These forums have been archived and are now read-only.

The new forums are live and can be found at https://forums.eveonline.com/

EVE New Citizens Q&A

 
  • Topic is locked indefinitely.
12Next page
 

How to make enough ISK to buy a PLEX on your trial? Helpful guides for new players
Author
Previous Topic Next Topic
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#1 - 2011-11-30 08:47:20 UTC  |  Edited by: Zendo Akuma
Hi, recently i have been asked by many new players about what is the best way to make ISK on their trial, and is it possible to make enough to buy a PLEX.
The simple answer is yes.
To make life easier i have decided to collect some of the most informative and most relevant Eve guides on making ISK as a new player and post them here in one thread.

I hope it can be of some help.


Getting Started

I can't stress enough, but do get a 21 day buddy invite. I offer buddy invites to new pilots as well as many other players. Its a great way to introduce new players to the game that benefit both new players and old players. For more information please refer to this thread https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=9874&find=unread.

The extra 7 days is invaluable compared to the standard 14 day trial. That's extra 7 days to make ISK, and more importantly extra 7 days of skill training.

Below is a list of some of the most useful guides out there, as well as some of their pros and cons in the respective profession.


Mining

http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Advanced_mining


A fantastic guide that covers the most basic to most advanced aspects of mining within EVE.

I put mining there simply because it is the most easy way to make ISK and is available to all new players.


PROS:
-High sec mining brings in a steady source of income with zero risk. The ore and the minerals usually can be sold for a fixed rate on the market, and there is always demand.
-Mining can be done afk or semi-afk, which gives you time to do other things in RL.
-For the daredevil, you can always fit a mining frigate and fly to null sec to mine. The ores there sell for much more, but just run as soon as you see any other ship. Player's or NPC pirate's

CONS:
-Many consider it to be the most boring aspect of EVE.
-In order to effectively mine, you really need an Mining Barge or Exhumer with Strip Mining Lasers. Unfortunately you can't train them on your trial account.
-It also takes around two weeks to train the skills needed to a Mining Barge, which is big chunk out of the initial 21 day trial period.
-Mining in a frigate or cruiser is just not effective. Realistically, you can't make a PLEX by mining alone. You may need to join an industrial Corp and mine in lower security systems, or extend your 21 day trial (convo me for more details).



Hauling

Trade Runs
http://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Using_EVE-Central_to_haul_profitably

Level 4 Distributions
http://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Making_Money_with_Hauling_-_Level_4_Cargo_Missions


Another aspect of Hauling is to run player courier contracts. Usually these contracts are not profitable, and filled with scams. So i would suggest to avoid them.
There is also another aspect which is baiting with a hauler, but these are more advanced part of the game and hard to explain here.

Hauling can only be done after you have upgraded your account, but once done, hauling can make enough for a PLEX within a month.

Trade Runs
PROS:
-Good profit can be made by hauling from one trade Hub to another or from one region to another.
-No work involved, simply use a third party program like Eve-Central to determine which items are profitable.

CONS:
-You will get ganked if you have valuable cargo (I found out the hard way)
-Market prices can change quick. By the time your hauler gets there, someone may have jumped your gun and filled out the buy order, leaving you with goods which you cant sell immediately for a profit.


Level 4 Distribution Missions
PROS:
-Zero risk in high security space.
-Often many distribution agents are located within the same station, and their destination is along the same route. You can run multiple distribution missions at the same time.
-Sometimes the mission destination is very close, which makes for high isk/time ratio.
-You earn more ISK from the LP (loyalty points) than the actual mission.
-Every 16 missions, you get a storyline mission, which often rewards you with a standard grade implant. These implants sell for around 18MIL on the market.
-You can run distribution missions while afk.


CONS:
-Takes quite some time to grind up the standings to run Level 4 Missions
-The reward is low compared to their combat counterparts.
-Sometimes you have to travel long distances to the destination.


High-Sec Exploration

http://explorationalmanac.blogspot.com/

Read from Day 1, and read the Tips of the Day for all the neat tricks to exploring.


