Solo PvP is the art of fighting alone, where skill, strategy, and ship fitting determine success. Unlike fleet engagements, solo pilots must master piloting mechanics such as manual flying, transversal, scouting their prey, overheating modules, and controlling engagement range. The thrill comes from outplaying opponents, picking fights wisely, and knowing when to disengage. Ships commonly used for solo PvP include frigates, destroyers, and cruisers, often favoring mobility and damage application.
Fleet Warfare & Roaming Fleets
Fleet warfare consists of organized, large-scale battles between multiple groups, often numbering from dozens to thousands of players. Fleets are structured with roles such as damage dealers (DPS), logistics (repair/healing), scouts, and electronic warfare (EWAR). Commanders, called Fleet Commanders (FCs), lead engagements, calling targets and directing movements. These fights can range from skirmishes to full-blown battles over sovereignty.
To get involved, join a corporation or alliance that participates in fleet warfare. New players can start as scouts, tackle pilots, or logistics support in doctrines that fit their skill levels. Roaming fleets, on the other hand, are smaller groups that move through space looking for fights, often using fast-attack ships. Listen to the FC, follow commands, and don’t panic—fleet warfare rewards discipline and coordination over individual piloting skill.
Coalition, Alliance, and Corporation Warfare
This form of PvP involves large-scale conflicts between alliances and coalitions, where politics and strategy matter as much as individual combat. Wars are fought over territory, resources, and power, with long-term campaigns involving capital ships, structure warfare, and espionage.
To participate, join a player alliance with active war campaigns. Roles vary from tackle and deployment to logistics support, intelligence gathering, or even industrial support building warships. Large conflicts often require patience, as fights can last hours. Being in the right ship, following fleet doctrine, and listening to FC commands are key to survival and victory.
Ganking and Suicide Ganking
Ganking refers to surprise attacks on unsuspecting or underprepared players, often in high-security space (hisec), where Concord (NPC police) will respond but cannot prevent the attack. Suicide ganking is a specific type where attackers deliberately sacrifice cheap ships to destroy a high-value target before Concord arrives. Common targets include haulers carrying expensive goods, mining ships, and mission runners.
To gank, players typically use cheap, high-damage ships like Catalysts in groups to overwhelm targets quickly. Hisec trade routes (like Jita-Amarr) and asteroid belts in mining hotspots are prime hunting grounds. To avoid being ganked, keep your ship’s tank strong, avoid autopiloting through busy routes, and use cloaking devices or warp core stabilizers when possible to escape.
Gatecamping and Bubble Camping
Gatecamping involves positioning ships at a star system’s entry point (a stargate) to ambush incoming traffic. In lowsec and nullsec, campers use fast-locking ships and warp disruptors to catch unsuspecting travelers. In nullsec, anchored warp disruption bubbles make it impossible for ships without a nullifier fitted to warp away immediately, making escape even harder.
To participate in gatecamping, set up at chokepoints where traffic is high, such as entry points into busy regions or near trade hubs. Ships like interdictors, battlecruisers, and battleships are common for this. To avoid getting caught in a gatecamp, use cloaky ships, scouting alts, or alternative routes to bypass common camping spots.
Home Defence and Siege Warfare
Home defense refers to defending your corporation or alliance’s space from invaders, while siege warfare involves attacking or defending player-owned structures like citadels. Home defense fleets often scramble together quickly to repel roaming gangs, while sieges involve planned assaults with capital ships and logistics support.
To engage in home defense, be ready to undock quickly when threats appear, be on your corporations comms and catch yourself some invaders. Keep an eye out for neutrals going after your ESS and rat bounties too! Siege warfare requires coordination, as timers dictate when structures become vulnerable. If defending, prepare high-damage ships and logistics support; if attacking, bring high-DPS battleships or dreadnoughts.
Piracy and Ransoms
Piracy in EVE Online is the act of preying on other players, often demanding ransoms instead of destroying a target outright. Pirates typically operate in lowsec, using fast-locking ships to ambush freighters, mission runners, and especially miners. Some pirate groups focus on extorting ISK by capturing ships and offering an escape in exchange for payment.
To become a pirate, roam lowsec hunting for vulnerable targets, using scramblers and webs to prevent escape.
