EVE Online is a sandbox game like no other. In New Eden, players can choose to do what they want to do, and the game has long since introduced the New Player Experience (NPE), which has helped make it easier for new and returning players to try to figure out what they wish to do.
Often new players are either flooded with information or are told to join a nullsec (null security space) corporation and earn ISK via certain gameplays. That being said, this article will be part of a series focused on brand new players, returning players, or even players who wish to do certain activities that they have never tried or didn’t do much in the past but have interest in.
One of the activities for any kind of space (highsec, lowsec, nullsec, and wormhole or j-space) is exploration of data and relic sites. These can be profitable for nullsec and j-space, but like anything in EVE, the risk-versus-rewards formula applies.
So you wish to know how to explore and have never done exploration before? First and foremost, you will need the skills trained for following modules at the bare minimum:
Note: since there’s some difference between Alpha accounts and Omega accounts, Tech 1 variants of items will be listed. You can then search for the item in the market and view if you have the needed skills under the Requirements tab:
* Racial Frigate skill level 1 (important if you are Gallente and wish to fly Caldari for example)
* Core Probe Launcher I
* 5MN Microwarpdrive I
* Cargo Scanner I
* Relic Analyzer I
* Data Analyzer I
* Inertial Stabilizer I
* Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Also, it is strongly recommended to do the tutorial missions and or watch the videos under Exploration via EVE HELP menu:
Now before you go out and explore, you need to buy a ship and fit it with some modules. But which ship should you fly? There are currently four T1 ships in total, one frigate for each faction which specializes in exploration (note: I am excluding Sisters of EVE ships but these will be covered later on in the series):
Amarr – Magnate
Caldari – Heron
Gallente – Imicus
Minmatar – Probe
Which ship is recommended? For a beginner pilot who cannot fit a cloak module or scanning upgrade modules, or is an Alpha account pilot, then none offers a bigger advantage over the others. This is not to say that they all have the same speed or “base tank”; however, if you are exploring in highsec (1.0 to 0.5 systems), then any one will do its job.
I personally like the Probe for highsec exploration because of cargo space and base speed/time to warp.
So how would you fit an exploration ship for highsec only, so that you can get your feet wet?
Below are four examples of fits (T1 modules to keep costs cheap and taking the base skills into consideration including being available for alpha accounts).
To copy a fit into EVE, simply copy the desired fit below starting from the bracket “[” symbol all the way to Core Scanner Probe I x16, then within EVE Online, open the fitting window (shortcut ALT + F), click on the wrench icon on the left hand side, and then on the bottom left hand side click Import & Export to open up the menu. Just click on Import from Clipboard and you can then save the fit or choose to buy it all:
[Magnate, Magnate: Exploration Alpha]
Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Inertial Stabilizers I
Inertial Stabilizers IRelic Analyzer I
Data Analyzer I
5MN Microwarpdrive ICore Probe Launcher I
[Empty High slot] [Empty High slot]Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
[Empty Rig slot]Core Scanner Probe I x16
[Heron, Heron: Exploration Alpha]
Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Nanofiber Internal Structure IData Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer I
Cargo Scanner I
5MN Microwarpdrive I
[Empty Med slot]Core Probe Launcher I
[Empty High slot] [Empty High slot]Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
[Empty Rig slot]Core Scanner Probe I x16
[Imicus, Imicus: Exploration Alpha]
Inertial Stabilizers I
Inertial Stabilizers I
Nanofiber Internal Structure ICargo Scanner I
Data Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer I
5MN Microwarpdrive ICore Probe Launcher I
[Empty High slot] [Empty High slot]Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
[Empty Rig slot]Core Scanner Probe I x16
[Probe, Exploration Alpha]
Nanofiber Internal Structure I
Inertial Stabilizers I
Inertial Stabilizers I5MN Microwarpdrive I
Cargo Scanner I
Data Analyzer I
Relic Analyzer ICore Probe Launcher I
[Empty High slot] [Empty High slot]Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
Small Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I
[Empty Rig slot]Core Scanner Probe I x16
Also, as you train your skills further, I recommend training the following skills which will benefit your exploration activities in general. Should you feel that you wish to move into lower security space, then try to have as much of these skills trained (basic minimums):
For Alpha accounts (Omega accounts can train to Level 4/5 the skills that are not possible for Alpha accounts):
Archaeology to level 3
Astrometric Range Finding to level 2
Hacking to level 3
Astrometrics to level 3
Astrometric Acquisition to level 2
Racial Frigate skill to level 4
Spaceship Command to level 4
Power Grid Management to level 3 (4 is desired)
Navigation to level 3 (4 is desired)
Warp Drive Operation to level 3
High Speed maneuvering to level 3
Evasive Maneuvering to level 3
In the next article, we will cover exploration for both Alpha and Omega accounts for lower security space and more refined fits as well as tips and tricks. Until then, enjoy exploring data and relic sites.
