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Created page with "Overview for Experienced RPG Players New to EVE I have played World of Warcraft for years. In that game I have characters in both factions; one of each class and over 400,00..." |
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So here is quick overview of some the ways that EVE differs from traditional RPGs. The summary comes first, and because I, too, like to talk, there are details at the bottom. In the middle is a "to do" list of useful stuff you might not have tried yet. (I'm writing this after spending one year at E-UNI, while my "new" player experiences are still fresh.) | So here is quick overview of some the ways that EVE differs from traditional RPGs. The summary comes first, and because I, too, like to talk, there are details at the bottom. In the middle is a "to do" list of useful stuff you might not have tried yet. (I'm writing this after spending one year at E-UNI, while my "new" player experiences are still fresh.) | ||
==Bullet List – Each | ==Bullet List – Each Has a More Detailed Explanation Below== | ||
===Characters in EVE do not level. There is no level cap. === | ===Characters in EVE do not level. There is no level cap.=== | ||
You do not play to gain "experience" and "level up". Instead, you learn new skills ... by putting the ones you want to learn into a training queue ... and you play to improve your ability to use the skills you have already learned. | You do not play to gain "experience" and "level up". Instead, you learn new skills ... by putting the ones you want to learn into a training queue ... and you play to improve your ability to use the skills you have already learned. | ||
Improving your character's skills will change the power of your gear. | |||
Skills not only give you the ability to use new gear, they also change the way the gear you are already using works. Improving a skill will often make you more powerful than getting higher level gear. | ===Improving your character's skills will change the power of your gear.=== | ||
Skills not only give you the ability to use new gear, they also change the way the gear you are already using works. Improving a skill will often make you more powerful than getting higher level gear. | |||
===Combat follows the laws of physics.=== | ===Combat follows the laws of physics.=== | ||
In EVE all combat is ranged combat, and it is conducted over kilometers with physical weaponry in space. The game computes hits and misses using the math of trajectories and travel times. Your results are always at least a little bit delayed, and sometimes you can't even get a lock on your target. Combat is fast and three-dimensional; very different from most RPGs. | In EVE all combat is ranged combat, and it is conducted over kilometers with physical weaponry in space. The game computes hits and misses using the math of trajectories and travel times. Your results are always at least a little bit delayed, and sometimes you can't even get a lock on your target. Combat is fast and three-dimensional; very different from most RPGs. | ||
===The game "happens" in the heads up display.=== | ===The game "happens" in the heads up display.=== | ||
Most of the time you cannot see the ships you meet. The display tells you where they are, how big they are, and if they are friend or foe. The E-UNI Overview Setup process takes about half an hour to complete, but when you're done, your display will tell you everything you need to know about your neighbors. (Seriously, do the setup ... seeing the flashing red indicator of a ship that wanted to kill me in time to flee has saved me more than once. | Most of the time you cannot see the ships you meet. The display tells you where they are, how big they are, and if they are friend or foe. The E-UNI Overview Setup process takes about half an hour to complete, but when you're done, your display will tell you everything you need to know about your neighbors. (Seriously, do the setup ... seeing the flashing red indicator of a ship that wanted to kill me in time to flee has saved me more than once.) | ||
===Solar Systems are not Zones.=== | ===Solar Systems are not Zones.=== | ||
Most online role-playing games have a geography organized as a system of zones. Each zone includes non-player characters whose level lies in a small range, and quests in those zones focus on combat with those NPCs. As a player's character "levels up" it moves from one zone to the next and begins to meet stronger opponents. On the other hand, EVE solar systems are connected by "hyper-space jump gates" in a network that permits travel across the EVE galaxy. There are no restrictions on travel; you can go anywhere that you want to, and a solar systems will contain characters with a wide range of abilities. | Most online role-playing games have a geography organized as a system of zones. Each zone includes non-player characters whose level lies in a small range, and quests in those zones focus on combat with those NPCs. As a player's character "levels up" it moves from one zone to the next and begins to meet stronger opponents. On the other hand, EVE solar systems are connected by "hyper-space jump gates" in a network that permits travel across the EVE galaxy. There are no restrictions on travel; you can go anywhere that you want to, and a solar systems will contain characters with a wide range of abilities. | ||
===Corporations are not Guilds.=== | ===Corporations are not Guilds.=== | ||
