Wartime Operations in EVE University

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This page is a consolidation of a number of existing or former existing wiki pages regarding wartime operations and EVE University.

There are many contributors for this material.

Wars are prevalent throughout New Eden, and despite operating and maintaining neutrality in High Security space, Eve University, along with it's expanding activities outside of Hi Sec space, receives its share of wars. War declarations and war are a valid game mechanic and war is a significant feature of EVE Online. This is something you are encouraged to get used to.

The reasons why the Uni/Ivy become the target of a wardec are normally just due to the fact that we're a large corporation that can often be seen as an easy target. Rarely are wardecs made against the Uni for specific reasons or diplomatic incidences.

Whether you are new or an experienced pilot, the University finds its strength in numbers. All University members, especially new, are highly encouraged to participate in wartime activities as the tackling or EWAR roles require only hours of training to fulfill and provide valuable support to the fleet. Even if PvP is not your primary game style you will learn a great deal and have some fun.

You can enjoy doing a lot of your favourite PvE activities in wartime especially when you exercise some basic routine precautions. You can also avoid the effects of wartime given your choice of where you decide to operate. Preparation and knowledge is the key.

Wartime Operations in EVE University

The Basics

To prepare yourself it is expected that you take some responsibility and read through this material and any links offered within. If the Uni is currently at war please remain docked if you are active on your Uni character while reviewing this information.

First a word on war and EVE Online

Wars in EVE Online are either declared or undeclared. The best way to think of every player corp, alliance, and coalition in the game is that they are perpetually in a state of undeclared war, and the only things stopping them from shooting at each other are diplomatic settings ("Blues" typically non-aggression pacts, set as +5's, or allies, set as +10's) which are subject to player error/failure/accidentally/Awoxing, risk assessment, other readiness factors, gate guns and station guns in low-sec, and CONCORD intervention in hi-sec, and sec status loss to aggressor pilots in low and high. You can even think of each individual pilot as a potential target, or more importantly a potential enemy/aggressor. In Null-sec and W-space it is a virtual war environment even without the game mechanic of a war declaration having been made.

War Declaration is the game mechanic where the aggressor pays a scaled fee to CONCORD so that hostilities may commence between themselves and the target player corp/alliance. There are a variety of reasons why an aggressor corp/alliance would use this mechanic. When it comes to EVE University/Ivy League as the target it is often due to the large number of pilots we have that can make easy targets in hi-sec. At times a wardec may occur for the purpose of actually have decent and fun larger scale fights. Often, in the first case, there is nothing the Uni or leadership of the Uni/Ivy can do to prevent or prosecute a successful war strategy or bring a perma-dec to a conclusion. If there have been diplomatic reasons or concerns then you can trust that the leadership, especially the Diplomacy department, are working on a solution. Sometimes wars are declared for role-playing purposes.

For the newer player

"Welcome to EVE Online. If you are not busy looking for ways to kill, harass, or at least mildly inconvenience another player, you got a lot of catching up to do.

Remember: Hi-sec is safer, not safe. CONCORD provides consequences, not security. EVE Online provides a "PVP FLAG" button. It's labeled and known as the "Undock" button. EVE Online is, at its core, a (non-consensual) PVP game." -Unnamed CCP Dev

The above has been paraphrased from the forums with credit to a number of veteran players.

The best thing you can do as a newer player (or even a veteran who is not PvP oriented) is to leave behind the idea that some portions of space should be (100%) safe. The various security definitions of Empire Space are not meant to refer to safety, but rather the risk and challenge a potential aggressor may face. Declaring war is a valid mechanic to mitigate those risks and challenges.

Another myth is that our losses fund and even perpetually fund any given war or series of wars ongoing against the Uni. Aggressors earn their ISK just like everyone else.

Rules & Policies Checklist

Unless stated in a Wartime SOP, should there be one, regulations not overwritten by that Wartime SOP still apply. For example, you still cannot engage blues even if they are flashing in your overview unless a Fleet Commander directs otherwise. Please note that the WSOP has undergone many changes from being a very restrictive set of rules under different game mechanics and a smaller scope of the Uni to being a locus on information and advice on how to survive while a member of an expanded Uni.

