Today CCP published a dev blog without dropping a corresponding patch for EVE Online's Tranquility shard. The subject of the dev blog are a set of upcoming buffs to orbital skyhooks. I imagine the word is coming out now so players can adjust to the changes, as some may impact the markets. Also, I have the feeling the developers may include the beginning of this year's Crimson Harvest in the same patch that implements the changes to orbital skyhooks.
The Upwell Consortium has closely monitored the performance of its revolutionary Equinox suite, and following extensive feedback from power users, significant enhancements are set to be rolled out in an orbital skyhook security update coming in early October. A certain vulnerability to raiding will be addressed, taking some of the advantage away from attackers seeking to raid skyhooks. These changes will bolster the attractiveness of the structures by improving their output while also reducing the logistical burdens placed on their owners.
The first two changes listed in the dev blog will address vulnerabilities to raiding. First, the developers have cut down the window owners of the structures will need to worry about defending the basis of their infrastructure.
To address the imbalance in raid dynamics, orbital skyhooks will only be vulnerable to raids during specific windows that are visible to all pilots. These periods are based on the structure owner’s preference, but feature a significant randomized offset, introducing an element of unpredictability. As a result, defenders will have better opportunities to plan their defenses, while raiders must operate within tighter, more strategic timeframes. This shift will reduce the constant pressure on skyhook owners, who will no longer need to be on high alert around the clock, while still preserving the opportunities for intense, tactical conflict.
Next, raiders can't take all the contents of orbital skyhooks, thus allowing sov holders a minimum level of supply for their infrastructure needs.
An important adjustment to orbital skyhooks coming with this update is the employment of a dual storage system that splits resource output between a secure bay and a surplus bay. The secure bay will ensure that half of all produced reagents (magmatic gas or superionic ice) are protected, available only to the owner and their approved access list, or upon the destruction of the skyhook. This ensures a stable flow of resources for owners without overwhelming loss to raids. Meanwhile, the surplus bay will hold the other half, which will be vulnerable during the raiding windows. Attackers can claim the entire contents of the surplus bay, which has a 100% drop rate during raids, offering significant rewards while maintaining the competitive drive in nullsec.
I'd heard that some sov holders had taken to raiding their own skyhooks to ensure they had at least some supplies for their infrastructure. I wonder if the two-bay system will impact that. Given the min-maxing that occurs in null security space, I'm highly skeptical.
As I don't live in null sec I really don't follow these items on the market, but apparently the devs have decided the reagents must flow.
Another important aspect of these skyhook enhancements will result in greater efficiency, leading to a significant increase in the amount of reagents extracted and, therefore, flowing into the market, directly impacting the entire economy of New Eden. The streamlined system will reduce operational friction while boosting overall productivity. Alliances operating in nullsec can expect more consistent resource yields from their orbital skyhooks, as well as less logistical work, making them an even more valuable asset for holding territory and fueling war efforts.
That last part confuses me. I thought Equinox sov was based around the amount of resources an alliance could extract using their orbital skyhooks. No need to sell the structures given the ending of the dev blog.
With the upcoming enhancements to skyhook operations, this is a great time to adopt the Equinox sovereignty system. These updates will significantly reduce the daily burden of managing orbital skyhooks while offering greater output, making them more valuable to owners and alliances alike.
In addition, the Upwell Consortium has announced that on 29 October, transitioning to the new system will become mandatory for all capsuleers. Those who have yet to make the switch are encouraged to do so before this deadline to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruptions.
For those not living in null, the last paragraph is perhaps the most important. That gives us an idea of when the winter expansion will hit Tranquility. The only question is how long CCP will give the late adopters of orbital skyhooks to get used to the new system. I'm betting Crimson Harvest ends on 7 November with an expansion launch on 12 November. But if CCP is in a rush, I can see the expansion launch on 5 November.
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