Post Patch Day

Unless you've been hiding under some veldspar, you will know that Dominion has landed, and for me it was the first patch day to go without major incident.

Credit where credit is due to CCP on a very smooth patch.

Content wise, the sov changes really do not affect me that much in my day to day life within EVE, however the graphic changes, and fleet changes are a welcome move.

For myself within EVE, I have finished my work up in Ammatar space and have completed the move back to Gallente space, I fancy getting into some exploration with my new found skills, and perhaps some C1,C2 wormholes, of which I have read many good stories from fellow bloggers.

Fly safe out there

Nuke

CCP's Public Image

As any EVE player must know by now, a huge issue has been looming over EVE the past month or so, the fact that the changes proposed by CCP, and tested and agreed by hundreds of dedicated EVE subscribers who gave their time in testing, was just thrown away by an unknown member of CCP.

Add to this that the suddenly revised changes to super-capitals, of which brought a thread-naught like no other ever seen on the EVE forums, with bitter sworn enemies agreeing on the outrageous re-balancing proposed by CCP Nozh, and then coupled with the fact that CCP are actively deleting posts which does not suit their desired public image on the boards, and we are looking at very bad public image, and a truly dismal look at how CCP seem to interpret the active views of their subscribers.

The fact that they are both deleting posts, and have yet to give a good reason without hiding behind excuses to the members who gave their time on testing, as to why they suddenly proposed some totally awful changes and trashed the changes which was agreed good by the mass community. In addition these changes have only proved that they know little if not nothing about their own mechanics of the super capitals ( Target painters vs Dreads?? o-O )

I agree with a fellow blogger, Dominion should be postponed and CCP should resolve this public relations disaster, CCP Nozh should apologize for his terrible handling of the re balancing, and the views of those who actively use these ships in EVE should be listened to and given credit.

Back In Gallente Space

Well as a follow-up on my previous blog post. I succeeded with some help to regain my Amarr standing so I can fly in Amarr space.

I now have l4 agents in Gallante & Ammatar space. A big help in rebuilding standing.

I also had the fun of running a few missions in low sec, and evading the local pirates, had a few close calls, but overall enjoyed my time.

The only thing I have to say about Ammatar space is how quiet it is. Really I thought some ninja's would be capitalizing on the amount of missions run up there.

Anyways back to business!

Boldly I Go With Just A Punisher

Some of you will know that I've been having problems with my standing with Amarr Navy being at -6.16 with Diplomacy IV.

Today I discovered I could use a single -15 quality Ammatar agent, so I've fitted a Punisher in Dodixie, and left my corp mates and moved over to deep in Minmatar space to begin the long grind.

If anyone has any tips please do either evemail me in game or post them here in the comments.

Dominion's Changes My Own View

I felt I'd give a few paragraphs on my thoughts about Dominion and the upcoming changes to the Sovereignty system.

I am a high sec dweller, I spend sometime in low sec space, but I have nothing to do with the politics of null sec, so that's out of the way.

For all too long we have heard of how major alliances have basically a concrete foothold on money printing moons in null sec, enough to fund those high enough in the alliance indefinitely in EVE.

This I honestly feel is totally wrong, and was in need of fixing, while many null sec people are whining about how level IV missions are safe and a steady way to make isk, one thing remains a factor between the two parties. This is that level IV players, have to grind to make their isk. Where as those high up in the huge Sov 4 holding alliances basically sat back and let the money come in.

Therefore I feel adding some grind to the null sec's dinner is a good move, it will stop AFK empires being built, and open the space up to both high+low sec alliances/corporations, who are used to and willing to grind and own some space.

I look forward to the proposed changes from CCP as mentioned by my good friend Prometheus09 which should be made public today or tomorrow.

Either way change is a good thing in EVE, and while there is much controversy the fact remains any change, any change at all would likely have brought highly opinionated views being thrown on the table.

For reference the threadnaught is being discussed: HERE

EVE Blog Banter - 13

Welcome to the thirteenth installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed here. Check out other EVE Blog Banter articles at the bottom of this post!

The first banter of this 2nd year of EVE Blog Banters comes to us from Zargyl from A Sebiestor Scholar, who asked the following: On the EVE Fanfest2009 page are pictures of prizes for the Silent Auction that was held during the event. One of these photos was entitled “Design your own EVE mission”. My question now would be what kind of mission would you write if you got that prize? What would the mission be about? Would it be one using the new system of epic mission arks? What would be the story told by it? Feel free to expand upon his questions and put together your very own mission!

This is something I have given thought to a great deal, since I am a mission runner in EVE.

