CCP recently released a dev blog outlining their plans for Phase 2 of the null-sec rework. It is set to be released on June 2 while Entosis Link’s will appear in-game a month before to allow players to stockpile supplies. In this article I will outline how the new capture mechanics will work and how they will possibly be used.
The Entosis Link is a module, both T1 and T2, that will be built from the wrecks of Drifters. Their details can be found below.
Requires the skill Infomorph Psychology (rank 1 skill).
Low fitting requirements, uses high power slot.
Only one may be fitted per ship.
Cannot be used by trial accounts.
Maximum range of 25km for Tech One, 250km for Tech Two.
Requires a target lock on the structure.
Capital Ships would have restrictions for using these modules, most likely in the form of a role bonus that increases the cycle time by 400% (this means a 10 minute cycle time for a T2 Entosis Link on a capital ship).
A clear visual effect shows which ships are applying Entosis Links.
Build costs of approximately 20 million isk for Tech One, and approximately 80 million isk for Tech Two.
As you can see the Entosis Link is designed to have a low barrier for entry, only requiring Infomorph Psychology I and having powergrid/CPU needs, and at the same time have a skill cap, to prevent the overuse of capitals. The idea with these mechanics is to force blobs to split up and thing for themselves as they spread out over the constellation, allowing each individual pilot to make a difference.
Now that we know what the Entosis Link is, how is it used? First off to initiate capture of a structure the Entosis Link must cycle once. After the firsat complete unopposed cycle, the attacked alliance receives and Eve-mail that their structure is under attack and the countdown until that structure is reinforced begins. At anytime during the countdown, if the Entosis Link is deactivated or a friendly Entosis Link becomes active this countdown timer is paused. It is unknown if/how this timer will reset. Some have said it will not (during the 4 hours) as the whole system is related to the biological invasion of a cell (definition of Entosis). If the countdown timer completes the structure goes into a 48 hour reinforced mode. It will come out of this timer in the defending alliance’s primetime and then be vulnerable to attack.
Once it comes out of reinforced mode 5 command nodes will spawn in the star’s constellation. These will need to be captured. Each captured command node will spawn another and until one side has captured 10. As the command nodes will be spread out over multiple systems it will reduce the server load as well as create new gameplay by forcing fleets to spread out.
These new mechanics heavily benefit groups and pilots that can spread out effectively and capture the command nodes. AS heavy firepower is no longer required to flip sov some people are worried that SeBo Interceptors will be able to cakewalk in and capture things. If you cannot defend your space against Interceptors, should you have sov?
A single Interceptor cannot capture a defended Entosis Link. Even if the Interceptor escapes being killed, simply keeping an Entosis Link open on the structure will negate his progress. CCp has already proposed only 4 hours during which they can be attacked, is it really too much to defend your space for 4 hours?
Alliances that are truely interested in having space perhaps will utilize standing fleets in order to protect their sovereignty, similar to how armies in the past would have an early morning stand to in case the enemy chose that particular morning to attack.
A lot of things will change for the average player. Ishtars, capitals and T3’s will be nerfed so a lot of Alliance doctrines will change. How exactly it will change depends on your alliance and playstyle but the general trends seems to be towards more kity ships that are able to kill frigates. As for what entities will hold sov in the future it’s anyone’s guess.
How do you think the Entosis Module will effect Eve? Do you like it? Let us know in the comments.
