Charges instead of Mining?

[DDog]

I have been mining and it just dawned on me that I can use charges instead of my guys spending so much time mining...  when a charge goes off around metal..  does it vaporize or is it left behind to haul away?
Thanks!

btw..  I am really enjoying this game!!

[lordgiza]

The metal itself has a health pool. If I remember right it's about 2 or 3 charges will vaporize the metal. Although I still reckon mining is more effective only because there is less micro.

[Cdr.Keen]

the blasting range is not so big. you'll be faster with miners.

[ShadowDragon8685]

Using charges to actually mine is a fool's game, given that charges cost you metal.

The only use you really have for charges in terms of mining is that when you want to get rid of a rock wall that you know is the only thing holding up a lot of thick rock roof, 25 metal is a hell of a good deal compared to a colonist.

[Ludov]

Using charges to actually mine is a fool's game, given that charges cost you metal.

The only use you really have for charges in terms of mining is that when you want to get rid of a rock wall that you know is the only thing holding up a lot of thick rock roof, 25 metal is a hell of a good deal compared to a colonist.

Which in itself can be agreat last resort trap should colony perimeter be breached.

[murlocdummy]

Using charges to actually mine is a fool's game, given that charges cost you metal.

The only use you really have for charges in terms of mining is that when you want to get rid of a rock wall that you know is the only thing holding up a lot of thick rock roof, 25 metal is a hell of a good deal compared to a colonist.

Which in itself can be agreat last resort trap should colony perimeter be breached.

Hardly a last resort trap.  Some of those roofs are permanent and won't go away after you collapse them.  If you don't want to be bothered with cleaning up bodies and useless weaponry of a 40-raider massacre, you can set up charges to blow a roof.  Better yet, you can set up some well-placed support walls, then sell them at the right moment.

As for using explosives to mine, I find that getting groups of grenade miners together is the most entertaining to watch.  It's also more efficient in the use of game-time.