While Hulkageddon is already over and the prizes are given out. Meanwhile I thought a bit about who got ganked and why. During Hulkageddon I studied the killboard and searched for kills in 0.9 sec systems. Especially Sardaukar Merc Guild seems to be specialized in high sec kills. Their KB entries show a long row of kills in 0.9sec. Most of the victims flew Cargo or Yield optimized hulks as if Hulkageddon was nonexistent. One kill in 1.0sec-space seemed even quite well-tanked, but EFT disclosed the impossibility of the fit. So some modules apparently were offline. Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen so far:

  • Cargo Expanders: your cargo rigs already reduce the armor, why ignoring the danger an using cargo expanders too?
  • Wasting mid slots: an empty mid slot does not protect you.
  • Not using a damage control: a DCU can save (virtual) lifes – ask your most trusted PvP friend. It increases the shield and armor resistances and gives 50%+ resistance on hull.
  • Active tanking: high sec gankers do not have much time to kill you. Therefore they optimize their alpha strikes. Even if you manage to activate the shield booster/armor repairer – it will run at most 2-3 cycles before you die. Hardener instead will reduce the damage so the gankers need more cycles and the chance of Concord arriving in time will rise.
  • Using mining upgrades: mining upgrades cost too much CPU and reduce your ability to passive shield tank.

Last but not least: the location may be the main difference. I saw a lot of kills in Abudban, only 2-3 jumps away it was already quiet. I advice to watch the hulkageddon kill board and the star map to detect the dangerous places. Fly safe until Hulkageddon the next…