Ghost Sites

A ghost site in space

Ghost sites are pirate facilities which can be hacked (like data and relic sites), but which have unique mechanics which set them apart. They were introduced in the Rubicon expansion.

Finding a Ghost site

Ghost sites can be found using the system scanner, without needing to use probes. They shows up as cosmic anomalies (type: combat sites), and occur in all categories of space (hi-sec, low-sec, null-sec and wormhole). They show up in the anomaly list as "<size> <faction> Covert Research Facility". The <size> is solely dependent on the security status of the system:

• "Lesser" in high-sec
• "Standard" in low-sec
• "Improved" in null-sec
• "Superior" in wormholes

When a ghost site is entered a pop-up message shows up that warns the capsuleer that the site is dangerous.

Getting Loot

When you enter the site a timer is started (unless you warp in cloaked). The time is random and not shown, but it seems that the more ships are in the site at once, the longer the timer (in practice, if running a site solo, you will generally have enough time to hack and loot 2 cans before the timer expires). Because of the limited time it is a good idea to use a cargo scanner and look at the loot in the cans first. The stashes are opened by the hacking mini game known from data and relic sites - however, unlike data and relic sites, once the hack is complete, you can loot the structure directly instead of having to scoop up cans. The hacking difficulty is comparable to the difficulty of hacking a data or relic site in a system with the same security status. If you fail your hacking attempt, all the containers in the site will explode immediately (see also below).

Rats

After the timer expires (irrespective of how many containers you have hacked), rats (based on the local pirate population) will show up to defend the site. These rats are worth no bounties.

They do a considerable amount of damage (based on System Sec Status) that can reach 2000+ raw damage and they may use warp scramblers.

Explosion

A short time (approx. 30 seconds) after the rats warp in, all the structures in the site explode, dealing explosive damage. Once this happens, any remaining rats will de-agress and warp off.

This explosion damage seems to be around 5000 - 6000 raw explosive damage and is of course based on your ship's distance to the cans.

How Should I Fit?

Which ships are good?
The recommended ships are the Maller and the Vexor for T1 ships. But any armor tanked cruiser with atleast 3 midslots will work.

Why no shield?
Shield ships require alot of midslots for resist modules and the shield extenders you need to survive the explosion and the rats and since you need 3 mids for other modules the buffer and tank of a shield cruiser simply isnt recommended.

What about the stratios or a T3?
These ships are very good not only for ghost sites but for exploration in general, however they are expensive and the T3's require alot of skills. Also be aware that the Eve University is often at war and these ships make juicy targets!

The 3 midslots you need are the following:

• Microwarpdrive. This will allow you to burn to the containers faster and will increase your chances of getting more cans opened and looted before the timer runs out.

• Cargo Scanner. This will allow you to identify the can with the best loot! This is important because you will only have time to get 2, maybe 3 cans at most!

• Data or Relic Analyzer. Without it you simply wont be able to get anything from these sites. You only need one so pick the one you ahve the best skills with. It is advised (but not required) to use a T2 Analyzer for these sites since they're harder to hack than normal exploration sites, specially if you're using unbonused hulls (like the Vexor or the Maller).

The tank:
This will work for all areas of hi sec space regardless of pirate faction!
The recommended fitting is as follows:

• 1x 1600mm Armor Plate

• 1x Medium Armor Repairer

• 2x Energizes Adaptive Membranes

• 1x Anti-Explosive Armor Pump I

Less might do but with this you will survive! While not critical a Damage Control is always a good idea.

It might seem counter intuitive to fit both a plate and a repairer, but remember that without decent buffer the explosion might hurt you and the repairer will keep you alive when the rate start shooting you. you might be fine with just the plate or the reparier in hi sec but when you move on to other parts of space both will be needed. Having the repairer is also a cheap way to fix armor damage.

It is worth remembering that the explosion of the cans is ALWAYS explsosive damage, but the rats will deal damage according to their faction! So tank accordingly!

• Guristas - Kinetic / Thermal
• Serpentis - Kinetic / Thermal
• Blood Raider - EM / Thermal
• Sansha's Nation - EM / Thermal
• Angel Cartel - Explosive / Kinetic