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Keyroii Moru (talk | contribs) m Changed the 2 minute timer to the 30 second timer mentioned further down and specified a bit more clearly when the timer starts when entering cloaked |
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{{Exploration links}} | {{Exploration links}} | ||
{{hatnote|This site is about the hacking site. See [[Besieged Covert Research Facility]] for info on the combat site}} | {{hatnote|This site is about the hacking site. See [[Besieged Covert Research Facility]] for info on the combat site}} | ||
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== Getting loot == | == Getting loot == | ||
When you enter the site a timer is started '''<span style="color:red">(unless you warp in cloaked)</span>'''. The time is random and not shown, but it seems that the more ships are in the site at once, the longer the timer (in practice, if running a site solo, you will generally have enough time to hack and loot 2 cans before the timer expires). | When you enter the site a 30 seconds to three minute timer is started '''<span style="color:red">(unless you warp in cloaked, in this case the timer will start when decloaking)</span>'''. The time is random and not shown, but it seems that the more ships are in the site at once, the longer the timer (in practice, if running a site solo, you will generally have enough time to hack and loot 2 cans before the timer expires). | ||
Since time is of the essence, it is not generally recommended to scan the containers with a cargo scanner due to the limited time that is available before the rats warp in and make the cans explode, however if you're fast and have not fitted warp core stabilizers to your ship, you can. | Since time is of the essence, it is not generally recommended to scan the containers with a cargo scanner due to the limited time that is available before the rats warp in and make the cans (i.e. containers) explode, however if you're fast and have not fitted warp core stabilizers to your ship, you can. | ||
The stashes are opened by the hacking mini game known from [[data site]]s; once the hack is complete, you can loot the cans directly. The cans are normally in a square, equal distance from each other, with one having better loot than the rest. | The stashes are opened by the hacking mini game known from [[data site]]s; once the hack is complete, you can loot the cans directly. The cans are normally in a square, equal distance from each other, with one having better loot than the rest. It has not been determined if the uniquely named can has the best loot. | ||
The hacking difficulty is comparable to the difficulty of hacking a data or relic site in a system with the same security status. If you fail your hacking attempt, either all the containers in the site will explode immediately or just the container you were working on will explode (see also [[#Explosions|below]]), unlike with normal data sites. If just the single can explodes rather than all of them, you can continue hacking but the hidden timer is still running. Unlike regular data sites, when these cans explode, they do damage to your ship. | The hacking difficulty is comparable to the difficulty of hacking a data or relic site in a system with the same security status. If you fail your hacking attempt, either all the containers in the site will explode immediately or just the container you were working on will explode (see also [[#Explosions|below]]), unlike with normal data sites. If just the single can explodes rather than all of them, you can continue hacking but the hidden timer is still running. Unlike regular data sites, when these cans explode, they do damage to your ship. | ||
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The site timer varies considerably; from around 30 seconds to a few minutes. It is random. | The site timer varies considerably; from around 30 seconds to a few minutes. It is random. | ||
All sites may contain Covert Research Tools. Hi-Sec and Low-Sec usually contain Shattered Villard Wheels, which are a required component to build the ‘Ascendancy’ implant set. | All sites may contain Covert Research Tools. Hi-Sec and Low-Sec usually contain Shattered Villard Wheels, which are a required component to build the ‘Ascendancy’ implant set. Null-sec and Wormholes may contain materials needed to build Capital sized modules. | ||
'''Other possible Hi-Sec Loot:''' | '''Other possible Hi-Sec Loot:''' | ||
