Let's talk Mechanics:
For a bubble to work it must:
- Be Online
- Be on the same grid as the object that was warped to
- Be directly in front of or behind the warped to object and on the same "line of warp"
The line of warp extends past the warped to object, thus allowing for drag bubbles that pull you past the gate.
Imagine a line starting from origin, going to destination, then continuing on past the destination. That's the "line of warp."
So how do you avoid bubbles?
Usually the best way is to come in at an angle. Since you're coming from a different direction (planet, belt, etc) you will not get caught unless the gate is completely covered by the bubble(s) so that every direction is covered.
How can you tell if the gate is covered in bubbles or if there is a HIC or Interdictor there bubbling?
Add Mobile Warp Disruptors and Warp Disruption Probes to your overview then use your directional scanner to scan gates before warping to them. Before warping to any gate you should look at it first with your direction scanner if possible (some gates have no warpable objects within directional scan range).
If you see a Warp Disruption Probe or a HIC on scan, it's a safe bet there is a bubble on the gate at zero and you will come out of warp upto 20km from the gate (usually closer to 10km).
Here's the rough process I use for traveling through null sec:
- Jump to system
- Check Local Chat for pilots
- If system is empty Then warp directly to next gate
- If system has other pilots Then Check to see if there is a warpable object near the gate (closer than 14au).
- If there is no warpable object within scan range Then Warp to another warpable object that will significantly change your incoming angle to the next gate and warp to gate from there.
- If there is a warpable object within scan range of the gate Then warp to it and run directional scan at 30 degrees on gate
- If there is a Warp Disruption Probe or HIC Then Wait or go around unless you are in a fast or cloaky ship and think you can burn 10-20km and jump before they kill you.
- If there isn't a Warp Disruption Probe or HIC on scan Then Warp down to gate and jump out
My process would be different for systems where I have "tactical" safe spots that are 200-300km from gate which allow me to avoid bubbles, visually inspect the gate, and then warp down safely.
View Comments (6)
I tried this, but the first gate in null sec I warped into was bubbled, and I think I was even webified as I couldn't ab or microwarp out of it. any ideas?
If you jump into Null Sec and there is a Bubble and a Camp you should wait about 5 seconds then reapproach the gate and MWD. Also run any hardeners or active tank you have the entire time (even before you are taking any damage).
80% of the time you will make it back if you are in a Cruiser or smaller, then just jump back out.
In bigger ships you really need a scout to be safe.
Abbadon21.. Tried that strategy a couple of days ago in a pvp fitted rupture.
I jumped 12km from the gate as usual.. saw the camp (with a damn interdictor) and about 6 other ships.
Tried to burn back to the gate and got bumped that hard I ended up 14km from the gate again.
Against 7 ships the Rupture lasted a lot longer than I thought it would... It has a very nice tank on it.
Bumps are very effective for campers, luckily they miss the bump most the time, however when they get it and you are webbed, there's not much hope and you might as well fight and try to drop something with low HP before you die.
After being bumped myself by campers, I found a way to prevent it (so far anyway). Set your orbit distance to something like 2000 meters, then click on orbit the gate instead of approach the gate. Then start spamming the jump button as usual. Although it may take an extra second or two to get within jump range of the gate, you will no longer approach it directly. As a result, campers hanging out at zero on the gate will not have a straight shot at you during your approach and will most likely miss (unless you are in a slow ship). Easy to verify this works in highsec if you have a buddy with a fast ship to practice with.
garyherd... bubble campers will probably have warp scramblers fitted rather than warp disruptors.
Scrams have a shorter range but if you are in their bubble it likely they will be within the 9km range.
The bonus is they it not only prevents you from warping... it also prevents you from using a microwarp drive (doesn't affect afterburners).
A warp "disruptor" is longer range but only prevents warping.
They probably also had you multiple webbed which would reduce your speed down to practically zero.