If you are unhappy with wartime in the Uni or the WSOP you should consider dropping from the Uni for part of the war. Please note that some wardecs may be renewed for several weeks, and you're always welcome to return to the Uni instead of sitting out the duration. If you have roles you can simply resign those via the "Quit corporation" from right-clicking on yourself in chat, and you'll be able to quit the Uni to an NPC corporation immediately, and if you're looking to join another player corp you'll be able to accept invites to them immediately. If you "quit" via the Corporation UI window then the mechanics will place you in a 24 hour stasis prior to your being able to leave. You should know that any player corporation can be war decced so the only "safe" corporations from war are non Factional Warfare NPC Corporations. Please note that depending on circumstances it can take a bit of time to get back into the Uni.


Operations During Wartime

Below we will cover the two styles of operations. These are completely up to you to choose to participate in. You're more than welcome to partake in any activities you wish.

The first section, Surviving against War Targets, covers how you can safely operate in space in a non-PvP stance and avoid needless losses. By adopting these as your personal outlook you should rarely, if ever, lose a ship to war targets doing PvE. Impatience and thinking you'll be safe are the quickest ways to lose ships needlessly.

The key is applying some common sense and to not take unnecessary risks.

The second section, Preparing to Fight, is to help you prepare for PvP activities against the war targets. You may not get a lot of action, but you will learn. Losing ships to war targets in PvP fleets is perfectly acceptable and if you're active in PvP this should be expected.

The key is learning from your mistakes and experiences.

Surviving against War Targets

Surviving against the enemy is really just a matter of common sense and taking on some basic precautions and steps which are all pointed out in our Tips For War wiki page. In this section we'll highlight some of the steps you should take. These things are especially valuable to you if you are not partaking in PvP activities or fleets.

Stay in touch

Make sure that you get onto Mumble in an appropriate channel, and get into a standing fleet if available. This will help provide you with real-time information on possible enemy threats as well as mutual support from your fellow students and members. Open up and pay attention to the intel channels and tools.

Local and Watchlists

You can read up on this link how to identify war targets in local and set up a watchlist. This is an excellent page. If you have followed and set up your Overview to Uni standards you will be able to very easily identify war targets (and other valid targets) in Local with the exception of wormhole space. You will always want to keep a weather eye on Local to minimize your risk. You will note that trade hubs and other high population systems will have large numbers in local and this will make non PvP operations there very risky. If you don't want to risk losing things and non PvP ships while solo or in non PvP groups (and end up looking bad and the subject of light-hearted ridicule) then take Local seriously and avoid obvious target rich environments.

You should set up watchlists (not to be confused with watchlists used in fleet operations) so that you can get an idea of which war targets are online and which are off. Keep in mind that if all war target pilots are showing as offline this does not mean they aren't watching. Many active PvP corps and pilots will use out-of-corp (OCC) alts to remain online and passively watch for opportunities to spring traps and get kills and tears.

D-Scan

"I'm not actively PvPing - I don't need to use D-Scan"

Sadly that's not the case. D-Scan is arguably one of the most misunderstood tools at your disposal, but with just a few minutes practice you can add D-Scanning to your arsenal of tools to avoid War Targets.

When undocked and operating in space your directional scanner as part of your onboard scanner, or D-Scan, is your best friend. You can read the most excellent Directional Scanner Guide and quickly learn how to use this invaluable tool. There are some great videos on Youtube including a couple of excellent, but dated ones by our very own Seamus Donohue. D-Scan will allow you to monitor what's around you in system in space. You'll be able to quickly tell if someone is trying to scan you down.

  • War Targets (just like everyone else) have alt characters, and they can easily be in an NPC corporation. They could be on your Overview right now, providing a warp point for a war target gang.
    • "But I'm in a PvE site. How can they find me?" The war target alt is probably scanning you down with combat probes. So, if you see Combat Probes on D-Scan, warp out and dock. Be paranoid - assume that those Combat Probes are looking for you!!
    • "But there's no War Targets in the system?!?" Are you certain? Maybe that war target IS in the system; he's just not logged in. Right now he's using his alt to probe down your location, he then logs into his war target character, undocks and warps to your location... meaning that you're probably about to be killed.

