The video details the major missile and torpedo changes in Star Citizen alpha 4.7, highlighting reduced damage for smaller missiles, increased damage for larger ones, and altered explosion radii that affect crew damage and combat strategies. It also demonstrates that missiles no longer damage ship components but can harm crew, emphasizes the importance of missile type and size selection, and shows how point defense systems and armor mechanics now play a critical role in engagements.
In this video, the creator explores the major changes to missiles and torpedoes introduced in Star Citizen patch alpha 4.7.0, focusing on how these adjustments impact gameplay. A key highlight is the new armor overhaul, where missiles no longer cause component damage to ships but can still harm the crew inside if hit precisely. The video also mentions upcoming events like the Hobby Bee release and a free fly event, alongside a maintenance window, setting the context for the patch’s rollout.
Significant missile damage changes include a dramatic reduction in the physical alpha damage for size one to size three missiles, with some being nerfed by over 50%. Conversely, size four missiles have received a substantial damage buff, making them more viable for combat. Explosion radii for missiles have generally increased, which could affect damage to crew members inside ships. The damage types vary, with cross-section missiles dealing the highest damage but having the smallest explosion radius, EM missiles having moderate damage and explosion radius, and IR missiles having the lowest damage but the largest explosion radius.
Torpedoes have seen mostly minor damage adjustments, except for size 10 and size 12 torpedoes, which received notable damage increases, especially the cross-section variants. The video highlights the importance of physical damage in relation to the new armor deflection thresholds, explaining that most missiles deal physical damage, and only a few, like the Vanu Cleaver, deal mixed physical and energy damage. The regular missiles, which carry multiple smaller warheads, are an exception but are shown to be less effective due to their damage being partially deflected by armor.
Through practical testing, the creator demonstrates that missiles cannot damage ship components but can kill crew members if they hit critical areas like the cockpit. Size four missiles, with their increased damage, are now effective against smaller ships like the Gladius, although multiple hits are often required. Larger ships equipped with point defense cannons (PDC) can shoot down high-damage missiles and torpedoes, making engagement tactics and missile choice crucial. The video also shows that opening ship doors and ramps with missiles requires reducing armor to zero, which takes significant missile fire, suggesting ballistic weapons might be more efficient for this task.
In summary, the patch 4.7 missile rebalance emphasizes a shift where smaller missiles have reduced damage, larger missiles are buffed, and explosion radii are increased, balancing damage output across sizes. Cross-section missiles demand active pinging and quick firing due to lock mechanics, while regular missiles are less effective against heavily armored ships. The video encourages players to experiment with different missile types and sizes to find the most effective loadouts under the new mechanics, marking a significant change in Star Citizen’s combat dynamics.