Solo Breaking Big Mass Rocks - How To Break ANY SIZED Rock in the Verse

[@derBerg]

You simply do the best and straight forward deep mining tutorials without unessecary bla but a good explaining voice. This is the way.

[@RedMonsterSC]

Just wait until I start teaching Salvage!

[@RedMonsterSC]

Thanks for being here! My current solo break mass record (that I have on video) is 8383 mass and 32% Quantainium. I think I've been able to break an 8800 mass rock a few patches ago, but don't seem to have it recorded. Drop your record below and let me know if you have a different combination of lasers, modules and gadgets that you prefer to use!

[@jimisimmonds8854]

Is this outdated? I find rocks with a mass higher than 50,000 quite often in 3.23.

[@RedMonsterSC]

@@jimisimmonds8854 yes, there was a big overhaul in 3.19 which adjusted rock masses a lot. I've got some more recent videos that cover it in detail.
ua-cam.com/video/xolR87GlkQU/v-deo.html

[@jimisimmonds8854]

@@RedMonsterSC Thanks! Invaluable resource, I've been using your cheat sheets too. Subbed. :)

[@hawkzulu5671]

O7. After getting the hang of the modules/gadgets, ive been running a fully passive Lancet fit on the Prospector with two Focus III and one Torrent III and can solo rocks up to about 6,500 mass with no probs - but also have a couple gadgets in the backpack- if i run across something heavier. Ive run this pattern so i can just robotically go out and return with full quant loads fast so i can buy a few ships. Today i bought my M.O.L.E. - so now ill start the drills and practice to get familiar with running this ship. I think its going to be Fun.

[@onsberg]

I use an Impact laser with a Focus III passive module and a brandt and lifeline active modules. For larger rocks I use a Boremax gadget.
The goal is to lower resistance and use high instability to reach the optimal window. When I hit that I activate the brandt and try to stay in the optimal zone. Charging will be slower with the Boremax but the brandt is active for 90 secs which should be enough. For safety I have a lifeline I can pop if I cannot control the power and the rock overcharges.
It takes some practice but this way I can solo 8k rocks. On second breaks I don't use the Boremax as the Impact laser delivers enough power for sub 4k rocks.
As for returning to a rock I don't use mission packages. It takes too long to go get them. I just use the QT interface to triangulate my position. With three distances to fixed locations it is trivial to return to the same location.
Also bring a tractor beam to retrieve mining gadgets. It is a time and money saver.

[@3xtR1m_]

G.O.A.T. i've managed a 8000 mass following this on my mole solo. By far the most detailed video out there, thanks!

[@EdwardBoudreaux]

This module set worked great for me. First attempt was a 7833 mass. I blew four Surge charges getting the power right, but it cracked with no overheating. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@tripperdan]

I can't wait for the Halo to get back into a useful state, at this time we are seeing 50% to 80% dud scans.
Thanks for this large rock cracking technique review.

[@jwonyoutube]

Great tip emphasizing that Optimum will cancel your Stampede so only use Optimum as a failsafe when you’re about to fall out (or just fell out) of the green zone and you only need a cpl more seconds of charging to finish the rock off. I typically have a Vaux 3 in that 3rd slot to reduce the laser shakes but I’ll try Optimum instead. Awesome vid 👏👏👏

[@williambarbe4512]

I have good success running my Prospector with a Helix, Focus III, Rieger and a Surge and can handle greater than 7000 mass rocks. Haven't run across any 8000+ rocks yet but I don't mine quantanium. Takes too long for me now to dock at an L1 station without the open docking platform.

[@northendtrooper]

Best tutorial yet! Really liking the instructing flow.

[@behelith]

I break quantanium rocks up to 6k mass without using ANY modules at all, just using a Lancet MH1 Mining Laser on a Prospector. Instead of focusing the mining laser on one point, move the laser around over the surface of the rock and heat up a larger area. There are areas that are more sensitive to heat than others you need to find, so circle strafe around the rock to find them. Move your laser in circles or wide lines to heat up a larger area. This technique requires some practice and good pilot skills, also it will take more time to break the rock. Since you're not using surge or stampede modules chances that the rock will explode in your face are much lower, but chances that you'll crash your ship into the surface of the planet will be higher. I personally like the challenge to break the rocks relying on pilot skills rather than modules. You can combine this technique with one surge charge to make it a bit faster or to crack bigger rocks.

