EVE Online News

[h3]Creative capsuleers![/h3]
EVE Online: Equinox, the first major expansion of 2024, is rapidly approaching! This third installment of the Equinox in Focus series shines the spotlight on the new abilities to create bespoke ship SKINs, coming with the release of the expansion on 11 June. Read on for all the details and tune in to CCPTV on 23 May at 16:00 UTC to get even more in-depth information on the new SKINR for ships and to see it live in action.

With the Equinox expansion, the SKINR tool will be extended to ships, empowering you to fly your true colors, express your unique identity, and unleash your creativity through the design of personalized, custom SKINs. The possibilities are vast: from adorning your own ships or strengthening the collective identity of your corporation or fleet to embarking on a new career in New Eden, generating income by either selling your masterpieces in the Paragon hub or by specializing in seeking out and selling rare design elements.

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When Equinox and SKINR for ships launch on 11 June, there will daily login gifts for 7 days offering amazing design elements to fuel your creations and sequence binders to help you get started in producing SKINs. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a head start on taking your EVE experience to a new creative level!

[h2]CREATIVE CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS[/h2]



The new SKINR interface introduces a robust palette of design elements for your custom creations. These consist of basic and metallic nanocoatings in a wide variety of colors, as well as a selection of overlay patterns. Each SKIN design consists of five customization slots, four for nanocoatings and one for patterns. SKINR for ships can be found through the NEOCOM and is accessible anywhere in space, not just in stations.

The design studio offers unprecedented customization options and is where capsuleer creativity will truly explode. You will be able to move, rotate, and resize patterns around the hull, and apply different colors to separate sections of the ship, meaning that the smallest of variations applied through these tools will result in different, fascinating outcomes and designs. These options will open the doors to almost endless varieties of unique and distinctive creations.

Paragon will supply all capsuleers with a starting library of nanocoatings and patterns, with more available through the new Paragon Hub, on the market, and around New Eden through event rewards, daily goals, loot, and more. Design elements will have different rarities and drop rates, presenting opportunities for enterprising pilots to acquire and sell them for a healthy profit, or create rare and desirable SKINs that may fetch an even more handsome price in the Paragon Hub. Designs can be given unique names and even added to custom SKIN lines that you create.

Using SKINR, budding designers will be able to craft their own SKINs for almost any ship in EVE, except the capsule, Tech III, and special edition ships. Up to five designs can be saved at a time for modification or sequencing later, with the ability to save more designs coming in the future.

[h2]BUILD YOUR DESIGN EMPIRE[/h2]



Once the design is ready, it must be sequenced into a SKIN license to be applied to a ship. Each sequence has a certain cost based on a tier system using PLEX as the primary currency. The sequence cost is based on the rarity and quantity of design elements used, and the sequencing time is based on the SKIN tier and your skill level. Specific skills that will be introduced with new skill books in Equinox will allow bulk and faster sequencing, so some training might be in order! These skill books can be quickly purchased directly from the skill window.



Before design elements can be used in SKINR, they need to be activated. Some are limited to a certain number of usages, while others can be used an unlimited number of times, but keep in mind that sequence binders are required when sequencing SKINs that use unlimited design elements. Paragon will supply all capsuleers with a certain quantity of these to get started, but more can be purchased on the market, acquired through events, or looted.

Sequencing SKINs for different hulls is linked to clone status, meaning that Alpha clones are limited to Alpha pilotable hulls, while Omegas can sequence for all ships. In simpler terms: If you can fly a ship, you can also sequence a SKIN for it.

Once a SKIN is ready, it will be added to the new collection, where you can activate it for your own ship or sell it through the Paragon Hub.

[h2]YOUR STYLE AT A GLANCE[/h2]



An integral part of the SKINR experience is the Paragon Hub, providing a platform to showcase designs and find the ideal look for your fleet. The interface is easy to navigate, and the hub provides opportunities for budding designers to make a name for themselves, not to mention untold riches. As well as being a venue to buy design elements, the Paragon Hub allows SKIN sellers to list their creations for sale and choose either PLEX or ISK as their currency, as well as the length of listing, which determines the basis for the SKINR service fee and Hub listing costs.