PROS:
-Very achievable. High-Sec Faction modules can sell tens of millions, and each Radar site usually nets around 15-20MIL. So two of these a day will earn you a PLEX after 21 Days.
-High sec exploration is risk free. You will not run into gankers.
-All the skills and ships can be purchased and trained on a trial account. There is no skill or ship limitations for exploration while still on your trial.

CONS:
-Exploration is becoming more and more competitive. Less sites for everyone means lower ISK/time ratio.
-Scanning can be frustrating.
-The loot is all based on luck. Faction modules can sell for millions or they can only be sold as reprocessed materials. On good days you can make 50MIL in 2 hours. On bad days you only make 1MIL in four hours.
-A lot of flying and a lot of travelling
-Most lucrative sites require combat ships, which you will not have access to while on your trial. Which means you will miss out on the most profitable ones, even when you have done the hard work of scanning them down.
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#2 - 2011-11-30 08:49:00 UTC
High-Sec Static DED Complex Farming


I don't have a guide, or do it myself.

The idea is to run DED Complexes for Faction module drops. In High Security Space, there are 1/10 and 2/10 DED Complexes that are static. DED Complexes are special deadspace pockets with NPC ships. You kill them and there's a chance of Faction module drop or Faction ship BPC. These items can usually fetch for millions on the market.

You can find static DED sites either from the EVE Map (MAPS > STAR MAP > DED DEADSPACE REPORT) or using the DED Complex filter at Dotlan Eve Maps, http://evemaps.dotlan.net/.

Simply find a region where there are many DED sites linked within a few jumps of each other and start running them.


PROS:
-Faction modules are very profitable. Even older players run these static sites.
-These sites are static, which means they never despawn and is always there.
-High-sec means zero risk, you won't get shot by other players

CONS:
-Because they are static, there is always competition.
-Older players will have faster and stronger hitting ships which makes your job much harder at killing the specific Faction ship that drops the good loot. Prepare to steal and run.
-Can be very annoying when waiting for sites to respawn, and another player comes in and takes your prize
[/b]


Null Sec/Low Sec Ratting


Once again, I don't actually have a guide here, maybe someone can help to fill it in for me.

The general idea is to fit a fast flying frigate (Rifters work the best), fly to low sec or null sec where the NPC pirates have large guns that can't shoot you once you are close. Fly right up to them and slowly wiggle their health down. The bounties on single one may be enough to pay your Rifter.


PROS:
-High reward, with minimum skills and investment.

CONS:
-High risk, you will be shot by other players, so best to do in a 'qutet' time, in a 'quiet zone'.



Trading

http://guidetoeveonline.blogspot.com/

Read from Day 1

PROS:
-Minimum maintenance required. Log on for an hour a day and soon you'll be a billionaire
-Its easily achievable, and it works.
-Very few skills required, you don't even have to leave the station.
-With day trading and procurement skill learned, you can trade as you do other things. Making it a great source of passive income.


CONS:
-You need capital to make capital. As new players without much capital, trading can be hard to get into, as your profits will be minute compared to the amount of opportunities you have.
-There is always an element of risk, if you are not aware of how market works, you can lost lots of money.
-Your ISK is tied, which means you do not have much liquid cash in your wallet. Can be a problem when you need money to buy things, especially when you see a good market opening.
-If you are a bit more serious, playing the 0.01 ISK game is frustrating, and wearisome. Having to watch over 100 orders and update them regularly is as boring as it gets.


Ninja Salvaging/Salvaging

http://www.eveonline.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadid=733552

I started my career off as a ninja salvager (in my past life). Ruvas, Motsu, Didoxie, and Penirgram were all great systems for ninja salvaging.

Back then it was all the rage, and forums were filled with angry mission runners and players gloating about their thieving deeds. The profession has died down somewhat, especially with the Noctis now used by mission runners to collect their garbage, buts its still a great source of income.

To salvage legally, simply ask the mission runner for permission, or work out a deal with him/her.

