What is the point of Prospector drones?

[BillD]

They added motivation for me. I was quite happy to sit on my mining Asp until the Prospectors came out, now having more cargo space means I can carry more so can sample more droids and come back with a better quality ore.

If it was to be changed to "scanners" instead, they still need to provide a way of making it scalable so that it motivates you to upgrade etc. So there is a benefit from going to a hauler to a cobra to a Asp to a python to a conda, etc. Otherwise you get to a certain point and there is no need to grow. Not saying you have to but if there is an advantage then you have the option and motivation to upgrade and mining income scales with your investment.

 

[Veth]

If it was to be changed to "scanners" instead, they still need to provide a way of making it scalable so that it motivates you to upgrade etc. So there is a benefit from going to a hauler to a cobra to a Asp to a python to a conda, etc. Otherwise you get to a certain point and there is no need to grow. Not saying you have to but if there is an advantage then you have the option and motivation to upgrade and mining income scales with your investment.

Well, if they made it a scanner similar to Cargo & Kill Warrant scanners, then it would be an issue of power & money rather than larger class module slot. The rating could increase range and fragment output or something (not sure exactly how this new change will be implemented). If better scanners increased fragment yield, that would give another reason to keep adding more collector modules for more drones out at a time, so that's another reason for a bigger ship.

As far as scaling in general, 1.3 certainly helped with the collectors (before I saw little reason to go above a Cobra - maybe an Asp but probably not).
But I doubt going from Clipper to Python or even Anaconda will be as big of a boost. I really feel like they should have added new lasers for large and huge that either increase fragments or % or something.

As it stands, I want a mining Python so I can have a similar setup as my Clipper only with shields, and an Anaconda for plenty of breathing room with modules plus the nicer jump range. But its not as big of an upgrade as say, going from trading/smuggling in a T7 to an Python (size + outposts) or Anaconda/T9 (greatly increased cargo for huge profit margin boost).

 

[Veth]

Honestly though, I don't see Frontier switching to a scanner.
If this prospector buff is substantial, then you'll always been wanting a bigger ship so you can fit plenty of collector and prospector limpets, plus the cargo.

Right now I've been sticking to an A1 prospector, but I might upgrade.

 

[jacozilla]

do you know anything about real mining and/or geology at all?

1. Having the most accurate surveys and precise scans is fundametally a core part of mining to maximize and increase yields.

2. Whether it is in space or beneath the earth, you are mining veins of ore - not just blowing up chunks of surface material



Welcome to 3300 where scanners can revel a system 100,00ls wide, why we using 1960's mining technology.

Remote sensing is the science of acquiring, processing, and interpreting images and related data, acquired from aircraft
and satellites, that record the interaction between matter and electromagnetic energy. Remote sensing images are used for
mineral exploration in two applications:
1. map geology and the faults and fractures that localize ore deposits; 2. recognize
hydrothermally altered rocks by their spectral signatures. Landsat thematic mapper
TM. satellite images are widely used to
interpret both structure and hydrothermal alteration. Digitally processed TM ratio images can identify two assemblages of
hydrothermal alteration minerals; iron minerals,

if you want to switch your logic around because you lost round 1, ok - no problem.

in round 1 your complaint was -"how's a drone supposed to give you more ore from a rock doesn't make any sense."
I explained how above - the drone according to the universe FD tech lives in has separate survey and scanning than ship sensors. Whether I think thats reasonable for 3301 is immaterial - thats the tech state FD created.

however, i at least was consistent - you are flip flopping

you are now saying its all obviously built into one same scanning system - so let's see, by your flip flop logic:
-it is now mandatory that the tech of 3301 must have all-in-1, integrated shipboard sensors that do every spectrum of scanning

-yet separate 'mining' lasers is just fine vs combat lassrs
-separate refinery whose only tech difference is the addition of another bin to hold rocks

you either accept FD has right to envision a different concept of possible 3301 tech, or you stay consistent with your own logic

so by your logic, why even have separate anything? Just demand that a ship have only one installed module - surely in your mind by 3301 nanotech has progressed to point where every conceivable function from can opener to high energy focus weapons can be emitted by the same morphing nano-tech module?

 

[clinton]

They should make it so there's only one kind of controller and it can fire all sorts of limpets.

It would make mining (and piracy for that matter) a more reasonable profession. Currently having to fit a mining laser, refinery, collector limpet controller and prospector limpet controller (that's one gun and three compartments) makes mining only available for dedicated ships in practical terms. Combining the limpet controllers would at least make mining an option for more casual miners. Of course you'll still be limited to the maximum number of limpets, so a size 5 controller will still only be able to control 3 collector limpets, but it could also do 2 collector limpets and one prospector.

 

[BillD]

Honestly though, I don't see Frontier switching to a scanner.
If this prospector buff is substantial, then you'll always been wanting a bigger ship so you can fit plenty of collector and prospector limpets, plus the cargo.

Right now I've been sticking to an A1 prospector, but I might upgrade.

