This guide breaks down every major form of PvE in EVE Online and ranks them from the safest beginner activities to the most demanding endgame challenges. Each section explains what makes an activity easy or difficult, whether it can be done solo, and how much risk comes from other players....
1. Mining (High sec Asteroid Belts and Ore Fields)
Difficulty: Easiest and Very Low
Typical group size: Solo (or small group)
Why: For a new player, mining in high security space is one of the safest ways to start gathering resources. There is minimal combat or NPC threat if you stick to peaceful belts.
Caveats: Risk comes mainly from inattentive pilots, since you are vulnerable to PvP gankers especially if you AFK.
2. Combat Anomalies and Combat Sites (High sec and Low sec cosmic anomalies and DED rated complexes, “Ratting”)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (varies with system security and ship fit)
Typical group size: Solo or small group
Why: These are among the first PvE combat activities players engage in. NPCs are not complex. Many sites can be cleared with T1 or T2 cruisers or even destroyers, especially in high sec. With scanning skills you can hunt down cosmic signatures and combat anomalies even in lower sec or null regions.
Benefits: No need to grind standings with agents. Can drop faction loot, deadspace modules, faction BPCs, or implants that yield high returns.
Caveats: Loot drops are inconsistent. Sometimes you get a big haul and other times very little. Competition happens when other players try to steal rats or loot. In low and null sec there is always the danger of PvP.
3. Standard Missions (Level 1 to 4 in High sec, Level 5 in Low sec)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate to Hard (scales with mission level)
Typical group size: Solo (common) or small group or fleet
Why: Missions range in difficulty. L1 and L2 are accessible for new players. L3 and L4 require better ships, fits, and more awareness. For L5 or missions in lower sec, friends or alliances or stronger ships become important.
Benefits: Missions give steady ISK and allow progression through standings, loot, and salvage. They are predictable and safe compared to chaotic content.
Caveats: For newer players or alpha accounts, level 4 to 5 may feel grindy or risky. Salvage or looting rights can be contested, especially in high sec where others might warp in. In lower sec missions, PvP risk adds extra danger.
4. Low sec, Null sec, and Wormhole Ratting, Exploration, Escalations, DED Complexes
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard depending on region security and site type
Typical group size: Solo viable but more risky. Small groups recommended for safety and efficiency
Why: These areas offer higher payouts than high sec but come with increased PvP risk because other players roam freely. NPCs may be similar to high sec, but the unpredictability and danger from other players elevates the difficulty. Many dedicated PvE players avoid these zones entirely.
Caveats: Risk of losing your ship to both NPCs and players. Constant vigilance required. Loot competition is common, especially in null and wormhole space. You often need intel channels or a scout.
5. Abyssal Deadspace (Tiers 0 to 6 via filaments)
Difficulty: Very easy (T0 to T1) up to Extremely Hard or High Risk (T5 to T6)
Typical group size: Solo or small group depending on tier and filament, with high risk because pods and ships can be lost permanently
Why: Abyssal sites are instanced PvE pockets accessed through filaments. They range from Tier 0, suitable for T1 frigates, to Tier 6 which requires top tier ships, strong fits, and skilled flying.
Benefits: High payout potential and rare loot. Instanced environment means no direct local system PvP if you exit safely. Good for risk and reward minded pilots.
Caveats: Timer pressure. You must finish the site within the time limit or your ship and pod are destroyed. Mistakes are expensive. Even veterans lose ships in T6.
6. Fleet scale PvE: Incursions, Large Scale Operations, Event Driven PvE such as Homefronts, community events, and mega sites
Difficulty: Hard and considered endgame PvE
Typical group size: Fleet, often dozens of players, although some groups run smaller setups
Why: These activities need precise ship fits, specialized roles, strong DPS, logistics, and coordination. They pay very well and reward players who like structured teamwork.
Benefits: Strong payouts, salvage, LP, and large bounties. Good for experienced pilots.
Caveats: Requires reliable teammates, communication, and a fleet mindset. Casual players may find the entry barrier high. Even in high sec fleet PvE there is some risk from outside interference such as gankers or site competition.
Why Difficulty in EVE Is Not Just NPC Mechanics
A major factor is the constant PvP threat. Even in high security space, other players can warp in, loot, or gank you, especially during lucrative sites. Many players avoid low or null sec because the PvP threat increases difficulty far more than the NPCs.
Because of this, many PvE players stay in high sec for missions, anomalies, and lower tier abyssals until they feel comfortable taking risks.
Simplified Ease to Difficulty to Hardcore Risk Ladder
Tier | Activity | Solo Friendly | Group Friendly | Relative Difficulty
1 | Mining (High sec belts) | Yes | Yes | Very Low
2 | Combat Anomalies and Ratting (High sec and Low sec) | Yes | Yes | Low to Moderate
3 | Missions (L1 to L4 high sec, L5 low sec) | Yes | Often better with groups | Moderate
4 | Low sec, Null sec, Wormhole ratting and complexes | Solo possible | Small group recommended | Moderate to High
5 | Abyssal Deadspace (T0 to T6) | Yes depending on tier | Small group possible | Moderate to Very High
6 | Fleet scale PvE (Incursions and events) | Rarely solo friendly | Yes, fleets required | High
Observations and Current Trends (2025)
Abyssal content is one of the most popular solo high risk options. T0 to T1 is beginner friendly. T2 to T4 is intermediate. T5 to T6 is often considered solo endgame.
There is strong advice for new or cautious players to remain in high sec for mining, anomalies, and missions until they feel comfortable managing PvP risk.
Fleet based PvE continues to require groups with strong coordination and trust. Many see this as the pinnacle of structured PvE.
Suggested Entry Path for a New or Returning Player
• Begin with mining and high sec asteroid belts to learn basic mechanics.
• Move to combat anomalies and high sec ratting for more ISK and early combat experience.
• Progress through missions from L1 to L4 to build skills, standings, and ship knowledge.
• Enter low sec, null sec, or wormholes once you feel comfortable managing PvP risk.
• Try T0 to T1 abyssals for controlled high risk PvE, then move up to harder tiers.
• Join a corp or fleet to run incursions or large PvE operations for the best coordinated rewards.
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