The next release for Eve Online will come on September 29 and it brings some interesting changes. This is a fairly small release but it includes some gems such as the long-awaited battlecruiser rebalance, the death of the trollceptor, and a plethora of new skins for you to blow money on. Let’s dig into the changes.
DEATH OF THE TROLLCEPTOR
The term “trollceptor” refers to using an interceptor-class frigate to maneuver through enemy space with relative impunity then using an entosis link on sovereignty structures with the intent of harassing or demoralizing the enemy. Many players argue that this is a valid guerilla tactic which belongs in the game. The more astute members of the community warned CCP of the problems this would bring well before the Aegis sovereignty system was released.
The problem stems from the interceptor’s immunity to warp interdiction bubbles which makes it extremely difficult to catch them in a gate camp. This allows the trollceptor to insert itself deep behind enemy lines with relative ease. In an attempt to address this CCP added a speed cap of 4,000 m/s on ships fitted with an entosis link in the Galatea release. This did little to stop the perceived problem.
In the upcoming Vanguard release CCP is restricting all interceptors from onlining an entosis link—completely removing the ship class from the role. Fast frigates continue to be a viable alternative for guerilla warfare. However, they will be capped at 4,000 m/s and will need to deal with warp interdiction bubbles.
BLUE TIGER SKINS
Forty new skins dubbed “Blue Tiger” are coming in the Vanguard release—one for each T1 and T2 Minmatar combat ship. This rounds out the existing collection of Blue Tiger skins which are currently only for Minmatar industrial ships. These skins give the ships a pale blue accent with gold highlights. CCP seems hell bent on giving you a plethora of options to spend your spare Aurum and cash on.
BATTLECRUISER REBALANCE
Since CCP Fozzie and CCP Rise started their rebalancing initiatives the meta of Eve spaceship combat has shifted to prefer small frigate and cruiser sized battles. This is largely due these ships becoming very good after they were rebalanced. In the Vanguard release we are getting a long-awaited balance pass on battlecruiser sized ships. Here is a brief summary of each of the changes.
- Prophecy: Additional role bonus of 12.5% boost to drone speed. Slight boost to capacitor and speed. Slight nerf of agility and mass.
- Harbinger: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium energy turret range and falloff. Slight boost to armor, capacitor, speed and targeting range. Slight nerf to capacitor recharge, agility, and mass.
- Ferox: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium hybrid turret range and falloff. Minus one high slot and plus one mid slot. Slight boost to CPU, shield, capacitor, speed and targeting range. Slight nerf to capacitor recharge, and agility.
- Drake: Additional role bonus of 25% bonus to missile velocity. Slight boost to power grid, shield, capacitor recharge, speed, mass and targeting range.
- Brutix: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium hybrid turret range and falloff. Slight boost to capacitor, capacitor recharge, speed, mass, hull, drone bay, and targeting range. Slight nerf to agility.
- Myrmidon: Additional role bonus of 12.5% boost to drone speed. Slight boost to capacitor, capacitor recharge, and mass. Slight nerf to agility.
- Cyclone: Additional role bonus of 25% bonus to missile velocity. Slight boost to shield, capacitor, capacitor recharge, speed, mass and targeting range. Slight nerf to agility.
- Hurricane: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium projectile turret range and falloff. Slight boost to power grid, shield, capacitor, capacitor recharge, speed, drone bandwidth, drone bay, and targeting range. Slight nerf to agility.
- Harbinger Navy Issue: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium energy turret range and falloff. Slight boost to armor, capacitor, speed, drone bay and targeting range. Slight nerf to capacitor recharge, agility, and mass.
- Drake Navy Issue: Additional role bonus of 25% bonus to missile velocity. Gains 4% per level bonus to shield resistance but losses missile velocity bonus. Slight boost to power grid, shield, capacitor recharge, drone bay, drone bandwidth, speed, mass and targeting range. Slight nerf to capacitor recharge and mass.
- Brutix Navy Issue: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium hybrid turret range and falloff. Slight boost to capacitor, capacitor recharge, speed, mass, hull, drone bay, and targeting range. Slight nerf to agility.
