Header art by Smultar
Ever since the Triglavian Collective’s ships first appeared on hoboleaks, I’ve been fascinated with them. I started researching on the Singularity test server, looking deeper each day. I’ve been trying to piece them together and understand them, what role they would play, and how we would get our hands on them. Last night during the keynote, I was given my wish. Coming in the next chapter in Eve Online, “Into the Abyss”, we will finally have access to these ships and the means for producing them, as well as new skills for enable their use.
What is this?
Basically, this is a new form of instanced PvE content. CCP wants the Abyssal deadspace to offer players short bursts of gameplay, the sort where you just grab your ship and the site key, called a filament, and head into the instance. Abyssal deadspace will have new paths and will require players to adapt to new mechanics while proceeding through three “rooms” before fighting the boss and leaving the pocket, exiting in the same spot in known space as you entered from.
Abyssal deadspace is also the home of the Triglavian Collective, humans with a distinct culture and values that are often found fighting the Drifters. To access the first tier of abyssal deadspace you must either buy a filament on the market or acquire them from relic sites. This consumable item is used to enter the instance, leaving a beacon behind that can be probed by other players. You can find higher level filaments inside.
Abyssal deadspace is also subject to different weather types which modify ship and module behavior within the instance. The type of filament you use tells you what weather you will face. This modifier will affects all ships – both player and NPC – inside the instance. These filaments can be activated in all areas of known space as well as wormholes. However, only cruisers (T1, Faction and T2) can enter. On release, you cannot be followed into the pocket, but you will leave behind a signal on the entry point. This allows other players to wait for you with a loaded gun.
Within the instance, warping and cloak are not possible. Because they are separated instances, there is also no local. Ships should be fit for the weather effects as well as for the activities in that tier. In addition to weather effects, specific rooms may have structures that modify the fighting environment, such as Deviant Automata Suppressors which specifically target drones. These effects may change from room to room, while weather will remain constant through the instance.
There will be multiple types of enemies within the instances, including Rogue Drones, Drifters, Sleepers, and, of course, Triglavians. These different factions won’t be working together, however, and so the possibility of emergent battles exists. Now, even PvE players can enjoy being honorable third parties. Among the loot that can be found in Abyssal deadspace pockets are Mutaplasmids, which can be applied to modules to modify their stats, as well as skill books enabling capsuleers to train into this new factions ships and weaponry.
What are these sites?
These new sites help CCP to push the limits on Eve Online, boasting a new and more advanced AI for NPCs. It also adds the potential for short sessions of gameplay with closed loops, a welcome addition as most solo activities take considerable time for little reward. Mostly it is hoped that because of the unexpected variables the experience will seem more like PvP than PvE.
The rooms are 150km wide, and if you fly too far out of the zone, you take damage. Carry on and you will be destroyed. There are 3 different classes of environments which work as dressing – asteroids, crystals and pillars. These have no effect on gameplay, and are intended just to help set the scene.
Localised effects are also included, and are in the form of a bubble-like effect. These can either be help or hindrance. You can avoid theses bubbles depending on its location. As previously mentioned, Triglavian structures can also be used to help or hinder your progress.
The tiers also scale their effects on DPS and tank. These sites will all use the new AI, and potentially contain Rogue Drone swarms under the Triglavian’s control. Expect these Rogue Drones to support the Triglavians.
Drifters will also occasionally be present. It’s possible that if you have both Drifters and Triglavians in one instance, they will fight each other, or ignore each other and focus on yourself. Finally, these NPC will pod you. Below is a mockup image of an Abyssal pocket. SISI will be updated in a few weeks with the update, where a huge amount of player testing is to be expected.
You can find more information on Triglavian ships and weaponry in our coverage of CCP’s Ships and Modules presentation. Personally, I can’t wait for these new offerings. I’m already thinking about what ships will be best, what skills will need to be trained, and planning to refresh hoboleaks constantly in the coming weeks. You can also expect more from me on the Abyss when we have more solid information.
