Daniel Raymond reviews the new Sabre Raven EX ship in Star Citizen 4.10.1, highlighting its quantum dampening technology, stealthy design, and differences from the original EMP-equipped Sabre Raven, while noting its effectiveness in PvP and the ongoing player concerns about monetization with exclusive ship sales like the upgraded Itki. He also shares updates on his channel giveaways and encourages viewer engagement, ending with well wishes for safe flying in the Star Citizen universe.
In this video, Daniel Raymond from Ray’s Guide discusses the release of the Sabre Raven EX ship in Star Citizen 4.10.1. The Sabre Raven has a unique history, originally being available only through a promotion with Intel in 2017, where buyers of the Intel Optane 900P series drive received the ship. This original Sabre Raven was notable for having an EMP weapon, making it one of the few ships in the game with such capability, and was highly stealthy. However, the new Sabre Raven EX differs significantly, as it lacks the EMP device but includes quantum dampening technology and four size three weapon hard points, unlike the original’s two.
The Raven EX’s design follows a stealthy aesthetic with internal slot engines and diamond-shaped wings, a style that has influenced other ships like the Firebird and Peregrine. When compared to the Sabre Comet, the Raven EX shares many similar specifications, including weapon hard points, missile hard points, shields, power plants, and coolers. However, the Raven EX has military shields instead of stealth shields and comes with better armor, giving it a slight advantage. Both ships are similarly priced, with the Raven EX being available at $185 or $165 with a warbond deal including lifetime insurance.
A key feature of the Raven EX is its quantum dampener, which has a range of just under five kilometers. While not as extensive as some other ships like the Mantis, it is effective enough for close-range combat, particularly in PvP scenarios where the ship’s stealth and toughness make it a formidable opponent. Daniel notes that NPCs in Star Citizen do not attempt to escape, so the quantum dampener is primarily useful against player opponents. He expresses hope that pirate gameplay—the full loop of attacking, disabling, boarding, looting, and scuttling—will see more engagement from players and support from the developers.
Alongside the ship release, the update includes the Nine Tails Shogun Pack, priced at $75, which features an upgraded Atlas Itki ship. This has caused frustration among some players who believed the Itki would only be obtainable in-game, leading to controversy over the company’s approach to monetization. Daniel reflects on this issue with a degree of skepticism, suggesting that the company’s pattern of offering exclusive ships for purchase rather than purely in-game acquisition is unlikely to change, as it generates significant revenue despite player backlash.
Finally, Daniel shares updates about his channel, including giveaways for Squadron 42 VR headsets for members at the Captain’s level and upcoming giveaways for the IAE week and next year’s event, including the new Merchantman ship. He encourages viewers to participate by subscribing and commenting with the secret word related to the Raven EX’s key feature. He concludes by wishing everyone safe flying and promising to see them in the Star Citizen universe.