If you’re looking to begin your grand space odyssey by taking your EVE Online first steps, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got lots of beginner-friendly content and guides here at Just, but this one is your Day Zero to Day One EVE guide. It’s made for total rookies looking to learn the most basic questions that you may have before you even start playing, from the differences between Alpha and Omega subscriptions to what all of the different currencies and points mean. It’s been produced by our community of New Eden experts, veteran players who’ve simplified their decades of wisdom into beginner-friendly terms.
EVE’s learning curve is notoriously steep. So much so that it’s referred to as the ‘learning cliff’. CCP Games has made strides in flattening that curve, and if you combine their efforts with those of our community members, you’ll discover nought more than a gentle incline. If you want the speedrun version of this article, watch the quick video below from Hunter or this alternative delivered with a certain panache from ThePunisher99. Otherwise, for detail and guidance laid out as EVE Online beginners’ FAQs, read on!
“Welcome to EVE! Prepare to make money, lose ships, and have all the fun you can make! I started playing in 2009, and if I knew then what I know now, I’d have had an easier time.” - CommanderA9
What platforms can I play EVE Online on? Can I play on Mac or Linux?
You cannot play EVE Online on console, but frankly, you wouldn’t want to. If there’s any game you’ll want a keyboard on hand for, it’s EVE. If you do want to get your New Eden fix on another platform, try EVE Echoes or EVE Galaxy Conquest, both of which can be played on mobile devices. There’s also the upcoming EVE: War for New Eden - a 4X board game adaptation - and the FPS EVE Vanguard, which has unofficially been scheduled for a 2028 console release.
But for the real deal, the OG, you’ll need to stick with a laptop or desktop computer. You can play EVE Online on PC or Mac, and you can also play on Linux - although there’s no native support, so you’ll want to use Valve’s Steam Proton. You’ll also want to be tech-savvy, says our community member JHenckes: “I don’t recommend it for anyone who doesn’t work with computers.”
Should I play EVE Online on Steam or on the EVE client?
PC users have a choice: play on Steam, Epic Games, or on EVE’s standalone client after making an account at eveonline.com. We asked our community which is best, and they were divided into three camps: pro-native client (“It’s how I’ve played since the inception of EVE” - Moy1), pro-Steam (“It allows friends and other games to be aggregated in one place” - yan57436), and ‘it’s inconsequential’ (“nowadays, it doesn’t really matter” - ErsecondPL).
The gameplay experience itself is identical, but our community members had a few things to say in favour of the standalone client:
“If you're not a Steam user, it's more feasible to use the standalone client by creating an account directly on the game's website, to make things easier!” - JHenckes
“Personally, I’ve never played on the Steam client, so I can’t fairly compare them, but what I can say is that the launcher, when compared to its original version from 2009, has gone through a lot of improvements. Characters are better organised and easy to review before logging in, you have direct access to the EVE news and notifications about events, and updates are seamless and smooth.” - CommanderA9
"You should use the standalone client and only the standalone client. There have been issues with multiple accounts and redeeming stuff on Steam in the past. These may be fixed now, but I highly recommend using the standalone client anyway, because you get access to EVE Vanguard and other things!" - Kane Carnifex
On the other hand, Limal makes a strong case for at least starting with Steam:
“Better pricing - Steam offers regional pricing, meaning you can get Omega or other packs cheaper sometimes. Selecting a USD-based region saves around 6% compared to the EU, and players from India have access to 20% lower prices on all packs and subscriptions. You can later convert your Steam account into a regular EVE account to take advantage of official site deals too.
“Playtime tracking - Steam keeps track of your play hours, allowing you to brag about your dedication.
“Resources - You get access to Steam overlays, community boards, avatars, backgrounds, friends, and other social features.
“Easy remote-play access - With GeForceNow, you can access EVE Online from any device with a screen, making it easier to switch skills or refresh market orders from your mobile phone. While you can do this with a regular account, Steam integration makes it quicker and more convenient.
“So start with Steam and then convert it into a regular EVE account. This way, you get the best of both worlds.”
What are the differences between Alpha and Omega EVE Online subscriptions?
