In this video, the creator unexpectedly discovers a fully NPC-manned Perseus ship in Star Citizen and decides to steal and test it. Equipped with a powerful distortion M80 loadout, the creator approaches the Perseus cautiously, using tactics to avoid its main weapons and successfully disables its shields. After breaking through multiple heavily armored doors, they manage to board the ship and find it fully manned with NPCs operating the turrets. The creator takes control of the ship, noting the impressive AI behavior, including the gunners firing at enemies, although their targeting has some limitations.
The creator discusses the challenges of stealing NPC ships in the game, including faction-based damage restrictions and the temporary nature of stolen ships, which often disappear once the mission ends. Testing the Perseus on various missions reveals that the ship disappears after a quantum jump, highlighting a current gameplay limitation. Despite this, the creator enjoys the experience of piloting and commanding the NPC-manned Perseus, appreciating the immersive aspect of having crew members and active turrets.
During combat tests, the NPC gunners on the Perseus demonstrate intermittent firing behavior, shooting only when enemies are directly in front of their fixed turrets. The creator attempts to engage in missions with the Perseus, including a Vong mission, but encounters issues with mission availability and ship persistence. The video also showcases the faction system’s impact on combat, where ships of the same faction cannot damage each other, limiting the effectiveness of the Perseus’s weapons in certain scenarios.
The creator then conducts a PvP test, where the Perseus’s gunners engage a player-controlled Hurricane ship. The NPC turrets successfully damage the enemy, resulting in a kill, which impresses the creator. However, server instability and desynchronization issues affect gameplay, making it difficult to perform certain actions like activating jump gates or accepting missions. Despite these technical challenges, the video highlights the potential for NPC-manned capital ships to be used effectively in both PvE and PvP contexts.
In conclusion, the video provides an insightful look into the current state of NPC-manned capital ships in Star Citizen, demonstrating both their strengths and limitations. While the ability to steal and operate these ships adds depth to gameplay, technical restrictions such as ship disappearance after missions and faction damage rules limit their full potential. The creator expresses hope that future updates will address these issues, allowing players to fully utilize and enjoy NPC-manned ships like the Perseus in a broader range of activities.
