Running Missions (again)
stargrace 
Just flying around in my caracal trainer. I’m still saving up ore to get my thorax prototype off the ground, but mining has been a bit slow lately.
EVE Echoes
Caracal Trainer
I’m still playing Eve Echoes – the only mobile game I’ve ever really stuck with, but things have slowed way down. I’ve been training towards T7 (78% through at the moment) and still have 340+ hours on that. In the meantime, I’ve been hauling my supplies back home because my NullSec area has gotten busier recently, and it’s not as safe as it once was. I spent the day hauling ore and PI back to my HighSec home, and contemplated what ship I want to fly next. I have blueprints for an Imicus and a Thorax Prototype, so that might be where I go. The trainers are OK beginner ships, but they really don’t compare to ships on that tier.
In the meantime, I’m still farming the 500 ore for 250,000 a few times a day. I can’t really do combat missions that reward that sort of cash, so it’s still the best way for me to stockpile.
Mining in NullSec
I spend most of my time these days out in NullSec, where I find it safer than LowSec for whatever reason. I’ve set up some PI, I have a little corner for mining, and so far I’ve been left mostly alone. That being said, it’s NOT safe, and there are definitely things you can do to make it ‘safer’.
I use a warp core stabilizer. The venture comes with +2 already, on top of what I’m using, so getting locked down is a bit harder than normal. I also use a shield extender, so if someone is attacking me I don’t just instantly explode, I should have time to warp away. I always have a station or gate aligned, and I can easily head to either of them if someone warps into my asteroid belt.
Don’t mine the ore that is right at the front when you warp in. Instead, pick the stuff that is further away. That way when someone else warps in you have a few extra seconds.
Don’t assume you’re alone, remember cloaking is a thing.
Don’t AFK. Can’t stress this one enough. Be aware of your surroundings.
I recognize the names of the other miners in my area, it’s usually the same ones all of the time. I look for any ! names in local, and while the tips and tricks above won’t work 100% of the time, it will help you keep that ship just a little bit longer.
I managed to save up enough components to craft my venture III today and I can’t wait to give it a whirl. It has an extra laser slot, which is a pretty big deal.
I’m still trying to figure out what combat ship I want to fly. Something with missiles. Suggestions?
Newest Game Obsession – EVE Echoes
I signed up for beta but never got in – EVE Echoes released one week ago and I have played fairly steadily ever since then. It works exactly like EVE Online – except the universe is completely fresh, nothing is joined to the PC version – and oh yeah, it’s a mobile game.
Somehow, through a combination of streamlining the base game, and user interface optimization, the game that I’ve played a desktop version of for a number of years off and on has risen to the top of my ‘lets play’ list for the near future.
It’s an MMO, there’s still PvP and PvE, there’s still industry, there’s even still Planetary Interaction. Jumping gates takes less time, you don’t slow down if you’re on autopilot, and if you close the mobile game app while you warp the game continues to warp you.
Neat.
I’ve started off much the same way I did in the desktop version of the game. Doing the tutorials, getting my free ships, and mining to earn some quick and easy income. I’ve got a few million ISK to my name now, and I’ve just reached Tech V (and part way through). As you level up, skills take more time. Accounts are still alpha (free account) but they’ve also added an ‘omega base’ for $6.99 CAD, on top of the ‘omega standard’ ($17.99 CAD) and then a combination deal. Each one unlocks some ships and skills you can’t use otherwise, along with a boost in training points. Not really ESSENTIAL to game play, but certainly nice to have. I figure even if I’m not playing, I’ll probably still show my support by supporting the $6.99 subscription – it’s a really comfortable price point for me.
I want to get into industry, just like I did in the desktop version of the game, but it requires some learning. There’s no R&D agents, and PI doesn’t actually require you to refine anything (that I can tell at least). Instead it seems to be a combination of harvesting from PI, loot from encounters, and mining / processing minerals.
So far I’ve been spending most of my time in lowsec, I mine in a .3 area that’s busy enough but they tend to leave me alone. I have my temporary base set up in a .9 that is 5 jumps away, but I may move later on.
Oh yes, and to use contracts you need to be an omega account, just like the desktop version of the game requires. Jita has been so incredibly congested that I have only made it to the area once before a message popped up saying that I should go around (wish I knew that before I bought something in Jita, I had intended on picking it up). There have been a few glitches here and there, but so far the launch has been incredibly smooth – and I’m having an absolute blast. I have a hard time believing that this is a mobile game – it plays incredibly well (I’m using my phone, but you can also use an ipad etc).
Happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!