A Knobbled Night At the Ice Rink, Mining

[Ralph Vargr]

Got my first Void Opals last night. I was having nightmares about tropical fish, so I woke up.

The Cobra 4 is a great mini-miner. Now, others are finally discovering this.

After using all hardpoints on mining tools, I went to a pristine ice ring. Lots of them in Colonia.

Yes, the knobbly ice cubes are the only ones you should shoot at. Everything else that shows up on sonar is a waste. You can use up prospector drones at a terrifying rate, otherwise.

Finally found one with the Fabled Void Opals. After two seismic charges per fissure (some doubled!), I backed off.

But not far enough.

Lost shields, went down to 75% hull. Ouch. But, the Cobra 4, despite it handling like a dump truck, tanked the blast. Engineered hull. Thank you, Selene!

I used both Class 2 hardpoints for seismic charges. They are maybe 100-200 tons each (0.1-0.2 KTNS). Sitting *that close* to a 1+ KTN burst is unhealthy. I should know...

Only got 3 opals.

Time to run, because the NPC's would show up any second.

Only 199 more runs like that, to get an normally outfitted Anaconda. Or, not. I found ordinary mission running in my Python more fun, or standard mining in the Python.

Pinging away like a WW 2 sub movie isn't my idea of immersive gameplay. I can gather more materials, and net nearly as much in a pristine ring with my Python, and still have fun. With less stress.

Now that everyone is a 20th level mage-fighter, with castles (big ships) and unlimited gold, someone ought to think about having a chat with the Game Master...

 

[Lobey]

Got my first Void Opals last night. I was having nightmares about tropical fish, so I woke up.

The Cobra 4 is a great mini-miner. Now, others are finally discovering this.

After using all hardpoints on mining tools, I went to a pristine ice ring. Lots of them in Colonia.

Yes, the knobbly ice cubes are the only ones you should shoot at. Everything else that shows up on sonar is a waste. You can use up prospector drones at a terrifying rate, otherwise.

Finally found one with the Fabled Void Opals. After two seismic charges per fissure (some doubled!), I backed off.

But not far enough.

Lost shields, went down to 75% hull. Ouch. But, the Cobra 4, despite it handling like a dump truck, tanked the blast. Engineered hull. Thank you, Selene!

I used both Class 2 hardpoints for seismic charges. They are maybe 100-200 tons each (0.1-0.2 KTNS). Sitting *that close* to a 1+ KTN burst is unhealthy. I should know...

Only got 3 opals.

Time to run, because the NPC's would show up any second.

Only 199 more runs like that, to get an normally outfitted Anaconda. Or, not. I found ordinary mission running in my Python more fun, or standard mining in the Python.

Pinging away like a WW 2 sub movie isn't my idea of immersive gameplay. I can gather more materials, and net nearly as much in a pristine ring with my Python, and still have fun. With less stress.

Now that everyone is a 20th level mage-fighter, with castles (big ships) and unlimited gold, someone ought to think about having a chat with the Game Master...

Well sounds like you had a bit of fun
You only need one seismic charge launcher - only use one per fissure and pay attention to the type - low for low - medium for medium (you get the idea) - you can "under" strength if you want\need - eg medium in a high. If it goes too high - disarm a couple.
Once it shows optimal yield (in the blue) retreat slightly and light it up - you'll get around 12-15 let loose - then open fire with abrasion blasters (two is optimal on the two outer class 1 slots on the mk4) to clear of everything from the remains. Use collector limpets to save time and you'll come away with around 15- 20 tons minimum per asteroid - I fly my Mk4 with 32 ton in cargo space plus a class 3 refinery which has 8 hoppers - so can bring home 40 tons of goodies.
Don't just hunt void Opals - anything that isn't Bromelite makes good money - you should make around 25-35 mill per trip from breaking 2 or 3 asteroids.
Oh and on hunting - hold (or use elastic band ) on your pulse scanner - to keep it pinging constantly like a sonar - combined with night vision you will see the core asteroids easily - I can basically waste no prospectors at all now - but aim to take out no more than say 15 limpets tops (and that's mainly to have two collectors out at all the time).
Use https://inara.cz/goods/10250/#commodityslotsellmax to work out nearest port to sell at (no more than 2 hops is my usual rule - whole thing should take no more than an hour top's (sipping tea and eating cake as I go) - can be done in 20 mins if your breaking a sweat.
Krait Phantom is probably second best for the job for those that don't have Cobra Mk4 access - Python (which is my favourite ship) can't even remotely compete with Cobra 4 on turnaround time if you were wanting to really go at this in a min\max way.

