OGame Raider Guide 2026

What is a Raider in OGame?

In OGame there are two fundamental playstyles: the peaceful miner, who builds up and accumulates resources — and the aggressive raider, who attacks other players to steal their resources. The raider playstyle, also called "fleeter", is demanding, requires attention and constant activity, but rewards you with rapid growth if you approach it correctly.

Since the OGame redesign, the General class is the natural home for raiders. The General receives bonuses to fleet speed, increased combat strength and improved recycler capacity — all factors that directly influence the profitability of a raid.

The General Class: Bonuses for Raiders

Choosing the right class is the first strategic decision of a raider. The General class offers the following advantages:

• Fleet speed +10% — Faster attacks, shorter return time, harder for the opponent to escape
• Fleet speed for recyclers +25% — Debris fields are harvested faster before other recyclers arrive
• Additional recycler in debris field — More capacity for large battles
• Combat bonuses — Increased attack value of your own ships in combat

This combination makes the General the optimal choice for anyone who regularly attacks other players and wants to profit from debris fields.

Fleet Composition for Profitable Raids

The right fleet is the be-all and end-all of a raider. Built too expensively and the losses eat up the profit — set up too weakly and the opponent's defence is sufficient to decimate your ships.

Standard fleet for early to mid game phase

Advanced raider fleet

• Battlecruisers complement or replace battleships from a certain development stage — they are faster and good against cruisers
• Destroyers for opponents with many battleships — exploit rapid fire advantage
• Reapers as debris field specialists — automatically collect the debris field after a won battle

Profitability Calculation: Is the raid worth it?

Before you send a fleet, always calculate whether the attack is profitable. The basic formula is:

Profit = Loot − Deuterium consumption − expected ship losses

Use the built-in OGame combat simulator and enter the data from your espionage. As a rule of thumb for beginners:

• The stolen resources should be at least triple the deuterium consumption
• Expected ship losses may account for maximum 20–30% of the loot
• A raid with a negative result is not a raid — it's a donation to the opponent

Understanding loot mechanics

You always steal 50% of the resources that are on the opponent's planet or moon. What is stored in warehouses cannot be stolen — so it's important to attack opponents when their warehouses are full. Spy on target players regularly to recognise the optimal attack timing.

Finding and spying on targets

Not every player is a good target. Good raiders maintain lists of potential targets and observe their patterns. These players are particularly attractive targets:

• Inactive players (vacation mode not activated) — full warehouses, no resistance
• Miners with high resource production but weak defence
• Players who have forgotten their fleetsave — fleet visible on the planet
• Players immediately after a long absence — maximum resources, full warehouses

Use your espionage probes systematically. Depending on your espionage technology level you get more details: resources, buildings, research and finally the stationed fleet. Always check resources and defence first — then decide whether an attack makes sense.

Fleetsave as a raider — particularly important

Raiders are themselves attractive targets, because their fleet has a high value. What you do to others, others can also do to you. Consistent fleetsaving is therefore even more important for raiders than for miners. Always send your fleet on a mission before you sleep or go offline for a longer period.

As a General with increased fleet speed you have an advantage: Your fleetsaves return faster and you can plan attack windows more precisely. Use this advantage strategically.