OGame Espionage Guide 2026

Espionage: The Foundation of Every Strategy

In OGame there's no way around espionage. Anyone who attacks targets without scouting them first risks costly mistakes — an unexpected defence, a returning fleet, higher research bonuses than anticipated. Espionage provides the foundation for every profitable attack.

But espionage is also a defensive tool. The sensor phalanx on your moon shows you fleet movements in your neighbourhood. Knowing early that someone is sending a fleet to your planet gives you time for fleetsave — and that can mean everything.

Espionage Technology: What it Influences

Espionage technology research determines how much information your probes can gather and how well you detect enemy probes. The higher your espionage technology compared to the target, the more complete the report.

Rule of thumb: For each level of espionage technology advantage the opponent has, you need more probes. As a beginner with level 4 against a player with level 8 (difference: 4), send at least 5–6 probes for reasonably complete reports. Advanced players with high espionage technology see much more with fewer probes.

Reading and Evaluating Espionage Reports

What's Important in the Report?

• Resources: Are there enough raw materials to justify the attack? Factor in minimum loot.
• Fleet: Is the fleet at home or in fleetsave? If no fleet visible: probably in fleetsave — only worthwhile if resources are good.
• Defence: Which installations? Plasma turrets and Gauss cannons are serious threats, masses of rocket launchers are solved by bombers.
• Research: Weapons technology, shield technology, armour — for precise battle simulation.
• Activity: When was the player last active? Inactive marking often means: resources unsecured.

Consider Espionage Report Age

An espionage report from two hours ago may be outdated. Resources have accumulated (good for you), but the fleet might have returned in the meantime (bad for you). Spy again shortly before attack launch to have reliable data.

The Sensor Phalanx — Eyes in the Universe

The sensor phalanx is a moon building that can only be built on moons. It allows you to observe all fleet movements around planets within the sight radius. The radius grows with phalanx level: Level 1 allows scanning in the same galaxy, higher levels increase the range.

With the sensor phalanx you see: attacking fleets on targets within range, departing fleets (opponent's fleetsaves!) and reinforcements. This makes it the most important strategic tool for attackers: Wait until the opponent starts their fleetsave — then you see return time and destination and can attack just before the fleet lands.

Countermeasures Against Sensor Phalanx

• Use jumpgate: Fleets travelling via jumpgate are not visible to the phalanx
• Break patterns: Always choose different destinations and times for fleetsave
• Check moon espionage report: Does the opponent even have a sensor phalanx?
• Moon destruction: Death Star destroys opponent's moon — along with their phalanx

Espionage Defence: How to Detect Probes

When someone spies on you, you get a notification in the event log. The higher your espionage technology advantage over the spy, the more likely their probes are destroyed — and you see their origin. Keep your espionage technology high to conduct counter-espionage: Whoever spies on you is often also a potential attack target.