Skill Farming: Difference between revisions

Line 87:

== '''Crop skill''' ==

Decide which skill you’ll train to [[#Harvest|harvest]] its skill points. Look for a skill your ~~‘farm’~~ character will never use that requires at least 8 days to train (to generate the 0.5M skill points necessary to fill an extractor). There’s no maximum training time, but you’ll only be able to harvest its skill points after you’ve finished training the skill. So, if the skill requires 30 days to train, you can harvest every 30 days or more. The [[#EVE Online skills with multiplier >8|table]] at the end of this article lists some skills with long training times (>31 days to train all 5 levels). Select one that matches your desired harvest frequency and doesn’t require that you train too many prerequisites. Try starting with the Armor, Engineering, and Shields categories.

Decide which skill you’ll train to [[#Harvest|harvest]] its skill points. Look for a skill your ‘farmer’ character will never use that requires at least 8 days to train (to generate the 0.5M skill points necessary to fill an extractor). There’s no maximum training time, but you’ll only be able to harvest its skill points after you’ve finished training the skill. So, if the skill requires 30 days to train, you can harvest every 30 days or more. The [[#EVE Online skills with multiplier >8|table]] at the end of this article lists some skills with long training times (>31 days to train all 5 levels). Select one that matches your desired harvest frequency and doesn’t require that you train too many prerequisites. Try starting with the Armor, Engineering, and Shields categories.

You can also farm a group of skills, which lets you harvest less frequently, but slightly complicates extracting and reloading your skill queue. If you do so, all skills in the group should have the same primary and secondary attributes for maximum efficiency.

Line 114:

== '''Enhancers''' ==

Plan on one [[Implants#Attribute_Enhancers|attribute enhancer]] for your crop skill’s primary [[Skills_and_learning#Attributes|attribute]] and another for its secondary attribute. Enhancers with “Improved” in their name will give you the greatest benefit (+5 to that attribute’s points) at the greatest cost. Buy a pair for your ‘market’ clone, and another pair for each clone you may jump into while you’re training (to maintain maximum efficiency). They’ll cost between 8M and 112M ISK each, depending on the level you choose. Take them to each of your ~~‘farm’~~ clones and plug them in. To protect your investment, these clones should spend 99% of their time safely docked at an NPC station, and rarely use a stargate. Certainly, you can use them for other station-based activities (I do [[Planetary_Interaction|Planetary Production]] with mine), just remember that they’re each flitting around with 200M ISK in their heads!

Plan on one [[Implants#Attribute_Enhancers|attribute enhancer]] for your crop skill’s primary [[Skills_and_learning#Attributes|attribute]] and another for its secondary attribute. Enhancers with “Improved” in their name will give you the greatest benefit (+5 to that attribute’s points) at the greatest cost. Buy a pair for your ‘market’ clone, and another pair for each clone you may jump into while you’re training (to maintain maximum efficiency). They’ll cost between 8M and 112M ISK each, depending on the level you choose. Take them to each of your ‘farmer’ clones and plug them in. To protect your investment, these clones should spend 99% of their time safely docked at an NPC station, and rarely use a stargate. Certainly, you can use them for other station-based activities (I do [[Planetary_Interaction|Planetary Production]] with mine), just remember that they’re each flitting around with 200M ISK in their heads!

You might also consider [[Implants#Advanced_Attribute_Enhancer_Reference|advanced (or ‘pirate’) enhancers]], which offer additional bonuses and effects at additional cost (starting at about twice the cost of simple enhancers). However, their bonuses tend to be modest (compared to +5 simple enhancers) and their additional effects are generally oriented toward [[EVE_Lexicon#PvP|PvP]] (which you shouldn’t be doing with your ~~‘farm’~~ character). Calculating their net effect and value is beyond the scope of this article, but this [https://oldforums.eveonline.com/?a=topic&threadID=203472 forum post] will help.

You might also consider [[Implants#Advanced_Attribute_Enhancer_Reference|advanced (or ‘pirate’) enhancers]], which offer additional bonuses and effects at additional cost (starting at about twice the cost of simple enhancers). However, their bonuses tend to be modest (compared to +5 simple enhancers) and their additional effects are generally oriented toward [[EVE_Lexicon#PvP|PvP]] (which you shouldn’t be doing with your ‘farmer’ character). Calculating their net effect and value is beyond the scope of this article, but this [https://oldforums.eveonline.com/?a=topic&threadID=203472 forum post] will help.

