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I have played World of Warcraft for years. In that game I have characters in both factions; one of each class and over 400,000 PVP kills among them. I left because I was bored. | I have played World of Warcraft for years. In that game I have characters in both factions; one of each class and over 400,000 PVP kills among them. I left because I was bored. | ||
The first time I tried EVE, I mined some ore, made some money, bought a good ship, and set out to do stuff. But there didn't seem to be anything to do, and whenever I got into a fight, I died. I got frustrated and left. I played some more WoW, tried Guild Wars, and | The first time I tried EVE, I mined some ore, made some money, bought a good ship, and set out to do stuff. But there didn't seem to be anything to do, and whenever I got into a fight, I died. I got frustrated and left. I played some more WoW, tried Guild Wars, and Elder Scrolls and a couple of others, but EVE had piqued my curiosity, and I decided to come back to it. | ||
This time I lucked into EVE University and found a group of players dedicated to explaining how the game works. So let's start there: if you have a question ask it. These people are smart and experienced and like most teachers, they love nothing better than to talk. Give them the chance and they will produce the little nitty gritty details that you need to get good at this game. | This time I lucked into EVE University and found a group of players dedicated to explaining how the game works. So let's start there: if you have a question ask it. These people are smart and experienced and like most teachers, they love nothing better than to talk. Give them the chance and they will produce the little nitty gritty details that you need to get good at this game. | ||
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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. | ||
=== | ===Combat "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.) | ||
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Set up your Overview Window using the E-UNI format. | Set up your Overview Window using the E-UNI format. | ||
The E-UNI instructions for setting up your "in space" overview display are detailed and complete. The process takes about half an hour. When you are done, the "PVP TRAVEL" tab will show you any dangerous ships within range. And, the other tabs will do useful things that you haven't thought about yet. More than anything else you can do, this will make | The E-UNI instructions for setting up your "in space" overview display are detailed and complete. The process takes about half an hour. When you are done, the "PVP TRAVEL" tab will show you any dangerous ships within range. And, the other tabs will do useful things that you haven't thought about yet. More than anything else you can do, this will make traveling around in space easier and safer. | ||
WTs show up in your "PVP Travel" display as | WTs show up in your "PVP Travel" display as blinking red light. If you see a blinking red light, hide. If you can't hide, run and then hide. Blinking yellow lights are criminals ... they are not at war with E-UNI, but they make a living out of looting ships, so depending on where you are and what kind of ship you are flying, they may attack you. Best to give them a wide berth. Solid reds and yellows are bad people. Ignore them or not depending on your level of paranoia at the time. | ||
====Put your medical clone in a good place.==== | ====Put your medical clone in a good place.==== | ||
You only have one "medical" clone, and it is where you will rez if you should die. It starts in the station where you began the game, but you can move it any time to any station that has a "Clone Bay". Once moved, you will rez at that station. | You only have one "medical" clone, and it is where you will rez if you should die. It starts in the station where you began the game, but you can move it any time to any station that has a "Clone Bay". Once moved, you will rez at that station. | ||
Do this now. If you are in | Do this now. If you are in Aldrat, put the clone in a station in that system. If you have moved to one of the E-UNI campuses, put your clone nearby. Just find the "Clone Bay" on the station menu and click it. Don't put this off ... you WILL die ... and you want to rez in a convenient place. | ||
====If you haven't done the tutorials, do them now==== | ====If you haven't done the tutorials, do them now==== | ||
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You can find it all in the in game Show Info windows, but sometimes it's easier in a browser | You can find it all in the in game Show Info windows, but sometimes it's easier in a browser | ||
===[https://secure.eveonline.com/ EVE Account | ===[https://secure.eveonline.com/ EVE Account Management] === | ||
Buy game time, buy plex, get multiple character training, submit service tickets | Buy game time, buy plex, get multiple character training, submit service tickets | ||
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==The Details== | ==The Details== | ||
====Characters do not level in EVE. There is no level cap.==== | ====Characters do not level in EVE. There is no level cap.==== | ||
You do not play to gain "experience" and "level up". Instead, you learn new skills ... by putting them in a training queue ... and you play to improve your ability to use the skills you have. There are a LOT of skills, and you can only train one at a time. Each level of each skill takes a fixed | You do not play to gain "experience" and "level up". Instead, you learn new skills ... by putting them in a training queue ... and you play to improve your ability to use the skills you have. There are a LOT of skills, and you can only train one at a time. Each level of each skill takes a fixed amount of time to learn, and this means that all characters in EVE learn new skills at the same rate. This makes your choice of skills, and skill levels, a key factor in developing your character. | ||
