For those entrenched in the gritty universe of EVE Online, the aftermath of battle, whether a small skirmish or a colossal fleet engagement, often leaves behind a debris field of wrecks. These remnants are more than just battlefield souvenirs; they represent potential riches for resourceful salvagers. However, the current system for locating and salvaging these wrecks can be cumbersome and inefficient. Let’s dive into why introducing probe scanning for wrecks – specifically salvage probes – could revolutionize salvaging and why every capsuleer, from newbie to veteran, should care.
The Problem with Current Salvaging
Currently, salvaging wrecks, especially in the vastness of deadspace after mission runners or ratters have moved on, is far from streamlined. Imagine this scenario: a mission is completed, NPCs vanquished, but the wrecks remain, despawning after a set time if not manually salvaged. For a dedicated salvager, this presents a missed opportunity. The conventional approach is often clunky: requiring a dedicated scanning ship to locate wrecks in combat sites, bookmarking them, switching to a salvage ship, and then warping back. This process is tedious, time-consuming, and frankly, breaks the flow of gameplay. It’s hardly an enticing prospect for new players looking for engaging professions, nor does it optimize the experience for veteran salvagers.
The Solution: Salvage Probe Scanning
The solution is elegantly simple: introduce the ability to scan for wrecks using probes, specifically from within a salvage ship itself. Envision specialized “salvage probes” launched from a dedicated launcher on your salvaging vessel. These probes, unlike combat or exploration probes, would be uniquely designed to pinpoint the electromagnetic signatures of wrecks in deadspace.
For the Solo Salvager
This change would be a game-changer for solo salvagers. Instead of needing multiple ships and convoluted processes, a salvager could enter a system, deploy salvage probes, locate wreck fields, warp directly to them, and begin their work – all from the comfort of their salvage ship. This streamlined approach transforms salvaging into a more accessible and engaging solo profession, perfectly aligning with the fantasy of a space scavenger making their living from the scraps of conflict.
For Alliances and Corporations
The benefits extend beyond solo play. Imagine the scale of operations for alliances and corporations after large-scale battles. Currently, salvaging capital and supercapital wrecks after a major engagement is a logistical undertaking. With persistent wrecks (more on this later) and salvage probe scanning, organized salvage fleets could efficiently sweep battlefields, recovering valuable materials and contributing to the war effort and the in-game economy.
For New Players
For players new to EVE Online, salvaging can be an attractive entry point. It’s less combat-intensive than other professions and offers a tangible way to contribute to the economy. Making wreck scanning more intuitive and ship-integrated lowers the barrier to entry, making salvaging a more appealing and readily understandable career path for newcomers. This could be a significant boon in player retention and engagement.
Wreck Persistence: Making Every Scrap Count
Beyond scanning, the lifespan of wrecks also deserves consideration. While T1 wrecks could reasonably despawn after a few hours to maintain server performance, wrecks of faction ships, Tech 2 vessels, dreadnoughts, capitals, supercarriers, and titans should persist until salvaged. This persistence is crucial for several reasons:
- Increased Value: Larger, more expensive ships should logically yield more salvage. Persistent wrecks ensure that the potential value of these wrecks isn’t simply lost to despawn timers.
- Epic Battle Aftermath: Imagine the narrative and gameplay opportunities of alliances salvaging their fallen titans and supercarriers after an epic battle. Persistent wrecks allow for these emergent gameplay moments and add weight to large-scale conflicts.
- Resource Scarcity and Dynamic Distribution: In an environment of mineral shortages and the evolving dynamic resource distribution, every piece of salvage matters. Ensuring valuable wrecks remain accessible maximizes resource recovery and contributes to a more sustainable in-game economy.
Conclusion
Implementing salvage probe scanning is a logical and impactful step forward for EVE Online. It streamlines gameplay for salvagers of all levels, enhances the value of wrecks, promotes emergent gameplay around large battles, and provides a more accessible profession for new players. In a universe where every piece of salvaged material can contribute to rebuilding and rearming, making the process of finding and recovering those scraps more efficient and engaging is a change that benefits the entire EVE Online ecosystem. It’s time to bring salvage probe scanning into the game and truly realize the potential of every wreck left floating in the vastness of space.
