I failed ratting 101

Finally, I glance at the number, 45 million isk, not a lot by most standards but a lot for me. All thanks to thieving space leftovers and a few welcome handouts, you know the ones, “welcome to EVE we are buying your allegiance at a small price — do not fuck us or we will fuck you harder.” I’m ready for this, the Vexor is a good ship and it served me well, but I’m sick of salvaging empty wrecks that don’t cough up alloyed tritanium bars — yes, buying a time card and trading it for isk would be faster and legit but I’m encroached by the best rats in the game. I might as well make my dues on the front lines. Where you do you draw the line anyway, the first 180 million or the tenth?

There it sits docked, a new svelte beast enticing me to take it out for a spin. “Hi, I’m Krones, I’m pleased to meet you Myrmidon.” We became best friends right there. I fit it with cool space gadgets and toys — some being unnecessary tech II modules that cost a small fortune. I even used a low skill point pve build because I had no clue about this ratting business. I undock, heading for the nearest angel belt in true 0.0 security system. Ten minutes later I’m flying my pod back to the station, leaving a wrecked Myrmidon, baffled, not even knowing what transpired and severely embarrassed that I lost my new ship so quickly, to rats. Who the hell loses their ships to rats?! Apparently, I do. My ego stings, and to make matters worse I only invested in basic insurance. I’m 20 million in the hole — that’s a lot of bars.

I tell my friend the hilariously bad news from my first ratting attempt in true 0.0 sec. He gleefully responds and rubs salt in my sore wounds.

“You’re a faggot pubbie, you gotta be the worst EVE player ever. Did you read the wiki?”

“I hurt my X backbone, yes that was a wiki build! Loan me 30 million for the greater good that is the pubbie society.”

Not happening. My friend’s strapped but flying high in his Raven and working on fitting out a covops ship. If only those all-to-familiar assholes that do absolutely nothing else but rat would pay off my allegiance again, some of them have 45 billion isk lining their pockets and rat all night fun. Fun, after 45 billion, I guess all that time in space is enough to drive anyone crazy.

I couldn’t warp away, I was webbed. I lingered like a sitting duck, angels pinging away at my ship not being able to do anything. A few obvious lessons I learned the hard way.

Be prepared. Knowledge is power and losing an expensive ship is far worse than a typical death in a standard MMORPG.

Know thy enemy. This requires research. My true downfall was that I had no clue that certain rats could warp scramble me for breakfast. I had extremely bad luck and the first belt I entered had two very hungry arch angels. If I had done my homework, I would have warped away immediately.

Know how to use drones and what type of tank your ship is. I made the mistake of launching my drones as soon as I entered the belt as opposed to waiting. By launching my drones early, they essentially became tanks and died before my ship was of any use.

Don’t be cocky or careless and expect great results. I made a huge mistake in over estimating my prowess. I couldn’t use my medium armor repairers because my skill wasn’t sufficient enough. You heard me right – my two most important modules were fitted eye-candy, nothing more. I thought I could handle a few belts without them - assume nothing.

Sometimes, it’s the only way to learn.