I would like to place my first point on the predictability of missions, even with interface improvements and refinements, you still get to a point where you know each spawn, and every type of scenario.

What I would propose would be to create missions which have huge rewards but are totally random in the formation and strength of the AI forces. This would I feel promote users to create a fleet to cover logistic roles, such as warp scramblers to stop microwarp driving AI frigates, ECCM to deal with ECM cruisers, cap transferring to combat energy neutralizing battleships, and remote repairing to combat the increased DPS.

This would open up whole new aspects in mission running, where no two missions are alike, and possibly enhancing it further by incorporating the AI from the sleeper NPC's.

I feel this would make missions runners be more careful in their fittings, it would promote teamwork, and with it I think it would bring more immersive gameplay to the current predictable missions in EVE.

Titan Pilot For A Day

It was one of those days, I have been having fun with Prometheus dealing with some macro mining hulks, but I fancied something totally new for a few days.

It was at this point, that I heard off a station not far from my location which was offering to put pilots into a test holographic-environment, here they would have level V skills, and best of all, will be able to pilot Titans of all races. I plotted course, and booked myself in en-route.

Upon arrival my ship was taken to a secure dock, and my ID was checked to verify I was suitable for the tests at hand.

As I entered the test environment, I checked my assets and almost fell over at the list of goodies, faction ships of all races & types. Plus I had every racial capital + titan.

I loaded up a old Avatar fit I remember seeing in channel, and fitted her up and then undocked.

What greeted me was sheer hell, the hundreds of capital wrecks, and in seconds the ships computer alerted me to an incoming missile from a nearby Phoenix, without thinking much, I diverted power to the armor tank and locked up the Phoenix, and then fired the doomsday.

As the doomsday spooled up, my ship took numerous hits which would tear apart any other ship, and then, the Phoenix stopped firing, it shook violently and then exploded with a huge shock-wave, which shook all the smaller ships in the vicinity.

I sat back with an evil grin, and noted Aura mention of the ships fuel supply down by 10%, as I slowly made my way across the field of utter carnage, mangled wrecks of the finest ships in the universe, seeing battles with hordes of fighter bombers, the immense weaponry at hand here, I got a new taste for what exists in EVE.

And so I set my course to the FFA2 beacon, which was a free for all for capital ships, and prepared for combat.


---

The scammer who scammed himself

Another boring day in Jita trying to make enough to afford the repairs on my ship.I took quite a pounding when I got caught in a gank operation coming into Jita and ended up with massive structure damage, the awful replicated coffee here was barely drinkable, and after 10days of seeing nothing but random contracts which are blatantly scams I was bored.

Bored to a point where I opened a trade guy saying he would sell a Caldari Navy Raven to the first person to open a trade window, grabbing my Neocomm I flashed up a trade window almost immediately.

Surely enough a CNR pops in, then vanishes... and is quickly replaced with a stock Raven, nothing new here I think... and then a evil plan forms.

I enter 450,000 isk, not the 450million he was thinking, with a evil grin on my face I ponder if the scammer will accept, after a few moments he accepts and the deed is done. I check my ship hanger and my new Raven is sat there nicely.

With a cackle, I take out some of my savings and order a three course dinner from the service intercom, and set the dock workers to work on stripping my battered Ravens modules and parts onto my shiny new one.


Till next time.

The Alliance Tournament

Well, PL wins once again, with what has to be the most epic Stealth Bomber fleet that I have witnessed in EVE.

C02 put up a valiant fight, and as said by the commentators, they was a underdog of sorts, but I think after the events of today, are soon to become a name which will be rapidly remembered come the next tournament.

If anyone has one of those assault ships going spare, hit me up ;)

Choices Choices...

With a loud alarm my Neocomm awoke me from my drunken slumber, the memories of the celebration painfully apparent in my head. I contemplated throwing my Neocomm into the trash chute, then I noticed a message entitled.

"Navy Dominix + Navy Armageddon coming!!"

At which point I bolted out of bed, and ordered a coffee from the vending machine, and with much interested I read the upcoming changes to the ships, and their respective slot arrangements. Also while also excitingly noting the new bonuses.

As I took some painkillers I surveyed my ship collection one Bhaalgorn, a relic of a drunken nights "good idea". It sat in Jita unused and unloved. I pondered selling it, would surely ease up the funds for the new Navy ships I had to own... when my door alarm sounded...

It was a friend of mine, we barely speak I call him Hyp... because I often think he lives on a diet of caffeine, boosters and energy shots.

