Ultimate medium-pad mining ship?

[Stealthie]

Spent a couple of days mining in the Krait and it's become glaringly obvious that running a single 5A Collector is the limiting factor in mining speed.

If I was only interested in deep-core mining this probably wouldn't be an issue but I prefer mining Painite because it can be laser-mined as well as found in "special" roids.
Last night, for example, I only found 2 d/c roids in an hour but I still managed to collect 138t of Painite in a little over an hour via laser-mining as well.

I probably could have mitigated this issue by binning the fuel-scoop and re-jigging my ship but I like to keep a scoop on my ships, even if it's just a small one, for emergencies.

So, swapped all my mining stuff across to a Python and things do go noticeably quicker with 2x 5A Collectors in use.
Again, for d/c roids 3 Collectors is probably enough but for laser-mining the ability to launch more Collectors speeds things up significantly.

Overall, I think the agility of the Krait probably makes it a better ship for d/c mining but if you're doing laser-mining as well then the Python's extra slot provides you with the ability to run an extra Collector and that's a useful benefit.

 

[Old Duck]

Keelback

 

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

Spent a couple of days mining in the Krait and it's become glaringly obvious that running a single 5A Collector is the limiting factor in mining speed.

If I was only interested in deep-core mining this probably wouldn't be an issue but I prefer mining Painite because it can be laser-mined as well as found in "special" roids.
Last night, for example, I only found 2 d/c roids in an hour but I still managed to collect 138t of Painite in a little over an hour via laser-mining as well.

I probably could have mitigated this issue by binning the fuel-scoop and re-jigging my ship but I like to keep a scoop on my ships, even if it's just a small one, for emergencies.

So, swapped all my mining stuff across to a Python and things do go noticeably quicker with 2x 5A Collectors in use.
Again, for d/c roids 3 Collectors is probably enough but for laser-mining the ability to launch more Collectors speeds things up significantly.

Overall, I think the agility of the Krait probably makes it a better ship for d/c mining but if you're doing laser-mining as well then the Python's extra slot provides you with the ability to run an extra Collector and that's a useful benefit.

This is why I use a T10 for surface and deep core mining. The visibility of the cockpit allows for good views to spot void opal roids. Whether surface or Deep Core, I can run multiple 5A collector limpets for fast collection, all mining weapons and weapons for defense while being able to haul over 200 tons. Although she can't cover a lot of ground like a clipper, krait or python, it makes up for that with it's ability to quickly collect all the fragments.

 

[Goose4291]

I'd say the Fed Dropship still deserves a mention for this.

4 medium hardpoints, 4 utility mounts and plenty of internals for customisation.

Plus, the dedicated.military slots mean you can risk it for a biscuit with an unshielded build and survive a good kicking from any errant NPCs

 

[Stealthie]

This is why I use a T10 for surface and deep core mining. The visibility of the cockpit allows for good views to spot void opal roids. Whether surface or Deep Core, I can run multiple 5A collector limpets for fast collection, all mining weapons and weapons for defense while being able to haul over 200 tons. Although she can't cover a lot of ground like a clipper, krait or python, it makes up for that with it's ability to quickly collect all the fragments.

Yeah, my "proper" mining operation involves using an AspX as a prospecting ship, then a T10 for doing the bulk mining and a tanky Python for delivering ore to market.

In this case, though, I was trying to figure out what ship's most useful as a "stand-alone" mining ship that can mine and deliver to any station/platform.

 

[Commander Biscuit]

Waiting for a dedicated medium sized mining ship to be added to the game. None of the ships we have to choose from are quite perfect for one reason or another. The large ships are even worse for the new mining system, due to their size and speed.

I'd personally revamp the Keelback to make it worth using for anything. I mean it looks like a mining ship, but it just doesn't have the optional internals for it, nor the hardpoints, or the power needed to run an A rated analyzer.

After trying a lot of ships, I'm stuck using the Challenger due to the hardpoints. Have to manually scoop though, unless I want to lose my shield, fuel scoop or surface scanner.

 

[Stealthie]

Waiting for a dedicated medium sized mining ship to be added to the game. None of the ships we have to choose from are quite perfect for one reason or another....

