Drake Interplanetary has made a name for itself by building ships for the everyman—and with the Golem, that philosophy enters the industrial world of mining for the first time. Stripped of excess and priced for accessibility, the Golem is a pure utility ship for those who want to break into the mining profession without breaking the bank.
This is not a luxury ride or a high-concept prototype. It’s a no-nonsense tool designed for laborers, solo operators, and upstart industrialists ready to get their hands dirty. Whether you’re brand new to the profession or looking to expand your fleet with a simple, focused mining platform, the Golem delivers.
A New Type of Starter Ship
The Golem is the first dedicated starter mining ship in Star Citizen. Unlike the MISC Prospector, which has historically served as an entry point but at a higher price tier, the Golem is built from the ground up to be an affordable gateway into the mining gameplay loop. It’s compact, cost-effective, and comes with the basics—no interiors, no frills, just raw capability.
Designed with an “essentials-only” philosophy, it skips things like a walkable interior or living quarters. That’s not a flaw—it’s a design choice meant to keep it budget-friendly and give players a clear upgrade path as they grow.
Integrated Mining Gear with Drake Personality
At the heart of the Golem is its retractable mining arm, fitted with a bespoke Size 1 mining laser. This beam is powerful—one of the strongest in the game in terms of sheer output—but it sacrifices resistance mitigation and instability countering. Drake’s design ethos is simple: brute force over finesse.
To help balance that raw power, the Golem’s mining interface features a larger “green zone” than most ships, giving new players more wiggle room as they learn the mechanics. While the laser itself cannot be swapped out, players can slot in two mining modules to tweak behavior, and mining gadgets are fully compatible.
The result? A starter ship that doesn’t feel underpowered—it feels bold.
Effortless Hauling and Practical Storage
Where the Golem really stands out is in its cargo capacity. Outfitted with 2 x 16 SCU external detachable ore pods (for a total of 32 SCU), it boasts the largest resource haul in its class. These pods are purpose-built for mining materials only—general cargo is a no-go—and while they can’t be quick-released in an emergency, they are compatible with standard cargo grid systems and removable with a tractor beam.
These aren’t modular, interchangeable Prospector-style containers. They’re built specifically for the Golem, emphasizing the ship’s specialized role in the industrial ecosystem.
Flight Performance and Handling
Despite its industrial build, the Golem offers solid maneuvering capabilities. It features an array of movable lateral VTOL thrusters, making it well-suited for vertical takeoffs, hovering over mining sites, and precision landings—even under a full ore load. While it’s not the fastest ship in its weight class, it offers above-average strafing ability, perfect for aligning with surface nodes and navigating asteroid fields.
The Golem also comes equipped with 2x S1 pilot-controlled weapons and a pair of S1 missiles. While it won’t win dogfights, it has just enough deterrent power to help miners escape light engagements—so long as they know when to retreat. In true Drake fashion, there’s no ejection seat, so survivability is all about judgment.
Other Features and Considerations
-
Personal Storage: Includes a personal locker accessible from outside the cab.
-
Scanning: Equipped with a standard Size 1 radar, with no special scanning enhancements.
-
Non-swappable mining arm: The beam is integrated and cannot be replaced or converted to salvage functionality.
-
No ore venting: Unwanted materials must be mined wisely—there’s no discard option once it’s stored.
Final Verdict: Built for the Backbone of the 'Verse
The Drake Golem is a breakthrough in accessible industrial gameplay. It lowers the barrier of entry to mining while maintaining enough punch and purpose to keep things interesting. It’s small, sturdy, and focused—qualities that new players and budget-conscious veterans will both appreciate.
This is a ship for the worker. The grinder. The pilot who doesn’t need velvet seats to get the job done. With the Golem, Drake puts the power of mining in your hands—and finally breaks the monopoly on who gets to call themselves a prospector.
If you’re ready to step into Star Citizen’s industrial frontier, the Golem is your ride.
