Friday, December 26, 2014
Sorry for the delay
Sorry for the delay, work took an unexpected turn so I haven't had much free time, but when I can I work on the DIN post at work. Hopefully it will be out soon.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Minor update
I forgot to mention that I'm still paying up to 5b for someone to kill Nolak Ataru and bring me his corpse.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Change in focus.
"Censorship is telling a man he cannot have a steak because a baby cannot chew it" - Mark Twain
In their infinite wisdom, CCP has decided to listen to the SJW-equivalent crowd of EVE Online (the ones who take offense to doing anything different than the way they do things), this blog will shift focus to a broader aspect of EVE Online.
Tonight's focus: the newish HQ incursion community "Warp To Me Incursions".
Originally founded by a group of The Valhalla Project FCs who disliked TVP moving away from it's original purpose (training new guys and getting them into HQ incursions), WTM was founded as a newbro-friendly community with an emphasis on fun and no-drama. Most everyone is welcome if they can fit a Battleship with Tech-2 tank and Tech-2 Damage mods (gyros, heat sinks, mag stabs). Boasting an FC pool that has seen some troubles in numbers (more on that later), WTM was a beacon of hope for new players looking to get into the incursion game with near 24/7 coverage. The minimum tank requirements (100k EHP and 70% resists, Passive EM Amp, DC2) are easy enough to hit, and there's a helpful rookie guide to help ease new players into the gist of things.
However WTM has recently gone through a reshuffle, what with one founder running off after turning full paranoid and accusing everyone of some great big conspiracy, and in the related drama over 13 FCs, training FCs, and Logi Masters (don't ask, it's confusing) left because of the shitflinging from leadership and officers, and from a lack of actual officers and leadership who play the game.
Sparta93, generally considered and acknowledged as the "head" of WTM, has stepped down as a founder and is retained in what can only be described as an "adviser with benefits" role. He's been busy with RL work and college, and rarely deals with inter-personnel issues, preferring to let the "Human Resources" officer deal with it despite being asked directly to intervene on several instances, even before he stepped down.
Aura Union rarely logs in except to move boosters, beg donations, and generally shit on the FCs. He has even reported to have actively bullied one FC to the point of quitting, and then subsequently lied to the other leadership about the incident, actively blocking the player from returning after he was urged to do so by another leadership member, and claiming that he was burnt out and fatigued when called to answer for his actions. If he was truly burnt out and fatigued, he should have removed himself from actively blocking the FC from returning after being asked to return by another Leadership.
Nara is a dedicated pilot and generally doesn't get in the middle of the drama, however he is also unwilling to take a stand against someone like Aura when the latter goes on a rampage. Nara runs fast fleets even when handed new pilots, and shows a dedication to the founding principles that is sadly lacking anywhere else.
Lino Moe, the HR officer, is generally very good at what he does but he suffers from the unwillingness to try to talk to pilots who bring up issues with him. That coupled with a tendency to never put another officer in his place if the latter causes trouble makes one feel as if they're talking to a CCP Dev with their doubletalk, weasel words, and lack of backbone.
MrWacko is a no-nonsense character with a willingness to stand up for what he believes in, however according to some, that backbone has just got him thrown out for telling Aura to back down after Aura went on one of his ragefests.
Den Talidar is a relatively new face, having flown up from being an FC to an officer in a very short time. No explanation given as to why he was chosen over someone who had been there longer, but his recent stand with Aura over the returning FC demonstrates that he was picked as a "yes man"; someone who wouldn't cause waves or prove to have a backbone.
While not an officer or leadership, we must mention Canyon as she is returning as an FC after a spat of drama with WTM and her sudden departure for ISN. No words on whether she's looking to snag an Officer seat, but there are many who are disgruntled with here privately because of her "abandonment" during the drama, not to mention her headbutting with FCs after she applied back to WTM. Still, she's a solid FC and was one of the founders.
Edit: A few we've forgotten.
Sandman is a very good pilot and FC, and manages to run fast and fun fleets. He doesn't mind standing up for himself or members of his fleet, though he has been somewhat silent in recent events regarding officer decisions. Quite possibly one of the best FCs to fly with, both in a isk/hour sense and a fun sense.