EVE Corporations have access to a tremendous range of resources. They can create offices at stations, declare war on other corporations, organize various kinds of fleets, and generally make life easier for their members. E-UNI will give you some of the gear you need to get started for free, and sell you other gear at cost. This is a good deal, and you should look into it. | EVE Corporations have access to a tremendous range of resources. They can create offices at stations, declare war on other corporations, organize various kinds of fleets, and generally make life easier for their members. E-UNI will give you some of the gear you need to get started for free, and sell you other gear at cost. This is a good deal, and you should look into it. | ||
===Fleets are not Raid Groups.=== | ===Fleets are not Raid Groups.=== | ||
Fleets can be as large as the fleet commander can handle – hundreds of ships are not unusual. The leaders of a fleet pass some of their skills down to the fleet members. In this way fleets become more powerful as they gain more skilled leaders. Each E-UNI campus has its own "standing fleet" that members can join while they are flying in local space. This is a good way to meet fellow players and also to keep up on what's going on in the area. | Fleets can be as large as the fleet commander can handle – hundreds of ships are not unusual. The leaders of a fleet pass some of their skills down to the fleet members. In this way fleets become more powerful as they gain more skilled leaders. Each E-UNI campus has its own "standing fleet" that members can join while they are flying in local space. This is a good way to meet fellow players and also to keep up on what's going on in the area. | ||
===Mining, Trade and Research are full time, legitimate occupations.=== | ===Mining, Trade and Research are full time, legitimate occupations.=== | ||
Ore is refined into minerals, which are combined with blueprints to manufacture gear, which is sold via contract to other players. This process requires as much skill as combat, takes as long to learn, and is just as much fun to play. While most players learn at least a few combat skills, a significant number of players do very little combat, preferring instead to explore, mine, manufacture, trade or administer. | Ore is refined into minerals, which are combined with blueprints to manufacture gear, which is sold via contract to other players. This process requires as much skill as combat, takes as long to learn, and is just as much fun to play. While most players learn at least a few combat skills, a significant number of players do very little combat, preferring instead to explore, mine, manufacture, trade or administer. | ||
===When you die, you lose your gear.=== | ===When you die, you lose your gear.=== | ||
This comes as a surprise to many experienced RPG players. You rez, not at a graveyard, but in your "medical clone", which you have stored at some station (possibly far from where you are). In the meantime, your ship was blown to pieces and the bad guys get to pick through the wreckage and take your stuff. Thus, the E-UNI Prime Directive: DO NOT FLY WHAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE. | This comes as a surprise to many experienced RPG players. You rez, not at a graveyard, but in your "medical clone", which you have stored at some station (possibly far from where you are). In the meantime, your ship was blown to pieces and the bad guys get to pick through the wreckage and take your stuff. Thus, the E-UNI Prime Directive: DO NOT FLY WHAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE. | ||
===Some Players are Criminals.=== | ===Some Players are Criminals.=== | ||
Most RPGs have a PVE track in which you battle Evil, and a PvP track in which you fight honorably against players of different factions. Both of these exist in EVE, but the game also includes PvP "criminal" activity. You can attack another player anywhere, anytime and attempt to kill them and make a living by stealing their stuff. In some systems this is illegal and consequences ensue, but in many systems the only consequences are those that might be dealt by the player you killed and his or her friends. | Most RPGs have a PVE track in which you battle Evil, and a PvP track in which you fight honorably against players of different factions. Both of these exist in EVE, but the game also includes PvP "criminal" activity. You can attack another player anywhere, anytime and attempt to kill them and make a living by stealing their stuff. In some systems this is illegal and consequences ensue, but in many systems the only consequences are those that might be dealt by the player you killed and his or her friends. | ||
===Distance is Time.=== | ===Distance is Time.=== | ||
It's not so much that the EVE galaxy is huge as that its systems are far apart. It can take over an hour just to fly from here to there – and that's just counting the distance, and not counting the PVP pirates who may get in your way. Although you can go anywhere in EVE, the game is easier to learn if you organize your activities to stay in one area of the map, at least at first. | It's not so much that the EVE galaxy is huge as that its systems are far apart. It can take over an hour just to fly from here to there – and that's just counting the distance, and not counting the PVP pirates who may get in your way. Although you can go anywhere in EVE, the game is easier to learn if you organize your activities to stay in one area of the map, at least at first. | ||
===Time Is Money.=== | ===Time Is Money.=== | ||
