The Magic 14 skills
The Foundation of Every EVE Online Pilot
No matter what career you choose in EVE Online—mining, industry, exploration, PvE, logistics, or PvP—there are fourteen core skills that improve almost every ship you will ever fly.
These are known throughout New Eden as the Magic 14.
Unlike weapon or ship-specific skills, the Magic 14 improve your ship’s fundamental performance. Better fitting, more capacitor, stronger tank, faster alignment, and quicker locking all come from these skills.
The Magic 14 won’t make you rich overnight, but they make every future skill and ship more effective. CCP also highlights them as universally beneficial support skills, although they are best trained alongside the ships and modules you actually want to fly rather than as the only thing you train.
The Magic 14
1. CPU Management
Bonus: +5% CPU per level
CPU determines how many modules you can fit.
Why it matters
- Fits more advanced modules.
- Reduces fitting compromises.
- Benefits every ship.
Priority: ★★★★★
Recommended Level: V
2. Power Grid Management
Bonus: +5% Power Grid per level
Power Grid determines what weapons, shield extenders and propulsion modules your ship can fit.
Why it matters
- Essential for fitting larger modules.
- Makes ship fitting much easier.
Priority: ★★★★★
Recommended Level: V
3. Capacitor Management
Bonus: +5% Capacitor Capacity per level
A larger capacitor allows modules to run longer.
Useful for
- Mining lasers
- Shield boosters
- Armor repairers
- Lasers
- Logistics ships
Priority: ★★★★★
Recommended Level: IV → V
4. Capacitor Systems Operation
Bonus: 5% Faster Capacitor Recharge
Your capacitor regenerates faster.
This is one of the strongest survival skills in the game.
Priority: ★★★★★
Recommended Level: IV → V
5. Navigation
Bonus: +5% Ship Velocity
Every ship becomes faster.
Faster ships:
- Reach gates sooner
- Escape danger quicker
- Mine more efficiently
- Orbit better
Priority: ★★★★☆
Recommended Level: IV
6. Evasive Maneuvering
Bonus: Better Agility
Reduces align time.
This means:
- Faster warps
- Easier escapes
- Less time vulnerable
Priority: ★★★★☆
Recommended Level: IV
7. Spaceship Command
Bonus: Better Agility
Another agility skill that stacks with Evasive Maneuvering.
Required for many advanced ships.
Priority: ★★★★☆
Recommended Level: IV → V
8. Warp Drive Operation
Bonus: Reduced Warp Capacitor Cost
Useful when:
- Travelling long distances
- Exploration
- Hauling
- Mining in distant systems
Priority: ★★★☆☆
Recommended Level: III–IV
9. Mechanics
Bonus: +5% Structure HP
Increases the amount of hull damage your ship can survive.
Also unlocks many repair skills.
Priority: ★★★★☆
Recommended Level: IV
10. Hull Upgrades
Bonus: +5% Armour HP
Even shield ships benefit because many defensive modules require this skill.
Unlocks:
- Damage Control II
- Armour plates
- Armour hardeners
Priority: ★★★★★
Recommended Level: IV → V
11. Shield Management
Bonus: +5% Shield HP
More shield means greater survivability.
Excellent for:
- Mining ships
- Haulers
- Shield PvP ships
Priority: ★★★★☆
Recommended Level: IV
12. Shield Operation
Bonus: Faster Shield Recharge
Improves passive shield regeneration.
Especially useful for:
- Mining barges
- Exhumers
- Passive shield tanks
Priority: ★★★☆☆
Recommended Level: IV
13. Long Range Targeting
Bonus: Increased Lock Range
Allows you to lock targets farther away.
Useful for:
- Mining fleets
- Sniping
- Logistics
- PvE
Priority: ★★★☆☆
Recommended Level: III–IV
14. Signature Analysis
Bonus: Faster Lock Speed
Reduces the time taken to lock targets.
Useful for:
- PvP
- Logistics
- Fleet operations
- Salvaging
Priority: ★★★☆☆
Recommended Level: III–IV
Recommended Training Order
Rather than training every skill straight to Level V, focus on getting broad improvements first.
Phase 1 – Essential Core (Train to Level III)
- CPU Management
- Power Grid Management
- Capacitor Management
- Capacitor Systems Operation
- Navigation
- Mechanics
- Hull Upgrades
This provides immediate benefits while taking relatively little time.
Phase 2 – Strong Foundation (Train to Level IV)
Train all 14 Magic 14 skills to IV.
Level IV offers most of the benefit for a fraction of the training time required for Level V.
Phase 3 – Perfect the Essentials (Train to Level V)
Train these first:
- CPU Management
- Power Grid Management
- Capacitor Management
- Capacitor Systems Operation
- Hull Upgrades
- Spaceship Command
Leave these until later unless your chosen ships require them:
- Shield Management
- Shield Operation
- Navigation
- Evasive Maneuvering
- Signature Analysis
- Long Range Targeting
- Warp Drive Operation
- Mechanics
For Last Stand Enterprises Pilots
As a member of Last Stand Enterprises, your first goal is to become an efficient and survivable mining pilot. We recommend:
- Train the Magic 14 to Level III as early as possible.
- Focus next on your mining ship progression (Venture → Mining Barge → Exhumer).
- Gradually raise the Magic 14 to Level IV while training mining, fitting, and shield skills.
- Return later to train the highest-priority Magic 14 skills to Level V once you are comfortably flying your preferred mining ships.
A well-trained miner is not just one who extracts more ore, but one who can fit better modules, align faster, survive longer, and spend less time docked making fitting compromises. The Magic 14 provide that foundation for every ship you’ll fly in New Eden.