The bottom line is: You never know. So, as a rule of thumb, if you see combat probes on d-scan, DOCK. Don't wait, don't assume that you're being paranoid - just dock. Remember: some people think they need to be on grid with you to be able to hunt you down. They don't and they won't be.

Keep D-scanning. Press that button every 5 to 10 seconds.

  • It is also important that you change the name of your ship(s) from the default they are given when you assemble them. The default contains your name and the ship name, and it makes it easy for the enemy when using D-Scan to identify you and the ship you are in.

PvE Safety

You can enjoy PvE activities in relative safety. All you have to do is exercise some basics and precautions. Naturally the risk is there and it complicates things but that is the price of war.

  • Think like the enemy. Consider what they see as a target rich environment. What do YOU see as common sense places to hunt for Uni members?
  • Avoid trade hubs and common routes. Mission, mine, explore, run incursions away from places that the war targets see as target rich systems. This includes Aldrat.
  • Use Jump Clones for travel flexibility from Uni HQ (and other locations) to your favorite "away from home" PvE areas.
  • Avoid hauling on your Uni character. Use an OOC (out-of-corp) Alt Hauler or ask around as many members have them and are willing to help you.
  • Hang out in relevant Mumble channels. This will depend on your activity and location.
  • Follow the points above and the tips for wartime.

The Nature of our Enemies

Often the purpose of a wardec against the Uni is to provide a target rich environment for the aggressing corp/alliance. To that end they tend to often hang around in trade hubs and on the common routes in and out, looking to pop easy targets of their target corporations/alliances. What this means to you is that you should not enter or travel to these places on your Uni character unless you're deliberately going there to look for PvP with the high probability of dying.


Where can I hang out?

Whether you're active in the war with PvP or just continuing to do your thing PvE wise there are a few choice places you can hang around.

In game - where to base yourself

It can be very important where you base yourself in game. Many members feel that it is necessary to base in Aldrat when in fact, it's not. There is no need to base yourself in Aldrat. Being in Aldrat has its advantages for corp hangars and the POS, and its disadvantages in that it's an obvious target system for our enemies, and most campuses operate at a "distance" from Aldrat. It is strongly suggested that you set up at least one jump clone and base it in Aldrat. This will give you flexibility as to where you can be and if Aldrat is getting "camped" at least you can come and go without actually having to be in space. All the campuses operate corp hangars and many members will help you with any basic ships, items, or ammo that you need. The Uni now operates a Highsec Group for those interested in operating with fellow Unistas in high security space.

You also want to avoid basing yourself in or very near trade hubs. These hubs are natural rally and congestion points for the enemy to easily find and kill you. You will want to use an OOC alt to do business in these hubs. Obtaining jump clones while in the Uni during wartime may be somewhat difficult due to the travelling that is involved. For those not yet members you will want to join Estel Arador Corp Services (be sure to see if they are at war since many griefers will wardec them for more easy kills) as they have standings with many NPC corps with hundreds of stations that you can install jump clones at, including Caldari Business Tribunal, who have a station in Aldrat with medical facilities. EACS will invite you in within a day or so and then remove you within a few days. Current Unistas can also take advantage of this. If you do so during wartime be advised you'll be out of the Uni at least a week but you will have the highest priority for getting back in.

You can also consider staying out of hi sec and getting involved in low sec (LSC), null sec (NSC), or the hi sec pocket in Solitude. If you have the requirements you can also get involved in W-space via the WHC. Many wardeccers avoid leaving hi sec simply because it becomes complicated for them, and the dynamics change.

The Highsec Group

The Highsec Group is the Uni's newest unofficial campus. It's a high security space location for those interested in mutual support and high sec operations that are located near to our LSC and NSC campuses. You will want to be in the HSG Mumble channel and join the HSG Standing Fleet. A lot of activities can take place within hisec during wartime and the best way to do these is with mutual support.