“Alpha and Omega are the game's subscription states, with Alpha being the free-to-play version and Omega the paid version.” - orik Kado
One of those potential purchases is an Omega account. You can start with it, or you can upgrade to it at any time. Alpha accounts are free but have limitations. Omega accounts are premium accounts that come with a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to:
“Omega immediately grants access to all of the ships and modules in the game.” - Moy1
“Omega accounts train skills at twice the rate of Alpha accounts.” CommanderA9
“Some level-five skills can’t be trained using Alpha accounts.” CommanderA9
“You can’t go beyond five million Skill Points (SP) training on an Alpha account” - ErsecondPL
So is EVE pay-to-win? The short answer: No. Here’s orik Kado:
“This doesn’t mean Omega makes the game ‘pay-to-win’. Instead, it simply allows you to train any ship, use any module, and perform any activity you desire. But if you’re not skilled at what you do, an Alpha player can still easily defeat you.”
An Omega account does give players a leg up on levelling up, but Alpha is still a generous offer, and many recommend it for brand-new players:
“Alpha accounts are the most notable improvement to the EVE new-player experience. These free-to-play accounts get access to special daily skill boosters and skill packs, and the AIR daily goals offer the chance for additional rewards.” - CommanderA9
“For those just starting out, Alpha is perfect. It gives you access to most things in the game.” - CMDR Henckes
“Don't feel pressured, you can start as an Alpha account and then upgrade to Omega to enjoy the game in its entirety.” - JHenckes
Moreover, players don’t need to pay real money to upgrade to an Omega account. It can be purchased with PLEX, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Here’s orik again:
“Remember that you can pay for your Omega subscription using in-game currency. So, in the long run, you can play as an Omega without spending real money. It all depends on how you play.”
For a more comprehensive breakdown of some of the key differences between Alpha and Omega subscriptions, check out our EVE Online skills guide, which is also recommended reading for any new EVE Online player.
Watch Kane’s video for some accounting tricks that’ll help you get the best price on Omega:
How many characters can I have in EVE Online?
Here’s a question that’s not as straightforward as you might imagine. Technically, each account, whether Alpha or Omega, can have three characters. As CommanderA9 notes: “These characters can share item rewards, PLEX, and bookmarks (if you create a shared bookmark folder).”
However, only one of those players can passively train a skill at any given time, unless the player purchases Multi-Character Training. Consult our EVE Online skills guide for an explanation of passive training and Multi-Character Training.
Moreover, there’s another option that allows players to run and train a limitless number of characters: setting up multiple accounts. This is known as multiboxing, and it has a range of in-game benefits. Multiboxing is legal in EVE, and is highly regarded by some top-level players. However, it’s only allowed for Omega accounts. Multiboxing Alpha accounts is forbidden. Here’s orik:
“You can have as many accounts as you want and open them simultaneously as long as they have Omega status. The only limit is what your PC can handle.”
What are the important considerations when creating an EVE Online character? Are they reversible?
Some character creation decisions are permanent. It’s important to get them right, even more so if you’re planning to stick with a single account. So what are the most and least important decisions and which can’t be changed?
Having second thoughts about your nose piercing? Don’t stress it. The aesthetic design of your character is changeable. Their gender, however, cannot currently be changed. Your character name is permanent too, and as per Luka Zaharin's expert tip in the video below, the reasons for carefully choosing your name - or rather the first letter of your name - go beyond just not wanting to be forever stuck as Brigadier_Bigbutts69:
And that just leaves two more permanent, connected choices: your empire of origin and bloodline. These will help determine your looks, lore, and more, here’s CommanderA9 explaining: “These are the most unique aspects of character creation. They determine where in the universe you start out and what technologies you’ll first utilise.”
You’ll be able to train and fly the ships from other factions later in the game, so you don’t need to worry too much from a gameplay point of view. But the four great empires of New Eden are all distinctly different and have fantastic lore. If roleplay will play even a small role in your game, it’s an important decision.
We have several pieces of recommended reading to help you get acquainted with EVE Online’s factions: EVE Online empires, EVE Online fan fiction, and EVE Online faction propaganda. However, to get a flavour of them, we recommend watching each faction’s cinematic trailer: Gallente Federation, Caldari State, Minmatar Republic, and the Amarr Empire.
After that, you’ll want to choose your skills and attributes. Once more (last time, we promise) we’ll direct you towards our EVE Online skills guide for further reading.
What do the different currencies and points do in EVE Online?
Compared to other longstanding MMOs, which have more currencies than a crypto convention in a FOREX exchange, EVE Online’s currencies are simple, especially given the lifelike complexity of its in-game economy.