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* High-grade Ascendancy Omega Blueprint Copy | * High-grade Ascendancy Omega Blueprint Copy | ||
Source: CCP Affinity | Source: CCP Affinity | ||
{{Note box | {{Note box | ||
|In each site there is now a 5th | |In each high/low security site there is now a 5th container placed above and to the center of the 4 original ones, directly above the warp-in point. In lowsec it consistently drops 1x Electro-Neural Signaller and nothing else. In high-sec it is always empty. Furthermore, it does not get destroyed by rats and will remain after they leave. This makes it a viable and lucrative strategy, if exploring in a frigate, hack 1 or 2 of the other cans and then move at least 40km away. Wait until the the rats leave, and then come back and hack the top can. Keep in mind the can despawns when you leave the grid. | ||
|width= 90% | |width= 90% | ||
|italics= no}} | |italics= no}} | ||
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[[File:GhostSite3.jpg|thumb|400px|A Ghost Site just as rats jump in]] | [[File:GhostSite3.jpg|thumb|400px|A Ghost Site just as rats jump in]] | ||
After the timer expires (irrespective of how many containers you have hacked), rats (based on the local pirate population) will show up to destroy the cans and defend the site. | After the timer expires (irrespective of how many containers you have hacked), rats (based on the local pirate population) will show up to destroy the cans and defend the site. Thirty seconds after the they warp in, the rats will instantly detonate every canister in the site, even those which have already been successfully hacked. | ||
These rats have no bounties, nor any known drops, but they do a considerable amount of damage (based on the system's security status) that can reach 2000+ raw damage. Most of them do not use warp disruptors, although there is one type of each rat that will warp-disrupt you (confirmed in high sec, null sec & wormhole). As there is usually one of those warp-disrupting rats in any site, you're generally stuck there for the duration. | These rats have no bounties, nor any known drops, but they do a considerable amount of damage (based on the system's security status) that can reach 2000+ raw damage. Most of them do not use warp disruptors, although there is one type of each rat that will warp-disrupt you (confirmed in high sec, null sec & wormhole). As there is usually one of those warp-disrupting rats in any site, you're generally stuck there for the duration. | ||
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The rats' warp disruption range is 24 km. They do not aggress players if the player ship is more than 30 km away. | The rats' warp disruption range is 24 km. They do not aggress players if the player ship is more than 30 km away. | ||
{| style="background-color: | {| style="background-color: var(--background-color-error); border: 1px solid #333333;" | ||
| [[File:Icon_warning.png|56px|link=]] | |||
| style="padding: 8px;" | '''WARNING:''' DO NOT underestimate the damage from the NPCs. In high-tier sites they can shred even a well-tanked ship. | | style="padding: 8px;" | '''WARNING:''' DO NOT underestimate the damage from the NPCs. In high-tier sites they can shred even a well-tanked ship. | ||
|} | |} | ||
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It also appears that the explosion radius is about 10 km. | It also appears that the explosion radius is about 10 km. | ||
== July 2025 Patch Updates == | |||
In the '''[https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/exploration-and-industry-balance-rework Exploration and Industry Balance Rework]''' released on '''17 July 2025''', CCP introduced several adjustments to Ghost Sites (Covert Research Facilities) aimed at improving risk‑reward alignment and accessibility, particularly for solo explorers. | |||
==== Key Changes ==== | |||
* '''Timer consistency''': Ghost Site timers are now more predictable. A guaranteed '''30‑second delay''' occurs before site defenses (explosions and NPC spawns) are triggered, allowing a more reliable window to hack containers and warp out. | |||
* '''Adjusted rewards''': Loot tables have been rebalanced so that higher‑risk sites yield proportionally better rewards. | |||
* '''Reduced cargo volume''': Capital Control Components (e.g. '''Life Support Backup Units''' and '''Power Couplings''') now have lower volume, easing transport in exploration frigates. | |||
A recording of the CCP Dev Chat discussing these changes is available [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2IrNbH93Oc here]. | |||
