EVE Online's Havoc expansion is seeing some changes to its Insurgency mode as CCP Games add the Ambition Modifier to, hopefully, make them more balanced and intense. Meanwhile, the company is also gearing up for next week's test of its FPS module, Vanguard.
First, Havoc. Back at Fanfest 2023, the team announced its Insurgency system with the Havoc expansion, which sees players who are aligned with the NPC pirate factions in New Eden able to sow chaos in the Factional Warfare systems that dot the star cluster. This created some incredibly chaotic situations, especially in those early moments as capsuleers tried to figure these new systems out in the early days.
However, fast forward a few months, and the Ambition Modifier is meant to help bring some balance back to the system. Now, as one side continues to rack up victories in an Insurgency, each successive Insurgency will become harder to win, as the amount of system wins will increase to keep the winning going. In effect, the hope is this will balance things back to more of a tug of war than an overwhelming slog between the Empires and Pirate factions.
Per the EVE Online site:
"This will make the struggle between suppression and corruption more balanced, the fight more gripping, and the achievement of victory all the sweeter."
The Insurgency system is also getting some UI updates, with a filter that can be toggled to show the level of suppression and corruption in a system. Additionally, the Pirate Forward Operating Base will also show this, giving the info at a glance, and it will also show the current Ambition Modifier level. Stargates and some stations will also fly Pirate banners, upping the feeling that Angel Cartel or Guristas dominate a system as part of the Insurgency. Oh, and roving pirate bands will no longer attack you if you've declared allegiance to one of the factions in a nice quality-of-life change, though this applies to certain systems only.
It's time to dust off those boots, the next First Strike playtest for EVE Vanguard is just a week away! Join us planetside from 25-29 January where all Omega pilots will have access!#Tweetfleet #EVEOnline pic.twitter.com/INeIqHLRDR
— EVE Online (@EveOnline) January 18, 2024
Meanwhile, for those interested in testing EVE Online's FPS module, Vanguard, next week provides another chance to get boots on the ground to help spread corruption in New Eden. The next First Strike playtest for EVE Vanguard kicks off on January 25th and runs through the 29th, and any account with an active Omega subscription can participate. If you missed the first test, check out our thoughts from Vanguard, which is a great first step in the right direction for building the spiritual successor to Dust 514 that many players have waited years to enjoy.
