The video showcases the L-12 Wolf ship in Star Citizen, highlighting its sleek design, unique features, and limited cargo capacity, but ultimately reveals disappointing stealth performance due to a high infrared signature despite stealth-grade components. The creator also notes challenges accessing the Public Test Universe and prepares to test the ship’s combat abilities following the stealth evaluation.
The video begins with the creator explaining the difficulties faced in accessing the Public Test Universe (PTU) of Star Citizen due to errors and crashes, which delayed their ability to test the new L-12 Wolf ship. After multiple attempts and a hotfix from Cloud Imperium Games, the creator finally manages to bring the Wolf into the game. They note that the 4.3 patch release has been delayed because of these issues, and as of the video’s recording, there is no confirmed release date. The video aims to conduct a stealth combat test with the Wolf, following a previous detailed flight stats review.
The first look at the Cougar L21 Wolf reveals it as a small ship, roughly the size of the 100i. The exterior is minimalistic with few physicalized components and buttons; notably, a fuel port in an unusual location and an external storage compartment on the right side offering 450k micro SCU capacity. The ship is suitable for limited cargo runs like bunker running but cannot carry large amounts of loot. The interpilot seat features a unique and smooth animation for entering and exiting the cockpit, which the creator finds impressive but is cautious about potential future bugs.
Inside the cockpit, the Wolf offers a pleasant and functional experience with a welcome message from Krueger Intergalactic, a UTC clock, and two customizable multi-function displays (MFDs). The ship’s design is sleek and somewhat ambiguous in orientation, with the tail and engine at the rear and a tilted front. Weapon hardpoints function similarly to those in Elite Dangerous, with guns retracting when turned off. The rotating gatling gun is visually impressive but has a wide bullet spread, making it effective only at close range. The engine effects and sound are powerful, though the creator wishes for louder audio effects.
A notable design feature is the bottom fin, which the creator finds unnecessary and potentially problematic during landings. The fin cannot be retracted or hidden and moves down when the landing gear is retracted. Flying the ship over water with the fin visible creates a shark-like appearance, which the creator finds amusing but inconsistent with the ship’s “Wolf” name. Despite the fin’s drawbacks, the overall design is sleek and visually appealing.
The stealth test reveals disappointing results; despite having multiple stealth-grade components like shields, coolers, power plant, and quantum drive, the Wolf’s infrared (IR) signature remains very high. The creator conducts radar lock tests using a Polaris ship and finds that the Wolf can be detected at distances far exceeding expectations, sometimes up to 20 kilometers. The ship’s cross-section measurements are misleading, as the actual IR signature makes it highly visible, negating its stealth potential. The video concludes with the creator preparing to test the ship’s combat capabilities, particularly focusing on its guns.