Difference between revisions of "Cargo scanning"

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(Fleshed out the article a bit.)
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'''Cargo scanning''' can be done with a '''Cargo scanner''' module. This will reveal the cargo contents of the target.
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'''Cargo scanning''' can be done with a [[image:Icon cargo scanner.png|20px|link=]]'''Cargo Scanner''' module and will reveal the cargo content of containers, ships and structures.
[[File:Cargo scan results.png|thumb|327px|Cargo scan result of a Burst. This burst seems to not have fitted its rigs.]]
 
  
== Cargo scanning players ==
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== Cargo scanning mechanics ==
Cargo scanning is most often done on hauling ships to see if they are worth ganking.<br>
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The cargo scanner is an active module fitted to your ship in a [[image:icon_fit_medium.png|20px|link=]] [[mid slot|Medium Power Slot]] (commonly referred to as a '''mid slot'''). It requires you to establish a lock onto your target before activating the module. While the scan is progressing your ship will show a scanning animation, then after a few seconds the scan will finish and the result will be presented in a '''Cargo Scan Result''' window. The window will show the name of the player who's ship you scanned, or the name of the container or structure, then it will show you a plain list of items in the ''"container"''.
The cargo scan result will show all items in all cargo holds lumped together (including special bays like drone bay and fleet hangar). It will also show contents of all containers.  
 
  
Double wrapped contents are not shown in the cargo scan. Double wrapping is done by creating a courier contract with the items. This places them in a courier package. The courier package is then placed inside a normal container.
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<ul class="gallery">
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<li class="gallerybox" style="border:none;">[[image:Cargo scan visuals.png|thumb|400px|While the '''Cargo Scanner''' module is active it'll show a {{co|lightblue|faint blue}} scanning beam emanating from your ship towards the target. While it's technically visible, it's extremely hard to spot this effect unless you're zoomed in and actively looking for it. Which means it's very easy to be scanned by someone without realizing it.]]</li>
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<li class="gallerybox" style="border:none;">[[image:Cargo scan results.png|thumb|250px|The '''Cargo Scanner Result''' window will simply list most things in the target ''"container"'' (a ship in this case). It will also give an estimated value of the result. See [[#limitations|limitations]] for a more complete list of what will and will not show.]]</li></ul>
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{|
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| valign="top" | [[image:Icon auto targeting system i.png|36px|link=]]
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| valign="top" | Using a '''Passive Targeter''' can allow you to lock up an unsuspected capsuleer's ship without them noticing. This will then allow you to sneak in a cargo scan that in most cases will go completely unnoticed by the victim due to the very subtle scanning animation that won't really be visible to the naked eye if the target is zoomed out.
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|}
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==== Limitations ====
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While a cargo scanner will show you most items, there are certain things it won't show. Mostly it has to do with layers of multiple containers, where the game is only able to look through some containers and not others, but here's a list of items that can and cannot be seen in a cargo scan:
  
[[Blockade Runners]] are immune to cargo scanning. Competent blockade runner would also be always cloaked making this bonus a bit useless.
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<p>[[image:icon_large_green_check.png|24px|link=]] It will show the content of '''cargo holds''' as well as all '''special bays''', '''holds''' and '''hangars'''.<br>[[image:icon_large_green_check.png|24px|link=]] It will show the content of '''courier contracts''' placed in a the cargo hold or fleet hangar.<br>[[image:icon_large_green_check.png|24px|link=]] It will show the content of '''containers''' in cargo holds as well as fleet hangars.</p>
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<p>[[image:icon_large_red_x.png|24px|link=]] It will not show '''containers''' or '''courier packages''' themselves just what they contain.<br>[[image:icon_large_red_x.png|24px|link=]] It will not show the '''cargo''' in or '''modules''' fitted to a '''ship''' carried by the targetted ship.<br>[[image:icon_large_red_x.png|24px|link=]] It will not show the '''content of a courier contract''' but instead just ''"plastic wrap"'' if the package was wrapped inside another courier contract.</p>
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<!-- This includes fleet hangars, ore holds, ship maintenance bays, fuel bays, corpse holds, mineral holds, ammo holds, planetary commodities holds, fighter hangars and drone bays.-->
  
