In Star Citizen patch 4.9, the standard Graycat ROC remains broken with unusable mining arm controls, while the ROC-DS and GEO variants continue to function effectively for mining. Although scanning mechanics have become inconsistent and mining contracts offer better reputation gains than profit, selling mined materials directly remains the more lucrative option for players.
In this video, the creator reviews the current state of ROC mining in Star Citizen patch 4.9, focusing primarily on the Graycat ROC, which has been a problematic vehicle for mining. Despite hopes that 4.9 would fix the issues, the standard Graycat ROC remains broken, particularly its mining arm controls. The creator tests the ROC firsthand and confirms that the arm cannot be controlled, rendering it ineffective for mining. However, other ROC variants like the ROC-DS and the GEO continue to function properly, providing viable alternatives for players interested in ROC mining.
The video begins with a practical mining session on the moon Magda, where the creator scans for hand minables such as hadanite. They explain their choice of bringing both the Graycat ROC and the ROC-DS to compare functionality, noting that while the Graycat ROC is broken, the ROC-DS operates smoothly, allowing for proper scanning, breaking, and extraction of minerals. The GEO also performs well, confirming that not all ROC vehicles are affected by the issues plaguing the standard Graycat ROC.
One notable change highlighted is the inconsistency in the scanning mechanics after breaking down gems. Sometimes the scan highlights all nearby resources, but other times it only reveals those very close to the mining arm, leading to a somewhat unreliable experience. This inconsistency could be either a new design choice or an unintended bug, but it affects how players approach resource gathering. Additionally, the creator observes what seems to be an increase in payouts for some hand mining contracts, though they caution that these contracts are still generally less profitable than selling the mined materials directly.
The creator emphasizes that while these contracts may not offer the best monetary rewards, they do contribute toward reputation gains, which can unlock more valuable rewards in the game. Therefore, players interested in building reputation should consider completing these contracts despite the lower profit margins. For those focused solely on maximizing credits, selling the materials independently remains the better option. This distinction between profit and reputation is an important consideration for players engaging with the ROC mining loop.
In conclusion, the video provides an honest and detailed update on ROC mining in patch 4.9. The standard Graycat ROC remains non-functional, but the ROC-DS and GEO are reliable alternatives. Scanning mechanics have become inconsistent, and while mining contracts offer decent reputation gains, they fall short on profitability. The creator invites viewers to share their experiences with ROC mining in the patch and whether they want future videos to include the full selling process. Overall, the video serves as a helpful real-time test and reaction to the current state of ROC mining in Star Citizen.