Training for a Drake

Starwalker was training for the Drake next - thanks to input from Kaeda Maxwell, Truen1ght and Orson. This did not mean that the Hurricane and other ships would not be trained, just that they would be trained later.

A number of reasons contributed to doing the training in this order:

• Missile training was more advanced than gunnery
• HAM and PODLA Drakes offered cookie cutter builds for brawling and kiting
• Drake tanks allowed a little more room for pilot error
• Ammunition choice was generally easy - kinetic, simply select for range

However, before that training could start the Interceptor IV training needed to be completed and some time spent with the ship fitting tool to determine the fit and any further training requirements. Starwalker enjoyed playing with the ship fitting tool, to theorise on fittings and capabilities and it was especially useful as it also let him see what training was needed. Although, he already knew that he wanted more skills trained:

1. Battlecruiser V for damage and shield resistance
2. Drones V and drone skills related to drone damage and range, possibly ECM
3. Heavy and Assault Missile V and their respective specialisation to IV for damage
4. Acceleration Control V for speed increase
5. Miscellaneous skills to improve capacitor usage such as propulsion jamming

This represented many days of training, Battlecruiser V alone was around 25 days and so Starwalker considered whether he should go out in a Drake even before he had completed this training. The short answer was - yes. The longer answer was - yes, if Starwalker was within 85%-95% of the overall skill level V capability for damage, tank, capacitor, speed and agility.

Whilst Starwalker mainly lost ships through pilot error he did not want to be woefully under-skilled when flying the Drake. So, the first job was to check how close he was to flying a Drake - back to the fitting tool...