Operation: Fortress

Operation: Fortress can be the ideal place if you're hanging around the Aldrat area. It is not meant to be a dedicated PvP fleet nor provide a rescue resource should you find yourself caught by war targets. It's there as a mutual channel and fleet to provide some element of defense in and around Aldrat. Consider it a fleet of opportunity.

The various EVE University Campuses

Each campus maintain their own standing fleets and channels and in wartime they will do their best to coordinate with other elements of EVE University.

Going it solo

If you're going do things solo and not join in on available standing fleets, nor bother getting into Mumble, it's very important that you're not hanging around campus areas, especially in hisec. You'll become a casualty and no one will be able to help you. You will want to be operating as far away as you can from the more common Uni areas in hisec. Chances are less that a war target will be looking for you specifically considering when they can go to more common areas and get kills on lone Unistas there.

Going it solo is never recommended, but we can't force you to get involved otherwise.


Preparing to Fight

Choosing a Role

For new players, this is the least skill intensive and easiest role to fulfill. The role of a tackler is to immobilize an enemy and prevent them from escaping. Interceptors also fall into the role of tacklers, as their main job is to track and lock down targets quickly.

Another new player friendly role, electronic warfare is of high demand for Uni fleets. Read the guide for detailed explanations on each electronic warfare module.

Generally not recommended for new players, damage dealing requires a good amount of gunnery, missile, and related support skills. It is not about the biggest ship you can fly, it is about what ships you can fly well. At minimum, you must be able to fly a Cruiser and have the ability to work with EFT to improve and understand your ship.

Logistics (Logi) are ships (ideally cruisers and above) that use modules to remotely heal other ships. Like Damage Dealers, this is not recommended for new players, although it is easier to get into. Requires good engineering, fitting, and tanking skills.

Preparing Your Ship

Before fitting out your ship you'll want to have a basic understanding of PvP fitting. You can review our Fitting Guide or the page for the specific ship (eg Atron) to help your understanding. Frigates (Tech 1) and modules (Meta 0) are available at the Uni HQ, Pator Tech School Hangar. If you do not have access, ask in Corp chat for someone to grab the items you require. You should also use the Eve Fitting Tool to test out your fits.

The best place to find fits is on the EVE University PvP Ship Loadout forum. It is important to know how to search the forums efficiently with the Advanced Search feature, see the How to Search the Ship Loadout Forum thread for details.

Example fittings can be found in-game via NeoCom > Fitting > Browse > Drop-Down Menu: Corporation Fittings or on the wiki with these race specific guides:

Please note that any fits are submitted by volunteers and the task of keeping all fits current is very daunting. Don't take the Uni fits as gospel and try to use a balance of other resources. Be sure to ask in appropriate channels.

Note that the Uni has a Ship Replacement Program, allowing players to request or replace ships to be used for PVP fleets. Please understand the terms and conditions before you use the program.

Final Preparations

  • Make sure your medical clone is up to date so you do not lose valuable skill points.
  • Clean Jump Clones can help you protect your implants. Create one in advance. The closest jump clone facilities accessible using corporation standings are at minimum 25 jumps from Aldrat.
  • It is recommended you move your combat clone to Aldrat and consider others for any other base of operations for wartime PvP activity.
  • Read the Mumble Guide, and set up Mumble with the proper settings.

