[p]Capsuleers,[/p][p]New Eden runs on industry, with mining and exploration providing the literal and figurative fuel that keeps the cluster going. This post will delve into the new ships arriving with the Catalyst expansion, as well as the 2D map and some exciting changes coming to carriers.[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Tune in to
CCP TV today (11 November) at 15:00 UTC for even more details about all the changes coming with Catalyst.[/p][p][/p][h2]Pioneering Industry Greatness[/h2][p]Level up your industry game with the Pioneer, a stepping stone between a mining frigate and mining barges.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]The goal is for the cost of the Pioneer to be ten times greater than a Venture, but ten times less than a mining barge. It will therefore provide a good recovery point if a player loses their mining barge and can’t afford to replace it.[/p][p]
Mining For All Levels[/p][p]Even rookies can obtain this new mining destroyer after only a few hours in New Eden, and fly it as Alphas, who can train the new Mining Destroyer skill to level 2.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]There is even more to unlock for Omegas, who can train it up to level 5, so this vessel can scale as you level up your industrial ambitions.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p][/p][p]
Unparalleled Range and Options[/p][p]The Pioneer will have the furthest mining range of any vessel, and can accommodate up to three mining lasers, giving it a unique advantage.[/p][p]
Outrider Tech II Variation[/p][p]The Outrider Tech II variation of the Pioneer will be able to fit a micro jump field generator module, allowing it to reposition itself and nearby mining vessels rapidly. It is the first industrial command ship with this capability.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]That doesn’t mean that the Outrider is solely a fleet mining ship. It will also have some solo mining capabilities, making it a great vessel for stealthy mining, with the micro jump drive as a form of escape.[/p][p]The Outrider will be more affordable than the Porpoise, but without compression access. Furthermore, the Porpoise has stronger bonuses while using the medium industrial core.[/p][p]
Pioneer Consortium Issue Navy Destroyer Variation[/p][p]The consortium issue navy destroyer variation of the Pioneer is a versatile vessel, especially for solo mining.[/p][p]It boasts:[/p]
- [p]Extra mid slot[/p]
- [p]Enhanced drone bay[/p]
- [p]Bonus to shield hit points and shield booster amount[/p]
- [p]Larger ore hold[/p]
- [p]Improved bonus to mining critical hit chance[/p]
- [p]Bonus to drone salvage chance[/p]
[p]
Venture Consortium Issue Navy Frigate Variation[/p][p]The consortium issue navy frigate variation of the Venture delivers the same benefits as the Pioneer Consortium Issue.[/p][h2]Are You Ready for Your Odyssey?[/h2][p]Catalyst introduces a new exploration command ship from the Sisters of EVE: The Odysseus. It allows you to explore for longer, go further afield, and carry more loot back.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]
Exploration Redefined[/p][p]The Odysseus has a number of unique features, including the ability to warp while cloaked, and a ship maintenance bay.[/p][p]This means that the Odysseus can stay in space by itself for long periods, hidden when needed. It’s perfect for pilots who prefer solo exploration, but is also great at supporting group excursions.[/p][p]Not only can it let friends refit on longer expeditions, but the unique expedition hold allows everyone in the fleet to store treasures found in relic, data, and gas sites.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]Whether by yourself or supporting a larger group, you can therefore stay out for extended periods of time, and carry vast riches back.[/p][p]
Powerful New Modules[/p][p]The most powerful hull capable of using a zero point mass entangler module, the Odysseus is the only battlecruiser-sized hull capable of going through frigate wormholes. This enables it to go anywhere in wormhole space.[/p][p]New expedition command bursts are introduced as well: powerful fleet support modules which enhance probing and hacking strength. The Odysseus has a powerful bonus for expedition command bursts, allowing it to improve hacking modules and increase d-scan range.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]It has a large bonus to the duration of the expedition command burst, so you can decloak to burst your fleetmates and cloak up again, with the effects lasting for several minutes.[/p][p]
Environmental Effects[/p][p]An Odyssey is all about the environment, and it has a unique ability to impact the Odysseus. Certain landmark systems, metaliminal storms, wormholes, and sovereignty upgrade system effects will give the Odysseus a bonus, so you can plan your expedition strategically.[/p][h2]The 2D Map[/h2][p]The expansive world of New Eden is becoming easier to read and navigate with the much anticipated 2D map and a variety of other map improvements.[/p][p]Rather than using a flat, top-down projection of the universe, the 2D map features a manually arranged layout. Each system has been carefully positioned to avoid nodes overlapping and create a map of New Eden that feels familiar, recognizable, and easy to navigate.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]It uses a clean, node-based layout focused on jump connections and navigation, and it’s built to grow as more ways to visualize information will be added in the future.[/p][p]The 2D map gives you lots of options for how you want to see the universe. You can group stars by constellation or region, like on the 3D map, use arrow indicators to follow regional jumps, and toggle your ship’s jump-range visualization on or off when you need it.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]
Updates to 2D and 3D Maps[/p][p]For both maps, data visualization scaling has been reworked so outliers stand out more clearly. You can customize the look to your liking: adjust the scaling, choose the colors, and decide the range of data you want to see.[/p][p]A new mining filter category also helps you find ore across belts and nearby anomalies. It provides a simpler, more intuitive way to explore EVE’s resources, as well as improved situational awareness.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]These enhancements make it easier to explore and understand New Eden and allow experienced capsuleers to see their home systems in a new way.[/p][h2]Carrier Changes[/h2][p]The Catalyst expansion also brings several changes to inject more life into the class. These are incremental adjustments, allowing us to monitor the effects and collaborate with capsuleers to refine their role in the ecosystem.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]Firstly, the build cost of all carriers is being lowered by around 30%, placing them between marauders and dreadnaughts. This price point will make carriers a stronger PvE
option, while they will no longer compete with dreadnoughts in terms of ISK cost.[/p][p]The final build time will also be reduced by around 10%.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]Following the updates, carriers will be able to carry and deploy more support fighters than before. Each will have four fighter tubes, and be able to deploy two at a time. This increases their utility within a fleet, and encourages a focus on control, in contrast with the damage emphasis of dreadnaughts.[/p][p]The number of light fighter deployments will remain unchanged. A pilot running three light flights can now add a support flight, or run two light and two support, which is an increase from before.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]The Scarab and Cenobite support fighters will also receive a buff, as they have been underperforming.[/p][p]The max target range of carriers will be greatly reduced, to around 300 km. This is done to address “skynetting” – a strategy involving a carrier to attack at long range with near complete safety, abandoning their fighters if in danger.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]In return, a new carrier-only variation of the networked sensor array module – the integrated sensor array – is being introduced. This will allow the pilot to regain the exceptional range and unlimited max range cap, at the cost of additional cycle time, preventing docking, tethering, and warping.[/p][p]The integrated sensor array will significantly buff local repair, with a 30% reduction to repair duration and capacitor use, without the usual penalties.[/p][p][/p][p]
![]()
[/p][p]It will share the networked sensor array’s availability, cost, and build time. It can be swapped for one at any LP store for a smooth transition. We're also increasing the Ship Maintenance Bay on all carriers from 1,000,000m3 to 2,000,000m3, making them more effective at moving ships across New Eden.[/p][p]The hulls have also gotten a visual overhaul, including additional geometry, improved textures, and visual effects. When deploying fighters, you can now see them take off from the ship. They will shoot out from behind blast doors, and on the Thanatos they even emerge from the deck before launching into flight.[/p]
