: Protected "Spider tank" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

2009-02-13T20:56:11Z

Protected "Spider tank" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

: Fine tuned the fitting part for more realistic fit.

2009-02-13T20:56:11Z

Fine tuned the fitting part for more realistic fit.

New page

[[Category:Guides]]
[[Image:Spidertank.jpg]]

A spider tank, or remote repair (RR) [[Battleship|battleship]] [[Gang|gang]], is a [[Fleet|fleet]] stratagem where instead of each individual [[Fleet|fleet]] pilot having his own on-board [[tanking|tank]], every member of the [[Fleet|fleet]] helps each other with [[Tanking|tanking]], thus massively increasing the survivability of each member and the [[Fleet|fleet]]'s chance of success. A [[Fleet|fleet]] of this type should include at least 20 spider [[Tanking|tanking]] [[Battleships|battleships]] as well as a few [[tackling|tacklers]] since [[Battleships|battleships]] are slow and should not stray far from each other.

----

== Fitting ==
A spider tanked [[Battleship|battleship]] will be fitted as a regular short range buffer tanked [[PvP|pvp]] [[Battleship|battleship]] but with a few tweaks. Since most of the [[Battleship|battleships]] can have lots of Armor hitpoints while only few can fit respectable shield buffer, Spider tanks are usually based on Armor hitpoints and remote armor repairers.

In its highslots the [[Ship|ship]] will be fitted with close range turrets or missile launchers such as Autocannons, Pulse [[Lasers|Lasers]], Blasters or Torpedoes. One or more of the high slots are fitted with Remote Armor Repair Systems (or in a very rare case, Shield Transfer Arrays).
The midslots will usually be fitted exactly as a short range [[PvP|pvp]] [[Battleship|battleship]] with a Microwarp Drive, a Warp Jammers, a [[Capacitor|Capacitor]] Boosters and, if there are slots left, either a Sensor Boosters, an ECCM or a Stasis Webifiers according to player preference.

The low slots will, again like the short range buffer [[PvP|pvp]] fit, have Armor Hardeners, an Energized Platings, Armor plates and a [[Damage|Damage]] Control. One or two damage modules like Gyrostabilizers or Ballistic Control Units is usually added for more damage. Guideline is to extend the armor as much as possible in order to give his friends time to lock him and apply remote rep while doing reasonable damage. For the same reason, all 3 rigslots usually have a Trimark Armor Pump fitted. Combined, the [[Rigs|rigs]], plates and Armored Warfare [[Gang|Gang]] skills can push the [[Ship|ship]]'s armor beyond 35 000 HP.

----

== Strategy ==
The strategy of the spider tank [[Fleet|fleet]] is simple in theory but hard to execute in practice. Lag, unconventional enemy tactics and [[Fleet|fleet]] member mistakes are the most significant obstacles to successful implementation. The theory is that rather then repairing their ship or trying to run away, any [[Fleet|fleet]] member that takes [[Damage|damage]] uses the [[Fleet|fleet]] broadcast window to broadcast "need armor", at which point every member of the [[Fleet|fleet]] uses their own broadcast window to lock their [[Fleet|fleet]] mate and activate their remote repairs on them. This way, a single [[Battleship|battleship]] can potentially be repaired by dozens of armor reps rather then the two he would have in a "normal" set-up and in this way tank a stupendous amount of [[Damage|damage]].
The set-up has many drawbacks too. The most troublesome one is that [[Fleet|fleet]] members have to stay within 6-8km from each other due to the limited range of remote repair modules. Therefore, while able to tank (for example) a [[Sniper|Sniper fleet]], the spider tank [[Fleet|fleet]] cannot reach the snipers to hurt them in turn. In actual [[PvP|pvp]], individual members can easily drift away from each other due to lag, [[Bumping|bumping]] or warping into [[Warp Disruption Fields|Bubbles]].
Spider tank fleets are most often used against slightly more static targets such as [[POS|POS]] and [[POS|POS]] modules, [[Outpost]] or hostile Capital Fleets.

----

== Other uses ==
While not in strict meaning a spider tank [[Fleet|fleet]], most Capital Fleets consist of many Carriers in support of Dreadnoughts. Carriers, among other things, have bonuses to remote repair modules and any [[Carrier|Carrier]] or [[Dreadnought|Dreadnought]] under heavy fire can call upon the aid of the rest of the [[Fleet|fleet]] in the manner of a spider tank. A [[Dreadnought|Dreadnought]], however, has to complete the cycle of its Siege Modules first, and may be long dead by then.

Small fleets of [[Battleship|Battleships]] with around five pilots can also take part in spider [[Tanking|tanking]], although the fittings of these ships requires some additional modifications to be effective. At least three 1600mm armour plates are required with smaller numbers to provide a buffer tank while the other members of the [[Fleet|fleet]] are able to lock and set the remote repairs into action. Due to the lower amount of armour repairs being active upon the damaged ship, the greater amount of armour is needed to provide a stronger tank.

----

==Weaknesses==
There are several problems that can arise when spider [[Tanking|tanking]].
[[Electronic_Warfare_(Combat)|ECM]] is the most severe threat to fleets of Spider [[Tanking|tanking]] ship, a ship that has been [[Jammed|Jammed]] (Can no longer targer) is not capable of providing remote assistance to other ships, lowering the [[Tanking|tanking]] potential of the [[Fleet|fleet]].

[[Capacitor|Capacitor]] or Cap is also a problem with Spider [[Tanking|tanking]] fleets, as piolts with often struggle to maintain a high amount of cap while running two remote repairs as wells as guns. This can be offset by the use of a Cap booster to provide an extra injection of cap when needed.

Communication can also be a problem, as in the heat of a battle it is not always easy to see who is in need of repair and who is not, In smaller gangs a watch list is used to show who is taking the most [[Damage|damage]], however in larger gangs the broadcast 'Need Armour' is used. A confident [[Fleet_Commander|Fleet commander]] can coordinate repairs but also has other duties to attend to in a [[Fleet|Fleet]].

The pilots themselves are also a danger to a spider tank. If pilots begin to panic about being shot or [[Jammed|jammed]], they will lose their ability to concentrate and begin to make mistakes - such as repairing an enemy or shooting a friendly.

----

== Trivia ==
Spider tanks were made popular by the Alliance Tournament when some members found it was a very effective way of keeping one [[Ship|ship]] alive against the onslaught of many. The practice spread through the EVEtv and is now a common sight in 0.0 warfare.

← Older revision	Revision as of 20:56, 13 February 2009
(No difference)

Spider tank - Revision history

: Protected "Spider tank" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

: Fine tuned the fitting part for more realistic fit.