diff --git a/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-glow.png b/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-glow.png
index c44e9c7910..b17b63b0e1 100644
Binary files a/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-glow.png and b/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-glow.png differ
diff --git a/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-top.png b/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-top.png
index 7c1cd7d919..787040b968 100644
Binary files a/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-top.png and b/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore-top.png differ
diff --git a/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore.png b/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore.png
index 7fb0859b71..9221578a2d 100644
Binary files a/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore.png and b/core/assets-raw/sprites/blocks/drills/large-plasma-bore.png differ
diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/content/Blocks.java b/core/src/mindustry/content/Blocks.java
index 130e1a6cba..98e2c5f17b 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/content/Blocks.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/content/Blocks.java
@@ -2298,11 +2298,12 @@ public class Blocks{
             //TODO requirements
             requirements(Category.production, with(Items.graphite, 30, Items.oxide, 30, Items.beryllium, 20, Items.carbide, 30));
             consumes.power(0.8f);
-            drillTime = 100f;
+            drillTime = 120f;
             tier = 5;
             size = 3;
             range = 6;
             laserWidth = 0.7f;
+            itemCapacity = 20;
 
             consumes.liquid(Liquids.hydrogen, 0.5f / 60f).boost();
         }};
@@ -2317,6 +2318,8 @@ public class Blocks{
             drillEffect = new MultiEffect(Fx.mineImpact, Fx.drillSteam, Fx.mineImpactWave.wrap(Pal.redLight, 40f));
             shake = 4f;
             itemCapacity = 40;
+            //can't mine thorium for balance reasons, needs better drill
+            blockedItem = Items.thorium;
 
             consumes.power(3f);
             consumes.liquid(Liquids.water, 0.2f);
diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/content/Planets.java b/core/src/mindustry/content/Planets.java
index 355e962995..9c9911fb15 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/content/Planets.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/content/Planets.java
@@ -103,10 +103,8 @@ public class Planets{
         });
 
         //define launch candidates after all planets initialize
-        serpulo.launchCandidates.add(gier);
-
-        //TODO WHAT IF THERE'S NO TRANSITION??
-        gier.launchCandidates.add(erekir);
+        //TODO how will it use the nucleus???
+        serpulo.launchCandidates.add(erekir);
     }
 
     private static Planet makeAsteroid(String name, Planet parent, Block base, Block tint, float tintThresh, int pieces, float scale, Cons<AsteroidGenerator> cgen){
diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/maps/planet/AsteroidGenerator.java b/core/src/mindustry/maps/planet/AsteroidGenerator.java
index 3c1b7b5866..15d683a471 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/maps/planet/AsteroidGenerator.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/maps/planet/AsteroidGenerator.java
@@ -147,6 +147,9 @@ public class AsteroidGenerator extends BlankPlanetGenerator{
         state.rules.borderDarkness = false;
         state.rules.environment = Env.space;
         state.rules.waves = true;
+
+        //TODO ???
+        //state.rules.hiddenBuildItems.addAll(Items.plastanium, Items.surgeAlloy);
         //TODO maybe make this on by default everywhere
         state.rules.showSpawns = true;
         //TODO better wavegen, do it by hand even
diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/production/Drill.java b/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/production/Drill.java
index 1624cbd611..1a4d543e14 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/production/Drill.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/production/Drill.java
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ public class Drill extends Block{
     public float liquidBoostIntensity = 1.6f;
     /** Speed at which the drill speeds up. */
     public float warmupSpeed = 0.015f;
+    /** Special exemption item that this drill can't mine. */
+    public @Nullable Item blockedItem;
 
     //return variables for countOre
     protected @Nullable Item returnItem;
@@ -146,7 +148,7 @@ public class Drill extends Block{
                 Draw.color();
             }
         }else{
-            Tile to = tile.getLinkedTilesAs(this, tempTiles).find(t -> t.drop() != null && t.drop().hardness > tier);
+            Tile to = tile.getLinkedTilesAs(this, tempTiles).find(t -> t.drop() != null && t.drop().hardness > tier && t.drop() != blockedItem);
             Item item = to == null ? null : to.drop();
             if(item != null){
                 drawPlaceText(Core.bundle.get("bar.drilltierreq"), x, y, valid);
@@ -158,7 +160,7 @@ public class Drill extends Block{
     public void setStats(){
         super.setStats();
 
-        stats.add(Stat.drillTier, StatValues.blocks(b -> b instanceof Floor f && f.itemDrop != null && f.itemDrop.hardness <= tier));
+        stats.add(Stat.drillTier, StatValues.blocks(b -> b instanceof Floor f && f.itemDrop != null && f.itemDrop.hardness <= tier && f.itemDrop != blockedItem));
 
         stats.add(Stat.drillSpeed, 60f / drillTime * size * size, StatUnit.itemsSecond);
         if(liquidBoostIntensity != 1){
@@ -207,7 +209,7 @@ public class Drill extends Block{
     public boolean canMine(Tile tile){
         if(tile == null || tile.block().isStatic()) return false;
         Item drops = tile.drop();
-        return drops != null && drops.hardness <= tier;
+        return drops != null && drops.hardness <= tier && drops != blockedItem;
     }
 
     public class DrillBuild extends Building{