Chill Machine is a decent enough guy but one without backbone to stand up to the likes of Aura when he goes on a tantrum. He runs, for lack of a better term, "chill" fleets.
The "should we ban this guy" policy of WTM is fairly strange. Players are generally given a few chances in-fleet or on comms to not do something outrageously dangerous to the health of the fleet before action is taken. However, their use of the "no drama" rule has lead to what can only be described as censorship or active silencing of those who would attempt to expose the inner drama and inner politics of WTM. There's also the penchant for "ban first, ask questions later" among the leadership, as well as a "ignore issues raised by FCs regarding officers" that's lead to quite a number of problems.
As to the identity of said FC who was asked to return by Leadership, one must only look at who has suddenly disappeared from the WTM FC roster and subsequently banned from WTM altogether to figure out who it is. Said pilot forwarded me the correspondence between him and the WTM officer who urged him to return, as well as a "never come back" message sent from a burner toon.
For any new players seeing this and wondering if they should start out in WTM, take this FC's advice and go to TVP. Less of a chance to get shafted by an FC or leadership.
A quote from House M.D. comes to mind here, and I'm paraphrasing: "The test of a man is how he treats those he has power over". It is of the opinion of this FC and the FC that was recently banned from WTM that Aura Union and the other officers of WTM have failed this test. If they are willing to play the politicians game of not holding each other accountable for an FC, whats to say they won't do that for a regular pilot?
If this is seen as a hit-piece, so be it. This is written from a perspective of a former pilot and FC of WTM, so anything here is merely my observations and take on players and their interaction with others.
Next week, I'll take a look at DIN-Flotten, the German HQ community with a healthy number of multiboxers, and I'll look at what the future might hold in store for them with the broadcasting ban.
In their infinite wisdom, CCP has decided to listen to the SJW-equivalent crowd of EVE Online (the ones who take offense to doing anything different than the way they do things), this blog will shift focus to a broader aspect of EVE Online.
Tonight's focus: the newish HQ incursion community "Warp To Me Incursions".
Originally founded by a group of The Valhalla Project FCs who disliked TVP moving away from it's original purpose (training new guys and getting them into HQ incursions), WTM was founded as a newbro-friendly community with an emphasis on fun and no-drama. Most everyone is welcome if they can fit a Battleship with Tech-2 tank and Tech-2 Damage mods (gyros, heat sinks, mag stabs). Boasting an FC pool that has seen some troubles in numbers (more on that later), WTM was a beacon of hope for new players looking to get into the incursion game with near 24/7 coverage. The minimum tank requirements (100k EHP and 70% resists, Passive EM Amp, DC2) are easy enough to hit, and there's a helpful rookie guide to help ease new players into the gist of things.
However WTM has recently gone through a reshuffle, what with one founder running off after turning full paranoid and accusing everyone of some great big conspiracy, and in the related drama over 13 FCs, training FCs, and Logi Masters (don't ask, it's confusing) left because of the shitflinging from leadership and officers, and from a lack of actual officers and leadership who play the game.
Sparta93, generally considered and acknowledged as the "head" of WTM, has stepped down as a founder and is retained in what can only be described as an "adviser with benefits" role. He's been busy with RL work and college, and rarely deals with inter-personnel issues, preferring to let the "Human Resources" officer deal with it despite being asked directly to intervene on several instances, even before he stepped down.
Aura Union rarely logs in except to move boosters, beg donations, and generally shit on the FCs. He has even reported to have actively bullied one FC to the point of quitting, and then subsequently lied to the other leadership about the incident, actively blocking the player from returning after he was urged to do so by another leadership member, and claiming that he was burnt out and fatigued when called to answer for his actions. If he was truly burnt out and fatigued, he should have removed himself from actively blocking the FC from returning after being asked to return by another Leadership.
Nara is a dedicated pilot and generally doesn't get in the middle of the drama, however he is also unwilling to take a stand against someone like Aura when the latter goes on a rampage. Nara runs fast fleets even when handed new pilots, and shows a dedication to the founding principles that is sadly lacking anywhere else.
