envoy cruisers cost a lot of resources and population, need research and have no offensive abilities at all. If you say that scouts are useful for reconaissance only then you probably do not play online and never got scout rushed.

on large maps theres just no replacing auto-explor. Besides independent factions and pirates DO attack envoy ships. I will agree that once you fine the heart of an enemy empire the envoy ship is usfull for getting through thier whole teritory (they have to be to set up embasies) but scouts are still number one on general exploration

cant wait for this next update

Scouts are: Faster, Cheaper.

Scouts Require: No research

Scouts can: Capture neutral extractors, kamikaze attack ships, blow up structures, detect & destroy mines, kill colony frigates and long range frigates, auto-explore, ignore phase jump inhibitors, enter phase space at will, leave recon probes, outrun pirates and militia, and allow you to see an enemy planet after theyre destroyed. Lets see an envoy ship do that.

And keep in mind that scouts are not just cheaper, they're a LOT cheaper. 24 supply cost for an envoy VS 2 supply for a scout. For every envoy, you could have twelve scouts.