In the dark expanse of New Eden, where technological paradigms shift and ship metas evolve, one vessel remains a constant, reliable workhorse for capsuleers navigating the treacherous waters of PvE Combat. The Vexor stands as a testament to Gallente engineering philosophy – ugly, practical, and brutally effective.
The ship isn’t about flashy laser shows or overwhelming missile barrages. Its beauty lies in the elegant simplicity of watching your drone fleet dismantle opponents while you manage the battlefield. The distinctive, almost insect-like profile of this cruiser strikes fear into pirate factions across high-security space, not for its imposing appearance, but for the cloud of destruction it unleashes.
With 75Mbit/sec drone bandwidth and a 125m³ drone bay, it can field a formidable mixed drone wing while carrying replacements and specialized variants. Its slot layout—4 high, 4 mid, 5 low—provides numerous fitting options to suit either shield or armor tanking preferences. The Gallente Cruiser skill bonus gives a 5% increase to medium hybrid turret damage per level and a 10% bonus to drone hitpoints, damage, and mining yield per level, making drones your primary damage source.
Essential Skills for Vexor Pilot
Before undocking, ensuring you have the appropriate skills is crucial to avoiding a costly learning experience. The Vexor is more skill-dependent than its cousin, the Thorax, particularly in drone operations. You shouldn’t undock without at least Drones IV, with Drones V being an immediate priority.
Required Skills To Fly it
| Skill Name | Target Level | Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gallente Cruiser | Level I | 41m |
| Spaceship Command | Level II | 47m |
| Gallente Destroyer | Level III | 8h 53m |
| Gallente Frigate | Level III | 8h 53m |
| Spaceship Command | Level I | 8m |
| TOTAL QUEUE TIME | — | 19h 15m 30s |
Recommended Skills Level for Efficiency
- Drone Interfacing: This is non-negotiable. Each level provides a 10% increase to drone damage, effectively multiplying your primary damage output.
- Light and Medium Drone Operation V: These skills provide 5% damage increase per level to their respective drone types.
- Drone Avionics: Increases drone control range by 5km per level, essential for maintaining drone command at longer distances.
- Drone Navigation and Sharpshooting: Improve drone speed and optimal range, reducing travel time between targets.
- Gallente Cruiser II: Required to run the ship.
- Capacitor Management: 5% bonus to capacitor capacity per skill level.
- Capacitor Systems Operation: 5% reduction in capacitor recharge time per skill level.
- Tanking Skills: Depending on your chosen tank, either Passive Shield or Active Armor skills.
- Navigation Skills: Afterburner and High Speed Maneuvering for propulsion modules.
While the ship can technically be flown with minimal skills, its true potential unlocks when you’ve invested in these core competencies. A well-skilled pilot in a Tech I can often outperform a poorly-skilled pilot in more expensive ships.
Two Builds for PvE
The ship flexibility allows for multiple effective fitting approaches. Below, we examine two proven build. the shield tank kiter for beginners and the active armor brawler for those seeking more intense engagement.
Passive Shield Tank Build
This build excels in Level 4 missions and high-security anomalies where maintaining distance from threats is possible. It uses a passive shield tank that requires minimal capacitor investment, allowing you to focus on drone control and positioning.
Dual 150mm Prototype Gauss Gun
10MN Monopropellant Enduring Afterburner
Large Shield Extender II
Enduring Multispectrum Shield Hardener
AE-K Compact Drone Damage Amplifier
IFFA Compact Damage Control
N-JM Compact Omnidirectional Tracking Enhancer
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium EM Shield Reinforcer I
Hammerhead I (medium drones) 
Hobgoblin I (light drones) Active Armor Tank Build
For pilots who prefer to meet threats head-on or who face capacitor-neutralizing enemies, the active armor tank provides a robust solution. This build excels in scenarios where close-range engagement is unavoidable or desirable, leveraging the Gallente’s natural affinity for armor tanking.
Medium Compact Pb-Acid Cap Battery
Drone Navigation Computer I
Medium ACM Compact Armor Repairer
Reactive Armor Hardener
800mm Rolled Tungsten Compact Plates
Medium Explosive Armor Reinforcer I
Medium Capacitor Control Circuit IFinal Thoughts
The Vexor remains, year after year, one of the most reliable and accessible combat platforms. Its unique combination of damage projection, tactical flexibility, and relative affordability makes it an ideal choice for both newcomers and veterans. Whether you choose the distant threat of the shield kiter or the stubborn resilience of the armor brawler, you’re flying a ship with a proven track record across two decades of New Eden warfare.