The video showcases the new Type 11 Prospector, Elite Dangerous’s first dedicated mining ship featuring a distinctive front-positioned cockpit, innovative mining hardpoints, and a new size five mining drone controller module, offering a balanced mix of mining capability and utility. While detailed specs like jump range and mining efficiency remain undisclosed, the ship’s unique design and gameplay potential have generated excitement among players ahead of its early access release.
The video introduces the Type 11 Prospector, a brand new dedicated mining ship coming to Elite Dangerous. Frontier Developments revealed the ship some time ago, but this is the first time it has been shown in action, complete with detailed specs and gameplay footage. The Type 11 Prospector is a Lakeon design, characterized by a utilitarian, industrial look, and is the first purpose-built mining ship in the game. It will initially be available for purchase using ARCs currency during an early access period before becoming available for in-game credits later on.
One of the standout features of the Type 11 Prospector is its cockpit, which is positioned at the very front of the ship, offering an excellent view of mining operations. This elevated cockpit design is typical of Lakeon ships and provides a large viewport, making it potentially appealing for exploration as well, depending on the ship’s jump range, which Frontier describes as decent but has not fully detailed. The ship also impresses with its fold-out launch animation and overall aesthetic, which the presenter finds very appealing.
The ship comes equipped with a new size five mining drone controller internal module, designed specifically for mining ships, which frees up internal space. It also features a new mining tool that fits into a large hardpoint on the ship. This mining hardpoint acts similarly to mining lasers but also functions as an abrasion mining tool, eliminating the need for a separate abrasion mining laser. The video shows the mining weapon in action, highlighting its rapid-fire chain weapon style and impact on asteroids, though its exact effectiveness compared to traditional mining lasers remains to be tested.
In terms of hardpoints and internals, the Type 11 Prospector offers a total of eight hardpoints—four multi-use and four dedicated to mining tools. The ship has a diverse range of optional internal slots, including a fighter bay and a mining drone controller slot, alongside core internals like a size six power plant and size five thrusters. The cargo capacity is around 300 tons when fully outfitted, making it a medium-sized ship with a balanced mix of mining capability and utility.
Overall, the Type 11 Prospector is praised for its unique design, excellent cockpit view, and innovative mining hardpoint. However, many details, especially regarding its mining efficiency and jump range, remain undisclosed, leaving players eager to test the ship themselves once it becomes available in just under three weeks. The video encourages viewers to share their thoughts and anticipates that the new ship will be a valuable addition to Elite Dangerous’s fleet, particularly for players focused on mining gameplay.