The Oracle

Stratics Staff

13 years ago

The Oracle used to be a “Tier 3” Battlecruiser for the Amarr shipline. As such, the prerequisite was to have Battlecruiser skill trained to level III. It has since been changed to a level I requirement due to changed roles.

As a regular Battlecruiser, there is little point in using this though. Looking at the slot layout and the Powergrid vs CPU you’d think that this is a minor step up from the Tier 1 Battlecruiser – The Prophecy.

Outside of the +1 Highslot, there is actually not much difference in the Powergrid and CPU between these two ships. Powergrid-wise its placed between the Harbinger and Prophecy with a 1375 Base Powergrid.

The Oracle doesn’t carry Drones. In fact the only Tier 3 Battle Cruiser that does is the Gallente Talos that can field a flight of 5x5mb bandwith Drones (ie. light drones).

So why use the Oracle? The similarities of this Tier 3 Battle Cruiser in comparison with its siblings points directly at the Traits and Role Bonuses …

Tanking the Oracle

Amarr is traditionally armor tanked but the Tier 3 Oracle invites you to consider signature tanking due to the increased base speed (250 m/sec), reduced defenses (in comparison to the other Battle Cruisers), reduced signature radius and solid Amarr slot layout (6 low slots). In that regard, it is slotted nicely in between Tech 1 and Tech 2 Cruisers and Battle Cruiser at a signature radius of just 210m.

The traditional vanilla fit nano ship includes a maximum of 3 Nanofiber Internal Structures and with 6 low-slots there is room for that and 3 Gank modules as well, to make it the glass cannon it really aims to be. Not entirely adviceable though, as you’d normally fit some kind of plate or other defense to help Logi’s in keeping you alive but that is no doubt the nature of signature tanking. Youre essentially flying paper planes here, which takes some getting used to. As with all things EVE, it really does depend.

With 2 Nanos and an overdrive, you could be going ~320 m/sec and with a MWD that can increase to ~2120 with a signature radius of 1050m. At close range vs a large target that these are aimed to be, thats not bad. But you’ll still be blooming up like a small Battle Cruiser with less defenses against everything else, so consider when you do hit that MWD and engage the orbit, or consider a dual prop, which isn’t really feasable because you don’t have too many midslots to begin with – as its the usual problem with the Amarrian Utility slots.

Needless to say, stay aware of ships that can break your tank, like Recons and Minmatar ships that traditionally has the midslots to fit a web/scram or both if youre going the Nano fit route.

In the traditional Armor tanking role, you’d throw on a mix of plates and EANM’s and have it sit around the 40k EHP mark but at a reduced speed (~1.1k). Not much to say about that really.

For both the Armor tanking fit and the Nano fit, the 3 midslots (utility) is opened up for other uses, which means that you can use it outside of fleet warfare.

Shield tanked Oracles uses the 3 midslots for the tank and in turn loses their utility modules which ultimately means that the use is limited to largely shield gangs rather than shield-solo-pvp. On the upside, they can use more gank modules than the nano and armor tanked versions, so has a tendency to hit harder and farther out with heat sinks and tracking modules. This makes it an excellent base for a Sniper Oracle which can apply very decent damage.

The fit I am flying now tanks with 1600mm plate, DC2 and an EANM. Top speed is 215 and bumped up to 1058m/s with the MWD active. Signature radius is 1260m an EHP is +34k, but I do have good armor tanking skills. Its not an expensive fit but not meant to be either. Just gank.

Traits and Role Bonus

The Battlecruiser skill bonuses are providing you with 2 things in the case of the Oracle, that supports using Large Energy Turrets. Namely Large Energy Turret Capacitor Use and Large Energy Turret Damage specifically. Note that there is no bonus to regular Medium Energy Turrets so there is little reason to even consider these.

At BC V, the Mega Pulse Laser II will have these base values changed to a base rate of 20 GJ activation cost and a damage modifier of 5,4 x.

Role Bonuses offer a reduction in powergrid need for Large Energy Turrets, CPU need of Large Energy Turrets and Capacitor need of Large Energy Turrets. Note again that there is nothing to gain by using Medium Energy Turrets in this case.

Overall, this means that it can fit 8 x Mega Pulse II’s and fire those weapons with heavily altered stats, for very respectable brawler damage. Or it can fit Mega Beam Laser II’s, and use its own increased BC range of 65km to hit at mid-ranges as part of a plate-fit-semi-long range fleet with logi support. With enhanced targetting range through sensor boosting, it can apply damage at ranges beyond 200km.

Damage is limited to EM and Thermal damage types.

Picking the weaponry

When you initially fit the Oracly, you should be looking at the purpose of the fit youre trying to build. Are you going to snipe fit it, or fit it for alpha damage?

A few of you have been looking for an alpha fit, so here’s some considerations for you when selecting equipment.

