While waiting for a new Badger MK3 from Shaff, here's some interesting EVE's ships fact:
Unique and Limited Edition ShipsGold MagnateThe Gold Magnate was a unique ship given as the first place prize for the Amarr Championship[11] competition. However, in 2004, Tyrrax Thorrk, the owner of the Gold Magnate, took the ship into combat. Eventually, the ship was destroyed by the infamous m0o pirates and subsequently, the Gold Magnate no longer exists.
Silver MagnateNineteen Silver Magnates were given out as runner-up prizes in the Amarr Championship[11] event. As no more have entered the game since their release, their price has steadily risen. In addition, many have been destroyed, further increasing their value. At the time of their release, they were nearly the most powerful frigate, second only to the even rarer Gold Magnate. The advent of Tech II frigates, however, made the Silver Magnate less notable as a combat ship.
Guardian VexorFifty Guardian Vexors were given out as part of an event. It is suspected that fewer than 20 still exist today. Their attributes originally are not notable: they were merely Vexors with an extra missile hardpoint. Their value came not from the ability, but solely the rarity of this limited edition ship. However, when changes in game mechanics caused a reduction in the number of controllable drones, this ship was not changed, and its ability to control up to five extra drones made it extremely powerful. Unfortunately, its high price tag ensures that even those who own one will most likely not use it in combat.
QA > I know Dan is drooling and bed-wetting over this one.Opux Luxury YachtThree of these exist in the EVE Universe. One was acquired when an event actor (movie star) ejected from his Opux Luxury Yacht to commit suicide at a Quafe Ultra event, after which Iece Quaan boarded it and later sold it to the current owner Voogru. The second was given out by CCP to a couple from New Zealand who got engaged on the stage at the 2005 fanfest, both of whom are members of Celestial Horizon.
QA > Nightfalls, told you you should have honey-mooned in Iceland.Federate Issue MegathronThe Federate Issue Megathron is also an event-related ship, similar to the Imperial Issue Apocalypse. It was handed out in the Crielere Incident[12] to Doc Brown. Doc Brown kept the unique ship for a while, then later sold it to DigitalCommunist, who also held it for a long period of time. More recently, Madcap Magician, the CEO of DigitalCommunist's corporation, plotted and eventually stole the ship and subsequently kicked DigitalCommunist from the corporation. Madcap gave it to Entity, a famous collector of rare EVE items and a close friend of Madcap. It is still in the possession of Entity. The ship is far superior to the Megathron in many ways: it has far more grid and CPU, as well as an extra turret hardpoint, low and mid slot. Other improvements are to drone bay, speed and agility. With a properly skilled pilot and the use of Officer Modified equipment, it is easily the most powerful single battleship in the game.
Imperial Issue ArmageddonThese ships were released in the Amarr Championships.[11] The four teams that MASS defeated each received one Imperial Issue Armageddon, and four Silver Magnates. Everlasting Vendetta, Evolution, BIG and PAK each received one at the time. Shrike is still in possession of hers, as is Detaitiv. WarHound's is currently owned by Tyrrax Thorrk, who acquired it from the Guiding Hand Social Club, who had previously hijacked it from Icarus Starkiller. The ship had passed from WarHound's possession to Icarus Starkiller via the BIG Lottery.[13] Con'Mal sold his to Entity who still retains ownership of it.
The Imperial Issue Armageddon has extra powergrid and CPU compared to normal Armageddons, but its rarity is of course the primary reason for their great value.
Imperial Issue ApocalypseOriginally four of these ships were in game, but three have been destroyed. These vessels were given out as part of the Amarr Championships.[11] Istvaan Shogaatsu owns the only remaining ship. However, a fifth briefly existed; one Imperial Issue Apocalypse was given out as a prize from the BIG Lottery.[13] It was flown by a player named Clone 0, and while moving the ship from one station to another, an attempt was made to destroy it by a group of Minmatar roleplay corporations. It was defended successfully by a group of Amarr roleplayers. CCP took the Imperial Issue Apocalypse back as part of a roleplaying event on the request of the player receiving the ship. Tyrrax Thorrk's ship was destroyed by Cult of War during the December 2006 Alliance Tournament, with DeddyMassive striking the final blow [6] after Tyrrax chose not to meet the 15 Billion ISK ransom COW demanded.[citation needed]
The remaining ship is superior to the Navy Issue Apocalypse, due to her much better powergrid and CPU. Her value comes both from her rarity and the fact that the current owner seems unwilling to part with her at any price.
State Issue RavenA vastly upgraded Raven with additional slots and eight launcher hardpoints, twice as much armor, shielding and structure, boosted powergrid and CPU, and much improved sensors. The State Issue Raven, along with the Tribal Issue Tempest, was one of the prizes in the Third Alliance Tournament. Further prizes were more regular faction ships. Each member of the winning team was given a choice of either a State Issue Raven or a Tribal Issue Tempest, and the second team was given the choice of one, so there total number of State Issue Ravens and Tribal Issue Tempests combined is eight. (Reference the Lemonde Article someone please.) This ship was previously called Corvus but was renamed to its current name in a patch on January 30, 2007.
QA > Every mission running Raven and CNR pilots' wet dream.Tribal Issue TempestA vastly upgraded Tempest with additional slots and eight turret hardpoints, twice as much armor, shielding and structure, boosted powergrid and CPU, and much improved sensors. See "State Issue Raven" above for more details. This ship was previously called Storm but was renamed to its current name in a patch on January 30, 2007.