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{{Update|New Drifters were released, Drifter officers (Drifter siege), and Homefronts, and the Drifter Crisis in Tabbetzur}}
{{Update|Homefronts, new Drifter Characters, and more information on the new state of the Drifter Hive systems}}


[[File:drifters.png|thumb|Apollo and Artemis Tyrannos, artwork of Drifters released with the expansion highlights]]
[[File:drifters.png|thumb|Apollo and Artemis Tyrannos, artwork of Drifters released with the expansion highlights]]
The '''Drifters''' are a mysterious new faction that appeared in [[New Eden]] in early YC117 (2015). So far all attempts at communication with them have failed.
The '''Drifters''' are a mysterious faction that appeared in [[New Eden]] in early YC117 (2015). So far all attempts at communication with them have failed.
They are seen by most as invaders and after attacking the Amarr empire and killing empress Jamyl I, the Amarr empire declared war on them. The behavior, fighting tactics and capabilities of the Drifters have been changing continuously since their appearance, so be wary of any changes to the status described here.
They are seen by most as invaders and after attacking the Amarr empire and killing empress Jamyl I, the Amarr empire declared war on them. The behavior, fighting tactics and capabilities of the Drifters have been changing continuously since their appearance, so be wary of any changes to the status described here.


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== Vigilant Tyrannos (Corp) ==
== Vigilant Tyrannos (Corp) ==
The '''Drifters''' faction has one member corp, the '''Vigilant Tyrannos''' corporation. Their CEO is '''Tyrannos Strategos''' and so far fourteen other pilot names (fifteen total) have been encountered:  
The '''Drifters''' faction has one member corp, the '''Vigilant Tyrannos''' corporation. Their CEO is '''Tyrannos Strategos''' and so far 24 other pilot names (25 total) have been encountered:  


* Agreus Tyrannos
* Agreus Tyrannos ([[Pochven]])
* Apate Tyrannos  
* Allecto Tyrannos (Vigilance Point)
* Apate Tyrannos ([[Operation: Conscious Interruption]])
* Apollo Tyrannos
* Apollo Tyrannos
* Arithmos Tyrannos
* Arithmos Tyrannos (C5-C6 WHs w/ capital)
* Artemis Tyrannos
* Artemis Tyrannos
* Cassandra Tyrannos
* Cassandra Tyrannos
* Cephisso Tyrannos
* Cephisso Tyrannos ([[Pochven]])
* Hikanta Tyrannos
* Hikanta Tyrannos (Drifter WHs)
* Hyleus Tyrannos
* Hyleus Tyrannos (C5-C6 WHs w/o capital)
* Hypnos Tyrannos
* Hypnos Tyrannos ([[Operation: Conscious Interruption]])
* Metis Tyrannos
* Ladon Tyrannos (Labyrinth Complex, [[Capsuleer Day XXII]])
* Orion Tyrannos
* Megaera Tyrannos (Vigilance Point)
* Orpheus Tyrannos
* Metis Tyrannos ([[Pochven]])
* Tyrannos Navarkos
* Mynos Tyrannos (Labyrinth Complex, [[Capsuleer Day XXII]])
* Tyrannos Polemos (CEO)
* Orion Tyrannos ([[Operation: Conscious Interruption]])
* Orpheus Tyrannos ([[Pochven]])
* Phylarch Tyrannos (Drifter Muster - Mercenary Tactical Operation)
* Tyrannos Basileus ([[Abyssal Artifact Recovery]])
* Tyrannos Kyrios ([[Abyssal Artifact Recovery]])
* Tyrannos Navarkos ([[Pochven]])
* Tyrannos Polemos ([[Pochven]])
* Tyrannos Strategos (CEO, Dreadnought Pilot in Nexus Point)
* Tyrannos Tekton (Vigilance Point)
* Tyrannos Typhon ([[Capsuleer Day XXI]])


Hikanta is only found in Drifter wormholes, Arithmos only in C5 and C6 wormhole escalations. Cassandra has only been recorded in a Drifter Cruiser. As the Drifters have been found to harvest capsuleer, Jove and sleeper corpses, one speculation is that all identically named Drifters are clones of each other.
As the Drifters have been found to harvest capsuleer, Jove and sleeper corpses, one speculation is that all identically named Drifters are clones of each other.
The name '''Tyrannos''' points to the long lost 2nd Jove Empire, which was erected by the so called 1st '''Tyrant''' Miko Bour and later reigned by so-called '''Tyrants''', powerful but not really tyrannical leaders.
The name '''Tyrannos''' points to the long lost 2nd Jove Empire, which was erected by the so called 1st '''Tyrant''' Miko Bour and later reigned by so-called '''Tyrants''', powerful but not really tyrannical leaders.