At launch, the Paragon Hub will only contain sequenced (player made) SKINs, while prime (CCP made) SKINs will continue to be available through the New Eden Store and the EVE Store. Prime SKINs will also feature patterns, effects, and colors that are not available through SKINR, so the increased creativity afforded by SKINR will dovetail with the continuing presence of stunning prime SKIN offerings in New Eden.

A new Collection interface is also being introduced, giving you a comprehensive overview of the sequenced SKINs and design elements that you own. This also features new SKIN icons, each displaying the SKIN adorning the correct ship, giving you a proper visual representation. Navigate your collection to seek inspiration for your next design as you browse your design elements or seamlessly choose the perfect SKIN for your upcoming adventures.

[h2]DRESS TO IMPRESS[/h2]



SKINR for ships launches with the Equinox expansion on 11 June. This is the first iteration, and the tool will see exciting updates and upgrades in upcoming releases and expansions. There are already plans in place to add the ability to share designs, more features tailored to groups and corporations, as well as many more design elements and options.

The introduction of this new tool is sure to cause an avalanche of new and amazing SKINs, as SKINR empowers the capsuleers of New Eden to craft their unique identity and make each ship a true statement of expression.

For more in-depth information about SKINR for ships, don’t miss the upcoming live stream on CCPTVon 23 May at 16:00 UTC.

[h3]Vanguard, [/h3]

The next monthly deployment of warclones is almost here, and legions of Vanguard will soon be let loose for another trial of ground combat. As in previous First Strike events, the playtest is open to all Omega as a part of Founders’ Access. This will be the last chance to play the current map for a while, as a new one is coming in June. So, jump in and conquer it during the May event while the opportunity exists!

The next First Strike event takes place between 12:00 UTC 23 May and 12:00 UTC on 27 May. 
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EVE Vanguard is a uniquely collaborative effort, with our Founders being instrumental in pointing out areas for improvement and testing the latest additions as they are implemented. We will continue to collect feedback from players to improve and build upon a solid foundation.  

[h2]HOW TO BECOME A FOUNDER [/h2]

To get access to EVE Vanguard, and make your mark on the ongoing development of the game you need to become a Founder, which only requires active Omega status. For those who haven't already, this is the perfect time to upgrade, as both the EVE Store and the New Eden Store are offering a bundle including 14 days of Omega access and the Naglfar Fleet Issue Arkombine Arisen SKIN for a limited time, giving anyone interested in jumping into EVE Vanguard an unmissable opportunity. 

[h2]MASSIVE IMPACT, MASSIVE REWARDS [/h2]

As Vanguard you will have an impact in the ongoing war in New Eden and will be rewarded for your contributions. As in previous First Strike events, there are exciting challenges to face and impressive rewards on the line.  

Warclones will receive the Burst Arkombine Arisen SKIN for acquiring 10 clones (exchanging biomass for additional clones at recloning stations). This challenge can be achieved by individuals or squad members, but as all clones acquired in a squad counts toward the progress of all members, it will be significantly easier to achieve with others. 



You will receive the Scythe Fleet Issue Arkombine Arisen SKIN for harvesting 750 units of inert alloy and 250 units of reactive alloy.  



Reaching the top 10 of the “Contracts Completed” leaderboard will reward you with a wealth of PLEX. Over five friendly fire kills during the playtest will disqualify the player from these rewards. 



Finishing the challenge of acquiring 10 clones will contribute to the reward track that has been ongoing since the December event, with those who finish four out of the six challenges receiving the sleek new EDENCOM gun SKIN, as these new cosmetic updates make their first appearance in the next major update to EVE Vanguard, coming in June. 

See you on the surface, Vanguard!

[h3]Capsuleers![/h3]
EVE Online: Equinox, the first major expansion of 2024, is coming soon. This second installment of the Equinox in Focus series gives you early insight into four new ships coming to New Eden when the expansion launches on 11 June. Read on for all the details and tune in to CCPTV on 16 May at 16:00 UTC to get even more in-depth information on the new ships.

