Make it so mines don't attack npcs that are not in the mission group but are still on the same side as the player. Say a pilot is in Deneb fighting for the Itani. Their mines should not hurt other itani npcs in the mission sector.

Alternatively, make it so all npcs of a nation type are in the mission group.

Sounds like a good idea to me. Yes I know people will lay truly massive mine fields in an attempt to gain the upper hand in a battle. Such tactics will work fine until the first constellation comes through like a giant space roomba and clears a path. I don't know if the teredon would light the mines up or not, but with it's tremendous piles of agt and neutron turrets, it could clear the hell out of a minefield pretty fast.

+1

-1

I'm against any magical protections to mitigate friendly fire. Mines kill indiscriminately, they don't care what faction you are from. If you lay a large mine field, accept the fact that you might hurt your own pilots.