- Hurricane Fleet Issue: Additional role bonus of 25% boost to medium projectile turret range and falloff. Gains an extra 5% per level of gun damage. Swaps the rate of fire bonus for 10% tracking per level. Slight boost to power grid, shield, capacitor, capacitor recharge, speed, drone bandwidth, drone bay, and targeting range. Slight nerf to agility and mass.
There are some other gems in the Vanguard patch notes such as wormhole polarization timers now showing in the UI. The notes have been replicated below for your convenience.
Patch Notes for Vanguard
2015-09-24 13:58
Patch Notes for Vanguard 1.0
To be released on September 29th, 2015
FEATURES & CHANGES :
Audio:
Different impact sound treatment based on damage state on shield, armor and hull. Will give players better info on state of ship while in combat.
Vanguard theme song
Graphics:
All station and outpost models have been upgraded using the latest shaders.
Subsystems of the Amarr and Minmatar Strategic Cruisers, Legion and Loki, display updated materials and textures.
Market:
• Added Multi-buy, which allows multiple immediate buy orders to be placed simultaneously. Devblog coming soon!
Modules:
Entosis Links may no longer be onlined when fit to Interceptors
Festival Launchers no longer require launcher hardpoints
Missions & NPCs:
Guristas Anomic Base mission added to level 4 combat agents
Skills:
All new characters will now start with approximately 400,000 skillpoints rather than 50,000.
SKINs:
New SKINs for many Minmatar ships. The following new SKINs and associated bundles are now available from the Blue Tiger line:
Breacher Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Burst Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Probe Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Rifter Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Slasher Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Vigil Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Jaguar Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Wolf Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Cheetah Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Hound Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Hyena Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Claw Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Stiletto Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Talwar Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Thrasher Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Sabre Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Bellicose Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Rupture Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Scythe Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Stabber Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Muninn Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Vagabond Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Broadsword Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Scimitar Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Huginn Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Rapier Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Cyclone Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Hurricane Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Tornado Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Claymore Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Sleipnir Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Maelstrom Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Tempest Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Typhoon Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Panther Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Vargur Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Naglfar Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Nidhoggur Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Hel Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
Ragnarok Blue Tiger SKIN (Permanent)
User Interface:
A timer is now displayed when appropriate on wormhole brackets to track the wormhole jump polarization timer
After jumping through a stargate or a wormhole a timer is displayed in the top-left tracking the duration of the post-jump cloak
You can now filter by the SKIN material name in addition to ship name in the SKINs tab of the character sheet
It is now possible to CTRL-A in the ‘View Contents’ window of a ship and cargo containers
Added a confirmation dialog when using the “Reset Quickbar” option in Market window
Wormhole systems can now be auto-linked
Added an in-space bracket for own ship. Only shows when zoomed out.
FIXES :
Gameplay:
Fixed an issue where manual controls would not always respect modifier keys.
Festival Launchers no longer require launcher hardpoints
Graphics:
Modified Planetary Interaction scanning effect to remove unintended lines.
Corrected missing visuals from combat module effects when firing upon multiple targets.
Reworked the paint job on the Eagle Caldari Cruiser.
Localization:
FR
“Kill right” translation has been updated from “Permis de tuer” to “Permis de détruire”.
“Imp” ship name translation has been updated – now always showing as “Imp”.
“career agents” translation has been updated from “agents d’orientation” to “agents de carrière”.
“Neutralisation de capsule” changed to “Neutralisation d’énergie”.
PvE:
The distribution of Vanguard and Assault systems inside Sansha Incursions systems has been fixed. In a 6 system Incursion you should again see 3 Vanguard systems.
Various sites will no longer despawn early when you are using the acceleration gates inside the site after it has been completed.
User Interface:
Fixed an issue where the arrows on the side-panel button in the preview window would sometimes point in the wrong direction
Fixed an issue where the faction logo was offset on the advertisement screen in the captains quarters.
Fixed an issue where joining new chat channels would unpin the stack of chat channels.
Removed the option to abandon planetary launch containers as it had no functionality.
Fixed an issue where the chat window would resize to default when loading the client in an incursion system.
Fixed an issue where linking stations from the asset window would include number of items and jumps.
Fixed an issue where the damage value on bomb tooltips was showing as if it was being affected by the Ballistic Control System module. Ballistic Control Systems do not affect the damage of bombs.
Fixed an issue where the radial menu would show an option to “Jump through to (none)” when activating radial menu on a Titan.
Fixed missing T2/T3/Faction icon in the corner of items in multi-sell.