PROS:
-Salvage and loot from level 4 missions can worth quite a bit. Most of them are left behind by the mission runner, so you are 'sharing' part of their level 4 mission profit while on your newbie frigate.
-Ninja salvaging skills lead naturally on towards exploration. It is a good bridging profession while also being profitable.
-Most times, you can 'loot' as well as salvage, doubling up on your profits.
-You can ninja salvage, as the mission runner is running their mission. Especially in missions with many pockets.
-Even when the mission runner brings a Noctis, you can still salvage, simply fly right up to them, and salvage the wrecks as their tractor beam pulls the wrecks in. They wont shoot you since Noctis is usually not fitted with guns.

CONS:
-Some level 4 Missions have over 100 wrecks, you cant loot them all in your frigate, plus without a tractor beam, that's a lot of flying about.
-Some level 4 Missions cause your ship to explode. Mission runners may warp out, and your ship may get popped.
-You will get a bad rep in the local system


Scamming

I wont post any guides on here, because it is not a part of the game i endorse, but nevertheless one can always use google.


PROS:
-Scamming has become such an integral part of the meta-game of EVE that it has developed its own art form. From a purist perspective, scamming is both intriguing to observe and thrilling to pull off. Sometimes it is so easy that its literally like taking lollies from a kid.
-You'd be surprised how easy it can be done, and how effective it can be.
-It's much easier to scam 100 people out of 1 dollar than it is to scam 1 person out of 100. But there is always the exception. Case Point Space Barbie Doll.

CONS:
-Do you want a target on your back for the rest of your EVE life as that character?
-There is always Karma, you scam someone, they are going to get you back.
-Reputation means a lot. Having a bad one can make the game more difficult later on.
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#3 - 2011-11-30 08:51:59 UTC

Others

There is also Science and Research, Manufacturing, Courier Contract Hauling, Level 4 Mission running, Level 5 Distribution missions, Incursions, Planet Interaction, Inter-regional Trading and many others. I have yet to have experience in these areas, so i was hoping other people can fill them in for me.

Some of these areas seem to be a bit more advanced for new players on a trial, but i'll mention them anyone as future references. It would not hurt to have them available to new players also.

If you have any other guides please feel free to post them up.




Reserved for future updates
Signal11th
#4 - 2011-11-30 09:54:35 UTC
Actually fairly informative and useful, nice one (you can tell it's coming up to Christmas I'm being nice)

God Said "Come Forth and receive eternal life!" I came fifth and won a toaster!
Cameron Zero
Sebiestor Tribe
#5 - 2011-11-30 19:31:57 UTC
Some good advice here, but I would caution anyone against believing that high security space = "zero risk".

Just because you don't make yourself look like a target, doesn't mean someone out there won't suicide gank you "for the lulz". That said, it's a lot more uncommon.

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. …"
Mara Rinn
Cosmic Goo Convertor
#6 - 2011-11-30 19:41:08 UTC
There is nothing "illegal" about ninja salvaging. Just because a mission-runner feels an emotional connection to the wrecks left behind by their activities doesn't mean it's "illegal" for you to salvage the wrecks without their permission.

You have some very useful information here, I'll make sure to incorporate this into the Making ISK guide.

Day 0 Advice for New Players
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#7 - 2011-11-30 20:14:58 UTC
Mara Rinn wrote:
There is nothing "illegal" about ninja salvaging. Just because a mission-runner feels an emotional connection to the wrecks left behind by their activities doesn't mean it's "illegal" for you to salvage the wrecks without their permission.

You have some very useful information here, I'll make sure to incorporate this into the Making ISK guide.



Ninja salvaging is a part of the game.

i dont have the actual figures on ISK/hour ratio. But when i ran them i usually make about 5-10MIL an hour.

