As soon as you undock, you consent to PvP—nowhere in EVE is truly safe. Each security zone comes with unique threats and countermeasures. This guide outlines what to expect and how to avoid losing your ship.
Highsec (0.5–1.0 Security)
Main Threat: Suicide Gankers
- Groups target vulnerable or valuable mining ships.
- CONCORD will destroy them, but not before they destroy you.
- Loot is scooped by neutral alts.
- Pods are less often destroyed but it can happen—warp out immediately.
Common Ganking Ships:
- Catalyst: Cheap, high DPS, most common.
- Coercer: Strong EM damage, good vs. shielded ships.
- Talos: Expensive, used for larger/tankier ships.
How to Avoid Ganks:
- Fit defensive modules (maximize EHP).
- Avoid expensive faction/officer modules—stick to T2.
- Mine away from major trade hubs.
- Never mine AFK.
- Set negative standings for known gankers and dock when they appear.
Other Threats:
- Faction Warfare: Opposing militia can freely attack you.
- Wars: Active war targets can engage you without CONCORD interference.
- Pirate Strongholds: NPCs can scram/disrupt. Check with D-scan.
- Hostile NPC Miners: May call reinforcements if standings are low.
- Triglavian/EDENCOM: Aggressive if standings are negative.
Lowsec (0.1–0.4 Security)
Main Threats:
- Players can attack with minimal penalties.
- Gate/station guns fire back but can be tanked.
- Gate camps, smartbombers, and covert cynos are common.
Avoiding Ganks:
- Always use your directional scanner.
- Learn the locals (who ganks, what they fly).
- Use a cloak and mine on the far side of asteroids.
- Avoid border systems near highsec and busy travel routes.
- Stick to dead-end systems with low traffic.
- Mine only when alone or among trusted locals.
- Cloak/dock immediately if someone enters system.
- Clean up wrecks to avoid advertising your presence.
- Watch for players logging out/in to ambush you.
Avoiding Gate Camps:
- Use third-party intel tools or check kill stats.
- Scout ahead with an alt.
Other Threats:
- NPCs scale up (destroyers → battleships).
- Rare spawns: Mordu Commanders (warp disrupt), Clone Soldiers.
- Triglavian/EDENCOM aggression if standings are negative.
Sov Nullsec
Context:
- Typically mined under sovereignty protection.
- Hostiles are usually neutrals or enemies of the alliance.
- Warp disruption bubbles can be deployed.
- No CONCORD—lawless combat.
NPC Nullsec
- Same rules as Sov Null: lawless, bubbles permitted.
- NPC pirates often spawn in strong ships.
Wormholes
Key Difference:
- No local intel unless someone speaks in chat.
- Only D-scan and grid presence reveal other pilots.
- Warp disruption bubbles are allowed.
- Lawless: no penalties for PvP.
Other Threats:
- Sleepers: Spawn ~20 minutes after the first pilot enters an ore site each day.
- Can scram in higher-class wormholes.
- Once destroyed, won’t respawn until downtime.
Pochven
Key Difference:
- Like wormholes: no local unless someone chats.
- D-scan and grid awareness are essential.
Other Threats:
- Triglavian/EDENCOM NPCs will attack if standings are low.
✅ Golden Rules for Safer Mining:
- Always use directional scanner.
- Stay aligned to a safe warp-out.
- Don’t AFK mine.
- Know the locals and their habits.
- Fit defensively and avoid expensive bling.
- Keep situational awareness—EVE rewards vigilance.