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New Player: Basics for ratting in Combat Sites and High Sec?
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Botto delaser
Kite Co. Space Trucking
#1 - 2013-07-22 18:16:19 UTC
Hope this is the right forum for this!

I just picked up the game in the Steam Sale and have finished the tutorial and am halfway through the career tutorials.

I'm thinking (based on the WTD chart) that I'd like to get into doing Combat Signatures for fun.

Can I get some thoughts or direction on:


  • Skill build. What are the minimum skills I'll need to do High Sec Combat Signatures?
  • Ship build. What is the minimum ship type and build I should have in order to be able to effectively go in and kill the rats and their base?
  • How to. Basically, how do I pursue combat signatures? I'm thinking about just jumping from system to system, seeing if there are any 'green' signatures, jumping in, killing stuff, then repeating. Is that the right approach? Are there any special scans needed for these signatures? Seems like they just pop up on my map without having to even probe anything for pinpointing.


Please keep in mind that I'm totally willing/preferring to do High Sec stuff for now, even if it isn't the most efficient, since I'm just learning and playing for fun, not max isk/hour.

Much appreciated!
Tauranon
Weeesearch
CAStabouts
#2 - 2013-07-23 01:36:02 UTC  |  Edited by: Tauranon
There are 3 types of combat sites.

1 - anomolies
2 - unrated combat sites
3 - ded complexes.

unrateds and deds don't appear on overview by default, have to be probed down.

highsec anoms do appear on the initial scan by default, don't need to be probed, occasionally have faction rats - my experience ~1 in 20 anoms. Occasionally escalate, my experience 1 in 80 anoms. Both are very streaky, ie you can do 50 or more anoms without a faction rat, and 150 anoms or more without an escalation and then get 3 nearly in a row. They escalate to a ded plex, its likely to be in lowsec.

highsec unrateds, are fairly likely to escalate, are fairly likely (in some cases guarenteed) to have a faction rat, the escalation is a chain, the chain breaks fairly often. only hideouts stay in highsec on escalation, the others generally have a last step or 2 in lowsec. frigate deadspace loot at the end if the chain doesn't break. Difficulty ranges from easy in a frigate to very hard in a cruiser.

highsec ded (rated) plexes - are what people aim to farm as they give out frigate or cruiser deadspace loot immediately and relatively reliably without having to go anywhere.

a combat cruiser (any race) will do for anything in highsec, though ranged is usually easier, and speed is something to bear in mind as ded plexes signatures are public and faster pilots will happily contest the loot drop.
Pete the Snake
Comet Cowboys
#3 - 2013-07-23 03:00:57 UTC
Welcome to Eve Botto. What you see as the green site when you scan a system upon jumping in are Cosmic Anomalies. These are quite different than cosmic signatures which are # 2 and # 3 on Tauranon's list and must be probed down with probes ( with corresponding higher chance of reward ).

As a new player you want cosmic anomalies to start with. There are three types you'll be looking for by name:

(Faction) Burrow / Drone Collection - the easiest, cut your teeth on these
(Faction) Hideaway / Drone Cluster - a bit harder and groups are bigger, try these when you can fly a destroyer
(Faction) Refuge / Drone Assembly - use a cruiser with a heavy tank

These can be found in 1.0 - 0.8 systems, with Refuge's often also showing up in 0.7 systems. Keep in mind that an anomaly in an 0.8 sec system will have the same number and types of ships as an anomaly of the same name in a 1.0 sec system, but individual rats will be tougher and do more damage in the 0.8 sec system.

The best strategy to use is to locate an object in the center of the anomaly that you can orbit, preferably at about 15km to 20km, and begin orbiting immediately. This sets your speed high, making it easier to tank the rats. Once you feel you have things under control you can begin to pick off the rats that are closest to you by adjusting your orbit closer or farther, and slowing your ship ( click a point on your speed indicator to set your speed at less than max then click the + to set at max again ).

I'm not familiar enough anymore to tell you which anomalies have stationary missile platforms but these can hurt, so you'll often have to shoot them first. The downside of this is that they often spawn a wave of new rats when they explode. As you shoot rats, one of them will spawn a new wave. This will often happen before you are finished with the current wave. Don't shoot any of these new ships, since one of them will trigger a new wave and you'll be overwhelmed - finish the wave you are currently on.

Once you are done you can loot and salvage in you wish. If you are using a drone capable ship you can switch to salvage drones while you loot. Set your drones to aggressive ( this should always be your setting ), make sure you don't have a wrecked targeted, tell them to salvage and they'll go from wreck to wreck salvaging while you explore for loot. In any case salvaging with drones isn't something you need to worry about when you first start out.