Fleet Operations

  • Configure your overview according to the Uni standard by reading the Overview Guide. This is a must. Keep in mind you can create custom Overview settings for your own use but you will need to have the current standard Uni settings ready to use.
  • DO NOT encourage new members to join fleets until they have read and understand all of the following. Please do not answer simple questions such as "how to X up", instead refer people to the relevant links on the wiki to make sure they actually read them properly instead of simply jumping into a fleet five minutes after they join Uni. Obviously assisting with clarification if they do not understand something is fine ;)
  • Read The Rookie's Guide To Fleet Ops.
    • If you wish to form a fleet, also read Fleet Formation and Intel and How to properly form a fleet.
    • FCs, WCs, and SCs should read the Fleet Checklist and Fleet Leadership - you do NOT need in-game leadership skills to perform these roles. You will however need a microphone and be willing to use it.
    • Keep questions and chatter out of the Alliance channel. Questions should be made in Mess.ILN or Command.ILN. Chatter and questions in Alliance just slow down fleet formation and just make things frustrating.
    • Do not talk about fleet locations (or your own, for that matter) outside of your fleet channel. Yes, that does mean you cannot tell a fleet where you are until you have joined it or the FC has convoed you.
    • Do not ask "are there any fleets running" - if they are, they should not be communicating with you. Wait for a new one to be called in Alliance.
    • Many fleets will use a fleet advert. These will show up as a link in Alliance and all you need do is click on that link and you'll be invited in (unless the fleet is closed or full).
    • If you "X up" in Alliance and are not given a fleet invite, make a polite reminder. If you are still not invited please just wait for the next fleet or consider taking out your own. Many fleets may have restricted space, or it may simply be a new FC who missed your request in the multitude. Also note that FCs are under no obligation to take everyone that X's up. Missing a fleet is not the end of the world. Simply wait for the next, or start your own. Do not get upset or take it personally.

Fleet Formation

  • Anyone may form a fleet during wartime. EVE University and the ILN make no restrictions on who may initiate or lead a fleet.
  • Fleets once formed should avoid being listed in Fleet Finder must not have any Open Fleet Invites as this draws the attention of enemy intelligence. Any wartime fleet adverts should not include information in their names that give away information.
  • Fleets must be held in fleet op rooms or in specific (ideally password protected) On Demand channels in Mumble that restrict access to members of the Ivy League Alliance. Keep in mind that our Mumble servers are very open to the rest of the EVE Online community.
  • Travel Advisories are posted to deter UNI presence in certain systems. Please check your EVEmail and the Alliance Bulletins (NeoCom > Corporations > Alliance > Bulletins) prior to departing with a fleet.
  • Fleet Commanders must set up the key Bindings as needed for Fleet channels as per Key Bindings for Fleet channels on Mumble.

After the Fleet

  • Fleet Commanders should ensure they or a surrogate post an After Action Report.
  • Fleet members should remember to comment on any kills or losses as this is helpful for all and is important for Title progression.

Don't worry if you went out and lost your ship, or if leading, wiped your fleet. This is okay. Learn from it and have fun. Flaming or raging at fleet members or FCs for mistakes will not be tolerated. Failure to repeatedly follow an FC or their delegate's commands will also not be tolerated. This is why it's so important that you have prepared yourself as per the above. This is the Uni and we want to exercise patience with everyone.


Communications

War can be very exciting and many members and others will have questions and other curiosity about war. It's important that you keep your communications appropriate and be mindful of whom you may be talking to.

.E-UNI Channels and Mumble

The majority of official Uni channels are password protected. Passwords only keep out the lazy and uninformed. It is widely known that our passwords are often given out both inadvertently and deliberately. It is very easy for a determined enemy to obtain this information and/or get an alt into the Uni. You should assume that alts are planted in the Uni and guide your communications accordingly. Both Ivy members and alumni have a right to the current password. Never provide anyone the password but rather give them this forum link Password. If they have access then they can get the password. Passwords are also provided in the NeoCom > Corporation > Alliances > Bulletins in game.

  • It can be common to see war targets (alumni) or even known alts in channels such as Chat.E-UNI. They can get a lot of information on what's being said in these channels. It's perfectly fine to have respectful and fun conversations with them. Just avoid war specific chat. You will also find them in our Mumble channels. Again, this is perfectly fine. EVE University is a very open community so just keep that in mind.
  • If you find a war target or war target alt acting inappropriately in a channel or on Mumble contact someone in Management so that they can take appropriate steps.

.ILN Channels and Mumble

The majority of our .ILN channels are set for Ivy members only and thus are not password protected. These channels are more ideal for you to ask questions and such about a war or appropriate questions about operations. Mess.ILN is a PvP oriented chat channel and sometimes fleet formation will be directed into here to keep Alliance clear. Command.ILN is also another channel where fleet formation can occur.