[[Medical_boosters#Cerebral_Accelerators|Cerebral accelerators]] are largely impractical for {{dothis|'''skill farming'''}}. Though their attribute bonuses are attractive, the duration of their effect is limited, they’re expensive, and supply is unpredictable. If you have one, by all means use it, but don’t count on their benefits for the long term.

Line 151:

== '''Harvest''' ==

Jump into one of your ~~‘farm’~~ clones, drag your crop skill into the [[Skill_queue|skill queue]] 5 times (once for each level), and click “Start”. Note how long the queue will run and find something else to do for that time.

Jump into one of your ‘farmer’ clones, drag your crop skill into the [[Skill_queue|skill queue]] 5 times (once for each level), and click “Start”. Note how long the queue will run and find something else to do for that time.

When the queue is empty, jump into your ‘market’ clone and dock at your market’s structure. Use the extractors you left there to extract your crop skill. (Note that you can’t move unallocated skill points directly into an extractor.) Drag your crop skill into the training queue again. You may not need all 5 levels this time, depending on how many skill points you trained and extracted. Apply any unallocated skill points, click “Start”, and note the time until your next harvest.

Pause to check things out. You’re in this clone for a day, may as well make use of the time. Decide if you’re going to split your injectors (see [[Small injectors|Small injectors]]) and how you’ll price them. Place your sell orders. Look for good buys on PLEX, extractors, and anything else you need. Do you have outstanding orders here that need attention? (I keep buy orders open at all my clone markets for PLEX, extractors, etc., at 80% of their average sell prices. If you can afford the [[Introduction_to_Station_Trading#Getting_Started|escrow]], it’s a good way to grab a bargain.) Done? Return to your clone bay and await the next harvest.

Pause to check things out. You’re in this clone for a day, may as well make use of the time. Decide if you’re going to split your injectors (see [[#Small injectors|Small injectors]]) and how you’ll price them. Place your sell orders. Look for good buys on PLEX, extractors, and anything else you need. Do you have outstanding orders here that need attention? (I keep buy orders open at all my clone markets for PLEX, extractors, etc., at 80% of their average sell prices. If you can afford the [[Introduction_to_Station_Trading#Getting_Started|escrow]], it’s a good way to grab a bargain.) Done? Return to your clone bay and await the next harvest.

Ready for advanced {{dothis|'''skill farming'''}}? Install clones at as many different markets as your skills allow. At harvest, use your market tool to decide which will give you the greatest profit. Jump to that clone, then extract and sell there. Or extract a few large injectors ''here'', sell them, then jump ''there'' and extract more to split and sell as small injectors. If you’re willing to travel a bit and sell to buy orders (or even contracts), you can throw your net wider still. Between harvests, keep an eye out for good prices on injectors; it’s always possible to have a partial harvest and take advantage of them. If you purchase your extractors from the New Eden Store, you can redeem them on any of your clones at any structure.

== '''Budget''' ==

If the [[Initial costs|initial costs]] are an issue, start small. Buy extractors one at a time as you need them. Don’t buy enhancers until you’ve built up a bank. Hold off on buying your crop skill book until you’re ready to train it. You can extract skill points from the [[Starting_skills|starting skills]] or any other skill you’ve trained (with a few [[Skill_trading#Limitations|exceptions]]), so begin by training up some of those starting skills (such as [[Skills:Engineering#Thermodynamics|Thermodynamics]] or [[Skills:Shields#Tactical_Shield_Manipulation|Tactical Shield Manipulation]]). When you’re over 5.5M skill points, extract what you don’t need, sell that injector, and invest in ''2'' extractors. The biggest initial expense will be that first extractor at about 356.8M ISK. Shop around, because if you can make it over ''that'' hump, EVE will never cost you a dime again!

