Star Citizen’s New Mining Starter – Drake Golem Deep Dive

The Drake Golem is Star Citizen’s latest entry-level mining ship, offering an affordable way to break into resource extraction. In this review, I break down its features, compare it to the Prospector, and share my recommended outfitting to maximize efficiency. After putting it through several mining sessions, I’ll give my final thoughts on whether this nimble starter ship is worth your credits. If you enjoy the video, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Star Citizen content. Catch my live gameplay on Twitch to see these ships in action!

ABOUT RED:
I'm a nights and weekends gamer that streams 2 or 3 times per week over on Twitch. I host a mining morning almost every weekend that's free to all, and every couple of Fridays we host a coordinated group event in the verse. Join my discord server and follow me on Twitch to stay connected!

#StarCitizen #DrakeGolem #MiningShip #StarCitizenShipReview #SCAlpha #StarCitizenGameplay #SpaceSim #StarCitizenMining #DrakeInterplanetary #SCReview

[ytwetsu]

Leaving a comment for engagement. LoL

I’m glad your back to posting videos again Red.

[hammerdown]

Very good analysis, and certainly worth the few minutes to get some insight into how best to get use out of it for a newcomer.

Oddly enough me and my orgmate were tinkering withour golems yesterday to see what best results we could get from solo/duo work and we were pondering just what you'd have to say about it so this was a pleasant surprise to wake to.

Looking forward to your insights into the new mineables as well, since the GEO has proven to be great fun- but an annoyance to find anywhere cave wise to use beyond the new locations so far for us.

[DJ_Jesus_Story]

Another plus for me was the low claim time, don’t know how many times I’ve helped a buddy with a little boost to break a big rock when called on. This guy lets me quick call to my nearest location to jump in and give the extra hand in a pinch. Plus in the future she will fit that small front pad on a Liberator 💪🏻

[RidgeSixGaming]

This was exactly what I was looking for, thank you! I think I've been convinced to get one, especially now that I could put it in my C2 and jump back and forth between moons and the C2 in deep space...

[xenrin]

The game sorely needed an entry level mining ship to help players who were curious about mining transition from hand and ROC mining, without the big uplift to a Prospector. I know you can rent a Prospector in game, but having the Golem as a starter ship is a great move. They should have done something similar with the MISC Fortune. I think many people were expecting it to be either a starter salvage ship or something between a Vulture and a Reclaimer (something SC really needs). Instead, it's just a poor alternative to a Vulture. If they had either made it a starter salvage ship at a lower price, or added an size 2 salvage head and a greater cargo capacity, it would have been a hit and a good source of revenue for CIG. Instead it will likely get added to the pile of ships no one flies, and CIG doesn't bother to update.

[ZerosS-mk]

Thank you Red for all your videos, they have been a huge help throughout my learning of mining. I love how complete in detail they are and all the information you provide that you don't get to find in many places.

[reamoinmcdonachadh]

Thank you Red, I have watched some of your videos before, glad to see the quality is just as high as ever!! You Sir, are an awesome creator!!

[Church]

So I would like to state another way this is a great ship, I’m primarily a combat focused player and at one point I had a prospector to offset some of my combat ships repair and rearming costs. I couldn’t justify a 150 dollar ship for a gameplay loop I wasn’t interested in perusing as my primary gameplay and upgraded it to a ship I do enjoy, a 60 dollar ship feel I can throw in my hanger and take out here and there when I want to change up the gameplay.

[Cyberbobw]

I really need to try the Golem. Great video, you do the best industrial videos for Star Citizen.

[secretweapon]

For a long time my starter package has been an Avenger Titan. But once I got a Zeus I rarely used the Titan. Swapped my starter package to a Golem, so that after the next wipe I can start the game with a mining ship.

[Snekkie]

This is the first of your videos i see. But i love the format and the honesty. Keep it up! You earned a sub.

[itsnotachicken]

The Geo and the Golem made me get back into mining and Star Citizen in general. Honestly loving them.

[Funkmster]

Loved the video!

I think that the Golem having bespoke ore bags was a deliberate choice to help differentiate it between the Prospector and Mole. I also think the Golem isn't going to be used for player refining. One of the benefits of the ship is the price point and the size for what it offers. It feels very purpose built to be the best introduction into player mining that is just enough to help you learn the ropes with out needing additional resources such as other player ships or owning another refinery ship yourself. The big benefit of upgrading to a Prospector is going to be the flexability it offers for both refining and mining, which I think is a pretty solid move as having the entry level mining ship be $150 is pretty nuts.

[wadewilson]

Nice vid...I wish they had addressed in the Q&A exactly how the new pods are going to fit in with future refining ships. I appreciate you pointing out this issue.

[sailyourface]

Great review Red! I was worried it would have less than 32SCU of cargo as a starter ship but it seems they've balanced it well. I couldn't justify pledging a prospector but this seems perfect as a stepping stone to bigger ships in-game from a pledge ship.

[JokerRetry]

Nice to seeing you posting sc videos again. You just got me to try SC again since a year. Do you plan to do a tutorial for mining with the operation modes of the flight model? I just can't seem to figure out how to scan properly now.

[pandaonvodka]

This lovely little ship will make a Fine addition to my Galaxy`s hangar! With the Refinery Galaxy + The Golem => I Can go outside, farm up some ore and then refine it directly on the Galaxy. Now the issue is how i am going to transport the refined material. Where will it be stored, so many questions there. But at least the gameplay loop is looking promising to me.

Also i think we need Drake to steal more of Argo`s veichle designs & manufacture them instead! <_<

[RobinHartJones]

I was not impressed after seeing the specs but I had melted my Prospector a year ago, wanted to get back into mining and could not afford another Prospector. I was pleasantly surprised that the experience was very similar to using the prospector. The missing interior is not a huge issue as I am not sure I ever bedlogged in the Prosp. Yes it stops you eating and drinking while out but as long as you fill up to 200% before leaving the station you can easily last for a full mining trip. The laser is a little twitchy, ie unstable, but with a little care it is easy to keep it in the optimal window which is a good job as it has weak shield and weak hull :-) All in all I think it is great value for money.

[billkranz]

The best use for me is 45 minute mining trips out of Cru 1. Main complaint- it needs a bigger ore capacity at a minimum.

[ATLAS-yu]

VERY THOROUGH MAN, MUCH APPRECIATED, SUBSCRIBED