Archive:Wartime Standard Operating Procedures

During war, EVE University and Ivy League uses a strict set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), typically referred to as the "War SOP".

These are part of a carefully crafted war doctrine, based on years of experience in EVE, that is intended to bring the war to a quick close by denying the war's entertainment or profit value to the enemy, and by frustrating or even boring the enemy at every chance we get, while still meeting the University's educational goals by teaching students how to fight wars. To that end, the SOP is intended to:

• Deny the enemy easy kills of helpless non-combat ships.
• Deny the enemy easy kills of poorly-fitted ships.
• Deny the enemy any kills of high-value ships that will look good on his killboard.
• Deny the enemy any chance to banter or smack talk with us.
• Ensure that the enemy's only contact with EVE University is losing his ships to our overwhelming war fleets.

Default SOP

When there is a currently live war, or the IVY Defence Status listed on the message of the day in Chat.E-UNI is DEFCON 1, the below rules are automatically in place.

Note the emphasis on alts to alleviate the restrictions placed on Unistas during war. Alts are easy to create, very useful, and can keep you from going stir crazy during war.

1. Communication: Anytime that you are in space and online, you must be on the Alliance voice server (currently Mumble) and able to hear. You do not have to be able to speak, just listen.
   1. Why: This is so that you can report any sightings or attacks as well as hear warnings from others should they be given. Of course, paying attention helps a lot as well.
2. Autopilot: You may use the Autopilot feature to highlight gates, but it cannot be used to fly your ship. It should not be turned on and allowed to warp the ship. All ship maneuvers must be executed by deliberate and manual direction from the pilot.
   1. Why: Autopilot makes a ship a fat target. It does not warp to zero (leaving you vulnerable far longer than it takes to catch you) and often means the pilot is not at the keyboard when his ship is in space, which isn’t allowed. If you are undocked, then you need to be there and aware so that you can fight or get your ship out of any type of dangerous situation.
3. Missions, ratting, exploration sites in k-space and complexes: These are forbidden during wartime. Missions may only be done under Relaxed SOP rules or through the use of an alt.
   1. Why: The reason these activities are not allowed is they are not safe. PVE ships are fit in ways that make them fragile to PVP ships and you can be scanned down in any mission, site or complex. All such activities do is hand free kills to our enemies. Ratting isn’t safe either, since you will be distracted and typically alone. So all such activities are banned.
   2. Alts: Your Uni toon can sit in a station with an agent, get a mission and give a Bookmark to an alt, then you can run the mission with your alt and have your Uni toon turn it in. The Uni toon NEVER undocks during this.
4. Hauling & Mining: You may not haul goods or mine in EVE during wartime.
   1. Why: Haulers make fat, slow targets, even cloaking ones. You can see from the Killboard that even Covert Ops have trouble getting away many times, so there’s no reason to put out big fat targets full of candy and beer for our enemies.
   2. Alts: Use an alt or courier contracts to move things around. If you need just a few modules, create an alt and contract them to him to move or use a contract and couriers. Many Unistas will happily haul things for free with their alts for their fellows.
5. AFK: You may not go AFK in space. This includes being at the POS. You MUST dock or log off. You cannot go AFK while cloaked.
   1. Why: Server glitches or random warp-ins can uncloak you and then you may be spotted and killed. This has happened in the past. So dock or log off when you need to go afk.
   2. Silentbrick: This one should be pretty self-explanatory, so if you feel the urge to go afk in space, let me know and I will happily nuke your ship and pod you. Then your corpse shall reside in glory on a meat-hook in Ubercado’s collection.
6. There is no six
7. Fleet Composition: Fleets should have 3 or more unique people (alts do not count). Covert scouts are encouraged but NOT required. You may use picket frigates instead of scouts. Fleets MUST use the Uni Mumble server for voice communications and FCs MUST have a microphone. FCs must also be sober. Fleets must follow normal Ivy League Fleet Composition rules.
   1. Why: War-targets declare war for easy ganks, and don't tend to fly alone so you won't find many one-on-ones. Solo Unistas are dead Unistas.
   2. Also: Aside from the 3+ (during war only) rule Combat fleets may be composed as the fleet commander wishes. This means if he wants a fleet of only ILN personnel, it’s possible. Conversely, a fleet of pure Non-ILN personnel works too. Or if they will all fly rifters or blackbirds etc. Just as we do not limit who may FC, we do not outlaw ways they can experiment with fleets either. Do however keep in mind that many wish to join and perhaps if you run a restricted fleet one day, run an unrestricted one the next.
   3. Silentbrick: The reasoning is as I put above, I prefer to avoid limiting how people can experiment, because if I set some limits, the number of rules grows and grows, so just keep it in mind that shutting people out can lead to people avoiding your fleets if you over-do it. And the ILN is required to have an ILN only patrol each week and a full uni patrol as well. The idea being the ILN one is more for smaller gang type fighting and the Full Uni for pirate crushing fleets of Doom.
8. Loot Logging: Must be enabled with ALL wartime fleets. Remember to save the log as well. War loot from Uni wrecks should be collected and given back to the owner if possible. If not, drop it into the ILN Hangar at PTS or CBT in Aldrat. War target loot must be collected and either contracted to Silentbrick at a high sec station or dropped into the ILN hangar . Fleets during peacetime may set their own loot policy or donate it to the ILN. Donating it in peacetime is NOT required.
