In the Star Citizen 4.9 PTU update, the C788 Ballista Cannon received a massive damage buff, making it extremely powerful in combat with high penetration and lethal single-hit potential despite its slow rate of fire. While effective against various ship classes and capable of critical internal damage, its overwhelming strength raises concerns about game balance and potential future nerfs.
In the latest Star Citizen alpha 4.9 PTU patch, the C788 Ballista Cannon received a significant buff, with its alpha damage increased dramatically from 325 to 1,200, a 269% boost. This change aligns with the weapon’s size four classification, which demands a high damage output to be competitive. Other ballistic weapons, however, saw nerfs: the Wrath Cannon’s damage was slightly reduced by 3%, the AD5B plus gallon gun by 5%, and the Deadbolt series saw substantial reductions, especially Deadbolt 1 through 3, which were nerfed by over 40%. Deadbolt 4 and 5 experienced smaller decreases in alpha damage.
The video host then demonstrates the process of acquiring the Redeemer ship, which is equipped with the C788 cannon, noting some gameplay mechanics like the reenabled transfer cap on in-game currency. Despite the ship purchasing interface not yet reflecting the new damage stats, the actual weapon performance corresponds to the buffed values. The C788 has a slow rate of fire at 50 rounds per minute, a projectile speed of 1152 m/s, a range of approximately 3.5 km, and a penetration distance of over 12 meters, but it has limited ammo and no confirmed explosion radius.
Testing the C788 in combat scenarios reveals its immense power. The weapon requires direct hits to kill enemies, as it appears not to have an explosion radius despite visual effects suggesting otherwise. Using combined fire mode with four C788s on the Guardian MX, the host easily destroys a variety of ships, from small cutters and Anvil Arrows to more durable targets like Hornets, Freelancers, and Vanguards. The damage output is so high that even a single hit can severely damage or destroy enemy ships, highlighting the weapon’s lethality.
The video further showcases the cannon’s effectiveness against larger targets like the Hammerhead and the Polaris. While the Hammerhead proves tough, the C788’s sustained fire eventually brings it down, and the weapon performs well against the Polaris’s turrets and escorts, though the large ship itself resists destruction. The host emphasizes how the weapon’s penetration allows critical damage to internal components, such as the power plant, making it highly effective in combat and mission scenarios.
In conclusion, the C788 Ballista Cannon’s buff has made it extremely powerful, potentially overpowered, especially for PvP and piracy roles in Star Citizen. The slow rate of fire is its main drawback, but the sheer damage output and penetration capabilities could dominate light fighter combat. The host questions whether the developers will nerf the weapon before live release, as its current state could disrupt game balance. Viewers are invited to share their thoughts on the weapon’s power and future adjustments.