Just to give a taste of the breadth of the skill set: each of the four racial factions has six levels of ships (frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battle cruisers, battleships, and capital ships), and each level requires a basic "spaceship" skill. Since there are five levels to every skill, | Just to give a taste of the breadth of the skill set: each of the four racial factions has six levels of ships (frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battle cruisers, battleships, and capital ships), and each level requires a basic "spaceship" skill. Since there are five levels to every skill, this means you need to acquire 4 x 6 x 5 = 120 skills to maximize your skill at piloting the basic faction ships. And that's just the racial factions ... the Pirate factions have their own ship categories, as do various other NPC groups. And within each faction there are special "advanced" ships that have their own entry skills. | ||
In addition there are numerous categories of equipment that also fit on the ships ... scanners, afterburners, drones, and the like ... and these also come in small, medium and large. And there are four kinds of weapons systems (projectile, missile, charged projectile and ray beam). Each ship category uses at least one of these. The weapons systems come in small, medium and large. | In addition there are numerous categories of equipment that also fit on the ships ... scanners, afterburners, drones, and the like ... and these also come in small, medium and large. And there are four kinds of weapons systems (projectile, missile, charged projectile and ray beam). Each ship category uses at least one of these. The weapons systems come in small, medium and large. | ||
And that | And that describes only ships and their gear. There are more skill sets available in Mining, Scanning, Navigation, Industry, Science, Leadership and other non-combat activities. Generally, the first level of a skill takes about half an hour to learn, the second level about an hour, the third some number of hours. The time varies for different skills, and it can take from a few hours to a few weeks. to learn the fourth or fifth level of a skill. The good news is that training continues while you are logged off, but even so, it takes years to learn everything the game has to offer. | ||
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. | ||
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Skills also modify equipment. "Missile Launcher Operation", for example, increases the rate at which your missile launchers fire. This has no effect on the missiles, themselves, but you fire them faster ... always a good thing. Other skills make your ship faster, more agile, harder for enemies to target, and so on. | Skills also modify equipment. "Missile Launcher Operation", for example, increases the rate at which your missile launchers fire. This has no effect on the missiles, themselves, but you fire them faster ... always a good thing. Other skills make your ship faster, more agile, harder for enemies to target, and so on. | ||
Skills also modify NCP interactions. Under "Social" | Skills also modify NCP interactions. Under "Social" skills, 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.) | ||
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Combat in most online games is immediate. You take a swing or shot at your target, and you get instant feedback as to whether you hit or missed. In EVE, however, all combat is ranged combat, and it is conducted over kilometers with physical weaponry in space. Thus, the game computes hits and misses using trajectories and travel times, and your results are always at least a little bit delayed. | Combat in most online games is immediate. You take a swing or shot at your target, and you get instant feedback as to whether you hit or missed. In EVE, however, all combat is ranged combat, and it is conducted over kilometers with physical weaponry in space. Thus, the game computes hits and misses using trajectories and travel times, and your results are always at least a little bit delayed. | ||
For example, let's say your ship is equipped with missiles. And, let's say your missiles travel at a speed of 1K (thousand) meters per second. So, if your ship is 40K meters from a target when you fire a salvo of missiles, it will take them 4 seconds to arrive. On the other hand, if you are using a | For example, let's say your ship is equipped with missiles. And, let's say your missiles travel at a speed of 1K (thousand) meters per second. So, if your ship is 40K meters from a target when you fire a salvo of missiles, it will take them 4 seconds to arrive. On the other hand, if you are using a projectile turret (think: big guns on a naval battleship), the turret will have to turn to track its target. This takes some time, so the speed of the target and the speed of the turret both figure into the likelihood of a hit. Projectiles are much faster than missiles, though, so it make only take half a second or so before you see your results. | ||
The net result of all this, when balanced for game play by EVE, is this: | The net result of all this, when balanced for game play by EVE, is this: | ||
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'''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. | ||
=== | ===Combat "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 your done, your display will tell you everything you need to know about your neighbors. | 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 | Your ship is traveling 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 | 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 enough 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. | There is a lot of stuff like this within the various displays. Not everyone uses all of it, but everyone uses some of it. | ||
