Via Jester’s Trek, Letrange does some of the Excel work on the new Planetary Interaction (PI) taxes, what impact they have, and what the risk/reward ratios might look like if a Corp moves to low/null sec space to setup their own Customs Offices (CO) and PI. As someone who just recently dipped their toes into the PI space, I found both posts informative and helpful, and Letrange also got me thinking: How difficult would it be to live out of some random low-sec system?
Right now DiS is a high-sec corp. We mission for the most part, while learning other aspects of the game. While the first war-dec was over after that one (costly) battle, the current war is ongoing, and more than anything has cost us a pile of Noctis ships and a bit of time chasing solo ships around a few systems. This is all still educational for me (especially as I setup more PvP-oriented ships), but not exactly high-end thrills. Honestly the biggest impact for me has been the fact that we mission slower and occasionally don’t fully clean up some wrecks.
Would low-sec really be THAT different? I’m guessing yes, but why/how?
At a higher level, CCP’s decision to change how PI taxes work has created new ‘content’ for me, even if the end-result of that new content is me coming to the conclusion that moving to low-sec would be a bad idea. Prior to the change, I wasn’t even considering it (at least not for PI-related reasons). But what if DiS moving to some random low-sec system does happen? What if the Corp’s direction changes and we become a little PI factory Corp that also gets better (trial by fire) at PvP and low-sec tactics? Not bad for a tax rate change and player-owned CO eh?
Hardcore Casual 
Low-sec can feel pretty threatening but it’s actually really quite safe. Certainly safer than high-sec under wardec.
There’s a lot of factors to this (can’t easily hide neutral alts, no neutral RR, small local and d-scan which can be easily watched, etc) but the biggest thing is that very rarely will anyone be after you directly. There will be a lot of people who’d love the chance to kill you – but only if killing you is easier than killing the guy the next system over.
The biggest danger in low-sec is traveling. If you move around in anything bigger than a frig, you’d best have a scout or a covert ops cloak – although population is generally low enough gate camps are rare and easily predicted.
not sure why there’s so much whining about this. Does this not also result in a whole new business opportunity for high-sec mercenary corps?
If you as a carebear are hit to hard by taxes for a given planet, hire a pvp corp to reinforce the Customs offices.
I don’t believe any corp has capability to defend their Customs office continuously over any given area. Give them an out by readjusting tax rate or risk continuous harassment.
this should a) create a new market for high-sec Mercenaries contracts, b) get carebears in touch with pvp by contracting them first hand and c) balance tax rates to agreeable medium.
Aren’t the customs offices in High sec owned by the empires? I don’t do PI, but that was my impression, maybe I misread.
They are. I think he meant getting mercs to protect low-sec CO…
Ahh, ok. Honestly, that sounds more fun anyway that hopping willy nilly all over the place just because someone shows up on the watch list. At least there would be a point to it worth working for. If they reinforce the station, how long do you have to respond? Is it 4 hours or 24?
The way I understand it, it’s 24 hours, and then whatever window you have selected. Someone correct me if I’m wrong on that.
If you have a jump freighter, living in low sec is extremely easy. Pick a back system away from the PVP hotspots. If you start stocking the market and reach out to other corps, you can build a nice situation. Setting up shared intel channels with non aggressive locals is key.
With no bubbles, travel with a cov ops is very safe. Carriers and JF move everything else. The only caveat is that with success will come roamers if you give them targets. If you are really interested in industry, focus more on combat avoidance than active defense in your home systems. If you fight, you will get roamers which can be fun until they camp you in or shoot your PCO for the hell of it. When you want to fight, roam 5-7 jumps out so you attract less attention to your core systems.
I have my main and two alts trained for PI, I personally would love to make the jump to low sec (or *gasp* wormhole space) to start up a production line.There are some serious profits to be made if it’s done correctly and in tandem with a group of like minded people.
Honestly I made the journey and transition to Low by myself. Was in a hisec “diehard bear” corp at the time, and decided I liked the idea of a lil more money, a lil more danger, and some adventure, maybe even do a lil PvP….
So I went for it.
So far, absolutely loving it. :-)
Lowsec isn’t necessarily more dangerous, but you can’t just asocially mind your own business like you (mostly) can in highsec. You’ll have to learn to know the locals, so you’ll be able to tell at a glance whether a system is safe or not. It’s easier than it sounds, because there really isn’t that big of a crowd in any given system.