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:
The second, third and fourth Grades would combine the effects of Short Range and Sturdy
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.
The first Grade modification would have the following effects:
Beam Laser Class | Fragmentation Rate | Distributor Draw | Thermal Load | Range |
1 | Equal to a Standard 1D Mining Laser | 1.5 | 2 | -30% |
2 | Equal to a Standard 2D Mining Laser | 3 | 4 | -30% |
3 | Equal to two Standard 2D Mining Lasers | 6 | 8 | -30% |
4 | Equal to four Standard 2D Mining Lasers | 12 | 16 | -30% |
The second, third and fourth Grades would combine the effects of Short Range and Sturdy
Attribute | G2 | G3 | G4 | G5 |
Integrity | +50% | +100% | +150% | +200% |
Mass | +0% | +50% | +100% | +150% |
Armour Piercing | +0% | +0% | +14% | +30% |
Damage | 27% | +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.
Last edited: