Keep in mind that EP is account based. Why spend EP on another character just to try out new equipment, why not just spend them simply on your main?

Moved to OD.

Actually there are options right now too.

For money transfer you simply search for your other character and select right-click transfer.

For the exchange of items you can either use corporation storages as Gerrick suggested, or use a field container on the terrain.

The issue has been dealt with.
The link leading to the screenshots has been removed on player request.

No, I'm just saying that the EP cost of character deletion and the redistribution of EP are two different topics and you shouldn't mix those two together.

The character deletion EP cost was mainly created against exploiters, troll alts and to generally make characters themselves a little bit more precious than a disposable shell. But this shouldn't really affect new players who play the game normally.

Regarding the other topic, we are internally discussing options on EP redistribution/respec and it also has more than one topic on the forums.

(thanks for the links Arga)

Okay.

A new player buys an account, creates his first character. Nothing is charged (beyond the subscription fee obviously).

Let's say he does the tutorials, maybe even gets the light bot at the end. But he somehow figures this character doesn't fit his playstyle, so logs out and creates a second character. Still nothing is charged.

Maybe he does the tutorial missions again, maybe not. He probably did this character because he doesn't like lasers and wants to go missiles, or maybe wants an industrialist. All viable options.

But somehow he doesn't like this character either.

So he goes on to create a third character, maybe expecting that some miracle will happen, maybe thinking he missed an iwin button on the way, I don't know. Still nothing is charged.

He has now 3 characters, all fully capable to learn and do everything in the game.

Please, can someone explain me why a new player needs a fourth, new character to learn how the game works? What am I missing?

I think that's the flaw in your "risk vs reward" logic. They ARE losing stuff, whether they are dropping it as loot or destroying them before that. And the reward for you is that you win either way.

Do you realize you are wanting something that is not yours in the first place? In my (humble) opinion they have every right to do what they want with their cargo since they worked their *** off for it.

Thanks, I will notify the Russian translator.

Do you know Russian?

That part in the English client looks like this:
"In case all your robots are destroyed, the Syndicate will grant you a brand new Arkhe for free. The reward, a brand new specialized light robot should also motivate you."

It's it the Information section of the main menu. "Semi-official beta blog".