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== Ships ==
== Ships ==
Little is known about the Drifters' ships, but so far capsuleers have encountered the following ships:
Little is known about the Drifters' ships, but so far capsuleers have encountered the following ships:
=== Strategos Dreadnought ===
{| class="wikitable"
| style="padding: 0;" |[[File:Strategos_Dreadnaught.jpg|alt=drifter dreadnaught|128x128px]]
| style="padding: 10px;" |A Drifter Dreadnought piloted by Tyrannos Strategos, leader of the Vigilant Tyrannos.
Her work within this Nexus is unclear, but she will show no mercy to any who would disrupt it.
|}


=== Drifter Battleship ===
=== Drifter Battleship ===
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Encounters with these ships have revealed several unique mechanics related to them alone. One such mechanic is that of an "overshield" - an additional layer of shielding colored blue on the targeting display. When this blue shield has been depleted, target locks on the Drifter break, in the manner of ECM. Many have also reported that the Drifters' weapons deal massive amounts of damage, difficult for any sub-capital ship to tank without a specialized fit. Even capital ships are not immune, with many carriers being lost to Drifters, many by players attempting to test their capabilities. Drifters drop blue loot and Antikythera Elements.
Encounters with these ships have revealed several unique mechanics related to them alone. One such mechanic is that of an "overshield" - an additional layer of shielding colored blue on the targeting display. When this blue shield has been depleted, target locks on the Drifter break, in the manner of ECM. Many have also reported that the Drifters' weapons deal massive amounts of damage, difficult for any sub-capital ship to tank without a specialized fit. Even capital ships are not immune, with many carriers being lost to Drifters, many by players attempting to test their capabilities. Drifters drop blue loot and Antikythera Elements.


There are 3 different types of Drifter battleships:
There are multiple different types of Drifters that can be commonly encountered:
* The type flown by Apollo and Artemis features an overshield and a doomsday weapon, but has a relatively poor tank. It can be found in known space and in Drifter wormholes.
* The type flown by Apollo and Artemis features an overshield and a doomsday weapon, but has a relatively poor tank. It can be found in known space and in Drifter wormholes.
* The Hikanta type is similar but more dangerous. It is only found inside the Drifter hive sites in Drifter wormholes.
* The Hikanta type is similar but more dangerous. It was only found inside the Drifter hive sites in Drifter wormholes.
* Finally the Arithmos type has no overshield or doomsday, but has a very strong tank, neuts with an impressive 200GJ/s and is warp core stabilized with 5 points. It can only be found in C5 and C6 wormholes, where it spawns in site escalations. It holds high-value loot, but does not despawn and will roam the system until destroyed. Spawning multiple Arithmos in a system affords interesting challenges and opportunities.
** Ladon, Mynos and Strategos are now found in those systems, with Ladon and Mynos flying battleships and Strategos flying a Dreadnought. They all feature overshields and doomsday weapons, though Ladon has web and no warp disruption, Mynos has no web but will warp scramble at 11km (shuts down MWDs/MJDs),  and Strategos has neither web nor warp disruption.
* Finally the Arithmos type has no overshield or doomsday, but has a very strong tank, neuts with an impressive 200GJ/s and is warp core stabilized with 3 points. It can only be found in C5 and C6 wormholes, where it spawns in site escalations, provided a capital is on grid. It holds high-value loot, but does not despawn and will roam the system until destroyed. Spawning multiple Arithmos in a system affords interesting challenges and opportunities.
** If no capital is on grid when a C5/6 site escalation is triggered, Hyleus Tyrannos appears instead in a '''Drifter Recon Battleship'''. It has similar behavior to the Arithmos and (mostly) identical EWAR capabilities (weaker neuting, 100GJ/s vs. 200GJ/s Arithmos) but is weaker in tank and DPS and gives (relatively) lower value loot.


