The Desolate Collapsed Conduit in EVE Online represents a unique and dangerous location that beckons daring capsuleers looking for high-risk, high-reward gameplay. Found within the broader framework of Pochven and Triglavian content, this site is a place where both environmental hazards and hostile NPCs test players’ navigation, fitting strategy, and combat effectiveness. Understanding how to approach a Desolate Collapsed Conduit, what to expect, and how to prepare can make the difference between a successful run and a costly loss. This topic explores the mechanics, threats, and strategic considerations of these mysterious sites.
Understanding the Desolate Collapsed Conduit
What is a Collapsed Conduit?
A Collapsed Conduit in EVE Online is a type of combat or exploration site found within Pochven or near Triglavian-influenced space. The ‘Desolate’ version suggests it is an abandoned or unstable variant, adding to the risk factor. These conduits are remnants of Triglavian experiments, with volatile anomalies, malfunctioning gates, and remnants of advanced technology scattered across space. They’re designed to challenge both solo and small group players who seek valuable loot and rare drops.
Where to Find It
Desolate Collapsed Conduits often spawn in specific systems influenced by Triglavian activity, especially within Pochven. These systems can be accessed via filament travel, wormholes, or from special triglavian-influenced space. Players may stumble upon these sites through D-scan or probing when exploring these regions.
Preparing for the Site
Ship Fitting Considerations
Successfully running a Desolate Collapsed Conduit requires careful consideration of ship fitting. This is not a site for poorly prepared ships or experimental builds. Below are key fitting principles:
- Tank Armor or shield tank depending on ship type, with strong resists against EM and Thermal damage.
- DPS Moderate to high damage output is necessary to quickly dispatch Triglavian enemies.
- Mobility High agility and afterburner/microwarpdrive modules to avoid being pinned down by Triglavian entanglers.
- Capacitor Management Bring capacitor boosters or modules that help you maintain energy, as some enemies drain capacitor quickly.
Recommended Ships
Some of the best ships for tackling this content include:
- Gila High tank and excellent drone damage make this ship a reliable solo choice.
- Tengu Strategic cruiser with good tank and flexibility.
- Ishtar Durable and drone-heavy ship suitable for PVE in Triglavian space.
- Confessor or Kikimora For experienced pilots who prefer glass cannon tactics and high-speed maneuvering.
What to Expect Inside
Entry and Initial Threats
Upon entering a Desolate Collapsed Conduit, players are often greeted with immediate hostiles. These can include Damavik, Vedmak, and occasionally Leshak-class Triglavian ships. Expect to face waves of enemies, often appearing in coordinated formations with specific effects like webs, scrams, and neuts.
Environmental Hazards
The environment inside a collapsed conduit can be as dangerous as the NPCs. Expect to encounter:
- Disruption clouds These can slow your ship, reduce resistances, or drain your capacitor.
- Spatial anomalies Unstable pockets that apply area-of-effect damage or disable modules.
- Gate lockouts You may need to clear all enemies before being allowed to warp out or access deeper areas.
Site Objectives
The main goal is usually to clear all hostile NPCs while avoiding or surviving environmental hazards. Once completed, wrecks can be salvaged or looted for valuable materials. These may include:
- Triglavian survey databases
- Data cores and filament parts
- Mutaplasmids for module upgrades
- Triglavian ship blueprints
Combat Strategies
Focus Fire and Kiting
Triglavian enemies use ramping damage weapons, meaning the longer they stay locked on, the more damage they deal. It’s important to kite and break their lock quickly or eliminate ships in a specific order:
- Priority 1: Webifiers and Scramblers
- Priority 2: Neuters and Disruptors
- Priority 3: Damage dealers like Vedmaks and Leshaks
Use of Drones and Missiles
Drone ships have the advantage of engaging enemies while maintaining range. Missiles, especially heavy assault or rapid lights, are effective for quick kills. Avoid turrets that rely on tracking if you’re facing fast-moving enemies.
Group Tactics
For fleets or duo runs, coordination is key. One pilot may serve as a tank while the other brings DPS. Alternatively, two balanced ships can share agro and maximize time on target. Voice communication and synchronized target calling greatly improve success rates.
Risk vs Reward
Why Run Desolate Collapsed Conduits?
While not the easiest sites to run, Desolate Collapsed Conduits can yield substantial profits. Players report finding rare mutaplasmids and materials that sell well on the market. Additionally, the experience of running these sites hones piloting and survival skills, making them excellent for those looking to improve their PVE efficiency under pressure.
Potential Losses
The risks are significant. Losing a ship inside one of these sites, especially in Pochven, can mean a long and costly journey back. Some areas are null-sec-like in terms of access, and you may encounter other players looking to ambush site runners. Bringing implants and expensive ships without preparation can lead to major setbacks.
Loot and Rewards
Typical Drops
After completing the site, expect loot from destroyed enemy ships, salvage from wrecks, and occasional site-specific rewards. Valuable items include:
- Ancient Relics and Datacores
- Triglavian weapon parts
- Mutaplasmids (for Overmind mods, propulsion, etc.)
- Ship Blueprints and Filaments
Always carry a mobile tractor unit or salvage drone if your ship allows. Gathering everything can boost your profit per run considerably.
The Desolate Collapsed Conduit in EVE Online is a harsh yet thrilling challenge designed for players who enjoy PvE combat with environmental twists. It requires not only a strong ship and fitting knowledge but also tactical thinking and adaptability. For capsuleers ready to brave the unknown and take on Triglavian threats in unstable space, these conduits offer a memorable and rewarding experience. Just be prepared because in the void of collapsed space, even the smallest mistake can lead to destruction.