Lino Moe, the HR officer, is generally very good at what he does but he suffers from the unwillingness to try to talk to pilots who bring up issues with him. That coupled with a tendency to never put another officer in his place if the latter causes trouble makes one feel as if they're talking to a CCP Dev with their doubletalk, weasel words, and lack of backbone.
MrWacko is a no-nonsense character with a willingness to stand up for what he believes in, however according to some, that backbone has just got him thrown out for telling Aura to back down after Aura went on one of his ragefests.
Den Talidar is a relatively new face, having flown up from being an FC to an officer in a very short time. No explanation given as to why he was chosen over someone who had been there longer, but his recent stand with Aura over the returning FC demonstrates that he was picked as a "yes man"; someone who wouldn't cause waves or prove to have a backbone.
While not an officer or leadership, we must mention Canyon as she is returning as an FC after a spat of drama with WTM and her sudden departure for ISN. No words on whether she's looking to snag an Officer seat, but there are many who are disgruntled with here privately because of her "abandonment" during the drama, not to mention her headbutting with FCs after she applied back to WTM. Still, she's a solid FC and was one of the founders.
Edit: A few we've forgotten.
Sandman is a very good pilot and FC, and manages to run fast and fun fleets. He doesn't mind standing up for himself or members of his fleet, though he has been somewhat silent in recent events regarding officer decisions. Quite possibly one of the best FCs to fly with, both in a isk/hour sense and a fun sense.
Chill Machine is a decent enough guy but one without backbone to stand up to the likes of Aura when he goes on a tantrum. He runs, for lack of a better term, "chill" fleets.
The "should we ban this guy" policy of WTM is fairly strange. Players are generally given a few chances in-fleet or on comms to not do something outrageously dangerous to the health of the fleet before action is taken. However, their use of the "no drama" rule has lead to what can only be described as censorship or active silencing of those who would attempt to expose the inner drama and inner politics of WTM. There's also the penchant for "ban first, ask questions later" among the leadership, as well as a "ignore issues raised by FCs regarding officers" that's lead to quite a number of problems.
As to the identity of said FC who was asked to return by Leadership, one must only look at who has suddenly disappeared from the WTM FC roster and subsequently banned from WTM altogether to figure out who it is. Said pilot forwarded me the correspondence between him and the WTM officer who urged him to return, as well as a "never come back" message sent from a burner toon.
For any new players seeing this and wondering if they should start out in WTM, take this FC's advice and go to TVP. Less of a chance to get shafted by an FC or leadership.
A quote from House M.D. comes to mind here, and I'm paraphrasing: "The test of a man is how he treats those he has power over". It is of the opinion of this FC and the FC that was recently banned from WTM that Aura Union and the other officers of WTM have failed this test. If they are willing to play the politicians game of not holding each other accountable for an FC, whats to say they won't do that for a regular pilot?
If this is seen as a hit-piece, so be it. This is written from a perspective of a former pilot and FC of WTM, so anything here is merely my observations and take on players and their interaction with others.
Next week, I'll take a look at DIN-Flotten, the German HQ community with a healthy number of multiboxers, and I'll look at what the future might hold in store for them with the broadcasting ban.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Gankers Strike!
Disaster strikes the incursion communities with a flurry of ganks of faction battleships!
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42295536/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42294111/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42292218/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42268811/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42267633/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42266748/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42265924/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42265290/
The incursion communities are reeling in shock of the nearly 26b isk combined loss. Gankers continue to patrol the area's 0.5 and 0.6 systems, and travelers are advised to not autopilot and to fit a travel fit.
The communities have no official comment, other than a strong recommendation for using travel fits when passing through these 0.5 systems.
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42295536/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42294111/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42292218/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42268811/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42267633/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42266748/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42265924/
https://zkillboard.com/kill/42265290/
The incursion communities are reeling in shock of the nearly 26b isk combined loss. Gankers continue to patrol the area's 0.5 and 0.6 systems, and travelers are advised to not autopilot and to fit a travel fit.