In most RPGs, although crafting can contribute to your cash flow, the most valuable items are dropped as loot, and you sell these to make money. In EVE, however, the high value items are distributed among all of the "careers". How you use your time in game is important, but there is no easy "one size fits all" answer for how to get started. The details listed below give an overview and a few suggestions. | In most RPGs, although crafting can contribute to your cash flow, the most valuable items are dropped as loot, and you sell these to make money. In EVE, however, the high value items are distributed among all of the "careers". How you use your time in game is important, but there is no easy "one size fits all" answer for how to get started. The details listed below give an overview and a few suggestions. | ||
==Things to Do Today == | ==Things to Do Today == | ||
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Since there is no level cap, you will not run out of things to do. And, since there is no rush to level up, you can take your time to master one particular set of skills before moving on to the next. Or, you can train a variety of level 1 skills and work your way up multiple paths. EVE is very flexible in that regard. | Since there is no level cap, you will not run out of things to do. And, since there is no rush to level up, you can take your time to master one particular set of skills before moving on to the next. Or, you can train a variety of level 1 skills and work your way up multiple paths. EVE is very flexible in that regard. | ||
'''THE BOTTOM LINE:''' Don't run around chasing points or items. Decide what you want your character to DO (combat, exploration, mining, industry) and focus on learning the skills you need to continually improve your results. Choose your ships, gear, missions and so on to support your choice of "career". | '''THE BOTTOM LINE:''' Don't run around chasing points or items. Decide what you want your character to DO (combat, exploration, mining, industry) and focus on learning the skills you need to continually improve your results. Choose your ships, gear, missions and so on to support your choice of "career". | ||
===Your character's skills will modify various attributes of your gear. === | ===Your character's skills will modify various attributes of your gear. === | ||
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Skills also modify NCP interactions. Under "Social" skils, for example, "Negotiation" increases the amount of money you receive for successfully completing a mission by 5% per level. And "Connections" makes NPCs like you more, which means they are more likely to offer you better missions to run. | Skills also modify NCP interactions. Under "Social" skils, for example, "Negotiation" increases the amount of money you receive for successfully completing a mission by 5% per level. And "Connections" makes NPCs like you more, which means they are more likely to offer you better missions to run. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' don't worry about finding "better gear". Worry about increasing your skills to make the gear you already have work better. Being able to use one kind of weapon at level 5 is better than being able to use five different weapons at level 1. (And as you play the game, you will have plenty of time to train up on additional weapons ... and almost all long term EVE players do.) | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' don't worry about finding "better gear". Worry about increasing your skills to make the gear you already have work better. Being able to use one kind of weapon at level 5 is better than being able to use five different weapons at level 1. (And as you play the game, you will have plenty of time to train up on additional weapons ... and almost all long term EVE players do.) | ||
===Combat follows the laws of physics.=== | ===Combat follows the laws of physics.=== | ||
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* weapons skill training greatly ... greatly ... increases your ship's damage potential (as long as you are using the weapons for which you have trained) | * weapons skill training greatly ... greatly ... increases your ship's damage potential (as long as you are using the weapons for which you have trained) | ||
'''THE BOTTOM LINE:''' which gear you use is not all that important. Pick a ship category and a weapons system that you think you will like and then train all of the skills for those to the max. While you're training, do missions and other kinds of combat to learn how to use your weapons in combat. | '''THE BOTTOM LINE:''' which gear you use is not all that important. Pick a ship category and a weapons system that you think you will like and then train all of the skills for those to the max. While you're training, do missions and other kinds of combat to learn how to use your weapons in combat. | ||
===Data matters learn to use the heads up dispay. === | |||
Most of the time you cannot see the ships you meet. The display tells you where they are, how big they are, and if they are friend or foe. The E-UNI Overview Setup process takes about half an hour to complete, but when your done, your display will tell you everything you need to know about your neighbors. | |||
Your ship is travelling on a ballistic path. You can't easily stop and go backwards; you move by turning in an arc. You are fighting ships who are also following their own ballistic paths in space. The data on your screen is what you use to figure out who is where, and when, and how soon you can hit them, and whether they can hit you. | |||
At the bottom of your screen is a dashboard. To the left are five buttons. Press the top leftmost of these and the "tactical" display will come up. Zoom in until the ring of numbers is small enought that you can see the "30" ring. Now move your mouse over one of your ship's weapons. The whitish sphere that appears shows the range of that weapon. | |||
