What’s the Best Weapon for Mining Asteroids in No Man’s Sky?

The simple answer to the question of the best weapon for mining asteroids in No Man’s Sky is not as straightforward as you might hope. While you can use starship weapons like the Phase Beam or Photon Cannon, they aren’t the most efficient for resource gathering. The true answer lies with the Mining Laser and its upgrades, specifically the Advanced Mining Laser. Let’s delve into why and explore the nuances of asteroid mining in the vast universe of No Man’s Sky.

Why Not Starship Weapons?

Although Photon Cannons and Phase Beams are capable of breaking down asteroids, they are designed for combat, not resource acquisition. This means they have a lower yield, take longer to destroy asteroids, and are less efficient overall compared to a dedicated mining tool. Think of it like using a hammer to drive a screw – technically possible, but far from ideal. Starship weapons are best left for combat encounters, leaving asteroid mining to the right tool for the job.

The Superiority of the Mining Laser

The Mining Laser is your dedicated tool for extracting valuable materials from asteroids. It’s not a weapon in the traditional sense, but rather a specialized device designed for efficient resource gathering. Unlike ship weapons, the mining laser breaks asteroids down into usable resources like Silver, Gold, and Platinum (and other rarer materials).

Upgrading Your Mining Laser

While the base Mining Laser is functional, upgrading it significantly improves its performance. The Advanced Mining Laser is the key here. This upgrade increases mining speed, reduces the time required to break down asteroids, and improves the yield of resources you gather. You’ll quickly notice the difference in the amount of materials you collect per minute after installing this.

How to Obtain the Advanced Mining Laser

The Advanced Mining Laser isn’t just handed to you at the beginning. There are a few ways to obtain this crucial upgrade:

• Base Computer Archives Quest: This questline is a reliable way to earn the Advanced Mining Laser. Simply follow the quest objectives and you will unlock it.
• Awakenings Quest: This questline also offers the Advanced Mining Laser as a reward during its final stages.
• Iteration: Eos on the Space Anomaly: For 75 Nanite Clusters, you can purchase the blueprint for the Advanced Mining Laser from Iteration: Eos located on the Space Anomaly. This is usually the fastest method if you have the Nanites to spend.

Asteroid Mining Techniques

Having the right tool is important, but so is knowing how to use it. Here are some tips for efficient asteroid mining:

• Dense ‘Roid Fields: Seek out areas with a high concentration of asteroids, these fields offer a good amount of resources and continuous mining opportunities.
• The Circle Method: While your ship does have a mining laser, the technique is fairly similar to ship weapons. Fly straight ahead with your Mining Laser engaged and, while doing so, pitch backwards in a circle. Add a slight roll to the ship to ensure you cover more area.
• Vary Pitch: Adjust your pitch to reach previously untouched clusters of asteroids. This will prevent resource depletion in a particular area.
• Aim for the Center: Focusing the Mining Laser on the center of an asteroid usually results in faster breakage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the different resources I can find in asteroids?

Asteroids yield a variety of resources including Silver, Gold, Platinum, Tritium, and sometimes rarer materials like Chromatic Metal. The specific resources vary by system and asteroid type.

2. Can I use ship weapons to mine asteroids if I don’t have a Mining Laser yet?

Yes, you can use ship weapons like the Photon Cannon or Phase Beam, but they are far less efficient than the Mining Laser, especially after it’s been upgraded.

3. Is there a way to make mining even faster?

Yes! Upgrading your Mining Laser with modules bought or found from Space Stations can significantly speed up the process, and can improve the yield of resources found.

4. What is Somnal Dust and why is it so valuable?

Somnal Dust is a rare and expensive resource used for crafting and certain missions. It currently costs around 1616 units per piece.

5. What is the best way to get Nanites for the Advanced Mining Laser blueprint?

Completing missions, scanning flora and fauna, and uploading discoveries are great ways to gather Nanites.

6. Are some asteroids more valuable than others?

Yes, the composition of asteroids varies, and some may contain more valuable resources. Keep an eye out for asteroids that are glowing or a different color – they might contain more rare materials.

7. Should I bother with the lower-tier asteroids?

Early in the game, any resources are helpful. However, as you progress, you should focus on larger, more resource-rich asteroids, especially when you have the Advanced Mining Laser.

8. What is the best vehicle to use for asteroid mining?

While you might be tempted to use an exocraft for mining, they cannot be used in space. The only way to mine asteroids is with your starship.

9. Can I mine asteroids with my freighter?

No, Freighters are primarily used for storage and fleet management, and cannot be used to mine asteroids.

10. What other uses does the Mining Laser have?

The Mining Laser is also used for mining resources on planets, making it an essential tool for the entire game.

11. How can I tell what resources an asteroid contains before I destroy it?

In most cases, you won’t be able to tell what an asteroid will contain until after it’s broken down. However, you can often tell the most basic resources by looking at the color of an asteroid.

12. Can I mine with a friend?

Yes! You can mine asteroids with a group of friends online, which can make the resource gathering even faster.

13. What should I do with all the resources I collect?

Resources can be used for crafting, upgrading your ship and gear, building bases, trading at space stations, and fulfilling various quest objectives.

14. How often do asteroid fields replenish?

Asteroid fields will typically replenish over time, meaning you can visit them multiple times for resource gathering.

15. Should I keep Geodes, or open them?

Selling Geodes directly will actually net you more money than opening them in most cases, unless you’re trying to collect a specific rare resource.

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of No Man’s Sky, the Advanced Mining Laser is undoubtedly the best tool for asteroid mining. While ship weapons can break asteroids, the efficiency and resource yield provided by the mining laser, and especially the advanced version, make it the superior choice. Focus on upgrading your mining laser to maximize your resource-gathering efficiency. Following the tips and FAQs detailed above will ensure you are always set to efficiently mine the cosmos, enriching your journey through the universe. Happy mining!