Scanning is an Advanced Science Skill. It is used to gain information about ships and planets while the player is in space.
Ranks[]
| Rank | Challenge | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scan 5 planets or moons. | You can detect uncommon inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and more information about ships in space. |
| 2 | Scan 15 planets or moons. | You can detect rare inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and more information about ships in space. |
| 3 | Scan 30 planets or moons. | You can detect exotic inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and gain better combat information on ships in space. |
| 4 | N/A | You can detect unique inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and gain a complete list of cargo on ships in space. |
Progression and Strategy[]
Scanning is very easy to level up. Travel, scan, repeat as needed.
Scanning is a very interesting dual use skill. On one hand, if the player is going explorer or settler, the planet information is great. The more detailed, high level scans are great for finding a great spot to settle to get as many resources as possible. On the other hand, if the player is going pirate, scanning is great to figure out what the player is after before they start shooting. Scanning is a very handy (but by no means essential) skill.