Quote Originally Posted by RobinGBrown View Post
There's a thread with links to all the tools you need in this subforum:

http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=21126
Doh! Completely forgot to check the stickies. Thanks!

Quote Originally Posted by RobinGBrown View Post
Before you get intoo far I'd just like to say that EVE is not fun. I've tried it a few times and really gotten into the character building and planning aspects only to find that when I actually play the game its boring as hell.
I'm having fun playing it right now and that's really all that matters.

Quote Originally Posted by thinus View Post
Passive means you don't use capacitor. The trick is to get your shield HUGE by using Shield Extender modules and then to increase your passive shield regen rate. The regen rate is already a percentage formula based on the total size of your shield. And I think there are some rigs that boosts the regen rate and also some modules. You need to find a balance that works with minimum skills and then as your skills grow you can modify the loadout. Your Caracal fitting looks like a passive tank and you will be aiming for something similar in the Drake.

[*SNIP*]

EDIT: I don't know what the prices are like now but back when I was playing a Drake was 30-40mil with basic modules and double that with decent launchers and modules.
I'm finding more info now that I know what to search for. Looks like I was on the right track with skilling up all the shield upgrades/power grid/etc. for all the passive regen options. And drakes are listing for 29mil as of last night, so not too bad as I'm up to a bit over 6mil from a good weekend of playing (including all the upgrades to the Caracal I've been doing as I go.) I found a post with some math on optimizing passive shield regen, so my next step is figuring out where the sweet spot is for a relatively poor noob like me. EVEMon helped with some skill planning. Next up is finding EFT and figuring out some cheap builds.

I've been looking at combinations with extenders/relays + hardeners and I think the trouble was that I'm working with a relatively small ship. Most folks on the forums seem to be assuming everyone is in a Battlecruiser or higher, with 90% of the discussion revolving around Battleship fits. Those give you a lot more power grid and slots to work with.

Cheers,
Ugh