Rooks And Kings Are In The EVE Frontier Alpha

If EVE Frontier wants to succeed, CCP Games needed to develop a good MMORPG that just happens to use blockchain technology, not some sort of crypto scam disguised as a video game. For many, any game utilizing blockchain technology is automatically a scam with no possibility of having a single redeeming quality. Those people are permanently lost as customers, probably dooming Frontier to niche game status as a ceiling. But can the developers make a game that hearkens back to EVE Online's first decade when the universe was open to exploration and kitchen sink fleets were the meta? Can Frontier attract some of the older players not bothered by the game's tech to come in and play with a new set of rules?

I was highly skeptical but I signed up for the alpha anyway, looking to see. And in an after action report written up by CCP Jötunn I found familiar names: Lord Maldoror and Rooks and Kings. For newer players Rooks and Kings were legends in the first decade of EVE, whose triage carrier and pipe bombing tactics were immortalized in the Clarion Call series. Below is the full pipe bombing sequence from the This is EVE trailer.

But more importantly for this post, Rooks and Kings are making noise in EVE Frontier. Below is CCP Jötunn's AAR on one battle in the alpha.

Battleship Clash in I.EXP.NJ7:

Rooks and Kings vs. Algorithmic Warfare
01.02.2025

In what has been described as the most significant battleship engagement to date in EVE: Frontier, the forces of Rooks and Kings (RnK) clashed with Algorithmic Warfare (AWAR) and their allies, Heavy Metal (HEAVY), in a fierce confrontation within the Trinary Accord capital system of I.EXP.NJ7.

The Build-Up to Conflict

For weeks, RnK had been conducting raids into AWAR territory, their skilled fleet maneuvering through contested space with impunity. This led to a decisive response from AWAR and HEAVY, culminating in a strategic engagement aimed at countering the growing threat.

“The engagement with RNK was something I was looking forward to,” said Ergod, the fleet commander of AWAR. “Although the circumstances of that encounter weren’t my choice, it just happened as I was FC’ing a mining fleet.”

What initially seemed like an ordinary mining operation quickly transformed into a full-scale defensive effort. AWAR forces had to rapidly pivot to battle readiness, calling in reinforcements and distributing last-minute modifications to ensure they could mount a formidable challenge. “I knew how badly we were outmatched, yet I threw that ping anyway,” Ergod reflected. “Without much expectation, soon after, pilots started hopping on voice, curious about the response.”

The Battle Unfolds

As AWAR and HEAVY prepared their fleet, a tactical bait was set in motion. Seven battleships and support craft from AWAR and HEAVY faced off against RnK’s fleet of five battleships and additional support.

“We send our first bait, a Grus,” Ergod recounted. “Tacklers warp in, but we were looking for the escalation. I undocked second as the bait… there they all warped in, in formation, magnificent sight.”

However, RnK anticipated the move. “Eldareth was able to steer his Grus beneath the enemy lines such that occlusion and cross-fire led to difficulties with damage application and friendly fire,” explained Lord Maldoror of RnK. This maneuver proved critical, forcing AWAR and HEAVY into a difficult firing position. The intensity of the exchange was evident as ships on both sides took heavy damage.

“With loud railguns blasting crazy damage from both sides, yet that Grus was good. It moved under, I knew the damage application was going to be superior,” Ergod acknowledged, recognizing the skill of RnK’s execution.

Turning Points and Tactical Withdrawals

As the battle raged on, the first major loss for AWAR was a battleship, a pivotal moment in the skirmish. In an ironic twist, the kill was credited to friendly fire within AWAR’s ranks. Meanwhile, three Caruda and another Grus from AWAR also fell under RnK’s precise targeting.

“The three remaining AWAR and HEAVY battleships of Vode, DakkanUdan, and Faeltagen escaped through a locked Smart Gate, where RnK could not directly follow,” detailed Lord Maldoror.

Rather than pressing for a total rout, RnK sought an alternative resolution. “After various attempts by RnK to encircle them, RnK’s John and AWAR’s Ergod spoke and arranged the safe return of the remaining three battleships,” Lord Maldoror revealed.

This level of mutual respect between adversaries is a breath of fresh air in the war-torn landscapes of EVE: Frontier. “Much respect for this group,” Ergod concluded. “It was all gf.”

Aftermath and Future Engagements

While AWAR suffered significant material losses, their fleet commander remained philosophical. “A pricey lesson, but to me, these battleships are a fair price. I am not emotional about the ships even if I FC’d and Co-FD’d ops to mine them.”

On the other side, RnK acknowledged the resilience and adaptability of their foes. “Both sides look forward to their use in future engagements,” said Lord Maldoror, signaling that the conflict between these rival forces is far from over.

This historic battle not only showcased the evolving strategies and counterplays between some of the most formidable fleets in the game, but also set the stage for future engagements that will undoubtedly shape the balance of power on the Frontier.