The Deathless Circle in EVE Online's upcoming expansion, Havoc, is angling to sow some chaos in New Eden, and the events earlier today are glimpse into that future as Guristas Pirates attacked a player structure this morning.
As warned in a video by The Scope, EVE Online's in-universe news channel, the two NPC pirate factions at the center of the upcoming expansion, the Guristas and Angel Cartel, sent an ultimatum to capsuleer alliances that held structures a little too close to the new gates leading into Zarzakh. The ultimatum gave the two Alliances 24 hours to move their structures or be destroyed, with both the Guristas and Angel Cartel inviting players to attack them to earn favor with the factions.
Well, things kicked off early with DECOY Alliances' Astrahus in G-0Q86 attacked by players claiming to be allied with the Deathless Circle yesterday, sending it into its Reinforcement Timer. That timer will be up on Monday, kicking off the next phase in the structure's destruction. DECOY alliance has already confirmed it won't be moving the structure, so a fight will occur - whether it's just players or with the help of Angel Cartel, who claim sovereignty in the system, remains to be seen.
At 17:10 a Guristas fleet numbering at 256 departed from Zarzakh and began attacking a Fortizar belonging to the Initiative.Init formed a 200-capsuleer strong defense fleet and successfully fought back against the Guristas threat, saving their structure.#Tweetfleet #EVEOnline pic.twitter.com/fBbi2qjehZ
— EVE Online (@EveOnline) November 10, 2023
However, the Initiative, the owner of the Fortizar called out in the Scope video, began its unanchoring process so it could be moved. However, it apparently wasn't fast enough, as the Guristas attacked the structure this morning. According to the EVE Online Twitter feed, Guristas left Zarzakh with a fleet of over 256 ships to attack The Initiative, one of the more powerful player blocs in New Eden.
This saw the player alliance respond with a 200-strong capsuleer fleet to fight off the Guristas, saving the Fortizar - for now. With EVE Online, you never quite know what can happen next. Will we see continued strikes by the Guristas as the Fortizar is moved, or was this all they could muster?
It reminds me of the old Drifter invasions from a few years ago, where player structures were falling victim to NPC Drifter pilots left and right. It also helps to set the stage beautifully for EVE Online: Havoc, which launches next week. By sowing some chaos and allowing the pirate factions to flex their muscles here, CCP Games could be giving capsuleers, especially those who have taken up residence near the new system of Zarzakh, a glimpse of what's to come.
Today also saw the release of the expansion patch notes, with details about what players can expect when they dock at The Fulcrum, the station in Zarzakh itself, and access to the new Deathless Shipcaster. It also details how the new Pirate activities, including the Corruption and Suppression mechanics, work in Havoc. Players aligned with one of the pirate factions will also see expanded services in the Fulcrum, as well as specific hangar environments to enjoy when they park their ships in Zarzakh for the night