To maximize the alpha (volley) damage, you’ll be looking at the following:

Selecting a weapon with the highest possible damage modifier:
1. Normal Pulse damage modifier ranges: 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3, 3.15, 3.3, 3.45 and 3.6
2. Faction Pulse damage modifier ranges: 2.5, 3.6 and 3.75
3. Officer Pulse damage modifer ranges: 2.75, 3, 4.13 and finally 4.5
4. Normal Beam damage modifer ranges: 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3, 3.15, 3.3, 3.45, 3.6
5. Normal Tachyon damage modifier ranges: 4.5, 4.72, 4.95, 5.17 and 5.4
6. Faction Beam damage modifier ranges: 2.5, 3.6 and 3.75
7. Faction Tachyon damage modfier ranges: 5.4 and 5.63
8. Officer Beam damage modifier ranges: 2.75, 3, 4.13 and 4.5
9. Officer Tachyon damage modifier ranges: 6.19 and 6.75
Selecting heat sinks with the highest possible damage modifier:
1. Normal heat sinks damage modifier ranges: 1.05, 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.09 and 1.1
2. Faction heat sinks damage modifier ranges: 1.08, 1.1 and 1.13
3. Officer heat sinks damage modifier ranges: 1.13, 1.14 and 1.15
Selecting rigs that adds damage modifiers:
1. Medium energy collision accelerator I: 1.1
2. Medium energy collision accelerator II: 1.15
Selecting Crystals with the highest possible damage modifier:
1. Standard Multifrequency L: EM28/TH20
2. Faction Multifrequency L: EM30.8/TH22, EM32.2/TH23 and EM33.6/TH24
3. Pulse Scorch L: EM36/TH8
4. Pulse Conflagration: EM30.8/TH8
5. Beam Aurora L: EM20/TH12
6. Beam Gleam L: EM28/TH28
Selecting an implant that provides a damage modifier to energy turrets:
1. Inherent Implants ‘Lancer’: Slot 6 – 10
Selecting a booster that adds a damage modifier to energy turrets:
1. (There are none).
Adding a fleet booster.
1. This has no effect on damage.

Putting it all together, we’ll discover that the best normal turret for volleys is the Tachyon Beam Laser II using a Gleam Crystal which gives us a base volley of 4,782 before additions. Crossing over to Faction ammo, this can be increased to 4918 (True Sansha / Dark Blood).

Adding 3 x Heat Sink II’s we get a volley damage of 6,043 and with the rigs its topping out at 6,497 (using a single tech II rig actually provides more of a boost to damage than 2 x I’s due to diminishing returns).

With Lancer Implants this can be increased to 6,886 using slot 10 allthough the price tag is hefty. For capping out though, lets stick with that.

With faction guns we aren’t able to increase volley damage so there is no point in trying. Officer guns though will give us an additional 1k per volley – while adding a pricetag of “absolutely rediculous and totally gankworthy” to the boat.

Swapping to faction heat sinks will provide us with ~300 damage to the volley and comes at a more acceptable price tag though.

What to make of it is up to you though, but the Oracle can volley for upwards of 4.5k without breaking a sweat and 6.5k with servere fitting issues as a result. If price is not a concern for you, its a matter of volleys in the 8.7k range @ +1200 DPS.

The fit I am currently flying has 2299 EM / 511 TH HP per shot with Scorch L, and with Conflagration L its 1967 EM/TH per shot. Optimal are 49km and 16km respectively, although I have a tracking computer fit as well to adjust this via scripts. Adjust DPS according to gunnery skills. Mine needs training but is currently ~500 for scorch and ~800 for the Conflag (unbonused).

Killing an Oracle

Depending on fit, Sniper fits would field a shield tank and little to no utility modules (no webs/scrams) so getting under the guns is essential. Once that is done its a matter of time before the shield tank breaks. Escaping one should pose no problems.

Armor or Nano fits has potential utility modules, so risking a tackle should be done in a ship that can enter a fast orbit (Frigates/Interceptors). Weapon modules can be deactivated through the use of ECM or TD modules.

PVP fits usually fit buffer tanks to cope with high alpha volleys and instead rely on Logistics, so they’d be without self-sustaining repair modules. Its a matter of time before they go down, and they all go down eventually. The Nano fit can potentially kill off tacklers (due to web/scram potential) and escape but is much easier to bring down once tackled.

Overall Assesment

Amarr boats have traditionally been all about bulky armor and lots of lights to brighten up your day. But in the case of the Oracle, it seems more appropriate to fly it as a mid-long range damage platform and fitting shield modules on it.

The Oracle fits best against targets that are big and slow (BS, Carrier, Structures) and it will be interesting to see these being deployed in Wormhole seige operations where they will likely shine in that role due to the nature of Crystals. I fully expect to see these being deployed by corporations such as the Noir. Mercenary Group for these kind of operations.

