Interview with ‘day old’ hero Drinker

I have always maintained that skill points do not determine level of skill in EVE. A player with 1million skill points may very well be a master tradesmen or ace solo pvp’er, his SP level merely limits to what ships he can fly. Living out in Nullsec and flying with alliances such as TEST Alliance Please Ignore, and Goonswarm Federation – both alliances known for their recruitment of new players direct from their respective forums – my point is proven on an almost daily basis.

Take Evian Drinker for example; He was in the game for one day and managed to earn himself a decoration from TEST as well as the respect from many veteran PvP’ers, including Shadoo of Pandemic Legion himself. And, it should be said, he was also rewarded with a healthy amount of ISK too.

This was Evian’s momentous day in EVE: He started the day completing the tutorial missions in high-sec before being accepted into TEST and relocating down to Curse, where TEST are deployed. Evian then attended a newbie training operation designed to help new players get to grips with nullsec life. Then after this training operation he went on a combined TEST/PL fleet, hero-tackled some retreating Tengu’s and assorted other ships and gave the entire fleet some juicy killmails. With Shadoo raging on comms “Tackle the Tengu’s! Tackle the Tengu’s!” Evian stepped up to the mark and despite his newness to the game began a spree of ownage which has reverberated through TEST Alliance, and clearly showing that new players can make a difference.

Evian’s killboard: https://kb.pleaseignore.com/?a=pilot_detail&plt_id=144964

I conducted a brief interview with Evian, who I have to say was very humble, which is as follows:

Lovelocke – For those that don’t know, you’re the player who on his first day in EVE went on a PL fleet and hero-tackled several tengu’s resulting in some tasty killmails. How badly were your nerves shot up?

Evian Drinker – I had no idea what I was doing. The “Intro” fleet I’d just done had finished ~20 min earlier where I had been told the difference between aligning and warping to gates, which I managed to fuck up twice. I was barely keeping up with the fleet, trying not to fuck up or be left behind when we landed next to the hostiles. I just about managed to lock some people in the first engagement but forgot to activate the Micro Warp Drive, I was so nervous. Pure blind luck that no-one shot at me.

Lovelocke – Most ‘Newbies’ start their EVE careers in high-sec, however corps like Dreddit and Goonwaffe welcome in new players and have structured training plans in place. How well do you feel they helped with teaching you the aspects of the game?

Evian Drinker – Loads, I finished the Military and Industrial (mining) tutorials that Eve has and thought I knew “how” to play. But being thrown into 0.0 was a huge culture difference, and a much steeper learning curve but everyone has been really helpful in answering dumb questions (Every answer seems to spark another two questions mind).

Lovelocke – Staying on the topic of Q 2, do you think, in general terms, new players should remain in high-sec for a set period of time or do you believe in the “being thrown in at the deep end” approach to learning?

Evian Drinker – Everyone should be thrown into 0.0. I can’t imagine doing the tutorial shit again, seems like a totally different game. A less fun, boring version. I guess everything is more exiting when someone is trying to murder you

Lovelocke – Due to your heroic actions many people, including Shadoo himself, rewarded you with a massive sum of ISK. How much did you get in total and what will you spend it on?

Evian Drinker – Total I think it has been just shy of 1.2 Billion so far. But my wallet keeps flashing every few minutes. The first guy in fleet gave me 100 million, which left me speechless. Getting the rest was just… well epic. First thing I bought was a Pilot’s Licence for my first month’s game time. Then 50 rifters and fittings.

Lovelocke – Evian, you have shown that even day old players can make a difference in Nullsec, the so-called ‘End game’ of EVE. Do you have any tips or suggestions to other new players like yourself just beginning to play the game?

Evian Drinker – Get stuck in, balls deep. Worst thing that can happen is you blow up whilst grinning like an idiot. I haven’t undocked yet today and it’s still been fun.

And there we have it. A ‘Newbro’ in nullsec owning it up and getting lots of <3