New EVE Scanning Ship For Relentless Explorers!

My Take on Exploration in EVE Online — The Joys, the Grinds, and the New SOE Ship

Exploration has always been one of my favorite activities in EVE Online. Over time, it became my go-to method for making ISK — for many good reasons. It’s profitable, flexible, and can be surprisingly relaxing. Of course, like any profession in EVE, it has its frustrating parts too. But honestly, that’s part of the charm.

The Upcoming SOE Command Ship — Odysseus

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about the newest addition to the Sisters of EVE exploration lineup — the Odysseus. For me, this is an exciting development! SOE ships have always been among my favorites, whether for exploration or PvP.

I’ll admit, I was a little disappointed to hear it’s classified as a command ship. That title gives off a “fleet support” vibe — something more group-oriented than solo. But knowing SOE ships, I’m sure it will still have the versatility we’ve come to expect. It’ll be interesting to see whether this ship encourages more group-based exploration, or if it remains a soloist’s dream.

I won’t turn this post into a news article (I’m sure you’re not here for the latest patch notes), but I had to mention it. It’s great to see the SOE fleet expanding, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the Odysseus. Keep an eye on my killboard — you’ll see it there soon enough. 😏

The Solo Nature of Scanning

Now, back to my little rant — and yes, it’s a bit of a rant! Exploration in EVE is something I’ve always wanted to talk about. I know there’s some discussion around fleet exploration, but to me, it just doesn’t feel like a group activity.

From running data and relic sites to mapping wormhole connections, exploration is a solo game. And honestly? I prefer it that way. It’s quiet, self-reliant, and the ISK goes entirely to you. It’s a one-person job — and that’s part of what makes it peaceful. Maybe I’ll make a Reddit post about it one day, but I digress.

The Scanning Community — A Quiet Bunch

One thing that always amuses me about the exploration community is how independent we all are. You’d think explorers might give each other tips — a heads-up about a good system, a site they’ve left behind, or which wormholes aren’t worth scanning. But no — explorers tend to operate in silence, as if they’re the only ones in the cluster running sites.

This leads me to my main gripe: the way people run sites.

The Two Types of Scanners

In my experience, there are usually two types of explorers:

1. The Cherry Pickers — those who only hack the best containers, maybe only if they see 10M+ ISK in loot.

2. The Completionists — those who’ll hack anything over 1M and move on.

Of course, not everyone fits neatly into those categories, but I think a big chunk of the exploration community does.

The problem with the first type is that it leaves a mess behind — half-finished sites sitting around, waiting for a respawn timer. It’s honestly frustrating to warp into a system and find nothing but incomplete sites.

Personally, I like to finish what I start. I’ll even blow up empty containers just to despawn the site. You’d be surprised how often a new site spawns in the same system before I leave. Sure, it takes a bit more time, but it’s worth it — both for the ISK and the satisfaction of clearing a system properly.

Slowing Down and Enjoying the Journey

I understand why some explorers speed-run their routes — efficiency, profits, or just habit. But I’ve found that taking your time, clearing what you scan, and enjoying the peace of space is one of the most tranquil parts of EVE Online.

Sometimes there’s only 5M ISK left in a system — not much by most standards — but that quiet sense of progress, of doing the job right, is what keeps me coming back to exploration.