Security Zones & PvP

Status: Partially Implemented - Security zones exist in the game. PvP mechanics and territorial control are planned features.

The galaxy isn't uniformly dangerous. ECON divides space into security zones, each with different rules about what you can and can't do to other players.

The Four Zones

High-Sec (Security 0.8 - 1.0)

The safe zone.

Aspect	Details
PvP	Forbidden
ECON Presence	Heavy
Resources	Poor
Competition	High
Best For	New players, safe trading

In High-Sec, attacking another player brings immediate ECON response:

Your ship is destroyed
You pay heavy fines
Your compliance rating tanks
Possible bounty placed

Trade-off: Safe, but resources are limited and competition is fierce.

Mid-Sec (Security 0.4 - 0.7)

The frontier.

Aspect	Details
PvP	Limited
ECON Presence	Moderate
Resources	Medium
Competition	Moderate
Best For	Experienced traders, growing corps

In Mid-Sec, aggression is punished but not prevented:

ECON responds, but with delay
Attackers face fines and bounties
Victims have some protection
Quick attacks can succeed

Trade-off: More risk, but better opportunities than High-Sec.

Low-Sec (Security 0.1 - 0.3)

The wild frontier.

Aspect	Details
PvP	Allowed
ECON Presence	Minimal
Resources	Rich
Competition	Variable
Best For	Combat-capable traders, pirates

In Low-Sec, you're mostly on your own:

No ECON protection
Attackers face minor consequences
Piracy is common
Valuable resources attract risk-takers

Trade-off: High risk, high reward. Come prepared.

Null-Sec (Security 0.0)

Lawless space.

Aspect	Details
PvP	Free
ECON Presence	None
Resources	Very Rich
Competition	Player-controlled
Best For	Corporations, alliances, power players

In Null-Sec, there are no rules except what players enforce:

No ECON presence at all
Player groups control territory
Richest resources
Most dangerous

Trade-off: Ultimate freedom and reward, ultimate risk.

PvP Mechanics

What You Can Attack

Target	High-Sec	Mid-Sec	Low-Sec	Null-Sec
Ships	No	Limited*	Yes	Yes
Cargo	No	No	Yes	Yes
Stations	No	No	Damage only	Full
Modules	No	No	Yes	Yes

*Limited: Aggression allowed, but ECON responds

Combat Resolution

When ships fight:

Aggressor declared - Who started it
Combat timer starts - Can't dock/jump for X minutes
Damage calculated - Weapons vs. shields/armor
Victory conditions - Ship destroyed, ship escapes, or ceasefire

Destroyed ships drop some cargo. The rest is lost.

Consequences of Aggression

Zone	Immediate	Long-term
High-Sec	Ship destroyed	Banned from High-Sec
Mid-Sec	ECON response	Bounty, reputation loss
Low-Sec	Combat flag	Minor bounty
Null-Sec	None	Nothing

Bounty System

Attackers accumulate bounty:

Other players can hunt you
Bounty pays on kill
High bounty = always hunted

Bounty encourages consequences even in Low-Sec.

Economic PvP

Combat isn't the only way to hurt someone.

Market Manipulation

Tactic	How It Works
Cornering	Buy all supply, control prices
Dumping	Flood market, crash prices
Short Squeeze	Manipulate supply to hurt short sellers

Legal everywhere, but risky.

Supply Chain Disruption

Buy out critical inputs
Blockade supply routes
Outbid competitors for resources

Price Wars

Undercut competitors until they go bankrupt:

Requires deep pockets
Risky - you might go broke first
Legal, but creates enemies

Territorial Control

Influence System

Stations track who trades there most:

Trade volume generates influence
Influence unlocks privileges
Top influencer controls certain aspects

What Control Gives You

Influence Level	Privileges
Minor	Priority docking
Significant	Market fee discounts
Major	Vote on station policies
Dominant	Set taxes, control defense

Fighting for Territory

In Low/Null-Sec, territory is fought over:

Station sieges (disable, not destroy)
Blockades (prevent trade)
Economic warfare (outcompete)

Controlling valuable locations = controlling wealth.

Survival Strategies

For Traders

Know your route - Check security levels
Scout ahead - Use cheap ships to check dangerous areas
Travel light - Don't haul more than you can afford to lose
Use escorts - In dangerous space, bring friends
Have insurance - Accept that losses happen

For Industrialists

Location matters - Build in appropriate security
Diversify - Don't put everything in one place
Defense - If you're in Low-Sec, you need guns
Alliances - Mutual defense pacts

For Pirates

Pick your targets - Don't attack what you can't beat
Know the law - Consequences vary by zone
Have escape routes - ECON or other players might arrive
Reputation matters - Too notorious = always hunted

Zone Transition

Moving between zones:

Transition	What Happens
High → Mid	Warning message, status change
Mid → Low	Warning message, combat rules change
Low → Null	No ECON protection message
Any → High	Weapons deactivated, ECON protection active

You always know what zone you're in. No surprises.

The Risk/Reward Spectrum

Safety ←────────────────────────────→ Profit
High-Sec         Mid-Sec         Low-Sec         Null-Sec
Safe             Frontier        Dangerous       Lawless
Poor             Medium          Rich            Richest
Crowded          Moderate        Sparse          Player-controlled

Choose your comfort level. There's no "right" answer.