MOON MINING 2.0 - Pt 1: REFINERIES
The Red Giants Shaking Up Moon Mining & Reactions
EDITORS NOTE: This post has been updated since it's original posting. Those updates are marked below.
With the release of the LIFEBLOOD expansion (coming out 10.24), two of the most controversial Upwell Consortium Stations are due to launch: Refineries. With them comes the even more controversial revamp to Moon Mining: Moon Mining 2.0. For weeks now, the EVE community has been abuzz with questions about these mysterious red structures and the changes they represent. How will moon mining via barge impact the market? How will the large moon holder Alliances manage the changes? How will moon asteroids translate to moon goo? How will reactions work from here on out? We will not be addressing all of these questions in this post, but we will address them in posts to come.
First things first, let's talk Refineries
Athanor Class Medium Refinery
THE ATHANOR
This class refinery, the medium-sized of the two structures, will be the go-to structure for small operations throughout low sec as ambitious miners and industry corps dip their toes into the mysterious, dangerous, and lucrative world of Moon Mining 2.0. Like the Tatara, the Athanor can equip the awesome Moon Drill which will provide even the coldest of industrialist with satisfaction as he watches this impressive module pound away at the first of your goo-holding, and thus isk holding, moon.
In addition to it's Moon Mining 2.0 & reaction capabilities, the Athanor receives a modest reprocessing service module bonus, making it a choice structure for reprocessing Ore, Ice, and Moon material alike. Do not be surprised if you see these things popping up all over high sec as a replacement to Mining Station Astrahauses we've seen hanging about since last year.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
First things first, being the medium-sized refinery, cost of entry will be significantly easier for a small group. Expect this to start at a higher price than an Astrahaus, but it is predicted to eventually settle between the Astrahaus and the Raitaru in terms of pricing. Like the infographic above displays, the Athanor will be modest in terms of defenses and service module capability. Be precise with how you chose to use this structure. More ambitious groups will likely need more than one to pull off more complex reaction work with these structures.
Envision the Athanor as more of your small "mad scientist lab" in your backyard than your "home sweet home lair of mad science". With the Athanor you will come there to do the work it was meant for and then skip on back home to a better equipped home base.
WHERE ARE YOU LIKELY TO SEE THIS STRUCTURE
To use this structure to it's fullest, you will see the Athanor used primarily across low sec and null space. With it's modest reprocessing bonuses of 4%, however, do not be surprised if you see these pop up across high sec as replacements now previous generation mining Citadel & Engineering Complexes.
CAN I MOON MINE IN HIGH SEC OR WORMHOLES WITH THIS?
Not at the moment. I SHOULD NOTE: It is a mechanics limitation, not a limitation of the structure itself.
DEFENSES: CAN I BLAP BADDIES WITH THIS MEAN MACHINE?
Not really. As the infographic above displays, you have no fighter support and limited high, medium, and low slot. If I recall correctly, you can only fit one missile launcher, and due to this being a Medium-sized structure, forget considering tossing a Point Defense Battery on this structure.
CONTENT EDIT: CCP has announced, as of EVE Vegas 2017, that moon mining WILL BE ALLOWED IN HIGH SECURITY (likely 0.5 only) and WORMHOLE SPACE.
- UPDATE: The Athanor reprocessing bonus reduced from 4% to 2%.Tatara Class Large Refinery
THE TATARA
The larger of the two refinery platforms, the Tatara is the structure for any serious reaction and Moon Mining 2.0 operation. Expect to see these used heavily by large null sec alliances thanks to their decent defensive capability, but moreover, the Tatara is capable of running a very strong suite of Service Modules to accommodate a sophisticated reactions programme.
In addition to it's Moon Mining 2.0 & reaction capabilities, the Tatara receives a slightly improved reprocessing service module bonus, making it the top structure for reprocessing Ore, Ice, and Moon material alike. Additionally, the Tatara class received a time reduction for reactions thereby making it a must for larger industrial organizations where time is a critical faster to keep up with market and alliance fleet demands.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Due to the large size category of the Tatara, anticipate a much steeper cost of entry. You can anticipate the initial price for a Tatara to exceed current market pricing for a Fortizar, eventually settling between the Fortizar and the Azbel once the market reaches a moderate level of saturation.
Due to the defensive capability and Service Module offering, the Tatara can serve as home for the deep space industrialist. Due to it's offering of 5 Service Module slots, you can comfortably fit a Reprocessing Service Mod, Clone Bay, and a decent Reactions Kit plus a Moon Drill.
WHERE ARE YOU LIKELY TO SEE THIS STRUCTURE
To use this structure to it's fullest, you will see the Tatara used primarily across low sec and null space. Do not be surprised if you see one occasionally in high sec as a max efficiency mining outpost for groups with extra cash to spend.
CAN I MOON MINE IN HIGH SEC OR WORMHOLES WITH THIS?
Not at the moment. I SHOULD NOTE: It is a mechanics limitation, not a limitation of the structure itself.
DEFENSES: CAN I BLAP BADDIES WITH THIS MEAN MACHINE?
Sure! It is no Fortizar, but the Tatara comes with a decent defense suite. As the infographic above displays, the structures offers fighter capability and a moderate high, medium, and low slot load out. Imagine it to be similar to a a slightly beefier Azbel. A Point Defense Battery can be fit onto this structure.
CONTENT EDIT: As of EVE Vegas 2017, It has been officially confirmed by CCP that Rorquals will be allowed to dock into Tataras class Refineries.
- UPDATE: The Tatara reprocessing bonus reduced from 5% to 4%.The Wrap Up
It should also be noted at the time of this blog post, no combat capitals are allowed into the Tatara. Expect that to me an option only available to the Fortizar and Keepstar class Citadels. There has been much debate as to if a Rorqual should be allowed into the Tatara, but is is looking like it may not be. [SEE CONTENT UPDATES REGARDING THIS]. Personally I think it makes sense a Rorqual gets to utilize a Tatara, but we will have to see what CCPs final decision is on the structure.
More blog posts in this series will follow shortly, looking into other aspects of Moon Mining 2.0 including the Moon Drill and related UI. At HEDWAY we are always endeavoring to improve the quality of our content, so feel free to leave us a comment below or stop by our chat channel in-game: The HEDWAY NETWORK. I, Eurzadahn, am also available via chat or EveMail. Thank you for stopping by HEDWAY.net.
