Espionage Probe
The Espionage Probe is a tiny, extremely fast scout ship. It gathers intelligence reports from target planets, revealing resources, fleet, defence, and research depending on Espionage Technology levels.
Base Stats
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | 0 Metal · 1,000 Crystal |
| Drive | Combustion Drive |
| Base speed | 100,000,000 |
| Cargo | 5 units |
| Fuel | 1 deuterium/hour |
| Base weapons | 0.01 |
| Base shield | 0.01 |
| Base hull | 1,000 |
| Prerequisites | Shipyard level 3 |
Requirements
- Shipyard level 3
- Combustion Drive level 3
- Espionage Technology level 2
Speed
With 100,000,000 base speed, probes arrive at essentially any target instantly (game-time seconds). No drive upgrade is needed.
Intelligence Gathered
| Your Espionage Level − Target's | Information |
|---|---|
| ≥ 0 | Resources |
| ≥ 1 | Defences |
| ≥ 2 | Fleet |
| ≥ 4 | Research |
Counter-Espionage Detection
When you probe a target, they receive a notification. Whether they see details about your probe depends on the difference in Espionage Technology levels:
Send multiple probes to reduce detection chance and ensure a full report.
Rapid Fire Taken
Takes rapid fire from: Small Cargo (×5), Large Cargo (×5), Light Fighter (×5), Heavy Fighter (×5), Cruiser (×5), Battleship (×5), Battlecruiser (×5), Colony Ship (×5), Recycler (×5), Bomber (×5), Destroyer (×5), Deathstar (×1,250), Reaper (×5), Pathfinder (×5)
Espionage Probes are destroyed by a single hit from anything. Never send them into combat.
Tips
Sending a single probe risks an incomplete report and counter-detection. Always send 5–10 probes to secure full fleet and research info.
Always probe your target immediately before launching an attack. Fleet compositions can change in minutes.
Probes are so cheap that building hundreds is trivial. Keep a large stock at multiple planets.