Bought Back the Starlancer TAC – Now It’s a MONSTER in 4.2

The video reviews the Starlancer Tactical ship’s improvements in Star Citizen patch 4.2, highlighting increased speed, enhanced turret ammo capacity, and strong combat performance despite some limitations in visibility and turret movement. While the buffs make the ship a more viable and powerful tactical fighter, the creator suggests further enhancements in speed, turret flexibility, and cockpit displays are needed to fully realize its potential.

The video focuses on the Starlancer Tactical (Stalance Duck) ship in Star Citizen, particularly highlighting the buffs and improvements it received in patch 4.2. The creator reacquired the ship to test its new capabilities and assess whether it is now worth keeping. Despite being a MISK ship with large engines, the Starlancer has historically been slower than expected, which the creator finds puzzling. The 4.2 update brought modest speed increases, but the ship still remains slightly slower than other similar ships, though it now boasts a faster expedition time, allowing quick retrieval if lost.

The presenter dives into a detailed comparison of the ship’s speed stats between patch 4.1.1 and 4.2, noting improvements such as higher SCM and boost speeds as well as a higher maximum navigation speed. Interestingly, the ship flies faster backward than forward, a quirk the creator does not understand. The faster expedition time of just over three minutes is praised as a valuable feature for players who might lose their ship during missions. The video then transitions to live combat testing in the Pyro system, where the Starlancer’s maneuverability and firepower against smaller ships are evaluated.

Combat tests reveal that the Starlancer is capable of holding its own against smaller, more nimble ships, largely thanks to its large ammo capacity and strong shields. The ship carries 16 size three missiles and an impressive number of rounds for sustained firing, making it a formidable opponent in battle. However, visibility from the cockpit remains a drawback, limiting situational awareness. Despite some issues with desync affecting gameplay on the PTU, the ship performs well in combat scenarios, reinforcing its potential as a tactical fighter.

A significant buff noted in the video is the increase in turret ammo capacity, which was initially bugged but fixed by toggling cockpit tiles. This fix revealed a massive ammo pool, allowing extended firing sessions from the turrets. The creator points out that the turrets’ firing arcs are limited and could be improved, especially compared to other ships like the Asgard, which enjoys full 360-degree turret rotation. The suggestion is made that future updates could enhance turret movement and visibility to make the Starlancer more versatile and effective in combat.

In conclusion, while the 4.2 buffs have made the Starlancer Tactical a much stronger and more viable ship, the creator still sees room for improvement. They emphasize the need for better cockpit MFDs, improved turret movement, and a bit more speed to truly make the ship perfect. The video ends with an invitation for viewers to share their opinions on the ship and whether it’s better than alternatives like the Asgard. Overall, the Starlancer is described as a powerful, fun ship with great potential that could become one of the best daily drivers in Star Citizen with a few more tweaks.