Possible Prospecting Insight (Would Appreciate Confirmation)

[Tereth]

I have seen evidence of a pattern that the time of day (in game) when prospecting plays a big role in the success or failure of prospecting.

I only took screenshots of the success, however, when it turns to night again I can try to get screen shots of the failures.

The pattern is this: at night prospecting is very unreliable, however, during the day prospecting is very reliable.

I came across this because I was prospecting a new Z-level and got three successful prospecting hits during the day. I couldn't break through the cave wall to further explore the node at the time. Maybe a day later IRL, I got a +10 q pick axe and more str and went to work. I mined into the wall in the direction the cones were pointing and used 2 L of rustroot extract to prospect all over the mined out area. Not a single hit! I was using q30+ extract as well! So, I waited until the sun came up (in game) and prospected, and every time I got a hit.

Is this just coincidence or have others been finding the same to be true?

[SuperNoob]

must test

I could see how that could be an issue when prospecting on the surface(easier to see during the day), but if you're in a cave already I don't see how that would matter...then again lots of stuff in this game isn't logical.

would explain a lot of the weirdness with the prospecting system though

[Sevenless]

I've never noticed any relationship to ingame day. I find you fail roughly 1/4 prospects entirely. There's also some junk where if you fail a prospect it seems to prevent you from getting a success on that rough area (5x5? I prospect in intervals of 10 tiles to avoid this) until the map unloads.

I'd love to see data though

[mvgulik]

Testing is best done in area's where the metal depositeds are already know.
Any sequence that has the reverse outcome, would strongly suggest (kinda proofs) its just a coincidence.

[Tereth]

Alright, I'll get more data on this. Maybe even organize it by Z-level and metal type.

I didn't know about repeat failures w/in a 5x5. That very well could be what's going on.