A day after I complained about the lack of events in the roadmap for the first and third quarters of 2025, CCP launches a live event. Designed for group play, the largest Drifter offensive in EVE Online history began yesterday. And unlike the last time the developers tried to do a mass event, null sec residents don't have to worry.
As the Drifters extend their aggression in New Eden beyond Zarzakh, capsuleers will encounter them in multiple systems in highsec and lowsec, and pilots of all skill levels are called upon to assist in beating the threat back. Various sites and activities are available to Tech I ships up to battlecruiser class. These engagements are perfect for small gangs and provide opportunities for exploration, salvaging, and enforcer career followers to thrive. Eliminating threats will unlock a Crisis Resolution operation at the heart of the affected systems, the successful completion of which will force the Drifters to withdraw and regroup.
On a personal note, the initial description from the introductory article doesn't sound promising for solo players like myself. Let's see the content others will enjoy by looking at the patch notes for the event.
Drifter Crisis: Drifter Crisis Systems
Drifter-controlled forces have begun launching attacks on all four empires throughout high and low-security space! The first systems will become available between 19:00 and 21:00 tonight, with more following as the crisis continues.
- Systems under attack can be found in the new ‘Interstellar Events’ section of the AIR Opportunities window.
- Complete ‘Crisis’ sites to weaken the grip the Drifters have on these systems.
- There are 4 varieties of Crisis site, with a 5th Crisis Resolution site available once the Drifter forces have been sufficiently weakened.
- Each site requires teamwork and strategy, with specific roles needing to be fulfilled for success:
- Crisis: Field Rescue — Salvage the wreckage left behind following an empire assault on a Drifter facility to locate any survivors. It is recommended that at least 3 capsuleers tackle this rescue mission. T1 frigates and standard T1 destroyers are permitted.
- Crisis: Observatory Infiltration — Scan down this site to retrieve valuable relics from the remains of an emergent Jovian Observatory. Bring up to 2 other capsules to maximize rewards, but be wary of any traps the Drifters may have left behind! T1 frigates, destroyers, and standard T1 cruisers are permitted to enter.
- Crisis: Deathless Research Outpost — A Deathless research base is under attack by Drifter forces. Use remote repair modules to keep the structure alive until it can be secured. Alternatively, destroy it yourself and sell the accrued Hyperspace Telemetry data to the highest bidder. 5 capsuleers are recommended to aid the site; less may be required to destroy it. T1 frigates, destroyers, and standard T1 cruisers are permitted to enter.
- Crisis: Lancer Counter Offensive — An empire-owned Lancer dreadnought has been deployed to aid a civilian structure. Help it destroy the Drifter presence before its nefarious task can be completed. T1 frigates, destroyers, and standard T1 cruisers are permitted to enter.
- Crisis Resolution: Vigilant Dreamer — To resolve the crisis within the system, 10 capsuleers are required to bring an end to the Vigilant Dreamer. Using data analyzers, the defensive array protecting this Drifter facility can be disabled allowing it to be destroyed. T1 frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and standard T1 battlecruisers are permitted to enter.
- Payouts from these sites are awarded to the top contributing fleet alone.
These event entries do not show up in the main window by default, so make sure to select the Interstellar Events icon on the left side of the window to see the sites nearest to you.
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| From the AIR Opportunities window |
The patch also brought back a recent type of event site.
Deepflow Rifts
Deepflow Rifts have reemerged across the cluster and wormhole space! Intrepid capsuleers should tread carefully; both the rewards and difficulty of the site have been increased.
Additional updates were made to another type of group PvE content, Homefront Operations.
Homefront Operations:
- Remote capacitor transmission is now less effective on allied Dreadnought NPCs within Dread Assault sites.
- The effectiveness of enemy NPCs which energy neutralize allied Dreadnought NPCs within Dread Assault sites has been greatly increased.
- Added a delay to the initial enemy hauler spawn within Raid sites.
- Increased the variance and average spawn time of enemy haulers within Raid sites.
- Decreased the access difficulty of salvaging wrecks in Salvage Research sites.
- Increased the number of enemy NPCs within Salvage Research sites.
Of course, a live event isn't really a live event without a news article. So what do we know about the actions of the major players in our little drama.