Drifter battleships can reach up to 3500m/s and do about 1300dps of omni damage with their standard Lux Kontos suspended weapon system. Their additional doomsday-like weapon that does about 750,000 damage.
K-Space Drifter battleships can reach up to 3500m/s and do about 1300dps of omni damage with their standard Lux Kontos suspended weapon system. Their additional doomsday-like weapon that does about 750,000 damage.


Note that both the stats and the engagement tactics of Drifter ships have changed several times and can not be relied upon.
Note that both the stats and the engagement tactics of Drifter ships have changed several times and can not be relied upon.
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== Drifters Wormhole Systems ==
== Drifters Wormhole Systems ==
There are 5 known Drifters [[wormhole]] systems that are similar to shattered C2 wormholes with certain system effects. Although they are named by the typical J-type designations, they are often informally named after their predominant structure:  
There are 5 known Drifters [[wormhole]] systems that are similar to shattered C2 wormholes with certain system effects. Although they are named by the typical J-type designations, they were initially named after their predominant structure:  
Vidette, Redoubt, Sentinel, Barbican and Conflux. Note that the first four names suggest an advanced military fortification. In each system, both the main hive site and a Sisters of EVE Flotilla appear as beacons on the overview.
Vidette, Redoubt, Sentinel, Barbican and Conflux. Note that the first four names suggest an advanced military fortification. In the past in each system, both the main hive site and a Sisters of EVE Flotilla appear as beacons on the overview.
All Drifter wormhole systems seem to have an unusually large number of connections (between 50-70) to known space (k-space) plus 6 static wormholes to C1-6 space. K-space connections always appear in system with a Jove Observatory. Their k-space connections are quite different from all other wormholes however:
All Drifter wormhole systems seem to have an unusually large number of connections (between 50-70) to known space (k-space) plus 6 static wormholes to C1-6 space. K-space connections always appear in system with a Jove Observatory. Their k-space connections are quite different from all other wormholes however:
* On the K-space side the wormhole is marked by a beacon called "Unidentified Wormhole" and is thus visible on the default overview.
* On the K-space side the wormhole is marked by a beacon called "Unidentified Wormhole" and is thus visible on the default overview.
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* Drifter battleships regularly visit the k-space side of these connections and will attack anybody trying to approach or travel them. A cloak and/or MWD is highly recommended. The k-space beacon will decloak anyone warping at 0.
* Drifter battleships regularly visit the k-space side of these connections and will attack anybody trying to approach or travel them. A cloak and/or MWD is highly recommended. The k-space beacon will decloak anyone warping at 0.
* The k-space side connections carry unique signatures that are related to the type of wormhole:
* The k-space side connections carry unique signatures that are related to the type of wormhole:
In the [[Drifter crisis (2025)]] the systems were updated, after a capsuleers event to determine which 5 NPC factions would get to inhabit the Drifter Systems. The original structures and sites in the drifter systems "Reconfigured"<ref>Drifters Advance as New Eden Fights Back [https://universe.eveonline.com/new-eden-news/drifters-advance-as-new-eden-fights-back New Eden News YC127-04-17]</ref> into new sites, and an additional "Nexus Point" site formed into their own deadspace pockets. The 5 NPC Factions that received the most support during the Race to the Hives<ref>Latest Results in Race for Drifter Hives as Harmonics Come Into Effect [https://universe.eveonline.com/new-eden-news/latest-results-in-race-for-drifter-hives-as-harmonics-come-into-effect New Eden News YC127-03-19]</ref>, that completed directly before the Drifter Crisis, renamed each system as they took control
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Drifter System Name !! K-space signature !! J-Type !! System Effect
! Drifter System Name !! K-space signature !! J-Type !! System Effect !! NPC Faction
|-
|-
| '''Vidette''' || V928 || J164710 || Magnetar
| '''Sanctified Vidette''' || V928 || J164710 || Magnetar || Amarr
|-
|-
| '''Redoubt''' || R259 || J174618 || Wolf-Rayet
| '''Azdaja Redoubt''' || R259 || J174618 || Wolf-Rayet || Triglavian
|-
|-
| '''Sentinel''' || S877 || J055520 || Red Giant
| '''Sentinel MZ''' || S877 || J055520 || Red Giant || EDENCOM
|-
|-
| '''Barbican''' || B735 || J110145 || Cataclysmic Variable
| '''Liberated Barbican''' || B735 || J110145 || Cataclysmic Variable || Minmatar
|-
|-
| '''Conflux''' || C414 || J200727 || Pulsar
| '''Conflux Eyrie''' || C414 || J200727 || Pulsar || Caldari
|}
|}