If you get lucky and scan down a Empire Faction mission, the tags are worth 3MIL each. but you have to steal them fast, usually the mission runner would want to collect the tags
Vimsy Vortis
Shoulda Checked Local
Break-A-Wish Foundation
#8 - 2011-11-30 20:51:03 UTC
Zendo Akuma wrote:
Mara Rinn wrote:
There is nothing "illegal" about ninja salvaging. Just because a mission-runner feels an emotional connection to the wrecks left behind by their activities doesn't mean it's "illegal" for you to salvage the wrecks without their permission.

You have some very useful information here, I'll make sure to incorporate this into the Making ISK guide.



Ninja salvaging is a part of the game.

i dont have the actual figures on ISK/hour ratio. But when i ran them i usually make about 5-10MIL an hour.

If you get lucky and scan down a Empire Faction mission, the tags are worth 3MIL each. but you have to steal them fast, usually the mission runner would want to collect the tags


Shame for the mission runner that the only thing he'll actually be able to do to stop you is pop the wrecks. If he shoots you then you can just warp off, come back in a t1 fitted battlecruiser with a bunch of neuts on it and kill the missioner and pillage his corpse.
Scarlet Loveless
White Mango
#9 - 2011-12-01 05:23:32 UTC
Vimsy Vortis wrote:
Zendo Akuma wrote:
Mara Rinn wrote:
There is nothing "illegal" about ninja salvaging. Just because a mission-runner feels an emotional connection to the wrecks left behind by their activities doesn't mean it's "illegal" for you to salvage the wrecks without their permission.

You have some very useful information here, I'll make sure to incorporate this into the Making ISK guide.



Ninja salvaging is a part of the game.

i dont have the actual figures on ISK/hour ratio. But when i ran them i usually make about 5-10MIL an hour.

If you get lucky and scan down a Empire Faction mission, the tags are worth 3MIL each. but you have to steal them fast, usually the mission runner would want to collect the tags


Shame for the mission runner that the only thing he'll actually be able to do to stop you is pop the wrecks. If he shoots you then you can just warp off, come back in a t1 fitted battlecruiser with a bunch of neuts on it and kill the missioner and pillage his corpse.


Just watch your target he might know what he is doing and will expect this. Also keep the ship type in mind as some require no cap to fire and may be fitted with passive hardeners in which case they can't pound on you all day with a taped out cap. This is more so for the trial account guys with less than 21days in game a high skilled mission runner will waste you.

What you do got going for you is the high number of highsec PvPers that only fight in highsec where they don't have to face the risk of low,null and WH. Stealing loot to get a mission runner to give them killrights is the norm and most will assume a set-up involving a high end BS with a booster in the system and a newbie in a simple frig can pull off the theft on this assumtion.

An easier way is to just ask. Once you get more skilled it gets more profitable to leave wreckage and go to the next mission than to take time to go back and get them, sort through the goods, and sell. Even have corps that offer salvaging servace and give a % of the income from them. If you get a mission runner to agree you can bypass scanning them out as they will provide location and if the realease all wrecks you can use tractor beams. A 4-5 beam noticles eith 3-4 salvagers is much much much better than flying to each wreck in a frig. Also you don't run the risk of them shooting wrecks. Often they will shoot wrecks even if they have no intention of coming back for them. I wait untill they get to each wreck and turn the salvager on they LOOOVE when you do that Blink


If they start shooting wrecks just leave and look for a new place. Alot go wreck to wreck but this is purely out of spit trying to make sure the mission runner won't get any loot either, it will only hurt your isk/hour if you are not one of the 99%. (IE actully trying to make ISK and not just greiving cause you are bored) if anything leave a BM and go back later when the runner has moved to another area though often times they will pop the wrecks once you are spotted of make sure to salvage/loot prior to moving on.
Jake Peters
ICT World Bank
#10 - 2011-12-01 16:19:14 UTC
As a new player, having all this great info in one thread will be really helpful....thanks!
Ireland VonVicious
Vicious Trading Company
#11 - 2011-12-01 18:08:16 UTC
I like the guide but legit salvaging can out preform in the isk per hour ratio for new players.

