EVE Online Ship Defenses: Understanding Tanking Strategies
Pages 44-45 from our book, soon to be published!
Looking at the UMADD League Handbook pages on ship defenses, it's clear that choosing the right tanking strategy is fundamental to survival in EVE Online. This post is designed to break down the key differences between active versus passive tanking and shield versus armor defenses.
Active vs. Passive Tanking:
Active Tanking:
When a players chooses and (ACTIVE TANK), they are using modules that continuously repair your ship's HP during combat, like shield boosters or armor repairers.
Requires (a lot) of capacitor energy to function, making it dependent on your ship's energy supply
Provides excellent sustained damage mitigation, in the right circumstances
Offers greater independence in drawn-out duels where logistics support is unavailable
Cons include high capacitor consumption and vulnerability to capacitor warfare (neuts/nos)
Passive Tanking:
Focuses on maximizing hit points and resistances without active repair modules.
For shields, relies on shield extenders and enhanced passive Shield regeneration
For armor, uses armor plates and resistance modules
No capacitor requirement, making it reliable even when (capacitor = empty)
Excellent for fleet fights, brawls, and situations where receiving logistics is likely
Provides a "time buffer" for your fleet to respond or for you to escape
Shield vs. Armor Tanking:
Shield Tanking:
Utilizes mid-slot modules primarily
Shield modules affect your signature radius (making you easier to hit)
Shield has natural regeneration even without modules
Typically weaker against EM damage but stronger against explosive
Shield regeneration is passive, but shield boosters (active) provide instant repair
Common on Caldari and Minmatar ships with mid-slot advantages
Shield tanks can be fitted for either active (boosters) or passive (extenders) setups
Armor Tanking:
Primarily uses low-slot modules
Armor plates increase mass, reducing agility and speed
No natural regeneration, requiring active repair modules or external logistics
Typically stronger against EM but weaker against explosive damage
Common on Amarr and Gallente ships with low-slot advantages
Shield remains as a buffer even when armor tanking
Key Considerations When Choosing Your Tank:
Ship bonuses: Match your tank to your ship's built-in bonuses (like the Caldari and Minmatar ships often favoring shields, while Amarr and Gallente ships typically favor armor)
Fleet composition: In fleet scenarios, consistency is crucial.
Mixing shield and armor in the same fleet complicates logistics!
Capacitor support: If flying with low capacitor or expecting neut pressure, passive tanking shines
Engagement type: For kiting or hit-and-run tactics, shield tanks often work better due to their natural regeneration
Hull specialization: Ships like the Moa, Caracal, and Drake excel with shield tanks, while Maller and Amarr/Gallente hulls often perform better with armor
Practical Applications:
When flying solo, active tanks can provide exceptional sustainability if you have the capacitor to support them. For fleet operations, buffer tanks allow logistics ships time to lock and repair you before you lose your ship.
Remember that in EVE Online, tanking is more than just survival—it's about controlling the tempo of battle and creating opportunities for your team to secure objectives or neutralize threats.
As the UMADD League Handbook states: "Choosing between buffer or active tanking, and between armor or shield, will shape every part of your ship fitting and survival strategy. Match your tank type to your ship's bonuses and your role, as this decision is the foundation for living through any fight in EVE."
Whether you're on the frontline of a massive UMADD League fleet battle or solo roaming the depths of null-sec, understanding these tanking fundamentals will dramatically improve your survival odds and combat effectiveness.
Teclis
CEO Celestial Circus!