There is a lot of stuff like this within the various displays. Not everyone uses all of it, but everyone uses some of it. | |||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' Read about the various windows and displays and try them out. Pick the ones that seem most useful to you and keep them up whenever you fly. | |||
===Solar Systems are not Zones. === | ===Solar Systems are not Zones. === | ||
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Null-sec systems, with security levels of zero and below, have no CONCORD presence. Consequently, these zones attract criminals who prey on themselves and other players. And, just to make things interesting, EVE has placed a variety of rare, high value, minerals, loot, and other rewards in these "nullsec" systems, thus ensuring competition and combat. | Null-sec systems, with security levels of zero and below, have no CONCORD presence. Consequently, these zones attract criminals who prey on themselves and other players. And, just to make things interesting, EVE has placed a variety of rare, high value, minerals, loot, and other rewards in these "nullsec" systems, thus ensuring competition and combat. | ||
'''THE BOTTOM LINE:''' Systems whose levels are from 1.0 to 0.8 are almost always safe. Systems rated 0.7 to 0.5 are moderately safe. But if you go into a solar system whose level is below 0.5, be prepared to be attacked. And don't go into any null-sec systems or wormholes until you have learned how they work and how to deal with the dangers. | '''THE BOTTOM LINE:''' Systems whose levels are from 1.0 to 0.8 are almost always safe. Systems rated 0.7 to 0.5 are moderately safe. But if you go into a solar system whose level is below 0.5, be prepared to be attacked. And don't go into any null-sec systems or wormholes until you have learned how they work and how to deal with the dangers. | ||
===Corporations are not Guilds.=== | ===Corporations are not Guilds.=== | ||
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Because corporations have access to so many important resources, and because they can provide fleets to help protec their members, EVE is a very difficult game to play "solo". You may leave E-UNI at any time, but you are almost certain to be moving on to a new corporation. | Because corporations have access to so many important resources, and because they can provide fleets to help protec their members, EVE is a very difficult game to play "solo". You may leave E-UNI at any time, but you are almost certain to be moving on to a new corporation. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' Take the time to learn about E-UNI's policies for reimbursing your expenses and ask about how to find the campus hangar that contains free items that any new member can use. As you gain experience, if you find E-UNI restrictive, don't feel bad about moving to another corporation ... most E-UNI members do move on. | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' Take the time to learn about E-UNI's policies for reimbursing your expenses and ask about how to find the campus hangar that contains free items that any new member can use. As you gain experience, if you find E-UNI restrictive, don't feel bad about moving to another corporation ... most E-UNI members do move on. | ||
===Fleets are not Raid Groups.=== | ===Fleets are not Raid Groups.=== | ||
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If you plan to follow a career that involves combat, even if you plan to eventually become a PVP Pirate, be sure to engage in as much fleet action as you can. There is very little solo PVP combat in EVE ... mostly because it is unusual for two evenly matched ships to meet in the vastness of space ... so fleets are where you learn how to use your ship as a weapon. Even Pirates operate in fleets, so get in as much training as you can. | If you plan to follow a career that involves combat, even if you plan to eventually become a PVP Pirate, be sure to engage in as much fleet action as you can. There is very little solo PVP combat in EVE ... mostly because it is unusual for two evenly matched ships to meet in the vastness of space ... so fleets are where you learn how to use your ship as a weapon. Even Pirates operate in fleets, so get in as much training as you can. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' Be sure to read the UniWiki section on fleets and join the local campus standing fleet whenever you are online. Check the Calendar for fleet announcements, and join whenever you have a ship that meets the requirements. | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' Be sure to read the UniWiki section on fleets and join the local campus standing fleet whenever you are online. Check the Calendar for fleet announcements, and join whenever you have a ship that meets the requirements. | ||
===Mining, Trade and Research are full time, legitimate occupations.=== | ===Mining, Trade and Research are full time, legitimate occupations.=== | ||
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''Research'' – improve basic blueprints and try to discover new ones. Research requires a lot of training and is seldom pursued by new players. | ''Research'' – improve basic blueprints and try to discover new ones. Research requires a lot of training and is seldom pursued by new players. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' Depending on what you enjoy doing, any of it can be fun. However, it is impossible to do all of these things at the same time at any kind of reasonable speed. So pick a career or two: combat pilot, explorer, miner, manufacturer, merchant, researcher, hauler – and focus on deepening your skills in one or two areas. | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' Depending on what you enjoy doing, any of it can be fun. However, it is impossible to do all of these things at the same time at any kind of reasonable speed. So pick a career or two: combat pilot, explorer, miner, manufacturer, merchant, researcher, hauler – and focus on deepening your skills in one or two areas. | ||
