🪐 Basic Guide to PvE Mission Running

🔰 What Are Missions?

Missions are structured PvE combat or logistical tasks given by NPC agents, and they come in different types and difficulty levels. The main types of missions are:

Security – Combat-focused (most common for ISK).
Distribution – Courier-style delivery missions.
Mining – Mine ore in mission-deployed fields.

EVE’s mission system offers multiple mission types and levels. This guide breaks them down to help you understand how to approach each one efficiently.

🧾 Mission Types Overview

Mission Type	Main Activity	Common Rewards	Best Ship Types	Difficulty
Security	Combat	ISK, LP, Standings	Combat ships (Frig → BS)	★★☆☆☆ → ★★★★★
Distribution	Hauling	ISK, LP, Standings	Industrial ships	★☆☆☆☆
Mining	Ore mining	ISK, LP, Standings	Mining ships	★★☆☆☆
Storyline	Mixed	Big Standing Gains	Varies	★★☆☆☆
Epic Arcs	Combat-heavy storylines	Unique Faction Rewards	T2 Cruisers/BCs	★★★★☆
COSMOS	Exploration-style missions	Standings, Items	Mix of PvE/Exploration ships	★★★★☆

🛡️ Security Missions – Combat Focused

🎯 Objective:

Destroy hostile NPCs or retrieve items through combat.

🔄 Format:

Kill all enemies
Retrieve/transport a mission item
Kill a specific target (some can be blitzed)

📦 Rewards:

ISK, LP, Bounty, and Loot
Standings with the agent’s corporation and faction

🔧 Tips:

Match damage and resist to enemy faction (see damage table above)
Use drones for small enemy ships
Use EVE Survival to preview mission enemies and triggers: http://eve-survival.org

🚚 Distribution Missions – Hauling Missions

🎯 Objective:

Move cargo from one station to another.

🔄 Format:

Accept mission
Fly to target station and deliver
Return to agent

📦 Rewards:

Lower ISK/LP
Great for gaining faction standings quickly
No combat!

🚀 Recommended Ships:

Level 1-3: T1 Industrials (e.g., Wreathe, Badger)
Level 4: Blockade Runners or Deep Space Transports for lowsec/nullsec

🔧 Tips:

Use cargo expanders
Accept multiple missions and run them in batches

⛏️ Mining Missions – Resource Gathering

🎯 Objective:

Mine a specific type and amount of ore and return it.

🔄 Format:

Warp to mission asteroid belt
Mine required ore (unique mission ores)
Return to agent

📦 Rewards:

ISK, LP, Standings
Generally slower ISK/hr than combat

🚀 Recommended Ships:

Venture (Level 1-2)
Procurer or Retriever (Level 3-4)

🔧 Tips:

Some mission ores cannot be sold or refined
Bring a Mobile Tractor Unit for efficiency
Train Mining Upgrades and Astrogeology

🏅 Storyline Missions – Special Missions

🎯 Objective:

Offered after completing 16 regular missions of the same type for the same faction.

🔄 Format:

Varies: combat, hauling, etc.
Always more difficult than regular missions

📦 Rewards:

Significant Faction Standing boost
ISK/LP

🔧 Tips:

You can manipulate standings gains by focusing on specific agents/factions
Can unlock better agents or LP stores

🧩 Epic Arc Missions – Factional Storylines

🎯 Objective:

Complete a long, branching questline for your faction.

🔄 Format:

Around 50 total missions (Level 1 arcs)
Advanced arcs are for more skilled players

📦 Rewards:

Huge standings increase with one faction
Rare faction modules or blueprints

🚀 Recommended Ships:

Level 1 Arc: Frigate/Destroyer
Level 4 Arc (e.g., Caldari Epic Arc): T2 Cruisers, Battlecruisers, or strategic fits

🔧 Tips:

You can repeat epic arcs every 90 days
The Sisters of EVE Epic Arc (“Blood-Stained Stars”) is ideal for new players

🧭 COSMOS Missions – Limited-Time Exploratory Missions

🎯 Objective:

Found in specific constellations, often involve combat, hacking, or delivery tasks.

🔄 Format:

Fixed once-per-character missions
Time-sensitive and reputation-dependent

📦 Rewards:

Faction standings
Unique storyline items and modules

🔧 Tips:

Can’t be repeated
Some require exploration skills (like Archaeology)
Research them carefully before starting — no retries!

🧠 Tips for All Mission Types

Train relevant skills: e.g., Connections (for better standings), Navigation (for faster travel), and Target Management (for more locks).
Use standings to unlock better agents: You’ll earn more ISK per hour with Level 4s.
Check security status of destination: Especially for Distribution missions.
Watch your faction standings: Doing missions against enemy factions (e.g., killing Amarr for Minmatar) can hurt standings and restrict access to their space.

💡 Fast Start Mission Strategy (For New Players)

Complete the Career Agent Missions
- Teaches you basics of each mission type.
- Gives free ships and modules.
Do the Sisters of EVE Epic Arc
- Long, rewarding Level 1 storyline.
- Gives huge faction standing boost.
Choose a faction/corp and grind missions
- Focus on one NPC corporation to unlock Level 4 agents.
Use standings to unlock better income
- Access high-paying missions, storyline agents, and LP store items.