Star Citizen Alpha 4.9 significantly alters weapon penetration, reducing laser cannon effectiveness on the Aries Ion while greatly enhancing the ballistic gatling gun of the Aries Inferno, making the Inferno more capable of disabling larger ships. Consequently, players must adapt by combining the Ion’s shield-breaking lasers with the Inferno’s improved penetration to effectively combat capital ships.
Star Citizen Alpha 4.9 introduces a significant overhaul to ship weapons, particularly affecting weapon penetration distances and radii. The update notably reduces the penetration values for all laser weapons, especially laser cannons, as well as ballistic cannons, while increasing penetration for most ballistic gatling guns. These changes impact the Aries Ion and Aries Inferno ships differently, with the Ion’s laser cannon seeing a drastic reduction in penetration capabilities, making it less effective against larger ships’ components unless extremely precise shots are made.
Testing the Aries Ion’s SF7E laser cannon on an abandoned Polaris revealed that despite multiple shots aimed directly at critical components like the power plant and shield generator, no damage was inflicted. The penetration distance dropped from 10.5 meters to 1.3 meters, and the penetration radius shrank significantly, demanding pinpoint accuracy to damage internal ship parts. This makes the Ion less viable for disabling larger ships in the new patch.
Conversely, the Aries Inferno’s SF7B ballistic gatling gun received a substantial boost in penetration distance, increasing from 7.7 meters to 15.3 meters, with the penetration radius also expanding. Testing on the same Polaris showed the Inferno could easily disable internal components such as turrets, power plants, and shield generators. Even against a larger Idris ship, the Inferno’s gatling gun, supported by missile fire to lower defenses, was able to destroy power plants, highlighting the Inferno’s enhanced lethality in 4.9.
In live combat scenarios, the Inferno proved highly effective at penetrating ship armor and disabling key components, though its ballistic gatling gun’s low alpha damage meant it struggled to harm the hull directly. The Aries Ion’s laser cannon, with higher alpha damage, remained useful for breaking down shields and the deflection threshold of enemy ships. The best results came from combining both ships’ strengths—using the Ion to weaken defenses and the Inferno to penetrate and destroy vital components.
Overall, the 4.9 update shifts the balance of power between the Aries Ion and Aries Inferno. The Inferno’s ballistic gatling gun becomes a formidable tool for disabling enemy ships through improved penetration, while the Ion’s laser cannon is relegated to a more supportive role requiring precise targeting. Players will need to adapt tactics, often coordinating both ships’ capabilities to effectively take down larger capital ships in the evolving combat environment.