Optimal mining build?

Ok, I'm really confused by the number of mining tools. Are mining lasers still a thing or a thing of the past? What is an optimal mining build and why?
 
Ok, I'm really confused by the number of mining tools. Are mining lasers still a thing or a thing of the past? What is an optimal mining build and why?

Mining lasers still have a use. I have been cracking open rocks and still mining the old fashioned way for bromellite and the original stuff including mats!
my Python is still a work in progress but has two mining lances, a surface abrasion launcher, seismic launcher and displacement launcher.
 
Mining lasers are still a thing, but are not needed for core mining, which is highly profitable once you get the hang of it, and pretty profitable even when you have no clue what you're doing.

For core mining you need a pulse wave analyzer in a utility slot, a seismic charge launcher (class 2 hardpoint), abrasion blaster (class 1 hardpoint), a refinery, a cargo slot, and a prospector limpet. To find the hot spots you need a detailed surface scanner, and collection limpets are nice to have as well, but it could be done with out those modules.

An optimal mining build for core mining for me would need at least 6 internals for the 2 limpet controllers, refinery, DSS, cargo, and shields. I've used both a Phantom and Python. The Python is in my opinion the optimal deep core mining ship, as you can have everything you want and need for the task, 200+ tons of cargo, left over hardpoints for real weapons to fight off npc pirates, and a gold paint job.
 
I've been trying to make sense of the new system. The way I see it, the original mining lasers are for entry level and no fuss mining. You need x amount of material or ore, just load up the mining lasers and a refinery.

The subsurface missiles are for just that, subsurface deposits only. I personally find these of limited use, but there might be niche jobs for them.

The ultimate mining tool is the seismic charge launcher. You use these to set the optimal charge against asteroid fissures, and then detonate the asteroid.

Lastly, collector and prospector limpets are still vital mining paraphernelia which make the job a lot easier. You still use these in the same way they were used pre-Chapter 4. The other notable addition is the detailed surface scanner, which (properly configured under Controls) allows you to fire probes into a planetary ring and identify any hotspots. Very useful, and lots of fun if you're into that sort of thing.

Personally, I love my fully engineered Type-10. It's large enough and mean enough to carry everything I need for decent mining sessions, but it can still pack a punch if some pesky pirates come asking for trouble.

o7 and good luck with the mining, commander! let us know if you have any other questions.

Pro-tip: Pay attention to the symbols that display after a prospector probe scans an asteroid. You'll learn quickly to differentiate between surface deposits, sub-surface deposits, and asteroid fissures.

Pro-tip: You can deactivate a seismic charge if it exceeds the optimal yield. You can do that from the contacts menu, and scrolling down the seismic warhead contacts.
 
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In general, you decide if you want to core mine, which means seismic and abrasion, or laser strip mine the old way.

The only material I've found that you'll want to combine methods is when hunting for LTD's. They can show up as cores, sub-surface, and traditional deposits.
Incidentally, this is the only time I'm using the sub-surface missiles. Which is disappointing. Really hoping they add some of the gem commodities as sub-surface deposits in a future update.
 
Yep lasers are still worthwhile; after you crack a core open, you can use an abrasion blaster to remove surface deposits, and then a mining laser to get the last fragments out of the asteroid.

So in my T10 I run 2 small abrasion blasters, a medium seismic launcher, and a medium laser.
 
My favourite DC miner build is based on a Challenger now with just a prospector for fissure locations (although you might be able to use them without a prospector as they are visible), typical max frags is about 14 for an optimum detonation so easy enough to scoop manually.

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/all...2EDM8CmBDA5gG2SGF8hRFA&bn=Challenger DC miner

Ice ring asteroid with a core

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One of the elusive fissures!

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Thank you all for the advice. As far as I gathered - if I'm only after core materials I can do without lasers and subsurface missiles and can carry more charges.
 
If you’re in an asp x I’ll shoot over my build when I get back on the PC. Sure it’s only 64 cargo space but it’s the best imo especially using VR cause you can see everything around you which is highly needed.
 
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