===When you die, you lose your gear.=== | ===When you die, you lose your gear.=== | ||
This comes as a surprise to many experienced RPG players. You do rez, not at a graveyard, but in your "medical clone", which you have stored at some station (possibly far from where you are). In the meantime, your ship was blown to pieces and the bad guys get to pick through the wreckage and take your stuff. Thus, the E-UNI Prime Directive: DO NOT FLY WHAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE. | This comes as a surprise to many experienced RPG players. You do rez, not at a graveyard, but in your "medical clone", which you have stored at some station (possibly far from where you are). In the meantime, your ship was blown to pieces and the bad guys get to pick through the wreckage and take your stuff. Thus, the E-UNI Prime Directive: DO NOT FLY WHAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' You will die, then you will know. 'Nuff said. | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' You will die, then you will know. 'Nuff said. | ||
===Some Players are Criminals.=== | ===Some Players are Criminals.=== | ||
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If you want to be a criminal, you can ... though to do so, you need to eventually leave E-UNI and find a corporation located in lowsec or null space. E-UNI is a force for good in the galaxy and does not condone criminal activity. | If you want to be a criminal, you can ... though to do so, you need to eventually leave E-UNI and find a corporation located in lowsec or null space. E-UNI is a force for good in the galaxy and does not condone criminal activity. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' Watch your back. | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' Watch your back. | ||
===Distance is Time.=== | ===Distance is Time.=== | ||
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'''IMPORTANT:''' An option with regard to travel is to train for and acquire "jump clones." These are copies of your character that you can station in systems that you want to visit, and then "jump" from one to another as needed. There is no limit on how far apart the clones can be. You can only play one clone at a time, and there is a 24 hour reset timer on the jump, but this is a good way to establish yourself in different parts of the EVE galaxy. You should at least read about Cloning now, so that you can learn the skills that you will need when you are ready to clone. | '''IMPORTANT:''' An option with regard to travel is to train for and acquire "jump clones." These are copies of your character that you can station in systems that you want to visit, and then "jump" from one to another as needed. There is no limit on how far apart the clones can be. You can only play one clone at a time, and there is a 24 hour reset timer on the jump, but this is a good way to establish yourself in different parts of the EVE galaxy. You should at least read about Cloning now, so that you can learn the skills that you will need when you are ready to clone. | ||
'''BOTTOM LINE:''' Long distance travel is slow and dangerous. Play near a campus to increase safety and reduce bordom. Consider using clones for distant activities, and when you do travel, use a ship you can afford to lose. | '''BOTTOM LINE:''' Long distance travel is slow and dangerous. Play near a campus to increase safety and reduce bordom. Consider using clones for distant activities, and when you do travel, use a ship you can afford to lose. | ||
===Time Is Money.=== | ===Time Is Money.=== | ||
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* ''Alts'' have a number of potential uses. You probably want to make one and train it to use Industrial ships for hauling. Run Distribution Missions to get augmentation plugins. As your skills grow, look towards buying an industrial ship large enough to let you contract to carry large loads in hisec space. Later, develop your cloaking skills, by a stealth industrial and contract to carry loads in lowsec space. | * ''Alts'' have a number of potential uses. You probably want to make one and train it to use Industrial ships for hauling. Run Distribution Missions to get augmentation plugins. As your skills grow, look towards buying an industrial ship large enough to let you contract to carry large loads in hisec space. Later, develop your cloaking skills, by a stealth industrial and contract to carry loads in lowsec space. | ||
* ''Jump Clones'' give you a good way to run multiple careers. Keep one clone at your campus for joining fleets. Put another where you want to be doing mining or industry. Keep a third in a system where you want to run Security missions. This lets you set up your career tasks without haveing to fly long travel routes to get there. Note that while every clone will have the same skills, each will have different augmentation plug-ins. | * ''Jump Clones'' give you a good way to run multiple careers. Keep one clone at your campus for joining fleets. Put another where you want to be doing mining or industry. Keep a third in a system where you want to run Security missions. This lets you set up your career tasks without haveing to fly long travel routes to get there. Note that while every clone will have the same skills, each will have different augmentation plug-ins. | ||