Character creation
The character creation process in EVE is quite detailed, and the screens presented will show a lot of information about the choices you're having to make. What can be harder is to gauge the effect those choices will have on your player as you progress in the game. Hopefully, with a little guidance, we can make those choices easier for you!
Character Creation Process: What's Important?
Character creation in EVE affects only the following things. And two out of the those three can be changed later anyway. Other elements of the character creation process, such as the racial backgrounds and schools, are useful for roleplaying purposes, but have no tangible effect on gameplay.
Character creation affects:
- Your character portrait. The combinations of race, gender, and bloodline can create some unique portraits. For a small fee, CCP can change your character's portrait, but it's probably worth it to try and get it to something you like.
- Your character's starting skills. This is important for one reason: If you have skills that apply to the profession you want to play, it can save you a lot of time. However, you can still train up skills you don't start with, so you are not locked into any single path if you change your mind!
- Your character's attributes. This is the only thing that "can't" be changed. I put "can't" in quotes because you CAN modify your attributes through implants and Learning skills. But the ratio of your "good" attributes and "bad" attributes, assuming you train the learning skills to the same level and have equal levels of implants, can't be changed.
It's important to note, however, that attributes only affect skill training. They do not affect your performance in the game. For example, a character with high Perception and Willpower scores will be able to train Small Hybrid Turret III faster than a character with low scores. However, once they both are at Small Hybrid Turret III, they'll both have equivalent proficiency with the weapon.
Character Creation FAQs
Q: If I create a Gallente character, and later want to fly Caldari ships, do I have to create a new character?
A: No! One of the biggest differences in EVE from other MMORPGs is that your character doesn't have any sort of "class." Unlike, for example, Guild Wars, where a bow is most effectively used by a Ranger, any character, regardless of race or history, can effectively do anything. Instead, skills define how well you can use a piece of equipment.
As such, there is no game mechanic that prevents a Gallente pilot from training the skills to fly Caldari ships. A Gallente pilot with Caldari Frigate V is as effective at frigate piloting as a Caldari pilot with Caldari Frigate V.
Q: What is the maximum character level in EVE?
A: There is none. In eve you improve your character by training skills. The skills are trained in real time, and you can learn as many as you want. Once you learn a skill, or even just train a small part of the skill, your character will keep it forever (some exceptions apply). Thus in EVE many measure their relative experience in the number of accumulated skillpoints they have trained.
Q: Wait... you said skills train in real time?
A: Yup! Characters in EVE are not improved by powerleveling, grinding, or cheezing. Rather, skills are trained in real time, even if you're not logged in. Which means, if you've got a busy week of school or work or hiding out in the jungle, you can set a "long" skill (one that would take several days) to train. When you return to EVE in a few days, your character will have continuously accumulated skill points while you're gone.
Q: Are there other offline mechanics?
A: Yes. In addition to training skills, there are several other activities that function while you're offline. Manufacturing (Crafting), Research (Improving Crafting Tools), Market Orders (Buying and Selling), and Contracts (Auctions and Exchanges) all function just fine while you're offline. Which means, even if you have that busy week coming up, you'll still be able to improve and progress your character!