginably hard if one is not prepared for its assault.

Special Ability: 100% bonus to Small Projectile Turret damage
Minmatar Frigate Skill Bonus: 10% bonus to Small Projectile Turret falloff per level
Gallente Frigate Skill Bonus: 7.5% bonus to Small Projectile Turret tracking speed per level

Recently updated, the Dramiel is now the fastest ship in the universe, capable of speeds even Interceptors can't compete with. While not as fast as my record setting Crusader of old, a mindblowing 63km/s, it can get up to 15km/s with Keira in her Claymore and my skills.

I decided to refit an old Dramiel I had gathering dust in the hangar and venture forth. Wandering around lowsec it seemed to be barren of any targets, eerily barren. Jump after jump yielded no opportunity to unleash the speed.

Getting rather irritated by lack of any action I decided one more stop in Eifer before docking up.

Thorax on scan, ratting. Whilst not a challenge, it still represented a target so I tracked it to a belt, warped in and engaged. The superior speed, guns and drones meant the Thorax stood very little chance. It exploded, pod scrambled and ransom offered. Unfortunately a "friend" had warped in with his Wolf and exploded the pod before the pilot had a chance to respond.

:(

C'est la vie. The Thorax pilot was of good age and would have resulted in a nice ransom had he had the chance to accept.

Oh well, I headed back to Gus to drop off the loot I was able to scoop and take a well deserved smoke break.

News of two Crows nearby, reached me and I headed on out to intercept the Interceptors. Apparently the two were hunting in Katagumar, I was just about to jump in when they jumped into me. First Crow drops gate cloak, I close and lock, they weren't outlaw so I had to rely on them engaging me, which they kindly obliged. The speed of the Dramiel takes some getting used to, after so long flying tanked ships this was a breath of fresh air.

I lost scram range on a few occasions but they stuck around long enough for me to drop the first Crow. Seeing his friend explode caused the second to bail. I need to get used to this, I could have easily taken the second, I could also have exploded but managed to win the engagement despite a fair number of mistakes.

This takes me back to my roots, back to the glory days of pure speed and it feels fucking good.

Stay Classy