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Corporations can declare war on other corporations, thus removing the police restriction on fighting in high-security solar systems. They can organize various kinds of fleets, including mining fleets which make it easier and safer for members to mine large amounts of ore. | Corporations can declare war on other corporations, thus removing the police restriction on fighting in high-security solar systems. They can organize various kinds of fleets, including mining fleets which make it easier and safer for members to mine large amounts of ore. | ||
Because corporations have access to so many important resources, and because they can provide fleets to help | Because corporations have access to so many important resources, and because they can provide fleets to help protect 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. | ||
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EVE includes PvP "criminal" activity. You can attack another player anywhere, anytime and attempt to kill them and steal their stuff. In hisec space this is illegal and CONCORD will try to wipe you out, but in lowsec and nullsec space the only consequences are those that might be dealt by the player you killed and his or her friends. | EVE includes PvP "criminal" activity. You can attack another player anywhere, anytime and attempt to kill them and steal their stuff. In hisec space this is illegal and CONCORD will try to wipe you out, but in lowsec and nullsec space the only consequences are those that might be dealt by the player you killed and his or her friends. | ||
If you look at the map, you will see a ring of red solar systems surrounding the safer green and yellow ones. Some of the red systems are the home of Criminal corporations whose members prey on anyone who ventures out of hisec space. As far as EVE is concerned, these activities are perfectly legitimate in | If you look at the map, you will see a ring of red solar systems surrounding the safer green and yellow ones. Some of the red systems are the home of Criminal corporations whose members prey on anyone who ventures out of hisec space. As far as EVE is concerned, these activities are perfectly legitimate in nullsec space, and there are a number of game mechanics that favor criminal enterprise. | ||
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. | ||
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It's not so much that the EVE galaxy is huge as that its systems are far apart. Since travel can take a couple of minutes per system, the game is easier 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. Since travel can take a couple of minutes per system, the game is easier if you organize your activities to stay in one area of the map, at least at first. | ||
And, travel is inherently dangerous, even in hisec systems. For example, three players can form a "suicide" fleet. One player, usually in an ship with a lot of offensive power, will suddenly kill you. CONCORD will | And, travel is inherently dangerous, even in hisec systems. For example, three players can form a "suicide" fleet. One player, usually in an ship with a lot of offensive power, will suddenly kill you. CONCORD will immediately kill him or her, of course, but the other fleet members will now scavenge the loot from your ship, and then share the proceeds with the dead guy. This is only profitable if the ship killed is a big, valuable ship, preferably an industrial ship hauling a lot of goods ... though I was "suicide ganked" once in a small, cheap ship; apparently just for practice. | ||
The danger makes it important that you actually fly your ship. The autopilot will take you to a designated destination, but the autopilot flies very slowly, especially as it approaches hyperspace gates, which is where the bad guys like to hang out. Ships on autopilot are much more likely to be killed that ships with pilots. The problem is that piloting a ship for 15 or 20 jumps gets pretty boring. So this is something that you do if you have to, but not something you want to do often. | The danger makes it important that you actually fly your ship. The autopilot will take you to a designated destination, but the autopilot flies very slowly, especially as it approaches hyperspace gates, which is where the bad guys like to hang out. Ships on autopilot are much more likely to be killed that ships with pilots. The problem is that piloting a ship for 15 or 20 jumps gets pretty boring. So this is something that you do if you have to, but not something you want to do often. | ||
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Each of these has a chat channel, a Mumble channel, and a Standing Fleet.Read about the campuses in UniWiki, chose the one you want to join, and go there. | Each of these has a chat channel, a Mumble channel, and a Standing Fleet.Read about the campuses in UniWiki, chose the one you want to join, and go there. | ||
''Hisec Campus (HSC)'' icon: An environment where beginners can learn basic skills and try out new things. In hisec space you are safe most of the time (except for War Targets), and most new members should start here. Access to combat fleets, asteroid belts, missions and | ''Hisec Campus (HSC)'' icon: An environment where beginners can learn basic skills and try out new things. In hisec space you are safe most of the time (except for War Targets), and most new members should start here. Access to combat fleets, asteroid belts, missions and everything else you need to get started are available at HSC. All new members are encouraged to join. | ||