Please refer to this developer blog for more info and stay tuned for actual fits as we’ll attempt to keep this page (and the rest) updated with fits from various sources, stats and more!

PVP Fits

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #1]

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Damage Control II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Large Shield Extender II
Warp Disruptor II

Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L

Medium Energy Burst Aerator II
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #2]

Damage Control II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II

Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L
Mega Pulse Laser II, Scorch L

Medium Energy Locus Coordinator I
Medium Energy Metastasis Adjuster I
Medium Energy Metastasis Adjuster I

[Failheap challenge, Fit #3]

Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L

10MN MicroWarpdrive II
Large Shield Extender II
Sensor Booster II, Targeting Range

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II

Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium Ionic Field Projector I
Medium Ionic Field Projector I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #4]

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Damage Control II

F-90 Positional Sensor Subroutines, Targeting Range
Large F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction
Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive

Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Infrared L

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #5]

Large Shield Extender II
Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon Microwarpdrive
Sensor Booster II, Targeting Range

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Tracking Enhancer II
Damage Control II

Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #6]

10MN MicroWarpdrive II
Small Capacitor Booster II, Navy Cap Booster 400
Warp Disruptor II

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
800mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Damage Control II
True Sansha Adaptive Nano Plating
True Sansha Adaptive Nano Plating

Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #7]

Damage Control II
1600mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
1600mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
J5b Phased Prototype Warp Scrambler I
X5 Prototype I Engine Enervator

Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L
Dual Heavy Pulse Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L

Medium Trimark Armor Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #8]

1600mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Damage Control II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II

10MN Afterburner II
Sensor Booster II, Scan Resolution
Warp Disruptor II

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #9]

Damage Control II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Conjunctive Radar ECCM Scanning Array I
Large Shield Extender II

Medium Energy Burst Aerator I
Medium Energy Locus Coordinator I
Medium Energy Metastasis Adjuster I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #10]

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Pseudoelectron Containment Field I
Tracking Enhancer II
Type-D Attenuation Signal Augmentation

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
V-M15 Braced Multispectral Shield Matrix
Large F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction

Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Standard L

Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #11]

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Signal Amplifier II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range
Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range
Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive

Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L
Tachyon Beam Laser II, Aurora L

Medium Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Medium Ionic Field Projector I
Medium Ionic Field Projector I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #12]

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Signal Amplifier II
Damage Control II

Invulnerability Field II
Large F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction
Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[Failheap-challenge, Fit #13]

Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Damage Control II

F-90 Positional Sensor Subroutines, Targeting Range
Large F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction
Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[EVE University, Fit #1]

Damage Control II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Large F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction
Large F-S9 Regolith Shield Induction

Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[EVE University, Fit #2]

1600mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Damage Control II
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Warp Disruptor II
Stasis Webifier II

Medium Anti-Explosive Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I

[EVE University, Fit #3]

Damage Control II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Power Diagnostic System II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Large Shield Extender II
Sensor Booster IITachyon Beam Laser II, Imperial Navy Multifrequency L

Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I
Medium Core Defence Field Extender I

[youtube d3bgCkGY6p4]

PVE Fits

Be aware that the T3 Battlecruisers are not intended for solo PVE’ing in L4 missions. You don’t have a drone bay and therefore no option to viably killy frigate sized targets (ie. you will die if you try). For PVE you can contribute in a group with DPS, which usually also means that you have logistic ships for repair and that in turn means your tank is based on resistance with a buffer (plated fits) to give the logistic ships more time to get you repaired in case of primary target. For the Oracle that means, you’ll can use 3 gank/DPS modules, 2 EANM’s and a plate or variations of that.

[Oracle, C3]

Damage Control II
1600mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
Heat Sink II
Heat Sink II

Y-T8 Overcharged Hydrocarbon I Microwarpdrive
Tracking Computer II
Small Capacitor Booster II, Navy Cap Booster 400

Medium Trimark Armor Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I
Medium Trimark Armor Pump I

[Oracle, PVE – L4 Locust]

High Slot #1	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #2	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #3	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #4	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #5	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #6	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #7	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
High Slot #8	Mega Afocal Maser I, Multifrequency L
Mid Slot #1	Cap Recharger II
Mid Slot #2	Tracking Computer II, Tracking Speed
Mid Slot #3	Tracking Computer II, Optimal Range
Low Slot #1	800mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I
Low Slot #2	Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane I
Low Slot #3	Damage Control II
Low Slot #4	Heat Sink II
Low Slot #5	Heat Sink II
Low Slot #6	Heat Sink II
Rig Slot #1	Medium Energy Discharge Elutriation I
Rig Slot #2	Medium Energy Discharge Elutriation I
Rig Slot #3	Medium Trimark Armor Pump I

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