=== Drifter Statics ===
=== Drifter Statics ===
All five Drifter wormholes have 6 static wormhole connections to each of the C1-6 types of J-space. These wormholes are: Z647, D382, O477, Y683, N062, and R474. Unlike the Drifter wormholes, these holes are not deadspaced and function identically to similarly named wormholes in other parts of J-space. No Drifters spawn or visit these holes (The high class wormhole roaming Drifter will be able to warp to the incoming connection on the other side).
All five Drifter wormholes have 6 static wormhole connections to each of the C1-6 types of J-space. These wormholes are: Z647, D382, O477, Y683, N062, and R474. Unlike the Drifter wormholes, these holes are not deadspaced and function identically to similarly named wormholes in other parts of J-space. No Drifters spawn or visit these holes (The high class wormhole roaming Drifter will be able to warp to the incoming connection on the other side).


=== Combat Anomalies ===
=== Combat Anomalies ===
Each Drifter wormhole contains five unique combat anomalies. They are visited and defended by regular Drifter patrols. More detailed information is available via [https://eve-files.com/media/1508/IKAME-Drifter-Hive-System-Anomalies.pdf Drifter Hive Systems Anomalies (pdf)]. All listed wormholes are of the violent type and not passable.
''For the old combat anomalies, before the Drifter Crisis, see [[Original Drifter Combat Anomalies]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Vidette'''|| Ship Graveyard|| Sleeper Engineering Station|| Spatial Rift|| Sleeper Enclave in Coral Rock|| Crystals and Stone Circle
|-
| '''Redoubt'''|| Ship Graveyard|| Caged Wormhole|| Spatial Rift Generator|| Sleeper Enclave|| Hollow Asteroid
|-
| '''Sentinel'''|| Monolith|| Wormhole in Rock Circle|| Opposing Spatial Rifts|| Sleeper Enclave Debris|| Crystal Resource
|-
| '''Barbican'''|| Wrecked Ships|| Unstable Wormhole|| Spatial Rift|| Heavily Guarded Spatial Rift|| Crystals
|-
| '''Conflux'''|| Monolith|| Caged Wormhole|| Rock Formation and Wormhole|| Particle Acceleration Array|| Guarded Asteroid Station
|}
 
=== Hive Sites ===
[[File:hive.jpg|thumb|Drifter Hive and support installations close to a shattered planet in a Redoubt wormhole.]]


All Drifter wormholes contain a huge Drifter Hive protected by a sequence of deadspace pockets and connected via acceleration gates and warpable Rifts. The layout of these sites is slightly different in each of the 5 different Drifter wormholes, but the main rooms are the same. The entrance appears as a beacon on the overview under the name of the site, e.g. "Conflux".
After the npc factions took control of the Drifter's Hive systems, the sites within underwent radical changes as the Drifters took defensive measures.


[[File:drifter-nexus-s.jpg|thumb|540px|Drifter Nexus: hundreds of huge bars with sparks flying between them. Their configuration has changed from a "sea urchin" to an S-shape since their first appearance months ago. An enormous semi-transparent blue sphere encompasses them all.]]
{{Past content|These sites were available during the Capsuleer Day 2025 event, and do not spawn anymore}}


# Entrance: Contains warp-in beacon. Warp at range is possible. The beacon is 50-80km from the acceleration gate.
==== Labyrinth Complex ====
# Lobby or Split: Contains two acceleration gates plus a warpable rift that leads back to the Entrance. Is protected by 5 Emergent Patrollers (sleepers). The acceleration gates lead to a number of Transfer and Access rooms whose layout depends on the specific system.
An ever changing maze that randomizes each time it is run. Drifters will either already be in rooms, or temporary wormholes will open spawning the drifters before they close. Materials for turning into to the various NPC factions that took control to advance the Attack on the Hive, as well as drifter based drugs. They also drop cipher's to access the Nexus Point
# Antechamber or Antichamber: Contains the gate to the final room, the Hive. Protected by various sleeper ships up to battleship size and webbing sleeper frigates.
# Hive: Contains the main hive structure. Protected by Hikanta Tyrannos (at 250-400km and aggros on warp in, moves at ~2km/s) plus sleepers up to battleship size. Contains Vault (access with index in hold to get 10 elements). Nexus Transfer gate leads to Nexus room.
# Nexus: A giant cluster made up of hundreds of "bars" engulfed by a huge blue sphere. The shape of the bar cluster is changing over time. It started spherical like a sea urchin and currently has an s-shape.