Fixed an issue that could cause the market quickbar to break when using it to list ice products.
Fixed fitting window sometimes incorrectly showing rig skills.
Fixed a cutoff text layout issue in the calendar.
Fixed a multi-sell issue where items could not be dragged dropped from inventories in list or detail view.
Added a tooltip when hovering over index levels on the system show info window
Hiding the sov holder icon in the show info on an unclaimed system
Made the sov holder icon clickable to show info on it in the system show info window
Fixed a grammatical error in the Structure Command Node description
Removed Sovereignty Blockade Units from the new map markers section.
Fixed an issue where the world map control panel would disappear when setting a waypoint when in a wormhole system.
Ships:
Combat and Navy Battlecruisers have been rebalanced
Every ship in the class receives a new role bonus that helps it apply damage at longer ranges
The speed, agility and capacitor of these ships have also improved significantly
Details of each ship are as follows:
Prophecy:
Amarr Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
4% bonus to all Armor Resistances
10% bonus to drone damage and hitpoints
Role Bonus:
12.5% bonus to Drone max velocity
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 5H, 4M, 7L, 4 turrets, 4 Launchers
Fittings: 1100 PWG, 415 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 3000 / 5500 / 4000
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3000 (+150) / 750s / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 170 (+20) / 0.57 (-0.134) / 15,300,000 (+2,400,000) / 12.09s (-0.5s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 75 / 225
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 50km / 210 / 7 (+1)
Sensor strength: 17 Radar
Signature radius: 270
Cargo capacity: 400
Harbinger:
Amarr Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turret Damage
10% bonus Medium Energy Turret capacitor use
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Energy Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 4M, 6L, 6 turrets
Fittings: 1425 PWG, 375 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 3000 / 5250 (+250) / 4500
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3500 (+375) / 875s (+53) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 175 (+25) / 0.57 (-0.12) / 15,500,000 (+1,700,000) / 12.25s (-0.95s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 / 75
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 65km (+10) / 210 / 7 (+1)
Sensor strength: 17 Radar
Signature radius: 270
Cargo capacity: 375
Ferox:
Caldari Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
5% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret damage (Was shield resistances)
10% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret optimal range
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H (-1), 6M (+1), 4L, 6 (-1) turrets
Fittings: 1250 PWG, 530 (+20) CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 5250 (+250) / 3500 / 4000
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2900 (+150) / 725s (+1.5) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 150 (+10) / 0.63 (-0.03) / 13,250,000 / 11.75s (-0.55s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 25 / 25
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 75km (+10) / 195 / 8
Sensor strength: 19 Gravimetric
Signature radius: 295
Cargo capacity: 475
Drake:
Caldari Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
4% bonus to all Shield Resistances
10% bonus to heavy and heavy assault missile kinetic damage
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to missile velocity
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 6M, 4L, 6 Launchers
Fittings: 830 (+30) PWG, 500 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 5500 (+250) / 3250 / 3750
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2500 / 625s (-32.9) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 150 (+10) / 0.65 (+0.01) / 13,500,000 (-1,310,000) / 12.16s (-0.98s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 25 / 25
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 65km (+5) / 195 / 8
Sensor strength: 19 Gravimetric
Signature radius: 295
Cargo capacity: 450
Brutix:
Gallente Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret damage
7.5% bonus to Armor Repairer effectiveness
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 4M, 6L, 6 turrets
Fittings: 1125 PWG, 435 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 3500 / 4500 / 5000 (+250)
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3100 (+100) / 775s (-14) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 160 (+5) / 0.68 (-0.024) / 11,800,000 (-700,000) / 11.12s (-1.08s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 / 75 (+25)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 60km (+5) / 200 / 7
Sensor strength: 18 Magnetometric
Signature radius: 305
Cargo capacity: 475
Myrmidon:
Gallente Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
7.5% bonus to Armor Repairer effectiveness
10% bonus to drone damage and hitpoints
Role Bonus:
12.5% bonus to Drone max velocity
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 5H, 5M, 6L, 5 turrets
Fittings: 1050 PWG, 400 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 3500 / 4500 / 4750