''Lowsec Campus (LSC)'' icon: For members who want to learn how to succeed in a more dangerous environment. Lowsec systems contain ore and archaeology sites whose exploitation is worth the risk, but they also contain player pirates who make their money by killing other players and taking their stuff. (If you eventually want to be a Pirate, Lowsec Campus is a good place to learn the fighting skills you need for one-on-one PVP ... though you will have to leave E-UNI when you join the "dark side".) There are no entrance requirements, although you should probably have decent combat experience and have participated in fleet actions. Come when you feel that you are ready. | ''Lowsec Campus (LSC)'' icon: For members who want to learn how to succeed in a more dangerous environment. Lowsec systems contain ore and archaeology sites whose exploitation is worth the risk, but they also contain player pirates who make their money by killing other players and taking their stuff. (If you eventually want to be a Pirate, Lowsec Campus is a good place to learn the fighting skills you need for one-on-one PVP ... though you will have to leave E-UNI when you join the "dark side".) There are no entrance requirements, although you should probably have decent combat experience and have participated in fleet actions. Come when you feel that you are ready. | ||
''Nullsec Campus (NSC)'' icon: A very dangerous environment that offers unique PVE and PVP encounters. NSC involves the most potential combat of the three "sec" campuses, and it's primary focus is on how to survive in nullsec's uniquely lawless environment. There are no entrance requirements, but good PVP combat skills are | ''Nullsec Campus (NSC)'' icon: A very dangerous environment that offers unique PVE and PVP encounters. NSC involves the most potential combat of the three "sec" campuses, and it's primary focus is on how to survive in nullsec's uniquely lawless environment. There are no entrance requirements, but good PVP combat skills are desirable if not essential. | ||
''Wormhole Campus (WHC)'' icon: An advanced campus focused on life inside a wormhole. Because wormholes contain some of the game's most valuable loot, they are areas of intense conflict. Special skills are necessary for acceptance into this group. Sophomore standing at E-UNI is required. | ''Wormhole Campus (WHC)'' icon: An advanced campus focused on life inside a wormhole. Because wormholes contain some of the game's most valuable loot, they are areas of intense conflict. Special skills are necessary for acceptance into this group. Sophomore standing at E-UNI is required. | ||
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''Incursion Community'' icon: "Incursions" are large PVE encounter events staged by the game in random systems. Incursion combat is very high level, but this group focuses on bringing less experienced players into the events. Contact them for more information. | ''Incursion Community'' icon: "Incursions" are large PVE encounter events staged by the game in random systems. Incursion combat is very high level, but this group focuses on bringing less experienced players into the events. Contact them for more information. | ||
E-UNI Headquarters icon: The center for E-UNI corporate services. The hangars are stocked with gear that members can use. Many of the University's classes take place in | E-UNI Headquarters icon: The center for E-UNI corporate services. The hangars are stocked with gear that members can use. Many of the University's classes take place in Aldrat space. | ||
'''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. | ||
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Research missions are for an entirely different game purpose, and you can ignore them for now. | Research missions are for an entirely different game purpose, and you can ignore them for now. | ||
'''Exploration''' is the most random, and dangerous, way of making money, but it also has the biggest potential payoff. Explorers go into lowsec and | '''Exploration''' is the most random, and dangerous, way of making money, but it also has the biggest potential payoff. Explorers go into lowsec and nullsec space, and into wormholes, searching for ancient archaeology sites. Once opened, the sites have the potential to produce extremely high value loot. These areas of the game are also patrolled by criminal players who hope to kill explorers and steal their loot. Begin by training Survey and Hacking, and then all of the skills in the Scanning section. You will also need Salvaging. You can practice your exploring skills in hisec space, finding sites and hacking them in relative safety, but don't even think about going into lowsec space or wormholes until you have trained Cloaking and acquired a ship that can fit a Covert-Ops Cloaking Device. Invisibility is a must for exploring in nulspace. | ||
If you eventually want to do Exploration, then start by running Security Missions, and simultaneously train the | If you eventually want to do Exploration, then start by running Security Missions, and simultaneously train the basic Scanning and Salvaging skills. Do basic exploring in hisec to get the techniques down, and move to lowsec once you can fly a cloaked ship. | ||
'''Industry and trade''' produce goods for sale to other EVE players. It takes a very high level of skill training before you can compete in this business. Right at the beginning, you can sell items that you loot in the marketplace, but you need special skills to become a professional Industrialist and Trader. | '''Industry and trade''' produce goods for sale to other EVE players. It takes a very high level of skill training before you can compete in this business. Right at the beginning, you can sell items that you loot in the marketplace, but you need special skills to become a professional Industrialist and Trader. | ||