The Drifters
Drifter-controlled forces have attacked solar systems in all four major nations. The attacks have focused on civilian infrastructure, triggering the deployment of military crisis response forces. Initial strikes by the Drifters have already led to a death toll in the thousands, with that number expected to climb as the violence continues.
The motivation behind the Drifter aggression is unclear. The targeted systems are of little strategic significance, there are no signs of permanent occupation, and no resources are being extracted by either the Drifters or the Sleeper Drones under their control. The only clue to the Drifters' goals are the surveillance structures at the heart of their efforts. Named “Vigilant Dreamers”, these structures appear to be the focal points of Drifter activity in affected systems. Defending forces are attempting to gather sufficient intel to pinpoint and ultimately destroy these Dreamers.
The Gallente
Today’s attacks have silenced many who questioned President Aguards decision to postpone the Federation’s regularly scheduled elections. Only the Federalist-Liberal Party has remained vocal in their criticism, accusing the President of using an atmosphere of fear to disrupt the lawful democratic process. Her own party, the Progressive Unionists, have dismissed these claims, praising Aguard for putting the defense of the Federation first.
The President herself spoke at a press conference on Luminaire today, praising the “dedication and bravery” of those who have taken up the fight against the Drifters. When questioned she was reluctant to give a definitive answer on the rescheduling of the election, stating that “this crisis has only just begun”.
The Caldari
Speaking aboard a Chimera class carrier, Chairman Akimaka Saraki has commended the Caldari Navy for its speedy deployment to all systems in conflict. He added that “the very best of the State cannot be distracted from their sworn duty.”
Some political pundits took the comment as a disparaging reference to those who criticized the CEP for relying on Gallente intel. Saraki issued a second statement dismissing this analysis as divisive and unfounded. This statement began, “We are one Caldari. Never is this truer than when we find ourselves tested by unprecedented times. As long as we stand as one, none may stand against us.”
The Amarr
Across the Amarr Empire, newly deployed joint holder assets have moved to meet Drifter forces. Organized in secret, these newly formed armadas pool the resources of local nobility to enable timely countermeasures. Able to respond more rapidly than Imperial forces, they are part of a strategy that puts responsivity first.
Empress Catiz I has been credited with this logistical innovation. In an Empire-wide broadcast, she commended all Amarrian citizens for their “fortitude in the face of darkness.” She called on “all faithful to band together against the demonic abborations that plague our skies. In years past, these same monstrosities breached our borders and murdered our holy Empress Jamyl I. They caught us by surprise, but this time we are ready to show them the truth of our Lord’s will.”
The Minmatar
The Republic Fleet has scrambled to defend clan holdings under attack. Thukker Chief Ennar Aeboul has criticized Sanmatar Maleatu Shakor and the Tribal council for failing to heed his tribe’s warnings of a rising Drifter threat. “We who wander are tired of being overlooked,” he told reporters, “It brings me great sorrow that innocent Matari must now pay such a high price for the Republic’s foolishness.”
The Sanmatar has deflected these criticisms, saying that “now is the time for unity. Despite what Aeboul might think, the Republic Fleet is always ready to defend our people. We should be focussed on how to support them, not casting aspersions.”
Society of Conscious Thought
Just a brief note. When the Jove took their leave of New Eden, they nominated The Society of Conscious Thought their heirs and successors.
As the nations of New Eden respond to the Drifter threat, their representatives are being hosted at an emergency CONCORD summit in Yulai. As diplomats headed into session, the Society of Conscious Thought’s Elder Mentor Matshi Raish spoke to the press, laying the blame for the ongoing crisis at the feet of the Deathles Circle.
“These Drifter attacks are the direct result of the Deathless and his Circle’s reckless hubris. Their occupation of the Fulcrum and Warden structures has clearly awoken a threat that long lay dormant. Through their interference with technologies beyond their understanding they have unleashed tragedy upon our cluster.”
The Deathless Circle
Rumors have spread that the Deathless Cricle are attempting to take advantage of the current situation by deploying research outposts within Crisis systems, only to come under attack by the Drifters themselves. While calls for aid have been registered, military forces are encouraging capsuleers to bring any research produced at Circle facilities to national intelligence agencies, and not to aid the criminal organization.
I think this most of the recent news from CCP Games setting up the players for the upcoming summer expansion due for release in the second quarter of 2025. At least, I consider the event the ramp-up to the next expansion. After the recent Director's Chat, the developers may argue that this qualifies as part of the Revenant Update.
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