The host and companion test the Dragonfly hoverbikes on Pyro 4 in Star Citizen, finding the planet’s smaller size and red desert terrain offer a quicker but less diverse circumnavigation, while bike fragility, slower speeds at hover height, and high fuel consumption present significant challenges. Despite these limitations, the exploration yields valuable insights into the game’s current mechanics and hints at future adventure plans beyond full circumnavigation.
In this video, the host revisits the idea of undertaking another Dragonfly (Hoverbike) circumnavigation trip in Star Citizen, this time exploring the planet Pyro 4. After about three years since their last such expedition, the host and his companion, Fingers, decide to test the current state of the Dragonfly bikes and the planet’s terrain. They begin by unloading vehicles and setting off to assess the gravitation effects, speed capabilities, and durability of the bikes in this new environment. Early observations reveal that the bikes feel tamer and slower compared to past experiences, with a speed cap around 90 units when riding at maximum hover height.
As they explore Pyro 4, the team notes the planet’s open, red desert-like landscape with some interesting flora and fauna, including quasy grazers. They also observe that the terrain is quite homogeneous, lacking the diverse biomes seen on other planets like Bloom, which could impact the variety and challenge of a long-distance trip. The planet is significantly smaller than Stanton’s planets, with a diameter of approximately 642 km, making it feasible to circumnavigate more quickly but possibly less engaging due to its smaller size and limited environmental diversity.
The team experiments with hover height adjustments and discovers that lowering the bike closer to the ground significantly increases speed, reaching up to 150 units and beyond. However, this comes with increased risk of crashing due to terrain collisions. Fuel consumption is noted to be much faster than before, and there is currently no manual refueling option, which adds a logistical challenge to extended trips. Despite these difficulties, the terrain is generally comfortable to ride, including crossing lakes and mountainous areas, with improved planetary textures that help navigation.
Throughout the journey, the fragility of the Dragonfly remains a major concern, as bikes tend to explode easily upon collisions or rough landings. The host reflects on how the current game mechanics do not yet support reliable on-the-fly repairs or refueling, which previously limited the viability of long expeditions. They also discuss the potential for future improvements that could make these trips more sustainable and engaging, such as the ability to repair components during travel. Despite the challenges, the exploration provides useful insights into the current state of the game and the feasibility of new adventure ideas.
In conclusion, while Pyro 4 offers a visually appealing and relatively quick circumnavigation opportunity due to its smaller size, the limited biome diversity and bike fragility pose significant challenges. The team hints at upcoming plans for a different kind of adventure that may not be a full circumnavigation but promises to be interesting and challenging. The video ends with thanks to viewers and patrons, promising further updates and content in the near future.