Ares Ion & Inferno Reworked! Buffs, Nerfs & Combat Test in Star Citizen 4.0.2 PTU

In the Star Citizen 4.0.2 PTU update, the Ares Ion received buffs that enhance its damage output, making it more effective against larger ships, while the Ares Inferno suffered significant nerfs, particularly in speed and maneuverability, leaving players frustrated with its diminished performance. The player encourages viewers to test both ships themselves, highlighting the Ion’s strengths and the Inferno’s shortcomings in combat.

In the latest patch for Star Citizen 4.0.2 PTU, significant changes have been made to the Ares Ion and Ares Inferno, leading to mixed reactions from players. The Inferno, in particular, has received a substantial nerf, which has left many players perplexed about the developers’ decisions. Its maneuverability has been notably reduced, making it feel sluggish compared to its previous performance. The player highlights specific statistics showing a decrease in speed and boost capabilities, leading to concerns that the Inferno no longer meets the expectations for a ship designed for power and agility.

In contrast, the Ares Ion has undergone a rework that appears to be more favorable. The Ion now boasts an increased damage per second (DPS) and alpha damage, making it more powerful than before. The player tests the Ion’s capabilities in-game, noting that while it has a larger gun, it sacrifices some maneuverability. This trade-off is seen as acceptable, given the Ion’s enhanced firepower, but the player expresses disappointment that both ships now share similar handling characteristics, which may not align with their intended roles.

During gameplay, the player conducts various tests to evaluate the performance of the Ares Ion. They discover that while the Ion is capable of dealing significant damage to larger ships, it struggles against smaller vessels, often requiring multiple hits to take them down. The player emphasizes that despite the Ion’s buffs, it remains challenging to secure one-shot kills on smaller ships, which diminishes its effectiveness in dogfights. The reliance on missiles for dealing with agile targets becomes apparent, as the player finds that smaller ships can evade direct hits from the Ion’s primary weapon.

The overall sentiment regarding the Ares Inferno is less favorable, with the player expressing frustration over its reduced speed and maneuverability. They argue that the Inferno should embody the characteristics of a Crusader ship—powerful and fast—yet it now feels heavy and cumbersome. The player is particularly critical of the decision to lower its speed, suggesting that it undermines the ship’s identity and role within the game. They also note that the Inferno’s alpha damage does not match its intended use as a heavy fighter, making it less appealing to players who favor aggressive combat.

In conclusion, the player welcomes the buffs to the Ares Ion but is disappointed by the nerfs to the Ares Inferno. They believe the Ion is now in a better position for engaging larger ships but still falls short against smaller targets. The player encourages viewers to try out both ships for themselves to form their own opinions. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to subscribe, like, and share, while also inviting them to explore the changes in-game.