Introduction to Reactions in EVE Online

Introduction to Reactions in EVE Online

Reactions are one of the core pillars of advanced industry in EVE Online, sitting between raw resource extraction and high-end manufacturing. They are the industrial process that converts moon materials and gases into refined components, which are then used in Tech II production, capital construction, and advanced industrial supply chains.

For many players, reactions represent the moment industry stops being simple extraction or manufacturing—and becomes a true production economy.

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What Are Reactions?

Reactions are industrial processes that:

Convert raw inputs (mostly moon ore or gas) into more valuable refined materials.

They are run in specialised structures and require reaction blueprints.

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In simple terms:

• Mining = gathering raw materials
• PI = planetary production
• Reactions = chemical refining and transformation

They sit in the middle of the industrial chain.

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What Do Reactions Produce?

Reactions create intermediate materials used across EVE’s economy.

Common outputs include:

1. Advanced Moon Materials

Used in Tech II manufacturing.

Examples:

• Carbon Polymers
• Ceramic Powder
• Crystalline Carbonide
• Silicon Diborite

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2. Polymer Materials

Used in advanced components and Tech II production chains.

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3. Fuel and Structure Inputs

Some reaction outputs feed directly into:

• Structure fuel blocks
• Starbase / Upwell fuel chains
• Capital industry

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4. Gas Products

Used in:

• Booster production
• Tech II components
• Strategic materials

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Where Reactions Take Place

Reactions do not happen in standard stations. They require specialised industrial structures.

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1. Refineries (Main Reaction Structures)

Refineries are the primary location for reactions.

They:

• Process moon ore
• Run reaction blueprints
• Provide bonuses to efficiency

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2. Player-Owned Structures (Upwell Structures)

Most industrial corporations run reactions in:

• Refineries
• Citadels with industrial services

These structures allow:

• Lower taxes
• Better efficiency
• Corp-controlled industry chains

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Types of Reactions

There are several categories of reactions depending on input type and complexity.

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1. Simple Reactions

• One input → one output
• Basic refinement of raw materials

Example:

• Moon ore → refined material

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2. Composite Reactions

• Multiple inputs → advanced materials
• More complex industrial chains

Example:

• Multiple moon materials → Tech II components

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3. Biochemical Reactions

• Gas-based production
• Used in boosters and specialized goods

Example:

• Fullerite gases → polymer products

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4. Hybrid Reactions

• Mix of moon materials and gas inputs
• Higher complexity, higher value outputs

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Why Reactions Matter in Industry

Reactions are critical because they:

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1. Feed Tech II Production

Almost all Tech II manufacturing depends on reaction outputs.

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2. Bridge Mining and Manufacturing

They transform raw resources into usable industrial materials.

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3. Enable Large-Scale Industry

Corporations rely on reactions for:

• Ship production chains
• Structure construction
• Strategic stockpiling

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4. Generate High-Value ISK Streams

Well-managed reaction chains can be extremely profitable.

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Basic Reaction Workflow

A typical reaction chain looks like this:

Step 1 – Resource Collection

• Moon mining or gas harvesting

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Step 2 – Input Processing

• Materials loaded into refinery

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Step 3 – Reaction Job

• Blueprint consumes inputs over time

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Step 4 – Output Collection

• Refined materials produced

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Step 5 – Distribution

• Materials sold or used in manufacturing

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Skills Required for Reactions

To run reactions efficiently, players typically need:

• Reactions skill (enables job types)
• Mass Production / Advanced Mass Production (for industry scaling)
• Science-related skills (for blueprint usage efficiency)
• Refinery-related skills (for structure bonuses)

Higher skills:

Increase efficiency and unlock more complex reaction types

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Costs and Considerations

Reactions are not free.

You must account for:

1. Input Costs

• Moon ore or gas purchase/mining value

2. Facility Fees

• Structure usage costs
• Corp taxes (if applicable)

3. Fuel Costs

• Refineries require fuel to operate

4. Opportunity Cost

• Locked capital during reaction cycles

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Profitability of Reactions

Reactions can be highly profitable, but only when:

• Input costs are controlled (buy orders or mining)
• Output markets are stable
• Facility efficiency is optimised
• Logistics are managed properly

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Common profit drivers:

• Moon material scarcity
• High demand Tech II components
• Efficient structure usage
• Alliance-controlled production chains

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Common Beginner Mistakes in Reactions

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1. Starting without understanding input chains

Reactions depend heavily on upstream logistics.

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2. Ignoring structure costs

Poor structure choice destroys profit margins.

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3. Overproducing low-demand materials

Not all reaction outputs sell quickly.

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4. Failing to account for fuel costs

Structure fuel is a constant hidden expense.

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5. Treating reactions as passive income

They require monitoring and market awareness.

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Reactions in the Industrial Ecosystem

Reactions sit between mining and manufacturing:

Mining / Moon Ore / Gas

↓

Reactions (refining & transformation)

↓

Advanced Materials

↓

Tech II / Capital / Structure Production

↓

Market or Fleet Use

They are a critical mid-layer in all industrial supply chains.

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Who Should Use Reactions?

Reactions are best suited for:

• Intermediate industrial players
• Corporation industry teams
• Players moving beyond PI and basic manufacturing
• Nullsec and wormhole residents with resource access

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Final Summary

Reactions in EVE Online are advanced industrial processes that convert raw moon materials and gases into refined components used across Tech II production and large-scale manufacturing. They operate in specialised structures like refineries and require careful management of inputs, outputs, and costs.

While they can be highly profitable, reactions introduce complexity through logistics, fuel consumption, and market dependency. Success in reactions depends on understanding entire supply chains—not just production steps.

In the broader economy of EVE, reactions form the essential bridge between resource gathering and high-end industrial output, making them a cornerstone of advanced industry operations.