Editing Making ISK as an Explorer (section)

=What are the most valuable sites and loot items?=
Exploration for ISK, as opposed to [https://discord.com/channels/152437634927427584/1174640475651711036 exploration for game mapping] or [[1420:Expedition_TripTiks|sightseeing]], involves scanning down cosmic signatures and hacking (via the hacking minigame) the cans in the sites at those signatures.  So for ISK generation, what are the critical factors?
* Most of the ISK value in valuable cans is dominated by one or two types of loot.  In most cases, the actual value of the loot item depends on the in-game market price, which of course depends on player supply of that item and the player demand for it.  
* Availability a given high-value site type is also important.  This depends on the spawn rate and the level of competition from other players.  For example, the first weekend after the start of in-game events can be a frustrating experience due to high competition from other players, for a limited number of event exploration sites.
* Beware of accepting at face value conventional wisdom (including that given on this page!).  Because of the complexity of the factors listed above, poking around in unlikely star systems and investigating neglected exploration sites can yield unexpected results.  An exploration mindset in EVE Online can give occasional, even pleasant, surprises.  
* For most players, a boring game-play loop is not sustainable.  So tailor your pattern of exploration around what you enjoy.  And then the ISK will follow...

The rest of this section will look at how the above factors (key loot types, their value, their drop rates, site spawn rates and other player competition) play out in each of the main spaces in New Eden.  

==High-sec space==
'''Relic sites''' in high-sec space have little value except as training opportunities for players new to exploration.  Typically the value of such sites rarely exceeds 2M ISK and can often be much lower than that.

'''Data sites''', on the other hand, can be surprisingly lucrative:
[[File:Superior Sleep Cache.png|thumb|One high-value can from a Superior Sleep Cache.  Credit: Kenric Proudneck, Signal Cartel]] 
* Cans in vanilla pirate sites have a 5 to 10% chance, depending on which empire space you are in, of dropping relatively valuable Composite Molecular Condensers.  The best opportunities are in Gallante high-sec space where the combination of a 10% drop rate and the frequent occurrence of the more valuable CV variant of Composite Molecular Condensers, gives an ''average'' site value in the order of 2M to 4M ISK. 
* Covert Research Facilities (also known as "ghost" sites) are high-risk, high-reward level-3 sites.  Many high-sec explorers avoid these due to [[Ghost Site Fits|the high risk of ship loss]].  However, even the lower-risk approach of cargo scanning each can and just hacking the one can with highest value (often the Secure Lab can) can yield >5M ISK in Shattered Villard Wheels and Covert Research Tools.   Sites often have one can with a Mid-grade Ascendancy blueprint copy, but the value may vary from nothing to a few million ISK.
* Sleeper Caches spawn rarely, but are often not run due to the difficulty in scanning down their level-4 or -5 signatures and in running the sites themselves.  Site value varies greatly from about 10M ISK for a low-end Limited Sleeper Cache to >200M ISK for a very good Superior Sleeper Cache.  Successfully running these takes preparation (choice of ship and fit is critical) and knowledge of the site mechanics.  See [https://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Sleeper_Cache the Eve University Wiki] for guidance.  One key loot type is that of Sleeper Components (also known as "blue loot") which can be sold to NPC buyers at fixed prices at specific NPC stations (not Jita!).

==Low-sec space==
Relic sites are more valuable than in high-sec space, typically yielding between 1M and 10M ISK.  Not terribly exciting, but worth checking quickly with a cargo scanner.

A wide variety of data sites occur in low-sec space, with the '''ghost sites''' being the most rewarding for non-combat explorers:
* Vanilla pirate data sites ''without'' Composite Molecular Condensers are marginally more valuable than their high-sec equivalents -- just like relic sites.  However, the percentage drop rate for the most valuable cans with Composite Molecular Condensers is signficantly less than in high-sec space, perhaps less than half.  As a result, the ''average'' ISK per site is actually not much better than in many high sec regions.
* Covert Research Facilities (also known as "ghost" sites) have a slightly harder "green 70" hack than their equivalents in high-sec space.  However, potential loot drops can also include High-grade Ascendency blueprint copies and valuable advanced manufacturing components such as the Electro-Neural Signaller, with values in the 50 to 100M range.
* Sleeper Caches can be found in low-sec space, with similar loot drops to those in high-sec.
* AEGIS Secure Transfer Facility is a site frequently seen in low-sec space.  While appearing as a level-3 data site, it is actually a high-end combat site with some data-can hacking.  It is recommended to run these with a fleet of battleships.  The rewards are regarded as disappointing with respect to the value of the fleet that needs to be put in the field for these.
* SCC Secure Key Storage is a site frequently seen in low-sec space.  It appears as a level-2 data site, but is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_3rGEunpCg a combat site with some data-can hacking]. 
* Faction Operation Centers are data sites only hackable by capsuleers signed up to a faction opposing the owning faction of a given Operation Center.  For example, an Amarr Operation Center can only be hacked by a Minmatar faction warfare pilot.  Only one can contains anything of real value, namely Encoder Splices or Decoder Packages (with buy orders for about 10M ISK).  Hostile NPCs spawn in when cans are successfuly hacked.  ('''Note:''' Taking part in faction warfare is not Credo-compliant for Signal Cartel alts.  Read our faction warfare policy [[Policy:Faction_Warfare|here]].)

