The Crusader Aries Inferno is a heavy fighter in Star Citizen Alpha 4.10, featuring a large ballistic gatling gun, solid defenses, and good performance against medium to large ships, though it is less agile against smaller fighters. Priced affordably and with manageable operating costs, it offers a compelling option for players focused on heavy combat roles despite some limitations in speed and weapon rate of fire.
The Crusader Aries Inferno is a heavy fighter in Star Citizen, known for its sleek Crusader design and a focus on a single large ballistic gatling gun. This review, based on the Star Citizen Alpha 4.10 update, covers the ship’s features in detail, including a tour of its exterior and cockpit, handling and visibility, combat performance, operating costs, and overall value. The ship’s design includes accessible storage and weapon lockers, mirrored cooling systems on the wings, and dual shield generators, with entry via a ladder on the front port side.
In terms of handling, the Aries Inferno offers good visibility with clear sightlines forward and to the sides, although views above and below are somewhat restricted. Its speed is moderate, with a default SCM speed of 205 m/s and a boost up to 385 m/s, which makes it feel sluggish in tight turns. However, this is acceptable given its role as a “big game hunter” targeting medium to large ships. Its navigation speed is slower than many fighters but sufficient for closing distances, and it benefits from no capacitor delay when switching between navigation and combat modes.
The Aries Inferno’s armament is centered around a single size 7 SF7B Gatling gun, supported by a missile suite of 20 size 3 missiles or optionally two size 5 torpedoes. It is protected by two size 2 shield generators, providing reasonable defense for a heavy fighter. The ship excels at damaging medium to large ships like the Constellation but struggles somewhat against smaller, more agile fighters. The gatling gun’s rate of fire has been significantly reduced from its original design, making it more like a fast-firing cannon, which balances gameplay but changes the weapon’s feel.
Operating costs for the Aries Inferno are relatively low, with fuel and repairs costing only a few hundred to a few thousand alpha UEC, though missile restocking can be more expensive. The ship lacks cargo space, limiting its profitability to combat contracts, where it performs well, especially on higher-value missions. Upgrades mainly focus on missile launchers and military-grade components, with some players opting for grade A upgrades to enhance performance further.
Overall, the Aries Inferno is an attractive option for players who enjoy ballistic gatling guns and want a heavy fighter capable of punching above its weight against larger targets. It is priced affordably at 4.7 million alpha UEC, making it one of the cheaper heavy fighters available. Despite some limitations in dogfighting agility and a slower gatling rate of fire, the Aries Inferno remains a compelling choice for its niche, especially for players focused on medium to large ship engagements. The reviewer personally values the ship and encourages viewers to share their thoughts and subscribe for more content.