Trouble is, how do you create the "perfect mining ship" without accidentally creating the "perfect combat ship"?

The perfect (medium pad) mining ship would probably have 2xC1 hardpoints, at least 4x C2 hardpoints for mining kit and then another couple of hardpoints for defensive weapons.
It'd need to be agile and tough (to evade attackers) and have a heap of optional slots in a variety of sizes and it'd have decent core internals too.

Most of the stuff that'd make it an exceptional mining ship would also make it an excellent combat ship too.

I guess that utilities might help prevent that. You really only need one for mining.
Beyond that, maybe they could just artificially nerf it's speed somehow - perhaps with some waffle about how it uses it's thrusters to provide low-speed agility at the expense of outright speed?

 

[Commander Biscuit]

Trouble is, how do you create the "perfect mining ship" without accidentally creating the "perfect combat ship"?

The perfect (medium pad) mining ship would probably have 2xC1 hardpoints, at least 4x C2 hardpoints for mining kit and then another couple of hardpoints for defensive weapons.
It'd need to be agile and tough (to evade attackers) and have a heap of optional slots in a variety of sizes and it'd have decent core internals too.

Most of the stuff that'd make it an exceptional mining ship would also make it an excellent combat ship too.

I guess that utilities might help prevent that. You really only need one for mining.
Beyond that, maybe they could just artificially nerf it's speed somehow - perhaps with some waffle about how it uses it's thrusters to provide low-speed agility at the expense of outright speed?

I had the exact same thought, but it's fairly easy. Give it a crappy hull, crappy shields, and crappy oversized canopy (basically a Lakon). You can't make the ship tough though, because people WILL find a way to make that into a combat ship.

Low speed thrusters with maneuverability sounds good. Prevents players making the thing a boom n zoomer to workaround the poor shields/hull. As long as the vertical thrusters are decent enough to move around an asteroid.

 

[Lobey]

They "could" introduce a mining varient of the Cobra mk3/mk4 - but with "locked" dedicated hardpoints, such that it can only equip mining stuff in some (or all) hardpoints. Doubt it would happen, but it would be interesting to see.

 

[AsukaZ]

I tried both the Krait and Python when the new mining came out.
Both do the job admirably, it's a bit off a toss-up for me.
In the end I settled on the Python as my dedicated go-to Mid-sized Miner.
That's more going by feel than the numbers though.

Which one is technically the best ? I don't know.
A few percentage points doesn't worry me.

 

[Stabby_Dave]

They used to have dedicated internals in the Dolphin/Orca/Beluga, so the idea isn't without precedent. The thing is, there are already two or three ships that are great for mining, so what's FD's incentive to bring out another?

I use a Python, but haven't tried the Krait. I just don't see the point when the Python does everything I want.

 

[Lobey]

Yeah, I'm not really sure I like "dedicated" slots at all - but, we have had versions of them before and it would open up some interesting varients.

 

[ZAKALWEINC8876]

Just realised i was down to my last 400m creds so i took my python out for a spin. Its really good, in my opinion.
I can get 144t max, thats over 200m per load, surely thats plenty?

o7

 

[Valorin]

I bought a T9, out in Colonia, to bankroll the Anaconda I plan to build and earn an extra billion credits before I head back to the bubble.
Trouble is, every mining session with the T9 is a marathon and, as a result, it takes weeks before I build up the motivation to have another go.
Conversely, in an AspX (with a 64t capacity) I feel like I'm just getting started when I reach 64t of stuff and have to wrap it up and go find a market.

So, I'm thinking of flogging the T9 and replacing it with a medium-pad ship in order try and hit the sweet-spot between profit and maintaining interest.

I'm thinking that my two choices are the Krait Mk2 and the Python.

The Python would seem to be the better choice, objectively.
It's extra slot means I can either bung in an extra C5 Collector to make things go a bit faster or I can bung in an extra C6 Cargo rack to increase my payload to 192t.

The Krait's benefits are less tangible.
It's a bit cheaper (which doesn't really matter), I prefer the way it flies, I think it's more agile and it's cockpit is probably better-suited to mining.
Also, based on using my AspX for mining, I don't think I'll really need another 3 Collectors and I'm not sure I'll really want to mine 192t of stuff all at once.
Lastly, I already have a Python in my Colonia fleet and I like a bit of variety.