If the [[#Initial costs|initial costs]] are an issue, start small. Buy extractors one at a time as you need them. Don’t buy enhancers until you’ve built up a bank. Hold off on buying your crop skill book until you’re ready to train it. You can extract skill points from the [[Starting_skills|starting skills]] or any other skill you’ve trained (with a few [[Skill_trading#Limitations|exceptions]]), so begin by training up some of those starting skills (such as [[Skills:Engineering#Thermodynamics|Thermodynamics]] or [[Skills:Shields#Tactical_Shield_Manipulation|Tactical Shield Manipulation]]). When you’re over 5.5M skill points, extract what you don’t need, sell that injector, and invest in ''2'' extractors. The biggest initial expense will be that first extractor at about 356.8M ISK. Shop around, because if you can make it over ''that'' hump, EVE will never cost you a dime again!

== '''References''' ==

:[[Accounts|Accounts.]] All about subscriptions, characters, and alts.

:Broker Fee and Sales Tax. Details the taxes and fees on your trades.

:Evernus. Best EVE market tool since the change to ESI. Unfortunately, it’s no longer supported. But watch for the sequel, REvernus, scheduled to be released “soon”.

:Implants. Feed your head.

:Jester’s Guide to Implants and Jump Clones in 5 parts. Dated but still reasonably accurate, at least as far as game mechanics are concerned. Site also has several other useful guides to various aspects of EVE.

:Skill Trading. The mechanics of using extractors and injectors.

:Skills and Learning. The mechanics of skill training.

:Starting Skills. Lists skills provided to new characters, with links to descriptions of all EVE skills by category.

:Trading. Buying and selling in New Eden.

== '''Notes''' ==

:M = million (Greek mega-) = x106. Numerical displays conform to the Wikipedia Manual of Style. All calculations were performed using the most accurate data available, then rounded for display.

:This information was correct and current at publication. But things change, so please verify it before relying on it. In particular, prices in New Eden change by the minute, sometimes drastically.

:The author gratefully acknowledges Black Blondie of the Rancid Chickens for her invaluable assistance. If you’re considering Planetary Production as a career in EVE, she’ll get you started… honestly, even graciously.

:All EVE links in this article allow you to create a new game account (either free or paid) using the author as your recruiter. This benefits us both as detailed here. However, that site is not compatible with MS Internet Explorer.

:Please contact the author, Cochise DCVI, by EVE mail with any questions, corrections, suggestions, or other comments. Any and all errors are his, and his alone.

