EVE New Citizens Q&A

I make this next statement on the implication that the OP is talking about solo play.

I currently live in NPC null and once thrived in Low Sec in the Minmatar Militia. Whilst I agree with the general theme of this thread I think the OP has oversimplified it. At least tacking on the bit about Null sec and the implication that it is easy to solo. I get the impression that she has experienced low sec and just assumed that null is the same, perhaps having dipped in a couple of times.

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In low sec it is indeed possible to find a quiet area 3 or 4 jumps from high sec with a route in that isn't camped often. In this scenario you would maintain two bases, one in a convenient high sec system and one in a NPC low sec station. You could mission, rat and mine out of the low sec station and run haulers back to high sec regularly. This would require you to double box and run a scout ahead and just be sensible about the time of day you do it, watch local etc. You will lose ships sooner or later, but you will be living by the seat of your pants and you will definitely get a kick out of it. Fun definitely, whether doing it solo is your thing, or joining the local corp to do it in a loose group with friends and a bit of backup when needed. Money? Hmmm, you might be able to rival what you can get in high sec missions, but unless you are in a strong low sec corp with secure POSs and you get a cut of the profits, you won't make more money just missioning, ratting and mining.

When it comes to null sec, well, first there are two very distinct types of Null sec, Sov and NPC null sec.

Whilst I would say it is actually easier to just survive in Sov null sec, you can't actually dock anywhere and thus do anything meaningful, unless you arrange Blue standings with the station owners. That usually means joining one of their corps or being the head of a decent corp and getting it accepted to the alliance. Once in said alliance you can go dozens of systems without seeing a single red or neutral and very few blues for that matter and rat, mission and mine to your hearts content.

NPC null sec is more like low sec, the stations are anybodies to use, this means that enemy corps and solo players can be located in the same or adjacent systems, even in the same station. It is a great place to come and small gang/solo PvP. Yes there are quieter system where you can mission, rat and mine and yes the money from those activities will likely exceed what you can get in high sec. But those quieter systems are usually so, because a particular alliance dominates that constellation and it is only quieter for their members. Solo play is possible in NPC null, but expect to spend a lot of time hiding in safe spots or docked up.

The big problem with both types of Null is that you are not talking 2 or 3 jumps from high sec, it is more like 20 or 50 jumps to find a quiet area where you can set up and although there is a lot more null sec there seems to be a lot fewer entries to it and they are more likely to be camped. Running a hauler back and forth is just not possible, there is no way you will get a Hulk or a missioning ship out there the slow boat way. You need a jump freighter or carrier to get gear to and from null sec, no two ways about it. If you can do that solo, you aren't a noob. For most people that means joining a corp that provides a transport service. Although, I believe there is a Jump Freighter service (Black Frog) that you can contract to run gear out to NPC Null (Not Sov Null), but I've never experienced them.

You fly yourself out in a covops ship or if you can't fly them, risk a fast frigate (Slasher/Condor) with a Prototype cloaking device or set your medical clone to your new corp HQ and pod kill yourself. Ship down the fittings and T2 Ships plus a few BPCs for the larger BCs and BSs that you fly. Buy the minerals from the local market or rat, loot, reprocess and then build them there. Have an alt in Jita sending you more stuff as you get comfortable with your new home, you don't have to ship everything at once. Your corps should be able to provide a weekly or bi-monthly service to ship more stuff down or ship the stuff back the other way, as needed. Which frankly most corps out in null do have those facilities, otherwise they wouldn't survive long.

One thing I would advise - send your first shipment of gear ahead and only when it is delivered make the trip. It is a real anticlimax, making the trip out and then having to wait 4 or 5 days before you can do anything.

Would I recommend it?

NPC Null definitely! As part of a corp! Money, thrills, small gang PvP.

Sov NPC - money yes and you can poke needles in your eyes for the thrills, or play Eye Spy with 2000 friends in local while on those 4 hour form up and bash a POS to reinforced mode ops.

Low sec - High tension cat and mouse type fun, limited solo/small gang PvP (unless you join FW), some money potential.

Solo, well I'm not really a solo player, but I would recommend Low sec for solo play. Solo null sec? Well if you are some sort of introverted loner head case, that wants absolutely no contact with other players apart from the occassional explosion, yeah, you can do it.

Just make sure to check the maps for ships in space, ship kills, npc kills, and so on. If they're high, find a new system. Keep an eye on local, and if there's anyone else there, check your dscan for combat probes. Normal lowsec/npc null/WH living. (though wormholes don't get the luxury of updating local.)

And have a bunch of safe spots, spots near stations just outside the 160km mark, and so on.

If you're doing a lot of missioning, it /will/ be noticeable, to anyone that looks at the map, on the npcs killed option.

Why does soloing in Null sec make you an 'introverted loner head case' when soloing in Low sec does not? Or are they all 'introverted loner head cases'?

Solo pilots interact with other players in the game - just not for combat, where they voluntarily fight outmanned and outgunned. As a consequence, they often become the best combat pilots in the game.

Nice thread.

Yeah ... there's a reason why RL pilots have to maintain their proficiency ...

When I was playing Planetside a number of years ago ... there were times I'd play ten hours a day over a 4 day weekend ... and i got really proficient with the weapon I used ... then the work week would come and I'd "only" be able to play 4 hours a night and - my proficiency would drop off ... then that next long weekend would come ... I'd struggle through that first 10 hour day ... and I'd be right back.

Of course ... PS is an FPS ... so the physical aspects of combat are more pronounced but that just emphasizes the point.


In EVE, I lost one of my first Cruisers, a Thorax because I'd been playing Amarr and flying Mallers - just flat forgot about the drones ... whole bay full of them and I didn't even think to launch them ... Dumb ...

But that brings up the point about maintaining your proficiency with a specific weapon.



As to mining or mission running in Lo Sec ... mostly it's not worth the trouble if you're just doing it to make money. If you're down there for the atmosphere and the challenge of operating in that environment it's worth while for THAT reason - but not to make money.

There are plenty of quiet systems in Hi Sec where you can go mine and run missions without worrying about being griefed. Mine Mission Space in a quiet Hi Sec system where there are no Level IV agents to attract Ninja's and ... well ... I've NEVER had my mining interrupted.

The thing about all that emptyness in Lo Sec - is that if there is one person there - people will notice - and they - looking for a fight will come by to visit. Now you can play cat and mouse games with them (which can be fun) - but then when you're doing that - you're not making money. All they have to do to ruin your money making - is show up in system.

So it depends on what you want to do.

Going down to Lo Sec for the fun of it - is a good idea. Read the survival guides and learn how to exist down there. It's a good experience - which can stand you in good stead if you come back to Hi Sec and have a problem with someone. You might be a little rusty ... but you won't be clueless.


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