 

[ZAKALWEINC8876]

I rigged my Python for mining, find an icy ring, scan it, if there is a void opal hotspot i just deep mine those. One run is over 200m C.

It surely can’t last!

 

[insanephoton]

Sounds like a more successful trip than the first one I did in one of my alt accounts. First problem was that I was using a laptop and mouse on soft furnishing which caused some control issues. For some reason the indicator thing for seismic charges was obscured by some annoying message about something not being usable in the current mode or some such, resulting in me using too big a charge. As I fumbled with controls, I hit silent running by accident when the charges were about to detonate. I then discovered that close proximity to an exploding asteroid is distinctly unhealthy in a shieldless ship. My Krait Mk II barely survived with the hull taken down to 8%. It was at this point that I discovered that I had forgotten to fit a refinery. The collector limpets just sat there like some recalcitrant teens. I was left with no choice but to limp back to the nearest station for repairs and then go somewhere else to fit a refinery.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Well sounds like you had a bit of fun
You only need one seismic charge launcher - only use one per fissure and pay attention to the type - low for low - medium for medium (you get the idea) - you can "under" strength if you want\need - eg medium in a high. If it goes too high - disarm a couple.
Once it shows optimal yield (in the blue) retreat slightly and light it up - you'll get around 12-15 let loose - then open fire with abrasion blasters (two is optimal on the two outer class 1 slots on the mk4) to clear of everything from the remains. Use collector limpets to save time and you'll come away with around 15- 20 tons minimum per asteroid - I fly my Mk4 with 32 ton in cargo space plus a class 3 refinery which has 8 hoppers - so can bring home 40 tons of goodies.
Don't just hunt void Opals - anything that isn't Bromelite makes good money - you should make around 25-35 mill per trip from breaking 2 or 3 asteroids.
Oh and on hunting - hold (or use elastic band ) on your pulse scanner - to keep it pinging constantly like a sonar - combined with night vision you will see the core asteroids easily - I can basically waste no prospectors at all now - but aim to take out no more than say 15 limpets tops (and that's mainly to have two collectors out at all the time).
Use https://inara.cz/goods/10250/#commodityslotsellmax to work out nearest port to sell at (no more than 2 hops is my usual rule - whole thing should take no more than an hour top's (sipping tea and eating cake as I go) - can be done in 20 mins if your breaking a sweat.
Krait Phantom is probably second best for the job for those that don't have Cobra Mk4 access - Python (which is my favourite ship) can't even remotely compete with Cobra 4 on turnaround time if you were wanting to really go at this in a min\max way.

The Cobra can maneuver/fit in places a large ship can't. I'm using a 3A refinery, of course. 9 hoppers. One class 3A collector drone slot, and one class 1A prospector. I can vary the scrubbers and mining lasers. I have 48 tons of cargo space.

The reason I have two siesmic launchers is because I gave up on wasting a class 2 hardpoint, and I'm a lousy shot.

Plus, overkill is something I am trained for.

I ping away like Richard Widmark in the Bedford Incident. I S-turn slightly above the ring, working with the sun behind me, towards the GG.

With overkill, I get fewer rocks, but more assured kills.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Sounds like a more successful trip than the first one I did in one of my alt accounts. First problem was that I was using a laptop and mouse on soft furnishing which caused some control issues. For some reason the indicator thing for seismic charges was obscured by some annoying message about something not being usable in the current mode or some such, resulting in me using too big a charge. As I fumbled with controls, I hit silent running by accident when the charges were about to detonate. I then discovered that close proximity to an exploding asteroid is distinctly unhealthy in a shieldless ship. My Krait Mk II barely survived with the hull taken down to 8%. It was at this point that I discovered that I had forgotten to fit a refinery. The collector limpets just sat there like some recalcitrant teens. I was left with no choice but to limp back to the nearest station for repairs and then go somewhere else to fit a refinery.