Just bear in mind that the prospector controller has a problem. Not sure if you are aware. where you have a controller that allows you to launch 2 at a time it starts off OK allowing you to fire off prospectors at two different rocks. Then if you fire another one it destroys the oldest one etc, but eventually it stops working correctly and decides to keep a really old one alive all the time. So from then on when you fire one and then fire another at another rock rather than destroying the really old one, it destroys the one you just launched prior.
So basically you end up only being able to fire one at a time anyway and having to wait until it lands before you can fire the next one as it seems to choose to leave a really old one alive instead of destroying that one.
Most annoying I have a 2 controller but often can only launch one at a time as it wants to keep the oldest one sitting on a rock alive which defeats the purpose.

 

[CMDR Ellegon]

Take up cargo space. Be completely pointless in general.

I am sick of reading this same non-sense argument all over again. I use collector and prospector drones, leaving with about 110 limpets (128 cargo space). As I use up limpets (and I use prospectors freely while sitting at an asteroid waiting for the collectors to do their work), the cargo hold fills. As i run out of limpits, my cargo hold reaches capacity. I return with 128 tons of cargo and zero limpets.

What the prospectors do: save time and allow you to pick the best 'roids quicker.

Once again: they use no cargo space that would be needed otherwise.

But I guess it does not matter how FD improves games mechanics. People don't read, they don't understand, but they sure complain, vent and distribute their vitriol.

 

[Scruffy]

I'd say they have their use but they aren't essential. I only use 1 prospector.

Generally my method of mining goes..
Prospect. Valuable asteroid, begin mining. Asteroid depleted, prospector sent to next asteroid. Collector limpets finish. If next asteroid is valuable I mine it then prospect next as I'm collecting. If its not valuable I keep going, pick a different one to head towards and send a prospector to it, if its valuable I repeat and if its not I pick another until its worth stopping at.

Basically my prospector lets me know if the next asteroid I plan to go to is worth while as I'm sitting still waiting to finish collecting, so I'm not wasting any time collecting junk instead of finding something more valuable.

For me it's a relatively smooth process and quick too as I use 10 Collectors which usally means each collector only does 1 trip.

 

[drhay53]

Prospectors are all about maximizing the efficiency of your time. If you don't care about that, then I can see why you think they're useless.

For me, I couldn't live without them. You lose so much time getting way up close to an asteroid when you could be zooming along at mostly full throttle finding one with good metals at good percentages. I reckon prospectors double my cr/hour, no joke.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Hello Commanders!

Just a quick heads up: prospector drones will be getting a buff that allows you to mine more resources from asteroids they're attached to. Not sure when this is coming through.

Great news Sandro. A nice solution, and so nice of FD to tell us a little tidbit like this in advance.

 

[fluffa]

if you want to switch your logic around because you lost round 1, ok - no problem.

in round 1 your complaint was -"how's a drone supposed to give you more ore from a rock doesn't make any sense."
I explained how above - the drone according to the universe FD tech lives in has separate survey and scanning than ship sensors. Whether I think thats reasonable for 3301 is immaterial - thats the tech state FD created.

however, i at least was consistent - you are flip flopping

you are now saying its all obviously built into one same scanning system - so let's see, by your flip flop logic:
-it is now mandatory that the tech of 3301 must have all-in-1, integrated shipboard sensors that do every spectrum of scanning

-yet separate 'mining' lasers is just fine vs combat lassrs
-separate refinery whose only tech difference is the addition of another bin to hold rocks

you either accept FD has right to envision a different concept of possible 3301 tech, or you stay consistent with your own logic

so by your logic, why even have separate anything? Just demand that a ship have only one installed module - surely in your mind by 3301 nanotech has progressed to point where every conceivable function from can opener to high energy focus weapons can be emitted by the same morphing nano-tech module?

Bottom line here is its a game, there are meant to be fun. changing something that will ultimately work better is not a bad thing. the option to have a scanner to scan rocks is not out of the games tech settings (we have cargo scanners). being obstinate and posting childish remarks doesn't improve anything.

Well maybe your ability to look stupid

 

[fluffa]

Well, if they made it a scanner similar to Cargo & Kill Warrant scanners, then it would be an issue of power & money rather than larger class module slot. The rating could increase range and fragment output or something (not sure exactly how this new change will be implemented). If better scanners increased fragment yield, that would give another reason to keep adding more collector modules for more drones out at a time, so that's another reason for a bigger ship.

As far as scaling in general, 1.3 certainly helped with the collectors (before I saw little reason to go above a Cobra - maybe an Asp but probably not).
But I doubt going from Clipper to Python or even Anaconda will be as big of a boost. I really feel like they should have added new lasers for large and huge that either increase fragments or % or something.

As it stands, I want a mining Python so I can have a similar setup as my Clipper only with shields, and an Anaconda for plenty of breathing room with modules plus the nicer jump range. But its not as big of an upgrade as say, going from trading/smuggling in a T7 to an Python (size + outposts) or Anaconda/T9 (greatly increased cargo for huge profit margin boost).