   1. Why: War loot is sold and the proceeds used to fund ship replacements for those who lose their ships during wars
   2. Silentbrick: This really doesn’t need much explanation I think. You have a brain, use it :p
   3. See Also: War Loot Policy
9. Some Ships, Modules and Rigs are restricted without explicit written permission from the Fleet Admiral. Any ships found undocked which breach these restrictions are subject to the process listed in the Violations section and may be destroyed.
   • Prohibited ship classes:
     • Combat: Stealth Bomber, Interdictor, Command Ship, Marauder, Black Ops, Strategic Cruiser
     • Capital: Dreadnought, Carrier, SuperCarrier, Titan, Capital Industrial
     • Mining: Mining Frigate, Barge, Exhumer
     • Hauler: Industrial, Transport, Freighter, Jump Freighter
     • Other: Capsule, Faction Ships, Rare and Unique ships
   • Modules and Rigs:
     • All faction, deadspace and officer modules are prohibited.
     • It is suggested that faction ammunition should be used where possible.
     • Rigs are prohibited on Tech 1 frigates and destroyers.
     • All ships of Battlecruiser class, Battleship class and all Tech 2 ship classes must have a Tech 2 tank, and should be rigged wherever possible.
     • Tech 2 rigs must not be used under any circumstances.
     • Ships must be fully PvP fitted.
   1. Why: To prevent the enemy from winning an ISK war - the loss of an expensive ship outweighs the benefits of being able to use it.
   2. Silentbrick: Unfortunately, this is a long one. First off, faction/deadspace. These modules can be very effective and yet, having them means a huge pay day for the enemy if they drop. And since we’re not going to be playing fitting police, it’s easier to ban them all then checking for certain ones and picking this one is okay, this one is not. They are all banned. Rigs raise the cost on frigates and destroyers by 1-2 times the hull cost, at least, they just aren’t worth it on what we consider disposable ships. The reason certain T2 ships aren’t allowed is that they don’t add enough to our fleets to be worth the expensive risk. Command ships on the T2 MAY get written permission but you will need to have been in the Uni for a while, have nearly maxed out skills on everything needed and demonstrate in other fleets you are solid, reliable and careful. As for Cap ships, no Uni cap ship has ever been lost in combat and you do NOT want to be the first.
10. Undocking in Wartime - Unless you have a compelling reason to be undocked, you shouldn’t be during wartime. You should use the 24 hour period before the war goes live to test fits. There's a new command to let you change Overview settings in Station. But if there is not a lockdown and no WT's Online or in the region, you may undock to set BM's or spar or fit test so long as you do so at the required locations. (NOT at gates or stations) You should not be undocked unless in a fleet and directed to by your FC if there is wartargets in system. There is no reason to.
11. Inappropriate use of channels - Talking, questions, etc, in Alliance or Command.ILN or other channels. If someone asks a wrong question or speaks up in a channel they shouldn’t. DO NOT YELL, BERATE, or do anything other than politely explain this isn’t the proper channel or they shouldn’t ask that question there and direct them to the proper place. Do not spam the channel with symbols or other things either, those are reserved for fleet formation and announcements. Also, LEARN the names of the directors most likely to speak up in such channels so that you’re not politely trying to tell a director he can’t say things in Alliance. We do so when we think it’s necessary.
12. Communication in Local or with Wartargets - We do not talk in local to war targets or anyone else really during wartime. FC’s may allow a fleet to put GF (Good Fight) but nothing more. If a wartarget mails you, convo’s you, ignore it and do not accept. We do not speak to the war targets, except via our guns, lasers, drones and missiles. Leave talking with war targets to the diplomats.
13. Fleet Formation - Fleets should have 3 or more people. Covert scouts are encouraged but NOT required. You may use picket frigates instead of scouts. Fleets MUST use the Uni Mumble server for voice communications and FC’s MUST have a microphone. FC’s must also be sober.
14. Trade Hubs - Trade hubs are not strictly off limits. You are strongly encouraged to not sit in them during wartimes though and if we see rising losses again in Hubs to people who are NOT part of combat fleets, then we may ban Uni's from being there. Please do not abuse this and cause others grief by making it be reinstated. Shopping trips are not permitted.
    1. Silentbrick: The presence of Uni members attracts war targets, even if they are docked. Plus, far too many people have undocked during WT even after being told not too and they get killed. So do not stay there during the war. Train the right skills and you don't need to be there to do trading. Members needing things from hubs should purchase the items remotely and use courier contracts or have an alt move the items to Aldrat.
15. Fit testing and sparring' This should be done at safespots or planets or outside of the POS shield. Do NOT do it outside of stations, as it renders you unable to dock.
16. Dropping for War Uni members may drop for war without any punishment. This allows them to build up cash or take care of things if they do not wish to fight. After the war, simply put that you are re-entering after dropping for war and you will be pulled back quickly.
17. 'Rules of Engagement RoE must be followed at all times. You MUST have blues set to show before Outlaw, some pirates are our friends and you need to know not to shoot them. Following the standard Uni overview setup is recommended, as is Pod Saver overview.