== Cargo scanning in pve ==
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This means that if you cargo scan an {{sh|Orca}} or a {{sh|Bowhead}} carrying other ships, you will only be able to see the ships themselves but not what they carry (limited to charges) and the modules and rigs that are fitted to the ships. The value estimate will be limited to only the hull itself. It also means that couriers who put their courier package inside another courier contract (commonly referred to as ''"double wrapping"'') will be able to hide the content of the courier package, but at the same time announce to potential gankers that you're trying to hide something.
Cargo scanning works also on NPC ships and structures. It will reveal what items the target ship can drop. Presumably the NPC drops are subject to same loot fairy as player drops so each item shown on the cargo scan has 50% chance to drop.<br>
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Notable use of cargo scanning is scanning the cans in [[relic and data sites]]. Cans with no valuable items are either skipped or intentionally failed to blow them up.
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==== Skills ====
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The time it takes to finish the cargo scan is influenced by the {{sk|Survey|icon=yes}} skill however, so you can reduce the time it takes to finish the scan. At max skills the activation time can be lowered by 25% which reduces the base 3 second activation time to a 2.25 second activation time for a tech two cargo scanner and the 3.5 second activation time of a meta module to 2.62 seconds.
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Technically the module requires {{sk|CPU Management|icon=yes}} to be trained to '''I''' or '''II''', but since that requirement is below the starting level each capsuleer gets for free it practically has no skill requirement to use.
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==== Ships immune to cargo scanning ====
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Some ships like [[Blockade Runners]] are immune to cargo scanners. If you try to scan them the module will simply fail to activate.
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== Common usage of cargo scanners ==
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Here are a few common uses for cargo scanning:
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* Scanning down haulers to see if they are worth ganking.
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* Scanning cans in [[relic and data sites]] to save time and avoid undesired loot.
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* Scan down NPC ships and structures for potential loot.
  
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]

Revision as of 12:35, 4 September 2019

Cargo scanning can be done with a Icon cargo scanner.pngCargo Scanner module and will reveal the cargo content of containers, ships and structures.

Cargo scanning mechanics

The cargo scanner is an active module fitted to your ship in a Icon fit medium.png Medium Power Slot (commonly referred to as a mid slot). It requires you to establish a lock onto your target before activating the module. While the scan is progressing your ship will show a scanning animation, then after a few seconds the scan will finish and the result will be presented in a Cargo Scan Result window. The window will show the name of the player who's ship you scanned, or the name of the container or structure, then it will show you a plain list of items in the "container".

Icon auto targeting system i.png Using a Passive Targeter can allow you to lock up an unsuspected capsuleer's ship without them noticing. This will then allow you to sneak in a cargo scan that in most cases will go completely unnoticed by the victim due to the very subtle scanning animation that won't really be visible to the naked eye if the target is zoomed out.

Limitations

While a cargo scanner will show you most items, there are certain things it won't show. Mostly it has to do with layers of multiple containers, where the game is only able to look through some containers and not others, but here's a list of items that can and cannot be seen in a cargo scan:

Icon large green check.png It will show the content of cargo holds as well as all special bays, holds and hangars.
Icon large green check.png It will show the content of courier contracts placed in a the cargo hold or fleet hangar.
Icon large green check.png It will show the content of containers in cargo holds as well as fleet hangars.

Icon large red x.png It will not show containers or courier packages themselves just what they contain.
Icon large red x.png It will not show the cargo in or modules fitted to a ship carried by the targetted ship.
Icon large red x.png It will not show the content of a courier contract but instead just "plastic wrap" if the package was wrapped inside another courier contract.

This means that if you cargo scan an OREOrca or a OREBowhead carrying other ships, you will only be able to see the ships themselves but not what they carry (limited to charges) and the modules and rigs that are fitted to the ships. The value estimate will be limited to only the hull itself. It also means that couriers who put their courier package inside another courier contract (commonly referred to as "double wrapping") will be able to hide the content of the courier package, but at the same time announce to potential gankers that you're trying to hide something.

Skills

The time it takes to finish the cargo scan is influenced by the Icon skillbook2.png Survey skill however, so you can reduce the time it takes to finish the scan. At max skills the activation time can be lowered by 25% which reduces the base 3 second activation time to a 2.25 second activation time for a tech two cargo scanner and the 3.5 second activation time of a meta module to 2.62 seconds.

Technically the module requires Icon skillbook2.png CPU Management to be trained to I or II, but since that requirement is below the starting level each capsuleer gets for free it practically has no skill requirement to use.

Ships immune to cargo scanning

Some ships like Blockade Runners are immune to cargo scanners. If you try to scan them the module will simply fail to activate.

Common usage of cargo scanners

Here are a few common uses for cargo scanning:

  • Scanning down haulers to see if they are worth ganking.
  • Scanning cans in relic and data sites to save time and avoid undesired loot.
  • Scan down NPC ships and structures for potential loot.