This game is daunting,how to add a survey module to ships?

[ProudTiger]

My eyes aint the best,trying to find stuff is very frustrating,menus upon menus.

[Horemvore]

Goto Shipyard - Design Ship - New Design

Select hull type and look, Pick the components you need.

[mrmike_49]

need to research proper tech first to get survey module

[Horemvore]

Originally posted by mrmike_49:

need to research proper tech first to get survey module

I can build Survey ships on turn 1. (Retribution)

[ColorsFade]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftXVysQHrf8&list=PL4hv-Mbo-IfXWr3aX07SW9Y841INgMGYY&index=2&t=1s

[Horemvore]

Originally posted by mrmike_49:

need to research proper tech first to get survey module

You must just have the base game (no Expansions), all expansions removed this requirement.

[Kunovega]

Originally posted by Horemvore:

Originally posted by mrmike_49:

need to research proper tech first to get survey module

You must just have the base game (no Expansions), all expansions removed this requirement.

Might still be present in one of the campaign missions? I don't remember which ones came with the base game (if any?) but I know they follow whatever rules of the expac they came with

[ProudTiger]

My ships go everywhere to space debris but can't pick up anything because they need a module.

I am basically just stabbing in the dark playing this game.

Sucks to be dumb.God hates us :-(

[Kunovega]

Originally posted by ProudTiger:

My ships go everywhere to space debris but can't pick up anything because they need a module.

I am basically just stabbing in the dark playing this game.

Sucks to be dumb.God hates us :-(

So? Build a ship with one. Most civs start with a survey ship and you can build more any time you want...

[Dray Prescot]

You can also hire some scout and/or survey ships as Mercenaries as soon as you find where they can be hired (at the Bazaar). It will be near your Home World usually in area with no stars nearby. You may need some expansions/DLCs (the Mercenaries expansion) to do so, but they are old ones for GC3.

At the beginning of the game scouting is a lot more important than surveying. You want Scout ships rather than Survey ships in order to check out all of the nearby Stars QUICKLY and find the best planets. Plus find the various special resources that you will want to build Mining Star Bases nearby. At the beginning of the game there will not be a lot to explore that needs a Surveyor, later in the game that will change.

So custom design your Race and choose 3 Scout ships instead of 1 Survey ship at Game Start.

You do not need to wait until you can build Medium Hull ships before designing and building Survey Ship Designs. Just use a Cargo Hull, ANY Battle will kill it, but that does not matter for early Survey Ships. Building a Survey Ship will use an Administration Point (which are also used for Colony Ships and Construction Ships (used to build Star Bases)).

The only requirement is that it have a Survey Module. Add some FTL engines (or hyper engine with various names), and some Life Support modules (for Range), and possibly an additional Sensor (to increase sensor range) until you run out of space in the ship design. Put NO Military equipment (Weapons or Defenses) in the Design (it just takes up space needed for the other stuff).

it is even possible to design Small Hull survey ships but they can not do much, A Cargo Hull Surveyor can carry a lot more and is more useful.

I use Cargo Hull Survey ships until I want to explore the heavily defended Alien artifacts. Those will require a small group of warships with good shields plus some weapons, to escort a Medium Hull Survey Ship designed with Shields to defend it, along with hit points to take damage (and NOT DIE). A support ship that provides shield support to other ships in the fleet is very useful here.

A Survey Ship NEEDS Speed (Movement) and (Ship) Range, plus the Survey Module (and maybe an extra sensor to see farther)

and NOTHING ELSE, not even Hit points, which is why you can use a Cargo Hull. The other stuff just makes it slower and reduce it's range. A Cargo Hull is IDEAL for a Survey Ship because it can carry a LOT of stuff compared to a Small or Medium Hull. Just remember that ANY Battle will KILL it (but if your Survey Ship is faster and can see farther (Sensor Range) you should be able to avoid most battles).

I have been using Cargo Hull Surveyors since GC 1 and they are perfect for their job. Military stuff gets in the way of their job.