Zemina Torval's Power-specific Module: Mining Lance is functionally useless. Replace it with an Engineering Modification: "Mining Lance." This Engineering Modification would be available from engineers that offer Beam Laser modifications as long as you've met and maintained the Pledging requirement for Zemina Torval. (note: a half-measure would be to make a (Turreted) 3D Beam Laser with the full G5 modification available at Human Technology Brokers in Zemina Torval controlled space.)

The first Grade modification would have the following effects:
Beam Laser ClassFragmentation RateDistributor DrawThermal LoadRange
1Equal to a Standard 1D Mining Laser1.52-30%
2Equal to a Standard 2D Mining Laser34-30%
3Equal to two Standard 2D Mining Lasers68-30%
4Equal to four Standard 2D Mining Lasers1216-30%

The second, third and fourth Grades would combine the effects of Short Range and Sturdy
AttributeG2G3G4G5
Integrity+50%+100%+150%+200%
Mass+0%+50%+100%+150%
Armour Piercing+0%+0%+14%+30%
Damage27%+39%+51%+63%

Since mining is limited by range (tied to limpet speed) and by fragmentation rate (tied to Distributor Draw), these engineered mining lances would not be faster than existing mining options. The range increase is of dubious value for mining (as you want to be fairly close to the asteroid to cut down on limpet travel time), and the Distributor Draw rates per fragment generated are identical to existing options. The two advantages the new lances provide are reducing the number of hardpoints that need to be devoted to mining beams and increasing the defensive capability of a mining-focused ship.

I chose treating this as a modification primarily to make it exclusive with the "Efficient" modification. The impact "Efficient" has on Distributor Draw could effectively double the laser-mining rate which I don't think is within the scope of a Power Play reward. The experimental effects remain available, but none of them impact mining efficiency.
 
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I would like them to be classified as a beam laser so they can be engineered. Make an efficient mod so they can mine a little faster and draw less power/heat.
 
I would give Torwal then an Abrasion Blaster that doubles as a Fragment Cannon. Would see more use like that. And then they can allow engineering without affecting mining balance in any meaningful magnitude.
 
I would like them to be classified as a beam laser so they can be engineered. Make an efficient mod so they can mine a little faster and draw less power/heat.
The modification was intended for beam lasers only. I've updated the original post to make it clearer. The problem with allowing an efficient mod is that it would effectively double the maximum rate of mining. While that would be neat on an individual level, it would create another round of massive credit inflation. Ultimately that'd require another mining rebalance. As for the other Modifications available for Beams:
  • Light Weight Mount: This mod is problematic for the same reason "Efficient" is problematic (e.g. reduces Distributer Draw).
  • Long-range Weapon: More range is actively detrimental to limpet efficiency.
  • Overcharged Weapon: The damage increase is accomplished via the basic proposed mod (which combines G1-G4 effects of Sturdy Weapon and Short Ranged Blaser). The increase in Distributor Draw makes this modification unattractive.
 
The Mining Lance is useful on the rear hardpoints of a Cutter, but that's about all currently. If it was to be updated again increasing the mineral extraction rate would be the most logical imho.

CMDR Justinian Octavius
 
The Mining Lance is useful on the rear hardpoints of a Cutter, but that's about all currently. If it was to be updated again increasing the mineral extraction rate would be the most logical imho.

CMDR Justinian Octavius
I've seen this opinion before, but I don't see how they're worth it. A 2D Mining Laser mounted on the rear nacelles can hit an asteroid at 300m just fine. Why sacrifice speed of fragmentation for range that doesn't do much more than increase the time it takes for limpets to collect the fragments? Genuinely asking - I've tried the Mining Lance on the rear hardpoints of my Cutter, and all they did was slow me down.
 
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