Still I indulge him and invite him in, the coffee I just got from the vending machine, consumed in a single go as he blurts out about pirate ships being boosted..

Eventually I calm him down, and come to learn how pirate ships are being boosted also!..

I read up again on even more changes, and look at my Bhaalgorn, I had the contract window about ready to place it on contracts, I cancel that, and see Hyp to the door.

As I sit back, and order another coffee from the machine, I sit and think...

"Dominion, they should call it Hell Unleashed"

The Lemmings Swarm

For those of you unaware, an event unfolded last night which was like no other, a fleet of rookies with no skill-points, in rookie ships, went into low security space and onward to zero security space.

It was an event on part with EVE Radio, and one I plan to take part in very soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aURcH8wKUlo

A quick video to let you see the hilarity.


I should be blogging more soon, at the minute my partner has a broken hand and is not doing too well.

Till next time.

The Butterfly Effect In EVE.

Today was just a normal day for me in the world of EVE. As my pulse lasers tore apart another Serpentis baron, I felt no remorse for the pirates who I was sending to their graves. I listened to my radio, and relaxed in my capsule, noticing my neocomm was blinking I took a look at what was going on in local.

I see a request for help in a mission, another pilots tank was breaking and he was scrambled, I often ignore these, but a quick check showed this to be a two month old NPC corp player. After a quick thought, I gave the Serpentis Baron a lucky break and engaged my warp drive to the stricken pilots location.

Upon arriving he is indeed in serious trouble, his armor was very low, and he was pointed by multiple frigates, and his long range railguns was helpless vs the close orbiting pirate ships, I checked the mission which was buzz-kill so I knew immediately I was not ideally tanked for this, either way I released my drones and engaged the frigates surrounding his ailing Megathron, and opened my pulse beams onto the few battleships remaining.

Around five minutes later, the mission was over, he was alive, and perhaps a little wiser, and most thankful and after which we departed.

This had me thinking, their is indeed piracy in EVE, corruption,greed, and distrust.

But their is kindness, and at times it can help make this game that little bit more special.

Till next time.

The Alliance Tournament

Well not long now till the next tournament, the previous was my first ever since my arrival in EVE. I enjoyed seeing other capsuleers fight it out in some great setups, using awesome strategies, and obeying their FC with razor sharp precision.

I can only hope this years will bring along more laughs similar to the single interceptor offered 250mil to self destruct!, and the triple A spider tank, those moments will stick with me for a while.

Best of luck to all those involved, and I hope we see some excellent action!

Dust 514

I was going to right a long and informative blog about Dust514, CCP's new console based MMO/RTS/FPS. But after reading other blogs such as :

. The Wandering Druid of Tranquility

. Crazy Kinux's Musing

I feel I can only add that I eagerly await more details on the exact impact this will have on people in 0-0 space. Also while the screenshots and videos look impressive I await a playable demoed product with more anticipation then promotional shots.

What I would like to add though would be an interview with the CCP CEO, about Dust.

. Interview (EVE Forums)

The Upcoming Patch

I felt I'd lay down a few thoughts on the impending release of Apocrypha.

I feel that in my limited experience, that up to now the market for rigs has never been better, my sales have netted me nice profits. And reasonable demand has been steady for the past few weeks, and the lack of supply to some outer areas has helped me increase my wallet.

Why am I posting this?? well with the patch around the corner sales have fallen through the floor * thanks for the notice CCP ;) ) but I digress my point is this will be a huge help to all manufactures who are in low-mid level corporations, and of course an additional source of income to those in the huge alliances.

I would also like to add that after playing on Singularity for a few days, that I am impressed by the new effects, and I do hope they make it through to TQ. I hope the alliances are still able to effectively use their carriers after the changes, but I feel that some cool-down period may be needed while pilots get used to the new system.

Till next time.

Abundance of stupidity

It has been a while since I was at my home station, after a long day working for my agent, I walked into my familiar room, the cleaner bots had done a decent job, everything was immaculate, in true to my style I thew my coat on my bed, and told the computer to make coffee.

I decided to check on my hangers inventory while I was relaxing with a well earned coffee, and noticed my Proteus was indeed docked here, I had not flown it since I first got it, a smile formed on my face, and I informed the dock to prepare it for a ride, as it lined up on the outbound docking platform for me, it was a stunning sight.