==Null-sec space==
With the right choice of region, null-sec can yield the best returns on exploration in the game.
[[File:Sample null-sec loot.png|thumb|Loot from three null-sec sites: two Sansha relic sites and one Covert Research Facilities site.  Credit: ILL WIND, Signal-Cartel]]
The main income generator are the vanilla '''pirate relic sites'''.    

Different regions have different resident pirate factions.  The loot table for relic sites greatly depends on which pirate faction "owns" the site.  So the choice of region has a big impact on the value of relic sites. For example: Stain is claimed by the Sansha faction.  For Sansha relic sites, Intact Armor Plates are the high-value item dropped and at 7M ISK each, these make such regions the most lucrative for explorers in EVE Online.  Of course, this leads to a busy ecosystem of explorers farming relic sites and hunters then trying to catch the explorers...

See Table 1 for a list of the key drops for different pirate factions and their market value at the time of writing.  Also examine [https://forums.eve-scout.com/topic/3849/shado-s-exploration-profitability-analysis Shado Step's intensive study] for further insights.  Their work confirmed the high value of Sansha space, with Guristas the next more valuable for explorers.

'''Data sites''' are less lucrative, especially since they lack the Composite Molecular Condenser drops of high- and low-sec.  However, they are worth checking for occasional valuable drops (example: Sleeper Profound Research Notes, with an 80M ISK Jita buy value).

Other exploration sites include
* Covert Research Facilities (also known as "ghost" sites) have medium-level "yellow 70" hack. As compared to low-sec space, items included in the cans [https://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Ghost_Sites#Getting_Loot seem to be of roughly equivalent value, but there is a wider variety] and possibly a better probability of dropping these.
* Sleeper Caches can be found in null-sec space, with similar loot drops to those in high- and low-sec.
* Drone regions such as Etherium Reach and Perrigen Falls do ''not'' have pirate relic or pirate data sites.  Instead, they do have Research Complex data sites with a mix of drone parts and blueprint copies (BPCs).  The blueprint copies are for 'Integrated' and 'Augmented' drones, with values for the latter BPC types running up to roughly 20M ISK. Note that a few, relatively weak frigate drones spawn in after an unsuccessful hack.

A final excellent opportunity that only presents itself in null-sec is that of '''Electrical Storms'''.  There are [https://evescoutrescue.com/home/stormtrack.php two of these slowly roving weather phenomena] where the spawn rate of relic sites is greatly enhanced and cloaking is disabled.  See Arachnis's [https://forums.eve-scout.com/topic/10655/storm-chasing-primer-let-the-isk-flow excellent guide] to these for an in-depth explainer.

==Wormhole space==
Data and relic sites in J-space fall into two major categories: (a) standard pirate data and relic sites, similar to those in K-space and (b) combat exploration sites beginning with "Unsecured" for data sites and "Forgotten" for relic sites:
* The '''standard pirate data and relic sites''' are to be found only in C1, C2 and C3 wormhole systems.  C4, C5, and C6 systems do not have these.  Unlike null-sec space, a given C1, C2, or C3 wormhole system will have a mix of sites from different pirate factions, from the low value Serpentis to the high-value Sansha sites.  Hacks are, on average, somewhat easier than null-sec sites.  The average value of a wormhole data site is roughly 8M ISK, while the average value for a wormhole relic site is roughly 18M ISK.  It should be noted that investigations indicate that for ''relic'' sites, it is better to prioritize by site type (e.g. Crystal Quarry v. Monument) then by faction.  See [https://forums.eve-scout.com/topic/10429/data-and-relic-sites-in-c3-wh-systems this posting] for more detail.
* "Unsecured" data sites and "Forgotten" relic sites are very much not unsecured nor forgotten, with non-trivial Sleeper NPCs guarding these '''combat data and relic sites''' sites. Most of the value is in the so-called "blue" loot that the Sleepers drop when destroyed.  The value in the data and relic cans is generally low and therefore these sites are mostly of little interest to those flying frigate-level explorer ships.  However, there is an exception worth considering and that is when one of the cans is a Talocan ship wreck.  See [https://forums.eve-scout.com/topic/7785/unsecured-and-forgotten-sites-when-life-gives-you-lemons-make-lemonade this link] for detail on the scenario, including how to hack the Talocan can in an exploration or covert ops frigate.

Shattered wormhole systems have one additional rare data site called the '''Silent Battleground'''.  This is a hard-to-scan level V site with about 40 data and relic cans, with more than 200M ISK worth of loot requiring 500 m<sup>3</sup> or more of hold space.  Bring a cargo scanner...

