Missions & Complexes

Hi all,

I recently started running Level 1 missions in a destroyer having finished my starter career agent missions. I began with a security agent in .9 security space, just to get a feel for the missions. I'm cutting through them like a hot knife through butter, and aside from a tweak or two that I need to make on my fit, I'm pretty confident in my ability to handle Level 1 missions.

My question is in regards to difficulty and reward scaling. I know that missions in low an null-sec offer much greater rewards, at the risk of being attacked by players. However, is the scaling granular? I.e. Would a mission in .8 space provide greater rewards than one in .9 space? Furthermore, does the difficulty of the actual missions increase? Will I face tougher NPCs in .6, .7, or .8 missions than in .9 missions?


Thanks for the help.

Mission stats pertaining to the NPC's will basically be the same whether it's in 1.0 or 0.0 security systems.

Agent location = A difference of 0.1 in system security level from 1.0 down to 0.0 translates into a 10% increase in rewards. Rewards include mission pay, bonus time pay and standing gain.

However, you'll make more isk by running the next level of missions. Meaning, don't spend a whole lot of time on maximizing your level 1 mission income because you'll make more by running level 2s in a cruiser, level 3s in a battlecruiser, and level 4s in a battleship. (Level 5s are a whole different ball game and are out of scope.)

If it will take you a while to purchase and skill into the next class of ship in order to do the next level of missions, then obviously you'll want to maximize your income by picking agents in lower security systems.

A couple of things I forgot to mention...

When possible, train the Connections (and also Diplomacy) skills to about level 3. You will want them to 4 or 5 in the future but for now, 3 is good. Connections raises your standing with factions that are neutral or friendly to you allowing you to bypass quite a few lower level missions. Diplomacy helps offset the effect of being low faction with someone.

Also, you will have to decide fairly early on if you want your main Empire factions to all remain positive and relatively balanced so you can travel anywhere and use any trade hub or whether you will "pick sides" and allow the enemy factions to drop significantly negative.

You can keep everything balanced by declining missions that have you attack ships or structures of the opposing factions and periodically moving to an enemy system and missioning there too but it can be a lot of work. The reward is freedom of trade and movement. The other way means you have to set your autopilot to avoid regions that are controlled by the empire factions that no longer like you and accept that without a LOT of work you will never be able to trade or travel there freely but you don;t have to spend time moving around and can accept any mission you want.

If you change your mind later, google the Standings Repair Plan and be prepared for some work.