Yes some though of how better class \ rating affects the scanner would be needed.
power is the first item
range is another
buff to ore's
thermals

I agree that's a entry level scanner be pretty weak and not so good while a A rating device / module would give greater returns. if it was a module then the higher the class could impact the yield values? making you want to install the largest available?

 

[jacozilla]

Bottom line here is its a game, there are meant to be fun. changing something that will ultimately work better is not a bad thing. the option to have a scanner to scan rocks is not out of the games tech settings (we have cargo scanners). being obstinate and posting childish remarks doesn't improve anything.

Well maybe your ability to look stupid

You'll need to quote my words back to me then - please find and quote any words I said that reasonable people would consider "childish remarks". Disagreeing and proving a point wrong based on the respondents own bad logic is called debate. Using offensive or childish words is childish.

So prove me wrong please - quote in full, not selective parsing- where I used ANY words that reasonable people define as childish.

Other than of course your own insult here of "ability to look stupid"

Rather ironic you lose a debate, can't take it, so resort to name calling while accusing me of the same - yet have no basis to prove it since I guarantee you won't be able to quote me on that.

 

[Quineloe]

Hi Sandro,

Reason I don't use prospectors is I have no room after fitting what I need for deep space prospecting. Make 'em fit in a utility slot and you have a deal.

That or give away free mining Pythons. That works too.

My Mining Anaconda laughs at such trifling issues.

 

[Deleted member 38366]

--- Deleted ---

 

[Lazerus Artificial]

Hello Commanders!

Just a quick heads up: prospector drones will be getting a buff that allows you to mine more resources from asteroids they're attached to. Not sure when this is coming through.

Sounds interesting...but a slightly bigger overhaul would also be nice.
The size of the modules is insane, the need for size 7 slots to suport 4 drones is just...not worth it.
Also its a bit sad that it would basically replace the DDF heatmap
hopefully this will not be the only change in the near future, i still hope to see the whole ice and gas stuff, and also the ddf refining.
not to mention more use for metal rich fields...

but maybe the buff would increase the mining income a bit, but i bet it would still not be worth it.

 

[Rick Carson]

Hello Commanders!

Just a quick heads up: prospector drones will be getting a buff that allows you to mine more resources from asteroids they're attached to. Not sure when this is coming through.

When is the remfinery going to get fixed? It is currently worse than it was in 1.0 and 1.1 - it used to crap out when you completed two tons at the same time and it would throw a refinery communication server error.

It used to, but it still does. Now though, that doesn't happen as much (thanks to yet another stealth nerf on mining, huzzah! (because the cumulative percentages on fragments are smaller than they used to be))

Anyway, in 1.2 I noticed that it drops what you put in the bins occasionally. E.g. I have 98% painite and I (or rather my trusty minions) scoop 52% painite (as if), then I expect to get 1 ton of painite, an empty bin and 50% in the hopper.

Now, in a perfect world, the hopper would auto-allocate to the abandoned bin the same kind of material that just got pulled from it. (And honestly I have no idea why you guys haven't done this yet: if there's some technical reason why you can't then you should scrap the refinery concept altogether - because it is, and always has been - utterly attrocious; everyone that complained about scooping in beta-1.2, when you dug down into the root causes, it was always three things: (1) the awful refinery (2) having to manually target fragments led to the silly vacuum cleaner forwards and backwards motion, and (3) tiny scoops on huge ships. What's up with that?

If people could have gone along in their space whale and hoovered up all the fragments (if they carefully lined them up) like (for lack of a better analogy) a whale scooping up krill, then it would have:

(A) rewarded careful shooting

(B) rewarded careful flying

What a huge tragedy that would have been. /s

Anyway, I digress. Now what actually happens is that I complete the 98% painite with a 22% fragment, and I get a ton of painite (most of the time, huzzah!), and I get 20% in the hopper (boo!) and an empty bin (double boo!). No problem, so I just click on the painite and allocate it to the bin right? WRONG!!!!! Because fairly often when I do that the 20% doesn't go to the bin, it doesn't stay in the hopper, it just disappears!!!! I end up with 0% painite.

Now, you may ask whether that happens with other metals, and of course the answer is yes. And you may ask whether I am, perhaps, imagining it? I assure you, by your sweet rooty-tooty-booty, that I am watching the painite like an eagle when it comes in. If it was just happening to silver or osmium to be honest we'd probably never even notice, but because it happens to everything, we definitely notice when it happens to our precious. Uh, I mean our painite. I mean, my painite.

 

[Sokonomi]

I would like to launch a drone that actually mine the damn thing and the collectors do just that. Collect from the mining drone. That way it would be more fun to manage the operation from the ship.

This. So freaking much.

I want my python mining carrier please thank you! Just imagine belching out an armada of limpets, 3 mining limpets digging at asteroids, up to 6 collectors peddling back and forth with goodies. Maybe mining would actually become worth the effort. :')