The communities have no official comment, other than a strong recommendation for using travel fits when passing through these 0.5 systems.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Stealth nerf to ISBoxing ganks?
CCP is now coming under fire for an alleged stealth-nerf to ISBoxer ganks with claims of the Global Criminal popup not disappearing on multiple clients despite repeated attempts to click the "OK" button.
Normally, when someone starts firing upon a ship in highsec, and he attempts to warp off, he'll receive a popup stating in short that he is unable to warp off because he's flagged as a criminal. Normally, you can click the "OK" button and attempt to warp off again. However, that is apparently not the case. Players attempting to warp pods off grid are greeted with a surprise: The window will not close. No matter how hard you click the "OK" button, it stays there, mocking your attempts to save your pod.
Now, normally a popup window is no real worry. You can click the warp button again and it will send the command to the server and check if you can. But with the Global Criminal popup, your screen is locked to that single small popup, rendering you unable to warp off even if you click the "Warp To" button again.
When an ISBoxer is attempting to warp off in his pods, it is key that the popup is dismissed as fast as possible.
Currently, we are awaiting CCP's responses to the petitions for reimbursement on the pods. We are optimistic that CCP will make the right choice and replace the implants, but it has been pointed out that CCP is between a rock and a hard place:
If they reimburse the pods, they'll acknowledge that ISBoxers can engage in PVP activities.
If they don't, they'll be confirming that they are going to ban either ISBoxer PVP in the future, or ISBoxer in all formats.
We await the response of the GMs.
If a CCP representative would like to discuss ISBoxer in EVE, please don't hesitate to message me.
Normally, when someone starts firing upon a ship in highsec, and he attempts to warp off, he'll receive a popup stating in short that he is unable to warp off because he's flagged as a criminal. Normally, you can click the "OK" button and attempt to warp off again. However, that is apparently not the case. Players attempting to warp pods off grid are greeted with a surprise: The window will not close. No matter how hard you click the "OK" button, it stays there, mocking your attempts to save your pod.
Now, normally a popup window is no real worry. You can click the warp button again and it will send the command to the server and check if you can. But with the Global Criminal popup, your screen is locked to that single small popup, rendering you unable to warp off even if you click the "Warp To" button again.
When an ISBoxer is attempting to warp off in his pods, it is key that the popup is dismissed as fast as possible.
Currently, we are awaiting CCP's responses to the petitions for reimbursement on the pods. We are optimistic that CCP will make the right choice and replace the implants, but it has been pointed out that CCP is between a rock and a hard place:
If they reimburse the pods, they'll acknowledge that ISBoxers can engage in PVP activities.
If they don't, they'll be confirming that they are going to ban either ISBoxer PVP in the future, or ISBoxer in all formats.
We await the response of the GMs.
If a CCP representative would like to discuss ISBoxer in EVE, please don't hesitate to message me.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
EFT Warriors: The Talos
So, the time has come. You've been sitting in Jita scanning freighter after freighter that undocks, hoping to find something juicy, when it appears.
A freighter holding no less than 10 billion isk in it's cargohold in various faction modules, apparel, implants, and subsystems.
You go to your hangar, get into your Talos, but whats this? It's unfitted? You have no idea what to fit?
Well that's what I'm here to help you with! (Nah jk, everyone knows how to fit a Talos.)
[Talos, Gank]
Tracking Enhancer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Alumel-Wired Sensor Augmentation, Scan Resolution Script
Alumel-Wired Sensor Augmentation, Scan Resolution Script
'Orion' Tracking CPU I
Peripheral Weapon Navigation Diameter
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]
Hammerhead II x2
Hobgoblin II x1
1410 DPS cold, 1609 overheated.
EHP: It's gonna get GCC'd. There is no tank.
Price with T2 guns: 129m isk.
Price with M4 guns: 108m isk. @ 1164 DPS cold, 1326 hot.
Players can expect to use 5-8 per gank, depending on skills, CONCORD antics, bulkheads vs cargos, and any number of things. I won't go into detail on how to mess with CONCORD, as James 315's website goes into great detail on how to do that.
