The Elite Dangerous Rhino hotfix increases portable mining rig yields from 9 to 12 tons, improving surface mining viability and addresses several gameplay and UI bugs, including fixes to the Under Siege operation and on-foot wing UI. While one known issue with premature mission completion remains, the update reflects Frontier’s commitment to refining the Rhino experience based on player feedback.
The Rhino update for Elite Dangerous has received its first hotfix, addressing several significant issues that players encountered at launch. The most notable change is an increase in the mining yield from the portable mining rigs, which was initially capped at 9 tons. This limit has now been raised to 12 tons, responding to widespread criticism that the original yield was too low and not reflective of the developers’ intentions. This adjustment makes surface mining more viable and rewarding, encouraging players to give the Rhino another try.
Frontier had acknowledged early on that the 9-ton yield was not the final intended value, and the test server lacked engineering materials that would normally be part of mining rewards. The hotfix aims to rectify these early shortcomings and improve the overall mining experience. While this increase doesn’t necessarily settle the debate on whether surface mining can compete with traditional asteroid mining, it does invalidate any early profitability comparisons based on the lower yield, making the Rhino more appealing for mining activities.
Aside from mining adjustments, the hotfix also addresses several gameplay and UI bugs. One notable fix resolves an issue where the on-foot wing UI would sometimes fail to display properly. Additionally, placeholder text that appeared during the challenging Under Siege operation has been corrected. The difficulty of certain stages in Under Siege, specifically stages one and three, has been balanced, and the easy difficulty level for the Biohazard Takedown operation has been adjusted, potentially making it more challenging.
Despite these improvements, one known issue remains unresolved: the Under Siege operation can sometimes complete prematurely. Frontier is aware of this problem and is actively working on a fix. Overall, the hotfix shows that Frontier is responsive to community feedback and committed to refining the Rhino update to enhance player experience.
In summary, the Rhino hotfix brings a meaningful boost to mining yields and addresses several bugs and balance issues, making surface mining more rewarding and gameplay smoother. Players are encouraged to revisit the Rhino and reassess its economic viability in Elite Dangerous. Whether this update convinces players to fully embrace the Rhino or remain skeptical is still up for debate, but the improvements mark a positive step forward.