10 Mistakes Every New FC Makes (And How to Fix Them)

Fleet commanding is one of the most difficult—and rewarding—roles in EVE Online. Yet every new FC makes the same predictable mistakes on their journey from hesitant rookie to confident leader.

This post breaks down ten of the most common errors and how to correct them without burning yourself or your fleet out.

1. Talking Too Much

New FCs often over-explain, over-direct, or narrate their thoughts while trying to stay in control. This overwhelms the fleet.

Fix: Speak only when necessary. Issue clear, short commands. Save explanations for after the fight.

2. Tunnel Vision

New FCs focus on their own ship or a single hostile target, forgetting about the bigger picture.

Fix: Rely on good scouts. Keep your camera zoomed out. Let someone else handle broadcasts.

3. Ignoring Intel

Charging blind into a system without checking local activity, recent kills, or d-scan is a recipe for disaster.

Fix: Build a habit: intel before action. Always.

4. Flying the Wrong Ship

Some new FCs fly high-value or overly complex ships, making themselves a priority target or limiting mobility.

Fix: Fly something durable and replaceable. Your job is to lead—not top the DPS chart.

5. Freezing Under Pressure

Decision paralysis kills more fleets than enemy DPS.

Fix: Make a call—right or wrong. A bad decision executed aggressively is often better than hesitation.

6. Not Delegating Roles

Trying to scout, anchor, broadcast, and shot-call simultaneously is impossible.

Fix: Assign:

• One scout
• One backup scout
• One logi anchor
• One target caller (if needed)

7. Poor Ping Discipline

Pinging fleets at random times or for trivial reasons burns out your playerbase.

Fix: Ping with purpose. Ping with clarity.

8. Overcommitting

Chasing a ship through multiple systems without knowing what’s waiting is a common trap.

Fix: Always assume bait. Always check d-scan when entering a fight.

9. Not Understanding Win Conditions

Every engagement has a condition that tells you whether to commit, disengage, or reposition.

Fix: Before you take a fight, answer:

• What do we need to win?
• What do they need?
• Who has the field advantage?

10. Not Conducting a Post-Op Debrief

Many FCs skip the single most valuable learning tool.

Fix: Spend five minutes after each fight breaking down what worked—and what didn’t.

Conclusion

Every FC begins with mistakes. The great ones learn from them, refine their process, and develop a style that fits their temperament. With enough reps, these early errors become the foundation of true mastery.