Battlecruisers are great for doing missions in for those with low SP. They are basically Cruisers 2.0. I would of course suggest any new players to train up and hop in one over a cruiser, but on the other hand they will cost you 25-40mil for the ship alone. Get in a cruiser, learn how to manuver a bit better in combat, and run level 2s until you can afford one (plus fittings and insurance!).
Eventually you will ease your way into level 3s which are great for a while. Between loot, bountys, and salvage, you will be making a bundle. Level 4s are a whole different ballgame. I suggest joining a 0.0 alliance and go ratting by then
Missions are lonely, boring, and test your ships stamina (aka tons of ships at once). It is, however, generally safe from other players. Ratting on the other hand is much more fun and you always have to keep alert for enemy players. You may lose a ship here or there, but you make it up in no time. You get 1-2 BS per asteroid field with maybe 3 frig/cruiser escorts and just go from belt to belt farming. I enjoy ratting much more than missions and seem to make alot more faster. I cant stand going 100km from gate to gate in missions or taking on rooms of 20+ little ships at once.