1. Do the tutorial missions to get a bit of isk and a few ship including a destroyer.

2. Put tractor beams and salvager on your destroyer.

3. Find an experianced player that will let you salvage thier L4 missions for a 50/50 split.

4. Stack isk and train for a noctis.

5. Have the experienced player recommend you to other L4 runners in thier corp.

6. Buy and use your first plex!

7. Learn trade as you do the selling for your salvage/loot.

8. Use trade to pay for more plex and your pvp forever and ever Big smile
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#12 - 2011-12-02 08:00:09 UTC
most L4 mission runners would work with you as long as they don't already have a salvager working on their missions from their own corp.

Just ask nicely and most the loot and salvage is yours.

Makes about 10 MIL an hour salvaging and looting LV4 missions
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#13 - 2011-12-03 22:34:45 UTC  |  Edited by: Zendo Akuma
i made a trading alt recently in Jita.

With around 30minutes of play time each day, i am making an avergae of 20MIL a day. If i keep it up, it would be 1BIL in 51days.

The starting capital was only 20MIL

Station trading works like a charm ^^
Mara Rinn
Cosmic Goo Convertor
#14 - 2011-12-06 09:54:54 UTC
The link to the "Buddy invites and rewards from players" thread is broken due to the full-stop, so I put the correct link here in this post Lol

Day 0 Advice for New Players
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#15 - 2011-12-07 19:45:22 UTC
Mara Rinn wrote:
The link to the "Buddy invites and rewards from players" thread is broken due to the full-stop, so I put the correct link here in this post Lol



Thanks for the fix
Thgil Goldcore
Ministry of War
Amarr Empire
#16 - 2011-12-07 20:10:05 UTC
Although may be out of the reach for a new player, should not ignore faction warfare missions for money making.

Currently a L3 faction warfare mission is easily able to be completed with a stealth bomber setup quite quickly. Takes about 3-4 shots to finish a mission and each mission gives 2m isk + 10k loyalty points. 10k loyalty points can be turned into a navy slicer (or your faction equivlent) worth in excess of 12-13m isk.

So, basically, 1 mission (3-4 shots with good skills, pending on the mission of course, some take alot more) = ~15,000,000 isk.

Don't get me started on people who do L4 FW missions either.
Slade Trillgon
Brutor Force Federated
#17 - 2011-12-07 23:59:04 UTC  |  Edited by: Slade Trillgon
I will say that, with a minimal amount of skill training in the scanning skill set, which is listed above, frigate 4, and the salvaging skill, one can probably make the most solo isk early.

The aggressive act of scanning down the drones of mission runners in high sec, if the new pilot does not have scruples with exerting their right to take what is up for grabs, is arguably the most lucrative career for the new player. The following video will suffice for a ninja salvaging tutorial.

Overall the OP is a decent catch all list. That being said, I would be negligent if I did not link the following thread from the old forums and the main NPC Mission Index.

Beginner's guide to * MAKING ISK * in EVE-Online

I provide the following for the mission runners as that it is potentially the most like route for most new players in today's EVE(major assumption)

EVE Survival is potentially the most important resource for mission runners if they want to be 'efficient'

Cameron Zero wrote:
Some good advice here, but I would caution anyone against believing that high security space = "zero risk".

Just because you don't make yourself look like a target, doesn't mean someone out there won't suicide gank you "for the lulz". That said, it's a lot more uncommon.


It needs to be reiterated that higher 1.0 --> .5 sec is safer then lower sec's .4 --> .1 --> 0.0, but it is not zero risk. The risk of the baiter and ganker in high sec is always a potential for mining barges, haulers, and mission/Incursion boats.

Sometimes a mission runner may try to protect the wrecks they created and get an aggression counter for the ninja to take advantage of. For the professional and appropriately skilled ninja salvager, because there is always the potential that a mission runner may have their auto target activated, they can target the mission boat and see if the mission boat targets back. If the pilot running the mission does not realize this and potentially one other warning, they will ultimately fire on the salvager. In either of these situations the new ninja salvager’s best tools are their corpmates, allies that have the ability to guide and assist them. In reality the new player’s ultimate tool is the ability to join a corp. The quicker a player can access information the quicker they can spend time practicing with that newly acquired information.