The Equinox expansion introduces a formidable lineup of new Upwell industrial ships, enhancing the fleet capabilities of capsuleers venturing into the resource-rich expanses of nullsec. The new vessels are the Squall, a base Tech I hauler; the Deluge, a sleek Tech II blockade runner variation of the Squall; the Torrent, a robust deep space transport; and the Avalanche freighter, the largest ship from Upwell.

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Each of these vessels is equipped with a large infrastructure hold, able to store various items essential for owning and upgrading sovereign space. This includes the new orbital skyhook, Metenox moon drill, sovereignty structures and upgrades, as well as other Upwell structures, resources, deployables, and more. Despite their primary role as industrial ships, all four boast considerable missile firepower for their size, allowing them to deter potential aggressors keen on plundering their valuable cargo. Two new skill books are being added to go with the specialized nature of these ships: Upwell Hauler and Upwell Freighter. These can be acquired at Upwell Consortium NPC stations.

[h2]THE SQUALL – ENTRY-LEVEL HAULER[/h2]



Starting with the Squall, this ship serves as an affordable entry-level hauler, ideal for transporting infrastructure and reagents. Priced slightly above a Tech I cruiser hull, the Squall offers comparable cargo capacity, hit points, and defensive capabilities, enabling it to fend off smaller aggressors or participate effectively in larger fleet operations, such as skyhook raids. It has Upwell Hauler skill bonuses that will boost infrastructure hold capacity and missile damage, and a role bonus that dramatically reduces effective distance traveled for jump fatigue. In terms of slots, the Squall has a high/medium/low layout of 4/5/3, capable of fitting three launchers and three rigs.

[h2]THE DELUGE – BLOCKADE RUNNER[/h2]



The Deluge, a Tech II variation of the Squall, trades some cargo capacity and missile firepower for enhanced stealth capabilities, including the use of a covert ops cloaking device. Its improved mobility and warp speed make it the perfect choice for maintaining your infrastructure on the fringes of your space or operating behind enemy lines. The Deluge has similar Upwell Hauler skill bonuses to the Squall, boosting infrastructure hold capacity and missile damage, and also boasts Transport Ship skill bonuses to warp speed and warp acceleration, as well as a reduction in cloaking device CPU requirements. In addition, it has role bonuses to reduce effective distance traveled for jump fatigue, allowing the fitting of covert ops cloaking devices and a covert cynosural field generator, immunity to all cargo scanners, and a cloak reactivation delay reduction. The Deluge has a 4/4/2 slot layout, capable of fitting three launchers and two rigs.

[h2]THE TORRENT – DEEP SPACE TRANSPORT[/h2]



Its big brother, the Torrent, is another Tech II variation of the Squall. It sacrifices some agility and speed for increased hit points, a larger infrastructure hold, more firepower, a fleet hangar, and substantial bonuses to overheating defensive and propulsion modules, as well as energy neutralizers. This ship is ideal for operations in high-threat environments where both capacity and survivability are paramount. The Torrent has Upwell Hauler and Transport Ship skill bonuses that boost ship infrastructure hold capacity and missile damage, as well as fleet hangar capacity and shield resistances. Its role bonuses add to the ship’s warp core strength, double the benefits of overheating several modules, as well as reducing the effective distance traveled for jump fatigue. The Torrent has a slot layout of 4/6/3 and is capable of fitting three launchers and two rigs.

[h2]THE AVALANCHE – A NEW FREIGHTER[/h2]



The pinnacle of this new fleet is the Avalanche, an immense freighter that not only carries a vast amount of resources but is also the first freighter in EVE Online to feature high-power slots, with enough missile firepower to match most battleships. Unique among freighters, the Avalanche can equip capital shield flex hardeners and benefits from an enhanced bonus to auto-targeting missiles, making it a formidable presence in any logistic or combat scenario. It boasts Upwell Freighter skill bonuses to ship infrastructure hold capacity, missile damage, and auto-targeting missile damage, and role bonuses that dramatically reduce effective distance traveled for jump fatigue as well as capital flex shield hardener capacitor activation cost and powergrid requirements. In terms of slots, the Avalanche has a high/medium/low layout of 6/3/3, and a capacity for six launchers.

