In this Star Citizen episode, Menx showcases the combat capabilities of the Aurora Mk II cargo variant, demonstrating its impressive maneuverability and durability in fights against multiple AI enemies despite sustaining severe damage like losing a wing. He also highlights in-space repair mechanics and concludes that the Aurora Mk II, though not a dedicated fighter, is a solid and viable choice for solo players facing AI pirates.
In this episode of Star Citizen, Menx takes out the Aurora Mk II, specifically the cargo variant, to showcase its combat capabilities despite not being the dedicated fighting variant. Initially, Menx was chasing a blueprint mission that turned out to be unachievable due to bugs, but the focus shifted to testing the Aurora Mk II in battle. The ship, although a light cargo runner, performed impressively against multiple light enemy fighters, even after sustaining significant damage like losing a wing and a gun.
Menx explains his combat strategy, preferring to “dance” around opponents rather than engage in jousting, which he finds frustrating. He highlights the Aurora Mk II’s good maneuverability and shield durability, particularly against Drake ships like the Hull and Cutter, which are known for their heavy shields and health. Although the ship takes time to destroy enemies, it holds its own well in these skirmishes, making it a solid choice for solo players facing AI pirates.
During the fights, Menx adapts his tactics to counter various enemy types, including faster ships that favor jousting. By starting turns earlier and trying to keep enemies in his targeting reticle, he manages to wear down opponents effectively. He also discusses the potential benefits of upgrading the ship’s weaponry with different types of cannons, such as attrition or distortion cannons, to improve combat effectiveness.
After a tough battle where Menx crashes into an asteroid, losing a wing, he demonstrates the in-space repair mechanics of Star Citizen. While some parts like the wing cannot be repaired in space, partial repairs can be done to keep the ship operational until returning to base. Menx inspects the ship’s systems and confirms no critical damage beyond the missing wing, showing the importance of managing damage and repairs during gameplay.
Finally, Menx lands the Aurora Mk II back at base to fully repair the ship, revealing the repair cost to be around 36,000 credits. He reflects on how well the cargo variant performed in combat despite not being optimized for fighting and encourages viewers to consider it a viable starter ship. The video concludes with Menx expressing enjoyment of the battle and inviting viewers to like the video if they found it helpful.