Ghost Sites: Difference between revisions

'''Ghost Sites''' are pirate facilities which can be [[Hacking|hacked]] (like [[Exploration#Cosmic_Signatures|Data sites]]), but which have unique mechanics which set them apart. They were introduced in the [[Rubicon]] expansion in late 2013.  They were tweaked in December 2015 per [https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=449199 this thread from CCP RedDawn].

Note:  The "Besieged Covert Research Facility" and "Contested Covert Research Facility" are not Ghost Sites.  They are Combat sites with NPC battleships. So do not warp your hacking ship into a Besieged or Contested site.

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). 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. The stashes are opened by the hacking mini game known from [[Relic_and_data_sites|data sites]]; 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. (There are reports of the can having the best loot is named differently than the rest, though this has not been extensively tested.) 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 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.

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. 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 scramblers, although there is one type of each rat that will warp scramble (confirmed in high sec, null sec & wormhole), so you're generally stuck there for the duration, as there is usually one of those warp scrambling rats in any site.

The rats' warp scrambling range is 24 km.  They do not aggress players if the player ship is more than 30 km away.

| style="padding:8px;" | '''WARNING:''' DO NOT underestimate the damage from the NPCs.  In high-tier sites they can shred apart even a well-tanked ship.  

The rats equipped with warp scramblers vary from faction to faction.

* You fail in a hacking attempt. (It has been known for only one of the containers to explode if failed. In cases like this you may continue hacking however the hidden timer is still running.)

If the timer runs out the rats will appear and shoot the containers, which causes them to explode. In this case the explosion may be delayed for some reason, up to 30 seconds, which can allow you to warp out before it blows, assuming you are not warp scrambled. If you can tank the explosive damage, you can use those extra seconds to continue hacking/looting a can. After the explosion the rats might hang around for another 30 seconds and shoot at you before warping out. But they will warp out when it's their time to do so, even if you're still at the site, and alive.

A ship for running Ghost Sites should fulfill several roles:  

NOT a regular cloaky frigate!

* Data Analyzer (to hack the site).  (It used to be Data or Relic, but became Data-only in December 2015).  It's always better to use the T2 version, if you can fit one - especially for ships without a bonus to the hacking minigame (T1 cruisers or certain T3 configurations).

* Cargo Scanner (to determine which can/cans are worth hacking). Some pilots always cargo scan and cherry-pick. Others feel that because of the limited time before rats arrive, that it's not worth cargo scanning if you are using warp core stabilizers or anything that causes your targeting to take longer, as you do not want to waste precious time cherry-picking. (One option is to cargo scan other cans while hacking the first one, to choose the best can do to next.)

Armor-tanked ships are recommended over shield-tanked ships, as when the three mid-slot items listed above are installed, there is generally little room left to fit a good shield tank in the midslots. The [[Stratios]] or a Strategic Cruiser are excellent for running Ghost Sites, but these ships are very expensive and make for juicy targets during wartime. The [[Gnosis]] is a good choice, as it is not that expensive, and has lots of slot for required modules, and to mount a good tank. T1 exploration frigates or covert ops frigates are not recommended for running Ghost Sites, as while these ships are fast and make for excellent hackers, they tend to be too fragile to survive the explosion and/or the rats in Ghost Sites.  

Less might do, but with this you will survive! While not critical a Damage Control is always a good idea.

 

It should be noted that shield tanking is also an viable option, if you have enough mids to fit it.

It might seem counter-intuitive to fit both a plate and a repairer, but remember that without decent buffer the explosion might hurt you and the repairer will keep you alive when the rats start shooting you. You might be fine with just the plate or the repairer in hi sec but when you move on to other parts of space both will be needed (unless you have logistics). Having the repairer is also a cheap way to fix armor damage.

You need 4 x Stratios fitted with proper tank as described above and covert ops cloak.