  • Mumble ILN fleet rooms. Please be mindful that you're not sitting in a fleet channel when you shouldn't be. If you are not part of a given fleet please get permission from the FC if you want to listen in. Please note that this will be rarely granted. The fleet rooms are set that they will only allow Ivy members into them. On demand channels can be created and given a password if needed.
  • Please note that in fleets often what will happen is that "Combat Comms" may become the norm. What this means is that you can expect swearing on occasion with the excitement of combat. Aside from this occasional swearing please be respectful of the Eve University Community Standards. If a fleet Mumble channel does not get a non-ECS tag please don't freak out if there is the occasional swear.
  • LiveIntel.ILN is a specific channel with a separate password. The purpose of this channel is for members, alumni, and friendly alts to provide specific intelligence on war targets. Keep in mind that the information provided is only as good as the moment before the person posts a report. DO NOT ask questions or request intel in here, and don't provide running commentary, killmails, etc. in the channel. Avoid fragmentary intel as this will not be helpful in a lot of cases. Keep in mind that people keep this channel toggled to blink so unnecessary chat is very frustrating. This channel is not the be all and end all of what war targets are up to. It is only a tool try and be of help as part of the larger picture and practices of surviving war.

Other chat channels and voice comms

War targets may attempt to engage you in conversations and/or invite you into their channels and voice comms. You should only do so when you're not involved in a fleet operation or in combat. Please keep your chat civil and avoid getting involved in smack-talk. Should they speak to you or request information about the conduct of a given war you need to refer them to the Diplomacy department and the Diplomacy.E-UNI channel.

Mailing Lists

Mailing lists are often used to mass communicate internally to departments, campuses, and other groups. Please note that mailing lists are notorious for proper membership maintenance. Be mindful of what you broadcast on these lists.

Forums

The Uni has specific forums where war related discussions can occur. Be mindful of posting anything in the public sections of the forum. This is not so much for security but for keeping the discussion appropriate. The forums are not the place to bitch about wars against the Uni or any perceived prosecution of a war by the Uni. Since the Uni allows each member to determine their own course of action the Uni itself does not form strategies so please don't expect one. Keep in mind that our Rules cover what you can post about in non-Uni forums.

Reporting Intel

Under no circumstances should the location of any Uni Fleet or Wartarget be reported in any of the standard Uni channels (this includes Alliance and Corp). The enemy often sneak an alt in as a new member during wartime to monitor these channels.

All intel should be reported to your Fleet Commander. If you do not have a Fleet Commander (due to not being in a fleet), check your Alliance mail for alternatives.

The only channel that should be considered "secure" during wartime is the Fleet channel for the fleet you are currently in.

Intel may be reported in the LiveIntel.ILN chat channel. The password for this can be found under NeoCom > Corporation > Alliances > Bulletins. This channel is to be used only for the reporting of war targets and their known OOC alts. Here you will also find information about our current Intel mailing list.

There is also the EVE University Intel Map. Please read through the thread on how to use this tool.

  • Important Caveat! Please note that any and all intel reporting is stale and unreliable the moment it is reported. War targets can easily have moved on, reinforced a system, set gate camps, or logged off by the time you read and absorb the information. The purpose of reporting intel is to help develop as "live" as possible a picture of recent war target activity. It is not absolute and nor is it fool-proof. Just because you don't see information about war targets in any given system or region doesn't mean those places are safe.

While we appreciate that people may wish to help out by reporting Intel, any valuable tactical information reported in Alliance or Corp channels (or any other method that reaches the entire uni membership) will most likely have the following effects:

  • Nobody will wish to act on said intel, as it is no longer of value once it has been widely disseminated across the Uni membership.
  • Any existing operations relying on the enemy not knowing that we are aware of this intel will likely have to be cancelled.
  • Alliance is a far less secure channel since DUST University, our DUST 514 corp is a member of that channel, and any and all DUST Mercs who apply for membership there are allowed in.

With a membership as large and open as ours, it is usually safe to assume that the enemy does have at least one alt or friend among us. Keeping intel "need to know" reduces the chance of leaks.

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