Moon Mining came to +0.5 systems recently. It has been having an impact on both Alphas and Newbros. Omegas obviously benefit from this kind of mining, but we are not going to focus on them today because the benefits seem obvious.
Let us first examine how Alphas can see a benefit from partnering up to mine moon ore. In High Sec, Alphas can mine with relative safety and gather consistent ISK per hour. That is the name of the game for a new Alpha is to begin building up money to eventually transition into a more enjoyable content for the player. New Alphas can now mine Arkonor, Bistot, and Crokite (often called ABCs) in many of the moons around New Eden in systems with a Security Status of 0.5. The moon ore in these moons can be worth quite a bit, but finding a buyer nearby is the key. Since Moon Ore cannot be compressed, at time of writing, it is essential to find a local buyer.
ABC Moon Ore doesn’t need to be sold to a local buyer but instead could be compressed and taken to a trade hub. Better yet it could be sold in Corporation to an industrialist who is looking for null sec minerals without having to have them shipped from a trade hub. High Sec Moon Mining is a new source of content and income to Alphas.
The limitation for Alphas at the current moment is their restriction to Mining Frigates. Alphas can find benefit from Mining Fleets, discussed below. As an Alpha player, moon mining will not make you as much as an Omega player running a Hulk in a mining fleet. This should not be a discouragement but something to aim for. An Alpha can use a Miasmos to haul for the mining fleet. As an Alpha player in a mining fleet asks how to be of best use. If instead, you want to do solo mining then a Venture as always.
Let’s define Newbros. These are players who are creating a character for the very first time, not an alt or spy. Newbros often need a Corporation to help teach them the rope. If Corporation wishes to grow, then they will need to provide an activity for their newer members. If these Newbros are also Alphas, the assumption this writer is going with, then a .5 mining fleet is both safe and educational. Newbros who are looking to make consistent money, be surrounded by a group of corporation mates and watch Netflix while playing should look into a mining fleet. Newbros can learn the mechanics of New Eden, train skills needed for other content they may want to move into, and ask questions.
A significant benefit for both kinds of players is the ability to schedule these events. The thing about moon mining being planned is that there is guarantee ore that will be on the field. The ability to schedule an event and have content at that exact time allows new players to schedule their activity better. Moon mining allows flexibility and a great start for the players that are new to New Eden.
Moon Ore may seem to have many benefits and exciting for new players to make good money. Alphas can build up enough ISK to switch over to another content. Newbros can learn from the lead miners about the mechanics of the game and other things that may interest them. The catch is the industrialist. Miners are tempting targets because who doesn’t love a good Hulk or Mackinaw kill? There are a couple of differences between moon mining now and previous, at least for an Alpha.
Previously a POS was required, and Alphas were incapable of anchoring. With the introduction of Athanors/Tataras that is no longer an issue. An Alpha player can participate in moon mining as well as reactions. Allowing players who previously may not have been able to enter that market access to it. High Sec moon mining before Lifeblood was not possible either.
If we follow the supply chain down one person from Asteroid à Miner à Industrialist, we notice an issue.
With the influx of Zydrine, Megacyte, and Noxcium the Industrialist now has to pay less for minerals because of a new abundance in High Sec. This influx may have long-term implications, but that is for the future capsuleers of New Eden to determine how it will affect them.
Moon Mining came to .5 systems recently. It has been having an impact on both Alphas and newbros. Omegas obviously benefit from this kind of mining, but we are not going to focus on them today because the benefits seem obvious.
A mining fleet on a High Sec moon can take many different forms. We are going to assume that an Orca is present. An Orca with max boosts can do a little over 40% boosts to anyone within his boost range. These mining fleets teach several crucial skills and help an Alpha increase their income by 40% an hour. A few skills they teach is how to stay anchored to the lead ship, something crucial in PVP roams and major fleet engagements. A small side note to this is operating a fleet hangar, recently there have been newbros who have no idea how to operate one until a mining fleet.
Mining Fleets also educate players on the use of drones on targets. Drone skills are applicable in most fleets so teaching how to use them on targets that don’t shoot back, or rats, is helpful. Overall a mining fleets importance to Alphas and Newbros can’t be overstated. A quick, easy, and efficient way to introduce players into New Eden… before they are sent into the meat grinder that is PVP.
A few additional thoughts about the impact of moon mining in high sec in regards to Alphas and Newbros. An Alpha sadly doesn’t have much say in the ore that they mine because, to be honest, ventures only having a 5,000 m3 hold can’t mine too much. To be the most efficient alpha miner, and make the most ISK, a player would need to be in a fleet. The industrialists either in the corporation, or in a nearby station, set the price to buy their ore. To all the Alphas out there be careful when selling the Ore-based on ore prices. Always look to see how much the minerals are worth. I personally use a 70% reprocess rate as a standard selling price for any ore.
Newbros; you will most certainly need to find a excellent industry corporation that also has a PVP element to it. Most corporations will have some PVP players, and I would encourage you to learn from them as well. With fresh targets on the grid for gankers and griefers, you may need to learn how to defend yourself. Since, as your name implies, you are new to New Eden I would very much encourage learning from previous player experience than learning from experience. Learning from experience is inherently expensive, and High Sec Moon Mining should be an ISK positive venture.
If you are both an Alpha and a Newbro, I would strongly encourage you to find a Corporation that ticks all boxes. That way you can find the content that you enjoy the most. Mining may be the first step in building some liquid ISK before you move on. Now is the time while the iron is hot to strike. The ISK sits in those belts for you…. Go mine it already.
As stated earlier about the fluctuating prices of so-called ‘Null Sec’ minerals [Now no longer exclusive to Null Sec]. The prices for such minerals will continue to fluctuate for a while before players eventually settle on a new normal. To the miners, industrialists, and everyone invested in this market keeps an eye out. It should be a nice and wild ride for a few months before we return to some sense of normalcy.
Alphas and Newbros definitely have some fresh beginning content to cut their teeth on now. If you have a friend looking to play EVE and want to throw them a softball, we definitely have that now. o7 and fly safely.