SP (Skill Points)
You can guess which link to follow if you want to learn about Skill Points. Considered by some to be a ‘progression currency’, SP are acquired via in-game training and consumable items, and are a measure of your vertical progression through EVE’s 500+ skills.
ISK (Interstellar Kredits)
A nod to CCP Games’s home nation’s Icelandic Króna, ISK is the primary currency for the buying and selling of goods and services in New Eden. Earn it by selling items, destroying NPCs, or completing missions. Use it to buy ships and equipment. It’s tied to individual characters rather than accounts.
“ISK is what makes New Eden go ‘round; it is how you buy items from the market, and it’s the most common method of rewarding pilots for completing missions and assignments.” - CommanderA9
PLEX (Pilot’s License Extension)
PLEX technically stands for Pilot’s License Extension, but the reasons for that are outdated. Instead, consider PLEX as EVE Online’s premium currency. It can be purchased for real cash or bought from other players for ISK in in-game markets. Its price in relation to ISK fluctuates based on demand and supply. It can be used to purchase skins and other cosmetics, ISK, training certificates, character transfers, skill extractors, and even Omega subscriptions.
“PLEX represents what other games might term ‘gold’ or higher-level currency. It allows players to purchase ‘premium’ items and ‘paid’ content. Most importantly, PLEX is accumulated to purchase subscriptions to EVE Online. 500 PLEX is typically enough to buy a single month’s worth of Omega time.” - CommanderA9
Unlike ISK, PLEX can be stored safely in the PLEX Vault and shared between characters on an account.
LP (Loyalty Points)
ISK and PLEX are the formal currencies, though you’ll also acquire LP by completing missions granted by NPC corporations or by participating in incursions and EVE Online Faction Warfare. Once acquired, LP can be exchanged at NPC corporation’s Loyalty Point stores for modules, technology, ammunition, blueprints, implants, cosmetics, and even ships. Many of these items are exclusive, valuable, and therefore sought after.
“Often, players will convert LP into ISK by buying things from Loyalty Point stores and then selling them on the market.” - ErsecondPL
EverMarks
EverMarks are a type of Loyalty Point associated with the Paragon NPC corporation. They can be acquired via the completion of Paragon Missions and daily goals. They’re primarily used for cosmetics, including Player-Owned Structure (POS) skins and emblem slots for ships. As well as being earned via daily goal completion, they can be used to complete daily goals and extend your streaks. CommanderA9 explains:
“EverMarks can also be used to automatically complete AIR daily goal assignments. By doing so, pilots will earn a small amount of ISK and SP, and contribute to larger goals if completed in successive days.” - CommanderA9
How do I get a referral code for EVE Online and what do they do?
It’s often said that the best ship in EVE is friendship. It’s not; it’s the Azariel. Still, the sentiment is valid, and it starts from the get-go. Any EVE player can provide a referral code, although if you don’t know anyone who already plays, search for EVE Online creators and use one of the codes that many of them will post beneath their videos. Or comment below this article and ask for one; we suspect our community members will be happy to oblige.
Using a referral code is strongly recommended; there’s nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Here’s CommanderA9:
“If you’re considering signing up to EVE Online and have a friend who plays, encourage them to send you a recruit-a-friend code. This is the former Buddy Account system. Today, those who join using these recruitment opportunities will immediately receive 1,000,000 SP, granting an edge over other beginners. Already signed up? Fear not, you can use them retroactively. Your link can be sent via email or directly."
orik Kado elaborates:
“Keep in mind that you can only use one referral link. The player who referred you can receive rewards when you use their code if you go on to make purchases from the game’s website. If your account has been active for a while but you’ve never used a referral link, you can still apply one as long as the account that provided it is older than yours.
“Content creators may also provide a creator code, which lets them earn a small percentage of your spend when you make a purchase on the website. It comes at no extra cost to you and it’s a great way to support content creators.”
Supporting content creators? That sounds like our jam. Be careful though, there are scams out there, and not the fun, in-game type. Here’s Sturmer:
“Be cautious when clicking links from in-game spam - always verify the website. Criminals can potentially make fake sites to get your credentials. If you encounter one, immediately report via F12 game petition so the Game Masters (GMs) can block the character and remove the content they’re spreading.”
How to claim your EVE Online referral code
Sturmer gives a step-by-step walkthrough:
“1️⃣ Open the redemption page using this link.
2️⃣ If you already have an account, instead of registering, click “log in to become a recruit”.
3️⃣ That’s it! Within 30 seconds, you’ll receive a redeemable in-game item. Make sure to claim it on the character you want to receive the 1 million SP.”