As I undocked and burned off and jumped to warp, and passed into my personal favorite ratting grounds, I noticed upon a single ship following me, shrugging him off I kept popping the rats, suddenly I notice my shields take a single large hit.. and a notice on my screen, I then see concord rush to my aid and destroy this single ship. I bear an evil grin, and scoop his loot, for a gank ship was fitted pretty nicely so thanks ( you know who you are ;) )

Perhaps he didn't notice this was 0.5 space, perhaps he messed up, perhaps I was silly for flying in 0.5 in a T3 Proteus. Or perhaps he thought I was an idiot and would be all gank no tank? either way his loss my gain and as I docked and went to my room, and noticed the cleaning bot had managed to knock over my coffee, I realized stupidity is indeed most abundant, and went to look for a hammer.

Dealing with the rookie system baiters

It was a quiet day in my area of EvE, a few guys was arguing near the hanger, sounds like someone pawned him off a normal stabber for a fleet issue. I smugly watched my neocomm for any interesting chatter.

I happened to notice one of my friends on a private chat channel mention about a few guys from some minor corp was can baiting in the newbie system Duripant, bored I ordered my Ishkur from the hanger and paid my bills as I left the bar with a quick swipe.

As all systems come online in my Ishkur I check they are all at optimal and that my drones are stored and primed. I then remembered how much I have fought with this ship. All the battles it has brought me back home from. I smile and undock and immediately jump to warp.

A few jumps later I form up with a few friends and enter Duripant, sure enough we have a Rifter, and a Dominix out can baiting, a quick ship scan showed the Dominix was using invul fields, a chuckle runs across the comms as we empty all the bait cans.

Faced with 4 targets from various corps, we expected them to bail, however we was only half right, scanners showed the Dominix had docked up, and as normal local was full of smack talk, I instructed Aura to minimize local, and powered up the directional scanner, and watched the Rifter pilot who was orbiting me.

A split second as I had checked the directional scanner, my ship was hit, I detected no lock... I curse in my pod, and immediately unleash my drones and web & scram the Rifter and let loose with my blasters, the rounds shaking the tiny Assault Frigate with each volley, I divert power to the microwarp drive and begin to tuck into a tight orbit... before switching power to the armor repairer... I noticed his armor peel from his fragile hull, and soon his pod ejected from the disintegrating ship.

A quick cheer went around the group.. we hoped for more of their corp to come along however... we was disappointed.

Still with one kill under my belt I headed off to Auvergne to check on some orders, and to speak with my agent.

Music and EVE

It was early morning, I climb out of bed, last nights events faded a little in my memory. I grab my neocomm as I leave the shower, and grab my clothes.

As I put on my shades and walk over to the docks where a team of people was getting my Obelisk ready for the trip to Jita, I happen to hear some music, I believe it was a song of Alienhands, it spurred me to think about how music impacts EVE, a thought of which continued on my way to Jita.

Passing through the various jumps, uneventful really I gave some thought of how high BPM music powers the pvp players same as metal... and drum and bass, and how it influences their view of the universe. In addition I also noticed how quieter music like Alienhands can make the universe such a peaceful place, and as I fly by the looted wrecks of a few haulers..I contemplate how such ignorance can be a danger, and hold my cloak on the next gate....

Perhaps it makes no difference and the universe will always be chaotic, but as I glided into the safety of Jita's docking ring, I felt my journey had been very peaceful and as the workers hurried to unload my cargo, I went off to my rented room to meditate.

Till next time.

The newcomer

Sitting in the bar after a long day working for my agent.  I relaxed into the soft chair, and checked my contract sales.. looking good! quite a few good sales there..  Pleased that people pay for something I got for free, I order myself another drink.
 
As I sit back in the chair with my drink I notice on my Neocomm an application... a 5 day old player wanting to join my corp, perplexed a little as I normally deal with pvp/pve not recruitment I decide to approve him. 
 
Upon entry I welcome him and begin to run down a check-list of questions, but am stopped by an abrupt demand for isk... I chuckle and sip my drink and inform him EVE does not work like that.  The reply was more profanity about how a pirate killed him in low sec space.  I explain about low sec and the rules of don't fly what you cannot afford to loose, to more excuses on him needing isk for a Caracal... of which I know obviously he has no skills to fly...
 
After about 30minutes of trying to help him, the bar is closing and I feel I need to wrap this up as I could use some sleep, as I have a huge hauling job to Jita tomorrow and I need to be alert.. in asking him if we could continue tomorrow he drops out of corp... a quick check and he has left and is back in a NPC corp.
 
Bemused a little I hand my empty glass in at the bar, and head for my bed.. a weird night for sure.

Starting Up

Well, this is mainly a starting block as I get to grips with the whole layout.

I plan to maintain this with my experiences in EVE. And my thoughts in regard to the DevBlogs.