Additionally there are rooms that depend on the specific site:
''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD0HKc1fhC4 Video] of the site by Wadd Enderas on Youtube''
* Access Alpha etc: Contains access units - hackable by data analyzer - named according to the gate: Alpha, Beta, etc; up to Gamma depending on specific system. Protected by sleepers.
* Transfer Alpha etc: Contains no specific installations. Protected by sleepers.


A detailed [https://eve-files.com/media/1507/Report-Drifter-Site-Overview.pdf Drifter Site Overview (pdf)]
==== Nexus Point ====
lists the rooms in their original state. Since then the parallel hacking that was required has been dropped.
The Nexus Point can only be accessed after receiving a Cipher from Labyrinth Complex. There is a Drifter Dreadnaught to be fought here, in a single room.


== Drifter Incursions ==
''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_eWAnBEi40 Video] of the site by Wadd Enderas on Youtube''
For a while there were also Drifter Incursions into high sec systems.
Multiple Drifter battleships decimated Amarr navy task forces and some capsuleers engaged the Drifters as well.


== Drifters in C5 and C6 wormholes ==
== Drifters in C5 and C6 wormholes ==
Arithmos Tyrannos<ref>EVE forum post from CCP Fozzie, [https://forums-archive.eveonline.com/topic/476010 announcing Arithmos Tyrannos]</ref>, also known as the Drifter Response Battleship, spawns at end of sleeper site escalations in C5 and C6 wormholes. He needs to be pointed (with at least 4 points of scramble strength) to keep him from warping away and his ship contains most of the value of the escalation. Arithmos Tyrannos does '''not''' use a doomsday weapon but has a lot of HP and heavy energy neutralizing. In the past, Arithmos Tyrannos was commonly killed by luring him into attacking an anti-capital fit Astrahus, however as of early 2020 this strategy is no longer viable as his targeting priorities were updated. However, his extremely large signature radius leaves him vulnerable to other anti-capital weaponry.
Arithmos Tyrannos<ref>EVE forum post from CCP Fozzie, [https://forums-archive.eveonline.com/topic/476010 announcing Arithmos Tyrannos]</ref>, also known as the Drifter Response Battleship, spawns at end of sleeper site escalations in C5 and C6 wormholes. He needs to be pointed (with at least 4 points of scramble strength) to keep him from warping away and his ship contains most of the value of the escalation. Arithmos Tyrannos does '''not''' use a doomsday weapon but has a lot of HP and heavy energy neutralizing. In the past, Arithmos Tyrannos was commonly killed by luring him into attacking an anti-capital fit Astrahus, however as of early 2020 this strategy is no longer viable as his targeting priorities were updated. However, his extremely large signature radius leaves him vulnerable to other anti-capital weaponry.


After an update in January 2025<ref>Patch notes: [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-22-02 Version 22.02 Release 2025-01-16.1 - Wormhole Capital Escalations]</ref>, Arithmos can only be triggered by having a capital ship on site when the DST is triggered. Failure to have a capital on site results in the Drifter Recon Battleship, piloted by Hyleus Tyrannos and is identical in behavior to the Drifter Response Battleship, with smaller stats and a smaller payout.
After an update in January 2025<ref>Patch notes: [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-22-02 Version 22.02 Release 2025-01-16.1 - Wormhole Capital Escalations]</ref>, Arithmos can only be triggered by having a capital ship on site when the DST is triggered. Failure to have a capital on site results in a Drifter Recon Battleship spawn, piloted by Hyleus Tyrannos and is mostly identical in behavior to the Drifter Response Battleship, with smaller stats and a smaller payout and lower neuting power (100GJ/sec).


== Related links ==
== Related links ==
Retrieved from "https://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Drifters"