Default: 9 (Brynhild), 96 (Cobol)

Numeric Value: 17

Bioscanning is part of the normal Sensor sweep mission, see there for more information.

When a planet is in scan range (SensorRange) and has less than DefenseToBlockBioscan defense posts, bioscanners have a 20% chance to detect native life on the planet. You will receive a message reporting the population and race of the natives as well as the planet temperature. Bioscanners will also detect when a planet has no natives. You will not receive bioscanner reports for your own planets.

(4.1a) DefenseToBlockBioscan is new in 4.1a. Until version 4.1, the defense limit was hardwired to 20.

Special rules:

  • The Evil Empire is able to fake bioscanner reports. All Empire planets with natives will be reported as having Amorphous natives instead of the actual race.
  • If the bioscanner is owned by the Rebels, the Empire can not fake the reports; Rebels always see the true native race.
  • PHost will combine bioscan reports. When you see a planet by means of a true bioscan (Rebels) as well as a faked one (Empire planet), it will report the true race.

Preconditions for Sensor Sweep (and Bioscanning):

  • ship has fuel

Relevant Configuration Options: AllowBioscanners, SensorRange.