After years away from the game, I jumped back into EVE Online with a fresh account, practically starting from scratch—and in just three days, I earned over 1.37 billion ISK. Nearly 900 million of that came from exploration and trade. I’m going to break down exactly how I did it, what tools I used, and how you can do the same even as a brand-new player.

This is not some Omega-exclusive method with expensive ships and months of skills. No, this is an alpha-friendlyapproach that can earn you tens of millions per hour using a simple, cheap exploration fit and good scanning discipline.

Starting from Day One

When you create a new character, you’ll start with around 300,000 skill points. If you use a referral link (like the one in the video’s description), you can redeem an additional 1 million skill points immediately. That right there puts you on a fast track to success.

In my case, I had about 2 million SP just three days in—some from the referral and some from a 500,000 skill point booster that I picked up after subscribing when a discount came along. With this head start, I focused entirely on exploration, primarily data and relic sites, and more specifically, those linked to the Crimson Harvest event going on at the time.

The Ship: A 1.7 Million ISK Investment

Forget flashy ships. I used a Kari Explorer, which you can easily find on the market. The entire build cost me around 1.7 million ISK in Jita. Dirt cheap. All you need is a few modules:

• A basic probe launcher
• Relic and data analyzers
• Microwarpdrive
• Scanner upgrades (as you gain more skill and ISK)

This minimal build has the power to pull in hundreds of millions in loot, especially during active events. Don’t let the price tag fool you—it’s incredibly efficient.

Getting to Work: High-Sec to Low-Sec

I started near Jita (a high-security trade hub) and searched for systems with at least 8 or more cosmic signatures. Using Alt+M, I opened the exploration window, picked a promising system with minimal population and many unexplored signals, and set course.

Once in low-sec, I dropped probes and started scanning down data and relic sites. Be aware: low-sec is dangerous. You’re not protected by CONCORD, so gate camps and gankers are always a risk. That said, if you’re alert, moving, and smart about where you warp, the risk is manageable—especially since your ship isn’t worth much. It’s the cargo you’re protecting.

The Mini-Game: Hacking for Treasure

At each data or relic site, you’ll encounter a hacking mini-game. You’re looking for the system core, defeating it by managing threats and using utilities. Event sites often come with loot traps—if you fail the hack twice, the container self-destructs, so practice is key.

Tetron Network Nodes, for example, are tied to the Crimson Harvest event. These sites can yield anywhere from 5 to 30 million ISK, sometimes more. Regular data sites still reward well (1–5 mil), but if you’re focused on these event ones, the profits jump significantly.

Wormholes, D-Scan, and Situational Awareness

During a run, always watch D-scan for other ships or probes. If you see extra probes that aren’t yours, you’re not alone. Someone may be tracking you.

Wormholes can sometimes lead to less-explored areas—but they’re risky. One wormhole I found was empty, another was nearly collapsed. Only go into wormholes if you’re confident, and always bookmark your exit. I explored one that seemed cleared already, so I moved on quickly.

The Routine That Made Me 108 Million in One Hour

By cycling through just a few Tetron and relic sites, I steadily racked up loot:

• 9.8 million from one crate
• 11 million from another
• 8.5 million… again
• 7.2 million…

Eventually, I had 94 million ISK in my cargo, and with my ship only worth 1.7 million, that flipped the script. I wasn’t afraid of losing the ship—I was afraid of losing my precious cargo. That’s when exploration hits a new level of excitement.

After an hour and 25 minutes (including all the talking and navigation), I returned to Jita. Only one low-sec jump along the way. I docked, transferred everything to my hangar, and sold most of it off for a quick 96 million ISK profit.

The Keys to Efficient Money-Making:

1. Use your free SP wisely – focus on hacking, scanning, and fitting support modules.
2. Scout systems – look for low-population zones with 8+ signatures.
3. Prioritize event sites – these offer the best rewards, especially during active events like Crimson Harvest.
4. Stay moving – don’t sit still in vulnerable systems. D-scan often.
5. Don’t chase big ships – your strength is speed, stealth, and scanning.

Final Thoughts: From Zero to One Billion

By day three, I had already amassed over 1.37 billion ISK in value. That includes trade profits, exploration, and one skill point injection purchase. For context, I transferred 450 million from my main account to get started and reinvested most of it into my tools.

Exploration in EVE is one of the best money-makers for new players—even alphas. With practice, each site can yield 5 to 20 million ISK, and lucky runs might bring in 100 million or more. Do this 15–20 times, and you’ve earned enough for Omega time without ever mining or PvPing.

If you’re returning to EVE or just starting out, this is the path I recommend. It’s thrilling, skill-driven, and incredibly rewarding.

And hey—if you want more EVE videos or tips, drop a comment, like the content, and follow along. Until next time: fly safe, scan smart, and don’t stop hacking.