Players can swap painters for other modules that might help applied DPS, like webs, in the set so you don't wind up with wasted target painters.
Good luck, and happy hunting!
A freighter holding no less than 10 billion isk in it's cargohold in various faction modules, apparel, implants, and subsystems.
You go to your hangar, get into your Talos, but whats this? It's unfitted? You have no idea what to fit?
Well that's what I'm here to help you with! (Nah jk, everyone knows how to fit a Talos.)
[Talos, Gank]
Tracking Enhancer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Magnetic Field Stabilizer II
Alumel-Wired Sensor Augmentation, Scan Resolution Script
Alumel-Wired Sensor Augmentation, Scan Resolution Script
'Orion' Tracking CPU I
Peripheral Weapon Navigation Diameter
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
Neutron Blaster Cannon II, Void L
[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]
[Empty Rig slot]
Hammerhead II x2
Hobgoblin II x1
1410 DPS cold, 1609 overheated.
EHP: It's gonna get GCC'd. There is no tank.
Price with T2 guns: 129m isk.
Price with M4 guns: 108m isk. @ 1164 DPS cold, 1326 hot.
Players can expect to use 5-8 per gank, depending on skills, CONCORD antics, bulkheads vs cargos, and any number of things. I won't go into detail on how to mess with CONCORD, as James 315's website goes into great detail on how to do that.
Players can swap painters for other modules that might help applied DPS, like webs, in the set so you don't wind up with wasted target painters.
Good luck, and happy hunting!
Monday, November 3, 2014
EFT Warriors: Fleet BlapCane
Today, we shall look at a fleet setup for the Hurricane. This fit was theorycrafted by a multiboxer for lowsec gatecamp disruption. It focuses on alpha using a rack of 720mm Howitzers to achieve it's goal of killing the gatecampers before they have a chance to get reps or jump through.
[Hurricane, Hurricane - DNA Imported]
Damage Control II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Small 'Vehemence' Shockwave Charge
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
Medium Ancillary Current Router II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Hobgoblin II x5
Hammerhead II x3
Requires 1% CPU implant, or remove the smartbomb.
EHP: 70.7k
DPS: 482 (Quake + Hammers)
Volley: 3397
Pro's:
Relatively cheap at 63m ISK.
Lots of alpha while keeping tank.
Natural recharge bonus gives 119 hp/s shield recharge with the double LSE.
Con's:
Requires someone else to bring tackle.
No webs, so good luck hitting that Dramiel orbiting at 5km/s.
No MWD/AB.
Severe vulnerability to bombs if you go to nullsec (335 sig)
Minmatar (just kidding)
Verdict:
It's an interesting fit that begs for a MWD at the very least. It might be a good starting ship for those looking for practice controlling a fleet and target picking, but after that, it should be shelved. The shield buffer gives you some breathing room in case stuff goes south, but after that 50k ehp is gone, the rest will go by very fast.
[Hurricane, Hurricane - DNA Imported]
Damage Control II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Small 'Vehemence' Shockwave Charge
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
720mm Howitzer Artillery II, Quake M
Medium Ancillary Current Router II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender II
Hobgoblin II x5
Hammerhead II x3
Requires 1% CPU implant, or remove the smartbomb.
EHP: 70.7k
DPS: 482 (Quake + Hammers)
Volley: 3397
Pro's:
Relatively cheap at 63m ISK.
Lots of alpha while keeping tank.
Natural recharge bonus gives 119 hp/s shield recharge with the double LSE.
Con's:
Requires someone else to bring tackle.
No webs, so good luck hitting that Dramiel orbiting at 5km/s.
No MWD/AB.
Severe vulnerability to bombs if you go to nullsec (335 sig)
Minmatar (just kidding)
Verdict:
It's an interesting fit that begs for a MWD at the very least. It might be a good starting ship for those looking for practice controlling a fleet and target picking, but after that, it should be shelved. The shield buffer gives you some breathing room in case stuff goes south, but after that 50k ehp is gone, the rest will go by very fast.
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