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2900 (+50) / 725s (-25) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 145 / 0.7 (-0.004) / 12,700,000 (-400,000) / 12.32s (-0.46s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 100 / 200
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 55km / 200 / 7
Sensor strength: 18 Magnetometric
Signature radius: 305
Cargo capacity: 400
Cyclone:
Minmatar Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
5% bonus to Heavy Missile and Heavy Assault Missile rate of fire
7.5% bonus to shield boosting amount
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to missile velocity
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 5M, 5L, 2 turrets, 5 Launchers
Fittings: 1100 PWG, 525 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 5250 (+250) / 3750 / 3750
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2900 (+50) / 725s (-25) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 180 (+15) / 0.68 (-0.024) / 12,400,000 (-100,000) / 11.69s (-0.51s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 / 50
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 50km (+5) / 220 / 6
Sensor strength: 17 Ladar
Signature radius: 250
Cargo capacity: 450
Hurricane:
Minmatar Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
5% bonus to Medium Projectile Turret damage
5% bonus to Medium Projectile Turret rate of fire
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Projectile Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 4M, 6L, 6 turrets, 3 Launchers
Fittings: 1140 (+15) PWG, 400 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 4500 (+250) / 4500 / 3500
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2300 (+50) / 575s (-17) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 180 (+15) / 0.67 (-0.034) / 12,800,000 / 11.89s (-0.6s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 40 (+10) / 40 (+10)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 60km (+10) / 220 / 6
Sensor strength: 16 Ladar
Signature radius: 250
Cargo capacity: 425
Harbinger Navy Issue:
Amarr Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Energy Turret Damage
7.5% bonus Medium Energy Turret tracking speed
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Energy Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 5M, 6L, 6 turrets
Fittings: 1495 PWG, 410 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 4500 / 7875 (+375) / 6750
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3500 (+375) / 875s (+53) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 175 (+25) / 0.52 (-0.17) / 15,500,000 (+1,700,000) / 11.17s (-2.03s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 / 75 (+25)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 70km (+15) / 210 / 7 (+1)
Sensor strength: 21 Radar
Signature radius: 270
Cargo capacity: 375
Drake Navy Issue:
Caldari Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
4% bonus to all Shield Resistances (Was missile velocity)
5% bonus to Heavy Missile and Heavy Assault Missile explosion radius
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to missile velocity
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 8H, 6M, 4L, 8 Launchers
Fittings: 950 (+50) PWG, 550 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 8250 (+375) / 4875 / 5625
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2500 / 625s (-32.9) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 180 (+30) / 0.53 (-0.11) / 13,500,000 (+171,000) / 9.92s (-1.91s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 (+25) / 75 (+50)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 70km (+10) / 195 / 8
Sensor strength: 23 Gravimetric
Signature radius: 295
Cargo capacity: 450
Brutix Navy Issue:
Gallente Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret damage
7.5% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret tracking speed
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Hybrid Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 7H, 4M, 7L, 6 turrets
Fittings: 1235 PWG, 455 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 5250 / 6750 / 7500 (+375)
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 3100 (+100) / 775s (-14) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 165 (+10) / 0.63 (-0.074) / 11,800,000 (-75,000) / 10.31s (-1.28s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 / 75 (+25)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 65km (+10) / 200 / 7
Sensor strength: 22 Magnetometric
Signature radius: 305
Cargo capacity: 475
Hurricane Fleet Issue:
Minmatar Battlecruiser skill bonuses:
10% bonus to Medium Projectile Turret damage (Was 5%)
10% bonus to Medium Projectile Turret tracking speed (Was projectile rate of fire)
Role Bonus:
25% bonus to Medium Projectile Turret optimal range and falloff
Can fit Warfare Link modules
Slot layout: 8H, 4M, 6L, 6 turrets, 3 Launchers
Fittings: 1380 (+30) PWG, 420 CPU
Defense (shields / armor / hull) : 6750 (+375) / 6750 / 5250
Capacitor (amount / recharge rate / average cap per second): 2300 (+50) / 575s (-17) / 4 (+0.2)
Mobility (max velocity / agility / mass / align time): 185 (+20) / 0.61 (-0.094) / 12,800,000 (+300,000) / 10.82s (-1.38s)
Drones (bandwidth / bay): 50 (+20) / 50 (+20)
Targeting (max targeting range / Scan Resolution / Max Locked targets): 65km (+15) / 220 / 6
Sensor strength: 20 Ladar
Signature radius: 250
Cargo capacity: 425