During Relaxed SOP Only

The "Relaxed SOP" is a modification to the Default SOP which allows E-UNI members to engage in limited PvE activity without dropping from the corporation. Management will notify E-UNI members when Relaxed SOP is in effect via the Message of the Day Chat.E-UNI and an EVE-mail to the alliance.

1. Missioning (agent missions) may be run in a fleet of at least three E-UNI members.
2. All fleet members must be together on the same grid (i.e. in the same mission space)
3. All ships must be fitted for PvP combat, and be ready to engage a hostile target.
4. Courier/mining/non-combat missions are still prohibited and must be performed using an out-of-corp alt.
5. Should wartargets enter the system, you must dock immediately.
6. Ratting, Complexes, Exploration sites are still prohibited in k-space.
7. All other rules remain in place as listed in the Default SOP.

Non Fleet Operations and Lockdowns

Non Fleet Activities

Non fleet activities are those which are not conducted while a member of a fleet, such as testing ship loadouts, setting bookmarks and configuring the overview. These are the defaults, unless overridden with a lockdown for the specific area.

• You may undock, but any activity which leaves you stationary or with split focus must be done at the POS.
• At all times that you are undocked, you must watch the local chat channel and must either dock or enter the POS shield if war-targets enter the system.
• Travel during wartime IS permitted, unless there is a lock down. In order to travel, you must do one of two things.
  • You must use a frigate (combat) or shuttle. Newbie ships are okay but not ideal and you really should use something else. This is the ONLY way you may travel alone.
  • You must fit anything bigger than a frigate in a travel configuration. Warp Core Stabilizers in the lows, buffer tank in the mids, along with MWD or Afterburner if possible. You must also have a picket or scout. This can be someone in a combat frigate or shuttle, or a covert frigate (Not a bomber). You must be fleeted and the scout/picket moving ahead of you. If wartargets are spotted, both of you must dock. The larger ship should carry it’s combat modules in it’s cargo hold.

Lockdowns

Lockdowns may be called by ILN ranks Captain and up, managers in dire need, and Directors.

• Lockdowns mean any NON-fleet activity is no longer allowed and all pilots MUST be docked unless in a combat fleet and ordered to be undocked by their FC.
• Once the wartargets are gone, the lockdown should be lifted by the one calling it or another who may call one.
• The only people allowed in space during a lockdown are combat fleets hunting the wartargets in system.
• If there is a lockdown in an area, you may not travel into or out of the lockdown area, except via clone jump.

Promoted Activities

It is expected that the majority of those declaring war on E-UNI will fail to prosecute it fully, leaving times when there are no war-targets to hunt. With this in mind, the following options are available at all times, including during lockdowns:

