The Star Citizen 4.9 patch significantly nerfed smaller ballistic weapons, particularly size one to three Deadbolt cannons, reducing their damage and firing speed by up to 51%, which shifts the combat meta towards alternatives like M5A cannons. The changes aim to balance smaller ship combat and encourage weapon diversity, though some players criticize the approach and anticipate further nerfs to larger ballistic weapons in future updates.
The recent 4.9 patch in Star Citizen has brought significant nerfs to ballistic weapons, particularly affecting smaller size three guns. Deadbolt cannons, especially sizes one through three, have seen a 41% reduction in impact damage and firing speed, resulting in an overall 51% decrease in effectiveness. Buso repeaters have also been nerfed, though only the smaller sizes for now, with larger size four and five guns remaining unchanged but expected to be adjusted in future patches. This nerf notably impacts ships like the Asgard, which previously excelled using Deadbolts.
In practical testing, the video creator compared the performance of size three M5A cannons against Deadbolt cannons on the Cutlass Black and Spirit C1 ships. The M5A setup showed higher alpha damage and DPS compared to Deadbolts, which have now become significantly weaker. Attempts to kill a Corsair ship with Deadbolt cannons took much longer than with M5A cannons, reflecting the substantial drop in Deadbolt effectiveness. Mixed loadouts combining M5A and Deadbolts also failed to outperform the all-M5A setup.
The nerfs seem to be an intentional move by CIG to balance combat among smaller ships, which were previously able to quickly destroy each other using Deadbolts due to their high penetration and damage. By reducing Deadbolt power, the developers appear to be encouraging players to diversify their weapon choices and avoid over-reliance on a single weapon type. The meta is expected to shift towards using cannons like the M5A for smaller ships, as Deadbolts no longer offer the same advantage.
The video creator expressed some criticism of the patch, suggesting that instead of drastically nerfing Deadbolt damage, a better approach might have been to reduce shield penetration slightly while maintaining overall power. This would preserve weapon viability without making them completely obsolete. The creator also anticipates that size four and five ballistic weapons will likely receive similar nerfs in upcoming patches, continuing this trend of rebalancing.
In conclusion, the 4.9 patch has significantly altered the ballistic weapon landscape in Star Citizen, especially for smaller guns like Deadbolts size three and below. Players will need to adapt to these changes by exploring other weapon options, as Deadbolts have become less effective and less viable in combat. The community is encouraged to share their thoughts and expectations for future updates as the meta evolves. The video ends with a call to subscribe and engage with the content for more insights on game changes.