Expeditions

Expeditions have been part of OGame since 2009 and require Astrophysics technology. The mission has three stages: (a) fly to slot 16, (b) explore deep space (minimum 1 hour), (c) return.

---

How Many Expeditions Can You Send?

$$\text{Max simultaneous expeditions} = \lfloor\sqrt{\text{Astrophysics level}}\rfloor$$

Astrophysics	Expeditions
1	1
4	2
9	3
16	4
25	5
36	6

You can launch expeditions directly from the Galaxy View (click the expedition icon on slot 16). With Commander, you can save a preset fleet composition; with Admiral, you can select it directly from Galaxy View.

---

Expedition Points

Each ship contributes Expedition Points based on its Structural Integrity (metal + crystal cost):

$$\text{Expedition points} = \frac{\text{Structural Integrity} \times 5}{1000}$$

Ship	Expedition Points
Light Fighter	20
Small Cargo	20
Espionage Probe	5
Heavy Fighter	50
Large Cargo	60
Cruiser	135
Battleship	300
Battlecruiser	350
Bomber	375
Destroyer	550

---

Resource & Fleet Caps

The base cap is determined by the rank 1 player's general highscore points. Each expedition draws a random amount between 10% and 100% of that cap:

Rank 1 general points	Metal cap
< 10,000	40,000
< 100,000	500,000
< 1,000,000	1,200,000
< 5,000,000	1,800,000
< 25,000,000	2,400,000
< 50,000,000	3,000,000
< 75,000,000	3,600,000
< 100,000,000	4,200,000
≥ 100,000,000	5,000,000

Resource Find Formula

$$\text{Metal found} = \mathcal{U}[0.1,\ 1] \times \text{base\_cap} \times \text{eco\_speed} \times k_{\text{class}} \times k_{\text{pathfinder}}$$ $$\text{Crystal found} = \text{Metal found} \times \tfrac{2}{3} \qquad \text{Deuterium found} = \text{Metal found} \times \tfrac{1}{3}$$

Each expedition finds one resource type (metal, crystal, or deuterium) chosen at random. $\mathcal{U}[0.1,\ 1]$ is a uniform random roll between 10% and 100% — every expedition draw is independent, so you can get the full cap or just a tenth of it.

Multipliers:

Multiplier	Value	Condition
$k_{\text{class}}$ (Discoverer)	×1.5	Player is Discoverer class
$k_{\text{class}}$ (other)	×1.0	Any other class
$k_{\text{pathfinder}}$	×2	Fleet contains a Pathfinder
Enhanced Sensor Technology	+0.2%/level	Adds to $k_{\text{class}}$
Sixth Sense	+0.2%/level	Adds to $k_{\text{class}}$
Kaelesh Discoverer Enhancement	+0.2%/level	Amplifies Discoverer class bonus

$$5{,}000{,}000 \times 8 \times 1.5 \times 2 = 120{,}000{,}000 \text{ metal}$$

---

Optimal Fleet Compositions

For Raiders (maximize combat safety, include cargo)

Recommended: 1 Destroyer + 1 Espionage Probe + Large/Small Cargos

The Destroyer contributes 550 points. Fill the rest with Cargos to carry loot. A Bomber is sometimes added to deter pirates and aliens.

Rank 1 points	Target points	Optimal cargo (×1 eco, no bonus)
< 100k (2,500 pts)	2,500	1 Destroyer + 1 Probe + 33 Large Cargo
< 1M (6,000 pts)	6,000	1 Destroyer + 1 Probe + 91 Large Cargo
< 5M (9,000 pts)	9,000	1 Destroyer + 1 Probe + 141 Large Cargo
< 25M (12,000 pts)	12,000	1 Destroyer + 1 Probe + 191 Large Cargo
≥ 100M (25,000 pts)	25,000	1 Destroyer + 1 Probe + 417 Large Cargo

For Miners (maximize cargo, avoid combat)

Recommended: Large or Small Cargos + 1 Espionage Probe

Rank 1 points	Target points	Optimal cargo (×1 eco, no bonus)
< 100k (2,500 pts)	2,500	42 Large Cargo + 1 Probe
< 1M (6,000 pts)	6,000	100 Large Cargo + 1 Probe
< 5M (9,000 pts)	9,000	150 Large Cargo + 1 Probe
≥ 100M (25,000 pts)	25,000	400 Large Cargo + 1 Probe

---

What Can You Find?

Event	Probability
Resources	32.5%
Abandoned ships	22%
Nothing	18.6%
Delay (fleet returns 2×, 3×, or 5× late)	7%
Dark Matter	9%
Pirates	5.8%
Aliens	2.6%
Early return	2%
Merchant	0.7%
Black hole (fleet lost)	0.33%

Ship Finds

Ship finds use the same formula and multipliers as resource finds. The SI value of ships found scales with the same cap and multipliers.

Dark Matter Finds

• Small package: 300–400 DM
• Medium package: 500–700 DM
• Large package: 1,000–1,800 DM

Pirates & Aliens

• Pirates: combat technology = yours − 3; fleet size ±30–80% of your structural integrity
• Aliens: combat technology = yours + 3; fleet size 40–120% of your structural integrity

Aliens are significantly more dangerous than pirates. A Bomber in your expedition fleet reduces losses against both.

Merchant

If a merchant is found, you'll see a black trade button. Click the black button — not the green one. The green button dismisses your expedition merchant and charges 3,500 DM for a new one.

---

System Depletion

Sending too many expeditions to the same solar system depletes it, reducing loot and increasing empty results. The system regenerates at 10 expeditions per day.

Message received	Status	Action
Zone not exhausted	0–10 expeditions/day	Keep sending
Zone a little exhausted	10–25 expeditions/day	Consider switching system
Zone exhausted	25+ expeditions/day	Switch system or wait

How to avoid depletion:

• Uni speed ≤ ×2: max 3 non-stop expeditions per solar system position
• Uni speed > ×2: max 2 non-stop expeditions per solar system
• Avoid sending to systems where a Discoverer class player is also expeditioning — you'll deplete the system for both of you
• Ideal: send from systems where you are the only resident, with no neighbours in the adjacent 2 systems