Header

Espionage Probe

Espionage Probe

The Espionage Probe is an ultra-fast reconnaissance ship that gathers intelligence on enemy planets.

Statistics

Property Value
Structural Integrity 1,000
Shield Strength 0
Attack Power 0
Cargo Capacity 10
Base Speed 1,000,000
Fuel Consumption 1
Drive Combustion

Cost

Resource Amount
Metal 500
Crystal 2,000
Deuterium 250

Requirements

Requirement Level
Shipyard 3

How Espionage Works

Sending Probes

  1. Select Espionage mission
  2. Choose target planet
  3. Select number of probes
  4. Probes travel to target

Report Contents

Espionage reports always show resources. Everything else depends on your Espionage Technology, the target's defensive spy strength, and how many probes you send.

Detail Formula

The target defends with:

Defender effective level = Espionage Technology + Counter Intel + Moon Base Research

Counter Intel and Moon Base Research each add +1 defensive espionage per level to that defense.

If the defender's effective level is above yours:

Extra probes required = max(0, Defender effective level - Your espionage level)^2
Remaining probes = Sent probes - Extra probes required

Each information layer is revealed if:

Remaining probes >= Probe threshold
OR
Your espionage level - Level threshold >= Defender effective level
Information Probe Threshold Level Threshold
Resources Always shown Always shown
Ships 2 1
Defense 3 2
Buildings 5 3
Research 7 4

Detection Risk

  • Standard espionage missions currently always create an activity alert for the target.
  • There is no separate detection chance roll for standard probe missions right now.
  • Probes are not currently destroyed by a counter-espionage roll in the live implementation.
  • More probes still help because they increase your remaining probe total after the defensive penalty.

Strategy

Probe Numbers

Situation Suggested Probes
Equal effective tech 2 for ships, 3 for defense, 5 for buildings, 7 for research
Higher tech 1-2 for quick resource checks
Lower tech 5-10+ depending on how far behind you are

Pre-Attack Routine

  1. Send probes to scout
  2. Check defenses and fleet
  3. Calculate attack force
  4. Launch if profitable

Counter-Espionage

Your Espionage Technology also:

  • Reduces info enemies get about you
  • Forces enemies to send more probes when your defensive spy strength is higher

Combat

Probes are extremely weak:

  • No shields
  • No attack
  • Destroyed easily in combat
  • But that's not their purpose

Related Topics