The 4.9 PTU update significantly increases mining laser power for ships like the Prospector and Mole, enhancing mining efficiency and introducing new combat uses for the lasers, though the largest rocks still require multiple ships to mine effectively. Additional gameplay improvements include refined refueling and repair mechanics and clearer hit marker sounds, making the update a positive but interim step toward better mining gameplay.
The video begins with a detailed overview of the recent mining laser power increases in the game’s 4.9 PTU update. Various mining heads for ships like the Prospector, Mole, and Golem have received significant power boosts, ranging from 21% to 24%. For example, the Helix mining laser for the Prospector saw an increase from 3150 to nearly 4000 power, marking a substantial improvement. The streamer notes that while they are not an expert miner, the numbers suggest a meaningful enhancement in mining capabilities.
Testing starts with the Prospector and Mole ships, highlighting the differences between them. The Mole, being more versatile with multiple mining heads, benefits from the power increase across its lasers, making it more effective for solo or crew mining. The streamer also experiments with using the upgraded mining lasers as weapons, demonstrating their ability to quickly destroy turrets and damage subcomponents on larger ships, although they cannot penetrate heavy armor. This opens up potential for mining lasers to be used in combat or piracy scenarios.
In practical mining tests, the streamer attempts to crack various rocks with different masses. While the increased laser power makes mining easier on smaller rocks, very large or heavy rocks remain impossible to break with a single Prospector, indicating that multiple Moles may still be necessary for the biggest mining tasks. The streamer emphasizes the need to manage laser power carefully, as the higher power can make some rocks harder to mine due to instability and smaller optimal windows.
Additional gameplay elements are explored, such as the new restrictions on refueling, repairing, and restocking to prevent simultaneous actions, improving the user experience. The streamer also showcases the refined hit marker sounds that indicate whether damage is being done to shields or armor, adding clarity during combat. Using the upgraded lasers, they demonstrate quick destruction of enemy turrets and subcomponents on various ships, reinforcing the lasers’ utility beyond mining.
In conclusion, the update provides a notable improvement in mining laser power, especially benefiting the Mole’s multi-laser setup and enhancing solo and crew mining efficiency. However, it does not fully resolve the challenge of mining the largest rocks, which still require multiple ships. The streamer suggests experimenting with different mining heads to balance power, stability, and optimal window for the best results. Overall, the changes are a positive step forward but are seen as an interim solution until larger mining vehicles become available.