Drugs aren't bad in EVE, m'kay?
by James Egan 
Sep 2nd 2008 at 5:00PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Guides, Crafting
One of the interesting features of EVE Online is that it has a drug trade in which players are actively engaged. Rather than merely being an illegal commodity, drugs -- called boosters -- enhance the performance of EVE's pilots, albeit with some potential side effects. To understand boosters though, we'll need to look into the game's setting a bit first. The thing to remember is that as a player, you're a capsuleer. You're not standing on the bridge of your ship barking orders at subordinates. Rather, you're floating inside a metallic capsule deep within your ship. Your mind is interfaced with the ship you pilot via neural implants, thus your vessel is an extension of your body and its senses; you regulate the ship's activities merely by thinking about them. Not all people in EVE's setting of New Eden have the raw potential to become a capsuleer, making your character one of the elite. However, when faced with others of your caliber in combat, every possible edge you can gain over rival capsuleers helps. That's where boosters come in... they're your edge. Boosters augment aspects of your mental processes and thus provide certain bonuses when piloting your ship.
Over at EVE Tribune, writer (and recreational pharmaceuticals enthusiast) Kirith Kodachi has put together a good primer on boosters called "EVE's Little Pick-Me-Ups." He introduces what boosters are and how they function in the game. The article also includes tables of bonuses imparted, the possible side effects, and the relative strengths of each booster type. "EVE's Little Pick-Me-Ups" is a great introduction to this aspect of the game, and there's more to come. Kodachi writes that next week's article will "look into the mysterious processes involved in booster manufacture." If you're curious about this side of EVE Online, EVE Tribune's series of articles on boosters will definitely be one to watch.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Anon said on 5:47PM 9-02-2008
So effectively, Boosters:Eve::Potions:FantasyMMO. It would be a bit more interesting if boosters were illegal in Concord, but could only be made in High Sec space. Coupled with random scans at warpgates making it difficult to smuggle out the valuable contraband, the "Drug Wars" would make an interesting addition to Eve.
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Camperifc said on 8:35AM 9-14-2008
They are illegal,why do you think you have customs scanning ships in all high sec systems.
3 years i have been smuggling in eve,the fines are huge,but so can be the potential profits
Kirith Kodachi said on 7:36AM 9-03-2008
I missed the deadline for this week's issue, but the manufacturing article is submitted for next week's issue. FYI.
Thanks for the good word!
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James Egan said on 11:13AM 9-04-2008
You did a nice job on that piece. I'm looking forward to reading the follow-up next week.
W. Graves said on 1:54PM 9-03-2008
you neglected to mention the absolutely insane price tag on these drugs, especially the good ones :P
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James Egan said on 12:07PM 9-04-2008
Recreational substances do not come cheap.