Editing Sites (section)

=Overview=

The system scanner shows two general types of sites: cosmic signatures and cosmic anomalies. The primary difference between the two is that cosmic signatures need to be located by probe scanning, while cosmic anomalies can be seen and warped to without the need for probes. In this portion of the guide, the various types of sites that can be found as cosmic signatures and cosmic anomalies will be discussed. 

However, the distinction between cosmic signatures and cosmic anomalies based on the need for scanning isn't exceptionally useful when discussing the sites themselves, so this portion will categorize sites by their contents. To sum up which sites appear as signatures or anomalies: un-gated combat sites and ore sites are anomalies, and all of the others are signatures. 

There are some predictable differences between sites located in different areas of space, but the first thing to consider is the general classification of space: high security (hisec), low security (lowsec), null security (nullsec), and wormhole space (WH or j-space). Each of these, according to conventional wisdom at least, are increasingly dangerous to fly in. Selecting sites starts with a determination of acceptable risk. 

Hisec systems are generally considered safe due to the presence of CONCORD police forces, which will attack and destroy anyone who attacks another player. They might not arrive quickly enough to save the unfortunate pilot being attacked, but they will at least avenge the death. Even so, war declarations are essentially a bribe to CONCORD to ignore attacks by one corporation against another, and "suicide gankers" are willing to accept destruction if it results in sufficient profit (or sufficient laughs at someone's misfortune). 

Lowsec systems aren't patrolled by CONCORD, meaning that destroying other players' ships is wide open. The only thing stopping a potential attacker is the possible threat from the target, or retribution from the target's allies or hired muscle. There are still a few restrictions in lowsec systems; notably warp bubbles that keep ships from escaping a camped gate can't be used in lowsec. 

In nullsec, all bets are off, but wormhole space is generally considered more dangerous. The reason for this is that the local chat channel in a nullsec system will show any players currently in that system, but the local channel in j-space doesn't show anyone unless they talk in the chat. In nullsec you at least know if you're alone in the system, but in j-space you won't know unless you see another ship on your scanner... and if they know what they're doing, you won't. 

In general, the profitability of sites increases with the level of danger, although j-space and nullsec sites are mostly equal in value. Whether it's better to see and be seen by others in the nullsec local chat, or to opt for the mutual secrecy of a wormhole system, is the subject of much debate. 

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Please note this is a work in progress, so many of the categories here are just an outline. If you have suggestions for categories or content, or resources to share, please edit them into the wiki in this overview section. Thanks and fly clever, ''- Chaz''