In the latest update on Elite Dangerous, Ricardo discusses the reveal of the new Type-11 Prospector, a ship designed primarily for mining. The announcement came through Frontier’s new streaming format, replacing their previous Frontier Unlocked series. Hosted by Phil from the Frontier Community Team with Curtis providing insights, the stream highlighted that while the Type-11 Prospector is mainly a mining vessel, it also has potential roles as an explorer and cargo runner thanks to its large, well-placed cockpit offering excellent views.
The ship features eight hard points in total, with two dedicated to mining tools. Four hard points are traditional defensive weapon mounts—one medium and three small—intended for light defense rather than heavy combat. The other four hard points include one large, one small, and two medium slots specifically for mining equipment. The standout is the large front-mounted specialized mining laser, which operates more like a Gatling gun firing bursts of lasers and doubles as an abrasion blaster, allowing miners to shave off materials from asteroid surfaces efficiently.
Ricardo comments on the ship’s design, noting the industrial look and the off-center cockpit, which he finds more of a novelty than practical. He also points out how the side window offers a view of the mining laser in action, which might be distracting since it pulls focus away from the asteroid being mined. Despite some reservations about the ship’s appeal, he acknowledges that the Type-11’s unique mining laser could influence mining tactics and potentially become the new mining meta.
Regarding internal modules, the Type-11 has 12 optional internal slots, including two special ones. Notably, it can be fitted with a size five mining limpet controller, a new specialized module that offers comprehensive mining capabilities. The ship also includes a fighter bay for additional defense, reflecting concerns about its relatively light weaponry. Core internals include a size six power plant, size five thrusters and Frame Shift Drive (FSD) for decent jump range, and a size seven power distributor to support the energy demands of mining tools.
Ricardo wraps up by sharing his personal thoughts, expressing some hesitation about switching from his preferred mining ships like the Cutter and Type-8 to the Type-11 Prospector. However, he remains open to trying it out once it releases on September 23rd. Overall, the Type-11 represents Frontier’s first purpose-built mining ship, and its release is highly anticipated by the Elite Dangerous community for fulfilling specialized mining roles in the game.
