Happy Birthday EVE Online.

While I have attempted to return a few times since 2015, my life over those years really did not give me time to balance my gaming needs & work & life itself and each attempt fizzled out. Here I am in post pandemic 2023, I have changed employer, found a great work / life balance and really really want to be roaming the stars of New Eden once again!

So I am doing. All accounts up either on Omega or Alpha (depending on necessity), setting myself up to log in Mangala, and reading up on just how terrible my stuff is now. Not that I was ever any good at EVE, but damn do I feel like a 2004 newbie (I was late to this party I know!).

Now you may remember Syndicate is where we fought a brief scrap with the CAS guys and upon being popped I hit the local contract market and bought myself a Raptor and a Rattlesnake. I want to use that Rattler, so we need to get it back to the corner of high sec RvB lives in, so this weekend, we are doing just that. You’re going to fly cruisers and down, I’m not. And we’re going to take my ship and I home via as much as low security space as we can.

When: Sat 25th August 1830 form / 1900 dep UTC
Where: Orvolle
What: Caracals > Logi > etc (Reprise fits from HL #6)
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel: RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Mangala

Fits:

[spoiler title=’Caracal’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Caracal, Caracools]

Damage Control II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II

50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Warp Disruptor II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II

Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Hobgoblin II x2

Nanite Repair Paste x50

[/spoiler]

[spoiler title=’Bellicose’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Bellicose, Caracools]

Damage Control II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II

50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
Warp Disruptor II
Fleeting Compact Stasis Webifier
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II

Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile

Medium Hydraulic Bay Thrusters II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Hobgoblin II x5

[/spoiler]

[spoiler title=’Logi One’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Scythe, Scythe Fast]

IFFA Compact Damage Control
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II

50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Azeotropic Restrained Shield Extender
Cap Recharger II

Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster
Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster
Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Capacitor Control Circuit I

Hornet EC-300 x5
Warrior II x4

Nanite Repair Paste x50

[/spoiler]

[spoiler title=’Logi Two’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Kirin, Kirin Fast]

Damage Control II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

5MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Republic Fleet Medium Shield Extender
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
EM Ward Amplifier II
Small Capacitor Booster II, Navy Cap Booster 400

Small Remote Shield Booster II
Small S95a Scoped Remote Shield Booster
Small S95a Scoped Remote Shield Booster

Small Core Defense Field Extender II
Small Core Defense Field Extender II

Warrior II x1

Navy Cap Booster 400 x16

[/spoiler]

Bring plenty of booze as I will be!

When: Sat 11th August 1930 form / 2000 dep UTC
Where: Piak
What: Enyo > Logi > Tackle > Boosh/Boosts > Probes > Ewar 
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel: RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Mangala

Fits:

(Enyo mids to taste)

[spoiler]

[Enyo, DC Blasters]

Assault Damage Control II
Co-Processor II
Adaptive Nano Plating II
True Sansha Energized Explosive Membrane

5MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Phased Muon Scoped Sensor Dampener, Targeting Range Dampening Script
J5b Enduring Warp Scrambler

Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S
Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S
Small Ghoul Compact Energy Nosferatu
Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S
Light Neutron Blaster II, Void S

Small Auxiliary Thrusters I
Small Hybrid Burst Aerator I

Warrior II x1

[Deacon, Deacon – Still not sold on an MWD]
Damage Control II
400mm Steel Plates II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Corpii A-Type Thermal Plating

5MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Small Capacitor Booster II, Navy Cap Booster 400

Small Remote Armor Repairer II
Small Remote Armor Repairer II
Small Remote Armor Repairer II

Small Ancillary Current Router II
Small Trimark Armor Pump II

Warrior II x1

Navy Cap Booster 400 x10
Nanite Repair Paste x30

[Magus, Magus – Booshted]
Damage Control II
400mm Steel Plates II
Adaptive Nano Plating II
Drone Damage Amplifier II

5MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Micro Jump Field Generator
Faint Epsilon Scoped Warp Scrambler
Fleeting Compact Stasis Webifier

150mm Light AutoCannon II
150mm Light AutoCannon II
150mm Light AutoCannon II
Skirmish Command Burst II, Evasive Maneuvers Charge
[Empty slot]

Small Anti-Explosive Pump II
Small Trimark Armor Pump II

Warrior II x5
Hammerhead II x2
Hornet ec-300 x3

Nanite Repair Paste x50
Interdiction Maneuvers Charge x50
Rapid Deployment Charge x50

[/spoiler]

When: Sat 28th July 1930 UTC
Where: Reisen
What: Caracal, Bellicose, Logistics, Fast Tackle, Ewar.
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel: RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Mangala

