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Sensor Phalanx

Sensor Phalanx

The Sensor Phalanx detects and tracks enemy fleet movements across vast distances.

Overview

Property Value
Type Intelligence Facility
Function Detect enemy fleet activity
Location Moon only
Prerequisites Lunar Base 1, Phalanx Technology 1
Opening Cost 2 Fuel Cells
Free Refresh Window 5 minutes while the report stays open

Description

The Sensor Phalanx is an array of powerful sensors that can detect fleet movements to and from distant planets. By scanning a target planet, you can see all incoming and outgoing fleets, their composition, and arrival times. Opening the report costs Fuel Cells, but once it is open you can refresh it for free for 5 minutes as long as you keep that report window open.

Scan Range

Range Formula

Range (Systems) = (Phalanx Level)² - 1 + (Phalanx Level × Phalanx Technology Level)

Range Table

Level Range (Systems)
1 0 (same system)
2 3
3 8
4 15
5 24
7 48
10 99

Construction Costs

Cost Formula

Metal = 20,000 * 2^Level
Crystal = 40,000 * 2^Level
Deuterium = 20,000 * 2^Level

Cost Table

Level Metal Crystal Deuterium
1 20,000 40,000 20,000
2 40,000 80,000 40,000
3 80,000 160,000 80,000
4 160,000 320,000 160,000
5 320,000 640,000 320,000

Scan Information

When you phalanx a planet, you see:

Fleet Details

  • Origin coordinates
  • Destination coordinates
  • Mission type
  • Fleet composition (ships and quantities)
  • Arrival time
  • Return time (if applicable)

What You Can Detect

  • Fleets going TO the target planet
  • Fleets going FROM the target planet
  • Deployed fleets on the planet

What You Cannot Detect

  • Fleets to/from moons (hidden from Phalanx)
  • Debris collection missions (sometimes)
  • Recall times (only see original destination)

Scan Cost

Opening a phalanx report costs:

Cost = 2 Fuel Cells

That cost is consumed from your moon's local Fuel Cell reserves.

For the next 5 minutes, refreshing that same open phalanx report is free. If you close the phalanx window, the free refresh window ends immediately and your next scan costs Fuel Cells again.

Strategy

Offensive Use

  • Scout enemy fleetsaving times
  • Time attacks for maximum impact
  • Detect unprotected targets
  • Track fleet movements

Counter-Intelligence

Protect yourself from Phalanx:

  • Send fleets from moons (hidden from Phalanx)
  • Use deploy missions instead of attack returns
  • Vary your fleetsaving times
  • Position in systems far from enemy moons

Range Optimization

Higher levels cover more area:

  • Level 5: 24 systems (covers most local activity)
  • Level 7: 48 systems (regional coverage)
  • Level 10: 99 systems (strategic range)

Fuel Cell Management

Scans cost fuel cells:

  • Budget your initial scans carefully
  • Focus on high-value targets
  • Keep moon reserves topped off with cargo shipments
  • Keep the same phalanx report open when you need to refresh repeatedly over a short window
  • Phalanx scans share the same 500 Fuel Cells per calendar day player cap as reward-style Fuel Cell boosts and Jump Gate activations

Moon Blindness

Critical: Sensor Phalanx cannot see fleets to/from moons!

This is why moons are strategically valuable:

  • Fleetsave to moon = hidden from enemy
  • Deploy from moon = invisible attack
  • Moon-to-moon moves are completely hidden

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