==Pochven==
There are no hackable date or relic sites in Pochven.  The only signatures that appear as data sites are the Overmind Drone Nursery sites, with large swarms of drones and two structures that can be [https://forums.eve-scout.com/topic/9704/pochven-data-site-overmind-drone-nursery destroyed and salvaged for moderate-value loot].

==Event sites==
Exploration sites for specific, limit-limited, in-game events can provide some the best loot in-game, outside of high-end PVE sites.  Some dedicated explorers make several billion ISK during events like the Crimson Harvest (during Halloween) and the Winter Nexus (during the Christmas vacation period).  

Site design is very particular to a given event, but there are usually only one or two site types per event.  Since competition with other explorers to locate and hack a site can be intense, explorers should optimise their choice of ship and fit, to efficiently locate and run the sites.

Loot varies from space to space, and even from region to region, but guidance is usually provided by CCP as to the best locations.  For example, for the 2022/2023 Winter Nexus event, the best sites were in low-sec systems with volatile ice storms.

==Key loot items and their value==
This table lists the critical loot types for various site types.  It also provides a means to assess changes in the value of various sites and types of space.  

Modifications by CCP in the input materials needed for key blueprints can change massively the demand for some loot types in-game - and hence the value of the corresponding data and relic sites.  Similarly, increased player awareness of low-hanging fruit in the EVE Online universe can lead to increased farming and reductions in price due to the resulting increased supply.

''Table 1: Drop source and Jita-buy prices for high-value loot items in exploration sites.  Jita-buy prices obtained March 2023 and August 2023.
(Feel free to update the ''August 2023'' prices for the table and the date given here in the caption, but please do so for all items at the same time.)''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Key loot item !! Where to find it !! Jita buy value as of March 2023 (ISK) !! Jita buy value as of August 2023 (ISK)
|-
| CV-Composite Molecular Condenser [[File:CV-CMC.png|frameless|right]] || Gallante and Minmatar high- and low-sec data sites || 4.0M || 1.3M
|-
| LM-Composite Molecular Condenser [[File:LM-CMC.png|frameless|right]] || Amarr high- and low-sec data sites|| 2.4M || 1.0M
|-
| AG-Composite Molecular Condenser [[File:AG-CMC.png|frameless|right]] || Caldari high- and low-sec data sites|| 1.9M || 1.1M
|-
| AV-Composite Molecular Condenser [[File:AV-CMC.png|frameless|right]] || Amarr, Gallante and Minmatar high- and low-sec data sites|| 500k || 770k
|-
| Covert Research Tools [[File:CRT.png|frameless|right]] || Covert Research Facilities || 460k || 460k
|-
| Shattered Villard Wheel [[File:SVW.png|frameless|right]] || Covert Research Facilities in high- and low-sec || 140k || 290k
|-
| Electro-Neural Signaller [[File:ENS.png|frameless|right]] || Covert Research Facilities in low-sec || 86M || 160M
|-
| Nano Regulation Gate [[File:NRG.png|frameless|right]] || Covert Research Facilities in null-sec || 24M || 34M
|-
| Meta-Molecular Combiner [[File:MMC.png|frameless|right]] || Covert Research Facilities in null-sec || 92M || 162M
|-
| Intact Armor Plates [[File:IAP.png|frameless|right]] || Sansha relic sites in null-sec and wormhole space || 7.3M || 7.1M
|-
| Enhanced Ward Console [[File:EWC.png|frameless|right]] || Guristas relic sites in null-sec and wormhole space || 4.4M || 3.8M
|-
| Capacitor Console [[File:CapCon.png|frameless|right]] || Blood Raider relic sites in null-sec and wormhole space || 1.0M || 890k
|-
| Trigger Unit [[File:TrigUnit.png|frameless|right]] || Angel relic sites in null-sec and wormhole space || 1.1M || 1.3M
|-
| Single-crystal Superalloy I-beam [[File:SCSAIB.png|frameless|right]] || Angel relic sites in null-sec and wormhole space || 1.1M || 980k
|-
| Contaminated Lorentz Fluid [[File:CLF.png|frameless|right]] || Serpentis relic sites in null-sec and wormhole space || 150k || 230k
|-
| Power Circuit [[File:PC.png|frameless|right]] || Relic sites in all spaces || 380k || 350k
|-
| Logic Circuit [[File:PC.png|frameless|right]] || Relic sites in all spaces || 940k || 830k
|-
| Sleeper Drone AI Nexus [[File:ACD.png|frameless|right]] || Sleeper Caches || 4.7M || 4.8M
|-
| Ancient Coordinates Database [[File:ACD.png|frameless|right]] || Sleeper Caches || 1.4M || 1.3M
|-
| Enhanced Electro-Neural Signaller [[File:EENS.png|frameless|right]] || Overmind Drone Nursery in Pochven || 14M || 7.1M
|}