In this video, the creator continues testing ship laser weapons in Star Citizen Alpha 4.7.1, focusing on the Omnisky and M8 cannons, two of the most commonly used laser cannons in the game. The video begins by clarifying the confusing naming conventions of these weapons and then compares their stats such as alpha damage, rounds per minute, ammo speed, ammo penetration, cooldown times, EM emissions, and power segment usage. The M8 cannons have the highest alpha damage and burst DPS, while the Omnisky cannons offer a faster cooldown and moderate damage. The light strike cannons, though having the lowest damage, excel in rounds per minute and ammo speed, making them suitable for hitting small, fast targets.
A significant gameplay mechanic discussed is the armor’s damage deflection threshold, which affects how much damage laser weapons can inflict on armored ships. The Omnisky size one barely surpasses the threshold, meaning it can damage armor but struggles against higher armor values unless the armor is weakened by other means. In contrast, M8 cannons exceed the threshold across all sizes, ensuring consistent damage on armored targets. Ammo penetration is similar between light strike, M8, and Omnisky cannons, but the neutron cannons have notably lower penetration, making them less effective at damaging components despite their rapid cooldown.
The video also dives into real in-game combat tests using the Aurora Mark I and Mark II ships equipped with Omnisky and M8 cannons. The Omnisky cannons demonstrate decent performance against small to medium fighters and even larger ships like the Constellation, though capacitor limitations and turret accuracy pose challenges. The M8 cannons deliver higher damage output but have slower firing rates and lower ammo speed, which can make hitting nimble targets more difficult. Capacitor management and power segment usage are highlighted as important factors influencing sustained fire capability and weapon effectiveness.
Additionally, the video touches on EM emissions, where neutron cannons have a clear advantage for stealth builds due to their lower EM signature compared to Omnisky and M8 cannons. Power segment usage varies among the weapons, with neutron cannons requiring less power, making them more efficient in terms of ship power management. The creator also demonstrates how disabling certain weapons can increase capacitor capacity for others, showing practical ways to optimize loadouts for better sustained firing.
In conclusion, the creator emphasizes that no single laser cannon is definitively the best; each has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on the combat scenario and ship setup. For personal loadouts, light strike cannons are favored on capital ships to counter small fighters, while M8 cannons are preferred against larger, slower ships for their high damage. The neutron cannons are fun and effective for PvE but less so for component damage. The video ends with a teaser for future tests involving ballistic and distortion weapons, encouraging viewers to stay tuned for more in-depth analyses.
