With the considerable work put into mining mechanics, and the resurgent popularity of prospecting in the game, I thought it time to revisit the old suggestion of having ships designed for mining, just as we do for exploration, trading, combat, and multi-roles.
I'd like to see at least one viable mining ship designed for each ship size.
Firstly, in terms of aesthetics, they'd need to look like mining ships.
e.g.
Or something along those lines.
In terms of stats or capabilities, they should have a focus on manoeuvrability for navigating safely around asteroids, and for the same reason, a cockpit alignment and hull design that make it easier for a pilot to intuit their ship's dimensions when aiming between objects. Perhaps also a special focus on thermal efficiency to make escaping predators through the use of silent running or near zero heat management more of an option.
For hardpoint quantity and placement, there should be 4 allotted for the Mining Laser, Abrasion Blaster, Sub-surface Displacement Missile, and Seismic Charge Launcher, before any other considerations, and at least one well placed point for a medium or larger sized weapon. Larger ships with more weapon points should have each hardpoint beyond the 4 used for mining configured in combat-minded positions. Utilities should allow for a Pulse Wave Analyser as well as some defensive options.
Regarding optional internals, depending on the ship size, module slots should first be allotted for an appropriate sized Refinery, Prospector Limpet Controller, Collector Limpet Controller, Detailed Surface Scanner, and sufficient Cargo storage, before considering how many further slots to allocate, and of what size.
For the remainder of considerations, I would recommend thought be given to strong defensive capabilities, both in innate ship stats as well as module slot availability.
Of course, there are existing multi-role type ships in the game that can handle much of what is detailed above, though nothing quite so specifically geared, and certainly nothing that looks like it was made for mining.
Any other suggestions for what would benefit a ship designed specifically for mining are welcome.
I'd like to see at least one viable mining ship designed for each ship size.
Firstly, in terms of aesthetics, they'd need to look like mining ships.
e.g.
Or something along those lines.
In terms of stats or capabilities, they should have a focus on manoeuvrability for navigating safely around asteroids, and for the same reason, a cockpit alignment and hull design that make it easier for a pilot to intuit their ship's dimensions when aiming between objects. Perhaps also a special focus on thermal efficiency to make escaping predators through the use of silent running or near zero heat management more of an option.
For hardpoint quantity and placement, there should be 4 allotted for the Mining Laser, Abrasion Blaster, Sub-surface Displacement Missile, and Seismic Charge Launcher, before any other considerations, and at least one well placed point for a medium or larger sized weapon. Larger ships with more weapon points should have each hardpoint beyond the 4 used for mining configured in combat-minded positions. Utilities should allow for a Pulse Wave Analyser as well as some defensive options.
Regarding optional internals, depending on the ship size, module slots should first be allotted for an appropriate sized Refinery, Prospector Limpet Controller, Collector Limpet Controller, Detailed Surface Scanner, and sufficient Cargo storage, before considering how many further slots to allocate, and of what size.
For the remainder of considerations, I would recommend thought be given to strong defensive capabilities, both in innate ship stats as well as module slot availability.
Of course, there are existing multi-role type ships in the game that can handle much of what is detailed above, though nothing quite so specifically geared, and certainly nothing that looks like it was made for mining.
Any other suggestions for what would benefit a ship designed specifically for mining are welcome.