Launching and Tracking an Exploration

Exploration comes in two modes: space and ground via the Pillars.

To launch an exploration, open Operations: choose Fleet → Exploration for space mode or Pillars → Exploration for ground mode. Ongoing missions are tracked in Operations. Their results are grouped under Journal → Explorations; the Journal page also includes the Errants and Excavations categories.

On the continuous map, an exploration targets a Breach. Find it in Galaxy, select it, and check the target shown during mission setup. It has its own identity: it is neither a planet nor the former position 11 in a system. See Browse the continuous map.

The two modes do not rely on the same means:

• Space exploration: uses model ships
• Ground exploration via the Pillars: uses the Pillars network

Main differences:

• the space version consumes Aether;
• the ground version consumes Weave Resonators;
• the space version returns via a return mission;
• the ground version returns survivors and loot directly to the planet of origin;
• both modes can trigger a hostile encounter.

In both modes, you choose a nominal duration from 1 to 6 hours. The cap on economic gains is multiplied by ×1,00, ×1,075, ×1,15, ×1,225, ×1,30 or ×1,375, depending on the duration. The same duration also determines the faction experience gained when the exploration is resolved: 30, 32, 34, 36, 39 or 41 XP. The faction bonus can reduce the actual waiting time by a percentage of this nominal duration without changing these amounts. For a fleet, this duration starts after arrival in the exploration zone; via the Pillars, it starts at departure. Resolution conditions are detailed in Exploration results and rewards.

Example

A space exploration deploys a fleet. A ground exploration deploys an assault force via the Pillars.

The units allowed differ depending on the exploration mode.

In space exploration:

• you send model ships.

In ground exploration via the Pillars:

• only assault population units are allowed: Soldier, Iron Rampart, Rift Specter, Plasma Supercharger, Kinetic Reaper;
• among specialized craft, only Small Transporter and Large Transporter are allowed;
• probes, drones, recyclers, resonators, and other specialized craft cannot be sent on ground explorations.

Example

A ground exploration via the Pillars can depart with assault units alone, with authorized transporters, or with both.

The base quota is 10 explorations per day.

The daily quota increases with:

• the Exploration Technology;
• alliance bonuses;
• certain artifacts;
• purchased exploration Faction skills.

An exploration recalled before arrival restores its quota as soon as the recall is accepted.

Basic formula:

10 + Exploration Technology level + alliance bonus + artifact bonus + Faction bonus

The number of simultaneously active explorations depends on faction rank; its thresholds and base caps are detailed in Rank effects on capacities. Each active Emperor or Monarch pack adds +1 slot, up to 16 at rank 50 with both packs. Space and ground explorations share this cap. Each exploration also uses one slot in the global active mission quota, which is shared with other missions; the daily quota remains separate.

The chosen duration does not change any of these counters: an exploration lasting 1 h or 6 h uses one daily launch and one active slot. All copies in the same wave use the selected duration.

Example

A player with good exploration technology or purchased exploration Faction skills can launch more than 10 explorations per day; their cap on simultaneous explorations depends separately on their faction rank, active packs, and global mission capacity.