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 == '''Crop skill''' ==
-Decide which skill you’ll train to [[#Harvest|harvest]] its skill points. Look for a skill your ‘farm’ character will never use that requires at least 8 days to train (to generate the 0.5M skill points necessary to fill an extractor). There’s no maximum training time, but you’ll only be able to harvest its skill points after you’ve finished training the skill. So, if the skill requires 30 days to train, you can harvest every 30 days or more. The [[#EVE Online skills with multiplier >8|table]] at the end of this article lists some skills with long training times (>31 days to train all 5 levels). Select one that matches your desired harvest frequency and doesn’t require that you train too many prerequisites. Try starting with the Armor, Engineering, and Shields categories.
+Decide which skill you’ll train to [[#Harvest|harvest]] its skill points. Look for a skill your ‘farmer’ character will never use that requires at least 8 days to train (to generate the 0.5M skill points necessary to fill an extractor). There’s no maximum training time, but you’ll only be able to harvest its skill points after you’ve finished training the skill. So, if the skill requires 30 days to train, you can harvest every 30 days or more. The [[#EVE Online skills with multiplier >8|table]] at the end of this article lists some skills with long training times (>31 days to train all 5 levels). Select one that matches your desired harvest frequency and doesn’t require that you train too many prerequisites. Try starting with the Armor, Engineering, and Shields categories.
 You can also farm a group of skills, which lets you harvest less frequently, but slightly complicates extracting and reloading your skill queue. If you do so, all skills in the group should have the same primary and secondary attributes for maximum efficiency.
@@ Line 114: / Line 114: @@
 == '''Enhancers''' ==
-Plan on one [[Implants#Attribute_Enhancers|attribute enhancer]] for your crop skill’s primary [[Skills_and_learning#Attributes|attribute]] and another for its secondary attribute. Enhancers with “Improved” in their name will give you the greatest benefit (+5 to that attribute’s points) at the greatest cost. Buy a pair for your ‘market’ clone, and another pair for each clone you may jump into while you’re training (to maintain maximum efficiency). They’ll cost between 8M and 112M ISK each, depending on the level you choose. Take them to each of your ‘farm’ clones and plug them in. To protect your investment, these clones should spend 99% of their time safely docked at an NPC station, and rarely use a stargate. Certainly, you can use them for other station-based activities (I do [[Planetary_Interaction|Planetary Production]] with mine), just remember that they’re each flitting around with 200M ISK in their heads!
+Plan on one [[Implants#Attribute_Enhancers|attribute enhancer]] for your crop skill’s primary [[Skills_and_learning#Attributes|attribute]] and another for its secondary attribute. Enhancers with “Improved” in their name will give you the greatest benefit (+5 to that attribute’s points) at the greatest cost. Buy a pair for your ‘market’ clone, and another pair for each clone you may jump into while you’re training (to maintain maximum efficiency). They’ll cost between 8M and 112M ISK each, depending on the level you choose. Take them to each of your ‘farmer’ clones and plug them in. To protect your investment, these clones should spend 99% of their time safely docked at an NPC station, and rarely use a stargate. Certainly, you can use them for other station-based activities (I do [[Planetary_Interaction|Planetary Production]] with mine), just remember that they’re each flitting around with 200M ISK in their heads!
-You might also consider [[Implants#Advanced_Attribute_Enhancer_Reference|advanced (or ‘pirate’) enhancers]], which offer additional bonuses and effects at additional cost (starting at about twice the cost of simple enhancers). However, their bonuses tend to be modest (compared to +5 simple enhancers) and their additional effects are generally oriented toward [[EVE_Lexicon#PvP|PvP]] (which you shouldn’t be doing with your ‘farm’ character). Calculating their net effect and value is beyond the scope of this article, but this [https://oldforums.eveonline.com/?a=topic&threadID=203472 forum post] will help.
+You might also consider [[Implants#Advanced_Attribute_Enhancer_Reference|advanced (or ‘pirate’) enhancers]], which offer additional bonuses and effects at additional cost (starting at about twice the cost of simple enhancers). However, their bonuses tend to be modest (compared to +5 simple enhancers) and their additional effects are generally oriented toward [[EVE_Lexicon#PvP|PvP]] (which you shouldn’t be doing with your ‘farmer’ character). Calculating their net effect and value is beyond the scope of this article, but this [https://oldforums.eveonline.com/?a=topic&threadID=203472 forum post] will help.
 [[Medical_boosters#Cerebral_Accelerators|Cerebral accelerators]] are largely impractical for {{dothis|'''skill farming'''}}. Though their attribute bonuses are attractive, the duration of their effect is limited, they’re expensive, and supply is unpredictable. If you have one, by all means use it, but don’t count on their benefits for the long term.
@@ Line 151: / Line 151: @@
 == '''Harvest''' ==
-Jump into one of your ‘farm’ clones, drag your crop skill into the [[Skill_queue|skill queue]] 5 times (once for each level), and click “Start”. Note how long the queue will run and find something else to do for that time.
+Jump into one of your ‘farmer’ clones, drag your crop skill into the [[Skill_queue|skill queue]] 5 times (once for each level), and click “Start”. Note how long the queue will run and find something else to do for that time.
