Evolving the NES: Mastery Packs, Expert Systems, and a Smarter PLEX Economy

Dear Expert players, 

In a previous blog, , we introduced changes to how we present and structure our EVE Store offers. Today, we’re continuing that conversation by looking at the latest additions to the New Eden Store (NES), updates to Expert Systems, and perhaps most importantly our current thinking around PLEX, its place in the economy, and what we’re doing to keep it healthy. 

New products in New Eden Store

Since 2022 we have been bringing in EVE Store products to the NES, allowing players to purchase them for PLEX and creating a sort of parity between the stores. The only product we couldn't bring across was the currency used in the NES – PLEX. This meant that any product that contained PLEX had to be re-evaluated and re-structured to be either cheaper or contain more items to compensate for the value that PLEX brings to packs.

This is more evident when it comes to our former starter packs and the new value packs we are releasing today. While most of the items in the new value packs are the same, they do have different quantities and two extra products that are NES exclusives – HyperCores and Pilot's Body Resculpt Certificates (PBRC). These additions bring unique utility and flair, setting the new packs apart from their EVE Store counterparts.

The contents of the NES versions of Mastery Packs are as follows:

* SP and accelerators come from Skill Training Boost Bundles and feature the content of Apprentice, Graduate, Prodigy, and Master Bundles.

We believe these updated packs will offer more flexibility for PLEX-using capsuleers and expand access to progression tools for a wider range of players. And if you’ve already picked up similar packs from the EVE Store, don’t worry these are different, so you’re free to grab both. Double mastery????

Expert Systems Become Items: Trade, Equip, Deploy

Expert Systems remain a NES-exclusive product (except for themed versions sold in Identity Packs on the EVE Store). They offer capsuleers temporary access to key skills and ship roles plus a skill plan to guide permanent training making them ideal for trying out new paths without a training commitment. Below is a short list of the Expert Systems we have tried so far: 

• Core Ship Operations – the “Magic 14” skills

• Brand Manager – efficient SKIN sequencing and Paragon Hub management skills

• Enforcer Operations (access to 30 ships) – Tech I frigates with Tech I weapons

• Faction Warfare (access to 11 ships) – Tech I destroyers with Tech I and Tech II weapons

• Logistics Pilot (access to 8 ships) – Tech I logi cruisers with Tech I repairers

• Mining Barge Operations (access to 3 ships) – Tech I barges

• Hauler Operations (access to 12 ships) – Tech I haulers

• Gas Harvesting (access to 4 ships) – Tech I gas harvesting

• Space Exploration (access to 9 ships) – Tech I exploration frigates

We see Expert Systems as something that can be further developed, and we invite you to brainstorm with us the kind of opportunities that you see Expert Systems being used for, or to share with us your favorites, on our official Discord. 

Expert Systems have helped players explore EVE’s career paths faster and smarter and we believe there's much more room to expand. 

After consultations with the CSM and several of New Eden’s fleet commanders, we’ve lifted the trade restrictions on evergreen Expert Systems unlocking their full potential not just as personal soulbound tools, but as strategic assets in the form of regular EVE items that can be stocked, moved around and traded. Corporations and FCs can now stockpile and distribute them just like ships, modules, or SKINs making it easier to onboard new recruits, hand out doctrine-ready fits, and get pilots straight into action without skill gate delays. Whether you’re running logistics, guiding rookies, or fielding fleets, you can now use Expert Systems your way and at scale.

The State of PLEX

Let’s talk PLEX - the primary currency of the NES, the backbone of player-driven trading, and, for many, a long-term investment vehicle. It’s no secret that PLEX plays multiple roles in EVE, and right now, those roles are colliding in ways that we believe deserve both attention and action.

Over the past few years, we’ve steadily added more products to the NES and the Paragon Hub. That means more ways to use PLEX which is good but it also puts more pressure on the supply side of the equation, like we are seeing now with it being one of the lowest the market has ever seen. At the same time, PLEX has developed a kind of stock-market appeal, especially among veteran players who see it as an asset to hoard or flip. The result? A large, ever growing, slow-moving float of PLEX held in wallets across New Eden, leading to less liquidity on the market. 

This limited availability especially during rare sales or high-activity events creates volatility and drives up the ISK price of PLEX. That volatility can destabilize the broader player economy, contributing to inflation and making the climb steeper for new and returning players who rely on PLEX to access Omega or other NES items. 

We know this isn’t sustainable, and we’re actively working to ease the pressure.

Here’s what we’ve done so far:

• AIR Daily Goals now include PLEX as a permanent reward, creating a steady stream of accessible PLEX for active players.

• Seasonal events increasingly feature PLEX in their seasonal reward tracks.

• Occasional PLEX gifts mark special milestones and in-game events.

• Mysterious GalNet Crates I and II, featured in Twitch Drops and tradeable on the in-game market, also offer a chance at PLEX.

These steps help, but we know they’re not enough.

We’re exploring additional tools and mechanics that can rebalance the flow of PLEX, making it feel less like a speculative asset and more like a practical, fluid currency that powers your in-game choices.

We’ll be sharing more soon, but in the meantime, we want to hear from you. What do you think the future of PLEX should look like? Join the conversation on Discord, the forums, or wherever you fly. 

So what comes next? 

Whatever changes we make, they’ll aim to open doors for new pilots, close loopholes for RMTers, and shake loose some of the unhealthy speculation that’s built up around PLEX over time. 

Because in EVE, it’s not the richest who survive, it’s the smartest. Knowledge and experience still wins fights, wins wars, and builds empires. That’s the balance we’re protecting.