Space can be a scary place, but only if you come in unprepared. As the second in a series of articles focused on the gameplay in EVE Online, Cody "Micajah" Bye takes a solid look at the PvP-friendly game and explains many of the early nuances that he experienced while flying through the black depths of the game world. Although the editorial focuses on character creation, anyone interested in EVE and concerned about the unique play style should check it out!
Quote:
You see, EVE Online doesn’t rely on the simple “kill the monster to get XP” equation that so many gamers are used to. Instead, EVE Online uses an allotted amount of time that is based on your attribute scores. For example, when I first created my EVE Online character, I opted for a Caldari Civire, which gave me very high perception and willpower attributes. I opted to go this route because many of the combat-based skills – gunnery, sharp shooting, missile launching – are based off of those particular attributes. In order to advance my skills I must “train” them, which takes anywhere from 2 hours to days in real time, and the time it takes to “train” those skills varies depending on my scores in my primary and secondary attributes.
Very much enjoying your series so far about EVE Online.
EVE is definitely unique. You're approach -- starting as a virtual virgin to EVE and then in great detail, walking the reader through what is, at first a challenging, even intimidating experience is intriguing, interesting, informative and a fun read.
I hope you'll continue posting chapters on this series. It's well done and highly useful for any MMO hobbyist whether they choose to play the game or not.
I've actually considered doing article pieces like this for other games instead of our standard reviews (reviews are so "blah" these days) and I'm glad you like it so far! Are you / have you been an EVE gamer in the past?
EDIT: I think you said that you were in a previous post - how long have you played the game?
They're just in disguise. When I started running missions with a "gang" it all came together. That guy who flew his big ship in first and got all the aggro was <gasp> the TANK! And, the little cruiser that kept his whatchamacallits charged up and his ship repaired, kept him "buffed" and the attacking ships "debuffed" was <gasp> the HEALER and she keeps track of everyone's else "health" too! Then there was the "wizard" - the DD king - way off in the distance lobbing missiles at everything. If you're trained to use drones, why, you're a pet class! Even me, in my little frigate, zipping in and around knocking off other little frigates with my short-range guns and missiles - well, I was the rogue! Some frigates do crowd control and debuffing, so a rogue frigate helps a lot by taking these out.
As I watched all this play out, I began to truly understand Eve. That doesn't mean the learning curve is any less steep. Unless you understand what skills allow you to do which things, you can be a long time getting your act together. The type of ship you use also helps define your roll. You can't be a "wizard" if your ship isn't capable of carrying more than one missile launcher, for instance, or if you can't use long-range missiles and you can't really be a rogue in a destroyer (it's too heavy and slow). To use the proper equipment at the necessary power levels takes "training" in the proper skills.
*nods* That's exactly what I'm talking about Cillasi, and I think you've made a very good preview of what I'm going to be talking about in my upcoming impressisons.
Although it's always intrigued me and I've friends who played it (a few still do), I've never played EVE.
But who knows, with LotRO in yawn mode until the MoM expansion hits the shelves, Age of Conan's release quality still 3-6 months away, and Warhammer Online not holding my interest as I'd hoped, that 14 day free trial is certainly tempting.
They're just in disguise. When I started running missions with a "gang" it all came together. That guy who flew his big ship in first and got all the aggro was <gasp> the TANK! And, the little cruiser that kept his whatchamacallits charged up and his ship repaired, kept him "buffed" and the attacking ships "debuffed" was <gasp> the HEALER and she keeps track of everyone's else "health" too! Then there was the "wizard" - the DD king - way off in the distance lobbing missiles at everything. If you're trained to use drones, why, you're a pet class! Even me, in my little frigate, zipping in and around knocking off other little frigates with my short-range guns and missiles - well, I was the rogue! Some frigates do crowd control and debuffing, so a rogue frigate helps a lot by taking these out.
As I watched all this play out, I began to truly understand Eve. That doesn't mean the learning curve is any less steep. Unless you understand what skills allow you to do which things, you can be a long time getting your act together. The type of ship you use also helps define your roll. You can't be a "wizard" if your ship isn't capable of carrying more than one missile launcher, for instance, or if you can't use long-range missiles and you can't really be a rogue in a destroyer (it's too heavy and slow). To use the proper equipment at the necessary power levels takes "training" in the proper skills.
Well this is to a point and ONLY in PvE. To a point because though this is an effective setup, a combination of modules on multiple ships can work better though once you've got a more experienced set of people (i.e.: spider tanks, speed tanks, passive tanks vs active tanks, shield vs armor, hull tnaking[yes really], etc.) The forumula isn't as cut and dry as it seems, and a skilled set of players will have much to teach/illustrate to you as to whcih tenchniques work for which situations.
Sizes of engagements also paly a role, i.e.: frigate vs cruiser vs battleship as well as solo/small gang/fleet/PoS/FW/Etc. ^^
I'd keep going but uhm.. it would be way too much, I'm Aselus in game, give me a ping sometime ;-).
I actually understand what Aselus is talking about
although it took me a while to get those things in the game. I'm an Eve player for a little bit more then a year and I still don't know everything or have done everything (not even remotely).
For me the greatest thing about what Eve has to offer is it's freedom.
There really aren't classes, career's or something like that. and apart from skills or whatnot creativity is your biggest asset. People can become very rich in the game without having trained a single skill (and no, I'm not talking about buying ISK for real money). there are people that run a bank in this game, organize poker games. Or there are people that run services. See a need, fill a need. The list is endless really.
But then again getting rich is only one goal. Eve is one big discovery and it already kept me busy for more then a year, and to know I usually get bored with a game after a couple of weeks.
I hope you'll be having as much fun as I had so far.
As a experienced player in eve I greatly appreciate the "press" that you afford us with these articles. They do read well and it is funny to read the tone in your writing, you still have the newbie fear. I believe one thing that does define EvE is that you can not always be prepared. Every ship is not "balanced" there is no perfect attack or defense, my ship may be strong but all pilots should fly with the idea in their head that some ship out there can whip there ass if it decides to.
I would also like to say as I re read my short post that my choice of words was interesting. I referred to the game as us. There is a lot of ownership in this game and its community by all players great and small not just the developers and the designers. That should be a testament to anyone considering it.
As a long-time Eve player with multiple accounts, I have noticed that some people do not understand that it is often better to join a player-Corp (Eve`s version of a Guild, etc) early on in the game, as that way you`ll get more learning advice and assistance at getting to know Eve better.
Eve-online is very difficult for solo players, which is often the reason so many leave the game after the trial, rarely returning again.
I know some player Corps take advantage of new players, but most are very helpful, and are very willing to enlarge their 'team', and love assisting the learning of newer players.
EVE Online Impressions - Riding the Unicycle
Linear Mode
