As an alpha clone, I have always found hacking data and relic sites very frustrating. I trained every single skill as high as possible, and still I can only manage a virus coherence of 70 and a virus strength of 25.
Since I can’t use the Tech 2 analysers(as an alpha), I find it nearly impossible to hack the harder sites (with a red system core), since the defensive systems simply have a much higher coherence.
Does anyone have any tips at hacking that might allow me to hack harder sites? Are there more modules or skills that can boost my virus coherence or strength?
Also, note that I’m a relatively poor alpha clone meaning I fly a t1 exploration frigate.
Why do you think Alpha players (aka extended game test mode) should be able to do what paying customers can do? Upgrade to Omega if you want the full expierience.
I went for years hacking in low/null/WH without hacking/archeology V, sure they are quite convenient but with practice you only sometimes need a 2nd attempt at a can and rarely lose one, and these skills take a month to train and I had better things to train at the time.
pay attention to the numbers:
a 5 means there’s nothing interesting within 4 clicks, this eliminates large portions of the “map”
if you get the same number (< 5) on two consecutive clicks, you are moving in the wrong direction and need to make a right angle turn
rule of 6
kill healing nodes ASAP, damage mitigation nodes are also high priority, but you can usually afford to wait a bit until you get a bonus to help take it down
don’t waste bonuses on offensive nodes that are not blocking anything vital
For reference, a T2 fitted Anathema has a virus strength of about 40 and a coherence above 100. But, yes, not available to Alpha clones. Alpha is more an open ended taster of Eve rather than the full thing.
It’s watered wine.
However, the T1 explorers are good ships - they have a big advantage: they are cheap, losing it doesn’t hurt as much.
So, firstly, I assume you’ve read the Eve University guide - the tips and tricks there are useful, and I’ll not repeat them.
A few additional observations:
You damage a defensive node when you click it. It only attacks you if it survives that. So, if you have a two click shield don’t waste it on clicking something with coherence less than your strength.
Generally don’t attack everything, if you start getting closed off look for utilities to help you break through. You don’t have to clear everything, just crack the core.
Kill reinforcement nodes as a priority.
Use the secondary vector thing on suppressors - click it once and continue exploring while it does its work. Don’t hammer on it yourself, the utility will kill it without your help.
Get used to the feel of how things are spread around the grid: the core is often next to one or two defensive nodes, more often on the edge of a grid, the “rule of six” is valid. It’s not just a random scattering of nodes, there’s a flavour/taste to it.
The data caches (white blobs that becomes either a defensive node or a utility) have an even chance of good or bad. Don’t just grab them until you’ve cleared around them.
Other practical things:
If you can fit a cargo scanner the. You can see what a node contains before you sweat blood hacking for carbon.
Keep an eye on d-scan and the overview - especially in wormhole space. Run if something feels wrong. You only benefit if you get your loot to market.
“I’ve had a lucky run, just one more” is the one you’ll get killed running. Know when getting the loot out is a good step.
Don’t be tempted by an Astero unless you can fit a covert cloak. You’re Alpha, you can’t, you’ll get killed 'cos it’s a nice target.
Yes, the hard hacks can still defeat a T2 fitted covert-ops ship.
Sounds like the start of an advert for Omega…
There’s many other fields in the game that are restricted, because it’s a trial account.
But to be honest, all players (also Omega!) feel the same at the beginning. Repeat trying, watch some youtube footage, also talk to Vets, and after some time even an alpha clone can finish many hard containers in a Heron or Imicus.