[h2]PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS CARGO[/h2]



In the design of these ships, the intention was to make them not only appealing and useful for those involved in logistics gameplay and maintaining alliance and sovereignty infrastructure but also to ensure they were captivating for a broader audience of players. To this aim, the ships have been equipped with missile launchers that benefit from a substantial bonus to damage, setting them apart from other combat-capable industrial ships like the Procurer, Orca, Rorqual, and Nereus, which predominantly rely on drones. The goal was to enhance these vessels to be exciting and powerful enough to actively contribute to small gang skirmishes, ensuring they are more than just vulnerable targets laden with valuable cargo.



To ensure that these ships appeal not only to major corporations but also to individual industrialists, the infrastructure hold has been expanded to accommodate everything necessary for larger and smaller industry tasks. This includes a wide range of materials, such as fuel and planetary commodities, making these vessels an excellent choice for pilots seeking a superior alternative to the Epithal for carrying out their Planetary Industry operations.



[h2]REDEFINED HAULING EXPERIENCE[/h2]

Upon the launch of Equinox on 11 June, blueprints for the Squall and Avalanche will be accessible at all Upwell Consortium member NPC stations. The Deluge and Torrent must be invented from Squall blueprint copies. The invention jobs require new Upwell starship engineering datacores, which are available in the four empire Factional Warfare militia LP stores. Additionally, the construction of these new Tech II ships calls for new Upwell components, with blueprints available from all Upwell Consortium member NPC stations, using a mix of all the racial components.



Whether you are an individual industrialist or corporation member hauling valuable resources across the vastness of New Eden, or looking for a large holds to carry the loot and corpses of your overconfident victims, seeing what creative fittings you come up with is a thrilling concept, and sure to inject excitement into the cluster. Start gearing up for the adventure by catching the live stream on CCPTV on 16 May at 16:00 UTC.

[h3]Capsuleers! [/h3]
EVE Online: Equinox, the first major expansion of 2024, is coming soon. This first installment of the Equinox in Focus series gives you early insight into the invigorating changes, new structures, and exciting customization options coming to null security space when the expansion launches on 11 June. Read on for all the details, and tune in to CCPTV on 8 May at 16:00 UTC to get even more in-depth information on the expansion. 

At the heart of the Equinox expansion lies the desire to make null security space more meaningful and active, endowed with more customization options for content and activities, and creating topology. Star systems are seeing impactful changes, with planets now becoming integral to each system's function, dictating their strategic importance. 

Since the introduction of citadels in 2016, the Upwell Consortium has played a significant role in nullsec. With its new Equinox suite of solutions, Upwell presents the next pivotal steps in transforming nullsec from the space you live in to your home. Capsuleers will gain access to more tools and content than ever before to allow them to shape space according to their needs. With improved mechanisms, streamlined ownership, and more personalization, a foundation is being laid for the future of nullsec – a space that means and matters more to its denizens.  

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[h2]NEW STRUCTURES [/h2]
One of the main ways Equinox attempts to shake up the status quo in nullsec is by empowering capsuleers with major new Upwell structures: the orbital skyhook, sovereignty hub, and Metenox moon drill. These structures allow the extraction and exploitation of new colony resources, enabling capsuleers to tap into the wealth of resources available on planets and moons within their sovereign nullsec territory, utilize these resources to grow their wealth and influence, and disseminate them throughout their empires.  



[h2]ORBITAL SKYHOOK [/h2]
Replacing the customs office, the orbital skyhook takes the form of an anchor, and will be required to extract resources from planets. It not only replaces but retains the functionality of the customs office as a resource interface for Planetary Industry, but also enables the extraction of new colony resources introduced with Equinox. Skyhooks can be attached to all planet types, but only within player-owned sovereign nullsec space, and only one can be placed in orbit of each planet. 

Once an orbital skyhook is in place, capsuleers must be vigilant, as there's a periodic risk of encountering a Pirate Orbital Blockade. These blockades challenge players to either engage in combat with pirate NPCs, potentially at an officer level, including capital and supercapital ships, or run the blockade. Successfully lifting these blockades rewards pilots with ISK in addition to enhancing the defensive rating of the solar system. The blockades thus give capsuleers more opportunities to tackle powerful pirate NPCs for impressive rewards. 



