Saturated tabletop lasers having increased output energy and operating at 5 Hz repetition rate, were demonstrated at wavelengths about 18.9 nm for molybdenum targets, 16.4 nm for ruthenium targets, 14.7 nm for palladium targets, 13.9 nm for silver targets, and 13.2 nm for cadmium targets in transitions of nickel-like ions. The results were obtained using a sequence of two, plasma-generating pre-pulses, each having sub-Joule energy followed after a selected delay period by picosecond laser plasma excitation pulses having with an energy of about 1 J at angles of incidence optimized for maximum energy deposition.