Planetary Classification

Planetary Classification is the classification of planets into nine categories.

Brown Dwarf

 * Frequency: Rare
 * Examples: Osalri, Urdak
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 30%
 * Palladium: 40%
 * Platinum: 30%

Brown dwarfs are gas giants that almost had enough mass to become small stars but never quite started the final combustion process. However, as a result of their mass, brown dwarfs do have some luminosity. The minerals on a brown dwarf are typically spread out along the bands of the planet, so look there when mining.

Desert

 * Frequency: Very Common
 * Examples: Laena, Bovis Tor
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 20%
 * Palladium: 60%
 * Platinum: 20%

These arid planets are high-density, usually with a reddish-brown surface. Incredibly hot and dry, desert planets are not known for sustaining life. They are rich in minerals, but those deposits are spread out across the surface in small clusters.

Garden

 * Frequency: Rare
 * Example: Earth, Sanctum, Talis Fia
 * Element zero: Poor
 * Iridium: 15%
 * Palladium: 25%
 * Platinum: 60%

Life-sustaining garden planets are rare in the galaxy. These worlds have a mixture of ocean and land and support both plant and animal life. Garden planets are one of the few planet types where you can expect to find element zero - look to the continents. The other minerals should be looked for in mountainous areas.

Ice Giant

 * Frequency: Common
 * Examples: Neptune, Tula, Alkonost
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 20%
 * Palladium: 30%
 * Platinum: 50%

These enormous ice planets are also gas giants but have an atmosphere composed of water vapor, ammonia, and methane. Minerals on a giant ice are concentrated in smallish clusters. Look for noticeable features, such as massive storms, for the location of rich deposits.

Jovian

 * Frequency: Common
 * Examples: Bast, Nephros
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 30%
 * Palladium: 30%
 * Platinum: 40%

Giant Jovians are gaseous planets that are too small to have become stars but yet contained many of the required elements, like concentrated amounts of hydrogen and helium. As on brown dwarfs, the minerals on a giant Jovian are spread out across the colorful bands.

Pegasid

 * Frequency: Rare
 * Example: Rescel, Jontan
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 30%
 * Palladium: 40%
 * Platinum: 30%

Giant Pegasids are similar to Jovian giants but are locked in close orbit with their parent stars. The orbit causes a tidal lock, meaning that there is a "hot pole" that faces the star and a "cold pole" that faces deep space (and is incredibly dark). Giant Pegasids have hurricane winds that move from the hot pole to the cold pole. These poles are where you should expect to the richest deposits, which is quite different from other planets, which typically see their deposits along the equator or in the horizontal bands.

Post-Garden

 * Frequency: Rare
 * Example: Helyme, Etamis
 * Element Zero: Rich
 * Iridium: 30%
 * Palladium: 40%
 * Platinum: 40%

Post-garden worlds are reminders of the dreadful power of the Reapers. These planets were once rich with life but are now husks with ruined cities and discolored landscapes. Element zero is highly concentrated on post-garden planets as a result of fallen civilizations. The remaining minerals are spread out across the equator with occasional deposits elsewhere.

Ocean/Ice

 * Frequency: Common
 * Example: Anedia, Maisuth
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 30%
 * Palladium: 15%
 * Platinum: 70%

These planets are high-density, with strong metallic cores surrounded by frozen oceans. Ocean/ice planets can support some life, but do not expect to find element zero on them. Instead, look for the mineral deposits in small clusters.

Rock

 * Frequency: Very Common
 * Examples: Moon (Luna), Gregas, Quarem
 * Element zero: None
 * Iridium: 60%
 * Palladium: 20%
 * Platinum: 20%

Rock planets are typically small with little to no atmosphere and no native life whatsoever. When mining a rock planet, look to the impact craters for the richest deposits.