Old Habits are Hard to Break

Been a while!  I've not been as active as I was in previous years.  I still jump into New Eden from time to time.

I did a stint out in Geminate in a Stealth Bomber running some Havens.  This was doable, but not enjoyable.  I believe I had the locals confused by me too.  Either way, once I validated that a bomber could handily do a Haven combat site, I made my way to back to Jita.

Then, off to Pochven.  I will say this territory seems to ebb and flow.  Sometimes it's crazy and other times it feels quiet.  One thing for sure, my favorite targets are not as visible as they were last year.  Mining Ventures and Pioneers.  Maybe the danger element, maybe the mineral market being changed a bit.  After transitioning through the triangle of Pochven I took a wormhole and exited.

This dropped me into High Security(Hisec) space.  So I figured I'd just do some day trips into wormholes.  Luckily I found a hole with some ambition gas harvesters.  I feel they were not very active nor paying attention.  The wormhole was quite small, so the fact I had to de-cloak to drop probes, then scan the gas sites and they still did not leave....I was hopeful.  Two ventures.  Each harvesting on their own gas site.  I figured I'd at least get one.  When making a ping on one of the gas clouds I was de-cloaked by the cloud.  Figuring the target would warp away and....nope.  The target never moved.

I dispatched one venture and then quickly warped to the next gas site to nab the other:

One and then two!  Plus trophies, glorious trophies.

I figured I'd continue to take my time enroute back to Jita and just dip into various wormholes along the way.  Over the next week or so I visited a few wormholes and found nothing really.  Then on I popped into a hole and found a couple Pioneers out mining.  Intrigued I did not immediately act.  I waited, I watched.

The following day I hopped in to see what the activity level looked like.  There was a Tayra that seemed to scan and then collect a bit of Planetary Interactions(PI).  I followed the Tayra, but I was a bit too cautious and missed my chance.

The third day I was quite delighted to see this:

It brings a song to my heart to see New Eden with such activity.  I spent an hour monitoring the fleet.  As with all large mining fleets there are always some stragglers.  At some point the herd warped off, either done for the evening or dropping the cargo, but they left two Pioneers.  Time to make my move.

A successful capture with a trophy as a bonus.  With the job complete I exited the hole.  Off and running for the next adventure.

For now,

Be Well New Eden!

New Year and New Lessons

Welcome to 2026!  Arriving with a new year are new opportunities, new adventures, new experiences.  And with all this new, here I am with some old habits.  Taking a familiar path I departed into Pochven and began my circuit.  I began my hunt looking for the unsuspecting.  I was fortunate to find my first encounter.  Fitting as it was the very target I enjoy, the very target that brought me into the region.  The lone mining frigate.

The encounter relatively routine.  I've had a lot time to tailor my ship and fit.  I've practiced the approach and capture.  All aspects of this capture have been honed and fine tuned.  The only part of the encounter was that I was unable to secure the pod, the prize trophy.  There will be more opportunities.

Taking the next week or so I slowly strolled throughout the systems of Pochven.  I encountered fleets of PVE battleships with support.  I encountered small gangs.  Even some solo pilots.  I chased a slippery Magnate around, but ended the session without success.

Having a bit of time I dipped into Pochven a few days later.  I bounced a few systems looking for targets.  I avoided some interdiction destroyers as well as some mobile warp bubbles(these are no fun).  Upon entering Otela I was presented with a target.  A lone Venture.  Only 1 belt in system I quickly headed over to the location to prepare my normal routine.

During my crawl to the targets I will monitor dscan.  Generally watching the activity within the system.  Mostly larger ships moving gate to gate seeking larger targets.  The Venture is not always desirable for these small gang hunters as they are not prepared to tackle and get on top of the Venture quick enough.  The Ventures will generally be 100+ km away from the warp in to the site.  This allows ample time for escape should an uncloaked ship arrive.  Ventures also with built in warp core stability that will increase their odds of escape if initially captured.

Following my routine to the letter, I did notice a Loki show on dscan.  Mistake number one, I 'assumed' that the Loki would have no interest in the Venture.  The Loki dropped off dscan as expected.  As I was already cloaked and crawling to my target I figured I would have ample time even if the Loki appeared with me.  

My second mistake was another 'assumption'.  Are you seeing a pattern here?  Upon landing I could see that the target was around 100km away from the warp-in.  Additionally I saw there was the potential that a ping could be made about 100km from the warp-in and somewhat closer to the target.  For whatever reason I dismissed this option.

So, once I was within range I captured and dispatched the Venture.  Quite quickly as the Venture exploded I found myself locked and warp disrupted by a Loki.  My mistakes now catching me.  With few options I decided to try to outrun the Loki and see if I could quickly get outside of disrupter range...this was unsuccessful.

So, I present my first loss of 2026 along with my second capture.  A reminder and opportunity to learn.  An ego check.  A lesson to humble myself and see that there always others around.  Sometimes with the same intentions as my own.  Some more effective than I am, or at least a more effective counter.  The circle of life as it were.  Enjoy this dear reader, as likely this even will provide some retribution to you.

For now,

Be Well New Eden!