Stop using my playbook!

 

[Shaamaan]

Well sounds like you had a bit of fun
You only need one seismic charge launcher - only use one per fissure and pay attention to the type - low for low - medium for medium (you get the idea)

Uhm... I need to disagree with this! Unless you want to plop as many seismic charges and watch the fireworks... Yes, one launcher is enough, but when starting out it's best to identify lows and overcharge the heck of them. Especially since the whole process is timed, you likely don't want to have to place TOO many charges, lest you run out of time.

Basically, in most cases two overcharged (i.e. high strength) charges placed in low-strength fissures will be enough to optimally blow up an asteroid (two charges in two separate fissures, that is; I haven't tried a two-in-one approach). If you overcharge, then you're likely still good to disarm the latest charge and throw in a med-strengh charge into that low strength fissure. And if you're still missing a bit of charge for that optimal detonation, then a few mid/low charges placed in high/mid-strength fissures will likely seal the deal.

And, obviously, OP: pay attention to the top-right display. "Overcharging" the whole thing yields VERY little resources... and yes, my first void opal core was almost the same. >_<

 

[Gypsy12]

I got my mining Python. Usually make about 160-200 mil in a trip. Great fun just going in and slapping those silly little rocks about. I like to hear them crunch under my mighty hull. Clears the way for the Collectors too! It wont last, but it's been fun. I got a billion in the bank, a new Conda, have my Mining Python now, and will soon have my Exploraphthon. Ive been able to look after my other ships, taking the time to tune them up with GFSDb's…Etc...

Im looking at it like my Xmas pressie from Frontier. [smile]

 

[Wind_Commander]

Had enough to set myself up in an Asp for mining. First run out and managed to bag some opals and low temp diamonds which was enough to pay for the Asp so well happy. Just need to find some better sites and improve at finding the right asteroids - wasn’t really straying far but managed to find a couple of places in system with icy rings and stations buying opals for 1.6m and diamonds for 700k. Happy days!!

 

[Bigmaec]

You did it wrong OP

I went to Ratraii 4 Ice ring on sunday with my Federal Mining Dropship and filled the hold of 64 tons and 8 refinery bins in a bit less then 1.5 hours.
Dropped in 3900 km away from the hotspot and worked my way towards it. I guess I exploded 5 core rocks and finished 3600 km away from the
hotspot.
Went to Tenjin then to sell it for 1.6 million only to realize it was now Centralis with the 1.6 Million. *tada* +100 million cash.

Ah, and the Mining Dropship I transferred from my homebase to Colonia with the cash I generated by flying there with my Krait Phantom Explorer and
testing the FSS. Also netted me another +30 million on top, for 4 days of travel time

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Uhm... I need to disagree with this! Unless you want to plop as many seismic charges and watch the fireworks... Yes, one launcher is enough, but when starting out it's best to identify lows and overcharge the heck of them. Especially since the whole process is timed, you likely don't want to have to place TOO many charges, lest you run out of time.

Basically, in most cases two overcharged (i.e. high strength) charges placed in low-strength fissures will be enough to optimally blow up an asteroid (two charges in two separate fissures, that is; I haven't tried a two-in-one approach). If you overcharge, then you're likely still good to disarm the latest charge and throw in a med-strengh charge into that low strength fissure. And if you're still missing a bit of charge for that optimal detonation, then a few mid/low charges placed in high/mid-strength fissures will likely seal the deal.

And, obviously, OP: pay attention to the top-right display. "Overcharging" the whole thing yields VERY little resources... and yes, my first void opal core was almost the same. >_<

I *like* big explosions.