== Ship fitting == | == Ship fitting == | ||
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* Tank the explosion and the rats | * Tank the explosion and the rats | ||
=== | There are 2 methods in running Ghost Site. Blitzing and Face tanking. | ||
Blitzing goal is to hack and run before the rats appears, while having enough tank to survive a can explosion. | |||
Face tanking allows you to hack and tank the rats while surviving an explosion. | |||
It is recommended to prepare for the blitzing method as the face tank option suffers from horrible hacking performance and renders it useless in higher difficulty hacks. Face tanking in theory will have a lower player skill threshold while allowing one to learn about the site first hand. | |||
== Blitzing == | |||
'''A regular cloaky frigate equipped with Mobile Depot!''' | |||
* [[Heron Navy Issue]] as a low budget option | |||
* Covert op Frigate (Primarily [[Buzzard]] and [[Helios]], while [[Cheetah]] and [[Anathema]] require rigs to work) | |||
* [[Astero]] require Explosive Shield Reinforcer or Core Defense Field Extender rigs to meet the requirement, and suffers from high price (Circa April 2025) | |||
Blitzing entire idea is to hack as fast as you can and run when rats shows up, while completely disregarding explosion threat. This is made possible using Explosive Shield Hardener and Medium Shield Extender combined. The cost of Pith-X Explosive Shield Hardener are very cheap due to shield high innate explosive resist, while Medium Shield Extender give the buffer needed to reach the required shield EHP to tank the highest explosion damage without burdening the ship slots and fitting resources. | |||
When rats show up, you want to drop your hacking progress and either leave the site or burn 40 km away from them. Make sure your hardener is online/overheated before you tank the explosion that's about to come. | |||
=== High slots === | |||
* Cloak (T1 for Heron, Covert Op Cloak for Cov Op ships) allows you to wait until the rats leave if you wish to. This is often done in Low Sec Ghost Sites as players often leave the middle can which will not explode for last. | |||
=== Mid slots === | |||
* Microwarpdrive (to fly as quickly as possible between containers). | |||
* Data Analyzer (to hack the site). Sites are data only, without relics. It's always better to use the T2 version, if you can fit one. | |||
* Explosive Shield Hardener (preferably Pith-X or Pith-A) Can fit 2 of these in [[Heron Navy Issue]], [[Buzzard]] or [[Helios]] | |||
* Medium Shield Extender | |||
* Multispectrum Shield Hardener (for a 5 mid slot ships) Optional substitute for a second explosive hardener | |||
=== Low slots === | |||
* Damage Control (gives a blanket of resist buff) helps tanking explosion and rats. | |||
* Micro Auxiliary Power Core (gives PowerGrid) to fit Medium Shield Extender. | |||
=== Rigs === | |||
[[Cheetah]], [[Anathema]], and [[Astero]] do not have enough slots or stats which makes them reliant to rigs to meet the standard (13000 explosive shield EHP). If your demand is lower you may skip adding rigs. The other ships do not suffer this issue. | |||
* Small Explosive Shield Reinforcer (more explosive resist) | |||
* Small Core Defense Field Extender (more shield amount) | |||
=== Tank === | |||
You want to have at least 13000 Explosive Shield EHP cold so you will have a little bit of buffer to escape the rats after tanking an explosion. This can be achieved by having at least two hardeners and one extender module, which will set your mid slots format as follow: | |||
* Microwarpdrive | |||
* Data Analyzer | |||
* Explosive Shield Hardener | |||
* Medium Shield Extender | |||
* Shield Hardener (Multispectrum/Explosive/Empty Slot) | |||
and low slots as follow: | |||
* Damage Control | |||
* Micro Auxiliary Power Core | |||
== Face Tanking == | |||
'''Not a regular cloaky frigate!''' | |||
* Armor-tanked T1 cruisers (e.g. a [[Vexor]] or a [[Maller]]) | * Armor-tanked T1 cruisers (e.g. a [[Vexor]] or a [[Maller]]) | ||
* [[Gnosis]] battlecruiser | * [[Gnosis]] battlecruiser | ||
* [[Stratios]] | * [[Stratios]] | ||
* [[Strategic Cruisers|Strategic (T3) Cruiser]] | * [[Strategic Cruisers|Strategic (T3) Cruiser]] | ||
=== Mid slots === | === Mid slots === | ||
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== The Egg Thief Tactic == | == The Egg Thief Tactic == | ||
An alternative tactic | An alternative tactic in Blitzing the ghost site. Blitzing without the explosion tank. | ||
=== Egg Thief fitting === | === Egg Thief fitting === | ||