Exploration
Overview
Exploration is how you discover what the galaxy has to offer. By scanning sectors and deep-scanning orbital positions, you build up knowledge about resources, routes, and opportunities that drive every other part of the game.
Scanning
Sector Scan
A basic sector scan reveals the overall layout of a sector:
- Orbital bodies — planets, asteroid belts, stars, stations, and their types
- Conduits — wormhole connections to adjacent sectors
- Other fleets — who else is in the area
Sector scans are fast and give you the lay of the land.
Deep Scan
A deep scan targets a specific orbital position and reveals the exact resources available there. Deep scan results include:
- Full resource taxonomy (Group, Type, Class, Order)
- Quality properties (OQ, PE, SR, and others)
- Density values
- Available quantities
Deep scanning is essential before extraction — it tells you exactly what you'll get and how good it is. Resources discovered through deep scanning are automatically logged in your resource catalog.
Fleet Survey
You can survey other fleets in your sector to get information about their composition and general capabilities. This is useful for assessing potential trading partners or sizing up combat opponents.
Sector Types
The galaxy contains several types of sectors, each with different characteristics:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Star System | Standard sectors with varied planets, asteroid belts, and balanced resources |
| Nebula | Gas-rich regions with abundant chemical and energetic resources |
| Black Hole | Dangerous but potentially harboring rare and exotic materials |
| Rubble | Debris fields rich in mineral and metal concentrations |
| Void | Empty space — often used as transit corridors between resource-rich areas |
| Nexus | The central hub — home to the Nexus Market and Shipyard |
Building Your Map
As you scan sectors, they're added to your corporation's personal map. Over time, this map becomes one of your most valuable assets.
Favorites
Mark important sectors as favorites for quick access. Good candidates:
- Resource-rich sectors with high-quality spawns
- Strategic chokepoints between regions
- Sectors near the Nexus for quick trading runs
Notes
Add annotations to sectors on your map (up to 500 characters). Record observations like:
- Resource quality ratings
- Danger levels (active hostile fleets)
- Transit route information
- Mining schedule notes
Resource Catalog
Every resource you discover via deep scan is logged in your corporation's resource catalog. You can:
- Browse by type and class
- Favorite high-value discoveries
- Add notes about quality patterns and blueprint matches
Exploration Strategy
- Explore early and broadly — resource distribution varies significantly between sectors
- Deep scan before mining — don't waste extraction time on low-quality resources
- Annotate everything — your future self will thank you when searching for specific resource types
- Favorite the best sectors — bookmark resource-rich areas so you can return when stocks run low
- Map conduit networks — understanding sector connectivity helps plan efficient routes
- Sensor modules matter — better sensors improve scan quality and range