New Player
Where to start as a new player ...
EVE Online is an overwhelming place, but EVE University is here to help, so if you haven't done so already apply to EVE University.
Activities / Careers
Find an activity that you enjoy doing. If you can't afford it, find a second activity that will pay for it.
If you are not sure what is there to do, start with the Tutorial and Career Agent Missions. Career Agent Missions will introduce you to many different activities, Ships and Modules. After you are done with the Career Agents try doing the The Blood-Stained Stars Epic Arc. It will earn you around 15 million ISK and introduce you to doing Missions for Security Agents. EVE University offers a Mentor Program that will pair you with an experienced capsuleer.
Choose an activity you enjoy rather then an activity which earns you the most ISK. EVE Online has a lot of activities. Don't be afraid to do something else when the opportunity presents itself. That said, EVE online is huge so don't try to master everything at once. Take one step at a time.
Most activities are available to both Alpha and Omega Clones, but some are restricted only to Omega Clones.
| Activity | Alpha Clone Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Exploration | No Cloaking |
| Mining | No advanced ships, no ice mining |
| Combat Missions | No Level 4 or 5 Agents |
| PvP | None |
| Industry and Manufacturing | No Inventing and many other |
| Trading / Market | Limited number of skills |
| Planetary Interaction | Unavailable |
| Hauling | No fly advanced ships |
Think about what you want to do in the long run. Do you enjoy doing missions? Take a look at Incursions, they use similar skills, pay well and are a group activity. If you like doing Industry you could expand into T2 Invention and Production. Exploration could lead you to living in W-Space. There are lots of possibilities out there.
If you are doing an activity you like, don't listen to those that criticize your ISK/h efficiency. The amount of ISK you earn will increase over time as your skills improve. Don't be in a rush to do everything! Take it step by step. You will be tempted to use Skill Injectors or to buy Plex to get ahead. Don't. Part of the fun is learning and making your own ISK. By buying expensive items you deny yourself the opportunity to learn more about the enormous world of EVE Online.
Ships
Don't be afraid of losing Ships, but try not to make too many expensive mistakes that teach you nothing. EVE Online has a simple rule: "Don't fly what you can't afford to lose". Capsuleers will blow up your Ship and your Capsule. EVE Online is not a safe place not even in High Security systems. CONCORD's job isn't to protect you, but to punish criminals. Here are a few articles covering various rules, tips and tricks that may help you survive.
EVE University is often at War which means and there are some ships that are best flown on an Alt to avoid being killed. At war, Trade Hubs are often teeming with Gankers and War Targets. Use an OOC Hauler and read about Hauling to reduce the risk of being killed. You should also consider using the EVE University Hauling Service and the Buy-Back Program.
To help you with Ships and Modules EVE University offers Corporation Hangars with a selection of free fitted Ships at each Campus. If you don't have the Freshman title ask someone who has to get a Ship for you. If you lose a Ship during a EVE University combat fleet you may be entitled to use the Ship Replacement Program.
Skills
As you learn skills, it's worth remembering that training skills to level 4 and 5 becomes increasing time consuming for only minor gains. EVE University has two complementary sets of skills plans that will help you get a good foundation of general ship skills, these are the Magic 14 and Short Skill Plan which you would be advised to follow before you start to specialise too much. In that same idea, you can quickly cross-train to other races ships, tank and weapon systems (turrets, missiles and drones), particularly at cruiser level and below, which opens up a lot more options when joining fleet ops. Remember that the uni can offer you help will your early skills with the Skillbook Program and the The +3 Implants Program.
Communications
Aside from the In-Game Chat Channels and Mailing Lists, EVE University has a forum, an extensive Class Library and external Mumble and Discord servers for Out-of-Game communications. If you are struggling to understand some of the terms and abbreviations used, have a look at the Lexicon.
A wide selection of fleets and classes are held and will be announced in the Calendar, as well as in the forum and on discord.
Where should you go ...
EVE University has several different campus that you can join. They are situated in different parts of space and focus on different aspects of game play. You are free to join as many campuses as you like, and it's recommended to leave a Jump Clone at the ones that you are interested in.
High Sec Campus (HSC)
- Probably the place that most new players will start off. Provide an educational location where newcomers within EVE University can work together, learn, and flourish within a High Security environment, offering a wide range of actives supported by a knowledgeable community.
Solitude Campus
- Offering a similar mission to the HSC but in a more isolated part of space, requires players to be more motivated and self-sufficienct but without the continual threat of war targets. Solitude is situated in a High Security island surrounded by Low and Null Security space, so please ask the locals for advise before you attempt to travel there.
Mining Campus (AMC)
- Primarily focused on mining, the campus will give you opportunity to learn how to mine efficiently and safely either solo or in a fleet, as well as guiding you on all aspects of industry. The AMC offers several programs to help with your mining and industrial career.
Low Sec Campus (LSC)
- The LSC will teach you how to live and thrive in Low Security space, with a primary focus on small gang and solo PvP using frigates, destroyers and cruisers, as well as teaching you how to finance your habit with things like Ratting and Planetary Interaction.
Null Sec Campus (NSC)
- The NSC gives students the experience of living in 0.0 space with all of the risks associated with it. They seek to do this by establishing and maintaining a supportive base within NPC Null Security space, allowing members to learn how to survive in this harsh environment through practical PVP and PVE activities.
Wormhole Campus (WHC)
- Unfortunately the WHC is not open to new or alpha players, as you need certain skills (including Cloaking) to be able to successfully survive there. However, there are regular Noob Night in the Hole (NNitH) events that will allow you to experience life in WHC without meeting all the requirements.
Incursion Community
- This is not a fixed campus, but a nomadic group that follows the current High Security incursion around New Eden. While everyone is welcome Incursions are considered high-end PvE content and as such generally require a more rounded set of skills that you will have at the start of your game, however there are a couple of low skilled roles available so just ask if you are interested.