Fits:

[spoiler title=’Caracal’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Caracal, Caracools]

Damage Control II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II

50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Warp Disruptor II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II

Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Hobgoblin II x2

Nanite Repair Paste x50

[/spoiler]

[spoiler title=’Bellicose’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Bellicose, Caracools]

Damage Control II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II

50MN Cold-Gas Enduring Microwarpdrive
Warp Disruptor II
Fleeting Compact Stasis Webifier
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II

Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile

Medium Hydraulic Bay Thrusters II
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Hobgoblin II x5

[/spoiler]

[spoiler title=’Logi One’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Scythe, Scythe Fast]

IFFA Compact Damage Control
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II

50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Azeotropic Restrained Shield Extender
Cap Recharger II

Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster
Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster
Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Capacitor Control Circuit I

Hornet EC-300 x5
Warrior II x4

Nanite Repair Paste x50

[/spoiler]

[spoiler title=’Logi Two’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

[Kirin, Kirin Fast]

Damage Control II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

5MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Republic Fleet Medium Shield Extender
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
EM Ward Amplifier II
Small Capacitor Booster II, Navy Cap Booster 400

Small Remote Shield Booster II
Small S95a Scoped Remote Shield Booster
Small S95a Scoped Remote Shield Booster

Small Core Defense Field Extender II
Small Core Defense Field Extender II

Warrior II x1

Navy Cap Booster 400 x16

[/spoiler]

Call it what you will, RvB Ganked or Ganked turns SEVEN years old on the 22nd July, and while Ganked still runs under the aegis of the good people over at Spectrefleet, I cannot very well ignore the birthday of the event that gave the server a bloody terrible drunken FC along with cementing RvB as a content provider for the wider EVE community.

The first RvB Ganked was a two parter, Rifters – FC’d by Manic Miner/Tim Pest and kitchen sink, FC’d by me. Wasn’t too bad to be honest, broke even on the fight that really got me hooked on the drug that is slosh ops. You can read selections from Ganked’s story over the years following 22nd July 2011 on this blog, or check out the many many campaigns over on the Ganked killboard. Hell you can join a Ganked event every week just by being a part of the Spectre community, or come fly with me on Hard Liquor of course!

I was thinking as HL #5 is being held close to Ganked’s 7th, that we would reprise the original setup, a 2 part roam of rifters then kitchen sink, however I remembered that CCP has been kindly giving us ships for major birthdays in EVE, and so HL #5 will fly the Praxis & Gnosis.

Fits are here; We also have prizes that will firm up as the event draws closer so keep an eye on the mailing list Hard Liquor, the RvB forums and discord, and this website. I’ll see you all there this Saturday!

When: Sat 21st July 1930 UTC
Where: Ichoriya
What: Praxis. Logi. Gnosis. Tackle. Logi. Ewar.
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel: RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Mangala

Prizes: Lots of stuff, around 10b isk total.

Anyway, the roam itself was good fun, fair few explosions, some good tussles with locals in Providence and Curse/Scalding Pass, and the camaraderie of my fellow pilots adding icing to the cake. Nikolai had provided some goodies too, many folks now have them on their contracts including Nitro Oxide, Bixulu, Beejay, Green, Daneel, Nicose, and Sid.

On to the fun stuff, remember that poll I put out? Well apparently you all want this weekly, so here we go. I’m giving you what you wanted! 

When: Sat 14th July 1930 UTC
Where: Stacmon
What: Minmatar. Cruiser Down. Shield. Logi. Tackle. Ewar.
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel: RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Mangala 

Fits:

[spoiler]

[Scythe, Scythe – Micro]
IFFA Compact Damage Control
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II
Capacitor Power Relay II

50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Azeotropic Restrained Shield Extender
Cap Recharger II

Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster
Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster
Medium Murky Compact Remote Shield Booster

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Capacitor Control Circuit I

Hornet EC-300 x5
Warrior II x4

Nanite Repair Paste x100

[/spoiler]

[spoiler]

[Rupture, Rupture – T2]
Damage Control II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II

50MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Shield Extender II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II

720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
[Empty slot]
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Warrior II x5
Warrior II x1

Republic Fleet EMP M x400
Republic Fleet Fusion M x400
Republic Fleet Phased Plasma M x400
Republic Fleet Depleted Uranium M x400

[/spoiler]

[spoiler]

[Rupture, Rupture – T1]
Damage Control II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II

50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Shield Extender II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II

720mm ‘Scout’ Artillery I
720mm ‘Scout’ Artillery I
[Empty slot]
720mm ‘Scout’ Artillery I
720mm ‘Scout’ Artillery I

