Navigating the world of PvP in Eve Online can be an intimidating experience. This is especially true for new players who find themselves up against veteran pilots. Rookie pilots often hold back with an impressive list of convenient excuses.
Whether it’s their fear of getting blown up or the complexity of PvP mechanics, these self-imposed barriers keep players from a key experience of Eve Online.
In this article we’re going to explore the 5 most common excuses new pilots make to sidestep PvP in Eve Online and why taking the bold step to enter the fray may be the best decision they’ve ever made.
5 Common Reasons Given to Not PvP in Eve Online
When asking new players why they haven’t tried PvP in Eve Online yet, these were the 5 most common reasons:
- “I’m too new to PVP”
- “I’ll die”
- “I don’t know what I’m doing”
- “I’ll try it when I’ve skilled up more”
- “I don’t know who to fly with”
Do any of these sound familiar? Let’s talk about each one and why it’s not a good excuse.
I’m Too New to PvP
This is something we hear a lot. From players that are only a few days in the game to several weeks. We even hear if from players that are 3-6 months in the game.
The truth of the matter is, you’re never too new to PvP. There isn’t a “right time” to start, Eve Online is a PvP game. Particularly, if you choose to begin with a fleet focused on rookie players.
In these “newbro roams,” the FC not only tells you exactly what you should do but also moves at a much slower pace than usual.
At the end of the day, Eve Online is not only a PvP game, but it’s one that’s meant to be played with others!
I’ll Die
Dear newbro, we all die. This is why one of the 8 Golden Rules of Eve Online is to never undock what you can’t afford to lose.
Here’s the beautiful thing about starting your PvP journey in the NPSI community. Eve Rookies and Linknet have ship handouts. Other groups may have SRP (ship replacement program). Why? So you can go out and blow yourself up without worrying about your own wallet!
Take advantage of groups (even rookie corporations) that give you ships to blow up so you can participate in PvP in Eve Online.
I Don’t Know What I’m Doing
If you’re out on a fleet that’s geared towards newbros like yourself (or players new to PvP) chances are you’re not going to be alone. Take a deep breath and put an X in the XUP channel. You’ll be glad that you did.
The reality is that everyone has to start from somewhere. So go to a fleet, admit you have no clue what you’re dong and trust your FC and the other players to help you along. Eve Online is unique in that it’s community is helpful. When more experienced players find out you’re new to PvP they’ll make sure you get the information you need.
And don’t worry. It could take a number of fleets before concepts start clicking. The most important thing is getting out there to gain experience!
I’ll Try When I’ve Skilled Up More
PvP in Eve Online can be done the first day. In the 2.5 years of running newbro roams I’ve had several players that either ran into a posted fleet or someone brought them out. There were a few instances where it took a few minutes to figure out something viable for the fleet but we got them into ships and into null!
Sure, in order to do a Bombers Bar fleet you need covert ops skills. But for a destroyer or frigate roam? You can do it in a Venture or any destroyer you’re given in the career missions!
I Don’t Know Who to Fly With
Out of all 5 excuses, this is the only one that gets a little bit of legitimacy since CCP doesn’t make it easy to find people to PvP with.
For NPSI PvP fleets, you can check out the NPSI Calendar. Of course, you have to know that this calendar exists, right?
There is a fleet finder in game, however, a lot of public PvP fleets are impossible to get to once they leave for wormhole space or Null Sec. Even some Low Sec fleets might be hard to get to.
Hopefully in the near future CCP will help make groups that are putting on fleets for new players a little easier to run into instead of just happening to Google it or know someone who knows someone.
Until then, Eve Rookies and the NPSI Calendar has your back covered!
Don’t Wait to Get into PvP – Do it Now!
Once again, for those in the back of the room, Eve Online is a PvP game. Don’t wait for the magical moment to start PvPing because it’s never going to come.
There’s always going to be someone in a bigger ship. There’s always going to be someone who has more characters skills than you or has played the game longer. There’s always going to be another excuse and unless you get out into space and practice, you’re never going to get better! Get out there and try it!