Looting however is something you'll want to do, since you can use looted meta modules ( named ) to fit your new whip with when you make a mistake and its destroyed.

I don't know what race you fly but I recommend you start in one of your racial combat frigates. Fit it to hit at the farthest range you can because you never want to get surrounded by rats, you'll want to try to always be kiting. This means long range weapons ( railguns, beams, artillery or light missiles ), an active tanking module that is appropriate for your ship ( either an armor repairer or shield booster ), appropriate capacitor modules ( read the descriptions - some are better than others for different tanks ), at least one web, an afterburner. A key part of your tank will a Damage Control Unit - I recommend 'Emergency' for best bang for buck.

Pick a target, set your "keep at range" at your optimal + 25% of falloff ( added together to get your range ) and then bring your ship to that range. Web the target and kill it. This is when you'll need to burst your tank. As soon as it is dead of if you are taking too much damage, return to orbiting your chosen object while you repair.

Periodically drop off your loot at a convenient station for pick up later.

Do your own research and experimentation on what fit works best for you. Look through the modules on the market and read the descriptions.

Lastly, drones are very effective however if you use them you'll need to equip a target painter and use it on each rat your drones attack. This increases your drones effectiveness, but more importantly it keeps you higher on the aggro list ( most of the time ) so that your drones don't get killed off. This means that if you use a ship that cannot field at least 3 drones at a time, it is usually best to use that drone capability for salvage drones after the fight.

Good luck and have fun! I'm not on much right now, but feel free to add me to your contacts and ask me a reasonable amount of questions in game.
Fr00b Snap
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#4 - 2013-07-23 10:18:47 UTC
If you go for high sec anomalies, you should aim for sniper fits, because you don`t need to warp to 0. Only missile batteries and sentry guns hit further than 50km. That way you can fit almost all gank and very little tank.
voetius
Grundrisse
#5 - 2013-07-23 10:36:31 UTC

I'd agree with the posters above, Cruiser is going to be most forgiving for someone that is in their first couple of weeks.

If you are training into the Gallente line the a Vexor, or if Caldari a Caracal. Both will do you fine.

Look them up in the market, Show Info, look at the pre-requisites tab to see what skills are required to get in the ship. Look at the recommended tab to see what certificates are recommended. You can then go to your character sheet and look at certificates in the certificate planner to see what skills are requred.

If you are unsure about fitting, either look at Battleclinic or the Eve University wiki has suggested fittings, the E-Uni site is a bit better IMO as you don't have to wade through dozens of fits and it often has 'low skill / new player' type fit listed. You should be looking for a PvE fit as you have said you will be in high sec initially.
Blue Absinthe
Wardec U
#6 - 2013-07-23 11:01:44 UTC  |  Edited by: Blue Absinthe
Just adding a few things that might be useful in the future for you (obviously while you are skilling up you should do what you can):

- You'll soon realise that Anoms are pretty worthless, only Dens are really worth bothering about.
- 4/10s (DED Complexes) are the sites people like to farm. Angel and Gurista are very popular (most valuable loot drops) and you will get competition at the site. This is really annoying for new and mid level players because you will almost certainly lose out to an experienced player (it's not a matter of skill, it's a matter of applying the most DPS to a single ship in the last room). For that reason I'd avoid Angel and Gurista space, your loot will be less valuable but it will be a lot less frustrating.
- You will struggle in a Cruiser for the 4/10s. I'd go BC if I were you then you'll be able to run the best high sec sites and only really miss out on the 3/10s.
- No one runs any drone sites, they're all worthless. I have no idea why CCP doesn't fix the loot in drone sites so this content is actually worth doing.
erg cz
Federal Jegerouns
#7 - 2013-07-24 09:23:28 UTC
Loot from combat anomlies in 0.8-1.0 sec is not worht the time spended. Combat signatures in 0.4 is a real problem even in battle cruiser, if you do not have proper skills. I, as a newbee, tryed 5/10 combat signature in Gnosis and it took me very long time to clear even the first gate. Battle ships with sensor dampiers are nightmare.

It is quite a pity. Cause I scanned down 2 combat sides in 0.4 system but I cant run them :( Or I can, but it will take so long, that my wife will lose her patience ;)

So I think you should focus on getting yourself long range cruiser like Vexor and do combat anomailes in 0.5-0.7 sides. This is doable in cruiser without proper skills. Afetr you get skills and long range battlecruiser - you can scan down combat signatures in there. From my experience combat signautes in low sec require battleship and it is long way to go.

