What are expeditions in OGame?
Expeditions are one of the most fascinating game mechanics in OGame. You send a fleet to slot 16 of a solar system — the unknown — and wait to see what happens. The results are random and can range from valuable resource finds and discovered ships to encounters with pirates or cosmic phenomena.
What's special: Expeditions are the only way in the free-to-play experience to obtain Dark Matter — OGame's premium currency. Players who regularly send expeditions can unlock and accelerate officers without spending real money. This makes expeditions not only strategically but also economically attractive.
OGame has been running since 2002 and the expedition mechanic has been significantly expanded over the years. Since the major redesign, the Pathfinder was added as a specialised expedition ship and the Explorer class as an entire playstyle direction that puts expeditions at the centre.
How does an expedition work?
Starting an expedition
An expedition is started like any other fleet mission. You select a fleet, choose slot 16 of any solar system as the destination and send it on the "Expedition" mission. The fleet flies to the target, stays there for a certain period and then returns.
Flight and waiting time
The total duration of an expedition consists of flight time (outbound and return) and waiting time. The waiting time depends on the maximum flight speed of the fleet. The faster your ships, the shorter the total duration — and the more expeditions you can send per day.
Expedition slots
How many expeditions you can have running simultaneously depends on your Astrophysics research. With Astrophysics Level 1 you get your first expedition slot, with Level 3 the second and so on. The Explorer class receives bonus slots.
Possible expedition results
| Result | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Resource find | Metal, crystal or deuterium is found | Common |
| Ship find | Fleet units join your expedition | Medium |
| Dark Matter | Small amount of Dark Matter is found | Rare |
| Pirate attack | An enemy fleet attacks your expedition | Medium |
| Alien encounter | Strong alien fleet attacks (more dangerous than pirates) | Rare |
| Nothing found | The expedition returns without result | Common |
| Black hole | Parts of the fleet are lost | Very rare |
| Time delay | The fleet returns late | Occasional |
The probabilities of individual results are not publicly known and can be influenced by events and class bonuses. Expedition events temporarily increase the find probability for resources and ships significantly.
The ideal expedition fleet
Pathfinder — the expedition ship
The Pathfinder has been the dedicated expedition ship since the OGame redesign. It provides a direct bonus to expedition finds and is fast enough to enable short cycle times. For any player who regularly conducts expeditions, the Pathfinder is essential.
Protection against pirates
Pirate encounters are not uncommon. The expedition fleet needs sufficient combat power to repel pirates — otherwise you lose ships without compensation. A common strategy is to take Light Fighters as cannon fodder to absorb the pirates whilst the Pathfinder contributes the find bonus.
Capacity for resource finds
When an expedition finds resources, these are limited by the cargo capacity of your fleet. Anyone regularly hoping for resource finds should have sufficient transporters in the expedition fleet. Small Cargo ships are ideal as cargo buffers due to their low cost.
Explorer class and expeditions
The Explorer class in OGame is completely focused on expeditions. Its bonuses make expeditions significantly more efficient:
- More expedition slots: Explorers can have more expeditions running simultaneously.
- Better finds: Resource and ship finds turn out larger.
- Bonus planet slot: An additional planet can be colonised, expanding the empire and thus the production base.
- Increased phalanx range: Useful for strategic reconnaissance between expeditions.
For players who want to maximise their Dark Matter income whilst not spending real money, the Explorer class with an extensive expedition programme is clearly the superior choice.
Using expedition events
Gameforge regularly hosts expedition events where the probability of valuable finds is significantly increased. During such events it's worthwhile to keep all available expedition slots constantly filled and optimise the fleet for short cycle times. Players who maximise expedition events can accumulate substantial amounts of resources, ships and Dark Matter in a short time.
Frequently asked questions
What are expeditions in OGame?
Expeditions are fleet missions to slot 16 of a solar system. The results are random: resources, ships, Dark Matter or pirate encounters are possible. Expeditions are the only free source of Dark Matter.
Which class is best for expeditions?
The Explorer class with bonus expedition slots, better finds and increased phalanx range is clearly focused on expeditions and the best choice for this playstyle.
Can the expedition fleet be lost?
Yes, pirates, aliens and black holes can cost ships. A properly configured fleet with combat ships for protection significantly minimises the risk.
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