Mole Crew Thoughts

[Black Sunder]

The Mole is coming Soon™. So I had some thoughts on it like I normally do about crew roles. I see this as a 4-6 person ship with the 6th person being the Processing Room Operator when that mechanic finally gets put ingame. So its really a 4-5 person crew atm. While it can be flown solo I think people do themselves a grave disservice doing this as it was not in any way designed to be a solo ship but one meant to work with people aboard.

1. Pilot

• Maneuvers Ship to optimal positions
• Monitors surrounding space for threats
• Moves ship in case of rock overload

2. Co-Pilot - Optional

• Monitors power requirements and adjusts as necessary
• Monitors and adjusts shielding to minimize ship damage

3. Forward Mining Cab(Foreman)

• Communicates to pilot optimal distance and positions(if needed)
• Communicates the "ABORT" to Pilot to back ship off
• Oversees and commands the 2 Side Mining Cabs(Lancers)
• Scans for rocks

Ideally imo the Foreman would have a Lancet head equipped so it can cool the rock's reaction down if necessary and stabilize it further due to that laser head's stats. If not then this should be a Helix laser but 3 Helix lasers on a rock gives severely diminishing returns for the 3rd.

4-5. Side Cab Operators(Lancers L1(left) & L2(right))

• Operate semi-independently if working smaller rocks
• Heed Foreman's instructions when working in concert on a much larger rock.
• Scans for rocks

Ideally imo the Lancers would be equipped with Helix mining lasers due to their power and other stats with the Foreman having a different one. As documented here when it comes to the multiplicative nature of the buffs/debuffs on the lasers, 3 of the sale laser on the vehicle may be a hindrance.

Any additions? Comments? "Sunder is completely wrong and this is why"?

Lets discuss this.

 

[Printimus]

i like guacamole

 

[Radegast74]

And I love mole sauce...for those who don't know:

Mole (sauce) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[CosmicTrader]

Another great post. Thanks.

While it can be flown solo I think people do themselves a grave disservice doing this as it was not in any way designed to be a solo ship but one meant to work with people aboard.

Yes, however some people can not afford both a Prospector & a Mole. They may want to solo play on occasions so it is good that the Mole can be used this way.

Processing Room Operator

Does it have a Processing Room? I was unaware of this, thanks for the info.

 

[SoloPlayerZA]

As it has come out now - has anyone taken it for a spin?

I am going to mostely be a solo player.

I have read the notes for solo players - but will npc crew be able to help you on this ship if you play solo? And this will probably be in 2 years time right?

TLDR: any solo players getting this ship or rather stick with prospector?

 

[Black Sunder]

Another great post. Thanks.
Yes, however some people can not afford both a Prospector & a Mole. They may want to solo play on occasions so it is good that the Mole can be used this way.
Does it have a Processing Room? I was unaware of this, thanks for the info.

Thank you!
Agreed but running it solo seems to be wasting a lot of potential.
The 'Processing Room' was seen in the file structure of the Mole when the leaks first started coming out. Whether or not it has any kind of station to it, I guess we'll find out down the road. Probably just a name given to that section of the ship for identification. We may never know.

 

[SoloFlyer]

As it has come out now - has anyone taken it for a spin?

I am going to mostely be a solo player.

I have read the notes for solo players - but will npc crew be able to help you on this ship if you play solo? And this will probably be in 2 years time right?

TLDR: any solo players getting this ship or rather stick with prospector?

When you say "notes for solo players" is that in anything like a guide for how to Mole solo or "Molo"?

 

[Mich Angel]

So far it seem the Mole is very strong, we exploded a rock the size of the cockpit and the Mole only did a back flip from the blast.
Didn't even scratch the pain on it...

 

[Michael]

Copilot ATM doesn't seems to be really needed. Never noticed we have been forced to change the power scheme.

Agreed on sunders post

 

[Mich Angel]

Copilot ATM doesn't seems to be really needed. Never noticed we have been forced to change the power scheme.

Agreed on sunders post

Yeah IMO remove the co-pilot seat and put pilot seat in middle and make floor under feat and left/right side glass and the pilot can see just fine where to be for the laser operator to do their work.

 

[Sayora]

As it has come out now - has anyone taken it for a spin?

I am going to mostely be a solo player.

I have read the notes for solo players - but will npc crew be able to help you on this ship if you play solo? And this will probably be in 2 years time right?

TLDR: any solo players getting this ship or rather stick with prospector?

I have used my Mole both solo and with a group. Honestly I think the Mole is very solo able, getting up and down isn't that big an issue and if nothing else the 96SCU makes it so you can stay out a lot longer then the Prospector and worth getting up and down. However the ship is SUPER fun in group.

As for Laser configs, my thoughts is since it's kinda rare to find 3 rocks really close enough for all to mine a the same time, have the main cab with a Helix one of the sides or maybe both with Lancers for support beaming.

 

[Black Sunder]

Having gotten some hands on experience now with the mole I have a few thoughts.

1. I like the ship a lot. Of course.
2. Besides its slow roll speed it maneuvers well. Better than a Prospector.
3. Communication is key and as the pilot I had no problem maneuvering how the Foreman wanted to get the position to inspect the rocks or break them. Talking to all of the laser ops seemed very natural and there was a good back and forth between me the Pilot and the Foreman. As the pilot I wasn't bored.
4. The ship holds a lot even in its current bugged state. This is good.
5. The increased scanner range worked beautifully. The cabs having their own scanners was great because we could all scan and share that scan data.

Frankly in the couple times I took it out with a crew I had a good time.

Cons:

The Mole absolutely needs the laser heads upgraded first and foremost, even if they are just to the Hofstede. You just can't mine some things with the stock lasers. They are too weak.

 

[Sayora]

The Mole absolutely needs the laser heads upgraded first and foremost, even if they are just to the Hofstede. You just can't mine some things with the stock lasers. They are too weak.

This is truth, for 12k the Hofstede is really needed and a good stepping stone to the Helix or others.

 

[Sky Captain]

Good ideas here on how this ship will function, thanks!

I can't wait for the future stories about how some lowbie NPC unskilled in mining blew up the ship.