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Ancillary Current Router I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Acolyte II x1

Republic Fleet EMP M x400
Republic Fleet Fusion M x400
Republic Fleet Phased Plasma M x400
Republic Fleet Proton M x400
Republic Fleet Depleted Uranium M x400

[/spoiler]

[spoiler]

[Bellicose, Bellicose – RLML TP]
Ballistic Control System II
Ballistic Control System II
Damage Control II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II

50MN Quad LiF Restrained Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II
Target Painter II

Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile
Rapid Light Missile Launcher II, Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Anti-EM Screen Reinforcer I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Valkyrie II x3
Acolyte II x2

Caldari Navy Scourge Light Missile x200
Caldari Navy Inferno Light Missile x200
Caldari Navy Nova Light Missile x200
Caldari Navy Mjolnir Light Missile x200

[/spoiler]

[spoiler]

[Muninn, Muninn – Moomin]
Assault Damage Control II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Power Diagnostic System II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II

50MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Large Shield Extender II
Large Shield Extender II

720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II
720mm Howitzer Artillery II

Medium Core Defense Field Extender I
Medium Core Defense Field Extender I

Warrior II x5

Quake M x500
Tremor M x500
Republic Fleet EMP M x500
Republic Fleet Fusion M x500
Republic Fleet Proton M x500
Republic Fleet Depleted Uranium M x500

[/spoiler]

As an aside, get your Praxis/Gnosis ready for Saturday 21st July – Gankeds 7th Birthday (Well close enough)…

That brings us on to Hard Liquor #3! This week I’m feeling the need, the need for speed!

When: Sat 30th June 19.30 UTC
Where: Amarr
What: Inties > Bubbles > Ewar > Insanely suicidal non-inty fast tackle.
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel: RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Mangala

No real definition of what I want beyond inties. Although crows would be nice, so I can feel all Tom Cruise and shit.  We will be heading out to all points null, so bring lots of time. We’re going hunting!

Remember, you can check the RvB forums and the RvB calendar for details of future roams, which are now weekly as you lot are addictive!

I think I’m hooked on roaming again. Small gang, big gang, max fleet, all of it.

And I want to share that problem around, so here’s a quick poll folks on moving Hard Liquor to weekly.

[poll id=”11″]

Poll will run for a week or so, and I am pretty sure you’ll want it harder and more regular!

1. Yes, I’m back in game;
2. Yes, I’m in RvB again;
3. Yes, I’m Fleet Commanding again, and even better, RvB trusts me to do it;
4. Yes, I try my best to get people killed while doing the above;
5. Yes, I’m awful at naming things right now;
6. No, you cannot bring your Drake.

Check out these videos from #1:

If that gets you all excited, then here are the details for Hard Liquor #2 and I hope to see you there!

When: Sat 16th June 19.30 UTC
Where: Ichoriya
What: Cruiser down*. Armour. Close range. > Logi > Tackle > Ewar
Comms: RvB Public Mumble
Address: public.rvbeve.com
Port: 43224
Pass: RvBLives
Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name
In game channel – RvB’s Hard Liquor / OOG – RvB Discord
FC: Pimpin Purple Daddy, Mangala Solaris

If this is too short notice, then we do roll fortnightly (at the moment), watch this blog, the RvB forums and the RvB Calendar for future dates along with details of any other events you may be interested in.

While NPSI is one of the activities in EVE that I truly enjoy, I do not have the time available to jump right back in at the serious end of the purple world, although since returning to EVE, I have been mulling over getting something rolling on that front. So after some discussion with the movers and shakers of RvB, I am going to be running an old school, fortnightly slosh op on their behalf (and for my own pleasure of course!).

Ladies & Gentleman, I present to you, RvB’s Hard Liquor. Details of the inaugural roam – and I do mean roam, set yourself a good few hours and a case or two of you favourite beer aside – are as follows:

Title: Hard Liquor #1 – Ass F*****

When: Sat 2nd June 19.30 UTC

Where: Reisen

What: Assault Frigs. Armour, close > mid-range. Tackle, ewar etc etc

(No I am not going crazy and providing fitting suggestions, just an old time “rough idea”)

Comms: RvB Public Mumble

Address: public.rvbeve.com

Port: 43224

Pass: RvBLives

Name: [Corp Tag] + In game name

In game channel – RvB’s Hard Liquor

FC: Great Purple Grand-daddy Mangala Solaris

And folks, we have both prizes and a selection of prefit ships to give out on the day, but please remember BYOS is just as important as BYOB here! I’ll see you all in Reisen soon!