Last Updated on 2024-08-11 by Kshal Aideron
Eve Rookies Shield Vanguard Fleets are the starting point for any pilot who has never experienced Sansha Incursions in Eve Online.
Since 2021, we have been running an average of 20 VG fleets a month for players brand new to Eve Online as well as those who have never tried incursion fleets at all. The following information will help you get started on your own journey of experiencing this High Sec activity with new friends in an open and welcoming environment.
What are Vanguard Incursions?
Vanguard Incursions are a type of site that spawns within an incursion focus. There is typically 3 Vanguard Systems (sometimes 4), that can spawn 3 different types of sites.
- Override Transfer Array: the Override Transfer Array, or OTA, is most preferred by VG incursion runners. There are 3 waves of Sansha rats who die fairly quickly. However, this is also the most dangerous of the sites since almost every rat warp disrupts.
- Nation Mining Colony: the Nation Mining Colony, or NMC, is the second most preferred site. There are also 3 waves of rats that spawn and payout only comes when 255 pieces of lyavite is dropped in a can.
- Nation Commander Outpost: the Nation Commander Outpost, or NCO, has 4 waves instead of 3 and the rats spawn close range. This is the site that tends to be the most hated, especially if the fleet is made up of long range ships. There are often “NCO Walls” created and left for the next VG fleet.
Why Are Shield Vanguard Fleets the Starting Point?
If you were pointed here from the Eve Rookies Headquarter Wiki, or another point, you might be wondering why the Shield Vanguard Fleets are the starting point.
- Eve Rookies has been specializing in leading players through shield vanguard fleets since 2021.
- A day 1 old character, who spends their 1 million skill points wisely, can participate in these fleets.
- There are Blaster Praxis and Shield Praxis handouts available (for a deposit) to players.
In addition to the points above, the Eve Rookies Shield Vanguard Fleets are viewed as training fleets for aspiring Headquarter incursion runners. In our Shield Vanguard fleets you will learn:
- how to set up a waitlist
- how to set up your overview for an incursion fleet
- how to set up your drones
- how to set up your broadcasting
- how to find the next site align
- how to align down a jump gate
- how to follow tags
- how to enter and leave a site
These are all fundamental lessons that are needed to fly in our intermediate Armor VG fleets as well as Headquarters later down the road.
How to Get Started in Shield VG Fleets
The following is an easy to follow guide to joining our shield VG fleets!
- Join the Eve Rookies Discord and check out the #shield-fleet-ping channel.
- If a fleet is pinged, find the dockup in the #incursion-status channel.
- Get into a shuttle and fly to the dock-up.
- In game, join the channel Eve Rookies Incursions.
- 10 minutes before the pinged fleet time, the FC will start taking X’s in the in game channel.
- To borrow a praxis, place an X in the in game chat channel along with the following sentence:
I would like to borrow a blaster praxis.
OR
I would like to borrow a laser praxis. - The FC will invite you to fleet.
- Once the FC is done with invites, they will open a trade window with you. You will put 250 million isk into the trade window and the FC will add the ship.
- After the fleet, open a trade window with the FC and add your ship. They will add the 250 million isk and you’re significantly richer than when you started.
Doctrine Ships for Shield VG Fleets
Incursion communities will have what’s called a ship doctrine for their fleets. Eve Rookies has a shield VG fleet doctrine as well!
Go to the page and figure out what you want to fly! All ships on the doctrine list are eligible for the Ship Replacement Program (SRP).
For those of you who would like to fly a Paladin or Kronos, you are welcome. However, the ships must have a self rep and they are not eligible for SRP (to date we’ve never lost one).
Helpful Tips and Tricks for the Shield VG Fleet
If you want to try to be ready for your first fleet, then check out the Pre-Flight Checklist. This page includes a video. Some of the UI is out of date, but the idea remains the same.
Why do I have to pay a deposit for a loaner ship?
As you know (or at least heard), incursion ships aren't cheap. While our loaner ships aren't billions of isk in cost, because we do welcome the public we want to make sure that we can buy a new ship if someone decides to run off with a ship.
Is there ever a point I can stop paying deposits?
Yes. If you become a trusted regular and friend of Eve Rookies, there will be a point where you're no longer to pay the deposit.
How "new" of a new player can come get into a ship?
Pretty new. By using a Friend's Link to get the 1 million skill points, players are able to get into a Praxis in about 2.5 weeks if they start an alpha character with flying incursions in mind!
Is my personal ship safe in incursions?
Just like anything in Eve, if you don't want to lose it, don't undock it. While incursions in HighSec are 100% PVE, things happen. We DO allow new players to come along and mistakes can (and have) happened. Incursions are extremely repetitive and people start zoning out (which is why we run for 60 minutes then take a break). And of course gankers are a thing. We do everything we can to reduce the risk of loss, but it's never going to be 100%.
Do I have to join your corporation to participate?
No! Our incursions are open to the public! Of course, if you're looking for a new player corp that can help you with your goals, Eve Rookies is accepting members. ;-D
Your group is supposed to be "chill". Why the rules in the participation part of this document?
Lets put this into perspective. For the price of our "cheap newbro/alpha friendly praxis" I can go and lose 9 enyos or 26 thrashers in PVP. For the price of a Nightmare, I can lose about 30 enyos or 88 thrashers and for the price of Dread's maurader I can lose 120 enyos or 352 thrashers. This is NOT a cheap hobby.
So in order to protect people's personal ships and our investment in handout ships, there's still rules. Some are to protect the ship and some are to make sure that we can actually run and make the isk people are expecting (do YOU really want to fly out 30 jumps and only get to fly for 10 minutes? No? Ok, then we have some rules!)
I've been flying with you for awhile. How do I become a JFC?
That's really great to hear! We love it when players decide that they want to step up and provide content to other players! Take a look at Becoming a Junior FC and let a FC know when you're ready to take the next step!