 When the queue is empty, jump into your ‘market’ clone and dock at your market’s structure. Use the extractors you left there to extract your crop skill. (Note that you can’t move unallocated skill points directly into an extractor.) Drag your crop skill into the training queue again. You may not need all 5 levels this time, depending on how many skill points you trained and extracted. Apply any unallocated skill points, click “Start”, and note the time until your next harvest.
-Pause to check things out. You’re in this clone for a day, may as well make use of the time. Decide if you’re going to split your injectors (see [[Small injectors|Small injectors]]) and how you’ll price them. Place your sell orders. Look for good buys on PLEX, extractors, and anything else you need. Do you have outstanding orders here that need attention? (I keep buy orders open at all my clone markets for PLEX, extractors, etc., at 80% of their average sell prices. If you can afford the [[Introduction_to_Station_Trading#Getting_Started|escrow]], it’s a good way to grab a bargain.) Done? Return to your clone bay and await the next harvest.
+Pause to check things out. You’re in this clone for a day, may as well make use of the time. Decide if you’re going to split your injectors (see [[#Small injectors|Small injectors]]) and how you’ll price them. Place your sell orders. Look for good buys on PLEX, extractors, and anything else you need. Do you have outstanding orders here that need attention? (I keep buy orders open at all my clone markets for PLEX, extractors, etc., at 80% of their average sell prices. If you can afford the [[Introduction_to_Station_Trading#Getting_Started|escrow]], it’s a good way to grab a bargain.) Done? Return to your clone bay and await the next harvest.
 Ready for advanced {{dothis|'''skill farming'''}}? Install clones at as many different markets as your skills allow. At harvest, use your market tool to decide which will give you the greatest profit. Jump to that clone, then extract and sell there. Or extract a few large injectors ''here'', sell them, then jump ''there'' and extract more to split and sell as small injectors. If you’re willing to travel a bit and sell to buy orders (or even contracts), you can throw your net wider still. Between harvests, keep an eye out for good prices on injectors; it’s always possible to have a partial harvest and take advantage of them. If you purchase your extractors from the New Eden Store, you can redeem them on any of your clones at any structure.
 == '''Budget''' ==
-If the [[Initial costs|initial costs]] are an issue, start small. Buy extractors one at a time as you need them. Don’t buy enhancers until you’ve built up a bank. Hold off on buying your crop skill book until you’re ready to train it. You can extract skill points from the [[Starting_skills|starting skills]] or any other skill you’ve trained (with a few [[Skill_trading#Limitations|exceptions]]), so begin by training up some of those starting skills (such as [[Skills:Engineering#Thermodynamics|Thermodynamics]] or [[Skills:Shields#Tactical_Shield_Manipulation|Tactical Shield Manipulation]]). When you’re over 5.5M skill points, extract what you don’t need, sell that injector, and invest in ''2'' extractors. The biggest initial expense will be that first extractor at about 356.8M ISK. Shop around, because if you can make it over ''that'' hump, EVE will never cost you a dime again!
+If the [[#Initial costs|initial costs]] are an issue, start small. Buy extractors one at a time as you need them. Don’t buy enhancers until you’ve built up a bank. Hold off on buying your crop skill book until you’re ready to train it. You can extract skill points from the [[Starting_skills|starting skills]] or any other skill you’ve trained (with a few [[Skill_trading#Limitations|exceptions]]), so begin by training up some of those starting skills (such as [[Skills:Engineering#Thermodynamics|Thermodynamics]] or [[Skills:Shields#Tactical_Shield_Manipulation|Tactical Shield Manipulation]]). When you’re over 5.5M skill points, extract what you don’t need, sell that injector, and invest in ''2'' extractors. The biggest initial expense will be that first extractor at about 356.8M ISK. Shop around, because if you can make it over ''that'' hump, EVE will never cost you a dime again!
+== '''References''' ==
+:[[Accounts|Accounts.]] All about subscriptions, characters, and alts.
+:Broker Fee and Sales Tax. Details the taxes and fees on your trades.
+:Evernus. Best EVE market tool since the change to ESI. Unfortunately, it’s no longer supported. But watch for the sequel, REvernus, scheduled to be released “soon”.
+:Implants. Feed your head.
+:Jester’s Guide to Implants and Jump Clones in 5 parts. Dated but still reasonably accurate, at least as far as game mechanics are concerned. Site also has several other useful guides to various aspects of EVE.
+:Skill Trading. The mechanics of using extractors and injectors.
+:Skills and Learning. The mechanics of skill training.
+:Starting Skills. Lists skills provided to new characters, with links to descriptions of all EVE skills by category.
+:Trading. Buying and selling in New Eden.
+== '''Notes''' ==
+:M = million (Greek mega-) = x106. Numerical displays conform to the Wikipedia Manual of Style. All calculations were performed using the most accurate data available, then rounded for display.
+:This information was correct and current at publication. But things change, so please verify it before relying on it. In particular, prices in New Eden change by the minute, sometimes drastically.
+:The author gratefully acknowledges Black Blondie of the Rancid Chickens for her invaluable assistance. If you’re considering Planetary Production as a career in EVE, she’ll get you started… honestly, even graciously.
+:All EVE links in this article allow you to create a new game account (either free or paid) using the author as your recruiter. This benefits us both as detailed here. However, that site is not compatible with MS Internet Explorer.
+:Please contact the author, Cochise DCVI, by EVE mail with any questions, corrections, suggestions, or other comments. Any and all errors are his, and his alone.