[h2]SOVEREIGNTY HUB [/h2]
The introduction of the sovereignty hub will provide massive, new opportunities for owners of sovereign nullsec space. Replacing the existing sovereignty structures - the territorial claim unit and the infrastructure hub - this revolutionary new Upwell structure will refresh and enhance sovereignty management, upgrade mechanics, and gameplay in capsuleer-controlled systems.  

The key feature of the sovereignty hub is sovereignty upgrades, which provide pilots with the primary means to improve and customize the systems they control. This will provide value to the space owner and create a drive to capture space, which in turn is all but guaranteed to ignite territorial conflicts. These new upgrades will offer more meaningful choices than currently existing sovereignty upgrades, adding to capsuleers’ control and creative options over their sovereign territory.  



One example of improved sovereignty upgrades is the addition of a new, harder combat anomaly for the Pirate Detection Array upgrade. Furthermore, all sites detected by this array will now have a chance to escalate, with some having the possibility of capital or even officer escalations. 

Another upgrade will allow the detection of previously undiscovered ores, allowing sovereign nullsec leaders to choose what minerals their system will provide, potentially reducing manufacturing bottlenecks and shaping space to suit their needs. 



[h2]COLONY RESOURCES [/h2]
The expansion introduces three new colony resources: Power, workforce and reagents. These will be required in different quantities to fuel the various upgrades available to the sovereignty hub, impacting the customization options available in that territory. System topology will determine resource availability, as each type can only be extracted from specific sources.  

Power comes from suns or plasma and storm planets. It is a hard limitation within each system, which determines how many upgrades your sovereignty hub can support and run. Workforce consists of the people, specialists, and tools required to run these upgrades. This is a soft limitation and can be transferred between systems, however certain conditions apply. Reagents are two new fuel types, extracted from ice and lava planets. They are used to fuel sovereignty upgrades and to run the Metenox moon drill, and are freely exchangeable, opening new market opportunities for entrepreneurial capsuleers. 

Once the resources have been extracted, power and workforce will become available in the sovereignty hub, while reagents must be collected and distributed. 



[h2]RESOURCE-DRIVEN CONFLICTS [/h2]
Perceptive pilots will notice that power is somewhat of a baseline resource, while the other two offer more opportunities for disruption. As power and workforce will be required for sovereignty upgrades, fresh opportunities will emerge for those looking to sabotage and disrupt by choosing to destroy orbital skyhooks. These structures function similarly to medium Upwell structures with a single shield reinforcement and damage caps on armor and hull, and will continue working while reinforced. 

Additionally, a new form of hit-and-run activity is being added around the orbital skyhooks, allowing pilots to hack into them in the style of ESS heists, enabling them to steal resources and sell them off. Reagents will have a period of maturation within the structure, ensuring that they will always be somewhat vulnerable to theft. 

Throwing enemies’ workforce into disarray by attacking a sovereignty hub’s Workforce Transport Complex or a workforce-providing skyhook directly or even starving them of an essential reagent before an attack will become viable stratagems, bringing meaningful new conflict drivers to the table for raiders and attackers. 

The introduction of these new structures is sure to gain immense attention, including the notice of local pirate forces, so be wary of warping to these structures in undefended haulers! In fact, there’s a chance of facing officer-level NPCs around skyhooks, so be prepared. 



[h2]METENOX MOON DRILL[/h2] 
Another deployable structure being introduced in Equinox is the Metenox moon drill. Fueled in part by fuel blocks and also by reagents, a new resource harvestable from planets, this structure can be deployed at moons in lowsec, nullsec, and wormhole space. The Metenox may be less efficient than manual extraction by players using an Athanor or Tatara, but instead, it slowly collects the resources obtained from mining and refining moon ore in an automated fashion. This gives smaller alliances and corporations normally more focused on aggression the ability to mine moons, even if they lack the necessary manpower. For those groups that do have the manpower, they can focus their attention on the high-value moons while the Metenox takes care of the lower value ones. 

Metenox moon drills are vulnerable to attack, only having a single, short reinforcement timer. Any materials will be trapped inside reinforced moon drills, allowing aggressors to provoke engagement or loot resources for themselves should they be able to destroy the structure. In addition, successful attackers can deploy their own Metenox in its place. 