So, whaddaya think?
Go with my head and buy a Python or go with my gut and buy a Krait?
Or, something else entirely?

Python is the answer. Perfect mining ship for me.

 

[avow555]

I use the Krait and it's fine for a medium mining run, 1-2 hours duration to fill the coffers.

 

[Lestat]

Well while the Forums was down. I went from penniless to Elite Trader from a Cobra MKIII, Then Python after 3 full mining trips on the python. So until I get one of the Big 3 The Python is the best mining ship.

 

[Tarman]

Totally Python. While I couldn't stand its flight profile as my daily driver (despite its supremacy at BGS work) and switched to a K2, I dusted off the Python when Numining hit and found it was a perfect ship for how I mine. One of every toy (lazor, abrador, asplodor) except for the SSM because I cannot use it to save my life, plus a couple defensive beams for burning away pests. DSS for hotspotting, fuel scoop because I can't not have one. Triple-6 cargo racks, 5A prospector and collector. 4A refinery and a G4 Reinforced 3A shield I had laying about, more for rocks and docks than pests. G4 Dirty, because I had the mats. 6A PP runs all the things.

I could care less about limpet cost; it's right down there with fuel and repairs. I'd rather waste them than be super efficient. I load up roughly 2/3 and head out, and if I end up getting lucky early on and overshooting my limpet stack with cargo it's not a huge deal to ditch the extras.

I did test drive my Clipper as that was my oldschool miner (and I really would like it to find a regular job and get out of my basement), but the hardpoint placement makes landing corecrackers and even blaster shots a pain compared to just about any other ship.

 

[True Phoenix]

Another timeline:

Kirk: Bones, Spock, the Federation has tasked us with carrying out a, a, mining expedition. Apparently there will be no girls, no Klingons and no weird aliens. Just us, some rocks and a need to mine...er...stuff.

Enterprise is too big to go into asteroid fields, Zulu reckons he could do it, but he is such a career climber, he probably dreams of saving my skin someday. The shuttles can't carry enough ore to make it worthwhile. What are we going to do?

Spock: Send someone else? That would be logical.

Bones: Why you cold hearted blueblooded alien, sacrificing brave crewmembers to save your boredom increasing, pointy eared sumovabi….

Kirk: Ok Bones, calm down, have one of those trank shots you carry.

Kirk: So Spock, who do we send, what in and how do they do it?

Spock: Its obvious Captain, we call TJ, in his T9 and get him to do it.

Kirk: Genius Spock, for the few, not the many. I like it. Scrub that steward and have her sent to my cabin.

Some time later...….

Spock: Captain, I have a report from Admiral Braben. Apparently the pilot TJ and the T9 were lost in a..."ganking" manoeuvre in a nearby asteroid belt. We have failed in our mission and the Federation are recalling us to base. It seems we will not now progress from a TV series to films.

Kirk: What? I blame that pilot, TJ. Utterly useless. Spock, why did you recommend him?

Spock: I don't like working in the movies Captain.

Bones: Goddamn Jim, I told you to buy a Python and send Scotty. You do realise I appear in nothing between the end of the original Star Trek and the first movie. I'm ruined you basta…..

Kirk: There is always off Broadway Bones. Maybe I can get you a slot on my new show.

Bones: Yeah, whats it about?

Kirk: A wig wearing, overweight, corset using cop in NY with some beauty riding shotgun.

Bones: Not dis-similar to this show then....

Kirk: Err,,,, yeah 'suppose so. Now, a need a name for the show....Hooker, something Hooker. It'll come....

Spock: Captain, I'm off to do mission impossible.

Bones: Act without looking wooden?

Our mission, to boldly go where no script writer has been before and blame TJ.

End

 

[Speedcuffs]

Is it still Python?
I don't know because of my 1967 eyeball MkIs.

 

[GunnerBill]

Is it still Python?
I don't know because of my 1967 eyeball MkIs.

Yes, 5 pages /thread

Turns out I was right all along