From the minute I started playing EVE Online, I wanted to get away with something.

It didn’t have to be an elaborate plan for backstabbing, or a huge pyramind scheme. No, I just wanted to reach out into the dangerous sectors of New Eden and somehow eke out a handsome reward for making it back alive. I wanted to ignore the established conventions that I should slowly graduate from high security space, then low sec, then null sec, then wormhole areas. I wanted to boldly go where the money was.

So right from the get-go, I chose exploration as my initial career in EVE.

There was a lot to learn: fitting, flying, scanning, hacking, and (certainly not least) diplomacy. I very quickly jumped into the most terrifying sections of the galaxy, searching for increasing expensive loot against increasingly hostile enemy players. And while I certainly made my mistakes (as my many destroyed frigates can attest), all my gambles were paying off. Within the first month of playing, I had already earned over three billion ISK – enough to pay for more than four months of my EVE subscription. That may not sound like a lot to a veteran, but for someone just starting out at exploration (or EVE in general), it’s many thousands times more than you’d earn performing typically grueling beginner tasks.

I’ve looked for EVE Online exploration guides, and while they’re out there, many are woefully outdated. Even the ones that cover the most recent ships and UI changes sound like they were written by cowards who are simply too afraid of taking a risk for making some ISK. What’s the point of playing in such a huge, open world if you’re never going to see most of it?

So in my infinite wisdom and generosity, I’ve decided to compile my own exploration handbook to outline how I’ve made my millions, so you can follow in my, uh… hyperdrive wake? This is going to be an ongoing series, with new chapters coming out once or twice a week, but you can check back here for links to the latest parts. And if you have any advice for newbie explorers yourself, definitely share it in the comments!

EVE Online Exploration Guide Index

NOTE: These chapters are subject to change during and after writing, so check back for updates!

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