[h2]IMPROVED INTERFACE [/h2]
The new structures aim to bring more life to nullsec. In terms of quality of life, the user interface is seeing changes aiming to enhance in-space interactions, reduce friction, and ensure smooth usability when engaging with the new structures. A dedicated in-space UI allows for seamless depositing of fuel and hack objectives, as well as easy access to crucial information. This streamlined interface will allow effortless interaction with the new Upwell structures without breaking immersion. 

Information about the distribution of the new colony resources, power, workforce, and reagents will be easily accessible through the Agency window under the Resource Harvesting tab. The interface allows capsuleers to search and filter for specific resources, their availability and quantity, informing pilots’ decisions about the expansion of their sovereign space and empowering them to find and target valuable star systems. 

Capsuleers in managerial roles will gain access to a dedicated interface capable of installing and prioritizing upgrades. Pilots will be able to design their desired layouts for upgrades, monitor resources available to the sovereignty hub, and efficiently manage workforce transfers. The interface provides a centralized hub for strategic decision-making, enabling managers to optimize their territory effectively. 

Additionally, through the corporation window, all players within an alliance holding sovereign nullsec territory can now track collective progress, receive updates, and gain insights into their sovereign space activities. The alliance tab has been revamped with a new section dedicated to sovereignty. The aim here is to strike a balance between clarity, accessibility, and engaging aesthetics. By incorporating table layouts for easy sorting, filters for enhanced research, and graphical data representation for items such as resource allocation and fuel consumption, the interface is designed to inform and captivate, ensuring capsuleers stay engaged and up to date about the state of their territory. 



[h2]NAVIGATING THE NEW NULLSEC [/h2]
With the introduction of the Equinox suite, Upwell sets out to redefine the strategic importance of system locations within the universe. It enables capsuleers to specialize the systems they oversee, providing the flexibility to adapt and maneuver workforce resources across their territories as necessary. 

Strategic planning is paramount with the Equinox suite, as pilots must consider potential attack vectors. For instance, a system might offer substantial power resources but lack nearby workforce sources and be susceptible to isolation. Capsuleers may invest in such a system or opt for a less optimal but more defensible position. Furthermore, pilots must consider how they'll distribute various system upgrades to maximize their effectiveness - specializing in mining or combat operations could greatly influence their strategic decisions. 



The Equinox expansion also introduces heightened opportunities for raiding, trading, and betrayal. Expect intense specialization in mining or combat readiness in certain systems. Pilots can utilize Metenox moon drills as strategic bait for skirmishes or as significant income sources on a larger scale. The ability to fine-tune systems to suit specific needs, such as mining for isogen or hunting high-level pirates, will appeal to many. For those adept at wormhole operations, the thrill of ambushing an overly ambitious adversary or raiding a vulnerable reagent skyhook offers a tantalizing prospect. 

There is much to anticipate with the Equinox expansion. It promises to transform how systems are valued, equipping pilots with innovative tools to customize their space and sparking new dynamics in conflict across varying scales. The unfolding strategies in this transformative era of nullsec promise to write thrilling new chapters in the storied legacy and future of New Eden. Make sure you tune in to CCPTV on 8 May at 16:00 UTC for a live, in-depth look at the expansion, and don’t forget that the Capsuleer Day celebrations are in full swing – a great way to start gearing up for the expansion by accumulating daily rewards such as Skill Points, boosters, SKINs, and more. 

[h3]Capsuleers![/h3]

The Pulse comes to you from the heart of Jita 4-4, your source of news from New Eden!
 
This episode contains details on the following:

00:00 - Intro
00:18 - Equinox (Upwell)
01:09 - Equinox (SKINR)
01:52 - Capsuleer Day XXI
02:45 - Wormhole war
03:16 - Skirmishes in nullsec
03:38 - Anger Games 6
04:17 - Frigate Free For All
04:51 - EVE NOLA & Amsterdam
05:10 - Community fittings
05:34 - Capsuleer Day Packs, PLEX and Police SKINs
06:09 - Outro

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Huge thanks to Parrthurnax GreyBeard and Loru Gaming for providing wormhole and FFFA footage, respectively!