The video tests the effectiveness of buffed Point Defense Cannons (PDCs) on the Polaris and A90 Jump, demonstrating their increased damage and defensive capabilities against various NPC ships and fighters. The creator highlights how recent turret capacitor buffs enhance PDC performance, making ships more resilient to small craft threats, while also discussing potential future updates like size two PDCs.
In this video, the creator tests the Point Defense Cannons (PDCs) on both the Polaris and the A90 Jump, focusing on how recent turret capacitor buffs have affected their performance. The PDCs are described as size one point defense weapons that behave similarly to laser repeaters, with specific stats such as 20 hit points of damage, a speed of 1,800 m/s, a fire rate of 1,000 rounds per minute, and a range of about 2 kilometers. The video also discusses potential future updates, such as the introduction of size two PDCs, which are currently only seen on ships like the Idris and Perseus, though the Perseus is still in development.
A key point of discussion is the ammo capacity of the PDCs. The creator notes that, prior to the recent buff, laser repeaters were capped at 25 rounds, while laser cannons could have up to 75 rounds. Since PDCs behave like laser repeaters, they were believed to have a maximum of 75 rounds, but after the buff, this number seems to be inaccurate. The ship’s entire capacitor is shared across all weapons, including PDCs, which suggests that the ammo count should be consistent across the ship. The creator tests this by comparing the PDCs to size three laser repeaters, which have 282 rounds, and expects the PDCs to have the same amount, but notes that this remains to be confirmed.
During the testing, the creator observes the PDCs in action against various NPC ships. The PDCs fire continuously and effectively shred enemy ships such as Gladius fighters, Vanguard, and other small craft. The visual and audio effects are noted to be bugged in the current patch, but the PDCs’ effectiveness is clear as they rapidly destroy targets. The tests also reveal that NPC ships, like the Carrick, are affected by the turret buff, with their turrets firing more aggressively and accurately, even though NPC gunners may lack proper power management.
The video highlights the importance of turret gunners, as the creator uses a turret gunner (Luke Skywalker) to manually target and shoot at NPC ships that the PDCs do not automatically engage, such as the Carrick. Despite the buff, the Polaris struggles to outmaneuver larger ships like the Carrick, emphasizing the importance of player control and strategic positioning. The overall impression is that the turret buff significantly enhances the defensive capabilities of ships, making PDCs more effective at intercepting incoming threats.
Finally, the creator tests the PDCs on the A90 Jump, where they demonstrate similar effectiveness. The PDCs fire continuously at multiple targets, including a Glaive and a Scorpius, destroying them quickly. The PDCs also engage and destroy a Hurricane rammed into the ship, showcasing their broad firing arc and high damage output. The video concludes with the observation that the PDCs, combined with the turret buff, make ships much more resilient against enemy fighters and small craft, marking a significant improvement in ship defense mechanics in the game.