Travelling to the NSC

The Dangers of NullSec

When it comes to travelling through NullSec, Gates are very dangerous. Due to the mechanics of NullSec, or more accurately the lack of mechanics associated with NullSec, the majority of PvP occurs on Gates. The three main tactics that players will use to catch and kill you are Gate Camps, Bubbles and Smartbombs, likely using a combination of these. This page aims to describe these dangers in a little more depth, discuss how we can fit our ships and navigate NullSec to avoid them, and the best routes for players to make their way to the NSC.

Gate Camps

Main article: Gatecamps

Gate Camps are basically players waiting on a Gate to catch anyone who jumps through into them. There are a number of variables that determine how effective they'll be, such as the number of players involved, the types of ships they are using and the actual size of the Gate itself, but we can negate all of these. What we are concerned with is the time to warp of our own ship. Due to the way the server mechanics work, the fastest that anyone can get a point on a ship is 2 seconds. Therefore, if we can get our time to warp to be less than 2 seconds we are, theoretically, impossible to catch without the use of a bubble. We say theoretically because there can be the odd times were this doesn't work, such as if you are lagging, but 99% of the time you will uncatchable. This is also true for HiSec and LowSec.

Bubbles

Main article: Interdiction 101

Bubbles or to give them their proper name, Warp Disruption Fields, are objects unique to NullSec and WH Space. The can be created either by deployable structures or specific T2 ships and their primary function is to create a large sphere that will prevent any ship inside it from warping. They are usually placed to catch people who warp directly from Gate to Gate, although they can be placed on top of the Gate itself. For the purpose of travelling through NullSec, there really is not much else you will need to know about them. Bubbles are most dangerous if you find yourself inside a bubble when you enter a system, you can either burn back towards the Gate and hope that you are not killed before you get there or you can attempt to burn out of the bubble and warp off the safety. The majority of bubbles are placed off from the gate though and can be avoided through simply warping to a celestial first before warping to the Gate. The NSC has public tactical bookmarks for Unistas to use on the common routes through Syndicate, which will also allow players to avoid the majority of bubbles.

Smartbombing

Main article: Smartbombs

Travel Advisory - There be bubbles

• Gatecamps with Bubbles exist everywhere in Null Sec!! Do not fly directly from one gate to another, always use Tactical Bookmarks or bounce off a celestial to avoid them.
• Do not attempt to move to the campus unless you are already accepted into Eve University, blue to the Ivy League alliance or you understand the risk of losing your ship and your pod to pilots from the Ivy League and/or other threats in the area, as we are NBSI everywhere not high sec.
• It is highly recommended that you come to the campus with an Intro to the NSC fleet. They will explain in detail how to travel safely in Null Sec.
• When in doubt, ask in Fleet chat, the NSC.E-Uni chat channel, or in Mumble for advice or an escort. We will help you get to us.

Ship Travel Fitting

Atron: Runner (low skilled)

EFT

[Atron, Runner (low skilled)]

Medium Shield Extender I
Small Shield Extender I
Upgraded EM Ward Amplifier I

Type-D Restrained Inertial Stabilizers
Type-D Restrained Inertial Stabilizers
Type-D Restrained Inertial Stabilizers

Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I
Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I
Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I

FITTING DIFFICULTY

EVE VERSION

YC118 1.0

ALPHA CAN USE

UNSET

EFT

SKILLS

NOTES

RECOMMENDED SKILLS

NOTES

• Relevant information:
7,85 AU/s warp speed.
< 2 sec align time
3,670 effective hit points.
145 m3 cargo capacity
1 - 2 million ISK cost

Raptor: Runner (tank)

EFT

[Raptor, Runner (tank)]
Improved Cloaking Device II

Medium Shield Extender II
Medium F-S9 Regolith Compact Shield Extender
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
EM Ward Amplifier II

Inertial Stabilizers II
Inertial Stabilizers II
Inertial Stabilizers II

Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer II
Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer II

FITTING DIFFICULTY

EVE VERSION

YC118 1.0

ALPHA CAN USE

UNSET

EFT

SKILLS

NOTES

RECOMMENDED SKILLS

NOTES

• Relevant information:
12,17 AU/s warp speed.
< 2 sec align time
11,014 effective hit points.
92 m3 cargo capacity
• The Adaptive Invulnerability Field II module is there to add to your buffer landing on a gate with smartbombers on it, for travel through low and null security space.
• The Improved Cloaking Device II is just a utility module for giving you the option to cloak up and reassess your situation if need be.

Routes to the NSC

From HQ (Slays), HSC (Amygnon), LSC (Uphallant)

• There are two main routes into the NSC's area of null security space from these locations:
  • Through Harroule (low sec) and MHC-R3 (null sec)
  • Through Reblier (low sec) and 6-CZ49 (null sec)
  • Other routes should be avoided unless you know the area very well. In particular, avoid Orvolle/PF-346.
• Both of the low sec/null sec gates are frequently camped and for your first trip to the NSC you are strongly advised not to attempt to reach the campus unassisted.
• Join the NSC standing fleet and Mumble channel. Ask for intel on the route, and decide whether to use the Harroule or Reblier routes based on that intel.
• Ask for a scout; in many cases, someone will be able to go to your null sec entry system (MHC-R3 or 6-CZ40) to let you know the best time to enter, and provide a guide the rest of the way.
• Set your autopilot destination to your chosen entry system, then "add waypoint" to PC9-AY.
• Be aware that the gates may be bubbled with mobile warp disruptors, and that every neutral in Local is probably actively trying to find and kill you. See the advice below on "Traveling Safely".
• On arrival in PC9-AY, dock at the NSC home station (Intaki Commerce Trading Post) and set your jump clone.
• Welcome to the NSC!

From Boystin (Solitude)

• Set your autopilot destination for PC9-AY.
• Join the NSC standing fleet and Mumble channel. Ask for intel on the route.
• Ask for a scout; in many cases, someone will be able to go to your null sec entry system (Y9G-KS) to let you know the best time to enter, and provide a guide the rest of the way.
• Set your autopilot destination to your chosen entry system, then "add waypoint" to PC9-AY.
• Be aware that the gates may be bubbled with mobile warp disruptors, and that every neutral in Local is probably actively trying to find and kill you. See the advice below on "Traveling Safely".
• On arrival in PC9-AY, dock at the NSC home station (Intaki Commerce Trading Post) and set your jump clone.
• Welcome to the NSC!

Taking the Pod Express

This can only be done once per year, and so it is recommended to use the other methods.

This method will cost you a new medical clone, but it's safer and faster than traveling.

• Jump into a clean clone (you will lose your implants) and dock in any station with medical/cloning facilities.
• Make sure your clone is up to date.
• Right click your ship and select Leave ship.
• Open the Medical window from the station interface and click Change Station at the bottom.
• A list of available stations will pop up, select PC9-AY. (this list only shows stations where EUNI has an office as well as your starting NPC corp)
• Self destruct by selecting the option in the station menu
• Once the countdown is over, you'll wake up in PC9, and welcome to the NSC.