EVE Online: Catalyst is New Eden's newest expansion

Maps, Mining, Carriers and the Odyssey: Everything you have to EVE Online Catalyst extension I need to know.

Compiled by Alex from kekbur.net and in German Published at games.ch

The EVE Online extension Catalyst It's here and it's a real firework of new features, revisions and quality-of-life improvements. For many capsuleers, this moment feels like Christmas, because CCP Games has returned to the proven format of the two major annual releases, which finally gives the new content the power and meaning it deserves.

The update touches on multiple levels of gameplay and game styles. The name Catalyst itself (also known as Popular Ganker Destroyer) seems almost prophetic given the massive mining changes. Whether intentional or not: New Eden will definitely be spicy!

Here is my personal overview and commentary on the most important innovations of Catalyst.

DOTLAN becomes native: EVE's new 2D map

At first I was skeptical. Who needs an in-game map and route planner when we all know DOTLAN? However, at the EVE Fanfest 2025, the developers showed that this feature was rated the highest Audience Excitement Meter (8 out of 5 stars!) And rightly so.

The new Interactive 2D map It was from the community Most Desired Function. It finally provides an integrated solution for Route planning and Jump range visualization. Equipped with filters for Resource extraction and Situational awareness, Now it's finally replacing our printed cards. An absolute must for every traveler! Press F10 to experience them.

Carrier facelift and realignment

The carriers (carriers) receive a comprehensive visual revision. New design elements, sharper textures and improved details give the iconic silhouettes a new glow. Particularly noteworthy are the Fresh visual effects for fighter use – from the start of the loading flaps to the start animation on the Thanatos.

Adjustments for gameplay:

Production cost and time: The construction costs were about 30% lowered and the construction period 10% reduced, to position carriers as a more attractive option for ‘crabbing’ (PVE) between marauders and dreadnoughts.
More flexible fighter use: Carriers can now deploy more support fighters. With four fighter tubes, they can launch two at the same time, allowing for new tactical mixes.
Counter against skynetting: The maximum target range was set to approx. 300 km reduced to limit superior ranged combat. As a compensation, there is a new Integrated sensor array. This module restores the exceptional range, but at the expense of longer cycle times and limitations in docking, tethering and warping.
Increased Ship Maintenance Bay: From 1.000.000m3 to 2.000.000m3 expanded to increase the capacity of ship spare parts and fleet support.

CCP sees these changes as incremental steps in the search for a new role for the class. The discussion about a possible development to mobile siege platforms remains exciting.

New ores and QoL for miners

‘Mining’, ‘dynamic’, ‘rewarding’ and ‘competitive’ in one sentence? CCP Games is trying to make mining gameplay more exciting and interesting.

The main mining changes:

Prismaticite: A new one, rare and valuable ore, which can be found in migratory, phased asteroid fields in low- and zero-sec.
Faster mining cycles (QoL): The dismantling cycles are now Four times faster, where the total yield per unit of time remains the same. This is a pure quality-of-life improvement that delivers immediate results.
Mining critiques: A bizarre but welcome innovation. Mining-critical hits provide a 200%-income, without damaging the asteroid. New skills and an upgraded survey scanner increase the critical chance and bring something MMO-typical randomness in the formerly completely predictable mining.
Other updates: A new UI with integrated survey scanner for all mining vessels, hisec anomalies with omber and kernite, revision of mining L1&2 agents, Mining mutaplasmides and adjustments to the Industrial Core and the Orca.

The mining changes are massive and represent a profound shift for all industry operators.

New vessel: The mining destroyer Pioneer

The Pioneer closes the gap between alpha miners in the venture and omega miners in a barge.

Pioneer (T1): Provides Alpha pilots with a more comfortable mining experience with the power of approximately 5.4 mining lasers (compared to 5 of the venture), 60% more Ore Loading Space and better fitting options.
Pioneer Consortium Issue Navy Destroyer: A stronger variant, which also has a Bonus on Salvage Drones It offers what makes it a solid choice for relaxed mission runners and automated salvage.
Outrider (T2): An industrial command destroyer. It can mine on its own, deploy reinforced combat drones, use Foreman Bursts and, most importantly, with a Micro jump field generator be equipped to quickly pull fleet members out of danger zones. A useful scout and additional connection.

New SOE Command Ship: Odysseus, the Nomad's Dream

For all those who have a nomadic ‘no-dock’ style of play, the Odysseus Expedition Command Ship A dream come true. This ship is designed to Staying on the road for a long time and delve deep into exploration.

Characteristics of Odysseus:

Zero-Point Mass Entangler: Allows this Penetration into tiny Frigate wormhole sizes.
Exploration-Swiss-Knife: Equipped with a 600m3 drone hangar, laser bonuses, Armor Tanking, Covert Ops Cloak and bonuses on Data/relic analyzer and Probe strength. It even offers a bonus for gas scoops.
Huge loading capacity: It has a 750m3 Cargo Hold, a 1.000m3 Shared Fleet Hangar, a 50.000m3 Expedition Hold (for gas, samples, data cores, etc.) and a 75.000m3 Ship Maintenance Bay. It can serve as a mini base to store equipment and fit fleet members.
Expedition Command Burst: A new module type that lasts for a short period of time Probe Strength, Hacking Strength and especially D-Scan Range for the fleet.

The Odysseus is a real fitting puzzle, as the CPU capacity is very limited given the many possible modules. Despite the high baseline cost point (SOE Loyalty Points and ISK), it is visually stunning and a must-have for any serious nomad.

Get free Omega and 530,000 SP

Don't forget the bonus on the NES Store: You can 7 days of Omega Received for only 10 PLEX. If you're already omega, you'll even get the 10 PLEX for free!

Pro tip: Wait until 26 November for the offer to be accepted. In this way, you can proactively receive the rewards of entire 14-day daily login campaign secure, including 530,000 skill points and additional extras such as ship paints.

TL:DR
Ready to Undock

This is a personal overview of the EVE Online Catalyst-extension. CCP Games has landed a big throw here that has something for almost every style of play.

Or we close with the words of Alex on kekbur.net:
Now go crit those rocks, o7