Ah, how well we remember the rush of our first launch. Not only that, we also vividly recall our naïve eagerness to dive straight into battle, all guns blazing, in an attempt to take down the entire enemy fleet on the first try and announce our arrival in New Eden in loud and spectacular fashion.
Only it doesn’t quite happen like that, does it? Fun though it is to front it out and tackle the opposition head-on, it’s not a tactic that is going to help your development as a pilot in the long term.
Success in EVE: Valkyrie is as much about holding back from the enemy as homing in on them. With that in mind, we’ve put together a little video tutorial for all our rookies out there, highlighting the best places to take cover and outfox the enemy in each of the game’s maps.
For example, the support struts beneath the main structure on the Cathedral map provide the perfect opportunity to evade enemy pursuers and break missile lock.
Of the asteroids that populate the Crossroads map, one has a cave system where you can lie in wait for an unsuspecting foe.
And on the all-new Solitude map, there’s a hangar bay where you can ‘hang out’ and take pot shots at people straying into your path.
So, get smart, take a look at the vid, then scout out the locations mentioned for yourself. Knowing the maps’ every nook and cranny will give you a definite advantage in battle.
Until next time, be sure to visit the 'Videos' section of our website to catch up on the rest of our video tutorials and other visual treats in moving picture form.
Fly safe!
Mini Masterclass – Taking the Heavies to Solitude
It’s no exaggeration to say that EVE: Valkyrie’s latest map, Solitude, has proven to be a hit with the players. Despite a propensity to repeatedly crash into the icy mountain terrain, this new planet-based environment has seen pilots revisiting Solitude again and again.
This map is unique in that it is the first ground-based map in EVE: Valkyrie. The map itself is a Minmatar research base that is now controlled by the charismatic pirate Fatal. It has some interesting features, including two underground areas in which to fight.
But enough of playing around with the new map like over-excited schoolchildren… it’s time to get serious. We recruited ace pilot Nydwen to give us a crash course (pun intended) on handling the heavies on Solitude.
Take it away, Nydwen.
Solitude: An Overview
Let’s take a closer look at Solitude’s features and start to come up with ideas of how to use them in our favor. For the purposes of this overview I will be focusing on the flak variants and mortar ships.
First point of note is the launch positions. One team will launch out of a carrier positioned near the the ground, while the other team will launch out of the base itself. This is currently the only map with this launch setup.
So, after launching what next? That depends on which side of the map you spawn at. As a rule, I always recommend heavies to stay inside, or very near to, enclosed spaces or structures. This is for both offensive and defensive reasons. I have previously discussed how enclosed spaces will focus damage from flak/mortar weapons onto the target and increase damage. This is key to fast kills and also ensuring you stay alive.
As an added bonus, if you happen to be flying a Maelstrom and have a fast-moving ship stuck on your tail, you can maneuver near a structure or wall and shoot that as you fly by. Depending on how close they are, you can catch them in the explosion.
On the defensive side, you can dart between beams to break missile locks, or cause them to crash into the beams. As mentioned, cover is invaluable.
Points of Note
To best describe the locations, I will use the normal A, B and C points that are present in the Control version of this map.
From our point of view, points A and C are ideal for us as they are both based underground and provide plenty of opportunities to use the environment to our advantage. The underground bases each have three entrances and exits which makes defending the entry point tough, unless you know for sure which direction they are coming from. Just underneath the point itself in each of these underground bunkers is a trench that runs around the base of the point. This is a very enclosed spot, and from here you can strike out at anybody approaching while presenting a smaller target.
Just above the points are a series of intricate structures that a heavy can use to maneuver, all the while applying pressure to the target by using the environment to its advantage. The fights you can have at these points are great fun and can be very tense… highly recommended.
Point B is situated on the surface and again has structures in abundance to fly between. The best location I can recommend if you visit B is the main structure itself, as this consists of everything we need to survive. However, if you are feeling adventurous, there is a ravine on the surface directly below, but this will leave you vulnerable to gunfire from above. As a heavy, this is still a good spot to fight at, although in general it is lacking the enclosed spaces which I favor.
Running from the carrier all the way to point B is the large ravine I mentioned. This consists of some very narrow and deep chasms, so good flying is a must in here. If you can handle it, there can be some great fights found in this area.
In Team Deathmatch, ideally, you want to drag the fight over to the underground structures, but failing that, any area with multiple beams to use as cover will suffice.
One last tip: while waiting in the clone vat to launch, make use of the 3D map CCP have given you. You can scroll left and right to look at the entire map layout, including the underground areas. Even better, this map displays all friendlies and enemies so you can get an idea of how the fight is going prior to launch.
Thanks, Nydwen. Some great tips there to get us started on Solitude. Don’t forget to check back over the next few days, dear readers, when we’ll be bringing you similar Solitude guides for the fighters and support craft.
Fly safe!
Our new Wormhole map, Goldenroad is live in this week's Wormhole event
All pilots are to report to the Genesis region and planet Otakoo XI following the emergence of the latest wormhole event.
Reports indicate that on the other side of the conduit, pilots have discovered a parallel region of space similar to that of the area known as Crossroads. We’re calling it Goldenroad - while it is in some ways familiar, it has been grotesquely distorted by enormous gravitational forces.
This has resulted in the area’s usual structures and formations being dragged together into the center of the wormhole. This means that all combat engagements will take place in a smaller environment than pilots are accustomed to. This does, however, provide a more complex battlefield with more cover options than usual.