Absolutely free head start for newcomers!. Just click the link and get extra 250 000 SP!
Botto delaser
Kite Co. Space Trucking
#8 - 2013-07-24 20:13:18 UTC
Pete the Snake wrote:
Welcome to Eve Botto. What you see as the green site when you scan a system upon jumping in are Cosmic Anomalies. These are quite different than cosmic signatures which are # 2 and # 3 on Tauranon's list and must be probed down with probes ( with corresponding higher chance of reward ).

As a new player you want cosmic anomalies to start with. There are three types you'll be looking for by name:

(Faction) Burrow / Drone Collection - the easiest, cut your teeth on these
(Faction) Hideaway / Drone Cluster - a bit harder and groups are bigger, try these when you can fly a destroyer
(Faction) Refuge / Drone Assembly - use a cruiser with a heavy tank

These can be found in 1.0 - 0.8 systems, with Refuge's often also showing up in 0.7 systems. Keep in mind that an anomaly in an 0.8 sec system will have the same number and types of ships as an anomaly of the same name in a 1.0 sec system, but individual rats will be tougher and do more damage in the 0.8 sec system.

The best strategy to use is to locate an object in the center of the anomaly that you can orbit, preferably at about 15km to 20km, and begin orbiting immediately. This sets your speed high, making it easier to tank the rats. Once you feel you have things under control you can begin to pick off the rats that are closest to you by adjusting your orbit closer or farther, and slowing your ship ( click a point on your speed indicator to set your speed at less than max then click the + to set at max again ).

I'm not familiar enough anymore to tell you which anomalies have stationary missile platforms but these can hurt, so you'll often have to shoot them first. The downside of this is that they often spawn a wave of new rats when they explode. As you shoot rats, one of them will spawn a new wave. This will often happen before you are finished with the current wave. Don't shoot any of these new ships, since one of them will trigger a new wave and you'll be overwhelmed - finish the wave you are currently on.

Once you are done you can loot and salvage in you wish. If you are using a drone capable ship you can switch to salvage drones while you loot. Set your drones to aggressive ( this should always be your setting ), make sure you don't have a wrecked targeted, tell them to salvage and they'll go from wreck to wreck salvaging while you explore for loot. In any case salvaging with drones isn't something you need to worry about when you first start out.

Looting however is something you'll want to do, since you can use looted meta modules ( named ) to fit your new whip with when you make a mistake and its destroyed.

I don't know what race you fly but I recommend you start in one of your racial combat frigates. Fit it to hit at the farthest range you can because you never want to get surrounded by rats, you'll want to try to always be kiting. This means long range weapons ( railguns, beams, artillery or light missiles ), an active tanking module that is appropriate for your ship ( either an armor repairer or shield booster ), appropriate capacitor modules ( read the descriptions - some are better than others for different tanks ), at least one web, an afterburner. A key part of your tank will a Damage Control Unit - I recommend 'Emergency' for best bang for buck.

Pick a target, set your "keep at range" at your optimal + 25% of falloff ( added together to get your range ) and then bring your ship to that range. Web the target and kill it. This is when you'll need to burst your tank. As soon as it is dead of if you are taking too much damage, return to orbiting your chosen object while you repair.

Periodically drop off your loot at a convenient station for pick up later.

Do your own research and experimentation on what fit works best for you. Look through the modules on the market and read the descriptions.

Lastly, drones are very effective however if you use them you'll need to equip a target painter and use it on each rat your drones attack. This increases your drones effectiveness, but more importantly it keeps you higher on the aggro list ( most of the time ) so that your drones don't get killed off. This means that if you use a ship that cannot field at least 3 drones at a time, it is usually best to use that drone capability for salvage drones after the fight.

Good luck and have fun! I'm not on much right now, but feel free to add me to your contacts and ask me a reasonable amount of questions in game.


Thanks a ton to everyone, this post in particular is SUPER helpful.

I feel like I know a lot more now (from the thread, as well as playing more); however, somehow it all seems MORE complex than before.

I'm still a bit in the dark about how to approach all of this. I feel more clear on what I'd like to do: Scan to find DED sites, then go murder them for fun and profit.

With that in mind:

  • What's a good region to go to in order to do this? I feel that Verge Vendor is too crowded for me to ever find anything.
  • How many sites should I expect per hour? I know this is somewhat arbitrary, but I'm trying to figure out if this is a fun or smart use of time. I do enjoy scanning, but if I'm never going to find anything but wormholes and the ever so rare complex, I don't know if it is worth it.
  • Finally, should I even bother with this as a newbie? Or should I train up and get a better ship first? I'm still flying my sweet Rifter, so I don't think I could handle much more than a 1/10 DED at this point, and I can't guarantee that I'll even find those.
Tsukino Stareine
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#9 - 2013-07-24 20:44:05 UTC
high sec houses 90% of the eve population, needless to say its going to be quite competitive for sites.

