when you are probing planets do you just go down the rows or do you check each planet to make sure your not disrespecting one of the stronger players by probing him/her just curious?

its not disrespectful to probe anyone. it just might draw attention to you

I really don't think its disrespectful. Thats the game, you probe people, you attack people. If your fleetsaving, have good defenses, and keep your resources hidden, you shouldn't have to worry about being probed. And people who are irritated about getting probed are a little full of themselves.

I don't think it's disrespectful at all. In fact, I encourage newbs to probe my planets since it usually turns out to be very profitable for me.

Depends what you are looking for. Are you probing because your just curious or are you probing to see if it is a vulnerable planet?

Disrespectful might be the wrong word, but I consider probing someone a mild act of aggression.

Why probe someone unless you are looking to attack them or gauging the strength/trying to discern the movement of fleets of someone who is pursuing you?

I also know that sometimes the player who probes you is not the same player who is looking to attack you. It is a smart strategy and more difficult to evade an unknown attacker.

I get curious about the strength of the fleets of some of the top players. However, I assume if I probe them it will create a hornet's nest of problems, drawing unwanted attention to myself or payback for what is ESPIONAGE.

It probably will also depend on the part of the galaxy you reside in. Some parts are more frontier style than others. Put it this way, there are parts of the galaxy where most players do not fleet save. In other parts of the galaxy, a player who makes the mistake of not fleet saving one time can say bye bye to their fleet.

QFT "In other parts of the galaxy, a player who makes the mistake of not fleet saving one time can say bye bye to their fleet."



In case your wondering QFT = Quote For Truth

I go through each system, probing any inactives. I'll scroll over unfamiliar names and if they are near my rank, or far below it, I scan them. Anyone thinking probing is disrespectful is an idiot, to but it bluntly.

curtis, in both my posting in the other forum and yours here, you are lucky to have the input of top ranked players and, in terms of this game's fixational conditions, respectable warriors, who, each one in his own unique manner, tell you one thing: probing might be dangerous. I 'm sure that the simplicity of the sequence of events is not too much for your intellect:

1. You probe a player.
2. What was yesterday your fleet, today it's his crystal mines 1 level up.

And thanks to khan's input, we know that this has happened to you twice.
And, Urweirdsaysi, what is idiotic?
Is it maybe PMing your attacker whining and calling him names that can get you banned if passed to the admins?
However, I just deleted them. I don't want a potential farm of mine to get banned.
What I find disrespectful is to ignore the advice of players who hold the top positions since I joined the game, or
the remarks of players who, in parallel with me, made their way near the top, through hard work.
They keep giving their advice for the benefit of the game, even against their farming interests.
There is always the option to utilize that advice or whine continuously when meeting the consequences of an action.

I dont think there is anything wrong with probing higher ranking players planets. Most of the time when im probed by a lower ranking player it doesnt bother me because i know there not going to see anything because my esp lvls are usually so much higher than the lower ranking player they have to send a bunch of probes to see anything. The action that will get a response out of me is when Im attacked by a lower ranking player or taunted when i miss a fleet. I usually make it my top priority after that to find that player and make him/her think twice about doing it again. Usually a pm from the player Im attacking telling me their online will make me turn my fleet around.

Generally, if you know the player is stronger than you, just email him to ask him about his fleet size. He will be thrilled to tell you all about it, and probably won't attack you for it.