Patch 30.07.2026

Exploration & Patrol Update

Pirate Hunt Rework

• Pirate Hunt patrols now actively search surrounding star systems for pirate bases.

• Three search patterns are available:

  • Local Search expands outward from the departure system.

  • Sector Sweep prioritizes systems within the current sector.

  • Route Interdiction searches along a route toward a discovered system.

• Pirate Hunt fleets now require at least one suitable reconnaissance ship.

• Search progress depends on fleet reconnaissance strength and actual time spent patrolling.

• Recalling a patrol early preserves completed scans but does not grant unfinished progress.

• When a pirate base is located, a separate report is created immediately and the base becomes available in Pirate Operations without waiting for the patrol to finish.

• Active Pirate Hunt missions now display their system-search progress.

Patrol Improvements

• Salvage Patrol rewards have been improved.

• Several dangerous patrol encounters now cause fewer ship losses.

• Route patrol effects now use the security zone of the location being protected.

• Existing patrols already in flight remain compatible with the previous search system.

Wormholes

• Early Wormhole rewards have been improved to make C1 exploration more worthwhile.

• Rare C3 discoveries now provide stronger rewards appropriate to their difficulty.

Dead Space & Rift Expeditions

• Resource rewards from Dead Space and Rift expeditions have been improved.

• Antimatter reward ranges remain unchanged.

• The risk of unconditional fleet loss has been reduced.

• Partial losses from failed evasions and emergency recoveries are now less severe.

• Successful specialist fleet composition remains important for reducing expedition risk.

• Pirate interception during beacon recovery is now less frequent. Beacon contents and enemy strength are unchanged.

Cosmetic Rewards

• Obsidian Eclipse cosmetic codes no longer drop as random rewards.

I reviewed rewards from expeditions, wormholes, and patrols against their actual operating costs, including fuel consumption, repairs, time commitment, and potential ship losses. Resource yields and risks have now been rebalanced so successful missions should be economically worthwhile on their own. Artifacts, fragments, and other rare discoveries remain valuable, but should feel like exciting bonuses rather than the only results that make these activities profitable.