For a player starting out, salvaging is not that difficult. The introduction of salvage drones also helps. Whether you use them or a Salvager, you can clean up space and make a profit.

Can you do this AFK? Not entirely.  However, flying from A to B you can keep your eyes open, especially near stations and gates. Some might frown on this, but they’re probably in a pod and it isn’t a criminal act just to salvage. Looting cargo will of course incur bad karma.

Allow me to share a first hand tale. I was headed to a trade hub, the Noctis had just come out and for my PvE activities I intended to get one but was lacking funds, as ever. On my way back I happened across an elite wreck. I wondered what that meant, lit up my Salvager, and was eventually successful. Odd salvage appeared in my hold. My jaw hit the floor when I valued it. I ran back to the hub, sold the salvage, and bought the Noctis.

Very, very little effort on my part. Not a round of ammunition expended. Shining example of right place, right time. I had managed to salvage a Tech 2 ship. So the salvage was much shinier than usual.

My point? Always travel with a Salvager. Always. Stuff blows up in Eve all the time, and people don’t always clean up after themselves…