The effects of the impending NewSov are already visible on New Eden’s political map. While 5% of active characters fight over PC null-sec, the 75% in high-sec go about their business; missioning, incursion-ing, mining, and generally being happy.*

That said, let’s have a look at the dramatic changes hitting the map, pre-NewSov changes. What are the 5% fighting for:

WEST & NORTHWEST

N3 has dissolved, its renters in Northern Associates have been sold off to Darkness Alliance. The remnants of the coalition are now in differing states: NC went to Providence to work out their low participation woes. Nulli was chased out of null-sec and into Doril (edge of Curse). Pandemic Legion was hot on their tail after being paid 600 billion by Goonswarm to be so. Darkness evacuated their home in Delve, and Kadeshi took a short vacation from NPC Delve to help Gentlemen’s Club block The Initiative from crawling out of the Curse cellar and into Immensea.

The CFC, high off their commanding victory in Delve, restructured and re-branded into “Imperium,” and declared a shuffle of CFC membership to the north, surrounding Deklein. There was a little drama with some LAWN members who got kicked, and Fatal Ascension (FA)’s leader gave up. When his members found out by being pinged with a decree from the Mittani, the FA leader had a change of heart, but it was too late. FA split apart and unceremoniously closed it’s doors. “So long the defenders of the wall” and third most active alliance in CFC.

Meanwhile in Delve, the CFC could not give sov away fast enough. Bored, the CFC military refused to grind anything past Delve. The CFC invited the homeless Brave to take Fountain, which Brave eagerly did. They are now finding the place has fleas, the Fountain core locals that have been there for ages.

The Mittani unlaced his glove and RP slapped the Holders of Providence, daring them to demand satisfaction. It’s a rouse to help Provi’s leaders form the RP friendly narrative of “defending the honor of Empress Jamyl.” Who wouldn’t, have you seen the description on her? The Goon’s RPing does take us back to an age when all the great wars were steeped into RP propaganda. Bravo Mittani, bringing back the old school. But you have to own it, otherwise you’re just another wiseguy.

—— From this point forward, CFC will be called Imperium. (unless it is a troll) —-

Still in the neighborhood, like a teenager that never moved out, is Black Legion. They’ve embroiled themselves in moon fights with Imperium and low-sec heavyweights LowSechnaya Sholupen. Quality pvpers here. Should be exciting.

SOUTH

As stated, Providence has been put on notice by the Imperium. Right now Provi is fighting off head slaps from NC. Occasionally Provi socks NC in the nose, but NC is one of those veteran fighters that smiles through a bloody face. NC is just here to get back into fighting shape, but the Imperium wants to trash-can Provi to re establish the nerd pecking order. If NC and PL stick around until NewSov hits, and the Imperium makes good on its threat, things could get interesting.

CCP Fozzie said that with the old mechanics, the big coalitions would never fight each other because they were afraid they would burn out each head FC’s. The NewSov mechanics take the pressure off the block level FC’s and distribute among lower level FC’s. This helps in two ways; less burnout at the top, more buy-in at the bottom. Could this lead to a different type of threeway between Goons, NC and PL? It’s one less excuse.

Brave’s absence in Catch is quickly being filled by Against All Authorities, Pandemic Horde, and a cluster of other alliances. Even Phoebe Freeport Republic has nabbed a couple systems, in case they get knocked out of Scalding Pass. Pandemic Legion still holds the important systems HED-GP and GE-8JV.

Stainwagon Coalition (Coven, Soviet Union, Against All Authorities, and others) has been unified and is grinding the regions surrounding Stain. Without Nulli, Gentlemen’s Club on one side and NC, Darkness and Kadeshi on the other, Stainwagon is making good progress.

Amazing calving video

The long thaw of Northern Associates permafrost has accelerated into calving, especially in the mid south east regions. The Gorgon Empire, Dream Fleet, Red Alliance and RAINE have all been taking their share for months. Test Alliance, famous for weaponizing autism, has arrived to shit up local. The whole area is brawling, and Test is a big fish again and doing quite well.

EAST & NORTHEAST

Triumvirate and Solar Fleet have active campaigns against the Geminate Coalition (GemCo) in the Drone Regions. GemCo is lead by Legion of Death and they have been known to hire Pandemic Legion to take care of Solar Fleet when they make too much progress. Nulli should cheer for Solar to win faster.

That wraps up the wrap up.

*Keep in mind the graphporn is active time on character and are not hard numbers, just in relation to each other. Keep in mind high-sec is filled with tons of afk haulers/miners alts and most null characters are in pinged in and out of game. The overall game population is a closely guarded secret and appear to be down [eve-offline], however this may be due to many factors; unlimited game queue, simultaneous training, bot & isboxing banning, and downturn in late 2014 new players (and alts) created.