In the video, the creator builds a stealth version of the Crusader Intrepid ship in Star Citizen, equipping it with specialized stealth components and conducting tests to evaluate its signature values and detection capabilities. While the Intrepid demonstrates effective evasion from radar detection at close ranges during a bounty hunting mission, inconsistencies in detection mechanics raise questions about the accuracy of the ship’s stealth performance.
In the video titled “Building A Stealth Intrepid, But There Is A Problem,” the creator explores the newly released Crusader Intrepid ship in Star Citizen during the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) 2954. The primary goal is to construct a stealth version of the Intrepid, which is equipped with various stealth components. The ship features a size one shield, cooler, power plant, and quantum drive, with the selected components being the Snow Blind cooler, Stealth A Mirage shield, Slipstream Stealth A power plant, and a Stealth B Zephyr quantum drive. The video notes that while the ZR stealth speed quantum drive is the only option available at the time, it does not significantly differ from the Stealth A.
The creator then discusses the weaponry of the Intrepid, which is limited to a single size four gun, the Deadbolt 4. This weapon has a reduced signature due to its design, which is advantageous for stealth operations. The video provides a detailed analysis of the ship’s signature values, including infrared (IR), electromagnetic (EM), and cross-section measurements. The creator emphasizes the importance of using external tools, such as the ship viewer, to accurately assess the ship’s IR values, as the in-game display may not be reliable.
To further enhance the Intrepid’s stealth capabilities, the creator conducts a series of tests to reduce its signature by turning off various systems, such as life support and shields, and reallocating power to the engines and weapons. This adjustment results in a significant decrease in EM values, achieving a more stealthy configuration. The creator also performs a detection test using an alternate account to determine the effective detection range of the Intrepid when equipped with full stealth components.
During the detection tests, the creator discovers that the Intrepid can evade detection from a size one radar at a range of approximately 2.8 kilometers. However, there are inconsistencies in the detection ranges based on the ship’s orientation, leading the creator to suspect that the cross-section values may not be accurately represented in the game. This raises questions about the radar detection mechanics and whether the Intrepid’s stealth capabilities are functioning as intended.
Finally, the creator embarks on a bounty hunting mission to test the stealth build in a practical scenario. Despite the challenges of hitting targets at the maximum weapon range of 3 kilometers, the Intrepid remains undetected by NPC enemies until close proximity. The video concludes that while the current stealth build for the Intrepid is the best possible configuration, further investigation is needed to fully understand the discrepancies in detection ranges and the ship’s overall stealth performance.