1. Fleet operations in LoSec and NullSec. There are always pirates and other hostiles to hunt.
2. Wormhole Operations. Unless expressly forbidden, you may plunder combat sites in wormholes during wartime. No mining is permitted and all ships must be combat PVP fitted*. Cloaking scouts to keep an eye on the WH are required and these scouts should be on the WH side and not in k-space unless you have a second scout. Ships should fight aligned if possible. During Wartime, salvage destroyers/battlecruisers /may/ be used in WH fleets. These ships MUST fit a cloaking device however and sit cloaked at a safe spot until time to salvage and MUST be guarded while salvaging. This is the ONLY exception. Salvage dessies used in WH fleets MAY be rigged. Noctis may be used provided they are also fitted with a cloak. If we see significant losses, this may be revoked.
   • Wormhole space is 0.0 space. However there are significant risks posed by neutral locals. Negative standing to the Uni may be fired on at will in WH's. Blue standing people NOT operating as part of a Uni fleet should be asked to leave. Neutrals in non combat ships should be asked to leave. Neutral combat ships may be fired upon without warning. Any such incident, the FC should save the logs of all convo's, local and mails to be provided to Irdalth and Silentbrick for review.
3. Station Trading. Remember that moving cargo (items not for your current ship) is prohibited while using an E-UNI character, and the Daytrading, Marketing and Procurement skills allow you to trade remotely. Shopping trips are prohibited.
4. Use of an out-of-corp character or alt for Missions, Mining and Hauling. Many missions may be accepted on your E-UNI character but performed with an alt.
5. Dropping form E-UNI and rejoining at the end of the war. There are no penalties for this, and those doing so retain access to the channels and majority of resources of E-UNI.

Violations

In the event of a violation of the above restrictions, ILN personnel are to follow the process below, leading to destruction of a members ship and pod if they do not respond.

If at any time the subject 'wakes up', then must be ordered to dock immediately, or if the subject refuses to cooperate, or a war-target appears on-grid, then the personnel are authorised to skip straight to destruction of the subjects ship or pod.

1. Try to convo, evemail and get their attention via alliance and corp chat.
2. Fire a single warning shot.
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Warp scram and web target, fire second shot.
5. Wait 30 seconds.
6. Destroy ship.
7. Collect loot, vaporize or salvage the wreck immediately and place the remains on contract to the subject.
8. Repeat with Pod if needed.

This may seem harsh, but denying the war-targets kills of the 'easy targets' they expect has shown to end the war significantly quicker than normal, and there can be no excuse for not knowing the rules.

Clarifications

Below are expanded and clarified elements of the EVE University Rules and SOP. It is also suggested that members check the Do's and Don'ts During War article for tips and explanations as to why the rules are as they are.

Communications

1. Remember that no communication channels are ever 100% secure, so ensure that all information on targets or fleet composition is limited to Corp and Alliance channels. Remember to mention the formation of the fleet in the private Chat.E-UNI channel for any members who are logged in on alts.
2. It is important that all members ensure they do not discuss the war anywhere other than the private E-UNI channels and forums. This rule includes any alts and those who have left E-UNI for the duration of the war and expect to return.
3. Only Directors may talk to war targets in the local channel. Let your modules do the talking for you.
4. As you never know if a war target is in local with an alt, there is to be no communication in local at any time, other than directors.
5. Fleet Commanders are authorized to say "GF" (good fight) in local after combat, or to answer questions from neutrals regarding the fleet. That is all.
6. Actions or behavior that damage the morale of E-UNI is not permitted. If you do not like the restrictions, then you may leave for the duration of the war and still retain access to the majority of resources. Repeated issues may end up with a director doing this for you, and may adversely affect your ability to return.

Pickets, Scouting and Exploration

Commonly confused, pickets and scouting are similar with with differing purposes.

Picketing

A picket will typically sit static and cloaked on the far side of a gate or similar location, providing early warning in the event of an incoming war-target. Picket frigates not part of a fleet operation should always sit at least 175-250km away from the gate in a random direction, not aligned with any celestial objects. They also typically fly a Tackler Frigate fitted with a Tech 1 prototype cloak and 'travel' fit.

Scouting

Scouting is the act of moving ahead of a fleet, providing intel as to the state of the next location, or following the fleet one jumb behind, to identify any pursuing targets. Scouts must fly a T2 Covert Ops Frigate with a Covert Ops Cloak and be certified through the ILN only training program. Stealth bombers are not to be used as scouts. Scouts must be attached to a fleet at all time - scouting solo is pointless - and scouts do not engage in combat at any time, maintaining their cloak at all times. Because they should never be visible, experienced scouts flying the relevant ship may use a Faction probe launcher at their discretion. Non certified pilots in Covert Ops Frigs during wartime will be subject to the same violations procedure as those flying restricted ships.

Exploration

Exploration, often confused with scouting, is the act of using a scan-probe launcher to locate wormholes or exploration sites. This should be done either from the POS, or a deep safespot in a combat ship. Alternatively use out-of-corp alts to identify wormholes, and members are reminded that all exploration sites are off-limits in k-space. Remember that you must still be in an active fleet, and they must be with you during the scans.

Requests for Clarification

All requests for clarification must be made directly to the directors. If in doubt, avoid the element which is unclear until clarified.

Further Reading

• Wartime Checklist
• Dos and Don'ts During War

Explanations

For new players, its not immediately obvious why the rules are as they are. Below are some explanations to some of the more common questions.