 

[Pville_Piper]

Yes, the knobbly ice cubes are the only ones you should shoot at. Everything else that shows up on sonar is a waste. You can use up prospector drones at a terrifying rate, otherwise.

For small ships I either don't use prospectors or only use them when you see that the roid has fissures. Use the PWS to find the roid, the cracks are visible, night vision can help you see them, but once you know what they look like you can just fire the seismic charge and it will stick. The only issue, which makes no sense, is that you can't select the charge and disable it if you go above the optimal.

Generally with no prospector limpets 2 high charges and one medium will get that roid into the optimal zone, but sometimes you will need more. It can be tricky do, but I ran a Keelback, on a couple of mining sessions and it worked well with no limpets at all as it is a no drama scooper. The Cobra 's works well in this roll, but scooping is harder in the Cobra.

What I have found using the prospectors is that if you set to medium charges in 2 separate low strength fissures and one high in a medium strength the roid will go to the optimal zone. You can also do 2 high in 2 separate mediums and one medium in one low to get the same result. Targeting high strength fissures will take more charges and be more likely to flip you over the optimal range.

Finally found one with the Fabled Void Opals. After two seismic charges per fissure (some doubled!), I backed off.

But not far enough.

Lost shields, went down to 75% hull. Ouch. But, the Cobra 4, despite it handling like a dump truck, tanked the blast. Engineered hull. Thank you, Selene!

Yes, I have tested this and it you will blow up if you're too close...

I used both Class 2 hardpoints for seismic charges.

Why, even if you use 7 charges for each rock, wich is a lot, you still won't run out of seismic charges if you use one launcher.

Only got 3 opals.

You are overcooking the charges. The indicator has 3 zones, you should not see anything above the thin middle section. If you are, you will lower the amount that you harvest. You should almost always see 10 to 15 nodes released which work out to nearly as many tons as nodes.

Only 199 more runs like that, to get an normally outfitted Anaconda. Or, not. I found ordinary mission running in my Python more fun, or standard mining in the Python.

Pinging away like a WW 2 sub movie isn't my idea of immersive gameplay. I can gather more materials, and net nearly as much in a pristine ring with my Python, and still have fun. With less stress.

Now that everyone is a 20th level mage-fighter, with castles (big ships) and unlimited gold, someone ought to think about having a chat with the Game Master...

Actually I like it. But I have made almost 50 million in a Cobra III with a mixed bag of void opals, genderite and alexanderite and 40 tons of cargo... Never made anything close to that with the Python and old mining.

 

[Deleted member 38366]

AFAIK the Seismic Charges become harmless around 1000m distance.

I wouldn't know exactly though, since my Prospecting and Mining Cutter easily tanks them while still sitting right next to the Asteroid. Good show thou

Only 3 Void Opals though? Seems very poor, don't exceed the top right HUD (total Explosive yield) and look for the Notification "Optimal Yield Range" showing up there.
Should net 12-16 tons from a typical Core Asteroid.

Since you're in Colonia and the CCN Headquarters in Centralis happens to be the current "Sell Void Opals here" Hotspot, here's a little Service for you that might come in handy

Spoiler

(I'll probably continue to update it until 1000 Hotspots)

 

[HugoStiglitz574]

you do not need to run after you find it. Come into the "hotspot" clean with just limpets. The punk will show up, scan you and sense you got nada., he will leave. You are free to fill up till its time to leave. But if you go to another hotspot, then you will get scanned and you will have to fight it out.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

AFAIK the Seismic Charges become harmless around 1000m distance.

I wouldn't know exactly though, since my Prospecting and Mining Cutter easily tanks them while still sitting right next to the Asteroid. Good show thou

Only 3 Void Opals though? Seems very poor, don't exceed the top right HUD (total Explosive yield) and look for the Notification "Optimal Yield Range" showing up there.
Should net 12-16 tons from a typical Core Asteroid.

Since you're in Colonia and the CCN Headquarters in Centralis happens to be the current "Sell Void Opals here" Hotspot, here's a little Service for you that might come in handy

Spoiler

(I'll probably continue to update it until 1000 Hotspots)

Wow. Thank you.