[@JackalX111]

Love the tip about leaving a parcel at a good mining location!

[@onsberg]

If you don't have a parcel ready use the Quant Drive interface to triangulate your position.

[@chrisp.2544]

I've got a single S2 Helix on my MOLE and I carry some Boremax and Sabir gadgets around. This combo can break any sized quant rock - with the caveat that the greenzone is REALLY tiny. I should probably look to putting an Optimum on the Helix just to make life that little bit easier. Best results so far, size 8300 45% next to a 7500 38%. That was was an almost 100% quant full MOLE except that I got impatient as time ticked down and ended up with 92SCU of quant and 4 of trash.

[@ghazman6141]

Such wise words...mine with a friend. My problem is that I'm peerless in a peer based society :)

[@RedMonsterSC]

I feel your pain, friend. Excellence is hard to find.

[@billrupp9261]

Thanks for putting this together!

[@ItzAllMine360]

Excellent dude thanks for this.

[@timbiddulph]

Great video! I am using 2x surge and a stampede but will definitely try the optimum now I know about it. Using 2 surge because of the cool-down.

[@J.F.K.O]

thanks for the tips, have the prospector but haven't gotten around to do any serious mining in it. Oh and the package marker may be the best advice i have ever gotten :) i will sure remember that one

[@soulbite4897]

Finally released this :D been waiting awhile!

[@bobeveridge6600]

All are welcome in the RL!

[@RazorTheHackman]

Great video! Can't wait for the big rocks to come out.

[@novalis791]

Excellent

[@Scott-qv4nj]

Red I have seen your table show Helix one at -30% instability and the same for Helix II. Erkul has the Helix II at -50% instability. Just questioning which is right. The Helix II is the most expensive laser and I have heard of guys using Brandt module with it for quant. Just something to discuss and maybe you can give your comments.

[@jameswilson4436]

Is the issue with active modules cancelling each other out a new issue? I don't think I have seen that.

[@OneSh0tReset]

Best solo rock was 33% at 6500 mass or something like that. Nothing crazy but profitable for sure!

[@timdavis6913]

Multiple targets on Lyria are always Quantanium.

[@taunhawk9888]

Thanks for another great video on mining ☺️ Where do you purchase the Surge Module? I have been to every L1 Refinery shop and have not seen one available yet. I do see some blanked out place markers at the bottom of the lists. Are these by chance limited in supply? Or do I need to search at a main planet city? Thanks for any tips

[@RedMonsterSC]

Check the universal item finder from cstone. They have a list of where to find each module, since it's not available at every location.

[@taunhawk9888]

@@RedMonsterSC Thanks for the tip, found it right away on their list

[@fullarmor0]

Yesterday we were 3 mole to break a 75k mass rock with 30% gold

[@jasongarner340]

Do the fltr xl modules effect stack? Like can i put three of them on my prospector and get any benefit? Would love to filter out more insert material

[@RedMonsterSC]

Yes, they stack for the same laser, but don't provide benefits for other mining lasers working on the same rock. With three of them in place you'll filter out around 48% of Inert material.

[@sierratango8381]

