Interview; Vlad Cetes

How long have you been playing EVE? Is Vlad Cetes your original toon? Also, explain your name, does it have any meaning?

Since January 2006. Yes it is. Vlad Cetes comes from my old UT2k4 name, which was Vlad The Impaler, but that name was already taken and at the time you could only have two words in your name.

Who do you most admire in EVE, and why? (can be people, corps, alliances, or devs)

I had some great times with the original MC (clearing the old NC out of the North for the “New North” and then beating up on -A- and IAC in Catch). I’ve been in the game so long it’s hard to say who or what I admire the most. Maybe easier to make a list: Wraithstorm (good guy, decent but not great FC, hoot on comms), Seleene (best FC I ever flew under), Manny (great content generation), and Garst (for making EVE fun again after CFC).

What is the most appealing thing about EVE? Also, least appealing?

The most appealing part of EVE is getting the big ship (caps, supers, high value stuff) kills. The least appealing is getting all ready for a fight and getting blue balled.

What other games do you play besides EVE?

Right now, just GTA V.

Outside of Null Sec, what other parts of the game have you tried?

The only thing I haven’t done is living in high sec. I’ve done everything else in the game.

What are some of the benefits of living in null versus other sec’s of the game?

The main benefit is the big and heavy fights. It’s the only region where you see really heavy and constant use of capitals. It’s also easy for a line member to stay in ships (OK but not really good income from anomalies or belt ratting).

How long have you been with Triumvirate? And, what other alliances have you been a part of? How do they differ from Tri?

I joined TRI at the beginning of May (almost 2 months, wow time flies). 10 years in the game means I’ve been around most blocs. I’ll just list the major ones:

Storm Armada
Natural Selection
-A-
IT Alliance
NCdot
Merciless
FEARLESSdot
FA
In Exile
FA (again)
TRI mk( IV or V idk does NCDOT count as a TRI mk?)

Discuss some of your most memorable moments in the game so far.

My second day in null sec, the guy who was our corp’s mentor called for a fleet. Joined in a t1 missile Ferox (back in 06 mind you, no Drake) and we killed a Veritas Imortalis Thanatos in Great Wildlands. I’ll never forget his words “you’re spoiled now, getting a carrier kill your 2nd day in 0.0”
Killing 5 PL titans in Y-2. IT & PL were fighting over a timer & -A- brought over a bomber fleet to kill dc’d PL caps (-A- & IT were blue at the time). IT then tackled all the PL titans on the field and we warped over to get on the killmails.

Burning to QRH to try and save Garst’s titan after he jumped instead of bridged. It was a great adrenaline dump since it was race against time.

What are your initial thoughts on Entosis?

I think it’s a great tool for trolling renters/bad alliances by turning off station services.

Are you looking forward to ‘fozzi-sov’? How do you think it will impact the alliance?

I’m on the fence about fozzi-sov. I do think it will take the focus off of the massive blobs (win through numbers and no skill *caugh CFC*) and allow more skill to be a determinant. I don’t like that it will make the time grind worse though, because it is fixed duration and there is nothing players can do to speed it up. I would add that the entosis link time to capture should be sped up or down by player actions (either damaging/repping the structure or hacking mini-sites).

What is your most embarrassing killmail/story?

Two of them. First was jumping a rather pimped Vargur into K3J when there were hostiles in local and getting ganked.

Second was shooting a bustard in a Nightmare in low-sec with Star Fraction around. They weren’t supposed to shoot but the wankers blew me up anyway. Part of the reason I have VERY bad blood with them.

What are you most looking forward to within the next year in EVE?

I’m looking forward to getting good fights now that we have secured Etherium Reach and Spire for a good alliance income. It will be nice to go third party on other people now just to get a good fight.

What is your favorite solo ship to fly, and why?

I don’t solo much, but when I did it was the Machariel. Good agility, VERY good dps application and range with autocannons, decent EHP.

If you could change one thing about EVE what would it be?

I would overhaul FW. It hasn’t changed fundamentally since 2008. I would change it so that it begins to really affect the in-game story line and make system capture worth something. I would also change the FW alignments (maybe empires vs drifters or empires vs pirates) to bring something fresh in.

In your opinion, why should someone join Tri versus other null sec alliances?

What makes Tri really good is that is has the benefits of a high SP alliance (very good FCing, high end doctrines that can punch above their weight, logistics that know what they are doing) without becoming an “EVE is a job” alliance. It’s very chilled and laid back, you can have a lot of fun while also flying with some very good players. There’s also good content (wormholes, 3rd partying other people, etc).

How long have you been a role player on EVE?

Since the end of 2006.

What is the best thing about role playing?

Creating your own story in EVE, something that is more lasting than just going out and pew pewing or making ISK.

Tell us about your RP character, ie: back history and his motivations.

Vlad is a synthetic life-form, it’s a armored core with a SKIN (nanotech that predates ship skins since it can’t be changed on the fly) that acts like flesh and blood. Vlad was originally a Caldari tube child bred to be a fast grown pod pilot, birth to full adult in 2 years. Unfortunately the process caused his body to begin failing, and as Vlad begin replacing organic parts with cybernetics he eventually became all machine, with his mind uploaded to a self created supercomputer hive mind. Fittingly Vlad feels that synthetics (Drifters, Sleepers, Sansha) are superior to humans and that they will overthrow normal humans.

Alignment on a D&D Scale: Neutral Evil. Vlad is a mercenary and a psychopath. He does what is practical to advance his own interests (power for himself and his own kind) without qualms of who or what he hurts to do so.

In your opinion, why should someone try out RP on EVE?

It’s another dimension to the game. If you are into immersion in the game universe, the RP part of the game really creates a sense of you being your character instead of you being an alliance grunt or being a high sec care bear.

What advice do you have for a new rper?

Read up on the EVE lore, EVElopedia is a great resource. Read some of the character blogs but keep in mind that your character won’t know that happened. Jump in and get started, EVE is pretty open with what your character can do as long as it isn’t completely outrageous.

Please link any blogs, killboards, or videos that you’d like to share.

 (How Not to Use Your Titan)

Favorite:
EVE Related Celebrity: Manfred Sideous
Wartarget to shoot: The whole Minmatar militia
Ways to make isk: quad boxing 10/10s
Ammo: ECM Jammer
Ship: Falcon
Corpse: Jade Constantine
Star System: Egghelende (EPA 4 lyfe)
Drink: Modelo Especial
Food: Jet’s Pizza
Song To Fly To:  (Sabaton: Ghost Division)

Thank you for the interview!