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The Basics
This page will cover basic usage of BioScan and how to get predictions.
BioScan, along with most other 3rd party tools, relies on Elite's journal system to get data from the game. EDMC in particular parses only log entries that have been written since it was started. This means it may miss some journal data if it isn't run alongside the game 100% of the time, and old data is lost when it is shut down.
To account for this, BioScan utilizes a database system to store historic data and import old journal files.
For best results, always import your old journal data.
In order to get predictions, you will need to log data for all stars and planets in the system. Odyssey bio colors rely on what stars are present in the system, and the rest of the planet attributes (such as temperature, gravity, type, and atmospherics) narrow down which bios can be present on that planet. Horizons bios often also rely on the presence of other bodies in the system, so complete data is required to have complete predictions.
There are two types of systems you can encounter and the process for getting this data will differ based on the type.
Most systems in ED will be undiscovered when you first enter the system. Nothing will show in the system map and you will see 'undiscovered' entries in the nav panel. In order to get the necessary data, first use the discovery scanner (colloquially known as honking the system). This will write data for all stars in the system to the journal file. This will allow you to use the Full Spectrum System Scanner (FSS) to hone in on and scan the remaining bodies in the system.
In some systems, you may jump in close enough to some bodies that they will be autoscanned by the discovery scanner. The problem with this is that it doesn't give you any data on the signals on the body. (Number of geological or biological entities.) If BioScan detects any auto scans and the planet qualifies for possible bios, you will get a message asking you to FSS or Detailed Surface Scan (DSS) the body to obtain signal details. You should be able to zoom in on these in the FSS to get the signal data, but if you're too close to zoom in then DSS may be necessary.
- Honk the system
- FSS all bodies
Many populated systems in the bubble (or Colonia) will already be populated in your system map and nav panel. You will be unable to get any data by honking or FSSing these systems. There are two methods of obtaining this data. The most efficient is to drop into any nav beacon in the system and scan it. This will write data for all system bodies to the journal. What it will not do is give you signal data for those bodies. Following the nav beacon scan, you can then FSS any potential planets to get the signal data and obtain predictions.
Alternatively, you can always DSS the planet to get both the data and signal info.
- Scan the nav beacon
- FSS relevant planets
Getting the system data and basic signal info will get you the predictions, but there will usually be a few extraneous predictions particularly on planets with more than one or two signals. By DSSing (aka mapping) the planets, you get detailed signal breakdowns of the bio genera on the planet which should eliminate most if not all extraneous predictions. (Some sectors do have overlap for some genera, particularly in the core, but usually only one species will qualify.)