Zifrian
Licentia Ex Vereor
Intrepid Crossing
323
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Posted - 2012.05.29 22:22:00 -
[1] - Quote
I always find it interesting when there are threats to high-sec miners (hulkageddon, etc) and people "run for the hills." It's interesting because I mined through several of these events (some not even knowing some were going on). I'm still mining with the same hulk I bought when I could first fly one by using an approach that really comes down to "Mine smartly." So I thought I'd post here to share my experience if it helps others.
Here's my list, in no particular order (except the first one):
- Set standings to Goonswarm Federation to -10. - Unless you are in Goons or allied with them, you are a target by them. This really should be a no-brainer. Even if you aren't a miner (trader/hauler anyone?) you should have these guys set to -10 (if you are in a corp, ask your CEO to do this asap). Then watch for them in local. If they are there, probably not a good idea to mine. Maybe a better idea to think about moving.
- Set standings on can flippers/gankers to -5. - If someone tries to can flip you or gank you, tag them. Write a note on them in their bio. Then if you see them around, you know that can mining isn't safe.
- Set standings for other miners to neutral. - As you are mining, you'll start noticing a lot of names are similar, especially if they are mining. Set them to neutral so you can have an idea who is who in your system. By all means this doesn't mean they are safe, but they are probably less likely to attack you since they are doing the same thing as you.
- Don't mine AFK. - If you warp into a system, turn on your lasers then go watch TV in another room, well yeah, that's pretty dumb. Yeah, mining is boring but that can be a nice thing too.You can read a book, watch HULU on your laptop, chat with corpies, whatever, but don't leave your keyboard if you don't want to lose your ship. Dock up, if you got to walk away for a bit.
- Research corps that are in the system frequently. - While you are mining, read their bios, read their corp information, look at what wars they are in - did they start them? You'll be surprised what you can find out. I found a corp that's sole purpose was to harass miners. I set their standing to -10 too.
- Don't mine in "newbie" systems. - For awhile when I was starting out, I always seemed to get can flipped. Then it dawned on me, I'm in a 0.9 system. So I moved a few systems away, oddly enough no can flippers and I had more ore to mine too.
- Look around for a "quiet system" to mine in. - Related to #4, but takes a bit more time to do. Look around for systems in those regions where there isn't much going on. Hint: The Forge isn't one. Find an NPC corp you can use to refine, research missions you can do to raise standings, and then move there. In short, do your research.
- Align to station with a clear path. - There are some that say this doesn't matter since if you aren't moving, you don't need to be pointing in the direction when you start, etc, etc. Well, there are other things to consider - one is the fact that collision detection in this game is a bit weird. So make sure you can reach 80% of your speed (this is when you warp) without any objects in the way. This way you can get out quick if you need to. If not, you'll be kicking yourself the first time you try to warp out when a red comes into the belt and you are bouncing all over the field because you are too close to the roid you are mining.
- Don't jetcan mine - if you can help it. - Jetcanning will just make you a target. Newer players might not be able to have alts or people to help haul, but if you can help it, try not to jetcan mine unless you are sure it's safe to do.
- Don't talk trash in local. - This should also be a no-brainer but the more you show you are ticked off at a flipper/ganker, the more they will do it - trash talk in local just makes you a target. Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you get annoyed and certainly don't taunt them if you get away from a gank or can flip. They'll just try again. Sit in your chair, laugh..tell your friends of your escape, but don't talk trash in local.
- Suck up successful can flips. - If you get can flipped, there isn't anything you can do about it if you don't want to lose your ship. Many people seem to still get caught in this trick but it basically means this - you lost your ore. Just accept it, learn from it, and move on. Again, don't play into the ganker/flipper's game. They *want* you to get mad and try to take your ore back. It's not worth it and never will be. How much did your retriever with fittings cost? How much is the ore worth? Do the math.
- Join the Mining Channel. - Even if you don't plan on talking there, keeping an eye on what others are talking about is a good idea. Attempted ganks, where there might be a roaming fleet of thrashers, etc. Just consider it more intel.
- Mine in a system without a station. - This really only works well if you have an orca alt hauler to move the ore you mine to a station a jump away, but it works well. Stations make it easy for people to inhabit a system and those without, well are pretty empty for the most part. The ore can be better sometimes too and less people to fight over ore. Also, it's not easy pickings for gankers, the populated systems are so this might be an option for you.
Anyway, I hope that list helps someone, new or old. Like I said, I spent a while in high-sec mining and never lost my ship. I like to think it has more to do with the above than dumb luck.
If anyone else has any good tips, feel free to add them to this thread.
Fly safely! 
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