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Sturmer

@Sturmer

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Joined over one year ago

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Beyond AIR: Tell us about EVE's unofficial career paths!

in EVE Online

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Pathfinder

Today, I want to highlight an EVE Online profession called Pathfinder, also known as a Hisec Combat Explorer. Pathfinders are players who scan down unknown signals and enter combat zones - though in high-security space, the dangers mostly come from NPCs (PvE), not other players. Over time, some Pathfinders evolve into Anomaly Stalkers or Harriers, engaging in similar activities in lowsec or nullsec, where PvP threats become part of the challenge.

The Pathfinder profession is accessible from day one. While there's still a learning curve, the skill point requirements are relatively low. By applying the 1 million skill point invitation bonus, you can easily fly a ship capable of clearing any highsec anomaly or combat site with solid efficiency.

Generally, Pathfinders engage in four core activities simultaneously: DED combat sites, hacking sites, escalations, and anomaly hunting. You can choose to skip any of these, but if you aim for maximum efficiency and profit, running all of them together offers a well-rounded and rewarding gameplay loop.

I’ve shared one of my favourite ships for this role - the Osprey Navy Issue - along with a fitting that works especially well for new and mid-level players. Be sure to check it out if you're getting started.

As your skills improve, you’ll clear sites faster and be able to handle DED-rated combat complexes, including 3/10, 4/10, and eventually even 5/10 sites (with a different ship) or sell escalations to another explorers.

Many players overlook this profession, assuming it doesn’t offer strong ISK income - but that's a misconception. You can realistically earn 8 to 15 billion ISK per month playing just 1–3 hours each evening, depending on your ship, your space, and how efficient your routing is.

In general, expect to make 75–150 million ISK per hour, which rivals the income of Level 4 mission runners using far more expensive Marauders.