For unknown reasons, Goldenroad is influencing our ships’ engines and providing what can only be described as a superboost.
However, there is one overarching reason why this wormhole is of particular interest to us. When defeated, the Schism’s ships are dropping abnormally large cargoes of salvage, so it’s imperative we get in there and exploit this unusual situation.
We have a fleet of Revenants, Sentries and Dominators at our disposal.
We estimate the wormhole will remain open from today through to the end of Sunday.
Good luck out there, pilots, and bring home that salvage!
Catch up on the buzz from EVE: Valkyrie's Groundrush update here
EVE: Valkyrie’s latest major free update, Groundrush, has been out in the wild for ten days now and it’s certainly got Valkyrie pilots and VR pundits the world over talking about it.
The update introduced a raft of new features to the game, including a new planet-based map. There are new Wormholes maps, improvements to pilot training and an upgraded co-op mode enabling players to take on AI opponents on all three game types: Team Deathmatch, Control and Carrier Assault.
There has been plenty of coverage and enthusiasm from the VR press, both in the build up to the update launch and subsequently. The Road to VR website managed to get a sneak peek at the new Solitude map ahead of launch at this year’s Fanfest and seemed rather taken with it, highlighting the craggy scenery, tight tunnels and a whole new enemy for pilots… the ground itself.
We hope you're all enjoying the free update! You can find out more about what people have been saying about Groundrush here
Our new Wormhole map, Nightyard is live in this week's Wormhole event
For the past 48 hours, we have been conducting operations in a new wormhole anomaly that has opened up near the planet Saranen in the Lonetrek region of New Eden.
The wormhole – 40B/484-54JT6 – leads to a dark and twisted version of the Shipyard structure. Due to its nature, we have dubbed the area the Nightyard.
Predictably, the Schism are present in the area and we have been engaged in deathmatches against our enemy since the wormhole opened.
We need you to get over there before the unstable event collapses in on itself.
While the oppressive darkness of the Nightyard is something of a challenge, there are certain anomalous aspects that work in our favour. First, it seems any ship entering the area emit bright rainbow trails making them easier to track. In addition, our missile systems have been enhanced considerably.
We have Aegis, Sentry and Siren ships at our disposal for this mission.
Group at Saranen and good luck out there, pilots!
Groundrush Update and Patch Notes
Hello pilots,
It gives us great pleasure to introduce our second game update of 2017 for EVE: Valkyrie – Groundrush!
https://youtu.be/4VNgbQ6pDNU
With every update, we try to push our gameplay in new and exciting directions. As part of the Groundrush update you will gain access to our stunning new map, Solitude. This is a radical departure from the battlefields of open space as the action is set against the backdrop of our first combat zone located on a planet’s surface. We’re excited to see how pilots adapt their techniques to capitalise on all the new hazards (and opportunities) that comes with this new environment.
You’ll also find even weirder and wilder new gameplay in our next round of weekend Wormholes! We’ve been calling this Season 2 in the studio as we’ve added a ton of new content, from twisted locations to exotic mechanics there’s lots to be discovered. We eagerly await reading tales of your adventures in wormhole space on our forums.
Groundrush Update - A New Map, Wormholes and more...
EVE: Valkyrie’s fifth major free update, Groundrush, has been announced live this week at EVE: Fanfest 2017 and boy, it really is going to be a rush. It introduces the game’s first ever surface based map and as such it will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
We're particularly excited for this update as we have the honor of introducing perhaps our most ambitious and radically different map to date, ‘Solitude’.
There’s also more new maps and modes to fly in our upcoming Wormholes, as well as the addition of official Steam Controller support and some changes to Co-Op gameplay that we think will really improve this feature.
Heads up, Pilots. Pick up EVE: Valkyrie on Steam from April 5 – 10 at 50% off!
Good news Pilots!
To celebrate #Viveday starting today (April 5 2017) you can pick up EVE: Valkyrie on Steam from April 5 – 10 at 50% off!
We look forward to all the new Valkyrie pilots joining the ranks.
Fly safe!
Introducing Roadmap – Your Valkyrie Crystal Ball (sort of)
In our ongoing pursuit of making your Valkyrie life easier (though not, we hasten to add, when it comes to battling in-game) we'd like to introduce you to the new Roadmap section of our website... the magical means by which you can look at the past, present and the future of everything Valkyrie in the blink of an eye or the click of a mouse button.
Put simply, Roadmap is a place devoted to archiving all the content updates that we’ve released to date, delivering teasers on upcoming developments, and giving you a heads-up on release info for our next major free update.
The clue is in the name, really. It’s a sat-nav for stuff that’s happened, is happening and might be happening down the line.
Take a look. We think you’ll like it.
https://www.evevalkyrie.com/roadmap/
EVE: Valkyrie Anniversary Double XP Week
Hello Pilots,
To celebrate the first anniversary of EVE: Valkyrie's release, CCP Games has decided to mark the occasion with a Double XP Week.
You heard us right, a whole week. From 09:00 UTC Tuesday 28 March to 09:00 UTC on Tuesday 4 April, Valkyrie pilots will receive double XP from every mission they fly. And that’s double XP for everyone, both wide-eyed rookie and battle-scarred veteran alike.
CCP would like to extend a massive thank you to the Valkyrie community and all of our Founders for making history by joining the Valkyrie in our first year, we could not have done it without you.
We're so excited about the year to come and we're looking forward to raising a glass with you when we see you at EVE Fanfest in April.
