The video analyzes the latest Alpha 4.8 PTU changes to the Idris ship’s weapons, highlighting a significant slowdown and range increase for the railgun that makes hitting fast-moving targets harder, while the size 10 laser beam receives a notable range and speed buff improving its sustained damage potential. The creator views these adjustments as a balance effort, encouraging community feedback as the game continues to evolve through testing.
In this video, the creator revisits recent changes to the Idris ship’s railgun and laser beam weapons in the latest Alpha 4.8 PTU update, focusing on testing and analyzing their new stats. They highlight significant alterations, noting the railgun’s projectile speed drastically reduced from 5,000 m/s to about 939 m/s, while its range slightly increased from 10 km to 12 km. The bullet lifetime also extended from 2 seconds to nearly 13 seconds, meaning it now takes much longer for shots to reach distant targets. The creator compares this to real-world railgun speeds, pointing out that the in-game railgun is now much slower than expected for such a weapon.
Conversely, the Idris’ size 10 laser beam received a buff, with its projectile speed increased from 700 m/s to 1,220 m/s and range extended significantly from 2.8 km to 8 km. However, the creator questions the necessity of increasing the speed for a laser beam, which is typically a continuous stream rather than a projectile. Despite this, the range increase is seen as a positive change, potentially improving combat effectiveness at longer distances.
Testing the railgun in combat scenarios against various enemy ships like Hammerheads and Valkyries revealed that the slower projectile speed makes hitting moving targets challenging, especially at long range. Shots often missed or took a long time to land, although the railgun remained effective against slower or stationary targets at closer distances. The creator speculates that this nerf may be intentional to prevent solo Idris pilots from easily one-shotting enemies, adding more balance to gameplay.
The laser beam tests showed that the increased range allowed for hits at distances around 5 km, though not quite reaching the full 8 km advertised. The continuous beam nature meant that the increased projectile speed was less impactful on actual gameplay. The creator experienced inconsistent hit markers depending on where they targeted the enemy Idris, but overall found the laser more reliable for sustained damage, especially against larger and slower ships.
In conclusion, the video presents a balanced view of the changes: the railgun’s significant slowdown reduces its effectiveness at range and against fast-moving targets, while the laser beam’s range buff enhances its utility in prolonged engagements. The creator encourages viewers to share their opinions on these changes, emphasizing that while some adjustments may feel frustrating, they are part of the ongoing testing and balancing process in the game’s alpha development stage.