For a more detailed guide for safely claiming your 1,000,000 SP bonus, check out Sturmer’s full guide. It’s a hefty amount of SP, and in this post Sturmer shows how it can be utilised to earn a whopping 17 million ISK per hour on your very first day of play.
What else do I need to know to take my first steps in EVE Online?
We asked our community of content creators what else they think players need to know to get started in EVE Online. Below, you’ll find their pearls of wisdom:
“Never skip the tutorial. The game is very complex and the tutorial is very important for teaching players about major parts of the game and helping you to avoid common errors. Also, look for a new-player-friendly corporation so that you can help each other and evolve together. Other than that, have fun! The game has everything it takes to surprise you and steal hours from your days.” - JHenckes
“Don’t play alone. All games are better with interaction. Try playing with your friends or join existing communities; there are several welcoming Discords. If you’re not following the tutorial, try watching YouTube videos. It’ll be helpful, but yes - you will feel lost anyway.” Yan
“After finishing the tutorial, follow the AIR Career Paths. You can choose between Soldier of Fortune, Enforcer, Industrialist, or Explorer.” - CMDR Henckes
“Remember that EVE is an MMO. Don’t try to do everything on your own. The game has huge communities that will be happy to share their knowledge with new players. Don’t be shy; ask questions! I guarantee that if players don’t know the answers, they’ll look for them with you so you both learn something new.” - orik Kado
“The most valuable skill in EVE Online is patience.” - ErsecondPL
“EVE is a game in which you’ll constantly be learning. I’ve played the game since June 2003, and there are still things I learn all the time.” - Moy1
“My alliance, Brave Collective, has great resources for beginners. If you’re interested and want to know more, please contact Toushi Kimura in-game or flag someone down in our Discord.” - Kane Carnifex
"EVE Online is an incredibly harsh game in terms of what can happen to you, but it's also one of the best community games in the world. I met my best friend in EVE Online. He's the godfather of my children, and I trust him with my life. It's not just a community. It's a place where everyone can make friends. The community of EVE Online is completely and utterly unique." - FirestormGamingTeam
Is EVE Online a difficult game?
There’s a reason players call EVE the Dark Souls of MMOs. We thought this new-player advice from CommanderA9 deserved its own subsection:
“The most critical aspect a new pilot needs to understand about EVE Online is that it can be a very hardcore MMORPG, of sorts. Actions that might get one banned or disciplined in other MMOs are legal or even par for the course in EVE. It’s perfectly permissible to attack a pilot in high-security space, to infiltrate a rival corporation to steal its assets, deceive alliance leadership with false information, commit in-game fraud, and partake in other heinous acts. There will be consequences, of course. You may find NPC police retaliating, alliances blacklisting you, or areas of space denied to a given pilot.
“Likewise, if your ship blows up, it’s gone. You’ll respawn in a station elsewhere, but the hull as well as some of your items and weapons will be permanently destroyed. Capsuleers fly by the mantra ‘never fly anything you cannot afford to lose’. If you can’t afford to replace your snazziest ship, reconsider taking it out until you’re more capable or on more financially stable ground.
“Lastly, EVE is what you make of it. Your goals are dependent on what drives you. There’s no true way to ‘win’ EVE Online. You define your own victory conditions. Council of Stellar Management member Mike Azariah delivered an excellent address on this matter for EVE Vegas 2017:
"Knowing exactly what you’re getting into can make the difference between sticking with it for decades on end or burning out after two weeks. Stick with it. And in the words of Mr Azariah, 'Make it a winning stick!'”
Further learning
Visit the ‘curated’ section above to discover many more beginner friendly guides, such as these tips for EVE Online mining or these EVE Online starter activities.
We started this ‘EVE Online first steps’ guide by offering you a two-minute speedrun synopsis. We’re closing it with the opposite - a slowrun - full of detail, step-by-step walkthroughs, and important considerations, courtesy of Nth Dimensional. It’s four hours long, so you should probably put the kettle on before getting stuck in:
“I hope this guide is useful to you, and welcome to New Eden! The galaxy awaits you.” - orik Kado
Do you agree that the learning cliff has levelled out somewhat in recent years? What advice would you add to help people make the ascent? Share your EVE Online first steps experience below!
Some text has been edited for brevity, clarity, or spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You can find the original wording here. Image credit: Razorien on Flickr.
Created at . Page last updated at .
