The video examines the updated ballistic damage mechanics in Star Citizen 4.3.1, demonstrating how the Corsair equipped with Deadbolt weapons effectively breaks through shields before devastating armor, especially against tough opponents like the Hammerhead. It highlights the shift towards more tactical combat, where players must strategically manage shields and armor to maximize ballistic weapon effectiveness, ultimately praising the changes for enhancing gameplay depth.
In this video, the creator explores the recent ballistic damage and armor changes in Star Citizen 4.3.1 and subsequent patches, focusing on how these affect gameplay, particularly with the Corsair ship. Initially, the damage reduction for armor was set at 50% and shields at 30%, but the latest patch has adjusted these values to 38% for armor and 45% for shields. This means ballistic weapons are now more effective against armor when shields are down but less effective against shields, changing how players must approach combat.
The presenter tests these changes using a Corsair equipped with Deadbolt ballistic weapons, highlighting the ship’s power efficiency and ammo capacity. He demonstrates that while ballistics now do less damage against shields, they still manage to chip away at them, and once shields are down, the damage output is devastating. This marks a shift from previous patches where ballistics struggled against shields, making the gameplay more strategic as players must work to break shields before fully engaging.
In combat scenarios, the video shows the Corsair easily taking down smaller ships and then engaging a Hammerhead, a much tougher opponent. The Hammerhead proves to be a formidable foe with strong shields and heavy firepower that quickly overwhelms the Corsair. Despite the difficulty, the player uses hit-and-run tactics and missile strikes to disable the Hammerhead’s shields, showcasing the importance of shield management and tactical play in the current patch.
Once the Hammerhead’s shields are down, the Deadbolt ballistics shine, rapidly shredding the ship and confirming the effectiveness of ballistics against unshielded targets. The video emphasizes that while ballistics require more effort to be effective due to stronger shields, they remain powerful and rewarding weapons when used correctly. This creates a more dynamic combat experience where players must balance shield damage and armor penetration.
Overall, the video concludes that the latest ballistic changes are positive for gameplay, encouraging more tactical engagements and rewarding skillful play. The creator expresses enthusiasm for using Deadbolt ballistics on the Corsair and invites viewers to try the updated mechanics themselves. He encourages feedback from the community and signs off with a call to subscribe and engage with future content.