Exploration 101: Part 2 by Hohenheim Thellere

So, you've found your data / relic site and have navigated safely to the derelict structure... now what?

Now you hack it...

Every data and relic site is protected by a computer system that guards the cargo container where loot is stored. You can't just open them and take what you want - you have to hack the computer core of he system protecting the container first. Problem is the computer core is hidden... you have to find it first. And, of course, the system has its own defenses to prevent you from accomplishing that.

More on that in a moment...

The very first thing you need in order to hack, is the appropriate "software" - in EVE these modules are called Data Analyzer and Relic Analyzer.

As you might have guessed, the Data Analyzer is used for Data Sites, while the Relic Analyzer is used for Relic Sites. Both of these modules occupy a mid slot.


Of course, in exploration, time is ISK and you don't want to waste your time hacking a container that is empty. So, one other module you should add is a Cargo Scanner. Once you lock on to a data/relic site, you can scan it and find out if there's anything actually worth taking. It's a huge time saver and while not required, it is highly recommended that you have one.

Note: Cargo Scanner I/II's can also be used to find out how many blocks of ice/ore is in a particular rock - very useful for mining as well.

 CCP's mechanic for hacking is a cute little mini game that involves you uncovering hidden nodes in an attempt to find the computer core, and hack it. You can learn all about what is involved in hacking by reading EVE University's Hacking 101 article.

Things to remember when hacking

The hacking mini-game takes up a lot of real estate on your screen. Plus, you can't cloak while you hack so you'll be visible to anyone who decides to come gank you. As you hack, always keep an eye on your UI and monitor what ships are near you. It's also advisable to run your D-Scan often.

Note: D-Scan is short for Directional Scan and will show all objects that are around you such as combat scanner probes, ships, structures, etc. Very important to keep track of this while you're hacking.

If you fail a hack, you may lose what you were trying to loot and, in Ghost Sites, you may explode and die... who said exploration was not without risk?

Risk vs. Reward - Exploration Profitability

So, is exploration worth all of this hassle? The answer is: maybe. It all depends on what you enjoy as a player. Mining can be boring and mission grinding can get old fast. Exploration offers a means for you to understand how null sec works, and how wormhole exploration works. These are valuable skills for any pilot, be they combat or indy oriented. If you enjoy mining, you can always mine rarer ores found only in wormholes. If you're into missions, scanning down Sleeper combat sites can be extremely lucrative... if you survive.

The bottom line is that exploration is a pretty skill intensive career to get into, but you can always branch out from it and get into Black Ops, or Advanced Recon for your corp./Alliance. All corps who actively participate in PvP want advanced scouts they can warp to if and when they want to lay down some damage...

I hope you enjoyed this articls.