This makes a start with the PDS sponsor SOOO different![]()
No kidding. The patch lowering explorer cost makes Paradox sponsor easy mode now. Explorer rovers are the best way to get science for the first 100 sols or so in a Paradox sponsor game (with the relevant research), so an extremely high cost is justified. The patch essentially doubles your science production early game as you can afford to send over 3 more explorer rovers just for research.
I'd like to get a mod to revert the cost, as I believe it was justified. Hard mode is supposed to be hard, and 1400M is nothing on the easy difficulties.