In this video, the presenter reviews the Kruger Wolf 21 ship in Star Citizen patch 4.7.1, focusing on comparing its ballistic and laser gatling gun weapon options under the new armor damage deflection threshold system. The Wolf 21 is chosen over the Wolf 22 due to its marginally better hull health and speed, while both ships share similar armor, damage thresholds, and component sizes. The main distinction lies in their default weapons: the Wolf 21 comes equipped with a ballistic gatling gun, whereas the Wolf 22 has a laser gatling gun, though weapon swapping is possible between the two.
The video then explores the weapon statistics, highlighting that the laser repeater has a higher alpha damage (85) compared to the ballistic gatling gun (63). However, the laser weapon’s damage is limited against larger ships with higher energy damage thresholds, while the ballistic weapon struggles against many medium and heavy fighters due to its physical damage threshold being lower than required to damage their armor. Additionally, the ballistic gun can damage subcomponents like turrets and engines even if it cannot harm the hull, but it requires managing cooldowns and ammo consumption.
During live combat tests, the ballistic gatling gun demonstrates strength against smaller, nimble ships and can damage enemy components even when shields are active. However, it suffers from rapid overheating and limited ammo, making sustained fights challenging. The weapon is effective against light and medium fighters but ineffective against larger ships like the Constellation or Freelancer series, as it cannot penetrate their armor. Despite these limitations, it excels in disabling turrets and subcomponents on bigger ships.
The laser repeater shows advantages in versatility and sustained damage output, capable of damaging a wider range of ships including some larger models, provided the pilot maintains constant pressure to prevent shield regeneration. The laser weapon consumes power but recharges quickly, allowing for continuous firing with proper capacitor management. However, solo pilots may find it challenging to keep enemy shields down against bigger ships, requiring persistent engagement to inflict hull damage. The laser weapon does not require ammo replenishment, which is a logistical benefit over ballistics.
In conclusion, the presenter recommends the laser gatling gun for most PvE scenarios due to its broader effectiveness and ease of use, while acknowledging the ballistic weapon’s niche advantages in quickly taking down smaller fighters and damaging ship components. The upcoming patch will introduce rearming capabilities for capital ships, potentially enhancing the usefulness of ballistic weapons when supported by larger vessels. The presenter invites viewers to share their preferences and experiences with these weapons, emphasizing that each has trade-offs depending on the combat situation.
