Ricardo evaluates the Panther Clipper as a mining ship in Elite Dangerous, finding that while its large cargo capacity and turreted mining lasers make for efficient mining sessions, the ship struggles with heat management and power demands when using long-range mining lance beam lasers. Ultimately, he suggests the Panther Clipper is a decent miner if properly engineered but may be better suited for hauling mined materials rather than serving as a primary mining vessel.
In this video, Ricardo explores the viability of the Panther Clipper as a mining ship in Elite Dangerous, focusing primarily on laser mining builds. He begins by discussing the ship’s hardpoints and his initial choice to equip it with ten mining lance beam lasers, which offer long range and decent damage but come with the drawback of high heat generation and being fixed weapons. He highlights that while these mining lances can mine from a distance, their excessive heat output and power drain make them less practical without significant engineering upgrades, especially on the power distributor and cooling systems.
Ricardo then details the outfitting of the Panther Clipper, including utility mounts like pulse wave analyzers and point defense turrets to protect against hostile players, as well as cargo racks and limpet controllers for efficient mining operations. He emphasizes the importance of engineering modules such as the power plant, power distributor, and thrusters to improve performance and manage power consumption. The ship’s jump range and maneuverability are also considered, with suggestions on balancing module grades to optimize power and range.
After testing the mining lance beam lasers in an asteroid belt, Ricardo notes the major issue of heat buildup, which makes continuous mining difficult without frequent heat sink usage. He finds that the mining lances, despite their range, are not sustainable for prolonged mining sessions due to overheating. Consequently, he switches to a more traditional setup of turreted standard mining lasers, which require closer proximity to asteroids but generate significantly less heat and are easier to manage with engineering modifications.
With the turreted mining lasers, Ricardo reports a much improved mining experience, with manageable heat levels and efficient power usage, allowing for longer mining sessions without overheating. He also points out the Panther Clipper’s large cargo capacity, making it suitable for extended mining runs. However, he questions whether the ship’s size and handling might make it less practical compared to smaller, more agile ships like the Python or the Keelback for mining, suggesting that the Panther Clipper might be better suited for hauling large quantities of mined materials rather than the mining process itself.
In conclusion, Ricardo finds the Panther Clipper to be a decent laser mining ship if properly engineered, particularly with standard turreted mining lasers rather than mining lances. While it offers excellent cargo space and decent defenses, its large size and heat management challenges with certain mining lasers might limit its appeal as a primary miner. He invites viewers to share their thoughts and builds, considering whether the Panther Clipper should be used mainly for mining or primarily as a hauler in Elite Dangerous.