there's two occasions to use mines.

one is when you are running away from your enemy.

two is to drop it about a sec before the enemy pass you head on.


other than that, you can use mine to supplement your missiles, torp and shots if you want to bring down a cruiser or battleship

Very handy when you're running away with a freighter. Plus they do hit fairly often, at least the rippers do (just make sure you don't hit them yourself while using the rear turrets).
If you watch the AI carefully you'll notice that the better fighters drop one just before you pass them in a head-on charge, so like unpro said that's a good time to use them yourself as well. Judging from how often I'm hit by them in that case, even the lower level mines have a good chance of connecting.

Mitlov,

As already mentioned, mines do have their uses. Remember though, just like missles, there are "homing" mines and those that aren't. Usually the non homing mines carry a bigger bang for the buck.

I use screamers. It's fun to let a whole bunch of whoevers chase you, switch to turret mode and drop mines and fire your turret(s) and watch them all go BOOM!

Homing mines are good bombs,just pass over enemy installation or weapons platform and let "bombs" away.Very fun and seems to be more effective that torpedos

yeah it's mainly for weapons platforms in missions with the defender- use the drones if you do those missions, they drop alot as loot- freebies.. other than that rippers are good for when your pvp and there's lots of lag against a smaller heavy fighter- if you can't get a good bead with your guns and missles- get his shields down when you can and let the rippers loose on the flybys.. other than that rarely use them for regular pvp

Mines work as part of the package. Like they say in other post drop them right about the time a ship is passing you. If you thrust towards your target you can drop one extra as you close. The way that works is the mine you drop first will follow you coasting on the speed of your thrusters. When you drop the second mine as you pass, the foe will hit it losing shieds and a fair amount of the time they will ram the second mine following you being severely damaged if not outright destroyed. The chaces for a kil go up greatly if you were able to soften them up with weaon fire as they closed.

I like to use seeker mines {and yes the the Ripper is a seeker} But be aware Seeker mine are not smart mines.Iif there are no ships around you the mines will home back on you. The non seekers while doing more damage tend to hit less often.


Using mines while fleeing is a nasty way to say good bye. My fav tatic is.

1.Fly at normal speed jinking till everyone is behind you. {Use the V key to look back or go into turret mode}

2.Drop a mine then thrust up to 200m.

3. Use the Z to kill your engines and go hyperbolic, drop a mine.

4. Roll over to face your pack O hounds and Merrily blast away at them till you are out of range.