Don't be afraid of low/null, learn about them and understand them and then take advantage of your knowledge.

Art of Explosions
Botto delaser
Kite Co. Space Trucking
#10 - 2013-07-24 20:48:19 UTC
Tsukino Stareine wrote:
high sec houses 90% of the eve population, needless to say its going to be quite competitive for sites.

Don't be afraid of low/null, learn about them and understand them and then take advantage of your knowledge.

That makes sense--my fear though is that since I'm still new and poor as hell, going to lowsec is just going to end with me in a capsule and needing to spend another million isk buying and outfitting a ship. (Not much money I know, but I only have 4 million to my name.)
Tsukino Stareine
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#11 - 2013-07-24 20:58:49 UTC
If you're careful you won't lose anything.

google "mwd cloak" and train cloaking to 4 and make sure you can fit an MWD, if you practice it enough its 99% going to get you through any sort of gate camp.

Art of Explosions
Pete the Snake
Comet Cowboys
#12 - 2013-07-25 11:00:17 UTC
One thing to keep in mind is that every time you kill a rat in Eve, you get a bounty payment. As a brand new unskilled player in a rifter, you can make about 2 mil an hour doing nothing but running Burrows ( the easiest sites ). Anomalies respawn regularly in highsec so there really isn't much competition. Fitting out a cruiser to do DEDs is going to cost you 12 mil minimum, while fitting a rifter to do highsec anoms will cost you about 2 mil.

Do the highsec anoms in the rifter first. Just go out an start flying around and watching your scanner. You'll spend a lot more time fighting and a lot less time probe scanning. You'll gain experience with fighting rats at minimal risk, while you still make a decent income considering the cost of the ship.

Later on ( couple of weeks maybe, or less ) after you have a much larger wallet and are more comfortable with the mechanics of fighting you can jump up to a fit exploration cruiser.
Botto delaser
Kite Co. Space Trucking
#13 - 2013-07-26 23:08:20 UTC
Pete the Snake wrote:
One thing to keep in mind is that every time you kill a rat in Eve, you get a bounty payment. As a brand new unskilled player in a rifter, you can make about 2 mil an hour doing nothing but running Burrows ( the easiest sites ). Anomalies respawn regularly in highsec so there really isn't much competition. Fitting out a cruiser to do DEDs is going to cost you 12 mil minimum, while fitting a rifter to do highsec anoms will cost you about 2 mil.

Do the highsec anoms in the rifter first. Just go out an start flying around and watching your scanner. You'll spend a lot more time fighting and a lot less time probe scanning. You'll gain experience with fighting rats at minimal risk, while you still make a decent income considering the cost of the ship.

Later on ( couple of weeks maybe, or less ) after you have a much larger wallet and are more comfortable with the mechanics of fighting you can jump up to a fit exploration cruiser.

You are the most helpful person. Thanks a ton. I'm going to go out today and start running anomalies in my rifter. Once I get a decent amount of cash and skills, I'll work on DED (or whatever I find myself gravitating toward).
Freakdevil
Aliastra
Gallente Federation
#14 - 2013-07-29 11:08:28 UTC
+1 on visiting low sec or null sec now if you want to pursue combat sites and missions. Ships and clones will be very cheap given your young age. Be aware of your surroundings and you should be fine. It will give you a taste of the more aggressive and potentially more rewarding side of the game.

Have Fun.
Jewel Noret
Ministry of War
Amarr Empire
#15 - 2013-07-30 20:45:21 UTC
Botto delaser wrote:
Tsukino Stareine wrote:
high sec houses 90% of the eve population, needless to say its going to be quite competitive for sites.

Don't be afraid of low/null, learn about them and understand them and then take advantage of your knowledge.

That makes sense--my fear though is that since I'm still new and poor as hell, going to lowsec is just going to end with me in a capsule and needing to spend another million isk buying and outfitting a ship. (Not much money I know, but I only have 4 million to my name.)


Best advice? Skip lowsec altogether. Nullsec is actually safer. Find a friendly corp with sovereignty (there are a ton out there), join, and head out there. My suggestion would be to train a couple days for salvaging, make some new friends, and learn from them while you:

A. Train skills for better fitting and flying ships
B. Make your wallet VERY fat so you can easily afford nice ships for combat (pve or pop)
C. Learn about comat basics and mechanics

You will make far better isk than is possible nearly any other way for a low skill pilot while training your skills, and there are plenty of lower level combat sites for you to cut your teeth on and advance through as you learn, and even the easiest sites pay far better than those in high sec. You will also come out of it (or stay in it) with at least a basic understanding of safe operation in nullsec and lowsec. It's a win win win scenario really.