Nice video - well edited. However, I disagree as to best quantainium mining method. Double surge method relies too heavily on precise timing with the really large rocks, i.e. 6500+. Mole has three lasers as you point out. One laser should be setup as a Lancet for COLLECTION (and final break) with three FLTR-XL or two plus a Brandt for those tricky smaller 100% quant rocks. A second laser should be setup as MIDSIZE breaker with Lancet with Surge, Stampede, plus Optimum, or Brandt, or Rieger C3, (last module is preference). The third laser should be setup as BIG breaker with HELIX (yes Helix - nearly 50% more power here - let gadgets compensate for Helix versus Lancet characteristics) with Surge, Brandt, plus Rieger C3, (last module is preference). When using the Helix on quant you must first attach a Boremax, and two Waveshift gadgets to the rock (collect them after the break). Using that module/gadget combo gives you -165% resistance, +75% optimal window, -10% instability (the Brandt consumable fixes this factor with it's -75% instability ), -30% charge rate (a little slow but OK). BUT do not go into the red as the charge rate is about +200%. Example: no exaggeration, I've broken 8000+, 45%+ quant rocks in less than 60 seconds with this setup (once the gadgets are in place). PLUS it does not require the pro-level timing factor that double surging really big rocks requires. Newer miners really struggle with big rock double surging. Best rock with this method: 8400 48% without breaking a sweat. Seriously... Helix, Boremax, 2x Waveshift, and Brandt and you can break ANY rock without all the pro timing skills of double surge. Now, go forth and break like a pro.
If you want to do this with a Prospector and a Lancet, go with Boremax, 2x Stalwart, Surge, maybe a Torrent III for some added power, and a Brandt, (-185% resistance, +90% optimal window, -115% instability (when the Brandt active), +70% charge rate (like having a built-in Stampede). Take a dead reckoning fix and navigate back to the rock to collect whatever you had to leave behind beyond the 32SCU capacity of a Prospector.

[@RedMonsterSC]

Good advice, and I think it's helpful to see how people take different perspectives on optimization. I honestly haven't been very impressed with mining gadgets, as they take too much time to deploy and retrieve to be efficient, and with my initial testing they weren't consistently recoverable. I could certainly see their benefits in situations like this, where you're pushing the limits.

[@sierratango8381]

@@RedMonsterSC I agree with your perspective. The gadgets are a pain to deploy and recover (typically 2 of three recoverable). It adds five to ten minutes to a big break. But... double surging big rocks adds time as well. How often do you get it the first time? Run out of surges? How many minutes does that add to a big break? Spend time here; or, spend time there. Regardless, this stuff takes time. What my suggested method brings to the table is surety. When I roll in on an 8000 45%+ rock I know for sure I'll break it without any sweat or doubt. Double surge on a big rock has some subjective factors that are hard to compensate for until you've become really good at rock breaking.
Idea: Maybe do a video on dead reckoning navigation in SC. Let's say you broke a 65 SCU quant rock in a Prospector and you want to come back and get the second half. How do you get back to the rock to collect the remaining quant? Example: from the rock you broke, you're 25.2k at 250 degrees from SAL-2. Easy. Return to SAL-2 - hover above it. Use your HUD display to align heading to 070 (reciprocal heading of 250) and fly STRAIGHT for 25.2k. Carefully... you need to get within 1 or 2k for the broken rocks to display.
Pro-level: Find two good rocks (25 to 45 SCU each) to fill your Mole in one run. Take a dead reckoning fix on both of them. Then plot both on polar graph paper. Then calculate distance between and the heading and reciprocal heading between them. Then break both rocks. Then collect quant from the first, move with HASTE to the second, and go back with a BIG load in a single run. Takes a little math and practice but saves time with fewer runs back and forth to the refinery. I make millions doing this. I've done this with rocks 30k+ apart and make it back in time. If you know how to polar plot it's easy.

[@onsberg]

@@RedMonsterSC Since I have started taking a multi tool with a tractor beam with me. I have not lost any mining gadgets. Also I only use one at a time as multiple gadget ifaik will result in at least one being destroyed.

[@jossiwales]

THOSE ARE NOT BIG MASS ROCKS. Im sitting here looking at a 96k mass rock with 40% quant and 3 crew members. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO BREAK THIS!

[@RedMonsterSC]

Hey, sadly these were from the previous mass calculations before 3.19 changed everything. At the time they were considered huge, but since then the mass calculations have been updated and this is no longer possible.

[@gotjucom]

none of these stats are correct

[@RedMonsterSC]

I guess that's the downside of having videos more than a few months old in a game that changes pretty regularly.

[@gotjucom]

@@RedMonsterSC keep up the good work, thanks for your content. I enjoy seeing those big rocks crack