In this video, the creator explores the extensive changes to distortion and EMP weapons in Star Citizen Alpha 4.5 PTU, focusing primarily on distortion repeaters and cannons while excluding distortion scatter guns due to their limited availability. Two ships, the Super Hornet Mark II equipped with distortion repeaters and laser cannons, and the F7A Hornet Mark II armed with distortion cannons and laser cannons, are used for testing. The video begins with a detailed breakdown of the weapon stats changes, highlighting significant nerfs such as reduced durability, increased EM signatures, decreased damage per shot, and the removal of splash damage for distortion repeaters. Distortion cannons, while still powerful, have also seen damage reductions and the addition of cooldown periods.
Testing reveals that distortion repeaters struggle to quickly disable shields and require precise hits on the power plant to cause distortion damage, which now fades rapidly if not continuously applied. This makes them less effective in dynamic combat situations where constant precise targeting is difficult. In contrast, distortion cannons prove more effective at stripping shields and causing power plant distortion, capable of disabling smaller ships like the Gladius if sustained fire is maintained. However, even with distortion cannons, the distortion effect lasts only about 10 seconds before the target ship begins to recover, requiring continuous pressure to keep the ship disabled.
The video also examines EMP weaponry using the Saber Raven, showing that EMPs have become more effective due to the overall nerf to shields. EMP blasts can strip shields quickly and cause distortion damage, but like distortion weapons, the shutdown effect is now temporary, lasting around 10 seconds before systems start recovering. This necessitates coordinated and repeated EMP attacks to maintain a shutdown state during combat. The creator notes that while EMPs are more area-effective and do not require precise targeting like distortion weapons, they still demand effort and timing to be impactful.
When testing on larger ships like the Starlancer attack ship, distortion repeaters prove almost ineffective, with distortion damage barely registering even when firing at the power plant area. Distortion cannons fare slightly better but still require precise hits and sustained fire to achieve a shutdown, which takes longer to recover from compared to fighters. EMPs, however, perform better against larger ships once shields are down, although multiple EMP generators or coordinated attacks may be necessary to maintain a shutdown. The video highlights that EMP weapons are generally more reliable for disabling bigger ships compared to distortion weaponry.
Overall, the video concludes that the distortion and EMP gameplay in Star Citizen 4.5 has undergone significant changes, making them less straightforward and more demanding to use effectively. Distortion weapons now require precise targeting and continuous fire to maintain effects, with cooldowns and rapid recovery limiting their impact. EMPs have become more powerful in shield stripping and area effect but still require coordination and effort to keep ships disabled. These changes suggest that distortion warfare will be more challenging and less dominant, especially against larger ships, emphasizing the need for tactical teamwork and sustained engagement in future combat scenarios.
