Faction Warfare (FW) has undergone a major evolution in the EVE: Havoc expansion, turning the once simple tug-of-war between empires into a dynamic battleground with multiple fronts, evolving objectives, and new systems like Insurgencies. If you’re looking to fight for your empire, make ISK, and experience some of the most accessible PvP in New Eden, this is your ultimate guide.
We’ll walk you through how to enlist, navigate the FW systems, understand suppression and corruption, and prepare your first effective PvP fit. Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up, this guide is your one-stop shop for dominating the factional front lines.
Why Join Faction Warfare?
Faction Warfare is more than just organized PvP—it’s a highly rewarding ISK opportunity. You earn loyalty points (LP), which can be exchanged for faction gear, ships, and implants. Better yet, you get paid to take control of space and engage in dynamic skirmishes. The more you fight—and win—the more you earn.
But make no mistake, it’s a commitment. Enlisting flags you for PvP across all of New Eden. You’ll be hunted in enemy space, and the war never sleeps. But for those willing to take the plunge, the rewards are immense.
How to Enlist in Faction Warfare
Head to your Neocom → Activities → Faction Warfare tab. Choose the empire you want to fight for—Caldari vs. Gallente, or Amarr vs. Minmatar. Confirm your choice carefully:
- Once enlisted, you are at war with the enemy faction, even in high-sec space.
- NPCs will shoot you on sight in opposing high-sec areas.
- You can unenlist anytime, but there’s a 24-hour cooldown before you can rejoin.
Once registered, your map updates to show the new FW battlefield. You’ll now see systems classified as:
- Frontlines – High conflict, best LP rewards.
- Command Ops – Moderate risk and rewards.
- Rear Guard – Safer zones, lower LP.
Ship Casters: Fast Travel to the Front
A new feature introduced in Havoc is the Ship Caster—a teleportation hub that lets you instantly move between key FW fronts. These are strategically placed and allow you to avoid the dangers of traveling manually through hostile space.
To use a Ship Caster:
- Set your destination to the nearest one via the FW map.
- Dock, wait for the charge to complete, and initiate launch.
- You’ll arrive in a frontline system ready for combat.
Insurgencies: Suppression vs. Corruption
The Insurgency mechanic is central to the new FW system. Pirate factions like the Guristas or Angel Cartel now launch incursions into empire space. These areas become corrupted unless checked by Empire militia pilots.
You’ll see insurgencies on the FW map with a red arrow icon and can track them in the Insurgencies tab under Activities.
Key mechanics:
- Suppression (Empire) – Build it by completing FW sites. It grants:
- Increased NPC bounties.
- Boosted LP gains.
- Security status increases.
- Additional defense from empire-aligned NPCs.
- Corruption (Pirates) – Increases as pirates succeed. When corruption hits level 3:
- It can spread to adjacent systems—including high-sec.
- Hostile pirate NPCs will roam and target players.
- Empire forces will face increasing disadvantages.
Max suppression essentially locks down the insurgency and empowers Empire players with powerful tools. Choose whether to fight for the Empire’s borders—or focus on suppressing the spreading pirate menace.
Site Types and Ship Restrictions
Sites are classified by size and ship eligibility. Here’s the breakdown:
- Scout Complexes – Frigates only.
- Small Complexes – Destroyers and below.
- Medium Complexes – Cruisers and below.
- Large Complexes – Any subcap ship.
- Open Sites – No restrictions.
Special notes:
- T3 Destroyers can enter Medium and below.
- T3 Cruisers can enter Large and Open.
You’ll also see tags like:
- Navy – Only Tech 1 or Navy faction ships.
- ADV (Advanced) – All eligible ship types including pirate and T2.
LP Rewards: Each site has a number—like “1” or “5”—which indicates how many players will get LP rewards. Bringing a big fleet into a “1” site means only one pilot gets paid. Choose your group size accordingly.
The Fit: Federation Navy Comet for Faction Warfare
A proven workhorse for new and experienced FW pilots alike, the Federation Navy Comet is affordable, powerful, and easy to skill into.
Fit Highlights:
- High Slots:
- 2x Tech II Neutron Blasters (High DPS)
- 1x Compact Energy Nosferatu (for cap pressure)
- Mid Slots:
- Tech II Afterburner (speed)
- Warp Scrambler + Webifier (tackle/control)
- Low Slots:
- 1x Overdrive Injector (speed)
- 1x Magnetic Field Stabilizer (damage)
- 3x Transverse Bulkhead II (hull tanking)
- Damage Control (resists)
- Small Armor Repairer (sustain)
- Drones: Tech II Hobgoblins or Hornets
- Ammo: Void (close), Null (mid), Antimatter (longer)
This build hits about 237 DPS and offers a solid mix of speed, tank, and burst. While it isn’t invincible, it’s incredibly effective in Scout and Small Navy sites.
How to Run FW Sites
Sites function like King of the Hill. Once inside:
- Stay inside the site’s “capture ring.”
- Defend against NPCs and players.
- Maintain presence until the timer completes.
Use D-Scan (Alt+D) to constantly check for incoming enemies. Set it to 1 AU with a 360-degree scan to detect threats. Stay alert. If local chat spikes, someone may be coming. Be ready to warp off to a safe spot (bookmark these in advance).
Key Tips:
- Orbit the warp-in beacon to quickly intercept enemies.
- Avoid engaging multiple enemies unless you’re confident.
- Practice in rear guard areas before heading to frontlines.
Spending Your Loyalty Points (LP)
After site completion, you earn LP for a specific corporation (e.g., State Protectorate for Caldari). You can view LP balances in your Wallet → LP Store.
To spend LP:
- Open the LP store at a matching station.
- Sort by highest ISK per LP value.
- Implants and faction modules often offer the best returns.
You can use LP to either improve your character or sell items for profit.
Final Thoughts: Choose Your Path, Fight Smart
Faction Warfare is more alive than ever. With new systems like Insurgencies, Ship Casters, and tiered suppression/corruption mechanics, FW now offers accessible and rewarding content for all skill levels. Whether you’re hunting pirates, locking down sites, or earning ISK through LP, there’s always something to do.
Train up, fit smart, and undock with a plan.
And if you’re looking to start your FW journey with a boost, don’t forget to check community events and giveaways—free fully-fitted ships are often up for grabs.
Fly dangerous. Fly for the Empire.
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