How to perform a blanket scan of a w-space system
17th March 2011 – 7.56 pmThis post has been superseded by a more detailed explanation of how and why to perform a blanket scan of a w-space system.
I often mention performing a 'blanket scan' of a w-space system after entering it, and although the general concept and aim may be deduced from the name I have yet to mention my method in convenient bullet form, so here goes.
- Launch combat scanning probes, preferably somewhere out of range of any other pilot's directional scanner.
- Adjust the scanning range of the probes to be 16 AU.
- Move all the probes so that the bottom edge of the scanning sphere is slightly above the ecliptic plane of the solar system.
- Edit: Hit 'scan'. You'll get no results, but you'll move the probes out of the system directly upwards, avoiding them warping visibly through the system after being arranged for the blanket scan.
- Adjust the scanning range of the probes to be 64 AU.
- Arrange the probes so that they cover the entire solar system.
- Hit 'scan'.
The scan will return all anomalies, ships, and other signatures in the system, without your probes being visible on anyone's directional scanner. Steps two and three can be ignored if you are not concerned about being covert, because then all that really matters is to 'blanket' the system with the sphere-of-effect of the scanning probes.
11 Responses to “How to perform a blanket scan of a w-space system”
Thanks for the explanation
XK
Why not just used a deep space probe?
Because if I find ships I have combat probes out and ready to hunt them.
Great explanation and good to know how this done and why with the Combat Probes. Will file this in my memory somewhere as well put it in practice if and when the need arise.
Ships in the system could be at safe spots/anoms that are within 4auish of the planets so I would recommend keeping the probes at least 18au above/below the plane. Then there are systems that have that 1 planet above/below the plane which messes things up. You can also maneuver your probes around the outside of the system so they make a box. Takes some time though since multiple scans are needed to keep them from warping through the system and it doesn't work very well on the bigger systems.
Yes, I'm aware that there could be sites, wormholes, or other points up to 4 AU outside the elliptic plane, which is why I suggest moving the 16 AU probe sphere a little above the plane, giving 17-18 AU without having to gauge much by eye. The likelihood of a ship being within d-scan range of the probe is then quite slim.
That's a good point about extra scans needed to prevent probes warping through the system and being spotted, and I realise I should probably add an extra 'scan' step after step 3 to avoid that.
As for planets being in eccentric orbits, this is certainly a feature to look and account for on a per-system basis.
Thanks for the comment.
Totally missed the fact that probes can go to 64 AU or maybe its just Combat Probes. Ah well should try using them more often than just regular Core Probes.
Sure never hurts to be reading some your old posts multiple times...
Yes, different probes have different characteristics. This guide is pretty barebones in this respect, not really providing more than the mechanics for blanketing the system, and doesn't go in to much detail otherwise.
The reason I use combat probes is not really because they provide good coverage, although that does help, but because they will show all the anomalies, signatures, ships, and structures within a system. There is little point in performing a blanket scan with core probes, as you may as well then just use a deep space probe.
A flight of combat probes launched out of range of anything on d-scan and used to blanket the system will show you where potential towers are, if they are any ships in the system, and roughly where those ships are. In a big system, with multiple planets out of d-scan range in different directions, this really speeds up reconnaissance, as you can warp off in the right direction to find a tower, or ships mining or engaging Sleepers.
Thanks for the comment, AD.
Interesting points, thanks for the added input there.