Militia Boot Camp: Day Six - Ice Guardian

Private Newbro! You're not humping turtles, give me a real push up!

Private!  Today you will be heading into the ice anomalies.  

Your ship will be the Caldari Falcon.

Your optional ships are the Basilisk or Scimitar.  When properly skilled and fitted, both are Cap Stable.  Perma-MWD around the ice like a boss!

Suggested Fits:

[Basilisk, Basilisk HSM] Power Diagnostic System II Power Diagnostic System II Cap Recharger II Cap Recharger II Cap Recharger II Cap Recharger II Shadow Serpentis 50MN Microwarpdrive Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Medium Capacitor Control Circuit II Medium Capacitor Control Circuit II Light Shield Maintenance Bot II x5

[Scimitar, Scimitar HSM] Power Diagnostic System II Power Diagnostic System II Power Diagnostic System II Damage Control II Cap Recharger II Cap Recharger II Cap Recharger II Cap Recharger II Shadow Serpentis 50MN Microwarpdrive Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Large Remote Shield Booster II Medium Capacitor Control Circuit II Medium Ancillary Current Router II Light Shield Maintenance Bot II x1 Medium Shield Maintenance Bot II x4

In Asteroid belts, miners can migrate and move from belt to belt, making it harder for criminals to track and find them.  However, the ice belts are few and far between.  When the ice is available, there are only few places to be found.

Due to the greater value of this resource, and the greater vulnerability, miners normally tank-up and fly procurers and skiffs.  But for a few lost souls, they choose to fly mackinaws, hulks, retrievers and coveters and are the first to be targeted and hunted.

These ice fields may also be where you first experience the large gank blobs.

If the criminals are operating in the usual solo or small teams, the Falcon will serve you well.  Once the criminals number 5 or more, the Falcon will not be capable to stop them all - there is just not enough mid slots for jammers, and you should consider switching your tactics to repping the miner.

Mining barges and Exhumers are shield tanked, so your choice in Logistics should be the Basilisk or Scimitar.

Much like the asteroid belts, the criminals will be using either visible scouts or combat probes.

With the Falcon, you will need to be at the upper limits of your optimal range, to avoid becoming the secondary target.  You must always be cloaked to avoid becoming the primary target.

With the Basilisk or Scimitar, you must constantly be on the move using your Afterburner or Microwarpdrive.  Orbit the suspected target and be ready for the ganker blob.  Out in the open, you will always be a potential target.  Speed is your only tank.

Watch DScan.  Eight combat probes within 5 AU of the ice is a sure sign that catalysts will be coming.   Be on the lookout for known scouts sidling up next to potential targets.

If these are ice fields you normally patrol, then get to know the miners, open a dialogue and fleet up.

Now get out there, Private, and save someone's day.