Slade
Mara Rinn
Cosmic Goo Convertor
#18 - 2011-12-08 02:23:10 UTC
Slade Trillgon wrote:
Overall the OP is a decent catch all list. That being said, I would be negligent if I did not link the following thread from the old forums and the main NPC Mission Index.

Beginner's guide to * MAKING ISK * in EVE-Online


FYI, that list is being curated in the EVElopedia as the Making ISK guide.

Day 0 Advice for New Players
Karn Dulake
Doomheim
#19 - 2011-12-08 03:49:59 UTC
This is to all new players

forget everything that you have read here as its all junk. You will have to pay for at the very least three months or you will be wasting your time. Trying to raise 400 million from nothing is almost impossible unless you want to play 23/7 for the entire 14-21 days and even then you probably wont make it.

Mining. A maxed out solo hulk makes about 5-8 million an hour solo in highsec. You will be in a mining barge and just to get there will take most of your 21 days. Then you will be making about 2-3 million an hour. Try sitting at your computer for 160 hours

Trading. If you dont know what you are doing and you dont know the markets and you have no Isk capital all you will do is lose isk.

Scamming. You will be just another obvious scammer in Jita. They are 10 a penny and everyone will see through you as you dont know what you are doing.

Hauling. To take contracts you need capital investment as a deposit which you dont have plus scamming is rife.

Highsec exploration is junk. They are all scanned out and if you do find anything its worthless although some people will tell you about a 500 million isk mod they found. They dont find them very often and most people will never find one in highsec

Ninja salvaging is steady but you need scanning skills which take time to train for when you need other things

Missions. I fly a gank fit Nightmare with all the toys (no officer gankers) and i make 50 million an hour so that still 8 hours which is terrible for time vs real life money.

You will only be running level 1 and level 2 missions in your first 12-21 days. you dont make more than a few hundred thousand from these so think about how many you will need to run to make 400 million plus you need to buy skill books plus new ships.

If you want to go the mission runner way which is a good entry point. fly caldari and train for a Drake. Everyone hates them but they are noob friendly but you can run level 4 missions in them but so very very slowly. Pay for the game until you dont have to any more otherwise you will be on a hiding to nothing 
I dont normally troll, but when i do i do it on General Discussion.
Zendo Akuma
Jester's Fleet
Jester's Alliance
#20 - 2011-12-08 05:09:32 UTC
The above reply is fairly accurate.

for new players thinking about making enough ISK for a PLEX in 21days, mission running and mining is out of question, same goes for hauling and possibly manufacturing (which requires hauling large amounts of minerals).

I am going to road test manufacturing, and how much you can make in 21days with all the limitations of a trial. Hopefully i will be able to post my progress through a blog format as some of the other guides in this post.

That leaves exploring and trading.

Its true that high sec sites are scanned down very quickly, but that doesnt mean they don't exist.


For new players, there are three paths i recommend.

First, train specifically for Radar sites.

High-sec radar sites generally make around 10MIL per site, if you manage to scan down two sites a day, that should be enough for 400MIL over 21days.

High-sec radar sites don't require much training, simply level 3 in Hacking, level 3 in Astrometrics, and a couple of levels in Astrometric Rangefinding should be fine with the bonus of a scanning frigate.

The alternative would be train up to an exploration cruiser such as Arbitrator or a Vexor and aim for a 4/10 or 3/10 combat site.

The Guristas outpost can net 400MIL in one site. If you manage to run 1 of them in your 21days trial period you would have your PLEX.

But as the above poster has said, high-sec exploration has a lot of competition, so it all depends on luck.


A third path is to go into low sec and scan down only radar and mag sites. Low sec has lower population and higher spawns. So you wouldnt have much problem with site spawns, just have to be careful of veteran gate campers and roaming gangs.
12Next page