EVE Online’s Catalyst update reworks Black Ops, carriers, and Pochven ahead of Gallente election event

CCP Games has rolled out a major Catalyst update for EVE Online, with a batch of balance changes aimed at ships, capital combat, travel, and Pochven activity. The patch is live now, and it also tees up the in-game Gallente Presidential Election, which starts March 19 and runs through April 16.

The biggest gameplay changes focus on fleet roles and capital play. Black Ops battleships have been pushed further toward hit-and-run ambush use, with more offense and less defensive buffer. Force Auxiliaries are getting new capacitor stability bonuses for longer fights, while carriers are seeing higher fighter damage. CCP has also added a new Carrier CRAB Beacon activity, described as a higher-risk PvE option for capital pilots.

Elsewhere, the update includes balance passes on the Triglavian Zirnitra and some SOCT ships, plus changes to force projection. CCP says that includes adjustments to long-range mobility tools like Drifter wormholes, with the goal of cutting down on overly easy travel without removing strategic movement entirely. Pochven is also being rebalanced, with changes to rewards and site pacing meant to drive more activity and conflict in the region.

On the event side, the Gallente Presidential Election will let players back one of three candidates: Soraya Roden, Lucas Tenzin, or Alix Moreau. During the four-week campaign, players can complete challenges and event activities to earn Seasonal Points for their chosen candidate. According to the official post, the results will feed into the next part of EVE’s ongoing storyline.

For players who keep up with EVE’s capital meta or spend time in Pochven, this is the part of Catalyst that’s likely to matter most right away. The election event is more of a follow-on, but it gives the update a clear date on the calendar starting tomorrow.